All posts by NTrainers

The squat that actually help your knees: The Box Squat

December 23, 2015

As a trainer and strength coach, common issues I encounter are injuries, in particular anterior knee pain. It hurts right below the knee cap, or it kills me to go down the stairs are comments I hear everyday in the gym.
Although there are various factors for knee pain, musculoskeletal is the prime culprit. Why you ask??? Simple. Its the way you move, especially sitting up and down your chair (squat). Here is your remedy: The box squat!!! Before you start to squat your knees into shape, please consult with a medical professional before you engage in any physical activities. Its just to make sure you can handle the complete awesomeness you will experience with exercise.

So how does this wonderful exercise work? Well, box squats decrease anterior shear force produced by the femur during simultaneously knee and hip flexion. In other words, it reduce your thigh bone putting unnecessary pressure in the front of your knees when get up and down in your chair. The athrokinematics of the box squats allows for a more appropriate anterior slide and posterior rolling of the femur on the tibia. In essence, the shin needs to stay perpendicular to the ground throughout the squat to reduce knee pressure.

How to perform

Box squatStand 2-3 inches in front of a chair.
Stabilize your hips by screwing your feet into ground.
While maintaining a neutral spine, sit down towards the back of the chair without letting your knees to kiss (touch) each other.

Maintaining the same neutral spine and knee position, push your heels into the ground to ascend back to the standing position. Make sure you squeeze your glutes hard!!!

Congratulations!!! You have just performed a box squat. Dont worry. You can e-mail me all your Thank you and Where have this exercise been all my life? comments. I wont mind one bit(. So, now you can help your knee pain by squatting. How ironic??!

Don’t let pain ruin your Holidays

December 19, 2015

 Don’t let pain ruin your Holidays

By Lisa Snow, personal trainer

If you’re experiencing back pain or joint pain, the very first step is going to your doctor for a diagnosis.  Once you know what’s really going on, you can make an informed decision about whether to work with a physical therapist, a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, a personal trainer who specializes in post-rehab, or-more likely-some combination.  In addition to working with medical professionals, what can you personally do right now to feel better?

 

Focus on anti-inflammatory foods

Anti-inflammatory foodsSugar, corn syrup, and deep fried foods increase inflammation, often exacerbating pain and slowing healing from injuries.  However, many other foods actually reduce inflammation and can help you get even better results from the hard work you are doing in physical therapy or with a personal trainer.  For example: the golden spice turmeric (found in some curries), dark green vegetables like kale, and high antioxidant nuts like almonds and walnuts.

Consider working with a massage therapist

Massage therapyWhen most people picture massage, they think about going to the spa once every year or two to relax.  But did you know massage can actually help you recover from injuries more quickly?  Massage helps people improve posture, increase circulation, and reclaim their flexibility.  A Licensed Massage Therapist can be a great ally on your mission to become-and stay-pain-free.  Just like exercise, massage is cumulative.  Someone scheduling regular weekly or monthly sessions with a therapist will have more lasting results than someone who does a one-off massage.

Be open to all the things you CAN still do

While your doctor may give you a list of contraindicated exercises, there are likely plenty of movements you can still perform safely.  For example, if a back injury has made sit-ups a no-no, you may still be able to strengthen your core with planks.  If a shoulder injury has your doctor saying “no overhead lifting,” you may still be able to strengthen your upper back and shoulders with other exercises like rows.  Whether it’s with a personal trainer, a yoga teacher, or by yourself, keeping moving can speed your recovery and help you regain trust in your body.

End the Work Day With exercise

After a long stressful day at work, it may be tempting to head home and collapse on the couch. Instead, working out at the end of the day can help you lose the feelings of stress and keep your body in great shape.

 

While some people prefer working out in the mornings, exercising later in the day can often mean you can workout harder and longer. You may be mentally tense, but your muscles have had the benefit of working throughout the day, and your body’s systems are ready to sustain a workout.

 

Many personal trainers in New York City recommend doing focused strength training later in the day anyway; these workouts in the morning have a greater potential for strain or serious energy. Your body’s muscles are looser and joints aren’t locked as tight as they may be after a long night of sleep.

 

A major benefit of working with New York City personal trainers after a long day at work is that as opposed to your morning routine, your day is ending so you won’t feel as pressured to move onto the next daily activity. This allows for conversations with trainers and fellow exercisers, which can lead to some great motivation and be a source of learning.

 

One thing to keep in mind about working out at the end of the day is that your body will feel more energized after your session, so if you’re planning to go from the gym to your bed, you may want to think about other options. On the other hand, this can be a great way to motivate you to attend social activities and experiences that you may have missed had you opted for the post-work couch marathon.

 

Shake off a day at work by working with an Upper West Side personal trainer who can help you do just the right exercises to reduce stress and feel better, making it easier to get back out there tomorrow!

