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Stop Reading Fitness Magazines – 4 Common Sense Tips to Get More Results from Your Workouts

September 10, 2010 by ptpt 3 Comments

Most fitness magazines haven’t changed for 30 years.

Bodybuilding split routines, bodybuilder diets, bodybuilder stories, advise, supplements, etc.

Decent advise if you are a bodybuilder…

Are you a bodybuilder?

The majority of fitness magazines are glorified advertisements, filled with supplement ads, laim bodybuilding routines and full of modes that a juiced out of their minds or depleted and dried out for their photo shoot. Is this information really applicable to the weekend warrior or athlete that is looking to improve their performance.

Absolutely not!

1. If you are an athlete, train to improve performance at your sport. Our bodies know movement, not individual muscles. Bodybuilding techniques and gyms full of machines have dominated the fitness world, but those techniques are NOT beneficial for athletes. In fact, training like a bodybuilder will make you slower and more prone to injury. Train your body to move more efficiently, faster and you will notice huge benefits.

2. People have been using traditional bodybuilding splits for years. Most would benefit enormously from trying a new routine. Try getting away from the gym and try some new workouts. Get back to basics, like a barbell, body weight movements, kettlebells, heavy ropes, sandbags, sleds and other drills that are proven to make ya sweat!

3. Supplements have become a huge distraction for most people looking to get in shape or perform at their best. Do NOT worry about supplements until you improve your eating habits. The foundation of weight loss, energy, muscle and performance is nutrition. Trying to overcome a crappy diet with a handful of pills is ineffective and a costly waste of money.

4. Understand that a hard body and top performance takes sweat, consistency, sacrifice and discipline. Developing a killer physique and massive strength takes time. Set your goals, work hard and find someone that can hold you accountable along the way. Having a coach or training partner is vital if you want to make fast, consistent gains.

Now, I dont believe that all fitness magazines and articles are bad, but you have to be careful who you listen to. In my opinion, the more machines that are involved, the less you should listen. If they are pushing tons of supplements, instead of healthy natural foods, don’t listen.

People are individuals and need specific programs that are tailored to their ability level and goals. Take some time to find a good coach, learn to control your own body, develop a foundation of strength, learn to eat more natural foods, constantly improve, smile along the way and charge towards your goals with all of your effort.

Need help with your program?

Give us a call 866.243.4472

A Simple, But Brutally Effective, Playground Workout

June 14, 2010 by ptpt 1 Comment

So many people flood gyms everyday, using the same machines, doing the same workouts and basically wasting their time. Workouts don’t need to be super complex or use fancy equipment. In fact, most of the worl’d top athletes and strength coaches don’t use any of that stuff!

Plus, it’s summer…get outside and enjoy the weather!

So here is an example of a simple, yet effective, workout you can do at any local playground.

Special note: Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this workout. If you have never tried these movements, only do so, under supervision. Here we go…

Ethan and Chris did 5 rounds:

Rope waves, alternating arms for 100 reps.

Chin Ups 10 reps

Assisted pistol squats 10 each leg

Bear crawl, forward 50ft then backward 50ft

Repeat…

Give it a try and let us know how you do!

Have a great day!

Just Going to the Gym or Working out?

May 11, 2010 by ptpt Leave a Comment

We are creatures of habit and working out is a great habit to develop, but where do most people screw up?

Over the years, I have watched thousands of people come in and out of gyms. Im talking about the core group that show up day in and day out. They park in the same parking space, warm up on the same treadmill, do certain body parts on certain days and they haven’t changed a thing for years.

Months will go by and they look the same.

I’m sure you’ve seen these people, but I’m sure its not you…

If you’re anything like me, you get bored with the same old thing. Machines, certain body parts and doing the same ol’ stuff bores me to tears! It has gotten to the point where I have to stir it up or I won’t workout at all. So how do you bust through the bouts of boredom?

1. There needs to be a reason to go, the more emotional, the better. This may sound cliche, but it is vital. Do you know why you’re going to the gym today and what you’re going to accomplish? Odds are, you have no idea. You have to walk in with a purpose. For a bride it may be certain asthetic goals before her big day, while an athlete may want to dominate the competition next season. What is your motivation? I have resorted to challenges. I need some competition to stimulate my mind and get me moving.

2. Get a partner that is consistent. A horse by itself can pull about 1500lbs, but two horses working together can pull 4000lbs. Why is that? Its because they motivate each other. When you have a running mate or someone to push you, it can make all the difference in the world. Get a partner or hire a trainer. Either way, you need someone to push you and hold you accountable.

3. Set a date. It can be a contest, race or a specific event. Bottom line, you need to set a date to create a sense of urgency. You’ve probably noticed or heard people say “the busiest people seem to get more done”. A college student with tons of free time ends up doing nothing, but a student who plays a sport and only has 3 hours to study gets all A’s. So use this principle and set yourself up for success. Sign up for something, plan a trip or something that will keep you focused for the next few weeks.

