When we think of boosting testosterone levels, the image of a huge bodybuilder injecting steroids might come to mind. But everyone, men AND women, need be concerned with their testosterone levels. After age 30, men with low testosterone levels are at high risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, impaired sexual function, and more. Testosterone levels in women start to decline in their 20’s and can increase body fat, slow metabolism, and reduce bone density and strength.
But fear not. We can naturally boost our levels of testosterone by, da da da daaaaa- exercise and nutrition. Shocking!
FAT, ZINC, AND VITAMIN D
If you want to optimize natural testosterone production, make sure you have those 3 things incorporated in you daily diet. Here are some examples of fats you are looking for: avocados, olive and coconut oil, almonds, egg yolks, and animal fat. Also supplement your diet with zinc and vitamin D, both of which have shown a very strong relationship with higher testosterone levels.
EXERCISE
Exercise has a major influence on testosterone levels. Specifically, medium to high intensity weight training that incorporates compound movements (mutlijoint exercises like squats). Higher volume training programs have been found to have the greatest hormonal response (such as 3-5 sets). If you were to google “testosterone boosting workouts,” you would find something like; “After completing a dynamic warm up perform 3 sets of 10 bench press, kettlebell swings, v ups, and mountain climbers.” Look familiar? Luckily if you are working out with us, you are already engaging in workouts that will help boost your testosterone levels. Keep at it and don’t be afraid to lift heavy! Increased weight = increase testosterone production= high metabolism= low body fat….you get the idea.
Increasing your efforts in the gym, as well as eating a diet with fat supplemented with zinc and vitamin D, will naturally increase your production of testosterone. This means improved mood, sleep, libido, energy, and overall health. And who doesn’t want an increase in their quality of life?
The Push-up is the most basic exercise you can do that will benefit just about your entire body. It is a standard exercise that requires only yourself and works almost every muscle in your upper body while building strength and endurance as well. As beneficial as the push up is, there is one question about this exercise that has probably crossed everyone’s mind, and that is how much weight are you really lifting?
There have been multiple studies to see how much weight is actually being lifted, because if you’re like me, you just assume you are lifting your body weight. While this is partially true, you are actually only lifting a percentage of your body weight, about 70% to be exact. The percentage can change if you modify your push-up, but you’re still pushing about the same weight; depending on the modification. For example if you were to do a modified push-up, with your knees on the ground, you would be using less body percentage of your body weight. If you’re looking to gain more muscle and add more weight, you can do other modifications that will increase your intensity like doing push-up at incline or with weights added to the exercise.
Next time you’re pursuing push-ups in your exercises, think about if you want to try and modify it by adding resistance or weights. Get the most out of your exercise to benefit your body and mind.
Scott here for my next blog entry. As most of you know, I have been continuing my running training this Spring/Summer for the end goal of a half marathon in Las Vegas in November. Who knew there would be challenges within my challenges. Several running events which I had registered for I was not able to attend…for various reasons beyond my control. That said, I am persevering as I continue to learn and expand my skills. My running journey was to land me in San Antonio last month for the Alamo 13.1 event. Yes, starting and ending in front of the Alamo. Unfortunately a last minute flight cancellation prevented me from attending. So last weekend, I ran the 10K RunRabbitRun event in Queens Harbour, to replace my missed Alamo run. This brought my distance level up to a 10K and it was a beautiful, early morning run through Queens Harbour and along the Intracoastal. Lessons learned so far? As I’ve been training, I have learned to adjust my gate in order to increase my distance and endurance. I have also learned not to focus (or obsess) about the finish line when I’m running, and instead just get lost in the run. “Running within yourself” that is, and not straining, is a great concept. “Running within yourself” probably falls somewhere in between moderate and maximum exertion, tilting to the one or the other, depending on your mojo on a given day. To be less prone to injury and have the ability to keep running, for longer distances I would trend more toward the moderate. “Running within yourself” means listening to your body. Some days your body will feel as expansive as your mind, and you’ll want to run farther than planned. Other days your body might feel tight and tired, and you’ll may want to take it a little easier. Understand though, you can run within yourself and still go fast, and you can run within yourself and take it slow. When you stay within yourself getting lost in the run, you’ll know which is the right choice. My next event: Colfax half marathon and Urban 10-Miler in Denver. May 16th, and I’m running the 10-miler…in the mile high city. This should be interesting.
