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MUSCLE SORENESS DOMS: HOW TO PREVENT TREAT SORE MUSCLES

MUSCLE SORENESS DOMS: HOW TO PREVENT TREAT SORE MUSCLES

BY JACQUELINE KAMINSKI If you’ve ever done any type of strenuous exercise, I’m sure you have felt the effects of it the next day. Can’t move. Stiff. Aching… what most of us allude to as muscle soreness. Anyone who’s never experienced muscle soreness is most definitely...
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

By DARLENE MARSHALL When you think about employer-provided wellness programs what comes to mind? Many people think of tech companies in the 2010s with meditation rooms, napping pods, flexible workspaces, and kitchenettes full of snacks. Since then, meaningful wellness...
WALL SITS: HELPFUL TIPS AND BENEFITS

WALL SITS: HELPFUL TIPS AND BENEFITS

By When I was a student-athlete, wall sits were frequently used as a “character-building” exercise for the whole team. Character-building exercises were typically exercises that required perseverance and grit to push through to the end, thus building our character. As...
THE BENEFITS OF FLEXIBILITY: WHY YOU SHOULD STRETCH MORE!

THE BENEFITS OF FLEXIBILITY: WHY YOU SHOULD STRETCH MORE!

By NICOLE GOLDEN Flexibility refers to the range of motion of the muscles and connective tissues at a joint (Page, 2012). Flexibility can differ from joint to joint and often decreases with advancing age. Many of us (and our clients) think the purpose of training is...
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY-ISH: A DEEP DIVE INTO TOXIC POSITIVITY

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY-ISH: A DEEP DIVE INTO TOXIC POSITIVITY

By DARLENE MARSHALL There is a wide array of human emotions and experiences. Each of us inevitably feels a mixture of pleasant, challenging, positive, and difficult emotions, and feeling the range of reactions is natural and healthy. When life gets challenging of...
FITNESS AFTER 50: 5 REASONS TO STAY MOTIVATED IN YOUR TRAINING

FITNESS AFTER 50: 5 REASONS TO STAY MOTIVATED IN YOUR TRAINING

By MARIA DIGIUSEPPE I take for granted that I get up daily and know I’m going to do exercise. It’s the way I think, but it’s NOT the way everyone thinks. It’s my routine because I’m a personal trainer. Most people think it’s easy...
6 FITNESS TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2022

6 FITNESS TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2022

By DANA BENDER Adaptation was a key theme while navigating the impacts of the pandemic. This adaptation was a necessity related to various aspects of daily life such as how we grocery shopped, spent time with family and friends, and even worked out to stay fit and...
HOW MANY CARBS SHOULD YOU EAT A DAY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

HOW MANY CARBS SHOULD YOU EAT A DAY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

By BRAD DIETER Low carbohydrate diets have become a very popular tool for weight loss over the last several decades. While much of the scientific rationale behind why they are utilized for weight loss, such as the carbohydrate-insulin hypothesis, has largely been...
NUTRIENT TIMING: PRE AND POST-WORKOUT QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

NUTRIENT TIMING: PRE AND POST-WORKOUT QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

By LEE MURPHY Diet and exercise are the primary pillars of a healthy lifestyle plan. But can coordinating eating and workout schedules improve our fitness results? And if so, how should our eating patterns differ before, during, and after activities? Melding a...
6 TIPS FOR AVOIDING AND RESPONDING TO FOOD CRAVINGS

6 TIPS FOR AVOIDING AND RESPONDING TO FOOD CRAVINGS

By DANA BENDER “Why do I have no self-control with unhealthy foods?” is a common question a person might ask themselves after he or she makes the impulsive choice to eat junk food. This is especially true if there is an established goal related to eating healthier,...
EXERCISING WITH CHRONIC PAIN: HOW TO ALLEVIATE STRESS ON THE BODY

EXERCISING WITH CHRONIC PAIN: HOW TO ALLEVIATE STRESS ON THE BODY

By NICOLE GOLDEN Chronic pain is defined as any pain from an injury or condition lasting more than 12 weeks. Many potential clients seeking a certified personal trainer, yoga class, or corrective exercise specialist do so in hopes of using exercise to mitigate chronic...
6 FITNESS TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2022

