The Adonis Complex: Male Physiques and Muscle Dysmorphia
Can the drive for extreme muscularity turn into an unhealthy obsession? “The Adonis Complex”, aptly named after the Greek mythological character whose body was said to represent the ideal standard of muscularity, is a real thing. As men obsessively chase an impossibly perfect physique, fitness experts see this condition affecting an increasing number of male […]
Training Load, Injury, and Athletic Performance: Mastering the Trifecta
When training an athlete toward peak/competitive performance whether post-rehabilitation or from current ability, training load must exceed capacity. With carefully planned increases in load, the athlete’s capacity tolerance improves. However, if the applied training load greatly exceeds capacity, or bumps it up too quickly, such a challenge to tissues invites the risk of injury. Read […]
Is Your Client an “Active Couch Potato”?
Through dedicated data collection, research professionals have arrived at distinct categories of “exercisers” within our population. As we might predict, the subtle variations in their activity levels do impact key aspects of health which, in turn, impacts longevity. Here’s what certified personal trainers should know. The Sedentary/Activity Categories What makes a couch potato a couch […]
Is Athleticism Genetic?
Is athleticism genetic? We often use the phrase “natural-born athlete” to describe one who excels in sports. While genetics does play a role, let’s discuss what else creates a distinction between a person with athletic prowess and a client who goes through the motions, but doesn’t seem to acquire observable skills. Biology Can Hamper […]
Is Lactic Acid an Energy Boost or Drain?
All personal trainers and their clients should be familiar with what the “burn” associated with repetitive or intense activity feels like. Historically, the blame for such discomfort fell on the build-up of lactic acid, a condition referred to as lactic acidosis, and was thought to inhibit one’s ability to keep going. Research now suggests that […]
Hormones and Obesity: How Does Satiety Affect Weight?
Obesity ranks as one of the most serious public health challenges today. Despite the best efforts of fitness/nutrition professionals, as many as 1.6 billion adults currently fit the medical parameters of “overweight”, with a frightening 400 million falling into the obese category. When exercise and prudent nutrition fail to produce a client’s desired results, science […]
Fasted Exercise: What the Research Says About Fasting and Athletic Training
The two main reasons people cite for exercising in a fasted state generally relate to weight loss and/or anti-aging benefits. While studies often show data to support this theory, an equal number of scientists cite concerns. Read on to determine whether fasted exercise aligns optimally with your clients’ physiology goals. The Upside to Fasted Exercise […]
Bikini Wellness and Fitness Categories: New Competitive Bodybuilding Divisions
If your head is already spinning trying to sort out all of the women’s bodybuilding divisions, you can throw bikini wellness and bikini fitness into the mix as well. In 2019, we presented an article on the various competitive bodybuilding options open to those women who possess a strong desire to sculpt their bodies into […]
Eating To Reduce Hypertension: Plant-Based, DASH, or Very Low Carb Meal Plans?
Adults living with high blood pressure (a reading higher than 140/90 mm Hg) often present with a host of comorbidities, most often pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes, high levels of LDL cholesterol, and obesity. Such conditions render these individuals more vulnerable to such serious health complications as stroke, kidney disease, and cardiac issues. Sadly, this dynamic affects […]
Can Ice Cream Help Diabetics Reduce Cardiovascular Risks?
Recent research has surprised scientists and befuddled nutrition experts by announcing a data-based finding that diabetics consuming ½ cup of ice cream have a lowered incidence of developing cardiovascular disease, a common comorbid ailment among individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Too good to be true? Perhaps not! Personal trainers have a responsibility to coach their […]