Spin, spin, spin! Definition Fitness’ Cyclepower room is near completion, so I encourage you to check out the progress next time you are at the gym. Having a dedicated room for spin classes makes a big difference in the experience making the class more of a journey, more of an emotional experience, and a bit more cathartic. Those new to spinning may feel a little intimidated… but don’t be. I was a newbie once about 12 years ago when I attended my first spin class, building up my courage and sitting in the back row. Since then, I have never looked back and eventually became an instructor about 4 years ago. I start every class with a review of fundamentals and safety points so that everyone–regardless of weight, age, or fitness level—can have a safe and effective workout. I tell them this truth: Spinning is your workout. I may yell and push you through the hills and sprints to your max, but YOU actually control everything from your speed and resistance to your intensity level, so it can be as moderate or as challenging as you want it to be. Like many things in life, you will get out of it what you put into it. The basics for anyone who are not familiar with this form of group exercise: Spinning is a specific format of indoor cycling. Only certified Spinning instructors are allowed to teach “Spinning,” but other group cycling programs exist by different names, and some have their own certifications. Spinning is a cardio (aerobic) workout set to high-energy music and led by a certified instructor (that would be myself). Most classes last between 45 and 60 minutes. In my NEXT blog, I will cover the simple basics of spin classes: what to expect and class format, what to bring, handlebar positions and climbing angles, and resistance levels.
Join us Tuesday, March 17th, anytime between 4:30 & 6:30pm to learn about and sample the food from Ready Fresh Foods.
Ready Fresh Foods is a “healthier meal catering” service that has two aspects. One is a healthier meal delivery service that provides fresh healthy meals delivered daily. The second is the Kitchen front area you can come by and visit. You will be able to walk in and order right from the menu with a variety of healthy snacks, salads, sandwiches, small entrees, and smoothies to go.
Have any questions about which Ready Fresh menu items would pair well with your workouts? Check with Scott who will be there with Ready Fresh Foods to offer advice on your pre and post-workout nutrition!
In addition to sampling food, check out our new NormaTec RecoverySystm and receive a complimentary 5 minute neck/shoulder massage courtesy of Thom.receive a complimentary 5 minute neck/shoulder massage courtesy of Thom receive a complimentary 5 minute nec
The high tech, low stress solution for quick, comprehensive leg recovery. Whether you’re a runner, lifter, or Iron man, wearing NormaTec’s full-length leg compression boots before or after an intense workout, long road trip in a car or plane can help rejuvenate the muscle tissue and dramatically reduce tightness and soreness, meaning less downtime and greater productivity.
NormaTec is used by NBA, NFL, NCAA, MLB, U.S. Olympic teams, U.S. Navy seals, and among the world’s best Tri-athletes, runners and cyclists.
As some might know in general or experienced it first hand, pregnancy and back pain pretty much go hand in hand. At least that’s what I expected. Pregnancy is the number 1 cause of low back pain for women. Even our sky high heels and platforms wedges don’t even take the cake. Research shows that pregnancy back pain is a pretty common complaint and can vary from one woman to another, as I quickly found out. However, like with many things, it can be managed or prevented with safe, drug free treatments such as rehab, chiropractic and strength training.
It wasn’t that I was naive to thinking I wouldn’t get some kind of pain, because up until about 4 and 1/2 months pregnant I’ve had a rather smooth and easy going pregnancy, and even to complain about the back pain I felt made me feel really bad, because some have it a lot worse. At first I thought I just pulled something in my upper/mid back or just did to much during a workout and was sore. Considering it was so high in my upper/mid back and not my lower back I wasn’t really convinced of it being pregnancy related. It always seemed to get really bad about mid-day, sitting for long periods, and especially trying to sleep at night (which was already becoming hard to do). But after enduring the pain for 4 weeks and keeping a lacrosse ball in my purse to apply pressure to it at anytime, I was over it. I couldn’t imagine the next 5 and 1/2 months of dealing with this (which I also knew I had to worse case scenario). But no amount of foam rolling, lacrosse ball, massaging, heat or ice application was really helping, so I decided to discuss some alternate treatment methods with my doctor at our next appointment.
According to the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, since the main cause of pregnancy back pain is due to the increase in body weight and expansion as the baby grows, there can be muscle imbalances, flexibility issues, and poor postural habits. Also, pregnancy back pain can be the result of alignment conditions in your joints and spine. With that being said, I had already noticed my gait change in my running which made me think, what else am I doing incorrectly. So with that, my doctor recommended that I first do some physical therapy and then maybe chiropractic treatments. So I made my appointment and got in as soon as possible.
After having my initial consultation and exam with my physical therapist, she told me I had some weaknesses in my Rhomboids, Trapezius, and Latissimus Dorsi. She recommended I start off my rehab coming twice a week so we could work on strengthening and stretching these muscle groups and other areas that have an effect on my target muscle weakness. Of course, the thought just like many of you would think, “but I work out on a regular basis how could I have these weaknesses”, did cross my mind but I was there to learn and be taught and if nothing else to dedicate one hour, twice a week to really focus on those things that I apparently was not focusing on.
