By Michelle Bakkar
According to the National Center for Health Statistics only 20% of women practice strength training weekly. Pumping iron twice a week can reduce overall body fat by 3% in 10 weeks. That’s 3 inches off your hips and waist without even changing your diet!
Majority of women are discouraged by the belief that they will bulk up or look manly. Don’t be swayed by this myth! Due to high levels of estrogen and low levels of testosterone it is VERY difficult for women to become overly muscular. When women lift weights, the changes to their muscles are generally related to tone, strength and endurance rather than size. The resulting look is firm, feminine toning-not bulky, masculine muscles.
The Mayo Clinic notes the following among the many benefits of strength training:
- Preserves muscle mass
- Controls weight
- Reduces risk of osteoporosis
One pound of fat takes up 18% more space than one pound of muscle. In turn, lifting increases the number of calories burned while you’re parked on the couch. This is because after a strength workout muscles need energy to repair their muscle fibers. Let’s hit the weights ladies!
Did you know?
Exercise helps you stick to a diet plan. Read more about it in my next blog!
By Tim Dailing
I have always been interested in the mind/body connection and how they can effect each other. From past experience I have seen how mental stress can make the physical body ill. The quote “Some people feel the rain, others simply get” is credited to Bob Marley, and it has taken some digestion and thought to come to my conclusion what Mr. Marley was talking about. I believe he was talking about our mental outlook- how do we view things? Even the rain; is it viewed as some annoyance that interferes with our daily life, or is it seen as part of nature that nourishes plants, animals, and a life giving source needed for survival? We will all face some low points in life and even possibly depression or anxiety, but medications/prescriptions are not the only answer. Physical activity can definitely ease symptoms of depression or anxiety and make you feel better. Exercise may also prevent anxiety or depression from coming back once you are feeling better.
How does exercise help depression and anxiety?
- Releases feel-good brain chemicals that may ease depression (neurotransmitters, endorphins, and endocannabinoids)
- Reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression
- Increase your body temperature which can have a calming effect
- Takes your mind off worries – exercise is a distraction that can get you away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression
Living in Florida we can see a lot of rain, especially during hurricane season, and the rain was starting to get to me. It was causing a longer commute time, taking the dog out in the rain which was a messy chore, and the beach wasn’t an option; so i took a group fitness class with one of my favorite instructors and felt my stress melt away and a sense of peace and calm came to me, as i exited the class it was raining, but this time “I felt the rain”.
Now that the kids are back in school, it is time to start focusing on your own goals heading into the fall season. After a rough summer of rambunctious kids, sleepovers, and entertaining, YOU can take you’re personal time back, and receive the results that you have always envisioned. To give you a kick start, Definition Fitness is helping you put the F.I.T.T.C acronym to use. A solid workout and a friendly challenge will make getting into shape, the most fun and rewarding gym experience of the year.
– Frequency of your workouts!
– Intensity of your workouts!
– Times attended!
– Type of workout!
– Challenge YOURSELF!
So of course with this upcoming event being all about challenging you, through frequency, intensity, time and type of completed workout, we have challenged each and every person to do an additional timed circuit a week. This challenge will go all the way through the month of September. As with anything, the client with the fastest time overall will be rewarded for their accomplishments. Clients may redo each circuit as many times as they want, to receive a desired time; however, once the circuit week has ended that circuit can no longer be redone.
Week #1 – No Nonsense Circuit
Jumping Jack 50
Lunges 30
Squat Jumps 20
Alternate Lunges (each leg) 20
Burpees 20
Mountain Climbers 30
Crunches 50
Week #2 – Get in Military Shape
Push Up 25
Body Weight 25
Pull downs 25
Military press 25
Lunges 25
Bicep curls 25
Triceps extensions 25
Crunches 50
Week #3 – Captain America
Running in place 60 sects
Rotating Punches 80
Knee Tucks Jumps 10
Sit Ups 20
Butt Ups 10
Raised Leg Circles 10
Push Ups 10
Back Extensions 10
So as I’m sure most of you know, I’m pregnant with my first child. While I see most of you at the gym on occasion, I figured I’d give everybody an update into my world and what it’s been like training for two. Also, thoughts and ideas I’m using to stay motivated, things I’m learning to help during pre/post baby, and staying on track with my nutrition. Because let’s be honest, being pregnant doesn’t mean taking a nine-month hiatus from your exercise regimen, nor does getting to use the excuse eating for two. But it does mean taking a gentler approach to exercise and continued healthy eating. I’ve always said, “We’re all on different paths in our training”, and right now for me it’s definitely been different!