4. Once your goal or date is set then you need to focus on your habits. Think about your current habits that may be slowing down your progress or holding you back (sleeping in, procrastinating after work, not preparing your food, not grocery shopping, etc). Write down your bad habits then you need to create new habits. Think about ways to solve or avoid your bad habits. Maybe you shop every Sunday, before the week gets too busy or prepare healthy meals a couple days per week. Bottom line, your long term success starts on the things you are doing today.

So, think about it for awhile and lets create some goals, hold each other accountable and get the energy and focus back into your workouts!

Post your goals below and we will help you stay on track.

It’s Time For a Change – 5 Steps To a New You

May 9, 2010 by ptpt 2 Comments

Do You Believe Everything You Read in Magazines or Hear on TV?

Get Abs like Brittney Spears

Learn how Jessica Alba develops her perfect Behind

Get Guns the Size of Texas

Just 15 minutes a day….

You’ve all seen it, but do you really believe it?

Unfortunately, most people do believe that these are the real answers that will lead them to the body of their dreams. The truth is, the models you see in magazines and on tv have been dieting down for weeks and have been working out for years! This “Do this workout and look like this model” implication is rediculous and it makes people crazy.

So many people I hear, see and work with in the gym want fast results. They want to do the minimal amount of work, they don’t want to train for years, but they want to look amazing in 4 weeks.

How many infomercials have suckered you in?

The good news is that your body CAN CHANGE QUICKLY, but you have to be prepared to make some changes!

Got a wedding or big event in 3 months?

Going to a class reunion?

Need to fit in a bikini before your big vacation?

STEP #1 Find Your Motivation

Motivation gets you started and keeps you going, so make it count. Why do you want to change? The more emotional, the better! The most dramatic changes I have seen recently were from my brides that were training for their weddings. They were motivated by the thought of looking great on the BIG DAYS!

Write it down and keep it close to you.

STEP #2 Food is FUEL

Americans eating habits are the cause of obesity, period. If you want dramatic change, then you will need to overhaul your eating habits. My suggestion is to download our Shopping List, Lean Eating Plan and our Food Log. You will need to reference these on a daily basis, until you develop new eating habits. Here are three main eating tips to get you started:

1. Get bad foods out of your house! If they are around, you will eat them.

2. Do not drink calories. Water and tea are your best choices.

3. Start packing your lunch and snacks. Having good food ready is your key to success.

STEP #3 The best workout for you is the one you’re not doing

What? There are two groups of people to address here:

Most people don’t workout at all, so they just need to blow their ass off the couch and do something. Go for a walk, take the stairs, climb a hill, go for a swim, go for a bike ride, etc. You can do this stuff before work, at lunch or after work. The goal is just to start moving.

The other group is the people who are relatively active, but they are stuck in a rut. They move, but they’ve been doing the exact same workout for years. I hear it all the time…

“I’ve been running two miles a day for 5 years and I’m just not losing any weight.”

Our bodies are amazing at adapting. While a simple walk may be tough at first, it will become easier and you will have to change it up. Most people who workout do the same workouts every week, whether they are in the gym or not. Gym rats will do the same body part, with the same movements, at the same weight for years! Runner’s will do the same route, at the same pace…..well, you get the picture.

So, how long has it been since your workout had an overhaul?

Need ideas? Check out this article:

8 Ways to Turbo Charge Your Workouts

STEP #4 Take Some Time OFF!

Everyone these days wakes up early for work, rushes out of the house, scrambles to work, stresses out all day, fights thru traffic, races the kids to activities, shovels food in on the way home, plops on the couch, tries to relax, then can’t go to sleep because they are so busy. Sound familiar?

You need to take time for yourself. Time to think or time to allow yourself to recuperate and re energize. It can be a simple as a walk outside, a book by the pool, a massage, 30 minutes in the garden, an art or craft, a movie, a drive in the car, etc. The bottom line is that you need to find activities that relax your mind and schedule them into your calendar.

STEP #5 You Need a Support Team

All major changes require a team. Working out, changing your eating and developing healthier habits are no different. You need to surround yourself with like minded people to give yourself a fighting chance. Gather up your friends, family, coworkers and start walking through these steps. If that doesn’t work, maybe you need to hire a coach or personal trainer to help you develop these new habits. The key is to find people that will encourage you and help you along the way.

Change does not have to be difficult, you just need to understand that change takes time. You need to be ready for long term commitment, but also need to schedule short term victories. Make small changes at first and allow yourself to gain momentum. As you make better choices, you will naturally start to notice improvements in your body and mind. Celebrate your small victories and stay focused on your goals.

If you have any questions about starting or changing your program, please let us know. You can submit questions to the “ask a trainer” box in the upper right of this page or give us a call.

We are always happy to help!

Stop Reading Fitness Magazines – 4 Common Sense Tips to Get More Results from Your Workouts

A Simple, But Brutally Effective, Playground Workout

Just Going to the Gym or Working out?

It’s Time For a Change – 5 Steps To a New You

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