Archive for April, 2010

Pick a Personal Trainer That’s Right for You

Picking the best of the many personal trainers can be a hard decision for you to make on your own.

There are many a personal trainers that offer services and promise results.  Finding a San Diego personal trainer that will fit you as an individual is your job.  While researching a personal trainer, you need to look for these signs:  Having a friendly personality is important for a personal trainer.

The personal trainer should be willing to help you, regardless of the amount of improvement that you need.  The personal trainer should be honest with you so that you will be informed on how hard it will be to reach your fitness goals.  Additionally, the personal trainer should show you some sort of academic certificate that shows that he or she is a licensed and educated personal trainer.

Friendly Personal Trainers

It is best to work with a personal trainer that is friendly tords you. There is no need in hiring a personal trainer that will throw negative comments at you (believe it or not, some personal trainers will say negative things about their own clients). If you consider your personal trainer as someone that you could have a good friendship with, then he or she is the right trainer for the job.

Personal Trainers Criteria #1: Willingness To Help You

Many of the personal trainers are after your pocket and they have no interest in you being successful in completing your fitness goals. You need to get a personal exercise coach that is willing to do what it takes for you to reach your fitness goals. You want to find a personal trainer that sincerely want to help you reach your individual goals.

Personal Trainers Criteria #2: Honesty

Honesty is an important part of the system. Many personal trainers will lie to you in order to persuade you to use their services. They will tell you that it is easy to get into shape and that you will need to put little effort into the process. An authentic personal training coach will be honest in telling you how much time it will take for you to reach your goals.

Personal Trainers Criteria #3: Proof Of Quality

Many people will claim to you that they are experienced personal trainers without being experienced, or even qualified, to provide personal training. There are some personal trainers that have gained their license by using the internet. These licenses should not be considered authentic. Instead, look for a personal trainer who has an actual academic (college) education in health.

The Sporting Club has all the greatest personal trainers you can imagine.  You are sure to find one perfect for you!

 

Personal Trainers Are For Everyone

Obesity has been declared a national epidemic and cardiovascular disease is maintaining its spot as America’s number one killer, so the case for living a healthy lifestyle has already been built. Why then do so many of us shy away from turning to a professional for help with our workout regime? In many cases, the answer is quite simple. We assume that personalized fitness programs are an expensive treat reserved only for the rich and svelte Hollywood crew. And while this may have been true in the past, personal trainers are now helping ordinary women make celebrity-sized life changes.

Certified Personal Trainers (CPTs) are an affordable option for those without the benefit of an expensive entourage of top-notch health gurus, personal chefs, and daring designers. Convinced that the secrets to becoming a “red-carpet diva” should be available to the masses even when dirty laundry, crying babies, and tight budgets run rampant, many of today’s hottest CPTs can help you reach your fitness goals by developing and implementing realistic and actionable fitness plans.

What Is Personal Training?
You’ve all heard of CPTs, but do you really know exactly what they do? While styles and programs vary widely, you can typically expect the following:

1. Fitness assessment
Comprised of various tests designed to assess cardiovascular fitness, body-fat percentage, flexibility and muscular strength and endurance.
2. Individualized fitness program
A personalized exercise program based on your individual assessment results and personal fitness and health goals.
3. Supervised workouts

Personal attention during exercise is the primary function of personal trainers. During these workouts, you will be educated about the fundamentals of strength and aerobic training, as well as the proper and safe use of various types of equipment.

Finding a Certified Personal Trainer
You’ve made the decision to hire a personal trainer, but now what? Working with a trainer is a very personal experience, and much like a hair stylist or gynecologist, what works for your friend or co-worker might not work for you. Your CPT is charged with motivating you to reach new heights and will often see you during your most vulnerable times – grunting, sweating and possibly looking a “hot mess.” Given this, make sure your trainer is someone that you respect, trust and feel that you can get along well with.

The Sporting Club at UTC has personal trainers that are there to work with and for you!  get the results you want fast with a certified personal trainer at the Sporting Club!