I feel genuinely lucky to be going on 28 weeks pregnant and still being able to workout and run as much as I have without any major issues. Current research according to Prenatal & Postpartum Exercise Design Programming, has shown that regular exercise at moderate to somewhat hard levels of intensity during pregnancy has positive benefits. This includes reduced fat deposition/retention, shorter and less complicated labors, higher energy levels during and after pregnancy, greater tolerance of the physiological and psychological stresses of pregnancy, fewer physical complaints, and quicker postpartum recovery.
So as I approached this new stage in my life, I was adamant that I would continue training the way I had been (running/strength training) as long as it wasn’t hindering the development of my baby. When my doctor gave me the ok, I continued running and lifting weights but just listened to my body. During my first and second trimester, nothing really seemed to change. I kept up with my running 4 miles every other day at least 3 times a week. I notice I was getting winded a little easier and slowly watching my time creep up on me for distance. But with that said, I realized that my body was working up to 30% harder than before to keep up with the demand of blood flow/volume and oxygen consumption. At this time, I just based everything on listening to my body, how do I feel, or using the RPE scale (Rate of Perceived Exhaustion). Same thing when it came to strength training. According to what I’ve learned in school and confirmation from my doctor, I was already training in this manner so I continued to maintain the movements I was already doing much like many of you, but just really concentrating on form, modifying, and concentrating on lots of core and yes Burpees!
It’s definitely been hard at times, when I want to push a little harder or do more that I’ve been able to do in the past but just can’t. I, or often times my husband gently reminds me of how I’m growing a little human and need to remember that and train for that. My goals have needed to change, I’m not training to lose weight, run faster, or even maintain. Again, this became tricky considering the fact that inevitably I was getting bigger, slower, and more exhausted somedays. I find that when I’m training with my husband, like I do most often, I always feel better and uplifted. Or when I can get out and walk a few miles with friends, it not only helps me mentally but makes me feel better being active. Much like personal training, sometimes we need that trainer, or that group mentality to help encourage us and get us through a hard workout. That’s why I feel finding that group of people that you can train with, be it your trainer, friends, spouse, family, and especially your gym family, really is just as important as the workout. Having that comradery while you’re trying to achieve that fitness goal is crucial and why I love getting to do my job and watch clients not only achieve their goals but encourage each other, keep tabs on each other- it’s what makes us keep coming back for the torture! Believe me when I say, I’m encouraged to continue on and keep striving because of watching our awesome clients that we have strive to meet goals, its truly empowering and makes me motivated to hang in there till I can get back to where I’d like to be after baby.
Stay tuned as I update you guys on my most recent learning experience from being pregnant…how important it is to keep up with our stretching and rehab exercises!!
Robyn Morris
Can you tell us a little bit about your background personally and professionally?
Well, I am a graduate of the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a Criminal Justice degree. I’ve been married to my husband for little over 11 and ½ years. Flash forward a few years, a move up to Jacksonville and not knowing what I really wanted to do, I started getting into running and working out. I had always “semi worked out”, but I was never the sporty person and it always seemed like it was something I “had to do”. It wasn’t until I started running in different 5K’s and really pushing myself in the gym, that I really found that competitive edge. From there I became addicted to how good I was feeling and enjoying the stress relief it provided. That’s when I thought to myself, why don’t I do this for a living? So back to school I went, and became a certified personal trainer with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and started working here at Definition Fitness in 2012.
Tell us a little about your own personal training style or preferred methods?
I personally love strength training with functional movements and Olympic lifts. I enjoy anything leg related and feeling that burn (squats, lunges, or deadlifts). I usually rotate through the week on different areas of the body or movements and run about 4 miles every other day (3-4 times). I prefer to spice it up (so I don’t get bored) with a little bit of HITT or circuit training too. That way it combines strength training with some type of aerobic/high intensity exercise.
