Learn the Best Building Blocks to Fat-Busting Workouts

Let’s face it. Creating and maintaining a manageable fitness plan (in addition to the other responsibilities in our lives) is harder than it seems. Need proof? Just look at the current American obesity rate.

And until now, you may have considered an aerobics class or power walk to be a complete workout. Maybe you pick up a couple of free weights, do some arm curls, or squeeze in some crunches.

But all those flashing lights on that cardio equipment, machines and other gear…they’re intimidating.

That’s why I use the concept of Workout Building Blocks to create a framework for each training session at PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB:

Workout Building Block #1 – Dynamic Warm-up
This gets you moving, increases core body temperature, lubricates joints and mentally prepares you to work out. Block 1 takes the place of the old school warm-up that included movements like static toe touches.

Workout Building Block #2 – Reactive Training
Reactive Training teaches you to bend, turn and twist quickly so you’ll be less likely to get hurt when you need to move in a hurry.

Workout Building Block #3 – Resistance Training
This is what we talked about last week – the true Fountain of Youth. Resistance training strategically challenges your muscles so you rev up your metabolism, burn fat and slow the aging process (among many other benefits).

Workout Building Block #4 – Core & Balance Training
We work our body’s core – abs, lower back, hips and butt -- with original exercises so you can say “goodbye” to backaches.

Workout Building Block #5 – Cardio-respiratory Conditioning
Aerobic exercise, a/k/a cardio, gets your heart and lungs moving to burn calories, prevent disease and beat stress.

Workout Building Block #6 – Recovery
At the conclusion of each workout, we do some creative stretching and massage techniques to rejuvenate your tired muscles so you’re amped up and ready for your next session.

Each Building Block is an important component of an all-around effective workout, which, over time, will help you get in top shape.

To check out real success stories, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/weddingshape

For more information about PEAK, visit: www.peaksc.com

And for more information about WeddingShape, visit: www.weddingshape.com

Yours in health,

Joe

Joseph Arangio, MS, CSCS
Director, PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB
Author, WeddingShape Diet and Fitness Guide for Brides

Learn the Best Time to Work Out

It’s an on-going debate. What time of the day is best for working out?

Well, while many experts recommend a first-thing-in-the-morning workout or mid-afternoon fitness routine, what good is that if your schedule simply doesn’t allow it?

Are you doomed to forever skip the gym?

Not at all!

So, how do you make time? Plan it.

Schedule the workout into your calendar, at the same time of day three, four or five times a week, every week. That will get you into a routine and will help prioritize your life so that if something else pops up, you’ll be less likely to cancel your workout.

As a personal training facility, PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB runs on schedules. Clients know what slots they fill and that a trainer will be waiting for them, which is especially helpful if they’re just getting started or likely to make excuses to miss a day.

If you need the same kind of accountability, here are a couple of ideas to keep you motivated and moving:

• Recruit a fitness coach of your very own
• Find a friend who’s willing to show you some tough love if you miss a workout
• Make a standing date with a co-worker to meet at the company gym after work
• Keep a workout journal
• Join a community-based walking, biking, running club
• Commit to a specific goal, like running in your community’s end-of-summer 5K race

Like everything else in life, if you make getting fit and healthy a priority, you'll make sure to make the time to get on -- and stay on -- that path. No matter what time of day works for you.

Yours in health,
Joe

Joseph Arangio
Author, WeddingShape Diet and Fitness Guide for Brides
Director, PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB

Buddy Up For Fat-Burning Success

Your goal is to drop some weight. How about losing twice as much weight as you normally would during a year?

Too good to be true? It’s not! All you need is a buddy.

Studies have found that those folks who have a successful partner in weight loss dropped twice as many pounds after one year versus those folks who dieted solo.

Another buddy bonus? The support doesn’t have to be face-to-face. You can find someone online, across your neighborhood or in an entirely different state as a weight loss buddy.

But, if you're lucky enough to have a pal who lives close-by ask them to not only be your partner in watching your weight, but to also join you in the gym.

At PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB, we have lots of one-on-one clients who work solo with their training. But we also have clients who bring along a training partner. And those clients work off their friend, as well as off the motivation given by their trainer.

I'm a big believer that you've got to be committed to your program. What's more commitment-inducing than having to answer to a friend when you feel like bailing on a workout? By joining forces with a pal, you'll be less likely to skip out on your buddy and your gym time.

So, ask around, find a friend that's got a great attitude and you'll be set up for some serious fat-busting and muscle-toning success.

Yours in health,

Joe

Joseph Arangio
Director, PEAK Strength & Conditioning CLUB
Author, WeddingShape Diet and Fitness Guide for Brides