Work the Transverse Abdominus for Great Abs

 

When you are trying to get a flat stomach or show your six-pack, you may be tempted to do conventional sit-ups and ab workouts to tone your belly. However, increasing your core strength by working the transverse abdominus can lead to better overall strength and long-term muscle definition.

 

Most people are concerned with the muscles they can physically see in the stomach area, but the transverse abdominus – which is just under your six-pack – helps your muscles show better and provides vital support for your internal organs.

 

You can feel this area at work by taking a deep breath and puffing out your chest – focus on pulling in your lower gut and holding it. In that position you can see how this area provides a foundation for your entire body’s strength abilities.

 

There are some key exercises that you can do to strengthen your core, but working with personal trainers in NYC has given many people the results they want in a rapid amount of time. A trainer knows what exercises to do and how to do them properly, and can make sure that you are using your core strength to prevent injury when targeting other areas in the body.

 

Another reason to consider using a NYC personal trainer to work your transverse abdominus is that he or she may have some simple equipment that can help increase your exercise program. Balls are often used in strengthening the core, as they are lightweight objects that can increase resistance without the need for weights. A trainer may have you assume a plank position on a ball and slowly move it around, an excellent way to get your core engaged.

 

No matter whether your goals are to have a six-pack or to just get in better shape, look through NYC personal trainers to find one who can get your core stronger by working the transverse abdominus, helping to promote overall health.

 

 

 

 

 

Exercises that you can do with No Equipment at all

 

If you are unable to get to a gym or don’t have access to equipment, you might feel like you have no options to get in shape other than running. However, there are actually a number of exercises you can do that don’t require any equipment.

 

Circuit training is ideal for exercising without equipment, and you can do various reps and cycles of pushups, jumping jacks, and lunges to get both muscle strength and the benefits of cardio. There are a number of variations to many traditional exercise routines that can help you get a lot of results in a little bit of time.

 

However, the problem for many people in working out at home is that they lose motivation to continue. With so many distractions, it can be easy to keep putting off a workout indefinitely!

 

While there are quite a few exercises you can do all on your own, to optimize your efforts consider finding a Staten Island personal trainer to help push you to your maximum. He or she can help you tailor a plan that you can use both with them and without, to specifically target the areas you want to work on without straining them.

 

A trainer is well versed in exercises that use body weight and repetition for results, which can allow you to work together even if a gym and equipment isn’t available. Many Staten Island personal trainers work with clients around the borough in a number of different locations. With the great reach of the Internet, these days it is even possible to do virtual sessions, so if you know the right routines you can literally do them from anywhere.

 

Access to a gym or equipment shouldn’t keep you from getting in the best shape possible, so try and do these exercises on your own or with the help of any personal trainers in Staten Island. You’ll be shocked at the results!

Personal Trainers Help You Look The Way You Want

We all have the perfect ideal that we’d like our bodies to be, and whether that is reasonable or not, working with a fitness professional can be the best way to receive the support and knowledge that will help you maximize your assets.

 

Working with a personal trainer can be intimidating, but it will get you on the fast track to a better body. There are plenty of exercises you can just do at home or even in a basic gym, but a trainer will be able to help you specifically target the areas you have concerns with.

 

If you are just getting started on or returning to an exercise routine, definitely think about finding a Queens personal trainer so that you don’t fall prey to some of the things that hinder workout success. When you are starting out, you might not even know what your body is capable of, and so may only do exercises that feel comfortable. However, this may not give you the results you want, and what often happens is that people give up on their workouts altogether, feeling discouraged.

 

Personal trainers in Queens will give you just the right balance of support and butt kicking, to make sure you see results – after you’ve put in plenty of work of course.

 

Yet another benefit is that trainers provide an objective voice to help you see results and changes in your body. Your critical eye may not see your tighter abs, but your trainer will point them out. On the other hand, you may be hoping for a supermodel body, while a trainer can help you develop more realistic goals for your body type, better ensuring success.

 

The decision to work with a trainer shouldn’t be a tough one. Whether you are new to working out or not, there are tons of Queens personal trainers out there ready to help you get moving towards a better body for good.

Staying in Shape AFTER The Marathon

 

For marathon runners, the months before a race are jam-packed with training routines and nutritional wellness in order to be in the best shape possible when the day comes. However, for some runners, these routines stop once the marathon is over, only to be picked up the next time there is a race planned, making them start all over again.

 

As a runner, the best thing you can do is stay in shape whether you are training for a race or not. Treat your body like an entire package, and combine running with targeted workouts for total wellness.

 

In the month or so after a race, it is important to take care of your body to rebuild some of the changes that optimized it for the stresses of a marathon. Of course, you never want to completely stop being active, so working with a Manhattan personal trainer even just once a week can help your body rebuild strength and repair strained muscles.

 

Whether a trainer has run a marathon or not, her or she has the expertise to help you properly address the fatigue placed on your body. Doing the appropriate exercises is obviously important, but so is treating areas with ice or massage therapies; personal trainers in Midtown Manhattan will know the right recommendations.

