Achieve Fitness Blog

With a little hesitancy I have put together a basic dumbbell workout. My hesitancy arises from the fact there are so many variables involved in creating a training program for people and trying to create a one-size-fits all workout opens up the margin for error and injury. Therefore, if you choose to try this workout, please be aware of your limitations and err on the side of caution when selecting your weights until you are familiar with the exercises.

This program can be completed with dumbbells, kettlebells, and even bags of sand!

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Strength Training

As we get older our bodies change and we start to lose muscle partly due to reduced activity levels, but also because of our physiology. Reduced muscle mass results in a lower base metabolic rate which in turn results in a reduced ability to burn fat passively. What this means is that we tend to accumulate more fat in our bodies which we historically refer to as “middle age spread”.

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Which is better? Do I dare even attempt to answer this question?

It seems simple but no matter what I answer there will be someone who disagrees with my point of view. I have friends and fellow trainers that swear by cardio as the basis for achieving 90% of your training goals, but my weight lifting and strength training friends would strongly protest this assumption.

There are studies that we can use to backup any view and just as many that will refute the same.

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As a personal trainer and gym owner, I often get asked the question "which is better, the treadmill or the cross trainer?"

The answer is not that simple. The first question I ask in response is, "what do you want to use it for? Or what are you trying to achieve?"

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The single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your treadmill is to lubricate the deck regularly.

Maintaining the lubrication of your treadmill deck is absolutely critical to the lifespan of the machine

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Great question!

Short answer: No. We are bad for our backs.

Rowing machines are great for building strong backs and improving our posture as well as being an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise.

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Amy Hughes, 28, from Manchester UK broke a Guiness World Record on September 9th 2016 by running 521 miles (834km) in 7 days! That’s the equivalent of 3 marathons a day or 21 marathons in 7 days.

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Traditionally, the general opinion within the fitness industry was, to burn fat you needed to do long steady cardio i.e. running, walking, cycling etc. There was also the theory that in order to 'tone up' you had to do high repetitions of a light weight. Cardio equipment and posters in the gym all showed you your target heart rate zone for fat burning of 60-65% of your theoretical maximum heart rate, and aerobic classes introduced very lightweight dumbbells for added toning.

This approach does work for some people, however, it is not the most effective or efficient way to go about changing your body shape.

Strength training in conjunction with some form of higher intensity cardio is proven to be the best approach for the majority of people.

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Why should I buy a treadmill if I can just run outside?

Great question. To expand on that, why should we have any home based exercise equipment?

I live in an area where there are great trail runs practically right outside my door. I can go for a run in the lovely native bush of my neighbourhood and only spend 10% of my run on paved roads or footpaths. I can enjoy the scenery and the fresh air, spend time absorbing the sun's rays and the fabulous energies that nature radiates and I can challenge myself with hill climbs and natural obstacles.

Fantastic!

But, I don't.

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