February 28, 2012

9 Reasons to Get a Personal Trainer

Personal trainer assisting and correcting a cl...Image via Wikipedia
There's nothing like a good workout session to boost your mood and keep you healthy, and while you can get the workout by yourself, personal trainers can help you go that extra step to ensure the time you spend in the gym is as efficient as possible. Personal trainers are a good investment, not only to keep you motivated but also to support you along the way. Still not convinced? Here are 10 reasons getting a personal trainer is a good idea!
  1. They teach you new things. If you're new to the gym experience, getting a personal trainer is a smart idea. Many gyms offer a free session at sign-up to help you get familiar with the machines, and more in-depth sessions can help perfect your form.
  2. They're sometimes your therapist. Having friend drama? Your trainer can be the perfect person to talk it out with while you're bending, balancing, and lifting.
  3. They are an objective eye. We all have areas we'd like to work on, and personal trainers can not only tell you realistically what to expect with each workout, but also how to optimize a session to target different muscle group.
  4. They're better than a mirror. Watching yourself while you work out can help you make sure your form is correct, but it's even better when someone is there to tweak it while you work.
  5. They push your limits. Just when you think you can't go anymore, you'll be told to "hold for another minute" or do "10 more reps." And what do you do? You do it, and are all the better for it.
  6. They hold you accountable. This one can be important for me, especially when happy hour is calling my name. It's much harder to justify blowing off an appointment with a personal trainer than just your own freestyling time at the gym.
  7. They keep you from plateauing. A personal trainer always has a new workout up her sleeve to keep you having fun and seeing results!
  8. They keep count. OK, maybe this is just me being lazy, but I just love the fact that someone else is keeping track of my reps, especially when I can barely lift my arms (let alone think) anymore.
  9. They love to see you sweat. Who loves to see you at your disheveled worst more than your trainer? All those huffs, puffs, and sweaty faces just tell them that they're doing their jobs!
What do you love about your personal trainer?

February 16, 2012

Is Your Personal Trainer Listening to Your "Inner Voice"

Personal trainer showing a client how to exerc...Image via Wikipedia
All exercise, including everyday tasks and playing sports, has the potential for injury. Join a gym or hire a quality Personal Trainer and you will be asked to sign in informed consent explaining the risks of exercise. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be active and participate in an exercise program, including yoga. Injuries happen; it’s inevitable no matter what you do. You can get injured just walking to your car. However a teacher/trainer should understand the needs and ability of the client and honor that….ALWAYS. An exercise, protocol, intensity level, yoga pose, etc that works for someone may not be good for someone else. Good teachers/trainers encourage clients to listen to their “inner voice” and use that as a guide for how hard to push. Bottom line, if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not right for you.

February 6, 2012

Tips for a Healthier Body at Any Age

Exercise can transform anyone at any age! In fact the older we get, the more beneficial exercise becomes to better our health both aesthetically and internally. It's well known that exercise helps reduce or even prevent the severity of many health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. It also helps make our daily tasks and chores (such as walking to our car after a long day of work, climbing the stairs, cleaning the house, carrying groceries, tying our shoes, etc.) easier to do. In fact the majority of our clients chose to exercise for health related reasons. But exercise also has the benefit of making our bodies look better which makes us feel better about ourselves.

Cardiovascular exercise is important for the heart and a great way to burn calories for weight loss. But, diet is just as important. You can do all the cardiovascular exercise you want, but in the end if you consume more energy then you expend, you won't lose weight. A healthy diet and a consistent cardiovascular program will not only allow you to reach your goals for a better body, but will make you feel healthier and better about yourself.

Even more important to look healthier is strength training. Strength training builds muscle and makes us look stronger and healthier. This becomes even more important in mid-life because we lose muscle mass as we get older. Hence we lose strength, our bodies don't look as defined, and our metabolism decreases. Age related muscle loss is something that can't be prevented but can be slowed down. Strength training is the fountain of youth that helps impede the ageing process.

Flexibility training is also important. Even though increased flexibility won't change the way you look, it will change the way you feel. Increased flexibility allows every movement you make easier and more fluid. Joints are more mobile and move through a greater range of motion with ease. In return you have more energy and more freedom to do what you want.

Good posture makes everyone look better no matter what your age. If you hold you head low that's the way you going to feel and your body shows it. Hold you head high and you feel good and look healthy and confident. Always try to maintain a good posture. Flexibility exercises, such as yoga, and specific strength training exercises for the back and rear shoulders muscles can help you maintain good posture.

Finally, make sure you get plenty of sleep and let yourself de-stress. Stress and lack of sleep can really take its toll on the way you look and feel. Find ways to help you distress: maybe a walk in the park during your lunch hour, a workplace yoga class, a hot bath, or a massage. Your mind and body work hard all day; give them some time to rejuvenate and rest!