Different Types of Pilates Workouts

1) Powerhouse Pilates

Powerhouse Pilates is a form of exercise that provides that of a fitness approach to that of the Pilates education overall. It was founded by Marci Clark and Christine Romani-Ruby in order to make Pilates education easily available for fitness professionals.

2) Peak Pilates

Peak Pilates is one of many forms of Pilates which uses a truly and entirely different approach that teaches you how to teach and not just what to teach. Peak Pilates certification programs concentrate on that of professional development and a deep understanding of the integrated, systematic approach to Pilates overall.

This knowledge is important because it is what provides the solid foundation and the confidence; two things that are required in order to become a successful Pilates instructor.

Moreover, the Peak Pilates certification programs offer that of a modular educational pathway which allows you to learn and teach at your own pace while simultaneously matching your own personal education level to the level of Peak Pilates that you wish to teach. It is compulsory for every single Pilates student, regardless of their specific fitness level or movement experience, begins by learning the introductory system.

3) Stott Pilates

Stott Pilates is one which concentrates on that of breath, core conditioning, and body awareness. Moreover, Stott Pilates exercise provides a safe and highly effective way to stretch, which is a very important part of the Pilates routines altogether. Stott Pilates is also great as it strengthens and streamlines your body without adding unwanted bulk and without putting any more pressure on your joints.

Stott Pilates is performed on a mat and uses specialized equipment. It is considered as being one of the few fitness regimes that can last you for a lifetime. In addition, it is also thought of as being the perfect compliment to that of cardiovascular exercise, sport and rehab.

The Sporting Club offers many different varieties of pilates classes and instruction!  Check out all the have to offer on their website!

Personal Trainers Speed Up the Fitness Process!

Trying to get into shape without the expertise of a personal trainer is one of the hardest things an individual can try to do.  Getting into great shape isn’t a one-step process. Many people don’t understand just what’s involved in reaching their goals.  There are many reasons as to why people fail to achieve a higher level of fitness without the help of a personal trainer:

People lack the motivation to start and complete their fitness goals.

Most people don’t have the knowledge to reach their fitness goals.

People lack the equipment that is necessary to reach their desired level of fitness.

People lack the time that is necessary to achieve a higher level of personal health.

Physical health and fitness are really a hobby, not a job.

How A Personal Trainer Will Give You The Motivation You Need

One of the best things that a personal trainer can do is provide you with the motivation to start and finish your individual fitness goals. Many people refuse to get into shape simply because they believe that they will not be able to complete their desired goals.

The Personal Trainer shington Has The Knowledge You Need

Your local fitness trainer has the knowledge that you need to start and finish your fitness plan. A personal trainer has the know-how from foods you should eat to the variety of exercises you should be doing to get you that body you’ve always wanted.

Your Personal Trainer Provides You With The Equipment

A great thing about a majority of personal trainers in the area is that they provide you with the necessary equipment that you need to achieve your individual fitness goals. Exercise equipment, even used equipment, is rather expensive and a personal trainer can save you a paycheck (or two) by providing the fitness hardware to you.

A Personal Trainer Will Plan Your Workouts To Fit Your Schedule

Another useful feature that comes from working with a personal trainer is that they will work with you to fit your workouts in your hectic schedule. Regardless of how hectic your schedule is, a personal trainer can work with you to find the time.

The Sporting Club offers a wide array of personal trainers just for you!  Check them all out at the Sporting Club’s website!

Pilates Come in Many Varieties

 Power Pilates

Power Pilates are exercises on almost the same lines as yoga, however with a big difference – the fitness in yoga comes from the mind first, hence the deep meditation, etc. The Power Pilates imparts a series exercises which are focused to build muscles and overall the fitness of body and mind.

There are many programs which offer a number of Power Pilates at different levels of interest. The Power Pilates is a series of exercises that a person has to take on for about 12-36 hours per week. The Power Pilates moves will almost always require backup by some form of equipment. These equipments are used for different muscle stretching exercises.

The Power Pilates exercises are a great way to stay fit. Yoga is the only other method for accomplishing the same level of fitness of the mind and body. Power Pilates is not too costly to learn, or too labor intensive as yoga yet it is highly effective. While with yoga you will need to be extremely supple, with the Power Pilates you require only to have the will to learn and do it.