6 FITNESS TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2022

by DANA BENDER Adaptation was a key theme while navigating the impacts of the pandemic. This adaptation was a necessity related to various aspects of daily life such as how we grocery shopped, spent time with family and friends, and even worked out to stay fit and...
IMPORTANCE OF A FITNESS ROUTINE FOR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

IMPORTANCE OF A FITNESS ROUTINE FOR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

By DANA BENDER There is a multitude of reasons why individuals commit to a regular exercise routine. Engaging in a regular exercise routine is not only a tool used to improve the physical dimension of wellness but also its emotional one. Often the choice to engage in...
REPS IN RESERVE (RIR): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

REPS IN RESERVE (RIR): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY Most lifters are familiar with calculating percentages of their 1 Rep Max (aka, 1RM, the maximum amount of weight that you can lift for 1 repetition of an exercise) to choose the appropriate weight for an exercise based on their desired intensity...
8 OF THE BEST SQUAT ALTERNATIVES FOR STRONGER LEGS

8 OF THE BEST SQUAT ALTERNATIVES FOR STRONGER LEGS

 By KINSEY MAHAFFEY You’ve looked up different fitness routines for stronger legs, but every single one includes squats. Maybe you’re feeling a little burned out on squats, or you just want to add some variety to your workout routine. What leg exercises can you do to...
THE 8 BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR MUSCLE GROWTH YOU SHOULD TRY RIGHT NOW

THE 8 BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR MUSCLE GROWTH YOU SHOULD TRY RIGHT NOW

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI If you go to the gym regularly, you want every workout to count right? You don’t spend all that time exercising to just waste your time and energy! So, to get the most out of your workouts and maximize your muscle growth, we’ve compiled a list...
SELF-CARE: 5 TIPS FOR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

SELF-CARE: 5 TIPS FOR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

By Dana Bender Self-care is a word that keeps emerging in news articles and company-wide employee emails during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the unprecedented stress many individuals face, some companies are re-establishing their Employee Assistance Program (EAP)...
ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING: LEARN HOW TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS

ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING: LEARN HOW TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS

ByKERIDON MCMAHON Online personal training is now more relevant than ever. With the vast array of technological options and virtual training applications available, you can pivot to an online personal training business in a few relatively easy steps. This guide will...
HOW TO COUNT MACROS THE EASY WAY TO REACH YOUR NUTRITION GOALS

HOW TO COUNT MACROS THE EASY WAY TO REACH YOUR NUTRITION GOALS

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI If you’re an avid gym user, friends with a bodybuilder, or sat in on a novice nutrition course I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “macros” or “counting macros.” But what is the significance? Do you need to count macros to be healthy? Have no...
HOW TO CLEAR YOUR MIND FOR SLEEP: REASONS WHY YOU CAN’T GET TO BED

HOW TO CLEAR YOUR MIND FOR SLEEP: REASONS WHY YOU CAN’T GET TO BED

By DR. ALLISON BRAGER According to the Center for Disease Control, the National Sleep Foundation, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, our nation’s sleep debt is an increasingly pervasive problem. The industry of sleep medications, supplements, mattresses, and...
WHAT TO EAT BEFORE A WORKOUT: PREWORKOUT NUTRITION TIPS

WHAT TO EAT BEFORE A WORKOUT: PREWORKOUT NUTRITION TIPS

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI When you’re on the way to the gym, what’s the best snack to grab? A granola bar? An apple? What about a sandwich? So many possibilities to choose from, but what’s the best option? Well, much of that will largely depend on the...
10 EFFECTIVE SHOULDER PAIN EXERCISES: CORRECT YOUR SHOULDER TODAY!

