Glutes aka Perky Butt!!

As part of our Spring Workout, we certainly don't want to forget those all important  glutes.......and we all, male and female,  want to achieve and keep that perky butt!!

Lunges and squats are certainly the best exercises to build and maintain those muscles.  These both can be done with or without weights.  For beginners  using a stability ball against a wall is great for building and then maintaining your strength.  Place a large stability ball on a wall and lean against it with your lower back and then walk both feet out slowly and then squat.  As your begin this exercise just squat down as far as you can comfortably go without losing your balance.  As always, be aware of your form.

  

1. Stand with feet hip distance apart with your toes, knees and hips in a straight line.
2. Pull your belly button towards your spine and contract your abdominal muscles.
3. Slowly lower your body..
4. If you can, go down until your butt is in line with your knees (knees at 90 degree angles). If you can't go down that low, go as low as you can.
5. Take a moment and look down make sure your knees are BEHIND your toes.
6. Keeping the weight in your heels, slowly push your body back to starting position.
7. At the top of the movement, do NOT lock your knees. Keep a slight bend in them.
    

As you progress or for those of you who have been working out adding dumbbells to your routine will increase your strength.  If you belong to a health club, squatting on a Smith Machine is a great way to progress into free weights.  Always ask a floor attendant for help when starting any free weight exercise. 

Yoga and Workouts

As a personal trainer and yoga instructor I meet many athletes and workout fanatics. With a new client I ask if yoga is part of their workouts; many will say they haven’t the time to add yoga to their schedule. Some say they don’t see how stretching would be of any benefit to them. On the other hand others discovered yoga after an injury.


Yoga practice includes flexibility training, core stabilization, strength and balance work. Yoga can help you recover quicker after a workout, open the tight areas that hinder performance, improve range of motion and develop mental focus and concentration.


Many sports have repetitive movements usually in one direction and in one plane of motion. Certain muscle develop while others are ignored. This causes imbalance in muscles and joints and over time results in injury.

Yoga goes beyond simple stretching by working the muscles and joints through all ranges of motion.


Yoga has been practiced for around 5,000 years. If you are a competitive athlete, it is best to tailor your yoga practice to your training schedule. On a day where you are completing a long run for example, you'll want relaxing, mellow yoga. If you have an off-day, a vigorous, dynamic class will help you build strength and endurance.

Yoga helps the muscles, tendons, and ligaments move through a full range of motion, thus cultivating balance and core strength which is a huge benefit to athletes in their chosen sports. If you attend a few classes per week and/or a few 10-15 minute sessions at home, you will obtain fast results. A simple way to add in yoga is to perform your short sessions pre- or post-workout.

Yoga is practiced by many professional athletes and teams; give it a try, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel so much better!!

Workout Tips - Why My Body Doesn't Change?

When your body doesn't seem to change no matter how much you work out, red flags should pop up! Something you are doing isn't working; think about it. Seriously reflect on your habits; exercise patterns, diet, drinking and even your stress level! These all have an impact on how your body reacts. And we are all different.

What do you want to change about your body? Do you want to lose weight, gain muscle or just tone? Are you training for a specific event? Are you retaining belly fat?

A few simple tips: If you are constantly doing the same type of training (running, walking, workouts with weights) day after day after day your body will plateau out. In other words your body gets used to your routine and doesn't have to work as hard and it will burn less calories. It's time to shock your body! Change up your routine. Do something entirely different, try Yoga, Pilates, Zumba instead of running.

If you have weight issues now is the time to ask yourself some serious questions. Do you have any health issues? Are you on any medications? What is your stress level? All these items can lead to a change in metabolism. Body type and age can also factor in to these problems. Stress affects hormone levels which change the metabolism......and that metabolism changes as we age.....and change is the optimal word here. CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!! CHANGE YOUR DIET - GET RID OF THE SUGARS, CUT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY CHANGE YOUR MIND SET!!

Tips on Working Out from Pat

I see people everyday at the health club who ask: "I'm working out everyday and my body doesn't seem to change, why?"

People get stuck in a routine and most don't like change. But change is what your body needs to keep it really working hard. If all you do everyday is take a spin class or run on a treadmill, your body eventually will plateau out. It doesn't have to work as hard as it's gotten used to doing the same exercise day after day.

You need to change your routine!! If you are taking spin classes 4-5 times a week, try another cardio class. Give Zumba or a Boot Camp Class a try. If you're trying to get into swimsuit shape, head to a Pilates, Abs or Yoga class. All these classes will tone the muscles and the strength training involved will also keep your body burning fat.

Get to the weight room; don't be intimidated! Ask an employee for help. Don't lift more than you can control and if you have a physical limitation, talk to a trainer before starting.

For those of you who may be working with a trainer and you notice your body isn't responding the way you want it to; it might be time to change trainers. And explain to that trainer exactly what you want to accomplish. You should be able to talk to your trainer and that trainer should listen. A fitness test including body measurements should be done on a regular basis so you and your trainer know exactly where you are and if you are accomplishing your goals.

We tend to get into that "COMFORT ZONE" which is never good. Change is not only great for your body, but also keeps the mind fresh!