Author: NFPT CEC

Many people want to build muscle in the arms, shoulders, back and chest – the ‘show’ muscles – at the expense of what are sometimes perceived as the less flashy muscles of the lower body. That’s unfortunate, because there are some very sound reasons not to neglect those muscles for the benefit of the whole body.

Nature versus Nurture: this age-old topic has been at the root of more scientific and social psychology debates than just about any other subject over the past several decades. The notion that genetics loads the pistol and society pulls the trigger is gaining in popularity, carrying with it the implication that forces around us may actually have a powerful influence on that with which Mother Nature endowed us at birth. The emerging field of study known as epigenetics is studying this specific phenomenon.

A repetitive motion disorder (RMD) is a physical condition that results from repeated motions made in the course of normal work, athletic activity, and just going about the business of everyday life.

Wouldn’t it be great if every part of improving or maintaining our health could be reduced to a numeric equation?

If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has its way, artificially made trans fats will transition from a mainstay of the American diet to a historical footnote.

The miracle of weight training is that it actually slows muscle tissue loss associated with aging. In fact, it’s possible to regain some muscle that may have been lost to injury or inactivity.

As a species, humans spend about a third of their lives sleeping. That might not be surprising, considering that sleep allows the body to recover from the activities of the two thirds spent awake.

Taking over-the-counter medications for dealing with post-workout soreness is a fairly common practice. But mixing over-the-counter pain medications with prescription pain medications such as opioids significantly raises the risk of a fatal overdose.

Returning to exercise after a sports-related injury can be a trying time for an active person. Viewed in a positive light, it can be a time to try new ways of performing familiar exercises and gain new insights in the process.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then picture how efficient it can be to describe a training concept or even anatomical system in simple visual terms. Take, for example, “the core”.

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are correct.” The power behind this phrase is enormous; ponder it for a few moments and allow it to sink into your brain.