10 EFFECTIVE SHOULDER PAIN EXERCISES: CORRECT YOUR SHOULDER TODAY!

By Nicole Golden Shoulder pain, prior injury, or overall dysfunction is a very common problem in both the athletic and general populations in a personal training practice. A complaint of shoulder pain occurs in 16 to 26 per cent of adults and is the third most common...
THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

By Dana Bender Consistently exercising over time has an array of health benefits. It’s easy for individuals to emphasize the physical benefits of exercise more, but there are a variety of mental health benefits that are just as important to note. According to the...
WHAT IS A WELLNESS COACH AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

WHAT IS A WELLNESS COACH AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

By DARLENE MARSHALL Most people know what they “should” do to foster a life of wellness. Eat a balanced diet and avoid processed foods, get regular movement, prioritize sleep, reduce stress, and cultivate a positive outlook on life that includes purpose, meaning, and...
PREVENTING STRESS-RELATED WEIGHT GAIN: 4 STRATEGIES YOU SHOULD TRY!

PREVENTING STRESS-RELATED WEIGHT GAIN: 4 STRATEGIES YOU SHOULD TRY!

By Nicole Golden Many adults, especially those between the ages of 20 and 50, report high levels of psychological stress. Many of us are constantly over-scheduled, over-committed, overworked, and fail to spend adequate time on self-care. Stone et al. (2017) found...
PLYOMETRICS: DEVELOPING POWER WITH PLYOMETRIC EXERCISES

PLYOMETRICS: DEVELOPING POWER WITH PLYOMETRIC EXERCISES

By Chris Ecklund Power is the ability to produce large amounts of force quickly. Are there any athletes that would not want to improve their ability to generate power? Or who want to increase their explosive strength? What about clients seeking to improve general...
SPORTS INJURIES: THEIR PREVENTION & TREATMENT

SPORTS INJURIES: THEIR PREVENTION & TREATMENT

By Nicole Golden There is nothing quite like the disappointment of excitedly starting an exercise program, preparing for a new season of your favourite sport, or attempting a personal record (PR) only to find yourself injured and on the sidelines. It can also be very...
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR BENCH PRESS MAX: THE BEST WAYS TO BENCH MORE

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR BENCH PRESS MAX: THE BEST WAYS TO BENCH MORE

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY Whether you’re competing against others, or just competing against yourself, increasing your bench press max (the maximum weight that you can bench press in a single repetition) takes intentional effort. This article provides practical advice to...
L-ARGININE SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: SHOULD YOU SUPPLEMENT?

L-ARGININE SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: SHOULD YOU SUPPLEMENT?

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI So, you want to make gains? Well, when we are strolling the aisles of any supplement shop, the whole point is to find a magic powder or pill that will give us an extra leg up on our performance right? Let me introduce you to L-arginine! What is...
OVERUSE INJURIES AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM

OVERUSE INJURIES AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM

By Nicole Golden Do you or your clients complain of bothersome pain in the shoulder, knee, hip, or foot? Perhaps you or your client do not remember any sudden injury leading to the pain? It may be described as a pain that moves around and waxes and wanes. Overuse...
UNDERSTANDING SET POINT THEORY IN A NUTRITION AND WEIGHT LOSS CONTEXT

UNDERSTANDING SET POINT THEORY IN A NUTRITION AND WEIGHT LOSS CONTEXT

By Brad Dieter There is a phenomenon most of us experience in life. We maintain very similar body weight and body shape for years on end and then suddenly it feels like our body’s changed overnight and then we have a new body that we were not expecting. Then we find...
8 OF THE BEST SQUAT ALTERNATIVES FOR STRONGER LEGS

8 OF THE BEST SQUAT ALTERNATIVES FOR STRONGER LEGS

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY You’ve looked up different fitness routines for stronger legs, but every single one includes squats. Maybe you’re feeling a little burned out on squats, or you just want to add some variety to your workout routine. What leg exercises can you do to...
THE 7 BEST EXERCISES TO ALLEVIATE LOWER BACK PAIN

THE 7 BEST EXERCISES TO ALLEVIATE LOWER BACK PAIN

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY If you’ve ever suffered from lower back pain, you know that it can be, well, a pain! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conducted a National Health Interview survey of 31,997 adults in 2019. Their reports showed that 39% of respondents...
HOW TO LOWER CORTISOL: 8 STEPS FOR REGULATING CORTISOL

