Friday, June 26, 2009

Theme for the month of July

Hello, I thought I would do a fun topic for this month that focuses of nutrition. I will be going in depth about nurtrition and hopefully debunk so many of the myths out there that are really confusing many as well as my clients.

Week 1: What is nutrition?
Week 2: Web sites to improve your progress.
Week 3: Why a food diary could be the greatest thing you ever did for yourself.
Week 4: A discussion about current diet plans.

Regards,

Eddie

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Multiple movement exercises

Maximizing your workouts with multiple move exercises


When I have clients that renew with me for months at a time I am able to start challenging them with exercises that involve multiple muscle groups. When I first start training a client I need to build their balance, stability, core strength, increase strength, and certainly increase their endurance.

But after I have met those goals I want to start challenging them with “real world” moments. And that involves doing exercises that involve multiple muscle groups.

For example when you do a squat to pick up a box and then press it over your head to put on a shelf you are doing a multiple muscle movement. And if I want to give my clients training that make their life better I choose multiple movements.

I will list a few below. But before you try this – seriously – please ask a gym trainer to demonstrate them to you. Because if you do them wrong YOU WILL HURT YOURSELF.

1) Do a lunge, rise up into a two-arm curl, and press dumbbells above your head. Repeat.
2) Do a pushup then squat thrust into the air and break out to a few jumping jacks. Repeat.
3) Do a pull-up, drop down to a squat and then do a pushup before squat thrusting up to the pull-up bar. Repeat.
4) Utilize a Reebok step and side lunge then jump over step and do side lunge on other side.
5) Dumbbell clean and jerk. Repeat.
6) Do reverse ab lifts off a bench then do a Bench press. Repeat.

I stress that you MUST be at a high level of conditioning to try these and not get hurt over the long term. Please do not attempt them unless you are absolutely sure you can do them and do them perfectly.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,

Eddie Camaroto CPT
Perfect You LLC

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Working out while Pregnant

Working out while pregnant



For most woman that are into fitness there is going to come a time when you will be pregnant and want to continue your fitness. You CAN still workout but the WAY you workout and the intensity of your workouts will change drastically.

I put this article in with the series of working out with another rather then special population type workouts because the theme this month was working out with another. And – well – a baby is another.

Here are the guidelines for pregnant woman to workout based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2002.

1) Any exercise goals must be discussed with your physician. Everyone woman is different and only your doctor knows you best.
2) If you have not been doing a vigorous workout before your became pregnant now IS NOT the time to start one. Keep up with your normal exercise regiment.
3) Gradually reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise during the second and third trimesters.
4) Avoid exercise when the temperature or humidity is high.
5) Try to run or walk on flat, even surfaces
6) Always wear supportive shoes while exercising.
7) During the second and third trimesters try other forms of aerobic exercises like swimming, bicycling, or even running in water.
8) Do not do any exercises that require lying down after the first trimester. Modify existing exercises to do standing up if possible. Utilize machines if possible.
9) Extend your warm-up and cool-down periods.
10) Never let your body temperature exceed 100 degrees.
11) Reduce your intensity and monitor it by never letting yourself get to a state of a pounding heart, breathlessness, or dizziness.
12) Eat a small snack before exercise to help avoid hypoglycemia.
13) Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. Roughly one ounce (one filled mouthful) every 15 minutes.
14) Avoid overstretching or going beyond normal range of motion.
15) If you experience any unusual physical changes such as vaginal bleeding, severe fatigue, joint pain, or irregular heart beats see your doctor immediately!

There are many other restrictions that one needs to follow as well such as watching that your heart rate does not exceed a certain limit. Please reach out to your doctor for a full script to follow.

Training a pregnant woman is a very rewarding experience that I have been lucky to do quite a bit of times. As a Personal Trainer you are making two healthy at the same time.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,
Eddie Camaroto CPT
Perfect You LLC




Friday, June 5, 2009

Working out with your significant other


At lot of times the best way to start exercising is by enlisting the help of your significant other. Maybe you both are sick of feeling un-fit or you just made fitness your New Years resolution. Whatever the reason the fact is you both want to train together and that can prove to push you both farther and see better results.

I have addressed in a previous posting how to do some exercises together so this time I will address a few simple cardio routines for partners.

1) Jumping rope together has always been a proven way to push each other. There are so many routines you both can do – I urge you to seek some out.
2) Group classes together. There are so many out there – even dance type ones. Take a relaxing Yoga class together and be relaxed and at peace the rest of the day.
3) One you probably never thought of but it provides a huge cardio benefit. Go play some Frisbee together.
4) Do some interval jogging/walking together. Five minutes waking to every one-minute jogging is a good formula.
5) Use some resistance bands and wrap one around your waist, face away from your partner and do hop away as they pull on the band. Not only is this cardio for both of you but you will also get a whole body workout. Try to go three minutes each.

A short article this week but none the less important for spicing up your partner workouts in a cardio sense.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,

Eddie Camaroto CPT
Perfect You LLC