Month: January 2018

 

train and recover so you can adapt effectively

Earlier today I performed back to back strongman acts. Right before the 2nd show someone had remarked, “It’s got to be really tiring doing that twice in a row.”

Yes it can be, but so can so many other things all which take effect on your recovery. I used to have a short questionnaire before every session where I would ask my personal training clients how their sleep had been, how their nutrition had been, what their work week was like. I did this to gauge how hard they should train.

Someone who is going through a divorce, barely slept the night before, has a huge project that is running behind schedule and ate crappy food isn’t likely going to be able to train as hard as someone of similar genes who naps twice a day, eats like a monk and has a therapeutic massage as their regular day to day affair. And because this sort of thing can change day to day, often times training needs to be calibrated on the daily.

It’s a 3 part process. Train (give your body a stimulus to adapt to) + recover (give your body a chance to adapt before it breaks down) = adaptation (by becoming stronger, increasing endurance etc.)

The amounts and the speed of adaptation depend on the person, but are sped up when given in the right doses.

If you need help with this, and are looking for a personal trainer in the Boonton Township or Mountain Lakes area of New Jersey, try test driving my program. It doesn’t cost anything to try it out.

The Greatest Workout Song

Clever and funny yes…but I’m an old school metal head and prefer the likes of Judas Priest for training 🙂

In actuality I normally don’t have any music playing while training. You see there is an internal monolog that happens while you’re training that music can help tune out, however I want myself and my personal training clients to be able to tune that out without the aid of music.

Besides that I don’t like to have to yell out instructions and cues. I want people to hear me at conversational volume and I like the small groups to be able to socialize and keep a light and enjoyable atmosphere.

If you are in the Boonton Township area of New Jersey and are looking for a personal trainer, I have a one week test drive so you can try it out and see if it’s right for you.

Netflix and Strong

Earlier today while I was between clients, I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw the post above by The Chive (Chive on!).

Though I appreciate the humor of this it highlights an issue that should be addressed.  For one thing he knows what he’s doing and is deceptive about it.  It’s not uncommon for me to hear things like “My dietician said only clear liquids. Vodka is a clear liquid so I’m having that.”

Yes vodka is a clear liquid, and not that I’m opposed to having a drink or two but who do you think you’re fooling and what do you think you’re getting away with?

Second, is why not just get stronger, leaner, fitter, or healthier while you’re there at least?  It is no secret that people who exercise are healthier, happier, more productive and a zillion other bulletpoints that if you were to put it into a bottle would be a best seller in no time.

Training doesn’t have to be miserable to be effective and can provide a worthwhile and meaningful pursuit in itself.  Every time one of my personal training clients hits a personal record and the cowbell is rung to commemorate it, I see the look  that the feeling of accomplishment gives them.  I know the feeling well myself.

Set a goal, go after it.  When you achieve it set another one.  There are many things to pursue.

If you don’t know how, hire a coach or personal trainer (one that knows what they are doing of course) to teach you and provide effective feedback.  If you can’t afford one, buy a book or dvd course that can at least show you proper training.  If nothing else, learn from your mistakes.

If you are in the Morris County area near Boonton Township, look me up.  I’ll set you up with a trial membership, teach you a thing or 2 and we can see if you are a good fit to continue as one of my accolytes of awesomeness.