HOW TO LOWER CORTISOL: 8 STEPS FOR REGULATING CORTISOL

By Nicole Golden Metabolic syndrome, hair loss, insomnia, frequent colds and flu, missed menstrual periods, ulcers, and orthopaedic pain are just some of the health problems blamed on excessive stress. Yet, stress is an elusive term. Is it a mental sequela related to...
SPORTS NUTRITION GUIDE: GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIELD

SPORTS NUTRITION GUIDE: GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIELD

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Ever wonder about the various fields you could work in if you were to pursue a nutrition degree or certification? The extent of your options is much larger than you imagined. You could apply to work in hospitals or home care settings, work...
SPORTS NUTRITION GUIDE: GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIELD

SPORTS NUTRITION GUIDE: GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIELD

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Ever wonder about the various fields you could work in if you were to pursue a nutrition degree or certification? The extent of your options is much larger than you imagined. You could apply to work in hospitals or home care settings, work...
MIND OVER MATTER: SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IN MOTION

MIND OVER MATTER: SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IN MOTION

By DR. ALLISON BRAGER This subject is of huge importance within the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialization.  It’s near impossible to ignore the importance of sports psychology during an Olympic year. For the most recent Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the...
ATTRACT MORE CLIENTS AS A NUTRITION COACH IN 8 STEPS

ATTRACT MORE CLIENTS AS A NUTRITION COACH IN 8 STEPS

By Dana Bender Whether you are a NASM Nutrition Certified Coach or a nutrition professional looking to expand your coaching business, it is important to know how to attract more clients and build a successful coaching business. Regardless of your nutritional niche, it...
HEART RATE ZONES: DO THEY WORK OR NOT?

HEART RATE ZONES: DO THEY WORK OR NOT?

by KINSEY MAHAFFEY From wearable fitness trackers to group fitness classes that use heart rate monitors, it’s not uncommon to be incentivized to train in specific heart rate zones to see the results that you want. Does heart rate training work? In this article, we’ll...
ALCOHOL AND MUSCLE GROWTH: HOW IT AFFECTS MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT

ALCOHOL AND MUSCLE GROWTH: HOW IT AFFECTS MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI As you prepare yourself a nice dinner, you may think to pair the meal with a nice wine. Or perhaps the weekend rolls around and you plan social outings with friends or relatives, in which you think to indulge in a few drinks. However, if...
A GUIDE TO MICRONUTRIENTS: EXAMPLES, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SOURCES

A GUIDE TO MICRONUTRIENTS: EXAMPLES, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SOURCES

By KAT BAREFIELD MS, RDN, NASM-CPT, CES, PES, ACSM-HFS In this post, we’re going to explore the health effects of getting insufficient micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). This article will also cover: The critical functions of various micronutrients The most...
WHAT IS A KETOGENIC DIET AND HOW DO YOU FOLLOW IT?

WHAT IS A KETOGENIC DIET AND HOW DO YOU FOLLOW IT?

By Brad Dieter Over the last several decades, we have seen a rise in the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets. These diets have ranged from just low-carb diets to ketogenic diets to even zero carb diets (e.g., The Carnivore Diet). These dietary approaches have become...
DROP SETS FOR GAINS: WHY THIS LIFTING FORMAT WORKS

DROP SETS FOR GAINS: WHY THIS LIFTING FORMAT WORKS

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY Strength training research points to the importance of training to muscle failure to maximize exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy (Willardson 2007). Many gym-goers use a standard horizontal load system, also known as a straight-set, to reach this...
USING STAGE TRAINING TO IMPROVE CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE

USING STAGE TRAINING TO IMPROVE CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE

By Brian Sutton Of the various components that comprise a client’s total physical fitness program, cardiorespiratory endurance is probably the most misunderstood and underrated. In order to understand how to perform cardiorespiratory training in the most effective and...
PERIPHERAL HEART ACTION TRAINING

PERIPHERAL HEART ACTION TRAINING

By The National Academy of Sports Science (NASM) We know that weight loss or body fat reduction is largely based on a numbers game. And “working out” is a way of controlling the numbers (fewer calories in, more calories out and weight loss can be achieved). This is...
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A WELLNESS COACH

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A WELLNESS COACH

By Nicole Golden It is somewhat shocking to look at statistics on death and chronic illnesses in the United States only to realize that many of these diseases are entirely preventable by lifestyle choices. Metabolic disorders (i.e., dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes),...
DO YOU NEED TO TAKE PROTEIN POWDER IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FITNESS?