However lately, it probably hasn’t been as intense as I’d like. I guess I’ll go ahead and put this public announcement out there, “I am pregnant with my first little baby” and as a personal trainer I knew stopping working out was never an option, maybe a change up but never stopping. It definitely has been an eye opening experience to say the least, from seeing my run times diminish, to just being a little more winded than usual and tired. However, knowing everything that I was taught in my pre/post partum training cert., I knew that as long as I listened to my body and didn’t try anything new that I haven’t done before becoming pregnant, my baby and I would both benefit from keeping up with my training in the long run. To this day I am still maintaining being active running and strength training and feel great! Now a day women are encouraged to continue training because it can help boost your energy, sleep better, reduce discomfort, prepare for labor, reduce stress, improve self image, and help get your body back into shape post baby. I am excited and looking forward to my own experiences to come…the good and the tough. I believe this will only help me learn and grow as a trainer and hopefully help me to help others that are on their own different journeys.
So how do you train your clients and why do you believe in personal training?
Usually training programs for my clients are dependent on their fitness assessments and goals. Since I believe in training for functional movements, I tend to incorporate those types of movements that we can all benefit from like squatting down properly, picking up heavy equipment or kids up properly. I like to have clients consistently perform certain major compound movements, like squats, deadlifts, presses, and core on a regular basis so I can see how they improve. Also I like using supplementary exercises (cardio, burpees, box jumps, kb swings, step ups) to throw in, to mix it up and keep them moving. I believe in personal training, because we all struggle with something in our lives and if I can help in some way be that tool to help a client achieve a fitness goal, then it (they) are worth it. Whether its getting them to run/walking their first 5K, perform their first squat properly, or excel them in a lift they already perform but need to take it to the next level, or just being that support system when they don’t have that and need it to reach that goal, I believe in being that for my client. As personal trainers we have a responsibility to help educate, direct, and lead by example, that being healthy doesn’t have to be difficult you just have to want that for yourself and be committed to making that change.
Hello, my name is Stephen Burleson and I look forward to meeting everyone here at Definition! I have been involved with strength and condition training for the past twenty years. I enjoy weight training, Mixed Martial Arts, reading and attending church in my spare time. The joy of my life are my three children Reagan, Caine and Sadie, who are actively pursuing athletic endeavors of their own- ballet, baseball and volleyball.
I have a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine, FL, a Master’s in Sports Medicine and Biomechanics, and Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of Tennessee. I have also successfully completed several relevant post graduate internships including: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Neurology and Acute Care.
As your personal trainer, I am determined to produce the short and long term results you desire. By providing you with progressive, functional and corrective exercises we will address proper biomechanics, posture, dynamic stability, strength/conditioning, confidence, and pain control. Prior to training, I will delineate any preexisting impairments that may be a hindrance to your performance. I will meet you where you are. Together, we will assimilate an exercise regimen designed to restore, maintain and optimize your body’s function.
I am as eager to see your transformation as you are and I am determined to introduce you to a healthier, happier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Your success will prove to be invaluable as you will be educated on the intricacies of exercise as it relates to you current status, as well as the changes we incur throughout the lifespan. You success is my success!
By Candace Moody and Thomas Moody, LMT
Massage therapy has been around for at least five thousand years. There are references in ancient documents of the Chinese imperial court identifying massage as a healing art; in the Bible, there are verses about anointing the human body with oil may that well have referred to some form of healing massage. The Greek physician Hippocrates advised massage routines for his patients. In various forms, therapeutic massage could be found in just about every corner of the ancient world.
Modern athletes are rediscovering the benefits of sports massage. Elite athletes in all sports find that an sports massage therapist can help them train longer, recover more quickly after workouts and injuries, and perform better during competition. Amateur athletes can reap the same benefits, but without an expert training staff to guide you, it can be a challenge to find and ask for what you need.
Here are some things you should know about sports massage:
Not all massage is designed to improve athletic performance. All massage feels good and has some therapeutic benefit. But the soothing massage you receive at a spa is not intended to treat muscles that have been performing at capacity during a workout or competition. Not all massage therapists have the extensive anatomical and kinesthetic training needed to understand which muscle groups have been used or how to help them recover. Therapists who specialize in sports massage have studied athletes and performance and know what it takes to improve function and range of motion.
Massage should be a regular therapy, not a one-time event. Training for competition requires regular and thoughtfully planned workouts. Likewise, massage therapy is more effective when it comes at regular intervals. Massage therapy offers cumulative benefits over time; it’s rare that one session will solve a problem. It also takes time for the body to become accustomed to the deep work required to treat injuries. Massage therapy helps the muscles, fascia and nerves work together to repair, flush or return the muscle to its normal state. Regular massage helps muscles remember what to do to recover and helps the effects last longer.
