Search Results for “strength ” – Trifocus Fitness Academy https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za Fitness Academy Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:03:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-tfa_favicon-32x32.png Search Results for “strength ” – Trifocus Fitness Academy https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za 32 32 Pilates Exercise Mat Classes Benefits and Variations https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-exercise-mat-classes-benefits-and-variations/ Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39880 The post Pilates Exercise Mat Classes Benefits and Variations appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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There are several benefits to taking Pilates mat classes, which can help you strengthen, increase your flexibility, and improve your overall fitness. Pilates, when tradition is stuck with equipment, uses our body weight to help our systems work, thus making it a good exercise for both practitioners. The classes work on controlled movement with the core to help every movement with the brain.

Mat-based Pilates exercise helps to improve posture, mobility, and muscular endurance. Pilates workout Mat Workouts are well structured, which is suitable for anyone regardless of fitness level. Whatever the case may be, the benefits of incorporating Pilates workout into a fitness routine can be both long-term and impactful, whether it is through rehabilitation, athletic performance enhancement, or simply a general health and wellness plan.

Benefits of Pilates Exercise Mat Classes

There are many benefits to attending classes specifically for Pilates exercise mats. Pilates exercise is low-impact and gentle on the joints while delivering full-body conditioning. Here are some of the benefits of taking part in Pilates exercise mat classes:

  1. Strengthens Core Muscles

Core Strength—One of the most encouraging benefits of Pilates exercise. The lower abs, lower back and pelvic stabilisers compose the deep core, which helps optimise posture, balance, and functional movements. A strong core decreases the risk of injuries and promotes spinal alignment, making everyday tasks less complicated and more efficient.

  1. Enhances Flexibility and Mobility

Pilates involves controlled stretching and lengthening of movements, adding flexibility and joint mobility. Frequent practice helps restore mobility in the hips, spine, and shoulders, easing stiffness and preventing injury. Improved​ flexibility also supports athletic performance and recovery.

  1. Enhances Mind-Body Connection

Pilates workout requires proper breath control and mindful movement. The emphasis on awareness and attention have very beneficial implications for improving attention, coordination, and general control of the body. Attending Pilates workout Mat Workouts helps individuals connect with their body on a deeper level, so they can move more efficiently and, in turn, reduce stress.

  1. Encourages Better Posture and Alignment

It could also lead to chronic pain and discomfort due to poor posture. Since it focuses on proper spinal alignment and muscle balance, Pilates workout is effective in relieving back pain and preventing postural problems. Pilates workout Mat Workouts help to promote better overall posture, by strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

  1. Injury Prevention and Rehab Support

Because Pilates exercise is low impact, it is often recommended within physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. The controlled movements engage weak muscles and minimise excess strain. Pilate’s exercise mat classes are very gentle.

  1. Accessible and Equipment-Free

Whereas reformer-based Pilates focuses on one piece of equipment, mat Pilates can be done anywhere since it requires no additional equipment. It needs nothing more than a mat, so it is an accessible and cost-effective option for a home workout or group class. Doing so lets them enjoy a focused Pilates workout without a significant investment in equipment.

These are also good, and Pilates Mat Workouts provide a great basis for health and fitness. With consistent practice, people may see significant strength, flexibility, and general health changes.

Variations of Pilates Exercise Mat Classes

Pilates Mat classes refer to the different styles and types of Pilates mat work, depending on your fitness goals, abilities and needs. A few common variations to suit all kinds of needs and preferences:

Classical Pilates Mat Workouts

The classical Pilates exercises follow the original order of exercises created by Joseph Pilates. Concentration and string action are essential. Classes focusing on classical Pilates exercise Mat Workouts (core engagement, spinal mobility and full-body strength) are designed for anyone wanting to experience the method.

Contemporary Pilates Mat Workouts

Today, Pilates workout is practiced with modifications and variations of traditional movements. Classes may combine elements of physical therapy, functional training, and yoga for well-rounded workout. Modern Pilates workout mat courses are perfect for anyone who wants a more flexible and individualised approach.

Power Pilates Mat Workouts

Power Pilates workout Mat Workouts include fast-paced, high-intensity movements to develop muscular endurance and aerobic fitness. Intermediate classes can be quicker-paced sequences with repetitiveness, potentially higher-energy courses for those seeking a more intensive workout.

Pilates Mat Workouts Restorative Session

A Restorative Pilates workout is (as the name suggests) gentle, movement-based, restorative, and centered around relaxation, breath work, and mobility. These classes are great for those with injuries or chronic pain or those looking for a less intense workout. Restorative Pilates workout mat classes emphasise slow, controlled movements and deep stretching.

Sports Performance and Pilates for Athletes

Some Pilates Mat Workouts are designed for athletes aiming to improve performance, mobility, and injury prevention. These classes have sport-specific exercises that also improve coordination, agility, and strength. Pilates Mat Workouts will benefit athletes with greater flexibility and reduced muscle imbalances.

Pilates Mat Classes: Pre- and Postnatal

Intended for pregnant and postpartum women, these classes are taught through pelvic floor activation, core stability and gentle strengthening exercises. Pre- and postnatal women Pilates workout Mat Workouts help you prepare for childbirth, maintain postural alignment and recover after pregnancy.

The variations enable people to select a Pilates workout mat training class that meets their unique fitness aims and physical concerns. Whether you’re in search of a high-intensity challenge or a restorative experience, there’s a Pilates exercise mat class out there for you.

How to Choose the Right Pilates Exercise Mat Class

Depending on fitness levels, goals, and personal preferences, the correct Pilates exercise mat class selection can vary. Three considerations for selecting a class:

Assess Your Fitness Level

Beginners can also find foundational or classical Pilates training Mat Workouts focusing on technique and proper form. Those with more experience may be more interested in power Pilates training or contemporary variations for a more significant challenge.

Identify Your Goals

Pilates exercise mat classes can target different goals. For those who want to enhance core strength, classical Pilates exercise is the best.” Restorative Pilates exercises may be better if you are recovering from an injury. Power Pilates: A more vigorous experience for enhanced stamina

Consider Instructor Expertise

One of the benefits of attending a class with a certified Pilates instructor is that they can correct you and guide you properly. Qualified trainers customise workouts to meet personal requirements while ensuring progression safely and efficiently.

Explore Class Formats

Pilates floor workouts can be taught in several formats, including group classes, private training, or online classes. Group classes create feelings of community, especially for people new to yoga, whereas private sessions can help tailor personal attention to an individual’s specific needs. Online video Pilates training classes mean you can practice from home at your convenience.

Listen to Your Body

Choosing a Pilates training mat class that is comfortable and enjoyable is key. Different teachers, as well as different styles, can work better for some than others. When embarking on a Pilates training journey, avoiding overdoing it and working slowly towards success is essential.

By evaluating these aspects, one can assess the Pilates mat class suitable to their strength level and objectives to have a fulfilling experience.

Conclusion

They can help improve core stability, develop musculature and provide full-body strength without the heavy weights†. Whether they choose classical, contemporary or restorative Pilates exercise, class members may find a class that meets their exercise needs and goals. A mat-based exercise class, the various Pilates floor workouts offer extensions of core stabilisation, improved posture, and greater mobility and can be utilised by individuals of every activity level. If participants sample through the above class variations and discover their favourites, they can optimise their outcomes and reap the longevity rewards of Pilates exercise. Pilates exercise is a great way to deal with both physical and mental health; if done as a regular part of life, it can bring about the transition you want.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Pilates Instructor program.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

While not only being a class that can be great fun, but Pilates floor workouts also have many benefits, such as enhanced core strength, flexibility and posture. Pilate workouts are kinder on the joints than high-impact workouts and simultaneously strengthen the whole body. It leads to better spinal alignment, less muscular imbalances, and better movement efficiency. Furthermore, Pilates training improves the ability to maintain balance and coordination and thus the risk of falls and injuries. Another significant advantage is the emphasis on breath control, which can relieve stress and improve the mind-body connection. Since mat Pilates training can be done without additional equipment, it is an accessible and cost-effective form of fitness for everyone, regardless of fitness level.

Pilates training mat classes are appropriate for people of all ages and fitness levels. Novices are privileged by the low-impact nature and emphasis on correct movement patterns, whilst more advanced can ramp up the intensity with more demanding adaptations. Pilates training is practiced by athletes for flexibility, coordination, and to prevent injuries. It helps with mobility and fall prevention for seniors. Pregnant and postpartum women use modified Pilates training routines to help with core stability and pelvic floor strength. Those who may be recovering from injuries also benefit from controlled movements, which help with rehabilitation and minimise the risk of re-injury. Since Pilates training mat classes increase overall strength, balance, and flexibility, they are perfect for anybody looking to improve their physical health and well-being.

Pilates training mat classes differ from reformer ones since they use bodyweight resistance instead of specialised equipment. Mat-based Pilates training incorporates controlled movements on the floor that concentrate on core strength, flexibility and breathwork. It adds a machine that uses adjustable resistance to provide a higher challenge and support for more profound muscle activation, making the Pilates reformer suitable for those who need it. Although both offer the same benefits, mat-based Pilates training is accessible and requires only a mat to practice. Mat classes can also enhance body awareness and functional strength without depending on external resistance. Reformer Pilates, on the other hand, might be more appropriate for focused rehabilitation or athletic conditioning, as it allows you to isolate specific muscle groups.

Yes, Pilate’s exercise mat classes can aid weight loss through improving muscle tone whilst increasing calorie burn and metabolic function. Although Pilates exercise is not a high-intensity cardio workout, it builds lean muscle, which boosts our metabolism and produces fat loss over time. It is advisable to incorporate Pilates, a healthy diet, and aerobic exercises such as walking or cycling daily. Are you dealing with too much stress and insomnia? These are also major contributors to a healthy weight, and Pilates exercise can help you improve in both areas. Moreover, mat Pilates could also support mindful eating practices by increasing body awareness, creating ease in the body (through improved posture and digestion), and improving body-movement efficiency.

If attending a Pilates exercise mat class, bring a comfy exercise mat with the cushion you need for floor-based movements. Fitted, breathable workout styles allow optimal mobility and let your instructor observe your posture and alignment. And, of course, a water bottle to stay hydrated, particularly on longer sessions. Some classes might include small props — resistance bands, Pilates balls or yoga blocks — but the instructor typically supplies them. Beginners might also find a towel handy for extra support under the head or lower back. Because Pilates exercise involves controlled breathing and precise movement, heavy footwear is not recommended: most classes are completed barefoot or with non-slip socks. You arrive with a positive mindset and the readiness to focus on your core engagement and breath work. Individuals become more assertive, leaner, fitter, and healthier through Pilates exercise mat classes.

Taking Pilates exercise mat classes 2-4 days a week is best. Consistency is a factor whether it is strength, flexibility, posture, etc. Beginners can start with twice weekly to give the body time to adapt, while experienced ones can move to three or four weekly classes. Clinicians may prescribe individualised frequency of use, particularly for rehab-based purposes, using Pilates exercise. Incorporating Pilates exercises into other fitness activities (like strength or cardio) gives you a well-rounded workout. If you attend regularly, you will see gradual improvements in your muscle tone, mobility and co-ordination. This will lead to even better progress in class but also improve your functional daily activities by using mindful breathing and core activation like we did.

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Pilates Exercise for Stress Reduction and Relaxation https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-exercise-for-stress-reduction-and-relaxation/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 07:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39874 The post Pilates Exercise for Stress Reduction and Relaxation appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Stress and anxiety are prevalent challenges in today’s world that impact both our mental and physical health. Discovering Omaha stress relievers is critical for your general health. Exercise such as Pilates is one of the best ways to manage stress and encourage relaxation. With its methodical moves, deep breathing, and mindful nature, Pilates exercise offers a holistic approach to building physical and mental strength.

Pilates workout releases tension through breathwork, slow and deliberate movements and posture improvement. Combining physical activity with present mindfulness is an effective way to minimise stress and deepen relaxation. Whether you are dealing with work-related stress or muscle tension or need a moment of calm, adding Pilates exercise into your routine can provide long-term benefits.

How Pilates Exercise Helps Reduce Stress

Pilates is an exercise and a meditative mind-body workout, encouraging relaxation and lower stress levels. This brings the nervous system out of tension and calms it through controlled movements, deep breaths and focus. Here are some of the main ways Pilates workouts can help manage stress:

Deep Breathing and Mindful Movement: Pilates exercise includes a focus on controlling your breathing. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing calms the nervous system, lowers cortisol and promotes relaxation. Pilates workout encourages the body to move from the fight-or-flight response to a more restful state by concentrating on slow, purposeful breaths.

Release of Muscle Tension: Stress tends to permeate into muscle tightness, especially around the shoulders, neck, and lower back. A Pilates workout includes gentle stretches and controlled movements that release tension and improve circulation. The slow and measured movements promote relaxation and increase flexibility, decreasing stiffness and discomfort.

Better Posture and Body Awareness: Poor posture can cause physical stress, tension headaches, and muscle strain. Pilates also emphasises proper alignment and core strength in Pilates exercises, helping people maintain better posture all day. This enhanced awareness means less strain on our muscles and joints, thus avoiding unnecessary tension and overuse.

Increased Endorphin Release: Exercise, including Pilates exercise, prompts the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers. These chemicals improve our emotional health, reduce anxiety, and help us relax. Regular Pilates practice creates long-term benefits for mental health, making it a beneficial aspect of a stress management plan.

Regular Pilates workouts have been shown to lower stress levels while improving overall physical and mental well-being. As a result, Pilates exercises become ideal for relaxation because they focus on controlled movement, mindful breathing, and body alignment.

Best Pilates Exercises for Relaxation

There are specific Pilates exercises that can support relaxation and stress reduction. These movements focus on gentle stretching, breath control and release of muscle groups — helping the body unwind and recuperate. Here are some of the very best Pilates exercises that promote relaxation:

The Pelvic Curl

What you need to know: The pelvic curl is a good starting exercise for opening the hips, loosening up your lower back and improving mobility in your spine. Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Take a deep inhale, then exhale as you gradually lift your hips off the mat, squeezing your core (and glutes) the entire time. Hold for a couple of seconds, then lower down again. Do this 8-10 times for a calming effect.

The Spine Stretch Forward

This Pilates workout encourages flexibility in the spine and tension release in the back and shoulders. Sitting tall, legs extended, inhale and generate a deep breath. As you exhale, reach forward, creating length in the spine. Wait for a few seconds, then return slowly to an upright position. Do this 6-8 times to help you relax.

The Child’s Pose

While the Child’s Pose is a yoga pose, it is often incorporated into Pilates workouts to help the body relax. Sit back on your heels, arms stretched forward and forehead on the mat. Take a deep breath in and let your body relax. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute for a soothing sense of calm.

The Open Leg Rocker

This exercise is a gentle massage for the spine and builds balance and coordination. Sit with your legs raised and hold your ankles. Inhale, rock back, and exhale to return to sitting. This repeating motion helps alleviate tightness and boost joint range of motion.

The Cat-Cow Stretch

This Pilates drill opens up the spine and relieves tension in the back and shoulders. Begin in a tabletop position with hands under shoulders and knees beneath hips. Inhale as you arch your back and lift your head (Cow), then exhale as you round your spine and tuck your chin (Cat). Do this 8-10x gently to relax.

These Pilates styles provide immediate relief while enhancing your flexibility and posture, helping you relax more.

Incorporating Pilates Exercise into Your Daily Routine for Stress Management

All exercise: Regular practice is important to reap the stress-relieving benefits of Pilates exercise. I share here some tips to make Pilates exercise part of your day.

Start with a Morning Routine: Morning Pilates exercise helps create the right tone for the day. Knowing this, even a few minutes of gentle stretching can add energy, awaken your focus, and relieve morning stiffness. Gentle stretches and breathing exercises can reduce stress before your day starts.

Take Short Pilates Breaks: Take quick Pilates exercise breaks throughout the day to release tension. Some simple movements, like spinal stretches, shoulder rolls, or even deep breathing, can be performed at a desk or standing up to relieve stress and improve posture.

Establish a Soothing Evening Routine: Pilates before bed can relax the body and mind and help you sleep better. A slow sequence of stretches with deliberate breathing helps prepare the body for rest, relieving any anxiety and tension accumulated throughout the day.

Take a Pilates Class or Do Online Classes: Going to a Pilates workout class or doing an online guided session creates structure and motivation. Classes usually feature relaxation-focused routines specifically devised to relieve stress.

Pilates with Other Relaxation Techniques: To maximise stress reduction, pair a Pilates workout with other relaxation techniques , such as mindfulness meditation, aromatherapy, or calming music. Gentle movement with relaxation practices provides a complete method for managing stress.

Practicing Pilates exercises also allows people to stay balanced and free of stress, which is integral to their daily lives and overall well-being.

The Science Behind Pilates Exercise and Stress Reduction

Studies in science and medicine have proven that movement-based practices such as Pilates exercise can lower stress levels and substantially increase mental wellness. During Pilates exercise, the body produces endorphins, natural chemicals that help relieve stress and elevate mood.

Concentrating on controlled breathing and mindful movement decreases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Research has shown that a regular Pilates workout regulates the nervous system and creates a positive physical change that conservatively reduces stress and improves emotional resilience in the long term.

Gentle, rhythmic movement is used in Pilates workouts and supports activating the parasympathetic nervous system that promotes calm and relaxation. How the Science of Pilates Workout and Stress Relief Together Can Help Individuals Use This Practice to Manage Anxiety, Stay Focused, and Live a Healthier Life.

Conclusion

Pilates Exercise is the best method to relieve  stress. A Pilates workout is built on controlled breathing, mindful movement and gentle stretching to soothe the nervous system, release  tension, and enhance general well-being. Pilates exercises can be performed in the morning, during breaks at work, before bedtime, or even at bedtime, making it a natural choice for those looking for stress relief and relaxation. For example, a daily routine of stress-relieving Pilates exercises like the pelvic curl, spine stretch forward, and cat-cow stretch can provide incredible physical and mental benefits to those who practice it regularly. Pilates workouts combined with other relaxation techniques could provide added benefits and have a sound effect.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Pilates Instructor program.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Deep breathing, controlled movements, and body awareness help relieve stress during Pilates exercise. As the rest jump into the driver’s seat, the combo of breath control and rhythmic movement activates the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels to promote rest. Pilates workout releases muscle tension, especially in commonly stressed areas like the shoulders, neck, and low back. With a focus on proper alignment in the body and strengthening the core, the practice of Pilates workout serves to ease physical tension that leads to stress. Pilates workout releases endorphins into the bloodstream, which naturally improve mood and alleviate anxiety.

Yes, there can be an improvement in the quality of sleep due to the practice of Pilates exercises that help induce relaxation and release stress. Deep breathing and mindful movements during a Pilates workout help calm the nervous system, which makes it easier to drift off to sleep and remain asleep. Doing a Pilates workout before sleep releases physical tension from the body, helping the body relax and prepare for rest. Pilates promotes the secretion of growth hormone, often referred to as the ‘anti-aging hormone, ’ but it also lowers the level of cortisol, the stress hormone that can wreak havoc on sleep cycles. Consistent practice also improves circulation and relaxes muscles, relieving restlessness and inducing a deeper sleep cycle.

Some specific Pilates exercises are most effective for relaxation because they emphasise gentle movement and breath control. Pelvic Curl: A great way to relieve tension in the lower back while practicing spinal mobility. The Spine Stretch Forward creates better posture and alleviates shoulder and back tension. Child’s Pose, one of the poses used in Pilates exercise, is fantastic for full-body stretching and relaxing the mind. The Cat-Cow Stretch helps promote spinal flexibility and dissipate accumulated tension. The Open Leg Rocker encourages balance and coordination while massaging the spine. These moves collaborate to free tight muscles, promote mindfulness and help lower stress levels.

Pilates exercises should be done at least 3-4 times weekly to relieve stress effectively. Regular sessions allow you to relax, release muscle tension, and boost your mental well-being. But even 10-15 minutes a day of Pilates workouts will work wonders. A 15-minute Pilates workout can alleviate anxiety effectively if stress is too much. The thing is to do it frequently — it helps you relax and deal with stress better, long-term.” When used in conjunction with these other relaxation techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, and light stretching, the calming effects of Pilates can be even more pronounced.

Pilates exercise and yoga are great for stress relief but in different ways. Controlled breathing and the exercise work your core, aligning your body to alleviate muscle tension and promote relaxation. It benefits those suffering from stress, like tight shoulders and back pain. Yoga, by contrast, includes athletic activities like more intense stretches, meditation and spiritual aspects, which might attract those seeking a more contemplative avenue. When yoga focuses on flexibility and increasing spirituality, Pilates yogic exercise provides a structural full-body workout energises that enhances posture and muscle performance. In the end, personal preference is key. So, some people may benefit by integrating the two Pilates to tone and align the body and Yoga for more profound leisure and mental clarity.

Yes, Pilates exercises are great for beginners who want to relieve stress as they are gentle and controlled and can be modified to suit any fitness level. Many Pilates exercises emphasise slow, mindful movements that incorporate breath control, making them more accessible to new practitioners. Simple exercises like Pelvic Tilts, the Child’s Pose, and the Spine Stretch Forward require little to no experience. They are so effective for instant relaxation that they can be added to almost anyone’s repertoire. If you are new to practice, joining guided classes or following online tutorials for healthy alignment and technique is better.

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Pilates Exercise for Rehabilitation after Surgery or Injury https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-exercise-for-rehabilitation-after-surgery/ Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39871 The post Pilates Exercise for Rehabilitation after Surgery or Injury appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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There is a long and challenging road to follow when recuperating from surgery or an injury. With that comes loss of strength, mobility, flexibility, and, therefore, the need for rehabilitation to restore movement and function. Pilates training is one of the low-impact approaches which is highly effective for rehabilitation. Except for non-weight-bearing Pilates training programs, which strengthen the trunk and then gradually include more weight-bearing movements to promote overall core strength, they are all based on the principles of Pilates training to improve mobility, flexibility and stability.

Pilates exercises control body awareness and increase muscle activation and joint mobility. It is instrumental in rehabilitation, tailored to varying fitness levels and medical conditions. Whatever is left to heal – the need for rehab and recovery will depend on the injury, whether you recently underwent orthopaedic surgery, suffered a sports injury or chronic pain conditions – but all can benefit from Pilates exercise as part of a rehabilitation plan and ultimately regain strength, restore mobility and reduce the risk of further injury.

The Benefits of Pilates Exercise for Rehabilitation

The basis of Pilates exercise is controlled movements that involve the core and focus on strengthening and flexibility, making it an excellent rehabilitation tool. Pilates exercises are more specific for rehabilitation than high-impact exercises, which may strain recovering muscles or joints following surgery or injury.

Pilates training for rehabilitation is commonly noted for core strengthening. A solid core provides spinal alignment, helps with posture, and alleviates lower back and joint stress. Pilates training can help people regain that stability and coordination through deep abdominal muscles, essential in recovery.

Improve flexibility and mobility Pilates training can also significantly increase flexibility and mobility. Injuries and surgeries can often contribute to stiffness and limited range of motion. Still, many Pilates movements focus on controlled stretching and mobility work, allowing for a slow increase in your range of motion. Better flexibility means less discomfort and functional movement, which makes it easier to perform daily tasks.

Pilates practice is excellent in minimising muscular imbalances! After surgery or trauma, specific muscle groups weaken while others strengthen to assist or compensate, creating imbalances that can lead to pain or further injury. Pilates training addresses these imbalances while emphasising balanced muscle engagement and facilitating symmetrical movement patterns.

Breath control and relaxation are emphasised in Pilates exercise—essential aspects of post-surgical and injury recovery. Controlled breathing activates deep stabilising muscles and promotes oxygen elevation within healing tissues. This can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being throughout rehabilitation.

Pilates is low-impact and versatile, making it ideal for people at different stages of rehabilitation. Mat-and-reformer-based exercises provide support and resistance to augment a progressive rehabilitation program.

Once in a rehabilitation program, Pilates training can ensure a safe and effective journey towards being strong, mobile and functional.

Key Pilates Exercises for Post-Surgery or Injury Recovery

Since you are working on a rehabilitation program through Pilates exercise, you need to include movements that aid in healing and increase strength and mobility. The following are great Pilates exercises for those recovering from surgery or injury.

  1. Pelvic Tilts

Pelvic tilts are a base Pilates move that helps strengthen the core while stabilising the lower back. While lying supine with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, subtly tilt your pelvis towards the ceiling while activating your abdominal muscles. Return slowly to the center position. This action also engages deep core muscles and enhances spinal alignment.

  1. Leg Slides

Instead, the leg slides encourage lower-body mobility while sharing the load with the core for stabilisation. Extend one leg straight while lying on your back with the other knee still bent. Extend one leg behind you and hold it there; then, with a slow motion, bring it back close to your body where it started from. Repeat. It increases the flexibility of the hips and strengthens the abdominal muscles without stressing the joints.

  1. Seated Spinal Twist (With a Available Variation)

If you want more movement, you can always do a modified seated spinal twist for people recovering from upper-body injuries or surgeries. With a straight spine, sitting tall with both feet flat on the ground, gently rotate the torso to one side. Come back to the centre and do the same on the other side. This Pilates training is also excellent for restoring spinal flexibility by building controlled movement.

  1. Shoulder Blade Squeeze

This Pilates move builds upper-back strength and opens the chest and shoulders, making it great for people recovering from shoulder or neck injuries. In a seated or standing position, keep your back straight, retract your shoulder blades, hold for a few seconds and release. This exercise is excellent for scapular stability and relieving neck and shoulder tension.

  1. Pilates Reformer Footwork

For people with access to Pilates equipment, footwork on a reformer is an excellent exercise for rebuilding lower body strength. For the first steps on a reformer, lie down, place your feet on the foot bar and push away gently, extending the legs forward and back to the initial position. One key to this controlled movement is that it builds up those quads, hamstrings, and glutes while limiting the amount of strain and stress on the joints.

Incorporating these key Pilates trainings into a rehabilitation routine allows individuals to safely rebuild strength, flexibility, and mobility following surgery or injury.

How to Incorporate Pilates Exercise into a Post-Rehabilitation Routine

Implementing Pilates exercises as a post-rehabilitation program should be incremental and approached methodically. Some key steps to consider:

Start with a consultation—Before resuming Pilates training after sustaining an injury or undergoing surgical intervention, it is wise to consult your healthcare provider and/or certified Pilates instructor.

Form the Foundation—Start with your lightest Pilates movements, concentrating on core stability, rhythmic breath, and motion to strengthen and restore functional balance.

Increase the intensity gradually. As you get better, more advanced high-physique steps may be integrated as long as they align with rehab targets.

Integrate with Other Treatments—Pilates workouts can be combined with physical therapy, stretching, and strength training for a comprehensive recovery plan.

Track Progress – Monitoring progress allows adjustments to the routine as needed to ensure a safe and effective recovery.

Pilates is also a very effective rehabilitation method, but it is essential to comply with safety guidelines and adapt movements as the recovery process requires. Care must be taken to ensure any exercises support healing rather than compounding strain or injury.

Precautions and Modifications for Safe Rehabilitation with Pilates Exercise

Pilates exercise is beneficial for rehabilitation if you follow safety guidelines and customise the movements to your specific needs for recovery. Some caution is necessary to ensure that exercises support healing and do not cause further stress or injury.

  1. Engage with a Credentialed Educator

Those recovering from surgery or injury should do so with a certified Pilates instructor or physical therapist. They can rest one arm because the recommended modifications come from a trained professional who can provide individualised modifications to ensure the exercises can be performed safely and effectively. Working with a professional prevents lousy movement patterns that can delay recovery.

  1. Steer clear of high-impact or intense movements

Avoid jumping or high-impact weight-bearing movements early in recovery. Instead, perform controlled, low-impact Pilates workouts that build the stability of the joints and activate the muscles.

  1. Adjust Exercises According to Your Pain or Discomfort

It’s essential to listen to your body and work only within the range of motion that does not cause pain or discomfort. Exercises should be modified to be less intense if a movement is too difficult. For instance, doing Pilates workouts in a sitting or lateral position would help control stress while activating essential muscle groups.

  1. Prioritize breathing and relaxation

Pilates workout uses controlled breathing. The focus during rehabilitation is deep, diaphragmatic breathing. This is particularly valuable if you are recovering from surgery or an injury that affects the lungs or airways.

  1. Gradually Increase Intensity

Progressive nature of Rehabilitation. As analyses and power evolve, they can extend the power of Pilates exercise. Once you throw in resistance bands or step onto Pilates equipment, you can achieve a heap of strength in a low-impact way.

When approached this way, individuals can safely perform and enjoy Pilates exercises during recovery.

Conclusion

Pilates exercise is a very effective and versatile way to rehabilitate after surgery or injury. Pilates exercise promotes healing, improve mobility, and prevent future injuries by focusing on core strength, flexibility, and movement control. Pelvic tilts, leg slides, and modified spinal twists — staple Pilates moves — allow for gentle movement that aids in recovery, all while putting minimal strain on the body. However, it should be done with proper precautions, under the supervision of a certified instructor, and with modifications appropriate for each person’s recovery. A good Pilates workout regimen, designed and practised in a safe environment, helps restore strength and mobility and enhances the general quality of life and well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pilates is generally safe in post-surgery rehab if you work under professional supervision. As a low-impact exercise form, it emphasises controlled movements, core engagement and gradual enhancement of forces. Pilates allows rehabilitation through movement and restoration of mobility, flexibility and strength without exposing healing tissues to excessive strain. However, some movements must be modified to avoid putting too much stress on areas before they are healed after surgery. “I highly recommend consulting a physical therapist or certified Pilates instructor so that the exercises being performed are done safely.” This may also assist healing if a proper adjustment is made, like using props or moving in a seated or lying position.

Pilates helps heal injury through strengthening stabilisers, increasing flexibility, and restoring balance. Injuries can cause muscle imbalances or compensatory movements that can create further strain. Pilates workouts address these imbalances by working many muscle groups together in a controlled way. It also improves circulation, helping oxygen reach injured tissues. The Abdominal: Core-strengthening exercises in Pilates strengthen the core and improve spinal alignment and posture, which reduces stress on injured areas. Pilates workout also encourages breath control and relaxation techniques, which can reduce pain and tension. A Pilates workout is highly modifiable, so it can be adjusted to suit the various stages of recovery.

Pilates exercises aid in rehabilitating various injuries (joint, muscle, and post-surgery). We often see it in patients recovering from orthopaedic issues, like knee injuries, hip replacements, and shoulder surgeries. Pilates exercise enables the strengthening of weakened muscles and recovery of the full range of motion after surgery or trauma. It is also effective in treating chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis and sciatica. Pilates is also beneficial for those recuperating from sports injuries like ligament tears and sprains as it strengthens and stabilises the muscles, preventing future injuries. Pilates workout provides a safe and practical basis for recovery by utilising slow, controlled movements. However, it is essential to adapt exercises to the specific injury, and a trained professional working on rehabilitation is most likely to achieve the best outcome in a rehabilitation program tailoring exercise to the individual.

When can you begin Pilates workout after surgery — timeframes vary based on the type of surgery and individual healing. Generally, a healthcare provider should give clearance before starting any exercise, and for most people, the best thing to do is wait.” In some instances, gentle Pilates movement and breathwork may be introduced within weeks post-surgery, while other movements will take months to heal. Initially, low-intensity range-of-motion exercises are performed (eg, pelvic tilts and pelvic kissing in the sitting position). A certified Pilates instructor or physical therapist can create a program tailored to post-surgical limitations. One should pay attention to their body and not push through the pain when they are feeling poorly.

Yes, Pilates workout is a superb tool for injury prevention. It builds core strength, aids balance, and boosts flexibility, thus lowering the chances of strains and undue stress on the joints. Pilates is a method that is designed to balance out poor posture, muscle imbalances and/or lack of mobility, which is how so many injuries occur in the first place. Pilates exercise promotes correct movement patterns and consistent weight distribution, ensuring that no one muscle group or joint is overused. It also helps improve coordination and stability, reducing the chances of accidental falls or erratic movements that often lead to injuries. This can allow individuals to move more efficiently and safely in their everyday lives, as the body awareness learned through Pilates carries over into daily activity when practiced regularly.

Yes, A certified Pilates instructor or physical therapist can evaluate individual needs, offer modifications and ensure that exercises are performed correctly. Improper movements will prolong healing or worsen injuries, so it’s essential to have someone help you to ensure you’ll be as safe as possible. An expert instructor customises Pilates exercise routines to navigate post-surgical restrictions, progressively building up to greater intensity as strength and mobility flourish. Many also have specialised equipment to assist movement, including reformers or stability props. A therapist can also help people feel more confident while recovering, providing motivation and altering movements to measure progress.

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How to Prevent and Treat Personal Training-Related Injuries https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-prevent-and-treat-personal-training-related-injuries/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39850 The post How to Prevent and Treat Personal Training-Related Injuries appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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While personal training is vital to reaching exercise goals, incorrect techniques, overtraining and insufficient recovery can cause injuries. Regardless of your training experience level, knowing how to prevent and treat personal training injuries is essential to enjoying long-term fitness and performance. After all, injury prevention is not suitable for everyone as it can stop progress in its tracks, slow results, and lead to frustration. Therefore, exercise injury prevention becomes critical in any personal training program.

They may also suffer from common personal training-related injuries, such as muscle strains, joint pain, tendonitis, and overuse injuries. Many of such problems stem from bad form, a lack of warm-up, lack of rest, or overtraining! However, structured workout planning, recovery strategies and professional guidance can minimise or eliminate your chances of injury.

Effective Injury Prevention Strategies in Personal Training

Issues such as proper technique, warm-ups, recovery and optimised workouts, avoiding injuries, and personal training are complex. On the other hand, introducing proper injury prevention practices allows people to play at a higher level of performance while decreasing their likelihood of a common workout injury.

Good exercise form is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to prevent injury. Avoid using incorrect posture and movement patterns because they will make you more likely to have muscle strain, joint stress, and overuse injuries. A qualified personal trainer can ensure that exercise is completed in good form, minimising chances of injury and increasing the efficiency of every workout closely tied to your unique goals.

This includes using a structured warm-up routine, which plays an additional key role in preventing injuries. Dynamic stretching, mobility drills, and light cardio exercises warm up the muscles, joints, and nervous system for movement. The best warm-up increases flexibility and circulation and reduces muscle stiffness, making personal training workouts more effective and less injury-prone.

As a personal trainer, you are trained on the principle of progressive overload, which is essentially the idea that you should aim to add incrementally more difficulty to your workouts, week-on-week, to achieve your strength and endurance goals. But adding weight, reps or intensity too fast can result in injury. Strains and overexertion are best avoided when gradual adaptation and enough time for musculature adaptation are part of your training plan.

Rest and recovery are just as vital to include in a training plan. Burnout, fatigue, and a higher likelihood of injuries may result from overtraining and lack of recovery. To help promote muscle repair and overall recovery, personal training programs should include rest days, proper hydration and adequate sleep.

Listening to the body is another factor that plays a role in injury prevention. Aching, tenderness, or drop in performance can be signs of over-use or stress. This will lead to an exacerbation of injuries and a prolonged recovery. Adjusting workouts or taking rest days as necessary helps prevent minor problems from progressing into major injuries.

Implementing these injury prevention techniques can better equip individuals to maximise their training sessions, maintain regimen consistency, and remain immune to the setbacks that preventable injuries pose.

Common Personal Training-Related Injuries and Their Causes

Personal training can cause injuries if the workouts are not balanced or safety measures are not considered. However, knowing the most common injuries associated with it and what causes them can give people the tools they need to take preventative steps.

Muscle strain is a common type of injury in personal training. Strains happen when a muscle is overstretched or torn, often due to improper form, sudden movements or lifting weights that are too heavy. Muscle strains can be limited when performed with appropriate warm-ups and proper technique.

In personal training, knee pain (among other joint issues, such as shoulder and lower back pain) is standard. These injuries are typically caused by poor alignment, excessive impact, or repetitive stress on the joints. Strengthening and stabilising muscles, increasing flexibility and wearing the proper shoes can help protect the joints during exercise.

Another injury often linked to personal training is tendonitis. It happens when tendons become inflamed from repetitive motion or overuse and typically affects the elbows, shoulders, and knees. Tendonitis can be prevented with rest, appropriate stretching, and avoiding repetitive strain.

A common problem many people with personal training programmes face, particularly those lifting heavy loads in poor form or doing so with core workouts, is lower back pain. Lower back injuries occur due to poor posture, core instability, and increased loading on the spine. Core-strengthening, neutral spine, and not overusing the weight can avoid low back pain.

Overuse injuries, such as shin splints and stress fractures, occur when insufficient recovery occurs and excessive repetitive stress is placed on the body. These injuries commonly arise from overuse through running, jumping, or high-impact exercise. Tight Progressing gradually, cross-training, and allowing for adequate rest can help to avoid overuse injuries.

Best Treatment Approaches for Personal Training Injuries

This information can speed up the recovery process and prevent more serious issues. While the injury type and severity dictate the appropriate approach, the following treatments are shared for personal training-related injuries.

The R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is a well-known treatment for acute injuries, including sprains, strains, and swelling. To avoid further injury, you should rest the affected area, and using ice can help reduce inflammation. Compression with a bandage reduces swelling, and elevation helps manage blood flow and alleviate pain.

Personal fitness trainers can help improve some injuries with physical therapy. A trained physical therapist can help create specific exercises to increase flexibility, strengthen weaker muscles, and restore mobility. Physical therapy is also helpful in correcting imbalances and preventing injuries from recurring.

Massage therapy and foam rollers help in muscle recovery and higher levels of injury prevention. These methods promote blood flow, eliminate muscle stiffness, and relieve soreness. Foam rollers, massage tools, and regular self-myofascial release can improve mobility and help prevent chronic muscle imbalances.

Personal training injuries can result in pain and inflammation that can be better managed with anti-inflammatory treatments like over-the-counter pain relievers or natural remedies such as turmeric and ginger. Medications are used only under professional guidance to prevent dependency.

In extreme cases, medical treatment such as corticosteroid injection, surgery, or rehabilitation programs may be needed. If an injury does not respond to self-care treatments, seeking a healthcare professional is important to understand the next steps.

With these treatment strategies, people could successfully manage and recover from personal training-related injuries to return to their training schedules safely and successfully.

Long-Term Recovery and Injury Prevention Strategies

After overcoming a personal training injury, you must learn how to avoid other injuries and keep your body in good shape for a long time. By factoring in appropriate recovery strategies and incorporating long-standing injury-prevention methods, sustainable levels of fitness progression can occur.

An injury should be accompanied by a rehabilitation plan to completely heal. In the healing phase, a gradual return to movement and mobility exercise, instead of high-impact activities, can help prevent re-injury. A series of sessions with a personal trainer or a physical therapist may offer guidance on which modifications would be safe.

Accelerating Injury Prevention: When we work to develop sufficient muscle stability, the joints will be supported by the ligaments and muscles surrounding them. Personal training also strengthens weakened muscles, corrects overdeveloped muscle groups, and encourages functional exercises, tailoring a program to make the whole body more resilient, thus causing less strain on inhibited areas.

Accessibility and joint mobility are other significant components of preventing injury in the long term. D. Regular stretching, yoga, or mobility drills maintain supple joints and muscles, prevent stiffness, and improve range of motion. Dynamic warm-ups before workouts and static stretching after sessions ensure muscle elasticity and prevent tightness after workouts.

With these long-term recovery and injury prevention methods, personal training enthusiasts can experience sustainable fitness progress, lessen injury risks, and engage in a robust, active lifestyle.

Conclusion

Pursuing fitness can be met with minor setbacks like personal training-related injuries. People can improve their performance with proper warm-up protocols, correct exercise mechanics, and sufficient recovery while lowering the risk of different injuries. Understanding the frequent types of injuries and what leads to them allows personal training students to protect themselves from injuries. If injuries develop, proper treatment techniques, including the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), physical therapy and mobility movements will facilitate recovery and prevent additional damage. Training, flexibility, and rehabilitation are integral to an extended, sustainable plan for continued progress without injury.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Personal Training Course that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Personal trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some shared personal training injuries include tendonitis, joint pain, muscle strains, and lower back injuries. They can be caused by poor form, overuse, lack of a proper warm-up, or simply working too hard. Making sure that the technique was carried out throughout the exercises while using adequate weights and inserting warm-ups and cool-downs in each session are the first steps for prevention. Building stabilising muscles, enhancing flexibility and working along the principles of progressive overload can also help reduce injury risks. Ensure the muscles and joints have time to recover by listening to the body and not overtraining. Refining exercise execution with a certified personal trainer also significantly reduces the likelihood of injury.

In personal training, warm-up and cool-down are essential to injury prevention. “A proper warm-up, with dynamic stretching, mobility drills, and light cardio, prepares muscles, joints and the nervous system for exercise,” he says. It reduces stiffness, increases blood circulation, improves flexibility and lowers the risk of strains or tears. Cooling down to help restore the heart rate to homeostasis and static stretching and deep breathing to avoid muscle tightness. Not doing warm-ups and cool-downs can lead to injury and delayed recovery, which is essential to personal training programs.

Suppose you sustain an injury while training; stop exercising immediately to avoid aggravating the injury further. The R.I.C.E method — Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation — can help reduce swelling and pain. Do not apply pressure and get it checked if there is pain. Mild injuries usually heal with rest and mobility exercises, while more severe cases may need physical therapy. Seeking advice from a personal trainer or physiotherapist can allow you to establish the safest means of returning to a training regime without further irritating the injury. Going back to your workout routines too early can cause you to reinjure yourself, so rehabilitation is key.

In this training, you always focus on your form, avoid too many training loads, add recovery strategies, and do a lot more to improve your personal training routine and prevent injuries. High-impact movements should be reduced, controlled repetitions should be used, and loads should be adjusted based on the strength level to avoid overuse injuries. Cross-training — mixing up the types of exercise you do — helps prevent muscle imbalances. Recovery strategies such as foam rolling, stretching and hydration also prevent injury. Having a trainer means workouts are planned safely, while progression is gradual, making it less likely that injuries will occur.

In personal training, proper recovery focus is key to injury prevention. It enables muscles to repair and strengthen, reducing strain and overuse injuries. Sleep (followed by hydration and a nutrient-dense diet to promote muscle repair) is also hitched to recovery. Initiating a rest day into training schedules will help prevent exhaustion and enable the body to recover completely. Light active recovery (like gentle stretching or yoga) can help open tight spots and maintain circulation. Neglecting recovery leads to higher risks of injuries and prolonged setbacks, which is why recovery management is crucial for sustainable progress.

Overtraining can yield signs such as prolonged muscle soreness, lower performance, exhaustion, and injury rate. Other symptoms are sleep issues, mood swings and a lack of desire to train. However, overtraining can be disastrous, resulting in burnout and significant injuries. Take measures such as managing the intensity of workouts, scheduling a few rest days, and observing the body’s reactions to the exercises to avoid overtraining. Mixing in lighter stuff (like mobility work and recovery-based movements) and the higher intensity sessions will help you avoid overdoing it. Personal trainers can help guide people on structuring workouts, keeping them safe and consistent.

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Functional Personal Training Exercises for Everyday Movement Patterns https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/functional-personal-training-exercise-for-everyday-movement/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39847 The post Functional Personal Training Exercises for Everyday Movement Patterns appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Functional personal training focuses on building strength, mobility, and coordination for movements performed during daily activities. Functional exercises are progressive movements that are repetitive and stimulating all over the body rather than just one target like traditional weightlifting. These movements are important to any Fitness Training program as they reflect natural patterns of movement (bending, lifting, twisting, pushing, and pulling) and facilitate the ability to function in the real world.

Functional Fitness Training helps develop balance, reduce risks of injury, and improve sports performance. These exercises enhance core stability, joint mobility, and muscular endurance, making them valuable for everyone from athletes to older people. Whether carrying groceries, chasing your kids around, or trying to up your game in a performance sport, functional training helps your body be ready for everyday life.

Lower-Body Functional Personal Training Exercises

In this type of degree, students learn to use tools and analytical methods to create and implement useful programs. As most of our day-to-day moves involve the legs and hips, training the muscles associated with these areas promotes mobility and may help prevent injuries. They also work the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves while recruiting the core for stability.

Squats are one of the best functional exercises for the lower body. They replicate the motion of sitting down and standing up, making them super functional for everyday life. Bodyweight squats, dumbbell squats, or squats with resistance bands help increase lower body strength and improve balance and coordination.

Another key personal training exercise is lunges, which mimic the motion of stepping forward, backward, or to the side. Lunges build quadriceps, glutes, and hamstring strength while also improving balance and stability. You can also modify this area and add variations like extra walking lunges and reverse lunges to make this exercise functional.

The step-up is a phenomenal exercise for conditioning the lower body for movements such as climbing stairs or ascending onto a taller surface. A step-up with bodyweight or added resistance on a sturdy bench or step platform can enhance leg strength and coordination. This type of movement is perfect for older adults who want to remain independent.

Another common exercise and functional Fitness Training staple is the deadlift, which mimics lifting objects from the ground. Deadlifts with weights or resistance bands promote proper lifting, advance muscular development of the hamstrings, lower back, and core, and reduce injuries associated with incorrect lifting.

Implementing these lower body functional exercises in a Fitness Training routine enables the client to move through life quickly and efficiently. This makes daily movements like walking/running, bending, and stepping easier and less likely to cause injury.

Upper Body Functional Personal Training Exercises

Functional personal training exercises for the upper body increase strength, endurance, and mobility in daily movements. Upper body strength is essential for functional fitness, from lifting to pushing to pulling to carrying. Developing these muscle groups can make everyday pursuits—carrying groceries, lifting things, doing household chores—easier.

The push-up is one of the best upper-body functional movements. It works the chest, shoulders, and triceps and requires the core for stability. Push-ups build the strength and endurance of these muscle groups since pushing movements are integral to daily activities like opening doors or moving objects.

Wrongs are also a fundamental movement pattern for personal training. Dumbbell or resistance band bent-over rows strengthen the back muscles for pulling and lifting. This movement helps open the upper back, strengthening those postural muscles, relieving back pain, and improving grip strength for pulling-type movements.

The overhead press resembles many real-life activities, like putting things on high shelves. By using dumbbells or resistance bands, one can do overhead presses that greatly enhance the strength of the shoulders and triceps and improve upper body mobility and stability.

Carrying exercises, like the farmer’s walk, are also great for grip strength and core stabilisation. Walking with weights in each hand tests balance and endurance, making everyday lifts easier. It also helps to improve posture, making it a great exercise for injury prevention.

Dips, as a bodyweight exercise, help strengthen the triceps, shoulders, and chest. This movement is useful for helping one push oneself up from the ground or off a seated position.

Functional upper body exercises within a Fitness Training program can help build strength, mobility, and endurance. These exercises also prime people for activities of daily living that require them to lift, pull, push, and carry, making them incredibly useful for functional fitness.

Core and Stability Functional Personal Training Exercises

You must develop your core strength and stability for better posture, balance, and body control. A strong core supports the spine, lowers risks for injury and improves athletic performance. Building core strength through functional personal training exercises allows individuals to perform daily activities more stably and efficiently.

The plank is one of the best core exercises. It works the entire core: the abdominal muscles, lower back, and shoulders. Asserting a plank position also helps build endurance and improves overall stability, which translates to better posture and movement control in everyday activities.

Another great functional training movement for core stability is dead bugs. This action strengthens the deep core muscles responsible for supporting spinal alignment and coordination. Dead bugs promote control and help prevent lower back pain related to poor posture or weak abs.

Rotational movements—think Russian twists or woodchoppers—help build strength in the obliques and enhance functional rotation. Since many daily activities, such as vacuuming, involve twisting motions, training the core with rotational exercises can improve agility and mobility.

Balance exercises, such as single leg stands or exercises on stability balls, improve coordination and prevent falls. These movements work the core while increasing proprioception, the body’s capacity to sense movement and position.

The glute bridge is an equally important core exercise for building strength in your lower back, hips, and glutes. It helps maintain posture, eases strain on the lower back, and enhances movement efficiency, which is particularly helpful for those who work in a sedentary position.

Core and stability exercises, when included in a Fitness Training program, enable individuals to improve their overall posture, coordination, and movement efficiency. Strengthening your core is key to enhancing physical performance and preventing injuries, leading to a healthier and more functional body.

Full-Body Functional Personal Training Exercises

Functional personal training exercises are whole-body exercises, which means they work for more than one muscle group at a time, helping improve strength, coordination, and endurance. Functional Training enhances movement patterns similar to those in real life and improves how the body functions, making us perform daily tasks faster and easier.

The squat-to-press is a multi-joint, full-body movement that benefits your lower and upper body. This exercise involves a squat followed by an overhead press, which mimics activities like picking things up off the floor and putting them on a shelf. Squat-to-press builds strength, coordination, and endurance.

Another awesome, full-body, functional training exercise is kettlebell swings. This movement develops explosive strength in the hips, glutes, and core and builds cardiovascular endurance. Kettlebell swings mimic the action of picking things up and carrying them, making them useful for everyday strength and conditioning.

Burpees offer a high-energy, total-body exercise that boosts speed, longevity, and coordination. They are a combination of squats, push-ups, and jumps, thus effectively enhancing functional fitness and cardiovascular health.

Medicine Ball Slams: These whole-body exercises build power and coordination. They replicate actions such as throwing or lifting objects with great force while building strength in the core, shoulders, and legs.

Battle ropes provide a useful functional conditioning workout that helps build grip strength, stamina, and overall body coordination. Engaging in alternating waves or slams with battle ropes enhances upper body strength and cardiovascular fitness.

A Fitness Training program should include full-body functional exercises to improve movement patterns and overall fitness. These drills mimic the tasks of the real world, training the body for everyday mount with full-body conditioning and resilience.

Conclusion

Functional personal training exercises are critical to improving movement efficiency, reducing injury risk, and enhancing overall strength. He explained how functional moves from the lower body, upper body, core, and total body can help build endurance, stability, and co-ordination as part of a Fitness Training routine. These prep the body for tasks, facilitating everyday activities and preventing injuries. Squats, lunges, push-ups and kettlebell swings are all examples of functional training, which improves overall fitness by moving the body in daily life patterns. Functional Fitness Training is invaluable for sustainable long-term health and fitness success, from enhancing balance to adding strength to bestowing mobility.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Personal Training Course that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Personal trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Functional Exercise Training emphasises exercises that improve movement patterns you use in real life, such as squatting, bending, pushing, pulling and twisting. Functional training, however, engages multiple muscle groups all working together, improving your functional strength, coordination and stability, unlike traditional weight training, which isolates specific muscles. Such training enhances body mechanics, which helps prevent injuries and improves balance, posture, and mobility. Functional personal training, after all, is the key to being functional. Functional Exercise Training is highly beneficial for all since even if you are an athlete, you must train for Performance. If not, as a degree, older people will always want to be independent. Exercises including squats, lunges, and deadlifts build muscles that support movements for walking, lifting and carrying objects, and easing daily living tasks.

Functional personal training helps you build the muscles you need to perform daily tasks, leading to better mobility, balance, and coordination. Exercises such as squats, lunges, pushes, pulls, and rotations are included in workouts to replicate movements often undertaken in real life, such as lifting groceries, rising from a chair or reaching overhead. Drills based on these movement patterns help individuals learn better control of their bodies, which can minimise the risk of injury and make basic tasks easier and more efficient. For example, squats build the legs and core, allowing a person to quickly sit down and stand up. Lunges are great for balance and walking stability, for instance, and overhead presses help make it easier to get things up onto a high shelf. Functional Exercise Training also builds flexibility and joint stability, making movement easier.

Functional Exercise Training provides complex movements that reinforce various muscle groups, which translates into being more efficient and stronger overall. The main muscle groups that work are our core, lower body, and upper body. Another key exercise targeting the core muscles is the plank, with some access to the abdominals, obliques, and lower back muscles to provide stability of the body and postural support. A strong core promotes balance, prevents lower back pain and makes daily movements more workable. Functional exercise (like squats, lunges, and step-ups) heavily activates the lower body muscles (quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves). Strengthening these muscles makes walking, running and lifting more efficient. Push-ups, rows, and overhead presses work the upper body — shoulders, chest and arms — and improve the strength of the pushing and pulling used in everyday life.

Yes, Functional personal training can help prevent injury by improving your muscle strength, mobility and the stability of real-life movement patterns. Injuries are often the result of improper form, muscle imbalances, and poor posture; therefore, when the body is trained to move correctly, it can make the necessary adjustments that lead to the muscle strength, joint stability, and endurance required for everyday performance and exercise with minimised risk of injury. For instance, a strong core can help stabilise the spine, reducing the risk of lower back pain. Lunges and squats help balance and strengthen the legs, reducing the risk of falls. Functional training also promotes flexibility, which helps to prevent muscle strains and stiffness around the joints.

Functional personal training is excellent because it requires little equipment and comes with the benefit of being suitable for all kinds of clients. It usually includes dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, stability and medicine balls. These tools strengthen muscles and improve balance and flexibility, maximising movement efficiency. “That means dumbbells and kettlebells are great for squats, deadlifts and overhead pressing, too, which build functional strength.” Resistance bands also provide variable resistance to movements like rows and lunges, enhancing mobility and flexibility. Stability balls promote core strength and balance with exercises like planks and bridges.

Everyday personal training is lengthy and depends on the eye, the extent of experience, and the fitness of the whole body. When starting, performing functional exercises 2 to 3 times a week helps to develop the body, reducing the risk of overtraining. Exercising 3–5 times per week can improve strength, endurance, and mobility as people grow. A functional personal training workout needs to include lower body, upper body and core movements to help balance out the body. It enhances overall movement economy by pairing resistance training with flexibility and mobility work. This can complement active recovery days (light stretching, walking, swimming, etc.) and functional training routines.

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Healthy Snack Ideas for Personal Training Enthusiasts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/healthy-snack-ideas-for-personal-training-enthusiasts/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39844 The post Healthy Snack Ideas for Personal Training Enthusiasts appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Fitness nutrition is an essential aspect of physical health for personal trainers, and there is an optimal fuel for performance, recovery, and overall health. Snacking is critical for boosting energy and aiding muscle recovery, but it can be mundane and make us feel sluggish or get results at the workout. Healthy snacking is a part of sustaining stamina, muscle recovery, and general well-being. Such energy-dense snacks help maintain strength, endurance, and concentration for personal training.

Optimising these snack options between training sessions, during steady-state cardio, or when fueling up for the next workout can help reach Fitness Training goals. With mindful snacking strategies, Fitness Training aficionados can boost performance, support muscle development, and maintain their fitness progress over time.

Best Pre-Workout Snacks for Personal Training Enthusiasts

Eating before personal training is vital to optimise energy levels throughout the session. To maximise your workout performance, experts say a good pre-workout snack should give you the right amount of quick carbs for energy, some protein to fuel muscle support, and healthy fats to keep you going as long as you need. The primary reason for picking the best snacks before a workout is because, as personal training lovers, one needs all the energy and power to carry out workout sessions smoothly.

A banana with almond butter is one of the best pre-workout snacks. Bananas are loaded with fast-digesting carbohydrates for immediate energy, and almond butter is a source of healthy fats and protein for endurance support. Another option is Greek yogurt with granola; it offers protein to support muscle and complex carbohydrates to keep your energy levels high.

Another excellent food choice for fueling your workout is oatmeal with berries. Oats deliver slow-releasing carbohydrates for long-lasting energy, and berries add antioxidants and vitamins that help reduce inflammation and promote muscle function. Fruit and Spinach (with protein powder) Personal training-goers can also enjoy a smoothie with protein powder, spinach, and whatever personal flavors they want to support them in providing energy to get started with pre-training.

Whole-grain toast with avocado and a boiled egg can also be a great and nutritious snack. Avocados supply healthy fats, eggs high-quality protein, and whole grains complex carbohydrates for energy over time. By integrating these nutrient-dense snacks into their daily routine, those dedicated to Fitness Training can maximise results, elevate performance levels, and avoid crashes throughout exhaustive training.

Post-Workout Snack Ideas for Muscle Recovery in Personal Training

Recovery is an essential aspect of personal training, and the ideal post-workout snack can facilitate muscle repair, replenish energy stores, and help prevent muscle soreness. After a workout, the body requires protein to repair muscle fibers and carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores. Adequate post-workout snacking promotes muscle-facilitated recovery and is essential for Fitness Training aficionados to maintain muscle mass and proper energy levels.

A good post-workout snack is a protein shake of whey or plant protein, almond milk, and a banana. This duo provides speedy protein for muscle repair and carbohydrates for glycogen replenishment. Likewise, a turkey and hummus wrap with a whole wheat tortilla provides a protein-rich, nutrient-dense snack to aid recovery.

Another good option for recovery after a workout is cottage cheese with pineapple. Cottage cheese is high in casein protein, which keeps muscles repairing longer, and pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme helpful for digestion and reducing inflammation. Another option for gym-goers is boiled eggs with whole-grain crackers, as this provides protein and complex carbohydrates needed for longer sustained recovery.

A quinoa and chickpea salad yields a high-protein, fiber-rich alternative for vegetarian diners. Quinoa is a complete protein, and chickpeas add more nutrients for muscle repair. A few nuts (unsweetened) mixed with dried fruit as a park run snack is also a winner for refueling and always provides healthy fats, proteins, and natural sugars.

Select post-training bites can help personal training aficionados recover faster, reduce muscle breakdown, and prime the body for the next round of exercise. Good snacks can be nourishing and support your ability to maintain current levels of strength, endurance, and fitness with your fitness training.

Quick and Convenient Healthy Snacks for Personal Training Enthusiasts

Many people who do personal training have hectic lifestyles and need quick and convenient snacks that can be grabbed and taken out the door. These snacks should be healthy, fast, simple to prepare and full of all the good stuff to help them achieve their fitness goals. By selecting portable pickups appropriate for their needs, personal coaching enthusiasts can enhance their energy levels and keep muscles working during workouts all day long.

Trail mix made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit is one of the best convenient snacks. Almonds, cashews, and walnuts offer healthy fats and protein, while the dried fruit delivers natural sugars to get you back on your feet. Protein bars are another amazing option because they are space-saving, protein-rich foods on this list that maintain muscles energised and also prevent hunger pangs between meals.

Another great snack for personal trainers is hard-boiled eggs. They are also rich in protein and essential amino acids, which aid in muscle recovery and help you feel full. Eggs paired with whole-grain crackers for fiber and complex carbohydrates help stabilise energy. Greek yogurt cups drizzled with honey and topped with granola make for a primo on-the-go snack that packs protein, probiotics , and wholesome carbs into a grab-and-go package.

The combination of hummus and veggie sticks is a nutrient-dense snack packed with fiber, vitamins, and plant-based protein. Hummus with carrot, celery, and bell pepper slices creates an outstanding balance . Cottage cheese with fruit is another favorite among personal trainers; it provides a powerful protein and nourishes our body with sugars so that our energy level does not drop.

If you are a fan of smoothies and are in a hurry, combining almond milk, protein powder, berries, and chia seeds will yield a nutrient-dense, thirst-quenching beverage that stimulates recovery and builds muscle. It is also essential for personal training enthusiasts to have some quick and healthy snacks around, making it easier to refuel and stay energised, which will help maintain strength and endurance throughout the day.

Homemade Snack Ideas for Personal Training Enthusiasts

Homemade snacks are great for those who love personal training—they can be made using different ingredients to optimise nutrition without processed additives. Making snacks in advance makes snacking more available while encouraging a healthier lifestyle compatible with fitness goals.

You can even make something like protein energy balls, which are oats, nut butter, honey, and protein powder combined into one great snack. Packed with sustained energy, beneficial fat, and muscle-building protein, these little morsels are a tremendous pre- and post-workout snack. Baked sweet potato fries are another relatively easy homemade snack, providing a natural source of carbohydrates and fiber without other unhealthy additives.

Another healthy alternative for Fitness Training fans is homemade granola bars with nuts, seeds, honey and dark chocolate. They are wholesome bars rich enough in protein, healthy fats, and natural sugars to keep your energy up throughout the day. Homemade Greek yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit, granola, and chia seeds are also possible, such as a protein-packed snack rich in fiber that aids digestion and recovery.

Savory roasted chickpeas are great crunchy bites filled with plant-based protein and fiber. Just by seasoning them with olive oil, garlic, and paprika and then popping them in the oven, a snack that’s so crunchy yet satisfying can be made to munch on whenever Fitness Training fans wish to do so. Homemade avocado toast with whole grain bread and a sprinkle of hemp seeds also offers healthy fats, fiber and protein for steady energy.

Homemade snacks allow individuals participating in Fitness Training to monitor their nutrition intake, eliminate artificial preservatives, and regulate the meal components to boost their training efforts. Nutritious homemade snacks provide the right fuel for sustained energy, muscle recovery and performance, making them the perfect complement to the personal training lifestyle.

Conclusion

Nutrition is a topic in sports that you do not want to be skimping on if you are into personal training to reach your goals and achieve your results. Whether fueling before a workout, replenishing post-training or quick healthy options throughout the day, intelligent snacking promotes fitness goals and improves endurance! Adding nutrient-rich snacks like protein shakes, trail mixes, Greek yogurt, and homemade energy balls will help Fitness Training enthusiasts replenish energy stores, assist in muscle recovery, and achieve fitness goals in the long term. Packing healthy snacks ahead of time helps fitness-conscious people to choose wisely instead of eating processed foods. As Fitness Training experts, you can educate your clients about the importance of macronutrients and whole foods in boosting their performance and achieving their fitness goals.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Personal Training Course that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Personal trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

A pre-workout snack is the most definitive way to keep your energy up throughout and maximise performance within Personal Training. The best snacks will have a combination of carbohydrates for quick energy, protein for muscle maintenance, and healthy fats for stamina. Bananas with almond butter, a fast-digesting carb and healthy fat combo, are excellent! Greek yogurt and granola also provide a good mix of protein and complex carbohydrates to sustain energy levels. Oatmeal topped with berries provides slow-releasing carbs and antioxidants that help reduce muscle inflammation and improve performance.

After personal training sessions, post-workout nutrition is essential because it aids in muscle recovery and replenishes energy. The ideal post-workout snacks are rich in protein to help repair muscle and contain carbohydrates to replenish glycogen. A whey or plant-based protein shake mixed with almond milk and a banana is a fast and effective option. Turkey and hummus wraps made with whole-wheat tortillas offer lean protein and fiber to help muscles recover. Cottage cheese with pineapple is an equally good option because it is a source of casein protein that stays longer in your stomach for repairing muscle tissues. In contrast, the pineapple fibre produces bromelain, which helps reduce inflammation. Boiled eggs and whole-grain crackers: Combining high-quality protein with complex carbohydrates.

Yes, Protein bars are a fantastic snack option for personal training, but you must know which is right for you. These bars contain high-quality protein to complete your daily nutrient requirements with healthy fats and carbs, making them suitable for pre-workout energy or post-workout recovery. They are a quick, on-the-go solution for busy people who want complete nutrition without preparing a meal. Choosing a protein bar with about 10-20 grams of protein is always best. Steer clear of bars with added sugars, artificial ingredients and unhealthy fillers. More nutritious choices include naturally occurring ingredients like nuts, seeds and whole grains.

Alongside these busy, personal training enthusiasts need the right snacks that are quick, easy and provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. “Some excellent choices are trail mix with nuts, seeds and dried fruit — all provide balance from heart-healthy fats, protein and natural sugars. Hard-boiled eggs are also quick, providing high-quality protein and amino acids that help repair muscles post-exercise. Other great portable snack options that keep energy levels high during the day are protein bars and Greek yogurt with granola. Veggie sticks and hummus: This offers fiber, vitamins and plant-based protein, and it’s a filling, nutrient-dense choice.

Absolutely! Making peanuts at home ensures personal trainer enthusiasts have complete control over components, allowing for top-quality detergent without the incorporation of synthetic ingredients. Homemade snacks can be fortified with nutritious ingredients (think: whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins) that help provide staying power and muscle-repair time. One simple homemade snack includes protein energy balls made with oats, nut butter, honey and protein powder. These snacks help sustain energy and provide amino acids. Homemade nut and seed granola bars drizzled with dark chocolate combine healthy fats, fiber and protein.

Healthy snacking is essential for personal training enthusiasts to optimise energy and performance. Meal-prepping snacks ahead of time is one of the best ways to stay on track. Bounds-only trail mix, protein balls, or individual cups of Greek yogurt parfaits keep healthy choices at the forefront of mind and accessible, averting the temptation to opt for something unhealthy. Keep healthy snacks out of sight and within reach at home, in the car, or at work. Regular reminders to consume balanced snacks throughout the day ensure that energy is sustained and that meals do not become excessive feasts.

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Personal Training for Busy Professionals: Time-Saving Tips and Workouts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/personal-training-time-saving-workouts-for-professionals/ Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39838 The post Personal Training for Busy Professionals: Time-Saving Tips and Workouts appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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For many busy professionals, carving out time for fitness can seem daunting. Exercise often falls to the wayside, from gruelling work hours to family responsibilities to social commitments. However, staying active is vital to being healthy, productive, and well in the long run. Time is everything, and exercise coaching is geared to save that essential commodity while working towards fitness goals. For busy professionals, personal training offers the convenience of tailored exercise plans, high-intensity intervals or circuit workouts, and flexible scheduling, allowing them to make fitness a consistent part of their lifestyle.

The Benefits of Personal Training for Busy Professionals

If you are a busy professional struggling to find time to work out, then personal training provides you with many benefits. Individual training provides a detailed and personalised approach so that no minute spent exercising is wasted, and you are constantly training towards a specific aim. While general workout plans can do wonders, personal training offers prescribed workouts that solidify efficiency — making decisions for you on what exercises will yield the most results in the least amount of time.

Accountability- One of the most significant benefits of exercise coaching for healthcare workers is accountability. When juggling work deadlines and individual responsibilities, it can be easy to miss a workout or lose motivation. A personal trainer ensures clients stay on track with their fitness goals, by arranging sessions, tracking improvement and providing continual motivation.” Such accountability helps busy professionals stay consistent, even on the busiest days.

Exercise coaching also allows you to personalise workouts according to fitness goals and time, among other factors. Most working-class people work on desks, resulting in bad posture, backache and stiffness. A personal trainer will create programs targeting these issues while building strength, endurance, and flexibility. Furthermore, exercise coaching involves time-saving workout approaches such as HIIT, circuit training, and functionality workouts to ensure that experts can exercise their bodies quickly.

Fitness also has excellent mental and emotional benefits, and exercise coaching has much to contribute. Increased productivity Staying active can help combat stress and improve cognitive functioning. If you are a busy professional with regular personal training sessions, you will observe better focus, decision-making, and energy levels throughout the work day. They can enjoy a healthy work-life balance while keeping their bodies and minds at peak job performance by optimising their fitness routine through personal training.

Time-Saving Strategies for Personal Training Success

busy working professionals, time is of the question with personal training. The good news is that with the right strategies in place, it doesn’t have to derail a regular fitness schedule. Data: Are you kidding me? Time-saving techniques designed to maximise workouts to fit into the lives of busy professionals are unforgiving.

Scheduling workouts as your most important meeting is one of the best ways to save time in personal training. Scheduling time for movement makes it non-negotiable during the day. Many busy professionals opt for workouts in the early morning to energise the day or avoid schedule conflicts. Others discover that midday or post-work exercise sessions work better with their schedules. The secret is to find a reliable time block and prioritise it.

You can also save time through high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT workouts consist of short periods of high-intensity exercise followed by a brief rest, which suits busy professionals who wish to maximise their results in the least amount of time. The beauty of a HIIT workout is that it gives you all the benefits of a longer workout in just a fraction of the time (a well-planned HIIT session can do it all in 20-30 minutes — seriously!) Wondering how? Read: How to Recover Effectively After A HIIT Workout. Exercise coaching sessions with HIIT help professionals torch calories, build muscle and improve cardiovascular health all without spending hours in the gym.

Another great time-savvy example of exercise coaching is circuit training. This approach performs several exercises consecutively with little rest, addressing multiple muscle areas simultaneously. Circuit training burns calories, builds strength, and improves endurance in a short amount of time. A personal trainer can help professionals design their circuit workouts to be effective, targeted to their desired outcomes, and efficient in using time.

Another time-saving strategy is using technology. Virtual personal training, mobile workout apps and online coaching are great ways to stay active for busy professionals who travel often or work unpredictable hours. From gymless workouts to skipping the smog traffic, such digital solutions help people to keep fit from anywhere without having to commute to a gym. And as you can apply these time-saving strategies in personal training, busy professionals can easily make fitness a part of their routine without compromising their work.

Efficient Workouts for Busy Professionals in Personal Training

Workouts need to be effective and time-efficient for busy professionals. Personal training teaches how to get the most out of workout sessions, which add necessary exercises that target different muscle groups, improve cardiovascular fitness, and increase overall strength. More efficient workout styles are used in personal training for working professionals with limited time.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the best workout method for busy professionals. You can burn as many calories in a 20-minute HIIT workout as possible in an hour of moderate-intensity exercise. Personal trainers create HIIT sessions using exercises such as burpees, jump squats, kettlebell swings, and mountain climbers to increase heart rate, enhance metabolism, and develop endurance. As the name suggests, HIIT’s short but intense nature makes it an excellent option for those with tight schedules.

Another fundamental aspect of exercise coaching for professionals is known as strength training. Prioritise compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and pull-ups to work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. A simple 30-minute strength workout can set up professionals with lean mass and better posture to avoid injuries from sitting all day. Personal trainers can ensure that strength workouts are tailored to fit time commitments and still have maximum benefits.

Functional training and great fitness for everyone is getting a workout with low and maximum impact, which is fantastic for professionals. Functional exercises help you to improve balance, coordination, fitness and overall mobility as they mimic real-life movements. Exercises such as lunges, planks and medicine ball rotations work those core muscles, building strength and stability that make it easier to do daily activities and decrease the risk of injury. Integrating yoga and functional fitness into exercise coaching programs offers busy professionals a highly efficient and functional approach to staying strong and agile.

One that works well is supersets, where two exercises involving different muscle groups are completed one after the other with little to no break. Minimising downtime between sets translates to a more efficient workout approach. Personal trainers commonly combine exercises like the bench press with rows or lunges with shoulder presses to get better results in less time. The purpose of personalised exercise is that the stress on your professional is on effective exercise methods; thus, an expert in good shape doesn’t have to dedicate buggy hours at the gym.

Balancing Work, Life, and Personal Training

Few are as challenging for busy professionals as juggling career, family life, and fitness. Read More: Exploring Different Personal Training Methods and Their Benefits Exercise coaching: Structured Solutions Personal training fills the gap in structured solutions. With innovative health and planning, professionals can adapt to regular exercise while mastering other careers.

Mastering Your Schedule to Balance Your Weightlifting With Your Work and Personal Life Developing a weekly workout plan and treating it like a crucial business meeting helps maintain consistency. Professionals who work strictly follow workout schedules during lunch breaks, before work, or just after office hours so that they do not revert to canceling workouts at the last minute.

Part of what personal trainers do is work with their clients to set realistic fitness goals that are compatible with their busy lives. Rather than long, time-consuming workouts, professionals can focus on short, high-impact sessions. A structured 30-minute workout three to four times weekly yields far better results than occasional hours-long gym sessions. With realistic expectations, professionals can carve out sustainable fitness habits with reduced stress.

Another great way to balance both is to incorporate movement throughout the day. Taking stairs instead of elevators, walking around when on phone calls, and doing desk exercises can add up. Many personal training programs include suggestions for incorporating movement throughout the day so that professionals can get plenty of movement even when not working out.

Do, at all costs, prioritise recovery and wellness. One must find ways to stay energised, avoid burnout with sleep, and stay hydrated and nourished. They assist with recovery techniques and strategies so professionals can maintain their course without losing effectiveness at the office. ACTA – A Comprehensive Approach to Exercise coaching for Busy Professionals: By adhering to a structured yet balanced personal-training journey, busy professionals can thrive with health, productivity, and work-life balance.

Conclusion

Personal training helps busy professionals balance their work-life-fitness. In short, prioritising structured, time-efficient workouts such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and strength training allows working adults to attain their desired fitness level without compromising precious time. Establishing realistic goals, allocating time to work out, scheduling essential meetings and using technology to your advantage toward flexibility can help make fitness and workout a part of an ever-demanding lifestyle. Also, personal training helps with accountability, motivation, and expert direction, guaranteeing that each workout is efficient and customised to individual requirements. Building a fitness regimen is paramount to physical health, mental acuity, energy and productivity. This way, a busy professional can stay active, engage in a healthy work-life balance with exercise coaching, and keep each aspect of their life in fine form — work, home, health, and state of mind.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Personal Training Course that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Personal trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not only does personal training help them stay consistent — workout structure, accountability, motivation — this demographic needs help balancing the demands of their schedule with their fitness needs. With busy work schedules and personal schedules, many working professionals find it difficult to stay committed to a fitness routine. Having a personal trainer will help schedule workouts, personalize them to your needs, and make them more efficient so it is easier to commit to working out regularly.Accountability is one of the most important things about personal training. Professionals are more likely to attend scheduled workouts when they are with a trainer, preventing missed sessions. Also, personal trainers are constantly monitoring progress and adjusting workout routines, so workouts remain fun and challenging, minimizing burnout and plateau.

One such field is personal training; which includes numerous time-saving workout approaches that maximize results in a short time frame, making it perfect for busy professionals. These could include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which combines short sessions of vigorous exercise with short intervals of rest. The same cardiovascular and strength benefits are provided by HIIT workouts that can be done in 20-30 minutes.Circuit training is another popular and effective method employed in personal training. It consists of performing what we call a circuit of exercises one after the other with little rest in between to keep working several muscle groups in a single hitting session. It helps in building endurance as well as burning calories and strength in a very efficient way.

Yes, personal training can be very effective if done properly a few sessions a week. Therefore, the quality of workout becomes the crucial point to consider here as people don’t have time to go to the gym every day. A good personal training program delivers maximum results with only 2–3 sessions per week. Training shall be personal session, training shall be full body workout that we make maximum input of training. Individuals build strength, endurance, and flexibility in a short amount of time through high-intensity training, strength circuits, and functional exercises. They also advise clients on how to stay in shape at home, or how to fit in additional workouts if they’re not seeing the trainer consistently.

If you’re a busy professional looking to make fitness part of your everyday life, virtual personal training could be the answer to your prayers. Virtual sessions allow for individuals to train from home, the office or even when away, saving both time in commuting and scheduling conflicts. This availability allows professionals to work out irrespective of their busy jobs.Personalized coaching is another major upside of virtual personal training. Instead, trainers develop bespoke workout plans, offer feedback in real-time and keep motivation levels high via video calls, checking each movement that clients perform is the most effective version of itself. This level of guidance keeps you accountable regardless of being in the gym.

Nutrition is one of the most vital parts of personal training for professionals, providing the energy necessary for optimal performance, aiding recovery, and maintaining health and fitness at all times. It can be hard for busy professionals to maintain regular eating patterns, which can lead to energy crashes and underperformance in the gym. A proper diet allows them to fuel high-intensity workouts and focus all day long.Adequate protein consumption is critical for muscle repair and recovery, particularly following strength workouts. Lean proteins (meats, eggs, dairy and plant-based) maintain muscle mass and stave off fatigue. Carbs fuel the energy needed to maintain a level of exercise intensity, while healthy fats help power the brain and keep joints healthy.

By improving physical fitness, mental clarity, and overall well-being, personal training greatly boosts work performance, leading to increased energy and productivity. Fitness promotes heart health, muscle endurance, and strength enabling busy professionals to stay energised all day long. A structured PT program can reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality and improve posture thus helping to introduce better focus and productivity in work.While the methods influence outcomes, you will also lookup cognitive role through engaging in personal Training. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improving mental alertness and enhancing memory and problem-solving skills. Endorphins released during exercise can lower anxiety levels and improve mood, thus increasing motivation and resilience in professional situations.

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Maintaining Health and Vitality for Aging in Personal Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/health-vitality-for-aging-with-personal-training/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39834 The post Maintaining Health and Vitality for Aging in Personal Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The health you have achieved is as precious as possible, and nothing is more important than taking care of yourself to continue with a healthy spirit. This is where Fitness coaching can be vital in helping older adults remain active, which prevents the onset of age-related disease processes and also improves their general health and well-being. With the addition of structured exercise regimens, nutrition, and health strategies, Fitness coaching can keep older adults strong, mobile, and independent. Personal training for older people: Why does it matter? Fitness programs, personal trainer

The Role of Personal Training in Aging Wellness

Personal training becomes a fantastic way to keep our bodies healthy, strong, and functional as we age. Physically, as we age, we lose muscle mass, decrease bone density, slow our metabolism, and face stiffening joints. These increase the likelihood of falls, injuries and chronic diseases. Personal trainers can create tailored exercise programs that can improve the quality of life & address these dilemmas of its fair share.

An adequately structured Fitness coaching program emphasises resistance training to prevent muscle loss, cardiovascular exercise for cardiovascular health and flexibility training to ensure mobility. Moreover, personal trainers can help evaluate an individual’s fitness level, medical history, and specific goals to design safe and effective exercise programs. However, personal training can help improve your physical form and promote better mental health by encouraging social contacts, enhancing self-esteem and reducing stress. Older adults can have a better quality of life and maintain their independence with regular personal training into older age.

Two of the most critical aspects of Fitness coaching are accountability and motivation. Older adults face challenges with regular exercise, perhaps because of fatigue, lack of motivation, or injury concerns. As a sonic guide, a personal trainer knows how to guide the client, motivate them to push through each session and make it productive and in line with the client’s potential. Fitness coaching sessions are very flexible; if someone suffers from an injury or health issue, it is still possible to adapt exercises to fit their needs. This is crucial for aging adults who wish to remain healthy and active, making Fitness coaching a vital tool.

However, personal training also has things that you learn as a benefit. Trainers also provide valuable information on posture, breathing techniques, and movement mechanics that can minimise injury risk and increase the effectiveness of workouts. This helps prepare seniors to exercise safely, even away from their scheduled sessions. In conclusion, personal training develops a sustainable fitness routine for aging individuals that contributes positively to their physical and mental health, allowing them to lead healthier and more independent lives.

Essential Exercise Components for Aging Adults

Older people need a balanced program that, like an adult regimen, involves strength training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, and balance. Personal training guarantees that it meets these needs as it is tailored individually for older clients to enhance their overall vitality and minimise age-related deterioration.

Strength works as the foundation of personal training for older adults. As you age, muscle mass naturally declines, as does strength, good posture and joint stability; resistance training helps counter some age-related changes. Fueled by the above research, personal trainers may supplement muscular endurance with bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, free weights, and machines to achieve positive fitness results with a lower injury guarantee. Research indicates that regular strength training effectively slows sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), improves bone density, and lowers the risk for osteoporosis and fractures.

Aging adults also benefit extensively from cardiovascular fitness, a far more critical feature personal trainers offer. Exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or low-impact aerobics benefit heart health, circulation and endurance. A personal trainer could create moderate-intensity cardio workouts that keep older adults active without pushing their bodies too far. Better cardiovascular health also significantly decreases the risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and stroke.

Flexibility and balance exercises are key for preventing falls and improving mobility. Yoga, dynamic stretching, and balance drills should be part of Fitness coaching programs to aid coordination, posture, and range of motion. Quirky but fatigued, like old someones’ inside a similarly creaky body, exercise like single-leg stands, heel-to-toe walking and stability ball workouts can all enable aging dudes to improve their balance — key to maintaining assurance in everyday movements for older people.

To get the most out of these exercises, Fitness coaching sessions should be planned so that we can allow for recovery and progress. Because overtraining can lead to injury, aging people should follow a program with rest days and active recovery methods, such as gentle stretching and mobility drills. Personal trainers can also help clients use appropriate form and technique, minimising the risk of strains and overuse injuries. Fitness coaching takes a holistic approach by keeping older adults strong, functional, and independent well into their golden years through strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance training.

Nutrition and Recovery Strategies in Personal Training for Aging Individuals

An ideal personal training program for older adults would include proper nutrition and recovery methods. Exercise is not enough; energy levels will fall without adequately fueling the body and resting enough to allow muscle recovery and limit inflammation.

Older people need customised nutrition in personal training programs. This can be beneficial for muscle preservation and recovery as protein is  essential. Include lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes and dairy products in every meal to help repair muscles. Taking healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and olive oil can help lower joint inflammation and heart disease.

Another component of aging wellness is hydration. As people age, their perception of thirst worsens, and dehydration is prevalent. It is essential that personal trainers educate their clients on the role that water plays in supporting digestion, helping to avoid joint pain, and maintaining energy throughout the day.

The recovery method is as vital as Fitness coaching for senior citizens. Rest days, practising active recovery methods and getting good sleep are essential for your well-being. Gentle stretching, foam rolling, and deep breathing exercises can promote blood flow and relaxation of the muscle. Sleep hygiene should also be encouraged by personal trainers, and it is vital that the client is made aware of the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding stimulants in the hours before sleep and creating a restful environment.

Nutrition and recovery are linked. Clients should be booked around meal planning when they are grumpy from cooking dinner and hungry after working out. Much of the same can be said for supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that may support joint health and reduce inflammation. Because it can be better than the exercise itself, exercise coaching combined with sound nutrition and recovery strategies can maximise the effects and ensure that older adult individuals can achieve their fitness, vitality, and health goals for the future.

Mental and Emotional Well-Being in Personal Training for Aging Clients

Personal training is not just physical; it is also vital for ageing humans’ mental and emotional health. Regular exercise is known to lower stress and elevate cognitive performance while lifting one’s mood, so personal training is a great method for maintaining mental health on all fronts.

With advancing age come challenges like loneliness, depression, and anxiety. By participating in a structured personal training program, seniors are given a sense of purpose, motivation, and social interaction. Group fitness classes, one-on-one training sessions, and virtual coaching can connect aging individuals and keep them engaged for many hours of the day, thereby decreasing isolation.

Cognitive health is also an essential component of healthy aging. Studies have shown that regular exercise may lower the risk of both Alzheimer’s and dementia, both neurodegenerative diseases. Memory-enhancing exercises, coordination drills, and even mindfulness practices are key components of exercise coaching programs designed to help older adults keep their minds sharp.

Personal trainers can promote an optimistic mindset in their older clients through goal-setting, remaining mindful of small steps in progress, and encouraging a growth mindset towards fitness. Teaching them to build up their self-esteem is a way to make them more independent so they can accept an active and healthy lifestyle as they age.

Conclusion

Stay healthy and active as you age with the right strategy for Personal training. Older adults can maintain their physical function and independence with strength training, cardiovascular exercises, flexibility routines, and balance drills. Adequate nutrition, hydration and recovery strategies complete the holistic picture. Other advantages of personal training include mental and emotional ones, as personal training reduces stress, improves cognitive function and provides community. An aging body will not limit your ability and opportunities to train; instead, it will allow you to take a proactive approach to training. With the help of exercise coaching, seniors can lead healthier lifestyles, avoid chronic illnesses, and stay strong well into their later years. Personal trainers can educate aging exercisers in safe, effective, enjoyable exercise programming for lifelong health and wellness.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Personal Training Course that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Personal trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the aging population, exercise coaching provides customised workout plans that consider their unique requirements to keep them strong, mobile, and independent. Muscle mass diminishes naturally, and bone density and joint stiffness develop. Staying active as you age is essential. Most Exercise coaching addresses these issues via resistance, cardio or flexibility training. A certified personal trainer evaluates an individual’s fitness level, goals and medical history to create a safe and effective workout regimen. Personal training also promotes consistency, accountability, and motivation — all vital for enduring success.

An effective personal training program for older adults will incorporate strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility and balance. Strength training can help counteract muscle loss, maintain bone density and support joint stability, lowering the risk of falls and fractures. A personal trainer will often utilise resistance bands, free weights and bodyweight exercises, which safely build muscle. Aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling promote heart health, circulation, and endurance. (Flexibility and mobility exercises such as yoga and stretching also maintain range of motion and help with stiffness.) Balance activities, such as single-leg holds and stability ball drills, improve coordination and reduce fall risk. A certified personal trainer can adapt exercises to an individual’s fitness level while maintaining safety and effectiveness.

As people age, there is less muscle mass, stiffer joints and slower reaction times, all of which raise fall risk. Resistance exercises, such as those offered in personal training, help mitigate these issues by conditioning the muscles of the legs. This, in turn, encourages better stability and coordination. Exercises enhancing balance, such as heel-to-toe walking, single-leg stands, and motions that strengthen our core, will promote better proprioception and control of our body. Flexibility regimes such as stretching and yoga encourage joint mobility and minimise stiffness and the risk of falls. Moreover, personal trainers teach clients correct movement patterns, how to correct their posture, and fall-prevention techniques to keep clients safer in everyday life.

The benefits of personal training for aging adults extend beyond physical fitness. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which minimise stress, anxiety and depression and create a sense of well-being. Personal training fosters social interaction, whether it be through group workouts or one-on-one sessions, which can help fight feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced by many aging individuals. Furthermore, personalised training plans can also improve mental performance by boosting your memory, attention and problem-solving skills. Research suggests that engaging in regular physical activity can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Motivation, goal setting , and tracking progress from personal trainers help achieve milestones and increase self-confidence.

This is achieved through a careful balance of what to eat and when to eat, which, combined with personal training, will help achieve people’s goals regardless of age, as the focus shifts towards maintaining strength as people age rather than just building it. Since protein consumption is necessary to repair muscles and recover from an injury, seniors should include lean meats, eggs, fish, legumes, and dairy in their diet. Healthy fats from nuts, avocados and olive oil reduce inflammation and promote joint health. Hydration is also key because older adults are more likely to become dehydrated. Adequate water intake facilitates digestion, circulation, and energy. In addition, eating nutrient-dense foods with vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, helps to maintain immunity and bone strength.

The most effective frequency you want to train at varies per level of fitness, beginners may be best suited training two to three sessions per week to ensure a good foundation is built, with the more active involved in four to five personal training sessions a week as a good balance. Strength training, which should cover all major muscle groups, should be done at least twice a week to preserve muscle mass and bone density, and cardiovascular exercise should be done three to five times a week to keep the heart healthy. Incorporate flexibility and balance exercises daily to improve mobility and reduce fall risk. The body has time to heal and adapt to workouts — just as important as the workouts themselves.

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Utilizing Technology and AI in Modern Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/utilizing-technology-and-ai-in-modern-sports-coaching/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39796 The post Utilizing Technology and AI in Modern Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Technology has changed almost every area of modern life, and sports coaching has been no different. By using data analytics and wearables, virtual reality training and AI (artificial intelligence), coaches are using technology to tell them how best to improve player performance, develop strategies, and even reduce the risk of injury.

From video analytics to performance tracking, technology in sports coaching has transformed how teams train, prepare, and compete. With the increasing competition in sports and the rise in pace, adopting technology has become vital for a team to stay ahead.

Data Analytics and Performance Tracking in Sports Coaching

Data analytics is one of the biggest advancements in sports coaching. Coaches and analysts now compile huge amounts of data about player performance, game statistics, and opponent strategy. By utilizing this data-driven approach, coaches can make more informed decisions and individually tailor the training process to each athlete.

Coaches can use performance tracking tools such as GPS devices, motion sensors, etc., to measure three-dimensional speed and endurance measurements and even to get real-time movement patterns. These metrics aid in recognising strengths and weaknesses, allowing for tailored training regimens that enhance overall performance.

TrojanBricks This type of analysis prepares gamers with skills to enhance performance via constant feedback on activities within the game using video analysis software that delivers gameplay footage without losing any frame, enabling coaches to prepare for the candidates with both technical and tactical execution.

Predictive modelling is another important element of data analytics in sports coaching. A machine learning algorithm analyses historical data to predict fatigue, potential injury risks, and the ideal training loads for players. This algorithm responds ahead of time to minimise injuries and improve recovery times while keeping athletes at their peak performance throughout the season.

Data-focused analytics play a crucial role in modern-day sports coaching as teams now have access to evidence-based decision-making that can contribute to better outcomes on the field, personalised training strategies, and more efficient equipment and facilities usage. Data-driven analytics lab: Monitoring of their fitness–Athletes like to track their progress and performance with precision.

Wearable Technology and Athlete Monitoring for Sports Coaching

Sports coach apparel has fundamentally changed the game by providing  biometric analysis of athlete performance in running, cycling and swimming. With technological advances, coaches can now use devices like smartwatches, heart rate monitors and GPS trackers to monitor essential metrics like heart rate, oxygen levels, hydration and fatigue levels. This real-time data aids coaches in finding an optimal range of training intensity, monitoring each athlete not to overdo themselves and, therefore, avoid injury.

Injury prevention is among the most significant advantages of wearable technology in sports coaching. Biomechanics and movement patterns allow coaches to pinpoint injury risk before it becomes severe. For instance, motion capture sensors that measure an athlete’s gait can identify and address imbalances before an injury occurs.

Monitor real-time and remote coaching of wearables and the popularity of modern sports. Particularly, this is a process in which athletics can train independently to allow for real-time data to be transmitted back to coaches — helping to keep continuous tabs on changes to performance and hold their interest, which is particularly helpful for teams and athletes who may not always have direct access to their coaches.

Recovery tracking is another prominent feature of wearable technology in sports coaching. Athletes want to optimise their recovery processes, and these devices measure all sorts of historical recovery information, such as sleep quality, muscle recovery, and stress levels. This is thankless work, but sustainable performance is one of the best reasons to recover well.

Unlike anything the world has ever seen, wearables are taking sports coaching to the next level to make it brighter, faster and more personal by adding technology to training programs. As a result, coaches can make data-driven decisions that improve performance while taking care of athletes’ health, with the final compensation of getting better results on the field.

Virtual Reality and Simulation Sports Training

Sports coaching has taken an entirely new dimension with the introduction of virtual reality (VR) and simulation training. These technologies allow players to practice in hyper-realistic settings that simulate in-game experiences without real play’s physical wear and tear. Virtual reality has become a game changer regarding skill development, tactical training, and response time.

In sports coaching, virtual reality enables athletes to practice challenging circumstances in a high-pressure environment. For example, in football, quarterbacks can use VR to practice reading defenses and making split-second decisions, while soccer players can simulate penalty kicks to perfect their accuracy and composure. Such training develops cognition and game intelligence, two key factors for high-performance sports.

Simulation training includes injury rehabilitation. Athletes returning from injury, for example, can use VR to perform low-impact drills that keep their minds and muscle memory sharp while recovering. This maintains an emotional connection to sport and primes athletes when they progress to full activity.

VR allows managers to study the movements and decision-making of players in real time. Coaches review immersive footage to issue instant feedback, enabling athletes to correct laughs in a looser environment than physical training methods without the toll on the body.

In sports coaching, VR is beneficial for strategy formulation. Teams can use it to create scenarios for future matches, enabling athletes to practice their responses to various game situations, which is opponent-wise. It allows for such preparation that the team gap is often tiny on game day.

As it develops, VR technology will play an even more significant role in sports coaching. VR training provides an experience closer to what is expected in a competitive setting, meaning athletes receive the mental and physical training required to achieve their best performance.

Artificial Intelligence and Smart Coaching Systems

AI redefines sports coaching through automated data analytics, improved game tactics, and better athlete training. The technology in AI-based coaching systems can analyse performance data, detect trends in the data, and offer relevant insights to coaches and sportspeople.

Game Analysis: One of the most significant uses of AI in sports coaching is that AI-powered software can comb through thousands of hours of game footage, pinpointing clutch plays, strategies and vulnerabilities in an opponent’s approach. This empowers coaches to make tactical, data-driven adjustments to ensure their team has the best chance of victory.

AI also offers personalised coaching by tailoring training programs to assist an athlete to meet specific goals. Using biometric information for individuals, performance metrics, and historical data, AI can deliver tailored training processes to optimise professional development and fitness. This level of tailoring guarantees that athletes are given the guidance they need to unlock their full capability.

Real-time decision support is another main benefit of AI in sports coaching. AI can analyse data in real-time during live games, helping coaches decide whether to change players, switch strategies or detect opposing tendencies. This real-time analysis enables faster, better-informed decision-making, which can be the difference between winning and losing.

AI is also used in injury prevention and recovery. Of course, if you can look at movement patterns and workload data and apply some more AI-driven insight around the risk of injury or how to modify your training intensity to avoid injury, this is important—it allows athletes to remain healthy and competitive!

With the rapid development of AI technology, its influence on sports coaching will expand. AI can process vast amounts of data, automate analyses, and deliver instant insights, making it a valuable tool for coaches seeking competitive advantage. Incorporating AI-driven coaching systems will allow sports teams to streamline performance, improve strategies, and maximise player development

Conclusion

Fast-paced and modern sports coaching has achieved new heights and has revolutionised with innovative technology. As data analytics, wearable technology, AR/VR, and artificial intelligence improve the precision and efficiency of coaches training and developing athletes, coaching methods will change accordingly. Its advancements will undoubtedly help coaches and teams reach new heights of success. This will truly make all the difference in the athletes’ longevity, health, and well-being, as well as provide a fantastic competitive advantage for the coaches and trainers who learn to embrace this technology. Technology in sports coaching is not an option; now, it has become necessary for success in every walk of sports.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Data-driven strategies, real-time performance tracking, and personalised training plans ensure technology keeps enhancing sports coaching. On the other hand, it enables coaches to help analyse the motions of their players, keep tabs on fitness stats, and form strategies based on empirical data. Video analysis tools, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence-powered analytics allow coaches to assess athletes’ performance and track their improvement. Technology in training makes training sessions more efficient and specific to individual requirements.

Wearables track essential metrics such as heart rate, hydration, and movement, aiding coaches in optimising training loads or preventing injuries. By constantly monitoring an athlete’s physical state, coaches can determine the best way to analyse performance and recovery. They also enable athletes to train remotely while sending their coaches real-time data. However, we also have to understand that wearable technology reports performance and is an essential part of rehabilitation, tracking recovery rates that provide insights into athletes’ return to competition safely and efficiently.

VR also gives athletes near-realistic worlds to practice skills and strategies without expending physical effort. It simulates real-game scenarios that enhance decision-making, reaction time, and mental preparation. VR is especially useful for mental training, and even worse for athletes, that places them in high-pressure situations without real world consequences. It is also prevalent in injury recovery, enabling athletes to participate in low-impact drills that keep their minds and bodies sharp while recovering from those injuries.

No, AI is a powerful tool that amplifies coaching but cannot replace human instinct, experience, and motivation. AI assists in decision-making by processing data and delivering real-time information and insights. But coaching is built on mentorship, leadership and interpersonal relationships that AI will never be able to replace. Despite AI’s ability to crunch enormous amounts of performance data, coaches offer emotional support, help with strategic planning, and team management that will never be replaced

Innovative tracking devices and AI-based analytic systems quickly identify movement imbalances and tendencies to be overused, enabling the coach to customise an athlete’s training intensity and technique to counteract the threat of injury and enhance their safety on the field. These insights facilitate early interventions, allowing athletes to keep their conditioning at its peak while minimising the risk of permanent damage.

The future of sports coaching lies in even more AI-driven analytics, advanced biometrics, and virtual training tools. These technological advances will enhance performance and increase athlete longevity.

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Positive Reinforcement and Feedback in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/positive-reinforcement-and-feedback-in-sports-coaching/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39797 The post Positive Reinforcement and Feedback in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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As an athlete, the role that feedback and positive reinforcement play in sports coaching typically helps with athlete development, motivation, and overall team performance. The impact of coaches on an athlete’s confidence, skills and competitive mindset is critical. Offering specific feedback and constructive but positive reinforcement techniques might help athletes stay motivated, improve performance, and develop more resilience and mental agility around challenges.

Feedback in sports coaching is critical to helping athletes identify their strengths and weaknesses. Positive reinforcement encourages effort and commitment. When provided well, feedback accelerates skill development, increases motivation, and promotes a growth mindset. On the flip side, positive reinforcement reinforces a desired behaviour, enhances self-confidence, and strengthens the athlete-coach bond.

The Importance of Feedback in Sports Coaching

Feedback, which is one of the strongest weapons in a sports coaching. It has a great impact on an athlete’s capacity to learn, adapt, and ultimately improve. This targeted information helps athletes improve their skills, adjust errors, and gain a better understanding of their performance.

The most significant advantage of feedback in sports coaching is skill improvement. However, coaches who give precise, time-sensitive, and actionable feedback can help athletes grasp not just what they’re doing well but also what’s stale. When feedback is vague or extremely critical, it can make athletes feel confused or limited and hinder their progress.

Constructive feedback is another important source of confidence for athletes. When athletes are given both encouraging and instructional feedback, they are more likely to meet challenges and step outside their comfort zones. Think about balancing the feedback you give while including positives and a supportive method to improve.

Another critical factor for effective feedback is timeliness. Immediate feedback after/between practice reinforces learning and practice adjustments. In these situations, delayed feedback may not be as effective, as the athlete may not remember what they did or did not do during the performance.

By adding self-reflection to feedback sessions, athletes are empowered to own their development. By making athletes self-review their performance, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and progress, this creates a sense of accountability and motivation.

Positive Reinforcement Techniques for Sports Coaching

One such strategy is positive reinforcement, which is incredibly effective in sports coaching. It helps athletes continue good behaviours, stay motivated, and build a good work ethic. When applied correctly, positive reinforcement helps athletes connect their efforts with success, yielding greater confidence and engagement with training and competition.

Verbal praise is one of the most widely used techniques for positive reinforcement by sports coaches. Positive affirmations like “You did a great job on that pass!” or “Excellent footwork!” can significantly affect an athlete’s confidence and motivation. Praise for specific behaviours is more motivating than a simple pat on the back; the coach reinforces the desirable behaviours they wish to see as a leader.

Body language, such as a thumbs-up, a pat on the back, or nodding the head, is a similar effective tool for reinforcing positive behaviour. These actions communicate support and encouragement without disrupting the practice or competition process.

This applies to sports coaching as well. Although rewards do not always need to be material, acknowledging an athlete’s hard work with incentives, such as additional playing time, the opportunity for a leadership role, or even small tokens, can help solidify good behaviours. Yet the challenge is to use rewards wisely to encourage performance based on intrinsic motivators rather than dependency on external benefits.

Goal setting is a form of positive reinforcement and can be very successful. On the other hand, encouraging athletes to set performance (short-term) and outcome (long-term) goals and celebrating their results will help them stay on track and motivated. Celebrating small milestones along the way increases motivation and strengthens commitment.

Use positive reinforcement consistently and fairly among all athletes to prevent favouritism or unintended negative repercussions. When coaches effectively apply reinforcement techniques, they establish an atmosphere that promotes confidence, discipline, and a dedication to ongoing growth.

Balancing Constructive Criticism with Encouragement

Part of sports coaching is striking a balance between offering constructive criticism while still holding a supportive hand. Athletes must understand which areas of focus are required without discouragement or demotivation. How you deliver feedback also matters greatly regarding an athlete’s willingness to learn and grow.

One method that works well is the “sandwich technique”, where you start with positive feedback, follow it up with negative feedback and then give positive reinforcement. For example, a coach might say, “You played  hard in today’s game! “One thing to work on when you are pressured is that you haven’t always been accurate with your passing, but I know that you will get better — you do — fast.” How? Because every powerful critique is preceded by praise, this technique allows athletes to hear what they need while remaining on the positive side of the evaluation.

Constructive criticism should always be solution-oriented and specific. Instead of simply highlighting what they did wrong, coaches should present clear, actionable steps for their improvement. If a player says, “Your defence was weak today,” they can instead say, “To give yourself a better defensive stance, try getting lower and getting up on your toes.

Encouragement should also be authentic and constant, which combatants need to hear—improvement takes time. Far more than the results themselves, coaches should emphasise effort and persistence. Celebrating small wins cultivates a growth mindset and resilience in athletes.

Individual feedback is another way to find a balance of critique and encouragement. Because each athlete reacts to coaching styles differently, the secret is knowing your athlete’s personality and motivation well. Some respond well to direct asking and firm feedback, while others may need reassurance and encouragement.

Instead, sports coaching is a motivational and supportive process that combines constructive criticism with positive reinforcement, allowing athletes to improve their skills while preserving their confidence and enthusiasm.

Creating a Feedback-Rich Environment in Sports Coaching

Sports coaching is one of the most responsive environments for feedback and positive reinforcement; to get the most from them, they need to be built into the learning process. Students should also feel safe from criticism, and that feedback is given to help them, not destroy them.

Creating an environment conducive to upholding open communication is key to building a feedback-rich culture. Providing Athletes with Spaces to Talk Some coaches are excellent at creating spaces for athletes to ask questions, seek clarification, or express concerns. When you listen to your athletes, they are more open to your coaching (and guidance) and feedback.

Conducting regular performance reviews can also boost the effectiveness of your feedback. Regular one-on-one meetings with the athlete: Discuss progress, challenges, and objectives. The sessions ensure structured feedback, with more ground to discuss improving performance.

In the face of this thinking, we have peer feedback, which can also be a great addition to sports coaching. Encouraging teammates to help each other grow fosters a learning culture and accountability. Since athletes often respond better when coaches request input from peers, feedback is likely to be received with an open mind when it comes from teammates.

Technology, too, can help create a feedback-rich environment. Objective and actionable feedback: Video analysis, performance-tracking apps, and wearable devices yield objective data for coaches to help athletes understand what they should work on. In this way, athletes are cognizant of their progress and where they need to adjust.

The focus on establishing a growth mindset in the team helps athletes understand feedback so they can leverage it to improve instead of considering it as criticism. By focusing on learning, effort, and ability to bounce back instead of performance, athletes are willing to work hard and take risks to become better.

Conclusion

Feedback, reinforcement and punishments are a massive part of any sports coaching program, including how well kids develop as athletes, how motivated they are, and how well their team does. Effective feedback allows athletes to refine skills, eliminate errors, and build confidence. Positive reinforcement builds desirable behaviours, encourages enthusiasm, and creates a positive training environment. A tip for coaches here would be to find the right balance between constructive criticism and encouragement. Without seeing this balance, how a coach talks will always detract from an athlete’s motivation to keep trying. Sports coaching catalyses personal and athletic development when integrated into a culture that embraces feedback.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Athletes learn what they excel at and what to focus on by receiving feedback, which they later utilise to develop skills and boost performance. Constructive feedback builds self-confidence, corrects errors, and encourages a growth mindset. Positive segments and relevant feedback are critical to determining the correct information at the right time. That way, athletes would better understand how they were improving and stay motivated with training without any feedback.

Positive reinforcement is motivating. Athletes benefit from appreciation of their hard work, improvement, and success. It instils confidence, boosts resilience, and enhances a supportive training environment. Then, reinforce desired actions through verbal praise, nonverbal behaviour, or rewards. Athletes are like flowers that bloom under attention, and if they feel valued and appreciated, they tend to stay motivated, focused, and engaged in their training sessions.

Coaches can also use the “sandwich technique”—beginning with something positive, followed by constructive criticism, and wrapping up with encouragement. By delivering specific solution-oriented feedback, you help athletes know where to improve while remaining motivated. Focusing on effort and progress, rather than just results, also keeps a positive, progressive spin on the coaching environment.

Open communication, conducting performance reviews, peer feedback, and leveraging technology for close/ objective assessments. Establishing a culture where feedback is framed as a vehicle for growth instead of ridicule facilitates athletes to stay open-minded and eager for improvement.

It gives them a chance to look at what they did, what they did well and what they need to work on. Athletes are responsible and can think for themselves — they self-evaluate and understand their games well.

Tools like video analysis, performance-tracking applications, and wearable gadgets give instructors and players measurable data. What surprises me is how much these tools can help deliver precise feedback and track progress and areas for improvement, making feedback not only effective but also measurable.

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Yoga and Positive Psychology the Science of Happiness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-and-positive-psychology-the-science-of-happiness/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39700 The post Yoga and Positive Psychology the Science of Happiness appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The role of yoga exercise for physical and mental well-being was well-known long ago. Yoga is a complete practice beyond just a series of postures to improve flexibility, strength, and emotional stability. However, when combined with the principles of positive psychology and the scientific study of happiness, yoga can be a strong source of building joy and resilience.

Positive psychology examines topics like gratitude, mindfulness, and personal strengths, which are common themes in yoga’s teachings. Yoga promotes mindfulness and self-awareness, which help counter stress and cultivate positive thoughts. Scientific research shows that regular yoga exercises increase the secretion of endorphins and lower the cortisol level, helping achieve wellness.

The Connection Between Yoga Exercise and Happiness

A state of happiness is not an ephemeral, floating sentiment but a dynamic state that can be achieved and maintained through certain practices; yoga’s philosophy, however, aligns with much of what positive psychology emphasises (gratitude, optimism and personal strengths). Yoga exercises practice mindfulness, helping you to be here and now. Research shows that performing yoga releases endorphins (natural mood-elevating chemicals) in the body, which helps to make us feel more joyful and relaxed. Yoga also builds a sense of achievement, mainly when you master challenging poses, which boosts self-esteem and confidence.

Besides, yoga promotes deep breathing and meditation practices that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to alleviate stress and regulate emotions. With some yoga, you can further increase this happiness by practising positive psychology techniques, like maintaining a gratitude journal or doing acts of kindness. Regular yoga practice automatically stabilises emotions, making it easier to have a positive outlook.

Beyond individual advantages, yoga can encourage social bonds, another critical element of happiness. Group classes also offer a feeling of belonging as people can connect and support one another in their yoga journeys.’ Yoga’s community aspect also strengthens emotional health, helping to alleviate loneliness and increase overall well-being. Interweaving yoga exercises with positive psychology principles also breeds transformative personal and interpersonal happiness.

How Yoga Exercise Supports Emotional Well-being

Another principle of positive psychology is emotion regulation—learning how to respond to the ups and downs of life with grace. In this role, yoga exercise is essential because it keeps you relaxed and relieves stress. Techniques like Pranayama teach us to breathe deeply, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces cortisol levels and helps calm a racing mind. Practising yoga consistently strengthens the mind-body connection and allows practitioners to be more mindful of their feelings rather than react impulsively.

This greater awareness of self-furthering is a central tenets of positive psychology that allow people to practice gratitude, self-endorsement, and indifference. Poses like child’s pose and savasana are especially good for calming the nervous system and releasing stored tension. Furthermore, incorporating mindfulness and meditation into yoga has been scientifically proven to correlate with greater happiness. Yoga exercise allows people to transform negative thoughts into positive affirmations and shines a better light on the world.

By promoting a healthy processing of difficult emotions, yoga nourishes emotional balance. Yoga encourages us to acknowledge our emotions instead and does not teach us to turn off those feelings but to become more aware and practice compassion for ourselves, ultimately creating emotional intelligence. The role of habits in well-being is also highlighted in positive psychology, and adding yoga as part of a daily practice provides a stable routine that promotes mental stability. According to studies, people who regularly practice yoga are less anxious and depressed and report greater life satisfaction and emotional resilience.

Yoga also nurtures social connection, another pillar of positive psychology. Going to yoga classes or practising in a group encourages a sense of community and support. People do better with connection, and being supported by other people improves emotional health. Regular yoga exercise enables individuals to reach an emotional balance that leads to long-term happiness and quick thinking.

The Role of Yoga Exercise in Building Resilience

On a basic level, resilience is one of the elements of positive psychology, preventing humans from starting from scratch after each hardship. Yoga builds resilience by teaching practitioners to remain calm, centred, and adaptable. Life brings challenges and comes with stress and uncertainty, but with yoga, people learn to approach challenges with a sense of balance and calm.

The physical element of yoga develops endurance, whilst the focus needed to hold poses such as tree pose, or warrior pose builds determination and resilience. Mindfulness is a key principle in yoga and positive psychology, promoting practitioners’ ability to process emotions constructively and providing hope amid adversity. Breathwork techniques—Ujjayi breathing, for example—are powerful stress and anxiety management tools, allowing for grounding and relaxation amid pressure.

The meditative aspect of yoga exercises strengthens cognitive flexibility, critical in problem-solving and adaptability to change. Regular yoga is associated with higher emotional intelligence, leading to more straightforward and confident life navigation. Moreover, engaging in yoga cultivates self-compassion, another crucial characteristic of resilience, encouraging a nonjudgmental approach toward oneself. Yoga exercise is most effective when combined with positive psychology interventions, for example, setting meaningful goals and reframing challenges as opportunities to create a transformative practice for inner strength and well-being.

Yoga also cultivates a growth mindset, an essential piece of resilience. With regular yoga practice, you discover that struggles are only temporary and that keeping going pays off. This way of thinking applies in other areas of life because you learn to see failures as an opportunity to learn instead of defeat. By combining yoga and positive psychology, resilience is at the heart of something that can be learned and built upon.

Achieving Long-term Happiness Through Yoga Exercise

Through these techniques, the practitioner desires to develop abiding happiness and fulfilment, which is the goal of Yoga and positive psychology. It is the pleasure of the moment, and most of the time, these seem to offer a fair amount of joy, but they will soon go. Happiness leads to a holistic approach, and yoga exercises promote the mind, body, and spirit to achieve long-lasting well-being.

Scientific research demonstrates that those who practice yoga regularly experience less depression and greater life satisfaction. The first reason is that yoga teaches mindfulness, which helps lower overthinking and elevate present-moment awareness. This mindfulness goes hand in hand with happiness, reducing ifs and maybes about the past and future. Yoga also encourages self-discipline and a routine aspect, which, in turn, brings you positive habits that beget actual happiness over extended periods.

Yoga exercise is a highly effective tool for finding joy and well-being combined with positive psychology practises, such as gratitude, kindness and achievable goals. Yoga has social and spiritual aspects that contribute to happiness because this activity enables us to practice in community settings that inspire connection and support. Thereby cultivating inner peace through the practice employed in your daily life, happiness overall, encapsulating all that is needed for a whole life, thus integrating yoga as it stands into your lifestyle.

Unpacking the Science of Happiness with Yoga Exercises: When we practice with intention and mindfulness, we can unlock the science of happiness and holistic well-being. Regular yoga practice is a path that can lead toward sustainable, robust, and long-term happiness and satisfaction with life.

Conclusion

Yoga exercise and positive psychology complement one another to foster happiness, resiliency, and emotional well-being. Combining physical movement and conscious control of breath with psychological practices and meditation can help one lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Yoga exercises facilitate the development of emotional intelligence, improve relationships, and bring a sensation of complete satisfaction. Through yoga and positive insights, this combination can provide the tools to develop a positive outlook on life and foster a commitment to building skills for better well-being and meaningful flourishing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga exercise is perfect for mental health as it helps relieve stress, improves mood, and regulates emotional stability. It does this by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s relaxation response and reduces the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Yoga encourages harmony and concentration through breathwork, movement and meditation, enabling practitioners to be better equipped to handle their emotions. Regular practice will further instil self-awareness & emotional intelligence to make one feel more in control of one’s thoughts & reactions. Yoga also increases mindfulness, which helps people be present for the current time rather than worrying about past disappointments or future concerns.

Yes, yoga exercise helps reduce anxiety to a great extent as it calms both your body and mind and drives you towards peace of mind. With deep breathing, mindfulness and gentle movement, yoga slows down the nervous system and helps mitigate the effects of chronic stress. Breath control or pranayama, one of the key elements of yoga, slows the heart rate and reduces the sensations of panic or tension. Meditation and guided relaxation also contribute by quieting the mind — moving one’s attention away from anxious external thoughts. Research has revealed that regular yoga practitioners have lower cortisol levels and better stress-handling ability.

The ultimate benefits of yoga stretching are physical but also mental, emotional, and energetic. Yoga helps you physically by fixing your posture, toning your muscles, and increasing your joint mobility, minimising the risk of injuries. It also promotes heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving circulation. On a mental level, it enhances the ability to focus, concentrate, and ensure cognitive functioning and helps prevent memory loss as one ages. On the emotional front, yoga promotes mindfulness, lower stress crops, and a more profound sense of inner peace. Regular meditation gives people a better chance of dealing with the trials and tribulations of life, allowing for increased emotional stability and self-awareness.

To achieve maximum results, doing yoga exercises three to five days a week is best. There are many benefits, such as improved flexibility, strength, and mental and emotional clarity, and a few of them are directly related as well, meaning the more you do, the more you get. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the movements that bring the mind to focus and calmness in postures that may seem foreign to some but become a comfortable home for your practice with regularity. The mental rewards of yoga, including reduced stress and increased mindfulness, become more potent with regular practice. Although practising every day can be beneficial, only a few sessions a week can significantly improve well-being.

Yes, yoga works excellently with positive psychology strategies, making the positive energy you bring to your practice flourish. Positive psychology emphasises cultivating strengths, gratitude, mindfulness and self-compassion — concepts that align naturally with a yoga practice. Yoga promotes mindfulness, which helps individuals focus on the present moment, enjoying every moment of their life instead of ruminating over negative thoughts. Pairing yoga with gratitude practices, like thinking of something good you experienced or maintaining a gratitude journal, increases happiness and satisfaction.

Yes, a yoga exercise is ideal for individuals of all ages, fitness levels, and physical capabilities. Yoga is adaptable—many styles and modifications are available to meet individual needs; this is one of its greatest strengths. What’s more, whether you’re a beginner or have years of experience on the mat, yoga features a variety of poses and sequences that can be modified depending on your flexibility, strength, or health conditions. Chair yoga, gentle yoga, and restorative yoga are three other examples of yoga that can be done by individuals who may have limitations on mobility or may be recovering from an injury, making sure that yoga will be available for everyone.

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The Benefits of Practicing Yoga for Physical and Mental Health https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-benefits-of-practicing-yoga-for-physical-mental-health/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 07:00:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39701 The post The Benefits of Practicing Yoga for Physical and Mental Health appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is an integrated activity that supports corporeal and mental wellness. Its components include weighted strength training, yoga exercises, fall prevention movements, core stability movements, and breath control. Yoga has been an essential practice for many centuries and is an integral tool for our health. Recently, there has been a rising interest in natural and effective wellness solutions, and the yoga balance approach to the body and mind has become more popular.

Yoga exercise is different from other forms of physical activity, as it involves more than improving muscle tone or endurance. It includes breathwork and meditation, which regulate emotions, boost self-awareness, and reduce anxiety. People of most fitness levels can practise yoga, and it can be easily modified to fit your specific needs, making it the most accessible practice of all.

Physical Health Benefits of Yoga Exercise

Yoga exercise is one of the most famous ways to improve health. Flexibility, strength, balance, and overall bodily function improve through consistent practice. Unlike high-impact exercise, which can strain joints, yoga is a low-impact type of movement that supports mobility while lowering the risk of injury.

Better Flexibility & Mobility—Yoga poses generally involve stretching and lengthening muscles, increasing flexibility over time. As one keeps practising, one gains better flexibility, freeing the body from stiffness and tension. This can be especially useful for athletes, ageing adults, and recovering from injuries.

More Strength and Stability—Although yoga can seem like a slow-moving activity, holding postures requires quite a bit of muscle work. Poses like the Plank, Warrior, and Downward Dog help build core strength and stability. Holding these poses strengthens your overall posture, decreases the risk of falls, and improves joint health.

Improved Heart Health – Some yoga workouts, including Vinyasa or Power Yoga, offer aerobic exercise that raises heart rate and increases circulation. Yoga helps lower blood pressure, regulate cholesterol, and support heart health by lowering stress-driven inflammation.

Better Posture and Alignment—Our bodies can become accustomed to naughty postural positions, whether sitting for long hours or performing repetitive movements. Yoga helps align the spine and strengthens muscles that support good posture, reducing back and neck pain.

Yoga can be part of a fitness routine, providing long-lasting physical benefits that include improved mobility, stamina, and vitality.

Mental Health Benefits of Yoga Exercise

Yoga is a physical workout and an essential tool for mental and emotional preparation beyond physical well-being. Many people enjoy yoga because it reduces stress, enhances concentration, and achieves tranquility. The balance created from the mind-body connection that yoga promotes is invaluable for mental health.

Stress and Anxiety Reduction—Yoga promotes mindfulness and deep breathing that engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation. This process is key to reducing cortisol, the leading stress hormone, allowing for a more calm and focused mind. Regular practice of yoga asanas can assist a person in adapting to such types of stress and anxiety.

Better Emotional Regulation – Yoga can help you identify your thoughts and feelings. Through the meditative aspects of yoga exercise, practitioners learn to notice their emotions and not immediately react to them. You become more emotionally aware, which enables authentic self-expression, leading to healthier coping strategies for circumstances which may be challenging.

Improved Concentration and Cognitive Function—Yoga practices include breath control and meditation, which enhance cognitive function, memory, and concentration. Yoga encourages you to stay present now, resulting in increased thought clarity that can give way to creative flow and reduced brain fog, making it an ideal practice for students, professionals, and anyone hoping to function more productively.

Improved Quality of Sleep – Studies show that yoga practitioners experience better sleep and reduced insomnia and pre-sleep anxiety. Gentle yoga poses and breathing exercises soothe the nervous system, preparing the body and mind for restorative sleep. Regular yoga can result in longer, deeper, more restorative sleep cycles.

Practising yoga exercise daily will impact the foundation for mental stability, strength, balanced emotional stability, and, ultimately, a peaceful and fulfilling life.

Yoga for Stress Management and Relaxation

Today’s lifestyle leads to excessive stress and physical and mental tiredness. Yoga exercise is a natural and effective way to reduce stress, relax the mind, and promote mindfulness. It offers practices that enable people to move through life’s struggles more effectively and with more insight.

Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques—Yoga focuses on breath regulation (Pranayama) to calm the mind. Deep, controlled breathing signals the body that it’s okay to relax, melting away stress and anxiety. Alternate Nostril Breathing and Ujjayi breathing deepen mindfulness and soothe the nervous system.

Mindfulness and Present-Moment Awareness—Much stress stems from fears about the past or future. Yoga encourages practitioners to be present in the moment, focusing on breath, movement, and whatever sensations arise. This practice of mindfulness develops awareness and teaches experiencing stress with greater equilibrium.

Releases Physical Tension – Stress often results in tight muscles, headaches, and fatigue. Yoga poses and postures assist in eliminating accumulated tension from the body, especially on the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Restorative yoga positions like Child’s Pose and Savasana promote deep relaxation and restoration.

Quench for the Soul – Whether it is a physical practice or an earnest tone, yoga is proven to heal physically and emotionally. Both do an excellent job of clearing out our mental garbage cans, resulting in an improved mood and a more steady state of emotion.

By incorporating deep breathing, intentional movement and stillness, yoga is a powerful means of stress management and reestablishing balance within  the body and mind.

 How Yoga Enhances Overall Quality of Life

Yoga exercises help physical and mental health and create a dynamic perspective on life. Those who practice yoga regularly feel more self-aware, better connected with themselves and those around them, and find deeper meaning in their lives.

Enhanced Self-Awareness and Mindfulness—Yoga promotes self-reflection and contemplation. Spending time self-reflecting allows people to understand their thoughts, habits, and behaviours. It leads to growth and positive changes.

Meaningful Connections and Community—Many people practice yoga in group settings, which fosters a sense of belonging and support. The people you practice yoga with, whether in a class or an online community, are resourceful connections and provide shared experiences for meaningful connections.

More Energy and Vigor – Regular yoga increases overall energy levels through enhanced circulation, reduced fatigue, and improved mental clarity. In contrast to methods of higher-intensity exercise that may cause the person in question to feel depleted, yoga creates a recharging effect, or in other words, an energy boost, to the system.

Building sustainable lifestyle habits—Yoga encourages healthy habits that go beyond the mat. Practice can lead to better food choices, improved sleep hygiene, and a more mindful way of life, which in turn leads to more sustainable living.

When yoga is seamlessly woven into daily life, it cultivates physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional resilience, resulting in a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Conclusion

Yoga exercise practice has many benefits, both physical and mental. It is a comprehensive tool for holistic wellness, addressing various aspects of physical flexibility and strength, stress relief, and emotional balance. Doing yoga regularly translates into a permanent better quality of life. Yoga promotes self-awareness and inner tranquillity through mindful movement, breath control, and relaxation techniques. From beginners to advanced practitioners, committing to yoga exercise will help you use your body, get your mind right, and live a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about yoga and its impact on your health and wellbeing.

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 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga helps maintain good  physical health by improving flexibility, strength, balance, and posture. Regular practice lengthens and strengthens muscle systems to increase mobility and alleviate stiffness. Many yoga poses work the core and help with posture and spinal alignment. Furthermore, yoga also improves heart health by reducing blood pressure, improving circulation, and strengthening the heart. Unlike high-impact exercise, yoga has a low impact and is gentle on the joints, so it is suitable for everyone, regardless of age and fitness level. Including yoga exercises in a routine helps individuals prevent injuries and build muscular endurance, and it also helps them maintain vitality in the body.

Yes, the practice of yoga is a very effective way to alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Combining deep breathing, mindfulness, and movement helps reduce cortisol, the primary hormone of stress, promoting increased relaxation and emotional regulation. Yoga is focused on the present, allowing practitioners to avoid overthinking and improving mental clarity. Studies show that yoga leads to better sleep quality, less severe symptoms of anxiety disorders, and enhances emotional resilience. Yoga practitioners who consistently incorporate this practice into their lives may experience enhanced well-being as they are in a better mood and feel more aware of their bodies.

Gentle styles like Hatha, Restorative, or Yin Yoga are best for beginners. Hatha yoga teaches basic poses and breathing techniques slowly, making it accessible to all fitness levels. Restorative yoga is more about relaxation and deep surrendering; on the other hand, Yin Yoga works explicitly with deep connective tissue that increases flexibility. Vinyasa yoga, which connects breath to movement, may also be appropriate for beginners when taught moderately. Suitable beginner classes help build confidence and create a base to explore more advanced forms of yoga exercise.

Whether it is yoga practice once a week or Doing yoga three to five times every week, it yields noticeable benefits for both physical and mental well-being. However, even two days a week can increase flexibility and decrease stress. Daily short practices of 10-20 minutes can also help maintain relaxation and mindfulness. You have to do it consistently, and with time, regular practice at this exercise contributes to general strength, balance and well-being. Yoga trains your health to keep fit and acts as a stress buster and a meditation. If you accompany yoga with you, practising daily in your daily routine will also become a significant health benefit for you in the long run.

Yes,By increasing metabolism, awareness of the body, and laughter, yoga exercise helps combat stress that contributes to overeating and thus supports weight management. Active styles such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Power Yoga offer a cardiovascular workout that burns calories and increases lean muscle. Styles of yoga, such as Restorative and Hatha yoga, which are gentler, help to moderate stress hormones that can lead to emotional eating. Yoga exercise helps develop a healthy approach towards food where the individual pays attention to what they eat and how they eat.

Long-term benefits of yoga exercise practices include greater flexibility, strength, cardiovascular health and mental clarity. Yoga builds awareness in the body, improving posture and movement efficiency over time. It provides mental benefits by promoting mindfulness, emotional balance, and stress reduction, which leads to an improved quality of life. Regular yoga supports strong immune functions, regulates sleep patterns, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions like hypertension and arthritis. Yoga also helps develop a strong mind-body connection, fostering a sense of mindfulness and encouraging self-care and holistic wellness.

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The Eight Limbs of Yoga in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-eight-limbs-of-yoga-in-patanjalis-yoga-sutra/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39702 The post The Eight Limbs of Yoga in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is more than physical postures or breath control — an ancient spiritual discipline. Essentially, yoga exercise is a complete system of hatha yoga in terms of the journey of yogic sadhana towards self-realisation or peace of consciousness. A well-known philosophical text about yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, lays out the Eight Limbs of Yoga—paths for a meaningful and purposeful life. These eight paths represent enlightenment, as they help the follower manifest inner peace, mindfulness, and discipline in their everyday life.

The Eight Limbs provide a practical framework for self-discovery and mastery based on ethical codes, mental stability and meditative awareness. They teach people how to relate to the world, nurture self-awareness, and find peace within. These eight limbs are requisite for anyone who desires the journey towards connection with self and cosmos. Integrating this will help balance the three aspects of life — physical, mental, and spiritual.

The Foundation of Yoga exercise: Yama and Niyama

The first two limbs, Yama, meaning “restraints”, and Niyama, Meaning “observances”, lay the ethical groundwork for yoga exercise. The first is Yama or the five moral restraints, how we relate to each other: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) These beliefs promote kindness and compassion into everyday practice. It teaches you to control your senses, behave harmoniously with others, stay faithful to the truth and have peace in life.

The incorporation of Yama induces practitioners to be more conscious of their deeds and the reverberations that follow them in their lives. Maintaining a harmonious relationship helps to nurture responsibility, kindness, and moderation, creating a bond between each other and an agreement to work ethically in thoughts, words, and deeds.

Niyama, on the other hand, is about self-discipline and personal development. These are Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Swadhyaya (self-study) and Ishwarapranidhana (surrender to a higher power). It fosters inner purity, mental fortitude, and spiritual enlightenment. Diligence and mindfulness through Niyama help you become incremental and internally consistent. It trains people to smile in adversity, give thanks and seek knowledge through study and introspection.

Through these practices, practitioners lay a moral and mental foundation for spiritual investigation. The benefits of metta are that you will find Niyama a more profound sense of inner peace and purpose. Niyama provides tools to maintain your Jamiyata to help individuals rise above worldly distractions and have their true nature. As the foundational elements of higher consciousness, Yama and Niyama provide a clear context for how a meaningful and purposeful yogic lifestyle takes shape, ultimately transforming and uplifting practitioners along their paths toward transcendent consciousness.

The Physical and Breath Control of Yoga Exercise: Asana and Pranayama

The third limb, Asana, pertains to physical postures. Historically, asanas were intended to prepare the body to sit for meditation by building strength, flexibility and endurance. Although contemporary yoga emphasises posture, the aim is to obtain a firm and pleasant position for extended meditation.

Besides being highly beneficial to general health, the practice of asanas helps in focused concentration, restores harmony between body and mind, and acts as a bridge between the outer and inner aspects of yoga. Regular practice increases body awareness, reduces stress, and develops discipline over time. It also fortifies the musculoskeletal system, improves circulation, and encourages relaxation, so it is also an excellent physical and mental practice.

The fourth limb is Pranayama or breath control. The meaning of the word “pranayama” derives from prana (life force) and ayama (control). Breath can be an energy source if controlled and used correctly with techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath), which bring down elevated stress levels and enhance lucidity in individuals. Just like the body and mind need rest to function efficiently, Pranayama calms the nervous system, which is necessary to move forward on the yogic path.

Breath control is beneficial to the body, mind, and soul. It promotes emotional stability, builds lung capacity, and clears mental chaos, opening the possibility of mindfulness and deep states of meditation. Practising Pranayama daily helps to foster artificial awareness of breath and thus increases the harmony of vitality, awareness, and stillness within.

Turning Inward: Pratyahara and Dharana

The fifth limb, Pratayahara, involves withdrawing the senses from distractions outside of oneself. It urges people to focus on themselves, deprive themselves of sensory distractions, and reach higher states of consciousness. This phase supports the connection between the outside realm and the inward odyssey.

Pratyahara teaches yogis to notice their thoughts, feelings, and desires rather than let them rule them. It creates internal silence and prepares the mind for profound stress levels of concentration and meditation.

The sixth limb is Pratyahara, which is followed by Dharana, our next limb, on concentration or attention. This process involves focusing the mind on a single object, sound, or thought, such as a mantra, candle flame, or breath. Dharana develops mental control and concentration and prepares the mind, so entering meditation automatically becomes more effortless.

Dharana is a vital practice in today’s fast-paced world full of distractions to improve focus, productivity, and emotional control. By practising this state of focus over time, you acquire an essential skill — the ability to silence the mind and attain a deep sense of inner stillness.

The Final Stages of Yoga exercise: Dhyana and Samadhi

The seventh limb, Dhyana, is meditation—the uninterrupted stream of awareness. While Dharana is about concentration, Dhyana is the thoughtless contemplation that happens when our mind stills and locks on the present moment. Meditation provides the foundation for better clarity of thought, emotional stability and spiritual awareness.

Through regular practice of Dhyana, one can achieve profound inner change, develop a feeling of union with the cosmos, and move beyond ego. It helps practitioners deepen their self-realisation and develop stable inner peace.

Samadhi: The ultimate state of yoga exercise, bliss and enlightenment. In this condition, the practitioner becomes entirely one with the object of meditation and thus experiences unity and self-realisation. Some such states are Savikalpa Samadhi (a meditative state with conscious awareness) and Nirvikalpa Samadhi (a complete transcendence beyond thought and ego).

Samadhi introduces an internal freedom that was previously unknown, along with profound peace and harmony. It will permit people to transcend the limits of thought and touch the eternal character of reality. In this phase, duality vanishes, and the practitioner becomes one with the universe, reaching the ultimate stage of spiritual awakening.

 Conclusion

Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga outlines a structure for personal and spiritual development. These principles point the way forward to a balanced and harmonious life, including ethical guidelines, physical postures, breath control, meditation, and enlightenment. Many people think of yoga exercise as just a form of exercise, but at its core, yoga is a practice of self-discipline, awareness, and spirituality. When you understand and apply the Eight Limbs of Yoga, you can transform life into a beautiful journey of balance and peace. Whether you are new to yoga or have been practising yoga for many, many years, allow these eternal teachings to breathe life into you and your practice so you can continue to flow toward your highest self.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras include the Eight Limbs of Yoga, a system for spiritual enlightenment and self-discipline. They are Yama (moral disciplines), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption). Together, they provide the roadmap to a balanced, peaceful, and fully realised life. Modern yoga exercise is usually concerned only with the Asana, the physical postures. Still, an actual yogic practice uses all eight limbs of yoga exercise to develop discipline, mindfulness, and spiritual awareness.

The ethical and moral principles of the Ashtanga Yoga system — Yama and Niyama are the foundation of yoga exercise and for growth on the spiritual path. Yama is composed of five principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) to help practitioners develop integrity and ethical behaviour in their relationships. Niyama places the focus on self-discipline as performed through Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Swadhyaya (self-study) and Ishwarapranidhana (surrender to a higher power). These principles also keep practitioners clean from within, cultivate self-awareness, and help to elevate habits.

Asana (physical postures) and Pranayama (breath control) are essential for preparing the body and mind for more profound spiritual practices. Traditionally, asanas were designed to help practitioners sit comfortably for extended meditation. In modern yoga, they improve flexibility, strength, and balance, supporting overall well-being. By cultivating discipline through asanas, practitioners develop physical endurance and mental focus, creating a foundation for inner peace. Pranayama, or breath regulation, enhances energy levels, reduces stress, and improves lung capacity. Techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) promote mental clarity and emotional stability. Pranayama also supports the nervous system, balancing the body’s energy and increasing mindfulness.

The fifth limb of yoga, Pratyahara, can be understood as withdrawing the senses from the external world. It thus becomes a necessary precursor to retreating from the outer world toward an awareness of the inner, cutting ties with the sensory excitement. This helps them maintain focus and concentration during meditation as they translate their focus and concentration into their daily fight against sensory overload. An essential part of this stage is practising mental discipline and preparing yourself to meditate. It frees them from the habits and attachments that lead to suffering, creating self-discipline and serenity. In today’s distracting world, Pratyahara can help us manage stress, focus and be mindful.”

Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation) are different yet related stages in yogic practice. Dharana concentrates on a single object, concept, or mantra, disciplining the mind to stay still and not be distracted. It is the practice of focused attention, which is essential for reaching more profound meditation. Dhyana is an advanced state of meditation in which concentration becomes automatic, and thoughts flow freely without interruption. Dhyana can be understood as a state in which the mind is devoid of distractions and self-absorbed thoughts, ushering in a profound state of inner stillness and clarity.

The highest state of union with the divine, samadhi represents self-realisation and spiritual enlightenment, the goal of yoga exercise. It is also the last limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, where one goes beyond ego and becomes the object of meditation. It is typically split into two states: Savikalpa Samadhi, where conscious thought is still present, and Nirvikalpa Samadhi, complete absorption beyond thought and duality. Samadhi cannot just be attained without going through the previous limbs previously described, namely, Yama and Niyama (ethical discipline), Asana and Pranayama (physical and breath control), Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration and Dhyana (deep meditation).

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Restorative Yoga Relaxing and Healing Practices https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/restorative-yoga-relaxing-and-healing-practices/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 07:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39703 The post Restorative Yoga Relaxing and Healing Practices appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Restorative yoga is a thorough and therapeutic style of yoga train that may deliver deep rest, therapeutic, and stress reduction. Healing Yoga has less to do with the physical demands of your typical yoga—as you focus on stillness, deep breathing, and supportive postures that help swipe the parasympathetic nervous system. If you are recovering from injury, experiencing chronic stress or wish to develop peace of mind, this form of yoga exercise is perfect for you.

Healing Yoga uses props, including bolsters, blankets, and blocks, to support the entire body in poses that are held for an extended time. These gentle stretches encourage the body to soften, releasing tension over time, improving blood flow, and healing emotional and physical wounds. Moreover, this yoga exercise can diminish anxiety, increase sleep values, and enhance well-being by permitting the nervous system to move out of fight-or-flight ways and into profound unwinding.

Key Principles of Restorative Yoga

The principles of restorative yoga are founded on relaxation, maintaining balance, and self-care. Healing Yoga exercise is the opposite of vigorous yoga exercise: it requires no effort (or as little as possible) and as much comfort (and support) as possible. It does not stretch or strengthen the body but provides a means to bring it into complete relaxation and healing.

The central premise of Healing Yoga is stillness. On the other hand, restorative yoga emphasises long-held poses that help the body fully relax, compared to other forms of yoga that focus on movement and dynamic postures. Holding a pose for five to 10 minutes allows the muscles to let go of tension while facilitating a deeper mind-body connection.

Another important principle is support and comfort. As you hold each pose, you use props—blankets, bolsters, blocks—to help create a sense of ease. These props help support the body and allow for relaxation without straining the back or settling into posture from the floor.

Breath awareness is an equal part of restorative yoga Exercise. Deep, conscious breaths stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to help lower stress hormones and induce a state of relaxation. Focusing on slow, rhythmic breathing allows practitioners to amplify the calming effects of this form of yoga and give their attention to their body’s natural healing state.

Mindfulness and surrender are central to Healing Yoga. Unlike fast-paced workouts, this  exercise encourages practitioners to release tension and just be in the moment. Cultivating mindfulness and stillness allows people to tap into profound states of relaxation that heal their emotions and bodies.

Essential Restorative Yoga Poses

Restorative yoga includes many poses that help deep relaxation and healing. These postures are fully supported with props to maximise comfort while creating a harmonising environment for the body and mind.

Supported Child’s Pose (Balasana) – This calming forward fold releases lower back, hips, and shoulders tension. A bolster or a pile of blankets beneath the chest encourages deep relaxation and steady breath. This position is excellent for grounding and soothing the mind.

Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana/ lying with foot soles touching and knees supported by blocks or cushions opens the hips and chest. This pose improves circulation and releases tension in the pelvic area.

Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) – This inversion encourages circulation, relieves tired legs and promotes relaxation. Practitioners who require extra support may place a bolster under the lower back.

Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): A lighter backbend with a block under the sacrum, this asana helps open the chest and release tightness in the lower back. It is good for stress or anxiety relief.

Savasana (Corpse Pose) – The ultimate rest pose, Savasana allows the body to rest in the most excellent way possible. Prop your knees and/or head with blankets or bolsters to enhance comfort and deepen relaxation.

Doing these poses regularly during yoga exercises and practice restores balance reduces physical and mental stress, and improves well-being.

The Benefits of Restorative Yoga for Deep Relaxation

Benefits of Restorative Yoga for Body and Mind This yoga asana helps lower stress and induce deep relaxation, which boosts overall health as the body enters a state of rest and recovery.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of Healing Yoga: One of the main benefits of Healing Yoga is that it calms down stress and anxiety. This practice activates the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels and inducing a feeling of calm. Holding supported poses for extended periods can help the nervous system reset, which is why Gentle Yoga is an excellent resource for managing chronic stress.

Gentle Yoga exercise is also beneficial for sleep quality. Many people experience poor sleep due to anxiety or an overactive mind. The deep relaxation encouraged by restorative yoga preps the body for restful sleep by decelerating the heart rate and quieting the nervous system. Adding this yoga posture to an evening ritual can have a transformative effect on sleep and restfulness.

The other significant benefit of Healing Yoga is physical recovery and healing. Restorative yoga is helpful in recovery from injury, illness, or physical exertion — helping with relaxation and tissue repair. Prop use decreases muscular tension, enhances circulation, and supports gentle rehabilitation, making this a perfect practice for anyone who needs a low-to-no-impact healing modality.

This yoga pose also helps to enhance emotional health. Deep breaths and stillness with mindfulness create a meditative state that supports participants in processing their emotions and gathering energy. A few minutes of Gentle Yoga could leave many practitioners feeling deep emotional release and peace.

How to Incorporate Restorative Yoga into Your Routine

Practising restorative yoga and a regular yoga exercise routine will benefit the body and mental health. It ensures a peaceful atmosphere and a steady rhythm.

Make a Relaxing Space — Go somewhere quiet and comfortable where you won’t be distracted. Dimming lights, soothing background music, and blankets or cushions can enhance comfort during sex.

Practice Often—Try to practice Healing Yoga a minimum of 2-3 times each week. Even 15–30 minute sessions can help you relax and relieve stress.

Lean into Props for Support—Props (Bolsters, Blankets, Blocks, Straps) fully support the body in every pose. The aim is to remove tension and allow you to immerse yourself in total ease.

Add Deep Breathing—Concentrate on slow, controlled breaths to further relax yourself. Diaphragmatic breathing or lengthening your exhales further deepens the soothing effects of each pose.

Pairing with Meditation or Mindfulness—Allowing your body to undergo Healing Yoga and then combining guided meditation or mindfulness exercises can make magic happen. Allowing a few moments before or after practice to slow down helps to clarify the mind, attentiveness, and emotional body.

Gentle Yoga for Recovery—This yoga practice can be done after high-intensity workouts, another intense time in your life, or as part of your bedtime routine to facilitate relaxation and recovery.

As Gentle Yoga becomes a part of the daily or weekly routine, it can profoundly benefit the body and mind. This soft, healing practice is an excellent addition to balancing the rest of a busy yoga practice (and a busy world).

Conclusion

Restorative Yoga is an extremely restorative and healing  practice that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Focusing on stillness, breath awareness, and supported poses, this practice helps release stress, facilitates better sleep, and promotes physical recovery. Healing Yoga includes deep relaxation and serenity and is a crucial part of a wellness routine. Healing Yoga is a gentle yet powerful practice that is accessible yet effective in giving the body and mind the nourishment they need. It is an effective recovery tool, stress-relief practice, or way of cultivating mindfulness to enhance holistic well-being and a good quality of life. By practising regularly, one reconnects with oneself, leading to a profound sense of peace off of the mat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Restorative yoga is a gentle, therapeutic exercise that aims to soothe the body in a way that promotes relaxation, relief of stress, and healing. Gentle Yoga contrasts dynamic yoga styles centred around strength, flexibility, and movement, focusing on stillness, breath work, and extended postures supported by props such as blankets and bolsters. This practice helps the body relax completely, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and helping to decrease stress and anxiety. Gentle yoga is ideal for people healing from injuries or chronic stress or who want a meditative and healing practice. Focusing on comfort and minimal effort, Gentle Yoga balances out more active approaches to yoga and is a great way to recharge the body and mind.

The benefits of restorative yoga for physical, mental, and emotional health: This yoga exercise can help lower cortisol levels and trigger the body’s relaxation response, reducing stress. It also helps improve sleep quality by relaxing the nervous system and boosting mindfulness. This physically helps muscle recovery and enhances circulation and tension in the body. Restorative yoga also supports emotional balance by providing meditative space for the practitioner to process thoughts and feelings, promoting self-awareness and inner peace. Meditation promotes long-standing wellness as it encourages relaxation and resilience to stress.

Gentle Yoga is accessible for all ages, bodies, and fitness levels, and it doesn’t require any prior yoga experience, particularly for individuals suffering from stress, anxiety, sleeping issues or chronic pain. Those healing from injury or illness could find this yoga practice a gentle way to assist recovery and range of motion. Athletes and active people can also include restorative yoga in their cross-training to help muscles recover and avoid burnout. Maternity, seniors and yoga newbies will also appreciate its noncompetitive, gentle, low-impact approach.

How often you practice Gentle Yoga will vary for each person, depending on your needs and goals. To help alleviate stress and achieve relaxation, it is best to practice yoga exercises two to three times per week. Others may benefit from daily sessions, particularly during heightened stress or recovering from injury. Even shorter practices lasting 15–30 minutes can facilitate deep relaxation and overall well-being. Practising consistently helps to combine these restorative yoga-curing effects into one’s day-to-day life for stable long-term advantages.

Using props in restorative yoga exercises is essential to the practice: It supports, stabilises and comforts the poses. Standard props are bolsters, blankets, blocks, straps and eye pillows. These assists enable practitioners to sustain poses for longer times without struggle, which allows for more profound relaxation and physical release. Props also support proper alignment, reduce strain, and increase the benefits of each pose. They also provide a sense of safety and ease, allowing Gentle Yoga exercise to be accessible for those with varying degrees of flexibility or physical limitations. Props can make a restorative, fulfilling, graceful, and beneficial experience in this yoga pose.

You could practice restorative yoga daily; it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Doing a few poses before bed can enhance sleep and relaxation. Short restorative sessions as breaks manage stress and encourage mental clarity on a busy day. Restorative yoga, on weekends or at the end of the week, can help with recovery/reinforcement. You can enhance the experience by creating a spot for it in the home, with props, relaxing sounds and dim lights. Practised on its own or as a complement to other styles of yoga exercise, restorative yoga offers a beautiful, profoundly nourishing addition to a wellness practice.

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Meditation Techniques in Yoga: Enhance Relaxation & Focus https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/meditation-techniques-in-yoga-enhance-relaxation-focus/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39704 The post Meditation Techniques in Yoga: Enhance Relaxation & Focus appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Meditation is an essential element of yoga practice that encourages the development of mental clarity, inner balance, and relaxation. Another way, meditation techniques in yoga exercise by meditation techniques in yoga exercises help to enhance focus, reduce stress, and provide a deep connection with the body and mind. Meditation in yoga includes breath-centered methods, mindfulness, and visualisation. This makes yoga exercise a wholesome practice that combines your body with the mind, indirectly connecting these two.

Yoga exercise meditation helps people develop self-awareness and emotional resilience. It encourages relaxation, enhances breathing efficiency, and promotes calm in the presence of everyday stressors. Individuals meditating steadily develop control over their thoughts and emotions as they sit longer, making them less reactive to challenges. Combined with consistent practice, yoga and meditation work hand in hand to build strength in body and mind.

Breath Awareness Meditation: Connecting the Mind and Body

Breath awareness, or Pranayama, is one of the fundamental techniques in yoga exercise that develops mindfulness and healthy relaxation. This practice uses controlled breathing patterns, like deep belly or alternate nostril breathing, to soothe the nervous system. Focusing specifically on breath increases focus and prepares the mind for meditation. Breath awareness, when incorporated as a method while practising yoga exercises, can help achieve better practice, enhance oxygen flow through the lungs, and create tranquillity in the body and mind.

Diaphragmatic or belly breathing is the best and most helpful technique in yoga exercises. It involves taking deep, slow breaths to engage the diaphragm and calm a stressed body. Another well-known technique is Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, which balances energy channels in the body and improves mental clarity. Both help regulate emotion, increase lung capacity and support overall well-being.

Breath awareness during yoga exercises increases the body’s physical benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Controlled breathing signals the parasympathetic nervous system, whose effect counteracts the stress response. This is particularly effective for an anxious person who, hoping to strengthen their daily thought process, can bring all thoughts to the centre, thus freezing the chaos.

Conscious Breath Practice: Incorporating breath awareness into your yoga exercise will require discipline and focus. The easiest place to begin is allocating 1-3 minutes at the start of practice to notice how they are breathing or at the end of practice to observe how their breath changes. Over time, this practice develops a stronger connection between body and mind, creating a more mindful experience in and out of your yoga practice.

As practitioners learn how to control their breath, they can increase their endurance, promote relaxation, and enter a meditative state that works with their physical yoga practice. Whether a practice on its own in meditation or as part of a complete sequence in a yoga class, breath awareness is a fundamental technique that supports overall well-being.

Breath awareness, or Pranayama, is a fundamental yoga exercise that helps with mindfulness and relaxation. The practice of controlled breathing patterns, such as deep belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing, to calm the nervous system. By focusing on the breath, we increase our emphasis on concentration and set up the mind for meditation.

Guided Visualization Meditation: Cultivating Inner Peace

Guided visualisation is an effective meditation technique in yoga exercises. It involves mentally visualising a peaceful or positive scene. Visualising not only decreases stress and helps to improve focus or concentration but also aims to calm down a stressful scenario by imagining a calm beach with blue-green water or an illuminated light inside you. During yoga exercises, teachers sometimes use this technique to bury feelings of relaxation and words of affirmation deeper in the subconscious so practitioners can reach their target emotional state.

Visualisation functions by tapping into the mind’s ability to create images in the head that impact feelings and physical reactions. When one imagines a peaceful image, the body reacts by decreasing all stress-related hormones, lowering blood pressure, and relaxing muscles. To help those eternal minds who can never catch a break on a good night and filter through their thoughts, this technique is beneficial as it allows those who struggle with anxiety to get away and feel peace.

Guided visualisation bolsters mindful focus and amplifies meditation within your yoga practice. One common technique is visualising a warm, golden light streaming through the body, clearing away stress and negative energy. Another kind is visualising yourself in a serene natural setting like a meadow or near the ocean, which should help you feel calm and emotionally balanced. Making the meditative practice more immersive, visualisation enhances tranquillity through layers, inviting a more profound relaxation.

If you are a beginner in guided visualisation, following recorded meditation scriptures or verbal instructions can be beneficial throughout your yoga exercise. Practitioners can eventually create personalised imagery aligning with their emotions and spiritual objectives. When developed together, visualisation and deep breathing have a compounding effect, helping people to free up tension and create an inner sanctuary of calm.

Guided visualisation meditation in yoga exercises promotes self-awareness, emotional healing, and deeper engagement with the present moment. By focusing on positive images, the mind can be uplifted above the more subtle forms of negativity, raising its yoga to a higher pitch and shining with more brilliance.

Mindfulness Meditation in Yoga: Staying Present and Centered

Yoga also involves mindfulness meditation, in which you must concentrate wholeheartedly in each moment. This practice entails nonjudgmental observation of thoughts, sensations, and emotions. Staying present with every movement and breath helps practitioners remain focused and centred when everything is going wild. The practice of mindfulness in yoga also enhances self-awareness, emotional resilience, and mental well-being.

Mindfulness meditation, at its essence, teaches you to come totally to this moment, shutting out distractions from both the outside world and your own mind. Many people struggle with stress and anxiety with constant inner dialogue. By practising mindfulness, one tends to accept rather than become overwhelmed by one’s thoughts and emotions while performing yoga exercises. It creates more balance and control over everyday life.

How about using body scanning , an effective mindfulness meditation technique during yoga exercises? This process includes gradually focusing on each body part, noticing tension, and intentionally loosening tight muscles. Breath-focused awareness is another technique in which practitioners focus on the rhythm of their breath, using the breath itself as an anchor to the present moment. With deepened integration of mind and body, both methods make yoga more immersive and profound.

Mindfulness meditation cultivates emotional regulation as well. Not reacting to each feeling as it pops up helps people become less reactionary to their own thought processes. This is especially beneficial if you identify with stress or frustration, as it encourages patience and self-compassion. Repetition is powerful, and mindfulness meditation conditions the brain to improve cognitive function, increase concentration, and improve overall health.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. It can be incorporated into yoga exercises with effort, but a few minutes daily is beneficial. Moving or lying still, mindfulness can help people deepen their yoga and turn their peace into presence off the mat and into everyday life.

Mantra Meditation: Harnessing the Power of Sound

In addition, mantra meditation, which is a form of yoga exercise known as sound vibrations to centre the mind, can be helpful. This method consists of repeating a particular word, statement, or sound, like “Om” or a Sanskrit mantra, to reach a profound meditative condition. Repeating mantras clears distractions and focuses your mind on the present moment.

Mantra meditation creates sensations in our bodies that make us calmer and more balanced by creating vibrations. A mantra can be repeated in a rhythmic way to reduce stress, lower anxiety, and create inner peace. Many practitioners find that using mantras in their yoga practice helps them stay present and mindful.

In addition to being easy to learn, mantra meditation is highly accessible; anyone can do it, and you don’t need any prior experience. Beginners might stick with simple sounds, while more advanced practitioners could try longer Sanskrit chants. Combine mantras with breath, movement, and mental focus, as they are essential to yoga exercise.

Conclusion

Using meditation techniques in your yoga exercise can help you relax your mind and emotions better. Breath awareness, guided visualisation, mindfulness, and mantra meditation are all techniques that enhance yoga and make it a holistic and transformative experience. Regular meditation in yoga exercises cultivates inner peace, increases focus, and builds emotional strength. It also guides people to be in a more mindful state, enabling them to better navigate life’s difficulties. Meditation techniques in yoga help to find harmony between the mind and body over time, reinforcing a more balanced and stress-free lifestyle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This yoga exercise includes meditation, which increases relationship clarity, relaxation and emotional balance. It enables practitioners to cultivate mindfulness, alleviate stress, and strengthen the bond between mind and body. By using different techniques, including breath awareness, visualisation, and mantra meditation, yoga enhances focus and helps to become more self-aware. Yoga meditation also supports physiological benefits such as blood pressure reduction, better sleep quality, and anxiety reduction. Through meditation during yoga, you create a sense of inner peace that you take to life with you outside of class.

Breath awareness meditation, also known as Pranayama, complements yoga practice by regulating breathing, calming the nervous system, and improving mindfulness. This method uses intentional breathing patterns like deep belly or alternate nostril breathing to increase oxygen flow and improve mental focus. Controlled breathing promotes relaxation, reduces stress hormones and primes the body for deeper states of meditation. Breath awareness improves endurance, posture, and self-discipline when incorporated into yoga. This introductory meditation can be helpful for any yoga practice that builds the mind-body connection.

Graphic to calm people-led yoga exercise meditation – the picture of the guide in the imagination. Practitioners might picture calming imagery, like a serene landscape or a glowing light, to alleviate stress and enhance concentration. This assures emotional mediation of life, making them let those negative feelings go and absorb their goodness. Having students enter a meditative state is why many yoga instructors use guided visualisation in their sessions. Visualisation meditation promotes relaxation, creativity, and inner peace in and out of yoga classes if practised regularly.

In yoga exercises, mindfulness meditation can be defined as being in the moment and noticing thoughts and emotions without judgment. This not only cultivates mindfulness and emotional awareness but also encourages the mind to settle and focus on a yogic setting, letting the practitioner become wholly absorbed in their yoga flow. Mindfulness meditation promotes relaxation and focus by concentrating on breath and body feelings. It also helps you learn to deal with stress properly and remain calm. Thus, it is suitable for your mental and emotional health. Regular mindfulness meditation supports more patience, resilience, and clarity in yoga and life.

This is because mantra meditation in yoga exercise is the process of repeating a word, phrase, or sound like “Om” and allows the user to reach a hypnotic, meditative state. Saying mantras repeatedly is a way to clear your mind and focus your attention, allowing a deep state of relaxation. The prime principle behind this method is the ability to trigger the vibrational energy flow in the body to optimise stress response and raise mental focus.  Many yoga practitioners use mantra meditation to enhance their spiritual practice and reach a higher state of consciousness. It is a powerful tool for keeping one focused and moving the breath in yoga.

This can include methods that usually go right with yoga practice because meditation is most effective when practised regularly. I also know that even spending as little as 5–10 minutes meditating daily can help improve mindfulness, relaxation, and emotional balance. Yogis can incorporate meditation at the start or end of a yoga session to move into deeper awareness. The recommendation is to practice consistent meditation over the years to build resilience. Integrating breath awareness, visualisation or mantra meditation into your routine can help cultivate long-term health and enrich your yoga practice.

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Group Exercise for Children & Teens: Building Healthy Habits https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-for-children-and-teens/ Fri, 21 Feb 2025 07:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39529 The post Group Exercise for Children & Teens: Building Healthy Habits appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Getting kids and tweens to exercise in groups is one of the best ways to instil a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. In an era characterised by elevating screen time and sedentary living, it has become progressively vital to engage a youthful demographic in physical activity in a gratifying, social, and wholesome manner that mutually benefits their comprehensive evolution. Not only does participating in group exercise keep children and teens active, but it also encourages teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence.

Group fitness classes are often more stimulating and enjoyable than solo workouts, making participants more likely to participate. Still, they provide a springboard for physical fitness, social, and emotional skills with team sports, dance classes, martial arts, or structured fitness programs. In addition, developing healthy habits from a young age sets the stage for better long-term fitness and lifestyle decisions.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Children and Teens

Working out in a group has many physical, mental, and social benefits for kids and teens. Muscle strength and coordination through structured physical activities also build cardiovascular capacity. Group exercise cushions the feeling of managing childhood obesity and related health disorders like diabetes and heart disease. When kids and teens practice active habits, they will likely carry them into adulthood.

In addition to the physical benefits, group exercise promotes better mental health. Endorphins are released through physical activity and can enhance mood and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. With new academic and social pressures, kids and teens need stress-relieving group exercise where they can have fun, laugh, and practice mental acuity. They also learn discipline, goal setting, and perseverance through the structured approach of group fitness classes, an essential aspect of life.

Societally, group training develops teamwork, cooperation, and communication skills. When children play in group sports, dance or fitness classes, they also learn how to work with peers, support each of them and form a sense of camaraderie. That interaction enhances self-esteem and teaches valuable social skills that translate into fitness and beyond. In addition, group-based activities foster accountability in which children and teens are more inclined to commit to fitness with peers who share similar goals.

Not only do they keep active and in shape, but young people such as these develop social and emotional skills learned during group exercises that will serve them well throughout life. Yet, to keep people coming back, some strategies to make moving enjoyable are needed; we will cover that next.

Encouraging Children and Teens to Stay Active

Exercise should be fun and engaging as this will create a lifetime association with fitness. Mixing up and getting creative with workouts is one of the best ways to do this. Children and teens love dynamic, interactive activities like dance, obstacle courses, relay races and interactive sports games, rather than traditional exercise routines. Such activities break the monotony and give you something exciting to do outdoors.

Another great strategy is allowing the kids to pick their favourites. Some people love team sports like soccer or basketball, while others would prefer swimming, martial arts, gymnastics, etc. Providing options can help them feel a greater sense of autonomy over their fitness experience, which tends to lead to greater adherence.

Technology can also motivate people to get more physical activity. Fitness apps and workout video games, along with activity challenges that use wearable fitness trackers, are making exercise more interactive and rewarding. Setting smaller, achievable goals—tracking steps taken or completing a set number of workouts a week —is motivating and even fun.

It’s also important for parents and schools to get involved. Parents can model behaviour, too—making exercise a family event, whether that means walking, biking, or playing outdoor games together. To ensure that students have sufficient opportunities to participate in group exercise, schools can institute more structured physical education programs and extracurricular sports. Even peer engagement, like being involved with group sports activities or fitness challenges, builds a sense of community and encouragement in the workplace.

A well-structured youth fitness program can help the next generation view group exercise as a natural and enjoyable part of their lives by creating a supportive, fun environment. However, exercise isn’t sufficient—proper nutrition is also imperative for these puppies’ growth and development, and that will be our next point of discussion.

The Role of Nutrition in Supporting Group Exercise for Youth

Proper nutrition is essential for children and teens participating in group fitness. It fuels performance, improves recovery, and maintains overall health. A good diet supplies the necessary vitamins and minerals for energy, muscle building, and brain function, allowing young people to do their best work.

Carbs are the primary energy source for kids and teens engaged in team workouts. Eating complex carbs, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, boosts energy and prevents tiredness. Young athletes may feel sluggish and have reduced endurance without sufficient carbs, making it challenging to keep up with workouts during team practices and fitness classes.

Protein, essential for muscle repair and growth, is another key nutrient. Whether children participate in strength-based training, running, or sports, consuming lean protein sources, including chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, and plant-based sources, supports muscle building and maintenance. After group fitness classes, Greek yoghurt with fruit, peanut butter on whole-grain toast or a smoothie can help muscle recovery and replenishment.

Hydration is just as important, and dehydration can result in fatigue, muscle cramps, and decreased concentration. To avoid dehydration, Kids and teens should drink plenty of water prior to, during, and after exercise to replenish fluids lost via sweat. Individuals engaged in heavy physical exertion may benefit from electrolyte-containing beverages like coconut water or diluted fruit juice.

Promoting nutritious, well-balanced meals that contain all required nutrients helps guarantee that young people have the requisite energy, stamina, and endurance to maintain regular participation in group exercise. It is up to schools and parents to educate children on eating habits so they understand nutrition as part of physical performance.

How Parents and Educators Can Support an Active Lifestyle

one way to help ensure kids and teens stick to group exercise  is to build an active, fitness-friendly environment. Parents and educators are key to building lifelong health. Building physical activity into your daily routine is one of the most effective ways to stay active. Walking or biking to school, playing outside and doing family workouts reinforce the importance of movement to kids.

Educators can encourage group exercise through physical education programs, school sports, and active play sessions as part of the daily routine. Sets of challenges, work team challenges, and school-wide events that are focused on activity can foster a sense of healthy competition and camaraderie. Parents can help by signing kids up for swimming lessons, dance classes , or martial arts so they are active outside of school.

This is how you can introduce kids to fun and engaging outdoor sports; once screen time is reduced, and intellectual games and activities are promoted, kids will no doubt opt to explore physical fitness and well-being. Forming an active and supportive environment—at home, in the family, in school, and in society—fosters a positive relationship with fitness in children and teens.

Through regular group exercise and a lifetime of healthy habits, parents and educators instil the values of discipline, teamwork, and overall well-being in individuals, ensuring that the benefits of physical and mental health continue for years to come.

Conclusion

Getting kids and teens to exercise in groups is one of the best ways to establish healthy behaviours in the long term. Physical activity isn’t only important for getting fit but essential for mental health, social development, and emotional resilience. By making activities fun, stimulating, and social, young people are more likely to be active and build movement into their daily lives into adulthood.Grouping up to do exercise keeps you accountable and forms a tight bond of community, which is one of the best parts of group exercise. Through team sports, fitness classes, or recreational activities, youth gain a strong work ethic and teamwork, communication, and perseverance skills. Forming a core backbone for oneself that consists of confidence, leadership and discipline, which translates into being successful in life through fitness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise in a group setting is critical for physical, mental, and social child and adolescent development. It helps to increase strength, coordination and cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of obesity and related health concerns. However, group exercises are  physically beneficial and enhance mood, ease stress, and build confidence. On a social level, they instil essential life skills, such as teamwork, collaboration and accountability, in young people. Structured engagement in fitness classes, team sports or dance programs fosters consistent habits regarding exercise, allowing them to stay active and healthy as they mature.

Group exercise activities that are appropriate for kids and teens must be fun, engaging, and interactive. Proposed activities may cover soccer, basketball, or even volleyball, dance classes, martial arts, yoga, or structured fitness programs. Young people remain engaged through activities that promote movement, coordination, and teamwork. Exercise can also be fun with fitness programs like kid HIIT, obstacle courses, or group cycling classes.” It’s important to let kids try various activities to discover what they enjoy most since that will help increase the odds that they stick with physical activity over the long haul.

