Trainer Tells All – What I Have Learned About Health and Fitness

I was walking the dogs yesterday and all of the sudden it just came to me. I just started thinking about how many things I’ve learned through my own personal working out (since I was a kid, a teenager on the dance squad, and playing competitive sports) as well as being a trainer. Realizing that fitness, in some shape or form, has been part of my life for over 20 years! So today I just wanted to share some of the things this 32yr old has personally learned about all things health and fitness….in no certain order….
• Pushups are the best upper body workout designed….working not only your chest but biceps, triceps and back…you don’t need any equipment and you can do them anywhere.
• It’s easy to become a certified trainer (as I have seen overweight people become certified)….although one of the most rewarding things in my life-it’s not easy to work as one full time (hence a high turnover rate in many clubs)
• Diet is 85% of where results come from…..for muscle and fat loss. My dear partner James, certified nutritionist has been drilling this into my head for over a decade now. Many don’t focus here enough. At the gym we try and combine this into all of our client’s plans.
• Working out too much doesn’t lead to good results….hence most people are still struggling after years of hard effort and little return. Getting down to the facts of how we need to balance ourselves and having accountability each and every workout is the key!
• Most people do not workout hard enough to make stronger muscles. Progressive load, pushing your muscles to “failure” and then a little more gets that fastest results. Harder does not mean heavier.
• It’s never too late to build muscle, lean body mass….and is more important as we grow older. We can help prevent osteoporosis and increase our metabolism by lifting weights!
• Balance is key- this goes for following intense workouts with a day of rest or very mellow cardio and also allowing yourself to indulge once per week on that cupcake or nice pint!
• Cross training is key to keeping fit and injury free- mix it up and try everything you will excel overall!
• There is no such thing as spot reduction…but there is a great business in selling that concept (Ab-reclining chair anyone?)
• The fittest people I know keep active daily doing what they enjoy
• Fitness and Muscle magazines never got me any real results
• Supplements are not all they are cracked up to be and are still in the business of making money not health.
• The best performance enhancing thing I know of….is a cup of coffee 30min before a workout/playing sports.
• Don’t skip breakfast!!!
• Don’t skip breakfast, it is so important I am reiterating this one!
• It’s a lot easier to stay fit and strong….once you get there
• All diets fail over the long run….but lifestyle changes last
Bottom Line, keep learning and growing. Fitness trends are constantly changing and keeping up to date with the latest research is the only way to ensure you stay focused and keep reaching for your goals!