Entries Tagged 'Resistance Training' ↓

Sign up now for this phenomenal course and earn CEC’s towards your personal training certification through the American Council on Exercise. The Lebert Fitness Equalizer Course is 6 hours and will review a 44 page manual that will increase your skill set as a personal trainer. The Lebert Fitness Equalizer takes functional body weight training to the next level!

Please visit the link to sign up:

http://www.lebertfitness.com/lf_courses.htm

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A new year, a new decade, a clean slate to start over, and make positive changes in your life. 2010 has arrived and it is going to be a phenomenal year!

Fitness and weight loss is amongst the most popular New Year’s Resolutions. Every gym parking lot across the nation will be packed in the following months. Gym memberships will spike, new timid faces with wide eyes will emerge, everyone is pumped up to lose weight, and begin their journey to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

This interesting phenomenon will  slowing start to dwindle down in March.  Statistics show that this New Year’s gym enthusiasm does not last. In fact, most people do not stick with resolutions beyond a few weeks.

Here are 6 tips to keep you on track to accomplish weight loss and fitness results in 2010:

1.  Sit down with a qualified personal trainer to discus medical history, fitness goals, postural analysis, body composition, exercise testing, exercise prescription, and nutrition. Most gyms offer a free fitness assessment. Take advantage of this service and do not blindly try to create your own workout regimen.

2.  Project clear, thought out, short term and long term goals. Track progress and create a  schedule. You will see results if you are putting in the time with a proper workout program.

3.  Make sure to reward yourself when you hit goals in your new found healthy lifestyle. This does not mean loafing on the couch with a carton of Ben and Jerry’s.  Choose healthy, positive rewards, such as, a massage, a soak in the hot tub, a new I-Pod, new running shoes, or new workout clothes.

4.  Keep a food Journal and choose the good stuff. A food journal is a powerful way to hold yourself accountable. Write down what you ate, the portion, time of day, and how you felt. This will help you understand your eating habits. People often eat out of emotion and stress. Work it out and uncover these triggers.

5. Have fun and enjoy your new found healthy lifestyle. A training partner is another great way to make your time in the gym social and fun. Try switching up your workout in the gym with outdoor recreational activities.

6. Be positive. Negative thoughts create stress and zap your energy. Believe in yourself, repeat positive affirmations, enjoy the excitement and opportunities of the future. Positive thoughts will be empowering, give you energy, motivation, and help keep you focused!

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FITNESS  PLATEAUS  STAND  NO  CHANCE. Get up, Sign Up, Get the Results you Deserve!

Each client will rise to full potential.

Teamwork and camaraderie is created within the group.

In health,

Jerod Hoffman

Regional Director of Personal Training

Spa Fitness Centers – Santa Cruz, CA

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Challenge, defeat, and drive shape an elite athletes vision to be the best…

Striving for perfection in sport…

Through the blood, sweat, and tears…

Harvesting pain and emotion…

Training harder, pushing out one last rep, visualize success…

Strong will pushes through the soreness and sacrifice…

Reaching these peaks of fitness goals are often delayed…

Overtraining, fitness plateaus, and injury plague results in the gym and on the field…

Defeat is not an option…

The Solution:

SPA FITNESS ELITE PERSONAL TRAINING STAFF

Spa Fitness Centers is proud to announce our new staff of Elite Personal Trainers. The most experienced, knowledgeable fitness professionals in Santa Cruz County would like to invite you in for a Free Fitness Assessment.

Sit down with a qualified personal trainer to discus medical history, fitness goals, postural analysis, body composition, exercise testing, exercise prescription, and nutrition.  Let us develop a fitness solution designed to fit your needs. Your workout regimen will be fun and effective. With the proper workout plan you will see fitness and weight loss results.

A personal training program provides you with the professional, friendly, motivating support and attention to help you reach your goals.  You will work one on one with me, Jerod Hoffman, Regional Director of Personal Training or one of my experienced, certified personal trainers. Appointments are set around your schedule.

Let me help you take control of your life today! With my direction, knowledge, drive, and energy you will look and feel your best!  My consulting programs are a hands on approach to help you reach your fitness goals.  We will find out what is really going on and I will teach you how to live a healthy lifestyle custom tailored to your needs!  Please contact me to set up a free fitness assessment.

In health,

Jerod Hoffman

Regional Director of Personal Training

Spa Fitness Centers – Santa Cruz, CA

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The Ultimate Functional Workout

Time to unlock mental toughness and physical results with the ultimate tool for extreme all around fitness. Kettlebell training will enhance any training environment increasing;

• muscular balance
• muscular strength
• endurance
• flexibility
• cardiovascular health
• explosive power
• proprioceptive balance
• coordination
• weight loss

This highly effective and efficient workout originated at the dawn of strength training as counterweights in Russian markets.  When the markets closed farmers would swing, toss, and juggle these round, cast iron weights for entertainment and exercise.  Kettlebells were used from generation to generation, becoming part of the culture and the peoples means for physical fitness.  Also referred to as Givrevoy sport or Givevik training.