Effective sports massage uses a variety of modalities. A therapist who only knows a couple of styles of massage may not be able to influence all the systems that your body uses during and after your workout. For example, Swedish massage, the most common massage technique, works on your parasympathetic system. That’s the system that controls “rest and digest” functions, and Swedish is very effective for recovery after competition. But it’s not at all effective before; in fact, a Swedish massage before competing will impair your performance. Ask your therapist how many modalities he has been trained in – the more versatile he is, the more effective he’ll be for an athlete.
If you’re serious about improving your athletic performance, you probably have a personal trainer or coach working with you. Together, you work on a plan for improving speed, endurance, or performance. An expert sports massage therapist can maximize your workouts and shorten your recovery time. If you haven’t incorporated regular sports massage into your training plan, you might be leaving some performance on the table, so to speak.
Authors:
Thomas Moody, LMT is a licensed massage therapist in practice at Definition Fitness in San Marco. He is certified in Neuromuscular Massage. Thom is part of the sports medicine team of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and Jacksonville University, and has worked with collegiate and Olympic athletes in many sports. He is also certified as a Level One USAA Track and Field Coach. Candace Moody is a writer based in Jacksonville.
Definition Fitness is pleased to add Sports Massage Therapy to our array of performance training services.
Regular sports massage provides many benefits to athletes, including:
•Reducing the chance of injury both through education on stretching and event preparation, as well as deep tissue massage.
•Improving range of motion, strength, performance times.
•Shortening recovery time between workouts.
•Maximizing the supply of nutrition and oxygen through increased blood flow.
•Enhancing elimination of metabolic wastes (i.e., lactic acid) that are a by-product of exercise.
Athletes that work with sports massage therapists improve performance, lengthen their careers and experience fewer injuries. When injured, sports massage can speed recovery and help an athlete come back after surgery more quickly.
We welcome Thom Moody, LMT, to the staff. Thom brings 16 years of clinical and sports massage results to Definition Fitness. He has been the lead instructor at Heritage Institute and is a sports massage therapist for Jacksonville University and the Jacksonville Jaguars. His private clients have included NCAA, professional and Olympic athletes from several countries. Massage appointments are available (DAYS) mornings and by special appointment.
Thom Moody, Sports Massage Therapist
Thom is a licensed massage therapist who trained at Southeastern School of Massage Therapy in Jacksonville and is certified in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy. His continuing education in sports massage has included workshops with Benny Vaughn and Mike McGillicuddy, both nationally recognized as leaders in sports massage techniques. He is also certified as a Level One USAA Track and Field Coach.
Since 2000, Thom has been working with athletic teams at Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida, performing over 10,000 sessions of massage in the training room and on the field in coordination with a team of medical doctors, sports trainers and coaches. He has worked on male and female student athletes on football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, swimming, crew, and track and field teams. He’s also worked with world class athletes such as NCAA All American track stars Monique Tubbs, Andrea Pressley and Natasha Harvey, and members of the Irish Olympic track and field team.
Thom has achieved results with former NFL athletes in private practice, good training for his current work as part of the sports medicine team of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thom has worked with injured athletes pre- and post-surgery, and worked on performance enhancement with healthy athletes. The diversity of his experience, both in nature of the therapy and variety of teams, helps him understand and get results with athletes from almost every sport. He works with elite runners, triathletes, cyclists, and weekend golfers trying to better their game.
As a past athlete and retired Navy rescue swimmer, Thom has an understanding of the unique needs, both mental and physical, of an athlete preparing for competition or recovering from an injury.
Thom Moody, LMT, will provide onsite massage therapy beginning September 3. Inquire about appointments and rates at the front desk.
License #MA 0024478
When most people think of cardio, they think of long, boring jogs, or endless hours on the elliptical. I’ve got good news for you: there’s a method of cardio that takes much less time and is far superior to jogging to help you burn fat. It’s called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)! High Intensity Interval Training involves alternating between very intense bouts of exercise and low intensity exercise/recovery. For example, sprinting for 30 seconds, then walking for 60 seconds is high intensity interval training. HIIT can be used both anaerobically (in the gym with weights) and/or aerobically with cardio.
The “Fat Burning Zone” shown on most cardio equipment is usually only 60%-65% of max heart rate, this is really a myth and is NOT optimal for burning fat. Yes, you burn more fat relative to glycogen when going for a walk, but what we care about is total fat burn. At higher intensities, you are burning far more fat, even though the fat/glycogen ratio is lower. In addition, interval training allows you to exercise at very high intensities for a much longer period of time than steady state, so you burn more fat.