DO YOU NEED TO TAKE PROTEIN POWDER IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FITNESS?

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Protein, Protein, Protein. By this point, most of us are aware of protein’s muscle-enhancing benefits — especially regarding exercise. But does attaining the highest levels of fitness require the addition of protein powders to your diet?...
THE TALK TEST: AN UNDERRATED FITNESS TOOL FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS

THE TALK TEST: AN UNDERRATED FITNESS TOOL FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY There are endless tech options available when it comes to tracking intensity levels during a workout, but technology sometimes requires a learning curve, and it can be expensive. While these products do provide tons of helpful information for...
FOOD FIGHT: NUTRITION FOR PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS

FOOD FIGHT: NUTRITION FOR PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI First things first: food gives you energy. Without energy, you can’t perform. As in any sport, food powers your workouts and helps you recover afterwards. Without proper nourishment, you will fail to improve any aspect of your training...
DYNAMIC WARMUPS FOR ATHLETES: EXERCISES FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE

DYNAMIC WARMUPS FOR ATHLETES: EXERCISES FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY Whether you’re preparing for an athletic competition or a weekend pick-up game, the way that you prepare your body for training or competition can make or break your performance. While it’s tempting to just jump into play after a couple...
HOW MUCH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS ENOUGH? RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WEEK

HOW MUCH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS ENOUGH? RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WEEK

by Stacey Penney Before we can begin to answer the question of how much activity is enough, we need to consider what fitness means. Fitness is synonymous with health, our physical condition and even our ability to complete the tasks required for our ongoing survival...
SWEET POTATO NUTRITION FACTS: GLYCEMIC INDEX, CALORIES, AND MORE

SWEET POTATO NUTRITION FACTS: GLYCEMIC INDEX, CALORIES, AND MORE

By Stacey Penney The mere mention of sweet potatoes brings memories of a Thanksgiving table to mind. These nutritional tuberous all-stars have found their way onto everyday menus and, in some cases, have even bumped the traditional white potato out of our kitchens....
BODY TYPES: HOW TO TRAIN & DIET FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

BODY TYPES: HOW TO TRAIN & DIET FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

By ANDREW PAYNE Do you have trouble losing body fat, yet seem to gain it after even the smallest slip up with your diet? Or does it feel like you can eat for days without gaining an ounce? It could have something to do with your current body type. But is it really...
PLYOMETRICS: DEVELOPING POWER IN EVERYDAY ATHLETES

PLYOMETRICS: DEVELOPING POWER IN EVERYDAY ATHLETES

By CHRIS ECKLUND, MA, NASM-PES, CSCS, USAW, TPI WHAT IS PLYOMETRICS? We define plyometric training as a quick, powerful movement involving a system of reactive exercises and an eccentric contraction, followed immediately by an explosive concentric contraction. (1, 2)...
10 FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN HEALTHY FATS

10 FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN HEALTHY FATS

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI As times change, so do new ways of thinking. With that, many new philosophies surrounding food and diet culture emerge. One of those beliefs use to be that a high-fat diet was the cause of many diet-related diseases such as heart disease....
10 NUTRITION MYTHS YOU WOULD DO BEST TO IGNORE

10 NUTRITION MYTHS YOU WOULD DO BEST TO IGNORE

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI It’s easy to become a victim to misinformation on the internet when thousands of hits populate every time you type a question into google. Unfortunately, when it comes to nutrition everyone thinks they are an expert — especially if they...
THE BEST PROTEIN SOURCES FOR VEGANS AND VEGETARIANS