A haphazard approach to nutrition can drastically undermine energy, stamina and muscle development in the group exercise setting. Carbs fuel you quickly, and protein helps your muscles grow and recover. Healthy fats keep your energy up during workouts. Proper nutrition includes balanced meals like oatmeal and fruit, chicken with rice and vegetables, or smoothies with yoghurt and nuts. Hydration is equally essential — sipping on water before, during and after exercise prevents fatigue and muscle cramps. Good nutrition supports athletic performance and helps children and teens develop healthy eating patterns.

Group exercise can be indirectly encouraged by encouraging physical activity, making it fun and accessible. Also, they should engage in family workouts, have children participate in sports programs, and lead by example when promoting an active lifestyle. Providing options—be it dance, martial arts, swimming or team sports—enables children to find something they like doing. They are motivated when we set small goals and celebrate their achievements. And cutting back on screen time and supporting outdoor play encourages even more there. It can inspire you to exercise in a healthy environment and excite children so they see exercise as pleasurable rather than forced.

Exercise in a group reduces mental issues such as anxiety and depression by impacting the excretion of some hormones (endogenous opioids). It boosts concentration, brain power, and self-esteem, instilling discipline and endurance. Socially, it allows youth to practice teamwork, leadership, and other communication skills through peer interaction in a nurturing atmosphere. Its social involvement in group fitness helps young individuals meet friends and encourages them to stay active. Those benefits go past fitness; they also benefit academic performance and emotional well-being.

Health experts recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily for children and teens. This can include formal exercise in groups, sports or active play. Get some friends together to go for a brisk walk, ride a bike with the kids or start taking group aerobics or strength training classes — these will help get your heart rate up, build muscle tone, and increase flexibility and balance. Shorter, more intensive bursts — like HIIT workouts or circuit training — can be adequate substitutes. In the case of young people, group exercise is the most fun way to break the boredom of exercising alone and develop a lifestyle of being active, which is key to long-term health.

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Group Exercise for Bodyweight Training & Calisthenics https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-for-bodyweight-training-and-calisthenics/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 07:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39530 The post Group Exercise for Bodyweight Training & Calisthenics appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise is one of the best ways to build strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination without using equipment. It is a popular choice for individuals training with body weight and callisthenics. Callisthenics workouts improve muscle tone, functional fitness, and overall athletic performance by using the body’s weight as resistance. Combined with group exercise’s motivational atmosphere, these workouts become more engaging, supportive, and results-focused.

Pumping iron alone is one thing, but callisthenics group exercise combines strength training, cardio, and flexibility with community and accountability in one package. Conducted in outdoor parks, gyms, or as part of corporate wellness initiatives, these workouts inspire participants to push themselves and one another to master bodyweight movements.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Bodyweight Training and Calisthenics

Calisthenics Group exercise has many other benefits besides those linked with physical fitness. In contrast, bodyweight training builds functional strength, contributing to daily tasks, posture, and coordination. In contrast to traditional weightlifting, callisthenics recruits multiple muscle groups simultaneously, resulting in more excellent balance, mobility, and functional strength.

One significant benefit of bodyweight training in a group setting is motivation/accountability. Exercise: Working out in a group setting is designed to push you to the limits, keep you persistent, and keep you involved. Whether in a fitness class, boot camp or outdoor callisthenics park, the energy and support of fellow participants who exercise with you turn workouts into more enjoyable and effective social occasions.

Another advantage of group calisthenics workouts is their versatility and accessibility. As no equipment is required, they can be done from anywhere, making them the perfect low-cost, flexible fitness option. Participants can perform full-body workouts at home that improve strength, endurance, and flexibility—with no need to sign up for a gym.

Group exercise based on callisthenics also helps you feel connected and teamwork. Working out with friends, coworkers, or exercise communities fosters an atmosphere of support and progress. Group exercise classes are often more enjoyable than working out alone, making participants more likely to adhere to a routine.

Including group exercise in bodyweight training encourages better technique, increased motivation, and a less rhythmic workout experience. We’ll cover the best group callisthenics workout moves for strength and endurance.

Best Bodyweight Exercises for Group Calisthenics Workouts

A good callisthenics Group exercise should include exercises that work for all major muscle groups while incorporating strength, endurance, and flexibility. Here are several popular bodyweight exercises used in group training classes.

Strength Exercises for the Upper Body:

  • Push-ups (Standard, Wide, Diamond or Plyometric) – Work chest, shoulders and triceps.
  • Triceps dips (Using Parallel Bars or Benches) — Engages triceps, shoulders and chest
  • Pull-ups or Chin-ups – Excellent exercise for back and biceps development.
  • Handstand Holds or Pike Push-ups – Build shoulder and upper body stability.
  • Lower Body Strength—lower body strength exercises:
  • Squats (Bodyweight, Jump or Pistol Squats) – Build quad, hamstring and glute strength.
  • Lunges (Forward, Reverse, or Side Lunges) – Increases leg balance, coordination and endurance.
  • Step-ups (On Benches or Elevated Surfaces) — Train lower body and pump up heartbeat.

Core and Full Body Workouts:

  • Planks (Forearm, Side, or Dynamic Planks) – Core, shoulders, and back strength
  • Burpees – Give you full body strength and cardio conditioning.
  • Mountain Climbers – Work the core while raising the heart rate.
  • Leg Raises or Hanging Knee Tucks – Works the lower abdominals.

Incorporating these callisthenics movements into group workouts allows participants to develop functionality, strength, and endurance while benefiting from the encouragement of team training. The following section discusses how group motivation improves bodyweight training performance.

The Role of Group Motivation in Calisthenics Training

Perhaps the best thing about group callisthenics workouts is the motivation and accountability that they provide to others! Group exercise, which includes classes and training with friends, encourages motivation, social support, and enjoyment, making the experience more effective than exercising alone when self-discipline is essential to staying on schedule.

Unless you push yourself harder than you would have otherwise, group motivation helps you perform better. No one likes to put their head down when working towards a thunderous start goal when their peers work for the same thing. The collaboration and support of group members push for progressive overload, allowing participants to achieve personal bests in new numbers for things like push-ups, squats, pull-ups, and other bodyweight goals.

In addition, group settings create automatic accountability. It is harder to skip a workout if people expect you to show up, leading to greater consistency and long-term success. This sense of responsibility is why many people turn to group callisthenics training vs solo workouts.

A key other component of group fitness success is the presence of certified instructors or group leaders. Certified trainers keep poses in check, lead participants through pre-designed sessions and make things easier or harder to suit different abilities. This prevents injuries and allows for consistent improvement — which is particularly important for novices.

Finally, training in a group sprinkles in a bit of camaraderie and friendly competition. Bodyweight training can be entertaining and engaging through fitness challenges, partner workouts, and team-based activities. Whether you’re trying to hold a plank for longer, do more reps or master a new movement skill, the energy of a group propels you to work harder and get better results.

Since fitness success is greatly determined by group motivation, the best way to structure effective group callisthenics workouts is to ensure constant engagement of the participants, who can then carry this interest into concrete fitness gains.

Structuring an Effective Group Calisthenics Workout

A good callisthenics group exercise needs to be designed with a powerful focus while addressing individuals on endurance, strength, and flexibility levels. Here’s a Sample Effective 45-minute Group Bodyweight workout:

  1. Warm-Up (5-10 Minutes)
  • Dynamic stretches: Spinal twists, leg swings, arm circles
  • Mobility work: Hip openers, shoulder rolls
  • Cardio — Jumping jacks, high knees or jogging in place

 

  1. Includes cardio work, which you can complete in 20-25 minutes.
  • Push-ups (30 seconds)
  • Squats (30 seconds)
  • Plank holds (30 seconds)
  • Jump lunges (30 seconds)
  • Burpees (30 seconds)
  • (3-4 sets, 30 seconds rest in between rounds)

 

  1. 10-Minute Partner or Team Workout
  • Partner push-ups (high-five at the top)
  • Wall sit challenge (hold while a medicine ball is passed)
  • Team plank relay (switch partners every 30 seconds)

 

  1. Cool Down & Stretching (5 or 10 Minutes)
  • Folds forward while seated, stretches hips, twists spine
  • Relaxation breathing techniques, such as controlled deep breathing

 

Overall, you get progressive overload, balanced training, and are still effectively engaged

for all levels.

Conclusion

Bodyweight Training, Calisthenics Structured callisthenics workouts help individuals achieve all-around fitness, enhancing their functional strength, mobility, and mental endurance. Group training brings motivation, accountability, and camaraderie to workouts, making fitness more enjoyable and sustainable. Group exercise Natural Calisthenics Training helps in productive consistency, sustained motivation for progress, enhanced skill, and a cultivated sense of community. Extensive group bodyweight workouts are a practical and dynamic fitness experience, regardless of whether they are taking place in parks, gyms, or corporate wellness programs, and participants at all levels reap the rewards.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

The group exercise, strength, endurance, and mobility-based exercise program can also encourage people as they are more likely to care for themselves in a group setting. Participants get structured workouts, instruction and competition with others, which drives them forward faster. However, group fitness is a dynamic that creates teamwork and social interactivity that can come together to build a supportive community where everyone pushes those around them to do their best! Because callisthenics works on functional fitness, these workouts help to improve movements typically done in daily life, posture and coordination, making it a full-body workout that can be adapted to nearly any fitness level.

A good callisthenics group exercise combines some strength, endurance, and mobility work. Everyday upper-body movements include push-ups, pull-ups and dips, which target the chest, shoulders, and arms. Moves for the lower body, such as squats, lunges and step-ups, help build leg strength and stability. Exercises that target this area directly, like planks, leg lifts, or mountain climbers, enhance balance and core strength. Dynamic moves such as burpees and jumping lunges bring cardio conditioning. Bringing a series of these exercises together as part of an organised circuit or group challenge enables participants to maximise results whilst being immersed in a motivating team environment.

Group exercise increases motivation, ensures consistency and helps you work harder. Working out creates a social contract in which participants are less inclined to miss workouts. The power of the group encourages people to push themselves further and stay in the moment, which allows for faster gains in strength, stamina and skills. Further still, group training adds an element of healthy competition and teamwork that helps spur members to work harder than they otherwise would. Instructor-led classes maintain Correct lines and techniques, preventing injury and maximising results. The motivational space of group fitness ensures that workouts are more fun, enjoyable, and sustainable in the long term.

Beginners should begin at a basic level of callisthenics and may start with bodyweight squats, push-ups, planks, and lunges, progressing to more advanced exercises. Plenty of group exercise classes include modifications for all fitness levels so participants can build strength at their own pace. Focusing on good form and controlled movements instead of speed is crucial. With instructor-led workouts, you get guidance and can correct your skills. In addition, group fitness offers a supportive and motivating environment, which can help newcomers find that extra motivation to keep going. Eventually, as strength and confidence increase, participants can work pull-ups, dips, and explosive movements such as burpees.

Yes, group bodyweight training can be as effective as traditional gym workouts, depending on fitness goals. Calisthenics builds full-body strength, mobility, endurance and coordination without using weights or machines. Exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, squats and core work are muscle and functional strength builders. Calisthenics-style workouts at high intensity can also yield cardiovascular improvements, providing a perfect gym alternative. Fitness classes help you stay motivated, break the monotony with new exercises, and give structure to the workout. While weights may be necessary for working toward specific muscle-building goals, pulled bodyweight training provides a whole-body, effective workout for most fitness levels.

Callisthenics group exercises 3 to 5 times a week together allow consistent progress while giving muscles time to recover for best results. This progressive training should also be balanced with strength, endurance, and mobility sessions to avoid overuse injuries, wasting your efforts, and achieving the benefits you are after. Beginners can start with up to two or three weekly sessions, increasing frequency as they gain endurance. Adding rest days or active recovery (think stretching or yoga) allows the muscles time to recover and helps prevent injury. Regular practice helps patients increase their strength, flexibility, and overall fitness through group exercise.

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Group Exercise and Preparing for Fitness Events https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-preparing-for-fitness-events/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 07:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39531 The post Group Exercise and Preparing for Fitness Events appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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After all, fitting into fitness events like running marathons, obstacle courses, triathlons, and team challenges takes sweat, structured training, endurance, and a strong mindset. Individual training is more effective with group exercise as it enables motivation, accountability, and camaraderie and boosts physical performance. Training in a group setting prevents boredom, fuels friendly competition, and pushes athletic limits.

The flexibility of group exercise programs enables them to be customised to the specific requirements of certain fitness events, allowing for a combination of strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, agility drills, and endurance-building routines. The encouraging environment of group exercise also enables individuals to maintain regularity in shaping up and becoming their best selves ahead of the event.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Fitness Event Training

Preparing yourself for a fitness event can be mentally challenging and physically demanding, but group exercise gives you the guidance to stay focused. Group exercise offers a ton of accountability. You feel responsible for the team, and you show up to work out because you are committed to the people you are working out with. Knowing that many others are also training with you helps you build a strong support system as you get motivated on tough days.

Sara R. / Senior Blogger or Writer Another considerable positive is increased motivation and healthy competition. Get inspired to push harder: In a group setting, you tend to push yourself harder when you see others do the same. From sprinting faster to lifting more or doing more cycles, being in a group spurs you to make yourself. Moreover, working out with people who are also training for the event fosters camaraderie and motivation, which are critical for maintaining inspiration throughout your journey leading to the event.

Also, exercising as a group helps with technique and lowers injury risk. Group exercises are frequently led by certified trainers or experienced athletes, ensuring correct form and movement mechanics. This allows attendees to train safely and reduces the risk of injury leading to the big day. Strength training, endurance exercises, interval workouts, and recovery techniques may all be included to create balanced preparation, and group exercises help to maintain variety and flexibility.

In addition to physical comfort groups and physical achievements, group exercise increases mental strength. Mental toughness, discipline, and brilliant pacing are all essential for fitness events. Training in a motivating and supportive environment creates the confidence  to tackle obstacles on event day. Group exercise packages customised for specific fitness events can help individuals achieve their optimum potential to perform at their best and achieve overall success.

Key Training Strategies for Fitness Events Using Group Exercise

In the context of team training, well-organized team sessions guarantee that all users will want energy and endurance ahead of exercise competitions. Unlike traditional motivational principals that  rely on the individual athlete in isolation, competition provides the added ingredient of motivational lift, which goes beyond the self and provides a personal competitor in the running.

Apparent Strength and Resistance training is one of the best preparation methods for an event. Full-body strength training workouts—squats, lunges, push-ups, deadlifts—improve muscle endurance, which is essential for activities requiring sustained physical effort. Group circuit training shines in this regard—workouts can be kept dynamic and challenging, while motivational but competitive peer environments provide participants with needed strength through brawn.

In addition to strength training, cardio and endurance conditioning are vital components of fitness event preparation. These come more from group runs, related high-mileage group cycling rides, and stair workouts, which increase stamina and enable participants to achieve that workout intensity for longer.

Alternatively, interval training (HIIT) is another superweapon since it improves cardiovascular fitness and speed, essential for racing and endurance-based events. Other activities — like rowing, swimming and jump rope drills — bring variety and work different sets of muscles, providing a more holistic workout.

Athletes with events that involve quick reflexes and speed need aerobics and speed-oriented exercises. Ladder drills, shuttle runs, and plyometrics are used to develop reaction time and explosive power. However, together, training becomes much easier with group obstacle course training, which is highly beneficial for authentic endurances: Spartan Races and Tough Mudders. You can incorporate hill sprints, as well as resistance bands, to help develop your acceleration and power as well.

Finally, recovery and mobility work are important in all contexts to help you avoid injuries and maintain long-term performance. For muscle recovery, group yoga sessions, foam rolling, and mobility drills are recommended.

Having scheduled active recovery days (as opposed to rest days) with light jogging or walking ensures that participants will be consistent but not overtraining. If an event is coming up, applying all of them will put a person at an outstanding fitness level, with a balanced mind and body, to perform the maximum on the event day.

How to Stay Motivated While Training for a Fitness Event

Consistency is imperative in training for a fitness-related event or competition, and group exercise ensures you keep your fire burning on the road to mastery. Here are a few ways to stay engaged, focused and inspired while training:

  1. Establish Clear and Attainable Goals
  • Set targeted training goals , such as dropping speed, volumes, or work.
  • Set long-term goals but also small, interim achievements, celebrating progress along the way.

 

  1. Train with a Supportive Group
  • Find a group of people who have fitness goals similar to yours.
  • Engage in team challenges, relay workouts or competitive drills for added fun.

 

  1. Monitor and Celebrate Success
  • Apps, journals, or wearable trackers can record progress.
  • Major achievements like getting a new personal best or a new level of fitness (Hit an all-time high on the bench press, Cross)

 

  1. Find training partners to stay accountable
  • Working with a training partner or a group prevents habit discontinuation and reinforces participation.
  • “It’s more fun to work out together, to cheer everyone on and be cheered on.

 

  1. Mix Things Up in Your Workouts
  • Alternate strength, cardio, flexibility and agility-focused workouts for variety.
  • Feature workouts like the team obstacle course challenge, partner workouts, or group exercise contests

With these motivational strategies, participants stay disciplined and consistent with event preparation.

Preparing for Race Day: Final Steps and Tips

With race day or the day of an event approaching, finalising your training, nutrition, and recovery is essential to cater to your best performance. The final days before an event should focus on tapering, resting, and practising appropriate fueling to ensure adequate energy and muscle readiness.

The tapering phase (where training volume is reduced one to two weeks before the event) is among the most crucial steps in getting ready. This makes space for recovery from previous intense workouts and keeps mobility and technique up through lighter training. Avoid high-intensity workouts; focus on stretching, low-impact movements, and mental preparation to keep your mind sharp without straining yourself.

Endurance and performance are greatly influenced by nutrition and hydration. Pre-events include increasing carbohydrate intake or supplementing carbohydrates, which helps to give the body enough glycogen stores for prolonged energy. Even some dehydration negatively impacts performance, so drinking water and electrolyte-rich fluids helps avoid it.

Avoid alcohol and excess caffeine, which can lead to dehydration. Sleep and rest are other essential components. In the week leading up to the event, strive to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night. Sleep aids in muscle recovery, cognitive performance, and general readiness. Gentle types of movement, like yoga, dynamic stretching, or foam rolling, may also prevent stiffness and keep muscles limber.

Race day logistics are as critical as training during the preparation process. You need to get to the venue with plenty of time to warm up, walk the course, and get in the mental space you need. Dress for the weather and ensure your shoes and gear are comfortable and ready to perform. Following these steps will help you perform at your best, feeling confident and prepared to complete your fitness event.

Conclusion

No matter what group exercise events you’re preparing for, group exercise is the most effective approach to increase performance and motivation while providing accountability and structure for an effective training strategy. Training with a network of gentle, like-minded, supportive, crazy people builds strength, endurance, agility, and mental endurance — all necessary to compete successfully.  Whether prepping for a marathon, obstacle course, triathlon or strength competition, group exercise provides the support, challenge and encouragement to help you perform at your best.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Group exercise offers more structure, motivation, and accountability than solo workouts when preparing for a fitness event. All group exercises and competitions lift participants to new heights in competition and fitness through teamwork and healthy competition. It also guarantees a range of workouts, from strength training, conditioning with endurance, agility drills, and recovery work, all vital to fitness events. More importantly, group sessions help break the monotony of working out alone and provide you with tips for refinement of techniques and a cheerleader-cardio-friendly atmosphere to hold individuals accountable and motivated through their workout reps and onto the fight of the event.

Resistance training, bodyweight exercises and HIIT workouts build overall strength. Endurance comes from running clubs, stair climbs and cycling sessions, ladder drills, sprints and obstacle course training to improve agility and coordination. They have group yoga and stretching classes to help with flexibility and recovery. Simulating event conditions, these varying group training sessions ensure diverse preparation for races, triathlons, marathons, and obstacle-based fitness events, such as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race.

For best results, train in a group setting 3–5 days weekly. This balances strength work, endurance building, agility drills, and recovery sessions. More cardio-based training for endurance or strength-based work for competitions may involve heavier resistance. About my rest or active recovery day: Resting at least once a week helps avoid overtraining and injury. The secret sauce is accountability: progress is guaranteed on race day with a team.

Have something with complex carbs and lean protein before a group training session. Some options include oatmeal topped with fruit, whole-grain toast with peanut butter, or a protein smoothie. Stay hydrated with plenty of water or electrolyte-rich drinks. Like pre-exercise, post-exercise nutrition should recommence the replenishment of muscle glycogen stores with protein and carbohydrates, grilling chicken with quinoa, eggs with whole-grain toast, or Greek yoghurt with nuts. Proper pre-and post-workout nutrition will help fuel recovery and improve endurance for your next workout session.

Group training makes it easier to set goals, track progress, and be held accountable to a team, all of which can help keep you motivated. Acknowledge short-term milestones heading toward the event, like increasing speed, strength or movement skill. Working out with a better half or a group motivates them to stay consistent. Team challenges, fitness app workouts, and progress rewards keep the motivation coming. Or mixing up training styles — from endurance runs to HIIT to recovery yoga — keeps workouts fresh. The social energy of group training makes fitness preparation a more joyous and fulfilling endeavour.

Avoiding injuries is a matter of balance through conditioning work, mobility, and recovery. During warm-ups before every group session, implement dynamic stretches and activation drills to prepare the body for lifting. “Strength training will also increase muscular endurance, which reduces the strain on your joints. Cross-training with activities such as swimming, cycling, or yoga reduces the risk of overuse injuries. Pay attention to your body — rest when you need to, and don’t push through pain. Foam rolling, stretching, and hydration help with post-workout recovery. With its rest days and mobility work, that structured group exercise program minimises injury risk and maximises performance.

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Group Exercise for Corporate Team Building Settings https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-for-corporate-team-building/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39532 The post Group Exercise for Corporate Team Building Settings appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Organisations must create a united, cooperative, and energised team to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving job market. Fire Up Team Spirit: Group exercise classes have become a favourite staff-building activity for corporate companies and a corporate wellness parameter to score, as employees can boost their physical health by improving communication, teamwork, and morale. Bringing fitness activities into the workplace creates a more engaged and productive workforce with less stress, better mental clarity, and stronger interpersonal relationships.

Chastising employees and strictly enforcing punctuality may work in the short term, but it will not help create a culture of well-being. Workplace wellness programs, corporate fitness challenges, team-building exercise events, etc., can promote such activities, essential in creating a workplace culture that boosts teamwork and employee performance.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Corporate Team Building

Group exercise in corporate settings allows employees to socialise outside their usual work environment. Working out promotes teamwork, strengthens bonds, and encourages collaboration—ingredients vital to building a positive workplace culture. Unlike conventional team-building events, which may be contrived or simulated, group fitness offers an authentic and interactive avenue for coworkers to connect and uplift one another.

Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of group exercise is decreased stress. Work-related stress is commonplace, leading to burnout and diminished productivity and morale. Exercise stimulates endorphin release, the body’s natural stress reliever, leading to a more energetic and positive work environment. Exercise leads to a better mood, improved concentration, and greater satisfaction, keeping workers healthy and happy.

Group workouts also encourage teamwork and accountability.” Employees feel a sense of shared goals and comradeship when they exercise together. Whether through yoga sessions, corporate fitness boot camps or office step challenges, participating in an exercise with others helps create a collaborative spirit and camaraderie. 700 employees who motivate and coach one another, fostering a culture of togetherness that extends well beyond the sweat to the rest of the workday.

Increased energy and overall productivity are other significant benefits of group exercise within the corporate environment. Regular physical activity enhances mental clarity, focus, and creativity, allowing employees to be at their best. Employees who participate in fitness programs experience increased stamina and energy rather than the typical mid-afternoon lethargy.

Including group exercise in corporate wellness, strategies can promote positive social dynamics among people in the workplace and foster a healthier, more engaged workforce that collaborates efficiently. This results in enhanced morale, boosted productivity, and greater happiness at work.

Implementing Effective Group Exercise Programs in the Workplace

Offering group exercise programs in business environments is a delicate balance that should be planned and delivered in the best way possible to meet health and wellness goals. However, the focus should be on developing fitness programs that allow everyone to feel included, get a good workout, and afford the training.

The most effective way for workplace fitness programs is to have on-site or virtual group workout sessions. For example, companies can hire certified fitness instructors to lead weekly yoga, HIIT, or strength training classes in the office or host virtual classes for remote employees. Employees will find participating easy, meaning that group fitness encourages a work culture that makes it the norm.

Fitness Challenges Another common type of competition you can do is called corporate fitness challenges. These challenges can be based on step count competitions, cycling challenges, and organization-wide movement goals that can motivate employees to integrate physical activity into the workday. Establishing group goals and providing incentives—from prizes, recognition, or fitness rewards—keep employees motivated and involved.

Solution #1: Establishing partnerships with local gyms or fitness studios: Offer employees discounted access to group exercise classes at nearby locations — an excellent way for an organisation with less space to maximise employee fitness options. According to this initiative, the company supports the employees’ well-being and gives them the flexibility to engage in any workout they prefer.

A great way to incorporate group fitness into corporate environments is to promote active breaks during the workday. Organising short movement breaks, stretch sessions, or outdoor walking meetings could break up long bouts of sitting, helping employees stay energised and focused.

To aid sustainability, businesses should promote workplace fitness initiatives via internal newsletters, team emails, and company-wide announcements. Leadership should also be involved—when managers and executives join group workouts, employees are likelier to participate, reiterating a company culture that encourages health and wellness.

Strategies to Encourage Employee Participation in Group Exercise

Group exercise is a positive start in workplaces, but its success lies in employee participation. Organisations must communicate strategically, stay flexible, and offer incentives to drive participation in workplace fitness programs.

One of the best ways to increase participation is to keep fitness fun and accessible. Various options allow employees to find what they like, as not everyone will feel comfortable in traditional workout settings. So encourage everything from Zumba, yoga, or Pilates to outdoor team sports as a group fitness option. Giving employees choices catered to their preferences and fitness levels increases the likelihood of their participation.

Workplace wellness incentives can provide additional motivation. Companies might provide rewards for regular participation, such as gift cards, wellness stipends, additional break time, and recognition programs. Healthy competition works, too— livening up team-based challenges with good-natured contests is an effective way to spur excitement.

A key aspect of boosting team exercise is making it part of the company schedule. Companies can organise training sessions before work, during lunchtime, or after office hours, providing employees with the convenience to join in. Some corporations even create “Wellness Wednesdays” or “Fitness Fridays,” wherein group activities are conducted weekly to make participation easier for employees with a more flexible schedule.

Finally, we need a culture of encouragement and inclusion to learn from mistakes. When executives and managers participate in group workouts, everyone feels inspired to join and get sweating—leadership involvement in fitness programs can have a profound effect. This guarantees employees at all fitness levels are comfortable participating in workplace fitness endeavours, creating a non-threatening and supportive environment.

With simple group exercise experiences that are fun and incentivised, employee participation rates will increase exponentially, leading to long-term success for corporate wellness programs.

How Group Exercise Enhances Workplace Collaboration and Productivity

Outside of the physical benefits of exercise, group assistance breeds healthy workplace collaboration and improves productivity. Corporate fitness programs challenge members to work together, leading to stronger teamwork, communication, and interpersonal relationships, all contributing to a more pleasant work environment.

Another way that group exercise contributes to cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork is that it helps break down workplace hierarchies. She adds that team workouts or wellness challenges give employees from various departments and ranks a relaxed environment in which to interact outside of work. This strengthens relationships, fosters open dialogue and connection in the workplace, and enhances the overall culture.

Regular group exercise enhances focus, problem-solving, and job performance . A ton of research shows how exercise helps with cognitive function and creativity. As the day goes on, people can become fatigued and less productive. Individuals who participate in workplace fitness programs tend to take fewer sick days and experience lower levels of stress and higher levels of engagement, all of which contribute to both employee and bottom-line health.

Corporate group workouts can significantly improve employee morale and job satisfaction. So, a workplace that encourages team building, well-being, and fitness is a positive work catalyst that helps increase retention and build a long-lasting team.

In conclusion, incorporating group exercise into corporate wellness initiatives promotes a healthier and happier workforce. It fosters teamwork and camaraderie, enhances productivity, motivation, and job satisfaction, and contributes to the organisation’s and its employees’ long-term success.

Conclusion

Employees and Organizations through Group Exercise  in corporate cultures bring many advantages to employees and the company. From catapulting physical and mental health to encouraging teamwork, motivation, and meetings, group fitness boosts workplace relationships and enhances general business culture.Structured workplace wellness programs, fun fitness challenges, and a culture of support can help employees build healthy habits while increasing workplace morale and job satisfaction. In conclusion, by incorporating the importance of group fitness, you can develop a successful workplace wellness initiative for your company.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Group exercise promotes team building, cooperation, communication, and employee camaraderie in corporate settings. So, when coworkers do fitness-related activities collectively, it helps foster trust, cheer each other, and forge stronger ties. Unlike team-building exercises that have been used in the past that feel forced, group workouts create an organic, more relaxed environment where employees can work out together while getting to know each other better. Group Exercise also works to break down hierarchical divides — letting employees from various departments and management levels interact in an informal environment. That is the basis for inclusivity, which breeds a sense of belonging and unity for better organisational teamwork. Physical activity lowers stress and increases morale, making the workers feel more motivated and energetic.

When looking for the best group exercise activities for your corporate team building, you must ensure they are inclusive enough to ensure participation from all team members regardless of fitness levels. Popular choices are yoga classes, strength training, functional fitness classes, Zumba, and group cycling. Corporate step challenges, team obstacle courses and boot camp workouts all foster teamwork while being electric and enjoying chirpy activity. For those who might be space-constrained, firms could consider offering virtual fitness sessions or subsidising memberships to local gyms and studios that can deliver group exercise classes. Outdoor activities like hiking, running clubs, and even company sports leagues encourage social interaction and allow employees to get some exercise outside the office.

Now, let’s talk about why group exercise is the key to getting employees — even the most inactive — to join your workplace fitness program. Many people today fear being judged, and that fear is even more rampant when it comes to exercise. Yoga is a great way to expand your audience and attract people of all fitness levels to your gym. For instance, while some employees may relish yoga or dance-based workouts, others prefer strength training or cardio-centric sessions. Wellness incentives can also help encourage participation. Staff who attend a predetermined number of sessions in a month might get gift cards, extra break time, or wellness stipends. Team-based fitness challenges and friendly competition also contribute to motivation.

Group exercise at work also leads to enhanced focus, energy levels and cognitive capacity that, in turn, improve employer productivity. Corporate fitness programs also help employees feel more mentally clear and less stressed in their personal lives, allowing them to work at a higher productivity level. Research has proven that exercise naturally increases the release of endorphins, so it only makes sense to say exercise makes for a happier workplace. Training peer challenges strengthen employer-employee working relations that foster communication and organisation. Employees foster mutual trust by opening up to each other as a workout partner, which extends into the workplace, where collaboration makes job-specific tasks easier.

These fun and engaging activities help employees stay active while also building team spirit and motivation, and corporate fitness challenges and competitions keep the workplace buzzing with excitement. These challenges promote friendly competition and accountability while encouraging employees to meet individual and team-based fitness-related goals. Step counts, company-wide running events, weight loss challenges and team-based obstacle courses are among the most popular corporate fitness challenges. Sabbaticals are incentives — prizes, recognitions, and wellness are great motivators for employees to stay consistent with their goals. The challenge benefits physical health and supports team bonding and cooperation.

Organisations must discover methods to involve remote employees in corporate wellness programs as remote work grows. An impactful way to give is by running online group exercise classes through Zoom or other virtual spaces. These sessions can be yoga, bodyweight workouts or guided meditation — all designed to help remote employees be able to join in from home. You may also consider implementing step challenges, virtual fitness challenges, or movement-based wellness goals to connect with remote workers. Tracking workouts via fitness apps and completing company-wide challenges help employees stay active and plugged into the corporate wellness culture.

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Group Exercise & Nutrition: Best Strategies for Optimal Fitness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-for-community-charity-events-2/ Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39526 The post Group Exercise & Nutrition: Best Strategies for Optimal Fitness appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Besides working out, you can achieve fitness goals through a comprehensive approach that involves group exercises and a balanced diet. Group exercise promotes motivation, accountability, and consistency, but nutrition is also a major driver in maintaining performance, recovery, and total well-being. Discordant benefits by themselves but together create a synergy that maximises results while promoting lifelong health.

Developing cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility through a planned group workout program is a structured approach to obtaining benefits. Still, progress toward impressive results can be limited if the body is not adequately fuelled through scheduled meals. Nutrition supplies the energy, protein, and nutrients needed for muscle recovery, fat loss, and continued performance. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, or get fit, knowing how the two go hand in hand will ensure you do your best.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Fitness and Motivation

This source of community and support for your fitness progress can be seen in group exercise. In contrast with solo exercise, group classes offer structure, motivation, and accountability, making it easier to stick new fitness into a routine. Many are not consistent, but you are more likely to adhere long-term when you exercise in a group, as a social and motivational element makes most individuals stick with it.

A significant benefit of group exercise is motivation. Knowing others are nearby encourages people to try harder and participate more fully in the workout, allowing for an enjoyable experience. A high-energy HIIT class, strength, cycling , and dance workouts all have the brilliance of group energy, which creates a stimulating environment to motivate participants to push their limits.

Group workouts also bring with them the benefit of accountability. If you know that people count on you to show up, you’re less likely to skip workouts. This responsibility makes it easy for people to adhere to their fitness regime through discipline and consistency. Group workouts also reduce feelings of isolation and contribute to mental well-being and social connections.

Group workouts are also varied and led by experts. Programs designed by certified instructors feature a structured approach that includes a variety of training modalities to foster balanced workouts that enhance endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Group workouts keep the workouts fun and engaging, whether it’s yoga, pilates, boot camp or functional training.

But even as pandemic-era exercise classes are, once again, thriving, they need to be combined with a solid nutrition plan. Without sufficient energy, energy plummets, muscle recovery is impaired, and performance suffers. The following section will explore how nutrition works with group workouts and overall fitness.

The Role of Nutrition in Supporting Group Exercise

Nutrition is one of the most critical factors boosting overall group exercise performance, endurance, and optimal recovery. A balanced diet fuels energy, keeps fatigue at bay, and repairs muscles after a strenuous workout. Similar to a vehicle, which needs the correct fuel to operate at its best, the body needs suitable nutrition to keep up with exercise and achieve optimal outcomes.

When exercising as a group, carbohydrates are the body’s principal energy source. Complex carbohydrates—from sources such as whole grains, oats, fruits, and vegetables—offer slow energy release and prevent mid-workout fatigue. When you don’t have enough and  start to break down muscle, you give up speed and take longer to recover, which isn’t ideal.

Proteins are essential for muscle recovery and growth. Eating quality sources of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, or plant-based protein after a group exercise session, helps rebuild the ripped muscle fibres after exercise fatigue and reduces post-workout muscle soreness. Protein is also crucial for preserving muscle during weight loss, so it is a key component of any fat-loss plan (one that seeks to retain muscle tissue while losing fat).

Healthy fat keeps us full in the long term and aids vitamin absorption. Source: Avocados, nuts, seeds and olive oil to get helpful fatty acids that protect overall health. Along with eating the right foods, staying hydrated is equally crucial. Fatigue, muscle cramps, and decreased performance can all be attributed to dehydration, making it vital to consume adequate amounts of water before, throughout, and after exercising.

When combined with effective nutrition, this offers massive benefits for performance, endurance, and recuperation, allowing you to increase your true potential while keeping everything on track for the long term. So, let’s discuss pre-workout nutrition strategies that “set the stage” to energise group workouts!

Fueling Your Body for Group Exercise: Pre-Workout Nutrition

As a group exercise professional, I know that pre-workout nutrition optimises energy, endurance, and focus! Choosing the right foods to eat before working out prevents fatigue, helps improve stamina, and provides the body with sufficient nutrients to perform optimally.

Eating a balanced pre-workout meal containing carbs for energy, protein for muscle assistance, and healthy fats for long-lasting fuel is best. The timing of pre-workout meals is also key — consuming them 30 to 90 minutes before exercise gives the body time to digest and absorb nutrients.

Some good options for your pre-workout meal would be:

  • Banana and almond oatmeal — complex carbs, fibre and healthy fats for sustained energy
  • Yogurt—Greek yoghurt with honey and berries combines protein, natural sugars, and antioxidants to support muscle work and energy.
  • Two pieces of whole-grain toast with peanut butter spread and one small sliced banana on top—This is a fast and effective energy-boosting snack.
  • Chicken and quinoa with steamed veggies—This is a balanced meal for longer workouts when endurance is needed.

Aside from food, make sure to be hydrated before group exercise. Drinking 500ml of water one hour before your workout will help your muscles and circulation work best. Avoiding heavy, greasy, or high-sugar foods prevents digestive issues and energy slumps during workouts.

Good pre-workout nutrition enhances endurance and reduces the risk of fatigue while prolonging muscle performance, making workouts more effective and enjoyable. Following group exercise, the emphasis turns to post-workout recovery nutrition, essential for repairing and replenishing energy stores within the muscle.

Post-Workout Recovery: Maximizing the Benefits of Group Exercise

The body needs the right stuff to recover, rebuild muscle, and refuel energy levels after vigorous group exercise. Adopting this practice without diligent post-workout recovery leads to fatigue, ineffective muscle repair, and a decline in performance in future sessions. Getting adequate recovery requires that you maintain proper nutrient timing in feeling your body heal and adapt to the stress of exercise.

The golden window (30 to 60 minutes after exercise) is when the body is most receptive to absorbing nutrients. This window is essential for glycogen restoration and muscle fibre repair. The best post-workout meal includes protein to help rebuild muscle and recover energy with carbohydrates. Good fuel options after your workout include a protein smoothie with banana, almond milk, and whey protein, a quick and easily digestible post-workout recovery.

Protein-rich grilled salmon paired with healthy carbs of quinoa and roasted vegetables is a great way to fuel energy and muscle recovery. A breakfast of scrambled eggs with whole-grain toast and avocado packs key nutrients to help you recover the minerals you lost during activity. At the same time, cottage cheese with mixed berries and nuts delivers protein and antioxidants to help decrease muscle inflammation.

Staying well-hydrated is just as important as recovery. Consuming fluids, whether plain water or electrolyte-rich drinks, replenishes the fluids lost in sweat and avoids dehydration. In addition, active recovery techniques such as stretching, foam rolling, or light yoga alleviate muscle soreness and improve flexibility. Focusing on post-workout nutrition and recovery will help individuals get the most out of group exercise, dull fatigue, get results, and make progress!

Conclusion

Combining group exercise and adequate nutrition will fasten you towards fitness goals efficiently. So, although group workouts offer motivation, accountability and a structured group training regime, nutrition is the fuel you need for performance, muscle recovery and prolonged endurance. To maximise the benefits from your workout in a group setting, pay careful attention to pre-workout nutrition for energy before the session, post-workout meals for recovery after and hydration between workouts. Adding balanced meals, nutrient timing, and hydration can help individuals maximise their workout efforts, minimise fatigue and have long-term health benefits.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The benefits of exercise in a group setting include motivation, framework, and social support, which make it easier to stick to your fitness goals. Working out in a group setting promotes accountability and inspires participants to give more than they would in isolation. Strength training, HIIT, yoga, you name it, and group exercise offers variety, which can make working out more stimulating. It also encourages mental health by lowering anxiety levels and fostering a sense of community. While group workouts alone can yield positive outcomes, pairing them with adequate nutrition can optimise energy consumption, enhance muscle recovery, and contribute to long-term fitness results.

The correct pre-exercise nutrition for group exercise will keep your energy levels sustained and your performance at its peak. Pairing complex carbs with lean protein fuels muscles and helps maintain endurance. Good pre-workout meal choices include oatmeal with banana, Greek yoghurt with honey and berries or whole-grain toast with peanut butter. Ideally, you want to eat 30 to 90 minutes before exercise because it allows food to be broken down in your digestive system to prevent discomfort when working out. Staying hydrated is equally essential — drinking at least 500ml of water before a session makes blood move around the body better and stops us from feeling tired.

Post-workout nutrition is critical after group exercise for muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, and decreasing fatigue. Within the first 30-60 minutes after a workout, consuming protein and carbohydrates is key to restoring muscle fibres and energy levels. Good post-workout meals include a protein smoothie, grilled salmon with quinoa and vegetables, or eggs with whole-grain toast and avocado. Staying hydrated is also essential — if we are losing fluid, we must replace it with water or electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration. Making post-workout nutrition a priority ensures you recover from one session faster, do better the next time, and, in the long run, make sure you make progress with any group exercise regime.

Nutrition is critical in supporting performance and endurance in group exercise. Carbohydrates supply quick energy, protein helps repair muscle, and healthy fats provide steady fuel. Without what they need, fatigue, muscle soreness and sluggish performance can result. In addition, strength, endurance, and overall workout efficiency will improve by eating balanced meals before and after workouts. Hydration, too, is vital — dehydration causes muscle cramps and diminished output. Group fitness is also an enjoyable way to meet your fitness goals day after day, but a well-rounded diet supports long-term adherence to your fitness program with optimal results.

The motivation to be consistent with group exercise and nutrition pays off over the long term. Treating workouts like appointments guarantees attendance while meal-prepping healthy foods will keep you from relying on unhealthy choices. However, gathering for fun group exercise formats—like HIIT, dance or Pilates—makes workouts fun. Having similar fitness partners around you enhances accountability, motivation, and push. A journal also allows for tracking the results of what you are doing so you can adjust accordingly. This all fits into a balance of exercise, nutrition, and recovery, allowing a sustainable routine that means continued fitness and general well-being success.

Hydration contributes to better stamina, endurance and recovery in a group exercise setting. It is known that dehydration causes muscle cramps, dizziness, and lower energy levels, all of which impair performance. Hydrate well by drinking at least 500ml of water before exercise, sip water during exercise, and replace the loss of fluids in your body after exercise. For endurance or prolonged workouts, electrolyte-rich beverages help replenish sodium and potassium levels.” Keeping hydrated also improves circulation and muscle function, making for a more efficient workout while reducing fatigue and preventing overheating in group exercise workouts.

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Exploring Sports Nutrition Essential Knowledge for Personal Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exploring-sports-nutrition-essential-knowledge-for-personal-training/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 07:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39506 The post Exploring Sports Nutrition Essential Knowledge for Personal Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The relationship between performance and recovery drives home the importance of sports nutrition in personal training. Your trainer, however, needs to know the key elements of nutrition that can help your clients level up their energy, endurance, and muscle gain. Exercise practice is one aspect of fitness, while nutrition serves as the fuel that nurtures physical activity, from muscle recovery to mental focus.

Nutrition is the body’s primary fuel for being healthy and avoiding fatigue before, during, and after workouts. Personal trainers must understand the basics of macronutrients (proteins, carbs, and fats), micronutrients, hydration, and meal timing to create individualised fitness plans. Nutrition guidance is a critical component of a comprehensive training program, as each client will have different nutritional needs based on their training intensity, body goals, and metabolic rate.

Sports nutrition also helps prevent injuries and facilitates repairs, keeping inflammation and muscle breakdown minimal. Teaching clients about balanced nutrition, nutrient timing , and hydration keeps them consistent and keeps them from burnout when achieving their goals. This article provides an overview of these principles, including macronutrient balance, hydration strategies, supplement considerations, and meal planning for personal training clients. Integrating scientific sports nutrition into personal training positively impacts client performance and stamina and prevents health diseases in the long run.

Macronutrients and Their Role in Personal Training

Macronutrients—protein, carbohydrates, and fats—are the operational stakes of an athlete’s diet, and each one serves a unique function for performance and restoration. By recognizing what these macronutrients do, personal trainers can create balanced nutrition plans that help build muscle, provide energy, and support health.

Proteins the Basics Muscle Building Block

Protein is essential for repairing, recovering, and building muscle. For clients undertaking strength training and/or high-intensity training, a dietary intake of enough protein and/or essential amino acids is necessary to promote muscle protein synthesis and to avoid muscle breakdown. Good protein sources are lean meat, eggs, dairy, fish, legumes, and plant-based protein alternatives like tofu and quinoa. For a coach, suggest a daily protein amount from 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg body weight for active individuals and the client’s specific purpose.

Carbohydrates: The Main Source of Energy

Carbs serve as the body’s primary fuel source, driving both endurance and high-intensity workouts. What Are The Smart Cards? Simple carbohydrates, like fruits and dairy, give you an immediate boost, while complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes, provide longer-lasting energy. Trainers need to time carb intake around workouts to promote the most glycogen storage and better endurance. For clients who do heavy training, carbohydrate loading may be beneficial before an endurance event to ensure adequate fuel in the body.

A Fats: Important for hormone balance and endurance

Healthy fats tend to get little attention but are important to hormone production, joint health, and sustained energy. Personal trainers must teach clients about healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds, fish) versus unhealthy fats (trans fats and overly saturated fats). Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, and fatty acids can improve cardiovascular health, which is very helpful with care and performance.

A shift in the proportion of macronutrients in a client’s diet optimises energy and muscle performance during activity and post-exercise recovery, so macronutrient education is an essential aspect of personal training.

Hydration Strategies for Optimal Performance

Of all the elements of sports nutrition, hydration is the most underappreciated. It has a considerable influence on performance, endurance, and recovery. Similarly, if you are a personal trainer, equipping your clients with the knowledge to celebrate the importance of hydration is critical to helping them achieve their goals and avoid dehydration and breakdown during workouts.

Why Personal Trainers Should Hydrate

Water is essential for thermoregulation, muscle function, and nutrient transport, among other physiological processes. Even mild dehydration (losing as little as 2% of body fluids) can cause fatigue, diminished strength and compromised cognitive function. Personal trainers must stress that water intake should happen throughout the day, even if you are not working out! The general recommendations are 2.7 litres/per day for women and 3.7 litres per day for men, but how much they need may vary based on how active they are, where they live, and how much they sweat.

Hydration Pre-Workout and Intra-Workout

Hydration is important for endurance and performance, particularly before and during exercise. Clients should consume 16-20 ounces of water 2-3 hours before a workout and 8 ounces 30 minutes before a workout. When exercising, particularly in high-intensity or prolonged sessions, personal trainers recommend sipping 4-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes to replace lost fluids. Clients undertaking longer endurance workouts could benefit from electrolyte-enhanced drinks to help restore sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost through sweat.

Hydration and Recovery After Workout

Power Up Your Electrolytes After a Workout: Rehydrate with Gatorade and Poptarts. Regarding hydration, the recommendation is to drink 16-24 ounces of water per pound if you’re up drinking. Drinks like coconut water, electrolyte drinks, and water-rich foods such as watermelon and cucumbers can help replenish lost fluids.

Hydration strategies boost endurance, prevent dehydration-related injuries, and improve overall health and well-being. Therefore, proper hydration strategies are reinforced when trainers use them in personal training programs.

Supplements and Meal Planning for Personal Training Clients

Although whole foods should always form the basis of a sports nutrition strategy, supplements can help fill in nutritional gaps and boost performance if combined with a well-balanced diet. Personal trainers must know at least about common supplements and their potential effectiveness.

Common Anti-Doping Suspected Supplements

Protein Powders: Great for clients who cannot hit their daily protein goals using whole foods. Muscle recovery and growth can be supported using whey, casein and various plant-based protein powders.

Creatine: One of the most studied supplements, creatine improves strength, power, and muscle mass, making it appropriate for clients involved in resistance training.

Branched-chain amino Acids (BCAAs) Help with recovery after exercise and minimise fatigue , particularly for endurance athletes.

Electrolyte supplements are good for clients doing long-duration exercise or working out in hot climates to avoid cramping and dehydration.

— Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Heart health, decrease inflammation and enhance joint mobility—invaluable for clients with high-intensity workout regimens

Planning Clients’ Meals with Ingredients

Personal training includes meal planning, which is crucial for getting clients their recommended nutrients and assisting them in achieving their fitness goals. Personal trainers must encourage clients to eat balanced meals consisting of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats at regular intervals throughout the day. Pre-workout meals should contain mainly carbs and protein for long-lasting energy, and post-workout meals should concentrate on protein and topping up glycogen stores.

At this point, clients should be educated on portion control, nutrient timing, and meal frequency, aiding in the creation of sustainable eating habits to be paired with their training. An effective and well-planned nutrition strategy promotes performance, muscle recovery, and reaching goals.

Conclusion

Sports nutrition is an essential aspect of personal training, which affects performance, endurance and recovery. To maximise their clients’ fitness outcomes, personal trainers must know about macronutrients, hydration strategies, supplements, and meal planning. Trainers also help their clients learn about proper nutrition, allowing them to fuel their bodies effectively, improving their workout efficiency and reducing the risk of injury.

By understanding the importance of balanced nutrition and hydration, trainers can develop customised fitness programs tailored to every client’s unique lifestyle and fitness goals. From muscle generation to fat reduction to metabolic progression, using sports nutrition perspectives helps your clients obtain durable victories.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports nutrition is crucial in personal training as it affects performance, recovery, and overall health. Proper nutrition fuels workouts, boosts endurance, helps build muscle, and prevents fatigue and injury. Fitness trainers must educate clients about macronutrients ( proteins, carbs, and fats), hydration, and nutrient timing to effectively attain fitness goals. Even the most effective exercise routines without proper nutrition won’t help you get the desired results. In addition, a solid sports nutrition approach prevents injuries and allows them to recover much faster to continue training consistently.

These three macronutrients – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats – are the building blocks of an effective sports nutrition plan in personal training. Protein is essential for repairing and building muscle and is especially vital in the wake of a bout of strength training. Clients should eat lean protein like chicken, fish, and eggs and plant-based proteins such as quinoa and tofu. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source; they’re needed to give your body energy for intense exercise and to replenish glycogen stores. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables provide sustained energy, which trainers should recommend. Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and olive oil support hormonal equilibrium, joint mobility, and endurance.

Hydration is a key factor in personal training; even mild dehydration can provoke fatigue, muscle cramps, and decreased performance. Water is critical for thermoregulation, nutrient transport, and muscle function. Depending on sweat loss and workout intensity, clients need to drink at least 2.7 L (female) to 3.7 L (male). After that, an additional 16-20 oz of water for pre-workout nourishment 2-3 hours before workout, then 8 oz again just 30 min before training. Trainers should instruct clients to drink water 15-20 minutes between workouts to replenish fluid loss. Electrolyte drinks are helpful during endurance training, such as running, cycling, swimming, or other high-intensity exercises lasting more than an hour. Rehydrating after exercise helps recover muscle and avoids fatigue caused by dehydration.

Though whole foods must always form the basis of sports nutrition, sports supplements can improve performance and recovery, focusing on personal training. Protein powders (i.e. whey, casein, or plant-based) assist the client in achieving their protein intake goals throughout the day, particularly regarding muscle recovery. Creatine can support strength, power, and endurance, which is excellent for those clients who do resistance training. When supplemented, branched-chain amino Acids (BCAAs) have been shown to minimise muscle fatigue and promote recovery in endurance athletes. Electrolyte supplements replace sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost in sweat during strenuous workouts and help avoid cramps and slips due to dehydration. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements promote joint health, decrease inflammation and support heart health.

Strategies for Meal Planning in Sports Nutrition — This component of personal training allows clients to focus on fuelling their bodies in a way conducive to achieving their fitness goals. It helps avoid nutrient deficiencies, encourages recovery, and improves performance. “I tell my clients, you want to be eating balanced meals, lean proteins, complex carbs and healthy fats, multiple times throughout the day” Carbs combined with proteins are essential in the meal before the workout session because they will help you obtain long-term energy. In contrast, post-workout meals should focus more on protein and replenishing glycogen in the muscle. When to eat: Meal timing has critical aspects since eating less than an hour before workouts can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, while waiting too long after physical activity can delay muscle recovery. Clients must also be taught how to properly control portions, nutrient timing, and hydration strategies by personal trainers to induce habitual sustainable nutrition.

Long-term change in personal training requires sustainable nutrition habits, and crash diets and extreme restrictions will lead to failure and frustration. Equipping customers with knowledge of how to perceive food equitably, rather than encouraging rigid eating patterns, should be the function of private trainers. To promote a positive relationship with food, you can recommend portion control, mindfulness, and whole-food-based meals. Trainers can also stress what Lindseth calls habit stacking — finding ways to incorporate small dietary changes into what is already happening in life — to make nutrition changes more manageable and more sustainable. “Realistic goals can give clients success without frustration. Also, teaching clients how to listen to their bodies and identify hunger cues keeps these systems in mind, reinforcing a more sustainable long-term approach to eating nutrient-dense foods.

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Exploring Exercise Psychology Insights for Personal Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exploring-exercise-psychology-insights-for-personal-training/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39496 The post Exploring Exercise Psychology Insights for Personal Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Understanding exercise psychology is an essential aspect of personal training, affecting the way a client remains motivated, adheres to, and participates in their exercise program. While physical training may help people build strength, endurance, and flexibility, the psychological components are what keep clients committed to their workout plans for the long haul. Some well-known psychological aspects like low motivation, anxiety, and low self-confidence result in day-to-day fluctuation in the proper training. By understanding exercise psychology principles, personal trainers can adapt strategies to their clients, enabling them to push through barriers, strengthen their mental fortitude, and form a healthy association with fitness. Trainers can thus use goal-setting techniques, behaviour modification strategies, and mental toughness training by integrating these components to improve a client’s overall well-being and performance.

Exploring Exercise Psychology Insights for Personal Training

Research indicates that exercise psychology is one of the most valuable tools used in a personal training setting, as it addresses the mental and emotional factors influencing a client’s motivation, compliance, and experience as a whole with fitness. Working as a personal trainer involves not just the physical side of the body; you would also need to study the psychology behind innovating the clients. Physical training can build strength, endurance, and flexibility, but the psychological aspect keeps clients on course. According to exercise psychology, that knowledge helps personal trainers assist clients with roadblocks, such as the barriers of lack of motivation, stress, and mental fatigue.

No wonder it is estimated that 80% of the population quits after just two months of trying to be active since many struggle with psychological inactivation, such as fear of failing, lower self-efficacy, or bad experiences. The role of a personal trainer in personal training goes beyond designing workout plans; they also need to be in tune with a client’s feelings, mental state, and behavioural habits to put in place strategies that facilitate long-term success. Strategies that motivate, set goals, and change behaviour will help keep clients invested in their training program.

There are many facets to exercise psychology, including the physiological effects of exercise, which demonstrate its positive influence on mental health, including reduced anxiety, improved mood, and increased cognitive ability . This may lead clients to become more involved in their workouts once they realise these psychological benefits. Through a combination of scientific expertise and empathetic intent, personal trainers in personal training can tap into mind-body awareness to develop a holistic, not just physical, approach to fitness, which can improve mental resilience and general well-being.

The Psychology of Motivation and Exercise Adherence

As personal trainers, one of the most challenging aspects of personal training is getting clients to stay consistent with their training. An exercise plan is something many people begin with the best intentions but lose the motivation to continue with as time goes by. Once trainers can better understand psychological motivation theories, they can devise strategies to keep clients engaged.

Motivating Factors: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic

Motivation can be divided into two main types: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when you exercise for its own sake, for the joy of it, its own inherent satisfaction, and challenge. Intrinsically motivated members tend to develop a lifestyle of fitness for life because they enjoy physical movement for the joy of it. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, while extrinsic motivation is fueled by outside factors, like losing weight, looking better in a dress, or getting a compliment from a friend.

On the other hand, extrinsic rewards can yield results in the short term but will not be sustained without intrinsic motivation. As fitness professionals, personal trainers can also redirect that pressure by reminding their clients that internal rewards—including improved strength, mood, and energy, to name a few—outweigh external benefits when it comes to finding enjoyment in movement.

The Importance of Goal Setting

Setting smart goals is one of the many exercise psychology principles that improve adherence. Working with your personal trainers, you can set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals to have a clear direction and purpose. Setting a specific goal is much better, such as “I want to run a 5K in three months and train three times a week.” Reaching these small milestones gives one a sense of achievement and keeps them motivated and committed to their goals.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Exercise

Clients’ Psychological barriers include time constraints, fear of failure, and self-perception. Examples of behaviour modification techniques personal trainers can use include self-monitoring, habit stacking, and positive reinforcement, all aimed at integrating some fitness workout into a client’s busy day. It’s also crucial to encourage self-efficacy or the belief in one’s ability to succeed. With small yet noticeable achievements, trainers can enforce confidence in clients, which is vital in helping them commit to their day-to-day results in their fitness journey.

Building Mental Resilience and Discipline in Personal Training

To achieve fitness goals, mental resilience is as crucial as physical endurance. Most clients deal with setbacks, fatigue, or mental blocks that prevent progress. Some personal trainers in personal training know the right strategies to integrate mental toughness into their approach to coaching clients.

Growth Mindset: The Little Engine That Could

According to psychologist Carol Dweck’s growth mindset theory, individuals who believe their strengths can improve through effort and learning are more likely to achieve their goals. Personal trainers in personal training can help clients adopt a growth mindset by reframing bad experiences as lessons rather than failures. Instead of labelling a skipped workout as a failed attempt, trainers can guide clients to evaluate what triggered the barrier to success and see what they need to do differently next time. It cultivates resilience, persistence, and long-term commitment.

Dealing with Workout Burnout and Plateaus

Finding motivation in less motivation and lack of progress is one of the most common psychological challenges in personal training. Clients can become disheartened when they no longer see progression or are burnt out from high-intensity workouts. Trainers should introduce periodisation strategies, including rest days, active recovery, and varied training styles, to prevent burnout and mental fatigue. Encouraging clients to measure their progress beyond weight loss—such as improvements in strength, endurance, or energy levels—can also help sustain motivation during plateaus.

Fostering a Positive Mindset in Personal Training

This is where self-discipline becomes essential: we all want to be healthy and fit, but consistency makes the difference between our goals and what we achieve. Personal trainers in personal training can assist their clients with developing better routines, reminders, and accountability systems to build up discipline. Encouraging clients to treat their workouts like any other necessary appointment in their schedule makes exercise a non-negotiable part of their daily lives.

Conclusion

Exercise psychology is critical in personal training as an opportunity to motivate clients, get the client to adhere to the program, and build mental resilience. Knowing the key limiting psychological pathways to exercise behaviour, trainers can design personalised motivation strategies, goal-setting processes, and mental resilience training that develop sustainability in erosive content behaviour.

Using motivation theories, changing how they work to support behaviour changes, and applying mental toughness to help develop overviews, personal trainers can support clients in overcoming common barriers and maintaining consistency and a growth mindset. Plus, by getting clients to focus on the psychological and emotional health benefits of exercise — such as reducing stress and increasing self-confidence — they are even more committed to working out, she says.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise psychology is the science of working with the psychological and emotional aspects of exercise behaviour, motivation, and adherence. In personal training, it serves as a vital component for clients to remain engaged, break through mental barriers, and foster a sense of fitness. Psychologically, it can be challenging for many clients to stay consistent with low motivation, fear of failure, or stress, to name a few. Knowledge of exercise psychology enables personal trainers to utilise behaviour change strategies, incorporate motivational techniques, and provide mental resilience training to assist clients better. It also helps trainers educate clients on the mental health benefits of exercise, including reduced stress levels, better mood, and higher self-esteem.

Motivation matters greatly in succeeding in training clients; extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are the two types of motivation. Intrinsic motivation is internal, meaning clients love exercising for its inherent rewards, such as feeling energised or accomplished. Meanwhile, extrinsic motivation is fueled by outside factors such as weight loss targets, social approval, or prizes. Since both forms of motivation will get us to stick to something, intrinsic motivation is a much stronger and longer-lasting motivator. Goal Setting, Small Milestones, and Social Connections to Improve Motivation This is where personal trainers can help improve client motivation by setting realistic goals, celebrating small milestones, and changing the trainer atmosphere of their training environment.

Various mental blocks — such as the excuses that you don’t have the time, you’re not very confident, you think you’re doomed to fail, or you had some bad experiences in the past with exercising — can keep someone from committing to a fitness regimen. Some clients have a crisis of faith in themselves or deal with extremes, both of which create problems in how they handle disappointments and/or deferments, which, in turn, either results in frustration or, at worst, drop out from fitness plans. In addition, stress, mental fatigue, and the demands of everyday life often mean that exercising can feel like an undesirable distraction. Some of the implements to counter these barriers that personal trainers can use in this case are habit stacking, self-monitoring and positive reinforcement with achievable goals.

Mental resilience means pushing through challenges, setbacks, and self-doubt and focusing on fitness goals. Personal trainers can inspire mental toughness by fostering a growth mindset in clients, framing obstacles as opportunities to learn instead of defeat. When sessions don’t go well, trainers should put challenges in a positive light and remind clients of their amount of success. Creating structure and accountability also reinforces resilience by establishing habitual behaviours towards exercise and movement. To help clients remain motivated and confident, trainers can introduce them to progress tracking, visualisation techniques, and self-affirmations.

There is a strong link between exercise, stress relief, and mental wellness. Exercise releases endorphins or “feel-good” hormones, which help you fight stress, anxiety, and depression. Cortisol levels are controlled from becoming too high and running the risk of building up too much stress, thanks to exercising regularly. Personal trainers can highlight these mental health benefits so clients understand they need exercise as a self-care rather than a task. Many fitness classes employ mindfulness techniques to amplify their stress-relief effects, including deep breathing exercises and yoga-inspired cooldowns. A structured workout also improves sleep quality, cognitive function and emotional stability, helping clients feel more in control for the rest of their lives.

If you enjoy the process, you will likely stick with it long-term. A successful personal trainer should help clients build confidence, focus on progress and keep workouts interesting. Clients come out of the session feeling good and with a more successful mindset, and encouragement and positive reinforcement help instil it. Also, tailoring workouts to what clients want (music, workouts they like, fun challenges) is a lot of fun. As part of this effort, trainers need to instil a healthy relationship with exercise by focusing on progress rather than perfection, encouraging clients to recognise their body and all its capabilities, and meeting appearance-related goals. Providing a positive, fun and non-judgmental atmosphere in which to work, personal trainers motivate, reduce intimidation and encourage clients to look at health as a way of life, not a phase.

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Personal Training for Beginners: Starting Your Fitness Journey https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/personal-training-for-beginners-starting-your-fitness-journey/ Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39501 The post Personal Training for Beginners: Starting Your Fitness Journey appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Starting on a fitness journey is a daunting experience and takes a first step. That’s where many people get stuck, not knowing where to begin, how to do the exercises correctly and how to stay motivated. And that’s why personal training is a total lifesaver. For a novice, a personal trainer brings guidance, structure, and accountability to keep the process from overwhelming. Whether the goal is to lose weight, build muscle, develop cardiovascular endurance, or improve health and fitness, personal training ensures that the individual is fortunate enough to take a safe and effective road to success.

The biggest problem, especially for a beginner, is consistency. Enthusiasm is usually high but dies down quickly when no progress or plan exists. Personal trainers also help clients stay engaged in the exercise experience by designing workouts that are goal-oriented, fun, and tailored to the individual. With their knowledge of correct form, nutrition tips, and goal strategies, personal trainers encourage newbies to create lasting healthy habits that yield lasting fitness results.

The Importance of Personal Training for Beginners

Beginners may find it challenging to kickstart their fitness journey, and personal training provides a comprehensive and practical approach to achieving fitness goals safely and quickly. Many newbies struggle to figure out where to begin, (&) which exercises to do, and (&) how to avoid getting hurt. If a beginner exercises without a proper plan, one can easily pull themselves, which is why personal trainers are available to guide, motivate, and, best of all, ensure you follow up with a proper plan.

For many people, personal training involves much more than lifting weights or running on a treadmill—its components include goal setting, exercise programming, nutritional guidance, and accountability. From weight loss to muscle gain to endurance and general health, a personal trainer connects beginners with what they need to accomplish their goals.

One of the most significant obstacles for fresh students is consistency — the motivation to stay at it. Many drop out after just a few weeks because they feel confused or disheartened. One of the reasons clients show up with a positive attitude is that a personal trainer creates workout routines that are effective yet fun. Moreover, trainers instruct proper exercise form and technique, minimising the risk of injuries — a common deterrent that stops many newcomers from progressing.

Staying accountable is another great advantage of the personal trainer. Just like with any other kind of exercise, beginners who schedule their sessions are more likely to stick to their workout. Trainers monitor progress, adjust, and set milestones to ensure steady progress.

As anyone new to a gym will tell you, investing in personal training can be the most significant factor in long-term fitness success. The right trainer likes to plan and provides support and motivation to complete and maintain results sustainably and in the long term. In this article, we will cover some essential aspects of personal training you need to remember when you start your journey: goal setting, exercise programming, proper technique, and motivation.

Setting Realistic Fitness Goals with a Personal Trainer

The one for considering fitness goals, even in personal training for a beginner, is setting clear, realistic, achievable fitness goals. Most novices begin their fitness journey with muted or unrealistic expectations, resulting in tribulations. Such a trainer works with clients to establish realistic, attainable, and time-based goals commensurate with how they eat, exercise, and live.

In personal training, the SMART goal-setting method is extensively applied:

  • Specific —Make a goal clear and defined, e.g., “I want to lose 10 pounds” instead of “I want to lose weight.”
  • Measurable – Monitor progress through metrics, such as weight, strength levels or improvements in endurance.
  • Attainable – Goals must be challenging but sufficient for the beginner’s fitness level.
  • Relevant – Goals must be connected to why you want them, for example, better heart health or more energy.
  • Time-bound — A realistic timeframe for accomplishing the goal, such as “I will lose 10 pounds within three months.”

Before creating a plan, personal trainers evaluate a client’s current fitness level, medical history, and lifestyle habits. They spot potential pitfalls and set realistic expectations to keep clients motivated and invested.

Another principle of setting up your goals is realising that it’s a process which takes time. One of the most common misconceptions for any individual attempting to get into better shape is to think that you must see almost instantaneous results. Still, personal trainers always note that consistency and gradual improvement over time are key. A beginner trying to put on size, while not going to see the scale move immediately, should see strength gains in weeks with the proper program.

Trainers also help clients identify non-scale victories, like more energy, better sleep and improved overall health. These aspects motivate novices even when the scale doesn’t immediately reveal progress. When beginners set realistic fitness goals, they are more likely to remain committed and motivated to achieve their personal training goals, which sets the stage for lasting success.

Creating an Effective Beginner Workout Plan

An organised workout plan is necessary for beginners to gain strength, endurance, and confidence in their fitness journey. Personal training creates personalised programs according to the client’s fitness level, goals, and pre-existing conditions. An effective beginner workout plan usually covers cardio, strength training, flexibility, and recovery strategies.

Cardiovascular Training

As a result, they were training on data until October 2023. Beginners may engage in low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming. However, a personal trainer can still incorporate interval training to gradually build intensity over time and increase gradual endurance without leaning towards energy overload.

Strength Training

Resistance Training: Resistance training is essential for gaining muscle, enhancing metabolism, and increasing total strength. Beginners should begin with bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups before adding weights. This is important to avoid injury and ensure that their workout is as effective as possible.

Flexibility and Mobility

Accordingly, stretching and mobility exercises enhance the range of motion, help combat stiffness, and reduce the risk of injury. Trainers lead novices through dynamic warm-ups and stretch after workouts to improve flexibility and muscle recovery.

Recovery and Rest Days

Rest is an essential element of any novice workout regimen. Overtraining can result in fatigue, soreness, and injuries. Personal trainers also help clients balance exercise and recovery, allowing muscles to repair and grow.

For example, a personal trainer continually updates the workout plan according to the client as they grow stronger and can handle more physically demanding routines, challenging the client while avoiding the risk of injury. Training beginners with structure and balance helps them develop confidence and build a regular training routine.

Staying Motivated and Overcoming Challenges in Personal Training

Staying motivated is one of the most significant hurdles when just starting your fitness journey, and a personal training is an essential ally to keep clients inspired and accountable. Most people join a gym with high hopes only to lose interest from slow results, hectic lifestyles, or low self-esteem. Trainers have numerous tricks they call upon to keep you on track.

Accountability and Consistency

Having your training sessions scheduled creates a commitment and accountability. Knowing that a personal trainer is waiting for them makes clients more likely to attend their programs. Trainers also check in regularly to ensure clients progress and adjust accordingly.

Making Workouts Enjoyable

For beginners, exercise is seen as a task to complete, which can create a sense of apathy and boredom. These were just some examples of what a good personal trainer should do and how they could mix things up with circuit training, group workouts, or outdoor exercise to keep workouts entertaining.

The Importance of Tracking Progress and Celebrating Small Wins

You are only concerned with progress, however small, which is crucial for motivation. Trainers keep track of performance advances, endurance builds, and non-scale wins to prove to clients how far they’ve come.

Addressing Mental Barriers

Many new practitioners struggle with self-doubt, fear of failure, or lack of confidence. This is the most important aspect for clients new to fitness, and personal trainers will provide emotional support, encouragement, and mindset coaching to impart a positive attitude toward fitness.

Training for beginners must be much more related to motivation, consistency, and a positive experience that keeps one doing it.

Conclusion

Fitness is not easy for everyone, which is why personal training caters to beginners. It offers them guidance, structure, and motivation to begin and maintain a successful fitness journey. They create personalised programs to achieve attainable goals with realistic workouts and motivation.

Personal training is essential to a beginner’s fitness success. They teach proper exercise techniques, provide accountability, and emphasise long-term consistency. Whether the objective is shedding pounds, enhancing muscle development, or achieving better health, personal training provides the resources and motivation that lead to long-lasting progress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Trainers will show total beginners the ropes when the fitness world can be overwhelming and can ensure they progress safely and correctly. One of the biggest challenges beginners face is knowing where to start, how to perform steps correctly and how not to get injured. A personal trainer creates personalised workout routines tailored to the client’s goals, fitness level, and existing conditions. In turn, this creates a safe, effective and enjoyable fitness experience. Another great benefit of personal trainers is that they encourage beginners to stay consistent and motivated, minimising the chances of quitting a few weeks in. The best part is reading nutritional guidance, progress tracking, and corrective feedback to ensure continuous improvement.

This is why goal setting is one of the most crucial things to have in place for personal trainers of beginners. Many people embark on their fitness journey with broad, unrealistic goals — and end up disillusioned. When personal trainers work with clients to set their objectives, they often use a way of setting SMART goals — which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Instead of setting a general goal such as “I want to get fit,” a trainer might help a client set a more specific goal: “I want to lose 10 pounds in three months by exercising three times a week and eating healthy.” This methodical approach offers guidance, inspiration, and tangible advancement.

A good beginner’s personal training program balances cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility and recovery strategies. Cardio, like walking, biking or doing interval workouts, all help with heart health and endurance. Resistance training builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and increases overall strength; a beginner training regime starts with bodyweight exercises and moves toward using weights. Flexibility and mobility work, such as stretching and foam rolling, improve the quality of movement and lower the risk of injury. Recovery also plays a vital role since rest days give muscles time to repair and grow. Personal trainers will slowly ramp up the intensity and complexity so the client continues to progress without being overwhelmed.

One of the most significant difficulties for newcomers is that they can become unmotivated, but personal training helps keep the client involved and committed. One big reason is accountability — the fact that a trainer expects them to attend an appointment makes them more committed. Trainers also tap into variety and fun workouts so you don’t get bored, and the idea of working out doesn’t feel like a chore. Another driver is progress tracking; visibly tracking measurable improvements, whether through strength or improved endurance, inspires clients to put in the effort. Trainers celebrate non-scale victories like mood improvements, better sleep, and new energy. Another significant aspect of personal training is combating mental barriers like self-doubt and fear of failure.

This can lead to injuries, frustration, or lack of progress — common mistakes for new practitioners. One typical blunder is improper exercise technique, which could lead to stress or injury in the long run. Having a personal trainer can guarantee correct form, which lowers the risk of injury while increasing the exercise to work best for you. A common mistake is overtraining or undertraining — some people jump into things too hard and burn out, and others just don’t go hard enough. A trainer finds the balance between intensity and recovery, allowing clients to train correctly. On the nutrition side, newbies also overlook the importance of healthy eating, thinking that exercise alone will do the trick. They teach clients about balanced diets and the time of meals so they get sustainable results. Most are not consistent either, skipping or changing workouts too often.

Timeframe to Achieve Results from Personal Training—from a week to a few months to a year. After two to four weeks, most new exercisers will see the first signs of progress — endurance and energy. Usually, strength improvement and muscle tone become visible after six to eight weeks of regularly working out. Weight loss success varies based on caloric consumption, activity level, and metabolism. Still, most people will see audible results in five to eight weeks with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Personal trainers will tell you that fitness is a long-term goal and that the work you put in determines the results you get. Visible physical changes take time, but other benefits, like a better mood, flexibility and greater confidence, come more quickly.

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Exercise Prescription Principles and Guidelines for Personal Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercise-prescription-principles-and-guidelines-for-personal-training/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 07:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39498 The post Exercise Prescription Principles and Guidelines for Personal Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exercise prescription is intrinsic in the context of personal training, allowing fitness professionals to understand how to structure programs to fit the needs of the individual, to name a few. It refers to the intentional, appropriate, and practical design of exercise forms, loads, times, frequencies, and progress rates to achieve positive fitness effects and reduce the incidence of injury. To devise an exercise regimen, however, personal trainers must consider different factors: a client’s fitness level, health conditions, goals and preferences.

A well-designed exercise intervention is aimed to promote cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and general health. Structured evidence-based fitness plans created by personal trainers are based on crucial principles like specificity, overload, progression, and individualisation.

Exercise prescription is an important concept not only for fitness professionals but also for our clients to understand so that they remain invested in their fitness journey. Customising exercises to someone’s needs and abilities increases the chances of getting better outcomes from long-term practice.

Key Principles of Exercise Prescription in Personal Training

There are foundational exercise science principles that personal trainers implement to create a successful exercise program for a client to maximise results and help keep their client safe. Through these principles, every fitness program can be based on and adjusted to fit whatever the client needs.

Specificity

This concept is known as specificity, meaning training must be specific to individual goals. For example, if a client wants to improve endurance, their exercise program should consist of aerobic activities like running or cycling. So, a sound resistance training program is critical. Another key aspect of specificity is ensuring that workouts are targeted to the desired fitness outcome.

Overload

Personal trainers use the overload principle to encourage the body through muscle adaptation and cardiovascular improvements. This means incrementally pushing the intensity, volume, or resistance past the client’s typical level. For instance, a strength training client will progressively lift weights to stimulate muscle adaptation.

Progression

The key to keeping improving is progressive overload. Trainers slowly manipulate factors like workout intensity, time spent, or complexity over time to make clients work harder. A sudden increase leads to injuries; systematic progression results in a steady increase in fitness.

Individualisation

Each client has different fitness levels, health conditions, and individual goals. There is no one-size-fits-all in personal training. To ensure safety and efficacy, trainers must tailor exercise prescriptions according to age, mobility, prior injuries and medical history.

Recovery and Adaptation

Muscle repair and performance improvement require rest and recovery. Personal training includes rest days and active recovery exercises to avoid overtraining and injury. Adaptation represents the favourable response of the body during exercise stress, leading to improvements in strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Reversibility

It emphasises that halting training can cause gains. Their strength and endurance will decrease if a client has not exercised for a long time. Personal trainers instil the importance of consistency and help clients form habits for sustainable life activities for long-term change.

By embedding these principles into fitness programmes, personal trainers ensure that clients train efficiently, safely, and with durability. These fundamentals provide a structure for trainers to create periodic workout plans that help improve performance in objective, sustainable ways.

Exercise Prescription Guidelines for Personal Trainers

Personal trainers operate under evidence-based guidelines, which maintain the effectiveness and safety of exercise programs and are aligned with scientific research and industry standards. Such guidelines aid clinicians in prescribing the appropriate type and volume of exercise depending on an individual’s requirements and fitness status.

Aerobic Condition – The Training for Endurance

Cardio fitness is equally important for heart health, endurance and burning calories. Aerobic exercise is typically prescribed using the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type), which most personal trainers utilise:

How often: More sessions (3-5 sessions per week)

Type: Moderate to vigorous intensity (60-85% of maximum heart rate)

Time: 150–300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75–150 minutes of high-intensity exercise

Type: Thursday — aerobic. Running, swimming, cycling, rowing and all other aerobic εταιρίες

Strength Training

Resistance training is essential for muscle growth, strength and metabolic health. In essence, strength programs should include:

Time: Minimum 2-3 days a week, with muscle recovery between sessions

Volume: 3-6 sets of 6-12 reps per exercise

Volume: 2–4 sets, 8–12 reps per set per muscle group

Type of Exercises: Both compound and isolation exercises focusing on each major muscle group

Flexibility and Mobility Training

Flexibility and mobility work will improve your movement efficiency (so less energy expenditure!), help prevent injury over time, and make recovery easier. Some guidelines for stretching are as follows:

Frequency: No less than 2-3 days a week

Intensity: Stretching to the point of mild discomfort but not pain

Time: 15-60 seconds per stretch

Static stretching, dynamic stretching, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

Pilates, Boxing and Mobility Training

Functional training enhances coordination, stability, and the quality of movements in general. Personal trainers use exercises that mimic everyday activities (especially the ones that shouldn’t be considered exercises) to improve core strength, posture, and injury prevention.

Monitoring and Evaluating Progress in Exercise Prescription

Tracking your clients´ progress can help keep them on track and allow you to adjust their exercise programs as necessary. Fitness assessments: Personal trainers offer different types of tests, including VO2 max for cardiovascular endurance, strength tests to track muscular gains, and flexibility measurements to improve mobility.

These assessments provide quantitative data that help trainers adjust exercise programs according to a client’s performance. Reviewing your performance from prior workouts, including the volume of reps, weights done, or duration spent, is another critical component of assessing progress.

By consistently logging these details, trainers can identify clear patterns to better understand what needs to be adjusted. It is also critical to change intensity and workload as our clients progress over time. To continue providing progressive overload to the client through ceiling effects, trainers will need to modify the exercises to maintain a challenging yet achievable task.

Another critical aspect of personal training is assessing client feedback. Knowing  clients’ feelings about their exercise experience helps trainers customise programs to keep motivation high and burnout low. If a client is feeling pain or struggling with specific exercises, the necessary adjustments to the workout should be made to improve their experience while still attaining fitness goals.

Through progress tracking and data-driven adjustments, trainers can develop a well-structured, safe, and enjoyable program that is geared toward long-term success. This ultimately allows personal trainers to keep clients focused and progressing for a massed, sustainable amount of time.

Conclusion

To effectively and safely reach your client’s goals, a well-structured exercise prescription is integral to successful personal training. Personal trainers design structured programs by implementing essential principles, including specificity, overload, progression, and individualisation, to meet each client’s unique needs.

Trainers follow scientific guidelines for cardiovascular fitness, strength training, flexibility, and functional movement, which helps them create balanced but results-oriented workouts. This also includes adapting programs to a person’s individual fitness level, medical condition, and body response to exercise, as well as special populations and special nutrition programs for people with disabilities.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise prescription in personal training refers to a systematic approach to creating workout plans tailored to an individual’s fitness level, goals, and health conditions. Describe the type, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise needed to promote and maintain fitness safely and effectively. These principles include specificity, overload, progression, and individualisation, which personal trainers employ to design client workouts. The objective is to improve cardiovascular efficiency, strength, endurance, flexibility, and general well-being with the least risk of injury. Exercise is also prescribed according to age, medical history, and movement efficiency, so each workout is specific to the client.

Exercise prescription is essential to personal training, as it helps ensure that workouts are goal-focused, safe, and effective. Without a specific method, for example, customers could come up with exercises that are both simple, too extreme, or not even consistent with their exercise targets, therefore leading to nothing or damage. Stimulating effort with an optimal exercise prescription requires progressive overload, individualised programming, and adequate recovery to elicit the most significant adaptations in performance. It also helps log progress, keep people accountable, and revise workouts to better suit the client’s needs. It also helps prevent overtraining, muscle imbalances, and workout plateaus.

Exercise Prescription General Principles: Specificity, Overload, Progression, Individualization, Recovery, Reversibility Specificity refers to the fact that training should be targeted to the goals set up by the client; e.g. for runners, it’s endurance training, and for bodybuilders, it’s strength training. Overload is where you progress with intensity or volume to challenge your muscles, and when the body is forced to adapt, advance fitness levels. Progression gradually increases the workload to make sure you are always getting better. Individualisation means adjusting the programs according to each client’s background, fitness level, health conditions and preferences. Recovery helps your muscles repair and become stronger, preventing injuries and burnout.

Using data such as fitness level, fitness goals, age, personal medical history, movement efficiency and background lifestyle, personal trainers provide personalised context to follow prescribed physical activity programs. They perform fitness tests, including strength tests, flexibility tests and cardiovascular endurance tests, to establish a baseline for a client. From the results, trainers choose appropriate exercises, intensity levels, and progressions. On the beginner side, trainers may rely on basic movements and techniques, where advanced clients are put through progressive overload strategies. But when you are programming for special populations — older adults, pregnant women, those with an injury — those principles need to be adapted to be safe and effective.

Personal trainers apply the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) for cardiovascular endurance training. Suggest that your clients get 3-5 sessions of 150-300 minutes of aerobic work each week, with them working at 60-85% MHR, which could be something like running, cycling, swimming, etc. There is consensus among personal trainers that resistance training should be done 2-3 times a week minimum, completing 8-12 reps in a set to gain muscle, which is termed hypertrophy or heavier weights low reps (3-5 reps) to gain strength. A complete program should include a blend of compound and isolation exercises that train all major muscle groups. Also, trainers add diet, activity, flexibility, and mobility exercises 2-3 times/week to maintain range of motion, improve posture, prevent injuries, etc.

Personal trainers track client progress by utilising fitness assessments, monitoring performance during workouts, adjusting intensity, and evaluating member feedback. They perform periodic assessments such as VO2 max tests, strength metrics and flexibility measurements to gauge improvements. Trainers also log reps, weight lifted, time and workout intensity to monitor your progress. The required progressions of intensity and workload for them to exist must be considered, as some clients will require progressive overload to progress. Furthermore, trainers assess client feedback to tackle obstacles like fatigue, discomfort, or lack of motivation, adjusting their approach accordingly.

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Dynamic vs. Static Stretching: Best for Fitness Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/dynamic-vs-static-stretching-best-for-fitness-exercise/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 07:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39493 The post Dynamic vs. Static Stretching: Best for Fitness Exercise appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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It is an essential component of any exercise practice. Understanding the differences between dynamic and static stretching can help you do your warm-ups and cool-downs in a manner that is best for your body and your workout goals. For exercise and to protect yourself from pain, you need to know when and how to use each type of stretching to get the most benefit out of it.

Understanding Dynamic Stretching for Optimal Warm-Up

Dynamic stretching is a great way to warm up before a fitness workout. It consists of active movements that take your muscles and joints through their full range of motion. Active stretching increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood flow because you want your body prepared for intense physical activity.

Examples include walking lunges, arm circles, and leg swings, which target multiple joints and muscle groups and prepare your muscles for bending and steady movement.

Dynamic movement is beneficial in many aspects of exercise. It prepares you to be less stiff, which is essential prior to strenuous and multidirectional tasks, such as sports or running. Research shows that it not only prepares the body after learning but also helps to reduce the risk of sprains and improves flexibility.

Quickly moving causes oxygenated blood to develop in muscles, which accelerates their performance. Stretching prepares the body for productive work and the mind for productive work by helping the mind be more focused on the task at hand and using multiple muscle groups in a similar fashion.

Dynamic stretching will prepare your muscles and joints for action. Excellent for pre-exercise routines that can involve movement-based exercises. It can be life-changing for athletes and exercise enthusiasts to perform at their best and reduce the likelihood of injury.

The Role of Static Stretching in Recovery and Flexibility

In contrast, passive stretching means holding for 15–60 seconds. This type of stretching is an everyday post-fitness exercise routine to relax, loosen and recover. Passive stretching gradually lengthens and stretches the muscle, increases flexibility in the long term, enhances posture, and lowers muscular tension. Examples of Passive stretching: Hamstring, Quadriceps, Shoulder, and more

Benefits of Static Stretching

  • Improved Flexibility: Regularly stretching muscles extend them, making them more flexible. This aids in mobility, balance, and posture every day.
  • Decreased Muscle Soreness — Stretching post-exercise allows your muscles to relax and recover.
  • Injury Prevention—Passive stretching can help make muscles more flexible and pliable and prepare them to withstand sudden movements or loads.
  • Enhanced Circulation: Static stretches, which are held for a fair amount of time, increase circulation to the surrounding muscles and thus help recovery by supplying nutrients and removing garbage.
  • If you stay in a stretch and concentrate on it, it can help relax and relieve tension.

Passive stretching involves a period of rest and lengthening of muscle after an exercise. Apart from exercises, it can also be used as part of a stretching protocol to improve flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness.

When to Incorporate Static Stretching in Your Routine

If you’re going to do idle stretches, consider the time of day and your workout goal. Static stretching in fitness exercise is beneficial when the following situations occur:

Best time: After a workout: The ideal time to perform static stretches is after working out, when you can use warm and supple muscles to loosen up and gain flexibility. Stretching post-exercise can also be beneficial as it can reset the muscles and make such workouts less painful, helping rapidly recover my lesions.

On Days Off: You don’t need to limit passive stretching to days you’re working out. On days off, these will help you keep your flexibility and circulatory strength, particularly for employees stuck in a job that lacks movement.

The third recommendation targets flexibility, so if your goal is to improve flexibility, dedicate time to performing active stretching multiple times a week. This is a great method for gradually increasing your range of motion because holding a stretch for long periods of time allows the muscle to adapt to its new position.

Passive stretching is an evening habit that promotes relaxation and stress relief, which can contribute to better sleep. This stretch is relaxed and straightforward, making it perfect to ease into bed.

Passive stretching should rarely be performed in a warm-up, as it can reduce muscle strength and stability if performed before an intense exercise session. However, if you know when to use it, it can be one of the most beneficial elements of your exercise practice.

Critical Differences Between Dynamic and Static Stretching

Idle stretches should be done during your workout based on the time and goal. Static stretching is especially beneficial when these scenarios occur:

Recommended Timing: After exercise. Sustained Stretching should be performed post-exercise when the muscles are warm, pliable, and ready to loosen and stretch. Stretching after exercising can also aid in resetting the muscles so they feel less sore and heal faster and more efficiently.

Days Not Training: You don’t just have to perform passive stretching on days you train. If you work a job that offers little to no movement, doing motionless stretches on rest days can really keep you loose and assist with circulation.

If your primary focus is on flexibility, schedule active stretching three or four times per week. This is one of the best ways to gradually improve your range of motion, as holding stretches for a number of breaths allows the muscles to adapt.

Passive stretching is one of those activities that can help you relax and release the tension of the day. As part of your night routine, it naturally allows you to sleep better. It is light and calming, so it is perfect for doing while going to sleep.

In most cases, Sustained Stretching should not be included as part of a warm-up since it can decrease muscle strength and stability when performed prior to a high-intensity fitness workout. However, if you know when to do it and when not to, Sustained Stretching can be a great addition to your exercise practice—and you will get the most out of it!

How to Combine Dynamic and Static Stretching for Maximum Benefits

If you want to get the most out of your fitness exercise, active and static stretches can be beneficial. Begin with a clear practice involving both types of stretches, starting with a “Warm-Up” part.

Run for five to ten minutes or perform jumping jacks to warm your body and your heartbeat. Then, perform dynamic stretches. Dynamic Warm: Every Workout Targets Muscles that will be Heavily Used, So Make Sure They are Warmed Up and Ready to Go.

At this point, you can choose to begin your Workout, whether that’s running, doing Strength training, or both. After you finish the main workout, initiate a “cool-down” period and stretch while standing for a few minutes. Aim to hold each one for 15 to 30 seconds and concentrate on tight and overused muscle groups.

Perform only Sustained Stretching or static/active stretching on Flexibility Days, a minimum of 1–2 per week. In this way, you are more flexible and mobile without training as hard as you typically do. Deep breathing while standing and stretching is how to integrate some Mindful Breathing techniques. This enables your body to relax, promote circulation, and maximise each stretch.

This offers a comprehensive practice in that it warms up the body for exercise and helps it be well-rested to heal the body afterwards. It also enhances flexibility and overall enhances physical fitness progress.

Conclusion

The dynamic stretches improve training performance in fitness exercise; the static stretches — properties improve flexibility but also increase some aspects of muscle recovery related to health. Using these two approaches, stretching at the correct times may maximise fitness, reduce injury risk, and enhance sports performance in athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and beginners.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dynamic and static stretches are needed for different purposes in a gym routine. In dynamic stretching, you perform exercises to get your muscles firing and increase your heart rate. So, this prepares the human body for exercise. It is predominantly performed in the warm-up to a workout. On the other hand, sustained stretching involves holding a stretch for an extended period while minimising movement. This helps your muscles to be fluid and movable. You should stretch out this way to cool down from a workout. It might aid your muscle recovery and will chill you out.

Passive Stretching is best done before or after a workout or as part of a stand-alone flexibility routine. A static stretch, sitting in a position for a little while, is perfect for increasing flexibility and relaxing sore muscles. When you finish exercising, your muscles are warm and loosened. When you do not train, passive Stretching will also allow you to maintain your flexibility without forcing your muscles to work too high. By performing static stretches using 1 or 2 muscle groups at a time, you can hold for approximately 15 to 30 seconds, allowing the body to heal, the muscles to rest, and the muscle fibres to elongate.

Yes, Holding stretches for an extended period allows muscle fibres to lengthen slowly. This increases flexibility and allows for more range of motion. However, you will change if you do passive Stretching regularly (post-exercise or as part of a unique flexibility practice). Flexibility change occurs over time with long-term static stretching. On top of that, the extra flexibility means typically that you will carry on a lot more freely, saving you against damage and getting a single position. Static stretching takes a little bit more time to work (ideally, more than once per week).

Yes, stretching can alleviate soreness during an intense workout. It is also a part of returning to standard practice, where static stretching moves blood back into the hardened muscles. It circulates nutrients and disposes of waste, aiding the repair process. One thing everyone loves to hear about is stretching to relieve muscle tightness, reduce stress, or feel less tightness at some point after exercise. Static stretching is better used while days aid diet and water to repair muscles.

Pre-exercise static stretching, particularly if vigorous, can destabilise and weaken the muscles you soon want to use. If you stretch your muscles long, they might relax a little, complicating their ability to tighten quickly. Muscle loss can be detrimental to performance, particularly in power, speed, and quickness-dominant sports! This is where dynamic stretching, which uses vigorous moves to prepare the body for performance, is typically recommended before exercise. Non-kinetic stretching is best practised at the end of a workout.

Body-Body Static stretching before exercise, especially high-voiced intensity activity, may reduce muscle stability and strength output. When muscles are stretched and held, they start to lose some of their stiffness. For this reason, tightening may become more complex quickly. The loss of muscular response can undermine performance, particularly in sports that rely on explosive, speed, and agility.

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The Role of Breath in Pilates Exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-role-of-breath-in-pilates-exercises/ Fri, 07 Feb 2025 07:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39450 The post The Role of Breath in Pilates Exercises appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Breath is a foundation of the method — essential to its efficacy and transformative results. While breathing in physical disciplines such as yoga and Zumba can happen naturally, and without much emphasis, with Pilates, breathing is intentional, essential and threaded throughout the practice. Pilates exercises create a specific breathing pattern, lateral or diaphragmatic, to help individuals take in as much oxygen as possible while simultaneously using their core and maintaining proper alignment throughout the movement. It fuels the body with oxygen nurtures a richer mind-body connection, and helps make each movement more controlled, efficient, and purposeful.

Breath plays a significant role in Pilates, and not just, well, breathing. It engages the deep core muscles, helps with coordination and provides a natural rhythm for movement. It also improves posture and decreases tension, making the practice calm and centred. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a more advanced practitioner, once you’ve mastered this form of breathing — the art of Pilates breathing — it can bring your workout to the next level, unlocking even more substantial results.

Supporting Core Engagement Through Breath

Breath is a key element that helps support engaging the core, another of Pilates’s basic principles. Core engagement is necessary for stabilising the spine and pelvis, protecting the lower back, and maintaining proper movement patterns. Pilates utilises specific breathing techniques that activate the deep core musculature, such as the transverse abdominis, pelvic floor, and diaphragm. These deep muscles activate and work together to support the core, which serves as the foundation for all Pilates movements.

The lateral breathing technique, specific to Pilates, sends air into the sides and back of the ribcage, enabling practitioners to keep the abdominal muscles active even when breathing. This keeps the core engaged and stabilises the body’s movement. In the “hundred” exercise, for example, practitioners inhale deeply into the ribcage to stabilise the core, exhaling to deepen the contraction of the abdominals. This, in turn, strengthens the core and helps posture and stability while doing daily tasks.

Breath while you exert: A significant part of Pilates breathing is exhaling while you exert. Exhaling during specific movements helps engage the core, allowing the motion to feel smoother and more controlled—for instance, when doing a “roll-up,” exhaling as you lift your body off the mat. Such synchronisation calms and centres your body, minimising stress on the neck and back and enhancing efficiency.

Breath work also promotes accuracy in Pilates exercises. When practitioners focus on the breath, they can better execute the movements in their bodies, ensuring they perform every exercise with purpose and stability. As we practice breath, it acts as our compass, giving us the oxygen needed to power the muscles and helping us better integrate mind and body.

Breathwork can make any Pilates exercise more effective. It enables you to draw your core in substantially while still keeping all the parts aligned and balanced. This blending of breath and movement is central to why Pilates is so transformative.

Improving Movement Coordination and Efficiency

The core of Pilates breathing: The importance of breathing in Pilates How to master the breath in Pilates exercises for workout performance, efficiency, coordination, and overall improvements. Integrating the breath with the movement creates a natural rhythm, which makes the transition from one modality to the other flow more seamlessly and in a controlled way. With this synchronisation, practitioners move more precisely, a key aspect of practising Pilates.

Nearly every exercise in Pilates has designated breathing sequences to ensure that you make the most of each move. Inhale while preparing, exhale during the exertion phase. This breathing pattern guarantees that you are performing movements with the correct physiology while reducing the chances of injury and helping you get the most out of each workout.

Posture Improves the Efficiency of Muscle Contractions The diaphragm works with the deep abdominal core to stabilise the body while breathing out during a challenging move, such as a “plank.” It enables the body to produce more power with control and excitement.

Breathing also aids balance and alignment in dynamic activities. For example, during a “side kick,” inhaling when you prepare the movement and exhaling as you reach the leg keeps the core engaged and helps features of the spine and pelvis remain aligned. Precision at this level activates the appropriate muscle groups and avoids compensatory actions.

Incorporating breath in every movement creates more fluidity and efficiency in Pilates exercises. Through intense practice, practitioners develop a sharper awareness of their bodies in space, enabling them to perform exercises smoothly and under control. This, in turn, translates into a more powerful workout that is true to the foundational tenets of Pilates.

Enhancing Mental Focus and Mind-Body Connection

A unique characteristic of Pilates is its focus on the mind-body connection, and the breath is integral to developing this awareness. Pilates breathing techniques help practitioners stay present, bringing breath and movement into synchronicity. This awareness helps develop mental clarity and forms a more profound bond between mind and body.

Deep, mindful breathing in Pilates helps you relax and feel energised, so you can concentrate on each movement while doing stretches and exercises. Distractions dissipate as attention is directed to the breath, and the mind becomes more in sync with the body’s movements. By being more conscious, every motion starts to have its reason and plan.

Breath is also an anchor in challenging exercises, allowing practitioners to stay grounded and focused. For example, inhaling to prepare and exhaling during the lift during a “teaser” stabilises the core and strengthens focus, ensuring the movement is steady, controlled, and balanced.

The mental concentration encouraged by Pilates breathing exercises leaves the studio, too. As soon as practitioners practice mindfulness in workouts, they cultivate skills valuable for the rest of their lives, like stress relief and better focus.

The combination of breath and movement gives Pilates a meditative quality, elevating it from a sheer physical workout to a whole-body practice. This mind-body connection is a significant reason Pilates is frequently referred to as a practice promoting physical and mental well-being.

Promoting Relaxation and Reducing Tension

Breathing techniques used in Pilates can increase circulation, help activate the relaxation response and release muscular tension. Lateral breathing is done gently, reducing physical and mental stress to make the workout more enjoyable and effective.

Breath is employed to promote the relaxation of muscles that are working too much while enhancing the utilisation of the muscles that need to be activated. For example, deep breathing helps tight muscles lengthen better when you stretch or cool down. This is a constructive relaxation response if you have shoulder, neck, or lower back tension.

Another way to help release unnecessary tension is to fully exhale during your movements. For example, when doing a “spine stretch forward,” exhaling while stretching forward relaxes the back muscles and deepens the stretch. This helps increase flexibility and ease any discomfort from tight muscles or bad posture.

Pilates exercises and breathing have benefits beyond physical relaxation. Concentrating on the breath while exercising engages the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that relaxes the body and releases stress. This is why Pilates is such an excellent practice for relieving anxiety and enhancing general wellness.

When combined with breath relaxation, Pilates exercises become an effective tool for physical and mental rebooting. Focusing on controlled breathing allows practitioners to leave each session feeling refreshed, balanced and ready to face the day.

Conclusion

Pilates exercises are nothing without breath. Breathing is an essential Pilates tool, from facilitating core engagement and moving more efficiently to increasing body awareness and relaxing into the movement. This is called lateral breathing, which allows maximum oxygen intake and strengthens the mind-body link to make each motion more purposeful and powerful. After the breathing techniques are integrated into the practice, an atmospheric shift within the whole process can be experienced and a significant elevation in Pilates practice results. Regardless of your level, breathing through Pilates can help you realise its full benefits and create immediate change in your body.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Breathing is crucial because Pilates exercises involve engaging the core, efficiently moving, and enhancing the mind-body connection. To instil this expansion through the ribcage, Pilates uses a specific breathing technique, lateral or diaphragmatic breathing, that fills the sides and back of the ribcage with air. This method enables practitioners to activate their core while taking a breath, keeping their bodies aligned and controlled during exercises. Coordinating the breath with movement also helps with the flow, making for better transitions while easing stress on the neck and back. Breath, appropriately executed, infuses the body with oxygen and brings a rhythm that makes Pilates exercises more purposeful and effective.

Lateral breathing, a signature move in Pilates, means expanding the sides and back of the ribcage while keeping the abdominal muscles engaged. It differs from normal belly breathing in that the abdomen doesn’t rise much during inhalation, so the core remains engaged. I mean lateral breathing, which opens space to take in more oxygen and promotes low abdominal engagement and alignment. It’s beneficial during exercises like the “hundred” or “roll-up,” when the breath control helps with strength, precision and stability. Lateral breathing ensures breath is used more effectively in Pilates exercises.

The breath is key to engaging the deep core muscles in Pilates exercises, such as the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor. Inhaling brings air to the ribcage while holding core tension, and exhaling allows for more muscle contraction. For example, during a “plank,” exhaling in the effort phase stimulates the engagement of the core, lending support, stability, and a more secure foundation for the spine and pelvis. Proper breaths not only engage the core but also help improve posture and avoid strain while performing Pilates. There’s a clear connection between breath and core activation, which is the basis of Pilates practice.

Correct breathing also aids movement efficiency, as proper breathing creates a natural rhythm to each Pilates exercise. Working with breath and movement makes everything more fluid and correctly performed. For example, breathing in while preparing for the position and breathing out when moving into the challenge phase is essential for staying in control and aligned and avoiding injury. Breath also increases muscle activation, which helps you approach Pilates movements with more power and stability. Focusing on breathing patterns allows practitioners to develop their coordination and efficiency, bringing more fluidity and effectiveness to their movements.

Yes, controlled breathing in Pilates exercises relieves physical and mental tension. Taking deep, intentional breaths encourage the overactive muscles to relax while engaging the muscles that need activation. Exhaling fully during stretches such as “spine stretch forward” helps the back muscles relax and improves flexibility. Breathwork also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body and lowers stress levels. From tension release to improved mobility, you’ll leave every Pilates session feeling refreshed and balanced when you breathe during every movement.

Strengthens the mind-body connection (Pilates breathing encourages you to remain mindful and focus on your exercise). By moving and breathing harmoniously, practitioners become increasingly in tune with their body’s sensations, positions and muscle engagement. For example, in movements such as the “teaser,” you focus on your breath to maintain balance and control to achieve movement accurately. Such focus cultivates mental clarity and body awareness, which helps practitioners move more purposefully. Pilates breathing turns the exercise’s sparkle and focuses on bringing a sense of well-being to you.

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The Importance of Pilates Props in fitness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-importance-of-pilates-props-in-fitness/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39451 The post The Importance of Pilates Props in fitness appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates is an intense, empowering practice that increases strength, flexibility, and body awareness. But incorporating some Pilates props does take this practice up a notch. Resistance bands, foam rollers, stability balls, magic circles and other Pilates props aren’t just props — they are key components that contribute to the effectiveness and accessibility of Pilates workouts. These props promote healthy alignment, create stability or resistance and facilitate a deeper stretch — making movement safer and more effective for yogis of all levels.

Props support beginners, instilling confidence as they learn the basic moves. For more advanced practitioners, the challenges they pose deepen and refine practitioners’ skills. In addition, props can boost Pilates’ accessibility; people with injuries or physical limitations can reap the benefits of the practice.

Alignment and Support: Foundations of Effective Pilates

Pilates props can help with better alignment and support in the exercises. When we practice Pilates correctly, one of the basic principles of Pilates is alignment. When we are aligned, we move in a safe and proper way. Pilates props, such as yoga blocks, foam rollers, and wedges, aid practitioners in attaining and/or holding proper alignment, especially during a challenging pose or when mobility is limited.

For beginners, props can offer the support needed to ease into challenging poses gradually. For example, putting a foam roller under the lower back helps stabilis

e the pelvis because it helps locate how to engage the core properly to stabilise the pelvis without placing unnecessary tension. Similarly, yoga blocks help modify poses so that users will hit proper alignment while flexibility is still evolving.

For even experienced practitioners, props like magic circles or stability balls can refine movements and deepen body awareness. These tools help you engage in the correct muscle groups, prevent compensation patterns from creeping in and reduce your risk of injury.

Props also support those with physical limitations or injuries; it should also be mentioned. Developments which enable modifications render Pilates accessible to every level of physical condition. Pilates props have a level surface for steady, effective movement when used to align the body and provide support.

Enhancing Strength and Flexibility Through Props

Using props can enhance strength and flexibility in a highly effective way. These tools introduce resistance and diversity into exercises, allowing users to better address muscles and achieve a well-rounded workout. Resistance bands, magic circles, and weighted balls are typical props that work muscles in different ways.

Resistance bands offer a versatile option for core, arm, and leg work in dynamic strength building. For example, adding a resistance band with leg lifts makes it more challenging and should require a higher amount of muscle recruitment. Magic circles also serve as great tools for toning the inner thighs and arms since they need you to hold pressure and control for an extended period.

Props also help deepen stretches, helping practitioners achieve a greater range of motion and enhancing flexibility. Foam rollers, for instance, can help with myofascial release, loosening tight muscles and increasing flexibility. Stability balls under the spine allow for deeper backbends or hamstring stretches.

Props help build unused muscles and challenge muscle endurance. Focusing on props and slow, controlled movements helps patients build strength and flexibility. Over time, this helps improve posture, balance, and overall body awareness. Pilates props are indispensable to building a complete and effective workout that pushes the body in new and exciting directions!

Adding Variety and Challenge to Workouts

Pilates props are an excellent tool for keeping workouts fresh and exciting while providing added challenges. Props help change the variety in your routine so that you can easily keep engaged and motivated. Each prop brings a new element to your workout, from a resistance band to a stability ball to a foam roller.

Resistance bands and weighted balls can be used to make traditional Pilates moves, like leg circles, bridges, or planks, more strenuous. The extra resistance or weight means more effort and focus, helping to increase strength and endurance. Likewise, adding a magic circle to moves like the hundred or side leg lifts requires more control and core work, making the exercises more difficult.

This encourages creativity and exploration when using the props. For example, during a stability ball exercise, the added equipment adds another level of instability , so those practising this exercise will have to use their stabilising muscles to stay balanced. Foam rollers can be danced on, rolled on, or used to intensify stretches, so no two sessions are the same, and everyone can have fun!

For advanced practitioners, props test limits and push boundaries. Different modifications allow familiar moves to be performed at another intensity with the addition of weighted props or resistance. If you’re a beginner, props offer a way into more advanced movements, enabling you to build confidence and skill over time.

Using Props in Pilates makes workouts versatile and adaptable. This not only improves physical results but also keeps the practitioner excited and engaged in their fitness development.

Improving Accessibility for All Fitness Levels

Pilates is a very inclusive form of exercise, so props are widely used to modify exercises for various ages, fitness levels, and physical abilities. Props help modify or intensify movements to match individual needs, whether you’re a beginner, recovering from injury, or a seasoned athlete.

Props are necessary for beginners to get the extra support needed to learn foundational movements without strain. Yoga blocks, for example, can provide support in balance during standing poses, and resistance bands can let beginners acclimate to stretches they may not yet be able to hold on their own. With these adaptations, newcomers can feel competent and confident as they advance.

Props such as foam rollers or stability balls enable gentle, supportive movements for people with injurious or mobility issues. These tools help alleviate discomfort and support recovery and strength after injury. Props also allow for exercises that would otherwise be too challenging or unsafe so that they can provide an accessible route to fitness.

Advanced practitioners can also use props to increase the challenge and intensity of their workouts. Weighted balls, magic circles or resistance bands can challenge longer-term users to work their muscles harder and focus even more closely.

Props make Pilates accessible to all levels and needs, allowing everybody to reap the benefits of this life-changing practice. Pilates props, whether for assistance, adaptation, or progress, allow practitioners to shape their routines to their needs and objectives.

Conclusion

Pilates props are essential implements that increase the effectiveness, accessibility, and enjoyment of Pilates exercises. Not only do these tools improve alignment and provide support , but they also establish a solid foundation for safe and effective movements. In addition, props can introduce resistance and novelty to practitioners, enabling them to strengthen, lengthen and explore new horizons in their practice. Props support beginners and increase empowerment; for advanced students, props provide sophistication and depth. From foam rollers to magic circles, resistance bands, and stability balls, all props aim to reach yours — making the workout fun and varied while working the muscle needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates props are equipment such as resistance bands, foam rollers, stability balls and magic circles that help you improve the depth of your Pilates exercises. They matter because they enhance balance, provide better resistance and allow you to get deeper into some stretches, making workouts more effective and accessible. Props are helpful for beginners: They offer support and confidence as you learn the movements, while advanced practitioners can use props to create intensity and tastefulness in their movements. The tools also allow Pilates to be adapted so people at various fitness levels can enjoy the practice.

Yoga blocks, wedges and foam rollers are props that help to create proper alignment in Pilates moves. These assist in poses that might be difficult so you move safely and effectively. A foam roller may help stabilise the pelvis during core exercises, for example, or yoga blocks can assist in adjusting stretches for those without flexibility. By improving alignment, props help prevent strain and facilitate a lower risk of injury while also increasing the effectiveness of Pilates as a whole.

Yes, props are great for strength-building and improving flexibility in Pilates. Resistance bands provide variable resistance in exercises to salt in those muscles, and magic circles give you stronger muscles through progressive movement. Foam rollers and stability balls aid in deepening and elongating stretches, increasing the range of motion and releasing tightly knotted tissue. Integrating props into your routine provides an even workout that works and extends simultaneously.

Pilates props make your workouts feel fresh by adding new challenges and movements. Resistance bands, for instance, increase the intensity of leg lifts, and stability balls introduce a passive instability that engages deep core muscles. Magic circles require more control in exercises such as the hundred, and foam rollers can be employed for active stretches or myofascial release. This adds variety and challenges to your routine, which prevents boredom and keeps you motivated and progressing in your fitness journey.

Absolutely! Pilates props are perfect for beginners because they offer stability and changes in the foundational movements. Some tools, such as yoga blocks, can help with balance, and resistance bands can help ease into stretches that might otherwise be difficult. Props also serve to build confidence, making challenging exercises feel more accessible. Props allow beginners to safely build strength, flexibility, and body awareness as their practice evolves.

Advanced practitioners can use props to make Pilates sessions challenging and intense. Resistance bands and weighted balls facilitate added muscular engagement, while stability balls can challenge balance and coordination. Magic circles create resistance dimensions to core and leg workouts, forcing the body to work harder. For advanced users, props facilitate fine-tuning techniques, testing limits, and progressing toward greater strength, flexibility, and control.

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The difference between Pilates Mat vs Pilates Equipment https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-difference-between-pilates-mat-vs-pilates-equipment/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39452 The post The difference between Pilates Mat vs Pilates Equipment appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Not only does Pilates enhance the core strength and flexibility of the human body, but the method also focuses on posture, breath, and body awareness. One of its most potent benefits is versatility; practitioners can choose between two primary forms of practice—Pilates mat work and Pilates equipment. These include principles common to both forms but varying practices, viciousness, and tools, creating a different experience for learners of all skill levels.

The primary “equipment” for Pilates Floor exercises is your body and a few simple props, making it an affordable and accessible option that can be practised virtually anywhere. It requires a lot of strength in your core, balance, and body control and concentrates on performing fundamental movements that develop a solid foundation. In contrast, Pilates exercises are performed on equipment like the Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair, which adds adjustable resistance from springs and pulleys. We can customise it further, offer more exercise variability, and provide additional assistance or a more formidable challenge.

The Benefits of Pilates Mat Work

A rundown of what even the most experienced Pilates will encounter includes Pilates at the mat, the base of the Pilates foundation. It relies on core stability, interactivity, alignment and balance throughout each specific series of controlled and sequenced movements. Unlike equipment-based Pilates, Mat work can be done on just a mat, making it one of the most accessible and economical options for practising Pilates. It’s ideal for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals and seasoned practitioners seeking to strengthen their foundational skill set.

Mat-based exercises are focused on core engagement, with moves such as the hundred, the roll-up, and the plank working the abdominals, obliques, and lower back. These exercises train th

e deep stabilising muscles, which leads to better posture, stability, and body awareness. Along with core-strengthening exercises, Floor exercises include dynamic stretches like “spine stretch forward” to improve flexibility and range of motion.

Mat Pilates is one of the most appealing forms of practice due to its accessibility. No equipment is needed to do it almost anywhere—alone, in a group class, or outdoors. It’s also an excellent introduction for anyone new to Pilates, allowing them to build strength and confidence before moving on to equipment-based classes.

Matt’s work may appear simple. However, it does offer difficulty for those at any standard of skill. More advanced moves, like the “teaser” or “side plank,” require a lot of strength, flexibility, and control, so Floor exercises offer a practical and diverse workout. Pilates mat work focuses on core control, allowing you to perform a range of moves that will engage multiple muscle groups regardless of your fitness level. Since it is performed on the ground, it can be portable wherever you are. Whether you are building your foundation or looking for a fun challenge, Floor exercises provide the fundamental benefits of Pilates in a flexible format.

The Enhancing Workouts with Pilates Equipment

Exercises can also be performed using Pilates equipment such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Spine Corrector, which add resistance, support and variety to the movements. Whereas Floor exercises use the person’s body weight as resistance, the equipment enables adjustable springs and pulleys to add resistance and intensity. It can be tailored to the individual as a form of resistance training.

The Reformer, perhaps the most popular Pilates equipment, uses a sliding carriage and springs to provide resistance. This means you can fine-tune the intensity and range of motion for anyone at any fitness level. Footwork or leg circles on the Reformer are some exercises that provide core engagement, strength building, and postural alignment.

Pilates on equipment is beneficial for people with injuries or mobility problems. The Cadillac, for instance, has straps that can support lifts for stretches and strength exercises, enabling users to focus on movement patterns without stress. Springs and straps help with movement, allowing the user to establish proper form while building strength.

Pilates equipment also introduces movements that are unique to it and not possible with Floor exercises alone. The Wunda Chair, for example, addresses balance and stability, and the Spine Corrector is designed to impact the thoracic spine for ideal posture. The equipment also helps with variety so you can get a full-body workout that fits your needs and goals.

Equipment-based Pilates may require a studio and is usually more expensive, but it is customised and versatile like nothing else. It’s great if you want to deepen your practice, rehab injuries, or add more variety to your exercises.

The Key Differences in Focus and Intensity

Despite their different focus, intensity levels, and benefits, mat work and equipment-based Pilates share a common foundation. Knowing the differences may make it easier to decide which is best for you and your fitness adventure.

Pilates mat work focuses on body awareness, core strength and balance. Because it uses your body weight for resistance, the movements demand that you stabilise and control them without external support. This develops deep strength in the core, as well as overall coordination. Working without it also fosters mindfulness: you have to concentrate on accurate movement and alignment.

Counter Church uses springs, pulleys, and straps to allow for different types and levels of resistance in your workout. This resistance works the muscles differently, enabling muscle targeting while maintaining proper alignment. Because of its resistance and support, equipment-based Pilates makes for better Pilates rehabs than mat classes.

Mat work can be deceptively tricky regarding intensity, particularly for more advanced practitioners. Exercises like the “roll-over” or “jackknife” demand remarkable strength, flexibility, and control. However, Pilates equipment can provide a broader range of intensity levels, gentle assistance, and advanced resistance levels. Reaching these fitness levels through the program makes it appropriate for people of many fitness levels and goals.

In the end, floor exercises and Pilates equipment each have upsides. While mat work lays the groundwork for core strength and body control, working with equipment adds resistance and variety, giving the workout a different flavour. While both forms can be beneficial, adding a little to your routine is a safe way to provide balanced strength and flexibility and recover overall fitness.

Incorporating Both Forms into Your Routine

To get the most out of Pilates, it is advisable to add mat work to your routine in addition to equipment-based Pilates. Both forms provide complementary benefits for a balanced workout, improving strength, flexibility, and body awareness.

Begin with the basics of Pilates mat work. Concentrate on mastering basic moves like the “hundred,” “roll-up,” and “spine stretch forward.” These practices will strengthen your core, help with alignment, and develop the body awareness necessary for more advanced work. Another advantage of Floor exercises is that they allow you to practise at home , thus making it simple to keep your Pilates routine consistent.

Once you’re familiar with the basics, try all-volunteer equipment-based Pilates. Training with the Reformer or Cadillac can make a week more fun and hit trouble areas that need to be built up or rehabilitated. Another advantage of the equipment is that it usually provides more progression, as the resistance can be adjusted to suit your goals.

Most Pilates studios offer hybrid classes, combining Floor exercises with equipment exercises. Such sessions are a good way to taste both forms, with an instructor guiding you. For instance, a class could consist of core-focused mat exercises followed by Reformer movements to foster strength and flexibility.

When incorporating both methods into your routine, consistency is imperative. Strive for two to three sessions a week, mixing mat work and equipment-based workouts. This full-body workout will enhance your overall fitness, muscle tone, posture, and mobility.

Floor exercises and equipment-based Pilates are part of it, so you can experience the full spectrum of all the benefits this exercise approach offers. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, melding these practices will assist you in achieving your fitness goals while remaining strong and balanced.

Conclusion

Whether practising on a pilates mat or using machines, exercises enhance strength, adaptability, posture, and well-being. In contrast, floor exercises focus on body awareness, core strength, and accessibility. At the same time, equipment- or apparatus-based Pilates- brings resistance, variety, and advanced customizability to help take your practice to the next level. Knowledge is power — knowing the difference between these forms allows you to cater your practice to your needs and goals. With the combination of Floor exercises and equipment-based Pilates in your routine, you can form a well-rounded workout that lays a framework but can also advance. Pilates offers a well-rounded and diverse way to reach your fitness goals, whether training at home, in a studio, or going back and forth between the two.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates mat work focuses on exercises completed on a mat using your body weight for resistance. It focuses on core strength, alignment, and controlled movements without additional equipment. Pilates equipment involves using specially designed machines such as the Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair. These machines rely on springs and pulleys to supply incremental resistance and provide additional support or challenge based on your needs. Reformer and chair-based Pilates offer more options, allowing for better customisation in a workout, making it suitable for rehabilitation or advancement in training.

Pilates Floor exercises can be as practical as equipment-based Pilates based on your fitness goals. Mat work emphasises core strength, flexibility and control of the body, providing a total body workout with minimal props. Floor exercises at an advanced level can be challenging, demanding a considerable amount of strength and control. “Equipment-based Pilates provides different advantages, including customisable resistance and support, which can benefit those with injuries or fitness goals. Either form works fine — the choice is yours based on preference or need.

Both types are appropriate for novices, though mat Pilates is often considered the best entry point. Floor exercises introduce the essential elements of Pilates, including core engagement, alignment and controlled breathing, at the ground level — no fancy apparatus required. As beginners become stronger and more confident, they may wish to progress to mat-based pilates to provide a broader range of movements. Equipment is more supportive and customisable, which can also help beginners with special needs or mobility issues.

Pilates equipment delivers adjustable resistance, which is ideal for all fitness levels. It improves strength, flexibility, and alignment and supports those with injuries or limited mobility. The Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair have specialised exercises that can’t be done with Floor exercises alone, such as leg presses or spring-assisted stretches. Depending on your personal goals and capabilities, resistance that can be adjusted up or down also allows for more progression. Its variety and customisation make it a great addition to your mat work.

Yes, Incorporating mat work and equipment-based Pilates exercises provides a diverse workout that helps improve core strength, flexibility, and overall body fitness. Mat work builds fundamentals and body awareness; equipment provides resistance and variety that will challenge your muscles differently. Many studios also have hybrid classes that combine both so that you can experience the benefits of each—split mat and equipment sessions to hit different muscle groups for a plateau-proof balanced result.

That makes Click List generally more affordable than traditional Pilates (the machines!). Mat work tends to be more cost-effective as well. It requires a mat and minimal props and can be done by individuals or a group in a studio space. In contrast, what Sara Meeks, a Pilates teacher, physical therapist and author of “The Pilates Method: A Guide to the Equipment,” calls equipment-based Pilates often necessitates a studio setting because of the cost and size of the machinery.

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Pilates Exercises for Seniors Adaptations and Modifications https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-exercises-for-seniors-adaptations-and-modifications/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39453 The post Pilates Exercises for Seniors Adaptations and Modifications appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Getting older and remaining agile is essential for physical health, mobility, and mental wellness. Pilates is a low-impact exercise method emphasising controlled movements, core strength, flexibility, and balance, making it a terrific workout for seniors. It can be a safe, effective, and flexible way to keep moving as we get older, as it can help counter age-related issues like less flexibility in joints, aches and pains, and decreased strength. Pilates is highly adaptable, making it suitable for seniors at all fitness levels with proper modifications and adjustments.

What I love about Pilates is the range of options it provides. Exercises can be done on a mat, in a chair or with props such as resistance bands and stability balls. Such adaptations offer stability, aid alignment, and make movement easy for those with restricted mobility or chronic illness. Pilates improves balance and posture and decreases the risk of falls, tension in the body and stiffness in the body of seniors.

The Importance of Low-Impact Movements for Seniors

Remaining active becomes even more important as one ages to maintain physical health, mobility, and overall well-being. Pilates, an exercise method that focuses on low-impact, controlled movements that improve core strength, flexibility, and balance, is perfect for seniors. It provides a safe, efficient, and versatile way to remain active while managing age-related complications such as loss of flexibility, joint pain, and loss of strength. Pilates can also be modified with proper adaptations to accommodate seniors’ varying levels of fitness and prevent injuries.

The beauty of Pilates is its versatility. Exercises may be done on a mat, in a chair, or with props like resistance bands and stability balls. Bracing, supports, and dynamic alignment are all used to adapt to limited mobility or chronic conditions. When seniors practice Pilates, they can improve balance and posture, increase their risk of falls, and ease stiffness and tension in the body.

Using Props for Safety and Support

Pilates relies on low-impact movements, making it an excellent exercise method for seniors. In contrast to high-impact activities that may put excess pressure on joints and muscles, Pilates movements are low-intensity and emphasise proper alignment and stability. These low-impact motions reduce the risk of injury in seniors while building strength and improving flexibility and overall mobility.

Core strength is a primary Pilates component, essential for balance and stability. Movements such as the “pelvic tilt” or “leg slides” are gentle on the joints but strengthen abdominal and pelvic muscles, which help seniors avoid falling and remain independent. Low-impact Pilates movements also prompt better posture, which seekers often end up with as they age, thanks to muscle imbalances or a sedentary lifestyle.

Improved flexibility and joint mobility is another benefit of low-impact Pilates. Movements such as “spine stretch forward” or “seated rotations” gently stretch the muscles and improve the range of motion without putting too much strain on the body. For many seniors who have arthritis or joint pain themselves, these exercises can offer the relief they desperately need in terms of pain and keeping things functional.

Low-impact Pilates exercises are also available for those with lower fitness levels or chronic illnesses. They can be adjusted to suit the needs of everyone so that seniors can join in safely and comfortably. Pilates exercises for seniors are designed to offer low-impact movements with slow motions that are safe for their joints while keeping them physically healthy and flexible.

Seated and Reclined Pilates Exercises for Accessibility

Seated and reclined Pilates exercises provide a smart way for seniors with movement restrictions to remain active without straining the body. These adjustments allow seniors to perform the same effective movements from a supported and comfortable position, making Pilates accessible for people with arthritis, joint pain, or less strength.

Exercises performed while sitting down, like seated Pilates, are among the best workouts for improving posture, flexibility, and core strength. Seated leg lifts or seated rotations focus on core engagement and spinal mobility. These exercises are particularly helpful for seniors who might have trouble doing Pilates moves on the floor. Plus, chair workouts help improve posture as the back and shoulders are strengthened, which can help seniors combat these sedentary effects.

Pilates Exercises like reclined work, where you’re supported on a mat or a firm surface, are also suitable for older adults. Exercises like “pelvic tilts” and “leg slides” help seniors use their core and stabilise their pelvis without straining their joints. Filling some time with gentle stretching in a relaxed position can relieve tight muscles and improve overall flexibility.

Seated and reclined Pilates moves are easily modifiable for personal needs. You can also use a towel or small cushion for extra support in reclined movements or resistance bands for gentle resistance in seated movements. Such adaptations can ensure senior participation comfortably and safely, no matter the individual’s fitness level or physical limitations.

Seated and reclined Pilates exercises are an excellent way for seniors to access its benefits while remaining supported and safe.

Tips for Seniors Practicing Pilates at Home

Doing Pilates at home allows seniors to keep moving in a comfortable and familiar space. However, to have a good experience, safety and technique should be a top priority. The following essential tips can help seniors practice Pilates at home confidently and effectively.

First, you want to create a safe and supportive workout environment. Use a non-slip mat to keep yourself stable, and make sure there is no clutter around you to prevent accidents. You may also use a chair or other props if you need assistance with the exercises.

Seniors need to master the basics before they can master the movement. Begin with basic Pilates movements, such as “pelvic tilts,” “seated leg lifts”, or “spine stretch forward.” These fundamental movements build strength and flexibility without stressing the body. Watching instructional videos or taking classes from an online instructor can help seniors keep proper form and avoid common mistakes.

Listening to the body is essential to any at-home Pilates exercise session. Seniors should exercise in their range and avoid pain or discomfort. If an exercise feels too hard, there are ways to make it easier, such as using props or limiting the range of motion for the movements.

Consistency is key to reaping the benefits of Pilates exercise. Older players will want to get out and practice 2-3 times a week, starting with shorter sessions and then lengthening as their strength and comfort level increase. Listen to your body, take breaks as necessary, and pay attention to slow and controlled movements for practical training that is still safe.

Before beginning a new workout program, it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare provider or your Pilates instructor. With the right cueing and modifications, the elderly population can reap the many physical and mental benefits that Pilates offers in the familiarity of their home.

Conclusion

Pilates is a transformative technique for seniors. It uses low-impact movements, supportive props, and a wide variety of exercises to support strength, mobility, and body flexibility. Pilates caters to everyone of every fitness level by emphasising adaptations and modifications through low-impact movements, prop use, seated and reclined exercises, and safe at-home practices.

Pilates exercise can help seniors maintain independence, prevent injuries and improve their overall quality of life, whether at home or in a studio. With the proper instruction and emphasis on safe practices, the muscular benefits of Pilates can be made accessible to seniors, improving such physical factors as balance and posture, joint pain, and overall wellness. With these adjustments and modifications incorporated, Pilates becomes an ideal road to staying active and healthy as we age.

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 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Pilates Instructor program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with proper modifications and adjustments to their fitness level and physical requirements, Pilates exercise is safe for seniors. It’s a low-impact exercise focusing on controlled movements, making it easy on the joints while building strength, flexibility, and balance. Appropriately designed, using props such as chairs or resistance bands, Pilates exercises can be adjusted to ensure they are safe and comfortable for seniors regardless of their fitness level. It’s best to consult a healthcare provider or a Pilates instructor before trying it.

Pilates offers many advantages for seniors, from better posture and a stronger core to improved flexibility. These exercises also help improve balance, which can reduce the risk of falls—a key factor as we age. In addition to relieving joint pain and stiffness, Pilates is a fantastic exercise option for seniors with arthritis or restricted mobility. The consideration aspect of Pilates is that it improves body awareness, adding to well-being.

Seniors with certain mobility restrictions may benefit from seated and reclined Pilates. Movements such as seated leg lifts, seated spine twists and reclined pelvic tilts help seniors strengthen their core, improve flexibility and maintain proper alignment without straining their joints. For those with physical limitations, these exercises can also be adapted by using props such as cushions or yoga blocks to make the practice as accessible and safe as possible.

Props such as resistance bands, stability balls, and foam rollers also help make Pilates exercises safer and easier for older adults. Resistance bands offer gentle strength training; stability balls enhance balance and core engagement. Yoga blocks and chairs support maintaining proper alignment in stretches or improving balance in an exercise. These help seniors adjust movements to their ability, ensuring they enjoy an effective and comfortable workout.

For best results, seniors should try to do 2-3 days of Pilates exercises a week. Being consistent will improve their strength, flexibility, and balance over time. It is advisable to begin with shorter sessions and slowly build up the duration. Gentle, low-impact movements are preferred for seniors, and rest is recommended when possible to prevent overexertion. Through consistent practice, seniors reap the long-term rewards of better posture, mobility, and wellness.

With the right resources, seniors can easily access Pilates exercises at home. Adding a non-slip mat, supportive props such as a chair or resistance bands, and instructional videos can make home practice safe and effective. The best basic exercises for adequately aligning seniors are pelvic tilts, seated stretchers, and spine twists. As always, it’s best to check with a health provider or Pilates instructor before starting a routine at home.

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The Role of Video Analysis in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/the-role-of-video-analysis-in-sports-coaching/ Fri, 31 Jan 2025 07:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39390 The post The Role of Video Analysis in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Video analysis has revolutionised sports coaching methods, opening many doors for coaches and athletes to gauge performance, refine techniques, and develop winning formulas. With in-person observation, coaches may be unable to pick up on in-game nuances or practice details. Still, video analysis gives a coach no choice but to capture the moment and then re-watch and discuss moments of the game at their leisure. This degree of detail allows athletes to see their movement, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine what changes will make a difference.

Video analysis is especially useful for sports coaching because it makes it easier to communicate what a coach explains with what the athlete perceives. In addition, it serves an important role in strategy development, enabling teams to analyse opponents and plan for games more effectively. Whether it be for injury prevention or developing a culture of collaboration, video analysis is now a critical component of sports coaching in the 21st century, enabling athletes and teams to reach their full potential through smart, data-informed decision-making.

Enhancing Performance through Detailed Feedback

Video analysis in sports coaching allows for detailed, visual feedback. While watching gameplay or practice sessions in person is useful, video helps coaches and athletes slow down the action, replay important moments, and recognise specific areas to address.

For example, video analysis can help a soccer coach flag an athlete’s positioning during defensive plays, and a tennis coach can analyse the biomechanics of a player’s serve. Such minute details are usually lost during live observations. Using video, coaches can analyse complex motions frame by frame to clarify the mechanics of an athlete’s performance.

Visual feedback also benefits visual learners by showing the effects of improvements instantly. Video analysis tools frequently offer annotations, slow-motion replay, and side-by-side comparisons with elite athletes or your previous best. This can also make the process of receiving feedback more fun and efficient, which leads the athlete to internalise the corrections faster.

This method also creates accountability. By having visibility into their performance, athletes are more easily able to take ownership of their progress. The drive lies within the clarity of connecting effort, technique, and outcomes through video analysis. Video analysis provides a neutral perspective of performance, making sports coaching more accurate and effective.

Strategic Development and Game Preparation

Video analysis is an integral part of strategic development and game preparation, so it has become a cornerstone of modern sports coaching. Scouting players should involve analysing how they perform against opponents. This understanding helps teams create customised strategies that leverage their competitive strengths and mitigate potential weaknesses.

In basketball, a coach may study opponents’ defensive rotations for exploitable gaps; in football, the game film can be analysed for trends in play-calling or formations. Likewise, in soccer, video analysis can reveal an opponent’s preferred passing lanes or set-piece patterns so coaches can design countermeasures. With this knowledge, athletes and teams can approach competitions confidently, ready to adapt to whatever playing situation develops.

Video analysis helps athletes know their opponents and understand their individual roles within a larger tactical framework. Footage shows how our actions help the team achieve its goals, and coaches can also leverage this. In soccer, for instance, a midfielder can observe how their strategies during transitions help their offence and their defence. This clarity bolsters collaboration, tactical awareness, and overall cohesiveness.

Video analysis has several critical applications, one of which is pre-competition scouting. For example, teams look at recent plays to predict how a team will approach them and who they should target or lockdown.  Tracking an opponent’s shot selection or movement patterns offers a psychological and tactical advantage for individual sports.

Video analysis keeps sports coaching qualitative and data-driven. On the other hand, coaches can use video insights to complement performance metrics and devise game plans that account for every angle of prep. Implementing strategies that drive them towards self-improvement ultimately creates an environment where both athletes and teams can consistently progress in achieving their peak performance levels.

Developing Technical Skills and Preventing Injuries

Video analysis is a powerful aspect of training for technical skills refinement , injury reduction, and health benefits for sports coaches. By recording and reviewing footage, coaches can break down techniques, look at biomechanics in action, and deliver split-second corrections to improve efficacy (how well something works) and efficiency (how much energy is used to do something).

For example, a swimming coach may use a specialised underwater video recording technique to assess an athlete’s stroke and provide feedback related to the positioning of the athlete’s hands or the alignment of their body. Likewise, a track coach can quantify athletes’ mechanics to hone their intentional technique and improve energy expenditure. This essentially means perfecting movements, with an increase in performance and a decrease in overexertion.

Video analysis also drives injury prevention. Coaches can identify biomechanical inefficiencies or suboptimal techniques predisposing the athlete to injury. For example, if a cyclist may be straining too hard on their shoulders while pedalling, video footage can show them an area that needs improvement before pain turns into an injury. Using video, interventions could be made early to prevent injuries, which can shorten athletes’ careers and impair athletes’ peak physical health.

Video analysis plays a vital role in helping athletes see the visual and relate the observations to their physical characteristics. Playback allows athletes to internalise feedback and make corrections. When gymnasts record their progress, they can compare their form to that of an ideal execution, giving them a greater understanding of the necessary fixes.

The incorporation of video helps make sports coaching more analytical and proactive. Coaches can create drills and exercises catered directly to their athletes’ areas of weakness, and athletes can better understand how to prevent injury and improve technique. By enhancing all aspects of athlete performance and well-being through this holistic approach, you enable optimal performance in the present and sustainable success long into the future, all without compromising health in the process.

Fostering Team Communication and Collaboration

Sports coaching is highly communicative  , and video use can hugely support this process. Watching films together provides coaches and players a perfect opportunity to have an open dialogue about execution, fundamentals, and areas for improvement.

For teams, video sessions are your chance to align everyone on a shared vision. A good topic here might be mentioning specific examples of teamwork in action, whether a smooth passing play for an attack or a coordinated defensive effort — steps that would go a long way. These conversations assist athletes in interpreting their roles and understanding the contribution of their conduct to collective performance.

The other significant advantage of video analysis is that it can bridge communication gaps. Visual aids help coaches provide a clearer understanding of those concepts that would otherwise be ambiguous, leading to a situation where the coach is delivering a message but not all athletes understand when, in fact, the language used can be learned in a style appropriate to the athlete. For example, rather than telling athletes where they should be during a play, evidence has shown that providing this information through data tends to be much more effective.

Video-based analysis also enables peer-to-peer learning. Athletes can also exchange each others’ performances, offer constructive feedback, and take inspiration from their teammates’ strengths and weaknesses. This nature of teamwork facilitates respect amongst each other and develops relationships that create teamwork.

Based on published articles, the topic is trust. The video also provides transparency to the feedback because athletes can see what coaches are looking at. Not having bias reduces miscommunication, allowing the athletes to perceive it as positive feedback and not much of a critique.

At the core, a better analysis of video is a better way to communicate. It ensures that everyone, from coaches to athletes and support staff, is on the same page and working toward common goals. “The outcome is a more connected group and an opportunity to improve no matter what skillset we are working on.”

Conclusion

Video analysis in sports coaching has been a game changer, providing coaches and athletes with an innovative approach to performance, strategy, and teamwork. With data-driven insights, strategic growth, technical improvement and sound communication — video analysis results in zero room for error in any facet of training. Video helps individual athletes in biomechanical analysis and technical coaching. Based on what has been discussed above, biomechanical analysis helps direct them to improve the area that needs to be considered. It builds cohesiveness and communication for teams and aligns everyone around a shared vision of success. Video technology also empowers coaches and athletes to become their very best, whether in the throes of competition, improving their skills, or scouting the opposition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A performance video review introduces a new paradigm in sports coaching by offering a detailed evaluation of performance that is not captured in real-time. Coaches can slow down video, study movements frame-by-frame, and spot strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing work. This helps athletes get better clarity on their performance and make specific tweaks. Reviewing performance footage also provides a means to compare one’s performance with elite-level athletes or performances from events in a previous four-year cycle, providing a reference point for improvement. It also aids in strategy development, allowing coaches to review opponents and prepare more thoroughly for competition.

Performance video analysis is an essential tool for developing strategy in  sports coaching. Analysing tape allows coaches to recognise opponents’ tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses to develop plans of attack designed to take advantage of those shortcomings. For instance, studying a basketball opponent’s defensive rotation might expose places to attack, or a soccer team’s passing patterns could indicate countermeasures. Performance video review: allows them to see themselves used in high-level strategies, providing the tactical context needed to understand their role better. It assists with scouting before a competition, allowing teams to anticipate and prepare for opponents’ actions. In individual sports, performance video analysis lets you learn about your opponent’s technique, giving you a mental advantage.

A coach or athlete can utilise performance video review to dissect movement patterns, explore how they could become inefficient, and apply their corrections to improve performance. Some coaches with more advanced knowledge of this technique prefer footage to break the setup down to the smallest part to allow their athletes to employ it. Best of all, data at your fingertips includes things for a swimming coach, such as stroke mechanics through underwater footage, or for a running coach, stride length with foot placement for optimal performance. Video reviews of performance give athletes extra visual feedback so they can see how feedback corresponds to execution. This speeds up the learning process and builds confidence when they see their improvement for themselves.

Yes, Video-recording performance can help sports coaching prevent injuries. Coaches can look at the footage in several ways to find faulty body mechanics or inefficiencies that might lead to injuries. For example, a baseball pitcher’s throwing motion may show high shoulder stress that can be altered with corrective measures before an injury can occur. Likewise, a running coach would assess stride mechanics to find imbalances that could lead to overuse injuries. Video reviews of performance can also be used for targeted adjustments to improve efficiency and ensure that performance is conducted in a way that minimises strain on vulnerable areas.

Key information imparted in performance video review is the basis for discussion and thought-provoking analysis that improves communication in sports coaching. It connects verbal instruction to physical performance, which helps athletes translate theory into action. For example, a coach might show an athlete footage of their positioning during a play, explaining what they need to work on more clearly than the spoken language could convey. The team conversations about footage drive collaboration and enable athletes to visualise their roles as part of more extensive blueprints. Work in teams developing peer-to-peer feedback for performers, reinforcing team bonds and respect through performance video review sessions.

Performance video review helps teams prepare for upcoming games by analysing opponents’ play styles for tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. With this information, sports coaching can develop data-informed game plans that capitalise on weaknesses and nullify the other team’s strategies. “From the perspective of the game, for instance, breaking down a football team’s offensive playbook can give insights into tendencies that would guide what defences might attack specific weaknesses. Reviewing an opponent’s defensive alignment can also reveal ways to attack in basketball. Performance video review is also part of scouting efforts, allowing teams to know what opposing teams will do and prepare for specific play outcomes.

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Periodization and Training Planning for Peak Performance in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/periodization-and-training-planning-for-peak-performance-in-sports-coaching/ Thu, 30 Jan 2025 07:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39391 The post Periodization and Training Planning for Peak Performance in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Periodisation and training planning are fundamental tools for coaches to create great programs that help their athletes achieve peak performance. Periodisation divides the training calendar into defined periods, each with its own goals, such as developing base fitness, practising sports-specific skills, and recovering.

This training plan must ensure that the daily and weekly activities are coherent with the larger picture of the periodised training structure, from the macro to the micro, helping the athletes along their best-estimated pace towards their goals. Combined, these approaches assist coaches in managing workload, tapering, and optimising athletes to compete optimally in critical contests. Through periodisation and training planning, sports coaches can develop sustainable programs that encourage performance, mitigate injury, and improve mental health.

Understanding Periodization in Sports Coaching

Periodization is the systematic arrangement of athletic training to reach maximum performance during specific times. Sports coaching separates the training calendar into phases with different aims and focuses: the preparatory, competitive, and transitional phases.

This preparatory phase aims to lay the foundation of an athlete’s fitness. This phase focuses on the development of strength, endurance, and technical skills among trainers. A basketball player, for instance, might focus on cardiovascular conditioning and basic shooting mechanics. Key Features include Moderate Intensity with an emphasis on capacity (not peak)

Training in the competition phase focuses on performance optimisation. During this stage, sports coaching emphasizes skills, however more sport-specific, tactical preparation, and physical preparation. Practices imitate competition as the intensity builds.

The transitional phase is the next step after the competitive season. It enables athletes to recover, mitigate against burnout, and work on their weaknesses, as highlighted in competition. Training is light, where sports coaches will focus on a bit of activity on the pitch and mentally recharge.

Periodisation creates balance over workload and recovery by breaking training into phases. This methodical approach has prepared athletes to perform at their best and minimised the risk of injury and mental fatigue, providing a sustainable route to success.

The Role of Training Planning in Sports Coaching

Fundamentals of training planning theory, research, and application of training periodisation are the cornerstones of effective sports coaching to align daily and weekly training activities with periodisation goals. A session should always have a purpose or a goal to achieve, and at its heart, training planning ensures that this happens concerning the athlete’s physical, technical, and mental development.

All good training plans start with goal setting. Coaches work with athletes to help define long-range goals, like reaching peak fitness, executing particular skills, or succeeding in a championship. These grand goals are subsequently compartmentalised into smaller, quantifiable milestones. For example, a sprinter may aim to shave a fraction of a second off their 100-meter sprint every month. When goals are actionable and broken down into steps, athletes remain focused and can track progress over time.

Progress monitoring is another significant element of the planning phase of training in sports coaching. Measuring improvement requires regular assessments, whether power output, agility, endurance , etc. Evaluation feedback helps keep the plan relevant and identifies areas where changes should be made. Coaches can scale the intensity, duration or focus areas when progress stalls to get the athlete back on track.

Flexibility in planning the training is just as important. Athletes regularly face struggles, from injury to scheduling problems. Sound sports coaching adjusts to such situations at the expense of long-term goals. If an athlete, for example, gets a minor injury, the plan would go in a different direction but include low-impact exercises while staying conditioned.

Training planning combines structure and adaptability, meaning a strong roadmap for success. Sports coaching adopts specific objectives, periodic assessment, and flexibility so athletes can stay focused, resilient, and ready to go at their optimum when needed. A carefully planned fitness regimen goes a long way in performance and towards achieving physical and mental health in the long run.

Benefits of Periodization and Training Planning in Sports Coaching

Periodisation and training planning are revolutionary tools for the sports coach and provide several advantages, not only in terms of maximising performance. Having these methods in place ensures  that athletes are training progressively and that they can expect to peak at the right time.

The most crucial advantage is timing peak performance to perfection. Periodisation breaks training into time blocks, each serving as a step toward a goal. In the preparatory phase, a base fitness level can be established (athletes); sport-specific skills can be developed in the competitive phase, and recovery can occur across transitional phases. With this method, athletes peak both physically and mentally in time for the most decisive competitions and have, in total, a state for things that should give athletes an edge over other competitors.

Another key benefit is injury prevention. Structured training plans prioritise balance between work and recovery, minimising the risk of overtraining or overuse. By interspersing periods of rest and active recovery, we better allow for recovery, adaptation, overall health, and sustainable performance over the long haul.

Periodisation and training planning also benefit mental health. The alternating cycles of heavy training with lighter phases at the end of the block keep them interested, engaged, motivated, and, most importantly, without burnout. This variety ensures that there is never a loss of excitement or focus, thus keeping training fun and effective.

Targeted focus in each phase improves skill development immensely. Athletes focus on different aspects of their training depending on the phase that they are in, whether that is strength development, technical proficiency, or tactical implementation within sports coaching. In the preparatory phase, a basketball player may emphasise conditioning and a different aspect of his game (game strategies) during the competitive phase.

These mechanisms encourage sustainable progress and support development long into an athlete’s career. Each phase can be built on to the next, so athletes can progressively develop their abilities without compromising their health or motivation. This framework in sports coaching sets the basis for success, resilience, and consistency — all characteristics that will set the athlete up for peak performance at any stage of their competitive careers.

Implementing Periodization and Training Planning in Sports Coaching

Sports coaches interested in applying periodisation and training planning methods must take into account the athlete’s needs, goals, and competition schedule. Specific strategies can be used and applied within it.

It begins with evaluating the athlete’s current fitness and skill levels. Sports Coaching evaluations assess strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This information is used to plan a training strategy designed to meet the athlete’s personal needs.

Thereafter, coaches map out a periodised training calendar. This means splitting the year into macrocycles (lengthy periods), mesocycles (monthly or weekly phases), and microcycles (individual sessions). Each cycle focuses on specific objectives; events are coordinated to match the athlete’s goals and annual calendar of competitions. A macrocycle may emphasise peak performance for a season-ending championship, while mesocycles can orient around conditioning, skill development, and tactical preparation.

Recovery integration during implementation is vital. Coaches say rest days and opportunities for active recovery are incorporated into the plan to avoid burnout and support overall health. Recovery time is particularly key between elevated intensity periods.

Success also requires regular monitoring and adjustments. A sports coach monitors progress by looking at performance metrics, reviewing videos, and getting feedback from the athlete. The intention is to help the athlete, and the plan will be adjusted if there is a challenging situation.

There is communication. To ensure the training plan suits the athlete, they must work together with their positive intentions and motivation. It promotes trust, encouragement, and accountability. Specifically, because of careful periodisation and training planning, sports coaching offers a systematic, productive road to peak performance for athletic athletes. Using this approach, you will maintain momentum, reduce risk, and position yourself for more tremendous success in the long run.

Conclusion

Periodisation and Training Plans in Sports Coaching These approaches maximise performance, reduce the risk of injury, and foster mental wellness by framing training around cycles and creating milestones. This means the athlete receives a specific, and therefore optimal, stress (workload), recovery, and skill development at the right time to facilitate peak performance. As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to periodisation and training planning, and coaches must be patient, collaborative, and flexible. Such consistency of progress creates honeymoons that provide permanent growth in their sporting endeavours; the flexible structuring of a roadmap ensures that.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Periodization Sports Coaching Definition Periodization is the systematic organisation of training into different periods to enable athletes to reach optimal performance at the appropriate time. There are usually three main ones: preparatory, competitive, and transitional, which target various focuses like base fitness, competition-specific capabilities, and recovery. Indeed, periodisation is essential because it provides a structure that dictates high performance and recovery levels, where competition-based workouts are alternated with recovery periods to reduce the risk of overtraining or burnout among athletes. For example, in sports training, periodisation helps to ensure steady overall improvement, increase physical and mental preparedness, and develop athletes for optimal performance at peak events.

Training planning is preceded by all the previous phases , during which you plan daily, weekly, and monthly training sessions according to the periodisation stage’s more essential goals designed to guide and frame your training cycles. It allows each session to have a focus — whether it be strength gains, endurance building or skill work. Training planning in sports coaches starts by setting long-term and short-term goals, progress monitoring, and adjustments. This provides a straightforward way for athletes to remain focused and motivated while staying adaptable to meet their challenges, be they injury or scheduling. In the end, planning for a training cycle ensures that everything done in the athlete’s development directly reaches peak performance and keeps long-term success.

Structured workloads, recovery periods, and active rest phases are embedded in periodisation and training planning in sports coaching to mitigate the risk of overtraining and injuries. These training techniques ensure recovery and an adaptation to higher demands, thanks to the alternation between high and low periods in intensity. Training plans also balance progression: athletes are not taking on more intensity or volume than they can handle safely. In sports coaching, regular and systematic progress monitoring and technique will also flag problems early, before weak links produce injuries — for example, carrying out biomechanical efficiencies in runners.

In sports coaching, periodisation and training planning can be more specific to the individual athlete by customising plans based on the needs of each athlete. Coaches start by evaluating the athlete’s fitness level, strengths and weaknesses. They then create a periodised plan, with phases that align with the athlete’s competitions and personal goals. Flexibility is key in sports coaching—plans for training are modified as needed for reasons of injury, fatigue, or shifts in priorities. The plan evolves as necessary through consistent feedback and progress monitoring, which keeps the plan working for the athlete, continuously aiding their long-term development as needed.

From Optimal Performance to Preventing Burnout: The Benefits of Periodization & Training Planning in Sports Coaching These methods ensure athletes peak when it counts by structuring training into periods that develop fitness, hone skills, and permit recovery. In sports coaching, they also mitigate injury risks through balanced workload and recovery and thus establish a sustainable training environment. A plan for periodisation and training helps with the athlete’s motivation by making sessions varied and having a clear purpose behind each session. It allows consistency, resilience, and progression of skills, resulting in better performance in competition.

Fundamental principles of sports coaching, like periodisation and training planning, relate to better mental health due to the balance of high training volumes with recovery and lighter loads. This infusion of diversity wards off a phenomenon known as mental fatigue or burnout, which can occur throughout a season and keep athletes engaged and motivated. These techniques help the athlete to have a goal and break it down into smaller bite-sized pieces that they can work towards achieving. Phases of recovery are also a time to reset mentally, lower stress and prepare the body for the next competitive challenge.

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Managing Pressure and Stress in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/managing-pressure-and-stress-in-sports-coaching/ Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39392 The post Managing Pressure and Stress in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports coaching is a rewarding yet challenging profession that demands balancing performance, athlete development, and personal well-being. This account gives an interesting perspective on how coaches face various intense pressures, from producing results when competing under pressure to managing the dynamics within a team, media pressure, and fan scrutiny. These hardships create immense stress, affecting a coach’s job performance and mental and physical well-being. There is no hard and fast rule for dealing with this stress, but knowing how to cope with this pressure is critical for a long and successful career as a coach.

Stress in sports coaching can originate from performance expectations, time demands, and relationships. If allowed to fester, it can lead to burnout, diminished morale, and deteriorated relationships with players and staff. However, proactive strategies, including effective time management, self-care prioritisation, emotional resilience building, and open communication, can help coaches combat these challenges.

Understanding the Sources of Pressure in Sports Coaching

The coaching profession has built-in stresses that are greatly exacerbated at different levels of play, within teams, and through outside pressures. The first step to effectively managing stress is understanding these sources.

One primary source of pressure is performance expectations. The demands placed on coaches by players, parents, fans and organisations to produce results, be it winning matches or churning out future Olympians, can often hold sway. The unrelenting need to come up and over, plus the uncertainty of outcomes, is a recipe for tremendous stress.

Another issue in sports coaching is time management. To add to the complexity, the weights of schedules for training, game planning, administration, and personal lives must be balanced. All this uptime can cause burnout if the issue is not treated.

Stress also comes from interpersonal dynamics. Coaches deal with relationships with athletes, parents, and other staff members  by negotiating conflicts and maintaining morale. Tensions increase through poor communication or failure to resolve issues, contributing to the toll.

Another factor is external pressure, like media coverage or public criticism, which is more prevalent at higher levels for coaches. The pressures of being in the spotlight raise the stakes and build decision-making anxiety.

By acting on these sources, coaches can then proactively be able to manage them. Acknowledging that stress is a built-in part of sports coaching and implementing mitigation strategies fosters a healthier and more sustainable approach to the position.

Time Management Strategies for Sports Coaching

While there are numerous strategies you may apply, managing pressure in sports coaching requires a key tool: time management. Sports coaches are responsible not only for creating training plans and developing game plans but also for managing administrative work and the ancillary training of athletes. Without adequate organisation, these responsibilities can be demanding and stressful.

Prioritisation is one good approach. You should do things that have a high impact on your goals. For example, planning a multi-session training series may be more important than less immediate tasks such as team social media updates. To-do lists or task management apps are really helpful for coaches to stay on top of their priorities and deadlines.

Another essential time management skill is delegation. The coaches must assign roles for the assistant coaches, the team captains, or support staff to take over specific tasks. For instance, warm-up routines or logistical planning can be delegated to create time for more strategic tasks. When people share duties, the stress lessens, and others can work with you.

It’s also important to set boundaries. Sports coaching can be a long-hours profession, but limits should be set to prevent burnout. For instance, blocking time for family or personal time helps you take better care of yourself overall.

Another good tactic is to plan. Coaches can plan schedules both seasonally and weekly to help them anticipate busy periods and better budget their time. Anticipation lessens the pressure just before it arrives and guarantees essential actions are performed promptly.

It is essential to use your downtime wisely. Reflection, relaxation, and preparation while only going from one task to another through short breaks between practices or games. These time management strategies enable sports coaching to be more structured and efficient so that in pressure, the coach can execute their functions more confidently and effectively.

The Importance of Self-Care for Coaches

Since sports coaching requires a lot of pressure and stress, self-care becomes an essential element. With the constant focus on their athletes and their teams’ needs, coaches frequently forget about themselves. But when self-care is neglected, burnout ensues, and we lose effectiveness — not to mention that physical and mental health is compromised.

Taking care of your physical self is essential to have energy and resilience. Regular exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet keep coaches physically fit for the rigours of their job. As another example, doing yoga, jogging, and strength training helps improve physical health while relieving stress. Making time for rest helps equip coaches to manage long hours and high-stakes circumstances.

Maintain emotional balance to help with stress management. Mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep-breathing exercises keep coaches calm and focused, even at difficult moments. Writing things down or discussing them with a trusted friend or mentor can also help process emotions and put them into perspective.

Do not also forget to spare some time for hobbies and relaxation. Whether reading, watercolour painting, or spending time with family, incorporating activities and interests outside of coaching allows for the mental recharge necessary to keep from burning out or work becoming engulfing.

Another form of self-care is professional development. Workshops and networks with other coaches or mentors can offer insights and support and help mitigate isolation or being overwhelmed.

Coaches who prioritise the needs of their bodies and minds improve their well-being and energise their athletes. Coaches who thrive in their own lives are more capable of handling stress, leading effectively through adversity, and cultivating a positive environment for their athletes.

Building Emotional Resilience in Sports Coaching

A key competence in the face of pressure, sports coaching helps coaches stay calm, flexible and solution-focused no matter the challenge. Building resilience helps coaches manage stress, but it communicates the same to their teams in challenging times.

Adopting a growth mindset is one of the core ways to cultivate resilience. Such coaches will be more equipped to handle setbacks  because they see challenges as opportunities for growth. For example, a loss in competition can be recast as an opportunity to learn new approaches to strengthen future competition. Emphasising progress rather than perfection promotes a forward-looking attitude.

Another crucial element is practising emotional regulation. Those coaches can then develop specific tactics to help regulate their response, like taking deep breaths, pausing before responding or using positive self-talk. This is advantageous for maintaining calm and mental clarity in stressful situations.

It’s also imperative to build a good support network. A coach builds connections with peers,  mentors, or mental health professionals to get the guidance and encouragement needed to continue. Discussing experiences and learning from others helps normalise the demons of the sports coaching industry and combat feelings of isolation.

Resilient coaches also emphasise control over what they can control. Rather than worry about officiating or media scrutiny, they prepare their team and focus on decision-making. Taking such action will remove stress and allow you to focus.

Celebrating small victories and keeping perspective allows coaches to remain motivated. Clearing one of those hurdles, be it a practice executed with precision or improvement from one player or another, reinforces purpose and accomplishment. Loads of things get in the way of doing all of this, and like all of them, you have to learn emotional resilience to respond to the demands of sports coaching with confidence and grace, but that is something for another day.

Conclusion

Both kinds of pressure are inevitable in competitive sports, and the sports coach needs to know how to thrive under pressure and stress and manage it for the sake of their health and effectiveness as well as their team’s success over time. By recognising the causes of stress, practising time management techniques, giving importance to self-care, and developing emotional resilience, coaches can adopt a balanced approach to a demanding role. These approaches help the coaches themselves as well, establishing a healthier and supportive environment for those on their team. Sports Coaching never stops, and with that comes stress — yet it doesn’t have to be all-consuming. Through preventative action and with support, coaches can tackle problems with confidence and continue to coach successfully whilst safeguarding their mental and physical health.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The constant presence of stress makes pressure management a top priority in sports coaching, as the coach’s nexus of suitable performance, mental health, and, ultimately, their successful team members is at stake. The pressures of professionalism often impose high expectations on coaches to produce results, generate team morale, and develop athletes. Without good management, this pressure can be cut both ways, leading to burnout, bad decision-making, and fractious relationships with athletes and staff. When coaches handle pressure, they are more focused, creating a good environment and making better decisions.

Stress Sources Common in Sports Coaching Performance expectations, time management, interpersonal conflict, and external pressures are all sources of stress every day in the coaching practice. Coaches are typically results-driven, with expected wins, improved athlete performance , and unrelenting pressure to perform. Another major stressor is managing their time, as coaches balance training sessions, game preparations, administrative work and personal obligations. Aside from the vagaries of the sport itself (for instance, contract talks can be contentious), interpersonal issues involving interaction with athletes, parents, or staff can also bring him stress — especially in cases of conflict. At higher levels of competition, media scrutiny or public criticism amounts to external pressures that make the challenge all the more daunting.

FIFO allows sports coaches to better manage stress by helping them prioritise their tasks, achieve a clear focus on tasks at hand, and ultimately find a better work/life balance. This included planning training sessions, organising matchday preparations, and taking care of paperwork, not to mention helping athletes develop on and off the pitch. Without a framework, these pressures can quickly become overwhelming. By utilising time management techniques such as prioritisation, delegation, and advanced planning, coaches can concentrate on high-impact tasks to eliminate last-minute stress. For instance, tracking responsibilities and deadlines with tools such as schedules, task lists or management apps. Assigning individual responsibilities to assistant coaches or team members can  help you focus on more strategic endeavours.

As sports coaches have listed many demanding roles, self-care is essential for coaches supporting this statement. It is natural for coaches to prioritise their athletes and teams at the expense of their own needs, that is, until burnout, fatigue and drop in performance set in. Regular physical self-care, including regular functioning, nutrition, and sleeping, gives coaches the strength and endurance necessary for long hours and high-pressure situations. Mental self-care refers to practices such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and hobbies that aid coaches in coping with stress and sustaining positive mental states. When coaches put themselves first, they lead by example, promoting healthy behaviours for their athletes and a culture of well-being on their teams.

Emotional resilience is the capacity to stay calm, flexible and solution-oriented in the face of difficulties. For example, sports coaching allows coaches to deliver results and manage pressure by dealing with setbacks and keeping their teams focused during challenging times. Resilient coaches can handle high-stakes situations, such as tough losses or critical calls, without losing focus or composure. Cultivating emotional resilience means embracing a growth-oriented perspective, learning techniques for self-regulating emotion, and investing time and energy into creating an effective support system. Another way to approach this question for coaches who see challenges as opportunities for growth is to conceptualise setbacks as learning experiences, which allows them to refine their approach to the next problem or challenge.

The benefit of managing stress in sports coaching is that it creates an environment where athletes thrive. When coaches manage pressure well, they can model healthy coping strategies to athletes so that they can learn how to manage stress in their own lives. A calm coach can provide a direction to minimise surprises and help minimise the potential of a negative situation, both in terms of maintaining team spirit and the way decisions are taken at crucial stages. These can significantly affect athlete performance & athlete system. Coaches who learn to manage stress are more open-minded and understanding, enabling them to build better rapport with their athletes. It encourages open, honest communication that fosters athlete development.

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Developing Leadership Skills in Athletes Through sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/developing-leadership-skills-in-athletes-through-sports-coaching/ Tue, 28 Jan 2025 07:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39393 The post Developing Leadership Skills in Athletes Through sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Athletes derive so much value from leadership skills, both in and outside the game. In sports coaching, nurturing these characteristics is more than about excelling physically; it’s about developing athletes to be capable leaders who can lead their teams and motivate others. Elements of strong leadership, such as communication, teamwork, accountability, and decision-making, all take development and can come through thoughtful and strategic coaching.

Train them to contribute positively to a team dynamic, shape leaders with examples, and operate in pressured situations. These lessons are not limited to sports but help athletes learn skills that will prepare them for success in life. Whether motivating players through a rough match or helping navigate challenging situations, leadership skills are critical in helping create stronger, more cohesive teams.

The Importance of Leadership in Sports Coaching

In sports coaching, success is inextricably linked with leadership. Great leaders energise their peers, help maintain focus in the chaos and guide their team or organisation to shared objectives. Through coaches, these are some of the most essential qualities to develop as an athlete, instilling the importance of leadership regarding themselves and their team dynamic.

The most effective leaders in sports are not just the captains or senior players; every athlete can become a leader. Sports coaching teaches that leadership can manifest itself in numerous ways, whether through vocal positivity, leading by example, or staying composed during difficult times.

In addition, although not the same as the real world, sports leadership teaches athletes how to manage challenges, effective communication, conflict resolution, and other people to be their best. Coaches integrating leadership education into sports coaching equip competitors with the tools to navigate lifetime challenges after their athletic careers.

It also develops their self-confidence. Athletes learn to trust themselves and take responsibility when allowed to lead, whether taking charge through practice or encouraging their teammates. Such experiences convert into better mental resilience and flexibility.

Developing leaders through sports coaching benefits the individual and the team as a whole. Strong leaders lead to better-performing teams, better coping, and better long-term success. This is why bringing out leadership is an integral part of coaching in sports.

Teaching Communication and Teamwork

Leadership in sports relies heavily on communication and the ability to work in a team, so the ideal arena to teach these skills is sports coaching. Great leaders know how to communicate effectively, listen actively, and build collaboration among their teammates, qualities that coaches can cultivate in training sessions.

Communication in life coaching and sports coaching starts with clear and respectful communication. Athletes learn how to express their thoughts, strategies, and feedback in a manner that motivates rather than demoralises their teammates. To illustrate, a basketball player  guiding his team in a match has to organise them positively and authoritatively to maintain synchronicity and discipline.

Another vital ingredient is active listening. In sports coaching, listening, understanding a teammate’s perspective, and addressing their concerns are all hallmarks of team building. These build trust and strengthen relationships in our team and are key tenets of being an effective leader.

Communication: Teamwork is a skill that every athlete must master, and it is almost inseparable from communication. In sports coaching, athletes should work together during practice drills, foster game strategy, and feel a sense of peer support during difficult times. Team building exercises that promote teamwork and emphasise the necessity to collaborate towards achieving common goals can be organised by coaches.

One application would be assigning leadership based on participation in group activities. An example would be switching team captains in practice so that an athlete can lead and support others in multiple scenarios. Such experiences foster confidence and help athletes learn how to assert themselves while being inclusive of others.

The success of a team is dependent on athletes who are trained in a physical sense with how to play a sport as an individual and as a unit. These abilities allow athletes to motivate their teammates, mediate disputes, and facilitate effective team culture, which is vital to sustained success.

Promoting Accountability and Responsibility

One of the trademarks of effective leaders is accountability, and sports coaching provides an excellent lens for such training. Leaders are also accountable to themselves and their teams, while athletes who pass the buck become unreliable leaders unable to guide others through adversity.

This is also an essential lesson from sports coaching, for everything in life becomes a responsibility when there is accountability. Coaches make sure every player has a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities, possibly showing up on time, staying in shape, following team strategies, etc. This credibility and trust are built within the team as athletes consistently meet these expectations.

Every athlete makes mistakes, but how they react to them shows leadership qualities. Coaching encourages athletes to take ownership of mistakes, learn, and improve. For instance, upon a soccer player missing a key penalty, the coach may affirm the importance of reflecting and bouncing back rather than blaming someone. This method encourages a growth mindset and models accountability.

Leadership is also about holding other people accountable. Such advice should be applied to team members who might not be delivering on expectations and should be taught how to communicate with the team in this regard. This team-building skill reinforces team dynamics and ensures everyone on your team is pulling for the group’s success.

Responsibility goes beyond the pitch. When conducting sports coaching, athletes learn that what they do comes at a direct cost to not just their performance but also the team dynamics and the performance of those around them. Athletes dare to take on this accountability, cultivating a greater sense of duty and dedication to athletes as leaders and teammates.

Sports coaching nurtures leaders who are accountable, responsible, self-aware, and focused on guiding their teams toward collective success. These traits are essential in both sports and life.

Building Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills

Leaders must be skilled at making decisions and solving problems, particularly during stressful times. Athletes can build these skills through game situations, practice drills, and real-time feedback in a sports coaching environment.

Sports are a quick decision game; you must be confident with your decisions. During workouts, coaches can create game-like situations that push an athlete’s decision-making ability in a high-pressure environment. This could be a basketball coach designing a drill where players must weigh passing options in a fast-paced environment. These drills teach athletes to weigh options, predict outcomes and execute decisively.

Problem-solving is a vital skill that sports coaching also helps develop. Teams often face challenges like adjusting to the other team’s game plan, overcoming injuries, or weathering a downturn in a game. Coaches can walk athletes through these situations, analysing the problem and brainstorming potential solutions and solutions they would implement. This also teaches athletes to lead by example and stay calm under pressure.

Sports coaching also promotes strategic thinking. Athletes are trained to look at immediate obstacles and long-term goals. One example of applying decision-making and strategic planning is tennis players learning to change their gameplay around their opponents’ strengths.

Your feedback is essential in this process. Coaches guide and provide feedback to help the athletes improve their decision-making and design processes. Reinforcing this tapestry of movement, feedback, and adaptation brings laurels of erudition and flexibility.

As athletes develop these skills with guidance from a sports coach, they become leaders who can think outside the box, remain cool under pressure, and help motivate teammates to work harder to accomplish what seems impossible. These skills are essential for success, both on and off the field.

Conclusion

A way to instill leadership skills among athletes is to learn to communicate, work in teams, take responsibility, and confidently make decisions through effective sports coaching. These skills can improve team dynamics and performance and prepare athletes to face challenges off the field. Coaches cultivate a culture of accountability, resilience, and mutual respect through integrating leadership development into the on-field training experience. Athletes become more than skilled players; they are leaders who inspire, lead and motivate their teams to work towards a common goal. Within sports coaching, leadership development is not merely about winning matches but empowering the players to attain their greatest potential and leave a significant legacy in their discipline and elsewhere.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Sports Coach

Frequently Asked Questions

Leadership is a fundamental quality of a successful sports coach, which is why coach leadership skills development is so crucial for on-field and off-field performance. Great leaders motivate their players, deal with pressure, and foster a sense of togetherness. Athletic performance is improved by leadership skills such as communication, accountability, and decision-making, which in turn aid personal growth. When athletes develop these qualities, they are better equipped to lead their teams, resolve conflict, and foster a positive atmosphere, improving performance and connectedness. These skills go beyond the sport and allow athletes to live with the characteristics of leadership and how to overcome obstacles, make decisions based on information and impact the world positively.

Sports training also teaches communication skills, focusing on clarity, active listening, and specific feedback. Athletes are put into scenarios by coaches to practice verbal and nonverbal communication, like directing during drills and motivating teammates during games. With practice and guidance, they learn the art of expressing their opinions clearly and respectfully, delivering messages that will be heard. Active listening is integral, too, as athletes have to listen to their teammates and react appropriately to their statements.  Coaches can incorporate exercises such as role-playing or team discussions to reinforce these skills. By modelling effective communication, coaches also set a positive example for athletes. These habits , over time, will lead to greater confidence in their communication skills and, in turn, the ability to motivate and lead their teammates.

Leadership development in Sports training starts with accountability and responsibility. Taking ownership of their actions, be they mistakes or successes, earns athletes the trust and credibility of their team. As coaches, we teach accountability by setting expectations — showing up on time, working hard in practice and following the game plan. When players consistently hit these standards, they show reliability, a fundamental quality of effective leadership. This includes confronting mistakes constructively. For example, if an athlete fails to make a key play, a coach may want to motivate them to consider, learn, and adapt. This creates a growth mindset and resilience, components of solid leadership.

Teamwork plays a vital role in developing a leader in sports coaching, as they need to learn how to work together, motivate, and have cohesion within their team. Training Coaches emphasise teamwork through shared goals and respect. During group drills, team-building exercises and collaborative problem-solving, athletes learn to hold themselves accountable and work together toward common objectives. These experiences help leaders to know the strengths and weaknesses of each of their teammates and enable them to allocate roles and responsibilities accordingly. Empathy is also emphasised during sports coaching, which ensures leaders are equipped to navigate conflicts and foster relationships within the team.

At the sporting level, coaching teaches athletes to make and follow decisions based on creating scenarios where they must think on their feet or devise a plan. In practice, coaches frequently create drill-based, game-like conditions to push athletes’ capacity to assess options and execute under pressure. One example of a task design is when a coach makes a drill in which players must determine the most effective pass or shot in a dynamic context. These drills instruct athletes to evaluate risks, read outcomes and adapt to new conditions. Problem-solving is also key as athletes learn to meet challenges, such as countering an opponent’s game plan or responding to adversity.

Preparation for success isn’t limited to on-field performance, and sports training and leadership development ensures athletes are well-equipped, honing skills like communication, accountability, and problem-solving that will serve them throughout their lives. These skills enable athletes to face obstacles, make informed decisions, and motivate others personally, academically, and professionally.” Athletes who develop leadership skills during games are better equipped to step into leadership roles as they enter their careers, whether managing teams or leading projects. Coaches become mentors, instilling valuable life skills like resilience, empathy, and teamwork that help athletes form healthy relationships and navigate nuanced social scenarios beyond their respective sports. In addition, leaders’ analytical skills promote self-confidence as they prepare them to achieve goals in different areas of life.

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Analysing and Adapting to Different Learning Styles in sports coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/analysing-and-adapting-to-different-learning-styles-in-sports-coaching/ Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39387 The post Analysing and Adapting to Different Learning Styles in sports coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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We must understand athletes’ learning mechanisms through the lens of sports coaching mastery to assist in implementing best practices in sports. All learners, including athletes, have different styles of acquiring information, learning, developing skills, and performing under pressure. Some athletes learn best through visual demonstrations, others through verbal instructions, and others through physical interaction with the task.

Acknowledging and adapting to different learning styles is crucial for sports coaches to grow performance and create a positive training environment. Personalising your approach enhances skills acquisition and strengthens the trust and communication between coach and athlete. Recognising that every athlete has unique wants and needs provides an encouraging and energetic learning atmosphere where each player can succeed.

The Importance of Understanding Learning Styles in Sports Coaching

Learning styles refer to the unique ways individuals learn, absorb and retain information. There are three main types that athletes fall into: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic types learn in different ways. Recognising and bridging these gaps are two fundamental aspects of quality sports coaching, and they afford better communication and improved training results.

What you will notice about visual learners in sports coaching is that they tend to respond more favourably to visual-based aids such as diagrams, movies, and demonstrations. These athletes leverage resources like playbooks, game simulations, and seeing professional athletes in action. These tools can help you plan sports coaching sessions for visual learners to understand tactics and strategies.

Verbal bounty runs high for auditory learners, leading you to excel in communication and debates. Vocal instructions or feedback during sports coaching assistants work very well for them. Through team discussions, one-on-one conversations, and motivational speeches, coaches can guide their growth while ensuring they remain connected and conscious.

Kinaesthetic learners learn best through hands-on experiences. Their preferred learning environment is sports coaching scenarios, where they can do drills, play a game, and get immediate feedback on their performance and skills. Coaches working with kinaesthetic learners must focus on experiential teaching and structured practice sessions.

Understanding that there are varying learning styles allows sports teaching to become more personalised — ensuring that all athletes feel motivated and able to succeed. Tailoring your strategies can lead to trust, better learning, and a stronger team dynamic.

Identifying Learning Styles in Your Athletes

analysing an athlete’s learning style is essential to effective sports coaching. By observing their behaviour, talking openly and conducting formal assessments, you can tease the engine that propels each athlete to succeed.

Learning styles are often determined by observation. Come across a sports coaching session and observe how the athletes follow different commands. Visual learners might respond better to demonstrations, auditory learners may ask more questions, and kinesthetic learners will likely improve after physical practice. Focusing on such behaviours can bring you excellent insights.

In the coaching world, communication is another weapon that helps coaches understand athletes’ learning styles. Ask the athletes how they learn best: “Do you want me to show you the technique, talk you through it, or practice it with you?” Their answers can inform your coaching strategy and help you gain insight into their entire experience.

Formal assessments such as the VARK Questionnaire to supplement your observations. These learning styles classify people as visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learners, creating a category-based framework also used in sports coaching. Though these assessments are helpful, one crucial thing to remember is that learning styles aren’t set in stone. Many athletes will see a combination of preferences, so you must be flexible in your approach.

Good sports coaching also adapts to changing needs. More seasoned athletes’ learning styles may change as they age and develop more complex skills to master. As a result, by keeping the lines of communication open and periodically revisiting what they like, you can ensure your approach to sports coaching is updated along their journey.

Adapting Coaching Techniques to Suit Diverse Learners

Adapt your learning style (this is a game-changer). A dynamic, multi-modal training strategy ensures that every athlete reaps the rewards of workouts tailored to their unique preferences.

Include video clips, playbooks and physical demonstrations of techniques for visual learners. Use apps or video software to prompt discussion about plays, which can help visual learners establish a connection between theory and action. Keep demonstrations short and to the point to streamline replicability by participants.

Auditory learners need a more verbal approach to sports coaching. They require verbal explanations, detailed instructions, and real-time commentary during drills. Auditory learners will benefit from team discussions or strategy meetings.

Kinesthetic learners are best with hands-on experience. Sports coaching for these individuals should emphasise active practice, repetitive drills, and situational games. At practice, the coach can provide immediate, tactile feedback in an activity so that a kinesthetic learner can practice and refine their skills in the moment. This group benefits from doing drills under simulated game conditions.

An overall sports coaching technique incorporating these various strategies can make training all the more energetic and violin. A drill might start with a visual demonstration, progress to verbal instructions, and end with practical exercises. It guarantees that all athletes are supported and involved, no matter how they learn. When you address the varying needs of different learners, you help foster an environment where each athlete can flourish and develop.

Building a Growth-Oriented Coaching Environment

Effective coaching in sports is also about creating a growth environment. Athletes want to feel encouraged and safe to fail, push their limits and grow.

Focus on individualised goal setting within your sports coaching sessions. Graphic representations of their goals, such as charts or progress videos, may appeal to visual learners. Verbal conversations about their milestones may be more fitting for an auditory learner. In contrast, kinesthetic learners might prefer to see a hands-on example of what they need to do to reach their goals.

Sports coaching centred on growth hinges on positive reinforcement. Acknowledge and reward accomplishments in a manner that suits individual athlete learning styles. For instance, people with a visual learning style may find visually based feedback, such as performance graphs, helpful. In contrast, verbal praise is effective for people with an auditory learning style. Kinesthetic learners may do best when physically shown their progress with movement corrections or demonstrations.

Self-awareness and self-reflection are equally vital in sports coaching. For athletes, let them know their learning styles and then advocate for ways to help them succeed. You guide athletes to understand the algorithm that is themselves, teaching them to have confidence in their own decisions and to be accountable — and transparent — so they grow, day by day, over time.

Use inclusivity to embrace an ethos of adaptability in sports coaching. As an athlete, it is critical to be flexible in learning and performance as this skill extends into life. Embrace the range of learning styles you have within your team, turning this into an opportunity to cultivate team spirit and individual respect.  A performance-focused coaching environment not only strengthens performance and the coach-athlete relationship but leads to performance, which will feed success with long-term success.

Conclusion

Understanding and using various athlete learning styles is a key tool for any sports coach. Knowing your players’ personality types will enable you to be more productive in your communication, enhance their performance by sharpening skills,  and establish a healthy team culture. You can also observe the athletes in your class understand their communication preferences, encourage them to communicate openly about their learning preferences with you and their parents and use tools like the VARK Questionnaire to identify their learning styles. Adapt your items for visual instruction, listening, or mimicry so that every competitor can be involved and inspired to perform at their top. The most effective coaches, though, stay open to new avenues, grounded in empathy for those they serve and willing to learn as they do so.

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Frequently Asked Questions

In sports coaching, knowing more about different learning styles is essential to effectively cater to each athlete’s needs. Different athletes learn entirely differently — some visual learners take to demonstrations, auditory learners respond to verbal commands, and plenty of kinesthetic learners do best when they can find their footing through practice. Understanding these differences enables sports coaches to adapt their coaching styles and approaches for better communication, skills development, and creating an atmosphere of learning. Specialised coaching allows athletes to understand concepts better, remain motivated, and perform well. It also helps build trust and rapport, with athletes feeling valued and understood.

Through observation, communication and formal assessments, sports coaches may be able to identify athletes’ learning styles. Observation in the training sessions is essential, and coaches should pay attention to the athletes’ responses to various types of instructions. For instance, visual learners might try to learn from the demonstrations, auditory learners want a verbal explanation, and kinesthetic learners shine on hands-on drills. Another essential tool is open communication. Coaches can ask the athletes, “How do you learn better — watching, listening or doing?” This conversation helps to reveal preferences and work collaboratively

The three primary learning styles in sports coaching are visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Some students may be visual learners, and they learn best from what they see and observe. They learn from diagrams, video analysis and live demonstrations. Auditory learners do best when they hear the instructions and verbally discuss the steps with others. They excel in suitable communication environments, with coaches that give clear verbal instructions, discuss and motivate. Kinesthetic learners are the opposite, who learn through hands-on practice and physical activity. They require repetitive experiences of movements to master them fully. These are the major styles, but most athletes display a combination of learning styles and may change preferences according to circumstances.

Visual Learner Sports coaching for  visual learners needs to be directed towards visual cues and instructions. These athletes learn concepts most effectively when they see them in action. They can use video analysis playbooks and diagrams to break down strategies and techniques. Specific, clearly demonstrated movements or drills are time-effective. For example, explaining to athletes how to perform a skill slowly and in sections allows them to picture what is required. This can show how strategy is planned on whiteboards or digital platforms, measuring performance data, etc.

If you are an avisual learner, you should, in a perfect world, concentrate more on video illustrations and showing for sports training. These athletic types understand best when they see how concepts play out. They can use video analysis, playbooks and diagrams to break down strategies and techniques. Focus on clear, concise demonstrations of movements or drills. For example, by breaking down a skill into parts and showing it to an athlete visually, we make it easier for the athlete to visualise the request being made of them. Various plans, such as game plans and performance metrics, can be drawn on boards or digital platforms. Coaches should concentrate on replicating their demos and visualising the key points.

Sports coaching tackles different learning profiles in four essential ways: building inclusiveness, encouraging a trustful rapport, and fostering communication. If athletes feel that their unique needs are being recognised and supported, they will engage in training fully and perform to the best of their ability. The result is a culture of respect and collaboration, where both coaches and athletes can work together as partners towards success. Athletes also develop a better understanding of the strengths and preferences of their teammates, which enhances teamwork both on and off the field. For instance, a visual learner may back up a kinesthetic partner by showing a move, while an auditory learner might spearhead a strategy conversation.

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Yoga for Heart Health and Cardiovascular Benefits https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-for-heart-health-and-cardiovascular-benefits/ Fri, 24 Jan 2025 07:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39165 The post Yoga for Heart Health and Cardiovascular Benefits appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The cardiovascular system is one of the most analysed systems of the human body since heart health is one of the most critical aspects of our well-being to stave off diseases and ensure a long-lasting healthy life. Although exercise, a balanced diet and medical interventions ≥ are commonly advised, yoga provides a holistic way of functioning with heart health. Yoga fuses physical postures, breathing techniques, and mindfulness to improve cardiovascular function and maintain emotional balance.

The breath-associated asana practice we know as yoga serves to develop heart health—not just through physical activity but by addressing the mind-body-spirit connection. Yoga practice regularly reduces stress, a significant risk factor for heart disease, by soothing the nervous system and decreasing cortisol levels. Some yoga asanas help in the circulation and stabilisation of blood pressure and also open up oxygen channels, which explicitly helps in heart health. Mindfulness and meditation also lower anxiety and increase emotional resilience, both of which help protect heart health.

The Cardiovascular Benefits of Yoga 

The cardiovascular benefits of yoga also make it a powerful heart health supporter. One of the more widely known impacts is stress reduction. Chronic stress is one of the major causes of high blood pressure, inflammation, and heart disease. Yoga also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to tension relief and a decreased stress response in the body. This results in lower cortisol levels, better blood pressure regulation, and enhanced heart function.

Routine yoga practice also improves circulation. Certain poses, such as Downward Dog or Bridge Pose, promote blood flow throughout the body, helping oxygen and nutrients reach the heart and other major organs. Better circulation decreases the chance of blood clots and aids the heart as a whole.

Yoga is also helpful in controlling cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that when combined with a healthy lifestyle, yoga can lower LDL (bad cholesterol), increase HDL (good cholesterol), and reduce atherosclerosis risk.

Yoga is low-impact: For people with existing heart problems, yoga is a gentle and protective form of exercise that can be modified to accommodate their physical ability. It boosts cardiovascular endurance, strengthens the heart muscle and improves respiratory efficiency while providing a low-impact and inclusive workout.

Yoga also cultivates mental health. Emotional stress and mental health issues such as anxiety or depression are associated with heart disease. Yoga combines mindfulness and meditation into the practice, which assists individuals in not only desensitising their emotions but also leading a more positive lifestyle to maintain overall cardiac health.

Yoga offers a holistic approach to heart health, combining physical, mental, and emotional benefits that can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Yoga Poses to Promote Heart Health 

If certain yoga poses are beneficial for your heart, those will focus on cardiovascular function, enhance circulation, and lower stress. Here are a few poses to work into your practice:

Mountain Pose (Tadasana) is a foundational pose that promotes proper posture and grounding. Aligning the body opens up circulation and allows ample space for deep, heart-nourishing breaths.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): A gentle backbend that opens the chest and enhances blood flow to the heart. It also strengthens the back and glutes while soothing the nervous system.

Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This inversion enhances circulation by prompting blood flow toward the heart. It also offers a shoulder, calf, and hamstring stretch while enlivening the body.

Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana): This gentle pose extends the back body and legs, encouraging relaxation. It relieves stress and minimises congestion, aiding heart health.”

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): A standing pose stretches the chest, shoulders, and legs. It promotes deep breathing, which increases oxygen circulation and aids in heart function.

Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): A gentle flow between two poses that warms the spine and encourages mindful breathing. It calms the mind and reduces stress, which is good for heart health.

Corpse pose (Savasana): Most often done at the end of a yoga practice, this pose can promote deep relaxation and is soothing for stress. This allows for a reset in the body and encourages emotional and physical well-being.

Practising these poses regularly may help a person strengthen their cardiovascular system, improve their respiratory function, and foster a sense of calmness that should benefit heart health.

The Role of Breathing Techniques in Cardiovascular Health 

Pranayama is a breathing technique that is a significant part of yoga practice and helps maintain cardiovascular health. Breath control regulates the autonomic nervous system, which affects stress levels and the transport of oxygen to the heart and other organs.

Diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most potent techniques. This technique promotes slow, deep breathing, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the body and lowering blood pressure. It’s beneficial for people with hypertension or anxiety-related heart issues.

Another useful practice is Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana). This method helps harmonise the energy in the body and increases the amount of oxygen taken in, leading to overall respiratory improvement. Habitual practice of alternate nostril breathing relieves the mind, lowers cortisol levels, and provides a healthy heart rhythm.

Another advanced technique is Kapalabhati (Skull-Shining Breath), which energises the respiratory and circulatory systems. Stressing quick exhales and passive inhales increase oxygen flow, stimulate metabolism, and energise the body.

Breathing techniques also enhance heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiovascular health. Higher heart rate variability reflects better heart health and stress resilience. The ultimate practice gained through Pranayama is how it collects the energy in one place and provides the physical activity of heart contraction, which, ultimately, ends in a heart that utilises 5% of the heart’s potential, leads to physical fitness, sufficient body, balanced, healthy body amidst stress. But these practices, done regularly, complement the physical benefits of yoga poses and create a holistic toolbox for cardiovascular health.

 Tips for Incorporating Yoga into Your Heart Health Routine 

Regular practice and conscious awareness are key to gaining the most cardiovascular benefits from yoga. This heart-healthy yoga schedule really works if you do it over time and practice it according to your needs.

Gentle poses that ease tension and circulation. Beginner-friendly positions such as Bridge Pose or Seated Forward Bend are great options for building a strong practice foundation. Slowly ramp up the intensity and length of your sessions as you gain strength and flexibility.

Chronic exposure is key to gaining the cardiovascular benefits of yoga. To incorporate yoga into your wellness routine, practice 3–5 times a week. For added relaxation and heart health benefits, feature breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing in every session. These basic exercises stabilise your nervous system and enhance your oxygen circulation.

Incorporate poses such as Corpse Pose toward the end of your practice to focus on relaxation. This thus keeps your mind and body calm while regulating stress levels and helping your heart function as it should. Focus on practising in a quiet and soothing space with minimal distractions. Soothing music or aromatherapy can be added to boost the ambience of relaxation further.

Listen to your body and try not to overdo it. For yoga for heart health, an approach toward comfort and mindfulness would make for a safe and gentle experience. If you’re starting yoga or are already managing a heart condition, consult with a certified yoga instructor or therapist so they can help you develop a routine that meets your health needs.

Incorporating these tips into your daily routine will transform your yoga practice into a regular habit that heals your heart, reduces stress, and improves cardiovascular health. Focusing on each movement can also benefit your short—and long-term health.

 Conclusion

Yoga provides a multidimensional pathway to heart health, allowing physical, emotional, and mental well-being to flourish. Yoga offers a multifaceted approach to heart health through postures and actions that improve circulation, breathing techniques that lower stress,  and awareness practices that foster emotional resilience. Whether you’re looking to prevent heart disease, manage a current condition,  or stay healthy, yoga is both a versatile and powerful tool. Incorporating yoga into your battle with fear can create a stronger heart, enhance respiratory function, and bring a greater sense of equanimity.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga promotes heart health through its combination of physical activity, breathing techniques and mindfulness, all of which help to improve cardiovascular function. Regular yoga lowers stress by reducing cortisol levels and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. This is also helpful in regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and promoting emotional resilience. Some yoga postures improve oxygen circulation and blood pressure balance, which improves heart function.

Yes, yoga effectively manages stress-related heart conditions. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system and decreases the body’s stress response. Other practices such as mindfulness and meditation reduce anxiety, and breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing calm the mind and balance the heart rate. This comprehensive stress reduction lowers the risk of elevated blood pressure and heart disease.

Many poses promote cardiovascular health by improving circulation and reducing stress. Some examples are Mountain Pose—Tadasana—which teaches us to sit properly; Downward Dog—Adho Mukha Svanasana—which invigorates blood flow; and Bridge Pose—Setu Bandhasana—which strengthens the heart and settles the nervous system. Adding these poses to your practice can help your body relax, and your heart thrive.

Yes, if you are looking for heart-healthy yoga breathing techniques, Pranayama is highly beneficial. Diaphragmatic breath calms the nervous system and lowers blood pressure; alternate nostril breathing balances energy and oxygen intake. More intense practices such as Kapalabhati (Skull-Shining Breath) get the blood pumping and increase heart rate variability. These techniques are used with physical poses for a more holistic approach to cardiovascular health.

Yoga should be practised 3–5 times a week for the best heart health benefits. Regular training increases cardiovascular fitness, reduces tension, and regulates emotional state. Beginners can begin with gentle poses and gradually escalate intensity. You can also incorporate breathing exercises and mindfulness into each session for a full-fledged approach to overall heart health.

Yoga is safe for people with heart conditions when adjusted to accommodate each person’s needs. Low-impact poses and modifications help make yoga accessible and protective for individuals with different physical limitations. A physician can refer to or recommend a trained yoga instructor or therapist for a practice that supports heart health while not pushing the mind and body over the limits of comfort, safety and well-being.

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Yoga for Rehabilitation and Injury Recovery https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-for-rehabilitation-and-injury-recovery/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39166 The post Yoga for Rehabilitation and Injury Recovery appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is already well known for its transformative benefits for the mind and body, but it is particularly remarkable regarding rehabilitation and injury recovery. Yoga provides a holistic approach to healing that, when combined with medical treatments, can help us lead happier and healthier lives through gentle movement, breathing, and mindfulness. Yoga exercises can help individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries restore their mobility and reduce pain, providing them with good well-being.

In contrast to high-impact workouts, yoga can be tailored to personal requirements, making it the best option for physically limited individuals. It enhances flexibility, strengthens muscles, and improves circulation—all key to recovery. Moreover, breathwork and relaxation are important aspects of yoga practices, which can help lower stress and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes.

The Benefits of Yoga for Rehabilitation 

During yoga, you exercise your body and mind, which helps to rehab both. Its major benefit is an increase in flexibility and mobility. Because injuries can cause stiffness or loss of movement, yoga exercises stretch and open affected areas of the body, allowing for a slow return to function.

Another significant advantage is better circulation. Many yoga poses (particularly the mild ones that are encouraged) promote blood flow to the injured tissues, delivering oxygen and nutrients to assist the healing process. This improved circulation also aids in decreasing inflammation and swelling, both common issues during recovery.

Another cornerstone of yoga is strength-building. Many poses use stabilising muscles, which help re-establish strength in areas that may be weakened by injury. For example, gentle poses such as Warrior I or Bridge Pose can build muscle without straining the body too much.

Yoga exercises are good for mental health because they emphasise mindfulness and breathing techniques that help ward off anxiety and stress, which can be prevalent at times during injury recovery. Stress interferes with recovery as it impacts sleep and overall well-being. Practising yoga calms the mind and releases tensions, contributing to healing and recovery.

When incorporated into the rehabilitation process, Yoga exercises can provide holistic benefits for both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. Yoga exercises are a helpful, holistic way to return, whether recovering from a minor strain or significant surgery.

 Yoga Exercises for Injury Recovery 

Not all yoga exercises are appropriate for injury healing, so select poses and movements aligned with your needs and limitations. These are some gentle yoga postures that are most often suggested in cases of rehabilitation:

Cat-Cow Pose: This gentle spinal movement stretches and releases tension from the back. It is good for those with back or spinal injuries.

Child’s Pose is a resting posture that lengthens the lower back, hips, and thighs while inducing relaxation. It’s an excellent option for people with overall body stiffness.

Bridge Pose: This pose works the glutes and lower back, building strength without putting tedium on the body. It allows you to rebuild the strength needed when recovering from an injury in the lower body.

Supine Twist: This restorative twisting pose on a mat stretches the spine and provides relief, as well as a gentle release for hosts who are healing from spinal and/or abdominal injuries.

Modified Seated Forward Bend: This stretch lengthens the hamstrings and lower back, helping you recover from leg or lower back injuries.

These poses can be adapted depending on someone’s range of motion and comfort level. It’s essential to listen to your body and not push it further than it wants to go. Use props such as yoga blocks or straps to prevent putting too much strain on the body and ensure proper alignment.

This is the optimum frequency of practice for yoga exercises for injury recovery. Doing a few gentle moves daily can help improve mobility, strength, and general well-being. Always consult your healthcare provider or certified yoga therapist to ensure safety and effectiveness before taking on a new regimen.

Supporting Mental Health Through Yoga During Recovery 

Rehabilitation from an injury is not just a physical journey — it’s deeply affected by mental health, too. Learning to cope with restricted physical mobility, pain, or disordered routines can cause frustration, anxiety and even depression. Yoga provides a more comprehensive approach that deals with mental and physical issues surrounding rehabilitation.

Mindfulness is another important aspect of yoga. Yoga brings the mind to the present moment through controlled breathing and body action, which controls mental chatter to help relax. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) soothe the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity.

Yoga cultivates a sense of empowerment in the healing process. Yoga exercise helps you proactively heal patients and fosters a positive attitude and a sense of control over helplessness. This simple change in perspective can speed recovery and enhance quality of life.

Meditation, a part of yoga, is particularly beneficial for mental health. Regular meditation sessions also improve emotional resilience, focus, and awareness of the body’s needs. This awareness allows people to bring patience and self-compassion to their recovery.

The social side of yoga classes, online or in person, can also be a boost. Building a community with supportive practitioners provides a sense of belonging and encouragement during difficult times.

Integrating yoga into rehabilitation helps the body heal, strengthens the mind, and promotes resilience, leading to a more balanced and holistic approach to recovery.

 Tips for Practicing Yoga Safely Post-Injury 

Yoga can be a great activity while healing from an injury, but it is important to be aware of how to practice safely so that you do not hurt yourself again. Here are some important tips to ensure that your yoga practice will support healing in the best way possible.

First , always consult with a professional before doing yoga post-injury. A qualified healthcare practitioner or certified yoga therapist can assist you by tailoring your plan to your individual condition. They are the professionals who ensure that the drills you do are safe and useful.

Start with restorative yoga, using slow, gentle movements. Steer clear of poses that aggravate the injury. Make progress slowly, listening to your body and honouring its current limitations. Props such as yoga blocks, straps, or bolsters can assist in positioning yourself correctly without overworking your body. Props let you adapt poses to meet your ability and comfort, making the practice safe and accessible.

Never skip the warm-up and cool-down routines. Gentle stretches at the beginning of your session help your body prepare to move, and relaxation techniques such as Savasana (Corpse Pose) help you finish your practice in a soothing way.

(Just be careful not to overextend). Stretching too far can make the injury worse—Prioritise slow, controlled movements through a pain-free range of motion. Consistency is also vital. Regular, short sessions will gradually rebuild strength and flexibility to support a steady recovery.

Finally, include Pranayama exercises, focusing on breathwork. Deep, controlled breathing stimulates relaxation and increases circulation, making the body that much more effective in healing itself.

If you keep these safety tips in mind, you can enjoy the benefits of yoga exercises that will help reduce the risks. This awareness-oriented method allows for gentler rehabilitation that allows you to slowly rebuild strength, mobility, and confidence in a timed and productive way.

Conclusion

Practical Yoga Exercises for Rehabilitation and Injury Recovery Yoga is a powerful and versatile tool for rehabilitation and injury recovery. That is why it is essential to include yoga exercises that focus on the needs of everyone so that they can improve their mobility, reduce pain and increase mental strength. Whether that means restorative poses, mindful breath or meditation, yoga allows you to participate in your recovery actively. When practised mindfully and with care, yoga goes hand in hand with standard medicine for a smoother, more balanced recovery process.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Another benefit of yoga is its post-injury recovery support of flexibility, strength and circulation. Gentle yoga stretches relieve stiffness, restore muscle strength, and increase mobility in injured areas without over-stressing the body. Plus, many yoga poses increase blood circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues and promoting healing. Yoga incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques as well, helping to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being throughout recovery. Yoga provides a holistic focus on rehabilitation, addressing both rehab’s physical and mental aspects.

Yoga exercises can be adapted to various injuries, but it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider or a certified yoga therapist before beginning. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, some poses or movements may need to be modified. Restorative poses such as Child’s Pose and Cat-Cow are generally safe and effective for many injuries, whereas high-impact or weight-bearing poses might be contraindicated for some. A knowledgeable teacher makes sure your practice is safe and appropriate for you.

Gentle stretching and balances, such as the one-legged tree pose with hands up, are the best yoga exercises for rehabilitation. Poses, such as Cat-Cow, Child’s Pose and Supine Twist, can enhance flexibility and release tension, while Bridge Pose and Warrior I work to rebuild strength in the lower body. Relaxation and circulation are supported by breathing exercises such as Pranayama. It’s always best to choose poses that work for your range of motion and comfort level and to use props to avoid stress on your body.

Yes, yoga exercises are  great mental health support during recovery. Mindfulness techniques like concentrated breathing and meditative pursuits decrease the unwanted elements of injury patients, which are commonly stress, anxiety, and frustration. That is why yoga is empowering—it allows you to become an active participant in your healing process. Meditation and relaxation practices build patience, resilience, and an overall positive perspective, which help you traverse the path of recovery with the utmost ease and joyfulness.

The key is to be consistent, but the frequency of practice will vary depending on the person and what their doctor recommends. Daily sessions, 10–30 minutes, tend to be advantageous, emphasising restorative and gentle poses. A well-thought-out routine gradually improves flexibility, strength, and psychological health. Listen to your body—if you need to rest, rest; ramp up the intensity slowly as recovery progresses.

If you were triaged to a healthcare provider after your injury, consult with them before resuming yoga practice or enlisting a yoga therapist for guidance in returning to the practice safely. Emphasise gentle movements and avoid overstretching or poses that create discomfort. Use props such as blocks or straps to ensure type spending and decrease stress. Do warm-ups before sessions, and close with relaxation poses like Savasana.” Being consistent is essential, but so is not overdoing it. Follow these steps, and you can carefully incorporate yoga into your recovery program to reap its benefits.

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Yoga for Digestive Health and Improved Metabolism https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-for-digestive-health-and-improved-metabolism/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 07:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39167 The post Yoga for Digestive Health and Improved Metabolism appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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An Important Contributor to Digestive Health & Metabolism Among its many benefits, yoga immensely improves digestive health and metabolism. Through gentle movements, mindful breathing, and relaxation techniques, yoga encourages the digestive organs and improves nutrient uptake and metabolic regulation.

In today’s adrenalin-driven lifestyle, we are most likely to have digestive problems like bloating, constipation and indigestion, which become worse because of stress and bad eating habits. Yoga provides an ideal holistic solution to these issues by working on digestion’s physical and emotional side. Specific yoga poses massage the abdominal organs, increase circulation and stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. Yoga creates mindfulness and relaxation, which can help to relieve stress, a leading cause of digestive problems.

The Physical Benefits of Yoga for Digestive Health 

The same physical advantages of yoga for digestive health that make it a good idea can be traced to improvements in the body, circulation, the stimulation of internal organs and good posture. Many yoga asanas focus on the abs, massaging and toning the digestive organs to improve their performance.

Spinal twists, like Revolved Triangles or Seated Spinal Twists, are compelling for activating digestion. These postures compress the abdominal organs, resulting in increased blood flow and promoting the release of digestive enzymes. Once the twist is released, oxygenated blood floods into the area, improving organ function and detoxification.

Forward bends such as Child’s Pose and Seated Forward Fold gently compress the stomach, relieving bloating and discomfort. These postures also induce relaxation, which allows the body to shift into parasympathetic (often referred to as “rest and digest”) mode, where digestion flourishes.

Inversions like Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose support better circulation, less bloat by assisting with lymphatic drainage, and less pressure on the belly overall. They also help prevent constipation by inducing peristalsis, the wave-like contractions that move food throughout the digestive tract.

The improved posture from yoga aids digestion, too. When we slouch, our digestive organs become compressed, hindering their efficiency, whereas a strong and upright posture creates space for them to work optimally.

Regular yoga practice can help improve the physiological processes involved in digestion, thereby relieving constipation, indigestion, and bloating and improving overall gut health.

Yoga Poses to Boost Metabolism and Digestion 

Some poses aid in improving digestion and raising the metabolism levels. These postures incorporate core engagement, spiralling, and mild stretches to ignite digestive organs and encourage practical energy usage throughout the body.

Boat Pose (Navasana) This pose is one of the most beneficial. Doing so contracts the abdomen, activating the digestive organs directly and increasing metabolic efficiency. It also tones the lower back and improves posture, which aids digestion. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana), another strong pose, finds the body arching backwards, and it plays a massage on the stomach and intestines. It opens the belly, encouraging digestion and metabolism.

Another wonderful backbend that gets the blood pump­ing to the digestive system is Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana). This gentle pose strengthens the spine and opens the abdominal area, supporting nutrient absorption. One type of twisting pose known for its detoxifying qualities targets the spine, such as the Seated Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana). These rotations squeeze the abdominal organs, causing circulation to increase and the release of toxins.

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) is an excellent pose for resting and enhancing circulation. This gets things moving, helps reduce bloating, and encourages lymphatic drainage, indirectly benefiting digestion and metabolism by alleviating stress. Finally, Wind-Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana) is aimed at gas and bloating to relieve digestive distress and aid normal peristalsis.

Each pose has its own benefits and can be practised alone or as part of a beautiful yoga flow. Regular practice helps relieve common digestive problems such as bloating and constipation and improves the body’s ability to metabolise food, among other things. These positions promote weight loss, increase energy levels, and support the digestive system, elevating them to the status of a holistic self-care practice.

The Role of Mindfulness in Digestive Health

This is why mindfulness, a core aspect of yoga, is essential for digestive health. Stress is well known to be one of the top causes of digestive disorders since it hampers the body’s natural ability to digest food. The technique of mindfulness, which is central to yoga, combats these effects by soothing the mind and triggering the parasympathetic nervous system.

Breathwork has proven to be effective in lowering cortisol levels and inducing a state of relaxation. You can practice techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana). Digestion works better when the body is relaxed because blood goes to the digestive organs rather than to the muscles or brain.

Another way yoga supports digestion is by cultivating mindfulness during meals. Eating slowly (i.e. chewing well) and paying attention to hunger and fullness will prevent us from overeating and encourage better absorption of nutrients. Yoga helps practitioners pay closer attention to the body’s signals, which can lead to a healthier relationship with food.

Mindfulness and emotional resilience are enhanced with meditation, which is often part of a yoga practice. Anxiety compounds digestive problems, and meditation teaches you how to control these emotions. Over time, such a practice paves the way for a virtuous cycle—where improved mental health fosters better digestion, and improved digestion promotes your overall well-being even further.

Practising mindfulness through yoga helps people heal digestive health’s physical and emotional aspects, leading to a more balanced and harmonious relationship with their bodies.

Incorporating Yoga into Your Routine for Digestive Health 

Consistency is the key to bringing the benefits of yoga for digestive health and metabolism boost. And here’s some advice about working yoga into your day

Take it easy: Start with 10–15 minutes of light yoga every day. Concentrate on poses that focus on the belly, such as twisting, forward bends, and inversions.

No Post-Meal Practice: You can practice yoga after a gap of 1–2 hours after eating. Some, like Wind-Relieving Pose or Seated Spinal Twist, are particularly good after meals to help digestion.

Breathwork Focus: Integrate Pranayama methods such as diaphragmatic breathing or Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) to accelerate metabolism and induce a state of tranquillity.

Mindfulness and meditation: Take time to practice mindfulness or meditation to lower stress levels and promote healthy digestion. Even five minutes of your full attention on your breath will help.

Be Consistent: Ideally, you should do yoga 3–5 times weekly to see results. By practising consistently, you allow the physical and mental advantages of yoga to build.

Listen to your body: take note of how your body reacts to your different poses and practice accordingly. Don’t strive to do a pose that feels difficult or uncomfortable.

Seek Guidance: If you’re a beginner, you may want to take a class or work with a certified yoga instructor to help ensure you’re doing the poses with the correct technique and alignment.

Combined with a routine, practising yoga for digestive health can significantly support metabolism and digestive function.

 Conclusion

Yoga is a powerful and holistic tool to restore digestive health and boost metabolism. By improving digestive flow and addressing the underlying causes of digestive discomfort, yoga cultivates a balanced, efficient digestive system through specific poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation. Regular practice alleviates symptoms like bloating and constipation and helps you feel vibrant and energetic overall. From minimising digestive problems to optimising metabolic function, yoga is a holistic solution that promotes both your body and mind. Practicing yoga asanas as part of your routine can help improve your digestion, aid in metabolism, and allow you to listen to your body on a whole new level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga stimulates abdominal organs, increases blood flow, and improves organ function inside the body. Yoga poses such as Seated Spinal Twist and Wind-Relieving Pose help gently massage the digestive tract, making it easier for the body to break down food and release digestive enzymes. Also, yoga decreases stress through presence and relaxation techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, or the “rest and digest” mode. This can help reduce discomforts such as bloating, constipation, and indigestion, promoting overall gut health.

Yes, yoga increases metabolism by using the core muscles, which show up and engage the core, stimulating circulation and harmonisation of hormones. Postures such as Boat Pose, Bow Pose, and Cobra Pose build abdominal strength, leading to more efficient energy use and metabolic activity. Pranayama, or practising breathing techniques, also helps increase oxygen detection required for generating energy within cells. Regular yoga practice also helps reduce stress, which can negatively impact metabolism, helping you achieve better overall energy levels and manage your weight.

Yoga positions such as Seated Spinal Twist, Wind-Relieving Pose and Legs-Up-the-Wall are ideal for digestive health. Twisting poses massage the abdominal organs and encourage detoxification; inversions improve circulation and decrease bloating. Forward bends (one is Child’s Pose) compress the stomach, promoting digestion by massaging peristalsis. Practising these poses regularly can relieve crystal-clear digestion woes, such as gas and constipation, and enhance gut function.

Stress can hinder digestion by disturbing the natural processes relying on body functions. Stress management: Stress can affect the body both physically and mentally, and yoga incorporates mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, and relaxation poses. The methods, such as diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing, reduce cortisol levels, which allows the digestive system to work best. According to experts, relaxation-focused poses, like Legs-Up-the-Wall and Child’s Pose, de-stimulate the nervous system to establish an internally supportive environment for digestion, which can improve triggers for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Yes, yoga helps manage weight by enhancing metabolism and encouraging healthy eating practices. Metabolism-boosting poses, like Boat Pose and Bow Pose, amp up energy expenditure, while relaxation techniques lower stress, a frequent contributor to weight gain. Yoga promotes awareness of hunger and fullness, which may lead to healthier eating patterns. When paired with consistent practice, these benefits build a holistic strategy to preserve a healthy weight and enhance total well-being.

For significant benefits, practice yoga 3–5 times a week and incorporate poses that improve digestion and metabolism into your practice. This doesn’t take long, and short sessions of 15–30 min daily will increase circulation through the intestines, decrease bloating, and stimulate digestive organs. Adhering to this regimen consistently can have a staggering effect on your well-being, and adding mindfulness and breathing exercises to your routine can only increase the impact. Begin with gentler stances before gradually layering in more dynamic sequences and flows so that the progress is steady and not rushed.

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Yoga for Children Fostering Mindfulness and Concentration https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-for-children-fostering-mindfulness-and-concentration/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39168 The post Yoga for Children Fostering Mindfulness and Concentration appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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These days, we live in a fast-paced world, and kids have a lot to deal with, from academic problems to technology distractions. Such factors have been known to affect their emotional state, focus, and stress-coping ability. Yoga is a natural practice that helps children become more mindful, focused, attentive, and physically fit.

Children’s yoga is all about kid-friendly movement intertwined with developmental-appropriate mindfulness techniques. Yoga helps in these unique situations, as unlike traditional fitness routines, it helps with breath control and calming, among other practices (which we’ll explore in just a minute). Starting yoga early gives children the tools they need to develop important life skills–like managing their feelings, paying attention, and persevering–all of which contribute to their holistic development.

Yoga also creates a non-competitive atmosphere where kids can discover their limits without fearing failure or competition. This helps promote self-confidence and helps them learn to appreciate their unique gifts. Yoga has a powerful effect on a child’s mental and physical health, from reducing anxiety to increasing attention spans.

The Benefits of Yoga for Children 

There are numerous benefits of yoga for children, which target their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The foremost advantage of Crystal Meditation is to promote mindfulness. By practising yoga exercises that centre around controlling breath and moving their bodies slowly , children can learn to be mindful of their thoughts and feelings. This knowledge allows them to cope better with stress and build emotional resilience.

One of the biggest benefits is better concentration. With its infinite distractions, the world needs yoga; children need yoga to give them a way to focus that energy. Child-friendly techniques such as balancing poses or guided meditation encourage children to stay in the moment, which increases attention span and helps them focus on tasks.

On a physical level, children’s yoga benefits include improvements in flexibility, strength, and coordination. This improved posture benefits children in other physical activities as well, from sports to martial arts and many activities in between. It also encourages children to sit up straight during classes. Not only does this promote health development, but it also reduces the risk of injuries during play or sports.

Children’s Yoga also helps promote emotional well-being as kids learn how to manage their feelings. Breathing techniques such as belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing benefit their nervous system, making it easier to deal with anxiety or frustration. Also, the non-competitive aspect of yoga offers a safe space for children to be themselves and gain self-esteem.

The last is that yoga has enhanced sleeping. Many kids have irregular sleep cycles, perhaps due to overstimulated or stressed systems. Restorative poses, like Child’s Pose or Legs-Up-the-Wall, encourage children to settle down and prepare their minds and bodies for peaceful sleep.

If implemented regularly by kids, yoga benefits them holistically for health and wellness throughout their lives, empowering them to lead consciously and confidently!

 Yoga Exercises to Enhance Mindfulness and Concentration 

Some yoga poses best teach children to focus and act mindfully. These poses are simple, fun, and engaging, promoting both focus and self-awareness.

  • Tree Pose (Vrikshasana): Encourages children to focus on balance, honing their concentration and the sense of their body. Bring more imagination to the pose with movement; have your children consider being a tree swaying in the gentle breeze.
  • Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): This gentle movement through two poses can help children link their breath with their body. This is also an excellent way to teach mindfulness and improve flexibility and posture.
  • Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): This easy backbend enables children to open their chests and take deep breaths, allowing them to relax and focus.
  • Child’s Pose (Balasana): This restful pose is good for giving children time to find themselves and their breath. It is also excellent for grounding and encouraging mindfulness.
  • Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana): This seated pose helps children pay attention to their breath while opening their hips and stretching their thighs. It’s easy and fun, so it’s a kid’s favourite.
  • Lion’s Breath (Simhasana): This fun breath involves deep breathing and exhaling it out in a roar. It relieves muscle tension and teaches kids to be aware of their breath.

These exercises will help children develop better concentration, improve emotional regulation, and instil a sense of calm that they can tap into. It is important to make the practice fun and interactive with kids so that they remain engaged and enjoy the process of learning mindfulness through yoga.

Storytelling and Creativity in Children’s Yoga 

Yoga for kids often combines storytelling and creativity to keep children engaged. When compared to adult yoga, children’s yoga practice focuses more on the technique behind poses, while children’s yoga is about fun and imagination to maintain their attention.

Storytelling is an excellent resource in children’s yoga classes. Teachers can generate stories that include yoga postures as part of the story. For instance, a jungle adventure could consist of poses such as Downward Dog (playing puppy), Cobra Pose (slithering snake) and Tree Pose (show it tall like a tree). This technique turns Children’s Yoga into an exciting, interactive experience guided by a colourful storyline that encourages children to engage their imagination while practising mindfulness and movement.

Creativity is another key factor in promoting excitement for yoga in children. Children can be asked to create or interpret poses in their own way. This provides them with the space they need to express themselves, which can help build their confidence and challenge any negative assumptions they might have about themselves.

Music, props, and visuals can also elevate yoga for children. Colourful ‘yoga mats’, quiet music or props such as feathers and scarves make the practices more dynamic and attractive. Breathing exercises can also become games: They can blow up imaginary balloons or move a feather with their breath.

The use of storytelling and creativity integrated into Children’s Yoga makes it an enjoyable and memorable experience for children. Here, the children learn mindfulness and concentration from a young age and build a lifelong love of yoga.

Tips for Introducing Yoga to Children 

Teaching yoga to kids takes patience, creativity, and flexibility. Here are some unique tips to help you enjoy the process and adapt to this fitting process better:

Shorter Sessions: Keep yoga sessions for kids short, 10–15 minutes, especially with younger children. Increase the time slowly as they grow accustomed to it.

Keep it FUN: A silly pose is more fun than perfect alignment. Keep it fun with storytelling, games, music, etc.

Introduce Breathing Exercises: Teaching simple breathing techniques, such as belly breathing or lion’s breath, can help children connect with their breath and calm their minds.

Make It a Routine: Add yoga to their day as a morning stretch or a pre-bedtime relaxer. Practice reinforcing the practice and following your habits.

Model: Do yoga with your children to show them the benefits. When they see you enjoying yoga, it will inspire them to join in.

Foster Individuality: Allow children the freedom to approach the poses in their own way and celebrate their efforts. This will instil confidence and a positive association with yoga.

Find a Comfortable Place to Practice: Reduced distractions in a peaceful comfort area. A soothing environment supports children’s focus and enjoyment of the practice.

Highlight Progress: Celebrate accomplishments, big and small. This enables them to continue practising with positive reinforcement.

These tips will help you adapt this practice to your little ones so that they can learn mindfulness and concentration while developing a joy towards fitness.

Conclusion

Yoga helps children develop mindfulness and concentration. It is a practice that combines gentle movements, breathing exercises, and creativity to help children develop not only their bodies but also their emotional integrity, focus, and resilience, which are vital life skills. It aids their physical development, bolsters their mental health, and builds their self-esteem in a non-competitive arena.

Yoga provides children with a unique way to manage stress and develop focus through physical motion. It emphasises playful breathing techniques like Lion’s Breath and assisted poses like Tree Pose and Child’s Pose. Incorporating storytelling and imagination makes yoga so exciting, creating a fun activity they want to do.

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 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga teaches kids many things, and exercising is very important. Yoga enables children to cope with stress, improve emotional control, and develop resilience through poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods. It encourages flexibility, strength, and coordination, crucial for healthy growth and development. Yoga also helps promote self-awareness and confidence by creating a non-competitive environment where children can push their abilities without  pressure. It also helps in improving sleep and also relieves anxiety symptoms, thus taking a holistic approach towards a child’s holistic health.

Yoga poses such as Tree Pose, Butterfly Pose, and Cobra Pose are good for helping children improve their focus. Tree Pose promotes balance and stability, fostering focus. Butterfly Pose is a gentle movement that emphasises awareness of breath, teaching mindfulness. Cobra Pose opens the chest and encourages deep breathing, calming the mind and enhancing awareness. Integrating these poses into a routine assists kids in staying focused and engaged on and off their mat.

Children learn to become aware of their breathing and to calm themselves and their minds with movement, all promoting mindfulness in the child and the adult. Other poses, such as Child’s Pose and Cat-Cow, facilitate children’s connection between breath and body, cultivating self-awareness and relaxation. Techniques like belly breathing or Lion’s Breath help calm the nervous system and relieve stress. Mindfulness is a critical practice to incorporate into yoga for children, as by practising mindfulness at a young age, children learn how to control their feelings and work on their mental clarity to help them be in the present moment.

Yes, yoga plays a significant role in managing stress and anxiety levels in children. Breathing techniques and poses geared toward relaxation stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms us down and lowers cortisol. Methods such as alternate nostril breathing and mindfulness meditation help children learn how to manage their feelings and cope with stress. Moreover, the fun, low-pressure environment of yoga fosters an environment of expression in children, enhancing their emotional cohesion and health.

Parents can make yoga fun by including storytelling, games, and creativity in the practice. Adding themes like a jungle adventure or a trip to the ocean helps keep everyone excited and engaged. Once children are introduced to yoga, encouraging them to create poses or incorporating props such as scarves and feathers can promote imagination and play. Short, fun, interactive sessions that emphasise playful poses practised as a family also encourage children’s positive associations with yoga.

Depending on attention span and physical development, children as young as three to five can start walking through yoga poses. Sessions at this age should be brief, playful, and focused on easy poses and breathing techniques. As kids get older, more structure can be incorporated, including longer sessions and mindfulness techniques. No matter how old they become, this practice will benefit them throughout their lives, so introducing them to Yoga early will provide lifelong benefits.

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The Importance of Yoga Sutras in Modern Practice https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-importance-of-yoga-sutras-in-modern-practice/ Mon, 20 Jan 2025 07:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39162 The post The Importance of Yoga Sutras in Modern Practice appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The Yoga Sutras — a compilation of 196 short aphorisms — serve as an all-inclusive guide to the heart of yoga beyond asanas. They explore the practice’s spiritual, mental and ethical aspects and impart ageless wisdom for self-realisation and inner serenity.

Yoga is solely associated with physical fitness and flexibility; however, yoga has a way more profound meaning than that. Yoga Principles is about uniting the body with the mind and spirit, and it helps people achieve self-awareness. These teachings are rich with lessons of mindfulness, discipline, and the pursuit of inner peace, which are valuable learning experiences for modern practitioners.

The Role of Yoga Sutras in Shaping Modern Yoga Philosophy 

The Yoga Sutras are an incredibly important foundational text that conceptualises the philosophy of yoga and affirms the mindset for the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of yoga. Modern yoga is frequently focused on asanas (postures), but the Yoga Sutras describe an eightfold path called Ashtanga that includes ethical rules, self-discipline, meditation, and enlightenment.

The teachings of Patanjali prioritise mental and spiritual development, stating that yoga is not just physical exercise but a total way to reach oneself. Yamas (ethical principles) and Niyamas (personal disciplines) inspire practitioners to cultivate values like nonviolence, truthfulness, and self-purification. These principles illustrate the ethical code for a harmonious life.

Asanas (or physical postures) are one limb of the eightfold path. The asanas are considered the vehicle for preparing the body for meditation and spiritual growth in the Yoga Principles. Breath control (pranayama) and withdrawal of senses (pratyahara) further solidify concentration and mindfulness, ending the physical and mental gap.

The other limbs—Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (state of blissful absorption)—lead practitioners toward self-awareness and unity with the universe. In doing so, they can rise above the noise and realise what it means to have equilibrium and be at ease.

By incorporating this wisdom into a modern yoga practice, practitioners can find deeper meaning in their practice, align with the ancient philosophy of yoga, and cultivate a lifestyle that supports holistic health.

 Applying the Teachings of Yoga Sutras in Daily Life 

The Yoga Sutras offer timeless wisdom we can incorporate into our daily lives, providing us with tools for increased mental clarity, emotional resilience, and enhanced overall well-being. These teachings can be applied to help modern practitioners deal with the challenges of everyday life and cultivate peace and balance.

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Relationships: The Yamas and Niyamas are fundamental concepts in the Yoga Principles that serve as ethical and personal guidelines for consistent everyday conduct. Non-violence (Ahimsa) also teaches us to be kind and compassionate, reducing the chances of conflict in relationships. The concept of truthfulness (Satya) also leads to authenticity as it promotes honesty in thoughts, words, and deeds, leading to trust and authentic relationships.

One explores mindfulness as a transformative principle derived from the Yoga Sutras. Practices such as Pranayama (breath control) and prattahara (withdrawal of senses) empower one to stay present and focused despite life distractions. These approaches are more useful to us in today’s hyper-connected digital era, where endless stimulation can prove stressful and mentally draining.

Meditation is the essence and a critical cornerstone, as per Yoga Principles, of self-reflection and mental well-being. Regular practice of meditation not only reduces anxiety but also sharpens focus and cultivates self-awareness. It also takes them within, which is essential to connect with the inner self and ease the stress.

The Yoga Philosophy also teaches detachment from material desires and outcomes, along with gratitude and contentment. Through mindfulness and acceptance, individuals cultivate emotional resilience and inner peace, liberating themselves from the burden of unrealistic expectations.

Practitioners make their daily activities aligned with the  purpose and values of their teachings. The Yoga Principles provide not just advice for well-being through physical practices but also a continual journey towards a more complete existence physically when in mental, emotional, and relational aspects.

The Influence of Yoga Sutras on Meditation and Mindfulness 

The Yoga Sutras deeply form the basis of many meditative and mindfulness practices, providing step-wise directives for achieving mental clarity and inner calmness. Patanjali’s teachings focus on controlling the mind; perfection in doing so leads to self-realization and the uniting of oneself with the universe.

One of the most critical concepts in the Yoga Principles, Chitta Vritti Nirodhah, translates to stilling the fluctuations of the mind. This principle is indicative of the essence of yoga: attaining a stillness of the brain so that one can connect with who one truly is. Techniques such as Dharana, or concentration, and Dhyana, or meditation, push practitioners to hone and transcend distractions.

The global phenomenon of mindfulness has its genesis in the Yoga Sutras. Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) encourages people to redirect their attention inward and detach from external stimuli, fostering deeper self-awareness. Nonetheless, this internal focus is needed to understand mindfulness and present living.

Another aspect of the Yoga Principles emphasises the importance of regular meditation practice. Individuals who take time to pause, reflect, and meditate may find decreased anxiety, greater focus, and an overall more profound sense of tranquillity.

Modern-day practitioners incorporating these teachings into their meditative practices often discover greater focus, emotional well-being, and spiritual development. The Yoga Philosophy write a timeless map for all who wish to deepen their mindfulness and meditation practices.

Yoga Sutras as a Roadmap for Self-Discovery 

The Yoga Sutras are more than philosophy; they are a practical roadmap for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Patanjali’s teachings lead aspirants to look within to discover their true nature and to act in harmony with a higher purpose.

This brings us to the eightfold path of self-discovery, as outlined in the Yoga Principles and known as Ashtanga. It starts with the ethical principles of Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances), which form the foundation of a life of integrity and self-discipline. They promote qualities of nonviolence, honesty, and contentment, which aid individuals in living in harmony with themselves and others.

As practitioners progress, they perform physical and mental practices, such as Pranayama (breath control) and Dhyana (meditation). Such practices cultivate self-awareness, still the mind, and strengthen connection with one’s inner identity. Or rather, the full scope of the centuries-old path ultimately leads to Samadhi: blissful absorption and unity with the universe. Moksha as transcendence is not exclusive to mystics and yogis but the ultimate state of completeness everybody must strive for.

One of the most essential teachings of the Yoga Sutras is the importance of detachment and surrender. Forgiveness is the key to freedom: Release negative attachments and become more in tune with the let go of all ego-driven desires and trust the journey. This perspective applies especially to the fast-paced world we live in today, where external influences tend to mix up wants and needs.

Their practice is not just about physical poses; they have moved beyond the asana and taken the journey deeper, more inward, to discover the true nature of the self-guided by the principles set out in the Yoga Sutras. This journey of self-exploration and transformation helps them find their true north and live a life of balance, authenticity, and purpose. Following these teachings leads to a life where you can enjoy a life of purpose and positive impact by doing your part through their implementation.

Conclusion

The Yoga Principles educate us about yoga practice and give us a pathway to practice the study and philosophy of holistic well-being. Incorporating these teachings into the modern, in-practice yoga experience enriches our understanding of what yoga is all about, helping us to cultivate balance, mindfulness, and inner peace. The Yoga Principles, in turn, provide practical ground coverings for navigating the pathways of modern life — be it relying on ethical values, meditative systems, or mindfulness. By living by the teachings of the Yoga Sutras, a practitioner can harness the essence and principles behind yoga to access the potential and benefits of yoga in their daily lives.

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 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Yoga instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Yoga program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Patanjali is one of the essential books dedicated to yoga philosophy. Its 196 succinct aphorisms form a complete guide for the mind, spirit and ethics of yoga. Just as the Yoga Philosophy go beyond the physical asana sequences that are often the focus of modern yoga to mindfulness, self-discipline, and self-realisation. They present the eightfold path, or Ashtanga, a series of steps toward finding balance and spiritual development. The Yoga Philosophy anatomise all aspects of yoga, and by introducing these teachings, practitioners can step beyond the realm of physical fitness to align with the true purpose of yoga, which facilitates peace, clarity and well-being.

One crucial way the Yoga Philosophy influences modern yoga is by presenting a philosophical framework that guides practitioners beyond focusing on physical movement. They stress the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit through the eightfold path, which encompasses ethical conduct (Yamas and Niyamas), physical postures (Asanas), and mental disciplines (meditation and mindfulness). Such teachings promote the alignment of actions to values and self-awareness. Today, the Yoga Philosophy serve as a guide for mindfulness, meditation, and balanced living, with the Sutras encouraging practitioners to remember that yoga is a journey or a tool that leads to a greater understanding of ourselves as humans.

According to Yoga Philosophy, the eightfold path is a precise handbook for attaining self-realisation. It includes:

  • Yamas (ethical principles)
  • Niyamas (what you do for YOU)
  • Asanas (physical postures)
  • Pranayama (breath control)
  • (Withdrawal of senses)PRATYAHARA
  • Dharana (concentration)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
  • Samadhi (state of blissful absorption)

This led us to craft a path that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual practices — creating an alternative to the oft-inhumane and patriarchy-driven machinations of spiritual redemption.

The Yoga Philosophy can also be incorporated into our daily life, alone and with others, and relate to our emotions. If one practices Yamas like non-violence (Ahimsa) and truthfulness (Satya), kindness and authenticity in interactions will be cultivated. Similarly, pranayama (breath control) and meditation assist people to stay in the present and cope with stress. The Sutras emphasise detachment, which makes one content and accepting of the outcome — you are stressed less. Living in union with the teachings in the Yoga Philosophy allows us to live an achieved and balanced lifestyle beyond yoga.

Mindfulness is a pivotal topic in the Yoga Philosophy and meditative practices (such as Pratyad at the sense withdrawal and Dharana at the concentration) reinforce this concept. The Sutras explain that the scatteredness of the mind is quelled by mindfulness, which in turn permits practitioners to turn within and touch their true selves. Meditation helps increase self-awareness, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional well-being. In a distracted world, Yoga Sutra-based mindfulness offers a strategy for individuals to become present and clear, empowering them to approach life’s challenges with greater resilience and peace.

The Yoga Sutras can be an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the depths of yoga and their mind and emotions. They provide a guide to self-awareness, mindfulness, and ethical living, whether one is a beginner or an advanced practitioner. In a fast-paced world, they are invaluable for those who strive for balance, with lessons designed to help with stress management, focus, and inner peace. Through the study of the Yoga Sutras, practitioners have access to the holistic meaning of yoga and its transformational benefits everywhere.

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Nutritional Strategies for Ageing and Preserving Muscle Mass https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutritional-strategies-for-ageing-and-preserving-muscle-mass/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 07:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39129 The post Nutritional Strategies for Ageing and Preserving Muscle Mass appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Ageing is a natural process that leads to changes in the body that can affect health, energy, and general vigour. While ageing is a normal part of life, proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and mind, which will help you live a whole life in your twilight years. By understanding basic food concepts, older people can manage health problems, maintain energy levels and enhance quality of life.

The Role of Balanced Nutrition in Supporting Energy and Vitality

The body naturally changes as people age. For instance, their metabolism rate and muscle mass diminish, requiring less energy overall. However, older people still have substantial nutrient needs, so they need to pay attention to consuming nutrient-dense foods that meet their needs without exceeding their calorie limits. This balance is required to maintain your energy level and be healthy overall.”

An excellent diet for seniors centres on protein, complicated carbohydrates and healthy fats. Lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, beans, and tofu are crucial for building muscle and producing energy. Complex carbs, like whole grains, fruits, and veggies, provide sustained energy and help stabilise blood sugar levels. Dietary fibre, however, is healthy for your gut health. Nuts, seeds, and olive oil are healthy fats that make the brain function and keep you healthy over time.

It’s also important to stay hydrated, as failing to drink enough water can leave you lethargic, damage your brain and cause other health issues. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily and consume high-water-content foods such as tomatoes, cucumbers and broth.

Eating nutrient-dense foods and drinking adequate water can help older Americans maintain energy to perform their daily tasks and live an active life. As people age, a balanced diet is beneficial for physical transformations and enhances overall health so that they can live well even in old age.

Micronutrient Needs: Vital Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Ageing

With age, our bodies cannot absorb and metabolise essential vitamins and micronutrients, which is why micronutrient consumption is fundamental for balanced, healthy ageing. Low consumption of specific micronutrients may worsen age-related diseases like frail bones, less muscle mass, low immunity, and cognitive decline. Kitchen Ayurveda To avoid these problems, one should take a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

Calcium and vitamin D are necessary for strong bones, muscle mass, and prevention of osteoporosis. Good sources include dairy products, plant-based milk fortified with vitamins and minerals, fresh vegetables and fatty fish such as salmon. Most older adults have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 due to lower stomach acid levels. B12 is essential for proper nerves, energy production, and muscle health. Fortified cereals, eggs, fish, or supplements can meet these needs.

Antioxidants such as selenium, zinc, and vitamins C and E protect the body from oxidative stress and potential inflammation and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables such as oranges, berries, spinach, and bell peppers contain these antioxidants. Minerals, including magnesium and potassium, also promote muscle mass, nerve function and blood pressure health.

A diet high in these essential vitamins and minerals bolsters the body, maintains muscle mass, slows age-related diseases, and generally improves health and well-being. As we age, an active lifestyle and proper nutrition are key components of a better quality of life.

The Importance of Digestive Health in Older Adults

The digestive process becomes progressively more difficult to bear — our metabolisms decline, our stomachs produce less acid, and the bacteria that inhabit our intestines change. These shifts can lead to bloating, malabsorption and stomach discomfort. They can also hinder muscle growth by making it more challenging to take in nutrients. Following a diet that promotes gut health is crucial to prevent illness.

Fibre is essential in maintaining a healthy digestive system, ensuring regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts contain soluble and insoluble fibre. These fibres are beneficial for gut function and overall health. (Examples include pickles, yoghurt.) These are full of probiotics, which help regulate the balance of bacteria in the gut. This improves digestion and increases the absorption of nutrients necessary for maintaining muscle strength.

Hydration is equally as crucial for the gut. Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and hinder the body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients, including those critical to maintaining muscle strength. Ensuring you drink enough water and adding hydrating foods, such as herbal teas or broths, can help your digestive system function optimally.

An equally significant step is to shun ultra-processed foods, often low in fibre and containing gut-unfriendly chemicals. Concentrate on easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich foods like muesli, bananas, and cooked vegetables. Other healthy foods are gentle on your digestive system and help the body be full of nutrients.

By looking after their gut health, older people can ensure they get the most from their food, retain their muscle mass, and maintain their overall energy and vitality. A healthy gut is necessary to live into old age and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Preventing Muscle Loss and Supporting Physical Activity Through Nutrition

Sarcopenia is the decline in muscle mass as we age. This gradual but relentless decline can turn simple tasks into hard work because it renders people weaker, less mobile, and less independent. Keeping up your strength and staying busy as an older person is key to remaining healthy enough to enjoy life. Addressing this issue is essential for a healthy diet.

Protein is one of the most critical factors for preserving muscle mass and gaining new muscles. Nutrient-dense sources of protein such as lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, lentils and other high-quality protein sources should be included at every meal. By eating protein at various times throughout the day, muscles have a constant supply of the amino acids they need for repairs and maintenance. Studies have shown that seniors should consume around 20 to 30 grammes of protein per meal. Including high-protein foods such as Greek yoghurt, nuts, and protein shakes can also assist in retaining muscle strength.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon and plant-based foods such as flaxseeds and walnuts. These acids help muscles to perform better and decrease inflammation. Calcium and vitamin D are necessary to maintain strong bones, and using these nutrients helps prevent falls caused by muscle weakness. Plush foods, leafy veggies, and vitamins can meet all these needs.

The other is exercise, which is a vital part of the battle against sarcopenia. Resistance training, such as lifting weights and weight-bearing activities like yoga or walking, strengthen muscles and increase their size. Being active regularly also improves your balance, which reduces your risk of injury or falling.

Exercising regularly and consuming protein-rich foods is an effective way to prevent muscle mass. This allows older adults to remain independent, energetic, and strong, enhancing their overall quality of life and long-term health.

Conclusion

Neutral ageing requires viewing your diet and habits holistically. Their later years can be spent in good health and active by concentrating on a healthy body, prioritising vitamin usage, ensuring gut health, and helping prevent muscle loss. “When people make frequent, small changes in their food choices and remain active, they reap big dividends that can help them age with health, vitality and good quality of life,” said Dr. Deanne M.gment.D. Make nutrition the secret of survival in old age so that you can enjoy energy and excitement in every moment.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Muscle loss, or sarcopenia, is a natural consequence of ageing mediated by hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, and reduced muscle protein synthesis. As time passes, this causes muscle mass, strength and function loss. Inadequate nutrition plays a part, too, as lack of protein and essential nutrients can worsen muscle loss. An exercise program complemented by balanced nutrition consisting of high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins — especially vitamin D and calcium — has slowed muscle decline. Combining this with physical activity and resistance exercises(LoadingRequires) can help bolster muscle growth and maintain strength; good nutrition and physical activity contribute to the health and independence you experience as you age.

Older adults should target 20–30 grams of high-quality protein per meal to combat loss of muscle mass. This provides a steady availability of amino acids for muscle repair and growth. Foods such as lean meats, eggs, dairy products, beans, and lentils are excellent protein sources for a nutrition plan. Most notably, eat your protein evenly spaced throughout meals during the day. Snacks like yoghurt or a handful of nuts packed with energy also contribute to daily macronutrient quotas. Thus, a protein-rich diet and exercise help preserve muscle mass and promote health during ageing.

Resistance and weight-bearing exercises are the most beneficial for preserving muscle mass, including weightlifting, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises to promote muscle growth and strength. These benefits are boosted significantly when exercise is combined with good nutrition. A diet high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids helps repair muscle damage from exercise and fight inflammation. Regular exercise and good nutrition are your armours against sarcopenia and aid in leading a healthy life to remain mobile and vital as you age.

Yes, omega-3 fatty acids have a role in muscle health. In fatty fish such as salmon, walnuts , and flaxseeds, these healthy fats dampen inflammation and support muscle function. Eating foods rich in omega-3 enhances protein intake to sustain muscle mass, improves brain function overall, and decreases chronic illnesses. When combined with regular exercise, these nutrients are essential in helping prevent sarcopenia and are foundations for maintaining physical strength as you age.

Vitamin D and calcium are also crucial for healthy bones and muscle function. Calcium is essential for strong bones, while vitamin D helps absorb calcium and is vital for muscle health. Combined, they lower the odds of falls and fractures in older people. Dairy foods, fortified plant-based milks, leafy greens and fatty fish are good sources of these nutrients. When coupled with regular exercise, ensuring you get enough of these in your nutrition plan A vitamin D and calcium-rich diet contributes to long-term wellness, increasing mobility and vitality.

When combined with regular physical activity, a protein-rich diet can enable older adults to achieve balance. He said that zinc-rich foods like lean meats and shellfish, as well as protein sources such as eggs, beans and dairy, should be consumed throughout the day to fuel and support muscle repair. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium nutrients support muscle and bone health. Resistance training and weight-bearing activities promote muscle growth and maintenance, including weightlifting, yoga, and walking. Combined, food and movement build a solid base for retaining muscle mass, mobility, and quality of life at a later age.

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The relationship between nutrition and skin health https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/the-relationship-between-nutrition-and-skin-health/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39124 The post The relationship between nutrition and skin health appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Skin health also indicates how healthy you are, and it can’t be overstated how important diet is in keeping skin healthy and glowing. The foods we ingest help skin cells regenerate, maintain hydration, and shield us from external damage. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients helps maintain healthy skin, delays the ageing process, and helps manage skin issues such as acne, eczema, and dryness.

The Role of Vitamins in Skin Health

Vitamins are essential to keeping your face healthy, strong, and radiating with a youthful glow. They play a vital role in preventing skin damage, aiding in healing, and enhancing function. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to prevent skin damage from free radicals created by smog and UV light. It also assists the body in forming collagen, which is required for the skin to be supple and firm. This skin-friendly nutrient is abundant in citrus foods, nuts, and fresh veggies.

Vitamin A, too, is crucial, as it promotes cell turnover and keeps pores clear. It also clears up pimples, smoothing the skin and improving its structure. Retinol is a type of vitamin A common in skin care products, but you can also find this nutrient in foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

Vitamin E (found in nuts, seeds and veggie oils) combats oxidative stress and helps heal damaged skin. In addition, skin cells require vitamin D, which is produced from sunlight, in order to multiply and repair themselves. Foods high in vitamin D include fortified milk, mushrooms and fatty fish. These foods protect your skin even in the absence of much sun.

These vitamins support your well-being, and by receiving them through your food, you are establishing a solid foundation for healthy skin. They fortify the skin against external aggressors, moisturise it, and prevent premature ageing. A good skincare routine combined with vitamin-rich food can keep your skin radiant and youthful for all the years to come.

The Importance of Hydration and Nutritional Support for Radiant Skin Health

Well-hydrated skin is essential to healthy, glowing skin. It retains skin elasticity, prevents dryness and prevents premature lines. As you age, your skin is less able to retain water, making hydration essential for maintaining a youthful appearance. Topical moisturisers assist the skin’s surface, but diet and water inside the body are recognised for having more significant, prolonged consequences.

Water is the source of hydration, and drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day keeps the skin the right amount of wet. There’s more to staying hydrated than drinking water, though. Fruits and veggies with a high water content, such as oranges, tomatoes, and mangoes, will keep you hydrated and provide your skin with vitamins and antioxidants.

Foods such as flaxseeds, salmon and walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. They are essential for maintaining the skin’s healthy lipid layer, which traps moisture and prevents it from drying out.” Similarly, electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium — found in bananas, avocados and leafy veggies — keep cells hydrated, helping skin stay healthy and strong.

Adding healthy fats and foods that help you stay hydrated to your diet can aid in your skin’s natural moisture balance. This gives the skin a smoother appearance and better prepares it to withstand external stresses. By drinking enough water and eating enough hydrating and nutrient-dense foods, you can create a comprehensive approach to hydration that will keep your skin healthy and energised for the long term.

 The Impact of Antioxidants on Skin Protection

Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage the skin, causing ageing and other problems.  Antioxidants can reverse this damage. A diet rich in antioxidants prevents oxidative stress and enables skin repair and rejuvenation, creating a more youthful and healthy appearance.

Foods high in powerful antioxidants include berries, dark chocolate, and green tea, as these chemicals prevent damage from UV rays and improve the overall well-being of the skin. Green tea contains a lot of catechins, which are soothing for redness and inflammation. This makes it ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, is another potent antioxidant that promotes the skin’s natural defence against sun damage and cell regeneration. It has many things that make your skin glow, like carrots, sweet potatoes and oranges.

Lycopene found in tomatoes is especially effective at protecting skin from UV damage and increasing elasticity. In fact, according to a study, eating foods processed with tomatoes can significantly improve the skin’s resistance to UV rays and toxic stress.

Consuming various antioxidant-rich foods every day ensures that your skin has a strong defence against environmental damage and slows down the ageing process. Prioritise these nutrients, and you’ll craft better, more resilient skin health that looks and feels younger and longer. Consuming large amounts of foods high in antioxidants is a safe and sustainable method to safeguard and strengthen skin health.

The Role of Diet in Managing Skin Conditions

Many skin conditions, like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, are dramatically affected by diet. Discovering how specific foods impact these conditions can enable individuals to manage their symptoms better and enhance their overall skin health.

If you want to keep acne at bay, detoxifying foods with a high glycemic index, such as crisps, white bread, and soft drinks, is essential. These foods raise insulin levels, increase oil production and clog pores, all contributing to acne. Instead, eat lots of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans. These nutrient dense options help balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation. These foods can improve your skin by reducing breakouts and keeping your skin clear.

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins is beneficial for eczema, a condition that causes dry, itchy, and red skin. For example, salmon, peanuts, chia seeds, and berries have anti-inflammatory properties that can decrease redness and increase hydration. Probiotics in these foods (yoghurt, kefir, fermented vegetables) contribute to gut health, enhancing the immune system and improving eczema symptoms, thereby supporting skin health.

Psoriasis, a chronic condition characterised by itchy patches of skin health, can improve with a diet that lowers inflammatory foods like red meat, processed snacks, and sugary drinks. Eating anti-inflammatory foods (including turmeric, ginger, fresh vegetables, and fatty fish) helps manage symptoms and contributes to healthier skin. A healthy diet increases the immune system’s functioning and minimises flare-ups, improving overall skin health.

Identifying your unique skin needs allows you to avoid any triggering foods while also adding highly beneficial foods, allowing you to take a proactive approach to your skin and overall health.

Conclusion

What you eat, there’s no doubt, influences the health of your face. For healthy skin, get enough vitamins and antioxidants, drink a lot of water, and eat foods that are good for the skin. By eating foods full of nutrients, drinking adequate amounts of water, and avoiding foods that tend to cause your skin to break out, you can assist your skin from within. In addition to making your skin healthier, a well-balanced diet makes you more nutritious so that you can look and feel at your best at every age.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

As the nutrition we get from food is needed for the repair, hydration, and protection of skin, diet is a significant factor in having healthy skin. Vitamins A, C, and E help with cell turnover, collagen production, and fighting free radicals, keeping them tight and young. Good fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, which can decrease dryness and irritation. On the flip side, eating high-glycemic foods or foods high in processed sugars can cause a spike in your insulin levels, which creates high oil levels that can lead to acne. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in the diet offer the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals the skin needs to maintain a healthy and radiant glow.

These foods are high in antioxidants, vitamins, omega fatty acids, etc. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, green tea, and dark chocolate, protect the skin from free radical damage and the signs of ageing. Vitamin C — in citrus fruits and leafy greens — promotes collagen production, while vitamin A — in carrots and sweet potatoes — facilitates cell turnover. Fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your skin’s lipid barrier intact, allowing it to retain moisture. They are often high in antioxidant properties, which benefit the skin texture, elasticity, and overall health.

Yes, hydration is an essential part of healthy skin. Drinking enough water–about 8-10 glasses a day—keeps skin elastic, reduces dryness, and prevents premature ageing. Hydrating foods—cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges—also rehydrate the skin while providing vitamins. “Nourishing” fats from foods like salmon and avocados also allow the skin to hold on to water by building the lipid barrier. You can have plump, smooth, and elastic skin with sufficient water and water-dense nutritious products.

Antioxidants prevent skin damage caused by free radicals due to pollution, UV rays, and other environmental factors. This damage speeds up ageing and causes wrinkles and dullness. Antioxidant-rich foods (e.g., berries, green tea, tomatoes) reduce oxidative stress and promote skin repair. He said that vitamin C in citrus fruits encourages collagen production, while beta-carotene from carrots can strengthen the skin’s natural sun protection. Antioxidant-rich food boosts the skin’s protective barrier, reduces inflammation regularly, and promotes a healthy, youthful complexion.

Some foods may harm your skin, worsening issues like acne or eczema. High-glycemic foods, including sugary snacks, white bread and soft drinks, also spike insulin levels, triggering excess oil production and clogged pores. Beyond that, processed and fried foods with trans fats can cause inflammation that triggers and aggravates conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. But dairy also has been associated with acne exacerbation in some situations. Despite that, refraining from these food items multiplied with enlisting whole grains, lean proteins, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can have a massive effect on the skin’s well-being.

Yes, nutrition is essential when it comes to taking care of skin problems. Regarding acne, Sidibe says avoiding high-glycemic foods and eating a fibre-rich diet with plenty of whole grains and vegetables may decrease the number of breakouts. Salmon and chia seeds contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that combat acne and eczema. Antioxidants in berries and green tea calm redness and help repair skin damage, and probiotics in yoghurt and fermented foods boost gut health, which is closely tied to eczema management. Plenty of anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich foods can help manage symptoms and improve overall skin health.

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Nutritional considerations for individuals with autoimmune diseases https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutritional-considerations-for-individuals-with-autoimmune-diseases/ Mon, 13 Jan 2025 07:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=39111 The post Nutritional considerations for individuals with autoimmune diseases appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders that affect millions worldwide and occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Chronic inflammation can be caused by autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which also present significant health complications. Diet is crucial to managing symptoms, minimising inflammation, and improving the quality of life for patients with autoimmune diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet: A Foundation for Wellness

All autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammatory diseases, which makes an anti-inflammatory diet the most important treatment for autoimmune diseases. This diet focuses on consuming foods high in inflammation-fighting nutrients and avoiding foods that may aggravate inflammation.

They’re full of fruits and vegetables — berries, leafy greens and cruciferous ones, for instance — rich in antioxidants, the molecules that quell errant free radicals. And good fats, like omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) and flaxseeds, are beneficial for inflammation.

Whole grains include foods such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats, which provide carbohydrates without raising blood sugar and supply vital fibre and nutrients throughout the body. Yes, you should start cooking with turmeric, ginger, and other spices and herbs known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties.

In contrast, some foods, such as processed foods rich in trans fats and refined sugar, have been shown to increase inflammation and should be avoided. Excessive sugar intake—linked to higher levels of inflammatory markers—and refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta can result in spikes in blood sugar, an important driver of inflammation.

This is why anti-inflammatory eating is one of the most effective nutritional approaches individuals with autoimmune diseases can use to alleviate symptoms, balance, and optimise their health. Such eating helps lower inflammation and enhance long-term wellness by preventing chronic disease, providing one example of how what we eat can impact chronic disease.

The Role of Gut Health in Autoimmune Diseases

The gut microbiome has emerged as a foundational pillar of autoimmune health, having far-reaching effects on immune function and other systems throughout our body. A compromised gut barrier, often dubbed “leaky gut,” permits damaging particles such as toxins and undigested food contents to enter the bloodstream, instigating immune reactions that can intensify autoimmunity symptoms. Gut health is thus a significant area of emphasis for people with autoimmune diseases.

Balanced nutritional habits are instrumental in keeping the microbiome and gut barrier intact. Fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi add beneficial bacteria to the gut and help restore microbial diversity and balance. Prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, bananas and asparagus support these beneficial bacteria and keep them alive and active.

Collagen and amino acids found in bone broth are especially helpful for repairing and strengthening the gut lining. In previously diagnosed individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is critical to prevent inflammation of the gut and overactivation of the immune system.

The presence of a healthy microbiome promotes a more robust gut barrier and more balanced homeostatic immune responses that minimise the risk of immune dysregulation. These dietary interventions not only promote digestion but also reduce inflammation, improve energy, and help manage symptoms of an autoimmune disorder.

Through these specific nutrition-based strategies to optimise gut health, everyone can work toward autoimmunity struggles and make strides toward better health. The microbiome is a key consideration in nutrition for people living with autoimmune conditions, not just according to studies on their health but also because of both short and long-term returns to microbiome health.

Micronutrient Balance: Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Micronutrient deficiencies are a common problem for people with autoimmune diseases due to malabsorption, restrictive diets, or inflammation-related disturbances in nutrient utilisation. People need to fill the gaps, as proper levels of specific vitamins and minerals are essential in increasing immune function and decreasing components that cause inflammation.

Vitamin D, one of the micronutrients, is particularly critical for regulating our immune responses (Sources: sunlight, fatty fish, fortified dairy products and/or supplements).

Vitamin C, a widely known antioxidant that assists in immune defence and collagen production, is easily found in citrus fruits, green peppers, and strawberries. Zinc, which has also been shown to play an essential role in the proper functioning of immune cells, is found in foods such as shellfish, nuts, seeds, and legumes.

Magnesium, vital for muscle pain and inflammation relief, can be found in spinach, almonds, and whole grains. Selenium, a potent antioxidant, has also been shown to diminish autoimmune flare, and it’s found in Brazil nuts, eggs and seafood.

Routine blood work is essential for discovering deficiencies so that you can supplement and be guided to eat for your needs. Personalised dietary approaches guarantee that people receive what they need, enriching their health in the long run. Adequate levels of these micronutrients not only contribute to controlling autoimmunity, but they can also boost energy, reduce inflammation, and promote overall well-being.

This point for people who live systemically challenged by autoimmune conditions is that ensuring adequate intake of these vitamins and minerals is one of the most critical nutritional considerations, with immediate symptomatic relief and long-term health benefits.

Elimination Diets and Personalized Nutrition

Autoimmune diseases are uniquely individualised, so dietary approaches must be customised to the individual. Some of these elimination diets can be useful for identifying food sensitivities or foods that may exacerbate symptoms, as no single solution will work for everyone. There are three main phases involved in an elimination diet. The initial phase is the removal phase, which eliminates common trigger foods like gluten, dairy products, soy, eggs, and nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers) for 4-6 weeks.

Next comes the reintroduction phase, where these foods are slowly added back into the diet, one at a time, while checking for any adverse symptoms. From here, a personalised eating plan can be created to avoid trigger foods while maintaining nutritional balance.

Therefore, personalised nutrition with elimination diets has considerable advantages. By recognising and avoiding specific triggers, people can decrease autoimmune flare-ups and enhance digestion and energy. Halting or reversing the ageing process is not the only aspect that a personalised approach to nutrition helps; it also contributes to a holistic lifestyle that considers every person’s individuality.

It is strongly advised to work with a registered dietitian or nutritionist so that elimination diets continue to be nutritionally balanced and successful. Personalisation is among the most significant nutritional considerations for the long-term management of autoimmune disease. It leads to improved symptom management and quality of life. Such an approach helps individuals make informed dietary decisions that balance their health goals.

 Conclusion

Living with an autoimmune disease is about the overall lifestyle, and the food you eat is a significant component. It emphasises an anti-inflammatory diet, gut health, sufficient micronutrients, and personalised nutrition with elimination diets to alleviate symptoms and greatly improve quality of life. Integrating these nutritional principles into the daily routine of those with autoimmune diseases may lead to proactive steps toward better health and resilience.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition fundamentals are essential in managing autoimmune disease,  impacting inflammation, immune response, and general health. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables and healthy fats can help decrease chronic inflammation, one of the major contributors to autoimmune symptoms. Nutrition can also mitigate deficiencies of key micronutrients needed for immune regulation, including vitamin D, zinc, and selenium. Individualising a diet—such as avoiding specific triggers identified through elimination diets—can lead to considerable changes in energy, digestion and symptom control. Balanced nutrition bolsters the body’s natural defences and improves the quality of life for people with autoimmune conditions.

Some foods contribute to increased inflammation and worsen autoimmune symptoms, so nutrition is a central focal point for treating these conditions. Some of the biggest reasons behind the obesity index are processed foods high in trans fats, refined sugars, and additives. Refined carbohydrates like white bread and pastries can raise blood sugar levels and, in their wake, inflammation. Some people are also sensitive to gluten, dairy, soy, or nightshade vegetables, which can all trigger inflammation. A nutrition plan that fits is one where you identify and cut out the foods that cause issues for you in an elimination diet. Gut-healing anti-inflammatory foods are key; they help keep symptoms in check and allow every other aspect of well-being to flourish.

Gut health can play a significant role in autoimmune disease management due to the gut microbiome’s considerable influence on the immune system. A damaged gut barrier — called “leaky gut” — can let harmful substances enter the bloodstream, provoking immune responses. Diet is crucial for a healthy microbiome. Probiotics from fermented foods such as yoghurt and sauerkraut add good bacteria, and prebiotics from foods like garlic and bananas help grow these bacteria. Bone broth helps repair the gut lining, and eliminating gluten prevents inflammation in susceptible individuals. Nutrition that supports the gut decreases immune dysregulation, improving symptoms and improving general health.

Elimination Diets for Autism are very effective in identifying specific food triggers that can worsen your symptoms. You cut out common culprits (gluten, dairy, soy, nightshade vegetables) for 4–6 weeks, then you add them back in so you can identify the perpetrators of your food aversions. Once triggers are identified, you can create a personalised nutrition plan to avoid such foods to ensure a balanced diet. Apart from reducing flare-ups, elimination diets improve digestion and energy levels. This kind of targeted approach ought to be done with the aid of a dietitian to assist them in utilising their dietary decisions to optimise nutrition and control their autoimmune condition(s).

An anti-inflammatory meal plan is vital for autoimmune diseases, as it reduces chronic inflammatory state, one of the significant factors contributing to the symptoms. Antioxidant-rich foods, including berries and leafy greens, counter oxidative stress, and omega-3 fatty acids in fish and flaxseeds lower markers of inflammation. Equally important is staying away from processed foods, refined sugars and trans fats. The goal is to minimise the occurrence of flare-ups while enhancing overall health and wellness through this eating method. Anti-inflammatory foods will enable people to balance their immune response, increase their energy levels and improve their overall quality of life.

People diagnosed with autoimmune diseases often have micronutrient deficiencies because of food restrictions or malabsorption. Key vitamins and minerals (vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and selenium) are required to maintain immune system regulation and lower inflammation. Nutrition individualised to these requirements can significantly impact symptom control, energy, and general health. Blood tests can detect deficiencies, which allows for targeted supplementation. By following a balanced nutrition plan that fills these gaps, individuals can build their immune defences, decrease inflammation, and better cope with autoimmune conditions

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Yoga Exercises for Prenatal and Postnatal Care https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-exercises-for-prenatal-and-postnatal-care/ Fri, 10 Jan 2025 07:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38870 The post Yoga Exercises for Prenatal and Postnatal Care appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is an excellent practice for the body and mind during pregnancy and after birth! It supports active lifestyles for pregnant and new mothers, alleviates stress, and helps with physical adaptations to pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Benefits of Yoga Exercise for Prenatal Wellness

Yoga positively affects pregnant women and extends their ability to keep their bodies healthy. These workouts include gentle movements, deep breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices designed specifically to address the special considerations of pregnancy.

Physical Benefits

Yoga poses during pregnancy increase flexibility, tone core and pelvic floor muscles, and ease discomfort from all the physical changes. The Cat-Cow pose and the Child’s Pose relieve back pain, and seated stretches work on hip mobility. The gentle movements also encourage circulation, which lessens swelling and the risk of developing varicose veins.

Mental Benefits

You’ve heard yoga leads to relaxation and stress via mindfulness and controlled breathing. Controlled breathing calms the nervous system, but it also prepares mothers for labour as labour is not the only time a mother will need to be ready; mothers can practice ways of dealing with pain and anxiety.

Connection with Baby

The prenatal yoga moves combine to bond moms and babies. Through mindful movements and meditation, we tune into the body and the life that is developing inside of it, nurturing a sense of presence and excitement.

Prenatal yoga practice nourishes physical and emotional health while preparing you for the shift into motherhood, making yoga a vital aspect of prenatal care.

Yoga Exercises for Prenatal Care: Safe and Effective Poses

Safety is a top priority when pregnant, and prenatal yoga movements allow you to work with a growing belly rather than against it comfortably and safely. Gentle postures such as Cat-Cow Pose are fantastic for relieving back pain and increasing spinal flexibility.

Alternating between a rounded and an arched spine, this movement builds back strength and mobility to counterbalance the changes in the centre of gravity that trigger discomfort. Bound Angle Pose (Butterfly Pose) is a seated stretch that also opens hips and groins, improves flexibility in this area of the body, prepares for childbirth, and promotes blood flow to the pelvis.

This standing pose, Warrior II, strengthens the legs, opens the hips, and improves balance, all of which can bolster stamina and help mothers build strength for labour and recovery. For relaxation, side-laying shavasana helps pregnant mothers relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and practice mindfulness by resting comfortably on their sides.

A restorative pose, Child’s Pose provides soft stretching of the lower back and hips to help relieve tension and stress. These poses focus on gentle, low-impact motion, so prenatal yoga is safe and effective. This yoga workout continues through a normal pregnancy, sustaining general health and poise for body and mind when the big day comes.

Postnatal Yoga Exercises: Recovery and Strengthening

Post-natal yoga postures aid mothers in recovering, regaining strength, and restoring flexibility after childbirth. These exercises counter common postpartum issues, like weakened pelvic floor muscles, back pain and stress.

Physical Recovery

Postnatal Yoga Exercise helps rebuild the core and pelvic floor muscles, often weakened during pregnancy and delivery. Gentle poses such as Bridge Pose and Pelvic Tilts target these areas to help restore strength and stability.

Stress Relief

Around the postpartum period, you face new responsibilities and hormone changes can lead to a stressful life. Restorative Yoga exercises such as Legs-Up-The-Wall and supported forward folds encourage relaxation, quiet the mind, and help diffuse stress, allowing for some much-needed moments of calm.

Bonding with Baby

Baby is often involved in postnatal yoga. Incorporating movements like Baby Cobra or seated poses with the baby bouncing on your knees provides a physical connection with your baby. It allows you to play together while connecting during this special time.

Improved Posture

Holding on and feeding a baby often induces slouching and back pains. Yoga poses such as Cat-Cow and Thread-the-Needle help realign the spine, relieving tension and enhancing posture.

Postnatal yoga exercises provide mothers with essential support for recovery, relaxation, and bonding, helping to create a sense of calm and stability in their lives.

Tips for Practicing Yoga Exercise During and After Pregnancy

A guide for prenatal and postnatal yoga care: Safety and mindfulness. Here are some practical tips:

Get in Touch with Your Healthcare Provider

Before starting any yoga practice, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe for your pregnancy or postpartum. This is critical, especially for high-risk pregnancies or following a C-section.

Choose the Right Class

Seek Yoga Exercise classes aimed towards prenatal or postnatal yoga. Certified instructors are aware of the specific needs of mothers and will adjust the practice to your comfort level.

Focus on Breath

Breath is fundamental to Yoga Exercise but becomes even more prominent during pregnancy and postpartum. Breathe deep into the diaphragm to relax body and mind, deepening the faculty of each pose.

Use Props for Support

Yoga props such as bolsters, blocks, and straps offer extra support in poses. For instance, a bolster during side-laying shavasana offers comfort and security as your body assimilates.

Listen to Your Body

No two pregnancy and postpartum journeys are the same. Listen to how your body responds to the yoga poses and refrain from activities that make you uncomfortable or uncomfortable. Take breaks as needed and adapt the poses to fit your body.

Be Consistent

When you do yoga for benefits, consistency is the key. Try to practice a few times a week, even for 10–15 minutes. Short, everyday sessions can have a huge impact on physical recovery and emotional well-being.

These tips can help mothers do Yoga exercises safely while pregnant or postpartum to ensure a healthier and balanced experience.

Conclusion

Prenatal and postnatal care yoga may be just what you need for comfort and support. By focusing on specific poses such as Cat-Cow, Warrior II, and Bridge Pose, prenatal/postnatal classes offer targeted support for the challenges presented by pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Whether getting ready for childbirth or figuring out life as a new mom, yoga provides a gentle, holistic approach to staying well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pregnant women practising yoga exercises can benefit their bodies, minds, and feelings. They increase your flexibility, strengthen your core and pelvic floor muscles, and relieve aches and pains (like back pain and swelling). The mindfulness and breathing elements in yoga can reduce your stress and help you unwind — something that is especially beneficial for mothers preparing for labour and learning how to manage both pain and anxiety. Yoga allows you to connect with your baby emotionally, which can elicit feelings of calmness and excitement.

Cat-Cow, Child’s Pose, Warrior II, and Bound Angle Pose are all safe yoga exercise poses for pregnant women because they are gentle and helpful. These postures enhance your flexibility, strengthen key muscle groups, and alleviate pregnancy pains like lower back pain. As your pregnancy continues, Shavasana on your side is a great way to unwind. Since they emphasise safer movements that are easier on the body, prenatal yoga sequences are a perfect way to care for yourself when you’re expecting. You should always consult your physician before beginning a new exercise regimen.

Yoga exercises lend themselves to helping women recover from giving birth by focusing on developing core and pelvic floor strength, improving posture and lowering stress. Bridge Pose and Pelvic tilts: We focus on weak areas with gentler poses. Legs-Up-The-Wall is a restorative posture that allows you to unwind and feel less tired. Incorporating baby into yoga poses helps to strengthen the bond between you and your child while also making the practice much more fun. Postnatal yoga helps moms regain strength and emotional and physical balance, making the postpartum period easier to adapt.

Yes, yoga exercises are also excellent for dealing with stress during labour and post-birth. Mindful breathing and healing postures, such as a child’s pose or Leg-up-the-all, can ground and reset the nervous system, lowering stress. Both prenatal and postnatal yoga use moves that can help women relax and clear their minds, allowing them a moment to connect with their bodies and emotions. Repeating yoga movements regularly contributes to new and expecting moms becoming more substantial and centred. As they become mothers, their bodies and minds transform.

Be consistent with doing yoga movements during birth and after birth. Try to practise two or three times before the end of the year despite the limited time available. Easy poses during pregnancy, such as Cat-Cow or Warrior II, can help relieve pain and build strength. After birth, poses as Bridge Pose turns toward healing. Frequent yoga enables you to stay in shape, alleviates stress and enhances mental health. You should listen to your body and always discuss with your doctor to determine the best frequency for you.”

Do speak to your doctor before doing any yoga moves for pregnancy or postnatal care, ensuring that they are safe for you as an individual. Select classes or workouts are designed specifically for pregnant or postpartum women because they cater to their unique needs. Use props such as bolsters and straps to enhance comfort and stability as you do poses. Ignore workouts that cause you pain or strain and stick to slow, gentle movements instead. A safe and effective yoga practice in pregnancy and postnatal care requires prioritising good technique and listening to your body.

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Improved Posture and Alignment with Yoga Exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/improved-posture-and-alignment-with-yoga-exercises/ Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38867 The post Improved Posture and Alignment with Yoga Exercises appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Good posture and alignment are important for overall health, from spinal health to breathing to energy levels. Traditional yoga implements lack support and cushion, and over time, the excessive flex of the mat could contribute to poor posture and misalignment that causes discomfort and recurring problems. This is why yoga is the perfect remedy, as there are many different yoga exercises that can specifically improve your posture and alignment by strengthening your core, increasing your flexibility, and aiding in body awareness.

The Importance of Yoga Exercises for Posture and Alignment

Posture is the substrate of physical health, determining how the body moves and functions. Prolonged sitting, repetitive movements of the same muscle group, and lack of muscle strength may lead to posture problems manifested by pain, tension, and reduced mobility. Yoga exercises eliminate these effects by focusing on alignment, core stability, and flexibility.

Yoga cultivates awareness of movement, helping practitioners develop mindfulness about how their bodies move and the patterns they’re holding in place. This awareness also aids in resolving misalignments, like rounded shoulders or a forward head position, which are common among desk workers and people on screens for long periods.

Warriors, dancers, and cobras, oh my! In addition, yoga exercises build up the core and back muscles that hold the spine up and improve posture over time. Aspects of poses such as Mountain Pose and Cobra Pose highlight alignment and how well the body needs to be stacked to move and function optimally. Integrating yoga into your life will help decrease postural imbalances, release tension, and find a healthier alignment.

Top Yoga Exercises for Improved Posture and Alignment

Certain yoga exercises focus on the muscles and movements needed to correct posture and align the body. These poses are appropriate for all fitness levels and can be adjusted to meet individual needs.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Mountain Pose is a foundational yoga stance and an opportunity for alignment awareness. Standing tall with feet solidly rooted and shoulders soft teaches practitioners to properly stack the head, spine, and pelvis. This pose builds leg strength, fires up the core, and helps establish proper alignment in most day-to-day movements.

Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)

This gentle transition or flow from Cat Pose to Cow Pose stretches and strengthens the spine, helping to increase flexibility and release tension in the back. It also increases body awareness, teaching practitioners to move the spine in all its range of motion.

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

This stretch is great to counteract slouching. This pose encourages the upper back to get stronger and the chest to open as it lifts without riveting the shoulders, improving rounded shoulders and uplifting the alignment.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana IIVirabhadrasana II)

The Warrior II pose also strengthens the legs, opens the hips, and aligns the spine, significantly promoting overall posture health. Reaching arms and grounding encourage body balance and symmetry.

Plank Pose

Plank Pose strengthens the core, which is the foundation of good posture. A strong core stabilises the spine and takes the burden off other muscles that compensate for weak abdominal muscles.

By adding these yoga exercises to your practice, you help correct imbalances and strengthen your supporting muscles, thereby improving overall posture alignment.

How Yoga Exercises Promote Long-Term Alignment

While yoga offers many beneficial postural exercises, it also creates long-lasting alignment by seeking to address the underlying causes of poor posture and offering sustainable habits. So, how does yoga facilitate a lifetime of alignment?

Toning Core and Back Muscles

Yoga poses such as Plank and Cobra Pose strengthen the core and back muscles that support the spine. A strong core stabilises your pelvis and limits over-arching or rounding in your lower back, while a strong upper back works against that slouch.

Enhancing Flexibility

Tight muscles, like those in the hamstrings or chest, can pull the body out of alignment. Yoga exercises stretch these areas, helping restore balance and improve range of motion. Downward Dog, for example, stretches the hamstrings and calves, bringing more alignment from the hips to the feet.

Encouraging Body Awareness

Mindfulness is an essential part of yoga. It involves learning to pay attention to posture in everyday life. This awareness allows people to nip habits, like slumping or uneven weight distribution, in the bud before they can take hold in the body.

Reducing Stress and Tension

One everyday physical stress is the shoulders, neck or lower back tension, which leads to misalignment. Stretching out the body with movements like Child’s Pose and Cat-Cow helps to ease the stress and re-establish natural alignment.

Yoga exercises address strength, flexibility, awareness, and relaxation, all of which have a holistic approach towards achieving and maintaining long-term alignment.

Tips for Incorporating Yoga Exercises into Your Posture Routine

It would be best to approach your practice with mindfulness and regularity to maximise yoga’s benefits for posture and alignment. Start with foundational poses such as Mountain Pose and Cat-Cow to cultivate awareness and create a strong foundation.

These basic poses equip the body with stability and knowledge of correct alignment, allowing it to flow into more difficult yoga asanas. In every pose, pay close attention to alignment, meaning that your head, spine, and pelvis should all be in a proper place.

Mirrors or an instructor can help with a minor correction that makes a world of difference. Core-strengthening poses, such as Plank and Boat Pose, are important additions to the practice to support the spine and help prevent slouching. Props like yoga blocks or straps offer additional support in difficult poses and assist in maintaining proper alignment, alleviating stress.

For instance, placing a block under your hand in a Triangle Pose helps ensure proper position. Practising yoga asanas for postural alignment at least 2–3 times a week is essential for consistency. With regular practice, the strength, flexibility, and awareness in your body will significantly improve your posture over time.

Finally, apply the alignments you learn in yoga to daily movements like sitting, standing and walking. When you stack your body mindfully throughout your day, you solidify good posture habits outside the mat.

By following these tips and integrating yoga exercises into your routine, you can expect to naturally improve posture and alignment while enjoying the numerous physical and mental benefits of yoga.

Conclusion

Yoga exercises can provide a complete approach to improving posture and alignment by addressing the root causes of imbalances while developing strength, flexibility, and a sense of mindfulness. From basics like Mountain Pose to rigid core muscle-building moves like Plank, yoga rectifies imbalances and forms lasting habits that contribute to improved posture. With dedicated practice and attention to alignment within your yoga posture and daily life, you can create a more balanced and confident pose that enhances your well-being. You can add them to your current routine and see first-hand how influential yoga is for posture and alignment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga improves balance by strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, increasing body flexibility, and enhancing body awareness. Mountain Pose teaches you to stand tall, and Plank helps you build core strength that supports your back. Those tight muscles—the ones in the legs or chest—make you slouch or out of balance. Yoga can help loosen them up. Awareness of yoga allows individuals to identify and correct postural dysfunctions that may be present during typical daily activities.

Some of the best yoga poses for balance include Mountain Pose, Cat-Cow Pose, Cobra Pose, Warrior II and Plank. Mountain Pose develops essential balance, and Cat-Cow Pose increases the spine’s mobility. Cobra Pose opens your chest and strengthens your upper back, which can prevent slouching. Warrior II lengthens the back and knees, and Plank strengthens the core. Combined, they help you to become stronger, more balanced and have a better posture.”

Yes, the yoga moves are great for eliminating the back pain that results from bad posture. Asanas such as Cat-Cow and Cobra Pose relieve back pain. This allows the plank to build strength into the core, taking pressure off the lower back. It also stretches tight muscles, such as the legs and shoulders, which may ease back pain. When you do yoga movements consistently, they will relieve pain and correct the issues that cause it, ensuring that you maintain balance and spinal health over the long haul.

Practice these yoga movements two to three times a week for noticeable differences in your balance. This promotes body awareness, helps strengthen the core and back muscles, and increases flexibility. If we want to practice consistently working on balance, foundation poses like the Mountain Pose and Plank should be included in each lesson. Short workouts (15 to 20 minutes) can make a difference if done routinely. With consistent practice, yoga strengthens your balance over time and creates healthy alignment habits that stick.

Yes, yoga poses can be modified to suit individuals of all fitness levels, making them an excellent balance-building exercise. Fundamental poses, such as Cat-Cow and Mountain Pose, are beginner-friendly because they teach the foundational rules of balance. Postures such as Warrior II and Plank are more challenging for those who wish to improve. Because yoga is so adaptable, people can progress in a way that works for them so that everyone can reap its balance-boosting benefits.

Mindfulness is an integral aspect of yoga practices that aids in posture by encouraging you to become more conscious of how your body is positioned and moves. As practitioners pose, they’re urged to focus on their balance and ensure their spine, head and hips are positioned correctly. This knowledge can help people maintain good posture when not on the yoga mat, such as walking or sitting down. In bringing awareness with movement, yoga techniques develop balance and alignment with time.

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Yoga Exercise for Balance and Coordination https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-exercise-for-balance-and-coordination/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38864 The post Yoga Exercise for Balance and Coordination appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Balance and coordination are the essential elements of physical fitness that help to maintain stability, prevent malfunction and enhance body control. Yoga postures strongly emphasise these aspects to build those postures where we create a challenge by you trying to stay steady and move smoothly. In yoga, the balance lies in maintaining a constant position on one leg or one inverted straight or transitioning from position to position.

The Importance of Balance and Coordination in Yoga Exercises

Yoga exercise is a mind-body practice that combines physical strength, flexibility, and mental mindfulness to enhance overall health. Yoga reigns supreme among all its benefits as a physical activity to improve Steadiness and harmony. Yoga is the worthiest practice for athletes, seniors wishing for better stability, etc., or those who want to develop their motor skills. Today, this blog will discuss how yoga exercises can enhance Steadiness and harmony. Both are very important parts of any fitness regime.

Balance In Yoga Exercises

Fluid coordination of muscle groups to help these poses grace with precision. For instance, pose types like Tree Pose encourage you to stand stably on one foot. At the same time, you utilise core and lower body muscles, and Warrior III builds on Steadiness and harmony as you work to slow and stabilize alignment and control throughout the entire body at once.

Yoga Exercises also increase motor coordination and improve stability and harmony. They can also improve mental health, as performing these poses requires awareness and concentration, creating a deeper link between the mind and body.

This mindfulness improves focus during practice and minimises mental clutter and stress in daily life. Yoga offers a dual approach to restoring balance and harmony through increased physical stability and mental clarity. Yoga is not just a physical practice; it is a complete workout for the mind, with profound benefits in improving posture, ease of movement and overall confidence.

Yoga Exercises That Improve balance and coordination

Some yoga poses specifically target balance and coordination, which people who want to focus on can use.

  1. Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)

In Tree Pose, you stand on one leg with the other foot planted on the inner thigh or calf. This pose builds strength in the core, ankles, and thighs while challenging focus and stability; it is excellent for balance as it requires you to ground yourself.

 

  1. Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

In this dynamic pose, you balance on one leg while stretching the opposite leg and both arms horizontally. Warrior III improves your body alignment, core strength, and total coordination.

 

  1. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Eagle pose is challenging due to the twisting, wrapping arms, and wrapping legs, and the balancing aspect—standing on one leg—is also tricky. It strengthens stabilising muscles and enhances focus.

 

  1. Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

Half Moon Pose: Half Moon Pose combines strength and flexibility. You maintain balance on one leg while extending the arm and opposite leg. This pose enhances proprioception and coordination.

 

  1. Move From Downward Dog to Plank

Moving between these two basic poses improves by adding dynamic Stability and harmony to the mix. It uses many muscle groups and encourages smooth motion.

Adding these yoga exercises to your practice develops physical steadiness, mental clarity, and awareness.

The Role of Breath and Mindfulness in Yoga Exercises for Balance

Breath and mindfulness are the cornerstones of yoga and are essential for enhancing Steadiness and harmony. Controlled breathing, or pranayama, is the practice of calming the mind and relieving anxiety to focus on the body. These practices are essential for maintaining peace and control during yoga practices.

Mindfulness is a natural component of yoga, as those practising are encouraged to concentrate on their body’s alignment and movements, building a greater mind-body connection. This provides a better awareness of how to control the engagement of specific muscles and the activation of specific muscle groups with a suit and the distribution of weight, which are key for obtaining balance and coordination.

Deep, steady breaths, for example, can help when paired with a pose such as Tree Pose, stabilising the body and sharpening attention. Likewise, being mindful during transitions between poses—moving from Warrior I to Warrior III, for instance—can improve fluidity and minimise the chance for errors.

Incorporating breath and mindfulness into yoga exercises enables practitioners to achieve a higher level of balance and coordination while also fostering a state of inner peace and present-mindedness.

Practical Tips for Incorporating Yoga Exercises into Your Routine

Incorporating yoga moves into your exercise regimen is an easy and effective way to enhance balance and coordination. Then follow these tips to get the most out of them:

Start with Foundational Poses: Start with poses such as Tree Pose and Downward Dog that create a vessel for stability and coordination to grow. As your balance develops, start working with more complex postures.

Focus on Core Engagement: A strong core is necessary to maintain stability in yoga poses. Use your core in every pose to settle into stability and control.

Use Props for Support: Props such as blocks, straps, or a wall can help you enter balance-based poses. They assist with alignment and build confidence.

Practice Consistently: Then you can practice balance and coordination. Spend a few minutes daily doing yoga exercises, and you will see a gradual difference.

Incorporate Dynamic Flows: Dynamic sequences — like Sun Salutations or Warrior Flows — are more challenging for coordination because they string poses together into a continuous motion. These moves improve both stability and fluidity.

Yoga exercises are a fantastic practice but can be limited and tedious—especially if you repeat the same routine in the same environment over time. Don’t get me wrong: Yoga is excellent in various forms; however, practising it daily can quickly become stagnant.

Complementing yoga with other movements, such as walking or strength training, can enhance balance and coordination as it recruits various muscle groups and action patterns. With consistent practice of the yoga asanas and the tips mentioned above, both physical and mental balance can be achieved, leading to absolute well-being.

Conclusion

yoga exercises can aid balance and coordination both physically and mentally. Practising postures such as Tree Pose, Warrior III, and Half Moon Pose, along with mindfulness and breath work, will help you build more control over your movements, allowing for deeper connections of mind to body. Try integrating these asanas into your practice today and feel the power of yoga for improved balance and coordination.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga builds the core, engages stabilising muscles, and increases bodily awareness, all promoting balance. Even poses such as Tree Pose and Warrior III, which might feel like they would be challenging to stay steady, strengthen the muscle control required to maintain your balance. Yoga is also beneficial for fostering awareness and focus, which are key to developing steadiness in the physical body. Yoga works on the body to associate man with actions, direction, and power over time. This reduces the risk of tripping and improves balance overall.

Yoga positions such as Warrior III, Eagle Pose, and the transitions from Downward Dog to Plank are especially effective at developing balance. These poses require different muscle groups to move together in time, which helps improve motor skills and flexibility. Dynamic yoga flows, such as Sun Salutations, are also beneficial because they connect postures requiring focus and simple adjustments. Yoga moves emphasise precision and control, so they’re terrific for balance, even as they help you get stronger and more flexible.

Breathing is a big part of yoga, and it helps balance by stilling the mind and enabling focus. Deep, controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and raises stability. Breathing in sync with your movements when doing poses like Tree Pose or Half Moon Pose keeps you steady and gives you more intention in your movement. When you combine focused breath with yoga movements, you help strengthen the connection between the mind and the body, which improves balance.

Yes, it is easy for those new to yoga to perform movements that improve balance and rhythm. Basic poses, like Downward Dog and Tree Pose, are simple for practitioners of all levels to execute and build the strength and balance necessary for more advanced movements. Beginners can also use props, such as yoga blocks or a wall, for additional support as they learn. Beginners can feel confident building their balance and rhythm and reaping yoga’s physical and mental benefits with basic poses that increase in difficulty as they are practised.

Practising Consistently Will Help You Become Better at Balance And Rhythm. With practice ( three to five times a week ) for twenty to thirty minutes each, you will see changes over time. Concentrating on things like Warrior III or Eagle Pose for a few minutes each day can also be helpful. Do yoga movements that are recommended to you daily to make your body stronger and adapt. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and proper breathing techniques enhance results and overall health.

Yoga fitness improves general steadiness and movement by building a stronger core and improving flexibility and body position maintenance. Balancing poses like Tree Pose or Half Moon Pose work stabilising muscles. This increases stability and reduces the likelihood of falling. Cascading shifts between yoga poses are also great for maintaining balance and smoothing your transitions. Yoga enhances proprioception, the body’s sense of position and movement, by making people more thoughtful and aware of their bodies and making everyday things more predictable and manageable.

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Understanding the Core Concepts in Pilates Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/understanding-the-core-concepts-in-pilates-exercise/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38861 The post Understanding the Core Concepts in Pilates Exercise appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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This highly efficient exercise improves strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Control, precision, and mindfulness are at the core of Pilates, setting it apart from other forms of exercise. To allow this practice to work best for you, it’s important that you’re aware of the basic principles behind it.

The Importance of Core Strength in Pilates

Core strength is one of Pilates’s foundational principles. The practice emphasises using the “powerhouse,” which refers to the abdomen, lower back, hips, and pelvis muscles. These muscle groups act as a base for most motions in Pilates, helping ensure support and stability for the whole body.

Core strength in Pilates is about more than just a toned midsection. A strong core facilitates balance, helps with posture and lowers the risk of injury during daily life. Pilates exercise specifically aims to improve the body’s alignment and build strength throughout the core, as seen with moves such as the Hundred, Plank, and Roll-Up.

Consistent Pilates exercise develops your deep core, increasing your physical performance abilities and supporting your spinal health. Ensuring that every move is done correctly, safely, and in accordance with the program’s principles can only mean understanding your core engagement first and foremost.

The Role of Breath Control in Pilates

Breathing is an essential part of Pilates, as it is of any movement or exercise. An appropriately controlled breath improves the mind-body connection, facilitates relaxation, and contributes to physical performance. Pilates teaches practitioners to coordinate their breathing with movements, which oxygenates the body and makes us more focused.

Pilates breathing emphasises deep, diaphragmatic breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This technique activates the core muscles and preserves alignment during moves. However, in a movement like the Roll-Up, exhaling when you’re at a certain point helps to engage the abdominal muscles, making them more isolated.

Breath has a greater purpose behind the physical in Pilates. Mindful breathing stimulates the body to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes a calmer state of mind, which in turn helps with mental focus. By incorporating mindful breathing into the practice, Pilates can not only be a physical approach but also a meditative one.

Pilates exercise breath: Mind yourself. With an emphasis on engaging the mind, the Pilates exercise method becomes two-dimensional as practitioners learn to think about their breath when performing the focus-inducing movements.

The Principle of Precision in Pilates

Pilates exercise emphasises precision, favouring quality movement over quantity. Other workout routines reward attendees for doing more repetitions or being faster, but Pilates inspires students to perform movements methodically and with precision. Emphasising precision makes sure each movement is intentional and efficient.

Precision in Pilates means focusing on alignment, muscle engagement, and the flow of the movement. Take the Single-Leg Stretch as an example; proper alignment of the pelvis and engagement of the core maximise the muscle benefit while keeping the risk of injury to a minimum. Precision also involves mindfulness because practitioners must be fully present with their movements.

Pilates has a longer-term payoff by improving posture and body awareness and lessening the risk of injury through the principle of precision. Focus on precision, and you will work out smarter and strengthen your body awareness.

Practising Pilates with precision requires patience and consistency. To reap the full benefits of this mindful movement practice, practitioners emphasise the nature of the form and focus on control.

The Concept of Flow and Fluidity in Pilates

To achieve this, Pilates teaches the importance of flow and fluidity by using smooth transitions between movements to create a seamless and continuous workout. This idea can transform Pilates from a series of stand-alone exercises to a dynamic, complete-body experience that incorporates strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Flow adds not only the physical but also the mental components of the practice, as you must focus and be precise to keep your flow going. There’s a flow to Pilates; the movements are connected, so transitions are as important as the exercises themselves.

To smoothly transition from the Plank position to the Downward Dog position, for example, one’s core strength, balance, and alignment are again under careful scrutiny as one works to ensure that one’s flow is precise and purposeful.

This flow challenges both the mind and the body, encouraging engagement and presence. Outside of the physical, flow enhances the meditative aspect of Pilates, helping practitioners remain fully engaged in the moment. It enhances the mind-body relationship and encourages relaxation and clarity of mind.

In Pilates, embracing flow is a game-changing element. It allows practitioners to move in a more graceful and intentional manner, ultimately enhancing its physical rewards as well. It also helps develop a much deeper awareness of this journey between asana, during which process trumps perfection. Thus, through movement with fluidity, practitioners can create a broader field to process their Pilates sessions to transform into a holistic practice that facilitates awareness and mobility, allowing them to leave the mats feeling whole!

Conclusion

As a holistic health exercise, Pilates promises much more than physical fitness. By understanding its key principles—core strength, breath control, precision, and flow—practitioners can fully enjoy the advantages of this mindful movement practice. Beginners and seasoned practitioners alike should pay attention to the principles of Pilates; this way, you’ll connect with your body to ensure you’re getting the most out of your Pilates routine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Core strength is key to Pilates exercise, as it offers balance, stability, and support for all moves. Your core consists of the stomach, lower back, hips, and pelvis muscles. It is sometimes referred to as the “powerhouse.” A strong core improves your balance, performance, and risk of injury during everyday activities and while exercising. Pilates exercises like the Hundred and the Plank work these muscles. They ensure that no one can be taken advantage of during the workout and that no one is overly efficient.

Holding your breath is never a good idea, and controlling your breath is just one way Pilates exercise helps you focus, relax and move more fluidly. People learn to breathe deeply through their noses and mouths through Pilates. This breathing style engages your core, draws more air into your body and marries your movement to your breath. When you expire air in the Roll-Up, your abs become less pliable, which lets you control and aim better. Pilates exercise regulates your breathing, reducing stress, enhancing awareness, and developing the connection between your mind and body.

Pilates exercise precision emphasises the quality of the moves rather than the quantity of them. It means examining your posture, what muscles you’re engaging in, and your movement flow while doing routines. For example, pelvic placement will determine how much you get out of the Single Leg Stretch without trashing yourself. Gradually, precision improves your awareness of your body and balance. Pilates exercise practitioners learn more about what their bodies are capable of by focusing on accurate movement, resulting in more effective workouts.

Another essential concept in Pilates fitness is flow, which gradually moves from one exercise to the next, energising your whole body in different and exciting ways. The lesson focuses on beat control and balance. This makes it an intense but invigorating practice. Cueing, by contrast, keeps people rooted in the present and the cause-effect connection among their actions, compelling them to feel more intentional. Rising into Pilates elevates stamina, grace, and stability. It will also make it a more enjoyable and beneficial workout for your mind and body.

Pilates exercise benefits mental health by integrating intentional breath with mindful movement. The exercise lowers stress, promotes relaxation, and helps focus and be aware of the present moment. Pilates breathing techniques energise the parasympathetic nervous system. This soothes the mind and lowers stress. Attention to flow and correctness helps the mind balance and gives a sense of achievement. Pilates exercise creates a significant association between inner and outer body strength, which benefits mental focus, stamina, and overall health.

Yes, Pilates principles like core stability, breath control, precision and flow can benefit first-timers. Every move must be done correctly to keep you safe and help you reach your fitness goals faster than by using the next best exercise you invent. These rules help you do just that. Engaging your core protects against injury and improves your balance. Managing your breath enables you to centre and calm yourself. Newbies practice precision and flow, learning to navigate methodically and fostering confidence and balance.

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The Mental Benefits of Pilates with Mind-Body Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-mental-benefits-of-pilates-with-mind-body-coaching/ Mon, 06 Jan 2025 07:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38857 The post The Mental Benefits of Pilates with Mind-Body Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates is known mainly for its physical qualities, such as stronger muscles, improved flexibility, and posture. However, its mental health benefits are no less transformative, giving this exercise method tremendous power as a tool for building a strong mind-body connection. Pilates provides mental health through awareness of movement and breath to improve concentration, relieve stress, and develop mental health. Practising Pilates offers a holistic path for physical and psychological well-being when used with mind-body coaching.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Pilates with Mind-Body Coaching

Mind-body coaching is the connection between mental and physical states. In this connection, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours can mentally affect physical health, and physical health reciprocally affects mental health.

Pilates takes this mind-body connection to the full, using deliberate motion and pointed movements to involve more than just the body in the workout. The pace and the exercises are purposeful, keeping participants engaged and mindful of their body movements.

The mental engagement engages the mind and settles the body, so there’s a meditative effect. This approach is deepened with mind-body coaching, which teaches people to tune into their bodies — recognising when tension is arising and whether their mind is overcoming obstacles to progress.

Pilates consists of breathing energy (breath is helpful for the whole team of mind-body coaching). Breathing in a slow, controlled manner helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing down stress levels and calming this system. When combined with mental and physical awareness, Pilates can become an extremely effective health and well-being tool of choice.

Also integrated with Pilates, integrated health coaching enhances the mind-body connection for self-awareness, stress alleviation, and astute navigation of daily life.

Mental Health Benefits of Pilates: A Key Component of Mind-Body Coaching

Pilates’s variety of mental health benefits make it an integral practice for a mind-body coach. These benefits extend to emotional well-being and cognitive function as well.

Stress Reduction

The deliberate, steady movements combined with focused, deep breathing in Pilates help facilitate relaxation and reduce cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. This calming response makes Pilates one of the perfect exercises for symptoms related to anxiety and stress. Adding mind-body coaching morphemes will deepen these advantages by anchoring individuals in purpose and mindfulness in their practice.

Improved Focus and Attention

Pilates is a detailed exercise that compels the mind to stay focused on the moment. This mental discipline sharpens focus and clears mental space, which is beneficial to anyone who suffers from distractions or is overwhelmed.

Boosted Mood

Like other forms of physical activity, Pilates stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. Furthermore, Pilates’s mindful quality contributes to its mood-enhancing effect by providing a sense of accomplishment and emotional stability. Integrated health coaching promotes self-reflection that underscores positive feelings.

Enhanced Resilience

Pilates contributes to mental fortitude by building physical strength, which individuals can translate into resilience to cope with life’s challenges. Integrated health coaching, which promotes a growth mindset and teaches effective methods for coping with stressors and setbacks, further supports this.

A mind-body approach encompasses the gradual connection between mind and body, and incorporating Pilates into this framework facilitates the intentional practice of intent movement with an awareness-based approach to mental health.

The Role of Breathing Techniques in Pilates and Mind-Body Coaching

Breath is a central focus in Pilates and mind-body coaching, emphasising the importance of mind-body connection. The practice’s founder, Joseph Pilates, stressed the significance of deep, intentional breathing to facilitate movement and overall wellness.

Physical Benefits

Breathing patterns are laid over each movement in Pilates, meant to help oxygenate the body and get the blood circulating. Proper breathing also works the core muscles, helping with stability and control in your exercises. Mind-body coaching builds on these skills so individuals can fully optimise their physical abilities.

Mental Benefits

Deep, diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the stress response. This fosters relaxation, diminishes anxiety, and enhances concentration. Breath is the focus of Pilates, and it can be used as an anchor for mindfulness, helping individuals create a state of calm and centeredness.

Incorporating Mind-Body Coaching

Integrated health coaching includes breathing techniques in and beyond Pilates sessions. Coaches assist people in utilising breathwork as a tool that helps manage stress, regulate emotion, and promote better sleep. For instance, adding box breathing or alternate nostril breathwork into a daily regimen supports the breathwork done in Pilates.

Focusing on breath in Pilates and Integrated health coaching creates a pathway from the mind to the body, the perfect bridge to discovering the mind-body coaching we seek in holistic health.

Practical Strategies for Enhancing the Mind-Body Connection Through Pilates 

Pilates provides a framework to strengthen the mind-body connection when aligned with a mind-body coaching modality. So, for physical activity, here are five tips for getting the most mental bang for your Pilates buck:

Intents for Your Practice

Integrated health coaching guides you to set a specific intention before each Pilates session—like increasing focus, alleviating stress, or inviting gratitude. It serves purpose, mind, and emotional objectives, so that makes this a best practice.

Focus on Form and Precision

Core fitness training focuses on quality over quantity. This is where Integrated health coaching comes into play since the principles of this kind of training remind us to be mindful of how we look and move. This enhances not just the physical aspects of yoga; with conscious practice, the mind is trained to stay within the present.

Add Guided Visualization

Visualisation techniques deepen Pilate’s mind-body connection. Techniques such as guided imagery (Where you can envision the body growing lighter or visualise energy moving through specific areas) included in mind/body coaching help improve focus and relax the system.

Express Gratitude After the Session

At the end of each session, pause to reflect on the practice and express gratitude for the body’s capabilities. Practices may involve journaling or verbal affirmations to reinforce positivity and awareness.

Integrate Other Mind-Body Practices With Pilates

Integrated health coaching recommends embedding adjuncts such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi alongside Core fitness training. These activities provide similar benefits and amplify the mental and physical benefits.

Track Progress and Celebrate Victories

Tracking progress is a biggie in mind-body coaching. As you work through this process, celebrate little victories like increased flexibility or lower stress levels; these are ways to stay motivated and build confidence around mind-body work.

When combined with these honed techniques, Pilates and mind-body coaching strengthen our mind-body connection, creating a holistic blend of energy that promotes overall health and wellness.

Conclusion

Pilates not only constitutes a physical practice; it also enhances the mind-body connection, allowing for transformative mental benefits. Pair this in a Core fitness training context with the application of mind-body coaching, and Pilates becomes a holistic practice for health and healing, integrating mind and body wellness. Whether it’s increasing resilience or emotional balance, the benefits to the mind of Pilates-based workout routines are evident.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Mind-Body Coaching program.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates focuses on controlled movement and breath, creating excellent mind-body connectivity. Focus is needed for every exercise, and it forces you to be present and aware of your body at all times. This not only benefits physical coordination but also promotes mental clarity and emotional balance. Integrated health coaching adds to these benefits by teaching people how to recognise tension, overcome mental blocks, and align their movements with personal goals. The combination creates increased self-awareness and strengthens the mind-body connection, enhancing overall health and wellness.

The mental benefits of Pilates are many, including stress reduction, improved focus, enhanced resilience, and a boost in mood. The slow, controlled movements and breathing techniques used in Pilates may help reduce cortisol levels, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. It is a practice that also helps train the mind to one-point awareness and to be engaged with the present moment, leading to mental clarity and a better ability to focus. These advantages are enhanced through mind-body coaching, which enables people to set intentions, assess progress made, and cultivate emotional resiliency. Core fitness training and Integrated health coaching work together as synergistic practices for your mental health.

Breath is central to Pilates and Integrated health coaching — it’s integral to bridging the gap between the mind and body. In Core fitness training, one breathes profoundly and at repeatedly controlled rhythms that sync with movements, enhancing focus, providing the body with send and scaling its core muscles. Deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, countering stress and promoting relaxation. Integrated health coaching incorporates breathwork techniques, like diaphragmatic breathing, to assist individuals in managing anxiety and improving the mindfulness of their breath. Such a focus on breathing enhances the mind-body connection, benefiting both physical and mental well-being.”

Personalised guidance, self-awareness tools, and integrated health coaching can help you maximise the benefits you receive from Core fitness training. Many include one-on-one coaching in their offerings that help people set intentions for their practice, focus on form and integrate mindfulness techniques, like visualisation and gratitude. Integrated health coaching addresses emotional and mental barriers, creating the ability for folks to remain in their centres during Core fitness training work and mental resilience. With Pilates structured exercises and integrated health coaching, one creates more balance, making one more potent, precise, and feel good.

Yes, Pilates and Integrated health coaching are the most effective stress reduction methods. Core fitness training relies on controlled movement and deep breathing, which help reduce cortisol and induce relaxation. The concentration needed when performing Core fitness training movements clears mental clutter, making it meditative as well. Integrated health coaching builds on these de-stressing rewards through training in tools such as breathwork and guided visualisation, enabling people to learn to manage stress beyond their practice. Core fitness training and mind-body coaching, together, offer tools to reduce stress and build emotional resilience.

Integrated health coaching can be paired with this to guide intention-setting, focus, and addressing emotional blocks. A coach can customise practices according to a person’s unique needs, recommend complementary activities, such as meditation, or teaching techniques, such as gratitude journaling, to optimise the mind-body connection. When Core fitness training and mind-body coaching are combined, the practice becomes more supportive and available to those new to it, allowing them to experience both the physical and mental benefits of the practice while developing a sense of self-awareness and confidence.

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The impact of fast food on health and wellness Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/the-impact-of-fast-food-on-health-and-wellness-coaching/ Fri, 03 Jan 2025 07:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38852 The post The impact of fast food on health and wellness Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Health and wellness coaching professionals face challenges as fast food has become a significant element of modern lifestyles. Fast food’s convenience and ubiquitous availability can undermine health goals and derail overall well-being.

Understanding Fast Food’s Impact on Health and Wellness Coaching

Fast food is known for being high in calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Eating it regularly has been associated with a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. As a health and wellness coach, Convenience food presents a serious problem in that it sabotages efforts to encourage healthy eating habits and sustained lifestyle changes.

Many well-being coaches encounter clients living hectic lives and relying on convenience food for convenience or clients who need more cooking skills. Such dependency can hinder progress towards nutritional goals. Fast food is so highly addictive, thanks to all the yummy addictive additives, so making the switch can be difficult for many.

The lower cost of Takeout meals compared to healthier options may also affect food choices, particularly for clients on a limited budget. Coaches should work to create an environment in which clients can appreciate the detriments of Convenience food while developing practical alternatives customised to their lifestyles.

With the recognition of Takeout meals implicated, the Well-being coaching professionals would focus more on client education and awareness of healthier options, going above and beyond challenges to achieve their wellness goals.

Challenges Fast Food Poses in Health and Wellness Coaching

Fast food causes many issues, and health and fitness coaches are often faced with this situation. Its easy access is a serious issue. With convenience apps and Convenience food chains readily available, healthy eating becomes challenging.

Time, for people, is another thing that often goes awry. Many clients believe that cooking healthy takes longer than just eating fast food. Coaches need to help fix this by providing people with quick, nutritious meals that fit in with their busy lives.

How Convenience food companies promote their food is another part of the puzzle. Aggressive advertising, deals and discounts are often aimed at those searching for cheap and easy options. That can lead people to overconsume calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods.

It’s also worth considering how Convenience food makes you feel when you eat it. Many people consume Convenience food when under stress because it helps lift their moods. Hence, they constantly end up eating junk food that no longer benefits them. The advice on health and fitness has to address these emotional triggers if it is to create changes that stick.

To devise effective solutions, coaches must first comprehend these challenges. Health and wellness coaching plays a role in resolving issues such as accessibility, time management, marketing impact, and emotional nourishment, directing customers toward wise choices and prioritising their health.

Strategies for Addressing Fast Food in Health and Wellness Coaching

Several strategies can be used by health and wellness coaches to counteract the effects of fast food on their clients in ways that promote healthy eating without overwhelming them.

Education and Making People Aware: This is an extremely effective first step in helping clients become aware of what is in fast food and how it will affect them in the long term. Coaches can provide simple information on the advantages of real, whole, nutrient-dense foods over cheap food.

Planning and making meals ahead of time: Teaching people how to do this can help them reduce the amount of food they eat fast food. It can be easier to eat healthy if you save time by doing simple things like cooking in bulk or preparing items in advance.

Healthy Choices: Coaches can also help their clients identify healthy fast-food options within restaurants, such as soups, cooked foods, or other foods that are lower in calories and salt. They can also provide people with ideas for quick, healthy meals that taste like fast food.

Mindful Eating: Addressing emotional eating and showing individuals how to identify their hunger signals will prevent them from using Convenience food to feel better. Mindful eating habits allow individuals to be conscious of the foods and portions they consume.

Wallet-friendly solutions: If a client fears that healthy eating is too costly, coaches can demonstrate that it is feasible and affordable by centring the strategy around low-cost, nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, beans and fresh fruits.

Health and wellness coaches arm their clients with the tools they need to face issues caused by Convenience food as well as make positive lifestyle changes that remain.

The Role of Health and Wellness Coaching in Long-Term Behaviour Change

One of the most significant ways health and wellness coaching is helpful is in making lasting behaviour changes about fast food. Coaches are accountability partners who help guide and motivate clients to develop healthy eating habits over long periods.

One of the most critical aspects of effective coaching is goal-setting. Observing behaviours at the professor level means individuals might eat Convenience food. Still, in smaller amounts, coaches can focus on encouraging clients to make small, gradual changes, such as eating less Convenience food, exposure to pictures of Convenience food, or opting for fewer Takeout meal menu items when going out to eat.” So, instead of expecting and pushing clients to cut out Takeout meals, set achievable goals that build upon positive behaviours.

Coaches also work with clients to build problem-solving skills for times when Takeout meals appear to be the only choice. This might mean planning, picking a smaller portion, or ordering a less decadent dish and partnering it with a nutrient-dense side.

Equally important is celebrating progress. Celebrating small victories, like preparing a meal at home or opting for a healthier Convenience food option, strengthens positive behaviours and instils confidence.

The impact of health and wellness coaching has a lot to do with diet change, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Coaches aid clients in developing a healthy relationship with food, enabling them to make choices that support their objectives and values. Coaching allows pace and improvement in well-being by providing tailored approaches and guidance to overcome convenience food challenges.

Conclusion

Takeout meals significantly impact health and wellness coaching, but their challenges can be tackled with several strategies. By recognising the challenges posed by takeout meals and utilising evidenced-based practices, health and wellness coaches can help clients maintain their eating habits with sustainability. In summary, health and wellness coaches guide individuals by offering education, encouragement, and tailored strategies to help them make healthy choices on-demand, even in a fast-food world.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Health and Wellness coach. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Health and Wellness Coaching program.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Takeout meals often hinder clients’ health and fitness advice by introducing high-calorie, low-nutrient meals into their diets. Usually, these foods have sugar, bad fats and salt, all things that can lead to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. Managers cannot easily change their clients’ Takeout meal habits, as the clients want them to be fast and cheap. However, coaches can help clients stay on track for their health goals by educating them on how takeout meals lack nutrition and providing practical tools for better options or meal-prepping tips.

Takeout meals are easy to obtain, inexpensive, and everywhere; they are one of the main struggles faced by health and fitness coaches. Many of my clients need help finding time to prepare their meals, so they look to fast food for expedience. When this happens, coaches must ensure their clients can discover real-world resolutions—like fast and healthy meals or tips on choosing more wisely at Takeout meal establishments. The inner reasons why people eat fast food also matter in making changes that stick.

It also teaches clients how to spoil with less junk food through meal planning and mindful eating. Coaches can provide their clients with straightforward facts about the effects of unhealthy Takeout meals and their impact on their long-term health. Clients are better able to make decisions when they learn how to do practical things such as premeal planning, sourcing fast food for healthy choices, and managing emotional eating triggers. Health and wellness coaching enables people to make life-long changes, placing healthy meals before Takeout meals by setting reachable goals and offering constant support.

People who give health and fitness advice can help clients pick healthier takeout meals as part of an overall healthy diet. Coaches recommend ordering grilled foods instead of fried foods, consuming fewer calories and salt, and selecting menu items that are low in those things. Takeout meals can also be healthier when served with a nutritionally dense side, such as a side salad or fresh fruit. Coaches teach their clients to be cautious of their choices and balance out a meal that might have been unhealthy with a healthier meal, helping them to stay on track without restricting their diets.

Takeout meals are consumed for emotional reasons, as people seek comfort foods when sad or stressed. Fast, readily available and delicious food is often a choice of emotional eaters. Practical Well-being advice will help people understand what satiates them and how to treat the phase better, for example, mindful eating or what makes you feel good about your food. The coaches help the clients end the cycle of upset eating and start doing good things for themselves by making them more self-aware and providing them with alternatives to process their emotions.

One way to reduce the number of fast-food people getting health and fitness coaching is to plan meals. Coaches help guide their clients on saving time and making better choices during the week by meal-prepping ahead of time. Little things ensure customers have quick options, preventing them from jumping to the burger joint. This type of meal planning is effective because it keeps the person on track with healthy portions, encourages diverse consumption, and helps them achieve their health and fitness-related goals while still being convenient to pair.

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Pilates Reformer Workouts Advantages and Variations https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-reformer-workouts-advantages-and-variations/ Thu, 02 Jan 2025 07:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38846 The post Pilates Reformer Workouts Advantages and Variations appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates reformer exercises are a method of Pilates performed on a specialised machine that can improve people’s body strength, flexibility, and alignment. The reformer uses springs to create resistance, adding some heft to traditional Pilates exercises, making it suitable for beginners, advanced students or even somewhere in between.

Advantages of Pilates Reformer Workouts for Full-Body Pilates Exercise

Reformer workouts offer a range of benefits not available from mat work. Their unique design offers resistance and support through various movements, targeting the entire body.

Enhanced Strength and Flexibility

The reformer’s spring-loaded resistance works muscles and improves flexibility. Practitioners can more easily customise their Pilates apparatus resistance and identity and gradually increase strength and range of motion by progressively noting their capabilities.

Enhanced Core Engagement

The reformer requires continual core activation to stabilise the body during movements, making it one of the most efficient tools for strengthening the abdominals. Focusing on the core engages muscles that affect posture, balance, and general body stability.

Reduced Joint Impact

The reformer assists with workouts, taking stress off the joints and decreasing the chance of injury. This is why Pilates machine workouts are ideal for people recuperating from an injury or for people with joint problems looking for a low-impact fitness option.

Greater Mind-Body Connection

Like all forms of Pilates exercise, the reformer involves controlled movements and mindful breathing, which creates a deeper mind-body connection. This concentration contributes to improving coordination, focus, and mental clarity.

From trauma rehab to marathon training, Core fitness machine workouts offer a total-body workout (and a challenge!) that can be adjusted to be a delightful addition to your trendiest fitness routines.

Popular Variations of Pilates Exercise on the Reformer

The reformer’s multifaceted nature enables innumerable variations of Pilates moves to focus on specific muscle groups and cater to various fitness goals.

The different training workouts not only spice up the existing workouts but also offer possible challenges for all ages and levels and create an environment for constant learning and progress.

The foundational set Footwork Series is meant to build lower body strength and alignment. Such movements as heel presses and arches on the reformer’s foot bar build leg strength and encourage correct posture.

Moving at a slower pace, the Long Stretch Series works more the core and upper body with powerful movements that don’t sacrifice stability—such as the Plank to Pike—making this series one of the most complete workouts. The Short Spine Massage is a combination of flexibility and strength, as it works the core and hamstrings, lengthens the spine, and supports lower back health.

Side Splits: A more advanced movement that requires tremendous stability to lock on the side plank and work to open the inner and outer thighs. Arm Work with Straps, on the other hand, uses the reformer’s straps to add movements like bicep curls and shoulder presses to your workout, increasing upper body strength and improving posture.

This wide range of exercises ensures that no two workouts are the same, targeting various muscle groups and allowing practitioners to customise routines based on personal fitness proficiency and objectives. These should join the array of reformer Core fitness training variations that make up an all-in-one progressive fitness program that improves strength, flexibility, and coordination.

How Pilates Exercise on the Reformer Differs from Mat Work

The principles of mat Pilates and reformer Core fitness training are the same, but including the reformer adds new benefits and challenges. Knowing these distinctions allows those within this space to know the most appropriate path to better health.

Resistance and Support

The reformer’s spring-loaded system adds resistance to movements, creating longer, more intense moves to help you forge the long, lean look we all desire. This resistive component means that consistent progressive overload can be applied to your program, as it is impossible when utilising mat work only. The reformer also supports you as you move, making some movements more accessible for beginners or those recovering from an injury.

Expanded Range of Motion

Unlike mat work, the reformer features a sliding carriage and adjustable straps, giving users a more extensive range of motion. The more excellent range comes with greater mobility, providing dynamic movement throughout the body for a total Pilates workout.

Full-Body Engagement

Whereas mat Pilates often centres on the core, the reformer works several muscle groups at once. Exercises such as the Long Stretch Series engage the whole body, promoting functional strength and integrating mind, body, and breath.

Variety and Challenge

The reformer offers endless options and variations, keeping workouts invigorating and challenging. Reformer Core fitness training offers exercises for every level of expertise, from introductory to advanced.

Both mat and reformer Core fitness training have benefits, but the reformer’s versatility and resistance make it a prize tool for developing balanced strength, flexibility, and control.

Tips for Getting Started with Pilates Reformer Exercise

If you have never taken a Pilates reformer workout before, it’s essential to begin correctly for a safe and enjoyable experience. The easiest way to start is to find a class taught by a certified Pilates instructor. An instructor gives you individualised feedback, teaches proper form and technique, and dramatically reduces the risk of injury. Core fitness training is all about precision, so form is everything.

Mind your alignment, breath and movement patterns so you’re not missing the potential benefits of each exercise. Begin with some of the more basic exercises like the Footwork Series or Arm Work with Straps, as these will gradually work to build strength and get you better acquainted with the reformer. Starting at the easiest and working your way up to the most complex will help keep you challenged and coming back for more as you build confidence.

The reformer has adjustable springs that determine the resistance level, so start with lighter resistance and increase it as you grow stronger. Consistency is also essential; the more you practice — ideally 2–3 times a week — the stronger, more flexible and more controlled you become, leading to results.

Listen to your body always when doing Core fitness machine workouts. Do not force through pain; let your instructor know if you are in pain or find that you can’t do a pose. Use these tips to help you lay a strong foundation for mastering Core fitness machine workouts, unlocking its transformative benefits, and beginning an exciting fitness journey.

Conclusion

Pilates reformer classes provide an adaptable way to develop strength, flexibility and overall fitness. With adjustable resistance, full-body engagement and limitless variations, reformer Pilates can be challenging at any fitness level. Whether you’re hoping to get your posture right, recover from an injury or expand your physical limits, the Core fitness training reformer has something for everyone.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. Unleash your potential and inspire others on your journey with Trifocus Fitness Academy’s comprehensive Pilates Coaching program.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

To know more about Reformer Core fitness training, you should learn about its benefits, which are many, such as increased strength and flexibility, enhancement of core muscles, and improvement in body posture. Unlike traditional mat Pilates, where resistance comes only from the body, a reformer’s spring-loaded integrated resistance is adjustable to a user’s desired intensity, allowing practitioners to modify exercises for their skill level. These Core fitness training moves also place a lower impact on the joints, making this an ideal workout for those recovering from injuries or a low-impact workout for those in general.

Both types of Core fitness exercises are rooted in the same principles, and the reformer adds resistance and support in the form of its spring system and gliding carriage. The extra resistance increases the intensity of the movements, allowing you to build strength and flexibility more efficiently. The reformer also allows a more excellent range of motion, which improves joint mobility. Unlike mat Pilates, which is always done with your body weight, reformer exercises can also be adjusted for different ability levels, making room for modifications that suit both beginners and less-experienced folks and extreme options for more crazy challenges.

Standard reformer Pilates movements are the Footwork Series, which activates the lower body to help with strength and alignment, and the Long Stretch Series, which enhances core and upper body strength. The Short Spine Massage stretches the spine while strengthening the core and hamstrings, creating an environment for a healthy spine. Side Splits increase balance and coordination, and working on the thighs and Arm Work with Straps strengthens the upper body and builds better posture. These Core fitness training moves demonstrate the reformer’s versatility, as it can be used for myriad fitness goals and levels.

Yes, Pilates reformer workouts are excellent for newcomers. The reformer’s adjustable resistance and supportive structure also help beginners learn proper form and develop strength in stages. Foundational exercises such as the Footwork Series allow beginners to get acquainted with the machine (but not the first thing people do) and activate essential muscle groups. Taking classes in yoga programs with a certified instructor is safe and allows beginners to practice yoga confidently. Assimilating strength & flexibility, beginners can move towards compound essential Core fitness training on the reformer, making it an ideal transition tool on their Pilates journey.

You will achieve results only if you follow Pilates reformer exercises. You should ideally practice 2–3 times a week to develop strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. Each session works different muscles, creating interconnected and balanced movements, and focuses on the mind and body. The versatility of the reformer keeps workouts interesting, inspiring more frequent practice. Whether you are looking to fix your posture, recover from an injury, or strengthen your core, consistent Core fitness reformer sessions help achieve long-term fitness goals while providing a low-impact, sustainable workout.

Learning proper form and technique is essential before diving into the Core fitness reformer exercises. Of course, you can take a guided class with a certified instructor who keeps you safe and helps you get the most out of the reformer. If you are a beginner, do basic exercises such as the Footwork Series to build strength and confidence. You can also tune the reformer’s resistance to your fitness level and adjust it over time so you can progress gradually. It is bow down to alignment, breathing, and sustained practice that gets you there.

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Nutrition Coaching to consider for athletes and Active Individuals https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutrition-coaching-to-consider-for-athletes-and-active-individuals/ Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38837 The post Nutrition Coaching to consider for athletes and Active Individuals appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Athletes and active individuals have specific dietary requirements to aid in their performance, recovery, and overall health. Good nutrition fuels workouts, helps recover from them, and minimises the risk of injuries and fatigue. One key aspect of this is nutrition coaching, where athletes are guided to tailor their nutrition to gain the greatest performance benefits.

The Role of Macronutrients in Performance: Insights from Nutrition Coaching

Macronutrients — carbohydrates, proteins and fats — are the two-pillar diet of every athlete’s regime. Each one serves a distinct purpose: to drive activity, help people recover, and support general health.

Carbohydrates

Athletes use carbohydrates as the main energy fuel. They release glucose, the fuel for high-intensity and endurance work. Complex carbohydrates (e.g. whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) provide sustained energy for athletes. It helps athletes determine how much carbohydrates they should consume based on their training intensity and duration.

Proteins

Protein is essential for the repair and recovery of muscles. Sedentary individuals require less protein than athletes to provide for muscle development and damage, so the amount needed will depend on the sport or athlete in question, and the amount of protein and the source will vary. Lean protein sources, like chicken, fish, and eggs, and plant-based ones, like tofu and lentils, are best. Nutrition coaching can assist athletes figure out how much post-workout protein to consume for optimal recovery.

Fats

Healthy fats are an essential energy source, particularly when engaging in low-intensity or long-distance activities. Including sources of healthy fats such as avocados, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish provides necessary fatty acids and promotes overall well-being. This balances the intake of fats to avoid excess or deficiency of fatty acids and the Dietary Guidance of athletes through a sports dietitian.

Good dietary guidance must involve understanding macronutrient balance and how diets are designed to help athletes optimise their performance and recovery.

Micronutrient Needs for Athletes: Key Areas in Nutrition Coaching

Macronutrients are essential, but vitamins and minerals are significant to athletic performance and recovery. Nutrition coaching guides athletes in discovering and meeting their micronutrient requirements to help them stay healthy and minimise the risk of deficiencies.

Iron: helps carry oxygen in the blood and makes energy. Exercise girls and women are at an exceptionally high risk of iron deficiency. Good sources include red meat, leafy greens and fortified cereals. Dietary Guidance tracks iron levels and provides nutritional changes or supplements as needed.

Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for bone health. Stress fractures are more likely to occur in athletes who partake in high-impact activities, which should lead them to have higher calcium intake, if not already. Dairy foods, fortified plant-based milk, and leafy greens deliver calcium, while sunlight and foods like salmon and egg yolks provide vitamin D. Dietary Guidance stresses the role of these nutrients in supporting bone strength.

Antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E) can help reduce oxidative stress from vigorous exercise. Antioxidants abound in foods like berries, citrus fruits, nuts and seeds. Dietary Guidance helps athletes to incorporate these into their diets to aid recovery and reduce inflammation.

Nutrition coaching can help athletes meet micronutrient needs, ensuring deficiencies do not impact performance.

Hydration Strategies for Athletes: A Focus in Nutrition Coaching

Proper hydration is vital for exercising since even mild dehydration can hinder performance and recovery. Nutrition coaching educates athletes on their hydration needs and supports them in developing strategies to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise.

Pre-Exercise Hydration

Staying hydrated before your workouts and certainly your competitions is key. Athletes should consume water or electrolyte-rich drinks 2–3 hours before exercise. Nutrition coaches can offer individualised hydration recommendations based on an athlete’s weight, activity type, and environmental conditions.

During Exercise

Fluid balance is of the utmost importance during prolonged or high-intensity exercise. Athletes should drink water or sports drinks every 15–20 minutes, depending on how sweaty and intense the workout is. Electrolytes replenish and provide carbohydrates for the energy generated from sports drinks. Dietary Guidance clarifies the type and quantity of fluid you may need during training or competition.

Post-Exercise Hydration

After your workout, you need to rehydrate, and this is vital for recovery. Replenishing fluids with electrolyte-rich foods or drinks restores fluid balance and helps muscle recovery. Great recovery starts with nutrition coaching, which focuses on replenishing the fluids lost from sweat.

Dietary Guidance ensures optimal performance while mitigating potential dangers of dehydration and heat-related conditions through the personalised use of hydration strategies.

Meal Timing and Recovery Nutrition: Key Elements of Nutrition Coaching

When and what we eat are crucial aspects of our diets. Meal timing and recovery nutrition are essential for maximising performance, energy levels, and muscle repair. It promotes the timing of your meals for maximum results.

Pre-Workout Nutrition: The right foods eaten before a workout give the energy needed to perform better. Suppose you go a few hours without food. In that case, any pre-workout meal should revolve around easily digestible carbohydrates and moderate protein to fuel activity but not weigh you down—for example, a banana with peanut butter or a small bowl of oatmeal with fruit. Pre-workout meal plans are customised based on an individual’s preferences and activity types in nutrition coaching.

During Exercise that lasts more than an hour, carbohydrates facilitate the preservation of energy levels. Sports drinks, energy gels, or small snacks like dried fruit can offer quick fuel. Athletes seeking nutrition coaching can discover how to choose what is best for their training or competition needs.

Post-workout nutrition centres around recovery by replenishing glycogen stores and repairing muscles. The recommended recovery routine is to get a mix of carbs and protein within 30–60 minutes of exercise. Examples are a smoothie made with fruit and Greek yoghurt or a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread. This recovery window is one of the key focuses of Dietary Guidance to facilitate muscle repair and dissipate soreness.

Dietary Guidance can optimise an athlete’s performance by addressing meal timing and recovery strategies to fuel them, mitigate fatigue and enhance performance.

Conclusion

Performance, recovery, and overall health depend on nutrition strategies specialised for athletes and those who are generally more active. Nutrition coaching helps athletes create individualised plans to fine-tune their macronutrient intake, meet their micronutrient needs, maximise hydration, and optimise meal timing. Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, proper nutrition is the foundation of success.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Athletes require the best Dietary Guidance as it tailors dietary recommendations to consider performance, recovery, and general health. Sports-specific training contributes to a unique set of nutritional demands aligned with the athlete’s pursuit of their specific sport alongside the time dedicated to a varied intensity of workload through training. Dietary Guidance guides them to understand that macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and meal timing become factors whose importance can be measured in performance.

The building blocks of an athletic diet are macronutrients — carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The energy comes from the carbons, the proteins that help with recovery and muscle repair. Healthy fats provide sustained energy for endurance activities. Dietary Guidance helps athletes work out their proper macronutrient ratio based on their training routine and goals. We need to eat complex carbohydrates before training and lean proteins afterwards, and coaches prescribe when we should eat and what we should eat to get optimal fuel to run and recover for top performance.

Certain micronutrients and antioxidants, to name a few—are essential for athletic performance and recovery, all of which can help promote grain intake. Iron transports oxygen, calcium, and vitamin D to keep bones strong, and antioxidants prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress. Dietary Guidance assists athletes in pinpointing potential gaps and integrating foods containing these key nutrients, including leafy greens, dairy products, and berries. They also help athletes conclude whether supplementation is required and when to ensure their micronutrient intake is well balanced, optimising the micronutrient supply and allowing the athlete better health and performance.

Hydration is essential for athletes, as slight dehydration can compromise performance and recovery. Adequate hydration helps regulate body temperature, supports muscle function, and minimises fatigue. With nutrition coaching, athletes can develop individualised hydration strategies pre-, during, and post-exercise. Water or electrolyte drinks are recommended, depending on individual sweat rates, activity intensity, and environmental conditions. With hydration being crucial, nutrition coaching helps athletes deliver the best performances without allowing forces like cramps or heat exposure to become a concern.

The timing of your meals is an essential component of performance fuel and recovery. Fueling your body with the right foods at the correct times keeps energy up and helps repair muscles efficiently. In contrast, pre-workout meals contain more carbohydrates and protein to optimise energy utilisation, while post-workout foods work to restore glycogen stores and support muscle recovery. Athletes following nutrition coaching can receive nutrition advice to implement specific meal timing strategies to improve health and performance, such as eating a smoothie post-workout or snacking on a carbohydrate-rich food before training. A nutrition plan will aid the athlete in achieving optimal performance and recovery.

Nutrition coaching can promote optimal nutrient timing, hydration, and consumption of anti-inflammatory foods. Coaches often emphasise the importance of drinking a mixture of carbohydrates and protein within the recovery window (30–60 minutes post-exercise) to refill glycogen and repair muscle. Maintaining proper hydration and electrolytes is also critical. Furthermore, nutrition coaching advises the intake of anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, berries, and nuts that facilitate quicker recovery.

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Fitness Endurance Training for Long-Distance Running or Cycling https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/fitness-endurance-training-for-long-distance-running-or-cycling/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 07:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38834 The post Fitness Endurance Training for Long-Distance Running or Cycling appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Endurance Periodization for Athletes and Influencers in Long-Distance Running and Bicycling improves cardiovascular efficiency, muscular endurance, and mental stamina so you can perform at your peak for longer.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Fitness Endurance Training

Fitness Endurance training focuses on increasing your body’s ability to sustain long stretches of physical activity. It is more than the behaviour of the moment; it addresses aerobic capacity, an effort of your heart, lungs and muscles working well over time. Fitness Training protocols for endurance events such as long-distance running or cycling are essential for building endurance, reducing the feeling of fatigue and decreasing the risk of injury.

Resilience training is based on aerobic exercise, which increases your heart rate without upsetting it. Steady-state running, cycling, and swimming at an easy, sustainable effort build cardiovascular fitness and an aerobic base. Regular training can help your body use oxygen more efficiently and delay fatigue, so consistency is a big part.

Cross-training exercises such as weightlifting and yoga are also included in Resilience training to help avoid structural imbalances and improve overall fitness. These workouts improve core stability, flexibility, and strength, which are key to keeping good form on long outings.

This knowledge will help you design a Resilience training plan based on your level and experience. With a solid base, you’ll be prepared to tackle the demands of distance running or cycling and reach your performance goals.

Key Components of an Effective Fitness Endurance Training Plan

When properly implemented, a good Fitness training plan has a few components that work together to maximise energy, improve performance, and decrease the risk of injury. These components ensure that long-distance training is fair and accumulative.

Long rides or runs are the defining elements of endurance exercise; you can maintain sustainable progress for longer if you gradually build the distance or duration of running or walking. So, Take Your Time. Increase Your Pace Gradually to Avoid Overtraining

Interval training: Mixing in high-intensity bursts, like runs or hill climbs, can also help you get faster and use more oxygen. For runners, this might mean transitioning from a venous run to a recovery jog; for bikers, it means transitioning from heavy pedalling to easy spins.

Recovery days: Rest is very essential in training the body. Integrate low-level days or rest days to allow your muscles to heal and adapt. This will reduce the risk of injury or stress.

Cross-training: Swimming, strength training, or yoga are good ways to increase balance, core strength, and flexibility in addition to your primary endurance workouts.

Food and water: Eating before, during, and after a workout gives your body the energy it needs and allows it to recover. Eat healthy fats, lean proteins, complex carbs, water, and vitamins to stay hydrated.

By including these in your resilience training plan, you create a comprehensive one that boosts your strength, speed, and stamina, preparing you for long-term success and growth.

Common Challenges in Fitness Endurance Training and How to Overcome Them

It can be difficult to build up to running or biking for long distances. Realising these problems and knowing how to deal with them can help you make steadier and fewer mistakes.

Fatigue and overtraining: You might become fatigued if you exercise too much without allowing enough healing time for your body and mind. This can lead to injuries. Stick to a structured plan with rest days and listen to your body.

Plateaus in Progress: Hitting a performance plateau is a common experience among endurance athletes. To overcome plateaus, have a few speedwork sessions, vary your routes, and increase your workout volume.

No Motivation: A long-distance activity does not always keep the endorphins flowing. When you create definitive goals, such as completing a run or beating your best time, you remain focused. Working out with someone or being part of a group can help you stay motivated, too.

Injuries: Pain in the knee or shin splints from overtraining can prevent you from training. To prevent injury, keep good form, wear proper shoes, and incorporate cross-training and power routines into your plan.

Time management: Physical training can be challenging regarding work and home life. Right the first act and draft a feasible plan by specifying important meetings while getting room for manoeuvre.

Following a Fitness Endurance training plan designed to withstand these issues will be the key to reaching your ultimate long-distance running or cycling goals!

Tips for Maximizing Results in Fitness Endurance Training

Taking advantage of Fitness Endurance training requires consistency, thoughtful planning and attention to detail. To help you improve and achieve your long-distance goals:

Gradual Progression: Resist the temptation to add miles or effort quickly. Then there’s the 10% rule to prevent overtraining and injury: Do not increase your weekly total training time by more than 10%.

Focus on your technique: good form conserves energy and reduces stress. For walkers, maintain a straight back, contact the ground midfoot, and walk steadily. Concentrate on smooth pedalling and having a properly fitting bike.

Recovery is your Number 1 goal. Rest is just as important as a workout. Healing methods such as foam rolling, stretching, and sleep can help your body repair and adapt to the rigours of Resilience training.

Use technology. You can enable heart rate monitors, fitness apps, and GPS devices to assist you in tracking improvements and adjusting your training plan when necessary.

Mindset: Endurance races take a toll on the mind, not just the body. Visualisation, small achievable goals whilst working out, and a positive attitude are ways to keep you motivated.

Race Simulation: Many begin training for a race, so practice under race conditions for some of your long runs or walks. Practice pace, fuelling and thinking strategies to build your confidence.

Pair these tips with your fitness training to prepare better and be confident enough to face the challenges of long-distance riding or running.

Conclusion

The cornerstone of any successful long-distance riding or running is Fitness Endurance training. There will be considerable gains in your energy, output and confidence by reading it, customising it to fit it into what you believe you need to be doing, forcing your way through barriers and getting as much as possible out of your training schedules. A well-planned and consistent Resilience training schedule prepares your body for the physical demands of long distances and prepares your mind for adversity.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Endurance training aims to equip your body to stay active for long periods. It improves your maximal oxygen uptake, muscle endurance, and circulatory efficiency, all critical to long-distance running or cycling. When you do Resilience training consistently, you develop the energy required to push through fatigue and maintain performance through hours-long efforts. For people looking to conquer endurance events like a run or a bike race or get fit, the answer is Endurance training.

A good Endurance training program includes long runs or long rides to build endurance, intensity training to improve speed and lung capacity, and rest days to help ward off overtraining. Cross-training activities — such as swimming or strength training — make you fitter overall and keep your muscles from becoming unbalanced. What you eat and drink can play a huge role in fuelling your body for more extended efforts and helping it recover from exercising. Combining these ensures your long-distance capabilities for running or biking are balanced.

It would be best if you also had a recovery plan between those sessions. Otherwise, you will be tired or, even worse, over-trained. You are pumping blood to your muscles and lungs, but at the same, you should take low-intensity rest days and listen to what your body is saying to you —after all, you don’t want to push yourself too hard. Gradually add miles or effort so your body has time to adapt without getting overly tired. Eating right, getting proper hydration and catching up on sleep all work toward restoring energy and assisting healing in the body. If you put balance first, you can maintain stamina training and not become exhausted while achieving long-lasting success.

Common issues of stamina training are fatigue, bottlenecks, lack of motivation, and getting injured. Having specific goals helps keep you focused, add, take rest days and mix up your workouts to overcome these issues. If you lose your bounce, do speed training or try a different route to break your plateaus. You have the right power with your routines, warm-ups and cool-downs to avoid getting hurt. It helps to stay motivated by joining a group or working with a partner. You will make consistent progress in long-distance bike riding or running by attending to those issues.

Resilience training must gradually increase your difficulty level, be done correctly, and be carried out frequently to improve. Train short and weak while constantly maintaining good form to save energy. Things that can influence overall efficiency are pace, breathing, and rhythm. Install acceleration exercise application programs and earnings beat displays, which can help you record pursuit & as well as soon upgrade your training day’s design. Consistency in training up for workouts about healing will allow you to build strength for your performance to do your long runs/rides.

Getting your mind ready is a key part of Endurance training because covering long distances — whether running or riding — requires concentration, determination and stamina. Visualisation can improve self-confidence and prime your mind for success. Break workouts or races into less daunting sections and set small goals for yourself to stay motivated when the going gets tough. Be positive and enjoy the process; remember, success takes time. Strengthening your mind is a way out of fatigue, a way through difficult times and a way to reach physical training goals.

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Different Types of Exercise and Their Impact on Fitness Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/different-types-of-exercise-and-their-impact-on-fitness-training/ Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38831 The post Different Types of Exercise and Their Impact on Fitness Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Once we talk about fitness coaching, not every exercise is the same. The exercise mould covers many aspects of health, like power, perseverance, adaptability, and balance. Understanding these factors is crucial to designing a well-rounded exercise training regimen that serves your objectives and supports your overall well-being.

Strength Training: Building Muscle and Enhancing Fitness Training

Strength training, in contrast, emphasises muscle growth, strength, and mineral density. It also features strength-training exercises that overload the muscles with weights, resistance bands, or progressive body-weight movements. Common power exercises are squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and push-ups.

Strength training is definitively essential in the world of fitness training. Not only does it help build muscle mass, but it also increases metabolism, allowing your body to burn more calories when it is at rest. This proven fact makes it integral for weight management and overall fitness.

It also increases joint stability and lowers the risk of injury in other physical activities. Plus, it improves functional fitness by simulating everyday movements — like lifting or pushing — that make day-to-day tasks easier and safer.

Strength training should be included in your fitness training routine 2–3 times a week, training different muscle groups each session. Progressive overload, gradually increasing the resistance or intensity, is essential to ongoing improvement. Weighted training is at the heart of all fitness training worldwide and catalyses physical strength training, endurance training, and, thus, long-term physical health.

Cardiovascular Exercise: Boosting Endurance and Fitness Training

Cardiovascular exercise, or cardiovascular exercise, is an exercise type that can help you build heart health, energy, and overall strength. It includes activities such as swimming, dancing, running, and riding that cause your heart to beat faster over an extended period.

Cardio is an important aspect of fitness training, particularly for individuals who want to increase their energy levels and improve their heart health. A consistent workout strengthens the heart and lungs, improves circulation, and delivers more oxygen to the muscles. This not only makes you better at sports, but it also reduces your chances of getting chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

It was also good for burning calories or for those who wanted to lose weight. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a new type of practice where short bursts of vigorous action are combined with rest periods. This means you can burn more calories and get fitter quickly.

Exercise can be included in your workout practice three to five times a week. Whether you prefer steady-state running or lively group classes, cardio should make up a regular segment of your workout routine. It will improve your endurance and heart health and give you more energy.

Flexibility and Mobility: Enhancing Recovery and Fitness Training

People often forget how necessary flexibility and movement workouts are, but they are an integral aspect of any fitness routine. These workouts are meant to help increase bodily balance, range of motion, and joint health. Many ways to improve flexibility include stretching, yoga, and Pilates.

Flexibility and movement training have many health benefits. Increased flexibility prepares muscles and joints for action and reduces the risk of injury. Mobility work enhances functional fitness by ensuring your body can move seamlessly and rapidly. This has great applications in sports and for people recovering from physical injuries.

Flexibility training also helps speed recovery by loosening and relaxing sore muscles. Stretching after a workout allows blood to reach sore muscles and speeds up the healing process. In addition to their physical benefits, yoga and Pilates are also good for your mental health in that they allow you to rest and relieve stress.

Flexibility and movement workouts can be added to your fitness practice at least twice or thrice weekly. Even a few minutes of stretching after a workout can significantly improve healing and performance. It would be best to exercise like this regularly to remain healthy and injury-free.

Balance and Coordination: Supporting Functional Fitness Training

Balance and coordination exercises focus on your body’s ability to remain steady and control its movements. As part of these exercises, you may work your core and stabiliser muscles, which builds better balance and prevents falls. Examples include Tai Chi, single-leg exercises, and stability ball workouts.

Many people are unaware that balance and rhythm can play an essential role in their workouts. Better balance allows you to perform better when you’re playing sports because it enables you to move with more precision and confidence. Preserving balance—and lowering the risk of falling—is especially important for older adults.

This type of training is also beneficial with other types of aerobic exercise, such as cardio and strength training, because it stabilises your body during complex movements. For instance, balance exercises could help you develop a solid core, which helps you maintain proper form when lifting weights or running, reducing your risk of injury.

Even adding balance and coordination movements to your workout just one or two times a week can make a big difference. You can practice these skills with activities that require strategic thinking, like yoga or certain drills in sports training. Adding balance and coordination exercises will help promote a more healthy and functional body for a complete fitness training program.

Conclusion

A complete fitness training program would include strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, etc in the routine. Cardio benefits heart health and builds energy; strength training develops muscle and boosts metabolism; flexibility promotes healing and mobility; and balance allows meaningful movement and stability. Incorporating these activities into your routine will keep you on the path to healthily achieving your fitness goals. Begin varying your exercise regimen today and experience how a balanced workout plan could transform your life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The recommended way to ensure you keep your health and performance in line is to vary the exercise you use in fitness training. Strength training builds muscle mass and metabolism, cardio builds heart health and endurance, flexibility increases range of motion and healing time, and balance increases steadiness and ability to move throughout the day. With these exercises, you have an entire workout plan that can help you achieve several fitness goals, decrease your risk of injury, and even help improve your health over time.

Strength training is a key part of physical activity since it strengthens bones, builds muscle and boosts metabolism. Lifting weights, doing push-ups and using resistance bands are all forms of strength-training exercise that can stave off the muscle losses that come with age. Strength training enhances functional fitness by making ordinary tasks less difficult and dangerous. Including two to three strength training classes per week as part of your workout routine will qualify you to grow safely, improve your overall performance, and secure your health in the long term.

Cardio activities like swimming, riding, and running are suitable for the heart and can burn calories. In Exercise training, cardio strengthens the heart and lungs, which leads to improved circulatory efficiency. This assists muscles in getting air more readily. Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease and increases overall endurance. It can also help you lose weight since it burns calories during and after exercise. Being realistic, three to five weekly exercise workouts help keep your fitness routine on track and increase energy and endurance.

Explains the importance of being flexible and mobile to reduce the risk of damage, promote healing and improve the overall efficiency of movement. Stretching, yoga, and Pilates are fitness routines that prepare your muscles and joints for action. It prevents them from becoming stiff and sore. Your flexibility also improves your range of motion, which helps you perform workouts as intended. Incorporate two or three rounds of flexibility or movement work as an addition to your weekly plan, and you will perform better, heal faster and remain fit for the long run.

Balance training is also an essential type of exercise since it aids in increasing stability, improving your posture, and helping you with your balance. Core and stabiliser muscle strength: Single-leg exercises, yoga, and workouts using a stability ball. This will ensure you Maintain Good Posture while Running or Pulling Weights. It improves players’ precision and control, which are key performance factors. It reduces the risk of falls among older adults and enables them to maintain functional independence. Including balance exercises in your fitness regimen ensures a comprehensive workout that keeps you safe and helps you maintain stability.

Designate specific days for different types of exercise to create a more balanced fitness routine. To gain muscle, perform two to three strength-training sessions per week, three to five aerobic activities to boost your stamina and two to three mobility or flexibility-focused workouts to aid your body’s recovery and expand its range of motion. Balance movements should be done one or two days a week for better flexibility and overall fitness. Switch up your exercises so that you’re not putting too much strain on the same muscle groups all the time, and take rest days to recover.

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Designing an Effective Fitness Training Workout Routine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/designing-an-effective-fitness-training-workout-routine/ Fri, 20 Dec 2024 07:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38828 The post Designing an Effective Fitness Training Workout Routine appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Designing an effective workout routine is crucial to achieving your fitness goals, be they muscle gain, weight loss, or improving overall health. When done right, a fitness training plan offers balance, consistency, and progress.

The Importance of Setting Goals for Fitness Training Success

Before you begin creating an exercise program, it’s key to determine your fitness goals. Your fitness training will be successful if you determine your plans whenever clear goals are set. Goals can range from cardiovascular endurance to strength to fat loss. Whatever they are, they should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Don’t say, “I want to get stronger,” but write a specific goal such as, “I want to deadlift 150 pounds in three months.” Use action verbs and actually set goals so your intent is clearer and find a way to track progress. Setting goals that consider your current fitness level helps avoid burnout and injury.

Once you know your goals, you can create a fitness training regime that complements them. For example, if you want to lose weight, focus on a combination of cardio and strength training. To build muscle, prioritise resistance training (with progressive overload).

Setting goals also keeps you motivated. Tracking achievements, such as running faster miles or lifting heavier weights, reminds you of your progress and keeps you committed. Laying a solid foundation for a fitness training routine that produces real results starts by defining clear goals.

Key Components of an Effective Fitness Training Workout Routine

A good exercise regime has several essential components that work on all aspects of health. They work together to strengthen you, make you more durable and versatile, and make you healthier.

Warm-up: To prepare your body for every workout, perform an active warm-up at the start. Light running, jump-downs, and movement drills all boost blood flow, ease muscles, and reduce the chance of injury.

Strength training: Exercises with resistance, such as lifting weights, performing exercises with your body, or using resistance bands, increase muscle and bone resistance. These compound lifts target major muscle groups: squats, deadlifts, and push-ups.

Exercise for the heart and lungs Cardio: Cardio is good for your heart, burns calories, and strengthens you. To ensure variety and the greatest benefit, vary your practice with running, cycling, swimming, and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).

Being flexible and mobile: Stretching and movement exercises make you more adaptable, help your balance, and prevent stiffness. Incorporating yoga, Pilates, or specific stretching classes into your exercise program would be best.

Cooldown: At the end of your workout, cool down to allow your body to recuperate. Active stretches or easy moves to relax your muscles.

Incorporating these into your fitness training plan creates one that promotes all aspects of fitness, which leads to growth and success in the long term.

How to Structure a Weekly Fitness Training Schedule

Having a weekly plan keeps you consistent and prevents overtraining. Step one is deciding how many days a week you can realistically train for exercise. A good plan—depending on your goals and your experience level—should include three to six workout days.

Divide your workouts by goal: Give separate days for different workouts. As an example:

Strength training should be performed two or three days a week to strengthen your major muscle groups. Cardio should be done two to three times per week for heart health and stamina.

Flexibility and mobility: one or two times a week to help with your recovery and avoid injuries.

Schedule time for rest: Rest days are critical for recovery and dealing with stress. Schedule at least one day off per week when you can rest or practice gentle yoga or walking to help your body heal.

Alternate between muscle groups: Do not work the same muscle groups 2 days in a row. For instance, alternate upper and lower body power and resistance endurance training workouts to allow your muscles time to recover.

Vary your intensity: to help avoid burnout and balance out your body, do high-intensity workouts (HIIT, for example) and intermediate or low-intensity ones.

Be flexible: Given life’s uncertainty, pivot plans when necessary. It’s more important to be consistent than to be perfect. Mapping out your weekly exercise workouts will help you progress while prioritizing healing and long-term success.

Tips for Optimizing Your Fitness Training Routine

How can you get the most out of your fitness training once you have already planned them out for yourself? This advice can help you stay organised and get more done.

Track your progress: Monitor your workouts, weight lifting, and performance data (whether in a fitness app, notebook, or spreadsheet). Tracking the development allows you to identify what could be improved and what is already working.

Prioritise nutrition and hydration: The right fuel is vital for energy and healing. You need good Fat, lean meat, and vitamins, all in a proper meal. Hydrate before, during, and after exercise.

Listen to your body. Look for signs that you are tired, sore, or uncomfortable. If necessary, reduce the pressure or take days off so that you don’t hurt or burn yourself.

Mix it up: Explore workouts, tools or lessons that keep your practice fresh. Different things prevent you from getting bored and are new work for your body.”

Think about form: Using the correct technique is crucial to prevent injury and get excellent results. Work with an instructor or watch how-to videos to ensure you’re using the proper form.

Get yourself started: set small-term goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Accountability — Get people around you who will cheer for you, or find a workout partner.

Celebrate each step: Be proud of your steps, no matter how small. Big wins to celebrate mean you can carry on and maintain healthy habits.

Conclusion

To succeed in the long run, you must find an fitness training program that suits your goals, habits and personal preferences. You have to make a program that works by being clear on expectations- such as what parts of your workout are necessary, planning every week, and adapting best practices to enhance your plan. Exercising is as much about working smart as it is about working hard.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Goal setting is a fundamental part of fitness training because it provides you with focus, direction, and drive. Specific goals such as losing weight, getting fit, or getting stronger will help you create a workout schedule that benefits you. Having goals means you can track your progress and understand where you stand, which makes staying motivated over time more leisurely. For example, if your goal is “to run a 5K in eight weeks,” you can distil that into tangible actions, such as establishing specific weekly running goals. Setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals ensures that your exercise training is purposeful and productive.

Warm-ups, power training, jogging, flexibility and movement work, and cool-downs are some of the most crucial aspects of a solid fitness practice. Warm-ups prepare the body for activity and reduce the chance of injuries. Cardio strengthens the heart and builds stamina, while strength training increases muscle and strengthens bones. Mobility and flexibility movements aid healing and range of motion. Ultimately, cool-downs decrease your heart rate and also bring about relaxation. This all works together to create a comprehensive and versatile training regimen for longevity and long-term health.

The first step in laying out a weekly fitness training plan is to decide the number of days you could work out. Schedules workouts targeting different health aspects — running, strength training, flexibility. Switch between muscle sessions for lower, upper and lower — and do exercise on days you’re not working out for muscle—schedule rest days to allow for healing and prevent burnout. Again, do both high- and low-intensity workouts as part of your weekly routine to ensure you have a mix of workouts. Your fitness training works and lasts because of the balance and stability provided by a well-planned routine.

Monitoring your fitness training progress is essential for evaluating your success and maintaining motivation. Record your workouts and the weights you lift and performance metrics like running times or endurance improvements in a fitness diary, app or spreadsheet. If you have short-term goals, such as doing more reps or improving your form, you can appreciate your progress. Imagining your success is a way of teaching yourself what you could improve on and enables you to stay focused and motivated on hitting your exercise targets. Regularly reviewing your success will help keep your fitness training focused on your goals and obtaining results.

Recovery is essential to working out; it allows your body to rebuild itself and adapt to physical stress. Not resting enough leads to accidents and slows progress. Schedule days off and use active yet healing activities, such as yoga or light walks, to help your muscles heal and recover from tiredness. Eating well and staying hydrated can go a long way toward regaining strength and allowing the body to recover. Sleep is also crucial because it repairs muscles and enhances your overall health. Placing healing first means your training will be effective and sustainable.

Developing personal training objectives, a good mix of exercises, and a supportive environment will help keep you motivated when exercising. Stay motivated with achievable goals and small wins. Experiment with new routines, fitness classes, or pieces of equipment to vary your workouts. To be held accountable, surround yourself with people who will celebrate your victories (e.g., workout buddies or a fitness community). Track your progress and consider what you did well to remind yourself how far you’ve come.

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CrossFit Training: Pros, Cons for Fitness Training Success https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/crossfit-training-pros-cons-for-fitness-training-success/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38825 The post CrossFit Training: Pros, Cons for Fitness Training Success appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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CrossFit training, which combines elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, cardio, and functional movements, helps clients gain all-around fitness. But like any fitness program, it has its pros and cons.

The Pros of CrossFit Training for Fitness Success

CrossFit training offers many advantages, which is why so many fitness training enthusiasts choose it. A major benefit of beat matching is the variation it introduces to all workouts. Every workout, however, always involves a combination of weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and cardio, meaning every session is different and never boring. This variety helps develop overall fitness, including strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility.

One massive benefit of this is the sense of community. CrossFit gyms, or “boxes,” emphasise camaraderie, nurturing an environment where members hype each other up. The group creates a certain level of accountability and consistency vital to success in any fitness objective.

CrossFit also emphasises functional fitness or performing exercises that relate to daily life—such as squatting, lifting, and jumping. These movements build strength and mobility and prevent injury in everyday life.

Like the other part of the equation, Functional fitness training is scalable, too! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete, the program can be customized to fit your needs and help you progress at your own pace. CrossFit training is a great option if you are looking to achieve holistic fitness, as it emphasises variety, community, and functional fitness.

The Cons of CrossFit Training to Consider

CrossFit is a great training choice with its excellent features, but you should be aware of the bad side of Functional Fitness training before getting into it. One concern is the risk of injury. CrossFit workouts are generally very intense, and if you’re not careful with form or drive through the zip too hard, you can injure or strain yourself. This risk is due to fear in humans, so beginners should keep practising good skills and slow down their energy.

Additionally, some CrossFit gyms have a very competitive vibe, which is not recommended. Many people are motivated by competition, but it can also make you do more than you possibly can, which can lead to overtraining or injury.” “Do not compare yourself to others; it is better to concentrate on your own development.

Cost is another factor that can hold you up. Due to the specialised instruction and community aspect, CrossFit memberships are often more pricey than traditional gym memberships. Look at your budget to see if your exercise goals fit.

The high intensity of CrossFit may not be right for everyone. CrossFit might be too intense for people with some medical problems or who want less-impact workouts. Before starting up an exercise program, it’s essential to be evaluated by a doctor or a nurse.

However, the potential cons of Functional fitness training can be mitigated with good coaching, ensuring safe practice, and listening to your body along the way. Armed with copies of these, I figured you should be able to go and do CrossFit to the greatest benefit and the least risk.

How to Get Started with CrossFit Training

To start CrossFit training, you must plan, study a little, and dedicate much time to your fitness goals. First, research CrossFit gyms, known as “boxes,” in your community to find one that meets your needs. Find teachers with tons of experience, a crowd that will support you, and a place where safety and growth are prioritised.

Before beginning, determine your fitness training and consult a professional if you have health concerns. Most CrossFit clubs offer dedicated classes or ” on-ramps ” programs explicitly geared for sports newcomers. These lessons cover fundamental moves like squats, deadlifts and kettlebell swings. That way, you know you’re doing them correctly before progressing to more challenging workouts.”

You can also help by buying the right gear. If you wear your clothes and shoes too quickly, your performance will be hampered, so wear comfortable and functional garments, especially for training and agility. Bringing a water bottle and monitoring your progress with an exercise app or a journal are also great ways to stay motivated.

Take it slow; perfect your form before slowly ramping up the pressure. Don’t succumb to the temptation of lifting heavier weights or completing your workouts faster than you are capable of. Functional fitness training is progressive in nature; physical success comes from improvement over time.

Lastly, enjoy the group part. Meet other Cross Fitters, do group workouts with them, and share your achievements. CrossFit’s community is probably the most potent way to stay motivated and hold yourself accountable throughout your fitness journey.

Tips for Long-Term Success in CrossFit Training

You need all these to succeed at CrossFit in the long run. Create a sensible plan that allows you to rest and heal and commit to regularity as a top priority. Overtraining will wound or fatigue you, so it’s essential to balance effort with slumber.

Be mindful of your consumption to assist your workouts and meet your fitness training goals. A balanced diet rich in lean proteins, complex carbs, healthy fats, and essential nutrients can enhance performance and increase recovery. Cross Fitters are likely to be fans of the Zone or Paleo diet. Find a diet that is best for your body and tastes.

Tracking your progress is another vital component of long-term success. Log your workout times, personal bests and goals with a journal or fitness app. Reflection on your improvement fuels inspiration and shows you where you might make strides for even more improvement.

Do your workouts according to what your body says. Some days, you might have to ease up or take a day off. Prioritising health over success will allow you to maintain your Functional fitness training.

Find new goals while trying new workouts and attending events or games in your area. Keep things fresh: To keep progress coming, ensure your training is varied and fun so you can continue striving for improvement. If you keep these tips in mind, CrossFit training can be an effective way to get fit and maintain your fitness training whilst having a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Conclusion

CrossFit is a unique fitness training approach that merges multiple fitness styles, practical exercises, and a tight-knit community. There are drawbacks—the risk of injury and the higher expense—but for most people, the benefits of increased strength, endurance, and camaraderie outweigh the inconveniences. Knowing the benefits and drawbacks, preparing in advance, and implementing strategies for long-term achievement will help maximise your experience with CrossFit.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

CrossFit exercises include weightlifting, gymnastics, running, and other beneficial moves. They centre on varied, high-intensity full-body workouts designed to enhance general fitness. This contrasts traditional fitness training, concentrating on a single routine or specific goals. Its group-based environment fosters community and competition, making it more engaging for most participants. CrossFit also emphasises functional fitness, aka exercise, which mimics tasks you perform in daily life for improved strength, movement, and endurance.

Functional fitness training has numerous advantages, including diversity, helpful exercise, and talent from the remainder of the community. There’s a variety of workouts, making lessons enjoyable, and it improves fitness by focusing on power, endurance and flexibility. CrossFit’s emphasis on implementation moves refines functional physical skills, reducing your odds of killing well while doing everyday mentality. In CrossFit clubs, the friendly, helpful community promotes all, and it is SO much easier to make it a habit. CrossFit workouts are also scalable — so they can be modified for anyone, no matter their fitness level. This helps both Odyssey newcomers and experienced marathoners improve and achieve.

CrossFit has many advantages, but it comes with some potential risks, such as injury from performing exercises with poor form or overtraining. The program’s pace can be challenging, particularly for beginners or those not accustomed to performing some movements. Some are competitive and feel the need to outwork everyone else. Sticking to good form, starting with slowed-down workouts and listening to your body, can mitigate these risks. A better and more effective way of exercising is to select a fitness centre with knowledgeable instructors who stress safety and progress.

For people who have never done CrossFit, we recommend starting at a decent CrossFit gym, or “box,” where they have a beginner program. The classes show basic moves and instruct how to conduct yourself to safeguard everyone. If you haven’t yet, you must gauge your current fitness and talk to a doctor or nurse about beginning a new exercise regimen. Stock up on proper clothing and strength shoes to make your exercise more manageable. Before you throw energy into the mix, make sure you are used to practice good form and have a stable base.

Yes,CrossFit is for everyone—if you scale the workouts to different fitness levels. They are adaptable to everyone’s abilities. Novices, for example, might use lighter weights or more straightforward moves, while more experienced athletes take on more complex work. A veteran instructor usually leads scaled workouts at CrossFit gyms to ensure everyone in the class can progress safely and effectively. Whether you’re brand new to fitness or an avid CrossFit, CrossFit is meant to challenge you to accomplish your goals at your own pace.

A long-term successful CrossFit fitness programme needs consistency, healing and goals. To avoid hurting or stressing yourself, plan what is based on reality and combine energy and rest. Emphasise lean meats, complex carbs, and healthy fats [because] these are a great way to fuel your workouts and aid recovery. Tracking your progress in a journal or exercise app will allow you to notice significant gains and appreciate smaller increments. Setting new goals, attending community events, and pursuing new workouts are all promising avenues for staying engaged.

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Applying Practice with Evidence-Based Fitness Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/applying-practice-with-evidence-based-fitness-training/ Wed, 18 Dec 2024 07:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38822 The post Applying Practice with Evidence-Based Fitness Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Practical application: Adapting to this ever-changing sphere would allow for favourable advantages in a realm that threatens to see overnight results. It integrates science, experience, and need and creates individual programs with measurable results.

What is Evidence-Based Fitness Training?

This computerized evidence-based fitness training program considers the best available research and personal experience from personal trainers to design workouts specific to the client. Findings from our training are based on traditional methods, which may be based on trends or anecdotal evidence; this process prioritizes scientifically proven practices to improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes.

Three fundamental pillars help to support evidence-based Exercise training: research evidence, practitioner expertise, and individual preference. Research evidence is validated data that can tell us whether the exercises and programming strategies (recovery, sets, reps, etc.) you are performing are benefiting or detracting from growth.

These practitioners have the expertise to implement the knowledge practically and appropriately for various fitness ranges. Diversity in potential gains Ultimately, individual preferences and goals ensure that the program product fits the individual’s need for motivation.

For example, it suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a particularly efficient way to promote cardiovascular health. In such a case, a trainer might include HIIT in a client’s workout routine, adjusting its intensity and frequency according to their fitness level.

This is where evidence-based Exercise training comes in—it establishes a line from science to practice, framing adaptive methods toward fitness goals.

The Benefits of Evidence-Based Fitness Training

Evidence-based fitness training has many advantages; everyone who wants to see results will benefit most from it. One significant upside is that it enhances safety. Based on scientifically proven methods, these techniques minimise your risk of harm through proper technique, effort, and healing routines.

The other advantage is better speed. With fact-based fitness training, you no longer spend time on routines that don’t work or are outdated. Research-based strategies ensure that every element of your workout routine — from the exercises you select to the time you are resting — contributes to your goal achievement.

Another big plus point is that it can be personalised. Evidence-based programs also consider your unique exercise history, goals, and preferences to develop a plan tailored to you. This level of personalisation will improve long-term effectiveness and engagement.

Evidence based Exercise training also increases confidence. It’s comforting to know that you’re working in alignment with science and established methodologies and that your program is based on it. This faith propels you forward, and you begin to have faith in the process.

Algorithms that actually work are the basis of this approach, which leads to a stronger, more effective, and exceptionally personalised process in your fitness training and can help you achieve success.

How to Incorporate Evidence-Based Practices into Your Fitness Training

To apply evidence-based techniques to your fitness training, you have to learn about the latest study, and then you have to convert that into actions that you can take. Here is how to formulate a scientific workout plan:

Educate Yourself: Some quality articles in exercise studies by reputable organisations, magazines and qualified professionals exist. Believing that knowledge of physics, diet and exercise chemistry will enable better decision-making.

Notice the basics: Evidence-based fitness training includes specialisation, progressive overload, and recovery. More precisely, progressively overloading the weights you use, meaning making them heavier or more numerous over time, causes you to become stronger, and ensuring your workouts are tailored to your goals (specificity) ensures you will improve.

Tailor Your Plan: Create an exercise schedule appropriate for your fitness level and goals based on what you’ve learned in your research. For example, according to some studies, the best way to get the most results is to exercise and do strength training. But you can adapt this to your tastes.

Put techniques first: When working on an exercise in an evidence-based way, you can not afford to get sloppy. Employ movement rules provided by research to ensure you move safely and effectively.

Monitor your progress: Frequently check how you’re doing and adjust your routine based on what you see. Fitness Coaching Based on Evidence encourages the generalisation of changes you can make to stay in progress and not hit a plateau.

Get help from a professional. Trained professionals, such as certified trainers, who use proven tactics, can advise and hold you accountable.

Following these steps allows you to apply strategies proven effective in fitness, ensuring that your workouts are effective and scientifically vetted.

Common Misconceptions About Evidence-Based Fitness Training

The merits of evidence-based Fitness training are even going unheeded. These false beliefs can be removed in order to be able to make smart decisions regarding your workout routine.

All the Science is for Professionals — Only: Some assume training science is only for elite athletes and exercise scientists. And research-scientific methods can benefit everyone. These techniques are for anyone, whether you are a beginner or already a fitness guru.

It appears to be very difficult because it’s evidence-based exercise training, but it is, in fact, straightforward. It is very easy to understand and use; everything is based on basic rules like using correct grammar and tried and true computing ways.

“Trends Are Always Better”: Fads in fitness often spread rapidly but may not be scientifically supported. Evidence-based training is a type of training based on study that can be shown to produce good results. It ensures that your activities are both safe and effective. And following trends without evidence can lead you to do things that may waste your time or harm yourself.

Some also believe that evidence-based training is not flexible at all, but in fact, the opposite is true. Programs are tailored to individual wants and goals, which ensures a tailored approach that promotes long-term adherence.

“It Kills Creativity”: Evidence-based training doesn’t have to be boring and rote. It emphasises tried-and-true approaches and allows for creativity within a defined framework, keeping workouts from stale.

Debunking these myths will get you started on endurance Exercise training, which you can enjoy the rewards of in a manner that fits your lifestyle and goals.

Conclusion

Evidence-based fitness training is where research meets the real world. It allows more effective and individualised approaches to help participants attain their fitness goals. If you know how it works, the benefits of it, and how to use it, then you can create a workout plan that achieves your goals and produces the most effective results. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, relying on proven techniques will allow you to train more pragmatically, stay motivated and achieve long-term success.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

If you pursue evidence-based fitness training, your workout plans will be based on scientific research, the expertise of professionals, and gentle attention to your body. Rather than following fads or modern hype like many forms of fitness that can take these forms, evidence-based fitness centres around what is tried and tested are safe for the long run and deliver results. For example, it resorts to time-tested techniques such as increasing overload and specific exercise choices to ensure that it works. This way, the risk of injury is reduced, time is maximised, and the exercise training becomes more consistent and structured, thus making success more likely over the long term.

Evidence-based Exercise training employs scientifically proven methods that make workouts more effective and achieve better results. It ensures that each workout, effort level and rest time is best for your goals, be they weight loss, building muscle, or improving fitness. This method performs better while minimising the risk of injury through safe technique, progressive overload and recovery. Personalisation, the ability to adapt workouts according to a person’s fitness level and preferences, also helps them remain motivated and consistent. With evidence-based fitness training, you can be confident that the work you are putting in has been backed by research, and as a result, you will experience authentic and sustainable outcomes.

Some key concepts in evidence-based exercise training are progressive stress, specialisation, and healing. Progressive overload is a principle of exercise that involves increasingly adding to the workload of physical activity. Specificity is ensuring your workouts are aligned with your fitness goals. For instance, if muscle building is your goal, you might specialise in strength training, while a person who aims to lose weight might specialise in running. Recovery allows your body the time it needs to repair and adapt, which helps you avoid overtraining and burnout. Research shows these principles form a foundation for effective and long-lasting fitness training.

A beginner can understand the basics of exercise training with an evidence-based approach by laying down the foundational concepts and building from there. You can begin with simple workouts and work: squats using your body weight, push-ups, or walks for cardio. Gradually increase the speed and duration of your workouts according to your results (progressive overload). Reading reputable exercise books or attending classes can also help you keep your knowledge current​1​ . Anyone can incorporate evidence-based practices into their daily routine if they start small and prioritise consistency.

Yes, evidence-based exercise training is something for everyone, no matter their fitness level or previous experience. This highly adaptable method means workouts can be tailored to the individual’s needs, preferences and goals. Someone starting might begin to include a light strength routine, for example, and an experienced athlete might add short, high-intensity sprints. As evidence-based exercise training is individualised, plans are designed according to everyone’s needs. This means virtually anyone who wants to improve their health, performance, or overall well-being can and will.

Read credible sources (e.g. quality peer-reviewed documents, coaches with proper qualifications or reputable Fitness organisations) to stay updated about proven Exercise training methods. You can subscribe to newsletters and attend workshops or classes to learn more about diet and exercise science. Fitness apps and social media webpages are frequently populated with content from reputable experts who provide evidence-based ways to get into shape.

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Nutritional Benefits of a Balanced Diet for Overall Well-Being https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutritional-benefits-of-a-balanced-diet-for-overall-well-being/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38792 The post Nutritional Benefits of a Balanced Diet for Overall Well-Being appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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A balanced diet is the engine of health and energy, providing our bodies with everything they need to do their work correctly. Healthy food impacts every aspect of our well-being, from giving us more vitality to assisting our guard frameworks in working better.

How Balanced Nutrition Fuels the Body

Balance in Nutrition ensures that your body receives adequate carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients provide energy, help us grow, and heal our bodies.

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source to burn for all daily functions and critical organ operations. Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, avocado and olive oil, contribute to your brain’s health as well as its absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Proteins found in lean meats, fish, eggs, and beans are essential for building muscle, keeping your immune system healthy and producing enzymes.

The individual minerals and vitamins each perform different roles to keep you healthy. Vitamin C, for instance, makes you healthy, and calcium strengthens your bones and teeth. A healthy, well-balanced diet gives your body the tools to function at its best.

A nutritious diet consists of a variety of nutrient-rich foods. These foods provide energy, strength, and general health, the foundation of well-being.

The Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention

The most critical nutritional benefit associated with a healthy diet is preventing you from getting chronic diseases. The foods you consume directly impact your risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

That’s because eating many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats that are good for heart health also helps reduce cholesterol and stabilise blood pressure. Fatty foods like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation. Similarly, fibre-rich foods such as oats and lentils maintain stable blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Brightly hued fruits and veggies contain antioxidants that combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which can possibly lead to cancer. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts are particularly good at cleansing the body and optimising cell health.

A well-balanced diet also strengthens the immune system, providing the body with vitamins and minerals necessary to fight sickness and disease. On the other hand, dietary deficiencies can increase the risk of illness and undermine immune function.

People leverage nutrition to protect themselves from chronic diseases and enhance their health long-term by eating a healthy diet.

How Nutrition Supports Mental Well-Being

Increasing numbers of people are beginning to understand that good nutrition and mental health go hand in hand. A healthy diet is essential to brain health and emotional quiet.

It takes a range of nutrients to keep your brain functioning, including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and amino acids. Fish and walnuts (among others) contain omega-3s that promote brain function and can reduce the rate of depression. B vitamins — abundant in leafy greens and whole grains — help produce hormones such as serotonin, which regulate mood.

And a well-balanced diet will also maintain steady blood sugar levels, preventing mood swings and fatigue. “There are complex carbs, such as sweet potatoes and quinoa, that help to give us a steady stream of energy so we become less irritable and stressed.” Conversely, consuming high levels of processed sugars leaves you feeling sluggish and exacerbates your anxiety.

Staying hydrated is another key component of mental health. It emphasises the importance of eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated: dehydration can affect focus, memory, and happiness.

A new study also suggests that gut bacteria influence brain function and mental health. Probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt and fermented vegetables maintain a healthy gut microbiome and help you feel better mentally.

By prioritising diet, people can elevate their mood, sharpen their minds, and reduce their likelihood of developing mental health problems, which can lead to a more fulfilled life.

Practical Tips for Achieving Balanced Nutrition

It may seem like we need more nourishment daily, but minor, intentional adjustments can create a significant change. Here are some helpful tips to keep your food healthy:

Make whole foods a priority: Never eat processed foods. Instead, eat fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats. Whole foods can be nutrient-dense and free of added health-derailing ingredients.

Be mindful of where you have your portions. You should eat only a little, just enough to stay healthy. We call it a plate: half veggies, the rest of protein and a quarter of whole carbs.

Use Balanced Meals: Make sure that half of the plate contains an assortment of different food groups. A healthy lunch can include rice, steamed veggies, grilled chicken, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Drink plenty of water: “Water is key to health, nutrition and circulation. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily, making adjustments based on your activity level and the weather.

Reduce processed and sugary food consumption: Reduce the amount of sugary snacks, drinks and fast food you eat. Such foods are often low in nutrients and contribute to weight gain and several diseases.

Pay attention to your body: Notice when you are hungry and complete, and eat mindfully rather than out of boredom or stress. It prevents overeating and gives you a healthy relationship with food.”

Seek Professional Assistance: Consult with a chef or dietitian if you want individualised assistance. They can create customised plans that consider your health goals or food needs.

Employing these tips can make obtaining adequate nutrition an attainable and enduring lifestyle adjustment that benefits your overall well-being.

Conclusion

The nutritional benefits of a balanced diet extend far beyond physical health, influencing disease prevention, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Individuals can build resilience, energy, and emotional stability by fueling the body with essential nutrients. Adopting practical strategies to incorporate balanced nutrition into daily routines ensures long-term benefits, empowering people to lead healthier, happier lives. Prioritising a balanced diet is not just a choice—it’s a commitment to overall well-being.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Balanced nutrition is vital for overall well-being because it provides the essential nutrients your body needs to function optimally. These nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which support energy production, immune function, and cellular repair. Balanced nutrition ensures that all body systems work efficiently, from digestion to cardiovascular health. For instance, adequate vitamin C boosts immunity, while calcium strengthens bones. A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods reduces the risk of chronic diseases, enhances energy levels, and promotes mental well-being. You can achieve a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle by prioritising balanced nutrition.

Balanced nutrition is critical to preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Foods high in fibre, like oats and legumes, help stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries and leafy greens, combat oxidative stress contributing to cancer. By providing the nutrients your body needs to function optimally, balanced nutrition strengthens the immune system and reduces disease risk, supporting long-term health.

Nutrition significantly impacts mental well-being, as the brain relies on specific nutrients for optimal function. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and walnuts, support cognitive performance and reduce the risk of depression. B vitamins, present in whole grains and leafy greens, aid in producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. A balanced diet also stabilises blood sugar levels, preventing energy crashes that can lead to irritability and stress. Foods rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt, promote a healthy gut microbiome, closely linked to mental health. By prioritising balanced nutrition, individuals can enhance mood, focus, and emotional resilience.

Achieving balanced nutrition involves incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods into your diet. Start by prioritising whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Plan meals with multiple food groups, such as a protein source, a vegetable, and a complex carbohydrate. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and limiting sugary and processed foods. Practising portion control ensures you consume the right calories and nutrients without overeating. For personalised advice, consult a nutritionist or dietitian who can tailor recommendations to your needs. Balanced nutrition is about making small, sustainable changes to your eating habits.

Hydration is a key component of balanced nutrition because water is essential for nearly all bodily functions. It aids digestion, circulation, and nutrient absorption while regulating body temperature and removing waste. Drinking enough water also supports mental clarity, energy levels, and skin health. Dehydration can impair focus, cause fatigue, and negatively affect mood. Aim for at least 8 cups of water daily to stay hydrated, and adjust based on physical activity and climate. Including water-rich foods, such as cucumbers and watermelon, further contributes to your hydration needs. Balanced nutrition isn’t complete without adequate hydration.

Maintaining balanced nutrition is achievable with small, intentional steps. Start by prioritising whole foods over processed options and ensuring your meals include various food groups. Practice portion control to avoid overeating, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Limit sugary snacks and beverages, which can contribute to energy crashes and health issues. Planning meals and listening to your hunger and fullness cues promote mindful eating. For personalised advice, consider consulting a nutritionist or dietitian. These practical tips make balanced nutrition a sustainable and rewarding lifestyle change, enhancing overall well-being.

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Common nutrient deficiencies and how to address them https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/common-nutrition-deficiencies-and-how-to-address-them/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 07:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38785 The post Common nutrient deficiencies and how to address them appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Nutrition is equally important for maintaining good health overall, and low levels of specific nutrients can dramatically affect physical or mental well-being. Even with a plethora of food options, most people do not get enough to adequately supply the body.

The Importance of Balanced Nutrition in Preventing Deficiencies

A balanced diet can avoid a variety of Nutrition deficiencies. It helps provide your body with the vitamins, minerals, and macros it needs to function properly. However, health problems, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle choices may make it difficult to obtain all necessary nutrients.

Modern meals typically include many highly processed, high-calorie, but low-nutrition foods. This, in turn, can lead to a lack of in the long run, which will decrease energy, suppress the immune system, and cause organs to function at reduced capacity. Of course, certain groups, such as vegetarians and vegans or those who are chronically sick, are likely to have some deficits.

Healthy adults can reduce their risk of inadequacies by focusing on good nutrition, including whole foods, fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats. Regular check-ups and nutritional tests should be done to identify and address any vitamin deficiencies to maintain overall health.

Common Nutrient Deficiencies and Their Impact on Nutrition

Individual dietary Nutrition deficiencies have effects appropriate to the imbalances of nutrients/energy substrates being missed, and many of these shortfalls are familial. Some of the Most Common Issues Are:

Iron is an essential mineral that our bodies don’t produce, and it’s one of the most common deficiencies in the world. This can lead to anaemia as well Anemia Tiredness and weakness, fatigue and lethargy, and pale skin are the most prominent symptoms. Haemoglobin is necessary to manufacture iron, and haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. The body, considering iron, cannot do new haemoglobin.

You may suffer from Vitamin D deficiency as most countries get very little sunlight, and it is recommended that the amount of sun that reaches your skin is at least 15 minutes. Insufficient vitamin D weakens bones, can cause joint pain, and reduces immunity towards infection. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, which strengthens the bones and helps their growth. Thus, sunlight exposure and food rich in vitamin D are crucial.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: B12 helps in red blood cell formation and nerve function. A lack of this vitamin may cause you to get tired more often and have poor memory, as previous researches show having a B12 deficiency could affect the brain. Because B12 is mainly derived from animal products, vegans and vegetarians are in the gap of lacking it.

Lack of magnesium: More than 300 enzymatic processes in the body use magnesium. A lack of it can cause muscle cramps, depression, and irregular heartbeats.

Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies Through Improved Nutrition

Correcting Nutritional Deficiency: The primary technique of eating healthy is changing what you eat. Eat a variety of diets with good nutrient quality; it can assist you in refraining from short-changing fats. Below are some of the tested methods to address common scenarios.

Treating iron deficiency: Animal and plant foods are high in iron. There are two types of iron: haem and non-haem. The easier absorbed comes from heme-containing foods such as red meat, but you also find it present in fowl & fish. Vegetarians can still eat non-heme iron sources, which include beans, spinach, and grains fortified with iron. They are absorbed better if you eat them with vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges or bell peppers.

Eliminate vitamin D Nutritional Deficiency: You need to be outdoors, as sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D. Full-fat dairy boost, such as salmon and its oily counterparts (mackerel), egg yolks, and the same goes for full-fat cheeses and yoghurts. Those who do not receive enough sun exposure or live in areas with long winters will need to supplement.

Getting More Vitamin B12: For those at risk of B12 insufficiency (like vegans and vegetarians), fortified grains, nutritional yeast or plant-based milk with added B12 can be health-helpful. A healthcare source may recommend supplements or B12 shots for those who have difficulties eating enough to meet their needs.

Fourth, Getting More Calcium: Dairy foods like milk, cheese and yoghurt are rich in calcium. Eat fortified plant-based dairy, legumes, and greens like kale and cut-out cheese. Vitamin D sources are best eaten with high-calcium foods.

How to prevent magnesium Nutritional Deficiency: Include magnesium in your diet, with nuts, seeds, dark green vegetables, and whole grains being good sources. You could also eat avocados or bananas. Cooking methods like boiling can keep magnesium levels in vegetables high.

How to Fix Iodine Nutritional Deficiency: The simplest and most effective way to ensure you obtain enough iodine is to include iodised salt in cooking. Other sources include seafood, dairy, and seaweed—modulation, of course, as large amounts of iodine can interfere with thyroid function.

The best way to correct any deficiencies and improve your health in the long term is to eat a balanced diet with enough variety and pay attention to your individual needs.

Supplementation and Monitoring in Nutrition

The most effective way to address vitamin Nutrition deficiencies is to change your diet, but occasionally, supplements are also necessary. Supplement and monitor daily to stay healthy.

When you need supplements: For those unable to get the nutrients they need strictly from their diet, supplements are a good way of filling that missing gap. Pregnant ladies may take folic destructive and iron considerations to help improve the newborn child. Individuals who need to avoid eating any food, such as vegetarians, may also benefit from taking B12 pills.

Before planning what to supplement with, talk with your physician or nutritionist. They may determine your proper type and dose based on blood tests and how you usually eat. Take advice from a professional because too much nutrition can be harmful.

Systematic nutrition screenings: Routine examinations and blood tests will be key to early detection of problems, which hopefully can be resolved easily. Medical professionals can adjust food suggestions or vitamin doses on the fly simply by monitoring you.

Changes to your lifestyle: Vitamin Deficiencies Are Not That Simple to Fix—changing your Diet Alone Will Not Help. For instance, improved meal planning, reduced booze consumption, and stress management will all help nourish the body pre- and post-training.

Supplements and dietary modifications can help address nutrition deficits, helping people attain the best possible health while monitoring for improvements.

 Conclusion

Whilst it is perfectly normal to fall short of a few specific nutrients, you can quickly address this by eating adequate amounts of all the nutrients required for optimal health or modifying your diet slightly and, in some instances, taking supplements. You can control your health by recognising the signals of iron, vitamin D, and calcium deficiencies. Regular tracking and expert nutrition advice will help you enjoy your healthy lifestyle in a way that still feeds you.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course  is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

Nutrition Specialist.jpg

Frequently Asked Questions

The nutrients that people do not get enough of more often than others are iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and salt. Low iron can result in anaemia, leaving you tired, weak, and washed out. Vitamin D: Reduced bone density, arthritic joint pain, and reduced immunity! If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, then not getting enough vitamin B12 can lead to anaemia, impaired brain function and nerve damage. Inadequate calcium intake puts you at risk for osteoporosis, a disease associated with weak and brittle bones. A lack of magnesium will lead to muscle cramps and even mental health issues. Without enough iodine, your thyroid functions worse, and you feel tired and gain weight.

Your body is like a car—it needs the appropriate fuel to run properly and efficiently! The more different whole foods you eat, the more nutrients your body will receive. This includes fruits and veggies (the foundation of our food plan), lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats. For example, vitamin C comes from orange foods and fresh veggies, while calcium comes from dairy products. This kind of balanced eating is also less likely to be filled with artificial foods that are largely devoid of nutrition.

This is a common nutritional deficiency in many of us, but it can be rectified by consuming iron-rich foods.  Heme iron, in red meat, poultry, and seafood, is absorbed by the body much more quickly. Non-heme iron sources also help, especially for vegans and vegetarians. Beans, spinach, and fortified cereals are a few examples of good iron food sources. Iron is better absorbed when you eat it in the presence of vitamin C-rich foods (like oranges or bell peppers). Tea and coffee also have chemicals that inhibit iron absorption, so it is a good idea to avoid drinking such beverages while eating.

Vitamin D: You require vitamin D to absorb calcium, support healthy bones, and allow your defence system to function effectively; in fact, vitamin D deficiency leads to weaker bones and joint pains and makes you more prone to diseases. The natural treatment of vitamin D deficiency is a fine sunbath because UV rays cause the skin to synthesise vitamin D. Therefore, it comes to fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), egg yolks and dairy products enriched with this substance. People who don’t get enough sun or cannot eat certain foods may also need vitamin D pills.

The body uses magnesium in more than 300 enzyme-based processes, including turning food into energy, keeping muscles working correctly and sending messages between nerves. If you have been battling with muscle cramps, mental health issues and irregular heartbeats, there are other signs of not enough magnesium. To avoid deficiency, you should eat magnesium-rich food, such as nuts, seeds, whole grains or dark, leafy green vegetables (like spinach). The same goes for avocados and bananas. Cooking them the way we cook vegetables can also help retain their magnesium.

Supplements can keep certain people from getting nutrient deficits, for whom even the nutrients in their food aren’t enough. Vegans and people otherwise at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency may consider getting their daily requirement from tablets or fortified foods. For example, expectant mothers often need folic acid and iron pills to assist in the gestation of their babies. Talking to a doctor or nurse before taking vitamins would be best.

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Antioxidants and Free Radicals: Nutrition Benefits https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/antioxidants-and-free-radicals-nutrition-benefits/ Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38779 The post Antioxidants and Free Radicals: Nutrition Benefits appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells and accelerate ageing and chronic diseases. Antioxidants are essential to health and prevent the damage they cause. These mighty chemicals are among the key players in quality controlling a balanced diet by guarding against reactive stress and improving overall health.

Understanding Antioxidants and Free Radicals in Nutrition

In order to understand antioxidants and their importance for the body, we must first understand free radicals and how they work in tandem with them. Free radicals are unstable molecules formed naturally by the body’s processes or through exposure to smoke, smog and ultraviolet light.

These molecules rob electrons from normal cells in order to stay stable, resulting in oxidative stress. Chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders are expected to form as a result of oxidative stress when not controlled well. It also harms cells and causes inflammation over time.

Antioxidants block this process by donating free radicals electrons. They stop them from doing harm without themselves becoming unstable. This process reduces further cell damage and protects the body as a whole.

Vitamins (C and E), minerals (selenium and zinc), and phytochemicals (flavonoids and carotenoids) all work as antioxidants. These are very helpful to be added to your nutrition plan, which helps keep you balanced and remain healthy for a longer time.

By eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, you are supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to fight against oxidative damage and remain healthy.

Key Sources of Antioxidants in Nutrition

The very first step for reaping the benefits of antioxidant is to keep your option on nutrient dense foods. Foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds — and even certain beverages — are rich in antioxidants, which is good news since you can easily add them to your diet.

Fruits & Vegetables: Berries such as strawberries and raspberries have a good source of flavonoids and vitamin C. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are good at providing lutein and beta-carotene essential for good eye health. Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, provide vitamin C, which is beneficial for skin health and immune function.

Seeds and nuts: Almonds, sunflower seeds and peanuts are rich sources of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect cell membranes and reduce inflammation. These foods also include good fats that help absorb fat-soluble antioxidants.

Drinks: Green tea is loaded with catechins, powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and promote heart health. Coffee and red wine have antioxidants and can be good in moderation.

Legumes and whole grains: Beans, oats, and quinoa are rich in phenolic compounds — which neutralize free radicals — and support gut health, reducing the risks of chronic diseases.

To promote overall health, your nutrition plan should include a well-balanced variety of antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants offer numerous health benefits beyond fighting free radicals, providing protective and therapeutic effects for your overall well-being.

Health Benefits of Antioxidants in Nutrition

Antioxidants play a crucial role in nutrition by reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables support heart health by improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation, while lycopene in tomatoes is linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

Better Immune System Function: Vitamins C and E are vital components of a balanced nutrition plan. They boost the body’s natural defenses, reduce inflammation, and encourage white blood cells to strengthen immunity against diseases.

Better Skin Health: Antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin E protect against damage from UV rays, smog, and aging. These nutrients in your nutrition help the body produce collagen, keeping your skin flexible and wrinkle-free.

Brain Health and Cognitive Abilities: Flavonoids and polyphenols, integral to good nutrition, are linked to a reduced risk of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. They also enhance memory and brain function.

Slowing Down the Aging Process: Oxidative stress accelerates cellular aging, but antioxidants, when included in your nutrition, help purge free radicals, slow aging, and boost energy levels.

By incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into your nutrition plan, you can extend your lifespan, improve quality of life, and support overall well-being. A diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, and other antioxidant sources is a simple yet powerful way to promote long-term health.

How to Maximize Antioxidants in Your Nutrition Plan

It’s important to balance them within your nutrition plan in order to truly benefit from the heightening health benefits of antioxidants. A few tips to help you get the most antioxidants:

Adopt a “see-a-rainbow-eat-a-rainbow” strategy: The more colors of fruits and vegetables you can incorporate into your nutrition, the better. Each color offers its own vitamins and antioxidants — red foods such as tomatoes and cucumbers contain lycopene, while orange foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes provide beta-carotene.

Eat fresh and whole foods: Consume whole and fresh foods in your dietary plan. Spinach, for instance, is significantly richer in vitamin C when served fresh than when cooked because heat can render some antioxidants ineffective.

Pair foods for synergy: Some vitamins may work better together. For instance, lycopene in tomatoes is best absorbed when combined with olive oil and consuming vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich vegetables maximizes the absorption of nutrients in your diet.

Minimize exposure to oxidative challenges: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, but spending less time around oxidative stressors like air pollution, smoking and excessive alcohol will make them work better.

Incorporate some antioxidant-rich beverages as cocoa, herbal teas and green tea are a great fit to your nutrition plan. Pick unsweetened kinds so you don’t get added sugars.

In terms of supplementing, while antioxidant supplements do exist, your food sources are actually best for your nutrition. But too much supplementation can have negative effects, so consult a doctor before taking any pills to your regimen.”

However, by consciously including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, you can protect your body, support overall health, and improve your health outcome.

Conclusion

Antioxidants are crucial for overall health because they have to battle free radicals. Following a healthy diet, these robust chemicals can contribute to safeguarding you against chronic diseases and enhance the health of your skin and brain while slowing down ageing. If you feed your body plenty of phytonutrient-rich colourful fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds, and whole carbs, it will receive all the nutrition it needs to grow. You can maximise the benefits of antioxidants and lead a healthier, more active life by choosing wisely regarding food and focusing on balance and variety.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers qualifications that are accredited and endorsed both locally and internationally. The Nutrition Course is  designed for professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to find be a professional Nutritionist.

Nutrition Specialist.jpg

Frequently Asked Questions

Antioxidants are respecters of free radicals (free radicals are chemicals that damage the body). Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to ageing and chronic diseases. Antioxidants can be found in nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. They can be critical for maintaining your health. They prevent oxidative stress, which can lead to diseases like heart disease, cancer and neurological disorders, by removing free radicals.

Antioxidants are good for your health because they reduce reactive stress and inflammation. By protecting cells and improving the heart, they reduce the risk of diseases in the long term, such as diabetes or heart disease. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E enhance immune function. Beta-carotene, meanwhile, maintains healthy skin and shields it from UV damage. Antioxidants also improve brain activity and reduce the risk of neurological disorders. Eating antioxidant-rich foods is good for your health and helps you live longer.

Many nutrient-rich foods are also highly antioxidants and extremely easy to incorporate into your diet. Blueberries, strawberries and oranges are rich in flavonoids and vitamin C; broccoli, spinach and kale contain beta-carotene and lutein. Nuts and seeds — including sunflower and almond seeds — have vitamin E. Beverages such as green tea contain catechins, chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties.”

Without sufficient antioxidants, your body will suffer increased reactive stress, which damages cells and accelerates the ageing process. All this unbalance increases the probability of getting long-lasting diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological illnesses. Lacking vitamins can lead to a weaker immune system, making the body more prone to getting sick. Over time, a lack of antioxidant-rich foods could result in bad skin, slower wound healing and worse brain function.

Consume many colourful fruits and veggies to reap the most antioxidants from your food. Berries, citrus fruits, veggies and leafy greens contain various antioxidants that work together to guard the body. What are fresh up your little tummy prepared, and more of you have the vitamins than those in prepared foods? Combining foods like tomatoes and olive oil increases your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Also, drinks high in antioxidants, such as plant drinks and green tea. They can also help you adhere to your nutrition plan.

Even though we can find antioxidant pills, food is the best source of oxidants. Natural foods, such as nuts, fruit and vegetables, contain many nutrients, fibre, and other vitamins that tablets lack. Sometimes, if you are taking high pills, vitamins can be harmful or cause problems. For example, taking a lot of vitamin E can interfere with blood healing. Eating a colourful and varied diet will allow you to reap all the health rewards of antioxidants without running the risk of too much supplementation.

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Group Exercise for Community Engagement Charity Events https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-for-community-engagement-charity-events/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 07:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38735 The post Group Exercise for Community Engagement Charity Events appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise classes have always presented a unique opportunity to engage the community and, I believe, help people stay fit and active. Fitness Classes can come to life and be more effective when organisations incorporate them into charity events and fundraisers. Promoting social awareness for a noble cause: It also provides examples of various event ideas and guidance for you to host your own successful charity fundraisers with a fitness twist.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Community Engagement

Multidisciplinary workout is not only a choice of fitness; it is also the best medium for befriending new people. This sense of belongingness makes it ideal for kickstarting community engagement initiatives.

  • Top Reasons Group Exercise is Effective for Charity Events: Networking for Individuals congregates around a shared purpose, strengthening community ties. Members of fitness events are staying fit and supporting a good cause!
  • Creating Awareness: Attracting a mass Fitness Class event on an issue ensures that more people are aware of something that needs to be addressed.
  • Adjustable Inclusivity: Fitness classes can be modified to suit individuals with a range of different powers so everyone can attend.

Combining health and giving back to the community, group exercise events benefit participants and the community.

Creative Ideas for Group Exercise Charity Events

Group exercise has some enjoyable and unique ways to host charity events! These fundraisers can stick and be successful when people get creative. Encourage fundraising through a yoga-a-thon, Zumba marathon or spin class challenge.

Players raise more cash the longer the task. A theme-based workout is also another fun option. Some kind of twist—an 80s aerobic workout party, superhero exercise event, or holiday-themed fitness class—always attracts more people.

Outdoor boot camps are also popular, as they take fitness classes out to a park and pair fitness stations with events like raffles or donation drives to raise cash. The internet also allows us to take fitness classes and fundraise for good causes, enabling virtual fitness events to bring people together globally.

Finally, family-friendly events such as dance fitness classes or family yoga get the whole clan in on the reward. By considering your audience and bringing creativity to the Fitness Classes charity ideas, one can ensure that their fitness causes become meaningful and fun while forming a community helping the local necessities.

Organising a Successful Group Exercise Fundraiser

A charity event for group exercises is no different—it requires a team effort to work out all the details. Decide on event objectives like increasing finances, awareness, or community activities. Establish measurable goals so that you can track the progress and outcomes.

This determines a place to work in a group. Accessible community centres, gyms, or outdoor venues are great but try to find one that has the capacity for the number of people you anticipate. Competent group exercise instructors bring unique energy and emotion to the event.

Proper promotion of our event is vital. Get the word out on social media, via email, hang fliers, and partner with local businesses. To boost attendance, highlight the cause and benefits of attending. Interest can be heightened with raffle prizes, branded items, or drinks post-workout.

Provide entry fees, sponsorships, and crowdsourcing to maximise fundraising by making it easier for donors who cannot be present to contribute. An influential Fitness Classes charity event will generate funds for important causes and foster an unforgettable, purposeful experience that enhances the community.

Success Stories: Inspiring Group Exercise Charity Events

These examples of successful Fitness Classes and charity events can inspire your own. Here are some of the stories that show what fitness-based fundraisers can do:

Spin for a Cure: The local fitness studio co-hosted a spin-a-thon for cancer research. Teams of participants cycled and were sponsored for their riding or given donations. It was high-intensity workouts wrapped around emotional storytelling in a firestorm of meaning.

Yoga for Mental Health Awareness: Donation yoga (it could be anything for mental health organised by a local studio). Against the placid backdrop of nature, with good friends near or far and views to reward every effort, this race appealed to all walks of fitness as it raised funds and awareness for the cause.

Dance for Hunger: A Zumba instructor partnered with a food bank to hold a dance fitness event. Entry was a can of food, uniting fitness with a real contribution to the local community.

Virtual Fitness Challenge: An influencer organised an online group workout session, with registration proceeds going to pandemic frontline workers. From online workouts to social media campaigns, participants proved that you can be fit anywhere and raise money for a cause.

These stories showcase the ability of group exercise to rally communities around making a positive impact.

Conclusion

An added layer of community engagement is group exercise increases, which is especially relevant when paired with initiatives leading to benefits such as land preservation or fundraising events supporting local charities. Creative but structured plans for Fitness class activities can enhance health, movement and community impact! MVP can also be (theme workouts, fitness challenges or any virtual events) interactive and decentralised Fitness Classes fundraisers which are inclusive as everyone can join

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Group training for charity events combines fitness and socialising to unite the community and get more people involved. It brings everyone together for a good cause, where you are all working towards something which builds bonds and promotes health and happiness. Group Training is open to all fitness levels, and anyone can contribute. Those excited run away from the fundraising events, so it is natural for this to develop with Group Training alone, as its energetic, active, engaging and fun structure makes a fundraiser interactive and memorable, thus boosting its influence and exposure.

Creatively host a Group Training event for charity, such as fitness marathons, themed workouts and outdoor boot camps — or do it virtually through a challenge on the internet. Everybody, from children to adults, has every single stroke and hue of yoga or Zumba class, which looks suitable for all ages. They mix fun, fitness, and service to create an experience that brings people together in their communities while generating funds and awareness for worthwhile causes.

When organising a group training event, you must identify your objective or cause and select an ideal venue. Recruit good teachers to run interesting classes and promote the event on social media, in flyers and in your local community. To increase participation, give prizes such as company-branded items or draw tickets. To collect the maximum amount of donations and ensure that your event goes well, you must provide multiple ways for donations to be made (entry fees, grants, crowdfunding sites).

Organising group training with a fundraiser is a smart way to promote good causes in your community and be healthy. These moments create a Touchpoint, a safe place where people congregate for shared ambitions. Fundraising becomes a fun and memorable event where people donate money while engaging in activities that are healthy and beneficial for them together, such as group exercises.

Yes, Coaches change exercises to be easy for beginners and difficult for advanced athletes. Whether a beginner or a seasoned professional, there are options for yoga, dance fitness, and circuit training at these events, where anyone can participate and raise the badge of support.

This means anyone from anywhere in the world can take part in virtual group training events, and thus more money is raised. This may include anything from live-streamed classes to recorded sessions or an exercise challenge. The event draws people because they donate time or money online, and social media helps attract more attendees. They are also an ideal way to combine fundraising with helping you keep fit and be flexible and functional — enter virtual group training events.

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Group Exercise and Low-Impact Workouts for Joint Health https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-low-impact-workouts-for-joint-health/ Fri, 06 Dec 2024 07:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38731 The post Group Exercise and Low-Impact Workouts for Joint Health appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exercise in groups is one of the best ways to stay physically healthy and occupied and benefit from overall health. Those who want to preserve or gain joint mobility benefit greatly from low-impact workouts. These movements alleviate stress on the joints and allow you to build strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular function. Get fit with low-impact workouts through group exercise’s fun and social power.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Joint Health

That being the case, group exercise is ideal for those who need to build/maintain their joint new-found flexibility because it combines structure with motivation.

Group training Provides Unique Benefits for Joint Health.

  • Low-Impact Options: Many group exercises take spot comprise motions that are easy on the joints, so the knees, hips and other weak areas do now not have to work too hard.
  • Expert Guidance: The classes have certified teachers who maintain the correct posture and technique to avoid joint injury.
  • Motivation and Consistency: People are more likely to hold themselves accountable when they join a group for fitness, helping them remain consistent with their regimen.
  • Social: Exercising alongside others brings a sense of community, and it is more enjoyable to partner with someone. You can also encourage each other to stick with the workout.
  • Class modifications: Various classes may provide changes for various needs regarding joint care.

Doing it with a group is better for your joints and helps you feel like you are part of a community. It gives you a sense of support and control over your fitness.

Low-Impact Group Exercise Classes for Joint Health

Those with knee problems are also advised to gradually increase strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness through low-impact exercises. Because they are simple but effective, these moves are often found in many group exercise classes, which tend to be safe and inclusive for everyone.

Water aerobics is a low-impact, total-body exercise that takes place in a pool. It uses water resistance to minimise joint pain significantly more than dry-land methods do, making it excellent lightweight training.

Gentle yoga lessons focus on balance, flexibility, and joint mobility and facilitate freer movement throughout the body. Another effective core/stability training is pilates, especially if you have alignment issues, as it will help reduce excess stress on your joints.

Zumba Gold & Others Dance exercise classes, particularly low-impact ones like Zumba, are a great way to get in your cardio while being gentle on the joints.

Chair yoga, which consists of exercises performed in a seated position, is a cost-effective choice for those who have difficulty getting around or performing larger movements due to joint pain. Resistance bands are another option for strength training to help build muscle and maintain healthy joints.

Group classes can be modified to achieve a range of exercises. Professionally designed group exercise classes have a lower impact whilst receiving all the health benefits. This is why they are an optimal solution for all fitness levels who want to preserve joint health.

How Group Exercise Enhances the Benefits of Low-Impact Workouts

Group exercise combines the benefits of low-impact workouts with a social, fun and consistent way to stay in shape.

  • What Makes Group Training Effective for Low-Impact Workouts: Support from the Community: Other members’ guidance and cheers help keep individuals going.
  • Guided Exercise: Instructors guide participants on a low-impact activity, ensuring the participant uses proper form and posture to avoid injury.
  • Changes for Everyone: Group mobility classes typically offer a variation for everyone from the lowest to the strongest person in the centre due to their encompassing spectrum of fitness levels and greater diversity among patrons with achy joints.

Schedule classes are a slightly more controlled way of getting people to work out to help them maintain a clean workout regimen, which is part and parcel of being accountable. They are delightful and exciting due to the music, group interaction, and many routines.

The gentle approach of low-impact exercises combined with the social benefits of group exercise gives people the perfect opportunity to stay fit by working those joints without overdoing it and have just as much fun doing it.

Tips for Maximizing Joint Health in Group Exercise Classes

It is essential to be intentional about planning for and engaging in group exercise, both separately and through group training, particularly when prioritising joint health. Select joint-friendly, low-impact classes such as yoga, Pilates, or water aerobics.

All these selections incorporate super simplistic exercises that you shouldn’t strain your joints but attempt to exercise your entire body. If you have any issues with one of your joints, do be sure to tell your teacher, as they can adapt and provide you with individualised guidance to suit your needs.

Your form and alignment are equally critical. The correct technique safeguards your joints and ensures you execute exercises properly and effectively. Purchase some good shoes with lots of cushioning as well to facilitate an even more significant reduction in stress during workouts and protect your joints.

Between your workouts, ensure adequate rest and recovery to prevent your joints from becoming overworked. This will allow them to heal and build strength. Perhaps even more importantly than any of the other factors listed, consistency pays off regarding long-term joint health.

Regular group training classes can help your body adapt in strength, flexibility, and functional ability at specific joints. By following these tips, people can safely enjoy the mental and physical benefits of group exercise while still preventing and managing joint problems.

Conclusion

Joint mobility and overall wellness-based moves are the ideal counterbalance to circuit-style or other low-impact workouts. Engaging in healthy sessions like yoga, Pilates or water aerobics will enhance flexibility, build muscular strength and guard the joints from tension. Training with others encourages you, especially because one can always find someone nearby to share a workout and provide the support one needs to stay focused on—the ride to health. The proper guidance, group exercise can be a safe and sustainable joint rehabilitation method.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Low-impact exercises help develop strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, but they have a limited impact on the joints, which is ideal for older adults. Again, these moves reduce injury risk and are great for those with arthritis, joint pain or a reduced range of motion. Low-impact workouts focus on slow, gentle movements that put less pressure on your joints and improve stability and range of motion while strengthening muscles around the joints.

Yes, beginners are welcome in group exercise classes for low-impact workouts. These classes are usually designed for everyone, regardless of their fitness levels, and the instructor modified them so everyone could participate safely. The group exercise can be water aerobics, mild yoga, or any type of fitness routine where one can start afresh safely in an encouraging environment.

Water aerobics, yoga, and Pilates are excellent group training classes for total joint health — if they are in a beginner-friendly setting between an experienced instructor and participants who fall into higher injury risk populations of age or stability ability level. Some further examples would include chair-based fitness courses or low-impact dance classes. These classes emphasise slow, gentle movements that do not strain joints while enhancing strength, flexibility, and mobility. You also strengthen muscles that stabilise your joints when you use resistance bands or attend low-impact strength classes.

For the greatest joint-health benefits, attend group training classes two to three times per week. This helps ensure joint strength, mobility, and flexibility are developed in a progressive manner while minimising the risk of overuse. Because these workouts are high-impact, they should be balanced with rest days and recovery-promoting activities (such as yoga or stretching) to protect your joints in the long run.

Group exercise classes are modified by limiting range of motion, eliminating jumping or high-impact moves, and using support such as chairs or resistance bands. Instructors usually make these modifications, so feel free to ask for adjustments that support your joint health.

It is safe and beneficial for people with arthritis or joint pain. Low-impact classes like water aerobics, yoga or Pilates can help loosen stiff joints, build strength and move better without increasing pain. Always meet with a doctor or nurse before beginning any new exercise program.

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The Different Types of Group Exercise Classes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-different-types-of-group-exercise-classes/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 07:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38535 The post The Different Types of Group Exercise Classes appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise classes are an ideal way to get in shape, socialise and perform various exercises within a safe environment. Since there are multiple group workout classes, one size fits all. You could quickly discover a course that best suits your interests and abilities regardless of age, fitness level, or personal objectives.

Strength Training Group Exercise Classes

Strength exercise is among the best techniques for developing muscle, restoring energy, and improving strength globally. Group Exercise  classes specifically focusing on strength are still not simply cardio in nature. Because most classes use weights, resistance bands, or your body weight alone, they are suitable for people of all skill levels.

Popular strength workout formats include Body Pump, which targets all major muscle groups using a barbell; circuit training, which combines strength and cardio in rotating stations; and kettlebell workouts, which focus on dynamic moves for building strength and power.

Strength training group exercise classes have many advantages. They strengthen the structure of your muscles, increase bone density, and decrease your risk of diseases such as osteoporosis.

The atmosphere is still good, and they have experienced professionals who walk students through the proper steps and what makes for a safe experience. If you enjoy exercising in a structured, support group setting and want to gain strength, group exercise classes are the perfect answer for reaching your fitness goals.

Cardio-Based Group Exercise Classes

Group Exercise classes are designed to elevate your heart rate, strengthen your heart, and burn calories. Often, these high-energy classes engage people by using timed sequences and choreographed movements.

Most Common Cardio Classes:

  • Zumba incorporates Latin and other worldwide music with dancing.
  • Spin classes are indoor spinning workouts similar to biking outdoors with varying intensity levels.
  • HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): Involves alternating short durations of intense physical activity with rest periods.

What are the advantages of doing cardio group activities:

  • It strengthens your heart and boosts your stamina.
  • Supports weight loss and burns more calories.
  • It brings the vibe of positivity alive in the space.

Cardio classes are an option for those who want to build endurance and enjoy working out in a group environment.

Mind-Body Group Exercise Classes

Mind-body group exercise classes are a distinct training concept that combines the benefits of physical exercise and meditation techniques. They offer a holistic approach to well-being.

These classes target flexibility, balance, and stress relief, making them ideal for individuals looking to enhance their general well-being. They include yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. They incorporate basic stretches, mindful breathing, and observation.

Yoga classes are  beneficial to both body and mind. Pilates is the practice of core strength, stability, and controlled movement. Tai Chi is a soft fighting style featuring slow and secure motions that enable balance, coordination, and rest. Physical group workout classes focus on the mind more than physical fitness.

These are super effective in helping relieve stress and clearing the mind, allowing a person to handle daily challenges better. These classes help with balance, flexibility and core strength, and they also benefit the body as a whole. These meetings are also an excellent place for taking care of yourself and reflecting on your life because they are calm and friendly.

Specialty Group Exercise Classes

A customised group exercise class format is designed to meet the needs and interests of members in specific populations and those seeking to achieve particular fitness goals. Generally, these classes have ways of doing things to suit specific demands or preferences. One such speciality class that has gained a lot of popularity is aqua aerobics.

It is an excellent, low-impact workout performed in water for adults or people recovering from injuries. Prenatal exercise classes are designed to promote active safety and address the changes occurring during pregnancy.

Dance fitness classes are a fun way to work out effectively while being creative. Hip-hop dance fitness, Bollywood-style dance fitness, and dancing imaginary fitness are more names for some active classes you can join in studios.

Martial arts fitness workouts, such as kickboxing and karate, combine cardio with self-defence movements to help you gain mental and physical toughness.

Here are a few benefits of speciality Group workout classes:

Unique needs: Each speciality class meets the specific needs of its patient group because it offers something different and tailored, such as fall prevention exercises, mental and cognitive stimulation with gentle movement, fun activities, or proper practice for learning basic motor/movement skills full-stop without modifications, deviations, and penalties.

There is a class for everyone that suits the needs and wishes of each at their fitness level. These classes are ideal for those who seek a change or need a more individualised experience. Whether recovering from an injury, trying out a new dance genre, or even preparing for motherhood, speciality Group workouts cater to all.

Choosing the Right Group Exercise Class for You 

Choosing the right one can get you lost in this crowd of group exercise classes. We have some tips for you to select an exact fit:

  • Choose a class that suits your fitness goals: If you want to gain strength, lose weight, or increase flexibility, choose the one that fits your goals.
  • Factor in Your Fitness Ability: Many classes have options for the less fit, and if you are a beginner or just getting back to exercise, this is fine.
  • Test and Taste: Sample classes to see which you prefer.
  • Get Professional Guidance: Consult with teachers or gym staff for a suggestion according to your interests

With some trial and error, you will discover a course you enjoy, which will motivate you to move your body.

Conclusion

Group Exercise classes range from cardio to mind-body routines and speciality formats, so something is available for everyone. There are many classes, each helping individuals reach their fitness goals and be active. Whether you seek to lose weight, boost your heart health or achieve peace of mind, there is a Group workout class for everyone. By looking into these options and discovering the right opportunity that fits your lifestyle, you can engage in a rewarding workout journey that benefits your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common Group workout classes include Cardio Strength, Mind-body, Speciality Dance fitness, and Aqua aerobics. These classes can accommodate a range of fitness goals: strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, and pregnancy-specific. Group exercises provide a chance to experience new forms of exercise while being motivated and socialising with others.

Many strength-training Group workout classes focus on causing hypertrophy and increasing participants’ strengths. These classes often include strength workouts with kettlebells, weights, or just body weight. They also improve bone density, tone muscles, and overall strength. Professionals usually lead group strength training classes to ensure participants follow proper techniques and remain motivated in a safe environment.

Cardio Group workout classes aim to elevate your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular health. They offer a few classes where you can Zumba, spin, and HIIT your way to weight loss, strength, and more. The high-energy workouts create a fun vibe and motivate people to continue exercising. Working out with others in a supportive environment allows people to challenge themselves and become more fit.

Mind-body Group Exercise classes integrate mental well-being with physical activity. These include yoga, Pilates, and tai chi, promoting balance, flexibility, and relaxation. By taking these classes, people can enhance their posture, core strength, and mental clarity. These mind-body routines, offered in Group workout classes, provide a calm and friendly atmosphere conducive to self-care and holistic fitness.

Many group exercise classes are designed for all ability levels, from novices to up. Classes such as water aerobics, prenatal fitness and dance fitness are frequently modified for safety and comfort. Speciality group exercise classes allow beginners to experiment with various workout modalities in a supportive, community-oriented space that meets their needs.

Before selecting a group exercise class, note your fitness goals, such as building strength, improving flexibility, or doing longer workout sessions. Consider how fit you are and check if classes offer extra assistance for beginners. Experiment with all variations of group fitness and see what you enjoy the most. Bring up ideas with your teachers, experiment with different formats, and look for what keeps you engaged and motivated.

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Group Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-high-intensity-interval-training-hiit/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 07:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38532 The post Group Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise has always been an excellent option for staying fit because it provides a motivating environment. However, the new HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) has an instant promo since it is a quick and effective regimen to get your workout on point. The truth is that a less time-consuming benefit provides an optimum payoff-to-payoff ratio. Pair group workouts with HIIT intensity, and you have a unique fitness experience that works for every fitness level.

The Benefits of Combining Group Exercise and HIIT

When combined, group exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are already powerful on their own, but they are also a joint powerhouse!

Main Advantages: Group Dynamics Motivation: Exercising with a group is more motivating because of the support and motivation of others.

For individuals who are always on the go and have no time to spare, HIIT is highly recommended. HIIT involves short periods of intense exercise with a lot of rest between intervals, which causes you to burn your likely highest number of calories while getting fit.

Here are five benefits of fitness classes:

Scalability: Fitness classes provide modifications for participants at both extremes of the fitness spectrum.

The structure of group exercise classes encourages people to stick with their fitness goals.

Fostering Community: A group punch brings people together and gives them some sense of belonging.

HIIT with group exercise classes is the fastest and most fun way for people to meet their fitness goals.

How Group Exercise Enhances the HIIT Experience

Making HIIT a group exercise multiplies its benefits, creating an atmosphere where people can feel motivated, challenged and encouraged. HIIT workouts are quick, but doing them in a group makes them even more extreme.

Part of this is because the collective excitement you feel from everyone in your group energises you further. This keeps everybody engaged and motivated throughout the high-energy environment.

Another key component is “good competition.” The components of helpful competition denoted in a group set-up urge individuals to push themselves even more so they can take advantage of each session.

HIIT fitness classes have instructors to lead and guide participants, ensuring proper form and modification for fitness levels. This expertise ensures that all athletes, even beginners and professionals, win without injury.

Having classes on a schedule encourages people to develop a habit and make their exercise plan consistent, which helps them achieve long-lasting results.

Finally, when teachers and fellow pupils bring together a community that encourages its members to give their all in the peak times and is there to help push people through as best they can at the struggling moments, it allows people to reach their full capabilities. The group fully enables HIIT to be intense and motivating in a local exercise format. Hence, it keeps individuals devoted and motivated as they seek to accomplish their fitness-related aims.

Popular Group Exercise HIIT Class Formats

HIIT Exercise can complement many kinds of group training, meaning there is something for everyone regardless of fitness level.

  • Traditional HIIT Classes alternate periods of high-intensity exercise, such as sprints or aerobic activities, with low-intensity recovery to stimulate full-body fitness.
  • HIIT Circuit: This circuit consists of multiple stations for core, cardio, and power work so participants can quickly transition from one interval to the next.
  • Strength HIIT: This type (similar to the last) integrates weightlifting with HIIT, including resistance-style exercises like deadlifts and squats, while also utilising short running intervals for a balanced workout.
  • Dance HIIT: Increases HIIT intervals to exercise routines, creating a fun but challenging workout that holds your interest
  • Aqua HIIT: this incorporates water resistance with HIIT, so it is accessible on the joints and has low impact.
  • Yoga HIIT Fusion: pairs the slow, intentional movements of yoga with the fast-paced nature of HIIT for an innovative approach to flexibility work and cardio.

This variety of group exercises ensures everyone may enjoy and engage in HIIT’s advantages.

Tips for Success in Group Exercise HIIT Classes

If group HIIT exercise classes do not work for you, there are some things that you can try and change to get the most benefits from them, but it works on prior planning.

Start at your level. And don’t be deterred by how hardcore it is; most classes will have adaptations available for beginners to help you ease into the workout. Focus on your form and not speed so that you don’t get hurt and get the most work out of each move.

A correct approach is truly important for the development of strength and stamina. HIIT workouts allow you to get your rest periods in, recover, take deep breaths, and prepare for the next challenging circuit. Another key component is consistency.

Attending HIIT classes with others regularly can make you stronger and fitter, feel more confident, and have more stamina over time. While this is all-important, do not forget to stay nourished and refreshed. Stay hydrated and have a balanced meal before and after the exercise to maintain your gauge.

Finally, do not hesitate to speak with your teacher. Let them know if you’re a beginner or if you have any concerns. This way, they can adjust and custom-tailored recommendations for you. These tricks will increase the degrees of performance, reduce the chances of injury risk for the individuals performing HIIT group exercise sessions, and help achieve fitness goals effectively, safely and healthily.

Conclusion

Group exercise paired with HIIT yields optimal results in a supportive and motivating environment. Integrating the intensity & efficacy of HIIT with a framework of fitness classes allows people to achieve their fitness goals sooner and enjoy the journey more. For athletes of any level, Group HIIT lessons provide a fun and inclusive way to stay consistent, improve endurance, and get intense strength training. Jump into becoming fitter with these classes for the energy, the fellowship, and, more so, the signed-up role.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Group Exercise Specialist.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

The effectiveness of HIIT in a group exercise environment also comes from the energy and camaraderie that individual participants gain from exercising together, as it encourages them to push themselves harder than they would alone. The group dynamic encourages you to bring your best during hip intervals while teachers ensure everyone is practising proper form and alter workouts for varying fitness levels. It also holds people accountable as there is a social aspect, thus making them return to work.

Yes, even for HIIT virgins, you can enter any group lesson. Each exercise will typically have a modified option, so folk can begin at their own pace and gradually increase the challenge when feeling more assertive and confident. Working out together tends to make them feel more supported and welcomed as they learn to get a feeling for the HIIT basics.

HIIT and group training are a win-win because they hold people accountable, motivate them, maximise efficiency and more. HIIT is effective for burning calories quickly and getting fit faster, while group workouts help you become a local community member. They combine to deliver an energetic workout that benefits the body and mind.

HIIT group training classes can include dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls and jump ropes. Other classes are equipment; you do bodyweight exercises, including pushups, squats, and burpees.) The tools used depend on the class structure and the teacher’s needs.

Aim for two to three days per week of HIIT group classes to see results. At this frequency, you can get the optimal amount of strenuous exercise interspersed with days off, which is essential to preventing overtraining and making your workouts as effective as possible. An exercise such as HIIT paired with something like yoga or power training can improve physique.

Yes, HIIT classes are suitable for everyone at any fitness level. Instructors modify and build on each practice so students of all levels can participate. You can tailor the workout to your taste in a friendly, group environment regardless of your skill level as an athlete.

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Group Exercise and Group Dynamics Building Connections https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-group-dynamics-building-connections/ Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38528 The post Group Exercise and Group Dynamics Building Connections appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group fitness is not simply a method of exercising; it is an outlet for socialising that assembles people, energises individuals and fosters mental well-being. The power of group dynamics in a fitness context extends beyond just physical health. Groups establish spaces for people to meet and support one another while working towards shared goals.

The Benefits of Group Exercise for Social Connections

Group Exercise classes are excellent for people of all fitness capacities since they help you fit and meet others. The group setting of group exercise enhances your workout experience, so it doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned pro or a beginner.

The great thing about group exercise is that it allows you to work towards similar objectives with other people. Friendship is built between like-minded individuals, and the people on the journey together want to support each other.

Furthermore, its built-in support system compels people to push one another, and everyone is in a positive environment. Talking to other people becomes easy and makes you more occupied in socialising; you will quickly feel at ease and make friends, which is the desired outcome.

The accountability that comes with a Group Training class is critical to maintaining a plan because everyone has to come every day. In other words, people are more inclined to keep pushing because they can work out with others instead of feeling isolated when bored or exhausted.

This approach creates a friendly environment where exercise is not something a person can do alone. These individuals simultaneously benefit from being inspired to achieve their goals while working best in the company of those who share their drive and inspiration.

How Group Dynamics Enhance the Group Exercise Experience

The success of group exercise classes is mainly due to how people relate to one another. They create an environment that inspires people to work harder and be their joy.

The Influence of Group Dynamics on Group Exercise

  • Collective Enthusiasm: Being in a group where everyone is excited about the exercise creates and promotes an energetic atmosphere that helps everyone try their best. This category includes partner drills and team challenges, anything that gets some players working together, which builds trust (through communication) and teamwork.
  • Healthy Competition: The group may push others to do more through friendly competition that develops among friends.
  • forging a stronger connection: Sharing experiences with a group allows people to relate and connect on an emotional level, creating a sense of empathy that strengthens your bonds as players.

Instructors are essential to the group’s functioning, nurturing openness and inclusion and developing participation and sociability.

Types of Group Exercise Classes for Building Connections

Group exercise classes work particularly well at developing relationships and enhancing group cohesion, which makes them the social side of fitness prowess. As boot camp or functional exercise sessions often involve a partner/group task for attendees, these classes help them communicate and work as a single unit towards their goal while improving their bond, too.

Dance-based exercise classes, such as Zomba dance, hip-hop dance or Bollywood-style workouts, bring joy and energy to the room while providing an excellent opportunity for individuals to connect through a shared love of rhythm and movement.

Yoga and mindfulness groups are perfect for individuals looking for a more reflective experience. They create connections through shared practices and strengthen the community through discussions or group exercises.

A small group training session is more personal because there are fewer people, and everyone bonds well and gains one-on-one attention. Lastly, online group classes allow individuals to join from anywhere worldwide and form a digital exercise community without physical barriers.

These forms enable participants to interact, support each other, and connect in a lasting manner. In a well-designed Group Training class that matches individual hobbies and tastes, people can reap physical fitness benefits while enhancing their emotional health through authentic social connections.

Tips for Maximizing Group Dynamics in Group Exercise

Getting the most out of Group Exercise and group dynamics means joining in with all the regulars. Here are some tips to get the most out of your time:

  • Choose the Right Class: Choose Group Training classes appropriate for your fitness level and interests. Classes with relationship-building components (for example, partner drills) are essential.
  • Arrive a little earlier than usual: Go to class a few minutes earlier to meet other students and the teacher — it helps you feel more comfortable.
  • Seek Engagement: Seize the opportunities to interact with others, whether through pair or team activities or simply smiling and sharing words of encouragement.
  • Stay with it: Regular attendance helps you get to know your group and develop a sense of community.
  • Attend classes with a social component: Many group Training classes have social events outside of class. These events can increase bonds and group dynamics.

You can extend your time and have more fun from Group Training, boost your confidence, and drive through partaking with the rest of the group members.

Conclusion

Group exercise is a combination of fitness and group interaction. Group workout sessions build togetherness, motivate each other, and have a common goal. This community support structure offers guidance to keep students from falling off track, pushing beyond their limits, and participating in a joyful celebration of accomplishment. While some prefer boot camps that include the whole team, others thrive in dance fitness programs, yoga, or small group training sessions. These classes allow people in different geographical regions to connect and form fitness communities, albeit virtually.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

One great way to find good people, such as potential friends, among those groups of familiar faces because that means they are drawn together through similar experiences. Individuals with common objectives will collaborate and motivate each other, forming a community. Since fitness classes are somewhat organised, they allow people to come together and communicate without talking. That way, individuals create genuine social contacts while pursuing their fitness goals.

Group dynamics is another way to help people stay fit by creating a supportive and energetic environment. They breed good energy within the group that inspires people to plug themselves into encore mode, and both collaboration and some good-natured competition between each other play a part in audience performance. On the other hand, developing emotional connections with other group members motivates more outstanding goal commitment. It increases the chances that individuals will persevere in pursuit of their plans. Exercising with a group makes workouts more pleasant, which benefits your physical and mental health.

Some of the best fitness classes for meeting new people are team-based boot camps, dance fitness classes (such as Zumba), mindfulness-oriented yoga and small-group training. Such formats create a connecting and working environment for the people to unite and bond, creating a strong sense of community. Another great way to connect online is by participating in virtual classes and teaching group exercises.

Yes, the group workout dynamic is excellent for folks getting started. The members themselves, however, are comforting and encouraging to each other, and the spirit of friendship is enough motivation to continue. Group exercise instructors frequently modify classes to accommodate the varying levels of those in the room so beginners can participate and work at their own pace on their fitness growth. The social aspect also eliminates some of the fear when it comes to exercising and instead replaces it with an excellent experience in which moving your body is fun.

It helps instructors create a friendly atmosphere where everyone can collaborate and boost the group’s functioning by means of accessibility. Let people talk to each other through partner drills, team tasks, or common objectives. Acknowledging everyone and celebrating group successes encourage motivation and bonding. Similarly, teachers can organise social activities outside of class to allow students to interact with one another and build a stronger community.

Yes, an internet group course can connect you with new people today, especially if you are unable to manufacture it in humans. These allow people in various locations to work out together, creating community. Live chats, video chats, and shared objectives facilitate interaction by which individuals meet one another and develop connections. This makes virtual group exercise an amazing approach to socialising and getting fit.

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Group Exercise and Functional Training for Athletes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-functional-training-for-athletes/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 07:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38524 The post Group Exercise and Functional Training for Athletes appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Functional training and group exercise are essential for athletes who want to enhance their performance, minimise injuries, and have a solid foundation before they play the sport. Performance training consists of practical exercises performed with a group of people. It is a way to train for stamina, power, and agility that keeps the athlete in top form compared to their opponents.

 The Benefits of Group Exercise for Athletes

Athletes hoping to improve their training and performance and those interested in getting fit can both take advantage of group exercise. It can be incorporated into an athlete’s routine, adding a diversity of options, buy-in, and professionalism.

You might also like the best of both worlds. Training with other people breeds camaraderie and good competition, which makes athletes more likely to keep training and stay consistent.

Group training classes are programmed, with every class well-rounded and designed around achieving specific fitness goals, be they strength, endurance, or mobility. When athletes have the opportunity to work with skilled instructors, they are less likely to be injured because of overuse or improper form and technique.

Finally, by offering a variety of workouts and routines, group training helps people enjoy their exercises and thus not get bored with them. An environment where athletes can focus on developing crucial skills, improving their sport-specific ability, and meeting new people while training with peers is beneficial.

By integrating group exercise into their practice, athletes can train and meet fitness goals while enjoying a fun and supportive environment.

How Functional Training Complements Group Exercise for Athletes

Functional training is all about doing movements that mirror real-life actions to become stronger, more coordinated, and more mobile. In reality, it actually does wonders for their play on the field, court, or track when they utilise it as part of team training.

Benefits of Performance training for athletes:

  • Functional movements train muscles and actions that athletes use in their sport.
  • Function training: Function training strengthens and stretches the muscles that support you, lowering the likelihood of injury.
  • Functional workouts correctly identify the two most critical elements of athletic success: core and balance.
  • Increased Endurance: Performance training fuses cardio and strength, allowing athletes to maintain functionality over the long haul.

Such functional training exercises performed by athletes in group classes include:

  • Kettlebell swings Will Make You Strong and Fast
  • Balance: One-leg Deadlifts—Deadlifting on one leg is an exercise with immense power that helps you develop your strength physique and is a solution for stiff legs eating away at your performance areas.
  • Act like a bunch of sickies. Throwing balls: Develop your rotatory strength and power
  • Agility Drills: Boost your agility and stability.

Functional training is a way of exercising that supplements the group exercise experience and focuses on performance and injury prevention aspects for athletes.

Types of Group Exercise Classes for Functional Training

From there, the group exercise class options available for athletes are backed by functional training. They are designed to hit aspects of fitness that target peak athletic performance. These functional fitness classes are all about techniques and moves unique to the sport, like squats, lunges, and overhead presses.

Movement like this will help support better strength, mobility, and overall performance. Circuit training is a vibrant workout method since you switch from station to station with strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises. It’s a quick and entertaining way to get fit.

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): Working in short bursts and resting, HIIT develops muscle strength, power and explosiveness. By addressing muscle imbalances in yoga or dynamic stretching classes, athletes can increase their range of motion and decrease their risk of injury.

Group workouts are centred around core work, such as strength and stability. This benefits sports injuries and balance, stabilising you when playing. These classes help athletes stay motivated and make friends because they are getting focused training.

Athletes can discover these options and match them to their sport-focused workouts. This will allow them to enhance their performance and remain motivated while achieving fitness goals with fun in a nurturing atmosphere.

Tips for Athletes to Maximize Group Exercise and Functional Training

Athletes can benefit from group exercise provided it is done correctly with a focus on functional training. To maximise the benefit of each lesson, check out these tips:

Take Courses Related to Your Sport:

  • Join group training classes that incorporate movements relevant to your sport. For example, football players may perform agility drills, swim, and do core exercises.
  • Put recovery first: Because Performance training can be brutal, include classes that emphasise recovery in your program (like yoga or stretching) as a counterbalance.
  • Talk to your teachers about compliance with athletic objectives you need to work on. Tell your trainers what they are so they can modify their suggestions or offer added assistance to meet your requirements.
  • Mind your form: the right way to do it is vital to preventing harm and attaining results. Not Quantity but Quality Urge to Pay Attention What Your Teacher/ Mentor Said
  • Monitor Your Progress: Record your strength, speed, and endurance increasing; this way, you will see how practical your training is.

This ensures that Performance and group exercise primarily benefit performance during a game or race and in the long term; tip: Use Unilateral Exercises Appropriately.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Group exercise gives athletes an environment that boosts competitiveness on top of their regular exercises. There will be professional teachers in these classes who can guide students on the correct way to do things, so the risk of getting injured is decreased. For the athletes, a group will make them motivated and more consistent. Additionally, the various kinds of group training ensure that athletes are able to train in all aspects of fitness, such as strength, endurance, and flexibility. This helps maintain the quality and variety of workouts.

Functional training enhances your capacity for athleticism by emphasising movements more similar to what you experience in life or sports. Such exercises strengthen stabilising muscles, work out the core better, and enhance balance. All of these things dictate your sports file success. Performance training also reduces the risk of injury by addressing muscle weaknesses and increasing flexibility. Combined with group training, it is a complete fitness package that increases endurance, strength and agility so that players can maximise performance.

Some of the best group training classes for functional exercise are functional fitness classes, circuit training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) lessons, mobility and flexibility classes, and core-focused workouts. Circuit training combines strength with endurance exercises, and functional fitness classes emphasise movements used in sports. Whether you love some muscular HIIT burns or cardio, these classes come in handy for building strength and endurance. The movement classes help with your mobility to move better. These options, in turn, allow athletes to make a class that aligns with their needs and aspirations within reach.

Yes, Most classes are accessible to beginners and advanced exercisers, with instructors offering modifications as necessary. Speak with the teacher regarding your past, if applicable, and your goals; this way, they can cater for the experience you get from it. Through a group environment that allows beginners to progress from basic moves, beginners will increase their strength, confidence, and skill level in safe increments.

Athletes should aim to perform Performance training 2-3 times per week depending on their sport and exercise goals. This cadence ensures they can become more powerful and mobile and rectify muscle imbalances without overtraining. Performance training is vital for peak performance, but sport-specific practice and healing sessions are also critical, so be sure to strike a balance to prevent burnout designed for your fast lane.

Athletes need to prioritise recovery, pay attention to feedback from their bodies and incorporate scheduled rest days into their routines to avoid overtraining in group exercise classes. To make sure the rigged classes are not getting too stressed, always opt for a class that supplements training and not substitute them. In addition, athletes should discuss with their instructors when to modify activities if necessary and how to concentrate on appropriate forms to mitigate the risk of injury. Recovery classes such as yoga or stretching should also be part of their routine to balance the schedule.

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Group Exercise and Exercise Modifications for Beginners https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-exercise-modifications-for-beginners/ Fri, 29 Nov 2024 07:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38521 The post Group Exercise and Exercise Modifications for Beginners appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise gives you something to do, a chance to socialize and an opportunity to keep yourself accountable while striving toward any health-oriented goal. For someone who has never been to a Fitness Classes class but may be nervous walking in to experience it for the first time when more seasoned individuals are around. The positive news for this is that in almost every group class, different movements are performed at various levels to accommodate everyone, so you can work with others and progress at whatever pace suits your fitness level.

Why Group Exercise is Perfect for Beginners

Group exercise classes are ideal for novices of group fitness. They are well-organised and supportive environments. If you just started or tend to stop at any movement toward doing some exercises, it is very tough for a long time without motivation.

This Is why Fitness Classes is excellent for beginners:

  • Guided Workouts: A teacher guides the class to help ensure that everyone is practising proper technique and style.
  • Accountability and Motivation: The energy of a group keeps you accountable and motivated.
  • Socialising: When in a group, individuals get acquainted with one another and develop a sense of unity. Things like yoga, cardio, or power training can vary your workout.
  • Built-in modifications: Many Fitness classes have built-in modifications to make certain exercises less challenging for new exercisers.

Group exercise is a great way for beginners to build confidence, get fit, and actually have fun, all in a safe environment.

Joint Exercise Modifications in Group Exercise Classes

Exercise modifications are adjustments that can be made to an exercise to make it easier to perform without sacrificing its effectiveness. In group exercise classes, the instructor commonly provides these to ensure that everyone can participate in a way that is safe and appropriate for their own body.

Common Changes (examples of changes include the following):

  • Push-Ups: can be modified for beginners by doing push-ups on their knees or using a wall.
  • Squats: Chair-assisted squats allow individuals to hold onto the support, helping balance and stability.
  • Plank: A core workout that is more manageable to attempt on your knees or upright against a surface.
  • Cardio Moves: Anything that requires you to jump, like jumping jacks or high knees, can be modified by eliminating the jumping and making step jacks.
  • Lunges: Reduce the depth of your lunges or cling to a firm object for stability
  • Burpees: Break the move up into smaller chunks—for example, step back to a plank instead of jumping.

The alterations ensure that even those new to fitness can perform the exercises correctly, gradually building strength and endurance.

Tips for Beginners in Group Exercise Classes

Joining group exercise classes can be intimidating, but with the right mindset and some planning, you will enjoy every moment. Choose beginner-friendly classes, such as restorative yoga, Pilates for beginners, or low-impact aerobics. They are designed for everyone, regardless of their fitness level.

Get there a little early to meet the teacher, let them know your fitness level, and discuss any adjustments you may need. The extra time gives you the flexibility to prepare due to the unfamiliarity of the class, which helps create a comfortable setting.

Work on your technique, not your intensity; focus on strategies that prevent injuries and maximise every workout. Never hesitate to reach out to the teacher with questions or concerns. Listen to your body and take breaks as necessary.

Remember that Fitness Classes are about you making progress and not beating other people! Many lessons utilise props like yoga blocks, resistance bands, and dumbbells. Use lighter weights or tools that will help you adapt to the workouts.

When you can hold a plank longer or master that hard move, celebrate small victories to keep your motivation alive. These tips should help you ease into Fitness Classes and build some confidence, enabling you to create a lifelong foundation in fitness.

How Group Exercise Builds Confidence Through Modifications

An even better thing about group exercise is that it enhances confidence, which is vital for beginners because exercise changes are accessible to all people and make them feel powerful. The workout has to be performed by anyone; he or she should be able to do it easily; therefore, modifications should be made for ease.

Someone can begin where they are, at a level of comfort and capacity, and then progress in intensity as their strength increases. This impresses the individual with a sense of completion. Another benefit is safety; the right changes reduce the risk of injury, especially if you are learning new moves.

These changes are essential to create an environment where members do not judge and help each other. Seeing other people shift positions makes it feel normal, allowing the new person to relax.

Instructors also contribute significantly by reinforcing their positive feedback and encouraging participants to improve themselves rather than continuously directly comparing themselves with others.

Beginners gradually become more proficient and advanced in the modified workouts, gaining sufficient confidence to try more challenging ones and setting up an experience cycle for them, which will even further channel greater confidence along with progress that they become earlier than later.

Making changes and participating in fitness classes will get beginners off to a safe, effective, and energising start! Besides making you healthier, it is also a great way to build self-confidence. Fitness Classes can be revolutionary for newbies.

Conclusion

Group exercise sessions are suitable for beginners looking to help them through a room of other people. These classes are open to anyone, as the routines can easily be modified with or without a fitness background. Group classes are the perfect way to take new people through their paces while helping them achieve their goals, building their confidence along the way, and having fun at the same time. To accomplish this, select beginner-friendly classes that emphasise form.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Beginners benefit from the structure of group training, which provides a controlled and supportive environment. Instructors demonstrate how to do each move correctly, making adjustments for all fitness levels. The group energy keeps newbies consistent and engaged, which builds motivation for accountability. A social component of group exercise also fosters a sense of community, making working out more enjoyable and less intimidating.

In group training classes, knee push-ups, chair-assisted squats, and elevated planks are often modified to make the exercises easier to perform. Step jacks are converted from quick, dirty power exercises like jumping jacks, and lunges are modified to reduce the depth or use of support. All of these changes create space for newcomers to build power safely together in some kind of group setting.

Choose a class that is labelled all-levels or beginner-friendly to prepare yourself for your first group exercise class. You want to arrive a bit early so that you can meet the teacher and discuss any adjustments you’ll need. Focus far more on maintaining the proper form than how hard you push through the workout and do not feel bad about resting when necessary. You can begin with lighter weights or less challenging versions to assist you in developing confidence and getting acquainted with the workout.

Yes, changes can benefit you at any stage of your fitness journey. Group training instructors incorporate modifications to ensure every participant can exercise safely and successfully. Beginners often use changes to make stronger and increased ends, while elite athletes use them to recover or test new techniques. Changing the structure allows you to customise your workout and go at your own pace.

Group training classes are a great confidence booster because everyone is in the same boat of not being judged. This means that you or someone just starting can begin at a level that they are comfortable with and then increase the difficulty as they improve. When first-timers receive praise from coaches and build friendships with peers, they tend to focus on self-achievements rather than comparison. Performing different modified movements and then advancing to more challenging exercises over time is a more refreshing feeling than any other achievement.

Yes, group exercise classes are designed and implemented so that people of all fitness levels can attend and be safe. They teach you how to do things properly and adapt to your skill level. Get Beginners To Listen To Their Bodies Rest As Needed Factor In Form Over Forces The group environment encourages fun and effective exercise while emphasising safety.

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Group Exercise and Circuit Training Efficient Workouts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/group-exercise-and-circuit-training-efficient-workouts/ Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38516 The post Group Exercise and Circuit Training Efficient Workouts appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Group exercise, circuit training, and other fitness routines offer a combination of structure and variety, but most importantly, one thing: social contact truly represents some of the best ways to stay fit because they provide fun and effective workouts. Forms that can be adapted to different goals and abilities make good options for beginners and experienced athletes.

What Makes Group Exercise a Great Choice?

Most exercise methods involve group exercise, which means working out collectively with an instructor. Group exercise features many types of classes, from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to other strength-training genres. These classes are designed to work you out and connect you with people.

Advantages of Group Workouts: Motivation and Accountability: Exercising in a group setting can encourage you to stick with it and keep going.

Expert Guidance: Someone else is leading the class, so they can ensure everyone is using the correct form and provide modifications and scalability depending on fitness level.

Variety: Group exercise, which spans everything from Zumba to strength training, adds variety to workouts and prevents them from getting stale.

Sense of Community: Exercising as part of a group is a great way to meet other people and creates an enjoyable social component.

Group workout is a structured and informal approach that motivates workouts for beginners who may require assistance or seasoned fitness warriors seeking a challenge.

Understanding Circuit Training in Group Exercise

In this way, Cross-training routines are the favourite of fitness fanatics due to their culture of being active and ecological. In this workout, you will exercise one spot after another, focusing on different areas of the body or fitness factors such as cardio strength and core.

Each station is performed for a designated time with brief rest between variations, ensuring an intense and efficient workout. Circuit training’s flexibility and usability make it so desirable.

Ideal for busy bees, it’s strength and cardio in one class. The frame provides a full-body exercise, working all the body’s key muscle groups. Each exercise increases the difficulty by allowing different levels of fitness, enabling participants to expand their own capabilities.

Joint exercises found in a cardiovascular circuit include push-ups for upper body strength, jump squats for lower body power, plank holds to maintain core stability, burpees for endurance, and easily performed dumbbell rows with sets of repetitions to strengthen the back and arms in Exercise.

Cross-training routines in a group exercise setting are also social, as people support and inspire each other during the workout. Cross-training routines are your best bet for fitness goals, as they are fast, effective, and fun.

How to Maximize Efficiency in Group Exercise and Circuit Training

We all want to fulfil our fitness goals and stay in shape, and the most important thing for that is efficient workouts, which says you do not have to waste hours in a gym. Now, here are ways to get the most out of group exercise and circuit training:

Plan Your Goals: Determine the type of training you want to do, whether it is strength-based, endurance-based, or flexibility-based. This will narrow down the kind of Group workout class or circuit training focus you need to pick.

Prioritise Proper Form: All Group workout instructors are there to ensure you do not injure yourself. Be mindful of your form to avoid injury, and the class works.

Use Modifications Wisely: Many Group workout classes and circuits offer different fitness levels and modification options. Some adaptations are easier, so begin at a level appropriate for your fitness and workup.

Focus on Intensity: Circuit training is the most efficient form if you give all you have into each station. Keep the pace hard, but listen to your body.

Stay Consistent: To maintain an even progression, one should do group workouts or circuit training once in a while. Try to incorporate at least 3-4 sessions a week to get the best results.

With these tips, participants can have beneficial yet effective Group workouts and circuit training sessions.

Choosing the Right Group Exercise and Circuit Training Program

Selecting an appropriate group exercise and circuit training could be challenging with so many options. Focus on features to narrow the possibilities and sign up for the best program that suits your fitness ambitions.

First, evaluate your fitness. Dipping your toes into yoga or water aerobics will fit the beginner; HIIT or circuit training is perfect if you know something about moves. Address your goals. Taking classes focusing on bodybuilding, such as BodyPump or Circuits with Resistance, may be better.

Zumba and spin classes help with shedding pounds and cardio, which are next to the class structure. Dance and functional training are about creativity and pleasure, while some group fitness classes emphasise routine and repetition.

If you take a group or circuit format of any kind, ensure your instructors are trained and experienced in Group workout or circuit training and take proper safety precautions to provide an effective workout.

Lastly, look at the community and environment; a friendly bunch will help with motivation and enjoyment when working out. Experiment with different sessions or talk to instructors to find a program that supports your fitness adventure and keeps you engaged.

Conclusion

Circuit training or Group Exercise will undoubtedly do the trick if you are looking for a way to squeeze in a quick, effective, and fun workout. When you attend group exercises, you have structure, diversity, and a community to be part of. In contrast, a Cross-training routine is a fast-paced workout that engages the whole body and can be modified to suit your ability level. Through education and options, men and women can discover suitable choices for their fitness journeys.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

These group exercises are usually more helpful because they keep you motivated and provide qualified expert guidance so you can go home to work out. Working out with others helps them stay on track and achieve their fitness goals. With instructors setting the workouts and modifying them as needed for every level, anyone can perform routines. The Group workout adds variety to how they work, thus keeping them fit and free from boredom. Aside from physically training individuals, they introduce individuals to one another, making working out exciting.

Cross-training routines are one Group workout type consisting of various workouts at different locations. Different stations focus on muscle groups and exercise elements, like core stability, cardio or strength. Every one of the members goes in a flash from one to the next place, with an intermission just over and again. This style ensures you work all your body while keeping the class short and sweet. Cross-training routines naturally encourage people to pick each other up and help during the workout!

That is why Cross-training routines and Fitness classes are so practical; they do the most you can do in such a short amount of time. One way is through group exercise, with sessions led by teachers that provide structure, variety, and expert guidance. Cross-training routines, however, are a form of workout that combines cardio and strength in one class, addressing more than one aspect of your fitness. Each exercise flows seamlessly into the next one at a given period, but everyone works to their level of intensity, which guarantees equal time on the workout floor. Both options are ideal for people looking to get in shape with minimal time commitment amidst their hectic schedules.

Yes, beginners who exercise can also do group classes like circuits. Most of the time, they modify their workouts so anyone, regardless of fitness level, can participate. Yoga, low-impact cardiovascular, and other Fitness class groups are good starting points. But for a new exerciser, Cross-training routines allow you to move at your own pace. You will feel welcome as a newcomer in fitness classes because they are a very welcoming environment, and your teachers will guide you throughout the lesson.

Before you start searching for a fitness class, determine your health goals. To build strength, look for classes such as BodyPump or resistance-based workouts. If you are focused on losing weight or improving your fitness, classes like Zumba, spin, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) are practical. Consider how much you exercise and what types of classes you enjoy. Some prefer yoga or other low-impact courses; others are high-energy. Explore the different types and find one that excites you as it challenges you.

Ideally, you would want 3-4 group exercises or Cross-training routine weekly sessions to see some gradual progress. This workout plan ensures enough workouts to remain fit and allows sufficient time for your body to recover. Balance is important. Combine strength, cardio and flexibility classes to address all aspects of your fitness. Group classes provide social support that may keep you consistent with your workouts by going more frequently. At the same time, circuit training is an efficient way to squeeze a quality workout into a hectic life.

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Different Workouts for Group Exercise and Cross-Training Combining https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/different-workouts-for-group-exercise-and-cross-training-combining/ Tue, 26 Nov 2024 08:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38508 The post Different Workouts for Group Exercise and Cross-Training Combining appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Two of the more exhilarating approaches to workout instruction are group exercise and cross-training. They involve different workouts to maximise your workouts and keep you from getting bored with your routine. This allows an individual to become more powerful, stronger, faster / endurance, and flexible, along with increased overall fitness.

The Benefits of Combining Cross-Training with Group Exercise

Cross-training means doing more than one form of exercise in a single workout. This exercise tires multiple muscle groups and helps build strength overall.

The sum of all these factors multiplied by group exercise—even more effective—produces a dynamic training experience and full-body workout. It can also help you fit in a more well-rounded fashion, which is one of the benefits of cross-training in group exercise.

Participants rotate through cardio, strength training, and flexibility routines to nurture aspects of their physical health in a balanced manner. Changing up your workout will obviously reduce the chance of injury, as different muscle groups will not be constantly worked and overworked.

The accountability and friendship that groups provide allow individuals to push themselves harder. Cross-training also helps overcome fitness plateaus because the body is always facing new challenges. Groups also make workouts fun and interesting, which is a great way to stay committed to working out.

Their group energy and support are the welcoming front end of things that most would know, motivating for all. This ensures that all individuals achieve their exercise targets while having fun. Now, doing cross-training as a Group Training program enhances the workout experience and offers health benefits for both the body and mind.

Popular Types of Cross-Training Group Exercise Classes

As such, many group exercise classes have cross-training elements that everyone can do. Select from these classic options to consider:

  • Supplemental Classes: These challenging classes combine functional movement, cardio and strength training. As folks move from station to station or drill to drill, a full-body workout is all but guaranteed.
  • Several moves are made at various stations, targeting different muscle areas, a.k.a. circuit training. This approach is a balanced blend of strength training and endurance exercise.
  • HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) employs intense exercise and short rest periods. Class Format HIIT Group Training classes often combine both cardio and bodyweight movements.
  • Functional fitness classes: These classes focus on movements that mimic those you would do in your daily life. They are designed to help you gain strength, coordination, and mobility. These classes often use resistance bands, kettlebells, and bodyweight workouts.
  • Yoga Fusion: This exercise combines yoga with other workout modalities like Pilates or strength training for flexibility, core stabilisation and focus.
  • Aqua Cross-Training: These low-impact group classes performed in water combine strength and resistance training. They are well-suited to all ages and fitness levels.

Through all these choices, anyone may find team workouts that meet their goals and exercise wishes.

How to Optimize Your Cross-Training Group Exercise Routine

Cross-training applies to doing more than one type of exercise during a workout; It helps tone multiple muscles and improves your fitness level. Combined with group exercise, it will amplify all the benefits and make it a much more potent experience overall.

Cross-training in Group Training is one of the best ways to get fit. Group training combines cardio, strength, and flexibility workouts so participants can develop all aspects of their physical health simultaneously.

Plus, offering a variety of exercises reduces the chance of injury by allowing muscle systems to not be stressed over and over again with the same response. Exercise in a group provides responsibility and comradeship, which increases motivation and motivates people to cross their threshold limit.

Cross-training also helps to shatter fitness plateaus due to the variety of bodily challenges that it provides. The various activities also make the workouts fun and interesting, thus promoting adherence.

The energy and encouragement of the others make it a great environment to work towards your exercise goals or just to have fun doing so. Gerard Reilly Cross-training from Group Training truly takes the workout to another level, offering both physical and mental health benefits.

The Social and Psychological Benefits of Group Exercise with Cross-Training

While the physical benefits of cross-training are obvious, nothing beats the social and mental health benefits of group exercise. Being part of a group provides people with emotional support that reduces stress and improves motivation.

  • Community: Exercising with a community gives you that sense of belonging. Making the journey together with others helps you hold yourself accountable and establish relationships that are effective beyond the training.
  • Stress Control: Cross-training’s diversity keeps the mind and body busy, which helps to reduce stress and enhance mental concentration. Activities such as yoga fusion or functional exercise can also help improve relaxation and mindfulness.
  • Boosted Confidence: people become well through taking on additional tasks and getting fitter. Working out with a group gets people out of their comfort zones more.
  • Cool Things: Since cross-training classes are varied, the workout never gets dull; therefore, it becomes a fun-filled, healthy thing to do every day. It’s more fun to be in a group.

Group and cross-training are healthy because they promote bonding, improve mental reactions, and build strength.

Conclusion

The one hybrid fitness concept that recalls a fun, efficient and effective workout regimen is the fit of group exercise and cross-training. An effective combination of training styles will help everyone meet their general fitness goals and stay uninjured and interested. There’s a Group Training class for everyone, from boot camps, circuit training, and yoga fusion to (and you get the picture). It also encourages socialising and a sense of community. If done carefully and with the necessary precautions, group cross-fit can be a rewarding, sustainable lifestyle.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited Group Exercise courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional Exercise coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

As is evident in the above summarisation, combined cross-training and Group Training comprise a complete workout routine. It results in enhanced strength, resilience, and flexibility. The rest of the movements leave the body guessing and doing different stuff. They mitigate the speaker’s chance of being injured while functioning through cross-training. It is also why they learn faster; in group training, others push one to urge the instructor’s teaching. Together, both are beneficial for maintaining the quality of the workout, which would result in one continuing their workout.

Group exercises include boot camp, circuit training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), functional fitness, yoga fusion, and water cross-training. These classes combine cardio, strength, and flexibility training to focus on various aspects of your fitness. This Robo Arm range also provides warmth and an ideal workout for individuals of all fitness levels, keeping people engaged.

Yes, those new to exercising can still participate in cross-training group classes. It also means instructors adapt the workouts so they can be done by anyone regardless of fitness level. Higher-impact styles are great for those who have general experience in group fitness. In contrast, lower-impact, fusion-style classes (how about yoga fusion or low-impact circuit work?) can be good options for people just getting started. With a supportive group atmosphere, those who partake can learn at their own speed and enhance their skill level and confidence.

Attend cross-training group sessions three to four times a week for optimum benefits. This allows you to recover faster between power training, cardio, and stretching. Incorporating various class formats in your plan ensures diversity and prevents overtraining.

Cross-training Fitness Classes may use equipment such as strength bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, yoga mats, and stability balls. For aqua cross-training, you might use water bars or pool noodles to build strength. Each class uses different tools to keep the workouts fresh and impactful.

Cross-training is best achieved in a dynamic group environment. They benefit from having a teacher to guide them, talking with others, and working toward a shared objective. The group format helps to hold you accountable and adds an element of fun and community around working out.

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Team Chemistry & Cohesion Strategies in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/team-chemistry-cohesion-strategies-in-sports-coaching/ Fri, 22 Nov 2024 07:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38413 The post Team Chemistry & Cohesion Strategies in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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How well a team interacts and plays together is often the deciding factor between victory and defeat. While teams are more than their talent and skills, what distinguishes great teams is that they work together toward a common goal. Creating team spirit and harmony in sports requires coaches to draw up strategies with communication, trust, and mutual respect topping the charts.

Building Trust and Communication in Sports Coaching

Trust and the ability to communicate are essential to successful teamwork. If sports teams are to cooperate, Sports coaches must ensure that players feel free to communicate, express their ideas, and even rely on each other.

Trying to Have a Conversation: You should be honest with your coaches and friends. An open environment: In coaching team sports, this can be crucial, as you need each member to discuss the issues openly, be they good news stories or feedback, without fear of judgment.

Team-building activities Involve exercises to build faith and teamwork. These activities help people bond outside the pitch, leading to success on the field as they engage in trust falls, group problem-solving challenges, and team outings.

Give the conversation full attention: Learning to listen actively starts with a commitment to attention, so coaches need to demonstrate how that is done when they talk with their players. This reflects sportsmanship and motivates players to display it, creating an atmosphere of reciprocal understanding.

Handling Conflicts: There are always arguments in any teamwork, but how conflicts are tackled determines a team’s performance. Disagreement is healthy, but coaches must ensure everyone gets the opportunity to communicate and find a solution that best benefits the team.

By prioritising trust and open communication, coaches can build a collaborative environment where athletes feel connected, valued, and inspired to work together — walking away as one cohesive unit.

Setting Shared Goals and Values in Sports Coaching

As in sports coaching, clarifying the goals and getting the fundamentals right encourages teamwork for success. Regardless, a common goal gives players a purpose and promotes teamwork.

At the beginning of each season, coaches and athletes should develop short—and long-term goals, such as developing skills, winning titles, or creating a healthy culture. Athletes with set goals have purpose and motivation.

It is one thing to have the ideas of respect, perseverance, and sportsmanship, but teaching these principles as a team is essential. Instilling these values and rewarding athletes who practice them breeds accountability and community.

However, your role can also determine how effective you are at teamwork. When athletes know how their contributions help the team’s mission, they feel appreciated and committed to the work, improving teamwork.

Progress evaluations are essential for maintaining alignment and motivation. Validating the minor wins keeps up morale, and varied techniques still get you to your team goals. This feedback loop, due to these techniques, fosters growth and improvement.

Common goals, Fundamental beliefs, and Roles Artificially construct a team. Sports teaching helps to bring teams together, harmonising them for better social interaction and higher performance. This approach maximises team potential, creating a win-win, achievement-oriented climate for all athletes.

Enhancing Collaboration Through Effective Leadership in Sports Coaching

At the heart of many successful teams at work and in sports is leadership, the invisible glue that binds people together in trust, collaboration, and mutual support. Coaches and team leaders shape a team-first culture. Good leaders motivate athletes to work for team aspirations.

One of the best ways to get teamwork going is by doing it yourself. Doing so encourages athletes to do the same. You promote respect and sportsmanship, not just by talking about it but also by modelling appropriate behaviour.

Athletes’ buy-in is increased by trust in captains or leadership groups. They mentor and enhance teamwork among peers in their group, influencing leaders.

Another example of a leadership trait is positive peer support. Teamwork is built from shouting during practice or after mistakes. The athletes work towards getting better because they care for one another.

Constructive criticism is needed for growth and cohesion. Sports coaching feedback should be specific and involve praise and areas for improvement. This approach gives athletes leads and empowers the relationship between coach and player. Athletes Have to Collaborate, Respect, and Succeed Together—Spirit Strong leadership in sports. Leadership is somewhat all about coming together and winning.

Maintaining a Positive Team Culture in Sports Coaching

Team spirit keeps people on the same page. As a sports coach, you must create and maintain this atmosphere to ensure your athletes feel valued, inspired, and bonded with their peers.

Fostering Accountability:  Athletes need to hold themselves and one another accountable to the team’s rules and objectives. It would help if coaches called out behaviours that undermine teamwork while rewarding behaviours that strengthen it.

Focusing on Fun and Enjoyment: Competing is excellent, but they are unlikely to continue if the players do not enjoy executing it. Incorporating a splash of silly, whether drills or team-building games, into sports practice fosters relationships and keeps spirits high.

Providing Emotional Support: One of a coach’s pillars should be the emotional health of their players. Whether personal problems or sport-related issues, helping your players through challenging times builds bonds of trust and the feeling of togetherness in a team.

In Sports coaching, positive team morale ensures that athletes perform well and have fun so they return in the long run for more play and better teamwork.

Conclusion

Essential team harmony, chemistry, and synergy exponentially increase any sports group’s efficiency. Conversely, coaches must understand that they must devote time in their practice plans to areas such as communication, a shared vision of success (goals), sound leadership, and an effective team climate. Just like listening to a great song, a sense of togetherness has its impact.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Sports Coach

Frequently Asked Questions

To accomplish this, sports coaches want team chemistry as the atmosphere for players to work together better, trust each other, and perform at a higher level. A team that works together sees the interest of the team over the individual’); Coaches can refocus team-related distractions into motivation, connectivity, and support where building chemistry between athletes may prevail. Unity, improved communication, and the fact that disputes can get resolved quickly also create a strategy for how to play the game better. A sense of trust in teammates and coaches is essential for athletes to take risks, bounce back from setbacks, and remain laser-focused on their objectives.

A positive team culture is essential for motivating, trusting and enjoying athletes as Sports coaches. This can be done by recognising individual and team accomplishments, delegating ownership of team values and focusing on enjoyment. Morally boosting light-hearted drills or team-building games and immediately addressing lousy behaviour will keep everyone together. When challenging moments arise, the coaches exude empathy and understanding, making an athlete feel valued as a human being, not just as a cog in the competition wheel. An influential sports coaching team culture works hard yet maintains the possible joy for athletes.

One key aspect of sports teaching is building trust and communication to unite the team. One way that coaches can build trust is by encouraging athletes to talk about their issues. Activities such as challenges and outings build teamwork and improve communication and connections. Coaches should demonstrate active listening and respect for their athletes. Sports teaching also needs constructive dispute resolution to avoid losing trust in your relations. Trust and communication come first, and coaches encourage teamwork and collaboration through others.

Bringing athletes together to pursue shared objectives and ideals is the key to success in sports coaching. Team goals, whether in the form of skills to work on or milestones to reach, unite athletes. Team Behaviour and Culture Third, team behaviour and culture are guided and directed by respect, perseverance, and teamwork. These common aims and values in sports coaching provide accountability for the athlete and place the team above the sport. They are improved by focusing on a common goal, teamwork and performance.

Leadership is critical in sports coaching to foster team spirit. A coach and team leaders show respect, discipline, and teamwork. Athletes follow suit when you lead by example, establishing a positive team culture. Having captains gives athletes a voice and also encourages accountability. A culture of mutual support and feedback boosts sports coaching teamwork. Leadership allows athletes to stay on the path toward their respective aspirations, operate with consideration of one another, and act in perfect harmony together, which boosts motivation and output.

Sports coaches must sustain a positive team culture to keep athletes motivated, trusted and enjoyed. They can accomplish this through commendations of personal and group excellence, positive reinforcement regarding accountability to the standards laid forth by the team, and an emphasis on enjoyment. Fun drills or team-building games improve spirits; positive reinforcement of undesirable behaviour ensures group cohesion. Coaches who show empathy and compassion in challenging times create connections with athletes, resulting in higher feelings of value. A thriving sports coaching team culture enhances effectiveness while ensuring optimum athlete satisfaction.

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Sports Psychology and Its Relevance to Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/sports-psychology-and-its-relevance-to-sports-coaching/ Thu, 21 Nov 2024 07:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38409 The post Sports Psychology and Its Relevance to Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Evidence-based coaching methods are increasingly popular in sports, and the development of mental toughness, focus and self-determination in elite athletes is now a central role of any modern coach. Success in sports, with results often between fractions of a second, can depend just as much on mental preparation as physical. By applying aspects of sports psychology in their lessons, coaches will be able to make well-rounded players, meaning they will have a complete package of physical and mental members of the team.

Enhancing Performance Through Mental Conditioning in Sports Coaching

Sports psychology highlights mental conditioning as a means of improving performance. Mental conditioning is a common technique among sports coaches for helping athletes stay focused, break through mental barriers, and deal with the pressure of performing consistently.

Visualization and imagery assist the athlete in performing their skills, strategies, and outcomes as if they have already performed them, thus making them feel that much more prepared and confident. It also helps them gain confidence when readying for competitions, as visualising success aids performance.

How Sports Coaches Train Concentrated Nature: Athletes must be able to stay focused under pressure, and sports coaches must instil confidence in learning. Through mindfulness and concentration drills, players can learn to concentrate on the task without getting distracted, thus improving their accuracy and execution.

Goal-setting, psychology in sports, gives athletes concrete targets and a strategy. Sports coaches set realistic, small targets to motivate and steer players, monitor progress, and sustain motivation. Mental conditioning is a technique sports coaches use to help athletes prepare mentally for high-stakes conditions.

Building Mental Toughness and Resilience in Sports Coaching

Sports psychology can help an athlete cope with competitive sports’ physical and mental challenges. It also enables athletes to be adaptive, focused, and driven toward recovery. Indeed, sports coaches can help athletes deal with pressure and adversity by instilling mental toughness.

The growth mindset—the belief that talent can be cultivated with effort—is a must in sports coaching. This approach teaches athletes that a challenge is a learning opportunity, not something to be avoided. This method develops mental fortitude to overcome challenges they will endure in competition.

Sports coaching usually involves pressure and tension from important games to complex practice. Musical improvisation is a controlled environment for presenting complex skills without much practice in high-stress conditions, meaning athletes learn to work under pressure.

Athletes who are resilient understand that failure is a part of the improvement process. Coaches cannot assist athletes in analysing hurdles, growing, and recovering. This is a constructive approach to failure, and it reinforces positive future-focused thinking and resilience. Rather, mental toughness in sports coaching is built on consistency and reinforcement. In tough circumstances, resilience binds the motivation for proper performance.

Boosting Motivation and Self-Confidence in Sports Coaching

It is always true that sports performance depends on self-confidence and motivation. Sports psychology allows these athletes to maintain the motivation and confidence they need to be at the top of their game and perform well in important competitions.

Motivational and self-belief factors enable athletes to stay consistent under challenging conditions as sports coaches. It exists naturally within you or comes from the outside as an internal motivation reward.

Sports coaching can help build intrinsic motivation by focusing on the individual, having fun, and improving oneself. Certainly, trophies and accolades play a significant role, but inherent motivation keeps athletes going.

Athletes are trained in positive reinforcement, such as kudos and pats on the back, to enhance self-confidence. Coaches build players’ confidence by highlighting their achievements and efforts.

Sports Coaching, considered from the perspective of sports psychology, encourages a positive and constructive motivational environment where athletes have the confidence to tackle practice and competition with enthusiasm, determination, and positivity. This significantly enhances performance in the short run and success in the long term.

Managing Stress and Emotional Well-being in Sports Coaching

The mental health of athletes is a crucial part of the much-neglected aspects of sports coaching, and many researchers have worked on it. Sports psychology, however, also includes stress management and emotion regulation, all the emotional parts of the mental game that are essential for an athlete’s well-being and mental coping with training and competition.

Stress Management Tactics: It is normal to experience stress during a competition, but excessive stress harms performance and causes burnout. Sports psychology teaches players skills, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness, that aid them in coping with stress. In sports coaching, these strategies help athletes maintain cool composure under pressure.

Emotional Regulation Skills: Athletes must be able to regulate their emotions to maintain the calm mindset necessary to perform. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring (reframing negative thoughts) and visualisation help athletes gain significant control over their feelings and focus.

Burnout is a danger in sports: Players who undergo significant stress and pressure to excel are also at risk for burnout. However, with some attention, coaches can prevent athletes from burnout by ensuring ample rest, balanced training, and a conducive environment. It proposes that early signs of burnout be identified and changes made in training to ensure long-term health, as argued by exercise psychology.

Considering mental health while coaching sports allows coaches to create a more well-rounded and healthy practice environment, benefiting athletes not only by improving their performance but also by enjoying playing a sport.

Conclusion

Sports psychology enhances a coach’s ability to coach by zeroing in on mental toughness, drive, focus and emotional resiliency. Players use the cognitive skills they learned in sports psychology while competing, which gives them an advantage. It helps them orchestrate their desired peak performance, health, and motivation.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise psychology is the science of how we perform: it is about motivating, focusing attention, bouncing back when your feet hurt, and managing stress—all critical for finer sports coaching. Incorporating Exercise Psychology Concepts Into Your Sports Teaching To Help Athletes Develop Mental and Physical Visualization, Setting Objectives, and Stress Management enables athletes to cope with pressure and perform under pressure. Coaching based on sports psychology makes a more balanced athlete by improving the idea of mind and body.

It is often the mental conditioning that Exercise psychology relies on, which helps players to concentrate, cope with pressure and break past their psychological barriers. Athletic coaches, for instance, employ visualisation as a mechanism for athletes to rehearse and move closer to desired states ahead of competitions. Mindfulness and concentration methods apply to high-pressure situations for athletes. Next, setting goals gives the athlete some direction and a purpose. By incorporating mental conditioning, sports coaches can ensure athletes deliver peak performance during competitions and enter tournaments without any burden of stress.

Sports coaches must have critical mental strength to help athletes navigate obstacles and high-pressure environments. Sports coaching focusing on mental toughness encourages athletes to keep trying and adapting. When athletes are encouraged to adopt a growth mentality, they view challenges as opportunities for learning — awareness which develops mental toughness. For example, positive self-talk, regulated breathing, and mindfulness help athletes focus and deal with stress in high-pressure situations. Losing happens, and coaches can demonstrate how to rebound by teaching athletes lessons on failing.

Regarding exercise psychology, internal and external motivation are addressed as a way of boosting your confidence through sports teaching. And even a treacherous journey can be softened by intrinsic motivation — passion, hunger for personal development and satisfaction. Sports coaches are aware of this—hence the use of realistic target setting and reinforcing progress, however small, to enhance self-belief. The more effort, hard work & achievements that coaches recognise provide athletes with the desire to continue.

Coaching stress, emotions and the like are part of sports psychology as well. During the day, athletes remain calm using techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualisation. How reframing negative thoughts can help athletes focus. Addressing emotional well-being is a great way for sports coaches to avoid burnout and allow students to train and be competitive. Stress management techniques used by the coaches make the athletes feel important and cared for. This method enhances performance and reduces depression, allowing athletes to enjoy the game. The coaching of athletics becomes more holistic when stress and emotions are part of the package, and vice versa. Athletes develop coping skills beyond athletics.

Exercise psychology is essential for coaches in improving performance, resilience and focus, teamwork, and life skills. In the context of sports coaching, exercise psychology helps athletes find ways to cope with their stress, set goals, and bounce back from failures while contributing to personal development. It creates a spirit of confidence and self-control they can exercise in every area of life through mental toughness and emotional regulation innate in exercise psychology. Sports coaches know that for players to adapt and develop, they need to have a growth mentality.

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Motivating Athletes: Key Techniques for Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/motivating-athletes-key-techniques-for-sports-coaching/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38404 The post Motivating Athletes: Key Techniques for Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Coaching sports: section 4 of 4 Motivation is a key component of athletics, which has implications for athlete development, performance, and retention. An inspired player will not only perform better themselves but also make the team stronger. How to Motivate Athletes: Top Tips for Sports Teachers on Fostering Resilience, Enthusiasm, and a Strong Work Ethic in Their Players.

Setting Clear and Achievable Goals in Sports Coaching

One of the most fundamental ways coaches motivate their players is by developing explicit and achievable objectives. Goals provide athletes with direction, keep them focused, and give them a tangible sense of achievement.

These goals should be SMART (i.e., clear, measurable, attainable, relevant, and with a due date attached). This provides players with something tangible to aim for.

Short-term and Long-term Goals: Testing for short-term targets, such as mastery of a specific skill or ramping up the practice intensity, helps give players small objectives and challenges them to remain constant in their training. They keep themselves motivated for seasons to come by keeping one eye on the goal of winning an event or beating their best.

Involving Participants in Goal Setting: When players are involved in goal-setting, they take more responsibility and ownership. Goals linked to something an athlete cares about will keep the athlete motivated longer.

As a sports coach, setting goals is not just an opportunity to keep your athletes focused; it also provides a direction for success, which ensures that your athletes’ purpose is strengthened as well, resulting in an increase in confidence.

Providing Constructive Feedback in Sports Coaching

Feedback on athletes can motivate them, but it must be provided positively. Athletes learn where they excel and what they need to work on, all done with positive reinforcement and constructive comments. In coaching, the positive and constructive aspect of feedback ensures that it does not become discouraging.

Specific and Actionable Suggestion: A vague “need to improve next time” is insufficient. Provide actionable steps instead, such as “working on footwork during drills” or “practising a shooting form to become better at it.” Explicit instructions hone an athlete in on what to do

Feedback in Time: Effective feedback in sports teaching is provided at the appropriate time. When mistakes or gains are immediately discussed, perhaps during practice or right after a game, athletes can adjust while the experience is still fresh.

In sports coaching, constructive feedback tends to nurture a growth mindset. This allows athletes to view problems as ways of improving and not give up on growth.

Building a Positive Team Culture in Sports Coaching

Team climate is an important aspect of sports coaching, and it significantly influences the motivation of athletes. Players play best knowing they are valued, cared for, and part of a team focused on unity. In team sports, creating an environment in which camaraderie, admiration, and support are prioritised can be a powerful motivator.

Empower Team Encouragement: Inform the athletes that mutual support is vital, whether rooting for your teammate in competition or celebrating each other’s victories. This back and forth is crucial; team members who feel supported and valued tend not to stop working.

Open communication: As a sports coach, if you effectively maintain appropriate communication, the athletes will feel comfortable discussing their issues or anxieties. Building trust through honesty makes sure that they are in a safe spot.

Celebrate Your Team Wins Schedule time to celebrate wins, big and small (e.g. a solid practice or victory in a game). Acknowledging a team for its efforts increases motivation and instils pride in everyone.

In sports coaching, a good team culture allows every player to work harder and improves them as a unit; this forces athletes to perform at their best for themselves and others.

Developing Mental Resilience and Self-Discipline in Sports Coaching

Some tough days are involved, and mental resilience and self-discipline go a long way toward keeping athletes always motivated. Training mental strength or mental muscle aids athletes in getting over a loss and remaining focused and driven.

Supporting Coping Mechanisms: Help athletes navigate stress, failure, and adversity. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualisation, and mindfulness can help calm the mind and boost focus, enabling an athlete to remain motivated in the face of pressure.

Promote Self-Discipline: Motivation is a consequence of self-discipline, particularly in training sessions that are tough to get through or may feel like repetition. Force athletes to create schedules, train hard, and become accountable. Coaches can promote consistent, focused practice.

Developing a Growth Mindset: Coaches show athletes that mistakes are an opportunity to learn. They Emphasise effort and growth over perfection. This mentality spurs the athlete to improve instead of focusing on success.

By emphasising mental toughness and self-discipline, athletic coaches can inspire athletes and help them endure challenges in this competitive sports environment.

Conclusion

The psychological tendencies that make motivation are an essential component of sports coaching as they profoundly impact performance, development and overall enjoyment of the sport. By helping set goals, providing constructive feedback, fostering a positive team culture and teaching resilience, sports coaches can create an atmosphere that bridges a path to the passion, discipline and dedication essential in an athlete.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Motivation is an integral part of sports coaching that helps athletes perform better, be consistent and make steady efforts. Doing harder in practice, staying focused in the tournaments and growing their skill are traits in highly motivated athletes. Sports coaching motivation is not just pumping the athlete up before a game but developing an ownership of long-term progress and perseverance. A motivating coach can bring together a team of skilled, mentally strong, self-disciplined players pursuing focused goals.

Coaches use goal setting to give direction and purpose to athletes. Ensuring athletes set attainable goals allows coaches to help them improve their game and maintain high spirits in practice sessions. In agile project management, in the case of sports coaching, short-term goals, such as working on a talent, help motivate athletes by targeting specific actions, whereas long-term ones, such as becoming the champion, help maintain focus. Goal setting allows athletes to take ownership and responsibility, creating motivation. It ensures athletes stay motivated, as regularly reviewing these goals and celebrating successes does.

Feedback is a powerful motivator to coach athletes to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Encouraging athletes through positive reinforcement, along with some specifics for improving performance, shows athletes motivation, which is helpful. When sports teaching feedback is timely, detailed and actionable, it enables athletes to respond while the experience is fresh. Rather than just telling you, for example, to try harder, a coach might offer tips on your foot placement or breathing techniques to optimise performance. Praise an athlete for their achievements to reinforce self-esteem and inspire effort.

Team culture is known as the facilitating agent in building a great environment to thrive and inspire athletes, especially in sports coaching. When sportspeople feel part of a good team, they are more committed, work harder, and give each other more support. To build a good team culture, sports coaches encourage mutual support, communication, and shared values such as respect, effort and resilience. They applaud both individual and collective successes for teaching teamwork and pride. It creates a community where players feel appreciated, which encourages participation.

Athletes are trained to mentally be prepared for all the failures and pressures of playing a competitive sport. Inspiring athletes to deal with stress, perform under pressure, and bounce back from failures ensures they remain motivated. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualisation and positive self-talk allow athletes to concentrate. By reframing challenges as learning and growth points, sports coaching with a growth mindset encourages athletes to persevere through adversity. One can see how coaches would encourage self-control by repeating the above, as success is nothing more than a product of practice and hard work — it all can’t come easy.

As a coach, keeping athletes motivated requires self-discipline. It keeps athletes running in their routines, forces them to fight through the hard practices that come with training, and allows them to maintain their laser focus towards their goals when external motivation subsides. Coaches can use very high ideals to foster self-discipline by helping create clear goals, encouraging athletes to adhere themselves to routines (in a productive way), and teaching them how to be accountable for their success. By developing self-discipline, athletes learn how to manage their time well and not procrastinate so that they can continue putting in the work over the long term.

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Sports Coaching Youth Athletes: Challenges and Best Practices https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/sports-coaching-youth-athletes-challenges-and-best-practices/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 07:00:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38398 The post Sports Coaching Youth Athletes: Challenges and Best Practices appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Working with youth athletes presents its own unique set of challenges. You must have a mixture of strictness and encouragement, but most of all, have a growth mindset rather than competition. Positive, experienced coaches guiding young athletes with patience and care through their formative years will ensure they have the skills, confidence and experience to excel in their chosen sport.

Understanding Developmental Needs in Sports Coaching for Youth

There are huge differences across ages when it comes to physical, neuro, and psychosocial development. These differences affect how these teachers set goals, teach skills, and develop students in sports coaching, so it is essential to be aware of them.

Physical Development: Young people’s bodies are still growing and need to be conditioned appropriately to their stage of growth. It can be detrimental to overdo it yourself, so when you work out, do so with precautions and build your force gradually. Coaches should ensure that workouts push kids but not injure their bodies.

Emergence of social and emotional skills: The young players must learn to deal with social situations and their own emotional growth. A coach should promote respect between team members and facilitate communication among them. Focusing on teamwork and participation rather than competition helps youngsters succeed better in their sport.

That means if you want to coach Junior athletes, you will have to change how you do things because Junior athletes are a different beast. This was going to develop the physical skills, emotional resilience and positive disposition towards sport.

Building Motivation and Confidence in Sports Coaching for Youth Athletes

Especially at that young age, when self-esteem and competition attitudes are still formulating, motivation and confidence go hand in hand for athletes. Good sports coaching builds passion for sport, mental toughness, and a growth mindset—not a ‘win at all costs’ mentality.

Focus on improvement, effort, and whether they are learning skills or not: Coaches need to encourage personal progress instead of just talking about winners (as is done in professional sports). Awareness of these things helps in athletes’ self-confidence and learning drive.

Encouraging a Growth Mindset: Young athletes must understand that losing and failing at competitions are part of how we grow. Help them see failures as learning experiences and push through difficult things to develop resilience and confidence. The growth mindset prepares them for sports and life challenges.

If we focus on building confidence and motivation through the right process, kids will want to stick with athletics and enjoy the experience, which will lead to a lifelong love of sport.

Managing Parental Expectations in Sports Coaching for Youth

Controlling parents—especially when you are coaching youth sports—presents unique challenges. Then, there are the parents, some who support and others who push young athletes too hard to play better, which can impact their enjoyment level as well as their performance in competition. Coaches can control the overall feel with clear communication and boundaries.

Effective Parent Communication: Coaches must email parents about aspirations, team culture, and expectations. This clarity assists parents in writing more realistic objectives and understanding that youth sports are about developing, enjoying, and learning through participation rather than just competing.

Parents can be great supporters if they are involved positively and constructively. A coach can help parents support their kids, focus on the process, not the result, and impart values. Frequent meetings or updating parents on how the athlete progresses allow them to feel involved in the coaching process.

It becomes more critical because sometimes negative influences must be kept at bay, so coaches must draw a fine line. This could range from rules on behaviour around the sidelines to suggesting that coaches should be professionals. It reminds parents that they are not the coach, merely a support person helping kids stay on track and feel good.

Balancing Skill Development and Fun in Youth Sports Coaching

Kids are supposed to have fun playing sports and gain skills. Skill practice and fun should be the focus of youth sports coaching, creating a positive connection to the sport.

Junior athletes enjoy games, drills, and other exciting activities other than actual practices. Keeping kids excited about practising entails fun drills, friendly competitions, and age-appropriate games. A coach melds joy with practice to enhance learning.

Feature: Progressive Skill Building—youth athletes learn at a comfortable pace by progressively introducing skills using the well-known “progressive overload” principle so they are not overwhelmed. Sports coaches should build from the basics before progressing to more advanced strategies. Attaining small skills increases confidence and fun in learning.

Sportsmanship values can be imparted to young people through collaboration, respect, and fair play education. Playing in the spirit of sportsmanship and working together as a team will help bond them and give them experience that allows them to later in life. The priority is that everyone needs to treat and be as friendly as possible with their coworkers and competitors, which keeps the surroundings of competition very healthy.

Since fun is what drives Junior athletes, coaches should be held to a different standard for both fun and development. The earlier one tries to reach his peak performance, the better the chances of burnout or disinterest. Coaches help young players enjoy, explore, and develop their sports skills to create a positive experience that will lead to more participation as adults.

Conclusion

Youth sports coaching is a difficult balance between having fun, improving skills, balancing developmental needs, and dealing with entitled parents. A coach focused on age-appropriate skill development, confidence, and a positive environment where parents can be involved without dominating the scene can change the life of a young athlete.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Youth athletes’ physical, emotional and psychological growth means that sports coaching needs to consider their developmental requirements. Understanding these stages ensures that coaches provide age-appropriate delivery, promote safety and develop fundamentals gradually. The physical development of young athletes needs to be closely monitored to avoid injuries, while the cognitive one is fundamental and has an apparent demand for simple, concise instructions. Youth athletes learning about collaboration, teamwork, resilience and competition thrive in a friendly climate. This type of sports coaching is essential in reflecting these developmental stages at the young athlete level and keeping them enjoying the game, developing their confidence and skills within a balanced environment.

Sports mentorship generates an informal and purposeful atmosphere that enhances motivation and self-assurance. Young athletes are boosted by reinforcement in the form of skill improvement. Instead of just winning, coaches may celebrate small victories, such as learning a new skill, showing positive effort, and building confidence when an athlete understands his strengths and gets averting comments to improve them, not pulling him down. A good coach imparts a growth mentality, where young athletes view problems as learning experiences.

Parents reinforce principles at home, supporting young sports coaches. Family pressure vs. support: Family is indispensable to young athletes, but the family must not put any extra burdens on them. Here is how coaches can help by encouraging parents to support their child, privileging work and learning, not winning. Educating parents on team philosophies, objectives and expectations allows them to tie their participation back with coaching, culminating in a cohesive support system for aspiring youth athletes. Some coaches may also have sideline behaviour rules to ensure that athletes are not distracted or discouraged by emotion.

Youth sports coaching should emphasise skill development while ensuring that young athletes have fun to retain them and retain their positive perception of sporting activities. Coaches can spice up workouts with games, friendly competitions and various drills to improve skills. Skill-building exercises can have a game-like feel, so younger athletes get to practice without the pressure of competition. Coaching starts with the basics and builds up more complicated strategies as competition demands grow. Little wins are still celebrated, and team spirit and sportsmanship teach young athletes how to cooperate with others while being respectful. By steering practices in a kid-friendly manner, coaches help young participants develop skills among friends.

Youth athletes feel supported, driven and appreciated in a sports-teaching solid team culture. Youngsters are much more committed to their improvement and the team when they sense they belong to a culture of respect, collaboration, and mutual support. A positive sports coaching culture must be built on mutual support, honest communication and shared team values. Coaches may also stress acknowledging team and individual achievements to help athletes feel good about themselves. Such an atmosphere encourages mutual respect, collaboration and perseverance.

Sports coaching teaches youth athletes to be resilient and develop a growth mindset by using failures as an opportunity to improve. An important role of coaches is to prepare young athletes to deal with loss, mistakes, and disappointment. Coaches can also teach deep breathing, visualisation and positive self-talk to help athletes focus and cope with stress. We pound into their heads that practice and progress achieve perfection, so when they fail on race day, it digests better, and the chisel sinks less deeply—growth mindset coaching in sports stresses that gifts can be developed through discipline, hard work and failure.

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Injury Prevention and Management for Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/injury-prevention-and-management-for-sports-coaching/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:30:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38392 The post Injury Prevention and Management for Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Injuries happen; that’s the nature of sports, but there are many things we can do to prevent injuries and reduce their impact when they do. A coach’s long-term effective success lies in prioritising your players’ health and safety. Coaches can play a vital role in injury prevention and appropriate management when an injury occurs, as well as being crucial to an athlete’s rehabilitation.

The Role of Proper Training Techniques in Sports Coaching for Injury Prevention

One of the best ways for a sports coach to prevent athletes from getting hurt is to stress the correct way to train. Many injuries are due to overuse, poor technique, or insufficient conditioning. Organised and knowledge-based coaching can solve all of these issues.

Warm-ups and cool-downs: A warm-up prepares your body for vigorous exercise by improving muscle elasticity and blood perfusion. It reduces the likelihood of sprains and strains. Cool-downs allow the body to recover by reducing the heart rate and preventing it from tightening. The coaches should use dynamic stretches and light workouts while warming up and perform static stretches during their cool-downs.

Correct Form and Technique: Athletes who use incorrect techniques are more susceptible to injury, particularly in sports requiring significant impact and collision. When a sports coach must teach how to perform even simple moves, such as lifting weights, running, or throwing properly, proper teaching and repetition are imperative.

Strength and Conditioning: Strong and conditioned muscles better support joints and protect against injuries. Coaches should include sport-specific strength and conditioning routines.

However, by emphasising proper training, sports coaches can make the gym safer for their players to thrive while reducing their chances of injury.

Identifying and Addressing Early Signs of Injury in Sports Coaching

Sports coaches need to catch and treat injuries in their early stages. Athletes often overlook signs, and many injuries worsen over time, causing extended recovery periods with long-term consequences. Now and then, these coaches have to be vigilant regarding the fitness of their players when an alarm bell is rung.

Pain Awareness Education: Pain is a constant experience in an athlete’s day, but there is a difference between performance pain and injury. Athletes need to learn about the differences to help them manage the discomfort associated with effort and when enough may be enough. Sports coaches explain these differences to promote athletes’ early reporting of difficulties.

Routine physical exams or check-ins help coaches identify muscle imbalances or limited motion that lead to injuries. A problem may be small but left unaddressed; it will only grow larger.

Fostering Open Dialogue: Athletes need to be able to discuss pain and discomfort. When there is trust and open communication between sports coaches and parents, concerns are resolved quickly.

Wearable fitness trackers or motion analysis tools help coaches monitor players’ performance and detect inconsistencies, such as a change in gait or irregular distribution of workload, that may indicate a risk of injury.

Recognising and addressing early signs of injury can minimise downtime while avoiding further harm through sports coaching.

Effective Injury Management and Recovery Strategies in Sports Coaching

No matter how good your prevention is, injury can occur. These ailments most certainly need to be managed by sports coaches, and the athlete needs to be helped in recovering from it to play the sport for a longer time and be fit mentally and physically as a fiddle.

Coaches cannot treat an injury on the spot without basic first-aid knowledge. Acute injuries may benefit from RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), which can reduce swelling and prevent further injury while waiting to see a doctor.

As a sports coach, you also work with physiotherapists, athletic trainers, and doctors, ensuring an accurate diagnosis of treatment regimens for the athlete. Based on professional advice, you prevent additional injuries.

Rehab and Return to Play: Pain-free treatment is not enough, but strength training and mobility are needed for a safe return to athletics. As this is an essential part of rehabilitation and to prevent re-injury, sports coaches should avoid forcing athletes back into training and competition until they are ready.

Mental Assistance for Post-Injury: Injuries can lead to frustration and anxiety in athletes. Coaches should try to emotionally support the players and communicate as much as possible to keep their spirits high during rehabilitation.

Those sports coaches who deal with injuries appropriately promote rehabilitation, prevent re-injuries, and ultimately develop strength and resilience in players.

Promoting a Culture of Injury Prevention in Sports Coaching

Avoiding injury works well as part of a team working on something bigger than itself. Sports Coaches need to focus on education, knowledge, and accountability that encourages athletes to take responsibility for their health and safety.

Educating Athletes About Injury Risks: Coaches need to educate their athletes about the most common injuries in their sport and how to prevent them on an ongoing basis. Learning to stay fit can often be through workshops, team talks, or guest speakers.

Highlighting the Value of Rest & Recovery: Rest is a critical component of health, as it allows the body to recover and adapt to training stressors. Regarding recovery, coaches should instruct their players to prioritise sleep, hydration, and food.

Encouraging a Team-First Philosophy: When coaches work with athletes, enabling them to know that the team matters more than their performance makes pushing through pain or injuries easier. Suppose players are given a way to ensure that their long-term health benefits the team; they will prioritise prevention and recovery.

A culture where injury prevention is the ultimate priority exists in a sports coaching context. This allows athletes to prioritise health and understand the value of long-term care, enabling them to play sports for a long time.

Conclusion

Injuries are among the most significant obstacles players face, and knowing how to manage and prevent them has been an essential requirement of sports coaching. This ensures not only good health for your players but also long-term success. The power of coaches in reducing injury risk and recurrence through appropriate training, early identification of injuries, appropriate injury management, and a culture of prevention cannot be understated.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Sports Coach

Frequently Asked Questions

In sports coaching, injury prevention is necessary to minimise time off from training and competition caused by injuries to athletes and potentially severe long-term health effects. Taking care of their physical health, confidence and overall well-being through a proper injury-prevention process ensures complete fitness. In sports coaching, reducing overuse and form concerns comes down to warm-ups, proper approaches and balanced training. By utilising a systemised approach to preventive measures, coaches can enhance performance and longevity, allowing athletes to become more aware of their development and success.

Just like sports coaching, which employs warm-ups, strength-building and cycles of shape-correction to minimise injuries. Warm-ups also help to improve flexibility and reduce strains, while strength and conditioning support joints and prevent overuse problems. Teaching athletes proper running, lifting, and throwing skills can prevent many of these injuries resulting from poor form (e.g., hip flexors). Injuries in sports training can often occur through overtraining, so coaching involves managing training loads and rest intervals. Sports coaching enhances the physical priming of athletes, which in turn reduces the risk of injury.

Tracking athletes’ performance, pain, and physical limits gives coaches the edge to look out for injuries. We can prevent things from worsening by encouraging athletes to report discomfort early on. Muscular imbalances and limited range of motion can bring about common problems that coaches can distinguish over time with physical evaluations or honest communication during sessions. In sports coaching, performance data can be tracked with wearable technology, and any aberration in trends or outliers relevant to injury prediction can also be noticed.

Sports coaches must deal with the injuries through rehabilitation and help athletes return to play safely. Effective rehabilitation involves engaging physical therapists to design an individualised recovery program that integrates physiotherapy, strength, and mobility work. As a coach, you should focus on getting the athlete back to training and honing their reintegration into sessions so they may do so without risk of re-injury. Coaching plays a huge role in helping players recover psychologically through motivation and communication.

Education, resting time, and team play can help prevent injuries through sports coaching. Coaches should teach athletes to avoid common injuries through proper technique, conditioning, and rest. This promotes recovery, including sleep and nutrition, both of which improve health and performance in athletes. Sports teaching that prioritises health over wins focuses on open communication and getting athletes not to play through pain. The best coaches are the ones who embody these values and build a safe environment where athletes understand how to stay healthy.

Coaching good injury management through sports also brings mental support where needed, as injuries can break an athlete down and take a toll on their confidence and mental state. Disabled athletes can also benefit from the encouragement by keeping in touch. Coaching can also increase positivity through reframing recovery as a growth opportunity and focusing on minor, incremental improvements. Training athletes to feel appreciated and supported, significantly when injured, promotes team spirit.

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Goal Setting and Planning in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/goal-setting-and-planning-in-sports-coaching/ Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38219 The post Goal Setting and Planning in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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As players advance, they must be able to set goals and plans so that they will gain confidence while developing their top-level performance skills. As Gretzky said, players need well-defined, structured targets to keep them focused and in the game. Effective planning makes sure that these objectives are fulfilled in a truly efficient and sustainable manner. When teachers are familiar with setting goals and creating plans and strategies for achieving these goals, athletes can work harder and be better.

The Importance of Goal Setting in Sports Coaching

Goals are essential in sports coaching, as they provide players with a focal point and an avenue for development. Trainers set simple, quantifiable, feasible, relevant, and due goals; they help their players visualise attaining the goals and pose realistic benchmarks.

In sports teaching, there are three types of goals: result (winning a championship), performance (increasing your stats), and process goals (improving the ability to perform or developing mental toughness).

One way to be more motivated is to do things for awareness, like thinking a lot and preparing yourself to have all the knowledge or experience to make you more confident and responsible.

Coaches extensively use fitness goals to motivate players when training or competing gets hard. A growth attitude, a choice of goals to set your actions towards, is the ultimate freedom that empowers players to take ownership of their achievements.

We can see this in sports if we teach knowing the goals—achieving something to be part of a medium-term goal gives people direction and encourages them to enjoy their small wins so they wish to keep striving for their personal best.

Effective Planning in Sports Coaching: Creating a Roadmap for Success

In Sports Teaching, the goals set are just organising plans to attain those selected goals. Sports coaches plan for practice, games, breaks, and performance objectives to help keep players “on target” during the season. Coaches should examine players’ current athletic abilities, physical state, and desired outcomes to create a plan that tests their limits without burning them out.

A decent plan often contains a periodisation, an organised approach of splitting training into phases (preparatory, competitive and rest/recovery). Furthermore, one does so with distinct objectives, intensities and points of emphasis for each step. It helps to peak at the right time without overtraining. Plans that include cross-training, skill drills, mental fitness and recovery strategies can all help athletes breakthrough at every stage of growth.

Sports coaching plans also must be flexible. Otherwise, an athlete may injure themselves, causing a problem that the coach did not foresee; therefore, they will need to modify how they plan for their athletes to progress safely and steadily. Proper planning makes practices run much smoother and ensures that each practice helps the player achieve their goals.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Goals in Sports Coaching

Having a plan and goals is just the start of teaching within the sports. Coaches need to continually assess progress and adjust goals as needed to continue their players’ progression. Assessment means that teachers assess how players are performing, determine where they need to improve, and address any concerns as they arise.

Performance tracking can encompass a variety of numbers—times, scores, or an assessment of skill combined with commentary on mental and physical execution during the riding. Tracking progress not only helps athletes see the positive movement in their training, but as we mentioned earlier, it keeps their mood high and inspires them to keep working hard.

Knowing how far athletes have come from previous workouts has proven an effective motivator for committing to their efforts. Teachers may have to alter a student’s plan or goals if an athlete is progressing faster than planned—or slower—to maintain uniform standards, which is challenging but fair.

If, for example, a player reaches a target before planned, the coach can keep them engaged by setting new ones or making their training more challenging. Open dialogue between coaches and athletes will instill trust, ensuring that all parties agree with expectations. Coaches track their progress and change goals.

Building Mental Resilience through Goal Setting in Sports Coaching

A benefit from the goal-setting process in sports teaching that is not often considered yet leads to action on how students can become more mentally tough. It is a given that when people are working toward big goals, they will have failures.

Good sports coaches use these times as mental building blocks for their athletes. By providing players with smaller goals, coaches assist them in developing resilience over time, working on tasks within their reach that are building blocks towards larger goals.

Every win, every change they implement to solve a problem, is a confidence booster and teaches them that when the going gets tough, you must simply carry on. You are also to teach your players how to accept failure in a healthy manner. If players do not achieve a goal or suffer a defeat, teachers can help them reflect on what has happened, identify how they might learn from it, and plan the next steps.

Such an approach transforms errors into opportunities, reinforcing that losing is essential for improvement and success. Positive feedback, mental training routines, and visualisation techniques are powerful tools to enhance an athlete’s cognitive ability to cope with stress.

Conclusion

As with all successful sports coaching, goal setting and preparation are melded to help players reach their potential and succeed; coaches introduce athletes to SMART objectives and preparation. Tracking progress keeps athletes focused and facilitates necessary adjustments, ensuring a living plan tailored to every athlete’s journey. Creating the mental toughness required to deal with losses and approach challenges confidently is also a coaching goal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports coaches need to set goals to give players direction, drive, and a framework to improve over time. SMART goals assist in monitoring progress and maintaining motivation for your sport. Objectives in sports coaching may be the result (winning a tournament), performance (improving personal bests), or process condition (focusing on technique). Each inspires confidence and responsibility; each is a step forward. Goal-oriented coaches help athletes celebrate small victories when putting them through tough training.

In sports coaching, planning is crucial because it allows the athletes to achieve their goals. Following the goal-setting process, coaches can set training plans, competition schedules, rest times, and performance targets to help players stay on track. Fitness coaching employs periodisation, which consists of stages: preparation, competition and recovery. These phases focus on specific components of their performance, minimising fatigue and ensuring they are at optimum readiness during important competitions. An effective Fitness coaching plan cares for the athlete’s fitness, skill development and long-term goals. Plans must account for injuries and unforeseen changes in the competition schedule.

Progress tracking is essential as it keeps players motivated and, on a path, which means something was put down to measure. Times, scores and skill assessments are how coaches measure progress. Coaches use this data to identify the strengths and weaknesses and how training plans may be improved. Frequent reviews of progress show athletes how far they have come, building enthusiasm and commitment to the task. Monitoring provides comprehensive feedback on physical and mental performance, which assists athletes in understanding their progression. To keep an athlete’s goals challenging but attainable, sports coaches may adjust targets if milestones are reached early.

Goal setting in Fitness coaching advances through incremental challenges to the players, gradually aiming for mental toughness by achieving minor and significant goals. More modest goals function as confidence-builders so athletes can learn to cope with disasters, strengthening mental toughness. Setting goals teaches players to break through barriers from time to time to grow. This coaching technique gets players to debrief failures, gain perspective on them and focus on long-term goals.

In sports, coaches set result, performance, and process goals. For example, winning a competition or placing in a tournament (outcome goals: motivate by setting the bar high). Performance goals: time, precision, and/or competence personal bests. Such goals aid athletes in reaching milestones and measuring growth, as they are tailor-fit to both talent and advancement. Process goals focus on behaviours that enhance performance, such as technique or mental focus.

Goals should change continuously to challenge the players. Athletes are assessed based on how they perform and feedback to see whether they are succeeding towards hitting their goals — lots of numbers are involved, and some comments are from coaches. If an athlete hits a goal early to maintain momentum and advancement, the coach may create new, more challenging goals. If development is slower than anticipated due to injuries or technical problems, the coach may be re-evaluating the timeframe and goals in order not to set up for disappointment. Sports coaches have to be adaptable because no two athletes develop similarly, and training regimes have to cater accordingly.

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Building a Strong Coach-Athlete Relationship in Sports Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/building-a-strong-coach-athlete-relationship-in-sports-coaching/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:34:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38183 The post Building a Strong Coach-Athlete Relationship in Sports Coaching appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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A strong rapport between a coach and a player gives rise to good sports teaching. This is good for performance, drive, and overall happiness. Trainers and players best build a bond of trust, open communication, and mutual respect. This link takes more than just training practices to make in sports teaching. You require the attitude, philosophy, and desires of each athlete.

Why a Strong Coach-Athlete Relationship is Crucial in Sports Coaching

To achieve the position, a player requires a powerful link with their coach. This inclination directly impacts individuals’ long-term motivation, interest, and commitment to training and growth.

If the athletes feel supported and understood by their teachers, they are likelier to remain committed to their goals, continue practising through difficult conditions, and embrace challenges. On the other hand, a lack of links can bore people, burn them out, or make them quit the sport altogether.

The instructor can additionally suggest moves to each player based on their tendencies and weaknesses. When the teacher knows how each player thinks, learns, and has personal aspirations, they can explain and train even more efficiently, resulting in an even more effective sports coaching experience.

This link promotes mutual respect among everyone, which creates a suitable environment for the players, who are inspired to give their best. In the competitive dictum of sports coaching, the relationship between an instructor and an athlete can either be a catalyst for excellence or prove futile in helping one develop as an athlete.

Building Trust and Respect in Sports Coaching

Trust and respect are the foundation of any healthy coach-athlete relationship. Trust enables the players to communicate with their coaches regarding their goals, difficulties, and hurdles. Coaches who are consistent, fair, and show up each time they coach build trust with players.

This encourages self-esteem and a feeling of belonging at training: the athlete is treated as a person first rather than just a means to an end in performance. Respect is also required from the sports instruction department.

You need to listen to what players say, what they give feedback on, and what they make goals to be a guide. Coaches want their players to take responsibility for their growth, and this is because they care about what their players think. In a team of educators, mutual respect breeds character through veneration that manipulates people into being more concentrated and driven than they are in their ideal environment.

sports coaching has a trusting work environment with people who listen to their advice, follow a schedule, and take feedback well. Forging through challenges is critical in many sports training, even more so when done side-by-side with teammates on the field in an environment built on trust and respect.

Effective Communication: A Key to Success in Sports Coaching

Communication is essential in sports coaching, and its impact on the coach-athlete relationship is substantial. Communication in sports teaching goes beyond giving directions; it also includes listening, seeing, and providing comments that the player can use. Good coaches realise players react to comments differently, often based on their personalities.

For some players, direct feedback may provide the most significant benefits in their game; for others, support and positive reinforcement will be needed to keep them inspired. In the time you will use to teach your sport, being transparent with athletes will help them understand why every element must be done and how it contributes to their goal.

Periodic check-ins are great since they allow players to express how they feel, discuss their anxiety, and address any breakthroughs. Our few athletes still do well because of this constant communication, which allows teachers to adjust or change things based on an athlete’s mental and physical health.

Coaches also need to be able to read nonverbal cues associated with body language and facial expressions, as these indicate a player’s confidence, motivation, and fatigue levels.

Communication around goal setting is equally important so that the athlete can ensure their goals align with their coach’s expectations. When the athlete communicates and avows those goals, the relationship between coach and player strengthens as they get.

Strategies for Maintaining a Strong Coach-Athlete Relationship in Sports Coaching

It is the only area where sports coaches work hard and learn to be flexible. When you establish rapport early and maintain it, the relationship with the athlete tends to blossom. Establishing clear boundaries and expectations helps set the stage for growing mutual respect and understanding. Be upfront with players on how you will train them, discipline them and give them feedback.

Another way to teach sports is to celebrate success, big or small. When you celebrate an athlete’s wins, they gain confidence and new goals. Adapting how you train to suit an athlete’s evolving needs is a sign of commitment and flexibility, and it creates trust between teacher and athlete.

Individuals who understand players’ mental and physical limits can significantly assist them and create a more inviting training atmosphere.

Feedback from a sports coach should stay positive and focused on specific actions or behaviours, not the person. This allows an athlete to view comments as a learning opportunity rather than a form of condemnation.

Conclusion

Building a coach-athlete relationship becomes an integral aspect of sports coaching methods, aiming to grow the athlete over time. The best players in sports reach their full potential when a connection is built with the coaches—confidence, respect, good communication, and flexibility go a long way. When athletes are more motivated, confident, and determined, their results and mental development increase.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports coaching is compellingly based on trust between coach and athlete, along with motivation and dedication to the work actors of both. Players stay motivated, practice hard, and persevere through adversity when their coaches understand and support them. Coaches can then leverage this connection that tech provides in individualising feedback and designing training programs based on the athlete’s unique capabilities, needs and goals. An excellent coaching connection means players can air their grievances and share dreams, which guide the coach in navigating them.

A successful relationship between a coach and an athlete is based on trust and respect. Once trust is established, athletes are willing to share their goals, challenges, and frustrations, which allows coaches to provide specific help. The trust within which players are likely to obey training schedules and trust their coaches. Respect allows open communication and greater participation in training. Respect in athletic sports coaching comes from listening, processing athlete feedback, and acknowledging successes. Respect fosters ownership, encourages motivation, and reinforces aspirations. A space where coach and athlete can thrive because empowerment comes from respect and trust.

Coaches in sports who use communication to develop better relationships with athletes and increase carious outcomes of training. Good communication is not just giving instructions but listening, learning, watching, and providing feedback that resonates with the athlete. Athletes respond differently to coaches, with some needing direct orders and others requiring positive reinforcement. Communication also helps to familiarise athletes with the type of training expected from them and ensure their goals are achieved. Each check-in is an opportunity for athletes to raise issues, shine in success or ask questions—they are open forums that create a safe space.

It takes commitment, and you must find the right balance between understanding and being firm as a teacher to create that respectful bond with a player. Establish house rules and boundaries from the get-go to foster mutual respect. An athlete’s confidence and passion make them great, and enjoying mini victories compliments both. Training plans that point toward compromising behaviour encourage athletes and sports coaches to accommodate their interests often routinely. Athletes struggle with physical and emotional issues, so coaches who recognise this and promote it create a friendly environment.

Respect comes from listening, being consistent and valuing an athlete’s opinion. That message was evident in a webinar by psychologist Dr Nicola Phillips for staff in National Sports Organisations. Respectable coaches are those who have a fair game, follow through & become the sportsperson whom the athlete becomes friends with. One of the best ways to show athletes that you value their opinions is by listening actively—it fosters respect between coaches and players. Acknowledging and rewarding wins, big or small, are confidence builders for athletes, giving mega kudos to a coach.

Effective communication is essential for developing solid relationships between coach and athlete, as it builds understanding, enhances motivation, and facilitates development. Communication helps coaches personalise comments based on the athlete’s personality and learning makeup. Doing so allows athletes to understand every movement and be locked in. Coaches can read their athletes’ mindsets, physiques, and inspirations through regular check-ins with teammates, permitting adjustments to coaching plans as they see fit.

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The Role of Sports Coaching in Athlete Development https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/the-role-of-sports-coaching-in-athlete-development/ Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38162 The post The Role of Sports Coaching in Athlete Development appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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While several things influence an athlete from novice to pro status, sports teaching is one of the most significant. If a sports coach is devoted and capable, they can be the key to an athlete excelling to their complete uprightness by boosting skills, mental toughness, strength, or even endurance.

The Impact of Sports Coaching on Skill Development

Sports coaching is significant in developing these athletic skills; thus, it becomes a substantial step beyond skill development for any athlete. A sports coach has one main job—to build and refine the skills most vital for athletes to perform when they compete in their discipline.

This encompasses everything from the most foundational skills, such as body placement and movement patterns, to intricate skills that enable an athlete to achieve peak performance.

Coaches assess an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses using personalised training regimens to create targeted workouts and drills that will help improve specific deficiencies. A good sports coach can use skills acquisition as effectively as possible, tailoring their coaching practice to suit each athlete’s learning style.

Coaches also frequently instil in players skills that are more than just mindless physical execution of the game, such as understanding the flow of the game, pattern recognition from the opponents, and quick strategic decision-making under pressure. Because sports coaching integrates these factors, players can develop a comprehensive skill set.

Sports Coaching as a Tool for Building Mental Toughness

Great physical ability is undoubtedly significant in athletics. The same cannot be said for mental toughness, which is critical and desirable in other merciless and high-stakes environments. Sports coaching can influence athletes’ mental toughness, such as how to deal with rejection, distractions, and pressure during a game.

They are building a positive mindset, which involves collaboration between athletes and coaches within the realm of sport to create favourable conditions for success and set realistic goals. This may be motivational measures such as positive reinforcement to keep the athletes concentrated when all cards are not on their side.

The simple fact remains that for winners to be winners, there have to be losers, and there’s no way a player can not find himself failing at some point in sports. There will be missed shots, lost games and injuries. Good sports teachers impart the disciplined strength and resilience their players need, and they instruct them to regard mistakes as opportunities for growth.

Top-notch sports instruction relies on these strategies to the point that techniques such as reflection and mindfulness are now significantly incorporated into cutting-edge game instruction.

These can help players cope with stress and increase their confidence. This regime acclimatises the mind and body to the mental hurdles players encounter. This ensures teachers can prepare their athletes for both the physical requirements of their jobs and the cognitive demands.

Sports Coaching and the Development of Leadership Qualities

It could be an individual or team sport, but leadership is required to be a successful athlete in any sport. Sports coaching is essential for leadership traits, teaching athletes to communicate, make choices and lead others.

Coaches also allow athletes to experience responsibility and see how their behaviour affects others, for example, by putting them in leadership positions (e.g., team captain). This develops character traits like empathy, resiliency, and responsibility that are extremely advantageous on the field (and in life).

For instance, a team coach may encourage athletes to help out younger / less experienced players. This would allow them to learn to lean on and be there for each other collaboratively. It would unify sportspersons with respect for one another and cooperation.

Therefore, sports coaching is about physical training and building character so that an athlete evolves into a leader who will know how to deal with the fruits and fangs of competing.

The Role of Sports Coaching in Long-Term Athlete Development

A good sports coach doesn’t limit performance to just today; it is about an athlete’s future from today. It adopts a developmental approach to enable supportive growth and mitigate athlete burnout by creating a comprehensive view of the individual at all career stages.

It is up to the coach to develop a program based on these variables that considers the athlete’s age/cohort, maturation status, and physical stage. This gradual progression minimises the risk of overtraining, which could result in a new injury or burnout among athletes. It also ensures they are not exposed too soon to a given stage.

A great coach knows how important it is to keep the man physically healthy throughout his career and finds a balance between periods of dead-on high-end work and downtime for healing. They also endeavour to instil values like sportsman spirit, dedication, and discipline, which are prerequisites for success after birth.

Sports coaching aims to provide the athlete with a pathway to achieving and sustaining optimal performance without compromising psychological and physical health. This is possible by prioritising a continuity in growth.

Conclusion

Coaching athletes remove fundamental elements of their growth and is more than conditioning. From Skill Development to Mentorship to Mental Toughness and Leadership, the impact sports teachers have on players, on and off the pitch, is lasting. This ensures players are equipped to cope with the challenges of professional sports while being rounded individuals ready to succeed. Whether an athlete intends to play professionally or is content with the benefits of sports, good sports coaching is the essence of unlocking full ability.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching is an integral aspect of any sport as it requires players to have the knowledge and skills to perform well. They will be made a personal training plan designed for the individual player based on their skill set and weaknesses. Drills and small-sided games are primarily focused on developing fundamental skills. They also instruct players to scout opposing teams, anticipate their strategies, and make split-second decisions under immense pressure. It is well known that sports contribute positively to the physical and mental health of players unfamiliar with learning many different skills.

One part of coaching that contributes to physical preparation is making athletes mentally tough, and as professional sports, it pushes out a great deal of mental preparation. Coaches should prepare athletes to handle failures away from the game, mentally focus and execute while competing under pressure. Their motivational methods, goal setting and positive reinforcement keep the players focused even when the times are tough. Two teaching techniques from sports are visualisation and focus exercises, which players can use to manage stress while staying calm and confident. If athletes learn to calm themselves and focus, they are more equipped for the mental challenges of their sport.

Yes, a lot of teaching about sports involves being a great leader. To develop leadership potential, coaches commonly assign a task to players in various situations, such as being captain of a team. This encourages players to communicate, make decisions, and inspire friends. In teaching sports well, the more experienced players help the younger ones, thus creating an environment that develops everyone. Through empathy, accountability and strength, coaches foster in players the confidence to step forward as leaders. Wrestlers learn leadership skills by leading players under your guidance in sports, which ultimately helps them outside their lives. Competence in sports is an essential aspect of their character development.

Sports character building that develops focus, teamwork and toughness from coaching plays a great hand. To foster leadership and understanding, coaches encourage athletes to assume responsibilities such as assisting peers or mentoring younger players. The coach teaches the players how to deal with the highs of winning and the lows of losing courtside with class. These activities could instil values – integrity, dignity, and accountability- essential in sports and life. These lessons come to life in the hands of coaches who build into their players and create the whole individual that can withstand anything thrown at them on-field and off. Sports character is inextricably linked to sports pedagogy: both provide athletes with a route to the summit of success.

One of the primary objectives behind sports teaching is the development of long-term players where athletes can sustain endurance and continue participating with minimal risk of injury or burnout. Training plans for athletes evolve as they improve physically and mentally, so by necessity, coaches adjust those plans. These plans help to ensure recovery and rest; however, they also ensure that the athlete remains fit and healthy. This approach entirely views the player journey, focusing on sustainable growth instead of quick wins. Sports coaches concentrate on long-term objectives and gradually build the players by instilling values such as control, commitment, endurance, etc.

Sports coaches have many psychological measures to help players excel. Goal setting, visualisation, and focus exercises are just some examples. When players set goals, it gives them concrete steps that encourage them to continue improving. It gets them to practice their performance in their brain, builds confidence, and prepares them for the big day. Mindfulness improves stress management and reduces anxiety when the going gets tough! They are methods, usually taught as part of sports teaching, that aim at mental toughness and are designed to enable people to focus.

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Fasting and Fitness Exercise: Pros and Cons of Working Out https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/fasting-and-fitness-exercise-pros-and-cons-of-working-out/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 07:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38108 The post Fasting and Fitness Exercise: Pros and Cons of Working Out appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Fasting and exercise are the two most potent tools in the arsenal of health and fitness. Each has its benefits. However, what occurs when you combine them? Working out on an empty belly—known as a “fasted workout”—has taken the fitness world by storm, as many think it could be a powerful weight-loss and fat-burning strategy. However, there are essential points to remember because it is not always the best option.

Understanding Fasted Fitness Exercise: What Does it Mean?

If you do fitness exercise without eating for a few hours—for example, for 8 to 12 hours, as in the morning before food—this is called “fasted fitness exercise.” The energy stored in your body for such exercises (primarily fat) is utilized to fuel the workout.

Fasting exercise is generally considered aerobic workouts, such as running, biking, or walking. Depending on the individual’s fitness level and goals, strength training can also be involved.

Some research suggests exercising on an empty stomach may speed up fat loss, but exactly how it works in your body is unclear. Fasting also lowers your insulin level, which in turn means your muscles and liver don’t store as much glucose, which is carb energy.

As such, your body receives most of its energy from fat. However, fasted workouts are not always the ideal option. In other words, it varies by workout type, intensity, and purpose.

Pros of Fasted Fitness Exercise for Fat Burning and Metabolism

One of the most important arguments for fasting exercise is that it can increase fat oxidation and metabolic flexibility. Look more closely at some of the benefits.

More fat that is burned:

As no more glycogen is present in the body after fasting, the body may utilise fat stores for energy, increasing fat burning. Schofield, Dr, are talking about the fasted state The time of burning fats is fasted aerobic exercise This implies it could assist individuals in reducing their percentage of body fat. This is very effective for long-duration, low-intensity aerobic activities, such as riding, running, or brisk walking.

Better insulin sensitivity:

Intermittent fitness exercise has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which is vital for metabolic health. When there is less need for stored carbs, the body will tend to make muscle more sensitive to insulin. This helps stabilise blood sugar levels. More effective insulin sensitivity can assist you in maintaining your weight and may reduce your risk for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

Saves time for busy mornings:

Many people can slip a hungry workout into their morning schedule and do not need to delay doing this after breakfast. Working out first thing in the morning will save time, and some folks find it easier to develop a routine when they work out ahead of meals and other activities for the day. Morning workouts can boost serotonin as well, allowing you to concentrate and improve your energy level throughout the day.

Cons of Fasted Fitness Exercise: Risks and Drawbacks to Consider

So, if you want to spice up your exercise routine, pay heed to what type of workout you opt for so that you do not get the desired outcome yet do not tire your muscles. This is true for some fitness activities, which are best performed in a fasted state when you have not eaten for longer than 8 hours before the workout. This is especially the case for reasonably challenging endurance-based daily workouts (replacing the day with one meant to serve the body).

Dancing lightly: Even fitness activities like walking, running, and riding a bike can be performed in a high-intensity, intensive form. These workouts provide great heart-healthy benefits due to their long, slow-burn potential since they rely on burning fat for fuel instead of quickly burning through all available carbs.

While you’re out of food, you can stretch and do yoga too. These dozen fitness exercises realign the body, loosen up muscle rigidity and increase the blood circulation around the body promoted without food. It is ideal for those who do a morning workout in a balanced way.

You can also see results with light weights strength training (light weights) or your own body in general workouts. But this type of strength training increases your muscles without sending your blood sugar sky-high, as heavy lifting can do. It allows you to exercise in a more controlled and concentrated manner.

The Best Fitness Exercise Types for Fasted Training

Call it fasted fitness exercise, but it can also have the opposite effect on some people — especially if you are doing high-intensity workouts or strength training. The reason skipping food before working out isn’t ideal for everyone.

Reduced endurance and exercise capacity:

If the body does not have access to carbs, it will not perform (especially for high-intensity exercise) very well. High-intensity fitness exercises like sprinting and gymnastics, which require constant energy over a short time, often use glycogen as rapidly available fuel. Your muscles power out quickly, and your stamina dwindles, causing bad workouts and limited fitness improvement when you come to exercise too fast.

The chance of losing muscle:

If workouts are long or intense and done while tired, muscle protein breakdown can exceed muscle protein synthesis and decrease muscle mass. When there is no longer any glucose, the body might need to use amino acids as fuel, in which case it will start to break down muscles. For those trying to lose fat, but maintain or gain muscle, working out after a fast might not be the best idea unless there is a proper adequate protein and good diet post work-out.

More likely to become fatigued and lightheaded:

Exercising on an empty stomach can leave you feeling light-headed, fatigued or nauseated, at least if you’re not accustomed to the practice. Some people experience less focus and lower energy because of lower blood sugar levels. These symptoms are more common in new fasters or those with intensive fitness such as HIIT or circuit training.

Balancing Fasted Fitness Exercise with Nutrition for Optimal Results

If you participate in short fitness exercise sessions as part of your schedule, you must ensure you eat healthy to fuel your body for suitable energy levels and achieve results. But after a workout—when you might be famished—eat well.

A balanced meal, rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, aids in muscle repair and replenishes energy stores. Carbs prevent muscle breakdown, and protein heals muscle tissues. This will ensure your workout results last over time.

Finally, staying hydrated —especially if you are fasting and hardly drinking— is crucial, as dehydration makes you feel even more fatigued and negatively affects your performance. Water intake is essential before, during and after workouts. Boosting vitamin-centrists can also keep you hydrated, and during runs or workouts longer than 60 minutes, it is very crucial!

Your body is sending you signs, so listen. Listen to how you feel during and after hungry sessions. If you notice that you feel light-headed and fatigued or that your performance is suffering, you may want to eat a small breakfast (a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, or something similar) before your workout. If you hit a set of challenging lifts or a long run, this additional energy could impact you.

Conclusion

A fast fitness workout has its benefits and negatives. Whether it works for you depends on your fitness level, goals, and body response. Fasted training is mainly beneficial for those seeking to burn more fat, improve their insulin sensitivity, and achieve an excellent workout in a shorter time frame. But that might not be ideal for everyone, particularly those who want to gain muscle or are doing high-intensity exercise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A fast workout simply means to work out without eating, usually in the morning after waking up. This type of exercise is performed after starvation (usually overnight). Hence, when glycogen stores deplete during fasting, the body relies mainly on fat as an energy source. A lot of people work out in a fast state because they believe it will ultimately lead to more fat burning. Because low levels of insulin and sugar allow the body to utilise stored fat. Fatigued exercise is often moderate to low-intensity aerobic or cardio exercises. But other people mix in some light strength training. Still, you have to choose workouts according to the body’s energy.

Fasted training has its place but is mainly for low- to moderate-intensity exercises which utilise fat as a fuel source and are not demanding in terms of glycogen resynthesis requirements. Walk, jog, or cycle to burn that fat off and not get tired so soon. Fasted training is ideal for flexibility workouts such as yoga because it requires little energy but promotes blood flow and flexibility. Depending on fitness level, some people may be well trained to do a 10-15 min HIIT bout (high-intensity interval training), as tolerated during a fast. Selecting the proper fast training can burn fat without fatigue or muscle loss.

Yes, Reduced fitness could work nicely to shed pounds, specifically fat. On an empty stomach, the body burns fat stores for energy, which can lead to reduced body fat. Replenishing glycogen requires carbs, which sets the body to eat up its stored fat, assisting in the calorie-controlled domain of weight loss. Remember that sustained weight loss takes exercise, proper food and relaxation. Fasting exercise provides the most favourable effects when combined with a balanced diet and various workouts.

There are both good and bad sides to fast fitness. Low performance is a significant problem for high-intensity fitness exercises that use glycogen stores as an energy source. Running low on glycogen can drain you, reducing the intensity you can put into your training and endurance. This can come from muscle as an energy source rather than glycogen-producing muscle breakdown in prolonged exercises. Working out on an empty belly can lead to lightheadedness, fatigue, and even nausea. If you find fasted training damaging to your body, adjust the intensity and timing of your activity.

It needs to be re-established after fasting fitness training, as you cannot fast without fear of muscle breakdown, have to eat to replace energy and know that you have to support muscle repair. An entire dish should have protein and intricate sugars. Protein repairs muscle fibres, and carbs are stored as glycogen to fuel future sessions. Good options after a workout include a protein shake with fruit, Greek yoghurt with berries, or a plate with lean protein, whole grains, and vegetables. Do not forget to replace the lost electrolytes and fluids after intensive exercise. To maximise recovery, eat within an hour of your workout.

Whether or not fasting fitness training is proper for you is reliant on your targets, degree of fitness, and a way to respond to fasting. That study showed that fast exercise could play a positive role in fat loss and insulin sensitivity. In the case of exercise-induced muscle development or high-intensity exercise performance, it is warranted that more incredible dietary energy is supplied to optimise the exercise response. Try a walk or light jog in the fasted state. If you feel fatigue, light-headedness, or poor exercise performance, change your approach or have a small pre-workout snack to help save energy.

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Benefits of Regular Fitness Classes for Physical and Mental Health https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/benefits-of-regular-fitness-classes-for-physical-and-mental-health/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 07:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38070 The post Benefits of Regular Fitness Classes for Physical and Mental Health appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exercise improves your health in many ways, such as physical and mental. Exercise also plays a significant role in a balanced, healthy lifestyle. In a fitness class, students learn the art of exercise and how a commitment to fitness can dramatically impact health. Exercise classes explain the science and psychology of things like exercise, which makes you stronger physically and more mentally resilient, as well as the creative details so that you can design your solutions for a lifetime of health.

Physical Health Benefits of Exercise Covered in Fitness Courses

Fitness classes show students the direct link between moving and your body getting better and go into great detail about the physical benefits of exercise. It lowers blood pressure, lifts mood, and improves weight control, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility/mobility, and bone health.

Consistent physical activity strengthens the heart and enables blood to flow better, reducing the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Fitness classes usually incorporate cardio (aka aerobic) exercise, which increases your heart rate and includes aerobics, sprint workouts or endurance workouts.

They are all designed to strengthen the heart and dilate the arteries, which is a long-term cardiovascular benefit. This is primarily because planned group workouts help you burn calories, improve your metabolism, and increase your lean muscle mass, which helps you shed extra pounds. And because group lessons teach you how to eat right and exercise, group lessons are a complete method of shedding pounds.

Resistance training, wrestling, and bodyweight moves can increase muscle strength and endurance. While the average person knows squats and push-ups boost power, they also help improve stability and joint stability. Elasticity-enhancing exercises maintain healthy joint mobility, significantly improve the flexibility of stiff joints and lower injury risk.

Mental Health Benefits Emphasized in Fitness Courses

However, it emphasises mental as well as bodily health through exercise lessons that aid in stress aid, temper, sleep, and mind function. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. How about reducing worry and anxiety? Exercise can help with that, too.

Many of the exercise classes do wait. For instance, yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness may be beneficial for coping with stress. Meditation techniques can be developed through rhythmic exercises with a lower emphasis on constraining principles or codes of conduct, such as running, cycling, and swimming.

Exercise has a positive effect on mood and reduces sadness. In fitness groups, individuals perform together and communicate in a friendly, encouraging, and casual environment. Exercise makes your mind resilient, and you will find it easier to face the stresses and failures of everyday life.

Exercise also boosts blood flow to the brain, improving memory, attention, and decision-making. Many fitness classes, such as dance and martial arts, also help improve mental and physical wellness.

Exercise improves the quality of sleep and allows people to go to sleep with more maturity and relax more deeply. Creating a balanced schedule ensures that you will not work out late at night and interrupt your sleep. Last but not least, exercise classes improve confidence and body image. Seeing the physical benefits gives participants a boost in their self-esteem. A genuine focus on achieving discipline goals will increase the confidence meter and help relationships and career prospects, too.

Building a Routine for Lifelong Health in Fitness Courses

Fitness Classes assist students in developing a schedule that breeds discipline and consistency. Fitness is a lifetime health and well-being practice, not a short-term goal.

A fitness class motivates students to set attainable goals and track their performance. When students set goals to attend a certain number of classes weekly or improve fitness metrics, they tend to be more engaged. Accountability is enforced in groups where teaching and peer support push each other to meet their goals.

A proper fitness program includes aerobics, strength, adaptability, recovery, and recuperation. This comprehensive approach to addressing all aspects of physical health helps to minimise overuse injuries and encourages balance and resilience. It is an ideal approach to fitness that incorporates weight training, cardio, and yoga or stretching—everything a person would want to do in a week.

Fitness classes blend several training methods to keep things fresh and versatile. Offering variety, such as HIIT, Pilates, or dance fitness, helps participants avoid exercise fatigue and encourages them to stay active. Experimenting with different routines may also help individual users figure out what works for them, increasing buy-in at home.

You also learn proper form and how to minimise injuries for specific movements to reduce stress and injuries while working out in fitness classes. This information is important to help keep you safe in the gym or at home so you can maintain an active fitness journey long-term and healthily.

The Long-Term Impact of Fitness Courses on Health and Wellness

Fitness classes will help the students build a routine that promotes discipline and stability. Fitness is not a task with a deadline but a lifestyle with choices that promote health and well-being throughout life.

They aid participants in creating strategies and, most importantly, keeping records of their progress. Setting targets such as attending a set number of lessons a week or improving fitness statistics is linked to greater pupil motivation. Groups help with accountability, where teachers and peers support one another in their goals.

The fitness programs successfully include aerobic, strength, flexibility, and recuperation workouts. This approach addresses all aspects of physical health to mitigate the risk of overuse injury while working towards a more balanced and stable state. A balanced weekly routine might include some form of weightlifting, cardio, and yoga or stretching to facilitate movement.

Fitness classes will also utilise various training methods to spice up the routines and enhance the versatility aspect of the workout. That post-exercise tedium is avoided, allowing participants to try everything from HIIT to Pilates to dance fitness, and it also avoids post-exercise exhaustion. Trying different ways of working out to determine what sticks with someone and which workouts they keep returning to.

Conclusion

Fitness Classes — Getting care of physical or mental well-being, the positive aspects of these courses are built quickly since you will be taking workouts and instruction on the schedule. The lessons learnt from these courses go beyond the gym, teaching you skills that encourage a more holistic approach to fitness and long-term well-being. That makes fitness classes an excellent resource for improving health and quality of life: advice, accountability, and a holistic approach. Realising the benefits of exercising consistently allows people to make permanent changes.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fitness lessons are scheduled with control and regularity — two vital aspects of being healthy. The sessions feature a variety of music and strength training, jogging, stretching, and recovery workouts. This ensures everything in the field of fitness is taken care of. Which ultimately results in better general health. Supplementary Information Exercise groups also have another benefit: They show people how to set achievable goals and work towards them, such as building strength or attending class more regularly. This way delivers long-term changes rather than short-term trends and habits.

Exercise groups provide a structure emphasising control and consistency, necessary for sustained health. They touch on various topics and address all pillars of health, from cardio, strength training, and flexibility training to healing. This is good in terms of overall health. Having specific goals — like becoming stronger or attending class more frequently — will give people something to strive for. Most of these make last a lifetime, if not more. Course style also includes accountability and group support. These both lead to participants being more likely to adhere to their routines. It makes challenging long-term exercise goals more straightforward to achieve and enjoyable.

Fitness classes offer several health advantages, including improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger muscles, and increased flexibility. Cardio exercises boost the efficiency of the heart and lungs, so the risk of heart disease is reduced. It helps you control your weight and stay healthy by building lean muscle mass while reducing the resting day-to-day metabolism. The flexibility workouts improve the mobility of your joints and lower the chances of getting injured. Many fitness classes incorporate healing movements that strengthen participants while preventing injuries from overdoing. These classes tone up your body correctly to a correct shape, but one where they can efficiently perform daily living tasks and prevent lifestyle-related health problems in the future.

Fitness classes are structured, frequent exercises that help with calorie burning, increased metabolism and lean muscle, all essential to sound weight management. Typically, teachers guide students through balanced routines incorporating cardio, strength and flexibility elements targeting various fitness components. Fitness classes usually have a breeding ground for eating, allowing the participant to fully understand the relationship between food and exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. By learning and understanding how their day-to-day lifestyles can foster or hinder their ability to achieve a healthy weight, this comprehensive approach assists NHS patients in attaining their desired weight effectively and sustainably.

People who take fitness classes learn the best way to exercise because they pay attention to form. Instructors guide learners in maintaining the correct posture while exercising, which reduces the likelihood of sprains and other injuries. Most also provide some form of movement or stretching-based flexibility activity, keeping joints and a full range of joint motion. A structured workout program, with intervals between strength, cardio and recovery segments, also prevents muscle groups from experiencing overuse injuries by providing sufficient recovery time. Fitness courses illustrate the correct way to do things and avoid injury within your workouts and encourage us to do so safely and effectively.

Exercise classes can also assist people in meeting their fitness objectives, such as becoming more robust or flexible, making them feel better about their self-image. Pride increases when people experience progress over months and years, like lifting heavier weights, more extended sets, or better conditioning, which feeds self-esteem. Likewise, the fitness classes had an all-together energetic yet helpful atmosphere, depicting a need for individuals to come together to celebrate little wins and self-improvement. Watching your body change — having more defined muscles or feeling more mobile — can also improve your feelings about yourself. Enhancing self-esteem can also impact other aspects of your life; with self-confidence and a positive perspective on one’s body, an individual may see personal growth and have a stronger belief in themselves.

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10 Effective Study Strategies for Excelling in Fitness Classes and Courses https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/10-effective-study-strategies-for-excelling-in-fitness-classes-and-courses/ Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=38062 The post 10 Effective Study Strategies for Excelling in Fitness Classes and Courses appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Whether fitness is something they enjoy or a career they want to pursue in the future, more and more people are choosing exercise science, personal training, sports nutrition, or fitness groups. However, for exercise science, there are still people who know and understand the theory, can put it into practice, and are good with science-based subjects.

  1. Building a Solid Foundation in Fitness Class Theory

Most people who teach exercise lessons have a deep knowledge of biomechanics, science, and human anatomy. Initially, you must start with theory. Be diligent about taking notes on terminology and concepts, the components of muscle, energy systems, and the principles of fitness exercise physiology. Flashcards are also incredibly easy to review, which is key to retention. You may also need to decompose each idea as simple as possible, before secondarily proceeding to the complex one.

Active memory is a compelling method to reiterate this fundamental content. Will you study notes and question yourself about what you learnt? For example: “List three types of muscle contractions and state what they do.” This enables you to remember key concepts even better, which is a critical element of fitness education.

  1. Incorporating Visual Learning for Fitness Class Anatomy

Studying anatomy is difficult because of how complex muscle groups, bones, and connective parts are. With fitness classes, you often need to know a lot about how the various pieces of the anatomy work together. If you study visually, you may find this knowledge easier to recall.

You would use apps, anatomy models, fun websites where you can examine 3D models of the body or games that simulate physiology. Several apps allow you to rotate and zoom into body parts, giving you a clear view of each muscle, tendon, and bone. You should instead use diagrams, flowcharts, and colour-coded notes, which will help you with quick revision and better recall during the exam.

  1. Fitness Goal-Setting Techniques for Time Management

The ratio of study time to training time must also be balanced in exercise education. Time management is essential for fitness classes, requiring theory and hands-on practice. A way to study is to establish clear goals and use time-blocking techniques.

Set weekly study objectives related to specific subjects you must identify, such as diet, exercise, and/or anatomy. This could mean your goal is to complete a section by mid-week and spend the following days reviewing and practising the concepts. Next, have blocks of time to study, practice, and review everything you have learned. An organised approach reduces anxiety, prevents last-minute cramming and ensures that you cover all essential topics adequately and in a balanced manner.

Study with the Pomodoro Technique to increase focus and produce more work. Work 25 minutes with the most complex minds, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat this process four times, then take a more extended rest. This technique really helps you zone in and settle in for long periods of studying.

  1. Leveraging Fitness Simulations and Practical Sessions

fitness classes frequently have real lessons inside them, but you can all unwind for other opportunities to practice. If you are taking an online course, try searching for exercises, movies, or internet-based preparation sites that offer virtual help. You can practice your moves with family, friends, or training partners accustomed to it.

Note the challenging aspects for you and what you gained from these exercises. Tracking your progress helps you stay motivated and test your strengths and weaknesses.

  1. Mastering Nutrition Concepts in Fitness Classes

Another critical aspect of fitness is nutrition, and you also need to know about macronutrients, what foods you need, and how they impact exercise capacity. While you study, create mind maps showing how different nutrition ideas are connected, like how sugars provide energy or how proteins help repair muscles.

This will help you understand these concepts in a much deeper sense. Break the periods aside macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals and ask how each contributes to achieving your exercise targets. You can also recreate usable things from what you learn to solidify information in your long-term memory, so just create a fake meal plan for some type of workout routine using fictitious goals.

  1. Group Study for Fitness Exam Preparation

You will sometimes find that even the hardest topics in physics and sports science are made so much simpler by listening to others’ perspectives and answers when studying with others. Group discussions can be beneficial for complex topics and clarifying doubts while preparing for exam prep for fitness classes.

Assign each person a topic to discuss, then trade it off and share the teaching duties. The very act of teaching requires you to say it clearly — providing details that help fill in gaps — such that the teaching forces you to understand your subject thoroughly. Fitness classes can also have discussions related to practical applications, questions that mimic those on examinations, and scenario-based learning, which is ideal for preparation for practical life.

  1. Fitness-Specific Practice Exams and Quiz Apps

Taking this test, again and again, is usually something you should utilise to find out that you simply would possibly perceive higher and the place you want each different help. Many exercise classes include quizzes or practice tests in the lessons, which is an excellent tool to measure your progress.

Consider also searching a quiz app or a flashcard site like Quizlet to get or create sets of cards specific to your course subject. Regular testing of this knowledge helps you retain the information and demonstrates what you need to study more, allowing you to spend your time and energy in a more targeted way. Practice tests as closely as possible to the real thing and try to get your timing down.

  1. Developing Emotional Resilience in Fitness Classes

Fitness classes can take a toll on your body and mind. To do that, you must learn to cope with worry and develop mental strength to keep your head in the game and position yourself to get things done. When gaining certification as a fitness professional, one must perform under pressure, whether teaching others or passing a few exams.

When you study for long periods of time, do mindfulness activities such as deep breathing, meditation, or brief mental breaks to reduce stress and improve focus. Fitness classes are another stress buster, as they help you retain your learning and refresh you. Incorporating these methods can help create more holistic exercise studies, which are beneficial for mental and physical health.

  1. Fitness-Based Journaling for Progress Tracking

Fitness classes can take a toll on your body and mind. To do that, you must learn to cope with worry and develop mental strength to keep your head in the game and position yourself to get things done. When gaining certification as a fitness professional, one must perform under pressure, whether teaching others or passing a few exams.

When you study for long periods of time, do mindfulness activities such as deep breathing, meditation, or brief mental breaks to reduce stress and improve focus. Exercising is another stress buster, as it helps you retain your learning and makes you feel refreshed. Incorporating these methods can help create more holistic exercise studies, which are beneficial for mental and physical health.

  1. Fitness Study Breaks and Recovery Strategies

Just like the body recuperates after exercising, so does the mind after extensive research.

Regular breaks after compact study sessions through stretches or light workouts will make you feel refreshed and active. There is no burnout, and the material is broken down into manageable bits and pieces to make it easy for you to remember. As with any other form of bulking up through fitness classes, your approach to rest and study should be balanced, too.

Conclusion

Not enough to pass the exercises, though, you must study. You also need a blend of theory and practice to be efficient with your time and to stay physically and mentally fit. With these ten studying tips for fitness classes, you’ll be more set to grasp challenging fitness concepts, retain what you study, and perform well on exams and real life. From there, you must continually research and practice wherever possible and, ideally, take responsibility for your development and the development of the people you will be helping.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Establish a solid foundation in fitness class theory — you should become acquainted with fundamental concepts in exercise science, anatomy, and physiology. Ascending from elementary to extravagant concepts teaches you a great deal. Use worksheets to learn about muscle groups, energy systems, physics, and other such things to help memorise a few keywords and descriptions. You will learn much more if you try to recall what you learnt without looking at your notes. This is called active memory.

This is a massive benefit since muscle, bone, and process anatomy from exercise activity are often best learned visually. Use anatomy models, apps, or interactive tools to explore 3D models of the body. This can enable you to learn more about how body parts function and relate to one another. Drawing maps or colour-coding maps also help with memorisation. For fitness class students, anatomy is imperative; it aids in understanding functional exercise and the body’s response to exercise.

To get the most from your fitness classes, you need to perceive clear study targets, plan time slots and a solid blend between speculative and sensible actions. The Pomodoro technique is about working 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break. Repeat this process as many times as you like to practice keeping your focus. As with food or anatomy, you can do the same by staying on top of specific training topics, so set some low-pressure weekly goals. You can alternate between the theory and practical aspects of your fitness learning if you manage your time appropriately.

Actual training is crucial in fitness classes because it will allow you to apply what you have learned in the classroom in real-life scenarios, such as teaching clients how to perform exercises and ensure they do them correctly. When you get hands-on training for what you have learnt in class, you tend to remember things better and use the knowledge you gained while writing exams or facing clients during their sessions. Put in Practice: You can practice with family, friends, or study groups and supplement your in-person preparation with online activities.

Nutrition is essential to fitness classes because it directly affects health, performance, and healing. Fitness students learn about macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help people reach their goals, whether to lose weight, build muscle, or get more energy. Making sample meal plans or fake diets based on your exercise goals can help you understand these ideas better. Nutrition information also lets you make intelligent choices about how food can help fitness training, which improves your skills as a fitness worker and the results for your clients.

When fitness students study in a group, they acquire new skills, increase their understanding of challenging concepts, and can build on each other’s abilities. Peer Discussion — Peers help each other grasp challenging subject matter, like some of the coursework for physics or kinesiology, and accelerate the learning process. It makes sense to prepare yourself for situations you may encounter, and teaching someone else about something helps you understand it, too. Then there are the group studies, which allow for a more critical level of simulated learning, where the group simulate client exchanges, and others test their fitness knowledge. This adds a layer of fun and utility to erudition for exams.

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Pilates for Weight Loss and Toning: Sculpt Your Body with Precision https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-weight-loss-and-toning-sculpt-your-body-with-precision/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37732 The post Pilates for Weight Loss and Toning: Sculpt Your Body with Precision appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates, developed in the early 20th century, is a tried-and-tested compact reformer ideal for anyone looking to tighten their physique or accomplish an excellent core workout.

To that end, while Pilates is not cardio and will never be as high intensity from a calorie-burning point of view, its other benefits, such as loss of fat mass and gain in muscle mass over time, can still lead to significant body composition.

How Pilates Aids in Weight Loss

Pilates might not immediately come to mind if you have trouble losing weight. Still, it is an effective way to do so and offers other physical advantages that will make your body undergo drastic changes. It is a low-impact exercise that can cause weight loss by toning your musculature, burning calories, and boosting your metabolism.

Pilates: Controlled pulses that use several muscle groups at once help increase strength while burning calories. The leaner your muscle mass, the more calories your body burns, even at rest.

Movements like The Hundred, Leg Circles, and Plank in Pilates tone the core muscles throughout your body. Building muscle revs up your metabolism and can assist with weight loss over time.

Better Posture and Alignment—Pilates is a core-focused workout that emphasises proper alignment of shoulders, hips, and knees. Proper posture reduces muscle imbalances that can result in less easy movement in everyday tasks.

This will ensure that your body is in proper alignment for everything you do, making you more efficient (using less energy) during any physical activity. It will also allow you to train longer and harder before fatigue sets in.

Pilates Exercises for Toning

Pilates is a social exercise for sculpting the body and developing long, lean muscles. While a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight, Pilates is an excellent way to tame your muscles and look better. Here are some Pilates movements that target fat-prone areas and develop lean muscles.

The Hundred: This famous Pilates exercise targets your heart as you pound your arms up and down while keeping your core engaged. You lie down on your back and raise your legs while pulsing your arms up and down—it is also a good leg workout. I love to use the Hundred to help me develop resistance to Pilates, and it also works best for my abs.

Single-leg stretch: This is a leg and ABS strengthening workout. Draw one knee to your chest while your opposite leg is extended as you lie on your back. Use your core to turn your legs as you exchange legs every time. This not only works on your abs but also on your lower body and is an excellent exercise for gaining a flat stomach.

Pilates Plank: The plank is also a significant weight loss and strengthening workout; you often use it in many workouts. It works on your core and shoulders as they gain strength and balance, works out your arms and legs, obliquely holds a plank position for your muscles, and burns a few calories.

Leg circles: As you hug your leg, as mentioned above, hold one leg up to the ceiling and make a tiny circle. Draw the right leg in the air and work down to the core. This exercise works on muscles and makes your leg lean. If done every day, it will also help tone muscles, balance, and posture.

The Benefits of Pilates for Body Sculpting

Many people use Pilates to lose weight, but one of the best reasons for doing so is that it conditions and sculpts your body. In contrast, Pilates isolates specific muscle groups, creating toned, lean muscles rather than bulky ones. Exercises like this can help you tighten and tone your arms, legs, and core.

Full-Body Toning: Pilates simultaneously tones multiple muscles so that you (and your legs, arms, core, and back) are working simultaneously. Some exercises, like roll-ups, double leg stretches, side kicks, etc., can help you get a body filled with strength and health by working every muscle part of your body, building it, and toning it. Pilates gives a little more definition to the muscles, and it is easier to keep your body petite.

Building Longer Muscles—For those who don’t know, traditional exercise regimes that include strength training can lead to muscle bulking up, whereas Pilates is all about creating long and slim muscles. Therefore, the design reflects a leaner and smoother body. Several Pilates moves, such as the “Swan Dive” or “Leg Pull,” concentrate on stretching and improving motion. This is also why Pilates practitioners appear long and lean.

Stronger Muscles Starting Pilates increases your muscle strength, so you can do each move longer without burning out. This, in turn, prevents your muscles from becoming as tired, allowing you to burn extra calories and tone more over time. Pilates—which targets your core like crazy—lengthens the muscles and repeatedly lays back into smaller, stabilising muscles throughout a movement.

Combining Pilates with Cardio for Weight Loss

Pilates is one of the best exercises for building and toning your core. Doing it without cardio will help you lose a few pounds, but you can accomplish even more with aerobic exercise.

Examples include running, cycling, swimming, and even fast walking—generally types of cardio—which are great ways to burn calories at high rates. These can be a complete fitness regime, along with Pilates, that helps you reduce your body fat and tone up.

Interval training: Interval training is a perfect way to exercise and incorporate Pilates. Alternating short, arduous fitness (spin, running) with Pilates movements is a great way to maintain your heart rate and muscle development. This type of exercise gets rid of fat and strengthens and tones muscles.

Pilates Fusion Classes: Many gyms now offer classes that combine Pilates with another type of training (barre, cardio circuits and HIIT are all very popular). These classes fuse the body-shaping benefits of Pilates with intense, calorie-burning cardio. Most people, however, are looking for some form of fat loss, weight loss, and body toning.

Why you should do Pilates on rest days: If you’re already doing a lot of cardio, Pilates is the perfect way to keep moving, even during your rest. Low-impact and gentle movement naturally build core strength and flexibility without the wear and tear of high-impact fitness workouts.

Conclusion

Pilates for Weight Loss and Pilates for Toning Pilates helps build lean muscle, core strength, and flexibility to provide your body with a balance of strength, which promotes muscles and contributes to weight loss. The controlled movements and requirements to engage core muscles in Pilates shape your body and allow for better physical performance in conjunction with other exercises that burn more calories.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates does help you lose weight, just not in the same way that high-intensity cardio exercises will. Pilates is about building long, lean muscle, which increases your metabolism. It helps people shed off extra flab by developing more robust and firmer muscles over time (52-54). This results in the body utilising more calories even at rest. Pilates might not have the rapid calorie burn of running or cardio cycling, but it can contribute to fat loss if you follow a sensible diet and combine it with other forms of exercise, such as jogging.

The Hundred Single-Leg Stretch Plank Leg Circles will help tone your body! These exercise routines work for many muscle groups simultaneously and build lean muscle, making your muscles look better overall.

  • The Hundred– This exercise is fantastic for getting your core nice and firm, including the abs.
  • More Core-Focused, and Any exercise that engages their core muscles helps tone them down. –The Single-Leg Stretch is effective for toning the lower body.

It will help tighten and tone your legs, hips, and core muscles and increase flexibility in the lower body. Incorporating these exercises into your daily Pilates practice will tone and strengthen your body while creating lean, long muscles.

Pilates and exercise work quite differently regarding weight loss, but it can be a good combination if you have access to both. Running, cycling, and swimming are heart-healthy activities because they will lead you to lose fat in no time as you burn more calories after each action. Pilates is more about developing lean muscle, increasing metabolism and allowing the body to burn Class 1 calories over an extended period. Cardio burns calories more frequently and faster, but Pilates helps you keep improving your balance, strength, and flexibility over time, which will help you perform better in other activities.

Pilates is excellent for toning up some areas of your body, notably the core. Most exercises directly affect deep abdominal strength, giving you a flat, toned stomach. Exercises that work the abs, obliques, and lower back muscles include “The Hundred,” “Plank,” and “Roll-Up,” which will strengthen and tighten the middle. Pilates Is Not Just the Core. It is effective on the legs, arms, hips, and more.

Pilates is excellent if you are getting literate about weight loss and want to tone your body. Pilates is great because it can be adapted even for your fitness level. Its simplicity and safety made it a viable option for people new to fitness. The calculated movements and focus on alignment with good posture also lower the potential risk of injury while keeping those new to Pilates safe to build strength and flexibility slowly. Pilates is excellent for beginners or those who are already fit. It is for newcomers to fitness who want to develop core strength, balance, and muscle tone. Adding more complex tasks to your workouts can increase your difficulty as you improve.

Pilates, on the other hand, we suggest you do at least three to four times a week if you want to see any actual tone and weight loss results. Consistency is vital when it comes to building lean muscle and overall strength. The frequency at which you will practice Pilates is also up to your goals when exercising. Two to three times a week should be enough to see results if you do Pilates and other forms of exercise, like running and strength training. Four to five weekly lessons allow faster results, ideal if you do Pilates primarily for weight loss/tone-up.

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Yoga Teacher Training: Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-teacher-training-becoming-a-certified-yoga-instructor/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37726 The post Yoga Teacher Training: Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is now recognised globally for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. With a growing number of individuals looking to explore and grow their yoga practice and pass the benefits of yoga on to others, becoming a certified yoga teacher has become an appealing route. Yoga teacher training (YTT) is a program curated to train and prepare upcoming instructors for teaching yoga classes while walking students toward wellness.

Understanding Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

Yoga teacher training is an intense school where you learn philosophy, techniques and how to teach yoga in detail. YTT programs are generally categorised by hours. The most common ones are 200-hour and 300-hour programs. You shall typically begin by completing a 200-hour YTT to become an RYT. If you want to go even further, there is the 300-hour YTT for more advanced training.

Detailed anatomical information and meditation training might be handy in a Yoga instructor training (YTT) course to incorporate into gross anatomy. During this practicum, they also learn to prepare lessons, guide students, and build an inclusive classroom environment. Some teaching programs also involve experience leading a mock class and being observed by real teachers who provide feedback.

Most of YTT goes over yoga’s practical and philosophical parts, such as ancient texts such as The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras. It offers an integrated approach to yoga teacher training so that by benefitting from the deeper understanding of pranayama alongside the more physical asanas, individuals are qualified not only in asanas but also in living yogic principles — kindness, generosity and self-awareness — if they choose a career-based on yoga.

What to Expect During Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga teacher training is life-changing and demanding. Most YTT programs are intense, whether full-time immersion over weeks or months. Training includes these crucial elements:

Anatomy and Alignment: Safe yoga instruction requires anatomical knowledge. You’ll learn about the musculoskeletal system, how postures influence muscles and joints, and how to help students through safe alignment in each pose throughout YTT. This information prevents harm and lets you change postures for pupils with different capacities.

Yoga Class Sequencing: Classes that flow seamlessly from posture to pose help students improve strength, flexibility, and balance. YTT will teach you how to build successful sequences for students of all ability levels and target different body parts. Explore how to adjust sequences for relaxation, strength-building, and mindfulness class topics.

Pranayama and meditation are essential to yoga; instructors must know how to use these approaches in their lessons. YTT will teach you to lead students through pranayama and meditation techniques to boost energy and mental clarity.

The Benefits of Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor

Advantages of being a certified Yoga instructor Benefits of getting Yoga instructor certification

Take Your Practice Further: Only dedicated learning and practices can physically, mentally, and spiritually teach you yoga. This knowledge elevates your profession and hence helps you guide others.

 

Pass the Yoga Gift On: You can train to become a Yoga mentor to share the joy of experiencing these transformative powers with others. Yoga can encourage less stress, fun, good health, and peace of mind. Teaching yoga is a delight to help others become healthier.

There are a range of job offers from the certification of yoga instructor. Teach in yoga studios, fitness centres, schools or corporate wellness programs and inspire others: a certification makes you more reputable and employable. Other possibilities include private lessons, retreats, seminars or specialised programs.

Self-Discovery: The advancement of the physical rewards of being a Yoga instructor is about personal change and growth. YTT push you to the front line, out of your comfort zone and learn about yourself. YTT graduates often speak of a transformative experience that allows them to live more truthfully and purposefully.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor

If you are ready to embark on the path of becoming a certified yoga instructor, these are the steps:

Choose a YTT Program: You must first select a YTT school that works with your dates, aims, and kind of yoga. Check reviews, consider other schools and teachers, and decide whether you want to do a 200-hour or 300-hour program. Find a Yoga Alliance Recognized School. It’s one of the more recognised certifications in yoga.

Complete Your YTT Program: When choosing a program, ensure you do your YTT. YTT is supposed to be challenging mentally and physically. It requires dedication, concentration, and an inward look. Speak to your teachers and the other trainees, ask questions at every opportunity, and learn as much as possible.

Join the Yoga Alliance. After completing your YTT training, you can become a RYT—Registered Yoga instructor—with the Yoga Alliance. This internationally recognised qualification is a feather in your teaching credentials. You don’t need to join the Yoga Alliance—at least not yet—but it is nice if you want to teach.

Different opportunities are open if you have completed your yoga training, like Start Teaching Start by teaching lessons at your schools, clubhouses or community centres. You can attract customers by providing one-on-one sessions or classes for a few people. Once ready, start by teaching at camps or retreats and build your confidence.

Conclusion

Life-changing and Career-advancing Yoga Mentor Training! Becoming a certified Yoga mentor will teach you more about yoga and its benefits. It is a fantastic career where you can earn something from it. Whether you teach at a studio, offer workshops or begin your own yoga business, certification equips you to change the lives of your students. As you work towards your certification, remember that Yoga is an ongoing lifelong practice of growth and self-discovery.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

The entire Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) syllabus provides the experience to enable students to receive their yoga instructor licensing. Anatomy, asanas, pranayama, meditation, and yoga philosophy are covered under YTT. Typically, YTT programs are 200 or 300 hours, the most common being a 200-hour course as the “basic” level for new teachers. How to structure and sequence classes Keeping students safe through the postures Using mental and spiritual yoga themes How to book – Contact us here! Field-based teaching and learning are a part of the course designed for class leadership confidence.

Here are some reasons you might want to get a Yoga mentor certification. If you want to elevate your yoga practice and development, here is why Yoga mentor training benefits you: Yoga mentor training develops a new approach to practising both physically, mentally and spiritually. You become more aware and connected to your body and mind —contributors issued. Certified professionals have a lot of scope and options at work. You can never have enough options: private workshops, yoga studios, fitness centres, health retreats and corporate settings.

A Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) curriculum includes everything you need to know to become a competent yoga teacher. This is known as the group, which helps in learning Yoga Asanas and how to teach them Anatomy and Physiology. Pranayama, Meditation, and Yoga philosophy are essential for an entire yoga class. One of the things that we learn in YTT programs is sequence construction, or how to create a flow for students at different levels. You will practice teaching and receive feedback to grow more confident.

Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) length, depending on curriculum The 200-hour YTT is “IF”. It’s popular and can be done in several ways. Intensive (full-time, immersion) programs are three to six weeks long, and part-time or evening/weekend programs run for many months to combine training with other obligations. A 300-hour YTT for High-Level Training follows it. Formatting some of these takes months. Many YTT programs offer blended learning, where students can study in-person or online. For either intensive or extended program, YTT demands devotion and regular practice.

After becoming a certified Yoga mentor, an instructor can choose from numerous types of careers. The most common way is to teach in your neighbourhood’s yoga studios, health clubs, and wellness centres. Many licensed instructors teach specialised groups, such as corporate wellness initiatives, schools, and community centres. This is because of the personal care that private lessons provide for the needs of students. Yoga instructors offer seminars, retreats, and speciality classes for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with other physical limitations.

Yoga Alliance membership is not a requirement but is recommended for professional teachers. Yoga Alliance is a global registry for Yoga mentor training and teachers. Registering as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) means you completed an application that fits their criteria, which can have some value in boosting your teaching skills. Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor means you have been fully trained and have excellent knowledge. They are in high demand at yoga studios and fitness centres, as well as by companies: continuing education, liability insurance, and a global yoga community for Yoga Alliance members.

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The Art of Sequencing in Yoga Classes: A Path to Harmonious Flow https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-art-of-sequencing-in-yoga-classes-a-path-to-harmonious-flow/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37721 The post The Art of Sequencing in Yoga Classes: A Path to Harmonious Flow appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is more than poses. This exercise merges the mind, body, and spirit with movement, breath, and awareness. The ability to sequence postures into some flow is one of the most incredible things to come out of yoga class. Yoga Sequencing layers yoga poses (asanas) together in a specific order to create a seamless and controlled flow. Suppose you aspire to be a yoga teacher or wish to enhance your practice. In that case, you must understand the sequencing well, as this will allow you to make the best use of all physical, mental and social aspects concurrent with practising yoga.

Why Yoga Sequencing Matters

Yoga sequencing is more than poses. Make a planned and reasonable course of action to grow your body, build up the muscles, and animate the psyche. Every yoga class is safe, full-body and mind-balancing, with thoughtfully planned sequencing. Why yoga sequencing matters:

Safety-first: Student safety is always on the priority list in yoga sequencing. Balance and variety in your yoga practice Tip 4 for Strength — 5 Minutes in Plank Reducing time spent doing challenging positions also increases strength because regular, well-paced yoga increases bring you to those more challenging positions with more core stamina.

Before getting into something as profound as the Wheel Pose, the yoga sequence should work through some heart, shoulder, and hip flexor opening poses, such as the Cobra Pose and Bridge. This makes warming up the body for more complex movements easy.

The yoga session should be such that it balances out the strength, flexibility, and, ultimately, relaxation of all body parts, thereby creating a heart-opening yoga sequence and achieving a well-sequenced yoga asana. A well-balanced yoga sequence hits all kinds of muscle groups, which relieves built-up tightness and works areas that are ready to work but need to be in the correct position.

Postures like Plank Pose can give you a muscle-intense workout, while others, such as Forward Folds, will focus on stretching and opening the fascia. By equally distributing the work, no one part gets overstrained.

Foundational Principles of Yoga Sequencing

How asanas influence the body and mind is fundamental in sequencing yoga practices. The possibilities for creating yoga sequences are endless, but here are some basic concepts to  help you get started:

The body should be ready for the lesson and heated before every yoga session. A good warm-up includes breath awareness, light stretching, and joint mobilisation. Cat-Cow, Downward-Facing Dog, and gentle twists decompress the spine and work on core strength. One exception is when damage diversion and muscle blood flow are optimised.

The most difficult postures (peak posture in yoga) may be built up toward. Students need to open their bodies gradually for this position. Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), and core work may be suggested before teaching Headstand (Sirsasana). Warm-up and align the body before you safely work toward peak posture.

Counter postures circulate the body from long-held positions. These positions counter vital stretches or deep backbends. Child’s Pose (Balasana) follows a deep backbend like Camel Pose (Ustrasana) to comfort the lower back and nerve system. All this work—balancing and overstretching—requires one or more counterpostures.

Structuring a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class

Vinyasa yoga is a moving meditation that flows from breath to movement. A vinyasa sequence is a typical opening, with standing poses in the middle, back bending, and seated or supine inversion. Vinyasa flow yoga class structure —

Grounding and breath awareness postures — begin your session with grounding and breath awareness poses to help centre the mind and body. Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Seated Meditation, Child’s Pose (Balasana) Establish a Deep Inhale and Exhale Tone for the Class

Once you ground yourself, do some Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) to warm the body. Sun Salutations are probably security: forward folds, backbends, and lunges. Do this for several rounds to increase the heart rate and prepare the body for more challenging positions.

Follow these with Warrior I, II, and Extended Side Angle Pose. This pose balances well and builds leg strength. Bringing awareness to these lines can help you stabilise common balance positions like Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and Eagle Pose (Garudasana) and activate your core strength.

Focus Pose: Build toward Crow Pose (Bakasana)/Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)/Wheel Pose. While you probably won’t be doing pincha mayurasana, it will benefit from poses that open and strengthen the same muscles that must be prepped. Offer alignment cues and modifications for all levels.

Yoga Sequencing for Different Levels and Styles

The style and experience levels of students determine yoga sequencing. Change the sequence for your students, whether beginners, advanced yoga practitioners, or you are teaching a speciality class.

Yoga for Beginners: Welcome to Basic Postures Introduction text mountain down-dog warrior calm clear transitions Do not overcomplicate things by wanting to incorporate the most challenging postures or transitions; wait until students understand the unity between alignment and their breath.

Arm balances and inversions, while not necessarily in the exact yoga sequence for a beginning yogi, are both elements that can be included even in an advanced yoga for beginners’ class (though as to whether they ought to be is another matter—perhaps only at specific points in the progression of advancing postures).

Restorative Yoga is a sequence that helps you relax and restore. In a therapeutic class, we also hold the postures that support them for long periods, which can help make them approachable. The benefits of deep breathing and nerve-soothing routines are emphasised.

Conclusion

Yoga Sequence is an influential art for designing classes with well-rounded and practical courses. The benefits of correct sequencing are immeasurable, but in an organic sense, it keeps everyone safe and moving well as they walk out of class feeling like they have been put back together — both physically and mentally. Yoga Sequence can be the one aspect of your class in which you can take students through a journey — from the beginning, when their bodies may feel stiff and they have wandering minds, to the end: a place where muscles are warm and receptive, focused and intentional.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A Yoga sequence of three poses of yoga that are specifically crafted to be done in a particular order by which together they can articulate the storyline and shape your practice. Why Yoga Sequence? It is simply because it prepares the body for more advanced postures, warms up slowly, and cools down properly. A yoga sequence that follows an intelligent progression leaves plenty of space for you to practice free from injury. Sequencing also helps to keep our practice balanced by working different muscle groups and alternating between strengthening, stretching, and recovery poses. Flowing through a yoga routine connects your body and mind with the physical alignment of one part, leading to mental attention for the next.

Creating a well-structured yoga practice is one of the keys to making yoga sequences safer. The flow leads you to more challenging poses, so your body is prepared for advanced positions when they finally come around. This stops one from overstepping, pulling too hard or straining with the muscles and joints. If you are getting ready to do a backbend like Wheel Pose, you would likely want to do poses like Cobra Pose and Bridge Pose (engage your quadriceps while practising this pose) to stretch your shoulder joint, pectoral muscles, and back body as well as opening hip flexors.

A yoga sequence should be divided into four sections: warm-up, peak pose, counter poses and cool-down. A warm-up sequence commonly comprises gentle stretching, joint mobilisation, and practices that tune you in with your inhalation in preparation for more significant movements. Typical warm-ups might be Sun Salutations or Cat-Cow. This is followed by the set’s climax, usually the most challenging pose in the class, whether a balance, an inversion, or a backbend. The poses before it set the body up for this climax. Following the climax, perform counter poses to recenter and counteract any stress upon the musculature from deep stretches or powerful contractions.

If you are wondering what the difference is between beginner and advanced yoga sequences. They are as complex or challenging as most advanced yoga poses! Thanks to simple, beginner-friendly yoga poses that allow newcomers of varying levels to progress safely and effectively. Often, these proving grounds include fundamental positions such as Mountain Present, Warrior I, and Downward Dog with slow transitions and step-by-step instructions on how to get your left large toe ahead of your right index.

To do this, yoga sequences should work multiple muscle groups and body parts through different poses. Some common positions are:

  • Mountain pose (Tadasana): This standing posture offers grounding and cultivates postural awareness, so it appears at the beginning of most sequences.
  • Downward-Facing Dog is a great strengthener for the arms, core and hamstrings.
  • Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II): Standing poses for legs, core work, and help with balance.
  • For example, plank pose (Phalakasana) is a core strengthener that would be included in most yoga sequences.
  • Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)Related heart opening sequences: Bridge strengthens the back and glutes, extends the chest
  • Child’s pose (Balasana): This is a vital counterpose after intense stretches or backbends.

Grab your flexibility, strength, or relaxation yoga goals and calendar to determine a regular home practice. Do Cat-Cow and seated twists to help get your body warmed up. Warm up and stretch out muscles with Sun Salutations. Build up to Warrior III or Bridge with the following postures. Use counter poses after your peak posture to help balance out any potential overstretch or contraction—a forward fold after a backbend.

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Yoga and Mindfulness: Integrating Present Moment Awareness for a Balanced Life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-and-mindfulness-integrating-present-moment-awareness-for-a-balanced-life/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37716 The post Yoga and Mindfulness: Integrating Present Moment Awareness for a Balanced Life appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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With our rapidly modernising and on-the-go world, stress management is a present state of mind; in other words, mindfulness is something that most of us need careful attention to and day-to-day life continuity integration. Some start dabbling in yoga and mindfulness at this point to stay low-centred and calmly level-headed, not only to regain themselves from going insane but also to experience a profound sense of calm and reassurance. Yoga and mindfulness go together like peanut butter and jelly because they are identical when you get right down to it — in terms of recognizing this actual moment.

The Connection Between Yoga and Mindfulness

Now, Yoga and Mindfulness are also deeply connected. With that appearance of individual action, the essential act central to all three practices (truly universal among human activities) is to pay attention: in moving your body, controlling your breath, and, above all, stilling your mind.

As an ancient Indian art, yoga is not just about putting your body in different poses (asanas). It is a way of life that perfectly balances the body, mind, and soul. On the other hand, mindfulness is about being with yourself nonjudgmentally. This combination of habits potentiates overall mental and physical health, promoting holistic well-being and balance.

An ordinary yoga class involves mindfulness in the form of breathing exercises (pranayama), conscious movement, and body awareness. To perform a yoga pose correctly, you need to be attentive, and this is the kind of attention you can employ in your everyday life outside the yoga mat.

Yoga trains you to be present, paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without becoming identified with them, even during a practice focusing on nothing more than your breath or holding one challenging yoga pose. This empowerment, this sense of control, allows you to navigate your thoughts and feelings with confidence and control.

I think of yoga as a compliment to mindfulness and taking it forward. It is also the act of surrendering all that gets in our way so we can feel every moment. Eventually, you will begin to relax your body and mind completely, very slowly, into a state of calm focus.

Yoga meditation can help you manage stress, cope with your emotions, and even become more effective at it, not to mention become a healthier human being.

Mindful Breathing Techniques in Yoga

One of the ways to bring awareness into yoga is through pranayama, or what we call mindful breathing. Pranayama, or working with your breath, is essential to yoga. The meditational aspect, mainly practised as they are doing yoga exercises, is a way to bring up where you are and be innovative.

Ujjayi breath, or victorious breath, is a yogic breathing technique (Pranayama). It involves breathing in and out through the nose with a little contraction in the neck area. The breath is soft and watery to the ear.

It aids concentration in yoga and leads to the integration of action, as it is a method of controlling your breath and movement. Ujjayi Breath—Practice this method to stay patient and not get bothered by the complexities arising from all postures quickly.

Nadi Shodhana, or breathing through alternate nostrils, is another helpful practice to improve your breath. This is a way of breathing where we inhale from one side, close the other nose lug, and vice versa, then leave it out.

This, in turn, balances the left and right sides of the brain, thereby improving emotional stability and mental clarity. People typically do this early in yoga (or at the end) to still their minds and prepare their bodies for a longer sleep.

Yoga Poses to Enhance Mindfulness

A few yoga poses that work very well for our focus and awareness. They allow this presence by concentrating the body alignment, breath and internal sensations. But, if you are reading the article as somebody who decently practices yoga, here are some danger-free positions that may enhance your probability of transforming mindfulness into a bona fied trait:

The mountain position (Tadasana): This standing posture balances and grounds. Standing: Mindfulness comes from standing tall, feet rooted into the earth and spine aligned while focusing on breath and body sensations.

In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), your weight must always be balanced. Tree Pose: Standing on one leg, planting the other foot onto the inner thigh or calf. It enhances personal balance and attention to the body in this position, so try to stay calm and centred.

Child pose (Balasana) – Helps to relax and focus the mind. The standard part of this position is kneeling on the mat and falling forward directly with the forehead to the ground. This posture focuses on claiming the breath and releasing bodily resistance.

Introducing these mindful yoga poses into your routine will make you feel present and aware. Each position allows practitioners to centre themselves within their bodies, breaths, and thoughts of the day, facilitating mental clarity and emotional equilibrium.

The Benefits of Integrating Yoga and Mindfulness

Combining the art of yoga with mindfulness has benefits on the physical, mental and emotional levels. While developed differently, Yoga and mindfulness are two avenues to an integrated physical experience. There are numerous advantages of incorporating Yoga meditation into your daily routine:

Relaxation and Healing: Yoga meditation activates the Parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to lower stress levels, reduced anxiety, etc. By keeping in the present, yoga brings tension and anxiety levels low. The body relaxes, and mental peace is nurtured through this relaxation. Mindful yoga calms your mind, allows cortisol to decrease, and helps you find some serenity.

Practising mindfulness helps with emotional regulation because it teaches people to look at their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This method also helps one develop greater emotional control when practised with yoga. Yoga meditation is two popular tips for emotional resilience and balance. When tension is inside you after a challenging yoga class, it’s time to dissolve negativity by letting it go.

Strength and Flexibility: Yoga asanas work wonderfully on the muscles, making them strong, fit and fine while maintaining overall health. Yoga and mindfulness (via increased body awareness and attention to bodily sensations)

Conclusion

For others, Yoga and mindfulness might be their path to unity of mind, body, and spirit. Through the therapeutic use of mindfulness, deep, even breathing, focused movements, and an increased level of self-awareness, yoga has been associated with reduced stress, emotional control, and overall mental health.

You could have been practising yoga for years or have just started; meditation might change the way you do yoga. Yoga and mindfulness can reduce anxiety, increase attentional focus, and build physical health (strength, flexibility). With the help of yoga, you can achieve peace of mind, stability, and satisfaction.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga and mindfulness are both known for their focus on the present. Yoga practitioners are taught to stay present and mindful while working out, practising asana (physical yoga pose), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Mindfulness is the process of giving attention to the current moment without passing judgment. This allows people to tune into their emotions, thoughts and senses completely. Yoga, when mixed with mindfulness, helps to decrease stress, build attention resources and feel a much better emotional state. When people practice yoga, they are more present by focusing on their bodies and breathing activities. That keeps them more centred in the present moment.

Conscious breathing (A Pranayama technique in yoga) can help centre and focus more on life. When you breathe consciously, it forces you to pay attention to your breathing for a second — this clears your head and relaxes everything. We can then better understand how to use calming and clearing breathing techniques (Ujjayi Breath, Nadi Shodhana, etc.). Getting in touch with this tension physically removes this stress from the body, allowing for reality and nothing else. ~ Linking breath together with movement allows anyone engaging in yoga regulars to sustain their poses steadiest for extended periods, improving overall physical competence.

Tadasana: A base pose that encourages grounding and body a wee bit of body awareness; it helps calm the mind. It also keeps them both, their balance and breath, focused. Tree Pose (Vrksasana) is one of those balancing poses where all letter five senses need to work in tandem with mindfulness to stay anchored. That makes it an excellent concentration trainer as well. Balasana (The Child Pose) is often used in yoga to relax individuals and allow the mind to think, as you can empty all of the thoughts racing through your head by focusing on your breath. With the Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana), you can be alone with your thoughts and engulfed in deep stretches, often allowing for a meditative-like moment.

Yoga and awareness are suitable for the mind and body. Both are nine ways. Regular yoga makes muscles more robust, flexible, and supple and helps increase balance. This tool will help you be more conscious of your body and prevent injuries. Yoga’s focus on mindfulness also helps decrease the mind’s worry, anxiety, and pressures by teaching awareness of breathing and helping everyone live in the present. Mindfulness makes people aware of their thoughts and feelings without labelling them. It is suitable for managing their emotions and is exceptionally resilient. The benefits even overlap— mindfulness and yoga can enhance each other’s effectiveness by strengthening focus, attention, and mental clarity.

Mindfulness, coupled with yoga, is an excellent way to counteract these stressors, prompt your body’s relaxation response, and quieten down your nervous system. The pranayama(concentrating and controlled breathing) and awareness of movements in yoga practices can help reduce your heart rate and deplete your cortisol levels, eliminating other visible symptoms of physical stress. Mindfulness allows people to observe and experience their emotions and thoughts without giving any judgment. This will enable people not to worry over and over again.

Yoga and mindfulness improve your focus and attention. Your mind wanders less because yoga makes you much more present-oriented, interrupting overthinking. It is not a state, as in mindfulness, which tells people to pay attention to the present moment when doing yoga and focus on their breath or how their body feels. Balancing and symmetrical asanas—like Tree or Mountain Pose, for example—will demand all our awareness, which can help steady the mind. If people practice these things in the manner mentioned above, they can improve their off and on-mat ability to focus.

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Pilates for Neck and Shoulder Tension Relief: A Path to Comfort and Mobility https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-neck-and-shoulder-tension-relief-a-path-to-comfort-and-mobility/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37706 The post Pilates for Neck and Shoulder Tension Relief: A Path to Comfort and Mobility appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Some of the worst tension you can get is neck and shoulder pain, which is usually brought on by poor posture, being under a lot of stress, or just spending far too long hunched over your computer. This discomfort can manifest as pain, stiffness, decreased mobility, limited day-to-day life experiences and overall health. Pilates can help relieve tension in that part of our body and avoid muscles and stress. Pilates gives us a chance to feed the health back of this area simply for control core, robust and aligned posture movements.

How Pilates Targets Neck and Shoulder Tension

It is a low-impact exercise which helps improve, strengthen, and stretch your body while keeping it aligned. Alignment and stability are the keys to Pilates, which is one of the things our instructor took on board. Better posture and a more stable core can help reduce stress on the neck and shoulders.

Your neck and shoulder muscles will likely become stiff or sore if you don’t stand straight. This is especially true if your head inclines forward. Pilates, which both realigns the body and aids in balance, lessens strain on these muscles.

For example, Pilates exercises that focus on strengthening your upper back and shoulders and stretching the neck force you to eliminate all possible stress. Core exercises help strengthen the spine and improve overall balance.

This keeps your upper body from collapsing and prevents your shoulders from hunching forward, contributing to a lot of stress in the neck and shoulders. Pilates is also about slow, intentional movement, which can help calm and relax your body and thus loosen up those areas more.

Pilates also includes stress-reducing breathing exercises. Using the diaphragm for deep breathing keeps you from tightening up your muscles and helps circulate your blood faster, which means they can pick up the repairs and alleviate neck and shoulder and neck pain. Pilates, on the other hand, deals with physical and mental stress by giving importance to breathing and set movements.

Pilates Exercises for Neck and Shoulder Relief

Pilates Service Movements Many movements in the Pilates service can target needs and shoulders. Still, even without that focus, The Spine Corrector Barrel facilitates movement throughout the entire back — neck to hips. These exercises gently stretch and strengthen neck, shoulder, and Neck and Shoulder muscles. Best on Neck and Shoulders: Pilates workouts for tension relief

Begin neck stretches by sitting or standing tall with relaxed shoulders. Tilt your head slightly to one side, near your shoulder (without lifting it). Pause for a few breaths, then proceed with the other side. This simple exercise will help soothe a tight neck while improving mobility.

Isolation of Scapula: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet planted flat on the ground. Your arms should be raised straight over your head towards the ceiling. Lowly draw your shoulder blades to slide into those back pockets.

Then, please take a few seconds to breathe, relax, and do them again. This exercise is excellent for this purpose, as it helps us improve our posture and reduce pain in the upper body that often comes from weakness in these muscles between the shoulder blades.

Cat-Cow Stretch: Stand on all fours in a table pose—Inhale in, arcing your back up and lifting your head and chest (Cow Pose). Round your spine, tuck your chin to your chest (Cat Pose), and exhale. This helps stretch and mobilise the spine, decreasing stress on your neck and shoulders and enhancing flexibility.

The Role of Posture in Neck and Shoulder Tension and How Pilates Helps

The way you hold yourself can affect stress on the neck and shoulders. Slouched posture and forward head posture tighten neck, shoulder, and Neck and Shoulder muscles. Strain can build up and become chronic pain, stiffness, and tension.

The reasons behind poor posture are fixed, as Pilates develops the muscles that support the spine and align it correctly.

Pilates focuses on postural alignment by strengthening the core. It cushions the upper body by maintaining a neutral position, locking shoulders in place, keeping your head aligned, and away from those pesky neck pains.

 Using muscles in the core group, the spine is stabilised, and posture is corrected. Exercises such as the plank and roll-up from Pilates make movements familiar in daily life, like sitting down or standing up, much more accessible.

Pilates strengthens the core, lengthens the spine, and lifts the chest to fight against slouching. Spine & Flexibility Swan Dive and Spine Stretch Forward help lengthen the spine and improve alignment, thus reducing upper body tension.

The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Pilates for Tension Relief

Not only is Pilates great for the physical, but it also has mental and emotional benefits that aid in stress reduction. Upper body pain is often tied to stress and tension that tighten muscles. Pilates reduces pressure through a string of controlled movements and deep breathing.

Breathing deeply from the diaphragm helps decompress the nervous system and release tension. It also reduces upper back and neck strain. This increased oxygen flow helps the muscles relax and heal.

Meditative aspect: Works towards greater body awareness as Pilates is unforgiving of tension. This can be another philosophy massage therapists share with Pilates practitioners, as they may purposefully emphasise how stretching, breathing, and movement are all connected.

Pilates, a physical and mental practice, helps the body out holistically through motion and mindfulness. It reduces tension by strengthening muscles and decreasing emotional and mental stress. Routine Pilates could boost clarity of mind, stress, and wellness.

 Conclusion

Pilates is a gentle approach to stretching and strengthening upper body muscles, alleviating stress. Pilates workouts lower stress, improve posture and increase upper body mobility. Core strength and alignment treat lousy posture, which commonly causes upper back and neck pain.

Mindfulness and breath control in Pilates relieve mental and emotional strain and physical tension. Relaxation and stress reduction via deep breathing and regulated motions ease upper body strain.

Pilates may enhance mobility and relieve upper back and neck stress. Doing Pilates regularly may strengthen your body, improve your posture, and decrease the stress and tension that cause these issues. Pilates may help you move more freely and pleasantly by alleviating upper body discomfort from poor posture, anxiety, or misuse.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates movements, which are gentle and controlled on neck, shoulders and upper back muscles, can help reduce stress. Stress, muscle imbalances and bad posture all cause tightness in these areas. Pilates stabilises the spine and releases upper body stress while working on the core. Pilates moves such as shoulder rolls and neck Stretching gently stretch and release tight muscles, while other moves like scapula isolation engage shoulder blade muscles. Pilates emphasises deep, gentle breathing, which lengthens and relaxes the body, alleviating stress and increasing blood flow after breaks to freshen muscle arms.

Several Pilates routines, such as Neck stretches, soothe tight muscles, improve flexibility, and Reduce pain. Shoulder Rolls – These help to reduce stress and increase circulation in the upper back and shoulder region. Shoulder shrugs for scapula isolation can help those who need to isolate the shoulder blade muscles to help improve posture and reduce upper back and neck pain. Cat-Cow Stretch — Best Pilates Exercise for Spine Mobility & Upper Back/Neck/Shoulder Tension Relief They help to gently stretch and strengthen muscles, which can get stiff or sore from lack of movement.

Pilates targets core muscles and aids in improving posture. Poor posture, such as slouching and forward head position, stresses your upper back and neck muscles. Pilates can stabilise the spine to strengthen your deep core, which will help hold up the upper body and prevent shoulder slumping. They train the core and ensure you sit tall on the bike, thus reducing upper back and neck stress. Pilates stretches the whole body, explicitly lengthening the spine and opening up through the chest – suitable for any of us sitting at a computer all day.

Yes, the controlled movements and mindful breathing in Pilates are designed to leave you feeling relaxed, including stiff necks and strained shoulders caused by stress. Stress can tighten upper back and neck muscles, resulting in painful conditions. In Pilates practice, we utilise deep diaphragmatic breathing to modulate and calm the nervous system, reduce compression in the spine and relax muscles. Cat-Cow Stretch: Keeps the upper back and neck relaxed, takes you into an awareness of the mind-body connection, and stretches your mind with some Neck stretch. Pilates helps reduce stress-related muscle stiffness and upper back and neck strain by emphasising physical movement and mental relaxation.

Pilates should be practised twice to thrice weekly to alleviate upper back and neck stiffness. A routine fortifies the neck and shoulder muscles, corrects posture, and decreases stress. Pilates can relieve muscle tension quite quickly, but consistent exercises are required to ensure results over a longer time. By incorporating exercises that strengthen the neck, shoulder, and upper back, such as Shoulder Rolls, Neck stretches, and Scapula Isolation movements over time, you will improve your range of motion and decrease discomfort.

Improves Posture and Prevents Neck & Shoulder Strain- Pilates corrects terrible posture caused by muscular imbalances due to stress so that the neck and shoulders perform their work more efficiently. Pilates helps train the muscles of the core, which support your spine and can help improve posture and reduce neck and shoulder pain. Add upper-back exercises, such as scapula isolation and swan dive, to improve posture and prevent shoulder rounding. Pilates can also increase flexibility in your spine and shoulders in the long run, as places tend to stiffen up. And ease stress so all is well in purchasing the most effective protest stress.

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Pilates for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Management: Strengthening Body and Mind https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-multiple-sclerosis-ms-management-strengthening-body-and-mind/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37701 The post Pilates for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Management: Strengthening Body and Mind appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that impacts the central nervous system, leading to various symptoms like muscle weakness, balance problems, fatigue, and lack of coordination. These symptoms must be managed to preserve mobility and quality of life. Pilates, a low-impact exercise using core strength, flexibility, and controlled movements, has emerged as a highly beneficial exercise for managing MS symptoms.

How Pilates Helps Manage Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Pilates is a low-impact, flexible exercise program ideal for relieving symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. One key benefit of Pilates for multiple sclerosis is its focus on core muscle strength, posture realignment, and overall body awareness.

Balance and stability are two significant issues with MS, so those with the disease can benefit from a strong core. Pilates exercises activate the body’s deep stabilising muscles, which prevents any weakness in MS—especially in the legs. It benefits patients with multiple sclerosis without overstretching the joints, as it exercises those muscles and relieves their symptoms.

Additionally, Pilates trains flexibility and control, and its mindful, slow movement will help MS patients prevent a sedentary lifestyle. An equally important benefit of Pilates in dealing with multiple sclerosis is the ability to manage better spasticity, a common symptom where muscles are stiff and tight. One of the primary purposes of Pilates exercises is to lengthen and stretch muscles, helping you release tension and increase your range of motion.

Pilates Exercises for Strengthening and Balance in MS

Due to their conditions, Multiple Sclerosis patients tend to have muscular weakness and balance problems that expose them to higher fall risks and reduce their mobility. Regular Pilates can help improve strength, balance, and coordination, making everyday activities easy. Here are a few helpful Pilates exercises for managing MS.

The Hundred is a classic Pilates exercise targeting the core and breathing. Supine (lying on your back with your legs higher than your head), arms at sides. Keeping your head, neck, and shoulders lifted off the mat, pulse your arms as you inhale and exhale (5 counts). Repeat 100 arm pulses. One reason people with MS suffer more exhaustion is the Hundred’s athletic tendencies to tiredness, which reinforces the heart.

Leg Circles: Loosen up those hips and tone your legs and pelvic area. Lie on your back, with one leg extended toward the ceiling and the other bent with your foot flat. Circle the straight leg while your hip is stabilised by contracting your core. Change legs after a set. This exercise helps to support strong hips, which contribute to balancing and long-term mobility. Bridging will engage your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back—which are crucial for posture and balance.

Position: Supine with knees bent and feet flat. Raise your hips to create a straight line with your shoulders and knees. Please wait a few seconds before bringing them down. Bridging works the spine and pelvic muscles, making you more stable and helping with MS.

The Benefits of Pilates for Mobility and Flexibility in MS

People with MS commonly have trouble moving and inflexibility. According to the National MS Society, stiffness and limitations in range of motion can make daily activities more challenging as multiple sclerosis progresses.

Since Pilate’s movements are slow and controlled, it gently lengthens muscles instead of keeping them tight and bound, making the body more flexible for simple movements like walking.

Multiple Sclerosis patients become more mobile as regular Pilates exercise decreases muscle stiffness and increases their range of motion. The Saw and Spine Stretch Forward stretch the spine and hamstrings, making them flexible and minimising muscular tension.

The claim that Pilates increases joint mobility gives it another check in the plus column, especially for MS sufferers who often face joint stiffness or pain.

Arm Circles & Hip Rolls: These improve circulation and help alleviate pain by rotating the joints and moving them. Pilates helps improve flexibility and joint mobility, allowing MS patients to retain their independence as they perform simple everyday activities.

Pilates and Mental Well-being for Individuals with MS

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that goes after the brain of a person hard, and also their mental health due to tiredness, stress and try. Pilates, with its focus on breathing and mindfulness, helps these folks work through the mental and emotional aspects of living with illness more gently.

These are an enabler in Pilates, allowing you to relax and de-stress. For those with MS, practising Pilates and gaining knowledge of breathing deeply from the diaphragm can help them feel less uneasy and think more clearly.

Another way the breathing exercises in Pilates can help is by helping you cope with fatigue. These flow enhancements distribute more oxygen throughout your body, making you feel less tired.

Pilates also includes elements of mindfulness, which trains individuals to be present and aware throughout their movements. Awareness can help you overcome many of the cognitive difficulties you may struggle with as an MSer—whether it’s brain fog or paying attention. Pilates can help improve mental focus and add emotional strength to the lives of people with MS.

Because Pilates allows people to gain strength, balance, and flexibility over time so they become successful and powerfully meet their needs. Feeling like you have forward movement can improve your mental health and self-esteem, giving hope and a sense of control to people living with MS.

Conclusion

Pilates treats MS holistically, improving physical and emotional health. Pilates improves mobility, stiffness, and tiredness in MS patients using core strength, flexibility, balance, and breathing. Pilates offers adaptations for people at different stages of MS, making it a versatile workout regimen.

MS patients may improve their mobility and quality of life by adding Pilates exercises like The Hundred, Leg Circles, and Bridging. Pilates’ mental benefits—stress reduction and greater focus—help manage MS’s emotional issues.

Pilates may help MS patients control their symptoms gently and effectively by strengthening the body and mind. Daily Pilates exercise may help MS patients become more active, independent, and fulfilled.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates is a great core stabiliser, balance skill and muscle waster for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) because it helps them build up their bodies the way it still needs to be done, of elasticity and control. A strong core and solid foundation are better ways to balance and prevent those feared falls that many of us who have MS continually fear. By working with the stabilisation muscles without putting pressure on the joints, Pilates can help to prevent muscle weakness, especially in the legs. People with MS can do Pilates regularly as the low-impact exercise won’t exacerbate their fatigue or muscle tightness.

There are a variety of Pilates exercises that have been found to help with strengthening and balance for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Complete The Hundred​: This exercise helps to better your core by keeping the torso stable and improving balance. The Leg Circles exercise corrects the hip muscles. It enhances the flexibility and overall mobility of your lower body so that balancing during routine activities is not only familiar but easy.

Yes, Pilates can indeed provide excellent mobility for MS patients because it brings about gradual, controlled movements that, in turn, increase flexibility in the joints and overall muscle organisation. MS (Multiple Sclerosis) MS stiffens up the body and can make movements less fluid; we will leave it there for now. Pilates exercises such as “The Saw” Choose this option or, in my opinion, discover a wide range of top classes. Pilates also means your most mobile, thanks to exercises like “Arm Circles” and “Hip Rolls,” which slowly move the joints to help improve circulation. This lubricant may improve mobility, stiffness and pain.

Pilates is perfect for the mental health of a person with MS as it relaxes their mind, de-stresses them and makes them more aware. I see that breathing can be used as a sort of concentrative meditation during practice and activating the parasympathetic nervous system to lower anxiety. Well, I’m pretty sure many users are worried about humans. Pilates give heightened body awareness -by making us pay attention to our breath and range during exercises. This attentional process not only enables improved functioning by providing individuals with MS with reduced mental fatigue but is also something to which they are particularly prone.

Exercises that lengthen and make muscles more supple are the aim of Pilates; therefore, by default, this will assist those with Multiple Sclerosis in feeling less rigid. Spasticity is a hallmark MS symptom where the muscles tighten and become painful, which makes it difficult to ambulate. Pilates treats the weak muscle groups, and it is a method of rest and gentle stretching. However, exercises like leg circles or knee fold-ins can also help loosen the hip and leg muscles. This will make them less rigid and enhance your posture. In Pilates, you are also encouraged to move mindfully, with control, and to breathe during each movement.

People with MS who practice Pilates twice or thrice a week can become more robust, flexible, and in better balance and mental health. Thoughts: MS management must be consistent, and Pilates helps maintain muscle strength, joint mobility, and flexibility. MS patients won’t tire, but they will feel Pilates. Low impact! But listen and rest your body as much as you will require. Pilates is adaptive to everyone’s energy level and ability by providing modifications. This practice may effectively increase walking speed for MS patients, as well as improve mobility, spastic muscle tone and overall quality of life.

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Pilates for Joint Health and Mobility: A Comprehensive Guide https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-joint-health-and-mobility-a-comprehensive-guide/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37696 The post Pilates for Joint Health and Mobility: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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We need to take care of our joints, not only because joint health is essential to stay mobile and healthy in general but also for anybody getting older or those who are hard on their bodies. Other muscles help in a person’s day-to-day moves, and any pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion in the joint can hinder the work. Pilates is a fantastic, low-impact method to strengthen and tone muscles and improve joint health.

How Pilates Improves Joint Health

Pilates was designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints so that they would stay nice and stable while moving. Muscle strength, flexibility, and the mobility of your ligaments and tendons significantly affect how healthy your joints are. Pilates will help build up your core, strengthening it so that joints are less stressed and more flexible.

It is ideal for the body to be kept in good condition when practising with low-impact movements controlled by Pilates. This prevents wear and tear—with bad tennis shoes, you can easily damage your joints, which might cause pain or other problems.

One of the many reasons why Pilates is great for joint health is better balance. Poor alignment might unnecessarily stress some joints, causing them to become sore and rigid. Pilates exercises made to correct posture will help align your joints and support them while you perform your activities.

Joints: Pilates also moves the body, which is good for your joints. It increases joint flexion, decreasing the opportunity for injuries and joint wear and tear over time.

Pilates Exercises for Joint Mobility

Many Pilates movements are perfect for stretching and even some joint mobility. They are gentle movements that take joints through their full range of motion to release tension and increase the ability to move. Here are a few critical Pilates works for Joint health and set up-mobility:

Leg Circles (Hip-supporting muscles and hip mobility) Lie on your back with one leg straight up in the air and your other bent, foot flat. Circle leg up and round gripping core to square hips. This workout works on hip mobility as well as muscular flexibility.

The Spine Twist exercises the core and spinal rotation and opens up shoulder mobility. Sit outward facing, legs extended, arms down by sides. Bring your hips parallel to the floor and extend through your spine as you twist. This move helps improve spine rotational flexibility, which is crucial in maintaining joints of the upper body.

Knee Folds: Increase your hip and knee range of motion with Knee Folds. Lie on your back, knees bent, and feet flat. Slowly pull one knee into your chest and leave the other foot down. Lower the leg and repeat on the other side. This exercise aids in the gentle mobilisation of both knee and hip joints, thereby improving flexibility and preventing stiffness.

This stretches the spine and strengthens the lower back, hips, and knees—the Shoulder Bridge. Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat, brace your core and lift your hips slowly until the body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Yoga opens and stretches the joints and tissue in the hips, knees, and spine.

The Pilates movements are joint-friendly movements that help to mobilise, with pressure, but very gently, the incapacity joints on one side and strengthen their surrounding muscles on the other. This increases flexibility and reduces discomforts that appear from pressure by releasing it.

The Benefits of Pilates for Joint Pain Relief

Arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis are often aggravated when people begin to exercise with an uncontrolled or disorganised functional base (Osbom). Pilates is of great benefit in restoring joint comfort. Pilates is a safe alternative and very beneficial for those with joint pain because it is low-impact.

The controlled movements of Pilates increase the strength of muscles that support your joints, lessening pain and inflammation. By working into the core, Pilates reduces joint pain.

 It promotes mobility, which decreases the strain on your joints when you perform everyday tasks. Pilates movements strengthen the core and help ease pressure on your joints — especially in the lower back, hips and knees.

Flexibility is a must when dealing with helping joint pain, which Pilates promotes. This suffering is what we feel when a joint becomes stiff, or we have immobile joints.

Pilates helps stretch and move the joints, aiding flexibility and decreasing the likelihood of discomfort. It also corrects bodily imbalances that cause joint pain by focusing on appropriate alignment.

This is the reason Pilates strengthens and brings increased mobility for patients who suffer from chronic joint pain.

How Pilates Helps Prevent Joint Injuries

Keeping your body moving and joints healthy over time is crucial; Pilates is an excellent way to help ensure that. One of the primary benefits Pilates provides is bettering muscle balance and improving rhythm, aiding in keeping joints healthy and away from wear-and-tear injuries. Pilates ensures that movements are fluid, and at the same time, it strengthens the muscles supporting the joints. It eases the brain from sudden or foreign movement, reducing the risk of injury.

Pilates movements focus on flexibility and balance to prevent muscle joint overuse and other common causes of pain. All the excess wear and tear on the joints simply due to being banged around does you no favours and, over some time, will only make it much easier for you to get hurt. In Pilates, each exercise is executed correctly to ensure the joints are cared for and supported amidst movement.

Working on Pilates can change proprioceptors, which are met sensors that tell the brain where we are in space. As for the movements of the human body, people who make themselves aware of them will not just jump to anything that might cause their joints to be harmed, given that they are playing sports or doing some physical activities.

It also helps you become more flexible, essential for maintaining healthy and correctly functioning joints. Flexible muscles and joints are less likely to injure or sprain. Pilates movements make the hips, knees, shoulders, and spine more elastic by improving flexibility. Pilates reduces the risk of developing joint diseases and makes you stronger, faster, more flexible, and mobile so you can live a busy, painless lifestyle.

Conclusion

Pilates & Joint-Health with Mobility Pilates strengthens the muscles around the joints, increases mobility, and contributes to better body positioning, reducing joint wear. Yes, Pilates is a safe way to improve joint motion and comfort and achieve optimal fitness for ageing.

Another one is that most Pilates exercises are great for joint health because they move the joints and support the surrounding muscles, e.g., leg circles, spine twists, knee folds, and shoulder bridge work. All the movements mean it’s a low-impact, modifiable exercise that is easier on your joints and limbs than other forms while increasing the range of motion and improving your quality of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This keeps your joints and ligaments healthy, strengthening the muscles that support the joints and making them more flexible whilst holding them in place. Supportive muscles in the vicinity of your joints keep them secured and stable, making injury less likely. Another advantage of this is that it reduces the likelihood of hurting yourself. Pilates also stresses movement and flexibility, which are crucial in preserving the joint health and the function of joints. The reason why is exactly what I said in the first point — you want to keep movement! (Doing Pilates consistently can help create a better range of motion with your joints so they are not so stiff all the time!)

Many Pilates movements noticeably impact the health and mobility of your joints. Leg Circles: This exercise will enhance your hip flexibility and strengthen your hips. These exercises, like the spine twist, will help with flexibility in your shoulder and spine, which we need for our upper body joints. Knee Folds to release the knees and hips strength and work on alignment and shoulder bridge, which will help to strengthen the lower back, hips, and knees and add some spinal flexibility.

Pilates encourages healthy joints by emphasising controlled exercises that minimise joint health. It also lowers inflammation. By building this area up and altering your centre of gravity, you may also relieve the joint pain felt in the lower back, hips and knees. Pilates also increases joint flexibility (joint mobility), decreases joint stiffness, and reduces pain associated with arthritis and tendinitis. People with chronic joint pain can safely work out using Pilates because all movements are easily adjustable when joints change daily. Over the long haul, performing a Pilates routine routinely can prompt healthier joints and less frequency of joint pain.

Strengthening the surrounding muscles that support joints results in improved flexibility and overall better body balance, which help reduce joint pain risks. Well-conditioned muscles keep the joints stable and your movement more controlled, reducing your chances of experiencing strains for different parts of the joint health. Pilates exercises reinforce balance and alignment, ensuring your joints are not strained or misaligned during movement. Flexible joints are less likely to be hurt when doing physical tasks, and specific Pilates moves increase joint flexibility while decreasing stiffness.

Pilates is an excellent workout for anyone with arthritis or other joint problems, as it is very low-impact and controlled. Pilates is suitable for joint health as it fortifies the muscles surrounding the joints. This supports joints and hence reduces pressure from the injured points. Below, you will find some of the benefits and how it might relieve those with arthritis, reducing pain and stiffness in their joints. Pilates increases flexibility and movement, which is critical for people with arthritis whose joints are stiffening up despite good or partial range exercises and who need to keep their joints from deteriorating further.

It would be best to look after your joint health, which is why it could be worth doing Pilates at least two or three times a week. Using it regularly will enhance your joints’ assisting muscles and become extra versatile; your pose will undoubtedly boost. These are all beneficial for the maintenance of joint health. This will help you to improve your overall range of motion, ease up some resting joints and decrease the chances that you have earned an injury. The slower you initiate Pilates, the easier this becomes with increased joint problems or if you are relatively new to it.

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What Are the Different Types of Yoga? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-yoga/ Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37669 The post What Are the Different Types of Yoga? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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There are many types of yoga and their benefits. Yoga is an ancient practice that has continued to develop and evolve into the modern styles we see today. Although all yoga styles have their roots in Indian tradition, the variations between methods and degree of concentration on different features can be dramatic. Whether you want to stretch more, strengthen your body, find inner peace, or hone the spiritual aspect of your practice, there is a type of yoga for everyone.

Hatha Yoga: The Foundation of All Yoga

Basic postures (asanas) and breathing routines (pranayama) are critical elements of modern types of yoga. All kinds of yoga practice most of these elements, and Hatha yoga has been called the ready column in all styles since it acts as a foundation for other types of yoga. The physical side of yoga (other than Bikram and other hot styles) involves gentle movements on the body, with postures that target different muscle groups, making you stronger, more flexible, and more balanced.

Hatha yoga is perfect for beginning types of yoga because teaching you the basic poses takes a slow pace. These are basic asanas that you can learn in the standard Hatha class and include Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), and Tree Pose (Vrikshasana). You will also learn good body balance and breathing. It is a great way to calm down and get closer to your body—a perfect choice to cut down stress or make a daily habit out of yoga.

Hatha yoga emphasizes static postures over moving poses. Thus, participants can stay in every pose long enough to experience it fully and feel really present or connected to their bodies. This is a great way to start with advanced yoga routines and keep your mind and body in good health, even though it is slower.

Vinyasa Yoga: Flowing with Breath

Vinyasa, or flow yoga, is a more lively type of yoga that centres on synchronising respiration and uses flowing movements to connect postures. Vinyasa is the key word here—it means “to place especially” and indicates that the movements and sequences in this practice are intentional.

If you thrive in intense, body-centred practice, consider Vinyasa yoga. Among types of yoga, Vinyasa stands out by working all body parts through traditional poses and includes excellent physical benefits. In a Vinyasa class, you can expect to move from pose to pose in a fluid transition, with sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) linking each set of poses together. Every action is connected to a breath or exhale, leading to a sequence that soothes the mind and moves the body.

Some common asanas included in Vinyasa sequences are Warrior I & II (Virabhadrasana I & II), Plank (Phalakasana), and Cobra (Bhujangasana). It all depends on where you practice and who is teaching.

This type of yoga is a great way to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance simultaneously. It can also aid in balance and rhythm.

Since it’s so dynamic, it gets your heart and lungs pumping, giving a sweet, quick, all-in-one combination of clearing the head and toning the body for those who want to exercise. Vinyasa yoga is also a creative and fun collaborative practice because no class is ever quite the same. This ensures that the practice remains attractive to beginners and experts alike.

Ashtanga Yoga: Discipline and Structure

Ashtanga yoga is a highly structured form in which you perform the same poses in a specific order each time. Among types of yoga, it is a stricter style that helps increase strength, flexibility, and stamina. This method comes from ancient yoga traditions and is considered the most complex for those who like to stick rigidly to their practice.

The method is composed of six sets of poses, each becoming progressively more difficult. Most people begin practising the Primary Series, which aims to detoxify and align the body. Each series has a predefined order for the poses and rapidly flows from one posture to another.

The poses emphasise breath (pranayama), the specific way your eye gaze (drishti) should be, and internal body locks, which are called bandhas. Poses like Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), and Headstand (Sirsasana) are common in Ashtanga.

Ashtanga yoga, for example, is unique because it adheres to a specific structure. Most asana practitioners do the same sixty poses weekly for six days, which helps them maintain discipline and consistency and learn more about the body.

This type of yoga may be vigorous on the body and require dedication, but it offers incredible long-term benefits for individuals seeking strength, flexibility, and concentration.

Yin Yoga: Deep Stretching and Relaxation

Yin yoga — a slow-paced type of yoga that focuses on deep stretching and relaxation. It wasn’t a hot type of yoga like Bikram and not relatively as fast-paced as other types of yoga like Vinyasa or Ashtanga. It specifically targets the connective parts of the body, from ligaments and tendons to fascia, rather than focusing on muscle. Poses are held for 2 to 5 minutes or more.

Practice Focus: Yin Side Note: In yin yoga, stillness and patience are key. You learn to let go of the postures instead of trying to hold them with excess tension. Yin Yoga includes poses like Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana), Dragon Pose, and Sphinx Pose. These poses help the hips, back, and legs stretch deeply.

The longer-than-average holds give the muscles a gentler stretching sensation that lasts for hours and days afterwards, causing them to become more pliable.

It is excellent for those who want to unwind, de-stress, and limber up without exerting too much effort or physical exertion. It pairs well with faster types of yoga and is suitable for those looking to move between a high-energy routine and a more healing, peaceful movement. Additionally, yin yoga is ideal for anyone healing from injuries or coping with immobility, as it deeply relaxes the body and increases blood flow to our organs.

Conclusion

Several types of yoga are available, so you must choose the one that suits you. Yoga can strengthen your body, increase flexibility, relieve stress, and give you a sense of spiritual fulfilment. Beginners and those wishing to destress can find relief in **Hatha Yoga**, which provides an accessible introduction to basic postures and breathing techniques. **Vinyasa Yoga** is a flowing, active form of meditative aerobic exercise. The organised sequences of **Ashtanga Yoga help to build strength, stamina, and a concentrated mind for the more disciplined practitioners. However, **Yin Yoga** slows down your process and balances all the physical things you do with deep stretching, relaxation, and meditation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hatha yoga is a mild kind of yoga that concentrates on body postures (asanas) and breathing methods (pranayama). Nearly all modern forms of yoga are derived from this one. That makes it ideal for beginners, those who need some downtime with exercise and practice for a lower-stress workout. Hatha- This type of yoga is excellent for strength, flexibility and balance. It allows you to relax and provides greater awareness. Many poses are familiar in Hatha, such as Mountain Pose (Tadasana) and Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). The gentler tempo encourages students to keep the correct form and control their breathing.

You can also add this to your vinyasa yoga, often called flow yoga, as each move flows in and out of the next with a controlled intake or exhalation. It is a repetition one does that contributes to more power, stamina and flexibility. Vinyasa differs from classic yoga because it follows a more fluid approach to moving from one pose to another while linking each move with breath. This style is more intense on the body and works out your cardio and all your yoga-y benefits. Your flow may include a lot of warrior poses (Virabhadrasana I and II) and Plank poses (Phalakasana). Vinyasa yoga is fantastic for the fast movers and anyone who enjoys keeping their practice a little different each time.

The fixed series of poses must be performed in the same order every time. While it is an excellent form of strengthening, conditioning, and mental discipline, it can be challenging if you have never done anything like that before. Ashtangis have prescribed the same poses to be performed every day, six days a week. Ultimately, This requires a lot of dedication. However, someone new to Ashtanga can still do it by beginning with the Primary Series, which aims to purify and balance the body. You can progress to more complex sets once you improve your strength and flexibility.

Yin yoga is a quiet, peaceful style of practice. It focuses on full-body stretching and relaxation. The main difference is that poses are typically held for two to five minutes or more. This allows the body’s connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and fascia, to have an increased stretch. Well, with the long holds aiding in stress release for areas such as hips, lower back and spine, it sure does make you more flexible AND mobile! Since Yin yoga is all about mindfulness and peace of mind, practising it may also help manage your stress/problems and bring tranquillity to yourself. This type balances silence and reflection, making it suitable for a busier yoga practice.

What type of yoga you want will depend on your objectives, talent, degree, and tastes. For beginners, the moderate, essential practice of Hatha Yoga is perfect. It is a slow practice that teaches foundation postures and breathing patterns, and it is ideal for those who are new to the practice or looking to de-stress. Vinyasa Yoga — A fast-paced, physically demanding practice that builds strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health. It enhances physical and mental endurance for people with self-discipline. Yin Yoga(for flexibility and for getting peace of mind, deep stretching, relaxation & awareness.) You can figure out what resonates best with your body and mind through experimentation. Many individuals view a blend of disciplines as the most beneficial.

Cross-training in yoga is great because each style provides different benefits. Maintain a strong body and a clear mind, and keep your body relaxed by adding other types of yoga to your schedule. A balanced practice might involve the flowing, dynamic movement of a Vinyasa Yoga Practice and the deeply nourishing, connective aspects of Yin Yoga. You may have heard that Hatha is an excellent type of yoga to try as a newbie, and some say it can help you understand more about your body. Shooting for more complex styles, like Ashtanga, can strengthen aspects and help you gain confidence with discipline. The work in all aspects ( physical and mental health, diet limitations, rest & relaxation, recharging the batteries ) can be combined and adapted as a source of inner support through different adaptations of all kinds of yoga.

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Pilates for Individuals with Chronic Pain Conditions: A Path to Relief and Strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-individuals-with-chronic-pain-conditions-a-path-to-relief-and-strength/ Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37691 The post Pilates for Individuals with Chronic Pain Conditions: A Path to Relief and Strength appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Chronic pain can be a devastating disorder that impacts millions of people globally. In many forms, it prevents the sufferer from completing daily tasks, as it is often debilitating. It is also one of the most difficult to perform mild and useful forms of exercise in such cases. Fortunately, Pilates exercise is now very common in the treatment of chronic pain. Pilates strengthens and lengthens the body, relieves pain, and maximises mobility by concentrating on deliberate movements in low-impact activities.

How Pilates Can Benefit Individuals with Chronic Pain

Pilates is another form of exercise that emphasises precise moves, core strength, and deep breathing. All of these can help some people with incurable diseases who experience pain every day.

For one, it is a low-impact form of exercise, which cannot be said enough. Again, it is gentle on muscles and joints while providing a solid workout. Unlike high-impact routines, Pilates emphasises controlled movements that promote strength without causing too much strain on the body.

Patients suffering from persistent pain require muscle strengthening around the spine, hips, and other areas of essential joints for effective pain management and improved physical mobility. The Deep Core Muscles keep the spine stabilised and enhance balance.

Poor alignment can cause a lot of pain, and many people have persistent neck and lower back pain. Pilates eases back pain and pressure on the spine by strengthening the core, which leads to better balance.

Pilates improves flexibility and joint mobility, which can be difficult for those who suffer from Constant pain. Pilates enhances the range of motion in the joints, which is essential for overall mobility. It is essentially controlled movements and flexibility exercises. Pilates keeps you supple, not only reducing the pain present but also lowering the chances of the injury returning.

Pilates Exercises for Pain Relief and Strength

Pilates’ core-strengthening, posture-improvement, and flexibility-promoting movements are often perfect for those with persistent pain (without excessive strain on muscles). As revealed by Pilates, here are some of the exercises one may want to perform to relieve chronic pain.

Pelvic Tilt: A simple exercise to stabilise the lower back and core, which helps increase flexibility in the spine. On your back, legs bent, feet flat. Exhale and gently rotate your pelvis to flatten the lower back on the floor. Then, you shall be released from your original position. This move will work the muscles supporting your spine, taking some pressure off your lower back.

Glute, Hamstring, and Lower Back Strengthener: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Slowly lift your hips to create a straight line from shoulders to knees. Wait a few seconds, and then Drop. This exercise stabilises the spine and improves posture, making it a significant rehabilitation and chronic back pain exercise.

Leg circles boost hip mobility and core strength. Lie flat on your back with one leg straight to the roof and the other twisted foot level. Keeping your core tight and back pushed into the ground, make small circles with the lifted leg. Lots of folks with relentless hip or lower neck and back pain lack hip flexibility. This exercise helps.

Why Pilates is a Safe and Effective Option for Chronic Pain Management

One of the things that makes Pilates great as an option for those with chronic pain is that It can be tailored. Pilates can be performed with body weight and a Pilates Reformer that provides support and resistance. This adaptability has made Pilates one of the best options for all fitness levels, regardless of the kind of person or persistent pain they face in Australia.

Specific Pilates breathing techniques can reportedly aid sufferers of chronic pain. In doing so, Pilates encourages deep and diaphragmatic breathing, which in turn helps to oxygenate your muscles and alleviate tension, aiding relaxation. Breath control is one technique that can help you reduce stress and anxiety, both of which make persistent pain more unbearable.

For patients with Constant pain, Pilates offers plenty of mental benefits in addition to physical ones. Pilates encourages people to feel tension by listening to their bodies and knowing what their bodies need. Heightened intrinsic awareness can inform better moving and standing choices, potentially reducing the likelihood of a flare-up or injury.

Pilates and Yoga: A Complementary Approach to Chronic Pain Relief

Although beneficial for chronic pain patients, Pilates may be better when combined with yoga. What yoga and Pilates focus on through core strength, bending, and controlled breathing makes them pain-compatible exercises.

Yoga (Low-Impact)—Yoga is like Pilates and offers mild, low-impact movements for persistent pain patients. Child’s Pose and Reclining Butterfly help soothe stress and stretch bond muscles, easing distress and pain. Yoga’s focus on mindfulness and meditation could also help people with persistent pain manage stress and anxiety.

Pilates and yoga alleviate physical as well as mental stress for a more comprehensive approach towards persistent pain management. Bringing them together into a regular practice can build strength, flexibility, and body awareness, decrease pain, and increase quality of life.

Conclusion

Pilates is a safe, efficient, and accommodating non-aquatic option for individuals with chronic pain. By focusing on core strength, flexibility, and controlled movement, Pilates is an incredibly effective way to relieve pain, increase mobility, and improve well-being. Physical treatment of chronic pain, combining Pilates with or without yoga.

Pilates is a gentle yet powerful tool for rebuilding strength and flexibility for those suffering from Constant pain, ultimately improving the overall quality of life. Pain is their only response, all that suffering silenced, and together, we learn how to move again, with care and love, in the stillness of Pilates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

With Pilates’s controlled, low-impact exercises, the Core is naturally stabilised and correlates directly to improved posture and flexibility. This way, Pilates works not just above the belt but from within: right in and around your spine and hips to keep everything ticking over nicely, helping you out of pain. Persistent pain disorders have gravity, poor posture and muscle imbalances to blame. Body alignment is excellent, as well as muscle development due to Pilates. Pilates facilitates light stretching and increases joint mobility, which is fantastic for persistent pain sufferers to stretch out the body without pushing it too far.

Pilates exercises are intended to relieve pain while getting you more robust and flexible. The Pelvic Tilt helps strengthen the core and increases flexibility in the spine, so if you have lower back pain, this is a great exercise. Bridging is another excellent exercise for the glutes and lower back. It helps maintain stability of the spine and decreases pain. Another active stretch, the Cat-Cow Stretch, is perfect for someone experiencing neck or upper back pain. It will keep your spine and neck flexible.

For individuals dealing with chronic pain, Pilates can be a potential solution to safely and effectively exercise because it involves a variety of controlled, low-impact movements that do not place too much strain on the body. At the same time, Pilates features slow, controlled movements that are designed to tone muscles and flexibility. And unlike high-impact workouts that can either exuberate pain or cause it, especially for those with back-style pain, arthritis or wrought problems who might inform the prescribed movements improved to their restrictions and aptitude. Pilates also incorporates breathing exercises. They reduce anxiety and stress by assisting people in relaxing and concentrating on their movements. Because Pilates is so adaptable and movement-based, it can be adjusted to help those with chronic pain.

Pilates and Yoga complement each other well when dealing with Constant pain because the mind and body must be considered. Pilates centres around strengthening the core and stabilising muscles that support the spine and joints, essential to keep you from being injured and in pain. With yoga, however, the intention is present, malleable, and deep stretching. This aids muscle relaxation and minimises stress. These methods all work together to provide an entire system for pain management.

Pilates This low-impact exercise can significantly improve flexibility as it focuses on controlled moves that slightly stretch and elongate muscles. It will make you more fluid and give you a greater reach. This makes Constant pain sufferers feel less stiff, and they can experience freedom of movement in some areas most seen with stiffness, such as the back, hips, shoulders, etc. The belly of the body, your back, and your legs are often problem areas for those who experience constant pain, making moves like the “Roll Up” or “Spine Stretch Forward,” key big-time offenders. These movements help stretch muscles and instil more flexibility in the spine. Pilates encourages better joint movement with a helping hand from the core and improved balance.

Pilates is ideal due to the flexible nature of Pilates exercises that can be modified to accommodate a variety of Chronic pain issues. Pilates workouts are adjustable to suit everyone, including those with lower back pain, arthritis or other joint complaints. For example, someone with significant joint pain might perform Pilates movements on a Reformer machine, which provides additional support and reduces the pressure on joints. Similarly, those exercising core for back pains can modify core-strengthening routines to avoid aggravating the situation and get stronger each day.

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The Introduction to Yoga: A Path to Mind, Body, and Spirit Connection https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-introduction-to-yoga-a-path-to-mind-body-and-spirit-connection/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37679 The post The Introduction to Yoga: A Path to Mind, Body, and Spirit Connection appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is a practice with roots that go back thousands of years. It promotes overall health and affects the wholesome system. Yoga, which originated from ancient Indian philosophy, utilises physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to create a rhythm between body, breath, and mind. Better Balance if New to Yoga or Deepen Your Practice As confusing and difficult as it can be, yoga will help you find a better balance in life.

Understanding the Basics of what is Yoga

The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means “to join” or to go together. The singing bowl is associated with the mind/body/spirit interconnection. Yoga is about self-awareness and mindfulness, achieving inner peace and balance.

It covers many things, including physical postures (asanas), breathwork techniques (pranayama), and meditation practices to relax, focus, and reflect on the self.

The various types of yoga offered are unique because any age group and ability level, from novice to experienced, can practice them. With low-calorie, high-protein recipes, this can work for you in practically no time. The physical and mental benefits of yogic practices are enormous.

You will be more flexible, stronger, less stressed, and clear-minded. Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), and Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) are some of the simplest yoga poses. The more frequent and consistent these poses are, the easier they become, allowing individuals to advance to higher-level techniques.

Exploring Different Styles and Types of Yoga

Yoga offers many different forms of movement, breathing, and meditation. Understanding some of the types of yoga can help you find a style that suits your workout goals, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

Hatha Yoga** is often considered the foundation of all yoga styles. With attention to basic poses and breathing techniques, it is a good option for newcomers or those seeking a gentler practice. It is a slow, gentle type that focuses on balance, awareness, and relaxation.

Vinyasa Yoga, or “flow yoga,” is based on a dynamic pattern of moves linked with breath. It creates a serene and heart-healthy practice. It is best for those who enjoy a high-energy, fast-paced workout.

Ashtanga Yoga** is a highly structured, disciplined practice with a specific sequence of postures designed to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Yin Yoga**, like restorative yoga, is a slow-paced style that focuses on long-held poses to target the body’s deep connective tissues. Like many types of yoga, people often combine styles to create a well-rounded practice that meets their physical, mental, and emotional needs.

The Benefits of Yoga: Mental, Physical, and Emotional Wellness

Benefits of Yoga for Body, Mind, and Emotions: This full-body workout makes you healthier overall. Some types of yoga help with flexibility and strength and provide good stretches and muscle-strengthening exercises. However, doing yoga daily is not recommended as one would get minimal benefit from it.

This reduces the possibility of injuries, keeps you stable, and makes you healthier. Some types of yoga also help to reduce stress because they involve some degree of ayurveda, which calms the body, mind, and nervous system and lowers stress chemicals. It is a great way to relieve yourself of worry, anxiety, or sorrow by raising awareness and balancing consciousness.

Breathing exercises in yoga tend to improve lung volume and thus increase oxygen supply. These exercises help keep the mind balanced and help the body clean itself further. In addition to making you more aware, yoga also increases your focus and ability to have clear thoughts.

Besides physical flexibility, yoga provides mental strength because of the mind-body connection, which is very helpful for coping with everyday stress. Types of yoga help awaken the spiritual growth that people strive to find for those who desire to reach deep into their essence and find peace.

Tips for Beginners on how to get started with yoga

It can be overwhelming to decide where to start with yoga; there are many different styles and techniques. With some easy tips, you could begin yoga knowing suitable practices. Begin with the Beginners Course. Types of yoga, such as Hatha yoga, are often recommended to yoga novices as they move at a slower pace and concentrate on balance, which can help someone learn basic poses and breathing techniques.

Mind your breath. In yoga, breathing is vital because it involves keeping in your presence, calming you down, and helping you perform better. Third, key your body constantly. Do not overstrain yourself while practising yoga to achieve its optimum benefits.

Be aware of what your body is capable of and incapable of, and go easy on yourself. Consistency is critical, too. Your flexibility, strength, and mental clarity will only improve if you practice it regularly—even just a few minutes daily.

The money should be spent on the necessary tools. You can do well if you have support and comfort for the practice, especially in types of yoga, with your exercise clothes and a suitable yoga mat.

Finally, feel free to experiment with different types of yoga. Yoga is an all-inclusive form of exercise that improves physical and mental mindfulness—it just takes a lot of practice to find the right type for your body and mind, whether it be something slow, such as Yin yoga, or fast-paced, like Vinyasa. One gains satisfaction in their yoga journey of evolving and self-discovery by being patient, consistent, and open.

Conclusion

Yoga is a way of life, a path to enlightenment, balance, and peace—not merely to keep yourself away from the practice with some exercise. Yoga benefits can transform our bodies and minds; we live longer, healthier, stress-free lives. You justify it as a vehicle of spiritual freedom.

If you are not, go back to the basics, try different styles, and enjoy its benefits to develop your yoga practice healthily. This practice is very intimate, as every time you come to your mat, it could be a whole new story; one day, you might see the reflection of what is going on in your life within the practice itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Different types of yoga can provide other benefits depending on what you are looking for in your routine. A beginner Hatha yoga style is the foundational approach, mainly involving basic poses and breathing techniques. Vinyasa Yoga — In a high-energy environment that works breath with movement, vinyasa is a more dynamic and fast-moving yoga style in which poses flow from one to another, each pose synchronising with the next. This is the repetitive structure of Ashtanga Yoga, designed for you to practice memorably and systematically in every class, allowing sharper, easier consistency (physical & mental endurance).

Hatha Yoga is most prone to suggestion for beginners. This system is based on foundational poses and breath work, providing the building blocks for proper alignment and body awareness whilst accommodating a slow, steady pace. This is why it is so comfortable for beginners to start learning basic asanas and not feel their brains being overloaded. Hatha yoga focuses on relaxation and mindfulness, which is helpful for beginner practitioners whose goal is building flexibility and strength in a stress-reducing environment. If you want something more meditative, yin yoga is another excellent practice concentrating on long-held postures stretching the fascia. Both of these are among the different types of yoga styles for beginners, which help you get used to some simple movements and feel comfortable being on a mat before jumping into more dynamic options such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga.

Whether it’s power yoga, Bikram yoga or hot yoga, different types of yoga offer unique benefits that you can use to achieve your fitness goals. Hatha Yoga is a great starting point for anyone who wants to build flexibility, strength and balance with an emphasis on alignment and mindfulness. For heart-pumping cardio work, try the flowing movements of Vinyasa Yoga; these are rhythmic exercises that take place as one effective breath. Yin Yoga If relaxation, stress relief and greater flexibility are what you’re after, Yin Yoga involves deep stretches that are held for extended periods to help release tension and instil a sense of mindfulness. Try different styles of yoga. Experimenting with other types of yoga will make you realise which practice suits you best for your fitness goals: strength, body flexibility, stress relief, or rest.

Sure, so this practice, as a whole, helps you be physically and emotionally balanced by combining different types of yoga. Many dance enthusiasts are balanced by mixing their styles. For example, rather than doing Vinyasa every day (which generates a lot of heat and requires good cardiovascular health), you could also incorporate Yin Yoga or Hatha Yoga to slow down your practice, focusing on zen state and flexibility. Just as with your childhood DIY Sundae style of stacking flavours, combining yoga styles or approaches allows you to create a practice that fits best with your energy levels, where you are health-wise and maybe even how you feel.

Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga share some similarities because both are lively and fast-paced, but there are key differences. Vinyasa Yoga is a more accessible style of yoga, sometimes called yoga dance, in which the teacher and class choreograph the routines. Vinyasa is a smooth, calming exercise that can be adjusted to suit all fitness levels, allowing everyone to move and breathe together. On the other hand, Ashtanga Yoga is systematic, with a predetermined authentic set of poses to be performed in a standard sequence.

Different types of yoga have successfully relieved stress and encouraged concentration, relaxation, and deep breathing movements. Hatha is a slower-paced yoga that focuses on alignment as well as breathing and, thus, has been branded as relaxation yoga due to its quality of calming the mind, which ultimately reduces stress. An excellent style of yoga for stress relief is Yin Yoga, which will have you in poses for extended periods, focusing on relaxing deep muscles and calming the mind. It is more active than Yin Yoga, but Vinyasa provides stress relief through its flowing breath-synchronized movements, enabling practitioners to stay mindfully present but also helping them release tension.

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Pilates for Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion: A Comprehensive Guide https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-increased-flexibility-and-range-of-motion-a-comprehensive-guide/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37683 The post Pilates for Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates is an adaptable exercise routine that strengthens the body by increasing core stability and flexibility. Created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s, this exercise methodology is among the best for enhancing strength, balance, velocity, flexibility, and range of motion if you are a professional athlete or want to move better in your day-to-day Pilates and allow an organised technique for getting more out of it without losing the strength.

How Pilates and Yoga Improve Flexibility

We know both Pilates and yoga can help you be that bendy (and we were not about to pit them against each other for that reason), but they work in different ways. In its philosophy, Pilates builds a body that is strong in the right places and versatile, using controlled movements to condition lengthened muscles.

 It will help you fine-tune those muscles so that, over time, you can become more or less of a contortionist. Yoga, on the other hand, involves deep stretching and holding positions to help with flexibility and joint circulation.

Pilates also works to loosen up the spine by performing exercises like the Roll-up and Spine Stretch Forward. These moves are perfect for the core and back while opening the muscles of your legs. These specific controlled moves help you become stronger and more flexible, which makes it safe for you to increase your range of motion.

Your spine always needs a good stretch, so the Downward-Facing Dog and Cobra Pose are two yoga poses that instantly come to mind. However, you are in the position for an extended period, resulting in a deeper stretch.

Doing Pilates and yoga simultaneously sets you up to move even better. Pilates is a movement-based exercise that focuses on strengthening and lengthening muscles. Yoga, on the other hand, uses deep healing stretches to accompany this muscle growth. Both types of training will produce a flexible, strong, and balanced body.

Pilates Exercises That Increase Flexibility

There are numerous Pilates workouts aimed at increasing flexibility and range of motion. These are more active and target the spine, hips, hamstrings and shoulders to help loosen up and move better. Following are some of the basic Pilates moves you can do for flexibility:

This Pilates staple stretches the back, hamstrings, and abdominals while improving balance. Lie on your back with your arms out to the sides. Come back up to your toes with your spine curved downwards. This controlled exercise can enhance core engagement and spinal flexibility.

Spine Stretch Forward: Sit with legs stretched out together and flexed feet. Extend your arms in front of you and flex to reach your toes. This routine will also improve the flexibility of the spine, back and hamstrings.

Swan Dive Increases upper back/shoulder flexibility. Start in a push-up position, on your toes(balance can be tested here) and hands beneath your shoulders. Inhale by lifting your chest and stretching through your entire spine length. The Swan Dive opens the chest and lengthens the back.

The Saw increases flexibility in the spine and hamstrings. Start on the hindquarters, allowing your legs to extend wide and your front limbs to extend forward. Reach for the other foot, turning your body to the opposite side. This exercise offers spinal rotation and hamstring stretch.

Pilates movements promote joint flexibility, core strength, and balance, which allows the body to be much more stable and supple. Integrate these movements into your daily routine to incrementally gain a greater range of motion and prevent muscular tightness.

How Pilates and Yoga Work Together for Joint Mobility

Moving joints is a big part of being mobile and able to move around in general. The distinct movements and poses in Pilates and yoga exercise the joints, resulting in an enhanced range of motion of our body parts and preventing stiffness.

The movements build the muscles around the joints, making them stronger and more accessible. Yoga complements this well, including deep stretches that work on your joints directly.

Leg lifts in circles and rocking your hips back and forth can help lubricate the joints, helping your shoulders and hips work more fluently. These workouts focus on building up the muscles that support your joints and improving the range of motion.

Pigeon Pose and Garland Pose (Malasana) are great yoga poses for opening the hips and increasing flexibility in the inner legs and groin. These are tight, constricted areas that often become even more limited as time passes.

Pilates strengthens your joints by joining yoga, which stretches well. This results in improved joint movements, a great range of motion, and a reduced risk of injury. Together, these bolster a robust plan for joint health and movement.

Using Pilates and Yoga to Prevent Injury and Improve Recovery

A great quality of Pilates and a home Yoga practice is the ability to prevent injuries from happening and help your body recover better after being physically/mentally drained. If we are flexible, our muscles and joints do not strain as easily, meaning it’s less likely that we will injure ourselves while doing exercise or even just going about our daily business.

Pilates conditions the muscles that support the joints. This keeps your joints firm and helps you move them with no or less strain. Yoga unlocks tight muscles to allow you to become more flexible, thus cutting down your chances of exercise injuries.

Pilates and yoga can help strengthen and lengthen muscles safely for people recovering from accidents.

Pilates exercises have been purposely designed to be low-impact. They are excellent for those recovering from back pain, muscle sprains, or joint injuries. The Pelvic Curl and the Cat-Cow Stretch are superb exercises for strengthening your spine, making it easier for you to move around without putting too much stress on your body.

When yoga is a healing practice, we can only get better at it. The child’s pose reclining twist and muscle stretching help the body rest and heal by not making it work too hard. This allows more oxygen-rich blood to reach these muscles and helps the recovery process of an intense workout.

With a structured rehab plan that includes Pilates and yoga, you can help yourself get stronger, fitter, more flexible, and with improved range of motion without the fear of exacerbating your initially injured areas.

Conclusion

It is excellent for increasing flexibility and range of motion, which promotes strength and overall mobility. Pilates’ controlled movements and exercises emphasise lengthening and strengthening muscle fibres; thus, improving flexibility increases joint mobility. When coupled with yoga, deep stretching and relaxation-oriented discipline are appropriate, too.

Pilates and yoga disciplines focus on flexibility, core strength, and general well-being, with introductory classes available for every fitness level. This increases your flexibility and range of motion and will deepen your relationship with your body, meaning that you can navigate through life with greater comfort and confidence. Pilates & Yoga Day to give it flexibility, strength and balance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates targets slow, steady movements to lengthen and tone muscles. They help to increase flexibility and to improve your range of motion. Exercises such as the “Roll-Up” and “Spine Stretch Forward” work essential muscle groups in the legs and spine. These are beneficial for stabilising, strength building and beyond, as many excites target your core. 2. Pilates emphasises correct posture and movement control. As a result, we have more mobile joints with less muscle tension. By doing Pilates routinely, you become even more flexible over time. This way, you can harness the standard sorts, too and defend yourself from getting injured

Some better Pilates moves to make you more flexible include the Roll-Up, Spine Stretch Forward, Swan Dive, and The Saw. These will specifically focus on the back, legs and hips as this is an area many people find they are tight in and have little flexibility. The Roll-Up and Spine Stretch Forward (above) stretch the legs and make your spine slightly taller. Swan Dive: The Swan Dive strengthens and makes the upper back and shoulders more flexible. Saw: The Saw also works in two different places, hips and back, but here, it is used to help with twists. Ample movements are the ones that not only stretch the muscles but also make your heart and back more robust, which enables your body to be more flexible and movable.

Yoga and pilates work together to increase elasticity with areas of strength building in each other. In common, yoga emphasises stretching and holding poses that lengthen muscles (and increase your range of motion), while Pilates focuses on strengthening moves that improve flexibility. For example, Pilates motions such as leg circles and hip rolls activate the muscles close to the joints and stabilise them with controlled motion. In asanas similar to Pigeon Pose and Garland Pose, your muscles and hips feel extensive deep stretches, making those muscle masses longer and broader.

Pilates and yoga can prevent you from getting injured by increasing your flexibility, strengthening and building muscle, and stabilising your joints. Pilates movements are designed to develop the core and joint surrounding muscles. This saves the body from being hurt during workouts. Exercises, such as “The Roll-Up” and “Spine Stretch Forward”, can give you a healthier lower back by adding flexibility to your spine and strengthening your core. Yoga is a great way to stretch and release tight muscles while improving flexibility, which reduces the risk of straining or tearing them. Poses like “Downward-Facing Dog” and “Child’s Pose” help relieve and lengthen the muscles.

Pilates and yoga focus on exercises that make the muscles around the joints work, which permits you to move the joints smoothly and in a stable control manner. Exercises like “Hip Rolls” and “Leg Circles” work the hips, shoulders, and knees. These exercises help keep your joints moving more freely while strengthening the muscles around these joints. The idea behind the movements in Pilates is that they are supposed to be low-impact, so they do not put a significant amount of pressure on a joint.

Pilates and yoga are also great for recovering injuries as they are low-impact and focus on building strength through a full range of motion-controlled movement. We can tailor Pilates movements for all fitness levels and stages of injury recovery, allowing gradual strength and flexibility progress. Pelvic Curl and Cat-Cow Stretch are exercises that invigorate the spine; Pilates moves strengthen the spine and increase its range of motion without stressing injured muscles and joints. Restorative and gentle yoga are good for relaxation and flexibility — they reduce muscular tension and improve the circulation in your body.

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Ayurveda and Yoga: Balancing Mind and Body https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/ayurveda-and-yoga-balancing-mind-and-body/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37657 The post Ayurveda and Yoga: Balancing Mind and Body appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga and Ayurveda are both ancient practices that have been closely linked for thousands of years. Both have their roots in the cultural and health revolutions of ancient India. Combined, they form a comprehensive system of care that benefits mind and body alike.

Ayurveda, a system that can be defined as the science of life itself, is based on the premise that our food and lifestyle choices must help keep our doshas—or body forces—the way they were meant to. Yoga, in contrast, involves moving, regulating your breath, and meditation to align your body, mind, and soul. Ayurveda yoga is a powerful healing technique that supports the balance of the body, mind, and spirit.

The Connection Between Ayurveda and Yoga: A Holistic Approach

Ayurveda and yoga are believed to work well together, each enhancing a person’s health in its own way. At the heart of this practice is finding out your personal constitution, or dosha. Your dosha is Vata(pertaining to air and space), Pitta(fire and water), or Kapha(Water and Earth).

Ayurveda yoga tells you what to eat and how to live so that everything stays in order by finding your dosha. If these forces are balanced, your body functions optimally, and you feel good in your mind and body.

Yoga complements and further enhances this balance. When practised along with Ayurveda, it allows you to become more flexible, strong, and mentally clear. Yoga asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation techniques also help to balance the body’s energies for improved digestion, focus, and blood flow.

If you have a Pitta imbalance, meaning too much heat and inflammation, use forward bends and twists to cool the body down and bring it back into balance. A way that is complete and effective enough so that people don’t always fall sick and their health is improved in a real sense — both physically and mentally- is the combination of Ayurveda yoga.

Yoga for Balancing Doshas: Tailoring Your Practice

A major tenet of Ayurveda is that everyone is unique, and their yoga must be, too. To attain the best from your yoga practice, you must align with your dosha type and tune your asanas, breathing, and meditation according to it. Knowing your Ayurvedic makeup enables you to ensure that your yoga practice is balanced and meets the needs of your mind and body.

Vata Dosha: People with an abundance of Vata dosha are typically creative and high-energy but can also experience anxiety/ restlessness or stomach issues if they are out of balance. If your type is Vata, you should follow a simple yoga exercise with moderate movements and gestures that make you feel grounded and versatile.

Asanas like Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Tree Pose (Vrikshasana), and Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) help you grind your body and calm your mind. Mild breathing exercises like Ujjayi Breath or Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) are also excellent in balancing Vata energy.

Pitta Dosha (Fear of losing)The pitta type has a very intense personality. As a result, they fear one thing, and one most is losing. However, when they are imbalanced, they become angry and inflamed. For the Pitta: The yoga moves that cool and calm them will assist them in dissipating heat and loosening pressure.

Child’s Pose (Balasana), Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), and Reclined Bound Angle Pose ( Supta Baddha Konasana) are Asanas that help soothe the body and mind. Cool breath, Sheetali Breath, will also help with Pitta problems.

Kapha Dosha: Kapha people are generally steady, stable and slow to anger caring people, but when out of balance, they may become overweight or lethargic. For Kapha types to rise and shine, you should do more vigorous yoga routines that consist of dynamic movements and postures such as high energy and blood circulation poses.

To heighten your Kapha energy, practice Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar), Boat Pose (Navasana) and Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana). The definition of pranayama exercises is recommended to increase your metabolism and give you energy.

A practice specific to you, dosha, will balance your body and mind, meaning that…you will be healthier, clearer in the head, and stronger emotionally.

The Role of Yoga in Ayurvedic Detoxification

Panchakarma—The stimulated purification process in Ayurveda aims to remove toxins(ama) and correct the equilibrium of body functions. A toxic-free body plays a vital role in ayurvedic (herbal) medicine because it allows the body’s natural mechanisms to clean itself. Yoga is the key feature of this detoxing process. Yoga improves digestion and eliminates waste by opening up through asanas, breathing, and meditation.

Yoga Poses—Twists (Ardha Matsyendrasana) and Forward Bends are the best poses for detoxing your body because they impact several internal organs, which in turn boosts body metabolism.

Squeezing the organs is said to help with detoxification and improve prana (life force) circulation throughout the body. Chest and lung-opening backbends (Camel Pose, Ustrasana; Bow Pose, Dhanurasana) expose the chest and lungs to more air intake and detox waste.

Expelling dirty air and filling the Lungs with more oxygen. Once someone’s lungs are healthy enough, it is time to start cleaning them and inhaling some special types of Breathing, like Kapalabhati Breath, also known as The (skull-shining breath). This type of exercise is really helpful in cleansing our breathing and respiratory System.

This asthmatic breathing method also accelerates metabolism and digestion, enhancing physical purification. Regularly practising Ayurvedic cleansing methods and yoga can cleanse the body, reduce stress, and restore balance to the mind and body.

Yoga for Mental Balance: Enhancing Emotional Well-being with Ayurveda

Ayurveda yoga is perfect for your mental and emotional health with the body. Yoga promotes focus and self-awareness and can help keep a sane mind more centred while reducing stress and stabilising mood. Providing a complete balance for emotional wellness, Ayurveda considers mental clarity to help manage worry, anxiety, & Sadness naturally & organically.

Yoga includes meditation and breathing, two things that also allow your mind to calm itself. Mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness meditation (Metta Bhavana) are two of the meditations you can do to slow down, calm your mind, reduce your anxiety, and find some inner peace. Relaxation practices, together with breathwork techniques such as Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), are instrumental in keeping the nervous system balanced, lowering stress hormones, and making us better equipped emotionally.

In addition to preventing physical disease, ayurveda yoga bolsters emotional health by encouraging the intake of foods and lifestyle practices for peace of mind.

Make sure that you are eating foods appropriate to your dosha. This means warm, slightly heavy foods for vata or cool, light, refreshing food for pitta. This will help to keep those feelings in check. Ayurveda for stress reduction and increased mental focus can include suggestions like herbal medicines such as Ashwagandha and Brahmi, to name a few.

As complementary disciplines, when practised in synergy, ayurveda yoga becomes a holistic way of addressing mental and emotional health, allowing people to face the trials of life better equipped and with greater resolve.

Conclusion

Ayurveda yoga and yoga are great ways to balance the body and mind. Yoga is a tool for developing flexibility, strength, and mental clarity, whereas Ayurveda recommends diet and lifestyle alterations for physical well-being. In short, they offer an ancient-meets-modern complete health strategy.

You can achieve body-mind harmony by performing yoga according to your dosha type, detoxing with asanas and breathwork, and settling the mind into meditation. Joking aside, Ayurveda and yoga help us carve a lasting balance for better physical health, stress management and emotional well-being.

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Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga and Ayurveda are deeply connected. Both are rooted in ancient Indian medical practices that deal with holistic health. The core basic rules of Ayurveda yoga are that you should lower and balance their forces (Vata, Pitta, & Kapha) with food items and way of life: lifestyles and natural treatments. Yoga is a spiritual and physical practice. Meditation, asanas (postures), and pranayama (breathing techniques) work with Ayurveda yoga to balance the body, mind & spirit. They combined to form a holistic approach to help you restore the balance of your body, mind, and emotions. Finds and fixes the problems. Yoga does this by making you strong and flexible and clearing your mind.

The yoga practice needed to balance your dosha type can be modified to achieve both this and good health. Ayurveda yoga believes in three fundamental energies called doshas. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is air and space; it moves around a lot and can quickly become fearful. Some grounding and slow yoga poses are Mountain Pose and Warrior Poses. Doing them correctly with form can make you feel stable consectetur NA. Seated Forward Bend and Child’s Pose are cooling, calming postures that help Pacify Pitta Types Reduce excess Heat or Stress. Those with a Kapha (earth and water) constitution, which can leave you feeling sluggish, need lively, invigorating yoga routines like Sun Salutation and one version of Boat Pose to activate your energy and move your body.

Yoga supports ayurvedic purification and panchakarma because it accelerates the body’s innate purification processes. Twists and Forward Bends are asanas that help internal systems function better so you can digest food properly and excrete well. Certain yoga positions, such as twists, aid in cleansing the liver and kidneys by wringing them out. It allows the chest and lungs to open up more (backbends like Camel Pose or Bow/Bridge Poses). This permits deeper respiration and, therefore, extra consumption of air, serving to help the physique expel toxins. Breathing exercises such as Kapalabhati Breath, sometimes called “skull shining breath,” clear the lungs of stale air and stimulate the digestive system.

Yoga is a crucial component in this balancing equation, as it provides awareness of physical and mental balance, similar to Ayurveda’s holistic view of the being. It promotes a serene state of mind, reduces stress, and develops emotional steadiness through meditation, pranayama, and mindful movement. Pranayama (breathing techniques) such as Nadi Shodhana or Alternate Nostril Breathing help to balance the nervous system and decrease levels of stress hormones in the body, leading to a state of relaxation and clarity. Practices such as Mindfulness Meditation and Loving-Kindness Meditation help with mental clarity, lowering anxiety, and inner peace. Ayurveda yoga also helps balance mental health through dietary and herbal therapies that calm the emotions after pacifying your dosha.

Yes, yoga and Ayurveda are both best for coping with stress. Ayurveda offers instructions on soothing your mind and harmonising with your body’s forces of balance. Some general things to do and plant medicine, like Ashwagandha and Brahmi, for a stressless life, mental focus, etc. This includes yoga because it incorporates breathing and movement to help reduce stress and tightness. Practices such as Ujjayi Breath and Nadi Shodhana are potent aids in calming the nervous system / reducing stress. Restorative yoga poses, such as Child’s Pose and Reclined Bound Angle Pose, help you find relaxation, which can alleviate stress.

In many ways, your overall physical, mental and social condition can be maintained using Ayurveda with yoga. By balancing the body’s forces, Ayurveda offers an intriguingly personalised route to health. Yoga boosts this by promoting greater flexibility, strength, and mental clarity. This overall health combination suits your digestive system and blood and works wonders long-term. This concept can be attained with Yoga and Ayurveda, where your mind stops stressing, becomes less anxious and is out of emotional balance, which makes you feel at ease with yourself.

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Chakras and Energy Centres in Yoga: Unlocking Inner Balance with the Third Eye https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/chakras-and-energy-centres-in-yoga-unlocking-inner-balance-with-the-third-eye/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37663 The post Chakras and Energy Centres in Yoga: Unlocking Inner Balance with the Third Eye appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga is all about joining the body, mind, and spirit. At the centre of this link are your body’s chakras or energy channels, including the powerful third eye. In Indian spiritual traditions, chakras are points of energy that flow up one’s spine, each governing and controlling physical, emotional, and spiritual functions, with the third eye playing a pivotal role in intuition and insight.

When the seven chakras are balanced, life energy called “prana” moves through each one without obstruction, providing proper care to all areas of your life. If you naturally allow energy to flow, you will not feel these effects.

The Seven Chakras: Understanding the Energy Centres in Yoga

So according to this theory, there are around seven main Chakras (All of them are related to different aspects of life and health. These energy centres begin at the base of the spine and through to the crown of your head. These are the seven chakras:

Root (Muladhara): The base chakra sits at the bottom of our spine and is all about life and support. You will feel grounded, stable, and safe when your root chakra is aligned. When it’s not laser-focused, you might experience fear and doubt.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): This chakra sits below your belly button and relates to how you express emotions and experience pleasure. A balanced sacral chakra results in fire and joy. If blocked, it will manifest as emotional instability or the absence of creativity.

Manipura, Solar Plexus Chakra: This chakra is in the upper belly, where your power, confidence, and self-esteem lie. When it is in harmony, it shows up as confidence and motivation, but when used in excess or deficiently, low self-esteem might develop, which often leads to stomach problems.

The heart chakra, Anahata, is where love, compassion, and connection are called home. The heart is in the centre, inside of your chest. With a healthy heart and chakra, you can feel and understand love. If it is blocked, you may experience loneliness, jealousy or problems in your relationships.

The fifth chakra is the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha). This chakra governs Speaking, Truth, and self-expression. A good balance in your throat chakra will allow you to speak to people openly and directly. Without harmony, you could be shut down in your communication or have a sore throat.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — located between the eyes, associated with wisdom and understanding. If your third eye chakra is balanced, you can ‘see’ and ‘understand’ better. When it becomes congested, you can become disoriented cum headache.

The crown chakra is found at the very top of the head and represents spiritual attachment and understanding. You will feel unity and know everything. ⠀ If it is not in balance or depression, you may even feel spiritually disconnected.

These seven chakras are strongly linked to physical and mental health. When energy moves freely through these centres, we feel calm and content. In contrast, if one or other of our chakras is blocked or too overactive, we may have physical and psychological problems.

Yoga for Root Chakra Balance: Grounding and Stability

Root Chakra (Muladhara): This command comes from our stability in life, basic trust, and security. It is the monad of the entire chakra system. When a root chakra is healthy and balanced, you will feel secure and stable in life, with enough harmony to survive the challenges of life. However, when this flow gets halted, it creates anxiety, fear, and insecurity.

Regarding yoga practices, those more centred on stability and grounding will help balance the root chakra. From A Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Your Feet Give You a Sense Of Grounding And Connection To The Earth For the more advanced, Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) and Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) are intense muscular poses that can also be practised to make you more robust and stable. Child Pose (Balasana)– A good posture makes you feel safe and secure and helps ground you and connect to inner support.

Two other ways to balance the root chakra are yoga poses and pranayama, which are yogic breathing routines. Breathing slowly and deliberately, concentrating on your belly while breathing in, can help clear your mind and root your body, giving you inner peace and strength.

Yoga for Heart Chakra: Opening to Love and Compassion

The heart chakra is Asana, where love meets light and communication. The Heart Chakra is Anahata (meaning unhurt). Your heart chakra has to do with love and kindness, compassion and understanding for yourself and others. However, when it is blocked, we may have issues of emptiness, anger, or emotional distress.

Yoga Poses will focus on various moves that help open up the heart and balance out the heart chakra—Asana (Camel Pose) – A heart-opening backbend that allows energy to circulate the heart centre freely. Use the Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) or Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) to open the chest. Both work wonders.

This centre can also be opened through breathing movements such as Anahata Pranayama (Heart Chakra Breath). Take long, deep breaths and breathe them into your chest, feeling your heart. Now, breathe slowly and free your mind from stress or block.

Those after more love, kindness, and emotional balance must be open through their hearts to make the most out of yogic practices.

Yoga for Third Eye Chakra: Enhancing Intuition and Clarity

The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — Perception, Understanding, Clarity of Thought. An attuned third eye chakra lets you see things more clearly, sense more hunches and know better from the deep.

Making yoga moves that force you to focus on yourself and be concentrated helps balance the third eye chakra. In Child’s Pose (Balasana), lying your face on the ground, you press to the third eye region, bringing back focus and awareness. Dolphin pose and downward dog make space along the energy centres of the face, opening up the third eye.

Meditation is by far the easiest way to balance our third eye chakra. Staring at a candle flame for candle gazing meditation (Trataka) is a method that has been practised for ages; staring at a candle’s light helps one focus and think better. Another benefit is that meditating, focusing on the third eye area, opens up the energy centre, and again, this leads to spiritual, intuitive understanding.

Because the Third Eye Chakra is associated with optical function, one does, of course, need to find ways in which to balance this Optical centre, and so, therefore, a method such as Alternate Nostril Breathing may be able to bring right and left-brain hemispheres into Synthesis. This clears your mind and helps to keep you more connected with your inner self.

Conclusion

Our chakras are very power-charged energy centres, as our least health concerns at each level are physical, emotional, and spiritual. These energy centres, when balanced (amongst other things), make us whole-brain sapiens and a tad less reptilian. Yoga (Physical Asanas, Pranayam, and meditation) works as a practice for balancing the chakras.

Practising yoga with awareness of chakras can help you learn the energy stream correctly and correct physical or emotional imbalances. Root chakra poses aid centring. Heart chakra posture opens the heart to love and compassion. Third-eye asana fosters intuition and clarity. Practising chakra-based yoga profoundly affects your well-being and skin, providing you with standard and earth vibrations.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These are the body’s energy centres known as chakras. They are crucial to yoga theory and are believed to affect mental and physical health. The first is at the bottom of the spine, and the last is close to your head. There are seven main chakras. All these chakras connect with our different spheres of mind, social and physical health. When these centres are harmoniously balanced, light and energy move effortlessly through us, promoting health and tranquillity. At the same time, blockages in the chakras can lead to mental or physical issues.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)- If you feel safe, stable and grounded. We are secure in our bodies and grounded when we are balanced. Balancing the root by practising grounding poses in yoga-like Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I), and Child’s Pose (Balasana). It takes these poses to work on that axis to the floor and that stability. These positions make you secure and allow you to relax from stress or concerns. Within these exercises, when you do deep belly breathing, you further the better mind and help take balance to the root chakra. Depending on your anxiety and stress level, establishment-of-yourself-yoga poses can make you feel more sure-footed and solid established, leaving you less stressed and nervous.

Asana (4th chakra – heart) is the meeting point of love, compassion and mental liberation. You need yoga poses that move into the heart when it comes to opening and balancing. Yoga poses such as Ustrasana (Camel Pose), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose), and Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog) help to open up the chest and free up the flow of energy through the heart chakra. These workouts can also reduce your mental anxiety and help you to feel more loving and caring.

The Third Eye Chakra — AjnaChakra of perception, understanding, clear thinking, and Cognitive practice yoga poses that help you tune into yourself and concentrate on the moves. — Any yoga move should focus on self-connection and concentration to balance the third chakra. Child Pose (Balasana) ~ where your forehead touches the ground can stimulate this chakra, enhancing cognition and presence. In addition, the face focus in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) or Dolphin Pose helps to activate the third eye chakra. Meditation and breathing practices like the Alternate Nostril Breathing—Nadi Shodhana are fantastic for balancing the third eye because they stabilise the energies of the mind and increase your alert perception, making it super effective in activating this chakra.

The blockage in chakras may lead to different physical or mental issues. As an illustration, failing to balance your Root Chakra may bring about a lack of safety or anxiety and affect the problems in your legs or lower back. When the Heart Chakra is blocked, it leads to emotional suffering, relationship difficulties, or a sense of isolation. Within the body, it can present as chest tightness or shortness of breath. For instance, with a poorly functioning third eye chakra, you may have difficulty thinking through things. Yoga can help realign this balance by flushing out those energy centres through specific asanas (exercises), pranayama (breathwork) and meditation. Balancing the chakras leads to better health, both physical and mental.

Regarding chakra balancing through yoga, the key lies in poses, breathing exercises and meditation techniques that correspond with each. Step 1- Identify which chakra is out of balance by how you feel or what you are going through. For example, if you’re feeling scared or unsure, practice poses rooted to the ground, such as Mountain Pose, for your root chakra. Being more emotionally open: practising heart-opening poses like Camel Pose. You can do one pose related to the third eye: the Child’s Pose. You can also do pranayama (breathing exercises), such as alternate nose breathing for the third eye chakra or deep belly breathing for the root chakra to help you get grounded.

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Advanced Yoga Poses and Their Benefits https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/advanced-yoga-poses-and-their-benefits/ Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37651 The post Advanced Yoga Poses and Their Benefits appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The centuries-old practice of yoga has an in-depth history, and over time it has transformed into a confluence of physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Compared to the fundamental poses that beginners concentrate on, advanced yoga poses bring the practice to different levels. The difficult poses not only work to strengthen and lengthen the physical body, but also challenge concentration, balance, and peace, enhancing the mental aspect of the practice.

Yoga and Strength: The Power of Arm Balances

Advanced arm balance poses in yoga, when practiced, align with your core while challenging the shoulders and back all the way down to your upper body. They are not just about physical strength, but also about mental focus and stability. These poses are a testament to your determination and ability to concentrate.

For example, the Crouch Pose (Bakasana) strengthens the arms, hands, and core region by activating the lower torso (muscle from chest to knee) and hip flexors while working on balance and focus. Those holding this pose for an extended period will learn to engage their core and develop upper body strength.

Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana) is a powerful Arm balance that demands both Strength and flexibility. It strengthens the shoulders, arms, wrists, and the insides of your legs, while also stretching the hip flexors and groin. The intense concentration required in arm balances like Firefly is a great way to clear the mind and stay present in the moment.

Arm Workouts work all the muscles of the chest but also make you stubborn and persistent. By practising these poses, your confidence will rise, and the discipline you learn on the mat can be applied to your personal and business life.

Yoga for Flexibility: Deepening the Practice with Advanced Backbends

Advanced backbends are not just thrilling and challenging yoga moves, they are also a holistic practice that encourages greater flexibility in the spine, stretches your chest, promotes balance, and stimulates other parts of the body´s energy. These poses leave you feeling invigorated and balanced, both physically and mentally.

Urdhva Dhanurasana, also called a wheel pose, is an intense advanced backbend that builds strength and flexibility in the spine, arms, and legs and stretches the chest, shoulders, and hip flexors.

King Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana): Kapotasana is a challenging backbend that requires strong hip flexibility and spine extension. Child pose stretches the front of your body. You enter it with your hips and rest on top of your knees.

This helps open their heart centres and release all the stored feelings. The more you practice these intensive yoga poses, the better your balance will be. It can also counteract all the ill effects that sitting for too long can have on your back and shoulders.

Backbends are healthy for your body, but they also correlate to a mental pause. Since they unlock the heart, they lead to increased vulnerability and openness, which can help people release mental stress. The next level of backbends trains the student to go past their physical edge, alert and able to control their breath.

Yoga for Balance and Stability: The Challenge of Inversions

Inversion: Inversion underminings are some of the most challenging and rewarding intensive yoga moves. In these poses, you turn your body upside down, which requires balance, strengthens the core and can even get blood pumping.

Two advanced-level Yoga inversions that impressed me a lot are a Headstand (Sirsasana) and a Handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana). You must be strong, centred, and stable to execute them properly.

The Forearm Stand is another famous upside-down pose that strengthens the shoulders and stabilises the core muscles (Pincha Mayurasana). This pose strengthens the arms, shoulders, and upper back while also being a body awakening and fluidity enabler. Inversions such as the elbow stand offer a new perspective, both to the body and the mind, because they require looking top down.

Inversions bring fresh blood to the brain, clear the mind, and, over time, help to improve varicose veins. They are also understood to soothe the nervous system and decrease worry and anxiousness. The inverse is also true as you become more robust and more flexible on a mental level concerning inversions. It also makes you more fun and creative on the mat.

Yoga for Mindfulness: The Mental and Spiritual Benefits of Advanced Yoga Poses

In fact, the more advanced yoga exercises will help you become stronger and more flexible, increase your focus and mindfulness, and become much more spiritually aware. For the advanced poses, you need focus and deliberate breath to stay present in the moment.

Most of yoga’s benefits are based on this mind-body link; they are all derived from having an uncluttered mind and, hence, finding peace within us.

Advanced pranayama forms an integral part of advanced yoga. More advanced yoga routines often employ asanas such as Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) and Ujjayi Breath (Victorious Breath) to teach better breathing, relax the mind, and move the body.

These methods come in handy when you do more challenging poses, not only to save yourself from pain and damage but also to maintain your balance and focus.

More advanced classes also tend to accommodate for the intellectual placement of yoga. Since this pose requires much more concentration than usual, those who practice it can get deeper into their spiritual state and “communicate” with their souls more effectively.

If you balance within a pose like Lotus Pose (Padmasana) or Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), doing so can create an inner feeling of grounding, calm, and stillness. Mind break & physical activity Reduces stress emotions better self-understanding

Advanced yoga practices benefit the body and mind, as these techniques force people to be more well-composed and present in the present moment. Doing so also requires discipline, which helps us learn patience, gain strength, and be resilient both on and off the mat.

Conclusion

Advanced yoga asanas enhance the practitioner’s physical and mental experience. These challenging postures work on mindfulness, clear thinking, emotional strength, physical core ability, flexibility, and balance. While the basics of yoga help with physical fitness and flexibility, advanced yoga takes you to arm balances, backbends, inversions, and various pranayamas (breath awareness techniques), which make for a healthy lifestyle beyond fitness.

They are difficult stances, but the benefits are worth it. Regular practice enhances strength, flexibility, alignment with gravity, tension, calm, and self-regard. You will be transformed, whether you choose to challenge yourself or unite with yourself and move towards something bigger in advanced yoga.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Advanced yoga postures also possess numerous benefits, including flexibility and strength. Challenging poses help you build core strength, balance, flexibility, mindfulness, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. Advanced yoga, on the other hand, enhances the mind-body connection, which goes a long way in making us more self-aware and balanced from within. Physically, practice arm balances, backbends, and inversions as they require that you pay attention to what is happening with your body; it helps maintain focus. With advanced yoga, you cultivate focus, patience, and strength while pushing your boundaries and remaining in the moment. Advanced yoga is the ultimate solution for holistic physical and mental performance.

Arm BalancesYoga: The arm balances others at the core, shoulders and back. Crow Pose (Bakasana) and Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana) require upper body strength, core activation, and balance. By improving coordination in the posterior chain and enhancing muscular endurance, these postures allow you to build strength. Standard arm balances strengthen supporting muscles and teach how your body should work together. They are ideal for lifting yourself on one leg to a wheel pose. Since balance requires attention and awareness, arm balances increase focus and mental capacity. These positions raise self-esteem and self-confidence due to practitioners’ physical and mental hardships.

More advanced backbends boost spinal flexibility and posture, such as Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana) and King Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana ). These poses open the chest, stretch the shoulders, and strengthen your back and legs. Backbends also help relieve upper back & shoulder stress from hours of sitting hunched over a desk, automobile, or electronic device by improving spinal mobility. Stretching the front body and hip flexors/chest strengthens an open posture with arms back. Backbends are uplifters, energy givers, and heart openers: stimulating blood flow boosts energy, heals suffering souls, and balances body and mind. Stretch high above in advanced backbends that will improve your flexibility, body picture, and height, making you stand tall efficiently.

Tasks like Headstand (Sirsasana) and Forearm Stand (Pincha Mayurasana) challenge parity and overturn the body similarly. Inversions are just a category of postures that challenge our balance and reverse the effects of gravity on the body. Again, getting our feet in the air to clear our minds. (holding up with arms above us or legs above our heads strengthens the core and stabilises shoulders.) Inversions enhance cerebral blood flow, which is helpful for increased attention and mental clarity. A common reason to teach inversions is balance, which is a valid point. These positions are fun because they require patience and open-mindedness. A secondary benefit is that inversions are calming; they release tension and fear by soothing the nervous system.

Highly stretched yoga postures and meditative yoga poses help reduce stress and increase awareness. In these poses, deep attention, breath control and mental focus allow your mind to calm and be in the present. Yoga sequences can be advanced, so familiarity with breath awareness in some form, such as Ujjayi Breath (Victorious Breath), becomes necessary to bear through more challenging postures. Conscious breathing helps to reduce tension, enhances focus and calms the mind. The second way is when the student practices more advanced poses, which builds awareness through exercising mental control and concentration to overcome physical limitations. In addition to assisting with introspection and mental clarity, Lotus Pose (Padmasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) can help emotional equilibrium and reduce stress.

Advanced yoga poses have innumerable benefits, but those well-versed in the basics need not bother with practising advanced positions. They demand a lot of core strength and flexibility, balance, focus, and breath control. Intermediate yoga, however, can be very adaptable, and those improving their more advanced poses can undoubtedly modify them. Listen to what your body is saying and do what you can manage. Start with the intention to get more robust and more flexible as you go.

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Beyond Flexibility and Core Strength: The Holistic Benefits of Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/beyond-flexibility-and-core-strength-the-holistic-benefits-of-pilates/ Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=37621 The post Beyond Flexibility and Core Strength: The Holistic Benefits of Pilates appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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While most people think of Pilates as being flexible and building core strength, it has many other uses. Pilates is a complete workout that works your entire body from the inside out. Joseph Pilates created it in the early 1900s. Now, it is being lauded for a multifaceted approach that goes beyond nutrition and movement, which also depend on mental clarity and other general health.

Pilates for Core Strength and Stability

One of the fundamental principles of Pilates is strengthening your core, also known as your body’s “powerhouse.” Focusing on your core will improve your posture and give you better balance and stability for everyday activities, with the added benefit of a reduced risk of injury.

A powerful core – strength in the middle of your body – reinforces all movements and helps prevent lower back pain and other problems that stem from weak abdominal and lower back muscles.

Pilates trains the deep muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvis to work together to create a “centre,” which is your core, from where all movement stems. Regular Pilates builds proper alignment in your body, which helps ward off injuries, particularly for athletic endeavours or labour-intensive jobs. That also makes your body more stable, improving balance (a huge plus for older adults prone to falls or other mobility problems) as well.

Mental Health Benefits of Pilates: More than Just Physical

While many rave about Pilates’s benefits for their bodies, just as significant are those who speak to its impact on the mind. This connection between mind and body decreases stress, keeps you focused, and sharpens mental clarity. Pilates not only strengthens core strength but also promotes mental well-being.

Constant high-intensity workouts can be challenging, no matter how fit you are. In contrast, Pilates emphasises controlled movements and respiration strategies that refresh and relax the body. Controlled breathing, a hallmark of Pilates, increases oxygen flow to the brain, which can reduce stress and improve concentration.

Many who practice Pilates frequently report feeling more focused, centred, and balanced after their workouts. This moving meditation helps bring awareness to both body and mind, offering support to individuals with depression or anxiety.

Pilates also encourages mindfulness, focusing on quality over quantity, which helps disrupt negative thought patterns. As a result, you walk out of each Pilates session with improved core strength and a more transparent, balanced mind.

Pilates for Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention

Pilates aids recovery and injury prevention—a benefit that is often overlooked. It focuses on core strength, balanced body movements, and controlled motions, making it especially effective in the recovery process after injury or surgery, particularly involving the spine, hips, and knees.

As a low-impact activity, Pilates builds strength without placing excessive stress on the joints, making it a safe method for rehabilitation. Pilates can be adapted to suit all fitness levels and physical limitations, making it an excellent tool for helping people regain strength, flexibility, and balance throughout rehabilitation.

Exercise modifications focus on strengthening and stabilising the injured area. By teaching proper body mechanics and core strength, Pilates also helps prevent future injuries, showing individuals how to move in a balanced and controlled manner.

Athletes often use Pilates to cross-train, boosting performance and reducing the risk of injury. Pilates sessions strengthen the core and stabilise the spine, which helps athletes better control their movements in their favourite sports.

The Role of Pilates in Improving Flexibility and Mobility

Flexibility is one of the most popular reasons people take Pilates, but unlike other workouts designed for improving flexibility, such as yoga, the type of lengthening extension that Pilates promotes also focuses on building core strength.

Committed Pilates devotees achieve dynamic flexibility by healthily manipulating the muscle matrix, often promoting sport-specific functional movement. Flexibility in Pilates is not about how far you can stretch but rather about effectively improving your range of motion and functionality in everyday life.

The exercises elongate and tone muscles while simultaneously building core strength, leading to an ideal combination of flexibility and strength. This approach enhances joint mobility, crucial for maintaining functional movement as we age. Pilates also encourages fluid, smooth motion, making the body more efficient.

Increased flexibility, combined with core strength, alleviates muscle tension and stiffness, reducing pain in the lower back, shoulders, and hips. This flexibility and core strength also enhance running, swimming, or weightlifting performance, allowing for a more excellent range of motion and efficient movement with a lower risk of injury.

 Conclusion

Pilates gives you flexibility and helps with core strength, but the benefits go far beyond that. It offers overall wellness for the body and mind. Pilates works your body and brain through intentional movement, form, and breath control, promoting balance, clarity, and serenity. Regular practice will make you more flexible, stronger, and focused, leading to better physical and mental well-being. Regardless of your fitness level, Pilates is a fantastic addition to any wellness routine, improving core strength, flexibility, and overall health. Embrace the full benefits of Pilates today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates effectively makes people more flexible and has a stronger core, which is why many use it for this benefit. However, there are also health benefits to consider overall due to the mind-body link. Mental clarity, balance and stress relief in a workout filled with controlled breathing, mindful movement and good form. It strengthens your balance, helps to release muscle tension, and helps you work out without injuries. Goodbye, Stress — Pilates not only relieves stress by promoting mental clarity and ease but can also create a happier, more accessible you. The more regularly you practice, the more likely inner peace and mental balance can be achieved. It signifies a holistic workout and is beneficial not solely for the body.

Pilates focuses on building core strength, which targets what some people call the body’s “powerhouse.” Pilates focuses on the deep muscles in your stomach and back and significantly helps to engage these muscles via your pelvic floor. These muscles work together to hold your body in place during movement. These core muscles are exercised by Pilates, which makes you balance and stabilise better. This can make everyday tasks easier and decrease the risk of injury. Improved core strength, better balance, and posture possibly alleviate or prevent issues such as back pain. Pilates is an excellent way to build a strong core and stability, essential for general health and valuable movement. Perfect for both athletes and beginners.

To be sure, Pilates is as a lot about working out your body as it is about quieting your mind. The targeted breathing and targeted moving are distracting on a level of mindfulness. Hence, that’s already one way this can help with stress. Pilates trains you to be more focused on the present, which is an excellent way of escaping the basis for your anxieties and woes. Pilates calms the mind by connecting it with your body. This will help centre yourself and prevent mental fatigue. Many Pilates members regularly tell me they feel more precise and calmer after class. For this reason, Pilates is a beautiful method to combat stress and give an overall mental lift.

Pilates is often prescribed for rehabilitation and risk reduction since it is a low-impact exercise emphasising controlled, modulated motions. Pilates is suitable for all fitness levels and can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of the practitioner, meaning those recovering from injury can reap the rewards. It is deep, stabilising muscle-based and focuses on improving body alignment and restoring general mobility and balance after an injury. It also enhances the muscles near vulnerable joints and helps you be less prone to injuries. A full-body workout, pilates improves flexibility and posture and develops core strength — all of which contribute to body mechanics, making it a perfect type for injurious recovery and prevention.

Pilates works on a functional range of movement or flexible active mobility instead of the usual gym exercises that focus on static stretching. Muscles become long and robust with Pilates, providing a balance system for the body. The mix of flexibility is pushing the right amount so your range of motion in moving your joints improves, which makes it much simpler to do general things like bending down and gives relief from being tight. Unlike some flexibility workouts, Pilates is not just about stretches; its controlled movements make it a brilliant strength training workout suitable for almost everyone. This means better balance and more efficient movement overall.

Of course! One of the best things about Pilates is that it is entirely scalable and can be modified to accommodate any level of exerciser, even beginners. Whether you want to get fit or improve your posture, flexibility, balance and mental clarity, Pilates is a low-impact workout that can be modified to suit your desired outcomes. They can also add Pilates to their workout days, which will help beginners with core and flexibility workouts and help them build up a good balance of the muscles strong enough to stabilise their spines and keep them away from injury. Regular exercise can benefit beginners in balancing their mental health, flexibility, and balance. Also, they may engage in a mild yet quite potent beginning of exercise.

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Functional Personal Training: Training Your Body For Everyday Movement https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/functional-personal-training-training-your-body-for-everyday-movement/ Wed, 18 Oct 2023 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=35015 The post Functional Personal Training: Training Your Body For Everyday Movement appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Functional personal training is a fitness approach that focuses on improving an individual’s ability to perform everyday activities effectively and safely. It tailors workouts to enhance functional movements, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and balance. This holistic approach aims to enhance overall well-being and functional fitness for daily life.

 

Training for everyday movements is crucial for enhancing functional fitness, enabling individuals to perform daily tasks with ease and reduced risk of injury. It improves strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, which are essential for activities like lifting, bending, walking, and reaching, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life and independence.

 

Why Functional Personal Training Matters:

Traditional gym workouts often focus on isolated muscle groups and lack functional relevance to everyday activities. They may lead to muscle imbalances and neglect overall functional fitness. Repetitive movements and inadequate variety can also result in boredom and decreased adherence. Additionally, some individuals may find traditional gyms intimidating or inconvenient.

 

Functional training readies the body for real-life activities by emphasizing movements and exercises that mimic everyday tasks. It enhances strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, improving the body’s ability to perform tasks like lifting, bending, squatting, and reaching safely and efficiently. This prepares individuals for the challenges of daily life and reduces the risk of injury.

 

Functional training enhances overall functionality by improving specific movements used in daily life. Examples include:

 

  • Squats and lunges for better leg strength and balance.
  • Core exercises for improved stability and posture.
  • Resistance band exercises for enhanced upper body strength and flexibility.
  • Balance drills for reducing the risk of falls.
  • Multi-joint exercises for increased overall functional strength and endurance.

 

Key Principles of Functional Personal Training

 

Movement Patterns

Training fundamental movement patterns such as squats, lunges, pushes, pulls, twists, and bends significantly enhances everyday activities by improving functional fitness. Squats bolster leg strength and mobility, aiding in tasks like rising from a chair or lifting heavy objects safely. Lunges enhance balance, crucial for activities like walking, climbing stairs, or navigating obstacles. Pushing exercises boost upper body strength needed for tasks such as pushing heavy doors or carrying objects. Pulling movements strengthen the back and shoulders, assisting in tasks like opening doors or handling luggage. Twisting exercises build core strength, beneficial for activities like turning while driving or reaching for items. Finally, bending exercises increase flexibility and core strength, facilitating activities like tying shoelaces or picking up objects from the ground. In sum, training these patterns elevates functional fitness and facilitates the execution of daily tasks with ease and reduced injury risk.

 

Core Strength and Stability

 A strong core is pivotal in functional fitness as it serves as the body’s powerhouse, stabilizing the spine and facilitating movements in daily activities. It supports better posture, balance, and prevents lower back pain. Core-focused exercises include planks, which engage the entire core, and side planks that work on lateral stability. Russian twists enhance rotational core strength, while leg raises strengthen lower abdominals. The bird-dog exercise improves balance and spinal stability. The bicycle crunch combines twisting and leg movement to engage the entire core. Incorporating these exercises into a fitness routine not only enhances core strength and stability but also boosts overall functional fitness, making everyday tasks more manageable and injury resistant.

 

Balance and Coordination

Balance and coordination are vital aspects of functional training, essential for daily movement and injury prevention. Exercises that bolster these skills include single leg stands, which enhance stability and proprioception, Bosu ball exercises that challenge balance during various movements, Tai Chi with its flowing motions to improve balance and coordination, agility ladder drills for quick footwork and coordination, and practices like Yoga and Pilates that emphasize body awareness and balance. Incorporating these exercises into a fitness routine enables individuals to markedly enhance their balance and coordination, ultimately leading to improved functional fitness and greater everyday agility, while reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

 

Multi-Planar Movements

Multi-planar movements encompass exercises and activities that activate the body in various planes of motion, such as the sagittal (forward and backward), frontal (side-to-side), and transverse (rotational) planes. By incorporating exercises that address all these planes, individuals enhance their overall functional fitness and agility. Notable examples include lunges with rotation, engaging both the sagittal and transverse planes, side planks targeting the frontal plane, medicine ball slams involving all three planes, and woodchoppers, a diagonal twisting movement activating the transverse and frontal planes. These exercises foster a well-rounded and adaptable fitness regimen, ultimately translating to improved daily mobility and a reduced risk of injury.

 

Integration of Muscle Groups

 Training multiple muscle groups simultaneously is vital for efficient and functional strength development. Compound exercises engage multiple muscles and joints, mirroring real-life movements and enhancing overall fitness. They also increase calorie burn and time efficiency. Examples of compound exercises include squats, which work the legs, core, and back; deadlifts, engaging the lower back, hamstrings, and grip strength; push-ups, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps; and pull-ups, activating the back, biceps, and core. Incorporating these compound movements into a workout routine not only promotes muscle integration but also enhances functional strength, making daily activities easier and reducing the risk of imbalances and injuries.

 

Designing an Effective Functional Personal Training Routine:

Structuring a comprehensive functional training program involves integrating bodyweight exercises, resistance training, and functional equipment. Bodyweight movements like squats, push-ups, and planks establish fundamental strength and mobility. Resistance training using free weights or resistance bands hones specific muscle groups. Functional equipment such as stability balls, kettlebells, and TRX straps adds variety and challenges balance and coordination. A typical functional training workout routine might entail a warm-up (5-10 minutes of light cardio), bodyweight exercises (3 sets of 12-15 reps each), resistance training (3 sets of 10-12 reps each), functional equipment exercises (3 sets of 12-15 reps each), and a cool-down (5-10 minutes of stretching and flexibility work). This well-rounded regimen optimizes overall functional fitness, priming the body for daily tasks.

 

Benefits of Functional Personal Training:

Functional training offers several advantages over traditional workouts by emphasizing real-life movements and multi-planar exercises. It promotes better posture by strengthening the core and stabilizer muscles, aiding in proper alignment during daily activities. This approach also reduces the risk of injuries by addressing muscle imbalances, enhancing joint stability, and improving overall body awareness. Functional training enhances functional fitness as it directly targets movements essential for daily tasks, such as lifting, bending, and reaching. By engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously, it fosters a holistic and balanced approach to fitness, translating into improved daily functionality and a reduced risk of injuries associated with isolated training methods.

 

Functional personal training represents a holistic and effective approach to fitness. By focusing on enhancing the body’s ability to perform everyday activities safely and efficiently, it not only improves functional fitness but also contributes to better posture and injury prevention. The emphasis on fundamental movement patterns, core strength and stability, balance and coordination, multi-planar movements, and the integration of multiple muscle groups makes functional training a well-rounded and versatile fitness regimen. Compared to traditional workouts, it offers numerous benefits that directly translate into improved daily functionality and a reduced risk of injuries, making it a valuable choice for those seeking a more balanced and functional approach to fitness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Personal Training For Seniors: Staying Active And Healthy In Your Golden Years https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/personal-training-for-seniors-staying-active-and-healthy-in-your-golden-years/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=35013 The post Personal Training For Seniors: Staying Active And Healthy In Your Golden Years appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is vital for seniors as it enhances physical and mental well-being, fosters independence, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Personalized personal training plays a crucial role by tailoring exercise routines to seniors’ specific needs and abilities, ensuring safe and effective workouts that support long-term health and vitality.

 

Understanding Senior Fitness

 As people age, several physiological changes occur, impacting fitness. Muscle mass decreases, leading to reduced strength and metabolism. Bone density decreases, increasing the risk of fractures. Cardiovascular function may decline, affecting endurance. These changes can limit mobility, increase the risk of chronic diseases, and impact overall well-being. However, regular exercise can mitigate these effects significantly. It improves muscle strength, bone density, and cardiovascular health. Seniors who exercise experience enhanced mobility, reduced risk of cognitive decline, and an improved quality of life. Physical activity also promotes social engagement and emotional well-being, emphasizing its crucial role in senior health and vitality.

 

Tailoring Exercise Programs for Seniors

 Individualized training plans for seniors are paramount, considering their unique needs and abilities. For those with limited mobility, chair exercises like seated leg lifts can improve lower body strength. Seniors with joint issues can benefit from low-impact activities like swimming or stationary cycling. Balance exercises, such as standing on one leg, are essential for fall prevention. Resistance bands can be used to adapt strength training for various fitness levels. For those with chronic conditions like arthritis, gentle range-of-motion exercises can alleviate pain. Customizing routines ensures seniors receive safe, effective workouts, addressing their specific health conditions, and optimizing their fitness journey, promoting overall well-being and longevity.

 

 Cardiovascular Health and Endurance

 Cardiovascular exercises suitable for seniors include walking, swimming, and low-impact aerobics. These activities are gentle on the joints while providing an effective cardiovascular workout. Maintaining cardiovascular fitness is crucial for seniors as it significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Regular aerobic exercise improves heart and lung function, lowers blood pressure, and enhances circulation. It also helps manage weight, reduces the risk of stroke, and boosts overall endurance. By incorporating these activities into their routines, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life, improved longevity, and a reduced likelihood of chronic health issues.

 

Strength and Balance Training

 Strength training is vital for seniors to preserve muscle mass and bone density. As aging leads to muscle loss and decreased bone strength, resistance exercises like weightlifting and bodyweight workouts help counter these effects. Maintaining muscle mass supports functional independence and metabolic health. Additionally, balance exercises are crucial for seniors to enhance stability and prevent falls, a common concern. These exercises, such as standing on one leg or practicing tai chi, improve proprioception and core strength, reducing the risk of accidents. Combining strength training and balance exercises in a fitness routine empowers seniors to lead healthier, more active lives as they age, promoting vitality and well-being.

 

Flexibility and Mobility

 Stretching and mobility exercises are essential for seniors to maintain joint health and flexibility. Regular stretching helps improve range of motion, reduce stiffness, and alleviate joint pain associated with aging. Seniors can incorporate gentle stretches into their daily routines, including calf stretches, neck stretches, seated hamstring stretches, and shoulder stretches. Yoga and tai chi are also excellent practices that combine stretching and mobility exercises while promoting relaxation and balance. These routines enhance joint mobility, flexibility, and overall quality of life, enabling seniors to move with ease, reduce the risk of injury, and enjoy an active lifestyle as they age.

 

Nutrition and Hydration for Senior Fitness

 Dietary considerations for seniors are crucial for overall health. Adequate protein intake is essential for maintaining muscle mass and preventing age-related muscle loss. Staying hydrated is equally vital as aging diminishes the sensation of thirst. Common nutritional challenges include decreased appetite, dental issues, and limited mobility. Practical tips include incorporating lean protein sources like poultry, fish, and legumes into meals, opting for fibre-rich foods to support digestion, and selecting foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Smaller, more frequent meals can combat reduced appetite. Moreover, seniors should consult a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized dietary guidance, ensuring their nutritional needs are met as they age.

 

 Managing Chronic Conditions

 Personal trainers working with seniors with chronic conditions must prioritize safety and individualization. For clients with arthritis, low-impact exercises, gentle stretching, and joint-friendly activities are ideal. Those with diabetes benefit from regular, moderate-intensity exercise to improve insulin sensitivity, with blood sugar monitoring before and after workouts. Clients with heart disease require gradual progression and close monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure during exercise. Trainers should be aware of medications and potential side effects. Communication with healthcare providers is essential. Overall, exercise modifications, gradual progression, and consistent monitoring ensure safety and effectiveness, helping seniors manage chronic conditions and improve their quality of life.

 

Mental Well-being and Cognitive Fitness

 The link between physical activity and mental health in seniors is profound. Regular exercise not only enhances physical health but also supports cognitive function and emotional well-being. Activities such as walking, dancing, and yoga promote cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory, and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, improving mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Social activities like group fitness classes additionally foster emotional well-being by reducing loneliness and increasing social connections. Engaging in a combination of physical and social activities can significantly boost mental health and overall quality of life for seniors.

 

 Creating a Supportive Environment

 Social interaction and community involvement are vital for senior fitness. They provide motivation, reduce feelings of isolation, and enhance overall well-being. Trainers can foster a supportive atmosphere by promoting group fitness classes or social exercise sessions. Encourage clients to bring friends or family members to workouts, creating a sense of camaraderie. Organize fitness challenges or events within the community to enhance engagement and motivation. Empathetic communication, active listening, and creating an inclusive environment are essential for building trust and ensuring seniors feel comfortable and supported. A sense of belonging and social connection not only motivates seniors to stay active but also significantly contributes to their overall health and happiness.

 

Monitoring Progress and Adapting Programs

 Regular progress assessments and adjustments to training plans are crucial for ensuring clients achieve their fitness goals effectively and safely. Assessments track improvements, identify areas that need attention, and motivate clients by showing tangible results. Methods include measuring body composition changes, monitoring strength gains through weightlifting, assessing cardiovascular improvements with endurance tests, and evaluating flexibility through range-of-motion assessments. Additionally, client feedback and subjective assessments of energy levels and overall well-being are valuable. Based on these assessments, trainers can modify exercise routines, adjust intensity, or refine nutritional plans, ensuring clients continually progress towards their goals and avoid plateaus or overtraining.

 

Empowering Seniors for Long-Term Success

 Key takeaways for seniors to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle include regular physical activity, including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and balance exercises. Adequate protein intake and hydration are essential, and seeking personalized dietary guidance is beneficial. Prioritizing social interaction and community involvement enhances motivation and emotional well-being. Seniors should engage in regular progress assessments, modify their training plans as needed, and stay updated with research-backed practices. Ongoing engagement with personal training and wellness practices is essential for preserving physical and mental health, promoting independence, and enjoying a fulfilling and active life in the senior years.

 

Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is paramount for seniors, as it positively impacts physical and mental well-being, fosters independence, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Personalized personal training plays a pivotal role in tailoring exercise routines to seniors’ specific needs, ensuring safe and effective workouts that support long-term health and vitality. Seniors should engage in a balanced fitness regimen, including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, balance exercises, and flexibility routines. Adequate nutrition, hydration, and social engagement further enhance their overall well-being. Regular progress assessments and adjustments to training plans are essential to ensure continual progress and avoid plateaus. By staying committed to personalized wellness practices, seniors can enjoy a fulfilling and active life in their golden years.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Advanced Personal Training Science To Practice: Applying The Latest Research In Your Training Programs https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/advanced-personal-training-science-to-practice-applying-the-latest-research-in-your-training-programs/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=35005 The post Advanced Personal Training Science To Practice: Applying The Latest Research In Your Training Programs appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Incorporating the latest research into personal training is crucial for trainers to stay updated with evidence-based practices. It ensures clients receive the most effective and safe training methods, leading to better results, reduced injury risk, and enhanced client satisfaction. For trainers, it enhances credibility, attracts more clients, and fosters professional growth.

 

Understanding the Latest Research Trends

In the ever-evolving field of fitness and exercise science, several trends and breakthroughs have emerged. Metabolic conditioning, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and metabolic resistance training, optimizes calorie burn and cardiovascular health. Neuroplasticity studies highlight the brain’s adaptability, revealing how mental exercises can enhance physical performance. Recovery optimization focuses on techniques like cryotherapy and sleep enhancement to accelerate post-exercise recovery. Wearable fitness technology, like smartwatches, allows real-time tracking and data analysis, empowering individuals to monitor their progress. Nutritional genomics explores the role of genetics in personalized nutrition plans. These trends collectively contribute to a more holistic and personalized approach to fitness and wellness.

 

Bridging the Gap: From Research to Real-World Application

Translating research findings into practical training strategies presents challenges due to scientific complexity and client variability. Effective strategies for trainers include staying updated with current research, individualizing programs based on clients’ unique attributes, simplifying complex concepts, and implementing regular assessments. By integrating scientific knowledge with a client-centred approach, trainers can craft personalized, effective training programs that produce optimal results.

 

 Customizing Training Programs Using Science

 

Research-driven training, when tailored to individual needs, can yield remarkable client results. In a case study, a client struggling with weight loss benefitted from high-intensity interval training (HIIT), backed by research showing its effectiveness for fat loss. However, the trainer adapted the program by considering the client’s knee injury, replacing high-impact exercises with low-impact alternatives. Another case involved a client with hypertension. Research suggested that resistance training could lower blood pressure, but individualization was crucial to ensure safe progression. By monitoring and adjusting intensity, the client experienced significant improvements. These cases underscore how individualization and adaptation play a vital role in integrating research findings and achieving exceptional client outcomes.

 

Incorporating Advanced Training Techniques

 

Exploring specialized techniques like blood flow restriction training (BFR), periodization models, and advanced strength protocols reveals the science underpinning their benefits. BFR utilizes cuffs to partially restrict blood flow, inducing metabolic stress and muscle growth even with lighter loads, making it ideal for rehabilitation and minimizing joint strain. Periodization organizes training into phases, optimizing long-term progress by promoting muscle adaptation and strength gains while preventing plateaus and overtraining. Advanced strength protocols, such as cluster sets, eccentric training, and velocity-based training, customize workouts to maximize power, strength, and athletic performance, targeting specific adaptations for superior results.

 

Nutrition and Recovery: A Scientific Approach

Recent research highlights the crucial role of nutrition in training outcomes. Studies emphasize nutrient timing, with pre-workout carbohydrates enhancing energy, and post-workout protein intake stimulating muscle repair and growth. Additionally, personalized nutrition plans, considering factors like genetics and training goals, are gaining traction. Evidence-based recovery strategies include cryotherapy, cold water immersion, and compression garments to reduce muscle inflammation and accelerate recovery. Sleep optimization, too, is paramount, as it aids hormone regulation and tissue repair. Proper hydration and stress management further prevent overtraining, emphasizing a holistic approach to peak performance and injury prevention in sports and fitness.

 

Monitoring Progress and Fine-Tuning

Tools and technologies for tracking client progress and optimizing training plans have advanced significantly. Wearable fitness trackers provide real-time data on metrics like heart rate, steps, and sleep patterns, enabling trainers to monitor daily activity and recovery. Body composition analysers and mobile apps offer precise measurements and progress visualization. Additionally, digital platforms allow trainers to communicate with clients and adjust routines remotely. Ongoing assessment is paramount, as new research continuously informs best practices. By leveraging these tools and staying updated with scientific advancements, trainers can offer more personalized, effective, and adaptive training programs, promoting better outcomes and long-term fitness success for their clients.

 

Addressing Client Questions and Concerns

Trainers can effectively communicate complex scientific concepts by simplifying language, using relatable metaphors, and visual aids. Providing real-life examples and analogies can make abstract ideas more understandable. Encourage open dialogue and active listening to address client doubts. To tackle misconceptions, offer clear explanations and evidence-based reasoning. Showcasing research studies and success stories can instil confidence. Continually educate clients through newsletters, workshops, or informative sessions. Foster a supportive environment where questions are welcomed, and misconceptions are addressed with patience and respect. Empowering clients with knowledge enhances their commitment and trust in the training process, resulting in better adherence and results.

 

Staying Current: Navigating the Sea of Information

Trainers can stay updated with the latest research through reputable sources like peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research), academic institutions, and professional organizations (e.g., ACSM, NASM). Online databases such as PubMed provide access to a wealth of studies. When evaluating research, consider factors like sample size, methodology, and funding sources. Peer-reviewed studies carry more weight, and those conducted by respected institutions are generally more reliable. Cross-referencing findings with multiple studies and seeking expert opinions can help discern credible information. Staying critical and discerning ensures trainers rely on evidence-based practices, enhancing the quality of their training programs.

 

Incorporating the latest research into personal training is paramount for trainers to provide clients with effective, evidence-based practices that lead to better results, reduced injury risk, and enhanced satisfaction. Staying updated with the evolving fitness landscape is essential, as evidenced by trends like metabolic conditioning, neuroplasticity, and personalized nutrition. However, translating research into practical training strategies requires individualization and adaptation. Real-world case studies demonstrate the power of research-driven training when tailored to the client’s unique needs.

 

Additionally, advanced techniques like blood flow restriction training and periodization models offer scientifically validated approaches for optimizing performance. Nutrition, recovery, and progress monitoring further contribute to comprehensive, evidence-based training programs. Effective communication, critical thinking, and discernment of reliable sources are crucial in delivering successful training experiences. By embracing the science behind fitness, trainers can empower clients with knowledge, ultimately fostering adherence and trust in their training process. Staying current with reputable research sources ensures trainers continue to offer the most effective and up-to-date fitness solutions, promoting overall health and wellness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Adapting HIIT Workouts for Specific Goals: Endurance, Strength, and Beyond https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/adapting-hiit-workouts-for-specific-goals-endurance-strength-and-beyond/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=35006 The post Adapting HIIT Workouts for Specific Goals: Endurance, Strength, and Beyond appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, has garnered immense popularity in recent years due to its efficiency in delivering remarkable fitness results. HIIT workouts are known for their intensity, combining short bursts of vigorous exercises with brief rest periods. While HIIT is incredibly effective, it becomes even more powerful when adapted to specific fitness goals.

 

High-Intensity Interval Training Workouts – A Versatile Fitness Tool:

High-intensity interval Training workouts are like a chameleon in the fitness world, incredibly adaptable to cater to specific fitness objectives. HIIT can be customised to meet your needs, whether you aim to enhance endurance, build strength, or achieve any other fitness goal.

 

Adapting High-Intensity Interval Training for Specific Goals:

Endurance Training: If your objective is to boost cardiovascular endurance, adapt your HIIT routine by incorporating longer work intervals. Focus on exercises like jumping jacks, mountain climbers, or sprints. Lengthen your work intervals and shorten rest periods to challenge your heart and lungs.

 

Strength Training:

To harness the power of High-Intensity Interval Training for muscle building, integrate resistance exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups. Combine these with short bursts of high-intensity cardio like burpees or box jumps. This fusion creates a customised High-Intensity Interval Training routine for strength and muscle development.

 

Customised High-Intensity Interval Training Routines:

Tailoring your High-Intensity Interval Training sessions to your fitness objectives is essential. Set clear fitness goals and design your workouts accordingly. Define your intervals, exercises, and recovery periods to align with your needs.

 

Achieving Your Fitness Objectives:

The adaptation of HIIT allows you to set goal-oriented workouts. Whether targeting enhanced performance, cardiovascular endurance, muscle building, or any other fitness objective, a customised HIIT routine can help you progress efficiently.

 

Performance Improvement and Fitness Goal Achievement:

As you continue to adapt and fine-tune your HIIT workouts to meet your fitness objectives, you’ll experience consistent performance improvement. Whether you want to increase your cardiovascular endurance, build strength, or achieve a specific fitness goal, customised HIIT routines can be your key to success.

 

HIIT workouts can be adapted to cater to specific fitness goals, including endurance training, strength training, or any other fitness objective. By customising your HIIT routines, you’ll embark on a path to enhance performance, achieve your fitness goals, and experience the extraordinary benefits of high-intensity interval training.

 

Maximising Endurance with HIIT

Endurance is a vital fitness element, representing the capacity to maintain physical effort over an extended duration. While long, steady-state workouts like distance running or cycling have traditionally been associated with endurance training, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has become a powerful method for optimising endurance.

 

HIIT is generally characterised by quick bursts of high-intensity exercise separated by short breaks or recovery periods. This unique approach enhances cardiovascular fitness and can be remarkably effective for those seeking to maximise endurance.

 

The Science Behind HIIT and Endurance:

HIIT stimulates the cardiovascular system and muscles to efficiently boost oxygen utilisation and strengthen the heart’s pumping capacity. This translates into improved endurance over time.

 

Adapting HIIT for Endurance:

To adapt HIIT for endurance, focus on exercises and work-rest intervals that push your cardiovascular system to its limit. For example, running sprints or cycling at maximum effort for 20-30 seconds, followed by a 10-15 second recovery, can be an effective endurance-building HIIT routine.

 

Benefits of Endurance-focused HIIT:

Time Efficiency:

HIIT workouts are generally shorter than traditional endurance training, making them ideal for individuals with busy schedules.

 

Caloric Burn:

The intensity of HIIT results in a significant calorie burn during and after the workout, contributing to weight management.

 

Versatility:

HIIT can be adapted for various fitness levels and goals, offering a dynamic approach to endurance training.

 

Incorporating Endurance HIIT into Your Routine:

Add an endurance-focused HIIT session to your fitness routine to maximise endurance. Ensure you gradually increase the intensity and duration of your HIIT intervals as your fitness level improves.

 

HIIT is not just for those seeking quick, intense workouts; it’s also a valuable tool for individuals looking to maximise endurance. By adapting HIIT for endurance training, you can efficiently enhance your cardiovascular fitness, achieve more incredible stamina, and reap the benefits of this versatile and time-efficient approach to endurance.

 

Building Strength through HIIT

When we think of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), we often associate it with cardiovascular benefits and fat-burning. However, HIIT can also be a potent tool for building strength. Traditionally, Strength Training and resistance exercises are considered the primary methods for increasing muscle strength, but HIIT can deliver remarkable results when tailored for power.

 

The Science Behind High-Intensity Interval Training and Strength:

HIIT consists of brief intervals of vigorous exercise succeeded by short recovery periods. This form of training activates both slow and fast-twitch muscle fibres during the intense phases, promoting muscle development and increased strength. This makes it an excellent option for those looking to build strength.

 

Adapting High-Intensity Interval Training for Strength:

To adapt HIIT for building strength, focusing on resistance exercises and engaging multiple muscle groups is essential. You can effectively include squats, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, and push-ups in your HIIT regimen to efficiently work on various muscle groups.

 

Benefits of Strength-focused High-Intensity Interval Training:

Time Efficiency:

HIIT workouts are typically shorter than traditional Strength Training routines, making it an excellent option for individuals with limited time.

 

Metabolic Boost:

HIIT elevates your heart rate, which can lead to a significant metabolic boost. This can help with muscle development and fat loss.

 

Functional Strength:

HIIT can improve functional strength by focusing on movements that mimic real-life activities. This can be especially beneficial for overall fitness.

 

Incorporating Strength HIIT into Your Routine:

If you want to build strength through HIIT, consider adding a strength-focused HIIT session to your weekly workout plan. As your strength progresses, gradually adjust to intensify and add resistance to your exercises.

 

High-intensity interval Training is not limited to cardiovascular fitness and weight loss; it’s also a valuable tool for building strength. By adapting HIIT for stability, you can efficiently engage your muscles, promote muscle growth, and enjoy the time-efficient benefits of this versatile approach to strength development.

 

Unlocking New Horizons with HIIT

In the ever-evolving fitness world, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a trendsetter that unlocks new horizons for fitness enthusiasts. It represents a dynamic exercise method that melds quick and intense bursts of physical activity with short recovery intervals. It’s not just a workout; it’s a gateway to achieving your fitness objectives more efficiently and effectively.

 

Time Efficiency:

 

One of the critical attractions of HIIT is its time efficiency. In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals find it challenging to dedicate long hours to exercise. HIIT offers a solution by providing potent workouts in a fraction of the time compared to traditional exercise routines. These concise yet powerful sessions make it easier to commit to regular exercise, fitting into even the busiest schedules.

 

Cardiovascular Endurance:

HIIT is celebrated for its ability to enhance cardiovascular endurance. It elevates your heart rate rapidly and sustains it throughout the workout, boosting your cardiovascular fitness. Improved endurance translates to better stamina, making daily activities less taxing and helping you excel in sports and other physical endeavours.

 

Muscle Building:

While HIIT is recognised for its cardiovascular benefits, it’s not limited to burning calories. HIIT routines often incorporate resistance exercises that engage muscle groups, leading to strength gains and muscle development. The combination of cardiovascular endurance and muscle building makes HIIT a holistic approach to fitness.

 

Customised Workouts:

HIIT offers exceptional flexibility, permitting you to tailor your workouts to suit and align with your fitness objectives. Whether you’re striving for fat loss, muscle gain, or performance improvement, HIIT can be adapted to suit your needs. Goal-oriented workouts ensure you stay motivated and achieve tangible results.

 

Diversity and Fun:

HIIT encourages variety in your workouts. It’s easy to incorporate different exercises and styles, preventing boredom and keeping your fitness journey exciting and enjoyable.

 

High-intensity interval Training isn’t merely a workout trend; it’s a revolutionary approach to achieving your fitness aspirations. With its time efficiency, cardiovascular endurance benefits, muscle-building potential, and customizability, HIIT unlocks new horizons for fitness enthusiasts, making it a valuable addition to any fitness regimen.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on learning more about HIIT training then you need to do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Onlne CPD course

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

High-intensity interval Training is a fitness regimen that intertwines brief, vigorous exercise bouts with short recovery intervals. Its acclaim stems from its ability to produce impressive fitness outcomes within a condensed timeframe, making it an efficient choice for many.

High-intensity interval Training is incredibly versatile and can be customised to cater to various fitness objectives, including endurance training, strength building, and more.

To adapt High-Intensity Interval Training for endurance, focus on exercises challenging your cardiovascular system. Incorporate longer work intervals with exercises like sprints or mountain climbers.

Endurance-focused HIIT offers time efficiency, significant calorie burn, and versatility, making it ideal for busy individuals seeking improved stamina and cardiovascular fitness.

To adapt HIIT for strength, include resistance exercises like squats, deadlifts, and push-ups into your routine. Combine these with short bursts of high-intensity cardio for a custom strength-building workout.

Strength-focused High-Intensity Interval Training improves time efficiency, metabolic boost, and functional strength. It’s an excellent option for individuals who build muscle and enhance overall fitness.

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The Role of Natural Steroids in Reducing Inflammation and Supporting Immune Function https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/the-role-of-natural-steroids-n-reducing-inflammation-and-supporting-immune-function/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34985 The post The Role of Natural Steroids in Reducing Inflammation and Supporting Immune Function appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the quest for improved health and well-being, many people are exploring natural solutions to strengthen their immune systems and address inflammation. A fascinating area of research centres around the use of natural steroids, which play a crucial role in diminishing inflammation and bolstering immune function.

 

Understanding Natural Steroids:

Natural steroids are organic compounds prevalent in plants, animals, and the human body. These compounds have garnered attention due to their ability to replicate synthetic steroids‘ effects without detrimental side effects. Let’s dive into the role of natural steroids and their contributions to our immune Health.

 

Inflammation Reduction and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds:

Natural steroids are renowned for their robust anti-inflammatory properties. They adeptly manage the body’s inflammatory response, thwarting chronic inflammation—a known instigator of various diseases. This reduction in inflammation is vital for overall Health and the prevention of conditions like arthritis, allergies, and cardiovascular ailments.

 

Immune System Support and Immune Response Enhancement:

The nexus between natural steroids and the immune system is profound. These compounds enhance the immune response by boosting the production of immune cells. This fortifies the body’s ability to defend against infections, making them a pivotal component of immune system support.

 

Immunomodulatory Effects and Immunoregulation:

Natural steroids also display immunomodulatory effects. They assist in balancing the immune system, ensuring it responds judiciously to threats without going into overdrive. This regulatory function is crucial in preventing autoimmune disorders and maintaining immune Health.

 

Plant-Based Steroids and Steroids in Health:

Many natural steroids, such as steroidal saponins found in herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng, are prevalent in plants. These plant-based steroids have been integral to traditional medicine for centuries, promoting Health and well-being.

 

Natural steroids pave a promising path toward inflammation reduction and immune function support. By incorporating them into our diets through plant-based sources, we can harness their potent immunomodulatory effects for a healthier and more resilient immune system. As research continues to unfold, we may unveil even more secrets about the role of natural steroids in enhancing overall well-being and longevity.

 

Natural Steroids and Inflammation: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Solution

Inflammation is our body’s natural defence mechanism to combat infections and facilitate tissue repair. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can precipitate various health issues, including autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular problems. Natural steroids have emerged as a promising solution in managing and mitigating chronic inflammation.

 

Natural steroids, also known as plant sterols or phytosterols, are organic compounds found abundantly in various plant-based foods. These compounds closely resemble the structure of cholesterol and exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties when incorporated into a balanced diet.

One primary mechanism through which natural steroids combat inflammation is by curtailing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines—molecules that trigger and perpetuate inflammation. Additionally, they inhibit the activity of enzymes responsible for generating inflammatory compounds.

 

Familiar sources of phytochemicals encompass fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Examples include beta-sitosterol in avocados, campesterol in flaxseeds, and stigmasterol in soybeans.

 

Including these foods in your daily nutrition can aid in alleviating persistent inflammation, reducing the risk of inflammatory ailments, and promoting your general health and well-being. While natural steroids are generally safe, seeking counsel from a healthcare professional before implementing significant dietary changes is prudent, especially if you harbour specific health concerns.

 

Natural steroids present an honest and productive means of combating inflammation, offering enhanced Health through a diet rich in plant-based foods. By embracing these dietary choices, individuals can take proactive strides toward reducing inflammation and fortifying their long-term well-being.

 

Boosting Immune Function: The Remarkable Benefits of Plant-Based Compounds

In our relentless battle against illnesses and infections, a resilient immune system is our first defence line. Recent times have seen a surge in interest in phytochemicals and their extraordinary merits in elevating immune function. Let’s explore how these compounds can augment our body’s defences and promote overall well-being.

 

Enhanced Immune Response:

Phytochemicals in various plant-based foods stimulate immune cells’ production and activity. This augmented immune response equips the body to identify and combat pathogens more efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of infections.

 

Immune System Balance:

A well-balanced immune system is indispensable for optimal Health. Plant-based compounds showcase immunomodulatory effects, aiding in regulating the immune response. This equips them to prevent unwarranted inflammation or an excessively reactive immune system, which can trigger autoimmune diseases.

 

Reduced Risk of Infections:

By fortifying the immune system, plant-based compounds contribute to a lowered risk of infections arising from bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This benefit is particularly significant in common ailments like colds and flu.

 

Fighting Chronic Diseases:

Chronic inflammation underpins numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based compounds can mitigate this risk, fostering overall Health and longevity.

 

Plant-Based Sources:

A rich array of phytochemicals is readily available in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Avocados, broccoli, almonds, and soybeans are exemplary sources of these immune-enhancing compounds.

 

Incorporating a diverse spectrum of plant-based foods into your dietary regimen can harness the benefits of these compounds. However, maintaining a balanced diet and consulting with a healthcare professional before implementing substantial dietary changes is crucial, mainly if specific health concerns are in play.

 

Phytochemicals have emerged as valuable assets in advancing immune function and overall, Health. Individuals can proactively bolster their immune system by embracing a diet teeming with these compounds, paving the way to a healthier future.

 

Unlocking the Potential: Research Findings on Phytochemicals

 

The world of phytochemicals is a fascinating realm of scientific discovery that holds promise for various aspects of human health. Researchers worldwide have been delving into the potential benefits of these organic compounds in plants, animals, and the human body. Let’s explore some compelling research findings that shed light on the incredible capabilities of natural steroids.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Numerous studies have demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory properties of natural steroids. These compounds can help manage chronic inflammation, a factor in many chronic diseases, including arthritis, cardiovascular conditions, and autoimmune disorders.

 

Immune System Support: Research has shown that phytochemicals are pivotal in supporting and modulating the immune system. These substances can potentially increase the generation of immune cells, fortifying the body’s defence systems against infections and illnesses.

 

Cardiovascular Health: Some research suggests that natural steroids, particularly plant sterols like beta-sitosterol, may contribute to lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health when incorporated into a healthy diet.

 

Hormonal Balance: phytochemicals, such as those produced in the human body, are essential for hormonal Balance. Research in this field helps us understand how these compounds impact metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

 

Potential Cancer Prevention: While still in the early stages, research into phytochemicals has indicated their potential in cancer prevention and treatment. Some studies suggest that specific plant sterols may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

 

As scientists persist in uncovering the mysteries of natural steroids, these discoveries present substantial potential for enhancing health and overall wellness. It’s important to note that while these research results are promising, further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential applications of natural steroids in medicine and nutrition.

 

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If you would like to become a sports nutritionist then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Plant-based compounds, or phytochemicals, are organic substances in plants and certain foods. They offer effects akin to synthetic steroids without the adverse side effects linked to synthetic variants.

Phytochemicals regulate the body’s inflammatory response by curtailing the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and inhibiting enzymes responsible for generating inflammatory compounds.

Phytochemicals amplify the immune response by augmenting the production of immune cells, bolstering the body’s defence against infections.

Phytochemicals possess immunomodulatory effects, helping balance the immune system and reducing the risk of autoimmune disorders.

Familiar sources of plant-based compounds include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Foods like avocados, broccoli, almonds, and soybeans are prime examples.

While plant-based compounds are generally safe, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional before making substantial dietary changes, mainly if specific health concerns are present, is advisable.

The post The Role of Natural Steroids in Reducing Inflammation and Supporting Immune Function appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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HIIT for Beginners: Tips and Workouts to Get Started https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/hiit-for-beginners-tips-and-workouts-to-get-started/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34992 The post HIIT for Beginners: Tips and Workouts to Get Started appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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High-Intensity Interval Training, commonly known as HIIT, is a powerful and efficient workout method that can help beginners kickstart their fitness journey. If you’re new to HIIT or exercise in general, this article will provide the essential tips and beginner HIIT workouts to get you started on the right track.

 

Introduction to HIIT:

High-intensity interval Training is a fitness approach characterised by alternating brief, high-intensity exercise intervals with short periods of either rest or low-intensity activities. It’s known for burning calories, boosting metabolism, and improving cardiovascular fitness in less time than traditional steady-state cardio.

 

Getting Started with HIIT:

Before commencing any fitness program, consult with a healthcare expert, especially if you have preexisting medical conditions or underlying health factors. After receiving approval, take these HIIT recommendations into account as you start your journey as a beginner:

 

Start Slow:

Start your workouts with shorter time frames of high-intensity exercise, and over time, as your fitness progresses, incrementally raise both the intensity and the duration of your activities.

 

Proper Warm-Up:

Always warm up before HIIT to prevent injury. Include dynamic stretches and light cardio for about 5-10 minutes.

 

Form Matters:

Focus on maintaining proper Form during exercises to avoid injuries.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds and adjust the intensity or exercises accordingly.

 

Rest:

Adequate rest between workouts is crucial. Allow your body to recover before your next HIIT session.

 

Beginner-Friendly HIIT Workouts:

Here are a couple of beginner high-intensity interval workouts to get you started:

 

  1. Tabata-style high-intensity interval: 20 seconds of high-intensity exercise (e.g., jumping jacks) followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for 4 minutes.
  2. 30-Second Intervals: 30 seconds of exercise (e.g., bodyweight squats), followed by 30 seconds of rest for 10-15 minutes.

 

High-intensity interval:

Start with 10 seconds of exercise, then increase by 10 seconds each round, followed by the same amount of rest.

High-intensity interval for beginners can be a game-changer in your fitness journey. Remember to stay consistent, gradually increase intensity, and enjoy the benefits of improved fitness, increased energy, and a healthier you.

 

Whether aiming for weight loss, building strength, or enhancing your endurance, High-intensity interval is a highly effective method to help you achieve your goals efficiently. By integrating these beginner High-intensity interval routines into your regimen, you’ll be on the path to a healthier and more physically fit lifestyle.

 

Understanding HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

 

HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, has become widely renowned in the fitness community due to its remarkable efficiency and effectiveness in helping individuals attain their fitness objectives. This training method involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with brief periods of rest or lower-intensity activity. Let’s delve deeper into why HIIT is such a game-changer in fitness.

 

HIIT elevates your heart rate quickly, pushing your body to work at or near its maximum capacity during high-intensity interval training. These intervals are typically short, ranging from 20 seconds to 1 minute, followed by periods of active Recovery or complete rest.

One of the notable advantages of HIIT is its capacity to efficiently enhance cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning within a relatively brief workout duration. Research has shown that HIIT can boost metabolism, enhance endurance, and promote fat loss more effectively than traditional steady-state cardio workouts.

 

Additionally, High-intensity interval training is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to various fitness levels and preferences. Whether you’re just starting or a highly experienced athlete, HIIT routines can be customised to your specific requirements by modifying the intensity, duration, and choice of exercises.

 

Understanding HIIT opens the door to a time-efficient fitness regimen that yields remarkable results. It is a powerful resource for individuals seeking weight loss, muscle strength development, and overall physical fitness enhancement. High-intensity interval might perfectly fit an effective and dynamic workout routine.

 

Essential Tips for Beginners in High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

 

Starting a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routine can be an exciting step towards achieving your fitness goals. Still, it’s essential to approach it with care, especially if you’re a beginner. To help you get started on the right foot, here are some critical tips to keep in mind:

 

Consult a Healthcare Professional: It’s essential to consult with a medical professional, particularly if you have preexisting health conditions or any health-related worries, before commencing any new exercise regimen. They can offer guidance and ensure HIIT is safe for you.

 

Start Slow:

  1. Take your time with high-intensity workouts.
  2. Begin with shorter intervals and lower-intensity exercises.
  3. As your fitness level progresses, incrementally enhance both the intensity and the length of your workouts.

Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down:

Always start your HIIT session with an excellent warm-up to prepare your muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Following your exercise session, participate in a cooldown routine to gradually reduce your heart rate and minimise the likelihood of muscle soreness.

 

Focus on Form: 

Correct Form is crucial during HIIT exercises. Ensure you’re performing each exercise correctly to prevent injuries and maximise the effectiveness of your workout.

 

Listen to Your Body: 

Pay attention to how your body responds during HIIT. If you experience excessive pain, dizziness, or discomfort, you must stop immediately and rest. Exerting disproportionate effort can result in overtraining and an increased risk of sustaining injuries.

 

Stay Hydrated: HIIT can be intense and cause you to sweat a lot. Stay hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after your workout.

 

Rest and Recovery:

Adequate rest between HIIT sessions is crucial for Recovery. Your body needs time to repair and build strength. Avoid doing HIIT workouts on consecutive days.

 

Variety is Key:

Keep your workouts interesting by incorporating various exercises. This not only prevents boredom but also challenges different muscle groups.

 

Consistency is King:

Consistency is the key to success in any fitness program. Stick to your High-Intensity Interval Training routine to see significant improvements in your fitness level over time.

 

Set Realistic Goals:

Define your fitness goals and set realistic expectations. High-intensity interval Training can help you achieve various purposes, such as weight loss, strength gain, or improved endurance, but it takes time and dedication.

By following these essential tips, beginners can embark on their HIIT journey with confidence and safety. HIIT can be a highly effective and rewarding form of exercise, helping you achieve your fitness goals efficiently.

 

Beginner-Friendly HIIT Workouts: Start Your Fitness Journey Strong

 

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an excellent way to kickstart your fitness journey, and the best part is that it’s accessible to everyone, including beginners. These beginner friendly HIIT workouts help you build strength, improve endurance, and burn calories efficiently while keeping things manageable and enjoyable.

 

Bodyweight HIIT Circuit:

  1. Start with simple, practical bodyweight exercises like jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, and mountain climbers.
  2. Execute each exercise for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest interval before moving on to the next activity.
  3. Complete the circuit for 15-20 minutes.

 

Tabata Intervals: 

Tabata represents a widely embraced HIIT format with 20 seconds of maximum exertion, succeeded by a 10-second interval of rest. You can choose exercises like burpees, high knees, or bicycle crunches. Repeat each exercise for four minutes before moving on.

 

30-30 HIIT: 

Alternate between 30 seconds of exercise and 30 seconds of rest. Suitable activities for beginners include jumping lunges, planks, and bodyweight squats. Aim for 10-15 minutes of this routine.

 

Pyramid HIIT:

  1. Start with 10 seconds of exercise and a 10-second rest.
  2. Increase the exercise duration by 10 seconds for each round.
  3. Once you reach 60 seconds, decrease by 10 seconds per round until you’re back at 10 seconds.

This workout provides an excellent progression and keeps things interesting.

 

Low-Impact HIIT:

If you prefer low-impact workouts, focus on seated leg lifts, standing side leg lifts and standing knee raises. These exercises are gentle on the joints but still provide practical training.

 

Ensure you initiate your exercise session with an adequate warm-up and conclude it with a cool-down to safeguard against injuries and facilitate recovery. Beginners should also pay close attention to Form and listen to their bodies. As you progress, you can gradually increase the intensity and complexity of your workouts. These beginner-friendly HIIT routines will help you build a solid foundation for your fitness journey and set you on the path to a healthier, stronger you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on learning more about HIIT training then you need to do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Onlne CPD course

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training. It’s a workout method that alternates short bursts of intense exercise with brief rest periods. It’s great for beginners because it’s efficient and adaptable to different fitness levels, helping you see results without spending hours at the gym.

Yes, High-intensity interval training can be safe for beginners, but starting slowly and gradually increasing intensity is essential. Seek advice from a medical expert before commencing a new workout regimen, especially if you have any health-related apprehensions or uncertainties.

Beginner High-intensity interval training sessions can range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your fitness level. Start with shorter intervals and progressively extend the duration as you become more comfortable.

Common mistakes include going too intense too quickly, neglecting proper warm-up and cool-down, and sacrificing Form for speed. It’s crucial to listen to your body and prioritise safety.

It’s recommended to do High-intensity interval training only sometimes, especially for beginners. Allow your body time to recover by spacing out your HIIT sessions with rest days in between. Aim for 2-3 sessions per week.

Results vary from person to person, but with consistency, you can expect to see improvements in your fitness level, energy, and possibly weight loss within a few weeks. Remember that progress takes time, so stay committed to your routine.

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Overcoming Plateaus in Muscle Growth: Advanced Techniques for Continued Progress https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/overcoming-plateaus-in-muscle-growth-advanced-techniques-for-continued-progress/ Wed, 11 Oct 2023 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34984 The post Overcoming Plateaus in Muscle Growth: Advanced Techniques for Continued Progress appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Achieving consistent muscle growth is a fitness enthusiast’s goal, but sooner or later, many face the frustrating phenomenon of muscle growth plateaus. These plateaus can be discouraging, but with advanced muscle-building techniques and strategies, you can break through these barriers and continue progressing toward your muscle-building goals.

 

Identifying Muscle Growth Plateaus:

Muscle growth plateaus are periods when your body stops responding to your training efforts. You may notice that your strength gains stall and your muscles no longer seem to grow as they once did. Recognizing these plateaus as they occur is essential because they signal the need for change in your routine.

 

Advanced Training Strategies:

You’ll need to employ advanced training strategies to overcome muscle growth plateaus. Progressive overload techniques, such as increasing weights and adjusting rep ranges, can shock your muscles into growth. Periodization, where you cycle through different training intensities and volumes, can also help prevent plateaus and stimulate muscle development.

 

Muscle Hypertrophy Methods:

Explore various muscle hypertrophy methods, such as drop sets, supersets, and pyramids, to challenge your muscles in new ways. These techniques can increase muscle fibre recruitment and stimulate growth even when you think you’ve hit a plateau.

 

Optimizing Nutrition and Recovery:

Advanced nutrition for muscle growth is essential. Ensure you’re consuming enough protein to support muscle repair and growth. Add supplements like creatine to your regimen, enhancing your workout performance and muscle recovery. Additionally, prioritize recovery strategies like proper sleep and active rest days to aid muscle repair and overall progress.

 

Resistance Training Advancements:

Experiment with advanced resistance training equipment and techniques. Implementing resistance bands, chains, or different resistance machines can add new challenges to your workouts and break through plateaus.

 

Muscle Building Plateaus Solutions:

Continued muscle progress requires adapting your training and nutrition to your evolving needs. Remember that muscle growth is a journey, and plateaus are temporary setbacks. By implementing advanced techniques and staying committed to your goals, you can overcome plateaus and achieve the desired muscle gains.

 

Identifying Plateaus in Your Muscle Growth Journey

Embarking on a muscle growth journey is an exciting endeavour, but it can sometimes be a linear path. Along the way, you may encounter plateaus – those moments when it feels like your progress has hit a roadblock. Identifying these plateaus is crucial to continue making strides in your muscle-building efforts.

 

Plateaus manifest in various ways. Your strength gains have stalled, your muscle size seems to have plateaued, or your workouts no longer leave you with that satisfying soreness. These are all signs that you’ve reached a point where your body has adapted to your current training regimen.

 

To identify plateaus effectively, keep a detailed workout journal. Track your lifts, repetitions, and sets, along with the weights you’re using. Take note of how your body feels during and after workouts. Are you feeling challenged, or has the routine become comfortable?

 

Additionally, monitor your body composition. It could indicate a plateau if you’re not seeing the desired changes in muscle size or body fat levels.

 

Recognizing plateaus is the first step in overcoming them. Once identified, you can implement advanced training techniques like progressive overload, periodization, and muscle hypertrophy to break through these barriers. Plateaus are not permanent; they’re merely challenges to conquer on your journey toward achieving your muscle growth goals.

 

Advanced Training Strategies to Break Through Plateaus

Plateaus in your fitness journey can be incredibly frustrating. You’ve been working hard, making progress, and suddenly, it seems like you’ve hit a wall. The good news is that plateaus are not the end of the road; they are merely obstacles to overcome. To continue gaining muscle growth, you’ll need to employ advanced training strategies that challenge your body in new ways.

 

Progressive Overload: This is a fundamental principle in muscle growth. Gradually increase the resistance or weight you’re lifting to break through plateaus. This forces your muscles to adapt and grow more robust to handle the added load.

 

Periodization: Periodization involves planning your workouts in cycles, often varying intensity, volume, and exercises over time. This strategy prevents your body from getting used to a specific routine, keeping it in constant adaptation.

 

Advanced Exercise Variations: Incorporate advanced exercise variations to target muscle groups from different angles. For example, if you’ve been doing traditional squats, try front squats or Bulgarian split squats to shock your muscles into growth.

 

Negative Repetitions: Focus on the exercise’s eccentric (lowering) phase. Slowly reduce the weight, emphasizing the muscle lengthening phase. This technique can lead to muscle fibre damage, which prompts growth during the repair process.

 

Drop Sets and Supersets: These techniques involve performing multiple sets with little to no rest in between. Drop sets include reducing the weight as you fatigue, while supersets pair two different exercises targeting the same muscle group.

 

Advanced Nutrition: Review your nutrition plan. Ensure you’re consuming enough calories and protein to support muscle growth. Add supplements like creatine or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to your regimen.

 

Recovery Strategies: Pay attention to recovery. Incorporate techniques like active recovery days, foam rolling, and adequate sleep to allow your muscles to repair and grow.

 

Breaking through plateaus requires dedication, patience, and A readiness to venture beyond your familiar territory. By incorporating these advanced training strategies, you can revitalise your muscle growth journey and continue making significant progress towards your fitness goals. Remember, plateaus are temporary setbacks on the road to success.

 

Optimising Nutrition and Recovery for Sustained Muscle Growth

Achieving sustained muscle growth requires more than just lifting weights in the gym. Your nutrition and recovery strategies ensure that your muscles have the fuel and rest they need to grow effectively.

 

Nutrition for Muscle Growth:

Dietary protein: Plays a crucial role as the foundational component for muscle development. Ensure you consume enough high-quality protein sources like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and plant-based options like beans and tofu. Aim for a consistent protein intake throughout the day.

 

Caloric Surplus: To promote muscle growth, it’s essential to maintain a surplus of calories, indicating that you consume an excess of calories compared to what your body spends. This provides the energy necessary for muscle repair and growth.

 

Balanced Diet: A well-rounded diet with carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats is essential. Carbohydrates provide energy for workouts, while fats support overall health and hormone production.

 

Timing Matters: Consider consuming protein and carbohydrates after your workout to help with muscle recovery and replenish glycogen stores.

 

Hydration: Remember hydration. Dehydration can hinder muscle performance and recovery. Drink enough water throughout the day.

 

Recovery Strategies:

 

Ensuring adequate and restorative sleep is vital. During sleep, your body undergoes repairs and muscle tissue development. Strive for a duration of 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.

 

Active Recovery: Incorporate light activities like walking or gentle yoga on rest days to promote blood flow and reduce muscle soreness.

 

Foam Rolling and Stretching: These techniques can help alleviate muscle tension and improve flexibility, aiding recovery.

 

Massage and Bodywork: Consider getting regular massages or bodywork to release muscle knots and improve recovery.

 

Nutrient Timing: As mentioned earlier, post-workout nutrition is crucial. To optimise recovery, consume a balanced meal or shake within a couple of hours after training.

 

Supplements: Some supplements like creatine, BCAAs, and collagen may support muscle growth and recovery. Consult with a healthcare professional before adding accessories to your routine.

 

By optimizing your nutrition and recovery strategies, You establish conditions that facilitate your muscles’ ability to thrive and adjust to the challenges presented by your training. Remember that consistency is critical, and results may take time. Be patient, stay committed, and you’ll see sustained muscle growth over time.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Training plateaus are phases where your body no longer responds to your workouts. Strength gains stall and muscle growth slows down.

Advanced techniques like progressive overload, periodization, and varied exercises can be effective in breaking through training plateaus.

Nutrition is vital for your fitness journey. Adequate protein, a caloric surplus, and a balanced diet are essential. Timing meals and hydration also help.

Recovery is crucial for your journey. Quality sleep, active rest, foam rolling, and nutrient timing support progress. Consider supplements like creatine and BCAAs.

Advanced techniques like negative reps, drop sets, and exercises can challenge your body and revive progress.

You can achieve continued progress in your fitness journey with dedication, identifying plateaus, advanced methods, optimized nutrition, and prioritized recovery.

The post Overcoming Plateaus in Muscle Growth: Advanced Techniques for Continued Progress appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exploring the Benefits of Natural Steroids for Muscle Growth and Recovery https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exploring-the-benefits-of-natural-steroids-for-muscle-growth-and-recovery/ Wed, 11 Oct 2023 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34976 The post Exploring the Benefits of Natural Steroids for Muscle Growth and Recovery appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In fitness and bodybuilding, achieving significant muscle growth and ensuring a swift recovery after intense workouts are top priorities. Many individuals have turned to natural steroids to optimise these processes, and for good reason. Natural steroids, also known as plant-based steroids, offer numerous benefits that support muscle growth and enhance Recovery.

 

Natural Steroids and Their Anabolic Effects:

Natural steroids are compounds found in various plants that mimic the effects of anabolic steroids. In contrast to synthetic steroids, natural steroids originate from plants and can contribute to muscle growth without the negative consequences typically linked to synthetic variations.

 

Promoting Muscle Growth and Recovery:

Natural steroids’ primary benefit is their ability to stimulate muscle growth. They do this by promoting protein synthesis, which is crucial for muscle repair and development. This results in increased muscle mass, improved strength, and enhanced performance during strength training exercises.

 

Hormonal Balance and Muscle-Building Supplements:

Natural steroids also help maintain hormonal balance, particularly testosterone levels. Testosterone plays a crucial role in facilitating both muscle development and the process of healing. Natural steroids create an optimal environment for muscle development by supporting healthy testosterone production.

 

Performance Enhancement and Recovery Supplements:

Athletes and bodybuilders often use natural steroids as performance-enhancing supplements. These compounds aid in quick Recovery from strenuous workouts, reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. This enables individuals to train harder and more frequently, improving muscle gains.

 

Bodybuilding Benefits:

Natural steroids offer various benefits, including increased muscle growth, improved Recovery, and enhanced performance during strength training. Their plant-based origin makes them a safer alternative to synthetic steroids, as they don’t carry the same risk of adverse side effects. For those seeking to maximise their bodybuilding efforts naturally, incorporating natural steroids into their fitness regimen can be a valuable strategy. When considering adding a new supplement to your routine, seeking advice from a healthcare expert or fitness specialist is crucial. This ensures that the supplement aligns with your fitness objectives and general well-being.

 

The Science Behind Natural Steroids

Natural steroids, often derived from plants, have garnered significant attention in recent years for their potential benefits in various fields, including fitness, sports, and medicine. The fascination surrounding these compounds lies in their ability to mimic the effects of synthetic anabolic steroids while minimising the associated risks and side effects. Let’s delve into the science behind natural steroids to understand how they work and why they are gaining recognition.

 

Plant-Based Powerhouses:

Natural steroids are bioactive compounds found in certain plants. They are classified as phytoecdysteroids, and one of the most well-known examples is ecdysterone. These plant-based steroids are structurally like human steroid hormones, particularly testosterone.

 

Hormonal Harmony:

The human body has a complex endocrine system that regulates various physiological processes, including muscle growth and metabolism. Natural steroids interact with this system by binding to androgen receptors. By doing so, they influence hormonal balance, particularly testosterone levels. Heightened testosterone levels are linked to an enhanced process of muscle protein synthesis, which is pivotal for developing and expanding muscle tissue.

 

Anabolic Effects:

The anabolic effects of natural steroids revolve around their ability to enhance protein synthesis within muscle cells. This results in accelerated muscle repair and development, making them valuable tools for athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts seeking to optimise their muscle-building potential.

 

Safe and Effective:

One of the critical advantages of natural steroids is their safety profile. They do not pose the same health risks and side effects as synthetic steroids, which can lead to various issues, including hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular problems, and liver damage.

 

In conclusion, the science behind natural steroids reveals their potential to support muscle growth, enhance Recovery, and improve overall athletic performance. As research continues to shed light on their mechanisms and benefits, natural steroids remain a promising area of exploration for those looking to achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively.

 

Role of Plant-Based Compounds in Muscle Building

Achieving significant muscle growth is a primary goal for many individuals in strength training, bodybuilding, or fitness. While exercise and nutrition are crucial in this process, plant-based compounds must be considered. These compounds, derived from plant sources, have gained popularity as effective supplements to support muscle building. Let’s explore their significant role in promoting muscle growth.

 

Mimicking Anabolic Effects:

Plant-based compounds, also known as phytoecdysteroids, share structural similarities with human steroid hormones, such as testosterone. This similarity enables them to engage with androgen receptors within the body, ultimately resulting in anabolic outcomes. Anabolic processes involve building muscle tissue, and plant-based compounds can help stimulate these processes.

 

Enhancing Protein Synthesis:

One of the fundamental mechanisms through which plant-based compounds promote muscle growth is enhancing protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is the cellular process of combining amino acids to form new proteins, crucial for repairing and building muscle tissue. Plant-based compounds help increase the protein synthesis rate, resulting in faster muscle recovery and development.

 

Hormonal Balance:

Maintaining hormonal balance is essential for muscle growth. Plant-based compounds can influence hormonal balance by increasing testosterone production, a hormone known for its muscle-building properties. Elevated testosterone levels lead to more remarkable muscle protein synthesis and increased muscle mass.

 

Safe and Legal:

Unlike synthetic anabolic steroids, which have various health risks and legal complications, plant-based compounds are generally safe and legal. They do not cause the same adverse side effects associated with synthetic alternatives.

 

Plant-based compounds play a vital role in muscle building by mimicking anabolic effects, enhancing protein synthesis, and promoting hormonal balance. Natural, safe, and effective supplements offer a valuable option for individuals looking to optimise their muscle-building efforts responsibly and sustainably. When incorporated into a well-rounded fitness and nutrition plan, plant-based compounds can be a powerful tool in achieving muscle growth goals.

 

Incorporating Natural Steroids into Your Fitness Routine

 

When focusing on improving muscle growth and optimising your fitness progress, exploring various supplements and strategies to help you reach your goals is essential. Natural steroids, derived from plant sources, have emerged as a popular and effective option for those looking to boost their muscle-building efforts. Here’s how you can incorporate natural steroids into your fitness routine:

 

Research and Select Reputable Products: Start by researching and choosing high-quality natural steroid supplements from reputable brands. Look for products backed by scientific evidence and with positive reviews from users.

 

Prioritise a Consultation with a Healthcare Expert: Before incorporating any new supplement into your fitness regimen, it’s recommended to prioritise a consultation with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. They can provide valuable insights on appropriate dosage, potential interactions, and tailored advice based on your health condition.

 

Follow Recommended Dosage: Following the recommended dosage instructions on the supplement packaging is crucial. Overconsumption of any supplement can have adverse effects, so moderation is key.

 

Combine with a Balanced Diet:  Natural steroids work best when complemented by a balanced diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. Ensure you’re meeting your daily calorie and macronutrient needs.

 

Incorporate into Your Exercise Regimen: To maximise the effectiveness of natural steroids, integrate them into your regular strength training and resistance workouts. Concentrate on compound exercises that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

 

Track Your Advancements: Monitor your fitness journey, including muscle development and recovery changes. Adjust your supplement intake and workout routine based on your results and goals.

 

Emphasise the Importance of Healing: Make sure to prioritise recovery in your routine. Get sufficient sleep, effectively manage stress, and give your muscles time to repair and grow.

 

Incorporating natural steroids into your fitness routine can be a valuable addition to your muscle-building efforts. However, it’s essential to approach their use responsibly, consult with healthcare professionals when necessary, and prioritise overall health and well-being throughout your fitness journey.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Plant-based steroids, called phytoecdysteroids, are bioactive compounds in certain plants. They emulate the effects of synthetic anabolic steroids but are sourced from natural origins.

Plant-based steroids interact with androgen receptors in the body, stimulating anabolic processes. They enhance protein synthesis, which is crucial for muscle repair and development, increasing muscle mass.

Yes, plant-based steroids are generally considered safe and legal supplements. Unlike synthetic steroids, they do not carry the same risks of adverse side effects or legal complications.

Yes, plant-based steroids can aid in muscle recovery. They reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, enabling individuals to recover more quickly after strenuous workouts.

Yes, many athletes and bodybuilders use plant-based steroids as performance-enhancing supplements. By promoting muscle growth and Recovery, they can improve overall athletic performance.

To incorporate plant-based steroids into your fitness routine, select reputable products. Consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on dosage and potential interactions. Follow recommended dosages, maintain a balanced diet, integrate them into your workout routine, monitor your progress, and prioritise adequate recovery.

The post Exploring the Benefits of Natural Steroids for Muscle Growth and Recovery appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exploring Gender-Specific Hypertrophy Training: Unravelling Muscle Growth Gender Disparities https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exploring-gender-specific-hypertrophy-training-unravelling-muscle-growth-gender-disparities/ Tue, 10 Oct 2023 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34975 The post Exploring Gender-Specific Hypertrophy Training: Unravelling Muscle Growth Gender Disparities appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of hypertrophy training, recognizing the distinctions between men and women’s physiological responses and requirements is essential. These disparities play a pivotal role in customizing workout routines and attaining peak performance. In this blog, we’ll delve into the intricacies of hypertrophy training for men and women, delving deep into the sex-based dissimilarities in muscle development and the most effective strategies for each gender.

Gender-Specific Hypertrophy Training

Gender-specific hypertrophy training is a methodology that acknowledges the inherent physiological disparities between men and women. These variations influence the approach individuals should adopt regarding muscle building.

Muscle Growth Gender Disparities

One of the primary differentiators lies in the potential for muscle growth. Typically, males enjoy elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that is vital for fostering muscle growth. This hormonal advantage contributes to their propensity for larger and stronger muscles. In contrast, women possess higher levels of estrogen, which can influence how they accumulate and retain muscle.

Hypertrophy Training for Men and Women

To address these disparities effectively, hypertrophy training programs are tailored differently for men and women. The approach to male vs. female hypertrophy training may involve variations in workout intensity, volume, and exercise selection. Gender-specific workout routines are meticulously designed to optimize results by taking these hormonal influences into account.

Training Adaptations by Gender

Studies have demonstrated that men and women may respond differently to resistance training. Men typically experience more significant muscle hypertrophy, whereas women might achieve greater improvements in muscular endurance. Understanding these gender-specific adaptations is pivotal for setting realistic fitness goals and expectations.

Gender and Muscle Response to Exercise

Sex-based distinctions also extend to how muscles respond to exercise. While both men and women can benefit from hypertrophy training, appreciating these subtleties allows individuals to tailor their workout regimens for enhanced results.

Gender-specific hypertrophy training recognizes the biological disparities between men and women, offering customized approaches to muscle building. By acknowledging the impact of sex differences on muscle development, individuals can craft effective hypertrophy training programs that harmonize with their fitness objectives and physiological makeup. Whether it’s hypertrophy training for males or females, a personalized strategy can lead to optimal results and a stronger, healthier physique.

Biological Variations and Muscle Growth: Understanding the Science

Muscle growth, scientifically known as hypertrophy, is a multifaceted process influenced by an array of biological factors. Grasping these physical variations is paramount for anyone aiming to optimize their muscle-building endeavors.

The Role of Genetics

Genetics plays a significant role in muscle development. Some individuals possess genetic predispositions that make it easier for them to build larger and stronger muscles. This genetic diversity can explain why certain people appear to gain muscle effortlessly, even with comparable training and nutrition regimens.

The Hormonal Influence

Hormones, particularly testosterone, are pivotal in the realm of muscle growth. Men generally have elevated testosterone levels compared to women, providing them with a biological advantage when it comes to building muscle. Nevertheless, women can still achieve substantial muscle growth through targeted training and proper nutrition.

 

The Impact of Age

Age is another biological factor that influences muscle growth. Younger individuals typically experience more rapid muscle development due to higher metabolic rates and growth hormone levels. As individuals age, muscle growth becomes more challenging, necessitating adjustments in training and nutritional strategies.

Nutrition and Muscle Growth

Diet and nutrition play a pivotal role in muscle growth. Consuming adequate protein, calories, and essential macronutrients is crucial to support muscle repair and growth. The body’s metabolism, influenced by biological variations, impacts how efficiently nutrients are utilized for muscle development.

Biological variations, encompassing genetics, hormones, age, and metabolism, are instrumental in the process of muscle growth. By comprehending these factors, individuals can tailor their training and nutrition plans to maximize their muscle-building potential, irrespective of their unique biological makeup.

Training Considerations for Men: Unlocking Optimal Muscle Growth

Men and women often have distinct considerations when it comes to achieving their fitness goals, especially regarding muscle growth. Understanding these nuances can assist men in customizing their workout routines for exceptional results.

Leveraging the Testosterone Advantage

Men possess a natural advantage in the form of higher testosterone levels—a hormone crucial for muscle growth. Capitalizing on this advantage involves incorporating compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses into their routines. These compound movements engage multiple muscle groups, sparking more significant muscle growth.

Embracing Progressive Overload

To effectively stimulate muscle growth, men should embrace the principle of progressive overload. This entails gradually increasing the resistance they lift over time. Progressive overload challenges the muscles to adapt and grow. Regularly adding weight to exercises or intensifying workouts promotes muscle development.

Meeting Protein Requirements

Protein is the building block of muscles. Men engaged in muscle-building workouts must ensure they consume sufficient protein to support muscle repair and growth. A recommended guideline is targeting a daily protein intake ranging from 1.2 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight.

Balancing Nutrition and Caloric Surplus

Men should maintain a caloric surplus to fuel muscle growth. Consuming slightly more calories than the body burns provides the energy required for muscle repair and growth. Maintaining a well-rounded diet that includes an adequate supply of carbohydrates and healthy fats is essential.

Prioritizing Rest and Recovery

Overtraining can hinder muscle growth. Men must allow their muscles sufficient time to recover between intense workouts. Incorporating rest days into their training schedule and ensuring they get adequate quality sleep are integral aspects of this process.

Individualization

Recognizing that not all men are the same is vital. Each person possesses unique genetics, body types, and fitness goals. Tailoring a training program to individual needs and adapting it based on progress and feedback is a crucial part of optimizing muscle growth.

In summary, men can optimize their muscle growth by acknowledging their biological advantages, embracing a well-structured training program, and paying attention to their nutritional and recovery needs. A holistic approach combining these considerations can result in substantial gains in muscle size and strength.

Training Considerations for Women: Building Strength and Confidence

Women have their own set of fitness and strength training considerations that significantly impact their training journey. Tailoring workouts to these considerations enables women to effectively achieve their fitness goals while enhancing overall health and well-being.

Embracing Resistance Training

Contrary to misconceptions, resistance training is not synonymous with bulking up. It is a valuable component of any training plan for women, as it helps build lean muscle, improve metabolism, and achieve a toned physique.

Varying Intensity and Volume

Women may discover that their bodies respond differently to varying training intensities and volumes. Experimenting with different approaches, such as high-repetition, low-weight workouts and lower-repetition, higher-weight workouts, can help women identify what works best for them.

Prioritizing Nutrition

Proper nutrition is fundamental for achieving any fitness goal. Women should concentrate on maintaining a balanced diet that includes essential protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Adequate protein intake supports muscle repair and growth, while proper nutrition ensures sufficient energy levels for workouts and recovery.

Hormone Cycle Awareness

Women experience hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle, which can impact their energy levels and overall performance. Being mindful of these hormonal fluctuations allows women to adjust their training intensity and recovery strategies accordingly.

Embracing Body Positivity

Setting realistic fitness goals and embracing body positivity are essential for women. Acknowledging progress, focusing on overall health and strength, and avoiding the pursuit of unrealistic body ideals are key aspects of a successful fitness journey.

Core and Pelvic Floor Strength

Strengthening the core and pelvic floor muscles should be a top priority for women. This contributes to overall well-being and helps reduce the risk of injury, particularly for those who have undergone childbirth.

 Quality Over Quantity

Prioritizing the quality of movement over the quantity of exercises or repetitions is crucial. Proper form not only prevents injuries but also ensures that the intended muscles are effectively targeted.

Conclusion

Women can achieve remarkable results in strength and fitness by tailoring their training programs to their unique considerations. Embracing resistance training, maintaining a balanced diet, and being mindful of their bodies’ changes are critical elements of a successful fitness journey. Remember, fitness is not just about aesthetics; it’s about building strength, confidence, and overall well-being.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Gender-specific hypertrophy training is an approach to muscle-building workouts that takes into account the physiological differences between men and women. It tailors training programs to optimize muscle growth based on sex-specific factors.

Men typically enjoy an edge in terms of muscle size and strength due to their naturally elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that plays a pivotal role in promoting muscle development. On the other hand, women have higher estrogen levels, which can affect how they gain and maintain muscle.

Yes, male vs. female hypertrophy training can involve intensity, volume, and exercise selection variations. These differences aim to optimize results by considering hormonal influences and adapting the training approach accordingly.

Studies have shown that men and women may adapt differently to resistance training. Men typically experience more significant muscle hypertrophy, while women may achieve greater gains in muscular endurance. Recognizing these adaptations is crucial for setting realistic goals.

Absolutely. Women can embrace resistance training to build lean muscle, improve metabolism, and achieve a toned physique. Contrary to the misconception that lifting weights will lead to bulking up, it can help women achieve their fitness goals effectively.

Body positivity promotes a healthy and realistic outlook on fitness. It encourages women to appreciate their progress, focus on being healthy and robust, and avoid striving for unrealistic body ideals. A positive mindset is essential for long-term fitness success.

The post Exploring Gender-Specific Hypertrophy Training: Unravelling Muscle Growth Gender Disparities appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The Importance of Sleep for Muscle Growth https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/importance-of-sleep-for-muscle-growth/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34964 The post The Importance of Sleep for Muscle Growth appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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When aiming to reach your fitness objectives and enhance muscle development, the primary emphasis typically revolves around attending the gym regularly and adhering to a balanced diet. While these aspects are undeniably crucial, sleep is another overlooked factor that can significantly impact your muscle-building journey. In this blog, we’ll explore the critical role of sleep in muscle growth and delve into various aspects, including sleep quality, duration, and its influence on anabolic hormones.

Muscle Growth and Sleep

uscle growth, scientifically known as muscle hypertrophy, is how muscle fibres repair and rebuild after resistance training. This repair process relies heavily on protein synthesis, a fundamental mechanism during sleep. Hence, sleep is a critical factor in muscle growth.

 

Sleep Quality and Duration

High-quality sleep is paramount for muscle recovery and growth. Deep sleep stages are the prime time your body undergoes restorative processes that facilitate muscle repair and development. The quality of your sleep is intricately linked to its duration. Strive to secure 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep every night to optimize the recuperation of your muscles.

 

Anabolic Hormones and Sleep

Anabolic hormones, including testosterone and growth hormone, play a pivotal role in muscle growth. These hormones are predominantly released during deep sleep, particularly in the initial sleep cycles of the night. Ensuring you get sufficient sleep is essential to optimize the secretion of these hormones, thereby enhancing your muscle-building potential.

 

Circadian Rhythm and Muscle Repair

Your body’s circadian rhythm, called the internal biological clock, regulates various physiological processes, including muscle repair and growth. Disrupting this rhythm due to irregular sleep patterns or sleep deprivation can adversely affect muscle recovery and overall fitness progress.

 

Sleep Deprivation and Muscle Growth

Lack of sleep can result in heightened levels of the stress hormone cortisol, potentially hindering muscle growth and even causing muscle loss.Furthermore, inadequate sleep can impair cognitive function and motivation, making adhering to your fitness routine and dietary choices more challenging.

Sleep is an indispensable component of the muscle-building process. Prioritizing sleep quality and duration can significantly optimize muscle recovery, stimulate protein synthesis, regulate anabolic hormones, and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. Remember that a refreshing night’s sleep is as crucial as your time in the gym and dietary decisions when striving for gains.

 

 Understanding the Role of Recovery in Building Muscles

When it comes to building muscle, it’s not solely about the time spent lifting weights in the gym or the intensity of your workouts. Recovery plays a pivotal role in the entire process. Having a thorough understanding of how the process of recovery contributes to muscle growth is vital for effectively and safely reaching your fitness goals.

 

Muscle Breakdown and Repair

During strength training, your muscles undergo microscopic tears, resulting in muscle breakdown. However, during the recovery phase, these muscles repair and rebuild, becoming more robust and substantial. This repair process is driven by various physiological mechanisms, primarily protein synthesis.

 

Rest and Replenishment

Recovery entails more than rest; it encompasses proper nutrition, hydration, and sleep. Adequate sleep is indispensable for muscle recovery since it’s during deep sleep stages that your body’s repair processes are most active.

 

Hormonal Balance

Recovery also plays a pivotal role in maintaining hormonal balance, particularly in releasing anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone, promoting muscle growth. Inadequate recovery, such as overtraining or insufficient rest between workouts, can disrupt this delicate hormonal balance and hinder your muscle-building efforts.

 

Injury Prevention

Another vital aspect of recovery is injury prevention. Pushing your muscles to their limits without allowing adequate time for recuperation raises the likelihood of injuries such as strains and sprains. These injuries can substantially impede your progress, underscoring the importance of placing recovery as a top priority.

In summary, muscle recovery is not a passive phase but an active and indispensable component of building muscle effectively and safely. To optimize muscle growth, incorporate adequate recovery strategies into your fitness routine. This includes focusing on proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and providing your muscles with the rest they need between workouts. By understanding and respecting the role of recovery, you can achieve your muscle-building goals while minimizing the risk of injury and burnout.

 

Sleep Deprivation and Its Impact on Muscle Recovery

In pursuing improved physical performance and muscle growth, many emphasise their workout routines, dietary choices, and supplements. However, one critical element often gets overshadowed: Your sleep patterns, both in terms of how well you sleep and the duration of your sleep, can have a significant influence on your body’s capacity to recuperate and construct muscle effectively.

 

The Role of Sleep in Muscle Recovery

Sleep is a vital period during which your body repairs and rebuilds muscle tissue. Deep sleep stages facilitate the release of growth hormones essential for muscle repair and growth. Additionally, sleep supports protein synthesis, the process through which your body constructs new muscle proteins to replace damaged ones. Without adequate sleep, these crucial processes are disrupted, hampering muscle recovery.

 

Sleep Deprivation and Hormones

A key outcome of not getting enough sleep is a disturbance in hormonal balance. Individuals who suffer from sleep deprivation frequently experience elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This elevation in cortisol can lead to muscle breakdown and hinder the process of muscle growth. Furthermore, insufficient sleep can lead to a decrease in the synthesis of anabolic hormones like testosterone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). These hormones are pivotal for the processes of muscle repair and growth.

 

Energy and Performance Impact

The consequences of sleep deprivation extend beyond muscle recovery. It can also significantly impact your energy levels and workout performance. Fatigue from inadequate sleep can reduce strength, endurance, and overall exercise performance. This compromises the effectiveness of your workouts and increases the risk of injury.

 

Recovery Strategies

To optimize muscle recovery and growth, it’s essential to prioritize sleep as an integral part of your fitness routine. Strive to achieve 7-9 hours of restful sleep nightly, create a soothing bedtime regimen, and stick to a regular sleep timetable. Furthermore, steer clear of caffeine and refrain from using electronic devices before bedtime to enhance the quality of your sleep.

Sleep is a critical factor in muscle recovery and growth. Neglecting the importance of sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances, reduced workout performance, and hindered progress in achieving your fitness goals. It’s imperative to prioritise sleep in your training regimen to ensure that your hard work in the gym pays off effectively and efficiently.

Optimizing Your Sleep Patterns for Enhanced Muscle Growth

For individuals committed to building lean muscle and achieving their fitness objectives, optimizing sleep patterns should be just as crucial as adhering to a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise regimen. Quality sleep is when your body engages in repair and growth processes, making it an indispensable component of muscle development. Here’s how you can harness the power of sleep to enhance your muscle growth:

 

Prioritize Sleep Duration

Strive to secure a continuous 7-9 hours of sleep every night.This duration allows your body to complete multiple sleep cycles, including essential deep sleep stages crucial for muscle repair and growth.

 

Consistency Matters

Create a consistent sleep routine by retiring to bed and arising at the same times daily, including weekends. Consistency helps regulate your body’s internal clock, ultimately optimizing sleep quality.

 

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Make your sleep environment conducive to rest. Ensure that your room is dark, quiet, and maintained at a comfortable temperature.

Improving the quality of your sleep involves investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows.

 

Limit Stimulants Before Bed

Steer clear of caffeine, nicotine, and large meals in the vicinity of bedtime, as they can disrupt your capacity to both fall asleep and maintain sleep throughout the night.

Wind Down Before Bed

Establish a calming bedtime routine. Engage in activities like reading, gentle stretching, or meditation to signal to your body that it’s time to relax.

Minimize Screen Time

The blue light emanating from your mobile gadgets, tablets, and computers has the potential to disturb the body’s natural generation of melatonin. a hormone that governs the sleep-wake cycle. Consequently, it is recommended to abstain from using screens for at least an hour before bedtime.

 

Stay Hydrated

While staying adequately hydrated throughout the day is essential, try to reduce liquid intake an hour or so before bedtime to minimize nighttime awakenings.

Optimizing your sleep patterns is a potent tool for enhancing muscle growth. By prioritizing sleep duration consistency and creating a sleep-friendly environment, you can ensure that your body has the best muscle recovery and development conditions. A restful night’s sleep can be the missing piece in your fitness journey, helping you achieve your goals more effectively.’

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sleep’s significance in muscle growth lies in its facilitation of essential processes, This encompasses activities such as protein synthesis and the secretion of anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone.These mechanisms are essential for muscle repair and development.

Strive to attain 7-9 hours of continuous sleep each night to optimize the recuperation of your muscles. The duration allows your body to complete multiple sleep cycles, including crucial deep sleep stages.

High-quality sleep is essential for muscle recovery. Deep sleep stages support restorative processes that aid in muscle repair and growth. A comfortable sleep environment, including a dark, quiet room, improves sleep quality.

Yes, irregular sleep patterns or sleep deprivation can disrupt your circadian rhythm, lead to an imbalance in hormones (such as increased cortisol levels), and hinder muscle growth. It can also result in reduced workout performance.

Establishing a calming bedtime routine, minimizing screen time before bed, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime can help signal your body that it’s time to relax and promote better sleep quality.

Sleep is vital not just for muscle development but also for comprehensive physical and mental health. It affects energy levels, cognitive function, motivation, and recovery from all physical activities, making it a critical component of achieving your fitness goals.

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The Role of Supplements in Hypertrophy: What Works and What Doesn’t? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-role-of-supplements-in-hypertrophy-what-works-and-what-doesnt/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34958 The post The Role of Supplements in Hypertrophy: What Works and What Doesn’t? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Proper nutrition, consistent training, and recovery are essential when achieving significant muscle hypertrophy. Many fitness enthusiasts turn to supplements to enhance their muscle growth efforts. However, not all accessories are created equal, and understanding what works and what doesn’t is crucial for maximising your results.

Muscle Hypertrophy and Nutrition:

Muscle hypertrophy, the muscle growth process, is heavily influenced by nutrition. It is essential to intake the correct nutrients in appropriate amounts for the repair and growth of muscles. This is where dietary supplements come into play.

Supplements for Muscle Growth:

Supplements for muscle growth are designed to complement your diet and training regimen. They often contain specific ingredients that can enhance muscle hypertrophy.

Certain supplements have been extensively studied and proven effective for muscle growth. Creatine, for example, is a widely recognised supplement that increases muscle size and strength when combined with resistance training. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are another group of accessories that can support muscle repair and growth.

On the other hand, not all supplements live up to their claims. Some products in the market may promise incredible muscle gains but lack scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. It’s essential to be cautious and research before investing in such supplements.

Supplement Effectiveness:

The effectiveness of hypertrophy supplements varies from person to person. Genetics, diet, training intensity, and other factors can influence how well a supplement works for you. Therefore, consulting with a healthcare professional or a fitness expert is crucial to determine which supplements suit your specific goals.

The realm of muscle-building science is in a constant state of development. Scientists are actively researching to gain deeper insights into how different supplements impact muscle hypertrophy. Staying informed about the latest research findings can help you decide which supplements to include.

Supplements can support muscle hypertrophy but are not a magic solution. Effective hypertrophy supplements, such as creatine and BCAAs, can aid your muscle growth journey when combined with proper nutrition and training. However, it’s crucial to approach supplements cautiously and rely on scientific research to make informed choices. Remember that individual factors can influence supplement effectiveness, so tailor your approach to your unique needs and goals.

Understanding Hypertrophy and Muscle Growth

Muscle growth, scientifically known as hypertrophy, is a fascinating process in our bodies when subjected to the right stimuli. Whether you’re an aspiring bodybuilder, an athlete looking to improve performance, or someone who wants to increase muscle mass for health reasons, grasping the fundamentals of hypertrophy is essential.

What Is Hypertrophy? Hypertrophy is the physiological response of muscle tissue to resistance training. When you participate in resistance training, you cause tiny injuries to your muscle fibres. In response, your body initiates a repair process. This process involves fusing damaged fibres to form new, thicker muscle protein strands, increasing muscle size and strength over time.

There exist two main categories of hypertrophy: myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic. Myofibrillar hypertrophy focuses on increasing the number of contractile protein units within muscle fibres, leading to enhanced strength. On the other hand, Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy increases the volume of the fluid (sarcoplasm) within muscle cells, contributing to muscle size and endurance.

The Role of Nutrition

For effective muscle growth, your body needs a sufficient supply of vital nutrients, particularly protein. Protein supplies the necessary amino acids crucial for repairing and growing muscles. Ensuring a balanced diet with enough calories and macronutrients supports hypertrophy.

Training Principles:

Resistance training, characterised by lifting weights or using resistance bands, is the primary stimulus for hypertrophy. A fundamental principle is progressive overload, gradually increasing resistance or intensity. This guarantees that your muscles consistently face challenges, stimulating their growth.

 Rest and Recovery:

Adequate rest and recovery are vital for hypertrophy. Muscles repair and grow during rest periods, so allowing your body time to recuperate between workouts is crucial.

Understanding hypertrophy and muscle growth is critical to achieving your fitness goals. Whether you aim to build strength, increase muscle size, or enhance performance, a combination of proper nutrition, strategic training, and adequate rest is essential. Remember that consistency and patience are crucial in this journey toward a stronger, more muscular you.

Effective Supplements for Muscle Hypertrophy

Building muscle through resistance training and proper nutrition is a well-established approach, but many individuals also turn to supplements to support their muscle hypertrophy goals. Although accessories can enhance your routine, it’s crucial to identify those that are genuinely effective and backed by scientific studies. In this blog, we’ll explore supplements promising in promoting muscle growth.

Protein Supplements:

Protein is the fundamental building block for muscle development. Protein supplements like whey, casein, and plant-based alternatives such as pea protein offer convenient means to fulfil your daily protein requirements. They provide essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair and growth.

Creatine is one of the most thoroughly researched and potent supplements for promoting muscle hypertrophy. It helps increase muscle phosphocreatine levels, enhancing high-intensity, short-duration activities like weightlifting. This leads to greater training volume and potential muscle growth.

 Weight Loss Supplements:

 Numerous weight loss supplements pledge rapid outcomes, yet they frequently include stimulants or other components that can result in unfavourable effects such as heightened heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and addiction. Always consult a healthcare provider before trying weight loss supplements.

 Pre-Workout Supplements:

 Pre-workout supplements often contain high doses of caffeine and other stimulants to boost energy and performance. Excessive intake can lead to jitteriness, heart palpitations, and sleep disturbances. It’s essential to use these supplements sparingly and follow recommended dosages.

Herbal Supplements:

Herbal supplements can vary widely in quality and purity. Some may interact with medications or have unintended side effects. Be cautious and thoroughly research herbal supplements before use, and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

 Hormonal Supplements:

 Supplements that claim to boost testosterone or growth hormone levels can have unpredictable effects on the body. Disruptions in hormonal balance can give rise to various health concerns, making it prudent to approach these supplements carefully and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

 

High-Dose Vitamins and Minerals:

Overconsumption of specific vitamins and minerals can result in imbalances and potential toxicity. It’s generally best to get your nutrients from a balanced diet, and if supplementation is needed, do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

While supplements can be helpful, they should be approached with caution. Always read labels carefully, stick to recommended dosages, and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any doubts or specific health concerns. A well-balanced diet and lifestyle should remain the foundation of your health and wellness journey, with supplements used as necessary and safely.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Supplements can complement your diet and training regimen by providing specific nutrients and compounds that may enhance muscle growth. However, they are not a substitute for proper nutrition and training.

No, not all supplements are equally effective. Some have been extensively studied and proven to support muscle hypertrophy, while others lack scientific evidence. It’s crucial to be cautious and research before trying new supplements.

Effective supplements for muscle growth include creatine, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), protein supplements, beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and HMB. These supplements have demonstrated the potential to promote muscle growth with proper nutrition and resistance training.

The effectiveness of supplements can vary based on individual factors such as genetics, diet, and training intensity. For personalized advice on choosing accessories that align with your particular goals, Seeking advice from a healthcare professional or a fitness expert is a prudent course of action.

Supplements should enhance a comprehensive strategy encompassing a well-balanced diet abundant in vital nutrients, a structured resistance training program, and adequate rest and recovery. These factors are the foundation of successful muscle growth.

Yes, some supplements, such as weight loss, pre-workout, herbal, hormonal, and high-dose vitamins and minerals. Supplements include to be cautious when considering these supplements because they may carry risks and potential side effects. Before adding these supplements to your routine, consulting with a healthcare provider is a wise step.

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The Role of Compound Exercises in Muscle Hypertrophy https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-role-of-compound-exercises-in-muscle-hypertrophy/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34946 The post The Role of Compound Exercises in Muscle Hypertrophy appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Integrating compound exercises into your fitness regimen can be a game-changing strategy for muscle-building and attaining hypertrophy. These multi-joint movements engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making them highly effective for muscle growth. Let’s delve into the significance of compound exercises and their benefits for muscle hypertrophy.

Compound Exercises for Muscle Growth: Compound exercises are at the forefront of muscle growth strategies. They involve multiple joints and muscle groups in a single movement. Examples include squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups. These exercises engage a multitude of muscle fibres, resulting in more substantial improvements in both muscle size and strength.

Muscle Hypertrophy Benefits of Compound Movements: Compound exercises trigger a cascade of muscle fibre activation. This leads to larger muscles and improved muscle definition and overall strength. Incorporating compound movements into your routine can help you achieve balanced muscle development.

Compound vs Isolation Exercises: While isolation exercises target specific muscles, compound exercises work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. While both have their place in a well-rounded routine, compound exercises are efficient for overall muscle hypertrophy and functional strength.

Practical Compound Exercises: To maximize muscle growth, include compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses, and rows. These movements target major muscle groups and stimulate hypertrophy.

Muscle-Building Compound Workouts: Designing workouts around compound exercises is a strategic muscle-building approach. For example, a full-body workout with squats, deadlifts, and bench presses can provide comprehensive muscle stimulation.

Compound Exercises and Hypertrophy Gains: Compound exercises facilitate progressive overload, a fundamental principle for muscle hypertrophy. As you progressively increase the weight or resistance, your muscles adapt and grow to handle the load.

Compound Exercises in Strength Training: Strength training often revolves around compound movements due to their ability to enhance muscle size and functional strength simultaneously.

Muscle Hypertrophy and Compound Lifts: Compound lifts like the squat and deadlift are known for their significant impact on lower body muscle development. They target the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back muscles, fostering impressive hypertrophy.

Compound Exercise Benefits for Bodybuilding: Bodybuilders frequently incorporate compound exercises into their training programs to achieve a balanced and well-developed physique.

Compound Movements for Muscle Development: Compound exercises are vital for developing muscle groups like the chest, back, legs, and shoulders, providing a foundation for a powerful physique.

Muscle Hypertrophy and Compound Exercise Routines: Structuring your routine around compound movements optimises muscle growth potential.

Progressive Overload with Compound Exercises: To continually challenge your muscles and promote hypertrophy, focus on progressive overload when performing compound exercises. Gradually increase the weight, reps, or sets to keep your muscles adapting.

Compound exercises are essential for muscle hypertrophy. They engage multiple muscle groups, foster balanced development, and facilitate progressive overload. Integrating impactful compound exercises into your strength training regimen can be the cornerstone for reaching your muscle-building objectives and nurturing a sturdy and finely sculpted physique. So, make compound exercises a cornerstone of your workout routine, and watch your muscles grow and thrive.

Isolation Exercises: Precision in Hypertrophy Training

In the quest for muscle hypertrophy and a well-sculpted physique, precision matters. Isolation exercises, often overlooked in favour of their compound counterparts, are pivotal in targeting and fine-tuning specific muscle groups. Let’s explore the significance of isolation exercises in hypertrophy training.

Isolation exercises are specifically designed to target a single muscle group, and they typically involve motion at just one joint. Instances of such practices encompass bicep curls, tricep extensions, leg extensions, and lateral raises. Examples include bicep curls, triceps extensions, leg extensions, and lateral raises. While compound exercises are fantastic for overall muscle engagement and functional strength, isolation exercises allow you to relax on muscles.

Precision in Muscle Targeting: Isolation exercises enable you to isolate and target specific muscles precisely. This is particularly valuable when you want to correct muscle imbalances, bring lagging muscle groups up to par, or enhance the definition of a particular muscle.

Balanced Muscle Development: Combining compound and isolation exercises in your training regimen helps achieve balanced muscle development. Compound movements lay the foundation for strength and overall growth, while isolation exercises refine and sculpt individual muscles.

Enhanced Definition: Isolation exercises are excellent for enhancing muscle definition. Whether you’re looking to chisel your biceps, sculpt your calves, or define your shoulders, isolation exercises are your go-to tools.

Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention: Isolation exercises are often used in rehabilitation programs to target specific muscles affected by injury. They aid in strengthening weakened or injured muscles and preventing future injuries.

Mind-Muscle Connection: Isolation exercises foster a solid mind-muscle connection. By concentrating on a single muscle group, you can develop better control and awareness of that muscle, leading to more effective hypertrophy.

Incorporating isolation exercises into your hypertrophy training provides a well-rounded approach to muscle development. They offer precision, help balance muscle groups, enhance definition, aid in rehabilitation, and promote a stronger mind-muscle connection. So, while compound exercises lay the foundation for your strength, remember to underestimate the importance of precision in hypertrophy training through isolation exercises.

Maximal Hypertrophy: Balancing Compound and Isolation Exercises

Finding the right balance between compound and isolation exercises is crucial when achieving maximal muscle hypertrophy. Both exercise types have unique advantages and integrating them effectively into your training regimen can help you reach your muscle-building goals more efficiently.

The Power of Compound Exercises: Compound exercises are the foundation of any muscle-building routine. These multi-joint movements, like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups, engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. They are fantastic for building overall strength, promoting functional fitness, and laying the groundwork for muscle growth.

Muscle Hypertrophy Benefits of Compound Movements: Compound exercises induce substantial muscle hypertrophy due to the weight they allow you to lift. Lifting heavy weights in conjunction with compound exercises stimulates the production of anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone, both of which play pivotal roles in driving muscle growth.

Effective Compound Exercises: To maximize hypertrophy, incorporate compound exercises that target different muscle groups into your routine. This ensures comprehensive muscle development. For example, squats and deadlifts emphasize the lower body, while bench presses and pull-ups focus on the upper body.

The Role of Isolation Exercises: Isolation exercises, on the other hand, offer precision in targeting specific muscle groups. Movements like bicep curls, tricep extensions, and leg curls allow you to fine-tune and sculpt individual muscles.

Balancing Act for Hypertrophy Gains: To achieve maximal hypertrophy, strike a balance between compound and isolation exercises. Begin your workouts with compound movements to stimulate muscle growth and increase strength. Then, follow up with isolation exercises to target specific muscles and refine their definition.

Progressive Overload with Compound Exercises: Progressive overload is vital for hypertrophy. Compound exercises are excellent for progressively increasing the resistance and challenging your muscles to grow. As you become stronger, gradually increase your weights during compound exercises to stimulate muscle growth.

Achieving maximal hypertrophy involves a strategic balance between compound and isolation exercises. Compound exercises provide the foundation for strength and overall muscle growth, while isolation exercises offer precision and help refine specific muscle groups. You can unlock your full muscle-building potential by integrating both into your training regimen and focusing on progressive overload.

Achieving Muscle Hypertrophy: Choosing the Right Exercises

electing the right exercises is paramount to your success when you aim to pack on muscle mass. The right combination of movements can maximize muscle hypertrophy, helping you build strength and size effectively. Here’s how to make the best exercise choices to achieve your muscle-building goals:

Multi-Joint Movements for the Win: Multi-joint movements, such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups, should form the foundation of your muscle-building routine. By involving several muscle groups at once, these movements enable you to handle increased weights, ultimately promoting more substantial muscle growth. They also trigger the release of anabolic hormones like testosterone, further promoting hypertrophy.

Precision with Isolation Movements: While multi-joint movements are essential, isolation exercises have their place in a well-rounded routine. Movements like bicep curls, triceps extensions, and leg curls zero in on specific muscle groups, providing you with the accuracy needed to enhance and Mold individual muscles. Use isolation exercises strategically to improve definition and symmetry.

Full-Body vs. Split Routines: You can opt for full-body workouts or split routines. Full-body exercises engage your entire body in one session, providing frequency for muscle growth. Split ways divide muscle groups across different activities, providing more focused training. The choice depends on your preferences and recovery abilities.

Progressive Overload: Progressive overload is critical to muscle hypertrophy regardless of your chosen exercises. Gradually increase the resistance or weight you lift to challenge your muscles continually. This forces them to adapt and grow over time.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Ensure proper form to prevent injuries, and don’t overtrain. Muscles need adequate rest and recovery to grow optimally.

Nutrition and Rest: Remember that adequate food and high-quality sleep are vital in muscle hypertrophy. Ensure you intake sufficient protein and calories to facilitate muscle growth and prioritise restful sleep to assist in the recovery process.

Muscle hypertrophy hinges on selecting the right exercises, strategically incorporating compound and isolation movements, focusing on progressive overload, and maintaining a balanced approach to training, nutrition, and recovery. You can gain substantial muscle size and strength with the right exercise choices and a holistic approach.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Compound movements involve several muscle groups simultaneously, enabling you to handle heavier weights and encourage more substantial muscle growth. They also trigger the release of anabolic hormones like testosterone, further promoting hypertrophy.

Multi-joint exercises induce substantial muscle hypertrophy due to the amount of weight they allow you to lift. Heavyweights, combined with multi-joint movements, trigger the release of anabolic hormones, critical drivers of muscle growth.

While not essential, isolation exercises offer precision in targeting specific muscle groups. They help refine the definition of individual muscles and balance muscle development.

Start your workouts with multi-joint exercises to stimulate muscle growth and increase strength. Then, incorporate isolation exercises to target specific muscles and enhance their definition.

Progressive overload, achieved by gradually increasing the resistance or weight you lift, is vital for muscle hypertrophy. It challenges your muscles to adapt and grow over time.

Nutrition provides the necessary fuel for muscle growth, and rest allows your muscles to recover and repair. Proper sleep and nutrition are essential components of a successful muscle-building strategy.

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The Science of Periodization: Optimizing Training Cycles for Sports Performance https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-science-of-periodization-optimizing-training-cycles-for-sports-performance/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34957 The post The Science of Periodization: Optimizing Training Cycles for Sports Performance appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In strength training and sports performance, achieving peak results demands a well-structured and systematic approach. Enter “periodization,” a scientifically validated methodology transforming how athletes and fitness enthusiasts plan their training cycles. In this blog, we will delve into the intricacies of periodization, exploring how it maximizes gains in strength, endurance, and sports performance.

 Understanding Periodization

 Periodization is more than a trendy term; it’s a systematic and evidence-based approach to training. It involves dividing your training regimen into distinct cycles or phases, each with a specific focus and goal. These cycles, known as microcycles, mesocycles, and macrocycles, work harmoniously to ensure continuous progress and prevent plateaus.

 The Training Cycles

 Microcycles: These are typically short periods, lasting one to four weeks, during which training intensity and volume are adjusted to target specific fitness aspects.

Mesocycles: Mesocycles span several weeks to a few months. They consist of a series of microcycles with a shared objective, such as building strength or enhancing endurance.

Macrocycles: Macrocycles encompass the entire training plan, often spanning a year or more. They provide the overarching structure and purpose for your training.

 Periodization Models

 Various periodisation models exist, tailored to specific goals and sports. Popular models include linear periodization, where intensity gradually increases over time, and undulating periodization, which varies power and volume within shorter cycles.

 The Science Behind It

 Periodization capitalizes on the principles of adaptive resistance and progressive overload. The body adapts to stress over time, making continuous improvement challenging. By altering training parameters within each cycle, periodization keeps the body guessing and promotes sustained progress.

 

Sports Performance and Beyond

 While periodization is integral to sports performance, its benefits extend to all fitness enthusiasts. It enhances muscle growth, cardiovascular endurance, and overall athleticism. Whether you’re an athlete preparing for a competition or an individual striving for personal fitness goals, periodization can help you reach your peak potential.

 Incorporating periodization into your fitness programming is a strategic move that maximizes your training efforts. By embracing this science-backed approach, you can achieve continuous progress, prevent plateaus, and ultimately reach new heights in strength, endurance, and sports performance.

 

 Building Muscle: Proven Strategies for Hypertrophy

 Building muscle, scientifically referred to as hypertrophy, is a common goal among fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and athletes. Achieving substantial muscle growth requires a combination of practical strategies and a consistent training regimen. This blog’ll explore critical systems to help you on your path to hypertrophy.

 

 Resistance Training

 The foundation of muscle growth is resistance training. Engaging in weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or resistance bands stimulates muscle fibres, leading to hypertrophy. Place your emphasis on compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses to promote comprehensive muscle growth and development.

 

Progressive Overload

 To encourage muscle growth, you must progressively increase the resistance or intensity of your workouts. Gradually adding more weight or performing additional repetitions challenges your muscles and stimulates growth.

 

Proper Nutrition

 dequate nutrition plays a pivotal role in hypertrophy. Consume a protein-rich diet to provide essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth. Carbohydrates provide energy for intense workouts, while healthy fats support overall health.

 

Sufficient Rest and Recovery

 Muscles undergo growth during periods of recovery, not exclusively during exercise sessions. Ensure you sleep enough and allow your muscles to recover adequately between training sessions. Overtraining can hinder muscle growth.

 

Variation in Exercises

 Include a diverse range of exercises to engage and work various muscle groups.This prevents plateauing and ensures well-rounded development.

 

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

 HIIT workouts can enhance hypertrophy by increasing muscle fibre recruitment and promoting fat loss, revealing your muscle definition.

 

Nutrient Timing

 Timing your meals around your workouts can optimize muscle protein synthesis. Consuming protein and carbohydrates before and after your workout can provide significant advantages.

 

 Hydration

 Staying hydrated is vital for muscle function and recovery. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and hinder your progress.

 

Consistency

Consistency is vital in hypertrophy training. Stick to your workout plan, maintain a balanced diet, and prioritize recovery for the best results.

 Building muscle through hypertrophy is achievable with the right strategies and dedication. Combine resistance training, progressive overload, proper nutrition, and rest to maximize muscle growth potential. Remember, patience and consistency are your allies on the path to a stronger, more muscular physique.

 

Creating a Year-round Training Blueprint

 Embarking on a fitness journey or pursuing athletic excellence requires more than just hitting the gym randomly. To make consistent progress, it’s essential to have a well-structured and sustainable year-round training plan. We will delve into the components of crafting a comprehensive training plan to assist you in staying on course and reaching your fitness objectives.

 

Set Clear Goals

 Start by defining your fitness objectives. Whether building muscle, improving endurance, or enhancing sports performance, clear goals guide your training plan.

 

Periodization

 Implement periodization, a structured approach to training that involves breaking your year into phases. These phases can include macrocycles (annual plans), mesocycles (monthly or quarterly plans), and microcycles (weekly or daily plans). Each step focuses on specific aspects of fitness and gradually progresses toward your goals.

 

Training Cycles

Incorporate different training cycles to prevent plateaus and overtraining. Examples include hypertrophy cycles for muscle growth, strength cycles for increased power, and endurance cycles for improved stamina.

 Progressive Overload

 Continuously challenge your body by increasing the intensity of your workouts. This can involve lifting weights, increasing repetitions, or reducing rest periods.

 

 Balance and Variation

 Maintain a well-rounded workout regimen that addresses major muscle groups and incorporates diverse exercises. Avoid focusing excessively on one specific area to minimize the risk of imbalances or overuse injuries.

 

Recovery

 Incorporate scheduled rest days into your fitness plan to give your body the opportunity to recuperate and adjust. Think about participating in active recovery pursuits such as mild stretching and low-intensity exercises on your rest days, as they can provide extra advantages.

 

Nutrition

 Create a dietary strategy aligned with your objectives. Ensuring the right intake of macronutrients, staying adequately hydrated, and timing your meals around your workouts can have a substantial influence on your advancement.

 

Monitoring and Adjustments

Regularly assess your performance and adjust as needed. If you need to see the desired results, consider modifying your training or nutrition plan.

 

Cross-Training

 Incorporate cross-training activities to prevent burnout and enhance overall fitness. Activities like yoga, swimming, or cycling can complement your primary training.

  Seek Professional Guidance

 Consider consulting with a fitness coach or personal trainer who can help you create a tailored year-round plan, ensuring it aligns with your goals and abilities.

Remember that consistency is critical to success. A well-structured year-round training blueprint helps you reach your fitness goals and ensures long-term health and sustainable progress. It’s your roadmap to a healthier, more assertive, and more accomplished you.

 

Unlocking the Power of Progressive Overload in Your Fitness Journey

When striving to achieve your fitness objectives, there’s a single fundamental principle that stands out as a game-changer: the concept of progressive overload. Whether you’re on a mission to build muscle, increase strength, or boost your overall fitness, comprehending and applying progressive overload can be the linchpin to ongoing improvement.

Progressive overload is a concept rooted in the gradual escalation of the physical demands placed on your body during exercise. You trigger adaptation and growth by consistently challenging your muscles and cardiovascular system. Here’s the breakdown:

 Incremental Intensity Elevation: As your body becomes accustomed to a specific exercise routine, it becomes necessary to intensify the challenge to continue making strides. This could entail lifting heavier weights, performing more repetitions, or introducing additional resistance.

 Muscle Adaptation: When subjecting your muscles to increasing resistance or load, they respond by becoming more robust and extensive. This adaptation process is the bedrock of hypertrophy (muscle growth).

 Cardiovascular Enhancement: The principle of progressive overload extends to cardiovascular workouts. Over time, you should strive to run faster, cycle longer distances, or crank up the resistance on your elliptical machine.

 Warding Off Plateaus: Without progressive overload, your body can reach a plateau where improvements taper off. Continually pushing your boundaries ensures that your fitness journey remains dynamic and productive.

 Harmonizing with Your Body: While embracing progressive overload is pivotal, remaining attuned to your body’s signals and removing overtraining or injuries is equally important. Gradual progression is the linchpin; avoid prematurely rushing into heavyweights or excessive volume.

 Embracing Diversity: To fend off adaptation plateaus and mitigate the risk of repetitive strain injuries, infuse diversity into your workouts. Periodically switch up your exercises, rep schemes, or workout modalities.

Crafting workouts incorporating progressive overload is a deliberate and strategic approach to fitness. It mandates diligent progress tracking, establishing well-defined goals, and an unwavering commitment to pushing your boundaries. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a newcomer embarking on your fitness odyssey, wholeheartedly embracing progressive overload ensures that you continue to challenge yourself, realize your objectives, and bask in the myriad advantages of a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Hypertrophy is the scientific phrase used to describe the growth of muscles. It entails the enlargement and expansion of muscle fibers.

Practical strategies for hypertrophy include resistance training (weightlifting), incorporating progressive overload (gradually increasing resistance), maintaining proper nutrition (especially protein intake), focusing on adequate rest and recovery, including exercise variation, and staying consistent with your training routine.

Progressive overload is pivotal because it continually challenges your muscles, sparking adaptation and growth. With this gradual increase in resistance and intensity, your muscle development may stay on track.

Indeed, hypertrophy training goes beyond muscle growth. It enhances overall strength, improving daily activities and sports performance. Additionally, it contributes to achieving a lean and well-toned physique.

Muscle growth timelines vary among individuals. However, you can typically expect noticeable results after a few weeks to a few months of consistent hypertrophy-focused training, especially when incorporating the principle of progressive overload.

Maintaining proper nutrition is indispensable for muscle growth through hypertrophy and progressive overload. Adequate consumption of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, along with staying well-hydrated, is essential to support muscle repair and development effectively.

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Hypertrophy Training: Unlocking Muscle Growth with Volume, Intensity, and Frequency https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/hypertrophy-training-unlocking-muscle-growth-with-volume-intensity-and-frequency/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34938 The post Hypertrophy Training: Unlocking Muscle Growth with Volume, Intensity, and Frequency appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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For numerous individuals engaged in strength training and resistance workouts, achieving muscle hypertrophy, which signifies an enlargement in muscle size, stands as a primary objective. Understanding and optimising training volume, intensity, and frequency is essential to achieve significant muscle growth.

Training volume encompasses: The entirety of work completed during a workout session, usually determined by multiplying the number of sets by the number of repetitions and further multiplying it by the weight lifted. In hypertrophy workouts, a moderate to high training volume is often employed to induce muscle growth. More sets and repetitions with adequate weight challenge your muscles, promoting hypertrophy.

Training Intensity: Training intensity measures the load or weight you lift relative to your one-repetition maximum (1RM). For muscle hypertrophy, training intensity often falls within 60-75% of your 1RM range. This range balances muscle tension and metabolic stress, which are critical for muscle growth.

Training frequency: pertains to the regularity with which you engage in exercises targeting specific muscle groups. Consistent stimulation ensures that your muscles have an opportunity to grow and recover.

Progressive overload: Involves steadily raising the level of challenge in your training, whether it’s through an increase in training intensity, volume, or a combination of both, as time progresses. This principle is fundamental for sustained muscle growth. As your muscles adapt to the stress, progressively increasing the challenge ensures continued hypertrophy.

Repetition Ranges: Hypertrophy workouts often involve repetition ranges of 6-12 repetitions per set. This range induces muscle fatigue and metabolic stress, key muscle growth factors.

Muscle Recovery: Rest and recovery are vital for muscle hypertrophy. Muscles grow during recovery, so allowing repair and adaptation time is crucial.

Muscle hypertrophy is achievable through optimised training volume, intensity, and frequency. Employ progressive overload, focus on resistance training, and pay attention to your exercise frequency and recovery to unlock the full potential of your muscle growth journey. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned lifter, understanding these principles will help you maximise your hypertrophy workouts and achieve your muscle growth goals.

The Importance of Volume in Hypertrophy Training

 When it comes to hypertrophy training, understanding the concept of volume is crucial. Volume is the total amount of work you perform in your workouts, and it plays a pivotal role in promoting muscle growth. Here’s why volume is so vital in hypertrophy training.

Muscle Overload: To stimulate muscle growth, subject your muscles to a sufficient stress level. This stress is created by lifting weights or performing resistance exercises. Increasing your training volume means lifting more weight, performing more sets, or doing more repetitions, contributing to more significant muscle overload.

Time Under Tension: Volume dictates the amount of time your muscles spend under tension during a workout. Longer time under pressure is associated with increased muscle damage and metabolic stress, which trigger muscle hypertrophy. Performing more repetitions or additional sets can extend your muscles’ working time, maximising these hypertrophic signals.

Progressive overload is a vital concept for consistently pushing your muscles to adapt and grow. Achieving this involves gradually ramping up the demands of your workouts over time, which can be done by slowly adding additional weight, raising the number of sets and repetitions, or even implementing a combination of these strategies.

Individualization: Volume can be tailored to suit your fitness level and goals. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter, you can adjust your training volume to meet your specific needs and ensure a balanced approach to muscle hypertrophy.

Volume is a fundamental aspect of hypertrophy training. By understanding and effectively managing training volume, you can create muscle overload, time under tension, and progressive overload required for optimal muscle growth. Irrespective of whether you aim to enhance strength, increase size, or pursue both objectives, gaining proficiency in controlling training volume will play a pivotal role in reaching your hypertrophy aspirations.

 

 Understanding Intensity in Muscle Hypertrophy Workouts

 Regarding muscle hypertrophy workouts, intensity is a critical factor that can make or break your progress. Intensity refers to the level of effort and resistance you apply during your training sessions, and it plays a pivotal role in driving muscle growth. Here’s a closer look at the significance of intensity in muscle hypertrophy workouts.

Balancing Act: Finding the right balance of intensity is critical. You want to challenge your muscles enough to stimulate growth but not to the point of injury or overtraining. For muscle hypertrophy, training intensity typically falls within the range of 60-75% of your one-repetition maximum (1RM).

Muscle Tension: Intensity is closely linked to muscle tension. Higher intensity levels require your muscles to generate more force to overcome resistance. This sustained tension within the muscle fibres is a primary stimulus for hypertrophy.

Metabolic Stress: Training at moderate to high intensities also induces metabolic stress, another crucial factor for muscle growth. It leads to the accumulation of metabolites within the muscles, contributing to cell swelling, hormonal responses, and increased muscle protein synthesis.

Variation: It’s important to vary the intensity of your workouts. Periodically changing the power, such as incorporating high-intensity intervals or heavy lifting phases, can prevent plateaus and keep your muscles adapting, leading to continued hypertrophy.

Progressive Overload: progressive overload is essential as your muscles adapt to a given intensity level. Gradually increasing the intensity by lifting heavier weights or increasing resistance ensures that your muscles are continually challenged and stimulated for growth.

Understanding and properly managing intensity in your muscle hypertrophy workouts are essential for achieving your growth goals. Balancing muscle tension, metabolic stress, and progressive overload while varying your training intensity will keep your muscles engaged and responsive, helping you unlock your full hypertrophy potential and build the strength and size you desire.

 

Optimizing Training Frequency for Muscle Growth

Regarding muscle growth, the right training frequency is a critical factor. Finding the balance between training often enough to stimulate muscle growth and allowing enough time for recovery is essential for optimizing your gains. Here’s how to optimise your training frequency for muscle growth.

Train Muscle Groups Multiple Times a Week: For hypertrophy, it’s generally recommended to train each major muscle group 2-3 times per week. This frequency ensures you’re regularly stimulating muscle growth without overworking your muscles.

Split Your Workouts: Splitting your workouts by muscle groups can help you manage training frequency effectively. Common splits include upper body and lower body or push and pull routines. This approach enables you to focus on particular muscle groups while affording ample recovery time to others.

Listen to Your Body: How your body responds to training. If you’re experiencing excessive soreness, fatigue, or a decline in performance, it may be a sign that you need more recovery time between workouts.

Progressive Overload: As you increase the training frequency, remember to progressively overload your muscles by increasing the weight or intensity of your exercises. This ensures that your muscles continue to adapt and grow.

Adequate Rest: Sleep and nutrition are crucial for recovery and muscle growth. Secure 7-9 hours of restorative sleep every night and maintain a nutritionally balanced diet that aligns with your training objectives.

Deload Weeks: Incorporate deload weeks into your training schedule every few months. During these weeks, reduce the intensity and volume of your workouts to allow for complete recovery.

Conclusion 

Optimizing training frequency for muscle growth involves finding the right balance between stimulating your muscles and giving them adequate time to recover. Through the practice of training specific muscle groups multiple times within a week, heeding your body’s signals, gradually increasing the challenge, and giving ample attention to rest and recuperation, you can align your training frequency with your aspirations for muscle growth, all the while reducing the chances of overtraining or injury.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Muscle hypertrophy denotes the augmentation in the dimensions of muscle tissue. It is crucial in strength training because larger muscles often equate to increased strength, power, and overall athletic performance.

Training volume is calculated as assets multiplied by repetitions multiplied by the weight lifted. It’s crucial in hypertrophy training because a higher training volume stimulates excellent muscle adaptation by increasing the workload on your muscles.

Training intensity is the level of effort and resistance during workouts. A moderate to high training intensity (typically 60-75% of your 1RM) is ideal for optimal adaptation. It induces muscle tension and metabolic stress, both essential for growth.

For optimal muscle adaptation, training each major muscle group 2-3 times per week is recommended. Consistent stimulation ensures adaptation and recovery.

Progressive overload is essential because it gradually increases the challenge of your workouts. This progression ensures that your muscles continue to adapt and develop, a key factor in sustained adaptation

Yes, overtraining can hinder adaptation. To prevent it, listen to your body for signs of excessive soreness or fatigue, progressively overload your muscles, prioritize rest and recovery, and incorporate deload weeks into your training schedule.

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The Impact of Nutrient Timing on Muscle Growth https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-impact-of-nutrient-timing-on-muscle-growth/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34947 The post The Impact of Nutrient Timing on Muscle Growth appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Nutrient timing is critical to maximising muscle growth and recovery in fitness and bodybuilding. Properly timed nutrition can make a substantial difference in the effectiveness of your training efforts. The significance of nutrient timing and how it affects muscle growth, considering the essential terms we’ve emphasised.

Nutrient Timing for Muscle Growth: Nutrient timing is the science of when and what to eat to support your muscle-building goals. It revolves around optimising the delivery of nutrients, primarily carbohydrates and protein, to your muscles during specific periods, such as before, during, and after workouts.

Exploring the Anabolic Window: The idea of the anabolic window, frequently called the “golden hour,” is crucial in understanding nutrient timing’s significance. It represents the time right after your workout when your muscles are exceptionally responsive to nutrient absorption. During this time, your body is primed for protein synthesis and muscle repair, making it the perfect opportunity to provide the necessary nutrients for growth.

Protein Intake and Synthesis: Protein intake plays a pivotal role in muscle growth and repair. Intaking top-notch protein sources after your workout guarantees that your muscles receive the essential amino acids required for optimal protein synthesis, ultimately resulting in gradual muscle mass gains.

Carbohydrate Timing: Carbohydrates are essential for replenishing muscle glycogen, which provides energy for workouts. Proper carbohydrate timing before and after exercise helps maintain energy levels during training sessions and aids muscle recovery.

Nutritional Strategies for Muscle Recovery: Effective nutrient timing doesn’t end after your workout. Your post-workout nutrition should include a combination of protein and carbohydrates to jumpstart recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and promote hypertrophy.

Training Adaptations and Optimal Nutrition: Training adaptations are the body’s response to consistent exercise. Pairing your workouts with optimal nutrition through nutrient timing can enhance these adaptations, increasing muscle size and strength.

Nutrient timing is a valuable strategy for those seeking to maximise muscle growth. Focusing on the anabolic window, protein intake, carbohydrate timing, and other nutritional systems can accelerate muscle recovery, increase protein synthesis, and optimise training adaptations. Incorporating nutrient timing into your fitness regimen can help you reach your muscle growth goals more efficiently.

Strategies for Nutrient Timing in Hypertrophy Training

Regarding hypertrophy training, the timing of your nutrient intake can significantly impact your results. Proper nutrient timing ensures your body receives the essential fuel to build muscle and recover effectively. We will discuss the crucial strategy for nutrient timing in hypertrophy training.

Pre-Workout Nutrition: Fueling your body before a workout is crucial for energy and muscle preservation. Enjoy a well-rounded meal with carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats about 1-2 hours before your training session. Carbohydrates provide power, while protein helps prevent muscle breakdown during your workout.

Intra-Workout Nutrition: For more prolonged or more intense workouts, consider intra-workout nutrition. A carbohydrate and electrolyte-rich drink can help sustain energy levels and prevent muscle fatigue during extended training sessions.

The Anabolic Window: After your workout, during the post-exercise phase, commonly known as the “anabolic window,” your muscles are in their prime state to absorb nutrients. To maximise muscle recovery and growth, it’s advisable to have a meal or shake rich in protein and carbohydrates within the 30-minute to two-hour timeframe following your workout.

Protein Intake: Ensure you meet your daily protein intake goals to support muscle protein synthesis. Spreading your protein intake throughout the day, including pre-and post-workout meals, can promote consistent muscle repair and growth.

Bedtime Nutrition: Consuming a slow-digesting protein source before bed, such as casein amino acid, can provide your body with a sustained release of amino acids overnight, supporting muscle recovery and minimising muscle breakdown during sleep.

Incorporating these nutrient timing strategies into your hypertrophy training regimen can enhance muscle growth, reduce muscle soreness, and improve overall performance. Remember that individual needs may vary, so finding a nutrient-timing routine that works best for your body and training goals is essential.

Optimising Nutrient Timing for Tissue Recovery

 Tissue recovery is a pivotal aspect of any fitness routine, and an often overlooked yet practical approach to enhancing it is precise nutrient timing. When you provide your body with the appropriate nutrients at specific intervals, you can expedite the repair and growth of bodily tissues. In this blog, we will delve into how to refine nutrient timing for tissue recovery.

Post-Activity Nutrition: The Anabolic Period: The immediate phase following your physical activity, frequently termed the “anabolic window,” is when your tissues are most amenable to nutrient absorption. During this timeframe, consuming a blend of carbohydrates and protein is imperative. Carbohydrates aid in replenishing glycogen stores, while protein supplies the essential amino acids required for tissue repair and development. To maximise advantages, consume a post-activity meal or beverage within 30 minutes to two hours post-exertion.

*Protein Synchronization: Protein serves as the fundamental building material for various bodily tissues, and synchronising your protein intake prudently can stimulate tissue protein synthesis. Distribute your protein consumption evenly throughout the day, encompassing pre- and post-activity meals, to provide a steady influx of amino acids for tissue rehabilitation.

Pre-Activity Nourishment: Consuming a balanced meal comprising carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats one to two hours before physical activity guarantees that your body possesses the requisite energy and nutrients to sustain your training session.

Intra-Activity Nutrition: For extended or more demanding activities, contemplate ingesting a carbohydrate and electrolyte-enriched beverage to preserve energy levels and deter tissue fatigue while exercising.

Bedtime Refreshment: Consuming a slow-digesting amino acid source before retiring, such as Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese, facilitates a gradual release of amino acids throughout the night. This can assist in minimising tissue breakdown and endorsing nighttime tissue recovery.

You can amplify tissue recovery, diminish soreness, and elevate your overall physical performance by fine-tuning nutrient timing within your dietary regimen. Remember that individual requirements may fluctuate, so it’s essential to adapt your nutrient timing strategy according to your specific fitness objectives and your body’s response. With the correct approach, you’ll be well on your way to expediting and optimising tissue recovery.

Nutrient Timing Essentials for Maximized Hypertrophy

 

In hypertrophy, which aims to enhance muscle growth, nutrition is equally as crucial as your exercise regimen. An aspect of food that is sometimes neglected is the timing of nutrients. One often overlooked aspect of food is nutrient timing. To maximise hypertrophy, you must give your muscles the proper nutrients at the correct times. Here are some essential nutrient timing strategies for achieving optimal muscle growth:

Before your workout, you must provide your body with the necessary fuel. Ensure you consume a well-balanced meal with carbohydrates to supply energy and amino acids for muscle repair. Try to have this meal 1-2 hours before your workout to guarantee your body receives the essential nutrients for optimal performance.

The Anabolic Window: The period immediately after your workout, often called the “anabolic window,” is when your muscles are most receptive to nutrients. During this time, prioritise a post-workout meal rich in carbohydrates and protein to replenish glycogen stores and kickstart muscle recovery.

Protein Timing: Distribute your protein intake evenly throughout the day. Include protein in each meal, including pre-and post-workout. Amino acid is essential for muscle repair and growth, and consistent information ensures a steady supply of amino acids.

Intra-Workout Nutrition: For more prolonged or intense workouts, consider sipping on a carbohydrate and electrolyte-rich drink to maintain energy levels and combat muscle fatigue.

Bedtime Protein: Consuming a slow-digesting amino acid source before bedtime, such as casein protein or cottage cheese, provides a steady release of amino acids overnight. This helps prevent muscle breakdown during sleep.

Incorporating these nutrient-timing essentials into your dietary regimen can significantly enhance hypertrophy results. Remember that individual needs may vary, so it’s essential to tailor your nutrient timing strategy to your specific goals and workout routine. When you combine these strategies with a well-designed workout plan, you’ll be on the path to maximising muscle growth and achieving your hypertrophy goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrient timing for tissue growth is strategically planning when and what you eat to support the development of bodily tissues. It involves optimising nutrient delivery, particularly carbohydrates and protein, during specific periods, such as before, during, and after activities.

The anabolic window, also known as the “golden hour,” is the period immediately following your activities when your tissues are most receptive to nutrient absorption. During this time, your body is primed for protein synthesis and tissue repair, making it crucial to provide the necessary nutrients for optimal growth.

Pre-activity nutrition provides your body with the necessary energy and nutrients to support your physical activities, helping you perform at your best. It promotes tissue preservation and recovery by supplying carbohydrates and protein.

The anabolic window is the period following your activities when your tissues are highly receptive to nutrients. During this window, consuming a post-activity meal rich in carbohydrates and Amino acids helps replenish energy stores and kickstarts tissue recovery and growth.

Intra-activity nutrition is beneficial for longer or more intense activities. During such activities, consuming a carbohydrate and electrolyte-rich drink helps maintain energy levels and prevents tissue fatigue.

Consuming a slow-digesting protein source before bedtime, such as Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese, gradually releases amino acids throughout the night. This aids in minimising tissue breakdown and promoting nighttime tissue recovery.

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Understanding Hypertrophy: The Basics of Muscle Growth https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/understanding-hypertrophy-the-basics-of-muscle-growth/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34937 The post Understanding Hypertrophy: The Basics of Muscle Growth appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Muscle hypertrophy, the scientific term for muscle growth, is a fascinating process in our bodies when we engage in hypertrophy training. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or embarking on your fitness journey for the first time, grasping the fundamental principles of muscle growth can enhance your ability to reach your fitness objectives more efficiently.

Muscle Hypertrophy Explained: Musculature hypertrophy is the increase in the size of tissue fibres, which leads to tissue growth and development. Resistance training, including weightlifting or bodyweight workouts, predominantly triggers this mechanism. It occurs as the body naturally adjusts to the strain imposed on the muscles during these physical activities.

Muscle Fiber Types: Muscles consist of fibre types, primarily categorised as Type I (slow-twitch) and Type II (fast-twitch) fibres. Type II fibres are more involved in hypertrophy training, as they have a higher potential for growth.

Anabolic Processes and Protein Synthesis: The body initiates anabolic processes during resistance training. These processes involve musculature protein synthesis, creating new proteins to repair and strengthen muscle fibres. Sufficient protein consumption plays a vital role in facilitating this process of growth.

Progressive Overload: To stimulate muscle hypertrophy effectively, you need to overload your muscles progressively. This means gradually increasing the resistance or intensity of your workouts over time. It pushes your muscles beyond their comfort zone, compelling them to adjust and expand.

Resistance Training and Muscle Recovery: Hypertrophy training primarily relies on resistance training, including weightlifting and bodyweight exercises, as its foundational component. It causes micro-tears in muscle fibres, which lead to tissue growth when repaired during rest and Recovery.

Hypertrophy Nutrition: Nutrition is a critical factor in musculature growth. Consuming adequate protein and a balanced diet ensures your body has the nutrients it needs for Recovery and growth.

Muscle-Building Exercises: Specific exercises, like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and various isolation exercises, target different muscle groups and contribute to overall muscle hypertrophy.

Understanding the basics of muscle hypertrophy is essential for anyone looking to build muscle and enhance their physique. It involves resistance training, anabolic processes, proper nutrition, and progressive Overload. Incorporating these elements into your fitness routine can promote tissue growth and achieve your fitness goals. So, whether you’re aiming for increased strength, a more toned appearance, or improved athletic performance, harness the power of muscle hypertrophy to sculpt the body you desire.

 

The Science Behind Muscle Hypertrophy

Muscle hypertrophy, the biological phenomenon underlying muscle growth, is a complex and fascinating process rooted in physiological science. Understanding the science behind muscle hypertrophy is essential for optimising their fitness journey.

At its core, muscle hypertrophy involves the enlargement of individual muscle fibres in response to external stimuli, primarily resistance training. You stress your muscles during weightlifting, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises. This stress induces microscopic damage to muscle fibres, triggering cellular events.

Anabolic processes, particularly muscle protein synthesis, are initiated to repair and reinforce these damaged muscle fibres. This repair process involves the creation of new muscle proteins, making the muscle fibres thicker and more robust.

Several key factors influence the degree of muscle hypertrophy, including the intensity and volume of resistance training, the number of sets and repetitions, and the frequency of training sessions. The gradual increase in resistance or power of progressive Overload is pivotal in driving muscle growth.

Proper nutrition is equally critical.Rest and recuperation also hold significant importance in the context of muscle hypertrophy.

Rest and recuperation play crucial roles in the process of muscle hypertrophy as well. Muscles need time to heal and adapt to the stress during training.

Muscle hypertrophy is a scientifically intricate process driven by resistance training, anabolic processes, nutrition, and Recovery. By understanding the underlying science, individuals can tailor their fitness routines and lifestyles to maximize muscle growth, strength, and overall physical performance.

 

Effective Training Strategies for Strength Gain

 Achieving significant strength gain, or hypertrophy, requires a well-structured training program focusing on specific strategies to stimulate strength development. Whether a beginner or an experienced lifter, these effective training strategies can help you maximise your strength potential.

Progressive Overload, a core principle in achieving strength gains, is one of the fundamental tenets. This involves continually increasing the resistance or intensity of your workouts over time. As your body adapts to the stress, it becomes stronger. Gradually increase your exercise’s weight, repetitions, or power to keep challenging your strength.

Compound Exercises, like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups, activate numerous muscle groups concurrently. They are highly effective for building overall strength as they create a significant demand on your body, triggering strength gain.

Proper Form: Maintaining adequate form during exercises is crucial for strength gain and injury prevention. Focus on controlled, full-range movements to target the muscles effectively. Consider working with a trainer to ensure your form is correct.

Volume and Frequency: To promote strength gain, increase the total training volume, the total amount of weight lifted in a workout. You can achieve this by increasing the number of sets and repetitions. Additionally, training each muscle group multiple times weekly can accelerate strength development.

Rest and Recovery: Muscles grow more robust during rest and Recovery, not workouts. Ensure you get enough sleep and allow sufficient time for muscle repair. Overtraining can hinder strength gain, so balance your training with adequate rest.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for strength gain. Consume enough calories, including adequate protein, to support muscle repair and growth. Consider a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

Variation: Periodically change your workout routines to prevent plateaus and continuously challenge your strength. Try different exercises, rep ranges, and training methods to keep your muscles adapting.

Track Your Progress: Keep a training journal to record your workouts, sets, reps, and weights used. Tracking your progress helps you identify areas for improvement and ensures you’re consistently pushing yourself.

Incorporate these effective training strategies into your fitness regimen to optimise strength gain. Remember that consistency is critical, and results may take time. By following a well-structured training program and paying attention to these vital factors, you can achieve your desired strength and progress toward your fitness goals.

 

Nutrition and Recovery for Maximizing Hypertrophy

Achieving significant hypertrophy tissue growth goes beyond just lifting weights. Proper nutrition and Recovery play equally crucial roles in maximising your tissue-building potential.

 

Nutrition:

Protein is the fundamental component for constructing tissues. To support tissue repair and growth, consume adequate protein daily. Aim for lean sources like chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, eggs, and plant-based options like tofu and legumes.

Caloric Surplus: To fuel tissue growth, you need to be in a caloric surplus, meaning you consume more calories than you burn. However, this surplus should come from nutritious sources, not empty calories.

Carbohydrates and Fats: Carbohydrates provide energy for intense workouts, while healthy fats support hormone production. Include complex carbohydrates like whole grains and healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.

Micronutrients: Ensure you get essential vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet or supplements if necessary. These micronutrients support various biochemical processes in your body, including tissue growth.

 

Recovery:

Sleep: Quality sleep is vital for tissue recovery. The body undergoes various restorative processes during deep sleep, promoting tissue development. Strive to achieve a consistent, uninterrupted sleep duration of 7-9 hours each night.

Active Recovery: Incorporate light activities like walking, yoga, or stretching on rest days to improve blood flow and reduce tissue soreness.

Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for tissue function and Recovery. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and hinder performance.

Rest Days: Give your tissues time to recover between intense workouts. Overtraining can lead to injury and impede tissue growth.

Massage and Foam Rolling: These techniques can help reduce tissue soreness and improve blood circulation, aiding Recovery.

Balancing nutrition and Recovery is essential for maximising hypertrophy. Consistency in dietary choices and recovery practices is critical to achieving your tissue-building goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Tissue hypertrophy is the enlargement of individual tissue fibres in response to external stimuli, primarily resistance training. While organ hypertrophy specifically refers to organ tissue growth, tissue hypertrophy can encompass other types of tissues, such as tendons and ligaments.

Type I (slow-twitch) and Type II (fast-twitch) fibres can be distinguished by their different characteristics, such as contraction speed and endurance. Type II fibres are more involved in tissue hypertrophy as they have a higher growth potential than Type I fibres.

Anabolic processes initiate tissue protein synthesis during resistance training, creating new proteins to repair and strengthen tissue fibres. Adequate protein intake is crucial to support this growth.

Progressive Overload involves gradually increasing the resistance or intensity of workouts, challenging tissues to adapt and grow. This principle is essential for effective tissue hypertrophy.

Yes, resistance training can stimulate hypertrophy in various tissues, including tendons and ligaments. Strengthening these tissues can enhance overall physical performance and reduce the risk of injuries.

Nutrition:

 

Consume adequate protein daily to support tissue repair and growth.

Maintain a caloric surplus from nutritious sources.

Include complex carbohydrates and healthy fats in your diet.

Ensure you get essential vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet or supplements if necessary.

 

Recovery:

Target getting 7-9 hours of restful sleep every night.

Incorporate active recovery activities like walking and stretching on rest days.

Stay well-hydrated to support tissue function and Recovery.

Allow sufficient rest between intense workouts and consider massage and foam rolling techniques to aid Recovery.

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Mechanical Tension vs. Metabolic Stress: Unpacking Muscle Growth Triggers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/mechanical-tension-vs-metabolic-stress-unpacking-muscle-growth-triggers/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34923 The post Mechanical Tension vs. Metabolic Stress: Unpacking Muscle Growth Triggers appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Understanding the mechanisms behind muscle growth triggers is crucial when building muscle and achieving that chiselled physique. Mechanical Tension and Metabolic Stress are two key pivotal factors in this process. Explore these concepts and see how they influence muscle hypertrophy during resistance training.

Mechanical Tension: Mechanical tension is the force acting on your muscles during resistance training exercises. Think of it as the stress your muscles experience when lifting weights or performing bodyweight exercises. This tension is a primary driver for muscle growth, forcing your muscle fibres to adapt and become stronger. As you gradually increase the load and intensity of your workouts, your muscles are subjected to more mechanical tension, which stimulates hypertrophy—the growth of muscle fibres.

Metabolic Stress: Metabolic stress, on the other hand, is all about what happens within your muscles during high-repetition, high-volume workouts. It occurs when your muscles work intensely and struggle for adequate oxygen supply. This leads to the accumulation of metabolites like lactate, which contributes to that “burning” sensation during a challenging set.

Metabolic stress plays a crucial role in muscle growth by triggering anabolic pathways within the muscle cells. These pathways are responsible for protein synthesis and cellular adaptations that result in muscle hypertrophy.

Balancing mechanical tension and metabolic stress is essential to achieve optimal muscle growth. Resistance training programs incorporating heavy lifting to maximize pressure and high repetition sets to induce metabolic stress are the most effective.

Strength training, exercise physiology, and various training variables also come into play when tailoring a workout program that optimizes muscle hypertrophy. Factors like exercise selection, rest intervals, and volume play significant roles in manipulating these muscle growth triggers.

Achieving significant muscle growth involves understanding and strategically using mechanical tension and metabolic stress. By incorporating resistance training techniques that encompass these elements, you can unlock your body’s potential for muscle hypertrophy and enhance your strength and physique.

 

The Role of Mechanical Tension in Muscle Development

Muscle Development, scientifically known as hypertrophy, is a subject that has intrigued fitness enthusiasts and athletes for generations. One of the fundamental factors that drive this process is mechanical tension.

What Is Mechanical Tension?

Mechanical tension is the force that muscles experience when they are stretched or contracted during resistance exercises. It’s the sensation of strain that you feel when lifting weights or performing bodyweight exercises. This tension occurs as muscle fibres are elongated or shortened under load.

 

How Does It Promote Muscle Development?

When you participate in resistance training, tiny tears form in your muscle fibers as a result of the strain exerted during weightlifting or resistance exercises. In response to this damage, your body initiates a repair process. This repair process involves synthesizing new muscle proteins and the fusion of satellite cells to existing muscle fibres, making them thicker and more robust.

Mechanical tension plays a vital role in this process by triggering specific cellular signalling pathways, such as mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), that promote muscle protein synthesis. In simpler terms, it signals your body to build more muscle to adapt to the imposed load.

Mechanical tension is a crucial driver of muscle growth. Incorporating resistance exercises that challenge your muscles and progressively increase the load is essential for maximizing the benefits of mechanical tension in your fitness journey. Understanding this principle can help you design effective strength training routines that yield impressive muscle growth.

Understanding Metabolic Stress as a Growth Trigger

Many factors come into play regarding enhancing size and achieving those sought-after gains. One of the lesser known yet crucial aspects of growth is metabolic stress. Let’s delve into metabolic stress and how it can serve as a potent growth trigger.

 

What is Metabolic Stress?

Metabolic stress occurs during high-repetition, high-volume resistance training exercises. It’s that burning sensation and fatigue you feel when you push your limits. This sensation results from the metabolic byproducts that accumulate in your body during intense workouts, such as lactic acid.

 

How Does Metabolic Stress Contribute to Development?

Metabolic stress is more than just an uncomfortable sensation; it plays a pivotal role in hypertrophy or growth. Here’s how:

Cellular Signalling: Metabolic stress triggers specific cellular signalling pathways that stimulate growth. These pathways include releasing development factors like IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) and activating mTOR, essential for protein synthesis.

Hormonal Response: Intense resistance training that induces metabolic stress can increase anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone, further promoting development.

Cell Swelling: Metabolic stress causes cells to swell with blood and fluids. This cell swelling stimulates growth by creating mechanical tension within the fibres.

Fibre Recruitment: High-repetition sets and metabolic stress can activate a broader spectrum of fibres, including fast-twitch fibres with high growth potential.

To harness the benefits of metabolic stress, consider incorporating techniques like drop sets, supersets, and high-repetition training into your routine. These methods can help you induce metabolic stress and optimise growth.

Metabolic stress is a vital trigger for growth that should be noticed. By strategically incorporating workouts that induce this stress, you can stimulate hypertrophy, improve endurance, and work towards achieving your fitness goals effectively.

 

How to Optimize Tissue Growth with a Balanced Approach

Enhancing tissue growth is a multifaceted endeavour requiring a well-rounded approach for optimal results. Here are key strategies to maximize tissue growth effectively:

Progressive Overload: To stimulate tissue growth, consistently challenge your tissues with increasing resistance or intensity. Gradually elevate the weight you lift or the difficulty of your exercises to create the necessary stimulus for growth.

Compound Movements: Concentrate on compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups. These exercises engage multiple tissue groups simultaneously, amplifying tissue activation and growth potential.

A well-balanced diet abundant in vital nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats plays a crucial role in supporting the development of tissues. Protein supplies the building blocks (amino acids) needed for tissue repair and growth.

Recovery and Rest: Tissues grow during rest periods, not just during workouts. Prioritize adequate sleep and allow your body to recover fully between training sessions. Overtraining can impede progress.

Varied Repetition Ranges: Integrate a variety of repetition ranges into your workouts. Lower repetitions (3-6) with heavy resistance develop strength, whereas higher repetitions (8-12) with moderate resistance focus on hypertrophy.

Consistency: Consistency is paramount. Adhere to a well-structured workout program and maintain a balanced diet over time. Tissue growth is a gradual process that requires commitment.

Proper Technique: Execute exercises with precise techniques to effectively target the intended tissue groups. This diminishes the likelihood of harm and guarantees the most effective involvement of tissues.

Periodisation: Periodize you’re training by cycling through distinct phases: strength, hypertrophy, and endurance. This prevents stagnation and keeps your tissues adapting.

Dietary Additions: Although they should not replace a well-rounded diet, dietary additions such as creatine and whey protein can enhance tissue development when incorporated as part of a comprehensive strategy.

In conclusion, optimising tissue growth demands a holistic and well-balanced strategy that incorporates progressive resistance, proper nutrition, adequate recovery, and intelligent training practices. By consistently applying these principles, you can achieve your tissue-enhancing goals and progress significantly in your health and fitness journey.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This blog discusses two primary tissue development triggers: Mechanical Tension and Metabolic Stress.

Mechanical tension is the force that acts on tissues during resistance training. It stimulates tissue development by creating micro-tears in tissue fibres, triggering a repair process that increases tissue size and strength.

Metabolic stress occurs during high-repetition, high-volume resistance training. It promotes tissue development through cellular signalling pathways, hormonal responses, cell swelling, and the recruitment of various tissue fibre types.

Consider incorporating heavy lifting to maximise tension and high repetition sets to optimise tissue development to induce metabolic stress into your resistance training routine.

Strength training and exercise physiology are crucial aspects of tissue development. Strength training exercises and understanding how your body responds to resistance training are essential for designing effective workout programs.

Factors like exercise selection, rest intervals, volume, and periodisation are essential training variables when tailoring a workout program for tissue hypertrophy. These variables help manipulate tissue development triggers effectively.

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What Are The Differences Between Hang Cleans And Power Cleans In Olympic Lifting? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-differences-between-hang-cleans-and-power-cleans-in-olympic-lifting/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34909 The post What Are The Differences Between Hang Cleans And Power Cleans In Olympic Lifting? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of Olympic lifting, precision and technique are paramount. Two of the most iconic and challenging exercises that exemplify this are the Hang Clean and the Power Clean. Both are fundamental components of any weightlifter’s repertoire, demanding strength, speed, and skill. But what sets them apart?

In this article, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of “What Are The Differences Between Hang Cleans And Power Cleans In Olympic Lifting?” We’ll delve into the nuanced mechanics, training benefits, and practical applications of each exercise, providing you with a clear understanding of their distinctions and helping you make informed choices in your training regimen. Whether you’re a seasoned lifter seeking refinement or a novice just venturing into the world of Olympic lifting, join us on this journey to uncover the intricacies that set these two iconic exercises apart.

Hang Cleans Vs. Power Cleans: Which Olympic Lifting Variation Is Right For You?

The choice between Hang Cleans and Power Cleans in Olympic lifting hinges on individual goals, capabilities, and training preferences. Hang Cleans, where the bar starts from a hang position above the knees, are renowned for their focus on explosiveness, shrugging power, and hip extension. They’re an excellent choice for athletes looking to enhance their performance in sports requiring rapid power production. On the other hand, the latter category of Cleans, starting from the floor, emphasize full-body strength, speed, and coordination. They offer a more comprehensive workout and are favoured by those aiming for overall muscle development. The decision ultimately boils down to your specific objectives and your willingness to master the nuances of each technique.

Exploring Olympic Lifting Variations: Beyond The Basics

Delving into the world of Olympic lifting reveals a realm brimming with intriguing variations beyond the fundamental techniques. While the Snatch and Clean and Jerk are the core movements, the sport offers an array of nuanced variations that cater to different needs and skill levels.

One captivating variation is the Hang Snatch, where lifters initiate the lift from a hang position, typically above the knees. This variation emphasizes explosive power and technical precision. Alternatively, the Hang Clean focuses on strengthening the transition from the pull to the catch, refining form and stability.

Further exploration might lead to the Power Snatch, which involves a dynamic lift from the floor to an overhead position with no squat. Similarly, the Power Clean offers an abbreviated range of motion compared to the full Clean, targeting explosiveness and speed.

As one’s proficiency grows, venturing into these variations can inject new challenges and dimensions into Olympic lifting training, ensuring continued progress and mastery of the sport’s intricacies.

Clean Techniques Comparison: Hang Cleans Vs. Power Cleans

The comparison of Hang Cleans and Power Cleans in Olympic lifting centres on their starting positions and technique nuances. In Hang Cleans, the lifter initiates the lift from a position above the knees, emphasizing hip extension, shrugging, and an explosive finish. This variation demands precise timing and coordination.

On the other hand, Power Cleans commence from the floor, requiring a full range of motion that includes the pull from the ground. They prioritize strength, speed, and a quick catch in the power position. Power Cleans engage the entire body, with a focus on developing raw power and speed.

Choosing between the two depends on your training goals and proficiency level. Hang Cleans hone explosive power, while Power Cleans offer a comprehensive full-body workout. Selecting the right technique involves understanding your strengths and objectives in the world of Olympic lifting.

Mastering Olympic Lifting: A Deep Dive Into Weightlifting Exercises

Mastering Olympic lifting is an endeavour that demands unwavering dedication and a profound understanding of the intricate weightlifting exercises that define the sport. The journey begins with the Snatch, a swift and technically demanding lift where the lifter elevates the barbell from the ground to overhead in one fluid motion. It emphasizes speed, precision, and mobility.

Parallelly, the Clean and Jerk introduces a dynamic blend of two movements. It begins with the Clean, where the bar is lifted from the floor to the shoulders, demanding explosive power and technique. Then, the Jerk propels the bar overhead, demanding split-second timing and stability.

Exploring these exercises unveils a world of variations, from Hang Snatches to Power Cleans, each offering unique benefits and challenges. Mastering Olympic lifting necessitates disciplined practice, honing technique, and progressively increasing weight. It’s a journey of strength, agility, and mental fortitude, where athletes push their boundaries to achieve unparalleled feats of power and grace.

Clean And Jerk Variations: From Hang Cleans To Power Cleans And Beyond

Clean and Jerk variations are integral to Olympic lifting, offering athletes a range of challenges and training opportunities. The Hang Clean, starting above the knees, refines explosiveness and technique in the initial pull. In contrast, Power Cleans entail lifting the bar from the floor with an emphasis on raw strength and speed. Furthermore, variations like the Push Jerk and Split Jerk introduce diverse overhead techniques, fostering stability and coordination. Beyond these, the Squat Clean delves deeper into leg strength and mobility. Each variation adds layers of complexity, enabling lifters to target specific aspects of their performance and progressively master the intricacies of the Clean and Jerk, an iconic and multifaceted Olympic lifting movement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is in the starting position. Hang Cleans start from a position above the knees, while Power Cleans start from the floor.

In Hang Cleans, the lifter must generate power without the initial momentum from the floor, requiring a strong hip extension and shrug. Power Cleans, starting from the floor, involve a full-range pull, emphasizing speed and strength.

Both lifts can enhance explosiveness but Hang Cleans often place a greater emphasis on explosiveness due to the need to generate power from a dead stop.

Power Cleans are often more suitable for beginners as they provide a more straightforward starting position and a fuller range of motion, making them easier to learn.

Absolutely. Hang Cleans are beneficial for improving the second pull and hip explosion, while Power Cleans offer a more comprehensive full-body workout. The choice depends on individual goals and desired training outcomes.

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How Do I Create A HIIT Workout Plan Tailored To My Fitness Goals? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-create-a-hiit-workout-plan-tailored-to-my-fitness-goals/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34908 The post How Do I Create A HIIT Workout Plan Tailored To My Fitness Goals? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on a fitness journey is a personal odyssey, and your chosen path should align with your unique aspirations. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) stands as a versatile and effective tool for those seeking dynamic, efficient workouts. However, to unlock its full potential, you must forge a HIIT workout plan tailored precisely to your fitness goals.

In the world of fitness, one size does not fit all. Your journey may involve weight loss, muscle gain, improved endurance, or a combination of these objectives. The beauty of a HIIT workout plan lies in its adaptability, allowing you to customize routines that cater to your specific ambitions.

This article is your guide to crafting a HIIT workout plan that resonates with your fitness aspirations. Whether you’re a beginner looking to shed kilos, an athlete striving for peak performance, or anyone in between, the key to success lies in creating a personalized HIIT workout plan that aligns with your goals, motivates your journey, and delivers transformative results. Join us on this exploration of tailoring HIIT to your unique fitness destiny.

Crafting Your Ideal HIIT Workout Plan

Creating an ideal HIIT workout plan is the gateway to fitness success. Begin by defining your objectives—whether it’s torching calories, building muscle, or boosting endurance. Next, select exercises that resonate with your goals, focusing on both cardiovascular and strength-based movements. Determine your work-to-rest ratio, ensuring intensity and recovery periods suit your fitness level.

Variation is key, so regularly switch up exercises in your HIIT workout plan to prevent plateaus. Consistency is equally vital, as results emerge over time. To maximize benefits, incorporate proper warm-up and cooldown routines. Lastly, track progress and adjust your plan as you evolve. With a well-crafted HIIT workout plan, you’re poised to achieve your fitness aspirations and relish the rewards of a healthier, stronger you.

Aligning HIIT Workouts With Your Fitness Goals

The power of a HIIT workout plan lies in its adaptability to various fitness objectives. To harness this potential, it’s crucial to align your HIIT workouts with your specific fitness goals. Whether you’re aiming to shed excess kilos, build lean muscle, enhance endurance, or achieve a blend of these ambitions, tailoring your HIIT routine is the key to success.

Weight loss seekers can benefit from longer sessions in a HIIT workout plan with bodyweight exercises and shorter rest periods to maximize calorie burn. Those focusing on muscle building should incorporate strength-based HIIT exercises like squats and push-ups.

For improved endurance, include longer intervals and gradually increase HIIT workout plan duration. A holistic approach involves setting clear goals, tracking progress, and adjusting your routine as needed. By aligning your HIIT workouts with your fitness goals, you empower yourself to embark on a transformative fitness journey tailored to your aspirations, ensuring that every interval counts toward achieving your desired results.

Designing A Customized HIIT Routine For Success

Designing a customized HIIT workout plan is your compass on the path to fitness success. It begins with a clear understanding of your fitness objectives, whether they entail weight loss, muscle gain, or enhanced cardiovascular endurance. Your personalized HIIT routine should reflect these goals.

Choose exercises that align with your ambitions and create a sequence that challenges you progressively. The work-to-rest ratio should suit your fitness level, gradually intensifying as you grow stronger. Incorporate variety into your routine to keep both your mind and body engaged. Implement warm-up and cool-down exercises to prevent injuries.

Ultimately, the key to a successful customized HIIT workout plan lies in consistency. Stick to your plan, track your progress, and be ready to adjust as you evolve. With a tailored HIIT regimen, you unlock the potential for transformative fitness results, bringing you closer to your health and wellness aspirations.

Creating Your Personalized HIIT Workout Plan

Your fitness journey becomes uniquely yours when you embark on the path of creating a personalized HIIT workout plan. Tailoring your HIIT plan to your individual needs, aspirations, and fitness level ensures that every workout brings you closer to your goals.

Begin by defining your objectives—whether it’s shedding pounds, sculpting lean muscle, or enhancing overall endurance. Select exercises that resonate with your goals, incorporating both cardio-intensive and strength-based movements. Carefully determine the work-to-rest ratio, ensuring it suits your fitness capacity while progressively challenging you.

Variety is the cornerstone of an effective HIIT program, so regularly switch up exercises to prevent plateaus and boredom. Incorporate a thorough warm-up and cooldown routine to enhance safety and performance.

To stay on track, monitor your progress, and don’t hesitate to adjust your program as you grow stronger. With your personalized HIIT training program, you empower yourself to embrace the journey of fitness with tailored precision, ensuring that each interval propels you closer to your desired outcomes.

Goal-Oriented HIIT Workouts: A Blueprint For Achievement

In the realm of fitness, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) emerges as a potent blueprint for achieving your goals. The essence lies in aligning each heart-pounding interval with your specific fitness aspirations. Whether you’re striving for weight loss, muscle definition, or cardiovascular endurance, goal-oriented HIIT workouts are your path to success.

Every session becomes a purposeful step towards your objectives. Weight loss seekers benefit from high-intensity intervals that torch calories, while muscle builders engage in strength-focused routines. For endurance enthusiasts, longer intervals push boundaries.

Consistency is key; the structured nature of HIIT ensures you stay committed. Regularly monitor your progress, fine-tune your routine, and celebrate your accomplishments. With goal-oriented HIIT workouts, you’re not just exercising—you’re crafting a journey towards personal triumph, where every interval takes you closer to realizing your fitness dreams.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Start by defining your specific fitness objectives, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or improved endurance. Your goals will guide exercise selection, intensity, and duration.

For weight loss, focus on high-intensity intervals that elevate your heart rate and incorporate bodyweight exercises. Ensure shorter rest periods between intervals to maximize calorie burn.

Absolutely. To build muscle, incorporate strength-based exercises into your HIIT routine, such as squats and push-ups. Adjust your work-to-rest ratio to allow for adequate recovery between sets.

For improved endurance, include longer intervals and gradually increase workout duration. Balance high-intensity intervals with sufficient recovery periods to build stamina over time.

Begin at a level that suits your current fitness capacity, progressively intensify workouts, and prioritize proper warm-up and cooldown routines. Regularly assess your progress and make adjustments as needed to continue challenging yourself safely.

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Can Kettlebell Exercises Help Improve Posture And Reduce Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-kettlebell-exercises-help-improve-posture-and-reduce-back-pain/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34898 The post Can Kettlebell Exercises Help Improve Posture And Reduce Back Pain? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the quest for a healthier, pain-free life, the significance of good posture and a strong, resilient back cannot be overstated. Many individuals find themselves grappling with the twin challenges of poor posture and nagging back pain, often seeking effective ways to address both issues simultaneously. Enter kettlebell exercises—a dynamic and holistic approach to fitness that has garnered attention for its potential to not only sculpt muscles but also transform posture and alleviate back discomfort.

This article delves into the fascinating synergy between kettlebell exercises and the pursuit of improved posture and reduced back pain. Can swinging a kettlebell or performing controlled lifts truly make a difference? As we explore the science, techniques, and expert insights, you’ll uncover the compelling reasons why kettlebell workouts have become a promising solution for those looking to stand taller, move with ease, and bid farewell to backaches. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, someone recovering from back issues, or simply curious about enhancing your well-being, join us on this journey to discover how kettlebell exercises might hold the key to a healthier spine and a more confident, pain-free you.

Unlocking The Benefits Of Kettlebell Exercises For Posture Improvement

Kettlebell exercises are emerging as a potent tool in the quest for better posture. These dynamic workouts engage a myriad of muscle groups, fostering balance and alignment. The functional movements in kettlebell exercises help strengthen the core, which plays a pivotal role in supporting an upright posture. By honing stability and promoting spinal alignment, kettlebell routines counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and slouching. They encourage a natural, upright stance that reduces stress on the spine and enhances overall postural awareness. As you swing, press, and lift with kettlebells, you’re not just building strength; you’re unlocking the doorway to a more confident, poised, and pain-free posture.

Kettlebell Exercises: Your Path To Back Pain Reduction

For those plagued by persistent back pain, kettlebell exercises offer a promising avenue towards relief and recovery. Kettlebells are versatile tools that engage both strength and mobility, addressing the underlying factors contributing to back discomfort. Through controlled swings, squats, and lifts, these exercises improve core strength, a critical component in providing spinal support. A strengthened core helps maintain proper alignment, reducing strain on the back muscles.

Kettlebell workouts also enhance flexibility, promoting greater range of motion in the hips and shoulders. This newfound flexibility alleviates tension in the lower back and upper body, common areas of discomfort. Additionally, the dynamic nature of kettlebell movements stimulates blood flow, delivering vital nutrients to injured or tense muscles, accelerating the healing process.

As you embark on your kettlebell journey, you’ll discover that these exercises not only build resilience in your back but also empower you to move with greater ease and confidence, ultimately reducing the burden of chronic back pain.

Achieving Postural Alignment Through Kettlebell Workouts

Kettlebell workouts offer a transformative path to postural alignment. By engaging in these dynamic exercises, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and enhanced well-being. Kettlebell movements, such as swings and Turkish Get-Ups, foster a heightened awareness of your body’s alignment. They promote a strong, stable core—a key element in maintaining proper posture. As you lift and swing the kettlebell, your body learns to find its centre, reducing the strain on the back, shoulders, and neck.

Furthermore, kettlebell routines enhance mobility and flexibility, releasing tension in muscles that may contribute to poor posture. With consistent practice, you’ll not only stand taller but also move with grace and ease. Kettlebell workouts empower you to take charge of your posture, offering the priceless gift of a more comfortable and confident daily life.

Spinal Health And Kettlebell Exercises: A Comprehensive Guide

The health of your spine is paramount to overall well-being, and kettlebell exercises have emerged as a comprehensive solution for nurturing spinal health. These exercises target the core muscles responsible for supporting the spine, building strength that can help alleviate back pain and discomfort. Kettlebell swings, for instance, engage the erector spinae and deep abdominal muscles, stabilizing the spine and fostering a healthy, neutral alignment.

Moreover, kettlebell workouts promote flexibility and mobility in the hips and shoulders, reducing tension and strain that can lead to spinal issues. They encourage better posture, mitigating the effects of prolonged sitting and hunching.

This comprehensive guide delves into the symbiotic relationship between kettlebell exercises and spinal health. Explore the science behind these dynamic movements, discover targeted exercises, and learn how to incorporate kettlebells into your routine to safeguard your spine’s well-being. With the right knowledge and consistent practice, you can take significant steps toward a healthier, pain-free, and more agile spine.

Harnessing Kettlebell Workouts For Improved Posture And Reduced Back Pain

Kettlebell workouts offer a dual benefit—enhancing posture and diminishing back pain. The multifaceted movements of kettlebell exercises actively engage core muscles, strengthening the body’s support structure. This newfound core strength promotes a natural, upright posture, easing the strain on the back muscles and aligning the spine.

Kettlebell routines also foster flexibility, particularly in the hips and shoulders, areas often associated with posture issues. By increasing mobility and releasing tension in these regions, kettlebell exercises help you stand taller and move more comfortably. Additionally, improved circulation and muscle activation contribute to pain reduction.

Incorporating kettlebell workouts into your fitness regimen empowers you to take control of your posture and experience the relief of reduced back pain. These dynamic exercises offer a holistic approach to well-being, ensuring that you not only look more confident but also feel stronger and healthier in your daily life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kettlebell exercises strengthen core muscles, including the back and abdominal muscles, which play a crucial role in maintaining an upright posture. By enhancing core stability, kettlebell workouts promote proper spinal alignment, reducing the risk of poor posture.

Yes, kettlebell exercises can help reduce back pain. They target and strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, which can alleviate strain and discomfort. Additionally, improved posture resulting from kettlebell training can minimize back pain caused by poor alignment.

Kettlebell exercises like swings, deadlifts, and Turkish Get-Ups are effective for strengthening the core and back muscles, ultimately aiding in posture improvement and back pain reduction.

Consistency is key. Aim for at least two to three kettlebell workouts per week to experience noticeable improvements in posture and a reduction in back pain. Start gradually and gradually increase intensity and duration.

Kettlebell exercises can be adapted for individuals with back issues. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional or fitness expert to ensure that you choose appropriate exercises and maintain proper form to prevent exacerbating existing conditions.

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What Are Some Effective Battle Rope Exercises For Improving Endurance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-effective-battle-rope-exercises-for-improving-endurance/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34893 The post What Are Some Effective Battle Rope Exercises For Improving Endurance? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Endurance is the cornerstone of many athletic pursuits, whether you’re a runner looking to increase your mileage, an athlete seeking improved performance, or an individual aiming to enhance overall fitness. While traditional cardio workouts have their place, there’s a dynamic and engaging way to boost your endurance – battle rope exercises.

Battle rope exercises have surged in popularity as a versatile tool for improving cardiovascular endurance, strength, and stamina. They offer a unique combination of cardio and strength training that can benefit individuals of all fitness levels.

In this article, we’ll explore a selection of effective battle rope exercises specifically designed to enhance endurance. From high-intensity intervals that push your cardiovascular limits to sustained routines that build muscular stamina, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to help you incorporate battle ropes into your endurance training regimen.

Whether you’re an athlete aiming for peak performance or someone simply looking to increase your staying power, the battle rope exercises are a dynamic addition to your fitness arsenal. Let’s dive in and discover how these exercises can elevate your endurance to new heights.

Effective Battle Rope Exercises For Boosting Cardiovascular Endurance

Battle rope exercises offer a potent means to supercharge cardiovascular endurance. These high-intensity workouts engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, raising your heart rate and pushing your lungs to work harder. Incorporate exercises like “Wave Slams” to maintain a sustained rhythmic movement that enhances aerobic capacity. “Alternating Waves” challenge your coordination and cardiovascular system, while “In & Out Waves” intensify the effort with quick bursts of energy. “Double Wave Burpees” combine strength and endurance, pushing you to the limit. Lastly, “Battle Rope Sprints” replicate sprinting while emphasizing muscular endurance. These exercises form a robust toolkit to elevate your cardiovascular stamina and overall fitness level.

Endurance Training With Battle Ropes: A Comprehensive Guide

To embark on this journey, it’s crucial to understand the principles and techniques involved. Begin with the fundamentals, mastering the foundational moves like “Alternating Waves” and “Double Wave Burpees.” These exercises form the building blocks of your endurance training.

Progress to interval training, alternating between periods of high-intensity effort and active recovery. For example, “Battle Rope Tabatas” involve 20 seconds of all-out effort followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated over several rounds. This approach not only improves cardiovascular endurance but also torches calories.

Explore circuit workouts, combining various battle rope exercises to target different muscle groups and energy systems. Consider “Wave Slams,” “Side-to-Side Waves,” and “Power Lunges” in your routines to diversify the challenge.

As you advance, focus on consistency and gradually increase workout duration and intensity. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll develop the endurance needed to excel in sports, reach fitness milestones, and conquer new physical challenges.

Stamina-Building Exercises To Enhance Your Endurance With Battle Ropes

Stamina-building exercises with battle ropes are a potent pathway to elevating your endurance levels. These workouts demand both physical and mental resilience, cultivating the stamina needed to excel in various athletic pursuits. “Battle Rope Circles” challenge your core and upper body while maintaining a continuous rope movement, building muscular and cardiovascular stamina simultaneously.

“Jumping Jack Slams” combine a classic calisthenic move with battle rope intensity, enhancing both endurance and coordination. “Squat Presses” target lower body strength and stamina, offering a well-rounded workout. The endurance benefits of these exercises extend beyond the gym, empowering you with greater vitality and staying power for everyday activities and sports alike.

Mastering Battle Rope Endurance Workouts: Tips And Techniques

Mastering battle rope endurance workouts requires a combination of strategy, technique, and mental fortitude. To elevate your endurance to new heights, start with proper form. Maintain a stable stance with knees slightly bent, engage your core, and grip the ropes firmly but not excessively. This foundation ensures efficiency and minimizes the risk of injury during extended sessions.

Interval training is a key strategy. Alternate between high-intensity bursts and brief recovery periods to gradually increase stamina. For example, “On-the-Spot Sprints” push your limits, followed by “Resting Wave Holds” for active recovery.

Consistency is vital. Set a regular training schedule and progressively increase the workout duration or intensity. Challenge yourself with complex movements like “Lateral Waves” and “Double Arm Slams” to keep workouts engaging and demanding.

Mental endurance is equally crucial. Stay focused, maintain proper breathing, and visualize your goals during challenging sets. Battle rope endurance workouts not only enhance your physical capacity but also bolster mental resilience, making you better prepared for any endurance challenge life throws your way.

Exploring The Benefits Of Battle Rope Exercises In Endurance Training

Battle rope exercises offer a multitude of benefits when integrated into endurance training routines. These dynamic workouts improve cardiovascular endurance by elevating heart rate and enhancing lung capacity. The rhythmic waves and vigorous movements engage major muscle groups, fostering muscular endurance essential for long-lasting performance.

Moreover, battle ropes boost metabolic rate, facilitating calorie burn and weight management. They also enhance overall functional strength, enabling athletes to sustain exertion for extended durations. The versatility of battle ropes allows for adaptable workouts, making it accessible for individuals of various fitness levels.

The mental aspect is equally important; battle rope training builds mental resilience, teaching individuals to push through physical discomfort and fatigue, a valuable skill in endurance sports and everyday challenges. Overall, battle rope exercises serve as a multifaceted tool for elevating endurance and reaping the rewards of improved fitness and vitality.

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Do you want to become a battle ropes expert? If you do then it is very important to do our Battle Ropes Course. Follow this link to find out more.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Exercises like “Wave Slams,” “Alternating Waves,” and “On-the-Spot Sprints” are excellent choices. They elevate heart rate and challenge your stamina.

Exercises like “Power Lunges” and “Double Wave Burpees” blend strength and endurance, providing a well-rounded workout.

“Continuous Alternating Waves” and “Low-Intensity Wave Circles” are beginner-friendly options that help build endurance progressively.

Yes, you can tailor your battle rope routines by adjusting intensity, duration, and exercises to align with your specific endurance objectives.

A balanced approach is key. Aim for 2-3 sessions per week, gradually increasing intensity and duration as your endurance improves.

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What Are The Primary Reasons Individuals Choose EMS Training As Part Of Their Fitness Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-primary-reasons-individuals-choose-ems-training-as-part-of-their-fitness-routine/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 05:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34899 The post What Are The Primary Reasons Individuals Choose EMS Training As Part Of Their Fitness Routine? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the ever-evolving landscape of fitness, individuals are continually seeking innovative ways to enhance their workouts and achieve their health goals more efficiently. One such cutting-edge method that has gained remarkable traction in recent years is Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training. It’s a fitness technique that harnesses the power of electrical impulses to activate and engage muscles, offering a time-efficient and highly effective workout experience.

But what exactly draws people to incorporate EMS training into their fitness routines? The answer lies in a diverse range of compelling reasons, each resonating with different individuals based on their fitness aspirations and lifestyles.

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the primary motives that drive individuals to embrace EMS training as an integral part of their fitness journey. From rapid muscle development and time-saving advantages to targeted training and injury rehabilitation, we unveil the multifaceted appeal of EMS training. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a fitness enthusiast looking for a new approach, understanding these reasons may just inspire you to integrate EMS into your own fitness routine. Join us as we uncover the motivations behind this transformative fitness trend.

Unlocking Ems Training Benefits: Why It’s A Game Changer

EMS training stands out as a game-changing approach to fitness. It leverages electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, providing a full-body workout in minimal time. Its benefits are manifold, including accelerated muscle development, strength gains, and enhanced endurance. EMS efficiently targets both superficial and deep muscle fibres, fostering balanced growth.

One of its key advantages is time efficiency—a 20-minute EMS session can equate to several hours of conventional training. Additionally, it’s adaptable for various fitness levels and ages, making it inclusive. EMS also aids in injury rehabilitation and alleviates back pain.

In this transformative fitness realm, EMS training emerges as a timesaving, effective, and versatile game changer.

Enhancing Your Fitness Routine With EMS: The Ultimate Guide

Enhancing your fitness routine with EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) offers a dynamic path to achieving your health and fitness goals. This comprehensive guide unveils the transformative potential of EMS training, which is increasingly recognized for its efficiency and effectiveness.

EMS engages your muscles through low-frequency electrical impulses, intensifying your workouts and recruiting more muscle fibres than traditional training alone. The benefits are remarkable: accelerated muscle development, increased strength, improved endurance, and enhanced overall fitness.

What sets EMS apart is its time efficiency. A 20-minute EMS session can yield the results of several hours of conventional training, making it perfect for busy individuals. Whether you aim to build lean muscle, shed excess fat, or improve your athletic performance, EMS adapts to your needs.

Muscle Stimulation Advantages: How EMS Takes Your Workout To The Next Level

EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is the secret weapon that elevates your workout to extraordinary levels. Its unique advantage lies in its ability to activate muscle contractions more effectively than traditional training. By sending electrical impulses directly to your muscles, EMS engages both superficial and deep muscle fibres, ensuring a comprehensive workout.

The result? Rapid muscle development, increased strength, and enhanced endurance. EMS also refines muscular coordination and balance, reducing the risk of injury.

Another standout feature is its time efficiency. In just a fraction of the time you’d spend on conventional workouts, EMS delivers comparable or superior results. This efficiency is a game-changer for individuals with busy schedules. Whether you’re an athlete seeking performance gains or someone pursuing overall fitness, EMS has the power to take your workout to the next level, unlocking your full potential.

Top Reasons For Choosing EMS Workout: A Comprehensive Overview

The choice to embrace EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) workout is driven by a compelling array of reasons, making it a fitness revolution. Firstly, EMS training stands out for its efficiency. In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity, and EMS offers a condensed yet highly effective workout. A single 20-minute session can yield results equivalent to hours of traditional training.

Another key driver is its versatility. EMS is suitable for individuals of varying fitness levels and ages. Whether you’re an elite athlete seeking performance gains, a fitness enthusiast aiming to sculpt your physique, or someone on a journey to enhance overall health, EMS adapts to your needs.

Targeted training is another advantage. EMS allows for precise muscle activation, addressing specific areas and imbalances. It’s a rehabilitation tool as well, aiding recovery and alleviating pain.

Intriguingly, EMS enthusiasts appreciate its ability to intensify workouts, facilitating rapid muscle development, improved strength, and enhanced endurance. This comprehensive overview reveals why EMS continues to be a preferred choice for those seeking efficient, effective, and personalized fitness solutions.

Exploring Electrostimulation Fitness: What Sets EMS Apart

Electrostimulation fitness, specifically EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation), is revolutionizing the fitness landscape with its distinctive attributes. Unlike traditional workouts, EMS directly stimulates muscles through low-frequency electrical impulses. This precise targeting activates both superficial and deep muscle fibres, ensuring a comprehensive workout.

What sets EMS apart is its remarkable time efficiency. A brief 20-minute session offers results equivalent to extensive conventional training. It accommodates diverse fitness levels and goals, from muscle building to rehabilitation.

EMS doesn’t just amplify muscle development; it enhances strength, endurance, and coordination. Its versatility caters to athletes seeking performance gains, fitness enthusiasts striving for a sculpted physique, and individuals focused on health improvement.

Intriguingly, EMS effectively reduces workout time without compromising effectiveness, making it a game-changer for busy modern lifestyles. Exploring electrostimulation fitness reveals a unique approach that maximizes results, redefining fitness potential.

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If you want to become an EMS trainer then you need to do our EMS Trainer Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many choose EMS training for its time efficiency. A 20-minute EMS session can provide the same benefits as hours of conventional exercise, making it ideal for those with busy schedules.

EMS training accelerates muscle development due to its ability to target both superficial and deep muscle fibres. This attracts individuals aiming for rapid strength and tone improvements.

Yes, EMS is versatile. It suits those seeking muscle toning, weight loss, strength gains, and enhanced endurance. It also aids rehabilitation, making it appealing for injury recovery.

EMS allows for precise muscle activation, making it suitable for addressing imbalances and rehabilitating injuries effectively.

Absolutely, EMS is inclusive. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those looking to improve their overall health can all find value in EMS workouts, thanks to its adaptability.

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What Are The Key Principles That Life Coaches Apply When Working With Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-the-key-principles-that-life-coaches-apply-when-working-with-athletes/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34887 The post What Are The Key Principles That Life Coaches Apply When Working With Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the competitive and dynamic world of sports, athletes are not only judged by their physical prowess but also by their mental resilience, personal growth, and overall well-being. To navigate the challenges and maximize their potential, athletes often turn to life coaches for guidance and support. These skilled professionals bring a unique blend of motivational strategies, personal development techniques, and performance enhancement principles to the table.

This article delves into the intriguing realm of life coaching for athletes, uncovering the key principles that form the foundation of their work. Life coaches apply a diverse array of strategies tailored to the unique needs and goals of each athlete. Whether it’s fostering mental resilience, optimizing performance, or achieving personal growth milestones, these principles offer a roadmap for athletes to excel not only in their sport but also in life beyond the field, court, or track.

Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the core principles that life coaches apply when working with athletes, shedding light on the transformative impact they have on the world of sports.

Life Coaching For Athletes: Maximizing Potential And Performance

Life coaching for athletes is a dynamic partnership that aims to unlock the full spectrum of an athlete’s potential and enhance their performance. Athletes, from aspiring novices to seasoned professionals, engage in this transformative process to gain a competitive edge. Life coaches bring a wealth of expertise, employing strategies to cultivate mental resilience, goal setting, and self-awareness. By addressing both the mental and emotional aspects of an athlete’s life, coaches help individuals thrive under pressure, overcome setbacks, and optimize their skills. This holistic approach empowers athletes to perform at their peak, not only in their chosen sport but also in all facets of life, setting the stage for lasting success and fulfilment.

Athlete Development Principles: Guiding The Path To Success

Athlete development principles lie at the heart of successful coaching partnerships. These principles are a roadmap for athletes to follow as they navigate their journey towards excellence. One of the fundamental principles is goal setting, where athletes and coaches collaborate to establish clear, achievable objectives. This not only provides direction but also motivates athletes to strive for continuous improvement.

Another pivotal principle is mental resilience. Athletes are taught how to build unwavering mental strength, enabling them to withstand pressure, conquer self-doubt, and bounce back from setbacks. This resilience often becomes a key differentiator in high-stakes competitions.

Furthermore, athlete development principles emphasize self-awareness, helping individuals understand their strengths, weaknesses, and unique talents. This self-awareness empowers athletes to make informed decisions about their training, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Ultimately, these principles, when applied by life coaches, guide athletes on the path to success. They foster a holistic approach to development, nurturing not just physical skills but also mental fortitude, emotional intelligence, and personal growth, thus enabling athletes to reach their full potential both in sports and in life.

Coaching Athletes For Success: Strategies And Approaches

Coaching athletes for success requires a multifaceted approach that blends various strategies and approaches. Life coaches work closely with athletes to create personalized plans tailored to their unique needs and objectives. These plans often encompass mental preparation, goal setting, and performance optimization.

One core strategy is fostering mental resilience, equipping athletes with tools to navigate high-pressure situations and setbacks effectively. Goal setting is another vital approach, helping athletes define clear, measurable objectives that drive their motivation and focus.

Additionally, life coaches employ positive reinforcement, instilling a growth mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for improvement. By combining these strategies and approaches, coaches empower athletes to not only achieve their athletic goals but also cultivate life skills that extend far beyond the field, contributing to their overall success and well-being.

Athlete Mental Resilience: Building Strength From Within

Athlete mental resilience is the bedrock upon which success and peak performance are built. It is the capacity to withstand adversity, maintain focus under pressure, and rebound from setbacks. Life coaches understand that the mental game is as crucial as physical skills in sports. They work closely with athletes to cultivate this inner strength.

Mental resilience is nurtured through various techniques, including mindfulness practices, visualization, and self-talk management. Athletes learn to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, reframing obstacles into stepping stones toward success.

Furthermore, life coaches help athletes build a toolkit of coping strategies for handling stress, anxiety, and performance pressure. These strategies not only enhance athletic performance but also contribute to mental well-being in all aspects of life.

Athlete mental resilience is a dynamic force that not only propels athletes to achieve their goals but also equips them with life skills that transcend the boundaries of sports, ensuring they excel in the face of adversity both on and off the field.

Athlete Performance Enhancement: Unleashing Peak Potential

Athlete performance enhancement is the essence of coaching, aimed at unlocking an athlete’s full potential. Coaches collaborate closely with athletes to fine-tune their skills, optimize their physical abilities, and refine their mental acuity. This process involves tailoring training regimens to individual strengths and weaknesses, setting ambitious yet achievable goals, and utilizing cutting-edge performance strategies.

Mental preparation plays a pivotal role in performance enhancement, fostering confidence and mental resilience. Visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness techniques are often integrated to enhance focus and composure under pressure.

Furthermore, coaches guide athletes in honing their technical and tactical skills, ensuring they perform at their peak during competitions. Athlete performance enhancement transcends the boundaries of sports, serving as a transformative journey that empowers individuals to reach their zenith, not only as athletes but as well-rounded individuals poised for success in every aspect of life.

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Want to become a life coach? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. For more information please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The primary goal of life coaches when working with athletes is to facilitate holistic development, encompassing both physical and mental aspects. They aim to optimize an athlete’s performance while fostering personal growth and well-being.

Goal setting is a foundational principle in life coaching for athletes. Coaches assist athletes in defining clear and achievable goals, which provide direction, motivation, and a framework for measuring progress and success.

Life coaches employ various techniques, such as mindfulness, visualization, and positive self-talk, to enhance an athlete’s mental resilience. These tools enable athletes to cope with adversity, maintain focus, and bounce back from setbacks.

Self-awareness is vital as it helps athletes understand their strengths, weaknesses, and values. Coaches use this insight to tailor strategies and support, fostering a deep sense of personal growth and self-improvement.

Life coaches employ a personalized approach, adapting their principles and strategies to match an athlete’s unique needs, aspirations, and challenges. This individualized guidance ensures that athletes receive tailored support on their journey to success.

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How Can I Improve My Body’s Utilization Of Carbohydrates During Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-can-i-improve-my-bodys-utilization-of-carbohydrates-during-exercise/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34878 The post How Can I Improve My Body’s Utilization Of Carbohydrates During Exercise appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of peak athletic performance, one of the most vital factors often overlooked is how efficiently our bodies utilize carbohydrates during exercise. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for our muscles, making their effective utilization crucial for endurance, strength, and overall exercise success. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just embarking on your fitness journey, understanding how to optimize carbohydrate utilization can significantly impact your performance and training outcomes.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the science and strategies behind enhancing your body’s ability to utilize carbohydrates during exercise. From pre-workout nutrition to mid-workout fuelling, we’ll uncover the techniques and dietary choices that can help you go the extra mile, push your limits, and achieve your fitness goals. Get ready to unlock the secrets to improved power, endurance, and athletic prowess through the power of carbohydrates.

Carbohydrate Utilization Strategies For Peak Performance

Carbohydrate utilization strategies are pivotal for achieving peak performance in sports and exercise. Carbs serve as the primary fuel source for muscles during high-intensity activities, making their efficient use essential. Athletes can optimize this process through careful planning. Pre-exercise carb loading can enhance glycogen stores, delaying fatigue during prolonged efforts. During exercise, consuming easily digestible carbs in the form of gels, sports drinks, or whole foods can sustain energy levels. Timing is critical; ingesting carbs strategically helps maintain blood glucose levels and performance. Post-workout, replenishing glycogen stores with carbs aids recovery. Understanding and implementing these strategies can elevate your endurance, power, and overall athletic excellence.

Mastering Exercise Fuelling: Your Carb Intake Guide

Effective exercise fuelling centres on optimizing carbohydrate intake, a crucial element for peak performance. Carbohydrates serve as the body’s preferred energy source during physical activities, impacting endurance, strength, and overall workout results. To excel in this arena, it’s essential to prepare by ensuring adequate glycogen stores through a balanced diet featuring a mix of complex and simple carbs. Timing plays a vital role, with the consumption of a carb-rich pre-workout meal or snack 1-3 hours before exercise, facilitating optimal carbohydrate digestion and utilization. During extended or intense workouts, consider easily digestible carb sources like energy gels or sports drinks to maintain energy levels. Post-exercise, swift carbohydrate refuelling aids glycogen restoration and muscle recovery. Tailoring carb intake based on workout specifics, duration, and personal preferences ensures a customized approach to elevate your exercise performance to new heights.

Carb Intake For Workouts: Tailoring Fuel For Athletic Success

Customizing carbohydrate intake is a critical strategy for athletes striving to attain peak performance. Carbohydrates serve as the primary power source during physical exertion, impacting endurance, strength, and overall athletic achievements. The key lies in matching carb consumption to the unique demands of your training regimen. Whether it’s a high-intensity sprint, a prolonged endurance race, or strength training, your carbohydrate intake should align with your specific goals. Precise timing and the right type of carbs can optimize energy availability, enhance muscle function, and stave off fatigue. By tailoring your carb intake to your athletic pursuits, you can maximize your potential and unlock new levels of success in your sports and workouts.

Enhancing Energy During Exercise: Key Strategies For Efficiency

Elevating power levels during exercise is fundamental for achieving peak performance and sustaining endurance. To optimize power utilization, several key strategies can be employed. Firstly, prioritize pre-exercise nutrition by consuming a balanced meal or snack rich in carbohydrates 1-3 hours before your workout. This provides a readily available energy source for muscles. Secondly, consider intra-workout fuelling for longer sessions. Easily digestible carbohydrates in the form of energy gels, sports drinks, or whole foods can help maintain energy levels and delay fatigue. Proper hydration is also paramount, as even mild dehydration can lead to decreased energy and performance. Furthermore, focus on post-exercise recovery with a combination of carbohydrates and protein to replenish glycogen stores and support muscle repair. Lastly, individualize your approach, taking into account factors such as workout intensity, duration, and personal preferences. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your energy efficiency and unlock your full athletic potential during exercise.

Glycogen Optimization: Maximizing Carbohydrate Stores For Endurance

Achieving peak endurance performance hinges on effectively managing and maximizing glycogen stores, the body’s stored form of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a primary fuel source for prolonged activities like long-distance running or cycling. To optimize glycogen storage, employ strategic carbohydrate loading in the days leading up to an endurance event. During exercise, consume carbohydrates at regular intervals to maintain energy levels and delay glycogen depletion. Balancing carbs with hydration is crucial. Post-exercise, prioritize glycogen replenishment with a carb-rich meal or snack to aid recovery. Tailor your approach based on the duration and intensity of your endurance activity to ensure you have the energy reserves needed to go the distance and achieve your performance goals. Glycogen optimization is a key pillar of endurance success.

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If you would like to become a sports nutritional coach then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source during physical activity, making their efficient utilization essential for sustained performance and endurance.

Consume a balanced meal or snack rich in carbohydrates 1-3 hours before exercise to ensure a readily available energy source for your muscles.

Easily digestible carbohydrates, like those found in energy gels or sports drinks, can help maintain energy levels and stave off fatigue during longer workouts.

Proper hydration is crucial, as even mild dehydration can hinder carbohydrate utilization and diminish performance.

Replenishing glycogen stores with a carbohydrate-rich meal or snack after exercise supports recovery and helps prepare your body for future workouts, enhancing carbohydrate utilization during exercise.

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What Is The Relationship Between Exercise And Metabolic Rate? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-the-relationship-between-exercise-and-metabolic-rate/ Fri, 22 Sep 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34877 The post What Is The Relationship Between Exercise And Metabolic Rate? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of health and fitness, the connection between exercise and metabolic rate is a subject of great intrigue and importance. As individuals strive to achieve their fitness goals, a fundamental question often arises: How does physical activity influence the body’s metabolic processes? The answer lies in the intricate interplay between exercise and metabolic rate, a relationship that impacts not only weight management but also overall health and well-being.

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the science behind this dynamic interaction. We’ll uncover how different types of exercise, from cardio workouts to strength training, can rev up or stabilize metabolic rate, shedding light on practical strategies for harnessing this knowledge to optimize fitness routines and support broader health objectives. Join us on this journey to unravel the secrets of how exercise and basal metabolism are inherently entwined, offering valuable insights for anyone on a quest for a healthier, more active life.

Understanding Metabolic Rate And Exercise

To comprehend the intricate relationship between metabolic rate and physical activity, it’s essential to start with the basics. Basal metabolism, often referred to as metabolism, is the sum of all chemical reactions occurring within the body to maintain life. This includes processes like breathing, digesting food, and even resting. Exercise, on the other hand, introduces a surge in energy expenditure, stimulating the metabolic machinery. Regular physical activity not only burns calories during the workout but also has a lasting impact by elevating the resting basal metabolism. This means that individuals who engage in consistent movement tend to burn more calories even when at rest, making it a pivotal component in weight management and overall health. Understanding this connection empowers individuals to make informed choices about the type, duration, and intensity of their workouts, aligning their fitness routines with their metabolic goals.

The Effects Of Exercise On Metabolism

The influence of movement on metabolism is a dynamic and multifaceted interplay. When you engage in physical activity, your body’s energy demands surge. To meet this increased need, your metabolism accelerates, resulting in several noteworthy effects.

Firstly, movement leads to immediate calorie expenditure. During a workout, your muscles contract and require energy, predominantly in the form of glucose and fat. This process burns calories and contributes to weight management.

Furthermore, the benefits of exercise extend beyond the workout itself. Regular physical activity triggers adaptations in the body, leading to an elevated resting metabolic rate. In simpler terms, you continue to burn more calories even when you’re at rest. This is partly due to the muscle tissue’s higher basal metabolism compared to fat tissue. As you build and maintain lean muscle through physical activity, your body becomes more efficient at calorie utilization.

Moreover, physical activity promotes increased insulin sensitivity, enabling better glucose control and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it can enhance mitochondrial function, which is vital for efficient energy production within cells.

Physical activity is a potent tool for optimizing metabolism, offering both immediate calorie-burning benefits and long-term improvements in resting basal metabolism and overall metabolic health.

Metabolism And Physical Activity: Unpacking The Connection

The connection between metabolism and physical activity is fundamental to understanding how our bodies manage energy. Metabolism encompasses all the chemical processes that occur within the body to maintain life, including the conversion of food into energy. Physical activity plays a pivotal role in this equation.

When you engage in physical activities like jogging, weightlifting, or even just walking, your muscles demand more energy. To meet this increased demand, your metabolism ramps up, burning calories derived from carbohydrates and fats. This elevated metabolism doesn’t stop when your workout ends; it can linger for hours, contributing to post-movement calorie burn.

Consistent physical activity not only burns calories but also helps build lean muscle mass. Muscle tissue is metabolically active and requires more energy to maintain than fat. Thus, as you develop more muscle through movement, your resting metabolic rate increases, resulting in more efficient calorie utilization even at rest.

Assessing The Impact Of Exercise On Metabolic Rate

Assessing the impact of exercise on basal metabolism is crucial for understanding how physical activity affects our energy expenditure and overall health. Basal metabolism, often referred to as metabolism, is the rate at which our bodies convert food and stored energy into usable energy for various bodily functions. Exercise has a profound influence on this process.

During movement, especially activities that raise heart rate and engage large muscle groups, metabolic rate increases significantly. The body requires more energy to fuel the muscles at work. This demand triggers the burning of calories derived from carbohydrates and fats, resulting in an immediate boost in metabolic rate.

Furthermore, regular exercise has a long-term effect on metabolism. Building lean muscle mass through activities like strength training elevates the resting basal metabolism, meaning you burn more calories even when at rest. This muscle-driven metabolic boost contributes to sustainable weight management and better overall metabolic health.

Assessing the impact of physical activity on basal metabolism involves measuring factors such as oxygen consumption, heart rate, and calorie expenditure. These assessments provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of various physical activity routines and their influence on metabolic processes. Ultimately, incorporating regular physical activity into one’s lifestyle is a powerful strategy for optimizing metabolic rate and promoting overall well-being.

How Metabolic Rate Changes With Exercise

Metabolic rate undergoes dynamic changes with movement, reflecting the body’s response to increased energy demands. When physical activity begins, basal metabolism surges to supply muscles with the energy needed for movement. This acute rise in metabolism, often referred to as the “afterburn” effect, continues even after movement ends as the body works to restore equilibrium.

Additionally, regular movement can lead to lasting adaptations in basal metabolism. Engaging in activities that build muscle mass, such as resistance training, can elevate resting metabolic rate. Muscle tissue consumes more energy at rest compared to fat, so a higher proportion of lean muscle results in increased calorie burning.

The type, intensity, and duration of exercise influence these changes. Aerobic exercises like running or swimming stimulate immediate metabolism, while strength training promotes long-term effects. Understanding how basal metabolism fluctuates with physical activity is crucial for designing effective fitness routines tailored to individual goals, whether it’s weight management or improving overall health.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise can significantly increase metabolic rate by requiring more energy to support physical activity. The body burns calories to fuel physical activity, and this increased calorie expenditure can persist even after the physical activity session ends.

High-intensity activities like interval training and resistance training tend to have a greater impact on metabolic rate than low-intensity workouts. Building muscle through resistance training can lead to a higher resting metabolic rate.

While metabolic rate does decrease after exercise, it doesn’t always return to the exact baseline immediately. The afterburn effect, known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), means the body continues to burn calories as it recovers.

Yes, regular exercise can lead to lasting adaptations in metabolic rate. Strength training, in particular, can increase muscle mass, which elevates resting metabolic rate over time.

Individuals with higher fitness levels often have more efficient metabolisms. Regular exercise can enhance metabolic efficiency, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight and overall metabolic health.

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How Do I Assess And Select Talent For A Rugby Team As A Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/how-do-i-assess-and-select-talent-for-a-rugby-team-as-a-coach/ Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34855 The post How Do I Assess And Select Talent For A Rugby Team As A Coach? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Selecting the right talent for a rugby team is a pivotal task that can significantly impact a team’s performance and success on the field. As a coach, the responsibility of identifying and nurturing promising players for your rugby team falls squarely on your shoulders. It’s a task that requires a keen eye, a deep understanding of the game, and a strategic approach.

In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the intricate process of talent assessment and selection in the world of rugby coaching. We will delve into the methodologies, techniques, and considerations that coaches employ to identify individuals who possess the potential to become exceptional rugby players.

From assessing physical attributes to evaluating technical skills and gauging a player’s mental fortitude, we will dissect the multifaceted approach coaches take in their quest to build a winning rugby team. Whether you’re a seasoned rugby coach looking to refine your selection process or someone aspiring to step into the world of coaching, this article will provide valuable insights into the art of talent assessment and selection in a rugby team. So, let’s embark on this enlightening journey and unlock the secrets to building a formidable rugby team.

Mastering Rugby Talent Assessment: A Coach’s Guide

Mastering the art of rugby talent assessment for a rugby team is an indispensable skill for any coach striving to create a formidable set of players. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of players’ physical attributes, technical skills, and mental acumen. Coaches must keenly observe agility, speed, strength, and endurance while also scrutinizing fundamental rugby skills like passing, tackling, and decision-making. Moreover, understanding a player’s character, resilience, and coachability is crucial. The coach’s guide to talent assessment encompasses structured drills, game simulations, and thorough assessments to identify potential stars. It’s a blend of science and intuition, a journey of recognizing the sparks of greatness in aspiring rugby players and nurturing them into the next generation of rugby legends.

Player Selection In Rugby: Key Considerations For Coaches

Player selection in a rugby team is a complex and pivotal task, requiring coaches to make strategic decisions that can significantly impact a team’s performance. Coaches must carefully weigh several key considerations when assembling their roster.

First and foremost, coaches assess players’ physical attributes, such as speed, strength, endurance, and agility. These qualities are essential for success on the rugby field, and coaches look for individuals for their rugby team who possess the right balance of these traits.

Technical skills play a crucial role as well. Coaches evaluate players’ proficiency in tackling, passing, kicking, and ball-handling, seeking those with well-rounded abilities and a deep understanding of the game.

Mental attributes are equally important. A player’s rugby intelligence, decision-making under pressure, and mental resilience are often differentiating factors in player selection.

Furthermore, coaches consider a player’s positional suitability, teamwork, and adaptability to different game strategies. Team dynamics and player compatibility are also significant factors in the selection process.

A player’s attitude, work ethic, and coachability are vital. Coaches look for individuals for their rugby team who are committed to continuous improvement and can contribute positively to the team culture.

Unveiling The Rugby Scouting Process: Insights For Coaches

The rugby scouting process is an integral part of building a competitive team, and coaches play a pivotal role in uncovering hidden gems and nurturing raw talent. This process involves systematic observation and assessment of players across various levels, from grassroots to elite competitions. Coaches keenly evaluate players’ performances, focusing on their skills, decision-making, and adaptability to game situations. Scouting for a rugby team extends beyond the field, encompassing interviews and character assessments to gauge a player’s attitude and coachability. It’s a meticulous journey of discovery, aiming to identify individuals who not only excel on the rugby pitch but also align with the team’s values and objectives. By unveiling the rugby scouting process, coaches gain valuable insights into the methods and strategies that underpin successful talent identification and recruitment in the world of rugby.

The Coach’s Crucial Role In Talent Selection For Rugby

The coach’s role in talent selection for rugby is undeniably crucial, as it directly influences a team’s competitiveness and potential for success. Coaches are the architects of their rugby team, responsible for assembling a group of players with the right combination of skills, attributes, and potential.

First and foremost, coaches act as talent scouts, tirelessly searching for individuals who exhibit the physical prowess, technical finesse, and mental fortitude required for the sport. They observe players in action, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and gauge their adaptability to different game situations.

Furthermore, coaches provide mentorship and guidance, nurturing the development of promising players. They identify areas for improvement and implement tailored training regimens to maximize each player’s potential.

The coach’s role – in terms of recruiting for a rugby team – extends beyond just evaluating and training players; they are instrumental in creating a cohesive team culture that fosters collaboration and unity among diverse individuals. Coaches instil discipline, work ethic, and a winning mentality in their players, shaping not only their performance on the field but also their character off it.

Rugby Talent Identification: Strategies And Best Practices For Coaches

Rugby talent identification, for a rugby team, is a dynamic process that demands astute strategies and best practices from coaches. It involves a multifaceted approach to unearth and nurture promising players who can excel on the rugby field. Coaches rely on structured assessments, game analysis, and performance metrics to identify potential talent. They closely monitor players’ technical skills, physical attributes, and mental resilience. Moreover, coaches engage in networking and collaboration with local clubs and schools to cast a wide net for talent discovery. An essential aspect of this process is maintaining an open mind and being receptive to unconventional prospects who may possess untapped potential. By implementing these strategies and best practices, coaches contribute to the growth and success of their teams, ultimately shaping the future of rugby.

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Do you want to become a Rugby Coach? If you do, then you need to do our Rugby Coaching Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Coaches evaluate attributes such as speed, strength, agility, technical skills, rugby intelligence, and mental resilience when assessing rugby talent.

Coaches consider the specific needs of the team, positional requirements, and the balance of skills and attributes to create a well-rounded squad.

Player attitude, work ethic, and coachability are vital factors as they contribute to a positive team culture and players’ potential for improvement.

Yes, coaches often use drills and exercises that focus on speed, agility, tackling, passing, and decision-making to assess a player’s rugby abilities.

Aspiring players can stand out by showcasing their dedication, willingness to learn, adaptability, and by consistently performing at their best during assessments and games.

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What Are The Best Practices For Sports Conditioning In Water-Based Sports? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-practices-for-sports-conditioning-in-water-based-sports/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 08:37:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34854 The post What Are The Best Practices For Sports Conditioning In Water-Based Sports? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports, athletes are constantly pushing the boundaries of human performance, seeking new challenges, and striving for excellence. Among the diverse array of sporting disciplines, water-based sports occupy a unique and demanding space. From competitive swimming to water polo, synchronized swimming to open water races, athletes in aquatic domains face distinctive physical and physiological challenges.

This article delves deep into the realm of sports conditioning in water-based sports, unveiling the best practices that propel athletes to success in the water. We explore the science of aquatic training, the nuances of swimming fitness, and the dynamic world of hydrodynamic workouts. Whether you’re a coach, an aspiring athlete, or simply curious about the secrets behind aquatic excellence, our guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate the waters of sports conditioning effectively.

Join us as we dive into the intricacies of water-based sports and discover the best practices that transform athletes into champions in this captivating and demanding arena.

Water-Based Sports: A Unique Realm Of Athletic Excellence

Water-based sports represent a distinctive realm of athletic excellence, where the laws of physics merge with the fluidity of human movement. In these aquatic domains, athletes navigate a dynamic medium, challenging both their physical prowess and mental resilience. Whether it’s the precision of synchronized swimming routines, the sheer endurance of long-distance swims, or the strategic prowess of water polo, each discipline demands a unique set of skills. Water’s buoyancy and resistance present both challenges and opportunities, requiring athletes to harness its properties for maximum performance.

Success in water-based sports hinges on meticulous sports conditioning, hydrodynamic efficiency, and mastering the art of swimming fitness. Athletes in this realm are a testament to the human spirit’s adaptability and resilience, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the ever-shifting world of water-based athleticism.

Sports Conditioning Strategies For Aquatic Training

Sports conditioning strategies for aquatic training are a pivotal component of success in water-based sports. Unlike land-based disciplines, athletes in aquatic realms face the unique challenges of water’s resistance and buoyancy. To excel, they must employ specialized conditioning techniques that enhance strength, endurance, and hydrodynamic efficiency.

Interval training, a cornerstone of aquatic conditioning, alternates bursts of high-intensity efforts with periods of active recovery, promoting cardiovascular fitness and power. Strength training, both in and out of the water, targets specific muscle groups crucial for aquatic performance, such as the core and shoulders.

Additionally, flexibility and mobility exercises aid in preventing injuries and improving range of motion, ensuring optimal performance in water. Mental conditioning is equally important, as athletes must maintain focus and composure amidst the dynamic aquatic environment.

Balancing land-based and aquatic workouts creates a well-rounded conditioning regimen. Sports conditioning strategies for aquatic training are not only about building physical prowess but also honing the adaptability and mental fortitude required to conquer the ever-shifting aquatic challenges.

Maximizing Swimming Fitness Through Effective Workouts

Maximizing swimming fitness hinges on crafting effective workouts tailored to the demands of this water-based sport. Swimming, renowned for its full-body engagement, requires a blend of endurance, power, and technique. Workouts often incorporate a mix of strokes, distances, and intensities to target different aspects of fitness.

Aerobic endurance is honed through sustained, rhythmic swimming, while sprint intervals build explosive power. Drills focus on stroke refinement, enhancing technique for efficiency. Dryland exercises, including strength training and flexibility routines, complement in-pool workouts.

Structured training plans, progression tracking, and periodization ensure steady improvement. Regular assessment of swimming fitness through timed swims and performance metrics is crucial. Ultimately, effective swimming workouts are the compass guiding athletes toward peak physical condition in this challenging aquatic discipline.

Hydrodynamic Workouts: Unleashing The Power Of Water

Hydrodynamic workouts are the secret weapon in the arsenal of aquatic athletes, offering a unique path to harnessing the power of water for physical conditioning. In water-based sports, understanding and mastering hydrodynamics is the key to enhanced performance. These workouts leverage the properties of water, such as its resistance and buoyancy, to provide both challenge and support to athletes.

Hydrodynamic exercises are designed to improve swimming technique, increase strength, and boost endurance while minimizing stress on the joints. Water’s natural resistance acts as a formidable force, engaging muscles throughout the body in every movement. Aquatic resistance also offers a gentle yet effective form of conditioning, making it suitable for athletes of all levels.

From water sprints and resistance band drills to dynamic movements against water currents, hydrodynamic workouts create an environment where athletes can push their limits, refine their strokes, and build the strength necessary to excel in water-based sports. These workouts not only unleash the power of water but also unlock the potential for peak performance, helping athletes glide toward success in the fluid realm of aquatic competition.

Key Tips For Achieving Peak Performance In Water-Based Sports

Achieving peak performance in water-based sports requires a multifaceted approach that blends athleticism, technique, and unwavering commitment. A fundamental aspect of excelling in these dynamic disciplines is mastering the unique properties of water. Athletes must learn to embrace and harness hydrodynamics, understanding how to minimize resistance and maximize propulsion with efficient strokes. This understanding becomes the cornerstone of their success as they navigate the fluid realm of aquatic competition.

Effective sports conditioning tailored specifically to the demands of their chosen discipline is another critical component. Athletes should craft workout regimens that incorporate a variety of elements, including intervals, strength training, and technique drills. Striking the right balance between in-pool and dryland exercises is vital for developing the strength, endurance, and technical finesse required for peak performance.

Nutrition and hydration play pivotal roles in an athlete’s journey to excellence. Staying well-fuelled and adequately hydrated is essential to maintaining energy levels and promoting efficient recovery after rigorous training sessions. Mental resilience is equally vital. Athletes must cultivate the mental fortitude to stay focused, composed under pressure, and adept at visualizing success.

Recovery should not be underestimated. It’s crucial to prioritize rest, engage in stretching routines, and employ relaxation techniques. Sufficient recovery time is essential for athletes to consistently perform at a high level.

Consistency in training is the key to progress. Athletes should adhere to a consistent training schedule, tracking their metrics and making data-driven adjustments to their plans when needed. Seeking feedback from coaches and peers is another crucial aspect of improvement. A willingness to learn, adapt, and grow is essential for maintaining high-level performance.

Setting clear, achievable goals is a cornerstone of success. Athletes should establish both short-term milestones and long-term aspirations to provide a sense of direction and purpose. Adaptability is also essential in the unpredictable aquatic environment, where conditions like currents, waves, and weather can change rapidly.

Cultivating a deep passion for the sport is a driving force behind peak performance. Passion fuels motivation, inspires resilience, and keeps athletes committed to their journey in water-based sports.

 

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

If you would like to know more about our courses, feel free to visit our website today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports conditioning in water-based sports is vital for enhancing performance, preventing injuries, and building the strength and endurance needed to excel in aquatic disciplines.

Athletes in water-based sports must contend with water resistance, buoyancy, and the need for specialized techniques, making their conditioning unique and demanding.

Dryland training, which includes strength and flexibility exercises performed outside the water, complements in-pool workouts and helps build core strength and overall fitness.

Proper nutrition is essential for fuelling workouts, promoting recovery, and sustaining energy levels during training sessions and competitions.

Effective sports conditioning programs should be designed with the sport’s demands in mind, incorporating a mix of aerobic conditioning, strength training, technique drills, and recovery practices, all tailored to the athlete’s needs and the unique challenges of water-based sports.

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How Do You Evaluate And Assess Player Progress In Soccer Coaching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/how-do-you-evaluate-and-assess-player-progress-in-soccer-coaching/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 05:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34849 The post How Do You Evaluate And Assess Player Progress In Soccer Coaching? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of soccer coaching, the pursuit of excellence extends far beyond the pitch. It involves a continuous journey of improvement, both for coaches and the players they mentor. Central to this journey is the art of evaluating and assessing player progress. Beyond the thrill of matchdays and the fervour of training sessions, the ability to gauge development accurately is the cornerstone of effective coaching.

This article embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the strategies, techniques, and tools that soccer coaches employ to evaluate and assess the advancement of their players. From assessing technical skills to tracking tactical acumen and measuring physical fitness, we delve into the multifaceted aspects of player development analysis. Whether you’re a seasoned coach seeking to refine your evaluation methods or a newcomer eager to understand the intricacies of progress assessment, our guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate this crucial facet of soccer coaching.

Join us on this journey as we uncover the secrets behind effective player progress evaluation, enabling coaches to tailor their guidance, nurture talent, and foster a culture of growth on the soccer field.

Player Progress Assessment Methods

Player progress assessment methods in soccer coaching are the compass guiding soccer coaches on their quest to nurture talent and drive improvement. These methods encompass a diverse array of tools and techniques, each offering unique insights into a player’s development journey. From performance statistics and match analysis to one-on-one assessments and skill drills, coaches meticulously dissect every aspect of a player’s game. The goal is to identify strengths, pinpoint weaknesses, and tailor training regimens accordingly. These assessments don’t merely gauge how far a player has come but also illuminate the path forward. Player progress assessment methods are the cornerstone of effective coaching, fuelling the pursuit of excellence on the soccer field.

Effective Soccer Coaching Evaluation Techniques

Effective soccer coaching evaluation techniques are the linchpin of player development and team success. These techniques involve a systematic approach to analysing players’ performance, both individually and collectively. Coaches employ a variety of tools, including video analysis, statistical data, and in-depth match observations to assess players’ skills, tactical understanding, and overall contributions to the team.

One vital technique in soccer coaching is the use of performance metrics, tracking key statistics like goals, assists, passing accuracy, and defensive actions. Video analysis allows coaches to scrutinize player movements, decision-making, and positioning, facilitating targeted feedback and improvement.

Regular communication with players, both on and off the field, fosters a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Individual player assessments provide personalized development plans, while team evaluations help refine strategies and formations.

Effective soccer coaching evaluation techniques not only measure progress but also inspire growth, enhancing players’ self-awareness and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. These methods empower coaches to refine their strategies, optimize training sessions, and ultimately elevate their team’s performance to new heights on the soccer pitch.

The Importance Of Performance Measurement In Soccer

Performance measurement in soccer is the compass guiding progress and success in the sport. It transcends mere statistics, providing invaluable insights into player development, team dynamics, and strategic efficacy. Coaches rely on metrics such as goals scored, assists, passing accuracy, and defensive actions to assess player contributions. These measurements help identify areas for improvement and tailor training regimens to enhance skills and tactics. Moreover, performance data aids in game analysis, allowing teams to refine strategies and adapt to opponents.

Beyond the pitch, performance measurement instils accountability and motivation in players, as they strive to excel individually and collectively. It serves as a foundation for setting and achieving goals, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. In soccer, where precision and strategy reign supreme, the importance of performance measurement cannot be overstated—it’s the cornerstone of progress and excellence.

Player Development Tracking For Coaching Success

Player development tracking is the compass that guides coaching success in soccer. It involves a systematic and holistic approach to monitoring and nurturing a player’s growth, encompassing various facets of their performance and well-being. Coaches meticulously observe technical skills, tactical acumen, physical fitness, and mental resilience over time. This tracking enables coaches to tailor training regimens, address weaknesses, and amplify strengths, thereby maximizing the player’s potential.

Player development tracking is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. It embraces personalized coaching plans that consider individual aspirations, strengths, and areas requiring improvement. Beyond the soccer skills, it encompasses character development, fostering qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Effective player development tracking extends beyond the training ground. It involves open communication with players, setting goals, and providing constructive feedback. The journey to coaching success is intertwined with the players’ journeys to excellence. As coaches navigate this path, player development tracking becomes an indispensable tool, ensuring that every player’s unique potential is realized, ultimately leading to collective triumph on the soccer field.

Strategies For Progress Monitoring In Soccer Coaching

Strategies for progress monitoring in soccer coaching are essential for nurturing player development and team advancement. Coaches employ a multifaceted approach that combines observation, data analysis, and effective communication. Regular match analysis offers insights into tactical execution, while performance metrics like passing accuracy and shot conversion rates measure individual contributions.

One-on-one assessments provide a platform for players to discuss their progress and set goals. Team evaluations scrutinize collective performance, identifying areas for improvement. Video analysis dissects player movements and decisions, enabling precise feedback. Clear communication fosters a culture of growth and adaptability.

Strategies for progress monitoring are dynamic, adapting to each player’s journey. They empower coaches to refine their approach, enhance training regimens, and orchestrate game-winning strategies. In the world of soccer coaching, effective progress monitoring is the compass guiding players and teams toward excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Coaches utilize various performance indicators, including goals scored, assists, passing accuracy, defensive actions, and positional awareness, to gauge player progress comprehensively.

Player assessments should be conducted regularly, ideally after matches and training sessions, to provide timely feedback and track development over time.

Player feedback is crucial for understanding individual perspectives and aspirations, helping coaches tailor development plans to the player’s needs and goals.

Video analysis allows coaches to review player movements, decision-making, and performance in detail, facilitating precise evaluation and targeted improvement.

Assessing both individual and team progress provides a holistic view of development, enabling coaches to refine strategies, enhance teamwork, and optimize overall performance on the soccer field.

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What Equipment Is Commonly Used In Bootcamp Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-equipment-is-commonly-used-in-bootcamp-workouts/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34848 The post What Equipment Is Commonly Used In Bootcamp Workouts? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Bootcamp workouts are renowned for their intensity, delivering a high-octane fitness experience that challenges both the body and mind. Central to the effectiveness of these bootcamp workouts is the arsenal of equipment employed to maximize results. Whether you’re a seasoned bootcamp enthusiast or just venturing into this exhilarating fitness journey, understanding the tools of the trade is crucial.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of bootcamp workouts, unveiling the common equipment that fuels these dynamic workouts. From battle ropes to kettlebells, resistance bands to agility cones, we’ll explore each piece of gear’s role in enhancing strength, agility, and overall fitness. Whether you’re a bootcamp instructor seeking to revitalize your routines or a newcomer eager to embark on this fitness adventure, this article is your gateway to discovering the essential equipment that powers bootcamp workouts to new heights of physical excellence.

Exploring Essential Bootcamp Equipment

Exploring essential bootcamp exercises equipment unveils the arsenal that elevates these intense workouts. Battle ropes, a staple, enhance upper body strength and cardio endurance. Kettlebells provide versatile weight training, targeting multiple muscle groups. Resistance bands offer a portable solution for strength and flexibility exercises. Agility cones sharpen agility and speed in bootcamp exercises. Medicine balls combine strength and coordination training. Dumbbells bolster muscular endurance and toning. TRX suspension trainers challenge balance and core stability. Plyo boxes build explosive power. The versatility of these tools empowers trainers and enthusiasts to craft diverse bootcamp routines, ensuring each session maximizes fitness gains. Understanding these essentials is key to delivering effective, well-rounded bootcamp workouts.

Common Bootcamp Gear: What You Need To Know

Common bootcamp gear forms the backbone of high-intensity workouts that push boundaries and deliver exceptional fitness results. Understanding these tools is essential for anyone looking to partake in these dynamic fitness sessions.

Battle ropes, known for their versatility, enhance upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance, while kettlebells provide multifaceted weight training, engaging various muscle groups for a comprehensive workout. Resistance bands offer a portable means of engaging in strength and flexibility exercises, making them perfect for bootcamp workouts on the go.

Agility cones, a fundamental tool, enhance agility and speed, honing athletic performance in terms of bootcamp workouts. Medicine balls combine strength and coordination training, while dumbbells contribute to muscular endurance and toning. TRX suspension trainers provide an innovative challenge in bootcamp workouts by emphasizing balance and core stability, while plyo boxes add an element of explosive power.

Knowledge of these common bootcamp gear items empowers trainers and participants alike to design well-rounded, effective workouts that cater to diverse fitness goals, ensuring each session is a stepping stone towards a healthier, stronger self.

Selecting The Right Exercise Equipment For Bootcamps

Selecting the right exercise equipment for bootcamp workouts is paramount to crafting engaging and effective fitness routines. The choice of gear should align with the specific goals and intensity levels of your bootcamp workout sessions. Consider versatile options like kettlebells and resistance bands, which cater to both strength training and agility work. Battle ropes are excellent for boosting cardiovascular endurance and upper body strength. Agility cones and plyo boxes aid in agility and explosive power development. Medicine balls and dumbbells offer diverse training options for muscle toning and coordination. TRX suspension trainers enhance core stability and balance. Tailoring your equipment selection to your bootcamp’s objectives ensures that each workout maximizes participant engagement and fitness gains.

Fitness Tools For Effective Bootcamp Workout

Bootcamp workouts have surged in popularity due to their high-energy, full-body approach to fitness. Central to their success are the diverse fitness tools that help participants push their limits, promoting strength, endurance, and teamwork. This comprehensive guide explores the array of fitness tools commonly employed in bootcamp sessions, offering insight into how they enhance the effectiveness of these challenging workouts.

  • Battle Ropes: Battle ropes provide an intense cardio and upper-body workout, making them ideal for boosting cardiovascular fitness and strength. Various wave and slam exercises engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
  • Kettlebells: Kettlebells are versatile free weights that combine strength and cardio training, emphasizing functional movements like swings and snatches.
  • Resistance Bands: Portable and versatile, resistance bands add resistance to bodyweight exercises, enhancing muscle engagement.
  • Agility Cones: Agility cones are essential for agility and speed drills, improving coordination and explosiveness.
  • Medicine Balls: Medicine balls offer full-body workouts, improve balance and coordination, and are great for partner exercises.
  • Dumbbells: Dumbbells are classic strength training tools, allowing targeted muscle isolation and a wide range of exercise options.
  • TRX Suspension Trainers: Suspension trainers leverage body weight for strength, flexibility, and stability training, emphasizing core engagement.
  • Plyo Boxes: Plyo boxes are platforms for explosive jump-based exercises, building power and lower-body conditioning.
  • Cones and Markers: Cones and markers create boundaries, designate stations, and ensure organized bootcamp sessions.

Each of these fitness tools plays a unique role in enhancing bootcamp workouts, helping participants achieve their fitness goals while enjoying the camaraderie and motivation of group training. Understanding how to use these tools effective

How To Choose The Best Bootcamp Workout Gear

Selecting the best bootcamp workout gear is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your fitness routines. Begin by assessing the specific goals and fitness levels of your participants. Consider the versatility of each piece of equipment and how it aligns with your workout objectives. Tailor the gear to accommodate different fitness levels within your group, ensuring it challenges participants without compromising safety. Pay attention to the portability and storage of equipment, especially for outdoor bootcamps. Prioritize proper form and technique when choosing gear to minimize the risk of injury. The right selection of bootcamp workout gear can elevate your fitness sessions, providing variety, challenge, and results that keep participants motivated and engaged.

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Keen on becoming a bootcamp instructor? If you are then check out our Bootcamp Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The core equipment includes battle ropes, kettlebells, resistance bands, agility cones, and medicine balls.

Battle ropes enhance cardiovascular endurance and upper body strength, making them a versatile tool for high-intensity workouts.

Kettlebells offer versatile full-body workouts, combining strength and cardiovascular training through dynamic movements like swings and snatches.

Resistance bands are portable, versatile tools that add resistance to bodyweight exercises, allowing for targeted muscle engagement and variety in workouts.

Agility cones are essential for improving agility, speed, coordination, and explosive power through various cone-based drills, enhancing overall athletic performance.

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How Do I Adapt Boxing Exercises For Different Skill Levels? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-adapt-boxing-exercises-for-different-skill-levels/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34840 The post How Do I Adapt Boxing Exercises For Different Skill Levels? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Boxing, often dubbed the “sweet science,” is a sport that demands a unique blend of skill, strength, and stamina. Whether you’re a seasoned pugilist or someone stepping into the ring for the first time, the key to successful boxing training lies in adaptability. One size does not fit all when it comes to honing your boxing skills and improving your fitness. The art of adapting boxing exercises to suit different skill levels is not only a testament to the sport’s versatility but also a strategic approach to ensure progression and avoid plateaus.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of boxing exercises and explore how you can tailor your training routines to accommodate varying skill levels, from absolute beginners to experienced fighters. Whether you’re a trainer seeking to accommodate diverse clients or an individual eager to optimize your boxing journey, understanding these adaptive techniques is your path to success in the ring.

Boxing Exercises: Tailoring Workouts For Varied Skill Levels

Boxing exercises are a dynamic means to boost both physical fitness and combat prowess. However, the key to effective training lies in adapting these workouts to cater to varying skill levels. Novice boxers may focus on fundamental boxing exercises techniques, footwork, and building core strength, while advanced practitioners seek to refine their techniques, speed, and power. Intermediate fighters benefit from a balanced mix of both. Tailoring boxing workouts ensures maximum benefit while reducing the risk of injury and burnout. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pugilist, understanding how to adjust your training regimen is crucial for honing skills, improving fitness, and enjoying the art of boxing to its fullest.

Adapting Boxing Workouts To Different Skill Levels

Adapting boxing exercises to cater to diverse skill levels is a fundamental aspect of effective training in this demanding combat sport. Boxing is not a one-size-fits-all discipline; instead, it thrives on personalization and progression. Novices typically begin with basic techniques like jabs, crosses, and defensive moves, emphasizing form and foundational skills. As individuals advance, their workouts evolve to include more complex combinations, advanced footwork, and defensive strategies.

Intermediate boxers find themselves at a critical juncture, where they build upon their basics and start sparring to apply their newfound knowledge in real situations. Tailored boxing exercises strike a balance between refining existing skills and introducing new challenges.

For seasoned fighters, workouts become high-intensity sessions designed to enhance speed, power, and fight-specific conditioning. These athletes focus on tactical sparring, advanced drills, and mental preparedness.

Instructors play a pivotal role in guiding this adaptation process, ensuring that each boxer progresses at a suitable pace, minimizing the risk of injury and burnout. Whether you’re a coach or a boxer on your journey to mastery, recognizing the importance of adjusting training routines is essential for long-term success and safety in the world of boxing.

Training Progression In Boxing: Advancing Through Skill Levels

In the realm of boxing, training progression is the compass that guides fighters through the intricate landscape of skill development. As pugilists embark on their journey, they traverse distinct skill levels, each demanding a tailored approach to training. Novices commence with the fundamentals, honing their stance, basic punches, and defensive manoeuvres. With dedication and practice, they ascend to the intermediate stage, delving into advanced combinations, ring awareness, and controlled sparring. Mastery, reserved for the most dedicated, involves intricate techniques, elusive footwork, and strategic prowess. Throughout this progression, trainers play a pivotal role in sculpting fighters, ensuring they navigate this intricate path safely and effectively. Training progression in boxing is not just a climb through the ranks; it’s a testament to dedication, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence in the sweet science.

Enhancing Fitness Levels With Adapted Boxing Exercises

Enhancing fitness levels through adapted boxing exercises offers a dynamic and exhilarating path to improved physical well-being. Boxing is not solely reserved for the ring; it serves as a potent fitness regimen accessible to individuals of all skill levels. By tailoring boxing workouts to individual fitness levels, participants can experience a multitude of benefits.

For beginners, boxing serves as a full-body workout that boosts cardiovascular health, enhances agility, and strengthens muscles. These foundational exercises focus on form and build stamina, making them ideal for those new to the sport.

Intermediate enthusiasts can explore more complex combinations and footwork, increasing their aerobic capacity and challenging their coordination. It’s a transition that adds a layer of intensity while refining boxing skills.

Advanced fitness enthusiasts embrace the high-intensity workouts of seasoned fighters. These routines emphasize power, speed, and agility, pushing the limits of endurance.

Adapted boxing exercises not only promote physical fitness but also mental fortitude, as participants learn focus, discipline, and self-control. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned athlete, boxing exercises provide an exhilarating route to a healthier, fitter you.

Optimizing Skill Development: A Guide To Boxing Training Progression

Optimizing skill development is the cornerstone of a successful boxing journey, and navigating the stages of training progression is the compass to that destination. Novice boxers embark on their path by mastering the fundamentals – footwork, jabs, and defensive tactics. As they advance, intermediate training introduces intricate combinations, sparring, and ring strategy. At the pinnacle, advanced fighters sculpt their expertise with lightning-fast punches, evasive manoeuvres, and mental acumen.

Boxing training progression is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. It requires personalization, as each boxer evolves at their own pace. Coaches play a pivotal role, ensuring that fighters are challenged yet not overwhelmed, fostering steady improvement and minimizing the risk of injury.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Beginners should start with basic punches, footwork, and defensive drills to build a solid foundation. As they progress, they can gradually incorporate more complex techniques.

Intermediate boxers should focus on refining their existing skills, incorporating advanced combinations, and gradually increasing the intensity of their training.

Advanced boxers can explore specialized drills, spar with more experienced opponents, and fine-tune their techniques to reach peak performance.

Yes, agility ladder drills, cone drills, and shadowboxing with a focus on footwork can be adapted to enhance agility for boxers of all skill levels.

Coaches play a crucial role in assessing a boxer’s abilities and tailoring workouts to match their skill level, ensuring safe progression and skill development.

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Can Kettlebell Training Help With Rehabilitation After Joint Surgeries Or Injuries? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-kettlebell-training-help-with-rehabilitation-after-joint-surgeries-or-injuries/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34839 The post Can Kettlebell Training Help With Rehabilitation After Joint Surgeries Or Injuries? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Recovery after joint surgeries or injuries can be a challenging journey, often requiring a combination of patience, determination, and effective rehabilitation strategies. In this pursuit of healing and regaining mobility, an unexpected ally has emerged in the fitness world: kettlebell training. Beyond its reputation for strength and conditioning, kettlebell exercises are increasingly recognized for their potential to aid in the rehabilitation process.

This article explores the intriguing connection between kettlebell training and joint surgery or injury recovery. Can swinging a weighted ball with a handle truly contribute to healing and renewed functionality? Join us on a journey that delves into the science, benefits, and practical applications of kettlebell exercises in rehabilitation. Whether you’re recovering from a joint surgery or rebounding from an injury, the insights here may offer a unique perspective on how kettlebell training can become a valuable tool on your path to renewed strength and well-being.

Kettlebell Rehabilitation: A Path To Joint Surgery Recovery

Kettlebell rehabilitation offers a promising path to joint surgery recovery. These versatile weights, with their unique design and dynamic movements, can play a pivotal role in regaining strength, mobility, and overall joint health. Kettlebell exercises engage the entire body while targeting specific muscle groups and joints, making them suitable for tailored rehabilitation programs. They aid in improving joint stability, range of motion, and muscle strength, which are often compromised after surgery. Whether you’re recovering from a knee, hip, or shoulder procedure, incorporating kettlebell workouts under professional guidance can expedite your journey to joint surgery recovery, helping you regain functionality and a higher quality of life.

Injury Rehabilitation And Post-Surgery Fitness With Kettlebell Exercises

Injury rehabilitation and post-surgery fitness are challenging but vital aspects of one’s recovery journey. Kettlebell exercises have emerged as a versatile and effective tool in this realm, offering a path to not only regain lost strength but also rebuild resilience and mobility.

Kettlebell exercises are adaptable to various injury types and post-surgery scenarios. They provide a holistic approach by engaging multiple muscle groups while enhancing joint stability and flexibility. This is particularly beneficial in the rehabilitation process, where the restoration of strength and mobility is a primary goal.

The controlled and progressive nature of kettlebell workouts allows individuals to tailor their routines to suit their specific needs and physical limitations. Whether you’re recovering from orthopaedic surgery, managing chronic injuries, or rehabilitating sprains and strains, kettlebell exercises can be customized to address your unique challenges.

Moreover, the functional movements of kettlebell exercises mimic real-life activities, helping individuals regain not only their physical abilities but also their overall confidence. By embracing kettlebell workouts as a part of their rehabilitation and post-surgery fitness regimen, individuals can embark on a journey towards renewed strength, improved mobility, and a higher quality of life.

Effective Kettlebell Exercises For Joint Surgery Recovery

Effective kettlebell exercises can be instrumental in joint surgery recovery. These exercises facilitate a holistic approach to rehabilitation by enhancing strength, stability, and range of motion. For individuals recuperating from joint surgeries, such as knee replacements or shoulder procedures, tailored kettlebell workouts can expedite the healing process.

Low-impact kettlebell exercises are gentle on the joints while targeting specific muscle groups surrounding the surgical area. Movements like kettlebell swings, goblet squats, and Turkish get-ups can aid in rebuilding muscle strength and joint stability.

The controlled nature of kettlebell workouts allows gradual progression, accommodating various fitness levels and recovery stages. Under the guidance of a qualified fitness professional or physical therapist, individuals can safely incorporate kettlebell exercises into their post-surgery rehabilitation plan, helping them regain functionality and mobility with confidence.

Maximizing Post-Surgery Fitness Through Kettlebell Rehabilitation

Maximizing post-surgery fitness through kettlebell rehabilitation is a transformative journey towards renewed strength, mobility, and overall well-being. After surgery, whether it’s for joint replacement or repair, the body often needs targeted exercises to recover effectively. Kettlebell rehabilitation emerges as a valuable tool in this process.

Kettlebell exercises engage the entire body while focusing on specific muscle groups and joints. They foster joint stability, increase flexibility, and promote balanced muscle development, essential elements in the rehabilitation journey. Kettlebell swings, lunges, and presses can be tailored to suit individual needs and limitations, allowing for a gradual and safe progression in post-surgery fitness.

The versatility of kettlebell workouts extends beyond physical healing; it nurtures mental resilience by providing achievable milestones and a sense of accomplishment. Under the guidance of a qualified fitness professional or physical therapist, individuals can harness the power of kettlebell rehabilitation to expedite their post-surgery recovery and regain not just physical strength but also the confidence to embrace an active and fulfilling life once more.

Tailored Kettlebell Exercises For Injury Rehabilitation And Recovery

Tailored kettlebell exercises are a valuable resource in injury rehabilitation and recovery. Whether you’re dealing with sprains, strains, or more severe injuries, kettlebell workouts can be adapted to address your specific needs. These exercises focus on strengthening weakened muscles, improving joint stability, and promoting functional movement patterns, crucial aspects of the recovery process.

Kettlebell movements like halos, clamshells, and windmills can be modified to accommodate various injury types and limitations. Their controlled nature allows for gradual progression, ensuring safety during rehabilitation. Additionally, the dynamic nature of kettlebell exercises promotes full-body engagement, making them an efficient choice for overall recovery.

Under the guidance of a knowledgeable fitness professional or physical therapist, individuals can customize their kettlebell routines to support injury rehabilitation and regain physical functionality, confidence, and an enhanced quality of life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, kettlebell training can be a valuable component of post-surgery rehabilitation, provided it is done under the guidance of a qualified fitness professional or physical therapist.

Kettlebell exercises can help by targeting specific muscle groups, enhancing joint stability, and promoting overall strength and mobility, which are essential for recovery.

Yes, kettlebell exercises can be tailored to accommodate different types of joint injuries, offering a versatile approach to rehabilitation.

Effective kettlebell exercises may include swings, squats, and Turkish get-ups, which can be adapted to meet the specific needs and limitations of individuals in recovery.

Yes, it is highly recommended to seek guidance from a qualified professional who can design a customized kettlebell rehabilitation program tailored to your specific condition, ensuring safe and effective recovery.

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Can Indoor Cycling Improve Flexibility And Range Of Motion? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-indoor-cycling-improve-flexibility-and-range-of-motion/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34790 The post Can Indoor Cycling Improve Flexibility And Range Of Motion? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of fitness and exercise, indoor cycling has gained immense popularity for its cardiovascular benefits and calorie-burning prowess. However, beyond its well-known advantages, a question arises: Can spinning also enhance flexibility and expand one’s range of motion? This article delves into the intriguing intersection of spinning and flexibility, exploring whether this high-intensity workout can contribute to increased suppleness and improved mobility.

While spinning is renowned for its ability to torch calories and build leg strength, its impact on flexibility has been a subject of curiosity among fitness enthusiasts. Join us on this journey as we uncover the science behind indoor cycling’s potential benefits for flexibility and delve into practical tips to maximize its impact. Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist or someone considering incorporating spinning into your fitness routine, the insights here will shed light on how this dynamic workout can influence not just your endurance but also your body’s flexibility and range of motion.

Unlocking Spinning Benefits For Flexibility Improvement

Unlocking the benefits of indoor cycling for flexibility improvement is a multifaceted journey. While cycling primarily engages the lower body muscles, consistent practice can positively impact overall flexibility. The pedalling motion encourages the lengthening and contraction of leg muscles, promoting improved leg flexibility. Additionally, maintaining proper posture and form during indoor cycling sessions can engage the core and upper body, enhancing upper body flexibility.

To optimize flexibility gains, it’s essential to complement spinning with stretching routines that target various muscle groups. Incorporating dynamic stretches pre-ride and static stretches post-ride can effectively increase flexibility. By harnessing the power of spinning and combining it with a strategic stretching regimen, individuals can achieve a balanced, supple physique that supports enhanced range of motion in daily activities.

Range Of Motion Enhancement Through Indoor Cycling

Range of motion enhancement through indoor cycling is a valuable facet of this dynamic exercise regimen. While cycling predominantly engages the leg muscles, its repetitive and controlled motion serves as an excellent way to improve joint mobility and overall flexibility. The continuous pedalling action encourages the knees, hips, and ankles to move through a full range of motion, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals looking to increase their flexibility.

Furthermore, the low-impact nature of spinning is gentle on the joints, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including those with joint issues or prior injuries. As cyclists gradually increase the intensity and duration of their rides, they often find that their joints become more limber and adaptable.

To maximize range of motion enhancement, it’s advisable to incorporate specific stretching exercises before and after spinning sessions. These stretches can target the muscles and joints used during cycling, facilitating greater flexibility gains. In essence, spinning not only provides a cardiovascular workout but also supports the body in moving more freely and comfortably in daily life, promoting overall well-being.

Cycling For Flexibility: How Spinning Can Help

Cycling for flexibility is a compelling avenue, and indoor cycling can play a crucial role in achieving enhanced suppleness. The continuous pedalling action, involving a full leg extension, promotes joint mobility and muscle flexibility. This low-impact exercise is gentle on the joints, making it accessible for individuals of varying fitness levels and ages. Furthermore, the engagement of core muscles during indoor cycling contributes to overall body flexibility.

To capitalize on these benefits, incorporating stretching routines into your spinning regimen is key. Pre-ride dynamic stretches prepare muscles for the workout, while post-ride static stretches facilitate muscle recovery and increased flexibility. Embracing spinning as a means to enhance flexibility not only contributes to a well-rounded fitness routine but also fosters improved joint health and greater freedom of movement in everyday life.

Exploring The Connection Between Indoor Cycling And Exercise Mobility

Exploring the connection between indoor cycling and exercise mobility uncovers a symbiotic relationship that extends beyond cardiovascular fitness. Indoor cycling, with its repetitive pedalling motion, directly contributes to enhanced exercise mobility. As cyclists engage their leg muscles in a controlled and rhythmic fashion, they experience increased joint mobility in the knees, hips, and ankles. The cyclical leg movement encourages a full range of motion, which can be especially advantageous for individuals looking to improve their exercise flexibility.

Moreover, spinning’s low-impact nature makes it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including those with joint issues or previous injuries. This inclusivity allows people to engage in a joint-friendly workout that gradually increases their exercise mobility.

To optimize exercise mobility gains, it’s advisable to complement spinning with targeted stretching routines. These stretches can be performed both before and after cycling sessions, focusing on the muscles and joints involved during the workout. By recognizing the interplay between spinning and exercise mobility, individuals can harness the benefits of increased flexibility and joint health for a more balanced and active lifestyle.

Maximizing Indoor Cycling Benefits For Range Of Motion Enhancement

Maximizing indoor cycling benefits for range of motion enhancement requires a deliberate and well-rounded approach. Indoor cycling, with its consistent leg movements and controlled rotations, aids in the improvement of joint mobility and flexibility. Cyclists experience heightened range of motion in key areas like the knees, hips, and ankles, thanks to the continuous pedalling action. Additionally, spinning’s low-impact nature makes it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including those with joint concerns.

To maximize range of motion gains, it’s essential to complement spinning with stretching routines. Incorporating dynamic stretches before a cycling session and static stretches afterward can effectively increase flexibility. By embracing a holistic approach that combines spinning with targeted stretches, individuals can optimize their range of motion, fostering a more agile and adaptable body for various physical activities and daily life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, spinning can contribute to improved flexibility, especially in the leg muscles and joints, due to the continuous pedalling motion.

Spinning is accessible to a wide range of individuals and can be beneficial for those seeking to increase their joint mobility and range of motion.

Complement your spinning routine with stretching exercises targeting the muscles and joints involved in cycling. Incorporating both dynamic and static stretches before and after your session can be effective.

The full leg extension and rhythmic pedalling in spinning naturally engage and promote flexibility in the knees, hips, and ankles.

Yes, spinning’s low-impact nature makes it a joint-friendly exercise, allowing those with joint concerns or injuries to participate and potentially improve their range of motion over time

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What Should I Eat Before An Aerobics Class? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-should-i-eat-before-an-aerobics-class/ Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34789 The post What Should I Eat Before An Aerobics Class? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle, aerobic exercise classes have gained immense popularity. These high-energy sessions, whether it’s a heart-pounding dance class or a rhythmic cycling session, offer an excellent way to enhance cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, and boost overall well-being. However, to make the most of your aerobics class, it’s essential to consider what fuels your body before you hit the gym or studio. What you eat in the hours leading up to your workout can significantly impact your performance and energy levels.

In this article, we’ll explore the art of pre-aerobics class nutrition. We’ll delve into the foods that can provide you with the energy, stamina, and focus you need to excel in your aerobics class. Whether you’re an early bird hitting a morning class or squeezing in a session after work, these dietary tips will help you maximize the benefits of your aerobics class and keep you feeling energized from start to finish. Let’s dive in and discover how to fuel your body for aerobics success!

Choosing The Right Pre-Workout Nutrition

Selecting the proper pre-workout nutrition is pivotal to optimize your aerobics class performance. Carbohydrates, often deemed the body’s primary energy source, should constitute a significant portion of your pre-aerobics class meal. Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These provide a steady release of energy. Proteins, on the other hand, aid in muscle repair and growth. Lean sources like chicken, fish, or plant-based options such as tofu are excellent choices. Consider including a moderate amount of healthy fats like those found in avocados or nuts for sustained energy.

Moreover, hydration is critical. Drink water to prevent dehydration but avoid excessive amounts immediately before aerobics class to prevent discomfort. Lastly, keep portion sizes moderate to prevent digestive issues during your aerobics session. Remember, the ideal pre-aerobics meal is a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, tailored to your body’s unique needs and your aerobics class’s intensity.

Fuelling Up For Your Aerobics Class

To maximize your energy levels and performance in your upcoming aerobics class, it’s crucial to make smart fuelling choices. Begin by hydrating adequately, drinking water throughout the day to stay well-hydrated. Opt for a balanced pre-aerobics class meal or snack about 1-2 hours prior to exercising. Focus on complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for sustained energy. Incorporate lean proteins, such as chicken, tofu, or yogurt, to support muscle function and recovery. Keep fats in moderation to prevent digestive discomfort during your workout.

Avoid heavy, high-fat, or overly spicy meals immediately before aerobics class to prevent stomach upset. For a quick snack option closer to class time, consider a banana or a granola bar for a quick energy boost. Remember to listen to your body; everyone’s digestive system is different, so find what works best for you. Lastly, post-class, rehydrate and refuel with a balanced meal or snack to aid in recovery and muscle repair. Fuelling up properly will help you make the most out of your aerobics class and leave you feeling energized and ready to conquer your fitness goals.

Top Energy-Boosting Snacks Before Aerobics

Bananas are a quick and convenient option, loaded with natural sugars and potassium, they provide rapid energy and help stave off muscle cramps. Another protein-rich choice is Greek Yogurt, low in sugar and high in protein, supporting muscle recovery while sustaining your energy levels. If you prefer something heartier, consider Whole Grain Toast with Peanut Butter; the complex carbohydrates in the toast combined with the protein-rich peanut butter make for an ideal pre-aerobics class snack.

For a warm and satisfying choice, opt for a bowl of Oatmeal topped with berries and a sprinkle of nuts. It’s rich in fibre, vitamins, and provides long-lasting energy. Trail Mix, comprising nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, strikes a balance between nutrients and fuels your aerobics class effectively.

Cottage Cheese with Pineapple combines easy-to-digest protein with the natural sweetness of pineapple, making it perfect for a pre-exercise snack. For a veggie-packed option, try Hummus and Veggies. The fibre in vegetables, paired with the protein in hummus, ensures a steady source of energy.

For a combination of healthy fats and carbohydrates, go for Rice Cakes with Avocado, creating a satisfying pre-aerobics class snack. A nutrient-rich Smoothie, blending spinach, banana, and protein powder, offers a convenient, on-the-go option. Lastly, when selecting an Energy Bar, prioritize options with balanced nutrients, low sugar content, and simple ingredients for a quick and effective energy boost.

Smart Aerobics Class Meal Planning For Enhanced Performance

Smart aerobics meal planning is essential for enhancing your performance and reaping the maximum benefits from your workout sessions. Prioritize a balanced approach that fuels your body effectively. Start by hydrating well throughout the day to ensure optimal performance and prevent dehydration during exercise.

Your pre-aerobics meal should consist of complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for sustained energy release. Include lean proteins such as chicken, tofu, or beans to support muscle function and recovery. Limit fats to avoid digestive discomfort. About 1-2 hours before your workout, opt for a well-rounded meal or snack.

After aerobics, focus on replenishing lost nutrients with a post-workout meal rich in proteins and carbohydrates to aid in muscle repair and recovery. Tailor your meal planning to your individual needs, listening to your body’s cues, and you’ll be on your way to enhanced aerobics performance.

The Benefits Of Nutrient-Rich Pre-Exercise Foods

Nutrient-rich pre-exercise foods offer a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking to optimize their physical performance. These foods serve as the body’s fuel, providing essential nutrients that enhance endurance, strength, and overall exercise efficiency.

First and foremost, these foods supply a readily available source of energy. Complex carbohydrates, found in foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, break down into glucose, the body’s primary energy source. This sustained energy release ensures endurance during aerobic activities, preventing premature fatigue.

Protein-rich pre-exercise foods aid in muscle repair and growth. They contain amino acids that support the body’s ability to recover and adapt to the demands of exercise. Lean proteins from sources like chicken, fish, and plant-based options like tofu or legumes can help maintain and build muscle mass.

Additionally, nutrient-rich foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation induced by exercise. These compounds enhance overall health and reduce the risk of injury.

Finally, proper pre-exercise nutrition supports digestion and minimizes gastrointestinal discomfort during workouts. By selecting nutrient-dense foods tailored to your specific needs, you can unlock your full athletic potential and enjoy a more productive and comfortable exercise experience.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Aim to eat a balanced meal or snack 1-2 hours before your aerobics class to allow for digestion and energy release.

Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. They provide sustained energy for your workout.

Yes, including lean protein sources like chicken, tofu, or yogurt can support muscle function and recovery during your aerobics class.

While fats should be limited to prevent digestive discomfort, incorporating healthy fats in moderation, such as those from avocados or nuts, can provide a well-rounded pre-aerobics meal.

It’s best to avoid heavy, high-fat, or overly spicy meals immediately before your class to prevent digestive issues. Stick to easily digestible, nutrient-rich options for optimal performance.

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Are There Any Specific Barre Pilates Exercises For Enhancing Wrist Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/are-there-any-specific-barre-pilates-exercises-for-enhancing-wrist-strength/ Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34765 The post Are There Any Specific Barre Pilates Exercises For Enhancing Wrist Strength? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of fitness, Barre Pilates has gained widespread recognition for its holistic approach to strengthening and toning the body. While it primarily focuses on sculpting long, lean muscles and enhancing core stability, Pilates offers benefits that extend beyond the expected. One such area of interest is the often-overlooked wrist strength.

The wrists play a pivotal role in many Barre Pilates exercises, providing essential support and stability during various movements. But have you ever wondered if there are specific Barre Pilates exercises designed to enhance wrist strength? In this article, we delve into this intriguing aspect of Pilates and explore whether tailored exercises can help you achieve greater strength and stability. Whether you’re a seasoned Pilates enthusiast or a newcomer to this dynamic fitness practice, the insights shared here may just inspire you to pay closer attention to your wrists during your next class.

Barre Pilates Exercises To Improve Wrist Strength

Barre Pilates, renowned for its comprehensive body conditioning, offers valuable exercises for enhancing wrist strength. These exercises not only target your arms but also contribute to overall upper body stability. Planks, a staple in Barre Pilates routines, engage the wrists significantly, promoting endurance and strength. Push-ups variations, commonly integrated, further fortify the wrist area while sculpting the chest and arms. Additionally, the use of resistance bands in Barre Pilates classes provides resistance exercises that challenge wrist stability. Incorporating these exercises into your practice can lead to stronger wrists, enhancing your performance in class and daily activities, while minimizing the risk of wrist-related discomfort or injury.

Wrist Strength Benefits In Barre Pilates

Wrist strength is a crucial yet often underestimated aspect of Barre Pilates. As you gracefully move through the intricate sequences and isometric holds that characterize Barre Pilates, your wrists serve as the foundation for many exercises. Developing strength not only enhances your ability to execute these movements with precision but also provides several other significant benefits.

First and foremost, improved strength in Pilates leads to enhanced stability. It allows you to maintain proper alignment, reducing the risk of straining your wrists or experiencing discomfort during weight-bearing exercises. Strong wrists also promote better weight distribution throughout your upper body, optimizing muscle engagement and balance.

Furthermore, strength aids in injury prevention. It reduces the chances of overuse injuries or strains often associated with repetitive wrist movements. As your wrists become more resilient, you’ll experience increased confidence in your Pilates practice, enabling you to push your limits and achieve better results.

In essence, strength in Pilates extends beyond just your wrists; it positively impacts your overall performance, safety, and enjoyment of this dynamic fitness discipline.

Enhancing Wrist Strength Through Barre Pilates

Enhancing wrist strength through Pilates involves a series of intentional exercises that target the often-neglected wrists and forearms. As you engage in Pilates routines, movements like planks, push-ups, and resistance band work demand wrist stability and endurance. Consistent practice of these exercises not only fortifies the wrists but also bolsters overall upper body strength and coordination.

Barre Pilates places emphasis on controlled, deliberate movements, requiring a strong connection between the wrists, arms, and core. By progressively intensifying these exercises and focusing on proper alignment, individuals can develop robust strength. This newfound strength not only supports their performance within Pilates classes but also extends its benefits to daily activities, reducing the risk of wrist discomfort and injury.

Specific Exercises For Wrist Strengthening In Barre Pilates

In the realm of Pilates, specific exercises tailored for wrist strengthening play a pivotal role in optimizing both your performance and safety. One of the fundamental movements is the forearm plank, which challenges the wrists by bearing a portion of your body weight. By gradually increasing the duration of your plank holds, you can steadily enhance wrist endurance and stability.

Push-up variations, such as tricep push-ups and modified push-ups on the knees, target the wrists while sculpting the arms and chest. These exercises promote controlled wrist flexion and extension, gradually building strength and resilience.

The use of resistance bands in Pilates classes adds another dimension to wrist strengthening. Exercises involving resistance bands engage the wrists in various directions, fostering well-rounded strength. Additionally, controlled wrist circles and gentle stretches can help alleviate tension and improve flexibility in the wrists.

By incorporating these specific exercises into your Pilates routine and focusing on proper form, you’ll not only bolster strength but also enhance overall upper body stability, ensuring a rewarding and injury-free practice.

Exploring Effective Barre Pilates Wrist Exercises

Exploring effective Pilates wrist exercises unveils a realm of benefits that extend far beyond the wrists themselves. Pilates places substantial demands on wrist strength and stability. To enhance these vital attributes, exercises like planks, push-ups, and resistance band work come into play. The forearm plank challenges wrists by supporting a portion of the body weight, fostering endurance and stability. Variations of push-ups target wrist flexion and extension while sculpting the upper body. Resistance bands add a dynamic element to wrist strengthening, engaging them in various directions. Incorporating controlled wrist circles and gentle stretches also bolsters wrist flexibility and minimizes tension. These exercises not only fortify wrist strength but also promote overall upper body stability, ensuring a rewarding and safe Pilates practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wrist strength is vital in Pilates as it provides stability during weight-bearing exercises and ensures proper alignment, reducing the risk of discomfort and injury.

Planks, push-ups, and resistance band exercises are fundamental in targeting and improving wrist strength during Pilates.

Yes, when done with proper form and gradually increased intensity, these exercises can help strengthen weak wrists and support rehabilitation for those with prior wrist issues.

Some individuals use wrist supports or choose modified exercises until their wrist strength improves, allowing them to gradually progress to more challenging movements.

The timeline varies from person to person, but consistent practice over several weeks can lead to noticeable improvements in wrist strength and stability.

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What Are The Differences Between Mat And Reformer Pilates Certifications? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-the-differences-between-mat-and-reformer-pilates-certifications/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 05:10:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34747 The post What Are The Differences Between Mat And Reformer Pilates Certifications? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates, renowned for its transformative impact on physical fitness and overall well-being, has become a sought-after discipline for fitness enthusiasts and instructors alike. However, within the realm of Pilates instruction, a fundamental question often arises: should one pursue a Mat Pilates certification or delve into the world of Reformer Pilates certification?

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the distinctions between these two prominent Pilates certifications. Whether you’re a prospective Pilates instructor eager to embark on your certification journey or a fitness enthusiast seeking insights into the differences, we will unravel the unique facets of Mat and Reformer certifications.

From the core principles they emphasize to the equipment employed and the diverse training programs available, we’ll illuminate the paths you can take to become a certified Pilates instructor. By the end of this exploration, you’ll have a clear understanding of the diverging landscapes of Mat and Reformer Pilates certifications, empowering you to make the informed choice that aligns with your Pilates aspirations.

Mat Pilates Certification Vs. Reformer Pilates Certification

Mat Pilates Certification and Reformer Pilates Certification are two distinct yet equally valuable pathways in the world of Pilates instruction. Mat Pilates focuses on exercises performed on the floor, utilizing minimal equipment, making it accessible and versatile for group classes or home workouts. Reformer Pilates, on the other hand, incorporates specialized equipment, emphasizing resistance and alignment for a unique workout experience. The choice between the two depends on personal preferences and career goals. Mat Pilates certification is often a starting point, while Reformer Pilates certification offers a deeper understanding of equipment-based exercises. Ultimately, both certifications equip instructors with valuable skills to guide clients on their journey to improved strength, flexibility, and well-being.

Exploring Pilates Instructor Training Programs

Exploring Pilates instructor training programs unveils a diverse landscape of options tailored to aspiring fitness professionals. These programs offer comprehensive education and hands-on experience to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills required to become certified Pilates instructors.

One of the primary distinctions in Pilates training programs lies in the equipment used. Mat-based programs focus on exercises performed on the floor, requiring minimal equipment and often serving as a foundational step for instructors. In contrast, equipment-based programs, such as Reformer or Cadillac certifications, introduce specialized apparatus that enhances resistance and precision in movements.

Program duration varies, ranging from intensive, full-time courses to part-time or online options that accommodate different schedules. Accreditation from reputable organizations, such as the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), ensures the program’s quality and adherence to industry standards.

Curricula typically encompass Pilates principles, anatomy, cueing techniques, and client assessment, ensuring instructors can provide safe and effective workouts. Ultimately, the choice of a training program should align with individual goals, whether to teach mat-based Pilates classes or delve into equipment-based instruction, paving the way for a fulfilling career in Pilates instruction.

Understanding Certification Requirements For Pilates Instructors

Understanding certification requirements for Pilates instructors is vital for those aspiring to guide clients through this transformative fitness discipline. Certification typically involves completing a comprehensive training program from a recognized Pilates education provider. These programs encompass theoretical knowledge, practical training, and hands-on teaching experience. Most certification programs require a minimum number of hours of training and practice, including supervised teaching hours. Additionally, candidates usually need to pass written and practical exams to demonstrate their competence in Pilates principles, exercises, and cueing techniques. Many certifications also mandate continuing education to ensure instructors stay updated with industry trends and best practices. Ultimately, meeting these requirements not only ensures instructors are well-equipped to provide safe and effective Pilates instruction but also enhances their credibility and employability in the fitness industry.

Comparing Pilates Equipment Differences: Mat Vs. Reformer

Comparing the differences between Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates reveals two distinct yet complementary facets of the Pilates method. Mat Pilates, often considered the foundational aspect, primarily relies on exercises performed on the floor, emphasizing bodyweight resistance, flexibility, and core strength. It requires minimal equipment, making it accessible for group classes and home workouts. Mat Pilates cultivates a deep mind-body connection, focusing on precise movements and breathing techniques.

In contrast, Reformer Pilates introduces specialized equipment, the Reformer apparatus, which features a sliding carriage and adjustable springs to create resistance. Reformer exercises emphasize both strength and flexibility through controlled movements. This equipment allows for a more extensive repertoire of exercises and provides added support, making it suitable for individuals with various fitness levels and specific rehabilitation needs.

Choosing The Right Path: Mat Or Reformer Pilates Certification

Choosing between Mat and Reformer Pilates certification is a pivotal decision for aspiring instructors. Mat certification offers a solid foundation, focusing on floor-based exercises with minimal equipment. It’s ideal for those seeking a broader audience, as Mat Pilates classes are often more accessible and cost-effective for clients. In contrast, Reformer Pilates certification delves deeper into equipment-based exercises, offering a broader exercise repertoire and the ability to work with a diverse range of clients, including those with specific fitness or rehabilitation needs. Your choice should align with your career goals and clientele preferences. Mat certification can be a starting point, while Reformer certification can enhance your expertise and earning potential. Many instructors opt for dual certification to offer comprehensive Pilates instruction, catering to a wider clientele base.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Mat Pilates certifications focus on exercises performed on the floor with minimal equipment, while Reformer Pilates certifications incorporate specialized equipment that provides resistance and versatility.

Mat Pilates certification is often recommended as a starting point, as it offers foundational principles and is accessible for a broader audience.

Reformer Pilates certification provides a broader exercise repertoire, greater versatility, and the ability to work with clients with specific fitness or rehabilitation needs.

It’s possible to obtain dual certification, allowing you to teach both Mat and Reformer Pilates, catering to a wider range of clients.

Your choice should align with your career aspirations and the type of clientele you wish to serve. Mat certification may be suitable for a broader audience, while Reformer certification can enhance your expertise and earning potential.

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Are There Sports Psychology Techniques For Managing Stress And Pressure During Competitions? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-there-sports-psychology-techniques-for-managing-stress-and-pressure-during-competitions/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34732 The post Are There Sports Psychology Techniques For Managing Stress And Pressure During Competitions? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports, the thrill of competition is undeniable. Athletes of all levels dedicate countless hours to perfecting their skills and striving for excellence on the field, court, or track. Yet, amidst the exhilaration of the game, there exists an often-overlooked adversary: stress and pressure. The moments leading up to a crucial match, race, or performance can be laden with anxiety, and the ability to manage these emotions can make all the difference between victory and defeat.

This brings us to a pivotal question: “Are there sports psychology techniques for managing stress and pressure during competitions?” The answer, as we shall discover, is a resounding yes. Sports psychology, a field dedicated to the mental aspects of athletic performance, offers a treasure trove of strategies and insights to help athletes not only cope with pressure but also harness it as a source of strength.

In this article, we embark on a journey through the realm of sports psychology, exploring the techniques and practices that athletes employ to conquer the mental challenges of competition. From visualization and mindfulness to goal-setting and pre-game routines, we delve into the arsenal of tools that empower athletes to thrive in high-pressure moments. So, join us as we uncover the invaluable knowledge that can transform stress into a stepping stone toward sporting success.

Effective Sports Psychology Techniques For Managing Stress

Effective sports psychology techniques for managing stress are the foundation upon which athletes build their mental resilience. These techniques encompass a spectrum of strategies, including mindfulness practices that enable athletes to stay present in the moment, visualization exercises that mentally prepare them for competition, and controlled breathing techniques to calm nerves. Setting clear, achievable goals and developing pre-game routines also play a pivotal role in stress management, allowing athletes to channel their energy positively. Through the guidance of sports psychologists and coaches, athletes learn to embrace pressure as a motivator rather than a hindrance, ultimately enhancing their ability to perform at their best under even the most demanding circumstances.

Pressure In Competitions: Sports Psychology Insights

Pressure in competitions is a formidable adversary that can affect athletes of all levels, from novices to seasoned professionals. It’s the sensation that arises when the stakes are high, and the outcome is uncertain. Sports psychology provides invaluable insights into understanding and managing this pressure effectively.

Athletes often experience performance anxiety when facing important competitions. This anxiety can manifest as nervousness, self-doubt, or fear of failure. Sports psychologists delve into the roots of such anxiety and employ various techniques to mitigate its effects. Visualization is one such method, allowing athletes to mentally rehearse their performance and build confidence. Goal setting helps provide a sense of direction, while pre-game routines establish familiarity and control.

Moreover, mindfulness practices teach athletes to stay present, reducing anxious thoughts about the future. Breathing techniques offer a calming influence in high-pressure moments. With the guidance of sports psychologists, athletes can transform pressure into a catalyst for peak performance, using it as a source of motivation and focus rather than a hindrance. In doing so, they unlock their full potential and rise above the challenges of competitive sports.

 Performance Anxiety Solutions: Athlete Mental Preparation

Performance anxiety, a common challenge in the world of sports, finds its solutions in athlete mental preparation. Sports psychologists equip athletes with a range of tools to conquer this mental obstacle. Visualization, a cornerstone of mental preparation, allows athletes to mentally rehearse their performance, fostering confidence and familiarity with the competition environment. Setting clear, achievable goals provides a roadmap for success, reducing anxiety about the unknown. Pre-game routines create a comforting sense of consistency and control. Controlled breathing techniques soothe nerves and enhance focus in high-pressure moments. Through structured mental preparation guided by sports psychologists, athletes cultivate the resilience needed to thrive under the scrutiny of competition, transforming anxiety into a source of motivation and performance excellence.

Mastering Stress Management In Sports: Sports Psychology Techniques

Mastering stress management in sports is an essential component of athletic success, and sports psychology techniques serve as a beacon of guidance in this pursuit. Stress, a double-edged sword, can either elevate performance or hinder it. Sports psychologists equip athletes with a toolkit to harness stress as a positive force. One of the key techniques is mindfulness, which encourages athletes to stay grounded in the present moment, minimizing worry about the past or future. Visualization empowers athletes to mentally prepare for competition, fostering self-assurance. Goal setting not only provides direction but also helps break down the enormity of a challenge into manageable steps.

Furthermore, pre-game routines establish a comforting sense of familiarity, offering a buffer against the unknown. Controlled breathing techniques act as a calming anchor during high-pressure situations. Athletes learn to view stress as a motivator, a catalyst for focused performance. With the guidance of sports psychologists, they master the art of stress management, turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and excellence in the arena of sports.

Athlete Mental Preparation: Sports Psychology Strategies For Pressure

Athlete mental preparation, enriched by sports psychology strategies, stands as a formidable bulwark against the pressures of competitive sports. These strategies empower athletes to embrace high-pressure situations with poise and confidence. Visualization techniques allow athletes to mentally rehearse their performances, cultivating a sense of familiarity and self-assuredness. Goal setting provides a clear path forward, breaking down the enormity of challenges into manageable steps. Pre-game routines instil consistency and control, offering a reassuring anchor in the face of uncertainty. Controlled breathing techniques act as a calming force during pivotal moments, enhancing focus and composure. Guided by sports psychologists, athletes learn to view pressure as a catalyst for excellence, leveraging it to unlock their full potential and thrive in the crucible of competition.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a sports psychologist? If you do then you need to do our Sports Psychology Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The primary goal of sports psychology techniques is to help athletes cope with and channel stress and pressure positively, ultimately enhancing their performance and mental resilience.

Sure, some examples include visualization, goal setting, mindfulness practices, pre-game routines, and controlled breathing techniques.

Visualization allows athletes to mentally rehearse their performance, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence. It helps them become more comfortable with the competition environment.

Yes, sports psychology techniques are beneficial for athletes of all levels, helping them manage stress and pressure regardless of their experience.

Athletes can access sports psychology support through sports psychologists, coaches trained in sports psychology, or self-help resources such as books, apps, and online courses.

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Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Provide Guidance On Sports-Specific Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-strength-and-conditioning-coaches-provide-guidance-on-sports-specific-training/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34711 The post Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Provide Guidance On Sports-Specific Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports and athletics, the pursuit of peak performance is an ongoing journey, driven by dedication, hard work, and strategic training. Athletes, whether aspiring or seasoned professionals, understand the importance of honing their skills and fitness levels to excel in their chosen sports. To achieve this, many turn to the expertise of strength and conditioning coaches, professionals who specialize in enhancing athletic performance. However, a fundamental question often arises in this realm: “Do strength and conditioning coaches provide guidance on sports-specific training?”

In this article, we delve into the dynamic relationship between strength and conditioning coaches and athletes, exploring the extent to which these professionals offer tailored guidance for sports-specific training. We’ll uncover the valuable insights and strategies that strength and conditioning coaches bring to the table, ultimately contributing to athletes’ success on the field or court.

The Role Of Strength And Conditioning Coaches In Sports Training

Strength and conditioning coaches play a pivotal role in the world of sports training, serving as architects of physical excellence. They bridge the gap between athletes’ aspirations and their full potential by providing expert guidance and personalized regimens. These coaches are well-versed in the biomechanics and physiology of various sports, enabling them to design training programs tailored to an athlete’s specific needs. They focus on building strength, speed, endurance, and agility while minimizing the risk of injury. Moreover, they constantly adapt and refine training protocols to align with the evolving demands of a particular sport. In essence, strength and conditioning coaches are essential partners in the pursuit of peak athletic performance.

Sports-Specific Training: Tailoring Workouts For Athletic Excellence

Sports-specific training stands at the heart of athletic excellence, and strength and conditioning coaches are the architects behind this precision-driven approach. These coaches specialize in tailoring workouts that align with the unique demands of a particular sport, recognizing that every discipline has its distinct set of physical requirements. Whether it’s the explosive power needed in sprinting, the endurance required for distance running, or the agility essential in basketball, strength and conditioning coaches craft training programs that optimize an athlete’s performance.

Their expertise extends beyond general fitness, delving deep into the biomechanics, physiology, and movements specific to each sport. This knowledge allows them to design workouts that enhance the athlete’s strength, speed, endurance, and agility while reducing the risk of injury. Sports-specific training isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s a meticulously tailored regimen that fine-tunes an athlete’s body and skills for peak performance in their chosen field. As athletes aim for excellence, strength and conditioning coaches are their dedicated partners, ensuring they reach their fullest potential and excel in the arena.

Athletic Performance Coaching: Elevating Your Game

Athletic performance coaching is a dynamic partnership between athletes and coaches focused on elevating performance to its zenith. These coaches are the driving force behind an athlete’s journey to excellence, equipped with the knowledge and strategies to optimize physical and mental capabilities. They understand that success in sports goes beyond raw talent; it requires rigorous training, refined techniques, and unwavering determination.

Athletic performance coaches analyse an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, crafting personalized training programs that address specific areas for improvement. They emphasize not only physical conditioning but also mental resilience, offering guidance on mental toughness, focus, and goal setting. With their expertise, athletes are empowered to reach new heights, break personal records, and compete at the highest level. Athletic performance coaching is the catalyst for transforming dedication and potential into exceptional achievements on the field, track, court, or any sporting arena.

Designing Effective Sports Training Programs

Designing effective sports training programs is a meticulous process that balances science and art. Coaches specializing in sports-specific training possess the expertise to create tailored regimens that optimize athletic performance. These programs consider the unique demands of each sport, focusing on improving strength, speed, agility, endurance, and sport-specific skills.

Coaches analyse an athlete’s current abilities and set specific, measurable goals. They then structure training sessions, incorporating a variety of exercises, drills, and periodization techniques. Sports training programs evolve over time, progressively challenging athletes to prevent plateaus and enhance performance continually.

The effectiveness of these programs lies in their ability to bridge the gap between potential and excellence, helping athletes reach their peak performance levels while reducing the risk of injury. Through meticulous planning and ongoing evaluation, coaches ensure that each training program aligns with an athlete’s goals, ultimately leading to success in their chosen sport.

The Benefits Of Specialized Fitness Guidance For Athletes

Specialized fitness guidance for athletes offers a multitude of benefits that can elevate their performance and overall well-being. Coaches who focus on sports-specific training understand the intricacies of each sport, enabling them to tailor workouts to an athlete’s unique needs.

These coaches provide personalized attention, ensuring that athletes perform exercises with correct form, reducing the risk of injuries. They also design training programs that target sport-specific skills, enhancing an athlete’s competitiveness.

Furthermore, specialized fitness guidance fosters discipline, accountability, and motivation. Coaches set clear goals, track progress, and adjust training plans as needed. This individualized approach empowers athletes to push their limits, break through plateaus, and reach peak performance levels. Overall, the guidance of a specialized coach can make a significant difference in an athlete’s journey to excellence.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Closing the curtains on this exploration of tailored athletic excellence, the partnership between strength and conditioning coaches and individual athletes shines brilliantly. With a deep understanding cultivated at Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Strength and Conditioning Coach course, these coaches craft bespoke journeys. Each stride towards peak performance reflects the harmony between science and individuality. It’s a symphony where strengths amplify, weaknesses dissolve, and athletic brilliance finds its rightful stage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many strength and conditioning coaches provide specialized training programs tailored to the unique demands of various sports.

Sports-specific training helps athletes improve their performance by targeting the specific skills, movements, and conditioning required for their chosen sport.

Yes, professional athletes often rely on strength and conditioning coaches to optimize their physical abilities and prevent injuries.

Absolutely, sports-specific training can benefit athletes of all levels, enhancing their skills, endurance, and overall performance.

Athletes should seek coaches with experience in their sport, a track record of success, and the ability to create tailored training programs to meet their specific goals and needs.

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What’s The Importance Of Setting Fitness Goals In Personal Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/whats-the-importance-of-setting-fitness-goals-in-personal-training/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34731 The post What’s The Importance Of Setting Fitness Goals In Personal Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of personal fitness and wellness, the journey toward improved health and vitality often begins with a simple yet powerful concept: goal-setting. Whether you’re embarking on a fitness transformation, seeking to shed excess weight, or striving to enhance your overall well-being, setting clear and achievable goals is the cornerstone of personal training success.

The title of this article, “What’s The Importance Of Goal-Setting In Personal Training?” beckons us to delve into the profound significance of this practice. It prompts us to explore not only why setting fitness goals matters but also how it can shape our entire wellness journey. From the perspective of both trainers and clients, this article will illuminate the crucial role that goal-setting plays in personal training, offering insights into how it can drive motivation, structure training plans, and ultimately lead to remarkable health and fitness transformations. Join us on this enlightening exploration of why goal-setting is the compass that guides us toward our fitness aspirations.

 Setting Personal Training Goals: The Foundation Of Success

Setting personal training goals is the bedrock upon which successful fitness journeys are built. It’s the pivotal moment when individuals articulate their aspirations, whether it’s shedding a few pounds, running a marathon, or achieving peak physical performance. These goals serve as the compass, providing direction and purpose to every workout and dietary choice. They infuse motivation, focus, and a tangible sense of accomplishment into each fitness session. Goals are more than mere intentions; they become roadmaps, allowing individuals to measure progress and adjust their course as needed. In personal training, these well-defined objectives bridge the gap between dreams and reality, turning fitness ambitions into concrete achievements.

Goal-Setting In Fitness: A Roadmap To Health And Wellness

Goal-setting in fitness isn’t merely a process; it’s a roadmap to health and wellness. It’s the deliberate act of defining what you want to achieve with your workouts and lifestyle choices. These goals serve as powerful motivators, instilling a sense of purpose and direction into your fitness journey. They provide a framework for action, helping you plan your workouts, nutrition, and overall wellness strategy.

Moreover, setting fitness goals offers a sense of achievement and progress. As you work towards your objectives, whether they involve weight loss, muscle gain, improved endurance, or enhanced overall health, you can measure your advancement. This feedback loop reinforces your commitment and keeps you engaged.

In the realm of personal training, goal-setting takes on a more structured form. Trainers work collaboratively with clients to identify specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. This approach ensures that the objectives set are realistic and achievable within a defined timeframe. The guidance of a personal trainer can be invaluable in this process, helping clients set meaningful goals and design customized fitness programs to reach them.

The Crucial Importance Of Fitness Goals

The importance of fitness goals cannot be overstated; they are the driving force behind every successful health and wellness journey. Fitness goals provide focus and direction, serving as a clear destination to strive for. They help individuals define what they want to achieve, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, increased endurance, or overall health improvement.

Setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals empowers individuals to track their progress and celebrate their accomplishments. Moreover, fitness goals instil motivation and commitment, pushing individuals to stick to their workout routines and make healthier choices in their daily lives.

In the realm of personal training, the role of fitness goals becomes even more critical, as trainers use them to tailor workouts and nutrition plans to their clients’ needs. Ultimately, fitness goals are the compass that guides individuals toward a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.

Achieving Health Objectives Through Targeted Training

Achieving health objectives is the ultimate aim of targeted training in personal fitness. When individuals set specific health and wellness goals, they create a roadmap for their fitness journey. These objectives might include weight management, improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength, or enhanced flexibility.

Targeted training programs, designed by personal trainers, align with these goals, ensuring that every exercise and dietary choice contributes to the overall objective. Such focused training optimizes results, making workouts efficient and effective. Moreover, it fosters a sense of accomplishment as individuals witness their progress toward improved health and well-being.

The synergy between health objectives and targeted training empowers individuals to take charge of their fitness, leading to not only physical transformation but also a boost in confidence and overall quality of life.

Personal Trainer Guidance: Your Partner In Goal Attainment

Personal trainers play a pivotal role in guiding individuals towards their fitness goals, making them invaluable partners in the journey to a healthier lifestyle. Their expertise and personalized approach ensure that clients receive tailored guidance, which is essential for goal attainment.

These fitness professionals start by assessing a client’s current fitness level, health status, and specific objectives. With this information, they create a structured plan that includes exercise routines, dietary recommendations, and a timeline for reaching milestones. This plan not only serves as a roadmap but also offers motivation and accountability.

Personal trainers closely monitor progress, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize results. They provide essential guidance on exercise techniques, nutrition, and lifestyle choices, ensuring clients make informed decisions that support their goals.

Furthermore, personal trainers are a source of motivation, pushing clients to surpass limitations and stay committed to their fitness journey. Their expertise not only enhances physical well-being but also fosters a sense of empowerment and confidence, making them invaluable partners on the path to goal attainment.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Goal-setting is crucial in personal training because it provides a clear direction and purpose for workouts, helping clients stay motivated and focused on their fitness journey.

Fitness goals serve as benchmarks for progress. They help clients track their achievements, assess their performance, and make necessary adjustments to ensure they reach their desired outcomes.

Setting specific goals allows clients to tailor their workouts and nutrition plans to meet their unique needs. This personalized approach increases the likelihood of success.

Without clear goals, clients may lack direction, lose motivation, and struggle to see measurable progress, which can lead to frustration and a higher likelihood of giving up on their fitness journey.

Personal trainers are instrumental in assisting clients in setting realistic and achievable fitness goals. They provide expert guidance, track progress, and make necessary adjustments to ensure clients stay on the path to success.

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What Are Some Good Clean And Jerk Progressions For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-good-clean-and-jerk-progressions-for-beginners/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34710 The post What Are Some Good Clean And Jerk Progressions For Beginners? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on the journey of Olympic weightlifting can be both thrilling and intimidating, especially for beginners. Among the two primary lifts in Olympic weightlifting, the clean and jerk stands out as a complex yet rewarding exercise. It not only demands strength and power but also precision and technique. If you’re a novice eager to venture into the world of clean and jerk progressions, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore a range of effective clean and jerk progressions tailored specifically for beginners. Whether you’re new to lifting or seeking to refine your form, these step-by-step guidelines and techniques will set you on the path to mastering this impressive lift. So, let’s delve into the world of clean and jerk progressions and equip you with the knowledge you need to excel on your weightlifting journey.

Clean And Jerk Progressions For Novices

As novices, mastering the clean and jerk progressions can be a challenging yet exhilarating experience. The key to success lies in well-structured progressions that gradually build strength, coordination, and technique. Start with the fundamentals: the deadlift, front squat, and overhead press. These exercises lay the foundation for the clean and jerk. Focus on proper form and gradually increase weights to build confidence and muscle memory. Once comfortable, introduce the power clean, a simplified version of the clean, to refine your pulling and catching techniques. As you progress, the full clean and jerk will become more attainable. Remember, consistency and patience are your allies; don’t rush the process. Progressions are the key to unlocking the full potential of this dynamic lift and ensuring both safety and success on your weightlifting journey.

Mastering Beginner Clean and jerk progressions Techniques

Mastering beginner clean and jerk progressions techniques is a rewarding endeavour that requires dedication and a systematic approach. As a novice, it’s crucial to lay a strong foundation in both the clean and the jerk components of this lift. Begin with the clean: focus on your setup, ensuring the barbell starts close to your shins, maintain a neutral spine, and engage your lats. Practice the first pull to above the knee, emphasizing a strong hip extension. As the bar reaches your hips, explode upwards, initiating the second pull. Timing is key; coordinate your hip and knee extension for a powerful triple extension.

Once you’ve conquered the clean, shift your attention to the jerk. Begin with the push jerk, perfecting your dip and drive while keeping the bar close to your body. As you progress, introduce the split jerk to refine your footwork and balance. Maintain an upright torso and focus on stability overhead. Consistent practice and gradual progression are vital. Record your lifts, seek feedback, and work on your weaknesses. The journey to mastering the clean and jerk progressions as a beginner may be challenging, but the satisfaction of a well-executed lift is worth every effort.

A Guide To Learning Clean And Jerk For Newcomers

Navigating the clean and jerk as a newcomer can be a daunting yet exhilarating venture into the world of Olympic weightlifting. To embark on this journey, a comprehensive guide is your ally. Begin with the foundational principles of the lift: grip width, stance, and bar placement. Master the initial pull from the floor, ensuring the bar stays close to your body and your back remains flat. As you progress, focus on the transition into the catch position, where agility and speed play a pivotal role. Learning the jerk component involves perfecting your dip, drive, and split or push technique. Video analysis and coaching can be invaluable tools for refining your form. Stay patient and dedicated; progress may be incremental, but with consistent effort and the guidance of this comprehensive guide, you’ll find yourself steadily mastering the clean and jerk progressions.

Step-By-Step Clean And Jerk Guide For Beginners

A step-by-step clean and jerk guide for beginners is your roadmap to conquering this dynamic and challenging Olympic lift. Step one: grasp the importance of proper setup. Ensure the barbell is positioned over your midfoot, maintain a hip-width stance, and grip the bar just outside your knees. As you initiate the pull from the floor, keep the barbell close to your body, engage your lats, and extend your hips and knees simultaneously, known as the first pull.

Step two focuses on the explosive second pull, where you aggressively extend your hips, knees, and ankles, shrugging your shoulders to bring the bar close to your body. Now, for the clean, rapidly descend under the bar into a front squat position, catching it in the rack position.

Transitioning to the jerk, step three involves mastering the dip and drive phase. Slightly bend your knees and then explosively extend them to drive the bar overhead. Finally, in step four, either split or push your legs into a stable receiving position. Practice, consistency, and patience are your allies on this journey, and with this step-by-step clean and jerk guide, you’ll steadily build the skills and confidence needed to excel in this exhilarating lift.

Tips For Improving Clean And Jerk Form As A Novice

Improving clean and jerk form as a novice involves refining your technique, developing strength, and building confidence. Firstly, prioritize mobility and flexibility; ensure your shoulders, hips, and ankles are supple to execute the movements effectively. Secondly, break down the lift into its components. Focus on perfecting your clean before progressing to the jerk. Thirdly, consistency is key. Practice regularly with lighter weights to ingrain proper form. Recording your lifts and seeking feedback can help pinpoint areas for improvement.

Furthermore, mental cues play a vital role. Visualize a smooth, fluid motion during the lift, and concentrate on explosive power. Don’t rush; maintain control throughout the entire movement. Lastly, consider seeking guidance from a coach or experienced lifter to receive personalized feedback and adjustments. The clean and jerk progressions are a challenging but immensely rewarding lift, and these tips will undoubtedly aid in your journey toward mastering it as a novice lifter.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to learn more about Olympic lifting, then you need to do our Olympic Lifting Course. Find out more by following this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Beginners should start with mastering the deadlift, front squat, and overhead press to build the necessary strength and technique for clean and jerk progressions.

Novices can begin by learning the power clean, a simplified version of the clean, to refine pulling and catching techniques before progressing to the full clean.

Focus on consistency, patience, and gradual progression. Record your lifts, seek feedback, and practice regularly with proper form to see improvement over time.

Yes, well-structured progressions emphasize proper technique and gradual strength development, reducing the risk of injuries that can occur with hasty or improper lifting.

Beginners should start by dedicating specific training sessions to clean and jerk progressions, gradually increasing complexity and weight as they become more proficient in the movements.

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How Do I Perform Kettlebell Exercises With Proper Form To Avoid Injury? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-perform-kettlebell-exercises-with-proper-form-to-avoid-injury/ Fri, 08 Sep 2023 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34699 The post How Do I Perform Kettlebell Exercises With Proper Form To Avoid Injury? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises are a dynamic and effective way to build strength, enhance endurance, and boost overall fitness. However, in the pursuit of these fitness gains, one crucial element often overlooked is form. Performing kettlebell exercises with proper form is not just about reaping the maximum benefits; it’s about safeguarding yourself from potential injuries. Kettlebells, with their unique shape and versatility, can be both friend and foe, depending on how they’re wielded.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the world of kettlebell workouts, unveiling the secrets of correct form that can make all the difference in your fitness journey. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast looking to refine your technique or a newcomer eager to explore the benefits of kettlebell training, this article is your essential roadmap to performing kettlebell exercises with precision, minimizing the risk of injuries, and unlocking your full fitness potential. So, let’s embark on this enlightening journey to master the art of kettlebell exercise form and keep injuries at bay.

Kettlebell Exercise Form: The Foundation For Injury-Free Workouts

Kettlebell exercise form stands as the bedrock of injury-free workouts, holding the key to unlocking the immense potential of these versatile tools. The unique design of kettlebells demands precise movements, making proper form non-negotiable. It ensures that each swing, press, or squat not only targets the intended muscle groups but also guards against strain, sprains, or more serious injuries. Whether you’re swinging, lifting, or carrying, the foundations of kettlebell exercise form provide a safeguard, enabling you to harness the full benefits of these exercises without the fear of setbacks. By mastering the art of form, you not only enhance the effectiveness of your workouts but also embark on a path of safe and sustainable fitness progression.

Kettlebell Safety Tips: Ensuring Your Workout Is Injury-Proof

Kettlebell safety tips are the guardians of your workout journey, ensuring that your pursuit of fitness remains injury-proof and rewarding. These compact, iron-cast weights are remarkable tools for sculpting strength and enhancing endurance, but they demand respect and awareness. To embark on a journey of injury-free kettlebell workouts, it’s imperative to prioritize safety from the outset. Begin by selecting an appropriate kettlebell weight that matches your fitness level and gradually progress as your strength grows.

Furthermore, maintaining a firm grip on the kettlebell handle, using proper breathing techniques, and maintaining a stable core are fundamental safety measures. Never sacrifice form for quantity; it’s the precise execution of each movement that yields the best results while minimizing the risk of injuries. Additionally, incorporating proper warm-ups, cooldowns, and flexibility exercises into your routine ensures that your muscles are adequately prepared and recovered.

These kettlebell safety guidelines are the gatekeepers to a fulfilling and safe fitness journey, ensuring that each swing and lift takes you closer to your goals while keeping potential injuries at bay.

Avoiding Kettlebell Injury: Vital Strategies For Safe Workouts

Avoiding kettlebell injury is paramount to ensure safe and effective workouts. Kettlebells, with their unique design and swinging motions, can offer a dynamic and challenging fitness experience. However, without the right precautions, they can also pose a risk of injury. To safeguard your well-being during kettlebell workouts, vital strategies come into play.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to learn proper technique and form. This includes understanding the mechanics of each exercise, maintaining a stable core, and ensuring a secure grip on the kettlebell handle. Always start with a weight that matches your current strength level and gradually progress. Additionally, prioritizing controlled movements over speed or quantity reduces the risk of accidents.

Furthermore, incorporating proper warm-up routines and post-workout stretches enhances flexibility and minimizes strain on muscles and joints. Lastly, paying close attention to your body’s signals, such as pain or discomfort, and addressing them promptly is key to preventing injuries. By embracing these strategies, you can fully enjoy the benefits of kettlebell workouts while keeping injury concerns at bay.

Mastering Proper Kettlebell Technique: The Key To Effective Exercises

Mastering proper kettlebell technique is the cornerstone of unlocking the true potential of these versatile fitness tools. Kettlebells offer a wide range of dynamic exercises that engage multiple muscle groups, making technique paramount for both safety and effectiveness. It’s not just about lifting the weight; it’s about the precision of each swing, snatch, or press. Correct technique ensures that the intended muscle groups are targeted while minimizing the risk of strains or injuries. Focusing on form also optimizes the efficiency of your workouts, maximizing the benefits you reap from every rep. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned kettlebell enthusiast, investing time and effort into mastering proper technique is the key to achieving your fitness goals and enjoying injury-free exercises.

Kettlebell Exercise Guidelines: Your Path To Safe And Effective Workouts

Kettlebell exercise guidelines serve as your compass on the path to safe and effective workouts, ensuring that you reap the full rewards of this dynamic fitness regimen. To embark on this journey, it’s crucial to begin with the right kettlebell weight that matches your current fitness level. Gradual progression is essential to build strength and minimize the risk of injuries.

Additionally, prioritize form and technique in every movement. Correct posture and controlled motions not only optimize results but also safeguard against strains and mishaps. Proper warm-ups and cooldowns are equally essential to prepare your muscles and joints for the demands of kettlebell exercises and aid in recovery.

Furthermore, creating a well-rounded workout routine that incorporates a variety of exercises helps prevent overuse injuries and keeps your workouts engaging. Lastly, listen to your body, heed warning signs of discomfort or pain, and adjust your routine accordingly. By adhering to these kettlebell exercise guidelines, you pave the way for workouts that are not only effective but also safe, allowing you to harness the full potential of kettlebell training.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Performing kettlebell exercises with proper form not only maximizes the effectiveness of your workout but also significantly reduces the risk of injuries. It ensures that you target the intended muscle groups while avoiding strains, sprains, or other potential injuries.

Learning and maintaining proper form requires practice and guidance. Consider working with a certified kettlebell instructor or watching instructional videos from reputable sources. Focus on form during each repetition, prioritize controlled movements, and gradually increase weight as your technique improves.

Common mistakes include using improper grip, relying on momentum rather than controlled movements, and neglecting core stability. Additionally, lifting weights that are too heavy for your current strength level can lead to injuries.

To prevent injuries, start with the right kettlebell weight, prioritize proper technique, warm up before your workout, cool down afterward, and include flexibility exercises. Regularly assess your form and listen to your body, adjusting your routine as needed.

Some kettlebell exercises, like the kettlebell swing, can pose risks if performed incorrectly. To perform them safely, ensure a strong core, hinge at the hips, and keep the spine neutral. Seek guidance from a qualified trainer to master these exercises safely.

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Are There Specific Nutrition Guidelines To Complement Suspension Training Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/are-there-specific-nutrition-guidelines-to-complement-suspension-training-workouts/ Fri, 08 Sep 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34691 The post Are There Specific Nutrition Guidelines To Complement Suspension Training Workouts? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on a journey of fitness often involves a multi-faceted approach. For those who have embraced suspension training as a dynamic and effective means to build strength, flexibility, and endurance, the question of nutrition invariably arises. How can dietary choices complement and enhance the effects of suspension training workouts? Are there specific nutrition guidelines tailored to this unique form of exercise?

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the symbiotic relationship between nutrition and suspension training. Beyond the rigors of physical exertion, it’s crucial to understand that what you eat can significantly impact the outcomes of your fitness endeavours. As we unravel the intricacies of nutrition guidelines designed to amplify the benefits of suspension training, you’ll gain insights into how to optimize your dietary choices. Whether you’re a seasoned suspension training enthusiast or new to this form of exercise, this article is your guide to achieving peak performance and recovery through the power of proper nutrition. Let’s embark on this enlightening journey to discover how to harness the full potential of suspension training with the right dietary strategies.

Optimizing Performance: Nutrition Guidelines For Suspension Training

Optimizing performance through proper nutrition is essential for anyone engaged in suspension training. Nutrition guidelines tailored to this dynamic exercise regimen can significantly impact your results. To excel in suspension training, you need adequate energy, nutrients, and hydration. Prioritize a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to fuel your workouts effectively. Hydration is paramount, as sweat loss during intense sessions can be substantial. Additionally, consider nutrient timing, ensuring you have a pre-workout snack or meal for energy and post-workout nutrition for recovery. By following these nutrition guidelines, you’ll elevate your performance, reduce the risk of fatigue or injury, and maximize the benefits of suspension training.

The Synergy Of Nutrition And Suspension Training Workouts

The synergy between nutrition and suspension training workouts is a fundamental aspect of achieving optimal fitness results. While the physical demands of suspension training are evident, it’s the nutritional support that forms the backbone of success. Nutrition plays a dual role: it provides the necessary fuel for your sessions and aids in post-workout recovery.

To harness this synergy effectively, focus on pre-workout nutrition that supplies energy and stamina. Complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats are essential components of a balanced diet, ensuring sustained energy levels during your suspension training routines. Hydration, too, is non-negotiable. Adequate water intake maintains electrolyte balance and helps prevent dehydration during intense workouts.

Moreover, post-workout nutrition plays a pivotal role in recovery. Protein-rich meals or supplements facilitate muscle repair, reducing the risk of soreness and promoting overall strength gains. Embracing this synergy of nutrition and suspension training workouts not only enhances your performance but also contributes to long-term fitness goals, enabling you to realize your full potential in this dynamic exercise regimen.

Fuelling Your Fitness Journey: Diet For Enhanced Suspension Training

Fuelling your fitness journey through a well-structured diet is paramount, especially when it comes to enhancing the effects of suspension training. Suspension training demands a unique combination of strength, stability, and endurance, all of which can be significantly influenced by your dietary choices.

For optimal results, prioritize a diet rich in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Protein aids in muscle repair and growth, supporting the development of strength and endurance required for suspension training exercises. Complex carbohydrates provide the necessary energy for sustained workouts, helping you power through challenging routines with vigour.

Moreover, the role of hydration cannot be overstated. Proper fluid intake is essential to prevent fatigue, cramps, and dehydration during intense suspension training sessions.

By aligning your diet with the demands of suspension training, you not only optimize your physical performance but also contribute to your overall health and fitness journey. A well-fuelled body is a resilient and capable one, ready to conquer the challenges of suspension training and achieve lasting fitness goals.

Unlocking The Potential: Nutrition’s Role In Complementing Workouts

Unlocking your potential in suspension training hinges on recognizing nutrition’s vital role in complementing your workouts. The right nutritional strategy can be a game-changer, enhancing your performance, endurance, and recovery. Nutrition fuels your body, providing the energy and nutrients needed to excel in each suspension training session.

Optimal dietary choices, including a balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, can improve muscle strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Additionally, proper hydration ensures that you stay energized and hydrated during rigorous workouts, reducing the risk of fatigue and muscle cramps.

Furthermore, post-workout nutrition aids in muscle recovery and growth, helping you bounce back from intense sessions and build the strength necessary for continued progress. By acknowledging nutrition’s pivotal role in complementing suspension training, you open the door to realizing your full potential in this dynamic and effective fitness regimen.

Eating For Success: Nutrition Strategies For Peak Performance In Suspension Training

Eating for success in suspension training is a strategic approach that can elevate your performance to new heights. Your nutrition choices have a direct impact on your ability to excel in this dynamic and demanding workout regimen. To achieve peak performance, consider specific nutrition strategies tailored to your suspension training goals.

Begin by focusing on macronutrients such as carbohydrates, which provide the energy needed for sustained effort during workouts. Combine them with lean proteins to support muscle repair and growth essential for increased strength and endurance. Healthy fats round out your diet, aiding in overall energy balance and recovery.

Timing matters too. Ensure you have a balanced meal or snack with a mix of carbohydrates and proteins before your workout for sustained energy. Post-workout, prioritize a protein-rich meal to facilitate muscle recovery and reduce soreness.

Hydration is non-negotiable, as it helps maintain energy levels and prevents dehydration during intense sessions. Proper nutrition strategies tailored to suspension training can make the difference between good workouts and extraordinary ones, enabling you to reach your fitness peak effectively and sustainably.

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If you would like to become a sports nutritional coach then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - nutrition

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition is crucial for fuelling your body, providing energy, supporting muscle growth, and aiding recovery—key factors for optimizing performance in suspension training.

Yes, individuals involved in suspension training should prioritize a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Proper hydration is also essential.

A pre-workout meal or snack that includes carbohydrates for energy and proteins for muscle support is recommended. Examples include oatmeal with Greek yogurt or a banana with almond butter.

Post-workout nutrition with an emphasis on protein helps repair and rebuild muscles, reducing soreness and aiding in recovery after intense suspension training workouts.

Yes, inadequate nutrition can lead to fatigue, decreased performance, and slower progress in suspension training. Proper nutrition is essential to achieving optimal results.

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Can I Take A Battle Ropes Course If I’m New To Fitness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-i-take-a-battle-ropes-course-if-im-new-to-fitness/ Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34684 The post Can I Take A Battle Ropes Course If I’m New To Fitness? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Starting a fitness journey can be an exhilarating yet daunting prospect, especially if you’re new to the world of exercise. With a multitude of fitness options available, it’s crucial to find an activity that not only suits your fitness level but also keeps you engaged and motivated. One such option that has been gaining popularity is the battle ropes course, a workout regimen known for its intensity and effectiveness in building strength and stamina. But the question remains: Can you embark on a battle ropes course if you’re a newcomer to fitness?

In this article, we will explore the exciting world of battle ropes, dissecting the benefits, considerations, and strategies for beginners looking to take on this challenging yet rewarding fitness endeavour. Whether you’re looking to kickstart your fitness journey or add a new dimension to your workouts, join us on this exploration of whether the battle ropes course is the right choice for fitness newcomers.

Battle Ropes Course: A Unique Choice For Those New To Fitness

For those venturing into the realm of fitness as beginners, this type of course presents a unique and invigorating option. While it might seem intimidating at first glance, battle ropes offer an accessible entry point for individuals looking to kickstart their fitness journey. These heavy, long ropes provide a full-body workout that’s both engaging and effective. The beauty of battle ropes lies in their simplicity; you control the intensity and pace of your workout, making it adaptable to your fitness level. By incorporating a variety of movements, from waves to slams, you can build strength, boost endurance, and enhance cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, the low impact nature of battle ropes makes them an ideal choice for those concerned about joint strain or injuries, providing an exciting pathway for newcomers to achieve their fitness goals.

Exploring Beginner Fitness Activities: Is A Battle Ropes Course Right For You?

Exploring the world of beginner fitness activities can be an exciting journey, and one option that’s worth considering is the battle ropes course. Before diving in, it’s natural to wonder if this intense and dynamic workout is the right fit for you. The answer? It very well could be. Battle ropes offer a unique blend of benefits that cater to fitness newcomers. These thick, heavy ropes provide an engaging full-body workout that builds strength, stamina, and cardiovascular fitness. What makes them particularly appealing for beginners is the level of control they offer – you dictate the pace and intensity, ensuring that you’re always within your comfort zone.

Moreover, battle ropes are low impact, reducing the risk of strain or injury, which can be a crucial consideration for those new to fitness. Their versatility allows you to gradually increase the challenge as you progress, making it an accessible and adaptable option for individuals at any fitness level. So, if you’re eager to explore a beginner fitness activity that combines effectiveness with adaptability, this type of course may be the exhilarating choice you’ve been looking for.

Fitness For Beginners: How To Begin Your Journey With A Battle Ropes Course

Embarking on a fitness journey as a beginner can be both exciting and daunting. It’s essential to find an activity that not only suits your fitness level but also keeps you motivated. Consider the battle ropes course as your starting point. This dynamic workout is ideal for beginners, offering a powerful introduction to fitness. Battle ropes provide a low-impact, full-body workout that builds strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. As a beginner, you have control over the intensity and pace, ensuring a comfortable start. The versatility of battle ropes allows you to tailor the workout to your fitness level, making it an accessible choice for those new to fitness. With dedication and guidance, this type of course can be your gateway to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Starting A Fitness Journey: Why Consider A Battle Ropes Course As A Beginner

Embarking on a fitness journey is a commendable step towards a healthier and more active lifestyle, but as a beginner, it’s crucial to choose activities that are both effective and enjoyable. This is where the battle ropes course comes into play. While it might sound intimidating, it’s an excellent choice for newcomers for several reasons.

Firstly, battle ropes offer a full-body workout that’s easy to adapt to your fitness level. As a beginner, you have control over the intensity and pace of your workout, allowing you to start at a comfortable level and progress at your own speed. Secondly, these ropes are gentle on the joints, minimizing the risk of injury – a significant concern for beginners. Moreover, the dynamic nature of battle ropes keeps the workout engaging and helps prevent workout boredom, a common challenge for newcomers. Lastly, the rapid calorie burn and visible results make it a motivating option for those starting their fitness journey. So, if you’re contemplating your entry into fitness, consider the battle ropes course as an exciting and effective starting point.

Navigating The Battle Ropes Course As A Newcomer To Fitness

Navigating the battle ropes course as a newcomer to fitness can be both exhilarating and transformative. These thick, heavy ropes offer a unique workout experience that caters to beginners looking to kickstart their fitness journey. What makes them particularly appealing is the level of control they provide. As a newcomer, you dictate the pace and intensity, ensuring that you’re always within your comfort zone. The rhythmic waves and dynamic slams engage multiple muscle groups, promoting strength, endurance, and improved cardiovascular fitness. Furthermore, the low-impact nature of battle ropes minimizes the risk of joint strain, making it an accessible option for those new to physical activity. So, if you’re seeking a fitness adventure that combines effectiveness, adaptability, and motivation, stepping onto the battle ropes course might just be the exhilarating start you need on your path to fitness.

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Do you want to become a battle ropes expert? If you do then it is very important to do our Battle Ropes Course. Follow this link to find out more.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

A battle ropes course involves using thick, heavy ropes in dynamic movements to provide a full-body workout. It differs from traditional activities by offering versatility and adaptability to various fitness levels.

Yes, battle ropes can be safe for beginners. They are low-impact and allow beginners to control the intensity, making them an accessible option while minimizing the risk of injury.

Battle ropes build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. They also offer a motivating and engaging workout experience that can help beginners stay committed to their fitness goals.

No prior experience is required, and minimal equipment is needed. This makes battle ropes courses an excellent choice for beginners looking to start their fitness journey.

To begin, find a reputable fitness facility or trainer offering battle ropes classes. Start with basic movements, gradually increase intensity, and ensure you maintain proper form. A certified instructor can guide you through the process and help tailor the workout to your fitness level.

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How Do I Incorporate Functional Fitness Into My Existing Workout Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-incorporate-functional-fitness-into-my-existing-workout-routine/ Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34690 The post How Do I Incorporate Functional Fitness Into My Existing Workout Routine? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of fitness, the pursuit of strength, endurance, and aesthetics often takes centre stage. But what about the practicality of our physical prowess? Functional fitness, a concept that has gained considerable traction in recent years, sheds light on the importance of not just looking good, but also feeling strong and capable in our everyday lives. It’s about more than just lifting heavy weights or logging miles on a treadmill; it’s about enhancing your body’s ability to perform real-world activities with ease and confidence. So, if you’re looking to bridge the gap between the gym and the demands of your daily routines, it’s time to explore how to seamlessly integrate functional fitness into your existing workout regimen.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the principles, exercises, and strategies that will help you make functional fitness an integral part of your fitness journey. Get ready to take your training to the next level and experience the tangible benefits of functional fitness in your daily life.

Enhancing Your Workout Routine With Functional Fitness Integration

Functional fitness integration is the key to elevating your workout routine from the realm of mere aesthetics to a realm of real-world strength and capability. Beyond the mirror, it’s about mastering movements that mimic daily activities, enhancing your body’s functional abilities. By incorporating exercises that improve balance, flexibility, and core strength, you’ll be better prepared for life’s physical challenges, whether it’s carrying groceries, playing with your kids, or simply navigating your day with vitality and confidence. This approach not only fosters a holistic fitness experience but also minimizes the risk of injury. So, if you’re ready to make your workouts purposeful and practical, it’s time to embrace functional fitness as a vital component of your exercise regimen.

Adding Functional Exercises: A Key To Workout Routine Enhancement

Incorporating functional exercises into your workout routine is a transformative approach to fitness enhancement. Unlike conventional workouts that often prioritize isolated muscle groups, functional exercises emphasize movements that mimic real-life activities. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, fostering a more holistic and well-rounded approach to fitness. By focusing on balance, stability, flexibility, and core strength, functional fitness helps you develop the physical prowess needed for everyday tasks and activities.

One of the standout benefits of incorporating functional exercises is injury prevention. These movements improve joint mobility and enhance muscle coordination, reducing the risk of injury during both workouts and daily activities. Whether you’re lifting heavy grocery bags, chasing after your kids, or simply navigating the challenges of daily life, functional fitness equips you with the strength and endurance necessary to do so with ease and confidence.

Moreover, functional exercises often require little to no equipment, making them accessible to individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a beginner, integrating functional exercises into your routine can provide the variety and effectiveness needed to keep your workouts engaging and productive. So, if you’re seeking to enhance your workout routine and improve your overall quality of life, functional exercises are a key component worth incorporating.

Incorporating Functional Movements For Improved Fitness

Incorporating functional movements into your fitness regimen is a strategic step toward overall improvement. Functional fitness is all about enhancing your body’s ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently and safely. By focusing on exercises that mirror real-life movements, such as squatting, lifting, twisting, and reaching, you not only build strength but also develop a practical skill set. These movements engage multiple muscle groups and promote balance and coordination, providing a comprehensive fitness experience that transcends the confines of the gym. Whether you’re looking to boost your athletic performance, prevent injuries, or simply enjoy a more active and pain-free daily life, integrating functional movements into your routine is a powerful way to achieve those goals while redefining your approach to fitness.

The Power Of Fitness Routine Modification Through Functional Training

The concept of functional training holds immense power when it comes to modifying and enhancing your fitness routine. Unlike traditional workouts that often isolate specific muscle groups, functional training emphasizes dynamic movements that mirror real-life activities. These exercises challenge your body in a way that promotes overall strength, balance, and coordination, allowing you to perform daily tasks with ease and grace.

By incorporating functional training into your routine, you can break through fitness plateaus and achieve a well-rounded level of physical preparedness. These movements target the muscles you use in everyday life, making them more adaptable and resilient. Whether it’s lifting heavy grocery bags, playing sports, or navigating challenging terrains, functional training equips you with the skills and endurance needed to excel.

Furthermore, the versatility of functional training makes it accessible to individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, incorporating functional movements can provide a refreshing and effective way to challenge your body. It’s a holistic approach that not only enhances your athletic performance but also reduces the risk of injuries by improving joint mobility and overall stability. So, if you’re looking to unlock the full potential of your fitness routine, consider harnessing the transformative power of functional training.

Achieve Your Fitness Goals By Adding Functional Exercises

To achieve your fitness goals effectively, consider the remarkable impact of integrating functional exercises into your routine. Functional exercises focus on enhancing your body’s ability to perform practical, real-world movements. These workouts engage multiple muscle groups, improving core strength, balance, and flexibility, which are essential for daily activities and sports performance. By incorporating exercises like squats, lunges, kettlebell swings, and planks, you not only sculpt your physique but also develop functional strength that translates seamlessly into your everyday life. Whether you aim to lose weight, build muscle, or enhance your overall fitness, functional exercises offer a versatile and efficient pathway to success, allowing you to reap the benefits of improved functionality and endurance while pursuing your fitness aspirations.

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If you would like to discover additional information about functional strength training then we recommend that you do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Functional fitness emphasizes exercises that mimic real-life movements, enhancing your body’s ability to perform everyday tasks with ease and reducing the risk of injury during daily activities.

You can seamlessly integrate functional fitness into your existing routine by incorporating functional exercises and modifying some aspects while keeping your core workouts intact.

Functional exercises include squats, deadlifts, lunges, planks, kettlebell swings, and medicine ball throws, all of which engage multiple muscle groups and improve overall body strength and stability.

To strike a balance, allocate specific days or sessions for functional exercises within your weekly workout plan while maintaining your traditional strength training sessions.

Incorporating functional fitness enhances your everyday life by improving your physical capabilities, reducing the risk of injury, and fostering a more well-rounded and practical approach to fitness that complements your existing workout routine.

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What Are The Benefits Of Taking Probiotics For Gut Health In Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-taking-probiotics-for-gut-health-in-athletes/ Wed, 06 Sep 2023 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34683 The post What Are The Benefits Of Taking Probiotics For Gut Health In Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of peak athletic performance, athletes often focus on training regimens, nutrition plans, and recovery strategies. Yet, one essential aspect that’s gaining increasing recognition is the role of health in overall well-being and athletic prowess. The symbiotic relationship between a healthy gut and optimal physical performance cannot be understated. Enter the world of probiotics – these live microorganisms have emerged as potential game-changers for sportspeople looking to harness the power of their digestive system to enhance their performance.

In this article, we delve into the remarkable benefits that good microbes offer to athletes’ health. From improved nutrient absorption to strengthened immunity and reduced inflammation, we’ll uncover how these microscopic allies can contribute to better athletic performance and overall wellness.

Understanding Probiotics: How They Benefit Athletes

Probiotics, often referred to as “good bacteria,” are microscopic powerhouses that play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, and their benefits extend far beyond digestion. For sportspeople, these tiny organisms offer a unique advantage. By fostering a balanced gut microbiome, great bacteria promote efficient nutrient absorption, enabling sportspeople to extract the maximum energy and nutrients from their diets. Additionally, great bacteria contribute to a robust immune system, essential for sportspeople facing intense training regimens. Furthermore, these beneficial bacteria aid in reducing inflammation, a common hurdle athletes face due to rigorous workouts. Understanding the multifaceted benefits of good bacteria unveils their potential to elevate athletic performance through enhanced gut health.

Nurturing Gut Health For Athlete’s Well-Being

Nurturing optimal health is paramount for athletes seeking holistic well-being and peak performance. The intricate ecosystem of the gut, comprising diverse microorganisms, plays a pivotal role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Sportspeople subject their bodies to strenuous physical demands, making the efficient breakdown and absorption of nutrients a crucial factor in maintaining energy levels and supporting recovery. Probiotics, with their ability to balance the gut microbiome, contribute to a harmonious environment that aids in digestion and nutrient utilization. This not only optimizes physical performance but also bolsters the body’s resilience against infections and illnesses. The well-being of sportspeople hinges on a well-functioning gut, making the incorporation of great bacteria into their regimen a strategic choice that can lead to enduring vitality and improved athletic achievements.

Prioritizing Athletes’ Digestive Wellness Through Probiotics

Prioritizing the digestive wellness of sportspeople is integral to their overall health and performance. The rigors of training, along with the need for optimal nutrient absorption, highlight the significance of a well-functioning digestive system. Good bacteria, the beneficial microorganisms found in certain foods and supplements, offer a pathway to enhance health. By promoting a balanced gut microbiome, probiotics contribute to improved digestion, efficient nutrient absorption, and bolstered immune function. Sportspeople can harness the power of probiotics to ensure that their bodies are primed for maximum performance and rapid recovery. The symbiotic relationship between health and athletic achievement underscores the importance of incorporating probiotics into the regimen of every dedicated athlete.

Microbiome Support: Enhancing Athletic Performance With Good Microbes

Microbiome support through the integration of good bacteria has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing athletic performance. The delicate balance of the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in overall health, and for athletes, this equilibrium can significantly influence physical well-being and stamina. Good microbes contribute to a diverse and robust microbiome, fostering an environment that aids nutrient absorption, reduces inflammation, and bolsters immune function. By optimizing the gut microbiota, sportspeople may experience improved energy levels, reduced gastrointestinal distress, and enhanced recovery times. This microbiome-focused approach aligns with the evolving understanding of how holistic health contributes to peak performance. Embracing probiotics as a fundamental component of an athlete’s routine can potentially yield far-reaching benefits, reinforcing the critical connection between health and athletic excellence.

Probiotics As Performance-Enhancing Supplements For Sportspeople

Good microbes have transcended their traditional role as gut health boosters to emerge as potential performance-enhancing supplements for athletes. Beyond aiding digestion, these beneficial microorganisms exert influence on systemic functions that directly impact an athlete’s prowess. Enhanced nutrient absorption facilitated by a well-balanced gut microbiome can lead to improved energy utilization during training and competition. Furthermore, good microbes’ role in mitigating inflammation supports quicker recovery and reduced muscle soreness. By fostering a resilient immune system, these supplements contribute to fewer disruptions in training schedules due to illness. As sportspeople increasingly seek comprehensive ways to optimize their physical abilities, the incorporation of probiotics into their regimen represents a progressive step towards holistic performance improvement.

The integration of probiotics into sportspeople’s routines represents a groundbreaking stride towards holistic well-being and peak performance. As the understanding of the symbiotic relationship between gut health and athletic excellence deepens, athletes are embracing good bacteria as essential allies in their journey. From enhancing nutrient absorption and reducing inflammation to fortifying the immune system, good microbes offer a multidimensional approach to elevating athletic prowess. The remarkable benefits they bring extend beyond the confines of digestion, permeating into every facet of an athlete’s journey – from training to competition to recovery. With good microbes as an integral part of their regimen, sportspeople are poised to unlock their full potential and redefine the boundaries of success in the dynamic world of sports.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a sports nutritional coach then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - nutrition

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as “good bacteria,” that provide various health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

Good microbes help maintain a healthy balance of gut microbes, promoting digestion, nutrient absorption, and supporting the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Athletes put their bodies under significant physical stress, and a balanced gut microbiome aids in efficient nutrient absorption, energy production, and immune system function.

While not a direct performance enhancer, a healthy gut positively influences overall well-being. Enhanced nutrient absorption and reduced inflammation from good microbes can indirectly support athletic performance.

Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have shown potential benefits for athletes due to their positive effects on digestion, immune function, and overall health.

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How Does Neuro-Linguistic Programming Contribute To Creating A Winning Mentality In Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-does-neuro-linguistic-programming-contribute-to-creating-a-winning-mentality-in-athletes/ Wed, 06 Sep 2023 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34575 The post How Does Neuro-Linguistic Programming Contribute To Creating A Winning Mentality In Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports, the pursuit of excellence goes beyond physical prowess; it delves into the intricate realm of the athlete’s mind. The difference between victory and defeat often lies not only in skill and training, but also in the mental fortitude and attitude that athletes bring to their performance. This is where Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) emerges as a powerful tool, a means to unlock the latent potential within athletes and foster a winning mentality.

In this article, we delve into the profound ways in which Neuro-Linguistic Programming contributes to the creation of a winning mentality in athletes, transforming the mindset and enhancing the overall performance on the field, track, court, or arena. From refining mental conditioning techniques to boosting self-belief and focus, the impact of NLP in the world of sports is undeniable, offering a path towards achieving not only sports success but also personal growth and excellence.

Unlocking Athlete Performance Through Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) stands as a dynamic catalyst in the realm of athlete performance, offering a unique approach to unlocking untapped potential. By delving into the intricacies of thought patterns, language, and behaviour, NLP empowers athletes to harness their mental resources and craft a winning mindset. This tailored approach encompasses techniques to enhance focus, channel motivation, and conquer self-doubt, paving the way for an athlete’s journey towards peak performance. As NLP fosters a deep connection between the mind and body, athletes are equipped with the tools to overcome challenges, adapt to pressure, and visualize success with unparalleled clarity. NLP becomes the bridge between aspiration and realization, a pivotal factor in achieving excellence on and off the field.

Developing A Winning Mentality: The Power Of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

At the core of athlete success lies the development of a winning mentality, a mental landscape rich with determination, resilience, and focus. Neuro-Linguistic Programming emerges as a potent tool in sculpting this mindset, igniting a transformational journey that transcends physical prowess. NLP enables athletes to rewire their thought patterns, enabling them to discard self-limiting beliefs and embrace a positive, proactive attitude. Through techniques such as anchoring, reframing, and visualization, NLP empowers athletes to channel their inner drive, enhancing their confidence and honing their mental conditioning. This synergy between mind and body fosters not only enhanced athletic performance but also a holistic sense of well-being. By tapping into the power of NLP, athletes embark on a voyage of self-discovery, unearthing their true potential and crafting a winning mentality that stands as the cornerstone of their triumphs on the field and in life.

Enhancing Athlete Performance Through Effective Mental Conditioning

Effective mental conditioning stands as a paramount factor in unlocking an athlete’s true potential. It’s the invisible force that can propel performance from good to exceptional. By honing mental resilience, focus, and clarity, athletes can transcend physical limitations and conquer challenges with unwavering determination. This process involves the strategic application of psychological techniques and strategies that Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) offers. NLP equips athletes with tools to reshape thought patterns, cultivate self-belief, and harness the power of visualization. As these practices become an integral part of an athlete’s routine, they lay the foundation for peak performance and consistent excellence. Through this deliberate mental conditioning, athletes not only elevate their skills on the field but also enrich their overall well-being. The fusion of NLP and mental conditioning empowers athletes to thrive under pressure, embrace adversity, and ultimately emerge as champions in their chosen arena.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming: A Key To Achieving Sports Success

NLP stands as a pivotal tool in the realm of sports, offering athletes a profound avenue to achieve unprecedented levels of success. Through the intricate interplay of language, thought, and behaviour, NLP enables athletes to rewire their mindset for triumph. By tapping into the neurological processes that govern human experiences, NLP empowers athletes to cultivate unshakable self-confidence, conquer performance anxieties, and harness the potential of mental imagery. This strategic alignment of mind and body fosters a heightened state of focus, resilience, and determination – essential attributes for navigating the challenges of competitive sports. As athletes immerse themselves in the principles of NLP, they unlock the doorway to sports success, where the seeds of aspiration are nurtured into the blossoms of victory.

Cultivating A Winning Mentality: The Role Of Neuro-Linguistic Programming In Athletes’ Success

Cultivating a winning mentality is the cornerstone of an athlete’s journey to success, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) serves as a powerful catalyst in achieving this transformative shift. NLP empowers athletes to reshape their thought patterns, allowing them to embrace self-belief, focus, and determination. By employing techniques that harmonize language and thought processes, athletes can banish self-doubt, replace it with positive affirmations, and channel their energy towards their goals. NLP’s visualization exercises enable athletes to vividly imagine their desired outcomes, fostering a sense of familiarity that diminishes anxiety in high-pressure situations. This approach, combined with techniques to regulate emotions and enhance concentration, equips athletes with the mental armour required to navigate challenges and maintain peak performance. As athletes engage in NLP practices, they not only elevate their athletic prowess but also nurture a mindset primed for victory in every endeavour.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to study NLP coaching? If you do then you need to do our NLP Coaching Course. Follow this link to learn more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a psychological approach that focuses on the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioural patterns. In sports, NLP techniques are used to rewire an athlete’s mindset, fostering a positive and winning mentality.

NLP techniques empower athletes to reframe negative thoughts, beliefs, and self-doubt into positive affirmations. By addressing mental barriers, athletes can boost their self-confidence and create a mindset conducive to success.

Visualization is a powerful tool within NLP. Athletes use it to vividly imagine successful outcomes, enhancing their familiarity with achieving goals. This mental rehearsal cultivates a winning mentality, reduces anxiety, and optimizes performance under pressure.

NLP equips athletes with techniques to manage performance anxiety by regulating their emotions and shifting focus away from fear and doubt. Athletes learn to stay present, control their thoughts, and channel their energy towards optimal performance.

Yes, NLP is highly adaptable. Trained coaches personalize NLP techniques to suit an athlete’s personality, goals, and challenges. This individualized approach ensures that athletes can effectively harness the power of NLP to create a winning mentality.

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How Does Exercise Affect Blood Pressure And Heart Rate https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-exercise-affect-blood-pressure-and-heart-rate/ Mon, 04 Sep 2023 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34479 The post How Does Exercise Affect Blood Pressure And Heart Rate appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of well-being and cardiovascular health, the symbiotic relationship between exercise, blood pressure, and heart rate takes centre stage. As we embark on a journey to unravel the intricacies of this connection, a profound understanding emerges of how our bodies respond to physical activity. The pulsating rhythm of our heart and the ebb and flow of arterial pressure become intertwined with the rhythms of workouts. In this article, we delve into the physiological dance that unfolds within our bodies during workouts, exploring how different types of workouts influence arterial pressure and heart beat. Join us as we navigate through the heart’s responses, uncover the underlying mechanisms, and shed light on the pivotal role that physical activity plays in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Understanding How Physical Activity Affects Blood Pressure And Heart Rate

Understanding how workouts affect arterial pressure and heart beat is a key step in comprehending the intricate interplay between workouts and cardiovascular health. When we engage in workouts, our heart works tirelessly to pump oxygen-rich blood to muscles, leading to an increase in heartbeat. Simultaneously, blood vessels dilate, enabling improved blood flow and potentially reducing arterial pressure. Different exercise intensities and durations evoke unique responses, influencing these vital physiological markers. By unravelling these mechanisms, we gain insights into the impact of workouts on our cardiovascular system, ultimately guiding us toward informed choices that promote heart health and overall well-being.

The Impact Of Physical Activity On Cardiovascular Health: Blood Pressure And Heart Rate

The profound impact of workouts on cardiovascular health is exemplified by its influence on arterial pressure and heart beat. Engaging in regular physical activity prompts a cascade of beneficial responses within the body. Physical activity, whether moderate or vigorous, stimulates the heart to pump more efficiently, leading to an increased heartbeat. This heightened activity not only strengthens the heart muscle but also enhances its ability to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body. Additionally, workouts contributes to the dilation of blood vessels, promoting improved blood flow and potentially leading to reduced blood pressure levels. Understanding these dynamics unveils exercise’s role as a potent tool for maintaining cardiovascular health. By encouraging heart efficiency and facilitating healthy blood pressure, physical activity emerges as a cornerstone in safeguarding against cardiovascular ailments and promoting overall well-being.

Exploring The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Heart Rate

Exploring the intricate relationship between workouts and heart rate unveils the body’s remarkable adaptability to workouts. As we engage in physical activity, our heart beat escalates to meet the increased demand for oxygenated blood delivery to working muscles. This physiological response is tightly intertwined with the type, intensity, and duration of physical activity. Aerobic activities often lead to a steady elevation in heartbeat, while interval training and endurance exercises may induce fluctuations. Understanding this connection sheds light on the cardiovascular system’s resilience and adaptability, illustrating how tailored exercise regimens can harness these responses for optimal heart health.

Tips For Cardiovascular Health

Effectively managing arterial pressure through workouts offers a proactive approach to enhancing cardiovascular health. Engaging in regular workouts contributes to the maintenance of healthy arterial pressure levels by promoting improved circulation and overall heart function. Aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling stimulate the heart, encouraging it to pump blood more efficiently. Consistent exercise routines help reduce excess weight, a significant contributor to elevated arterial pressure. Incorporating strength training further enhances the cardiovascular system’s efficiency by increasing muscle mass and metabolic rate. It’s essential to start gradually and consult a healthcare professional before commencing any physical activity regimen, especially for individuals with preexisting conditions. By integrating workouts into daily routines and adopting a well-rounded approach, individuals can take proactive steps toward managing blood pressure and fostering lasting cardiovascular well-being.

Exercise Intensity And Its Influence On Heart Rate And Arterial Pressure

Physical activity intensity plays a pivotal role in shaping heart rate and blood pressure responses. As exercise intensity increases, so does heartbeat, reflecting the body’s effort to deliver oxygenated blood to muscles in demand. Simultaneously, blood vessels dilate to accommodate heightened blood flow, potentially leading to reduced arterial pressure levels during and after workouts. Activities with varying intensities evoke distinct physiological responses; moderate-intensity exercises like brisk walking maintain a steady increase in heart beat and promote healthy arterial pressure, while high-intensity interval training triggers rapid fluctuations. Understanding this correlation between workouts intensity, heart rate, and arterial pressure empowers individuals to tailor their workouts for optimal cardiovascular benefits, promoting a harmonious relationship between fitness and health.

In the exploration of the intricate relationship between physical activity, blood pressure, and heart rate, we unearth a symphony of physiological responses that underscore the profound connection between workouts and cardiovascular health. The rhythm of our heart intertwines with the cadence of workouts, as blood vessels dilate in harmony with our efforts. This journey has illuminated how different physical activity types and intensities play a role in sculpting our heart rate and arterial pressure patterns, ultimately impacting our overall well-being.

By understanding these intricacies, we’ve come to realize the pivotal role that exercise plays in maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. From the pulsating tempo of heartbeats to the ebb and flow of arterial pressure, our bodies engage in a dance that echoes the significance of making informed choices for our well-being. As we conclude this exploration, let us carry forward this newfound knowledge, recognizing that physical activity is not merely a physical pursuit but a proactive investment in the vitality of our hearts and the harmony of our lives.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Physical activity prompts the heart to beat faster, increasing heart rate to deliver oxygen-rich blood to muscles. It also leads to blood vessel dilation, potentially reducing arterial pressure by improving blood flow.

Physical activity intensity influences heart rate and blood pressure responses. Higher-intensity activities elevate heart rate and may cause a temporary rise in blood pressure, while moderate exercises maintain steadier levels.

Aerobic exercises like jogging, cycling, and swimming have notable impacts on heart rate and blood pressure due to their sustained effort, promoting cardiovascular health.

Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, making it more efficient. This, along with improved blood vessel function, contributes to maintaining healthy heart rate and arterial pressure levels.

Yes, regular physical activity can help manage high arterial pressure by promoting better blood vessel function and reducing stress, which in turn may lead to improved heart rate and blood pressure control. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your exercise routine.

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What Are The Latest Trends And Innovations In Rugby Coaching And Training Methods? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-the-latest-trends-and-innovations-in-rugby-coaching-and-training-methods/ Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34433 The post What Are The Latest Trends And Innovations In Rugby Coaching And Training Methods? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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As the game evolves, so do the strategies, techniques, and methods employed to enhance performance. In this ever-evolving landscape, staying updated with the latest trends and innovations in rugby coaching and training methods is essential for those who aspire to lead their teams to victory and reach new heights of athleticism.

From the heart-pounding action on the field to the meticulous planning behind the scenes, the world of rugby coaching is undergoing a transformation. As technology advances, our understanding of the human body deepens, and players themselves demand more from their training, the realm of possibilities expands. In this article, we delve into the cutting-edge trends and innovations that are shaping the future of rugby coaching and player development. From embracing data-driven analysis to harnessing the power of mental resilience, we uncover the strategies that are redefining the way the game is approached, played, and mastered. Whether you’re a seasoned coach, an aspiring player, or a dedicated fan, join us as we explore the fascinating landscape of the latest trends and innovations in rugby coaching and training methods.

Rugby Coaching Trends: Navigating The Ever-Changing Landscape

In the realm of rugby, where progress is ceaseless, coaches and players navigate a dynamic landscape of evolving strategies and methodologies. This article delves into the current rugby coaching trends, spotlighting the essential shifts that are shaping the sport’s trajectory. From innovative training techniques to the fusion of data analytics, we explore how coaches are adapting to harness these trends and propel their teams toward excellence. Navigating this ever-changing landscape demands agility and foresight, and by embracing these trends, coaches can lead their players through uncharted territory while optimizing performance and achieving their collective goals.

Innovations In Training Methods: Revolutionizing Rugby Player Development

In the world of rugby, a revolution is underway in player development, driven by groundbreaking innovations in training methods. This article delves into how these innovations are reshaping the way athletes prepare for the game. From personalized fitness regimens leveraging advanced biometrics to virtual reality simulations enhancing decision-making skills under pressure, the spectrum of possibilities is expanding. Coaches and players alike are embracing these methods to optimize physical prowess, tactical acumen, and mental resilience. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based techniques, rugby training is undergoing a transformation that transcends traditional paradigms. As a result, players are not only reaching peak performance but are also gaining a deeper understanding of their strengths and areas for growth. In this exploration of innovative training, we uncover how these advancements are fostering a new era of holistic player development, fuelling the sport’s evolution and propelling it into uncharted territories of excellence.

Exploring The Latest Advancements In Rugby Coaching Techniques

Embarking on a journey of exploration, we delve into the forefront of rugby coaching techniques, where innovation meets tradition. This article uncovers the pulse of progress in the coaching realm, spotlighting the newest advancements that are reshaping how teams approach the game. From dynamic tactical analyses fuelled by data-driven insights to fostering a culture of adaptability and growth, coaches are embracing novel approaches to elevate player performance. By dissecting these advancements, we unveil the secrets behind successful teams and the coaches who are driving their evolution. Join us as we navigate this dynamic landscape, unravelling the threads of ingenuity that are weaving a new narrative in rugby coaching and propelling teams toward victory in an ever-evolving sporting arena.

