Friday, November 30, 2012

ANNUAL HOLIDAY FITNESS CHALLENGE - DECEMBER 13, 2013 TO JANUARY 25, 2014



With the Holiday season coming up quick, exercise is the first thing to go when people are busy.  People overindulge at holiday parties and have added pounds to deal with.  Did you know that obesity is now considered more dangerous than smoking?

To keep you committed to exercise during the Holiday season I’m putting on a Fitness Holiday Challenge to all my current and former fitness bootcamp participants.

The Challenge goes from December 13th to January 25th. 

The cost is $5 with the winner taking the total pot! 

WIN PRIZES! 

Prize Draws available to all participants both in December and January!
Win some Dynabody and/or Fitness-related “Swag”

Plus – a Free “Workout with Doug Session”
We will hit the gym and go through the paces with a full blown workout session – at no cost to you!  (Except for spent calories)

The Holiday Fitness Challenge will work on a point system.  You accumulate points based on the time spent exercising.

SPIDERMAN PUSHUP
up to 30 min. of Exercise                    1 point
up to 60 min. of Exercise                    2 points
over 60 min. of Exercise                     3 points
A Maximum of 3 points per day is allowed. 

Exercises include:  Aerobic/Cardio workouts,  Resistance/Weight Training,  or an Active Sport  - Hockey, Soccer, Racquet sports, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming Laps, Spinning, etc (sorry but darts & poker don’t count). 
'Note that "Activities" like curling, bowling, etc, are NOT considered effective exercises - as the need is to keep your heart rate up and strengthen the body.  A one point maximum will be allowed for these activities.

Remember - you want to keep your heart rate elevated and focus on intensity.

For my part, I will include a bodyweight exercise program you can do for the 4 weeks that the bootcamp is off.  (We don’t start again until January 21st and 23rd) .  If you’d like a pdf copy of the bodyweight exercises send me a quick email.

If you want to join in on the challenge bring your $5 to the Tuesday (Bannatyne School) or Thursday (Strathmillan School) bootcamp.  Last classes for the year are December 10th and 19th (we don't start again until January 21st & 23rd,2014),  Or, email me at dynabody@gmail.com to make other arrangements.

This is a great way to stay motivated and be accountable during the Holiday season!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Happy Thanksgiving all! - Enjoy time with Friends & Family

















 
Blackfriday - Stay Home, Go out and play!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Remembrance Day - Never Forget

Remember to honour those Canadians who gave so much for the cause of Peace and Freedom!


"In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row."












Lest we forget.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

So, Are you Fit or Active?



So are you Fit or Active?
Do you train or exercise?
Do you know the difference?

Many people fool themselves that “being active” is exercise.  Playing baseball, going for long walks or curling in the winter are all physical activity - unfortunately this sort of exercise does not make you fit.  Most people involved in active sports have trouble doing 10 regular pushups, can’t do one pull-up or even touch their toes.

One of the tests that I do when performing a fitness assessment for a client is push-ups.  Generally (depending on age) males should be able to do at least 15 push-ups while females should be able to do 10.  And that’s not on your knees either.

To become “fit” and maintain a level of fitness you must have a consistent exercise program.   True fitness is when your body can do whatever you ask it.  This involves strength, endurance and flexibility.

One of the main focuses of my fitness bootcamp classes is to simulate all of the functional demands of life.  Participants are adequately challenged to work the body focusing on multi-muscle group exercises.

I see many parents just contempt in sitting and watching their children play at the playground or hockey rink.  There is no better time to either join in or sneak away to do a simple bodyweight routine.  There are endless possibilities to do a quick 20 minute work-out at the skateboard park.   Your body was meant to move so just don’t sit there.  “Use it or Lose It” is my motto that I regularly preach.

One of the most common errors I see regularly is someone focusing too much on one type of exercise.    With women it’s usually the endless time spent running.  For men it’s the hour after hour doing the same weight-training routine.

