A Fresh Take on METCON Workouts

If personal trainers find their regular clients growing bored with traditional resistance training and aerobic/HIIT programs, try introducing a cycle of METCON workouts. In this article, we will delve into what makes metabolic training so successful, including exploring the different energy pathways the body utilizes to optimize these routines. An Overview of METCON METCON, short […]

Tapping Into the Flow State of Exercise and Movement

Imagine getting so caught up in an activity or pursuit that the rest of the world falls away as you perform effortlessly and in a highly successful manner. This flow state, identified by psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Ph.D., occurs when individuals find themselves fully immersed in the actions of the present moment. Csikszentmihalyi further describes […]

Building a Fitness Community within a Gym

Personal trainers have a bird’s eye view of the fitness floor where they work. They see the same members day in and day out, training the same clients each week. The members often make new friends as they exercise, look forward to coming each day, and have fun while taking good care of their health. After […]

The Copenhagen Plank: Introducing A New Challenge for Adductor Stabilization

Imagine an intense soccer game: lots of running, kicking, and pivoting, all the typical elements of play, happening at top speed. The muscles taking the biggest hit, the adductors and abductors, as well as the obliques, need proper attention during training to avoid suffering a groin pull when participating in such sports. In this article, […]

Pillars of Stability: Understanding the Importance of Foot Health

Most of us come into this world with two perfectly healthy feet. We count on these feet to support our bodies through every transition, from standing still to running, dancing, skipping, playing sports, and taking those all-important 10,000 steps each day. With proper care and attention, we can maintain healthy foot anatomy and function for […]

The Kyphosis Learning Curve: How to Exercise and What Moves to Avoid

The human spine consists of natural curves, beautifully designed to keep us comfortably upright and maintain proper posture. However, too much curvature can lead to both physical and physiological health concerns. In this article, we review the various aspects of kyphosis, including its appearance, diagnosis, and the different surgical and less invasive treatment methods. Kyphosis […]

Working with Chronically Ill Fitness Clients

Coaching clients with chronic illnesses requires more than simply writing fitness programs or offering health coaching. It requires a level of dedication that encompasses compassion, adaptability, and a recognition/ understanding of their unique challenges. In this article, we will delve into ways that trainers, through physical exercise, can support clients and build self-efficacy, resilience, and […]

Can Consuming Molecular Hydrogen Supercharge Your Fitness and Health?

Hydrogen, the smallest yet most potent molecule in the biochemical world, now seems to hold the promise of revolutionizing both health and fitness arenas. In this article, we will explore the science behind hydrogen’s powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties as well as its purported role in reducing fatigue, enhancing endurance, optimizing cellular energy, and accelerating post-workout recovery. […]

Beyond Crunches: Embracing the Hanging Leg Raise

We all know those clients: they insist that only hours of cardio and hundreds of crunches will reward them with crop -top-worthy abs. Perhaps personal trainers can entice these clients to “train smarter, not harder” by introducing them to the hanging leg raise. While definitely a challenging move, this exercise incorporates trunk flexion, core stability, […]

The Power of Endorphins

Runner’s “high” is so-called because of the euphoria associated with the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, of which endorphins are one category. From a biological standpoint, the attainment of pleasure occurs when certain naturally-produced chemicals — such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins – get relayed to the brain. Understanding the powerful impact of […]