There are a number of great benefits to High Intensity Interval Training besides serious fat burn that include:
• Increased Aerobic Capacity – The amount of oxygen your body can use (oxygen uptake) is increased, so your overall aerobic capacity can increase faster than with low intensity endurance exercise.
• Increased Lactate Threshold – Your ability to handle increased lactic acid buildup in your muscles increases.
• Improved Insulin Sensitivity – Over time, your muscles more readily hold onto glucose, instead of the glucose going to your fat stores.
• Anabolic Effect – Some studies show that interval training combined with consuming slightly more calories than you burn creates an anabolic effect, which helps you put on muscle. The opposite occurs with steady state cardio, which for long durations is catabolic.
As an added bonus, there’s also an afterburn effect known as EPOC (excess-post exercise oxygen consumption). You increase your metabolism and burn more calories for up to 24 hours after interval training, whereas going for a jog burns almost NO calories after.
INTENSITY30!
So it’s time to burn calories faster and more efficiently, improve endurance, and build strength with Definition Fitness Personal Trainer Scott Winters and the heart-pumping INTENSITY30 workout program!
Utilizing the principles of high intensity interval training (H.I.I.T.), INTENSITY30 is a fast paced 30-minute, one-on-one workout session which incorporates 30-second drill combinations that include weighted squats, full-body resistance combinations, BOSU-based drills, heavy plyometrics, among other techniques, with 30-second recovery periods between each drill.
“HIIT is considered to be much more effective than normal cardio because the intensity is higher and you are able to increase both your aerobic and anaerobic endurance while burning more calories and shedding the fat.”
To be cleared for this special program, your max, resting, and target heart rate will be assessed prior to beginning the program; your heart rate will then be monitored throughout the 30-minute workout with your target heart rate always in check. A heart rate monitor is strongly recommended (for the most accurate workout), but not required.
IT’S A HEART-PUMPING TIME THAT WILL PUSH YOU TO YOUR LIMITS!
-Scott Winters
TOUGH MUDDER OATH
As a Tough Mudder, I pledge that:
I understand that tough mudder is not a race but a challenge.
I challenge all of you to strongly consider running with the Definition team. We will be hosting workouts to help get everyone ready so don’t think you will be doing this on your own. Even if you do not feel like you are ready to run with us I challenge you to try some of the workouts to see what the obstacles are like.
I put team work and camaraderie before my course time.
This challenge is not for time. Yes, as a competitive person myself this may be the hardest part of the oath but having done a TM before I understand this may be the truest part of the oath. Without your team there are some obstacles that you cannot complete, Berlin walls are hard to scale and you will have no one to carry for the wounded warrior carry. Also, running 10-12 miles alone isn’t exactly the most fun activity out there. The best part of this challenge may be the camaraderie you feel with the other runners – you realize very quickly you are all on the same team (and they are wondering what the heck they are running this for as well hehe).
I do not whine- kids whine.
Whining is one thing that will get you nowhere in life – and that holds true in the TM. It is hard, you will be exhausted, and seeing those electrical wires or ice water ahead makes you want to quit. Let me tell you though, you DO NOT want to waste energy whining! Go back to the first part of the oath
I help my fellow mudders complete the course.
Never leave your fellow mudders behind because you want to go faster than they are or because one of them got hurt. This not only goes for your personal teammates but everyone else running as well!
I overcome all fears.
It is not fun to run through fire, electrical wires, jump from a 2 story ledge into ice cold water, or scale 10-12 foot walls. Whatever your fear is trust me you will encounter and conquer it in this run and you will feel absolutely incredible after you do!
I am more than excited to start putting 100% into my training so come May 18th I will be ready to kick some Tough Mudder butt! Within the next 6 weeks I will be incorporating different types of training into my usual strength routine so that I have the strength to power through the 25 obstacles throughout the race. Also I will be upping my cardiovascular training so that the 10-12 miles will feel like nothing. After not putting my all into training for my last Tough Mudder I can assure you that I will not be caught off guard this year!
Ask your trainer about new workouts or come speak with me if you have any questions about the Tough Mudder! Let us know if you want to sign up and well get you on our team =) I hope you all get interested in challenging yourself!
This video gave me chills- check it out and get pumped!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=azQbiz2vm_Q
Posted by Megan
