Why YOU Should Stop Doing Isolation Exercises

Isolation Exercises- An exercise that limits the work load to focus on one muscle area at a time.

I see a lot of people performing isolation exercises and can't help but to think they are wasting there time. Why do I say this? Our bodies are engineered to move as one. Why go against our natural way of movement? A lot of it has to do with the whole spot reduction thing. Which I would like everyone to know that is not possible! So, with that said it makes absolutely no sense to perform exercises like bicep curls or leg extensions.

We all aren't professional body builders so why train like one? Name of the game is functional training. What that means is allowing your body to excel through natural movements so you can perform at your best. That's what you should be concerned with not "toning" you should work on you performance. If you perform better you feel better and that is the big picture. So, if you are going to train like anyone train like a gymnast that is function strength at it's finest. They are fit lean and strong and I can guarantee they are net spending hours in the gym with bicep curls.

Exercises to do more of:
Dead Lift
Pull Ups
Squats
Cleans
Push ups
If you are not sure how to do these exercises you can easily find videos of how to do them on youtube.

If you work on increasing all of those I can promise you will be happy with the outcome.

-Justin

So.....Have You Started Your Fitness Program Yet?

It's the new year and for a lot of people that means a new you! Now comes the tough part figuring out what you are going to do and actually fallowing through with it. There are a lot of different options out there and I'm going to try to shed some light on what is worth your money and time.

I will start with the new popular fitness class ZUMBA! I will start off by saying its great they started something that is fun. But, outside of it being fun it holds no other value. You are not strengthening your muscles at all. Women especially seem to think they don't need to strength train in reality you couldn't be farther from the truth. It is very important for women to strength train. It promotes bone strengthening and rebuilding and keeps your muscles from deteriorating from age. SO the verdict on ZUMBA I say if you are looking for a fun class every once and a while then go for it, but other than that I wouldn't use it as your primary source to being fit.

BOOT CAMPS! Now that is a class I highly recommend. They are fun fast passed and it is full of functional exercises! What I mean by functional exercises is performing workouts that will allow you to excel in your everyday life. Which is the best way to workout. Now, I know some might be scared by the name. I promise you it is not like a military boot camp but it is hard work. Having a strenuous workout is key to getting your body to where you want it. Your body needs to be forced to over come something. So if any trainer tries telling you that you can can get to your goals without pushing your body RUN AWAY! There needs to be a balance between fun and functional and I think the boot camp class has it nailed down pat.

Now some key things to look for in a trainer:
-Certified through a national credited organization (NASM, NSCA, ACSM, ACE)or a degree in exercise
-A trainer that views their job as a way of life not a job
-Specializes in the area that you want to change
-Usually trainers that are independent are the way to go since they have made it clear that this is there career not just a part time job
Pay attention to these key points and you should be more then satisfied.

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."
Arthur C. Clarke

-Train hard