What’s the best style of training for me?

There are many different styles of exercise, hundreds of different ways to train the body. How we get you to reach your goals is as unique as you are. Firstly we have to assess your current health. Are there any health issues or injuries I need to be aware of before we begin? Then we evaluate your present level of fitness, once these key issues have been discussed we can then begin to map your plan of action.

Strength Training: Strength training or resistance training as it is often referred to is about increasing or maintaining muscle mass and keeping bone density. Muscles and bone are what keep our whole body up, without a healthy skeletal system we cannot run, walk, or even stand effectively. Muscles are also important in helping the body burn up extra calories since muscles use up more energy than fat. This means the more muscle we have on our bodies the more calories our bodies will burn at rest. Strength training is essential for everyone.

Cardiovascular Training: Cardio refers to the heart, the engine that keeps this whole machine we call our body running. Without a strong, healthy heart and vascular system we run a very high risk of death. It sounds harsh because it is; there is no excuse not to take your heart and respiratory health seriously. Our lungs are just as important because without them we cannot breathe, and if we can’t breathe then we can’t make the oxygen exchange take place in our lungs. This oxygen exchange is essential; all the cells in your body require oxygen. Without it, they couldn’t move, build, reproduce, and turn food into energy.

Circuit Training: Circuit training is a combination of both Strength training and Cardio training. The idea is the challenge the muscles with resistance then add short bursts of cardio to keep the heart rate elevated between sets or at the end of each circuit. The variations are endless and the routine can be as intense as you want but paced so that you can remain energized. Circuit training is also a great way to incorporate both when you are pressed for time.

Flexibility Training: training Flexibility is often overlooked when it comes to a training program. Most people do not understand the importance of flexibility. It is a joint’s ability to move within a full range of motion. When muscles are too tight and the joint is unable to do this, it creates imbalances and poor posture that can lead to chronic conditions or even sudden injuries. When the muscles are stretched properly they can help improve posture, reduce muscle soreness and increase blood and nutrients to tissues.

Post Rehabilitation Training: posture Post rehab is an essential time to continue your training program. Most people end their sessions with their physiotherapists and forget to continue to strengthen and stretch their injury. Often times the exercises are repetitive and uneventful, but their importance can be the difference between re-injuring or not. In conjunction with caring for the specific injury site, many individuals do not know how to perform, modify, or omit other exercises as to avoid further damage.

Sports Specific Training: Sports of all kinds are very demanding on the body, and often unconditioned bodies are subject to various injuries. The goal behind sports specific training is not only to prepare the athlete (anyone who plays a sport can be considered an athlete) for effective play, but to also keep the body healthy and functional as whole. Training for any sport can overwork specific muscles, therefore it is essential to monitor programs from all aspects.

What is needed to get started?

Whether you have a lot of space or a little space, a full home gym or simply a couple of dumbbells, in home training can work for you. A lot of my training focuses on functionality and developing core strength therefore a lack of state of the art equipment does not hinder your progress or the quality of the work out.

I suggest my clients invest in a stability ball (they range approximately from $30-$70) and a few hand weights. The rest is flexible because I bring some extra training tools with me if we need to diversify or challenge the work out.

Space is nice but I have been put in many different environments and have learned to work with whatever is available. You’d be surprised with how much you can do with so little!