So like with any exercise program we started off warming up for couple minutes, then performed some stretches targeting the Hamstrings, Hip Flexors, Rhomboids, Pectorals and then finished with a range of motion on the stability ball for a lumbar extension and flexion motion, as well as some core movements. We performed these 3 times each either holding for 30 seconds or 10 repetitions. Then we moved on to an exercise, I know all of our clients love to hate…the side steps with the band around my ankles! Before we started the exercise movements, they would perform a light massage therapy on the area that was causing the pain. After that we performed exercises with various light Thera-Bands. Exercises included shoulder scaption 3 X 20 Reps., shoulder horizontal abduction 3 X 20 Reps., resistance band rows 3 X 30 Reps., and multifidus isometric exercise 2 X 20 Reps. We then ended with Bird/Dogs for 1 X 20 Reps. and then iced the area.
As many of you, may or may not recognize these exercises by name, believe me I did and you would to, if shown. They were all exercises that we as your trainers have had you do from time to time but maybe with more difficulty or weight. Again, all things that I know of or have had some of you do but just wasn’t taking the time to do myself. I actually really enjoyed my time during physical therapy, it was nice to be on the other side and focus on what and how they were wanting me to train, and giving myself that time. I attended therapy for a total of 4 weeks. During that time the pain was still there during certain periods (sitting, driving, lying down in bed) but I kept going. That’s the thing, it does take time. Even the therapist said it would take about 3-4 weeks of coming straight and performing these same exercises on my own on the off days, (just lower repetitions) which I did. I honestly could tell that it was helping, it started little by little, always feeling better on the days I had rehab, and noticing that the onset didn’t start as early in the day as it once did. Then by week 4 I didn’t notice having the sharp pain anymore. Whether, it was my body just adjusting again or what I believe was the help of a little therapy, my upper back pain has totally gone away, and I still perform a lot of the stretches and exercises just to keep up with it.
So in hindsight, as hard as it is to slow down the pace of your training for an injury or pain, don’t forget to take the steps to either help prevent it or strengthen it properly, even if that means a little slower pace training. Ask us, we have tons of suggestions for stretches or low impact exercises that can help for some of those areas that might be bothering you, however, just like with exercising to achieve fitness goals, weight loss, you have to put the time and effort into it, not just a one time stretch or exercise, you have to keep things up on your own not just when you see us. Consistency is truly the key!
Hello Definition Fitness family! I decided last December that 2015 would be my year of challenges, and so I have begun. My first personal challenge is to “re-start” my running fitness, and my ultimate goal is to run a half marathon in November. That is my 2015 running goal. Currently, I have been inconsisently training 8-9 miles per week, and have already cut down my mile-time from 11:00 minutes to about 9:30….and I plan to shave off a little more as I continue my conditioning. As most of you know, I am a certified Spinning instructor and lead our Definition Cyclepower classes too. Previously, I lead 4-5 classes per week at another facility, and at Definition Fitness I am currently leading 3 classes with more to be added. My point…you’d think that consistently intense leg and lower body Spinning training would make my running a piece of cake. Well, running leg muscles [and movements] are very different than Spinning and cycling muscles, so I am reconditioning and retraining my running muscles differently. After running a couple 5K’s over the past couple months, next up is the Gate Run 15K. If you are considering running or training for a running event, one of the most important things I would advise is to be fitted for proper running shoes. The good ones may be more expensive, but it is definitely worth the investment. They can make a BIG difference for your feet, joints, and back especially when running 5+ miles. My go-to shoes are my Saucony Hurricane 16 and Adidas Turbo Boost.
My second 2015 challenge is a physical body “transformation” challenge that I am currently in week 6 of a 12-week program. This transformation consists of muscle growth, overall weight maintenance, and lowering my bodyfat%. My goal is to drop my bodyfat% to 11% by early April: January 1st, I was 20% and I’m currently 16.5%. January 1st my weight was 193lbs and I’m currently at 185lbs. I have been working out 5-days a week with 1 active rest day (lite day), and 1 full rest day. My nutrition consists of 50/30/20: 50% complex carbs, 30% protein, and 20% fats, per daily. It is not exact every day though, non-workout days I load up more on protein, cardio days I may have a few more carbs. All in all, I am already seeing my transformation goal getting closer. If you have any questions or comments about the program/challenge I am following, just ask me!
My third 2015 challenge is achieving additional nutrition certification. AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates) conducts a master level Nutrition Consultant certification that I am currently researching. This education consists of Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, Holistic Nutritionist, Weight Management Specialist, and Sports Nutritionist. Although this accreditation can not be completed within 2015, I plan on beginning the process this year.
So as you can tell, as a busy trainer in alot of ways, I always make fitness, wellness, and nutrition a priority in my daily life. I try to encourage and inspire everyone I meet and know to follow a healthy life plan. Always remember that “the food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison.”
We would like your help with our next t-shirt slogan! Enter your ideas down below in the comments section. The trainers will choose the top 5 slogans and then everyone will vote for the winning slogan. If your slogan is chosen win a free t-shirt with your slogan!! Examples of slogans in the past:
