Once you've decided to tackle your weight loss program, how do you go about it? Do you look online for the most up-to-date fitness and nutrition information? Or do you watch hundreds of YouTube videos, looking for just the right workout routines?
 
A certified personal trainer can help you avoid spending all that time planning your work-out program—time you could be spending on actually working out! Here are some reasons why you need to use a personal trainer:

1. You'll have fewer injuries. Many injuries are caused by failure to warm up properly before exercising. A personal trainer can show you how to prevent muscle cramping and other injuries by stretching. (Hint: once you've learned this from your trainer, warm up prior to subsequent training sessions so you're not paying to have your trainer watch you warm up.) Trainers can also help you improve your technique, such as when to breathe and how to change up your exercising safely.
2. They'll keep you accountable. Do you find yourself making excuses why you don't have time to work out? Having a set appointment with your trainer could help you reach those fitness goals.
3. You'll get a fitness plan just for you. Everyone's goals, abilities, and health histories are different; a personal trainer takes all that information into account when formulating your fitness plan. A trainer also helps you step things up when you've accomplished your earlier goals, and helps motivate you when you reach plateaus.

If you feel like you could really need someone in your corner while you achieve your fitness goals, using a certified personal trainer is the way to go!

Be sure to check with your health professional before starting any new exercise program.

Whether you’re a dedicated weekend warrior or just decided to check out the free trial membership offer at the local gym, working out can be a great way to improve your quality of life. But along with the benefits come a few pitfalls. Here are some of the most common workout mistakes, and how you can avoid them:

1)  Doing the same workout routine every day.  You can avoid boredom by changing up your fitness routine. You need to rest overused muscles, so focus on different muscles on different days and add new exercises, too.

2)  Using the machines incorrectly.  If you are just copying what the other people are doing, you could cause yourself unnecessary pain, and end up wasting a lot of time. Invest in a trainer to show you how to exercise effectively and efficiently.

3)  You’re all about the cardio.  If you’re trying to lose weight, you need to add resistance training to increase your metabolic rate. Lifting weights in addition to your cardio training will help you burn calories 24 hours a day.

4)  Exercising on an empty stomach. Like a car needs gas to go, you need energy to fuel your workout. Some pre-workout food suggestions: a granola or protein bar, an apple and string cheese, or a slice of wheat bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

5)  Who needs to warm up?  You do! Warming up raises the body heat and prepares the ligaments and tendons for work.

Exercise can be a great part of achieving better health. Exercising the right way can help you keep up that healthy lifestyle.

Starting an exercise program can be pretty daunting, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve visited the inside of a gym. The good news is that an exercise program doesn’t have to make you miserable.

Easy does it

Often when we start, we’re full of enthusiasm and overdo it. Why do 20 sit-ups when you can probably manage 50? When we wake up the next morning, we know why.

The key to starting an exercise program is to build up gradually. Even world-class athletes didn’t get that way overnight. Don’t try to do too much all at once.

Don't forget to warm up

Stretching is very important. Muscles and ligaments that haven't been used for a while may have lost some of their flexibility, especially once we get older. Many injuries that happen during exercise could have been prevented with proper stretching and warm-up routines.

Be realistic

Have a firm understanding of your goals, and be reasonable in your expectations. What do you want to accomplish with your exercise program? You may never become a champion weight-lifter or a professional gymnast, but even a ten-minute walk every day can help you feel and move better. 

Exercise can be a key part of a healthy lifestyle. By taking the right steps at the beginning of your exercise program, you can get make it a lasting part of your lifestyle.    

If you would like our help understanding how this impacts you, please give us a call to set up an appointment to discuss your personal health situation and the best way to get started.

You’ve jogged along the same path for months but still haven’t noticed much difference when you look in the mirror. You’ve done so many sit-ups your brain is starting to go numb. Is it time to invest in a personal trainer to achieve your fitness goals?

A good trainer can help you create a program that meets your needs and teaches you how to maximize your exercise time. At the very least a trainer should be educated and knowledge about both exercise programs and proper nutrition. A trainer can:

• Give you guidance on reaching your goals
• Educate you about the different types of exercise programs including strength training and cardio
• Motivate you to show up at the gym each session
• Provide accountability and help you track your progress

Trainers come in all varieties. Look for one that is certified through a reputable fitness program or talk to your doctor for a recommendation. A trainer should have an updated certificate in CPR and first aid. Try to find one that specializes in the area in which you want to improve. For example, if you want to cut your time in a one-mile run, look for one with a background in cardio or running. Make sure he or she is a good listener and clearly understands your fitness goals. 

It’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

If you decide you want to hire a trainer, check out our individualized programs here. We offer assessments, consultations, and custom training to fit any need. Contact us by filling out our online form today!

If you’re trying to lose weight, chances are you’ve turned to some sort of cardio workout like the treadmill or elliptical machine to help you shed those extra pounds. If so, you’re not alone. Around the world, millions of people spend countless hours logging hundreds of miles walking, jogging, climbing bicycling and running in place, all the while hoping their in-the-gym journeys melt away pounds and body fat.

The sad news is, a lot of them really are going nowhere.

Today, some personal trainers have completely eliminated traditional cardio workouts from their programs because they believe those endless hours on the treadmill are nothing more than a waste of time. Fitness experts have been cited in numerous articles for several less-than-glowing reviews of cardio, claiming cardio machines grossly overestimate the number of calories they burn, that cardio does not lead to dramatic weight loss and that it may actually increase hunger and cause people to eat more!

Great. Then what exactly should you be doing to burn fat?

The answer appears to be a combination of strength training and interval training.

Strength training, which includes training with free weights and resistance devices, works by building muscle mass, which then boosts your metabolism and helps you burn more fat all day long.

Interval training involves traditional cardio exercises, like pedaling a bike or running on a treadmill, but alternating quick bursts of high intensity exercise with longer, lower paced intervals instead of maintaining a steady, moderate pace. This cuts down on fatigue, allowing you to burn fat – and calories – faster.

Alternate interval and strength training every week, and you should see great results –plus it’s a lot more fun than spending hours on the treadmill!

Is a personal trainer really worth the expense? Here are five reasons why a professional exercise partner is an excellent investment in your health and your future.

Personal trainers take the mystery out of exercise.

It can be difficult to tell what kind of exercise is best to help you reach your goals. What will you like doing? What will be most effective? Simply by spending time with you and learning a few things about you, a personal trainer can formulate a plan just for you based on what you like, what you need and what you want.

Personal trainers introduce you to new things you’ve never tried before.

Personal trainers are plugged into the exercise world – they know what’s new, what’s hot and what’s working and are constantly learning new things. If your trainer runs across something that might interest you, you can be sure you’ll get a chance to try it – and might find a program that changes your life.

Personal trainers keep you healthy.

Even exercise has a down side, and that down side it, it’s easy to get hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing. A trainer will work with you to make sure you’re performing each exercise correctly, so you don’t overdo it or injure yourself.

Personal trainers break you out of a plateau.

If your fitness routine stops working, you may see that as a reason to quit. But with a trainer by your side, you can you get over that hump more easily. A trainer will help determine what’s at the root of your plateau and design a plan to help you get past it – and on to your fitness goals.

Personal trainers are someone to talk to.

Your trainer is like a coach, a friend and even a therapist all rolled into one – someone who will be with you every step of the way, helping you when things are difficult, and celebrating with you when you succeed.

If your goal is to get or stay in shape, consider teaming up with a trainer. And find out what a difference the personal touch can make for you.