THE BEST PROTEIN SOURCES FOR VEGANS AND VEGETARIANS

By Allison Brager Veganism has been a tremendously growing movement in recent years. Best-selling books & plant-based protein start-up companies, products, and nutrition courses have fueled its growth. Every kind of nutritional plan has its benefits and costs....
HOW TO CUT WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY: 8 TIPS FOR SHORT-TERM WEIGHT LOSS

HOW TO CUT WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY: 8 TIPS FOR SHORT-TERM WEIGHT LOSS

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY Cutting weight may not be the answer for long-term weight loss goals, but if you’re looking to lose body fat and increase muscle mass for an event that’s 2-4 months away, then doing a cut might be a strategy for you to consider. WHAT IS CUTTING...
15 FOODS HIGH IN IRON: GET YOUR DAILY VALUES EFFICIENTLY

15 FOODS HIGH IN IRON: GET YOUR DAILY VALUES EFFICIENTLY

by JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Iron is a mineral you often hear nutrition coaches and sports nutrition coaches advocate to get more of to avoid the risk of deficiency. But why? Why is this mineral so important and why should you make sure you’re getting adequate amounts in...
NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 4): STRENGTH AND HYPERTROPHY

NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 4): STRENGTH AND HYPERTROPHY

KINSEY MAHAFFEY Can pushups build muscle mass and be incorporated into strength training? Yes! In part 3 of this series, we explored different variations of the push-up and how to progress the push-up in Phase 1 of the OPT Model, Stabilization Endurance Training,...
NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 3): LEVELING UP THE PUSH-UP

NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 3): LEVELING UP THE PUSH-UP

KINSEY MAHAFFEY In case you missed it, in part 1 of this series, we discussed the proper set-up and form for push-ups, as well as the muscles used in the movement. This article, part 3, will explore a few variations of the push-up, and ways to progress each variation...
NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 2): GETTING BETTER AT PUSH-UPS

NASM GUIDE TO PUSH-UPS (PART 2): GETTING BETTER AT PUSH-UPS

TONY AMBLER-WRIGHT If you were able to try out the standard push-up stated in our first article of this series and found it to be more challenging than what you’ve been doing, this is excellent news! Most often, when the push-up is done correctly, we find it to...
THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING: LEARN THE ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBILITY

THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING: LEARN THE ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBILITY

By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI “Make sure you stretch!” – Something we often hear before or after we participate in any sort of exercise. But is stretching that good for you? What exactly are the benefits of having a regular stretching routine? Let’s explore the...
EXERCISE AS STRESS MANAGEMENT: HOW WORKOUTS HELP YOUR WELLBEING

EXERCISE AS STRESS MANAGEMENT: HOW WORKOUTS HELP YOUR WELLBEING

DR. ALLISON BRAGER Exercise should not be stressful. I repeat exercise should not be stressful. Exercise should alleviate stress. Before I get into the biological explanation as to why exercise should and ought to alleviate stress, let’s briefly discuss how...
UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE ENNEAGRAM TEST AS A COACHING TOOL

UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE ENNEAGRAM TEST AS A COACHING TOOL

By Dana Bender As a coach, we are always looking at tools we can use with our clients to help them develop and gain personal insights that can propel them into taking future actions. In the realm of coaching, we are not using the insights to tell a client what we...
AVOCADO NUTRITION FACTS & BENEFITS: 5 REASONS TO EAT THE FRUIT!

AVOCADO NUTRITION FACTS & BENEFITS: 5 REASONS TO EAT THE FRUIT!

