As the name would imply, pre-workout supplements claim to boost energy levels, improve strength and endurance, and increase focus prior to engaging in a tough workout. Some supplements market themselves as geared toward building muscle, while others might aim to stave...
Each individual arrives at the gym with his own unique somatotype, or body shape. Optimizing training and nutritional intake to match genetic physical predisposition can help our clients progress from “just working out” to successfully creating the fit physiques they...
In September of 2024, we presented an article highlighting the pro’s and cons of creatine use for serious bodybuilders. This month, we continue our series on sports supplementation with a detailed look at branched-chain amino acids, more commonly referred to as BCAAs....
In the United States alone, 3 million individuals have survived breast cancer; experts predict this number will increase by another million survivors within the next ten years. Healthy lifestyle habits, with an emphasis on regular physical activity, positively...
Insufficient physical activity remains a major public health concern, heightening the risk of a multitude of health concerns as well as negatively impacting mental health. Many far-reaching public health campaigns attempt to promote physical activity. Online social...
After receiving any nationally-recognized Personal Trainer Certification, most burgeoning fitness professionals feel prepared to take on the world…or at least their very first client. Seasoned professionals have already learned some of the best-kept secrets of the...
The kinetic chain concept in fitness, based largely upon mechanical engineering principles introduced in 1875 by German engineer Franz Reuleaux, describes the interconnectivity of the body's joints and segments during any movement. The kinetic chain theory proposes...
Functional training mimics the movements we perform in everyday life. Functional strength training relates to daily movements such as sitting and standing, bending over, and twisting from side to side. Such practical workouts strive to make these movements both...
Not having access to a fancy high-tech gym facility can no longer serve as an excuse to avoid a regular workout! With bodyweight-only moves as well as resistance band exercises, you can create an intense training session just about anywhere. Read on to learn our...
In our daily attempts to live healthy and productive lives, it helps to realize that good health encompasses so much more than just exercise and having a fit body. Fitness, health, and wellness interact in a coordinated fashion; therefore, we must take each of these...
Physical inactivity, and the health problems that follow in its wake, recently attained pandemic status. Addressing this problem falls under the category of a global public health priority. Many countries throughout the world have developed policies and guidelines for...
Fitness, when presented properly and professionally, boasts the capacity to transcend borders, cultures, and backgrounds. However, despite its universal appeal, the fitness industry as a whole often struggles to fully embrace diversity and inclusion. To solve this...
The topic of whether to take over-the-counter supplements as a way of gaining an athletic edge often sparks debates on both sides of the fence. Creatine, a substance naturally produced in the human body, typically tops the list of supplements for bodybuilders as well...
Fitness encompasses more than a woman’s physical body. It extends to her emotions, her spirit, and her unique definition of self. Women deserve to celebrate their lives at any age; however, when the “change of life” years creep in, many females struggle to discover...
Perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause, signals the lessening of estrogen levels in a female’s body. During this phase of life, which in some women can last for years, menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes or irregular periods start to appear...
Lifestyle medicine, a branch of evidence-based healthcare emphasizing disease prevention over curative medicine, seems greatly underemphasized in today’s Western medicine approach. Lifestyle medicine operates from a holistic health approach that works to treat root...
As personal trainers -- and those aspiring to the field -- surely know, every client with whom we interact deserves a personalized program in order to achieve results. The stepping stones on this path had previously included strength training, nutrition and exercises...
Individuals who have undergone any type of bariatric surgery often have anxieties about beginning or resuming an exercise program. Here we address many of the common concerns as well as offer suggestions on the best and safest ways to get started. What Is Bariatric...