Ladies, if you want the hourglass figure forget the long distance running.  Unless you are properly training, expect to be either a toothpick or stuck with that overweight figure with added knee/joint problems.  Focus on High Intensity Interval Training.  Emphasize circuit training.  These are areas I touch on with my fitness bootcamps. 

A properly run fitness class is a great way to get the best out of your time spent exercising.  Not only do you work-out in less time but you get better results than other programs.  Although the majority of my clientele are woman - personally, I think most men are “scared” of being outdone by a woman…. most men and women that participate see the benefits attained from some of the athlete specific drills  (reaction time, speed,  coordination, etc).  If you are involved in sports this is a great way to complement your training.

For those whom exercise regularly you should see progression.  Be it fat loss, strength gains, etc.  the main variable to focus on is intensity.  This, along with the frequency of your workouts, time involvement and type are the most important to ensure “fit” success.

I can’t stress the importance of intensity enough.  If you can chew gum and not be out of breath then you are NOT working hard enough.  Unless you are just starting out or have an injury working out with 5 or 10 lb weights won’t cut it.  You must fatigue the body. Push it - BUT – know your limits1  Models in the magazines do not get their physique doing exercises with 5 lb dumbbells!  These models are hired for their looks.  You can’t get their figure without pushing yourself.

Here’s another problem I see regularly…Someone who jumps off the treadmill and then spends all of his/her time doing Bicep Curls and Tricep Kickbacks.  Come On!  You have to focus on major multi-muscle group exercises.  Plus, the key to effective training results include; Intensity, proper Mechanics and Movement speed.

And ladies, stop spending all your time on the abductor/adductor machine.  Save the isolated exercises when you are fit and need a change. Focus on  Squats, Lunges, Deadlifts if you are doing legs. 

As I explained earlier, to become “fit” you must have a consistent exercise program.   But are you exercising or training?  Do you know the difference?  Exercising is physical movement.  Using the body but not necessarily being focused.  A lot of people do cardio this way.  “Going through the motions.”  Not much more than being “active”.

Training on the other hand is goal-oriented.  It’s a consistent exercise program that requires a purpose - which creates results.  For cardio, try an Aerobics class or High Intensity Interval training.

Here is an ideal training plan for someone who is either just starting out, or works out regularly;

1)  Cardio/Aerobic exercise – twice a week    
      (30 minutes of HIIT)
2)  Circuit Training / Fitness Boot Camp 
      – twice a week 
      (1 hour of Cardio, Resistance Training,  
      Core & Flexibility).
3)  Weight Training/Resistance Training 
      (1 hour) (once/twice a week)
4)  Sports / Family fun activity  
      (one day a week)
5)  Day of Rest (one day of the week)

Think it’s excessive?  

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the global leader in sports medicine and exercise science.  Here is their recommendations;

The ACSM recommends that most adults engage in moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise for more than 30 minutes for 5 days per week or more (over 150 minutes/week) AND vigorous intensity cardiorespiratory exercise training for more than 20 minutes 3 days a week (over 75 minutes per week).  IN ADDITION adults should perform resistance exercises for each of the major muscle groups two or three times a week, along with neuromotor exercises involving balance, agility and coordination.  Finally ,including flexibility exercises is crucial for joint range of motion. *1

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that being “active” or a “weekend warrior” is enough. If you want to control your weight, improve your physical image and self esteem – along with your overall health, you must develop an intelligent exercise program (like above) and focus on smart nutritional choices.    

So are you fit?  Or just active? 

 Sources


*1-ACSM wesbsite “ Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: Guidance for Prescribing Exercise” 2012-10-27
http://www.acsm.org/access-public-information/position-stands/position-stands/lists/position-stands/quantity-and-quality-of-exercise-for-developing-and-maintaining-cardiorespiratory-musculoskeletal-and-neuromotor-fitness-in-apparently-healthy-adults-guidance-for-prescribing-exercise