Club Blog

San Diego Gym – Master Trainer, Elyssa Tommer Featured in Shape Magzine

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(ARA) – Working out, exercising, training, conditioning – it all puts stress on your body as you stretch, tone and build your muscles.

But these stresses could cause you injury and pain, especially if you do an exercise incorrectly, or push your body too hard.

Hiring a certified or personal trainer to help you develop a workout can really help you achieve your goals – safely. Here are some situations in which a certified trainer could come in handy.

* Training for a specific sport – A certified San Diego personal trainer knows you need to develop strength and flexibility in specific muscles and areas of your body for different sports. Having a trainer will help you to target those muscles with unique workouts.

* Losing weight – Losing weight is hard to do by yourself. It’s difficult to keep motivated, and if you were to become injured, the setbacks could be tremendous. Hiring a personal trainer who gives you encouragement, keeps you focused on your goal and provides you with healthy methods for losing weight can make the process a lot easier.

One of the newest exercise trends is exercising with hula hoops, and Sports Hoop Inc. is holding a certified trainer program, providing you with the knowledge and tools needed to facilitate your own class. Using Sports Hoops can energize your body, empower your self confidence, help you to relieve stress, strengthen your core muscles, assist in losing weight and slim your waistline.

* Toning muscles – Get Michele Obama’s arms or abs like “The Situation” from “Jersey Shore.” If you’re going for a specific toned look, a trainer can help you target those specific areas of your body.

* Training for a special event – If you are planning to participate in a long run, swim, hike or need to get into shape for a certain kind of physical event, a trainer will help you prepare safely so you are in the best shape possible at the time of the event.

Getting into shape and helping your body to stay healthy is great, but make sure you train safely so you don’t get sidelined by an injury.

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!

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!

 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 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!

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!

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

Ever wake up or finish your day at work with the feeling of not wanting to go to the gym?  Of course!  We all do. One sign that can show an increase in the risk of Over Training Syndrome, (OTS) is a lack of motivation or decrease in energy.  If you’ve worked out for 4 or 5 days in a row or had many workouts lasting more than a couple hours, whether you are at the UTC Fitness gym or on your own, chances are you can use a day of rest or just light activity. OTS is very common and can lead to a decrease in performance, lack of results and increase the risk of injury.  It is one of the most common problems for people struggling to get results from their workouts.  The way to benefit from all those hard workouts that you put your body through is to let the body recover.

If you have enough energy or maybe only worked out a few days at most in a row, try taking a short walk.  Get some fresh air and relax your mind.  Stress can be a cause for your low energy.  Think about what causes you to feel a lack of motivation or lack of energy.  If you need rest, take it. If you need something or someone to inspire you or motivate you, talk to a San Diego Sporting Club Trainer. Don’t let your workouts get stale and don’t let your energy level rob you from getting an invigorating workout. Whatever you need, find it and put it to work!

Take rest when necessary.  Change your workout styles and/or goals.  Listen to your body and it will give you what you want.

James Di Muzio

The Sporting Club

Personal Trainer

Why do some men and women, in the effort to improve their fitness, still resist weightlifting? Here are some motivating ideas from Global Health and Fitness Success Coach, Garrett J. Braunreiter, for building weight-room confidence and helping you understand why this method of exercise is so very important to your success…

1. Lift weights to lose fat: One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting an exercise and nutrition gym program is not including a weightlifting program with their cardiovascular exercise and low-fat eating regimen. This is unfortunate because when we cut calories without exercise, we can lose muscle as well as fat. And when you lose muscle, your body becomes a lot less efficient at burning fat. However, when you gain muscle, you can actually condition your body to burn fat more efficiently… 24 hours a day!

2. You feel strong and fit: It’s a great feeling when you look in the mirror during your workouts and see your back muscles, biceps, shoulders, and legs flexing. If you’re unsure about proper lifting technique, hire a personal San Diego Sporting Club Trainer for a few sessions. The money you invest is well worth it, as is the time and energy you put towards an effective program. And weightlifting can definitely increases your confidence. It’s a wonderful feeling to feel strong, especially after a workout. You look forward to looking in the mirror, and actually like what you see.

3. You have more energy: Even if you’re just starting out with a few basic weightlifting exercises, very quickly you won’t believe how fantastic you’ll feel. Instead of making an excuse to skip your workout, you’ll make excuses to do just one more set. Plus, with the excess fat you’re going to lose, there will be
less of you to lug around and therefore less fatigue.

4. You’ll finally see the results: Knowing what to do makes all the difference. Many people go to the UTC Fitness gym for months – even years – and wonder why they’re not getting any results. Well, it’s because they’re doing the same darn workout every time.

This is a critical point: you can either quit out of frustration, or you can become a sponge for knowledge and get some help. Get your hands on fitness magazines, books, the trainers at the gym, ask other successful exercisers, or hire a coach. Learn what you need to do to make your program successful. Acquiring the knowledge and getting help is all you need to get hooked.

At first you may question what you’re doing: are you going to get too big, are you wasting your time, how do you know this will work? But then you see other men and women who have been weightlifting for years and they look terrific. Here’s the telltale sign that your program is working: you start to see definition and feel firmness in muscles you never thought you had.

5. You won’t get bored: I suspect many people don’t lift weights because they think it will be boring. Just remember to change your routine every 3-4 weeks to keep things fresh and your body responding to your training. Change the reps, the sets, the weight, the rest period, the exercise order, etc. Training only gets boring if you allow it to.