Not all fitness trends are simply trendy!

Every now and again, a client will either stand me up or run late and that really bugs me but not for the reason you might suspect…here’s why: most people would never DREAM of standing up or arriving late to their doctor’s appointment but if you place yourself in my hands and follow all my instructions and suggestions it’s possible you’ll no longer need your doctor so (IMHO) I deserve the same respect (or at least the same time and attention) as the doctor…doesn’t that make a lot of sense?

America is literally trapped in a national healthcare crisis so now more than ever it’s time to find ways to exercise that you enjoy because the only healthy lifestyle adaptation (of any kind) you’ll ever stick to is the one you like, right?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine which, for the first time In 10 years, re-issued their list of the 20 most important trends in the fitness world, bodyweight-only training is literally the 2nd best way to get fit (BTW I specialize in and/or teach MORE THAN HALF of ACSM’s list of 20 best ways to get and stay fit!)  

This is just one more reason why I always say gym workouts are literally IRRELEVANT for most people because most gym machines were actually designed to rehab injured muscles so they simply cannot train your entire body for real-life activities.

And that’s why I’ve always been a HUGE advocate of functional fitness using bodyweight-only exercise. Did you know that the human body can actually only execute seven basic movement patterns: squat, lunge, push, pull, bend, twist & gait? So all you really need for a good workout is a water bottle, maybe a chair or a stretchy band, and (of course!) your body?

So let’s say I’ve got your attention and you want to learn more about FUNctional fitness (did you see what I did there? YES MY CLASSES ARE FUN!!!) but you don’t know where to start. You’re in luck because I have 3 suggestions for you!

1. Attend my Foundations of Functional Fitness Workshop on March 19th at the Claymont Fire Company

2. Hire a Personal Trainer who’s skilled in working the body holistically, firing up complete muscle groups in a sequential pattern (in other words, ME!!!)

3. Check out the RESOURCES tab on my website for more info on some of the most influential experts in the field of integrative, functional fitness today

And here are some additional tips to help you reach your fitness goals:

• Never workout when you're not well rested (aim for 6½-9 hours of sleep each night.)
• Drink plenty of water (aim for 100 ounces a day.)
• EAT MORE VEGGIES (and attend my Smoothie 101 or Paleo Made Practical workshops if you’re not sure how to fit the recommended 9-13 servings of fresh produce into your life EVERY day! But hurry…time to sign up for the next classes is running out!)
• Practice relaxation/meditation techniques or, better yet, my next T’ai Chi Chih class
• Always foam roll and do a dynamic stretches before working out…save static stretches for after
• Aim to perform strength or resistance training for 20-60 minutes 2-3 days a week (but never on consecutive days!)
• And aim to perform 20-60 minutes of aerobic activity (any rhythmic, sustained activity causing a temporary increase in heart rate like brisk walking, running, biking, swimming, jumping rope, or stair climbing) 3-7 days a week (yes I know…one of these days I’m gonna have to weigh in on the value of HIIT and Tabata training as opposed to steady-state cardio but that’s an entirely different conversation. Let’s save that one for later, OK?)

If every American suddenly began taking better care of themselves in order to AVERT a health crisis, America’s healthcare dilemma would be over…what’s holding you back? It’s literally NEVER too late to get fit so START TODAY, wherever you are on the health spectrum, by getting in touch with me!