 

A huge benefit of working with a trainer, particularly in the months after a race, is that you will build up strength across your body, which will only help optimize your systems for race endurance. Many runners think that simply running is the best way to stay in marathon shape, but this can often lead to undue strain or injury. The best way to prevent this is by being sure that even the muscles not involved in the process of running are strong and healthy.

 

New Yorkers love to run, and Manhattan personal trainers know just how to keep them going, whether running in a long-distance marathon or just jogging around the park.

 

 

 

 

Should I offer a free personal training session to market my business?

 

When you are trying to grow a fitness business, there may be a number of things you consider to get the word out about your services. Knowing your local fitness community is obviously a great way to get referrals and recommendations, and you’ll be able to stay on top of opportunities that come up.

 

One thing that many new trainers consider is offering a free session in the hopes of building a repeat client list. This can sound like an easy and appealing way to kick-start your business, but it’s important to ask yourself a few questions before offering your services for free.

 

The first thing to consider is the context of your free session. If you offer a free session with a Bronx personal trainer on a message board, you may have a line out the door, but you won’t have any immediate income. There is a chance that some of your free clients are looking for a long-term relationship, but there is an equal chance that they are just taking advantage of a free workout.

 

It may be worthwhile then to see if you can collaborate with other personal trainers in the Bronx to put on an exposition or community day, where you and your colleagues can help bring fitness to the community while advertising your services.

 

The key thing to remember when you are considering offering a free session is that you are giving away your knowledge and time for free. When building a business you have to be confident that your services are worth the price you are offering, and this in turn actually helps clients feel like you are more reputable.

 

There are plenty of Bronx personal trainers to choose from, so have confidence in your services and you’ll get the clients you want. Think of it this way: do you want the clients who will take a free massage on the street or the ones who go to luxury spas?

Exploring NYC Personal Training Gyms: Boss NYC

boss fitness nycWhat do you get when you combine the strength and knowledge of three experienced personal trainers? Boss NYC. 
Located in the concrete valley between Times Square and Madison Square Garden, personal trainers will find one of the newest independent personal training gyms in New York City. Open for just a little over five months, BOSS NYC was the brainchild and dream of three long time New York City personal trainers.
With decades of combined experience among them, they set out to create a facility that would allow them to train any type of client.  Young or old, healthy or healing.
“It caters to trainers,” says Roscoe Evans, one of the partners.
boss nyc fitness floorOn a cool fall afternoon, I was able to stop by and see what he meant.  By making that statement, Roscoe is also affirming that the space also caters to the trainer’s clients. boss nyc trx The space provides what the trainer’s need by providing what the client needs.  From TRX and kettlebells, to treadmills and cables. They really are ready for anything and anyone.  Additionally, there is plenty of open space for exercises such as walking lunges and It’s enough to handle a well conditioned professional athlete, but they also have an on-site physical therapist, too, for those who are working their way back to form.
boss nyc fitness floorboss nyc lockersboss trxAfter an intense workout, both trainer and client will be pleased with the locker facilities.  There are separate locker rooms for both male and female clients.  Both are equipped with lockers for your belongings and two showers. A rare find.  On top of that, they even have towels. So, no need to lug a wet, heavy towel home. That is a meaningful feature.
Personal Trainers who spend a large part of the day at Boss will also appreciate the trainer’s lounge area where they can relax in between clients. If you are looking for a place for your clients in the Midtown West area, Boss NYC has all you need. Check it out.

Should I Post pictures of my own workouts on Social Media for my personal training clients to see?

When you are a fitness expert, your body is your first-line of advertising when developing a brand. You have the power to show clients that you can deliver results just by showing them how you keep your bod in shape.

 

These days, social media is the perfect place for trainers to publicize themselves and their offerings. By posting your workouts to your professional accounts, you can both inspire and motivate your clients to push themselves further. Plus, fitness is your passion; so talking about it should come naturally!

 

Social media provides an amazing opportunity for spreading knowledge, so by posting your workouts you may find that you are helping people all over the world get into shape. Your workouts are an introductory education for many people as to what Brooklyn personal trainers can do to get a body looking ideal.

 

If you are just getting started and building a client base, posting the workouts that you personally do to social media will act as your portfolio. If someone is looking for a Brooklyn personal trainer, they’ll be able to see your methods visually and will often feel far less intimidated once they feel a connection through social media.

 

Remember, a variety of posting styles is the best way to maintain follower engagement, so mix up your videos with some inspirational images and other content. You’ll gain more followers and your clients will feel like they know you even better.

 

While there are many reasons to post your workouts to social media, only you can decide whether this is right for where you are in your fitness business. There are a number of personal trainers in Brooklyn, so do you offer something different that may be appealing to clients, or does your routine look boring compared to what else is out there? Know your market and your audience, and you can get social media working for you.