March 25
Talking about 10 Surprising Fitness Tips - 4 - MSN Health & Fitness - Fitness Slide Show
Being certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, I can tell you that the elliptical trainer is one of the best aerbic exercise machines you can use provided you use enough resisitance, vary the incline levels, vary the speed of movement, and utilize it for a lengthy peiod of time. This device is a necessary piece for those who have knee and hip issues with running and stair stepping. While I would agree that biking may not be as effective as running when it comes to burning fat calories, the elliptical is when used to its fullest extent.
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Working Out - the Newest Health Threat
March 24
Is Working Out the Newest Health Threat?
Okay. After having read this article and all the responses to it, I have a few things to say regarding personal trainers and the fitness industry. First of all, I am a strength training teacher and a personal fitness trainer who has been in the profession for 15 years, and have been lifting for nearly 25 years and I played college and minor league pro football. I have a BS in Health & Exercise Science, an MS in Kinesiology, and a PhD in Health & Human Performance. I am CSCS, ACSM, CHES, and NFPT certified. I have also been a strength coach, an athletic trainer, and a first aid instructor as well, having those certifications.
Now, with that said, I can tell you why I teach full time and train part time: it's due to the lack of federal regualtion regarding the industry. I learned early on in the mid '90's at places like Bally's that there are people out there in the gyms and clubs who call themselves "trainers", but they aren't even certified, let alone qualified. I had as much schooling, as many certifications, and even more knowledge than the guy who hired me to train. After dealing with all the cutthroat backstabbing just to make a buck, plus seeing idiots who couldn't even teach a client how to do a push up correctly, I decided I'd rather make some real money teaching bratty kids who have no respect than to deal with the idiocracies of the fitness profession full time. Now, after stints in a couple of schools running weight programs after school, I decided to get back into the private sector. Yet, nearly 10 years later, at places like Gold's, the same issues still exist regarding the hiring and training of fitness professionals (a term I use loosely). I finally got tired of the big chain gyms and now train at a smaller, yet more reputable fitness center where everyone is certified and qualified.
Here is my advice to those who wish to train: talk to the trainer, ask him what his degrees, certifications, qualifications, and experiences are. The object is to help the client achieve their fitness goals, not to punish them into submission. All trainers should be degreed, certified, have liability insurance, and a current CPR card. Watch the trainer in action and see if you like what he does for his clients. Even when you get well into your session and the trainer is pushing to progress you, if you truly don't feel you can do something, ask to do a variation that you can accomplish. If they are smart and good at what they do, they will find a way to train you well and that will make you want to come back for more.
12:50 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
Is Working Out the Newest Health Threat?
Okay. After having read this article and all the responses to it, I have a few things to say regarding personal trainers and the fitness industry. First of all, I am a strength training teacher and a personal fitness trainer who has been in the profession for 15 years, and have been lifting for nearly 25 years and I played college and minor league pro football. I have a BS in Health & Exercise Science, an MS in Kinesiology, and a PhD in Health & Human Performance. I am CSCS, ACSM, CHES, and NFPT certified. I have also been a strength coach, an athletic trainer, and a first aid instructor as well, having those certifications.
Now, with that said, I can tell you why I teach full time and train part time: it's due to the lack of federal regualtion regarding the industry. I learned early on in the mid '90's at places like Bally's that there are people out there in the gyms and clubs who call themselves "trainers", but they aren't even certified, let alone qualified. I had as much schooling, as many certifications, and even more knowledge than the guy who hired me to train. After dealing with all the cutthroat backstabbing just to make a buck, plus seeing idiots who couldn't even teach a client how to do a push up correctly, I decided I'd rather make some real money teaching bratty kids who have no respect than to deal with the idiocracies of the fitness profession full time. Now, after stints in a couple of schools running weight programs after school, I decided to get back into the private sector. Yet, nearly 10 years later, at places like Gold's, the same issues still exist regarding the hiring and training of fitness professionals (a term I use loosely). I finally got tired of the big chain gyms and now train at a smaller, yet more reputable fitness center where everyone is certified and qualified.
Here is my advice to those who wish to train: talk to the trainer, ask him what his degrees, certifications, qualifications, and experiences are. The object is to help the client achieve their fitness goals, not to punish them into submission. All trainers should be degreed, certified, have liability insurance, and a current CPR card. Watch the trainer in action and see if you like what he does for his clients. Even when you get well into your session and the trainer is pushing to progress you, if you truly don't feel you can do something, ask to do a variation that you can accomplish. If they are smart and good at what they do, they will find a way to train you well and that will make you want to come back for more.
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No Gym No Excuses Workout
The No-Gym No-Excuses Workout
While these exercises are great for body weighted resistance training and functional strength and core stability, you still need the iron to be able to push heavy weights and create muscle mass. I personally like the steel as a CSCS & ACSM certified personal trainer with an MS & PhD in Kinesiology, and that's how I like to train...at the gym. I won't even train in a home without a fully equipped fitness center.
12:46 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
While these exercises are great for body weighted resistance training and functional strength and core stability, you still need the iron to be able to push heavy weights and create muscle mass. I personally like the steel as a CSCS & ACSM certified personal trainer with an MS & PhD in Kinesiology, and that's how I like to train...at the gym. I won't even train in a home without a fully equipped fitness center.
