Exercise

Heart Rate Zone Training: A Moving Target

In Cardio, Planning and Programming • by Melissa, May 2, 2018 •

Heart rate, quite simply put, is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. This number is both a key indicator of cardiovascular health, and also an excellent tool for helping design your own exercise programs. Whether you choose to take your heart...

How to Palpate Heart Rate

In the world of fitness trackers, you might be wondering why I am devoting a post to manually taking a heart rate. Two reasons: first, what happens when the battery inevitably dies during a workout? Second, fitness trackers are notoriously inaccurate. And, a bonus reason,...

The Lifter, The Spotter, and The Successful Work Out

In Safety, Strength Training • by Melissa, April 18, 2018 •

Strength training is a hugely important form of exercise. In fact, far too few people realize that and engage in this type exercise, but that’s a post for another day. One of the most important aspects of strength training is spotting. Spotting, if you are...

Five Steps for Effective Strength Training

In Safety, Strength Training • by Melissa, April 11, 2018 •

A story: several years ago (ok like, a decade at this point) I was strength training at my gym. You know, typical afternoon workout, headphones on, working my way through the free weights, minding my own business. I feel a tap on my shoulder, so...

Straight Up

In General Fitness, Safety • by Melissa, April 4, 2018 •

Confession… I like to people watch. It doesn’t come from any weird voyeuristic place; I am just genuinely interested in people. Given that part of my job entails me watching my clients to ensure proper form, I’m guessing that sometimes I just can’t shut it...

Body Composition Part II

In General Fitness • by Melissa, March 28, 2018 •

In Part I, I covered some background on body composition “measurements” and talked a bit about two common techniques used in gyms and by fitness pros. In this segment, I want to address two other measurements that are typically assessed with and lumped into the...

Body Composition, Part I

In General Fitness • by Melissa, March 23, 2018 •

I have found that there is one constant in the exercise world. Regardless of gender, age, goal, or training status, e’erbody wants to know their body composition. Like, seriously, everyone. I have worked in several gyms and it is common for personal trainers to offer...

Goal Setting

In General Fitness, Planning and Programming • by Melissa, March 14, 2018 •

Goal setting is one of the least talked about, least thought about, least managed parts of most fitness or wellness endeavors. And, I know you’ll be shocked to read this, it is one of the most important.