Are You Making These Workout Mistakes?

Too Much Steady-Paced Cardio

The number one mistake people make is overdoing it on cardio—just running, running, running on a treadmill at one moderate pace, without changing things up. The key to getting more out of your workouts is to add interval training—bursts of high-intensity moves—to your routine. So whether you’re running, biking, swimming, whatever, go hard for a minute or two, then slow down (that’s your recovery) for the same duration before going full-throttle again. Or try 5 minutes of cardio coupled with weight training two body parts.  The latter is my secret to dropping a few pounds in a hurry.

Pilates for Pink

As promised, I am attaching our full schedule of #PFP Classes at Sky Athletic Club for the month of October.  Please remember to wear pink to support this most worthy cause and make your donation at the Front Desk.  Hope to see you in class!!

What Men Can Learn From Women's Workouts

Here’s an unsurprising news flash: men’s and women’s bodies are different. Whether we’re talking body parts, hormone levels or body hair, our genders have distinct differences that we’re all pretty aware of. But what’s perhaps not so well known is that there are major differences between the sexes when it comes to the way we work our bodies. The easy generalization is to say men prefer heavy weights while women like doing Zumba. But the differences in how we work out are far more subtle than that. 

The Difference Between Yoga and Pilates

Let’s explore a question that I get quite often: Some of my friends do Yoga and some do Pilates. Both techniques look pretty much alike to me. What's the difference?

Well, the answer is that it’s true, they do look similar. Both are mind-body exercises usually done on a mat. And they both feature very specific breathing techniques and exercise movements. But, Yoga and Pilates are based on very different philosophies.

Love Handles

Sometimes there is a just little too much to love. These "love handles" are actually excess adipose tissue that builds up above the external oblique muscles. Unfortunately, at this time of year, there is just no place to hide. A two-piece swimsuit is a challenge. And even if you're wearing the perfect pair of jeans, the excess fat may overflow your waistline (the dreaded "muffin top").  Remember that as you age, your spine shortens so you tend to lose the length through your torso.  So even if you have always been thin all your life and never have had a "muffin top", you just might begin to see one now!

Why women can't do pull-ups

I have never been able to do a pull-up.  It used to bother me and then Virginia so kindly forwarded me this article that explains why most women can’t do them.  Now I feel better and need to share.

Getting It Done

Once September kicks into gear, everything starts to change.  The summer winds down, the kids return to school and we need to get back to our fitness regime.  We have all (myself included) strayed a bit from our usual routine and it will be good to get back on track again.  Some people, however, go about it the wrong way.  They decide to go from 0 to 100 at mach speed and wind up shocking their bodies.  A few top trainers call it the "six-week scramble".  It starts the moment they see new clients storm into their gym after realizing they only have six weeks to get into what they expect to be the best shape of their lives before a big event or vacation. Seasoned athletes already know how unrealistic that is, especially when it takes, for example, advanced runners an average of 16 weeks to prepare for a marathon.

Hamstring Exercises

No doubt about it, summer is finally here — skirts, swimsuits, shorts and sandals. What do all those clothes have in common? Bare legs. For the next few months, it's all about your legs. And what's the specific area most that women worry about? Their thighs, of course! So let's look at exercises that tone and strengthen our thighs, or hamstrings.

Many people immediately think squats and lunges are the perfect leg exercise. Sure, those are great for lower body toning. But it's our quadriceps — the legs' larger and usually stronger muscle group — that tend to do most of the work during squats and lunges. So, for fabulous, balanced definition in the legs, you need to specifically target the hamstrings. Here are a few exercises to get you started.............

Creating Your Internal Spanx

I figured a picture of a hunky guy showing off his six-pack would get your attention.  So now that I have it, here’s something else that’s good for you to contemplate (besides him).  In Pilates, new information keeps popping up all the time about the cueing of the abdominals.  With these new cues, everyone seems to be making progress.  Try this one the next time you are attempting to engage your core…………………

Let's Get the Party Started!

Do you need a motivating pep talk to get you to work out?  

Well here are some inspiring mantras to get you headed in the right direction................

Yes you can!

Okay, so I admit that I can be the Grim Reaper at times but, perhaps, it is because I am a realist.  To that end, I don’t have a problem saying what is on my mind so here goes it……….

Every day when we wake up and our bodies are a day older and losing muscle, strength and flexibility.  As much as this may seem depressing, they say that “knowledge is power”.  So knowing that, you are ahead of the game.  Fitness is a 24/7 job and it doesn’t take a vacation.  Look around and ask anyone who you think has a near-perfect body if they agree with that statement and I am sure they will. 

Back to the Gym

With Labor Day behind us and the kids ready to return to school, it signals the end of the summer for us.  How did YOU spend your summer vacation?  Were you like John – who took his exercise routine outdoors in the sunshine?  Or Mary who RSVP’d to every barbeque and party invitation that she got?  Both of these people will be facing a challenge come the fall season.  What’s that you ask?  Let’s explore………………