BY dr ALLISON BRAGER Avocados are not just for Millennials. Avocados, much like coffee, are one of the most exported goods across Central America, and there’s a reason for it. Avocados are a healthy source of fats and essential nutrients sufficient and necessary...
THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING: LEARN THE ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBILITY

THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING: LEARN THE ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBILITY

JACQUELINE KAMINSKI “Make sure you stretch!” – Something we often hear before or after we participate in any sort of exercise. But is stretching that good for you? What exactly are the benefits of having a regular stretching routine? Let’s explore the...
HOW TO LOSE BELLY FAT: 10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR WAISTLINE TRIM

HOW TO LOSE BELLY FAT: 10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR WAISTLINE TRIM

DR. ALLISON BRAGER You may have heard that abs are built in the kitchen. While this is partially true, it’s not the full story. While a healthy dose of body fat is a sign of overall health and wellness, body fat ought to be evenly distributed. This is how a...
PHASE 4 OF THE OPT™ MODEL: MAXIMAL STRENGTH TRAINING:

PHASE 4 OF THE OPT™ MODEL: MAXIMAL STRENGTH TRAINING:

By Jace Fuchs The Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model is a proven training system for CPTs that can help any client reach any goal safely and effectively. It is a system based on human movement science and integrated training principles and validated in research...
A LOOK AT MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING IN FITNESS

A LOOK AT MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING IN FITNESS

By Justin Kompf One of my biggest interests in health and fitness is behavioral coaching. Many chronic health issues boil down to decisions people make day in and day out. Coaching is both an art and a science that can help people change their behavior and thus their...
EXERCISE AS STRESS MANAGEMENT: HOW WORKOUTS HELP YOUR WELLBEING

EXERCISE AS STRESS MANAGEMENT: HOW WORKOUTS HELP YOUR WELLBEING

Dr Allison Brager Exercise should not be stressful. I repeat exercise should not be stressful. Exercise should alleviate stress. Before I get into the biological explanation as to why exercise should and ought to alleviate stress, let’s briefly discuss how...
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DIETING FOR VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN ATHLETES

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DIETING FOR VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN ATHLETES

By Kinsey Mahaffey An athlete can eat a vegan or vegetarian diet without sacrificing their performance or body composition, but it takes planning and intentional food choices to be successful. This article will help to serve as a nutrition guide for plant-based...
WHAT IS MUSCLE ACTION? CONCENTRIC, ECCENTRIC, AND ISOMETRIC MUSCLES:

WHAT IS MUSCLE ACTION? CONCENTRIC, ECCENTRIC, AND ISOMETRIC MUSCLES:

By Mel Siff The process of muscle contraction is central to all fitness, strength and sports training, yet there are many aspects of this apparently well-known phenomenon that are not adequately understood even at a more popular level. For a start, even though muscles...
HOW TO LOSE WATER WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY:

HOW TO LOSE WATER WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY:

By KINSEY MAHAFFEY I’ve had many a client come into their workout in a panic because they seemingly gained 3-5 pounds overnight. The conversation goes something like this: “I can’t believe I put on 3 extra pounds yesterday,” says the client. “What do you mean?” I ask....
ATHLETE RECOVERY TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE:

ATHLETE RECOVERY TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE:

By DR. ALLISON BRAGER Newton had it right all along: For every action, there is [indeed] a reaction. In 2021 this means that however hard we work towards our fitness goals, wellness goals, and professional goals, we must work that hard or harder towards recovery.I...
OPT™ MODEL PHASE 5: POWER TRAINING:

OPT™ MODEL PHASE 5: POWER TRAINING:

By Jace Fuchs In previous articles, we examined the first four phases of the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model. We are now onto the last level and phase of the OPT model: Phase 5 Power Training. Before jumping into the specifics of Phase 5, let’s briefly review...
PHASE 4 OF THE OPT™ MODEL: MAXIMAL STRENGTH TRAINING:

PHASE 4 OF THE OPT™ MODEL: MAXIMAL STRENGTH TRAINING:

By Jace Fuchs The Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model is a proven training system for CPTs that can help any client reach any goal safely and effectively. It is a system based on human movement science and integrated training principles and validated in research...
PHASE 3 OF THE OPT™ MODEL EXPLAINED: MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT:

PHASE 3 OF THE OPT™ MODEL EXPLAINED: MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT:

BY NASM Moving along in our discussion of the different phases of the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model, next, we have Phase 3 Muscular Development Training. Phase 3 is the second phase of the Strength Level of the OPT model. As a quick reminder, the OPT model...
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