Q:  I’ve heard that in order to burn fat you must exercise moderately for at least 40 minutes, and that vigorous exercise primarily burns sugar, not fat. Does that mean I should avoid high-intensity workouts if I want to lose weight? A: No.  It is true that the body burns a greater percentage of fuel […]

Q: I’ve seen commercials for “no-effort” exercise devices that stimulate muscle contractions with electrical impulses.  Do these products really help people build muscle or slim down? A: No.  An electronic muscle stimulator is a device that repeatedly shock muscles force rapid muscular contractions, which can stimulate the growth of muscle fibers. Electronic muscle stimulators are […]

To increase your metabolism, research suggests two main approaches. The first approach is based upon your activity level and the second is dependent upon your diet. From the activity level perspective, research shows that engaging in high-intensity, short-duration activities helps increase metabolism.  High-intensity, short-duration activities include interval training, sprinting, and heavy resistance training. This type […]

Losing weight feels great!  Just ask anyone who achieves a weight loss goal. For many folks, however, the weight comes back and then some. The good news is that despite the talk of “yo-yo dieting,” it is possible to lose weight and keep most of it off, according to new research on 3,000 participants in the […]

Q: What are five steps you’d recommend for someone interested in getting started with a fitness program? The first five steps that come to mind would be: 1. Physician’s Approval – Make a visit to see your doctor to ensure you’re ok to exercise. Not only will you be able to address any potential red […]

Once upon a time, I remember feeling humiliated after finishing my driver’s license test.  Sure, I passed the test, but after parking the car, my driving instructor said, “Nice job kid.  You passed the test, but when you drive another car, you might want to sit on a phone book or something so that you can […]

As a personal trainer, I often wrestle around with the idea of trying to meet my client’s expectations to motivate and inspire them to achieve their health and fitness goals.  While one client enjoys hustling on cardio to break a sweat, another prefers light weight training without feeling sore for the next three days.  Some […]

Q: What is the best way to get 6 pack abs for a man and a toned tummy for a woman? The best way to get abdominal (ab) results that most people seek is to train them correctly with a solid understanding of the basic physiology of the specific muscles involved. When it comes to training for […]

Exercise cramps may occur at random and unfortunate moments—just ask a tennis player whose leg cramp ends a match prematurely. What can you do to prevent them? Ever since I began personal training in Tolland, CT in 2003, a number of clients have asked me what causes cramping. I used to believe it was related […]