 Yoga Pilates

There are several different yoga Pilates workouts that involve exercises that have their foundation in yoga along with Pilates as they focus on flexibility and core strength. An exerciser can do these yoga Pilates exercises at a restful pace by breathing slowly and deeply throughout the workout. Yoga Pilates exercises can also be adjusted to fit different fitness levels and flexibility. However one should also consult the doctor before starting any of these exercise programs.

There are definite yoga Pilates guidelines that should help exercisers which include yoga postures that should not be performed on a full stomach. One should wear comfortable clothing to enable freedom of movement and not exercising when feeling weak or shaky.

One should build up strength steadily while staying within personal limitations. One should extend their boundaries of limitations gently while staying focused throughout the workout on one’s breathing that is inhaling and exhaling fully and completely, through the nose.

Because yoga Pilates classes is mushrooming everywhere, there may be a limited number of qualified instructors available. Having a qualified instructor is important as it guarantees that the participant takes the right yoga Pilates exercises. In the case of Pilates, it is dangerous to do moves that are beyond one’s capabilities.

Looking for some good Pilates training?  Look no further than the Sporting Club, where you can find so many different types of Pilates instruction you won’t look anywhere else!

Pilates During Pregnancy

Pilates is thought of to be one of the best ways a pregnant woman can use to prepare herself for the birth of her baby. Furthermore, by practicing Pilates can help her along the stages of her actual pregnancy. The dynamic moves of Pilates actually challenge the woman by building her muscle endurance, and at the same time helping her to gain better balance.

Pilates and pregnancy is a great match in this regards because with Pilates it is a mind and body incorporating method of exercise that strengthens the most important muscles – the ones that the woman will be using during the labor and delivery part of her pregnancy: the abdominals, pelvic muscles, and the back.

One of the best and most important parts about Pilates and pregnancy is that it is the most perfect groundwork for a woman’s labor and delivery process. Pilates is also great during pregnancy because it helps the woman to limber her muscles thus making them supple, which will be a very helpful factor when the time comes to deliver the baby.

However, as with any other form of physical activity, the pregnant woman should consult her physician before starting Pilates, just to ensure that it will not do harm to herself or to the baby.

Pilates is a body conditioning method which works differently from other techniques. When one part of the body is weak or misaligned we tend to overdevelop others parts to compensate. This usually results in pain and discomfort and can lead to injury. By focusing on deep support and postural muscles, Pilates helps you build strength from within. This method of exercises aims at reshaping your body from the inside out by focusing the mind on what the body is doing. The Pilates exercise method provides the right balance between strength and flexibility while helping rid the body of stress and tension and achieving optimum posture.

The Sporting Club offers such a wide array of choices when ti comes to Pilates, even group classes! Visit the Sporting Club today and start a 5-day trial membership FREE!

The Benefits of Pilates

Pilates incredible popularity can be traced to the fact that it provides its faithful practitioners with benefits that you simply can’t get through traditional aerobics/strength training format.

1. Makes You into Muscle Man

If want a long, lean look without bulky muscles, but with all the strength. Would you like to build strength and endurance without getting the muscle man look? If so, pilates may be just what you have been searching for.
There’s a reason that pilates is the exercise of choice for gymnasts and professional dancers. Most conventional workouts tend to create bulky muscle. Why is this? In most workouts, the emphasis is placed on repetition and building strong muscles.

This causes already-strong muscles to get even strong, and thus bigger. Pilates does not rely on frequent repetition, and thus no overgrown muscles. Pilates focuses on the whole body, not just on sections of muscles.

2. Increases the Strength of Stabilizer Muscles

There are many benefits that one can achieve through a proper use of the pilates program. One of the most significant points of the pilates program is it’s ability to increase the strength of stabilizer muscles that may not commonly be worked out in a standard exercise program.

