There are three different types of muscular contractions: concentric (shortening of the muscle), eccentric (lengthening of the muscle) and isometric (muscle doesn't change length and the affected...
Isometric Towel Workout
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Exercise Science, Biology, and Research
Health and fitness articles for personal trainers rooted in exercise science, biology, anatomy, physiology, health psychology
Mighty Mitochondria: Powerhouses of the Cells
Mitochondria play a huge role in our energy levels and our metabolic functions. Can we help clients make the most of these cells’ power? As tiny as these organelles seem, mitochondria are the...
Five Rules for Building Muscle
One of the primary cited goals fitness clients have is to build more muscle. After all, the benefits of resistance training and adding lean tissue are limitless and benefit us not only physically,...
Workout Hangover? Blame Training, Not Alcohol
Have clients ever complained of experiencing unusual and daunting exhaustion after several intense sessions at the gym? In addition to a cascade of other physiological processes, he or she may have...
Understanding Respiratory Rate and Exercise: What Personal Trainers Need to Know
Although heart rate and sweat are seen as measurements of a great workout, another big factor in exercise success is the respiratory response. The more your personal training client huffs and puffs,...
Training Load Territory: A Measure of Intensity
The theory of exercise states that by placing a strain upon the body, followed by proper recovery, one can make his body stronger. The principle of training load encompasses the amount of strain...
Understanding Shoulder Instability: The Anatomy and the Pathology
The shoulder is the most versatile joint of our body and allows motion of our arms in pretty much every direction, but this instability also makes it the riskiest joint. “What makes a joint...
Water In, Water out: The Value of Sweating and Hydrating
Sweating is our body’s natural cooling system. It keeps our temperature in check working on an automatic internal thermostat. Think of our pores as the permanent filters in the body system providing...
Helping Athletes Recover From Overtraining Syndrome
Personal trainers may occasionally work with clients who consistently push themselves too hard and too frequently. The ramifications of this habitual body-battering are far-reaching. An athlete or...
Is Your Libido Losing to Your Workouts?
The majority of avid exercisers make the mistake of monitoring muscle soreness when deciding whether their bodies are ready for yet another tough workout. However, overtraining – or...