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The appeal of kettlebell training is gaining in popularity among a wide variety of demographics.  Kettlebell fitness is delivering results in Any-Gym-USA, among athletes of all sports, and the average Joe just trying to get in shape. This cost efficient and portable gym can be used at home, when traveling, or you can take it outdoors.

Kettlebell training involves functional exercises that emphasize the bodies natural ability to move in three anatomical planes of motion. These movements will mimic and convey to daily activities and sports.  Life doesn’t happen in the isolated planes used in a traditional body building regimen or on a standard resistance training machine that isolates one muscle group.  In addition, we sit in cars all day, at the desk, on the couch, so it’s not a great idea to train sitting in a machine with a back rest.  Kettlebell movements work several muscle groups at once, focusing on core strength.

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The benefits of a kettlebell training program are tremendous;

1. Improved muscular balance and joint stability
2. Increase Core stability
3. Improved neuromuscular coordination
4. Save time working several muscle groups at once
5. Improve your posture
6. Prevent injury
7. Improve balance
8. Workout anywhere
9. Sport specific training
10. Endless variations force your body to acclimate

Implement a regimen designed specifically for you.  Seek the guidance of a “qualified” fitness professional. Program design should include; a review of medical history, posture, body fat assessment, blood pressure, goals, lifestyle choices, etc.  Remember there is no generic blueprint for a workout program.  Each individual should have a customized plan. Get down to it, figure out what is really going on, make the right changes.  Remember to schedule in proper nutrition and significant rest for recovery.

Photographer: William Walsh

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Taking a Strategic Approach is the Answer to Weight Loss

Adjusting the way you think and your lifestyle choices will keep the weight off.  Making this commitment will require discipline, willpower, hard work, and planning.  However, the rewards are endless.

So many people spend hours in the gym and starve themselves.  This is not a healthy approach to weight loss and over training will result in negative results.

It is important to implement a proper workout regimen and plan designed by a “qualified” fitness professional.  Not all trainers are equal, check credentials, experience, testimonials, and ask around.

Your plan should include a resistance training program, cardio, recommendations, some stretching or yoga, and a nutrition plan.

Group fitness classes are a second option, but keep in mind that the workout is geared towards a general audience and not you as an individual.  Use your discretion because you can be counterproductive in fitness.

Here are 10 weight loss secrets to help you achieve your goal and live a healthy life style.

1. Grazing: Do Not Skip Meals. Many people are over weight or obese because they have slow metabolisms.  Try five mini meals.  This will promote portion control.  In addition, it will give you energy, speed up your metabolism, and lead to weight loss.

2. Avoid Bad / White Carbs.  The research is out man, this stuff kills.  Bad carbs are a major contributing factor to the obesity epidemic.  Read your labels, stay away from white sugar, white flour, and processed foods.

3.  Nutrition Log. This holds you accountable for your caloric intake.  Choose the good stuff!  Good protein sources, high variety of fruits and vegetables, low and good carbohydrate choices.

4.  Set Realistic Goals. Don’t stress out and set yourself up for failure.  Go for 2 pounds per week.

5.  Gradual Changes. Take the first step and alleviate the junk food.  Then continue to make healthy changes in your life each week.  If you flip a 180, chances are you may feel overwhelmed and relapse.

6.  Check Your Cart.  Simple, but effective.  At the end of your grocery trip check your cart and take out the junk food, it feels good!

7.  Movement. Motion creates emotion.  Move around, wash your car, go dancing, clean your house, walk, ride your bike, whatever it takes!

8. Hide the TV Remote. Get off the couch and shut off the boob.  Go live and enjoy life.

9.  Take the Stairs, Park Further Away. Being active during your day will build muscular endurance and burn calories.

10.  Build a Lifelong Healthy Lifestyle. Make the nessesary changes and stick to it.  You will look good and feel good. Read thefitnessrevelation.com and you will be on your way to health and happiness.

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10 Compelling Reasons Why Functional Training

Will Lead to Better Muscular Balance and Improved Performance

Functional training involves exercises that train movements, working several muscle groups at once. The goal is to mimic real life situations that will convey to daily activities or sports.

Life doesn’t happen in the isolated planes used in a traditional body building regimen or on a standard resistance training machine that isolates one muscle group.

In addition, we sit in cars all day, at the desk, on the couch, so it’s not a great idea to train sitting in a machine with a back rest.

Functional training uses weight bearing activities that target the core muscles and emphasizes the bodies natural ability to move in three anatomical planes of motion. Focusing on six patterns of movement in a persons daily life;

• Squat
• Lunge
• Push
• Pull
• Twist
• Bend

Using little equipment such as:

• Cables
• Bosu balls
• Stability balls
• Kettle bells
• Medicine balls
• Resistance bands
• Etc.

The benefits of a functional training program are tremendous!

1. Improved muscular balance and joint stability.

2. Increase Core stability.

3. Improved neuromuscular coordination.

4. Save time working several muscle groups at once.

5. Improve your posture.

6. Prevent injury.

7. Improve balance.

8. Workout anywhere using body weight and little equipment.

9. Sport specific training.

10. Functional training movements can be done in an almost endless number of variations forcing your body to acclimate.

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