Also, since pilates stresses the use of graceful and fluid movements, it can be a great way to get a better sense of the kinesthetics of your body. The sense of body that you can achieve through pilates is quite significant, and many find that they are better able to balance themselves regardless of the position that they are in.

3. A Mind-Body Workout That Strengthens Your Whole Body

Another one of the benefits of Pilates is that it engages the mind and enhances body awareness. Like yoga, tai chi, and Asian martial arts, Pilates is not just a workout for your body. Joseph H. Pilates studied yoga, martial arts, and other ancient mind-body activities and included a strong philosophical foundation into the practice of Pilates.

Pilates not only helps tone your body, but your mind and spirit as well. The smooth, precise and flowing movements of Pilates are designed to make you more mindful of your body.

Breath movement is also emphasized to put you in touch with how breath moves through your body. Pilates has been demonstrated to reduce stress, anxiety, and helps lift depression. The mind-body connection is fundamental to the study and practice of pilates.

Looking to get started in Pilates?  Look no further than the Sporting Club where you can get your fill of great pilates classes at great prices!

Want to Give Spinning Class a Try?

Spinning is a stationary indoor cycling workout bringing athletic training programmes to people of all fitness levels. Spinning incorporates cycling, choreography and motivational coaching techniques to give you a completely safe, aerobic, adrenaline ride. Spinning is primarily an anaerobic exercise, pulling energy from your reserves and building up your muscular endurance over an extended period of time. Spinning is an aerobic exercise created to strengthen and tone your leg muscles. It is low impact exercise and therefore much healthier for your joints.

So whether you are a dedicated cyclist, dedicated couch potato or somewhere in between, looking for an enjoyable, unique form of exercise with amazing health benefits, why not give spinning a go. The heart rate based workouts integrate music, camaraderie and visualization in a complete mind/body exercise program
and may emphasize endurance, sprinting, intervals, strength, or a number of other fitness goals. Participants burn an average of 500 calories in 40 minutes of non-impact, individually-paced cardiovascular exercise.

Spinning is usually performed in an “class like” atmosphere with motivating music playing while the instructor takes you through the workout using visualization techniques, assisting your imagination into feeling as if you are cycling over hills and through valleys. Used correctly, indoor riding can be a key component of a broad based cycling training program, particulary during the winter months.

The Spinning® program is the original and most recognized name in indoor cycling, training, education and equipment. All of The Sporting Club spinning classes offer energizing, cycling-inspired rides that combine sound training principles, expert coaching, inspirational music and a unique mind/body philosophy, all at a self-directed pace, and are uniquely tailored to suit a wide range of abilities and fitness goals. Come see why we have one of the best Spinning Programs in San Diego!

What we eat effects all aspects of our life

“The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine.

- Hippocrates

At the nutrition gym, we believe that what we eat effects all aspects of our life; our health, our energy, our performance and our quality of life.

Perhaps we should consider our relationship with food.  Is it medicine to you? Is it a form of self-care?

Come to my seminar, entitled, “The Other 85%: Effective Nutrition to Enhance Your Health & Fitness Goals“, on Saturday, April 24th from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm in the Annex at The Sporting Club.

To RSVP: Call 619-977-5779 or email: sandra.blackie@thesportingclub.com.

The Sporting Club’s Golf Fitness Program

UTC Fitness Gym‘s golf fitness program was launched this past Saturday, April 3rd.  The two-hour session covered many of the areas designed to help golfers get more out of their game while keeping themselves strong and healthy.

The aspects of training that we went over were:

1. Flexibility

2. Maintaining your Center of Gravity

3. Sport Specific Motor Programing

4. Proper Exercise Selection

5. Posture

There was also a good amount shared about the mental side of the game and how simple techniques can help you stay focused throughout your round.  If you missed it last Saturday, don’t worry!  There’s another seminar planned this coming Saturday, April 10th at 10 am.  Hope to see you there!  If you have any questions please email Michael at michael.shelly@thesportingclub.com for further information.

Fairways and Greens!

Michael Shelly

San Diego Sporting Club Trainer

The Sporting Club

Michael Shelly

CHEK Exercise Coach

NSCA-CPT

858-342-0467