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...
Holistic health reaches beyond the physical body, encompassing emotional, mental, social, spiritual, environmental, occupational, and intellectual health. A holistically healthy outlook views and supports each human body as a brilliantly designed integrated system....
From caffeinated coffee to ayurvedic herbs, nootropic substances keep popping up in relation to overall wellness. Here we shall delve into the topic, highlighting some of the more common nootropics and whether they may confer any benefit to you and your clients....
The need for sustainable food proteins, a focal point of interest among agricultural scientists and health professionals for years, continues to spiral. As our global population enlarges, on target to hit 10 billion individuals by the year 2050, we need greater...
You have just decided you want to pursue a Personal Trainer certification --- congratulations! This exciting and rewarding career path opens doors to guiding others to live their best possible lives by achieving their fitness and health goals! While this endeavor may...
Aside from the blessing of vision, our eyes hold a wealth of information, from athletic abilities to pain tolerance and a predilection towards certain diseases. Understanding the role of exercise and even eye color in protecting our personal training clients' ocular...
Most health and fitness professionals have come to accept the premise that more omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can help control inflammation and heart health. However, the picture gets muddied when we consider that the average American ingests more omega-6 fatty...
As personal trainers, our training renders us well-versed in the subtleties of tweaking clients’ workouts to accommodate a variety of chronic health issues, of which understanding and recognizing the signs of blood clots is included. While some health situations can...
Volume, frequency, and load all factor into a successful resistance training program. Many personal training clients ask how often they should work out, how intensely, balancing cardio and weight training…but so much more comes into play. The gaining of lean muscle...
Collateral damage refers to any unintended side effects that may result from an initially positive endeavor. Bodybuilding and resistance training programs carry the potential for damage at the cellular and vascular levels. Here we explore the physiology of various...
Wind sprints have secured a prominent place among today’s vast array of personal training options. Consisting of a series of top-speed running spurts, followed by “recovery” walking, wind sprints offer a multitude of benefits. Changing particular variables of the...
Lower limb weakness can present in children and young people who are diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy. Regardless of its etiology, lower limb weakness in adolescents can be improved through prudent and creative strength...
Is it possible for a “clean” protein source to work against your muscle-gaining goals and harbor toxic chemicals and artificial sweeteners? The answer may terrify personal trainers and their clients; the details are quite disturbing. Numerous protein supplements...