12:46 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
Fitness Rules You Should Break
February 02
Talking about 9 Fitness Rules You Should Break - MSN Health & Fitness - Women's Fitness
1. While I agree that the hands should be wider than shoulder width apart for outer chest development, it can be difficult for those with shoulder problems, thus should width apart is a good baseline for these individuals.
2. The Pilates V teaser is a great move to sculpt the abs providing you do not have any lower back problems. If you do, I would suggest leg lifts instead, so as to keep the back supported in the supine position in this movement.
3. The squat is the king of exercises when it comes to total hip and thigh development, as opposed to hip extensions which is simply an isolation exercise as opposed to a multi joint compound lower body movement.
4. I would recommend that 30 percent of your calories come from protein so as to fit into the 30-30-40 model. With only 40 percent coming from carbs, it leaves a little room for error when it comes from fat sources.
5. With heavier lifts, I would recommend keeping the pauses at the top and bottom of the movements to allow constant tension on the muscles with continuous movement throughout the lifting exercise.
6. I agree with the fact that while not using a mirror is great for balance and kinesthetic awareness, those who don't have good joint position and movement senses may need the mirror as a teaching and learning tool.
7. While increasing muscle tone can help burn more calories, it cannot be done alone without cardio and a proper diet. It is necessary to burn even more calories when consuming more food via more meals.
8. While I agree with shortening the rest periods, those doing heavier weights or more explosive movements need the recovery time between sets to restore oxygen in the blood so as to get it to the muscles.
9. Weighing yourself weekly is a more realistic way of monitoring your progress. Might I also add that one partake in a body composition test on a monthly basis, which is a better way of tracking fat loss.
1:10 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
Talking about 9 Fitness Rules You Should Break - MSN Health & Fitness - Women's Fitness
1. While I agree that the hands should be wider than shoulder width apart for outer chest development, it can be difficult for those with shoulder problems, thus should width apart is a good baseline for these individuals.
2. The Pilates V teaser is a great move to sculpt the abs providing you do not have any lower back problems. If you do, I would suggest leg lifts instead, so as to keep the back supported in the supine position in this movement.
3. The squat is the king of exercises when it comes to total hip and thigh development, as opposed to hip extensions which is simply an isolation exercise as opposed to a multi joint compound lower body movement.
4. I would recommend that 30 percent of your calories come from protein so as to fit into the 30-30-40 model. With only 40 percent coming from carbs, it leaves a little room for error when it comes from fat sources.
5. With heavier lifts, I would recommend keeping the pauses at the top and bottom of the movements to allow constant tension on the muscles with continuous movement throughout the lifting exercise.
6. I agree with the fact that while not using a mirror is great for balance and kinesthetic awareness, those who don't have good joint position and movement senses may need the mirror as a teaching and learning tool.
7. While increasing muscle tone can help burn more calories, it cannot be done alone without cardio and a proper diet. It is necessary to burn even more calories when consuming more food via more meals.
8. While I agree with shortening the rest periods, those doing heavier weights or more explosive movements need the recovery time between sets to restore oxygen in the blood so as to get it to the muscles.
9. Weighing yourself weekly is a more realistic way of monitoring your progress. Might I also add that one partake in a body composition test on a monthly basis, which is a better way of tracking fat loss.
1:10 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
How to Give Her a Killer Massage
November 18
Talking about Make Her Day: How to Give Her a Killer Massage - MSN Relationships - article
As a Certified Massage Therapist through the Holistic Wellness Academy, I can tell you that while there are some benefits through various press and release techniques, along with various circular movements, the best methods for releasing trigger points in the neck, shoulder, and back areas involve efflurage, petrissage, and tipotement. By using these stripping and hacking techniques, you can relieve the tension in the muscles much better, while at the same time relax the upper body in the process.
Make Her Day: How to Give Her a Killer Massage - MSN Relationships - article
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Talking about Make Her Day: How to Give Her a Killer Massage - MSN Relationships - article
As a Certified Massage Therapist through the Holistic Wellness Academy, I can tell you that while there are some benefits through various press and release techniques, along with various circular movements, the best methods for releasing trigger points in the neck, shoulder, and back areas involve efflurage, petrissage, and tipotement. By using these stripping and hacking techniques, you can relieve the tension in the muscles much better, while at the same time relax the upper body in the process.
Make Her Day: How to Give Her a Killer Massage - MSN Relationships - article
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Press Pause for More Muscle
November 14
Talking about Press Pause for More Muscle - MSN Health & Fitness - Men's Fitness
As a MS and Ph.D. degreed health and fitness teacher, and as a CSCS and ACSM certified professional fitness trainer, I do agree with the concept of pause and press when using lighter weights and for stabilized compound movements. However, I would recommend shortening the pause when doing heavier lifts and more complex movements that require core stabilization and more balance. The workout should always be safe while being effective to maximize muscle mass and strength gains.
Press Pause for More Muscle - MSN Health & Fitness - Men's Fitness
12:53 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
Talking about Press Pause for More Muscle - MSN Health & Fitness - Men's Fitness
As a MS and Ph.D. degreed health and fitness teacher, and as a CSCS and ACSM certified professional fitness trainer, I do agree with the concept of pause and press when using lighter weights and for stabilized compound movements. However, I would recommend shortening the pause when doing heavier lifts and more complex movements that require core stabilization and more balance. The workout should always be safe while being effective to maximize muscle mass and strength gains.
Press Pause for More Muscle - MSN Health & Fitness - Men's Fitness
12:53 PM Add a comment Permalink View trackbacks (0) Blog it Health and wellness
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