Emerging Techniques In Player Training: Shaping The Future Of Rugby Performance

In the realm of rugby performance, a paradigm shift is underway as emerging techniques in player training chart an exhilarating course towards the future. This article delves into the vanguard of training methods that are reshaping the landscape of athleticism and prowess. From biomechanics and customized recovery protocols that optimize physical potential to the fusion of mindfulness practices that fortify mental resilience, these techniques are ushering in a new era of holistic player development. Coaches and athletes are embracing these innovative approaches to sculpt well-rounded players capable of conquering the demands of the game. By unpacking these emerging methodologies, we unveil the blueprint for unlocking untapped potential and navigating the ever-evolving tapestry of rugby performance. This exploration into the shaping of future performance offers a glimpse into the transformational journey that players and coaches are embarking upon, transcending boundaries and carving new pathways to excellence.

Modern Rugby Coaching Innovations: Adapting To New Realities And Demands

Amidst the ever-shifting landscape of rugby, modern coaching innovations stand as beacons of adaptation to new realities and demands. This article peers into the heart of these innovations, illuminating how coaches are redefining their strategies in response to the evolving dynamics of the sport. From leveraging artificial intelligence for predictive analysis to integrating cross-disciplinary training approaches, coaches are mastering the art of staying ahead. These innovations not only address the demands of a rapidly changing game but also empower players to reach their full potential. By embracing these pioneering methods, coaches are not merely instructing; they’re guiding teams through uncharted territories of success, equipped with the tools needed to thrive in the modern rugby arena.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a Rugby Coach? If you do, then you need to do our Rugby Coaching Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Modern rugby coaching is witnessing a shift towards data-driven decision-making. Coaches are utilizing advanced analytics to dissect player performance, strategize effectively, and enhance tactical insights. Moreover, there’s a growing emphasis on holistic player development, encompassing mental conditioning, nutrition, and recovery protocols.

Technology is revolutionizing rugby training with tools like wearable devices to monitor player load and performance. Virtual reality simulations are honing decision-making skills, while biomechanics research is refining movement efficiency. Innovations like these are fostering a new era of precise, targeted training.

The incorporation of sports psychology is gaining momentum, equipping players with mental resilience and focus. Mindfulness techniques, visualization exercises, and emotional intelligence training are enhancing player confidence and overall team dynamics.

Personalized coaching plans are becoming prevalent, tailoring training programs to players’ strengths and weaknesses. This approach optimizes development, addressing specific skill areas and ensuring each player’s unique potential is realized.

Innovations in physiotherapy, sports medicine, and recovery protocols are minimizing injury risks and accelerating healing processes. Cryotherapy, specialized nutrition plans, and proactive injury tracking systems are enhancing player well-being and longevity on the field.

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How Do Environmental Factors Influence The Design Of Sports Conditioning Programs? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-environmental-factors-influence-the-design-of-sports-conditioning-programs/ Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34421 The post How Do Environmental Factors Influence The Design Of Sports Conditioning Programs? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of peak athletic performance, the meticulous design of sports conditioning programs plays a pivotal role. However, the efficacy of these programs isn’t solely determined by exercise regimens and techniques. Environmental factors, often overlooked but incredibly influential, weave a complex tapestry that significantly shapes the blueprint of these programs. From altitude and temperature variations to the very terrain athletes train on, the dynamic interplay of environmental elements holds the potential to redefine the efficacy and outcomes of sports conditioning.

This exploration delves into the profound ways in which environmental factors wield their influence on the design of sports conditioning programs. By understanding how altitude, climate, geography, and more interact with an athlete’s physiological response, coaches and trainers can tailor programs to enhance performance and adaptability. Join us as we unravel the layers of influence that environmental factors exert, unravelling the science behind their impact and revealing strategies that pave the way for finely tuned athletic conditioning.

Understanding The Impact Of Environmental Factors On Sports Conditioning Programs

In the realm of sports conditioning, a comprehensive grasp of environmental factors is paramount. The influence of altitude, climate, terrain, and other variables on athletes’ physiological responses is pivotal in designing effective programs. Altitude, for instance, challenges oxygen uptake and endurance, while varying climates demand tailored hydration and recovery strategies. The very terrain athletes train on shapes muscle development and movement patterns. Understanding these influences allows coaches and trainers to optimize programs, harnessing environmental factors as allies in performance enhancement. This exploration unravels the intricate interplay of environmental dynamics, unlocking a deeper comprehension of their role in sculpting athletes’ resilience, adaptability, and ultimate success.

Crafting Effective Sports Conditioning Programs: The Role Of Environmental Factors

Crafting sports conditioning programs transcends exercise routines; it’s an artistry that interweaves environmental factors into the very fabric of success. The role of these factors extends far beyond mere backdrop; they’re integral in tailoring programs for optimal performance. The altitude an athlete trains at can induce physiological adaptations, challenging aerobic capacity and enriching endurance. Climate nuances dictate hydration strategies and demand acclimatization measures. Terrain choice shapes muscular development and cultivates sport-specific movement patterns. By harnessing environmental cues, coaches and trainers create programs that harmonize with nature’s influence. It’s a symphony where altitude, climate, and terrain conduct an intricate dance, refining athletes’ abilities. This exploration delves into the orchestration of sports conditioning programs, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between nature’s forces and human potential, unveiling the profound outcomes derived from aligning athletic pursuits with the rhythms of the environment.

Environmental Factors’ Influence On The Design Of Athletic Training Programs

The design of athletic training programs isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavour; it’s a delicate balance between science and surroundings. Environmental factors hold a commanding influence in shaping training regimens that optimize performance. Altitude, a quintessential player, challenges aerobic thresholds and spurs physiological adaptations that elevate endurance. Climate nuances, from heat to cold, dictate hydration protocols and necessitate tailored preparation techniques. The very terrain an athlete manoeuvres upon shapes strength development and fine-tunes movement mechanics. By embracing environmental factors, coaches and trainers infuse training plans with adaptive wisdom, forging a synergy between athlete and surroundings. This exploration delves into the intricate interplay between environmental influences and athletic training, spotlighting the profound implications of synchronizing human ambition with the rhythms of nature, thereby amplifying the efficacy of training programs and unlocking enhanced performance horizons.

Strategic Influence: How Environmental Factors Shape Sports Conditioning Program Design

The design of sports conditioning programs unfolds as a strategic endeavour, where the influence of environmental factors takes centre stage. These factors, ranging from altitude to climate, serve as architects guiding the blueprint of effective training. Altitude, for instance, triggers adaptations that challenge cardiovascular thresholds and elevate endurance capacity. Climate intricacies dictate hydration strategies and necessitate acclimatization measures for optimal performance. Terrain, a silent partner, sculpts muscle development and ingrains sport-specific movement mechanics. By embracing the strategic role of environmental factors, coaches and program designers create harmonious synergy between athlete and surroundings. This exploration unveils the art of program design, showcasing the meticulous interplay between human aspirations and the cues bestowed by nature. The outcome? Athletes empowered with tailored regimens that capitalize on the strategic influences of the environment, unlocking performance prowess that resonates with strategic brilliance.

Balancing Performance Optimization: Incorporating Environmental Factors In Sports Conditioning

In the pursuit of performance optimization, the fusion of science and environment is key. Sports conditioning isn’t confined to gym walls; it’s a delicate equilibrium where environmental factors exert their influence. Altitude shapes athletes’ physiological responses, elevating endurance capacities and refining aerobic thresholds. Climate intricacies necessitate tailored hydration strategies and acclimatization protocols, ensuring peak performance under varying conditions. The very terrain athletes train on dictates movement mechanics and fine-tunes muscle development. By striking a balance between training techniques and the environment’s cues, coaches and trainers craft conditioning programs that harmonize with nature’s wisdom, unlocking the potential for holistic performance excellence. This exploration delves into the harmonious union of science and surroundings, elevating sports conditioning to an art form that transcends boundaries and embraces the power of nature.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

If you would like to know more about our courses, feel free to visit our website today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Environmental factors, such as altitude, climate, and terrain, significantly impact athletes’ physiological responses. These factors influence the way athletes adapt, perform, and recover, shaping the customization of conditioning programs for optimal results.

Altitude introduces lower oxygen levels, triggering adaptations like increased red blood cell production. This influences the intensity and duration of training sessions, allowing coaches to craft specialized programs that enhance aerobic capacity and endurance.

Climate factors like temperature and humidity affect hydration needs and recovery strategies. Coaches tailor training schedules, fluid intake recommendations, and acclimatization protocols to ensure athletes perform optimally in specific climates.

Terrain influences muscular development and movement mechanics. Different surfaces challenge stability, agility, and power, prompting coaches to integrate sport-specific drills and exercises that enhance athletes’ adaptability to varying terrains.

Environmental factors directly impact athletes’ performance and recovery capabilities. Ignoring these factors can lead to suboptimal results or increased risk of injury. By aligning conditioning programs with the environment, coaches maximize athletes’ potential, helping them excel in diverse conditions.

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Why Personal Training Is Important https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-personal-training-is-important/ Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34436 The post Why Personal Training Is Important appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of a healthier and fitter lifestyle, many individuals find themselves seeking guidance and support to achieve their fitness goals effectively. This is where personal training steps in as a transformative and vital aspect of one’s fitness journey. Personal training holds immense importance in providing tailored and expert guidance to individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to kickstart your fitness routine or an experienced athlete aiming to push your limits further, personal training offers personalized workout programs, nutritional advice, and motivation to keep you on track. In this article, we delve into the reasons why personal training is important, exploring the numerous benefits it brings to individuals seeking to unlock their full potential and embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle.

The Significance Of Personal Training For Achieving Fitness Goals

The significance of personal training in achieving fitness goals cannot be overstated. Personal training provides individuals with the expertise and guidance they need to design a tailored workout program that aligns with their specific objectives. A skilled personal trainer assesses the individual’s fitness level, health considerations, and aspirations, crafting a personalized plan that maximizes results and minimizes the risk of injury. Moreover, personal trainers serve as motivators and support systems, pushing clients beyond their limits and providing the encouragement needed to stay dedicated to their fitness journey. With the accountability and expertise of a personal trainer, individuals can overcome obstacles, break through plateaus, and achieve their fitness goals efficiently and effectively.

Importance Of Personal Training In Enhancing Health And Wellness

Personal training plays a pivotal role in enhancing health and wellness by providing individuals with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to achieve optimal well-being. A personal trainer takes a comprehensive approach to health, considering not only physical fitness but also mental and emotional aspects. They conduct thorough assessments to understand an individual’s current health status, fitness level, and wellness goals. With this information, a personalized fitness and nutrition plan is devised to address specific needs and aspirations.

Personal training enhances health by promoting regular physical activity, improving cardiovascular fitness, strength, and flexibility. Additionally, it fosters better posture, balance, and coordination, lowering the risk of injuries and enhancing overall mobility. Beyond physical benefits, personal training supports mental wellness by reducing stress, anxiety, and boosting mood through exercise-induced endorphins.

Personalized Workout Programs: Tailored Solutions For Fitness Success

Personalized workout programs are the key to fitness success as they offer tailored solutions that cater to individual needs and goals. These programs take into account factors like fitness level, medical history, preferences, and aspirations, ensuring that each exercise plan is uniquely suited to the individual. By customizing workouts, personal trainers can optimize efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, helping clients achieve their desired results efficiently. The personalized approach ensures that individuals stay motivated, engaged, and committed to their fitness journey. Whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or overall well-being, personalized workout programs provide the roadmap to success, maximizing progress and empowering individuals to reach their full fitness potential.

Achieving Fitness Goals Through Personal Training

Achieving fitness goals through personal training is a transformative and empowering journey that can lead to remarkable results. Personal trainers serve as dedicated partners, guiding individuals step by step towards their desired fitness objectives. By understanding each client’s unique goals, fitness level, and challenges, personal trainers design customized workout programs tailored to address specific needs. They provide expert guidance on proper exercise techniques, ensuring safety and optimal results. Through ongoing motivation and accountability, personal trainers keep clients focused and committed to their fitness journey, pushing them beyond their perceived limits.

The personal training process involves regular assessments to track progress and make necessary adjustments to the workout plan. This dynamic approach ensures continued growth and keeps individuals motivated throughout their fitness journey. Personal trainers also offer valuable insights into nutrition and lifestyle choices, complementing the exercise regime for comprehensive well-being.

Health And Wellness: The Impact Of Personalized Workout Programs

Personalized workout programs have a profound impact on health and wellness, as they are tailored to meet individual needs and goals. By customizing exercise routines based on specific fitness levels, preferences, and challenges, personalized programs maximize the effectiveness of workouts. They help individuals achieve optimal results while minimizing the risk of injuries. Personalized workout programs are designed to address various aspects of health and wellness, such as improving cardiovascular fitness, building strength and endurance, enhancing flexibility, and promoting overall well-being. With the guidance of a personal trainer, individuals can experience major improvements in their physical health, mental clarity, and energy levels, leading to a balanced and healthier lifestyle.

Personal training plays a vital role in the journey towards a healthier, fitter, and more fulfilling life. The significance of personal training lies in its ability to provide customized guidance, motivation, and support tailored to individual needs and goals. With the expertise of a personal trainer, individuals can design personalized workout programs that maximize results and address specific health and wellness objectives. From achieving fitness goals and enhancing overall health to promoting mental well-being, personalized training programs offer tailored solutions for success. By partnering with a personal trainer, individuals can overcome challenges, stay accountable, and push past limitations on their fitness journey. The impact of personalized workout programs extends beyond physical fitness, positively influencing mental and emotional well-being. Embrace the transformative power of personal training to unlock your full potential and take onboard a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training provides expert guidance and personalized workout programs that are tailored to individual needs, maximizing results and efficiently helping individuals achieve their fitness objectives.

Personal training takes a comprehensive approach to health, addressing physical fitness, mental well-being, and emotional balance through exercise, reducing stress, and promoting better overall health.

Personalized workout programs offer tailored solutions that cater to an individual’s fitness level, preferences, and goals, ensuring maximum efficiency, effectiveness, and motivation.

Personal trainers serve as dedicated partners, providing ongoing motivation, support, and accountability, pushing clients beyond their limits and keeping them focused on achieving their fitness goals.

Personalized workout programs positively impact overall well-being, leading to improved physical health, mental clarity, increased energy levels, and a more balanced and healthier lifestyle.

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Who Should Get A Personal Trainer? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/who-should-get-a-personal-trainer/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34420 The post Who Should Get A Personal Trainer? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the dynamic realm of health and fitness, the role of a personal trainer transcends mere exercise instruction. The question of “Who Should Get a Personal Trainer?” sparks a journey into the realm of tailored fitness guidance and transformative wellness.

While fitness enthusiasts of all levels can benefit from a trainer’s expertise, this article delves into the nuances of this question, exploring the diverse individuals who can greatly reap the rewards of professional coaching. From beginners seeking a solid foundation to advanced athletes aiming to reach new heights, the spectrum is wide. Join us as we uncover the compelling reasons and myriad benefits behind the decision to enlist the services of a trainers.

Exploring Personal Trainer Benefits: How They Can Transform Your Fitness Journey

Exploring the world of personal trainer benefits unveils a spectrum of transformative possibilities for your fitness journey. Trainers are not just exercise instructors; they serve as your allies, guides, and motivators. Their expertise lies not only in crafting effective workouts but in understanding your unique goals, limitations, and aspirations. Through individualized guidance, they maximize your efforts, optimize your technique, and ensure your safety. Beyond physical gains, trainers empower you mentally, instilling discipline, confidence, and resilience. They tailor workouts that evolve as you progress, preventing plateaus and fostering continuous growth. By investing in a trainers, you invest in a holistic transformation—where every session is a step toward your healthiest, strongest, and most vibrant self.

Fitness Guidance And Beyond: Why You Should Consider A Personal Trainer

Fitness guidance takes on new dimensions when you consider the invaluable role of a trainers. Beyond just telling you which exercises to do, a trainers becomes your fitness strategist, confidant, and source of unwavering support. They dive deep into your health goals, crafting a roadmap that aligns with your aspirations and limitations. The personalized attention ensures every workout is efficient, safe, and effective. But it doesn’t stop at the physical realm. A trainers nurtures your mental resilience, transforming perceived barriers into stepping stones. They celebrate every victory, no matter how small, and keep you accountable when motivation wanes. With a trainers, you’re investing in a comprehensive partnership that transcends exercise routines, fostering a holistic transformation that enriches your body, mind, and overall well-being.

Achieving Your Health Goals: The Role Of Personal Trainers In Wellness

Personal trainers are the architects of your health journey, sculpting the path towards your wellness aspirations. Their expertise extends far beyond just guiding workouts; they become your allies in the pursuit of health goals. With a very deep understanding of exercise science and nutrition, they design customized plans that align with your individual needs. Their guidance empowers you to overcome plateaus, adjust strategies, and stay on course. Moreover, trainers offer unwavering support and motivation, transforming your health objectives from distant dreams into tangible achievements. Through their knowledge, dedication, and encouragement, trainers play a pivotal role in shaping your wellness destiny and ensuring your success in reaching your health goals.

Customized Success: Individualized Workouts With A Personal Trainer

Unlocking your full fitness potential is a journey best undertaken with a trainers. Their hallmark is the art of tailoring workouts to your unique needs. Personal trainers craft exercise regimens that align with your fitness level, preferences, and goals. This customized approach ensures every movement is purposeful and effective, minimizing the risk of injury while maximizing results. They meticulously design routines that challenge you in the right measure, ensuring progression and preventing plateaus. These personalized workouts evolve as you do, adapting to your changing strengths and aspirations. Through this finely tuned approach, trainers not only guide you in the present but also pave the way for your future fitness success. With their expertise, your fitness journey becomes a pathway of individualized success, leading you towards a healthier and stronger you.

Unlocking Your Potential: The Impact Of Professional Coaching With A Personal Trainer

Professional coaching through a trainers has the remarkable ability to unlock your true fitness potential. Their guidance extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing motivation, accountability, and expertise. A personal trainer acts as a mentor, providing insights, setting goals, and tracking your progress. Their presence elevates your workouts, pushing you beyond self-imposed limits and instilling a sense of discipline. With their support, you tap into newfound strengths, both physical and mental. This partnership transcends exercise, fostering a holistic transformation that goes beyond the gym. As you unlock your potential with a trainers, you embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and lasting fitness achievements.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone seeking dedicated guidance, motivation, and tailored workouts to attain their fitness goals can benefit from a personal trainer.

People of all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes, those with specific health concerns, or anyone looking to optimize their workout routine, can benefit.

No, personal trainers cater to various fitness goals, including weight loss, muscle gain, improved cardiovascular health, flexibility, and overall well-being.

Personal trainers with knowledge of rehabilitation and special considerations can design safe and effective exercise plans to accommodate health limitations or injuries.

Yes, personal trainers can create time-efficient workouts that align with your schedule, making fitness achievable even amidst a busy lifestyle.

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What Makes A Good Personal Trainer? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-makes-a-good-personal-trainer/ Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34403 The post What Makes A Good Personal Trainer? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of fitness, a good personal trainer can be the driving force behind transformative journeys toward health and well-being. The question that often arises is, “What Makes a Good Personal Trainer?” Beyond just facilitating workouts, a great personal trainer embodies a blend of skills, knowledge, and qualities that empower individuals to achieve their fitness goals.

This article delves into the essential attributes that set exceptional trainers apart. From effective communication and motivational prowess to deep expertise in exercise science and tailored coaching, we explore the multifaceted qualities that contribute to a personal trainer’s success. By understanding what truly makes a good personal trainer, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right guide on your fitness journey.

Personal Trainer Qualities: Traits That Define Excellence

Personal trainer qualities are the bedrock of excellence in the fitness industry. These traits go beyond mere physical prowess and encompass a holistic approach to coaching. Effective communication skills enable trainers to connect, listen, and understand clients’ goals and concerns. Empathy and motivational prowess foster a supportive environment, inspiring individuals to push boundaries. Expertise in exercise science and nutrition equips trainers to design customized plans for optimal results. Adaptability allows them to tailor strategies to diverse needs. Patience and dedication ensure progress over time, while leadership guides clients toward success. Ultimately, a good personal trainer embodies a fusion of physical prowess, knowledge, empathy, and communication, shaping a transformative fitness journey for their clients.

Effective Fitness Coaching: Elevating Your Workout Experience

Effective fitness coaching is the cornerstone of an elevated workout experience that transcends the ordinary. A good personal trainer doesn’t just oversee exercises; they orchestrate a journey of transformation. Their guidance navigates beyond sets and reps, encompassing motivation, accountability, and technique refinement. With personalized attention, trainers identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and goals, sculpting a tailored regimen that optimizes results. Their expertise ensures safe and efficient workouts, minimizing the risk of injuries and setbacks.

Moreover, effective fitness coaching is a potent blend of inspiration and education. Trainers not only ignite motivation but also impart knowledge, empowering clients to understand the science behind their efforts. They cultivate mental resilience, encouraging clients to overcome obstacles and surpass limitations. Through attentive guidance, trainers keep workouts dynamic and engaging, fostering consistency and enthusiasm. The mark of a skilled fitness coach lies in their ability to create a symbiotic relationship between guidance, education, and empowerment, culminating in a transformative fitness journey.

 Becoming A Skilled Fitness Instructor: Pathways To Expertise

Becoming a skilled fitness instructor requires a dedicated journey along pathways to expertise. It starts with a deep-rooted passion for health and wellness, coupled with a commitment to continuous learning. Formal education, such as certifications and degrees in exercise science or related fields, lays a strong foundation. However, true expertise is cultivated through hands-on experience, mentoring, and staying current with industry trends.

Mastery involves not only understanding exercise mechanics but also honing communication skills, empathy, and adaptability. Effective fitness instructors prioritize client goals, adjust strategies as needed, and offer unwavering support. They immerse themselves in ongoing education, attending workshops and seminars, and participating in professional networks. This multifaceted journey transforms enthusiasts into skilled instructors capable of guiding individuals toward their fitness aspirations.

Qualifications For Trainers: Steps Toward Fitness Excellence

Qualifications for fitness trainers pave the path toward excellence in the dynamic realm of health and wellness. Attaining these qualifications involves a strategic blend of education, experience, and industry recognition. Formal education, such as degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, or related fields, provides a strong foundation of anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical knowledge.

Acquiring certifications from reputable organizations further validates expertise and ensures adherence to industry standards. These certifications cover a range of specialties, from personal training to group fitness instruction, catering to diverse client needs. Additionally, trainers gain valuable hands-on experience by working with various populations, honing their coaching skills and adapting strategies to meet individual goals.

An essential aspect of qualifications is staying updated with the latest research, trends, and best practices in the fitness industry. Continuous learning through workshops, conferences, and networking enhances a trainer’s ability to provide cutting-edge guidance. The amalgamation of education, certifications, practical experience, and ongoing learning equips trainers with the qualifications needed to excel in their role and make a lasting impact on clients’ fitness journeys.

Professional Fitness Guidance: Navigating The Role Of A Personal Trainer

Professional fitness guidance stands as the cornerstone of a successful fitness journey, with a personal trainer assuming a pivotal role in this process. Beyond crafting workout routines, a skilled trainer becomes a mentor, motivator, and source of unwavering support. Their expertise extends to assessing individual needs, setting realistic goals, and tailoring strategies that align with each client’s unique circumstances. By monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments, trainers ensure consistent growth and optimize results. The ability to offer personalized guidance, expert advice, and a holistic approach distinguishes a professional trainer. Their commitment to helping clients navigate obstacles, achieve milestones, and cultivate a sustainable healthy lifestyle underscores the importance of their role in fostering lasting fitness success.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A good personal trainer embodies a combination of strong communication skills, deep fitness knowledge, empathy, adaptability, and a genuine passion for helping clients achieve their goals.

Effective fitness coaching goes beyond exercise routines. It involves tailoring workouts to individual needs, providing motivation, and offering expert guidance, ensuring clients stay engaged, progress, and enjoy a positive training journey.

Becoming a skilled fitness instructor involves acquiring relevant certifications, continuous education, practical experience, and developing strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with and guide clients.

Essential qualifications include recognized certifications from reputable organizations, proficiency in fitness assessment and program design, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, together with an understanding of nutrition and exercise science.

A personal trainer provides professional guidance by assessing individual goals, creating customized workout plans, offering nutritional advice, tracking progress, and adapting strategies as needed to ensure clients achieve optimal results in a safe and sustainable manner.

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How Can A Personal Trainer Help Me? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-a-personal-trainer-help-me/ Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34389 The post How Can A Personal Trainer Help Me? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the quest for improved fitness, achieving specific health goals, and leading a healthier lifestyle, many individuals seek the expertise of a personal trainer. A personal trainer can be a game-changer in your fitness journey, providing personalized guidance, motivation, and support tailored to your bespoke needs and aspirations. From designing a customized exercise program to offering nutritional advice and tracking your progress, a trainer plays a pivotal role in helping you attain your fitness objectives efficiently and effectively. This article explores the various ways a personal trainer can assist you in attaining your fitness goals, empowering you to unlock your full potential and embrace a healthier, happier lifestyle.

The role Of A Personal Trainer In Achieving Your Fitness Goals

A trainer plays a critical role in guiding and empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals. With their expertise and knowledge, they create personalized exercise programs tailored to individual needs, abilities, and aspirations. Personal trainers provide motivation and accountability, ensuring clients remain on track and committed to their fitness journey. They offer guidance on proper exercise techniques, helping to prevent injuries and maximize results. Additionally, trainers provide nutritional advice and support, addressing dietary concerns to complement the workout routine. Through regular assessments and tracking progress, they adapt and modify the program as needed, ensuring continuous improvement. Ultimately, a personal trainer serves as a dedicated partner in the pursuit of improved fitness and overall well-being.

Designing An Effective Exercise Program With A Personal Trainer

Designing an effective exercise program with a trainer is a transformative experience that sets individuals on the path to attaining their fitness goals. Personal trainers bring their skills and knowledge to the table, conducting thorough assessments of clients’ fitness levels, health history, and aspirations. Based on this comprehensive understanding, they craft personalized exercise programs tailored to specific needs and objectives. These programs incorporate a variety of exercises, from cardiovascular workouts and strength training to flexibility and balance exercises, ensuring a well-rounded approach to fitness. Trainers also consider any existing injuries or limitations, adapting the program to prevent further strain and promote safe progress.

Beyond just providing exercise routines, trainers serve as motivators, ensuring clients stay focused and committed to their journey. They offer continuous support, guidance, and encouragement, empowering people to push beyond their limits and achieve results they once deemed unattainable. Through regular assessments and progress tracking, trainers fine-tune the exercise program, making adjustments to maintain steady improvement. This dynamic and individualized approach to exercise makes trainers invaluable partners in the pursuit of improved health and overall well-being.

Prioritizing Health And Wellness With Personal Training

Prioritizing health and wellness with personal training is a transformative journey that empowers individuals to take charge of their overall well-being. Trainers serve as dedicated partners, guiding clients through a comprehensive approach to health that encompasses physical fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. They assess individual needs and create customized fitness programs that align with specific health goals. Through personalized coaching, trainers provide valuable insights into proper exercise techniques, nutritional choices, and stress management strategies. By prioritizing health and wellness with personal training, individuals gain the tools and motivation to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle, fostering long-term vitality and happiness.

Tracking Your Fitness Progress With A Personal Trainer

Tracking your fitness progress with a trainer is an essential aspect of achieving your health and fitness goals. Personal trainers play a very important role in helping you monitor and assess your fitness journey, ensuring that you stay on track and make significant progress. They employ various methods to track your fitness, such as regular assessments, body measurements, and performance evaluations. By keeping a close eye on your progress, trainers can identify areas of improvement, adjust your exercise program, and celebrate your successes. Additionally, tracking your fitness progress provides you with tangible evidence of your hard work and dedication, boosting motivation and confidence. Personal trainers offer valuable support and guidance throughout the process, encouraging you to push past limitations and reach new heights of fitness and well-being. With their expertise and personalized approach, trainers become your partner in success, helping you stay focused and committed to achieving lasting results.

Why Hiring A Personal Trainer Can Enhance Your Fitness Journey

Hiring a trainer can significantly enhance your fitness journey by providing personalized guidance, motivation, and expertise. A trainer creates a tailored exercise program based on your particular goals, fitness level, and preferences, ensuring maximum effectiveness and safety. They offer constant support, pushing you beyond your limits and helping you overcome plateaus. With their knowledge of proper form and technique, trainers reduce the risk of injury and optimize your workouts. They act as a source of accountability, ensuring you stay committed to your fitness routine. Moreover, a trainer can educate you about nutrition and lifestyle choices, complementing your exercise efforts. With their encouragement and dedication to your success, a personal trainer becomes a valuable ally on your path to achieving a healthier and fitter lifestyle.

A personal trainer can be a valuable tool on your journey to improved fitness and overall well-being. From designing customized exercise programs to offering nutritional guidance and tracking your progress, personal trainers play a crucial role in assisting you with achieving your health goals efficiently and effectively. They provide motivation, support, and accountability, empowering you to push beyond your limits and embrace new challenges. With their expertise and personalized approach, personal trainers become dedicated partners in your pursuit of a healthier and fitter lifestyle. By prioritizing health and wellness, and tracking your progress, personal training becomes a transformative experience that empowers you to take full charge of your physical and mental well-being. Embracing the guidance of a personal trainer can enhance your fitness journey, leading to lasting results and a happier, healthier you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A personal trainer can put together a tailored exercise program based upon your goals, fitness level, and preferences, ensuring maximum effectiveness and progress.

Yes, a personal trainer serves as a constant source of motivation and support, motivating you to conquer challenges and remain committed to your goals.

Personal trainers provide hands-on guidance and feedback, lowering the risk of injury and optimizing the efficiency of your workouts.

Absolutely, many personal trainers offer nutritional guidance and lifestyle advice to complement your exercise efforts and enhance overall well-being.

Besides physical fitness, personal trainers can improve your mental well-being, boost your confidence, and help you develop sustainable habits for long-term health.

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How Do Boxing Exercises Contribute To Improved Upper Body Mobility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-boxing-exercises-contribute-to-improved-upper-body-mobility/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34377 The post How Do Boxing Exercises Contribute To Improved Upper Body Mobility? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In a world often constrained by sedentary routines, the importance of upper body mobility resonates more than ever. Enter boxing exercises – not only renowned for their cardiovascular benefits but also for their potential to revolutionize upper body movement. This exploration takes us into the realm where boxing and mobility intersect, unravelling the ways in which these exercise contribute to improved upper body mobility. Join us as we delve into the science and strategies behind this dynamic approach to fitness and unveil a path to a more agile and adaptable you.

Enhancing Upper Body Mobility Through Boxing Exercises

Incorporating boxing exercises into your fitness repertoire isn’t just about building strength and endurance – it’s a doorway to amplified upper body mobility. The controlled movements and rhythmic punches engaged in boxing routines effectively stretch and strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These actions promote joint flexibility and an expanded range of motion, resulting in improved mobility. As you jab, hook, and weave, you’re not only honing boxing skills but also fostering fluidity in daily movements. This article explores the science behind how these exercise bolster upper body mobility, empowering you to reach for, and attain, a new level of flexibility and freedom.

Effective Boxing Exercises for Improved Range of Motion

When it comes to achieving exceptional range of motion, boxing exercises offer a dynamic and effective solution. The deliberate and controlled actions involved in boxing techniques stretch and engage a wide array of muscles throughout the upper body. As you practice jabs, crosses, and uppercuts, your shoulders, arms, and torso undergo comprehensive stretching, enhancing their flexibility and extension capabilities. This results in increased joint mobility and improved muscle elasticity, allowing you to perform everyday tasks with newfound ease and grace.

Shadow boxing, for instance, encourages full extension of your limbs, promoting shoulder mobility and spinal rotation. Speed bag workouts engage the wrists, forearms, and shoulders, boosting joint flexibility. Incorporating these exercises into your routine not only refines your boxing prowess but also revitalizes your body’s innate capacity to move freely. By embracing the rhythmic cadence of effective exercises, you’re not only optimizing physical performance but also enriching your life with the beauty of unrestricted motion.

A Dynamic Approach to Boost Joint Flexibility

Boxing exercises offer more than just a way to build strength – they serve as a dynamic pathway to elevate joint flexibility. The intricate motions involved in boxing routines extend your joints through their full range of motion, actively stretching and strengthening the connective tissues. As you throw punches and weave, your shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints experience controlled tension and release. This deliberate stress fosters increased elasticity, enabling your joints to move smoothly and effortlessly. By integrating these exercise into your regimen, you’re not only refining your boxing skills but also empowering your body to enjoy newfound flexibility and adaptability in all your movements.

Incorporating Boxing Exercises into Your Fitness Training Routine

Elevate your fitness regimen by weaving in the dynamism of boxing exercises. Beyond the conventional workouts, boxing introduces an invigorating blend of cardio, strength, and agility training. Shadow boxing becomes a dance of precision, engaging muscles across your upper body while boosting endurance. Heavy bag sessions meld power with technique, intensifying your core engagement and refining your stance. Pad work not only sharpens your reflexes but also transforms your routine into a spirited full-body workout.

The beauty lies in the versatility – these exercise seamlessly complement your existing fitness plan. By stepping into the boxing realm, you infuse variety and excitement while targeting muscle groups that might have been overlooked. This fusion elevates your cardiovascular health, refines your muscle tone, and amplifies your coordination. So, seize the gloves and add a punch of intensity to your routine; the amalgamation of fitness and boxing will sculpt a more resilient, powerful, and agile version of you.

Unlocking Upper Body Mobility: The Role of Boxing Exercises in Joint Flexibility

The journey to improved upper body mobility finds a formidable ally in boxing exercises, renowned for their transformative impact on joint flexibility. As you execute punches, hooks, and defensive manoeuvres, your shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints experience deliberate and controlled stretching. These actions dynamically engage the connective tissues, enhancing their pliability and contributing to a broader range of motion. By conditioning these joints through boxing’s rhythmic patterns, you’re cultivating resilience and adaptability in the intricate mechanisms that govern movement.

Boxing exercises don’t merely foster strength and coordination; they work synergistically to liberate your upper body’s potential for fluid, unencumbered motion. This article delves into the science behind boxing’s influence on joint flexibility, illuminating how each jab and weave contributes to your journey of unlocking and embracing the full spectrum of upper body mobility.

In a modern era marked by sedentary routines, the value of upper body mobility has surged. Enter these exercise – a gateway not only to cardiovascular health but also a revolution in upper body movement. Through dynamic motions, boxing cultivates joint flexibility, revealing a path to agility.

From shadow boxing’s rhythmic stretches to the intricacies of bag work, each move becomes a step towards liberating joints. This isn’t just about physical prowess; it’s about empowering the body to move harmoniously. So, whether a boxing enthusiast or fitness explorer, the fusion of motion and technique paves the way for an agile, more empowered self.

This journey into boxing’s world underscores that each punch is more than force; it’s an embodiment of fluidity, vitality, and progress. As boxing and mobility merge, we unveil a chapter of resilience and strength that’s both invigorating and transformative.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Boxing exercises promote upper body mobility through controlled movements that stretch and strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These exercises involve various punches, hooks, and weaving motions that engage the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, thereby increasing joint flexibility and range of motion.

Yes, certain boxing exercises are particularly effective for enhancing upper body mobility. Shadow boxing encourages full extension of limbs, enhancing shoulder mobility and spinal rotation. Speed bag workouts engage wrists, forearms, and shoulders, boosting joint flexibility.

Boxing exercises subject joints to deliberate tension and release as you execute punches and movements. This controlled stress promotes increased elasticity in connective tissues, enabling joints to move more smoothly and effortlessly.

Absolutely. Boxing exercises can be seamlessly incorporated into fitness routines, providing an engaging blend of cardio, strength, and agility training. Shadow boxing, heavy bag sessions, and pad work enhance muscle tone, coordination, and cardiovascular health while contributing to improved upper body mobility.

The exploration reveals that boxing exercises offer more than just physical strength – they empower individuals to achieve enhanced upper body mobility. By embracing the controlled movements and techniques of boxing, individuals can tap into a dynamic avenue for greater flexibility, agility, and overall physical well-being.

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Can Bootcamp Workouts Be Incorporated Into A Weightlifting Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-bootcamp-workouts-be-incorporated-into-a-weightlifting-routine/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34370 The post Can Bootcamp Workouts Be Incorporated Into A Weightlifting Routine? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the ever-evolving world of fitness, where diverse workout routines cater to various goals, the question of integrating bootcamp workouts into a weightlifting regimen has gained substantial attention. As fitness enthusiasts seek comprehensive approaches to achieve their goals, the prospect of combining these two distinct training styles has sparked curiosity and discussion. Bootcamp workouts, known for their high-intensity, full-body approach, stand in contrast to the controlled, strength-focused nature of weightlifting routines. However, the idea of incorporating bootcamp elements into a weightlifting routine presents an exciting opportunity for a holistic fitness experience.

This article delves into the realm of fitness fusion, exploring the potential benefits, challenges, and considerations of blending these workouts into a weightlifting regimen. As we navigate through the realms of incorporation, fitness fusion, and training synergy, we aim to unravel the science and strategies behind achieving a harmonious balance between these two dynamic training methods.

Enhancing Your Weightlifting Routine With Bootcamp Workouts

Elevate your weightlifting routine by infusing the dynamic intensity of bootcamp workouts. The combination of precision strength training and high-energy bootcamp exercises offers a multifaceted approach to fitness. By incorporating bootcamp elements, you introduce agility, cardiovascular endurance, and functional movements that complement the controlled nature of weightlifting. This fusion not only enhances muscle development but also challenges your body in new ways, breaking plateaus and boosting overall athleticism. From compound lifts to circuit-style drills, this hybrid approach fosters a balanced physique and amplifies results. Embrace the synergy of these distinct training methodologies and propel your fitness journey to new heights.

Achieving Fitness Fusion: Incorporating Bootcamp Workouts Into Your Weightlifting Routine

Achieving fitness fusion through the seamless integration of bootcamp workouts into your weightlifting routine heralds a transformative approach to physical conditioning. This dynamic blend marries the precision of weightlifting’s muscle-targeting exercises with the invigorating vigour of bootcamp’s high-intensity interval training. By infusing your regimen with bootcamp elements, you inject variety that keeps your body engaged, prevents monotony, and ignites metabolic response.

The incorporation of bootcamp’s functional movements, plyometrics, and cardiovascular challenges bolsters your endurance and agility, synergizing with the strength gains from weightlifting. This fusion stimulates new muscle fibres, accelerates calorie burn, and enhances overall athleticism. It’s a fusion that dismantles traditional boundaries, granting you a holistic fitness experience that transcends limitations. As you navigate between deadlifts and agility drills, you unlock a versatile arsenal that forges a resilient physique. Fitness fusion, underpinned by this unique amalgamation, propels you towards comprehensive growth, both in strength and dynamic prowess.

Maximizing Training Synergy: How To Blend Bootcamp Workouts And Weightlifting Routines

Maximizing training synergy involves skilfully intertwining these workouts with weightlifting routines, creating a powerhouse regimen that taps into the benefits of both disciplines. By strategically combining bootcamp’s explosive movements, endurance challenges, and cardio-intensive drills with the focused strength-building of weightlifting, you foster a harmonious balance. The alternating intensity triggers muscle confusion and prevents adaptation plateaus, accelerating gains. This holistic approach addresses diverse fitness aspects, from muscular development to cardiovascular health. The strategic infusion of bootcamp elements into a weightlifting routine optimizes time, pushing boundaries, and nurturing a well-rounded fitness journey that thrives on the dynamic coalescence of strength, agility, and stamina.

The Power Of Incorporating Bootcamp Workouts Into Your Weightlifting Routine

Unleash the power of fitness evolution by seamlessly weaving these workouts into your weightlifting routine. This fusion transcends conventional training, harnessing the dynamic energy of bootcamp sessions to augment the precision of weightlifting. By interlacing strength-focused lifts with bootcamp’s intense circuit training, you harness the best of both worlds. The power-packed combination not only amplifies muscle development but also turbocharges metabolism and cardiovascular endurance. Bootcamp’s functional exercises and high-octane drills complement weightlifting’s controlled movements, creating a symphony of growth and vitality.

As you integrate these disciplines, your body adapts dynamically, breaking monotony and enhancing overall athleticism. The versatility in training ensures well-rounded progress, maximizing muscle engagement, and refining agility. With each squat, each sprint, you redefine your limits, capitalizing on the synergy of these methodologies. This fusion amplifies results and fuels a holistic transformation that stands as a testament to the potent power of uniting two diverse training realms.

Exploring The Fitness Benefits Of Combining Bootcamp Workouts And Weightlifting Routines

Delve into a realm of fitness innovation by exploring the myriad benefits of fusing these workouts with weightlifting routines. This journey ventures beyond traditional boundaries, merging high-intensity bootcamp drills with the precision of weightlifting techniques. This unique combination enhances muscle growth, bolsters cardiovascular endurance, and ignites metabolism. The synergy ignites calorie burn long after the workout ends. As you squat, press, and lunge alongside explosive circuits and agility drills, your body adapts dynamically, cultivating a resilient, agile physique. This synergy sparks a comprehensive transformation that transcends individual disciplines, catapulting you into a realm where strength, stamina, and vitality coalesce for optimal fitness outcomes.

The fusion of bootcamp workouts with weightlifting routines offers a transformative approach to fitness. By seamlessly blending these methodologies, we unlock the potential for holistic growth. Elevating weightlifting with high-energy bootcamp elements introduces variety, while integrating explosive drills with focused strength-building achieves a harmonious balance. This synergy stimulates muscle diversity, boosts endurance, and redefines limits. The power of combining these disciplines amplifies results and propels us towards a realm where strength, agility, and vitality converge for comprehensive fitness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, these workouts can complement a weightlifting routine exceptionally well. The combination of strength-focused weightlifting exercises with high-intensity bootcamp elements creates a balanced and comprehensive fitness regimen.

Bootcamp workouts infuse variety, agility, and cardiovascular challenges into a weightlifting routine. This enhances overall athleticism, prevents plateaus, and accelerates metabolic response.

These workouts add functional movements, explosive drills, and cardiovascular endurance challenges, which complement the controlled muscle-building of weightlifting. This synergy stimulates muscle growth, calorie burn, and overall fitness.

Yes, beginners can gradually integrate bootcamp workouts into their weightlifting routine. Starting with moderate intensity and progressively increasing the bootcamp elements allows for a seamless transition and gradual adaptation.

Consulting a fitness professional is recommended, especially for those new to either bootcamp workouts or weightlifting. They can provide personalized guidance to ensure proper form, prevent injury, and tailor the fusion to individual fitness goals.

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Can Kettlebell Exercises Help With Alleviating Lower Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-kettlebell-exercises-help-with-alleviating-lower-back-pain/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34364 The post Can Kettlebell Exercises Help With Alleviating Lower Back Pain? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Lower back pain is a common ailment that affects people of all ages and lifestyles. Whether it stems from sedentary habits, poor posture, or strenuous activities, finding effective ways to alleviate this discomfort is a priority for many. In recent years, kettlebell exercises have gained recognition not only for their ability to build strength and endurance but also for their potential to provide relief from back pain. This article delves into the intriguing question: Can kettlebell exercises truly help in alleviating lower back pain? By exploring the principles of kettlebell workouts and their impact on back health, we aim to uncover whether this fitness approach could offer a promising solution for those seeking relief from persistent back discomfort.

Effective Kettlebell Exercises For Alleviating Lower Back Pain

Effective kettlebell exercises have emerged as a promising solution for alleviating back pain. By targeting core muscles and enhancing spinal stability, these exercises help in reducing strain on the back. Kettlebell swings, deadlifts, and Turkish get-ups engage muscles that support the spine, promoting improved posture and flexibility. The controlled movements involved in kettlebell workouts contribute to muscle balance and alleviate pressure on the back. When executed with proper form and technique, these exercises not only strengthen the body but also offer a potential avenue for finding relief from persistent back discomfort.

Exploring Kettlebell Workouts For Lower Back Health

Exploring kettlebell workouts unveils a promising avenue for nurturing lower back health. Kettlebell exercises, known for their dynamic and holistic approach, engage various muscle groups, including those crucial for supporting the back. Incorporating exercises like kettlebell swings, which emphasize the hip hinge movement, promotes strong glutes and core muscles, vital for maintaining spinal alignment and reducing stress on the back. Additionally, movements like Turkish get-ups foster improved proprioception and stability, contributing to better posture and enhanced back health. The controlled nature of exercises encourages muscle balance and flexibility, fostering a protective shield for the spine. By delving into kettlebell workouts designed with proper technique and gradual progression, individuals can potentially find a pathway to strengthen their back and alleviate discomfort, supporting overall spinal wellness.

Utilizing Kettlebell Exercises For Natural Back Pain Relief

Harnessing the power of kettlebell exercises offers a natural approach to back pain relief. Kettlebell workouts engage the core, glutes, and stabilizing muscles, addressing imbalances that often contribute to back discomfort. Movements like kettlebell swings promote proper hip mechanics and strengthen the posterior chain, reducing strain on the back. By enhancing overall core strength and promoting spinal alignment, these exercises provide a foundation for natural pain alleviation. The controlled nature of exercises also encourages gradual progression, minimizing the risk of exacerbating existing pain. Incorporating exercises into a well-rounded fitness routine may serve as a holistic strategy to mitigate back pain and support a healthier, pain-free back.

Improving Lower Back Health With Targeted Kettlebell Workouts

Elevating lower back health becomes attainable through tailored kettlebell workouts. These exercises offer a strategic approach to strengthening muscles that play a pivotal role in maintaining spinal integrity. Kettlebell swings, for instance, engage the hip hinge movement, bolstering the glutes and core while enhancing lumbar stability. The controlled momentum in exercises fosters improved muscle coordination and balance, which are essential for a resilient back. Turkish get-ups, another cornerstone of kettlebell training, encourage full-body engagement and functional mobility, aligning with back wellness. By executing these targeted movements with proper technique, individuals can cultivate a robust foundation of core strength, flexibility, and posture alignment. Integrating kettlebell workouts into a comprehensive fitness regimen could potentially pave the way for better back health and contribute to a life free from persistent discomfort.

Kettlebell Workouts: A Promising Approach To Alleviate Lower Back Pain

Kettlebell workouts present a promising avenue for tackling lower back pain. These workouts offer a comprehensive approach, focusing on strengthening core muscles, improving posture, and enhancing spinal stability. Exercises like kettlebell swings and deadlifts engage the entire posterior chain, alleviating stress on the back. The controlled movements inherent in kettlebell workouts contribute to muscle balance and flexibility, reducing the likelihood of strain. By adopting proper form and gradually increasing intensity, individuals may discover relief from persistent back discomfort. This holistic approach to fitness not only addresses immediate pain but also fosters a foundation of strength and stability that supports overall spinal health and longevity.

In the pursuit of alleviating back pain, the potential of exercises emerges as a beacon of hope. The exploration into the realm of kettlebell workouts reveals a multifaceted approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying factors contributing to discomfort. By targeting core strength, spinal stability, and overall muscle balance, exercises offer a holistic solution to those grappling with persistent back pain. As we delve into the benefits of these dynamic movements, it becomes evident that their controlled nature and strategic focus can play a pivotal role in supporting spinal health. While individual results may vary, the concept of utilizing kettlebell exercises as a valuable tool in the journey toward relief from back pain remains a promising avenue worth exploring.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, kettlebell exercises can be effective in alleviating back pain. They engage core muscles, promote spinal stability, and improve overall muscle balance, which can contribute to reduced strain on the lower back

Kettlebell exercises like swings, deadlifts, and Turkish get-ups are particularly beneficial. These movements target key muscles that support the spine, helping to improve posture and reduce stress on the back.

Kettlebell exercises promote back health by strengthening core muscles, enhancing flexibility, and encouraging proper movement mechanics. This combination of factors contributes to improved spinal alignment and reduced discomfort.

Yes, it’s important to start with an appropriate weight, maintain proper form, and progress gradually. If you have existing back issues, consider consulting a fitness professional or healthcare provider before beginning a kettlebell exercise routine.

While kettlebell exercises can be a helpful component of a holistic approach to managing lower back pain, they might not replace other forms of treatment entirely. Consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to determine the most suitable approach for your specific condition.

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Does Barre Pilates Incorporate Elements Of Dance Technique? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/does-barre-pilates-incorporate-elements-of-dance-technique/ Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34363 The post Does Barre Pilates Incorporate Elements Of Dance Technique? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The world of fitness and wellness constantly evolves, giving rise to innovative workout routines that blend various disciplines. One such intriguing fusion is the realm of Barre Pilates, which combines the principles of Pilates with the elegance of dance technique. The question that arises, “Does Barre Pilates Incorporate Elements of Dance Technique?” invites us to explore the captivating intersection of two diverse yet complementary practices. As we delve into the dynamics of Barre Pilates, we embark on a journey to uncover how this unique approach seamlessly marries the sculpting benefits of Pilates with the grace and fluidity of dance. This article dives into the essence of This exercise, shedding light on how dance technique is ingeniously woven into the fabric of this fitness fusion, creating a holistic and engaging workout that targets both body and soul.

Exploring Barre Pilates: Incorporating Dance Technique For Fitness Fusion

Exploring Barre Pilates unveils a captivating fitness fusion that seamlessly intertwines the artistry of dance technique with the core principles of Pilates. This innovative approach combines the elegance and fluidity of dance movements with the precise, controlled exercises of Pilates. By infusing elements of ballet-inspired workouts into Pilates routines, This exercise offers a unique blend of sculpting, strengthening, and elongating benefits. The incorporation of dance technique not only enhances physical fitness but also brings an element of grace and artistic expression to the workout. This article delves into the enchanting world of This exercise, shedding light on how the harmonious marriage of dance and fitness creates an engaging and holistic exercise experience.

Dance Technique And Fitness: The Ballet-Inspired Elements Of Barre Pilates

Dance technique meets fitness innovation in the captivating realm of Barre Pilates. This dynamic workout seamlessly weaves together the elegance of dance with the transformative power of Pilates. This exercise incorporates elements inspired by ballet, infusing grace, precision, and fluidity into every movement. As you engage in this holistic practice, you’ll experience the strengthening and sculpting benefits of Pilates while embracing the artistry of dance. The incorporation of ballet-inspired elements, such as pliés, relevés, and graceful arm movements, not only challenges your muscles but also enhances flexibility, posture, and balance. This exercise empowers you to embrace your inner dancer while reaping the rewards of a comprehensive workout. By exploring the ballet-inspired facets of This exercise, you embark on a journey that harmonizes fitness and art, elevating your exercise routine to new levels of creativity and transformation.

A Ballet-Inspired Workout With Movement Integration

Barre Pilates is a captivating fitness fusion that draws inspiration from ballet, infusing graceful dance elements into a transformative workout. This ballet-inspired practice harmoniously blends the precision of Pilates with the elegance of dance, creating a dynamic movement experience. Through pliés, relevés, and fluid arm gestures, This exercise engages muscles while promoting flexibility, balance, and posture. The incorporation of dance techniques elevates the workout, making it an artistic and effective way to strengthen and sculpt the body. By embracing This exercise, you embark on a journey of movement integration, where the beauty of dance and the science of fitness converge, creating a workout that both challenges and uplifts.

Fitness Fusion: The Role Of Dance Technique In Barre Pilates

Fitness fusion takes on a new dimension with Barre Pilates, a captivating workout that seamlessly merges the grace of dance technique with the precision of Pilates. This dynamic approach offers a unique way to engage your body and elevate your fitness journey. This exercise integrates dance-inspired movements such as pliés, arabesques, and graceful arm positions into traditional Pilates exercises, creating a harmonious synergy between strength, flexibility, and elegance. By embracing the principles of dance technique, this workout targets specific muscle groups, enhances posture, and promotes overall body awareness. Through controlled, fluid movements and isometric holds, participants experience a comprehensive workout that challenges both the body and mind. The result is a fitness fusion that not only cultivates physical strength but also celebrates the artistry of movement, making This exercise a captivating and effective choice for those seeking a balanced and engaging workout regimen.

Movement Integration In This exercise: A Ballet-Inspired Approach To Fitness

Movement integration takes centre stage in This exercise, offering a ballet-inspired approach to fitness that harmoniously blends dance technique and exercise. This innovative workout method emphasizes fluid, controlled movements that challenge and sculpt the body while drawing from the grace and elegance of ballet. Through a series of isometric holds and dynamic sequences, participants engage multiple muscle groups, enhance flexibility, and improve posture. By embracing dance-inspired elements, Barre Pilates creates a unique synergy that not only promotes physical strength but also celebrates the artistry of movement. This approach redefines traditional fitness routines, offering a holistic and invigorating experience that engages both body and mind in a harmonious fusion of dance and exercise.

In the world of fitness and wellness, innovative workout routines often blend various disciplines to offer unique and effective approaches to staying active and healthy. One such captivating fusion is This exercise, which seamlessly combines the principles of Pilates with the elegance of dance technique. The question at hand, “Does Barre Pilates Incorporate Elements of Dance Technique?” leads us to explore the fascinating realm where fitness and dance intersect. This article delves into the world of Barre Pilates, uncovering how dance technique enriches this fitness approach and contributes to an engaging and holistic workout experience. As we explore the harmonious marriage of movement and exercise, we gain insights into the benefits of this innovative practice for both the body and the mind.

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Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This is a fitness fusion that combines the principles of Pilates with elements of dance technique, creating a unique and effective workout.

Barre Pilates infuses movements inspired by ballet, such as pliés, relevés, and graceful arm positions, to add elegance and fluidity to traditional Pilates exercises.

Incorporating dance technique in this exercise enhances flexibility, posture, and balance, while also engaging specific muscle groups for a more comprehensive workout.

Yes, it is designed for individuals of all fitness levels, regardless of their dance background. The movements are adaptable and can be modified to accommodate different abilities.

Barre Pilates introduces the artistic and graceful elements of dance to the precise and controlled exercises of Pilates, creating a workout that challenges both the body and the mind in a dynamic and engaging way.

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Can Aerobic Exercises Help Improve My Sleep Quality? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-aerobic-exercises-help-improve-my-sleep-quality/ Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34356 The post Can Aerobic Exercises Help Improve My Sleep Quality? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In our quest for better health and well-being, the role of sleep quality cannot be underestimated. Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, ensuring a restful and rejuvenating slumber has become a priority. The question that emerges, “Can Aerobic Exercises Help Improve My Sleep Quality?” delves into the intriguing interplay between physical activity and our nightly rest. As we explore the dynamic relationship between aerobic exercises and sleep enhancement, we embark on a journey to uncover the potential benefits, mechanisms, and insights that lie at the intersection of fitness and sleep. This article delves into the fascinating world of sleep improvement through exercises, shedding light on how regular movement can positively influence our sleep patterns and contribute to overall well-being.

Energizing Your Sleep Routine

Aerobic exercises, known for their invigorating impact on physical fitness, hold the potential to not only elevate your daytime energy levels but also transform your sleep routine. Engaging in regular aerobic activities stimulates the cardiovascular system, increases lung capacity, and promotes the release of endorphins that uplift mood. Beyond these well-documented benefits, exercises have shown promise in improving quality of sleep. By reducing stress, anxiety, and restlessness, they pave the way for a more peaceful and restorative slumber. This article delves into the science behind how exercises contribute to better sleep, highlighting their role in regulating circadian rhythms, promoting relaxation, and fostering an overall sense of well-being, ultimately leading to more refreshing and revitalizing nights.

Unlocking Better Sleep: How Aerobic Exercises Improve Sleep Quality

Unlocking better quality of sleep is a goal that many seek, and the path to achieving it might lie in the realm of aerobic exercises. These dynamic workouts, encompassing activities like running, cycling, and dancing, have been linked to a multitude of health benefits, including improved sleep. Engaging in regular exercises can positively impact sleep patterns and duration. By raising your heart rate and boosting circulation, these activities facilitate the release of endorphins and reduce stress hormones, contributing to a more tranquil state of mind conducive to sleep. Moreover, exercises have been shown to regulate circadian rhythms, aligning your body’s internal clock with natural sleep-wake cycles. As you embark on your journey to better sleep, consider incorporating exercises into your routine to unlock the potential for enhanced quality of sleep and a rejuvenated waking life.

Exploring The Sleep Benefits Of Aerobic Exercises

Exploring the sleep benefits of aerobic exercises reveals a powerful connection between physical activity and restful slumber. Engaging in regular aerobic workouts has been shown to promote better sleep quality by facilitating both falling asleep and staying asleep. These exercises contribute to the reduction of stress and anxiety, factors that often disrupt sleep patterns. Additionally, aerobic activities elevate body temperature during exercise, and as your body cools down afterward, it induces a drowsy state conducive to sleep. By embracing exercises, you can potentially experience improved sleep duration, efficiency, and overall sleep satisfaction, making it an essential component of a holistic approach to enhancing your quality of sleep.

The Connection Between Physical Activity And Sleep Quality

The connection between physical activity and sleep quality is a profound aspect of overall well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercises, has been linked to significant improvements in sleep patterns and quality of sleep. The relationship between exercise and sleep is multifaceted: aerobic activities help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression – all of which can interfere with sleep. Exercise also aids in regulating the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, contributing to a more consistent sleep schedule. Furthermore, exercises stimulate the release of endorphins, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being that can positively impact sleep. As you embark on your fitness journey, consider the substantial sleep benefits that exercises offer, and recognize how prioritizing physical activity can contribute to a more restful and rejuvenating sleep experience.

Enhancing Sleep Quality Through Regular Exercise: A Closer Look

Enhancing sleep quality through regular exercise is a holistic approach to achieving restorative rest. Engaging in consistent physical activity, particularly through regular aerobic exercises, can have a transformative impact on sleep patterns. Exercise promotes the release of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and relaxation, leading to improved sleep initiation and maintenance. Additionally, aerobic workouts elevate body temperature, enhancing the subsequent drop in temperature post-exercise, which is conducive to sleep. Incorporating exercise into your routine not only contributes to physical fitness but also supports the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, fostering a deeper and more rejuvenating slumber. This symbiotic relationship between exercise and sleep underscores the importance of a well-rounded approach to overall health and well-being.

In the pursuit of optimal well-being, quality sleep is paramount. The question, “Can Aerobic Exercises Help Improve My Sleep Quality?” delves into the connection between physical activity and rest. As we explore the potential benefits of exercises for sleep, we uncover a pathway to better sleep quality. Exercises offer more than physical fitness; they promote relaxation, reduce stress, and regulate circadian rhythms, all contributing to improved sleep. As you embark on your wellness journey, consider incorporating exercises to unlock the potential for enhanced sleep quality, revitalizing your body and mind. Embrace the synergy between exercise and sleep for a more rejuvenating and balanced life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, engaging in regular exercises has been shown to positively impact sleep quality by reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Aerobic exercises release endorphins that reduce stress and anxiety, facilitating a more peaceful state of mind that can aid in falling asleep and staying asleep.

Activities like running, cycling, swimming, and dancing are effective exercises that can positively influence sleep patterns and duration.

Yes, exercises can help align your body’s internal clock with natural sleep-wake cycles, leading to more consistent and restful sleep.

Engaging in exercises for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week can lead to improvements in sleep quality over time. However, individual results may vary.

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How Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Tailor Programs To Individual Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-strength-and-conditioning-coaches-tailor-programs-to-individual-athletes/ Tue, 22 Aug 2023 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34355 The post How Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Tailor Programs To Individual Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of sports and fitness, where each athlete possesses unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals, the art of customization becomes paramount. Enter strength and conditioning coaches, the architects behind tailored training programs that cater to the specific requirements of athletes. As athletes strive to push their limits and achieve peak performance, these coaches play a pivotal role in optimizing training regimens.

This article delves into the intricate process by which strength and conditioning coaches adeptly customize programs to suit individual athletes. By combining scientific knowledge with a deep understanding of an athlete’s physique and aspirations, these professionals craft training routines that address weaknesses, enhance strengths, and ultimately foster athletic excellence. Join us as we unravel the methodologies that pave the way for athletes to reach their full potential through personalized training strategies.

Expertise Of Strength And Conditioning Coaches

The knowhow of strength and conditioning coaches is a cornerstone in the realm of athletic training. These professionals possess a profound understanding of biomechanics, physiology, and performance optimization. With a keen eye for individual nuances, they tailor training programs to cater to athletes’ unique needs, goals, and physical attributes. By assessing strengths and identifying areas for improvement, they design targeted workouts that enhance performance, prevent injuries, and promote overall well-being. Their guidance extends beyond physical training, encompassing nutrition, recovery strategies, and mental conditioning. In an athlete’s journey toward excellence, the expertise of strength and conditioning coaches is the compass that navigates the path to reaching full athletic potential.

Crafting Tailored Programs For Individual Athletes

Crafting tailored programs for individual athletes is a meticulous process that merges scientific precision with a deep appreciation for an athlete’s uniqueness. Strength and conditioning coaches meticulously assess an athlete’s physical condition, performance goals, and potential areas of improvement. This comprehensive evaluation allows them to design customized training regimens that align with an athlete’s aspirations. By targeting specific strengths and weaknesses, these coaches create a roadmap to optimize performance and prevent injuries. The tailored approach extends beyond exercise selection; it encompasses nutrition, recovery strategies, and mental conditioning tailored to the athlete’s needs. As athletes vary in body composition, fitness levels, and sport-specific demands, these personalized programs amplify the effectiveness of training. Through this personalized journey, athletes are empowered to transcend their limits, unlocking their full potential in a way that generic training templates simply cannot achieve.

Maximizing Athletic Performance Through Personalized Training

Maximizing athletic performance through personalized training is the cornerstone of achieving peak excellence. Strength and conditioning coaches meticulously analyse an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and objectives to curate targeted training regimens. By tailoring exercises, intensity, and recovery protocols to the individual’s needs, coaches optimize progress while minimizing the risk of injury. This approach harnesses an athlete’s unique biomechanics, enabling them to push boundaries and realize their full potential. Whether enhancing strength, speed, or agility, personalized training sharpens skills and fosters progression, setting the stage for remarkable achievements in sports.

Individualized Approach: Strength And Conditioning For Athletes

The individualized approach in strength and conditioning is a transformative paradigm that recognizes the distinctive qualities of each athlete. It emphasizes tailoring training strategies to suit an athlete’s specific physique, goals, and performance requirements. This methodology begins with a thorough assessment, enabling coaches to pinpoint strengths and areas for enhancement. By customizing exercises, intensity levels, and recovery techniques, coaches construct a roadmap that optimizes progress and minimizes injury risks. This approach acknowledges that athletes are not uniform entities; their bodies respond uniquely to stimuli. The result is an elevated training experience that taps into an athlete’s full potential, refining their skills and elevating performance to new heights. In the pursuit of athletic excellence, the individualized approach stands as a catalyst for unparalleled growth and achievement.

Achieving Optimal Results With Tailored Training Programs

Achieving optimal results hinges on the power of tailored training programs, meticulously crafted to align with an athlete’s distinctive attributes and goals. Strength and conditioning coaches personalize every facet of the regimen – from exercises and intensity to recovery strategies. By pinpointing an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, these programs maximize efficiency and mitigate the risk of overuse injuries. This tailored approach optimally engages an athlete’s potential, driving progress toward peak performance. As a result, athletes experience accelerated skill development, improved endurance, and heightened physical capabilities. Tailored training programs stand as a testament to the fusion of science and individuality, guiding athletes on a path toward surpassing their limits and achieving remarkable, customized results.

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Closing the curtains on this exploration of tailored athletic excellence, the partnership between strength and conditioning coaches and individual athletes shines brilliantly. With a deep understanding cultivated at Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Strength and Conditioning Coach course, these coaches craft bespoke journeys. Each stride towards peak performance reflects the harmony between science and individuality. It’s a symphony where strengths amplify, weaknesses dissolve, and athletic brilliance finds its rightful stage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Strength and conditioning coaches analyse an athlete’s unique attributes, goals, and needs to design customized training programs that optimize performance.

Assessment helps coaches identify an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, forming the foundation for a personalized training approach.

These programs consider an athlete’s biomechanics and limitations, adjusting exercises and intensity to minimize injury risks while enhancing performance.

Tailored training addresses an athlete’s specific areas of growth, allowing for efficient skill development, improved strength, agility, and overall performance enhancement.

Individualized programs harness an athlete’s unique characteristics, optimizing progress and achievement by focusing on their specific strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

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How Do Sports Psychologists Assist Athletes In Maintaining A Healthy Work-Life Balance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-sports-psychologists-assist-athletes-in-maintaining-a-healthy-work-life-balance/ Tue, 22 Aug 2023 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34341 The post How Do Sports Psychologists Assist Athletes In Maintaining A Healthy Work-Life Balance? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the dynamic world of sports, athletes are not only challenged physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Striving for excellence on the field while juggling the demands of everyday life can frequently lead to a precarious work-life balance. This is where the invaluable expertise of sports psychologists comes into play. These professionals are not just focused on enhancing athletic performance; they also play a crucial role in safeguarding an athlete’s overall well-being. In this article, we delve into the multifaceted ways psychologists contribute to athletes’ lives, shedding light on how they provide guidance, strategies, and psychological support to help athletes maintain a healthy equilibrium between their sporting pursuits and personal lives.

Sports Psychologists: Enhancing Athlete Well-Being And Performance

Sports psychologists play a pivotal role in elevating both the well-being and performance of athletes. By addressing the psychological aspects of training, competition, and daily life, they empower athletes to navigate challenges effectively. These professionals offer strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and pressure, fostering mental resilience. Through personalized approaches, athletes learn to maintain a healthy work-life balance, ensuring their overall welfare. By enhancing self-confidence, focus, and motivation, psychologists enable athletes to unlock their full potential. This holistic support not only leads to improved performance but also contributes to athletes’ long-term psychological health and success on and off the field.

Achieving Optimal Work-Life Balance: Insights From Sports Psychologists

In the demanding world of sports, achieving an optimal work-life balance is a challenge that athletes face alongside their rigorous training regimens. Sports psychologists provide invaluable insights that extend beyond improving athletic performance. These professionals understand the delicate interplay between an athlete’s career and personal life, offering tailored strategies to harmonize the two. By fostering time management skills, stress reduction techniques, and effective communication strategies, psychologists empower athletes to navigate their commitments with equilibrium. They acknowledge that a well-balanced life contributes to overall well-being, leading to enhanced performance on the field. Through personalized guidance, athletes learn to prioritize self-care, manage expectations, and set boundaries, ensuring that their athletic pursuits don’t overshadow other important aspects of their lives. The lessons shared by sports psychologists serve as a blueprint for individuals across various domains striving to attain a harmonious work-life balance.

Strategies For Sports Performance And Psychological Support

Strategies for sports performance and psychological support are essential components of athletes’ success. Sports psychologists employ a range of techniques to optimize athletic achievement and mental well-being. Through goal setting, visualization, and mindfulness, athletes enhance focus and confidence. Psychological support involves addressing performance anxiety, stress, and setbacks. By teaching coping mechanisms, these professionals cultivate resilience. Tailored approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, help athletes manage emotions and overcome mental hurdles. The synergy between sports performance and psychological well-being is evident: a strong mental state positively influences physical prowess. By equipping athletes with these strategies, psychologists empower individuals to triumph over challenges and unlock their peak potential in both sports and life.

Athlete Well-Being: The Role Of Sports Psychologists In Balancing Life And Sports

Athlete well-being is a multidimensional facet that extends beyond physical fitness, encompassing mental and emotional harmony. Sports psychologists play a pivotal role in this arena, guiding athletes in balancing the demands of their sporting careers and personal lives. These professionals recognize that a holistic approach is vital for sustained success. They offer personalized strategies to manage stressors, mitigate burnout, and nurture mental resilience. By fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation, psychologists empower athletes to navigate challenges effectively. They provide a safe space for athletes to address performance anxieties, pressures, and setbacks. Through cognitive reframing and relaxation techniques, athletes develop coping mechanisms, enhancing their overall well-being. Ultimately, the role of sports psychologists in athlete well-being lies in their expertise to harmonize the rigors of sports with the pursuit of a fulfilling, healthy, and balanced life.

Navigating Work-Life Balance For Athletes: Expert Psychological Support

Navigating work-life balance in the realm of athletics demands expert psychological support, a cornerstone offered by psychologists. These professionals understand the unique challenges athletes face in managing rigorous training schedules and personal commitments. Through tailored interventions, they equip athletes with resilience tools to manage stress and prevent burnout. By fostering effective time management, setting realistic goals, and promoting self-care, sports psychologists empower athletes to excel in both their sports careers and personal lives. Their guidance assists athletes in crafting a sustainable equilibrium that not only enhances performance but also nurtures overall well-being. In the journey of balancing athletic pursuits and life outside sports, expert psychological support serves as a compass, guiding athletes toward success and fulfilment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports psychologists assist athletes by providing strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, helping them manage the demands of both their sports career and personal life.

Athletes often struggle with time management, performance pressures, and integrating personal commitments. Sports psychologists offer tailored solutions to address these challenges.

Sports psychologists teach athletes stress reduction techniques, effective time management, and self-care practices, fostering mental resilience and preventing burnout.

Sports psychologists guide athletes in communicating their needs and boundaries effectively to coaches, teammates, and loved ones, facilitating a balanced lifestyle.

The guidance of sports psychologists equips athletes with coping strategies, time management skills, and self-awareness, enabling them to maintain their mental, emotional, and physical well-being while excelling in their sports endeavours.

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Will Pilates Tone My Lower Body? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/will-pilates-tone-my-lower-body/ Mon, 21 Aug 2023 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34340 The post Will Pilates Tone My Lower Body? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of fitness and body sculpting, the desire for toned and well-defined legs ranks high on many individuals’ aspirations. Amidst the myriad workout options available, the question that frequently arises is, “Will Pilates Tone My Legs?” This query delves into this exercise’s potential impact on lower body toning and muscle development. As a holistic exercise regimen, these workouts are renowned for its ability to enhance core strength, flexibility, and overall body coordination. Today’s article will explore the specific ways in which Pilates can contribute to toning and shaping the legs, shedding light on the exercises, techniques, and benefits that can help you achieve your leg sculpting goals.

Pilates For Sculpted Legs: How This Practice Can Help You Achieve Toned Muscles

Renowned for its holistic approach to fitness, it provides a comprehensive solution for sculpting and toning the legs. The precise and controlled movements inherent in exercises target not only the major muscles but also the smaller stabilizing muscles, fostering a well-rounded workout. By engaging in a variety of leg-focused exercises, such as leg circles, leg lifts, and lunges, individuals can strengthen and lengthen their lower body muscles. it also promotes improved alignment and posture, which further enhances the appearance of toned legs. Through consistent practice, this exercise can be a powerful tool to help you achieve sculpted and toned lower body muscles, aligning with your fitness goals.

Targeted Muscle Toning: Focusing On Leg Strength With Pilates Workouts

As a low-impact yet highly effective exercise system, it is an excellent choice for targeting lower body muscles and achieving muscle toning. Through a combination of precise movements and controlled breathing, this exercise engages various muscle groups in the legs, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Specific exercises like leg lifts, inner thigh squeezes, and leg circles isolate and work these muscles, promoting both strength and flexibility. Pilates also emphasizes the mind-body connection, encouraging proper alignment and body awareness, which are crucial for effective muscle engagement.

These workouts often involve both mat and equipment-based exercises, providing versatility in targeting different leg muscles. Over time, consistent practice can lead to leaner, more sculpted legs. While results may vary based on individual effort and dedication, this exercise offers a well-rounded approach to lower body muscle toning, contributing to a balanced and harmonious physique.

 Leg Toning Benefits: How Pilates Contributes To Body Sculpting

This exercise is renowned for its ability to contribute significantly to lower body toning and body sculpting. By incorporating a series of controlled movements that engage and challenge lower body muscles, it helps to build lean muscle mass while enhancing overall flexibility. This practice focuses on targeting specific lower body muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, promoting both strength and definition. This exercise also emphasizes core stability and proper alignment, which are essential for efficient muscle engagement and a sculpted physique. Whether performed on a mat or using specialized equipment, these workouts offer a comprehensive approach to lower body toning that can lead to well-defined and sculpted legs over time.

Enhancing Leg Fitness: Pilates Exercises For Stronger And More Defined Legs

It provides a wide range of exercises that can significantly enhance lower body fitness, resulting in stronger and more defined legs. From leg circles to leg lifts, these targeted movements engage various muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. The controlled and precise nature of Pilates exercises allows for focused muscle engagement, helping to sculpt and tone the legs effectively. Additionally, these workouts place a strong emphasis on core strength, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining proper form and stability during leg-focused movements. By integrating exercises that challenge balance, coordination, and flexibility, this exercise provides a holistic approach to lower body fitness that not only results in toned muscles but also promotes overall lower body strength and improved posture. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, it offers a customizable and effective solution for enhancing lower body definition and strength.

Fitness And Toning: Pilates As A Comprehensive Approach To Leg Sculpting

Pilates offers a comprehensive approach to lower body sculpting that goes beyond traditional fitness routines. Through a series of controlled and intentional movements, these workouts target not only the major lower body muscles but also the smaller stabilizing muscles. This holistic approach results in improved muscle balance, enhanced flexibility, and better overall lower body definition. The integration of core engagement in every exercise further amplifies the benefits, as a strong core supports proper alignment and posture during leg-focused movements. Whether you’re looking to tone, sculpt, or strengthen your legs, this exercise provides a dynamic and effective path to achieving your fitness goals while promoting better body awareness and alignment.

In the pursuit of well-toned and sculpted legs, it emerges as a versatile and effective approach. This practice combines controlled movements, precise techniques, and mindful engagement to target lower body muscles and promote muscle toning. The question of “Will Pilates Tone My Legs?” is met with a resounding affirmation as this exercise not only engages major lower body muscles but also hones in on the smaller, often overlooked muscle groups, resulting in comprehensive lower body strengthening. As you delve into workouts, you’ll discover exercises designed to challenge and refine your lower body muscles. From leg circles that promote flexibility to leg lifts that enhance strength, it offers a diverse range of movements that cater to all fitness levels. These exercises, coupled with the focus on core activation and proper alignment, facilitate a balanced approach to leg sculpting. Whether you’re a fitness beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, the benefits for leg toning are undeniable. Consistent practice, guided by certified instructors, can lead to remarkable transformations in leg strength, definition, and overall body harmony.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pilates is a highly effective exercise method that can contribute to toning and sculpting your leg muscles.

Pilates incorporates precise and controlled movements that engage various leg muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes.

Absolutely, Pilates is suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners. It offers both gentle and challenging exercises that can be adapted to individual abilities.

Yes, Pilates includes a variety of leg-focused exercises, such as leg circles, leg lifts, lunges, and inner thigh squeezes, which contribute to leg muscle toning.

Yes, Pilates is a holistic exercise method that targets not only leg muscles but also the core, back, and other muscle groups, contributing to overall body sculpting and improved posture.

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Is Pilates Suitable For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/is-pilates-suitable-for-beginners/ Mon, 21 Aug 2023 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34329 The post Is Pilates Suitable For Beginners? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Starting on a fitness journey can be both incredibly exciting and daunting, especially for beginners. Among the plethora of exercise options available, Pilates stands out as a versatile and holistic approach to building strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. The question that often arises is, “Is Pilates Suitable for Beginners?” This query delves into this exercise, exploring its adaptability for those new to health. In this article, we will unravel the benefits, considerations, and essential tips that make this exercise a welcoming and effective choice for newbies. Whether you’re stepping into the realm of exercise for the first time or looking for a gentle yet impactful routine, it has much to offer on your path to improved fitness and vitality.

Introducing Pilates For Beginners

Introducing this exercise to newbies opens the door to a complete approach to health that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and mindful movement. Developed by Joseph Pilates, it emphasizes controlled exercises that engage both body and mind. Its gentle yet effective nature makes it an ideal choice for those new to health. Beginners can benefit from its emphasis on proper alignment, breathing, and gradual progression. These workouts often involve low-impact movements that are kind to joints, making it accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. As newbies delve into their practice, they’ll discover a foundation for building strength, improving posture, and enhancing overall well-being. With the assistance of a qualified instructor, newbies can embark on a journey of self-discovery and improved fitness through this exercise.

Starting Your Fitness Journey With Pilates

Embarking on a health journey through this exercise is a wise choice, especially for beginners seeking a balanced approach to wellness. It provides a gentle introduction to exercise that concentrates on developing core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. For newcomers, it offers a safe environment to build a solid foundation of physical fitness. The controlled movements and emphasis on breath control create a mindful exercise experience that fosters mind-body connection. Workouts often utilize various equipment, such as the reformer and mat, allowing beginners to tailor their exercises to their comfort level.

Starting your health journey with this exercise brings benefits beyond physical health. It enhances posture, stability, and coordination while helping to alleviate stress and improve mental clarity. Certified instructors can guide beginners through appropriate exercises, ensuring proper form and gradual progression. It not only nurtures physical health but also sets the stage for a lifetime commitment to overall well-being.

Essential Beginner Pilates Exercises For Fitness

When delving into beginner exercises, focusing on foundational movements is key. Starting with exercises like the “Hundred,” which engages core muscles and promotes circulation, lays the groundwork. “Roll Up” enhances spinal flexibility, while the “Single Leg Stretch” targets abdominals and coordination. “Bridge” strengthens glutes and lower back while opening hips. The “Swan” promotes back extension and counteracts poor posture. “Side Leg Lift Series” targets hips and outer thighs. These fundamental exercises offer a holistic approach to strengthening, flexibility, and body awareness. Guided by an experienced instructor, newbies can gradually build a solid routine that supports their health journey.

Tailoring Pilates Workouts For Beginners

Tailoring workouts for newbies is essential to ensure a safe and effective fitness journey. The beauty of this exercise lies in its adaptability, making it suitable for various fitness levels. For newbies, it’s crucial to start with basic exercises that concentrate on building core strength, improving posture, and enhancing body awareness. Gradual progression is key to prevent injury and build confidence.

A well-designed beginner’s routine might include exercises like the “Pelvic Curl” to activate the core, “Cat-Cow” for spine mobility, and “Leg Circles” for hip mobility. Integrating props like resistance bands or stability balls can add variety and challenge. Emphasizing proper alignment and breathing techniques is fundamental to the approach.

A certified instructor can provide personalized guidance, ensuring exercises are adapted to each individual’s needs and limitations. As beginners gradually build strength and flexibility, they can progress to more advanced movements, creating a strong foundation for their journey.

Progressive Pilates: Advancing Your Exercise Routine

Progressive Pilates takes newbies on a journey of continuous improvement and growth. As you become familiar with foundational exercises, it’s natural to seek more challenges. It introduces intermediate and advanced exercises that build on your existing skills, further enhancing your strength, flexibility, and body control. These exercises involve intricate movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting a higher level of health.

A qualified instructor can guide your progression, ensuring that each step is taken safely and effectively. The gradual incorporation of more complex exercises keeps your workouts stimulating and encourages your body to adapt. With each advancement, you’ll experience the rewarding transformation that it offers.

Embracing a life that prioritizes health and well-being often leads individuals to explore various exercise options. For beginners, the question of whether Pilates is suitable is a valid one. As we’ve delved into the world of Pilates for beginners in this article, it’s clear that this exercise offers a welcoming and effective path for those new to fitness.

This exercise modality introduces newbies to a holistic approach that combines physical movement, mindful breathing, and body awareness. The controlled and low-impact exercises create a safe environment for building core strength, enhancing flexibility, and improving posture. Through a well-designed routine guided by a certified instructor, newbies can progress at their own pace, gradually unlocking their fitness potential.

So, is Pilates suitable for beginners? The resounding answer is yes. It offers not only physical benefits but also a sense of empowerment and accomplishment as newbies embark on a journey of self-improvement. Whether it’s in a group class or one-on-one sessions, beginners can find a supportive environment to start their fitness journey and lay the foundation for a healthier and more active lifestyle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pilates is very suitable for newbies. It’s a low-impact format of exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility as well as overall body awareness. The exercises can be changed to accommodate different fitness levels.

This exercise helps newbies improve their posture, strengthen their core, and enhance flexibility. It’s a gentle yet effective way to build a strong foundation for overall fitness.

No prior experience is required. Pilates is designed for people of all fitness levels, including those who are new to exercise.

Yes, it can be beneficial for beginners dealing with back pain. The exercises focus on supporting the core muscles, which can provide support to the spine and alleviate discomfort.

While practicing at home is possible, beginners often benefit from taking classes with a certified instructor. They can provide proper guidance, corrections, and ensure that exercises are done safely and effectively.

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What Is A Kinesiologist? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-kinesiologist/ Fri, 18 Aug 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34319 The post What Is A Kinesiologist? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of health and wellness, the field of kinesiology stands as a cornerstone of understanding the intricate mechanisms that drive human movement and well-being. The term “kinesiologist” might be relatively unfamiliar to some, yet its significance cannot be understated. This article aims to shed light on the multifaceted world of kinesiology and answer the question: “What is a kinesiologist?” Through a journey into the realms of human motion, exercise science, and physical rehabilitation, we will unravel the role and impact of a kinesiologist in promoting holistic health and facilitating optimal physical function. Delving into the science behind the discipline, we’ll explore how a kinesiologist contributes to enhancing our understanding of the human body’s capabilities, limitations, and potential for transformation.

Exploring Human Movement in Kinesiology

Exploring human motion within the realm of kinesiology unveils a fascinating tapestry of the body’s intricate mechanics. Kinesiologists delve deep into the nuances of how muscles, bones, and joints harmonize to create motion. This exploration goes beyond the surface, delving into the complexities of biomechanics and motor control. By studying the mechanics of walking, running, and various physical activities, a kinesiologist deciphers the mechanics that propel our bodies. Their insights are integral to understanding not only how movement impacts daily life but also how it can be optimized for performance, rehabilitation, and overall well-being. Through their expertise, kinesiologists illuminate the hidden symphony of human motion, enhancing our grasp of our physical capabilities.

Promoting Health and Wellness Through Kinesiology

Promoting health and wellness lies at the core of kinesiology, a discipline that embraces the holistic approach to human well-being. Kinesiologists are champions of optimizing physical health, employing their expertise to enhance the quality of life. By understanding the intricate interplay between motion and health, they create tailored strategies to prevent injury, manage chronic conditions, and foster overall well-being. Through personalized exercise prescriptions, lifestyle recommendations, and ergonomic advice, a kinesiologist empowers individuals to take charge of their health journey.

The foundation of kinesiology rests upon the belief that movement is medicine. By addressing physical limitations, improving posture, and facilitating functional movement patterns, kinesiologists enable clients to navigate their daily activities with ease and confidence. Their interventions extend to various populations, from athletes seeking peak performance to individuals managing chronic pain. Ultimately, kinesiology serves as a bridge between motion and well-being, guiding individuals towards a healthier and more vibrant life.

The Science Behind Kinesiology: Exercise Science Explained

At the heart of kinesiology lies the intricate science of exercise. Exercise science, a fundamental component of kinesiology, delves into the physiological and biomechanical principles that govern human motion. Kinesiologists harness this science to design effective exercise programs that cater to diverse goals, whether it’s building strength, improving cardiovascular fitness, or enhancing flexibility. By understanding how the body responds to different types of exercise, kinesiologists tailor workouts to maximize benefits while minimizing the risk of injury. This scientific approach ensures that each movement prescribed is backed by evidence, contributing to holistic health enhancement and overall well-being.

Kinesiology and Physical Rehabilitation: Restoring Movement and Function

In the realm of kinesiology, a crucial role is played in physical rehabilitation, where the focus shifts to restoring motion and function. Kinesiologists apply their expertise to assist individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries, aiming to regain optimal physical capabilities. Through a comprehensive assessment of movement patterns and biomechanics, kinesiologists develop tailored rehabilitation plans. These plans may include targeted exercises, stretches, and functional movements that promote healing and restore strength. By working closely with patients, kinesiologists monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed, ensuring a gradual return to normal activities. With a deep understanding of anatomy and the body’s mechanics, kinesiologists facilitate a holistic recovery journey. Their interventions not only address the physical aspects but also contribute to the emotional well-being of individuals as they regain independence and resume their daily lives.

In a world where health and wellness take centre stage, the role of a kinesiologist shines as a beacon of understanding and empowerment. This article embarked on a journey to unravel the essence of kinesiology and provide a comprehensive answer to the question: “What is a kinesiologist?” Through an exploration of human movement, exercise science, physical rehabilitation, and the promotion of holistic well-being, we have delved into the multifaceted nature of this field. Kinesiologists stand as experts who bridge the gap between movement and health, crafting individualized paths to better living. Their scientific approach, backed by evidence, transforms exercise into a powerful tool for improvement. From enhancing athletic performance to guiding individuals on the road to recovery, kinesiologists exemplify the fusion of knowledge, compassion, and innovation. As guardians of movement, they not only optimize physical capabilities but also inspire a profound appreciation for the human body’s incredible potential.

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To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kinesiologists play a vital role in promoting health and wellness by leveraging their expertise in human movement and exercise science. They design tailored exercise programs, offer ergonomic advice, and help prevent injuries, contributing to an individual’s overall well-being.

Yes, kinesiologists are instrumental in physical rehabilitation. They work closely with individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries, creating personalized rehabilitation plans. Through targeted exercises and movement assessments, they help restore optimal physical function and movement patterns.

Kinesiologists contribute to sports performance enhancement by analysing biomechanics and movement patterns. They design specialized training programs to improve strength, flexibility, and overall athletic performance, maximizing an athlete’s potential.

While both professionals focus on exercise and movement, a kinesiologist holds a broader understanding of human movement, biomechanics, and exercise science. They are equipped to work with various populations, including those managing medical conditions or undergoing physical rehabilitation.

No, kinesiology is relevant for people of all backgrounds and fitness levels. Kinesiologists cater to a wide range of individuals, including those seeking to improve overall health, manage chronic conditions, or recover from injuries. Their expertise extends to anyone looking to enhance their movement and well-being.

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What To Look For In A Fitness Instructor Certification? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-to-look-for-in-a-fitness-instructor-certification/ Thu, 17 Aug 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34312 The post What To Look For In A Fitness Instructor Certification? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on a journey toward a career as a personal trainer is an exciting endeavour. As the health and wellness industry continues to thrive, the demand for knowledgeable and skilled fitness professionals is ever-growing. However, the path to becoming a qualified personal trainer begins with a crucial decision: choosing the right certification program. With a plethora of options available, understanding what to look for in a fitness instructor certification becomes paramount. This article serves as your guide, shedding light on the key factors that should influence your decision-making process. From evaluating the qualifications and curriculum to considering accreditation and practical experience, we delve into the essential aspects that will empower you to make an informed choice about your fitness instructor certification journey.

Exploring Fitness Instructor Certification Programs

Exploring personal trainer certification programs is a pivotal step in your journey towards becoming a qualified fitness professional. These programs offer a structured curriculum that equips you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the field. From anatomy and exercise physiology to instructional techniques and program design, certification courses cover a wide spectrum of essential topics. As you research various programs, consider their comprehensiveness, reputation, and alignment with your career goals. Accreditation by reputable fitness organizations adds credibility to your certification. Ultimately, selecting a program that offers a well-rounded education and practical experience will empower you to confidently guide individuals on their fitness journeys.

Essential Qualifications For Becoming A Fitness Instructor

Becoming a personal trainer requires a blend of essential qualifications that ensure your competency and effectiveness in guiding individuals towards their fitness goals. Firstly, a high school diploma or equivalent educational background is typically required. However, a passion for fitness and a genuine desire to help others achieve healthier lifestyles are equally crucial. Pursuing a recognized fitness instructor certification program is fundamental, as it imparts knowledge in exercise science, program design, safety protocols, and client interaction. Many programs also include practical training, which is invaluable for hands-on experience.

Additionally, possessing excellent communication and interpersonal skills is essential for building rapport with clients and effectively conveying instructions. Being physically fit and embodying a healthy lifestyle not only sets an example but also demonstrates your commitment. CPR and first aid certifications are often prerequisites due to the safety responsibilities associated with the role. Ultimately, a combination of education, practical training, personal dedication, and strong communication skills forms the foundation for a successful fitness instructor career.

Navigating The Process Of Choosing Fitness Trainer Programs

Choosing the right fitness trainer program is a pivotal step in your journey toward becoming a certified fitness instructor. Start by assessing the program’s accreditation and reputation, ensuring it meets industry standards. Consider the program’s curriculum, covering exercise science, anatomy, program design, and client interaction. Practical training opportunities – for example internships or hands-on workshops, provide valuable real-world experience. Flexibility and delivery mode, whether online or in-person, should align with your learning style and commitments. Look for programs that offer ongoing education and professional development opportunities to keep current in the ever-evolving fitness industry. Ultimately, selecting a comprehensive and reputable fitness trainer program sets the stage for your successful career.

Comparing The Best Fitness Instructor Courses

Comparing the best fitness instructor courses is a vital step in your pursuit of a successful fitness career. Begin by researching renowned institutions and organizations that offer comprehensive courses. Look for programs which cover a wide range of topics, including exercise physiology, nutrition, injury prevention, and client communication. Course duration and flexibility are important, as they should fit your schedule and learning pace. Read reviews and testimonials from previous participants so that you can gauge the course’s effectiveness and the support provided. Consider the mode of delivery, whether it’s in-person, online, or a hybrid approach, based on your preferences and circumstances. Above all, prioritize programs that offer recognized certifications, ensuring your qualification is respected within the fitness industry. Comparing these factors will help you make an informed decision and embark on a path to becoming a proficient and respected fitness instructor.

Understanding The Importance Of Credentials For Fitness Coaching

Understanding the importance of credentials for fitness coaching is paramount in establishing credibility and ensuring quality in your practice. A reputable certification not only signifies your expertise but also demonstrates your commitment to upholding professional standards. Possessing recognized credentials instils trust in clients, assuring them of your knowledge and skills to guide them safely and effectively. It reflects your dedication to ongoing learning and staying updated with the latest fitness trends. Moreover, many fitness facilities and employers require certified coaches, making it a prerequisite for career opportunities. By investing in credible credentials, you position yourself as a competent and reliable fitness coach, ready to make a positive impact on clients’ health and well-being.

In the dynamic realm of fitness instruction, the quest for excellence begins with the right certification. “What To Look For In A Fitness Instructor Certification” serves as your compass in navigating this pivotal decision. As the fitness industry thrives, the demand for qualified professionals is on the rise. From exploring certification programs to understanding essential qualifications, this article illuminates the path toward becoming a proficient fitness instructor. Delving into the intricacies of program comparison and the significance of credentials, we empower you to make informed choices. With a blend of education, practical training, and dedication, you’re poised to embark on a rewarding journey shaping healthier lives through fitness. Your journey as a certified fitness instructor begins with the right foundation – the right certification.

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Unlock your potential and shape a healthier future by obtaining your Fitness Instructor Certification from Trifocus Fitness Academy. Join our dynamic program to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to inspire and guide others on their fitness journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right fitness instructor certification is crucial as it determines your credibility, knowledge, and effectiveness as a fitness professional. It lays the foundation for your career and influences your ability to guide individuals toward their fitness goals.

When exploring certification programs, consider factors like program accreditation, curriculum comprehensiveness, practical training opportunities, reputation, and alignment with your career goals.

Essential qualifications for becoming a fitness instructor include a high school diploma or equivalent, a genuine passion for fitness, completion of a recognized fitness instructor certification program, strong communication skills, physical fitness, CPR and first aid certifications, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Navigating the process involves assessing program accreditation, curriculum coverage, practical training options, flexibility, delivery mode, ongoing education opportunities, and the program’s reputation. It’s about finding a program that aligns with your learning style and future goals.

Recognized credentials are crucial for establishing credibility, building trust with clients, and showcasing your expertise. They demonstrate your commitment to professionalism, reflect your ongoing learning, and open doors to career opportunities within the fitness industry.

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What Is An Exercise Physiologist? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-an-exercise-physiologist/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34297 The post What Is An Exercise Physiologist? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exercise physiologists are not just fitness enthusiasts; they are experts who bridge the gap between science and exercise, helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, recover from injuries, and enhance overall well-being. In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover the intricacies of exercise physiology, exploring the education, skills, and pivotal role these practitioners play in shaping healthier lives. Whether you’re seeking to comprehend this profession’s significance or considering a career in the field, join us as we unravel the multifaceted world of exercise physiology.

Understanding The Role Of An Exercise Physiologist

Understanding the role of an exercise physiologist unveils a vital link between science and physical well-being. These professionals possess a deep comprehension of how the body responds to exercise, enabling them to design tailored fitness regimens for diverse needs. With expertise in exercise science, they guide individuals in achieving fitness goals, optimizing performance, and managing conditions through evidence-based strategies. Beyond gyms, exercise physiologists contribute to clinical rehabilitation, aiding recovery from injuries and chronic health issues. Their holistic approach considers physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors, ensuring comprehensive wellness. Exploring the role of these experts illuminates the transformative impact they have on enhancing physical fitness, health, and overall quality of life.

Promoting Physical Fitness Through Exercise Physiology

Promoting physical fitness through exercise physiology encapsulates a comprehensive approach to well-being. Exercise physiologists, armed with scientific understanding of the body’s mechanics, customize fitness plans that align with individual goals and health conditions. Their expertise extends beyond routine workouts; they delve into the intricate interplay of muscles, cardiovascular systems, and metabolism to optimize performance and health. These professionals empower individuals to embark on journeys towards enhanced fitness, whether it’s weight management, cardiovascular health, or muscle strength.

Their guidance doesn’t stop at exercise; they emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition, rest, and mental wellness in achieving holistic fitness. By blending scientific knowledge with practical strategies, exercise physiologists facilitate lasting transformations. Their role bridges the gap between science and action, fostering physical fitness that transcends aesthetics and becomes a focal point of a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

Enhancing Health And Wellness With Exercise Physiology

Enhancing health and wellness through exercise physiology offers a comprehensive path to vitality. Exercise physiologists employ their deep understanding of human physiology to craft tailored wellness programs that target diverse health objectives. These experts not only focus on physical fitness but also consider factors like cardiovascular health, flexibility, and stress management. By integrating exercise science principles with individualized guidance, they empower clients to achieve optimal well-being. Through structured exercise routines, nutritional advice, and lifestyle adjustments, exercise physiologists guide individuals toward improved physical health and mental balance. Their holistic approach ensures that wellness becomes a sustainable journey, fostering a robust foundation for a life of vitality and overall health.

The Science Behind Exercise: Exploring Exercise Physiology

The science of exercise, known as exercise physiology, delves into the intricate mechanisms underlying our physical activities. This multidisciplinary field blends physiology, biomechanics, and biochemistry to unravel how our bodies respond to various forms of movement. Exercise physiologists study the intricate interplay between muscles, bones, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and metabolism during exercise. By comprehending these physiological responses, they design tailored exercise regimens to optimize health and performance. Whether aiming to enhance endurance, build strength, or facilitate clinical rehabilitation, exercise physiologists apply evidence-based strategies. From VO2 max measurements to lactate threshold assessments, they utilize advanced techniques to tailor exercise programs to individual needs. This scientific approach ensures that exercise becomes a strategic tool for achieving diverse health goals, fostering not only physical well-being but also overall vitality and quality of life.

Exercise Physiology In Clinical Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Approach

Exercise physiology takes on a crucial role in clinical rehabilitation, offering a comprehensive approach to recovery. These professionals blend scientific expertise with tailored exercise programs to aid individuals recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. By understanding the intricacies of the human body, exercise physiologists design regimens that rebuild strength, improve mobility, and enhance overall function. Collaborating with medical teams, they ensure that exercise complements medical interventions, fostering safe and efficient recovery. Whether for cardiac rehabilitation, orthopaedic recovery, or chronic disease management, exercise physiology brings evidence-based strategies to the forefront, supporting patients on their journey towards restored health and improved quality of life.

Exercise physiologists are instrumental in bridging the gap between science and fitness, guiding individuals towards their wellness goals through tailored exercise programs. Their multidisciplinary approach encompasses physiology, biomechanics, and psychology, ensuring comprehensive well-being. From promoting physical fitness and enhancing health to aiding clinical rehabilitation, their expertise empowers individuals to lead healthier, more vibrant lives. As we navigate the intricacies of exercise physiology, we uncover a profession that not only transforms bodies but also empowers minds, fostering a holistic approach to wellness that transcends boundaries and limitations.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

An exercise physiologist is a specialized health professional who possesses a deep understanding of how the human body responds to exercise as well as physical activity. They use their knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and exercise science to design customized fitness programs for individuals to improve their overall health, fitness levels, and well-being.

The role of an exercise physiologist involves assessing an individual’s physical condition, health goals, and any underlying medical conditions. Based on this evaluation, they create personalized exercise plans that consider factors such as cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. They may work in various settings, including fitness centres, clinics, and rehabilitation centres, guiding clients through exercises that enhance their physical fitness and promote optimal health.

In clinical rehabilitation, exercise physiologists play a vital role in helping individuals recover from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. They design rehabilitation programs that focus on rebuilding strength, improving mobility, and enhancing functional abilities. By tailoring exercises to each patient’s needs and monitoring progress, they ensure safe and effective recovery, often collaborating closely with medical professionals to ensure a holistic approach to healing.

While both exercise physiologists and personal trainers are dedicated to enhancing fitness, exercise physiologists have a more in-depth understanding of the science behind human physiology and how it responds to exercise. They often work with clients who have specific health conditions or goals, such as managing chronic diseases, recovering from injuries, or improving athletic performance, relying on evidence-based strategies to achieve these objectives.

Exercise physiologists contribute to overall well-being by creating fitness plans that address not only physical health but also mental and emotional aspects. Their customized programs can improve cardiovascular health, enhance muscle strength, aid in weight management, and reduce stress. By promoting a balanced lifestyle that includes exercise, proper nutrition, and self-care, exercise physiologists empower individuals to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

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How Do Personal Training And Life Coaching Intersect? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-personal-training-and-life-coaching-intersect/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34311 The post How Do Personal Training And Life Coaching Intersect? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of holistic well-being, two transformative disciplines, personal training and life coaching, converge to create a dynamic synergy. The title “How Do Personal Training and Life Coaching Intersect?” beckons us to explore the remarkable fusion of physical fitness expertise and personal development insights. As individuals strive for comprehensive growth, this intersection offers a unique approach that addresses both the body and the mind. Today’s article embarks on a journey to unravel the intricate interplay between personal training and life coaching, delving into how these disciplines harmonize to empower individuals on their paths toward optimal health and holistic self-improvement.

Understanding the Intersection: Exploring How Personal Training and Life Coaching Converge

The intersection of training and life coaching represents a dynamic fusion that goes beyond physical transformation. This intriguing collaboration combines the expertise of personal trainers in optimizing physical health with the holistic insights of life coaches into personal development and goal attainment. The convergence of these disciplines empowers individuals to achieve comprehensive well-being. By integrating physical fitness goals with mental resilience strategies, this approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of body and mind. This article delves into how personal training and life coaching converge, unveiling a multifaceted approach that nurtures not only physical prowess but also inner growth and empowerment.

Personal Training Techniques for Holistic Well-Being: Integrating Coaching Approaches

The realm of personal training has evolved beyond just physical fitness, embracing a holistic approach that encompasses both body and mind. Integrating coaching techniques within training strategies has emerged as a powerful paradigm for nurturing holistic well-being. By synergizing personalized workout regimens with coaching methodologies, individuals not only sculpt their physique but also enhance their mental resilience and overall quality of life. This transformative fusion tailors fitness routines to individual goals while fostering a positive mindset, self-awareness, and motivation. Whether it’s setting achievable fitness milestones or conquering personal obstacles, this approach recognizes that a healthy body and a confident mind are interdependent. This article delves into the integration of coaching within training, highlighting how this convergence empowers individuals to embark on a comprehensive journey towards holistic well-being.

Life Coaching Principles in Personal Training: A Comprehensive Approach

Blending life coaching principles with personal training introduces a transformative dimension to fitness journeys. This comprehensive approach acknowledges that physical health and mental well-being are intricately linked. By infusing life coaching techniques, personal trainers empower individuals to overcome psychological barriers, set meaningful goals, and cultivate self-discipline. This synergy involves not only sculpting the body but also nurturing confidence, resilience, and motivation. Coaches guide clients through challenges, helping them discover their inner strengths and sustain long-term changes. From fostering self-awareness to promoting positive habits, this article explores how life coaching principles seamlessly intertwine with training, creating a holistic path towards optimal health and personal growth.

Maximizing Results: The Synergy of Personal Training and Coaching Techniques

The fusion of training and coaching techniques presents a potent synergy that elevates results in the pursuit of health and self-improvement. Personal trainers armed with exercise expertise collaborate with life coaches versed in motivation, goal setting, and mindset shifts. This dynamic combination addresses not only physical fitness but also the psychological facets that influence success. By delving into clients’ aspirations, life coaches enhance adherence and resilience, while personal trainers fine-tune workout plans for optimal physical progress. The result is a holistic approach that caters to the body and mind.

Navigating the Intersection: Strategies for Effective Personal Training with Life Coaching

The intersection of training and life coaching demands a strategic approach that harmonizes physical transformation with holistic well-being. Effective collaboration involves personal trainers incorporating coaching principles to address clients’ goals, motivations, and potential barriers. This entails empathetic listening, goal alignment, and ongoing accountability. Combining tailored workout plans with coaching techniques cultivates a comprehensive journey towards optimal health. By navigating this fusion, personal trainers elevate their ability to guide clients not only in reaching physical milestones but also in fostering enduring lifestyle changes.

From understanding the underlying connection to delving into coaching techniques within training, we have explored the intricate ways in which these disciplines complement and enrich each other. This synergy exemplifies the transformative power of a well-rounded approach to health and well-being. As the fields of training and life coaching continue to evolve, their intersection offers a pathway for individuals to achieve their physical and personal growth aspirations in harmony.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The intersection between personal training and life coaching represents a harmonious blend of physical fitness expertise and personal development insights. It combines strategies for achieving optimal health with techniques for enhancing mental well-being and personal growth.

The synergy empowers individuals to achieve comprehensive well-being via addressing both physical and mental aspects. Personal training focuses on physical fitness, while life coaching provides tools for setting meaningful goals, overcoming obstacles, and fostering self-discipline.

Coaching techniques enhance personal training by addressing clients’ psychological barriers, motivations, and mindset shifts. Coaches guide clients through challenges, promote self-awareness, and help them sustain long-term lifestyle changes.

Effective collaboration involves personal trainers incorporating coaching principles such as empathetic listening, goal alignment, and ongoing accountability. This holistic approach ensures clients’ physical milestones align with enduring lifestyle changes.

The ultimate goal is to provide individuals with a widespread approach to health and well-being, recognizing that a healthy body and a confident mind are interdependent. This intersection empowers individuals to embark on a holistic journey towards optimal health and personal growth.

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Will Pilates Get You In Shape? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/will-pilates-get-you-in-shape/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34303 The post Will Pilates Get You In Shape? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the quest for achieving a fit and healthy physique, numerous exercise modalities promise transformative results. One such method that has gained attention for its holistic approach is Pilates. The burning question on many minds is, “Will Pilates get you in shape?”

In this article, we delve into the realm of Pilates and its impact on reshaping your body. Beyond the hype, we explore the principles that underpin this exercise regimen and their potential to contribute to your fitness journey. Whether you’re a seasoned

enthusiast seeking a new challenge or someone new to the world of exercise, the allure of this workout as a path to getting in shape has undoubtedly crossed your mind.

Embark with us on a journey through the world of Pilates, as we dissect its benefits, debunk myths, and provide insights into how this practice can align with your goals. Discover the elements that make it unique and effective in promoting not only physical transformation but also overall well-being.

A Path To Fitness And Body Transformation

Amidst the myriad trends, it stands as a compelling avenue for achieving both physical and transformative body changes. Going beyond the superficial, this workout focuses on building a strong core, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall posture. This exercise regimen harnesses controlled movements to engage muscles, fostering not just strength but also endurance. Through consistent practice, the exercise can contribute to body toning, improved muscle definition, and increased overall stamina. It’s a journey that aligns with reshaping the body while nurturing balance and well-being, making the exercise a dynamic path to realizing your transformation goals.

Can Pilates Really Help You Get In Shape?

The allure of this workout as a solution prompts the question: does it truly deliver in reshaping your physique? Pilates, known for its emphasis on core strength, controlled movements, and flexibility, has gained recognition as a holistic exercise approach. While it may not promise rapid weight loss or extreme muscle gain, it offers a nuanced path to getting in shape. By engaging multiple muscle groups, it aids in toning and sculpting, contributing to a leaner appearance. The fusion of breath control and precise movements also enhances body awareness and posture. Pilates is particularly effective in targeting muscles that may be neglected in conventional workouts, promoting balanced muscle development. Ultimately, while results may vary based on individual effort and consistency, it undoubtedly contributes to a fitter, more toned physique and improved overall well-being.

Exploring Pilates As An Effective Exercise For Fitness

Diving into the realm of fitness, the exercise emerges as a dynamic and effective exercise regimen. With a focus on controlled movements and core engagement, it promotes not only physical strength but also flexibility and balance. Its unique approach engages muscles often overlooked, contributing to a well-rounded routine. This workout emphasizes alignment and body awareness, fostering improved posture and preventing injuries. By incorporating both body weight and resistance exercises, it challenges muscles while promoting overall well-being. Whether you’re seeking to enhance strength, flexibility, or general fitness, exploring the workout unveils a comprehensive exercise method that caters to various goals, making it a valuable addition to your fitness journey.

Achieving Body Transformation Through Pilates Exercises

These types of exercises offer a transformative journey towards reshaping the body and enhancing overall well-being. With a meticulous focus on controlled movements, core activation, and mindful breathing, it facilitates a comprehensive body transformation. By engaging deep-seated muscles, it not only enhances muscle tone and strength but also promotes flexibility and posture. The fusion of resistance and body-weight exercises challenges muscles in a unique way, fostering a leaner and more sculpted physique. Beyond physical changes, this exercise cultivates body awareness and mindfulness, aiding in stress reduction and mental clarity. Through consistent practice, individuals can witness a shift in their body’s composition, endurance, and functional fitness. The holistic approach of these exercises resonates with those seeking a harmonious transformation that extends beyond aesthetics, making it a potent tool for attaining a balanced and revitalized self.

Harnessing The Power Of Pilates For Fitness And Shape

Pilates, a potent fusion of controlled movements, core engagement, and mindful breathing, holds the key to achieving both fitness and a sculpted physique. By targeting deep muscles and emphasizing muscle balance, it aids in toning and strength enhancement. This exercise regimen’s versatility, incorporating body-weight exercises and resistance techniques, challenges muscles while promoting flexibility and posture. As a holistic practice, the workout not only transforms the body but also nurtures mental clarity and well-being through its focus on mindfulness. Embracing this holistic exercise unveils a robust path towards achieving improved fitness, endurance, and a harmonious body shape that transcends aesthetics, underlining its potential for comprehensive wellness.

Embrace the power of this exercise as a pathway to both fitness and a sculpted form. As you incorporate its unique techniques into your wellness journey, you’ll find a harmonious synergy between physical transformation and holistic well-being. Ultimately, it empowers you to sculpt not just your body but also a revitalized sense of self.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this workout is renowned for its ability to help individuals achieve a toned and fit body through controlled movements and core engagement.

Absolutely, Pilates engages various muscle groups, promoting muscle development and strength while improving overall flexibility and posture.

Yes, it is adaptable and suitable for people of various fitness levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

No, while Pilates contributes to physical fitness, it also emphasizes mental clarity, body awareness, and overall well-being.

Certainly, Pilates can complement a diverse fitness regimen, offering a unique approach to achieving shape, strength, and holistic health.

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Who Is Pilates Suitable For? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/who-is-pilates-suitable-for/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34286 The post Who Is Pilates Suitable For? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of holistic wellness, few disciplines have garnered as much attention and acclaim as Pilates. Emerging as a versatile regimen, it has piqued the interest of individuals across a wide spectrum of age groups, conditioning levels, and wellness aspirations. The question that often arises is, “Who is Pilates suitable for?”

In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the inclusivity and adaptability that defines it. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking to elevate your exercise routine, a beginner eager to delve into a new journey, or someone seeking low-impact workouts that foster wellness, the principles hold relevance.

As we delve into the world of Pilates, we’ll explore its benefits, nuances, and versatility. From its foundational concepts to its ability to cater to various needs, we’ll decipher the question of suitability that rests at the heart of this practice. So, if you’re curious about how it can align with your goals and make a  contribution to your overall well-being, read on to discover the answers you’ve been seeking.

Exploring Pilates: A Fitness Regimen Suitable For All Ages

This transcends age barriers, making it a universally adaptable regimen. Its low-impact nature and emphasis on controlled movements render it suitable for individuals of all ages. For seniors, this enhances flexibility and balance, while youngsters benefit from its core-strengthening aspects. It’s equally relevant for beginners venturing into athletes seeking enhanced performance. The versatility lies in its ability to be tailored to individual needs, from rehabilitation to toning. By fostering body awareness and improving posture, it offers a comprehensive approach that aligns with varied age groups, making it an avenue that truly caters to all.

Is Pilates The Right Exercise For Your Fitness Journey?

The question of whether it aligns with your journey hinges on various factors. This exercise, with its focus on core strength, flexibility, and controlled movements, suits individuals seeking a holistic approach. If you prioritize low-impact workouts that enhance muscular endurance without strain, this exercise is a compelling option. It’s particularly suitable for those recovering from injuries or aiming to prevent them, as it emphasizes proper alignment and gentle yet effective routines. However, if your goals are cantered on intense cardio or heavy muscle building, this exercise might complement rather than fully meet your objectives. Ultimately, assessing your aspirations, preferences, and physical condition will guide the decision of whether this exercise harmonizes with your unique journey toward improved health and well-being.

Finding Suitable Workouts For Your Wellness Goals

In the pursuit of holistic wellness, the challenge lies in discovering workouts that align with your specific goals. Pilates emerges as a versatile solution, accommodating a spectrum of wellness aspirations. Whether you seek enhanced flexibility, core strength, stress relief, or better posture, this exercise offers tailored routines that cater to individual needs. Its adaptability makes it equally suitable for beginners embarking on a journey and seasoned enthusiasts aiming to refine their wellness approach. With its emphasis on controlled movements and mind-body connection, It seamlessly integrates into diverse wellness paths, providing a platform for achieving balance, vitality, and a renewed sense of well-being.

A Suitable Approach To Enhancing Fitness And Wellness

Pilates presents itself as a fitting approach to elevating overall wellness. With its emphasis on controlled movements, core strength, and flexibility, this exercise offers a versatile workout that suits diverse fitness levels. This method not only enhances physical strength but also fosters mindfulness and body awareness. By engaging both body and mind, the physical activity becomes a holistic avenue for improving posture, balance, and coordination. Whether you’re seeking targeted muscle toning, stress reduction, or a balanced fusion of physical and mental well-being, this exercise offers a suitable platform for achieving your fitness and wellness objectives in a harmonious and effective manner.

Why Pilates Is Suitable For Both Novices And Experts

It stands out as a regimen that transcends proficiency levels, catering equally to novices and experts. For beginners, its controlled and low-impact nature provides a gentle entry into fitness, focusing on foundational movements and core engagement. It builds a strong base that gradually advances with proficiency. For experts, this physical activity offers opportunities to deepen their practice through intricate movements and progressive challenges that refine muscle control and flexibility. Whether you’re new to fitness or an experienced athlete, it evolves alongside your journey. Its adaptable routines accommodate varied strengths and limitations, making it a sustainable approach to fitness. The accessibility of this physical activity, with its mindful movements and versatility, fosters an environment where both novices and experts can thrive, achieving their respective goals while nurturing a lasting commitment to their well-being.

In the ever-evolving realm of fitness and holistic well-being, Pilates has emerged as a beacon of versatility and acclaim. Throughout this exploration, we’ve delved into the inclusivity and adaptability that define it. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast eager to elevate your physical activity routine, a novice embarking on a new fitness journey, or someone seeking gentle yet effective workouts to foster wellness, Pilates offers relevance.

Our journey through the world of Pilates has uncovered its myriad benefits, nuances, and malleability. From its foundational principles to its ability to cater to a spectrum of needs, the question of suitability has been deciphered. So, if you’ve wondered how this exercise can harmonize with your fitness goals and contribute to your overall well-being, your answers await.

From its universal appeal as a fitness regimen suitable for all ages to its adaptability for both novices and experts, this holistic approach thrives on versatility. It’s not just about physical activity; it’s about nurturing a lasting commitment to physical and mental health. As you tread on your unique fitness journey, remember that Pilates welcomes all, evolving with you, fostering well-being, and ensuring that the quest for better health remains a fulfilling and enduring pursuit.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this exercise is highly adaptable and suitable for individuals ranging from beginners to advanced fitness enthusiasts. The exercises can be modified to match different levels of strength and flexibility.

Absolutely, Pilates is particularly beneficial for seniors as it offers low-impact exercises that improve balance, flexibility, and core strength. It’s a gentle way to maintain mobility and enhance overall well-being.

Yes, this exercise is often recommended for injury rehabilitation due to its controlled and mindful movements. It can aid in building strength in weakened areas while promoting proper alignment and avoiding strain.

Certainly, Pilates is a valuable addition to an athlete’s training routine. It helps improve core stability, flexibility, and muscle balance, contributing to enhanced performance and injury prevention.

While this exercise primarily focuses on building core strength, flexibility, and posture, it can complement weight loss goals by contributing to muscle tone and overall body awareness. It’s often integrated as part of a well-rounded fitness plan.

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Will Pilates Help With Building Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/will-pilates-help-with-building-muscle/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34296 The post Will Pilates Help With Building Muscle? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of physical fitness and body transformation, many turn to exercise regimens that promise to sculpt and fortify muscles. One such regimen that has garnered attention is Pilates. As individuals seek effective ways to achieve a more toned physique, the question naturally arises: “Will Pilates help with building muscle?”

In this article, we delve into the realm of development and how the workout contributes to this endeavour. While it is renowned for its emphasis on flexibility, core strength, and overall body awareness, its impact on growth may be less known. We will explore the mechanisms through which these exercises engage muscles, enhance strength, and potentially lead to building over time.

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to diversify your routine or someone curious about the benefits in development, join us as we unravel the relationship between the workout and building. Discover the potential fitness gains, explore key exercises, and gain insights into how it fits into your journey toward a stronger and healthier body.

Pilates And Building: Unveiling The Connection

Beyond its reputation for enhancing flexibility and core strength, this exercise offers a surprising avenue for development. By employing controlled movements that engage various groups, this method stimulates endurance. Incorporating resistance techniques and targeted exercises can lead to improved tone and definition. Exploring the subtle yet impactful link between this exercise regimen and building reveals a versatile approach to fitness. Whether you’re striving for balanced strength or seeking to enhance growth, uncovering the hidden potential of this connection opens a new dimension in your fitness journey.

The Role Of Pilates In Strength Training And Muscle Development

In the realm of training and development, it plays a transformative role that extends beyond its renowned focus on flexibility. By orchestrating controlled movements that activate multiple groups, this approach fosters endurance, stability, and overall strength. The integration of resistance techniques, body-weight exercises, and targeted routines challenges muscles in a way that promotes growth and definition. While it might not replicate the high-intensity of traditional weightlifting, its emphasis on eccentric contractions and concentric movements engages muscles deeply. The harmonious combination of functional movements and body awareness cultivates not only physical strength but also balanced development. This exercise emerges as a nuanced yet impactful component in the broader landscape of strength training, offering a holistic approach to achieving a resilient and well-defined physique.

Exploring Pilates For Enhanced Development

Venturing beyond its familiar domains, it unveils its potential as a catalyst for advanced development. By harnessing precise movements that activate multiple groups, this method fosters endurance, stability, and overall strength. Incorporating resistance techniques, body-weight exercises, and targeted routines challenges muscles in ways that foster growth and definition. While this exercise may differ from traditional weightlifting, its emphasis on eccentric contractions and concentric movements engages muscles deeply. With a synergy of functional movements and heightened body awareness, it becomes a dynamic approach to holistic development. It’s an exploration that uncovers how the exercise can significantly contribute to attaining a resilient and sculpted physique.

Achieving Muscle Growth Through Pilates: Fitness Benefits Unveiled

Pilates, often lauded for its emphasis on flexibility and core strength, holds a lesser-known key to achieving growth. The controlled and deliberate movements characteristic of this exercise engage an array of groups, laying the foundation for enhanced endurance, stability, and strength. This method incorporates resistance techniques, body-weight exercises, and targeted routines that challenge muscles, leading to growth and sculpted definition. While it may diverge from conventional weightlifting, it capitalizes on eccentric

contractions and concentric motions to deeply engage muscles. With a fusion of functional movements and heightened body awareness, it seamlessly transforms into a dynamic conduit for holistic development. By delving into this unexplored facet, you unlock the potential for the workout to become a pivotal element in your journey toward a resilient, well-defined physique.

Pilates For Strength Training: Maximizing Building Potential

Beyond its recognized focus, the workout emerges as a valuable avenue for strength training, unlocking untapped building potential. Through controlled and targeted movements, this exercise engages diverse groups, fostering endurance, stability, and strength. Incorporating resistance techniques, body-weight exercises, and specialized routines, it ignites challenge, growth, and definition. While distinct from traditional methods, it capitalizes on eccentric contractions and concentric motions for profound engagement. By seamlessly blending functional movements and heightened body awareness, the workout transforms into a dynamic foundation for holistic strength development. Delving into this perspective, you unveil the prowess of this exercise as a strategic component for maximizing muscle-building potential on your path toward a resilient, sculpted physique.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this workout can indeed aid in building. While it may not focus solely on bulking up, it emphasizes controlled movements that engage, promoting growth and definition.

Pilates differs from weightlifting but offers its own benefits. It emphasizes engagement through controlled motions, eccentric contractions, and resistance, fostering lean development.

Absolutely, Pilates can complement a building routine. It adds variety, promotes balance, and enhances core strength, contributing to an overall well-rounded physique.

This type of workout is more aligned with lean muscle development and toning. While it may not result in massive muscle gains like bodybuilding, it can still contribute positively to muscle growth.

It promotes definition through its emphasis on controlled movements that engage and challenge muscles. This can lead to improved muscle tone, endurance, and a more sculpted appearance.

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Is Pilates Effective? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/is-pilates-effective/ Mon, 14 Aug 2023 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34255 The post Is Pilates Effective? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of fitness and wellness, where various exercise regimens promise transformative results, the question often arises: “Is Pilates effective?” As individuals seek to optimize their physical health and well-being, understanding the true impact of Pilates on the body and mind becomes essential. This is a renowned exercise methodology, has garnered attention for its potential to enhance strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. This article delves into the intricacies of this exercise, exploring its effectiveness as a fitness approach. By dissecting its principles, benefits, and real-world outcomes, we aim to provide a comprehensive perspective on whether it lives up to its reputation as a powerful and transformative exercise regimen. Join us as we unravel the truth behind Pilates’ effectiveness in fostering a healthier and more vibrant life.

Unveiling The Impact And Benefits

Exploring Pilates effectiveness delves into the profound impact and numerous benefits this exercise method offers. It has gained recognition for its ability to enhance core strength, flexibility, and posture. Its holistic approach engages both the body and mind, promoting better alignment and balance. Regular practice can result in improved muscle tone, increased endurance, and reduced risk of injuries. Furthermore, its low-impact nature makes it suitable for various fitness levels and ages. By targeting specific muscle groups and emphasizing controlled movements, it contributes to overall body awareness and improved coordination. Through this exploration, we reveal the transformative potential of Pilates in nurturing a healthier, more resilient body and fostering a sense of well-being.

Enhancing Well-Being

Unlocking the benefits of this very popular exercise reveals a holistic approach that extends beyond physical fitness, reaching into the realm of overall well-being. This method, rooted in controlled movements and intentional breathing, offers a profound impact on both body and mind. It promotes core strength, flexibility, and muscle balance, leading to improved posture and reduced discomfort. The emphasis on mindfulness and alignment cultivates body awareness, enhancing coordination and grace in movement. Beyond the physical gains, Pilates is known for reducing stress and promoting relaxation through its meditative qualities. By engaging deep stabilizing muscles, it creates a foundation of strength that supports daily activities and sports performance alike. Whether practiced on its own or as a complement to other fitness routines, the exercise stands as a gateway to a healthier, more balanced, and fulfilling life.

Transforming Your Body And Mind

Achieving results goes beyond physical transformation, encompassing a profound journey of body and mind. With its focus on controlled movements, breath, and core engagement, the exercise enhances strength, flexibility, and posture. The method’s mindful approach fosters mental clarity, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Consistent practice refines muscle tone, leading to improved muscle balance and overall coordination. It

adapts to various fitness levels, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. As you engage in workouts, you’ll discover a transformation that extends beyond aesthetics, nurturing a harmonious connection between body and mind, and enhancing your overall well-being.

Techniques For Optimal Effectiveness

Mastering this workout involves understanding its fundamental techniques to reap optimal benefits. Central is the focus on the body’s core, engaging deep muscles to support movement. Controlled, precise motions enhance flexibility, alignment, and muscle tone. Breath awareness synchronizes with movements, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress. The integration of mind and body fosters heightened body awareness and coordination. These workouts emphasize spinal alignment, enhancing posture and preventing injuries. Equipment like the Reformer adds resistance for more challenging workouts. Consistency is key; regular practice ensures gradual progress and results. Modifications cater to various fitness levels, making it accessible to all. By honing these techniques, you’ll elevate your experience, unlocking its full potential for strength, flexibility, and holistic well-being.

In the journey to understand the effectiveness of Pilates, we have unveiled a world of transformative potential that extends far beyond physical exercise. Through the exploration of the exercise’s impact on the body and mind, its benefits have emerged as a harmonious blend of strength, flexibility, posture, and mental well-being. Pilates stands as a holistic approach that nurtures the body’s core and fosters mindful awareness, guiding practitioners toward balanced coordination and inner tranquillity. As we conclude this exploration, it becomes clear that it is indeed effective, offering a gateway to a healthier, more vibrant life. Its techniques, principles, and benefits intertwine to create a method that not only shapes bodies but also nourishes the soul, leaving individuals empowered to embrace wellness and vitality with each practice.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this exercise is highly effective for enhancing core strength. Its focus on controlled movements engages deep abdominal muscles, leading to improved core stability and strength.

Absolutely. These workouts incorporates dynamic stretching and lengthening movements, which enhance flexibility and range of motion in muscles and joints.

While the practice primarily focuses on building lean muscle and improving posture, it can indirectly support weight loss via increasing muscle mass and boosting metabolism.

Yes, the exercise can be adapted to various fitness levels, making it suitable for beginners. Many classes provide modifications for those new to the practice.

Yes, these workouts emphasize mindful movement and breath awareness, which can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, as well as improve overall mental well-being.

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How To Qualify As A Personal Trainer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-qualify-as-a-personal-trainer/ Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34246 The post How To Qualify As A Personal Trainer appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Becoming a personal trainer is a journey that combines a passion for fitness with a commitment to helping others achieve their health goals. In today’s health-conscious society, the demand for qualified personal trainers is on the rise. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to turn your passion into a profession or someone dedicated to guiding individuals toward a healthier lifestyle, the path to qualifying as a trainer involves essential steps and considerations. From acquiring the necessary certifications to mastering fitness training techniques, this guide will take you through the process of becoming a proficient and certified personal trainer. Discover the qualifications required, the training avenues available, and the valuable insights you need to embark on a fulfilling career in the fitness industry.

Your Path To A Rewarding Fitness Career

Embark on a transformative journey to craft a rewarding fitness career that not only nourishes your passion for health and wellness but also empowers others to achieve their wellness goals. By pursuing the path of a certified personal trainer, you’ll delve into the art of sculpting healthier lives through targeted exercise routines and tailored guidance. Acquiring the right qualifications, such as personal trainer certifications and fitness training credentials, will equip you to inspire, motivate, and transform lives. As you navigate this dynamic landscape, you’ll discover the fulfilment of helping individuals break barriers and surpass fitness limits. Your dedication will not only shape bodies but also empower futures.

Steps To Achieve Your Professional Personal Trainer Certification Goal

Embarking on the journey to achieve your professional personal trainer certification is an exciting and rewarding endeavour. To reach this goal, a strategic approach is essential. Begin by researching reputable certification programs that align with your aspirations and the industry’s standards. Consider factors like program content, credibility, and recognition. Once you’ve chosen a program, immerse yourself in the coursework, absorbing knowledge about exercise science, anatomy, nutrition, and training methodologies.

Next, focus on practical experience through internships, workshops, and hands-on training sessions. This hands-on exposure will refine your skills and deepen your understanding of real-world fitness challenges. Study diligently and prepare for the certification exam, which serves as a testament to your expertise. Don’t forget to stay updated with industry trends and research.

Maintain a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Your journey to studying to become a certified personal trainer is not just about achieving a title; it’s about continually improving and making a lasting impact on clients’ lives. With dedication, perseverance, and a hunger for knowledge, you’ll confidently step into the role of a knowledgeable and inspirational personal trainer.

Essential Requirements For Personal Trainers

Personal trainers play a vital role in promoting health and fitness, requiring a blend of knowledge, skills, and qualities. Education is crucial, with most employers seeking a certification from reputable organizations. A strong grasp of exercise science, anatomy, nutrition, and client assessment techniques is essential. Beyond the technical, effective communication skills are key to understanding clients’ goals and tailoring plans. Patience, empathy, and motivation are traits that create a positive client-trainer relationship. Adaptability is vital to cater to diverse clients and their needs. Remaining current with industry trends ensures trainers offer the latest insights and techniques.

Your Journey To Expertise In Fitness Instruction

Embarking on a journey toward expertise in fitness instruction is both rewarding and transformative. Aspiring fitness professionals undergo comprehensive training to master the art and science of effective exercise guidance. This journey encompasses learning exercise techniques, understanding human physiology, and delving into nutrition principles. Practical experience, gained through internships or hands-on training, is invaluable in honing instructional skills and client interaction. Continuous education and staying updated with industry trends are essential for maintaining expertise. Cultivating a passion for helping individuals achieve their fitness goals fuels this journey, making it a fulfilling endeavour that empowers both trainers and clients on the path to healthier lives.

Building Credibility As A Qualified Personal Trainer

Building credibility as a qualified personal trainer is paramount for a successful career. It begins with obtaining recognized certifications and fitness training qualifications, showcasing your commitment to expertise. Consistently delivering effective training, tailored to clients’ goals, establishes trust and results. Open communication, active listening, and adapting programs strengthen client relationships and showcase professionalism. Keeping updated with industry trends and continuously learning bolsters your knowledge. Creating1 a strong online presence through a professional website or social media underscores your expertise. As clients achieve their fitness goals, your credibility grows, leading to client referrals and a solid reputation as a trusted and skilled personal trainer.

The journey to qualify as a personal trainer is a fulfilling endeavour that requires dedication, education, and continuous growth. By obtaining the right certifications and credentials, mastering fitness training techniques, and cultivating essential qualities, you will be able to begin a very rewarding career in the fitness industry. As a certified personal trainer, you have the chance to make a really positive impact on people’s lives, helping them achieve their health and wellness goals. Through effective communication, tailored guidance, and a commitment to excellence, you can build credibility, establish trust, and create a lasting legacy in the realm of fitness. Embrace this journey and let your passion for fitness and dedication to professional growth pave the way for a successful and impactful career as a qualified personal trainer.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is to research and enrol in a reputable certification program that aligns with industry standards and your career goals.

Personal trainers need to acquire recognized certifications from organizations. A strong understanding of exercise science, nutrition, and client assessment techniques is also crucial.

Hands-on experience gained through internships, workshops, and practical training sessions helps refine skills, deepen understanding, and prepare for real-world challenges.

Good communication skills are essential for understanding clients’ goals, needs, and concerns. Personal trainers must tailor their guidance to each individual’s unique requirements.

Continuous learning is essential to stay updated with industry trends, advancements in fitness science, and evolving client needs. It demonstrates commitment to professional growth and expertise.

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Why Yoga Is Important To Include In Your Workout Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/why-yoga-is-important-to-include-in-your-workout-routine/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34245 The post Why Yoga Is Important To Include In Your Workout Routine? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the quest for a holistic and well-balanced fitness journey, incorporating yoga into your workout routine can prove to be a transformative addition. This ancient provides a unique blend of physical postures, breathwork, and mindfulness. Its benefits extend beyond just physical fitness, as it nurtures mental well-being and fosters a profound mind-body connection.

In this article, we will delve into the compelling reasons why this exercise is essential to include in your workout routine. From improving flexibility, strength, and balance to reducing stress and promoting inner calm, we will explore the profound impact of this ancient practice on your overall fitness and well-being. Discover how this ancient art form can elevate your workout routine to new levels of effectiveness and fulfilment.

The Role Of Yoga In Your Workout Routine

This exercise plays a vital role in enhancing and elevating your workout routine to new heights. Beyond the traditional focus on physical fitness, it offers a holistic approach that nurtures both the body and mind. Incorporating this ancient practice into your workout routine can improve flexibility, balance, and strength, complementing other exercise forms. It provides an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and promote inner calm through breathwork and meditation. The mind-body connection fostered by yoga allows you to tune into your body’s needs and align your movements with intention and awareness. By embracing this ancient art form as an important part of your workout regimen, you can experience a more well-rounded and fulfilling approach to fitness that nurtures your overall well-being.

Understanding The Importance For Fitness

Understanding the importance of including yoga in your workout routine goes beyond just physical fitness. While traditional exercises like cardio and strength training target specific muscle groups and overall conditioning, the exercise offers a unique dimension to your fitness journey. The practice engages not only the body but also the mind and spirit, fostering a deep mind-body connection that enhances overall well-being.

Its emphasis on stretching and flexibility can complement other workout forms, helping to reduce the risk of injury and improve range of motion. It also builds core strength and stability, which can enhance performance in other physical activities. Moreover, the focus on breathwork and meditation promotes relaxation and stress reduction, allowing you to unwind and find inner balance amidst the challenges of daily life.

Incorporating it into your workout routine can also serve as a form of active recovery, allowing your body to rejuvenate and recover after intense workouts. This holistic approach to fitness enables you to achieve a more balanced and sustainable workout routine that develops both your physical and mental well-being.

Enhancing Your Fitness With Yoga Practice

Enhancing your fitness with a regular this ancient art form can be a transformative journey for both body and mind. The deliberate and fluid movements in asanas help improve flexibility, balance, and core strength. As you progress in your practice, you’ll notice increased muscle tone and improved posture. Beyond the physical benefits, this exercise also promotes mental clarity and stress relief through mindfulness and breathwork. This mind-body connection fosters a sense of inner peace and calmness, reducing anxiety and enhancing overall well-being. If you’re a seasoned athlete or a beginner on the fitness journey, incorporating yoga into your routine can be a powerful tool for optimizing your physical health and nurturing a balanced and harmonious lifestyle.

Exploring The Mind-Body Connection In Yoga

At the end of the day, this ancient practice is not just a physical activity but rather a holistic practice that explores the profound connection between the mind and body. Through the union of breath, movement, and meditation, this exercise cultivates a deep awareness of the present moment and an enhanced understanding of the body’s sensations and emotions. As you flow through the postures, you learn to listen to your body’s needs and honour its limitations, fostering self-compassion and self-awareness. The mindful focus in this ancient practice helps quiet the chatter of the mind and alleviate stress, allowing you to experience a sense of tranquillity and relaxation. By tapping into the mind-body connection, it empowers individuals to release tension and energy blockages, promoting physical healing and emotional well-being. This profound integration of mind and body is what makes yoga a powerful and transformative practice that nourishes and nurtures both inner and outer selves.

Integrating Yoga Into Your Workout Routine: Key Benefits

Integrating this ancient practice into your workout routine offers a multitude of key benefits for your overall well-being. It not only enhances flexibility and strength but also improves balance and posture. Its emphasis on controlled breathing and meditation helps reduce stress, anxiety, and promotes mental clarity. The gentle and low-impact nature of the exercise makes it very suitable for all fitness levels and ages. Additionally, regular this exercise practice can aid in better sleep patterns and boost energy levels. As a complementary practice to other forms of exercise, yoga helps prevent injuries and accelerates muscle recovery. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, incorporating yoga into your routine can lead to a healthier, more balanced, and happier you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Frequently Asked Questions

This ancient practice improves flexibility, balance, and strength, which enhances your performance in other workouts.

Yes, this ancient practice’s focus on breathwork and meditation reduces stress and promotes relaxation.

Absolutely, this exercise offers modifications and variations, making it accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners.

Yes, this ancient practice improves body awareness and alignment, reducing the risk of injuries in other physical activities.

It fosters a mind-body connection, promoting mental clarity, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall mental well-being.

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Why Is Yoga Good For Mental Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/why-is-yoga-good-for-mental-health/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34236 The post Why Is Yoga Good For Mental Health? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In our fast-paced and often stress-filled lives, maintaining good brain health is very important for overall well-being. The practice of yoga an ancient practice that blends physical postures, breathwork, and meditation, has garnered immense popularity as a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. The mind-body connection that fosters can be transformative, offering a pathway to relieve anxiety, manage stress, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

In this article, we delve into the myriad ways this this ancient art form positively influences brain health. From reducing symptoms of depression to increasing emotional resilience, we explore the scientific evidence and personal experiences that highlight why it is so beneficial for mental health. Join us as we unlock the secrets of this ancient practice and find out how it can be a key element in nurturing a balanced and healthy mind.

The Impact On Mental Health

Yoga’s impact on brain health is profound and far-reaching. Through its mindful practices, it promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and cultivates emotional well-being. The combination of asanas and controlled breathing helps regulate the nervous system, easing anxiety and depression symptoms. This ancient art form encourages present-moment awareness, fostering mindfulness that empowers individuals to manage intrusive thoughts and increase self-awareness. Additionally, regular practice promotes better sleep patterns, enhancing overall mental clarity and cognitive function. The mind-body connection nurtured by this ancient art form enables individuals to cope with challenges more effectively and build emotional resilience. By incorporating yoga into daily life, individuals can experience a transformative journey towards improved brain health, resulting in a more balanced and fulfilling existence.

Exploring The Benefits For Mental Well-Being

This exercise has gained immense popularity in the modern world, not only for its physical benefits but also for its significant positive impact on brain well-being. Via a combination of physical postures, controlled breathing, and mindfulness techniques, it provides a holistic approach to enhancing brain health.

One of the main benefits of this ancient art form for mental well-being is stress reduction. The mindful and meditative aspects of this exercise help calm the mind and activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing stress hormones and promoting a sense of tranquillity. As a result, it can effectively alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Moreover, this ancient art form promotes self-awareness and self-compassion. By encouraging individuals to be present in the moment and to tune into their bodies and emotions, it fosters a deeper understanding of oneself, leading to increased self-acceptance and self-esteem.

Also, regular practice has been linked to improved sleep quality, better focus, and increased resilience to life’s challenges. It allows individuals to build brain strength and emotional balance, empowering them to navigate through daily stressors with greater ease.

A Path To Mindfulness And Mental Clarity

This exercise offers a transformative path to mindfulness and brain clarity, providing a sanctuary for the mind and body to find peace and focus. Through a series of physical postures, deep breathing exercises, and meditation techniques, yoga invites practitioners to be fully present in the moment, cultivating awareness and mindfulness. This heightened state of consciousness allows individuals to let go of distractions, worries, and anxieties, fostering mental clarity and focus. Regular practice strengthens the mind-body connection, promoting a sense of inner calm and tranquillity. It becomes a powerful tool for managing stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, paving the way for a more centred, balanced, and mindful approach to life.

Promoting Mental Health Through Regular Practice

Regular practice of yoga offers a multitude of benefits for promoting brain health and well-being. By engaging in physical postures, deep breathing exercises, and meditation, individuals can experience a profound shift in their brain state. Yoga’s mind-body connection allows practitioners to release tension, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Through conscious breathing and mindful movement, it encourages individuals to be present in the moment, letting go of worries about the past or future. This heightened awareness cultivates a sense of mental clarity and focus, leading to improved cognitive function and emotional regulation.

Additionally, yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the body’s natural relaxation response. This cancels out the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response to stress. As a result, regular practice helps to manage anxiety and depression, so promoting a sense of inner peace and emotional well-being.

Moreover, this type of exercise fosters self-compassion and self-awareness, encouraging individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This self-acceptance can lead to increased self-esteem and a positive outlook on life.

How Yoga Enhances Overall Well-Being And Mental Health

It deeply influences overall well-being and mental health. By combining physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation, it provides a comprehensive approach to improving mental and emotional states. Regular yoga practice has been associated with reduced stress and anxiety levels, enhanced mood, and increased feelings of calmness and relaxation. The meditative aspect of it promotes mindfulness, fostering greater self-awareness and emotional regulation. Moreover, yoga’s focus on mind-body connection encourages individuals to create a positive relationship with their bodies and minds, promoting a sense of harmony and balance. Overall, it is a powerful tool for cultivating mental health and nurturing a sense of overall well-being.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Frequently Asked Questions

It benefits mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression through its combination of physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation. It promotes relaxation and a sense of calmness.

Yes, it can help with emotional well-being by encouraging self-awareness and emotional regulation. It fosters a positive relationship with emotions, allowing individuals to cope better with challenging situations.

Absolutely. It enhances mental clarity through its meditative practices, which promote mindfulness and a focused mind. This increased clarity aids in decision-making and problem-solving.

It helps reduce stress by activating the body’s relaxation response, lowering cortisol levels, and releasing tension in the muscles. It provides a sense of relief and tranquillity.

Yes, yoga can be beneficial for individuals with anxiety disorders. It teaches relaxation techniques, promotes a sense of grounding, and offers tools to manage anxious thoughts and feelings.

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How Does Personal Training Help Runners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-personal-training-help-runners/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34226 The post How Does Personal Training Help Runners? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of becoming stronger, faster, and more efficient athletes, runners often seek ways to boost their performance as well as achieve their fitness goals. This is where personal training steps in as a valuable resource, providing tailored guidance and expertise to support runners in their journey. Whether you’re a beginner aiming to complete your first 5K or an experienced marathoner striving for a personal best, personalized training can make a significant difference in your running experience. In today’s article, we will explore the ways in which personal training can benefit runners of all levels, from enhancing endurance and technique to preventing injuries and overcoming plateaus. Let’s delve into the world of personal training and discover how it can unlock your full running potential.

Tailored Programs For Enhanced Performance

Personal training offers a customized approach to help runners achieve peak performance and surpass their fitness goals. With personalized programs designed specifically for runners, this training method takes into account individual strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Experienced personal trainers provide expert guidance on improving running techniques, increasing endurance, and optimizing training routines. By tailoring workouts to address unique needs, personal training enhances overall performance and minimizes the risk of injuries. If you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your running journey, personalized training empowers you to reach new heights in your running endeavours. Unlock the full potential of your running abilities with a personal training program designed for you.

Fitness Coaching For Runners: Reaching Your Peak Performance

Fitness coaching for runners is a game-changer when it comes to reaching your peak performance. As a runner, you may have specific goals, whether it’s running faster, increasing distance, or conquering challenging terrains. A fitness coach specializes in tailoring training programs to suit your unique needs, abilities, and aspirations. They analyse your running form, identify areas for improvement, and design workouts to enhance your strengths and overcome weaknesses. With expert guidance, you’ll optimize your running technique, boost endurance, and prevent injuries.

Fitness coaching goes beyond physical training; it includes mental and emotional support to keep you motivated and focused. Your coach will keep you accountable, track your progress, and adjust your program as you advance. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned runner, a fitness coach will elevate your running game and help you surpass your personal bests. Embrace the power of fitness coaching to unlock your full running potential and reach new heights in your athletic journey.

Personalized Fitness Training: Optimizing Runners’ Performance

Personalized fitness training is a game-changer for runners looking to optimize their performance. With tailored workout programs designed to meet individual needs and goals, runners can take their training to the next level. A fitness coach analyses running techniques, identifies strengths, and addresses weaknesses to improve overall performance. The personalized approach ensures that runners receive the right training, focusing on areas that require attention and avoiding generic workouts. By incorporating personalized fitness training, runners can enhance endurance, speed, and agility, while minimizing the risk of injuries. Embrace the power of personalized training to unlock your full running potential and achieve remarkable results.

Coaching For Runners: Elevating Fitness And Endurance

Coaching for runners is a transformative experience that elevates both fitness levels and endurance. With a skilled coach by your side, you can tap into your full potential, surpassing previous limitations, and achieving new milestones. A running coach assesses your current fitness level, designs personalized training plans, and provides valuable insights to enhance running techniques. Through consistent guidance and support, runners can improve their cardiovascular capacity, muscular strength, and overall performance. Coaches also offer motivation and accountability, keeping runners on track and focused on their goals. Whether you’re a novice looking to build a foundation or a seasoned athlete aiming for a breakthrough, coaching unlocks the keys to success. Embrace the journey with a running coach and witness the remarkable transformation in your fitness and endurance levels, enabling you to conquer new challenges with confidence and determination.

Performance-Oriented Personal Training For Runners: Achieving Your Goals

Performance-oriented personal training for runners is a dynamic approach focused on achieving your goals and maximizing athletic potential. Tailored to individual needs, this training method hones in on specific areas for improvement, such as speed, endurance, and strength. A qualified personal trainer designs comprehensive workout plans, implements effective techniques, and provides ongoing support to ensure progress. By emphasizing proper form and technique, runners can prevent injuries and enhance overall performance. With a performance-oriented training program, you can break barriers, set new personal records, and conquer your running objectives. Elevate your running game and propel yourself toward success with the guidance of a dedicated personal trainer.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training offers customized workout plans tailored to runners’ specific needs, optimizing performance and addressing individual goals.

Yes, personal trainers focus on correcting running form and technique, lowering the risk of injuries and enhancing efficiency.

Personal trainers assess runners’ weaknesses and imbalances, designing exercises to strengthen vulnerable areas, minimizing the chance of injuries.

Personalized training programs incorporate progressive workouts, interval training, and cardio exercises to boost endurance and stamina levels.

Yes, personal training can benefit beginners, recreational runners, and competitive athletes alike, adapting workouts to match each runner’s abilities and goals.

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What Does A Fitness Coach Do? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-does-a-fitness-coach-do/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34235 The post What Does A Fitness Coach Do? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of a healthier and fitter lifestyle, many individuals turn to fitness coaches for expert guidance and support. But what exactly does a fitness coach do? A fitness coach, also known as a personal trainer, plays a pivotal role in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals and improve overall well-being. From crafting personalized exercise programs to providing motivation and accountability, fitness coaches offer tailored solutions that cater to each individual’s unique needs. In today’s article, we will explore the diverse responsibilities of a fitness coach, the benefits of working with one, and how they can empower you to get to new heights in your fitness journey. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, understanding the role of a fitness coach can make a major difference in your path to a healthier and far more active lifestyle.

Your Guide To Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Embarking on a journey to achieve your fitness goals can be both exciting and challenging. If your goal is ultimately to lose weight, build muscle, improve endurance, or simply lead a healthier lifestyle, having a well-defined plan and expert guidance is crucial for success. From understanding the principles of exercise and nutrition to staying motivated and overcoming obstacles, you will discover valuable insights to stay on track and achieve the results you desire. Get ready to transform your fitness journey and unlock your full potential for a healthier, happier you.

Personal Training: Tailored Programs For Optimal Health And Wellness

Personal training offers a highly personalized and effective approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. With a tailored program designed specifically for your needs, goals, and fitness level, personal training takes into account your unique body composition, strengths, and limitations. A certified fitness coach will be there to guide you through targeted exercises, ensuring correct form and technique to maximize results while – at the same time – minimizing the risk of injury. Additionally, personal training encompasses personalized nutrition advice, helping you develop healthier eating habits and support your fitness journey. The one-on-one attention and accountability from a dedicated fitness coach empower you to stay motivated, focused, and on track toward your wellness objectives. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to establish a solid foundation or a seasoned athlete looking to push boundaries, personal training is your key to unlocking your full potential and enjoying a healthier, more vibrant life.

Enhancing Health And Wellness: The Role Of A Fitness Coach

A fitness coach plays a pivotal role in enhancing health and wellness by providing expert guidance and support to individuals on their fitness journey. With a deep understanding of exercise science and nutrition, a fitness coach creates personalized workout plans tailored to individual needs and goals. They offer motivation, encouragement, and accountability, helping clients stay consistent and focused. A fitness coach ensures proper form and technique during exercises, reducing the risk of injury while maximizing results. Moreover, they offer valuable insights into nutrition, lifestyle changes, and behaviour modification to foster a holistic approach to health and wellness. With a fitness coach by your side, you can achieve lasting improvements in your physical fitness and overall well-being.

Effective Exercise Programs

A fitness coach plays a crucial role in helping individuals succeed in their exercise programs. They bring expertise and knowledge to create effective and personalized workout plans that align with individual goals, fitness levels, and preferences. By conducting thorough assessments, a fitness coach identifies strengths and areas for improvement, tailoring exercises to target specific needs. They provide ongoing support, motivation, and accountability, keeping clients on track and committed to their fitness journey. Additionally, a fitness coach ensures correct form and technique during exercises, lowering the risk of injury and enhancing overall performance. With their guidance, individuals can optimize their workouts, make consistent progress, and overcome plateaus. A fitness coach empowers clients with knowledge about exercise science, nutrition, and lifestyle changes, enabling them to develop sustainable habits for long-term success. With this dedicated support, individuals can achieve their fitness goals and enjoy improved health and well-being.

Mapping Your Path To Success

Setting goals with a fitness coach is a transformative process that paves the path to success and personal growth. Through in-depth consultations, a fitness coach gains a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s aspirations, capabilities, and limitations. They help define clear, realistic, and measurable fitness objectives, breaking them down into manageable milestones. This strategic approach empowers clients to stay focused, committed, and motivated throughout their fitness journey. A fitness coach guides clients in creating personalized action plans, encompassing workout routines, nutrition guidelines, and lifestyle adjustments. Regular progress assessments and adjustments ensure that goals remain attainable and relevant. Moreover, the accountability and encouragement provided by a fitness coach foster discipline and resilience, empowering clients to overcome challenges and setbacks. As clients witness their progress, self-confidence and determination flourish, leading to enhanced physical and mental well-being. With a fitness coach as a supportive ally, individuals embark on a transformative journey toward achieving their health and fitness aspirations.

A fitness coach plays a critical role in guiding people on their journey to better health and fitness. By offering personalized training programs, expert guidance, and ongoing support, fitness coaches empower clients to achieve their goals and unlock their full potential. With their knowledge of exercise science, nutrition, and behaviour modification, fitness coaches help individuals develop sustainable habits for long-term success. The accountability and motivation provided by a fitness coach ensure that clients stay focused and committed to their fitness journey. Through setting clear and achievable goals, individuals can track their progress, overcome challenges, and witness positive transformations in their physical and mental well-being. Embrace the power of a fitness coach and take the very first step towards a healthier, happier you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A fitness coach plays a crucial role in providing expert guidance, support, and personalized training programs to people seeking to improve their health and fitness levels.

Fitness coaches create tailored workout plans, consider individual strengths and limitations, offer motivation and accountability, and provide valuable insights into nutrition and lifestyle changes to support clients in achieving their fitness objectives.

Unlike exercising alone, a fitness coach brings expertise in exercise science, form correction, and personalized training, which boosts results and minimizes the risk of injuries.

Yes, fitness coaches cater to individuals of all fitness levels, whether beginners seeking to establish a foundation or experienced athletes looking to push their boundaries and reach new heights

By focusing on exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes, fitness coaches foster a holistic approach to health and well-being, empowering clients to make lasting improvements in their physical fitness and overall wellness.

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Will Yoga Help Sciatica? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/will-yoga-help-sciatica/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34225 The post Will Yoga Help Sciatica? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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If you’re experiencing the discomfort and pain of sciatica, you’re not alone. Sciatica is a very common condition that is as a result of the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, leading to radiating pain down the back, buttocks, and legs. For those seeking relief from this condition, this exercise has emerged as a potential solution. But you may be wondering, “Will yoga help sciatica?”

In today’s article, we explore the potential benefits of this exercise for sciatica and how specific poses and exercises can offer relief. Discover the science behind this exercise’s impact on sciatica and the considerations to keep in mind while incorporating yoga into your wellness routine.

Yoga For Sciatica Relief: Understanding The Benefits

This exercise has shown promise as a natural and holistic approach to finding relief from sciatica discomfort. By incorporating specific poses and exercises into your routine, you can target the affected areas and alleviate the pain associated with sciatica. The gentle stretches and movements in this exercise help to release tension and pressure on the sciatic nerve, promoting improved flexibility and reduced inflammation. Additionally, yoga enhances core strength and supports proper posture, which are crucial for managing sciatica symptoms. With its focus on breathwork and relaxation, this type of exercise also aids in reducing stress and promoting overall well-being, creating a positive impact on both physical and mental health.

Effective Yoga Exercises For Sciatica Relief

This exercise offers a gentle yet powerful approach to alleviate sciatic nerve pain and promote overall well-being. Specific poses target the lower back, hips, and legs, where the sciatic nerve is often affected. Gentle stretches and movements in poses like Downward Dog, Child’s Pose, and Cobra can help release tension and reduce inflammation along the sciatic nerve pathway. These exercises also improve flexibility, promoting better circulation and easing the pain associated with sciatica.

This exercise enhances core strength and supports proper alignment, which are crucial in managing sciatica symptoms. Engaging in poses like Bridge Pose and Cat-Cow can strengthen the core muscles and stabilize the spine. Additionally, the focus on breathwork and relaxation in yoga helps reduce stress, which can contribute to the alleviation of sciatica discomfort.

However, it’s essential to practice this exercise mindfully and consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any exercise program, in particular if you have existing health conditions.

How Yoga Can Provide Relief From Sciatica

Specific poses target the lower back, hips, and hamstrings, helping to release tension and reduce inflammation along the nerve pathway. The emphasis on proper alignment and core engagement promotes spinal stability and reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve. With regular practice, yoga can improve flexibility, enhance circulation, and alleviate the discomfort associated with sciatica, fostering a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Sciatica Relief Through Yoga: Exploring The Benefits

Fortunately, this exercise has emerged as a natural and effective method for providing relief from sciatica symptoms. The gentle and controlled movements help with stretching and strengthening the muscles around the lower back, hips, and legs, which can alleviate the pressure on the sciatic nerve.

As we’ve said before, yoga also emphasizes proper body alignment and core engagement, which can improve spinal stability and reduce strain on the sciatic nerve. The practice of mindful breathing during sessions further aids in relaxation and stress reduction, contributing to overall pain relief.

Consistent yoga practice can improve flexibility, increase blood flow to the affected areas, and enhance circulation, which are essential factors in reducing sciatica symptoms. Moreover, the meditative aspect can help individuals cope with pain and manage stress, leading to improved well-being.

Safety Considerations: Incorporating Yoga into Your Sciatica Management Plan

Incorporating this exercise into your sciatica management plan can be advantageous and effective approach to finding relief from discomfort. However, it’s essential to prioritize safety and take specific considerations into account to ensure a positive experience and avoid exacerbating the condition.

Before starting any practice, consult with a healthcare professional, in particular if you have existing health conditions or are a yogi newbie. A medical evaluation can help determine whether yoga is appropriate for your specific case of sciatica and identify any limitations or modifications needed.

Select a qualified and experienced instructor who is knowledgeable about working with individuals with sciatica. They can guide you through proper alignment and provide modifications for poses that may be challenging for your condition.

Practice this exercise mindfully, being attentive to your body’s signals and avoiding positions that cause pain or discomfort. Listen to your body and modify poses as needed, honouring your limitations while gradually building strength and flexibility.

Yoga has emerged as a promising and natural solution for individuals seeking relief from sciatica discomfort. With its gentle yet powerful approach, specific poses and exercises can target the affected areas and alleviate pain associated with sciatica. The gentle stretches and movements release tension and pressure on the sciatic nerve, promoting flexibility and reduced inflammation. Moreover, this exercise enhances core strength and supports proper posture, essential for managing sciatica symptoms effectively. The focus on breathwork and relaxation in this exercise contributes to stress reduction and overall well-being, positively impacting both physical and mental health.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, yoga has shown promise as a natural and effective approach to finding relief from sciatica discomfort. Specific yoga poses target the affected areas, release tension, and reduce inflammation along the sciatic nerve pathway.

Yoga incorporates gentle stretches and movements that help release tension and pressure on the sciatic nerve, promoting improved flexibility and reduced inflammation. It also enhances core strength, supports proper posture, and reduces strain on the sciatic nerve.

Yoga poses like Downward Dog, Child’s Pose, Cobra, Bridge Pose, and Cat-Cow are effective for targeting the lower back, hips, and legs, providing relief from sciatica discomfort.

Yes, consistent yoga practice can improve flexibility, enhance blood flow to affected areas, and promote better circulation, which are essential factors in reducing sciatica symptoms.

While yoga can be beneficial for many individuals with sciatica, it’s essential to practice mindfully and consult with a healthcare professional, in particular if you have existing health conditions, before beginning any exercise program.

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How Does Pilates Work? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-does-pilates-work/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 05:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34209 The post How Does Pilates Work? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Welcome to the world of Pilates, a popular and effective exercise system that has captured the hearts of fitness enthusiasts worldwide. If you’ve ever wondered, “How does Pilates work?” you’re in the right place. This comprehensive article will take you on a journey to discover the inner workings of this exercise and how it transforms your body.

This exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, is a low-impact method that focuses on improving flexibility, strength, together with body awareness. It targets the core muscles while promoting overall body alignment and balance. If you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, understanding the principles and techniques of this exercise will give you valuable insights into how it works to enhance your physical and mental well-being.

How It Works On Your Body

This exercise works on your body through its fundamental principles of core engagement, control, precision, breath, and concentration. By focusing on the core muscles, particularly the deep abdominal muscles, Pilates aims to improve stability, posture, and balance. The controlled and precise movements help strengthen and lengthen muscles, enhancing flexibility and joint mobility. Through mindful breathing techniques, this exercise encourages relaxation and reduces stress while promoting better oxygenation of muscles. This holistic approach targets the entire body, addressing muscle imbalances and promoting proper alignment. As a result, this exercise fosters a stronger, more flexible, and well-aligned body, making it a popular choice for individuals seeking a comprehensive and mindful exercise routine.

How It Works As An Exercise

This exercise is grounded in scientific principles that contribute to its effectiveness in enhancing overall fitness and well-being. The fundamental principles of this exercise focus on core strength, stability, and control. By engaging the deep abdominal muscles and promoting proper alignment, Pilates exercises work to improve posture and reduce the risk of injuries.

Through controlled and precise movements, this exercise targets both large and small muscle groups, fostering balanced muscle development and flexibility. This comprehensive approach not only strengthens muscles but also boosts joint mobility and range of motion.

The integration of breath with movement in this exercise promotes better oxygenation of muscles, enhancing endurance and reducing stress. Mindfulness and concentration are emphasized during exercises, leading to improved body awareness and mental focus.

How It Enhances Your Body

This exercise offers numerous benefits for the body, unlocking its full potential for strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. The precise and controlled movements in this exercise engage core muscles, leading to improved posture, stability, and balance. By targeting both large and small muscle groups, Pilates fosters balanced muscle development, reducing the risk of imbalances and injuries. The emphasis on breath and mindfulness during exercises promotes relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing mental focus. This exercise enhances joint mobility and flexibility, promoting better range of motion and preventing stiffness. Whether you’re a beginner or a fitness enthusiast, this exercise can be customized to your needs, making it a highly adaptable and rewarding exercise practice.

Understanding How Pilates Workouts Benefit Your Body

These types of workouts offer a comprehensive approach to enhancing the body’s overall strength, flexibility, and alignment. The foundation of this exercise lies in the engagement of the core muscles, which leads to improved stability and posture. By focusing on controlled and precise movements, this exercise targets specific muscle groups, promoting balanced development and reducing the risk of muscular imbalances. The low-impact nature of this exercise makes it accessible to people of various fitness levels and ages, while still providing challenging exercises that can be modified to suit individual needs.

One of the key aspects of this exercise is its emphasis on breath control and mindful movement. This not only enhances the mind-body connection but also helps reduce stress and improve mental focus during workouts. The controlled and flowing movements in this exercise promote joint mobility, flexibility, and better range of motion, making it beneficial for preventing injuries and promoting overall well-being.

Regular Pilates practice can lead to increased muscular strength, toned muscles, and improved flexibility. It can also enhance core stability, which is vital for supporting the spine and maintaining good posture. Additionally, Pilates workouts can help alleviate back pain and improve body awareness, leading to a greater sense of balance and alignment.

A Comprehensive Exercise For Transforming Your Body

Pilates is a highly effective and comprehensive exercise method that offers transformative benefits for the body. Rooted in the principles of core strength, flexibility, and mind-body connection, Pilates targets various muscle groups, leading to a toned and sculpted physique. By focusing on controlled movements and proper alignment, this exercise helps improve posture and stability, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing overall body awareness.

One of the unique aspects of Pilates is its adaptability, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels and ages. This exercise can be tailored in order to meet your specific needs and goals. Through a combination of mat exercises and the use of specialized equipment like the Reformer and Cadillac, this exercise engages muscles in a balanced and holistic manner, promoting long, lean muscles and increased flexibility.

Pilates is much more than just a workout; it is a transformative exercise method that enhances both the physical and mental aspects of your body. By focusing on core engagement, controlled movements, and mindfulness, this exercise works to strengthen and sculpt your body while improving flexibility and posture. It targets specific muscle groups, ensuring balanced development and reducing the risk of injuries. Moreover, Pilates promotes joint mobility, alleviating back pain, and fostering better body awareness. If you’re a beginner or a highly experienced fitness enthusiast, this exercise offers a personalized and adaptable approach to suit your needs and goals. Embrace the power of Pilates to unlock your body’s full potential, leading to a stronger, more flexible, and balanced you. Start your journey to holistic well-being with the transformative and rewarding practice of this exercise.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This exercise is a low-impact exercise method that focuses on strengthening the core muscles, improving flexibility, and promoting overall body alignment and balance.

Pilates engages the deep abdominal muscles and the muscles around the spine, promoting core strength and stability.

This exercise enhances joint mobility, increases flexibility, and fosters balanced muscle development, reducing the risk of imbalances and injuries.

Breath is integrated with movement in Pilates to promote better oxygenation of muscles, increase endurance, and reduce stress.

Yes, this exercise is highly adaptable and can be modified to suit individuals of various fitness levels and ages, making it accessible and beneficial for everyone.

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Does Personal Training Help With Weight Loss? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-personal-training-help-with-weight-loss/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34203 The post Does Personal Training Help With Weight Loss? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of a healthier and fitter lifestyle, many individuals seek effective solutions to achieve their weight loss goals. While there are numerous approaches to shedding those extra pounds, the role of personal training has gained significant attention in recent times. Personal training offers a tailored and expert-guided approach to fitness, focusing on individual needs and objectives. This article aims to explore the question, “Does personal training help with weight loss?” We delve into the benefits, insights, and success stories surrounding the integration of personal training in weight loss journeys. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone looking to embark on a weight loss transformation, understanding the impact of personal training on achieving weight loss goals can be the stepping stone to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Personal Training: A Key Element In Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals

Personal training serves as a key element in achieving your weight loss goals by providing personalized guidance and support throughout your fitness journey. With the expertise of a certified personal trainer, you receive a tailored exercise program that aligns with your specific needs and fitness level. Trainers not only design effective workouts but also offer valuable insights into nutrition and lifestyle choices, maximizing the efficiency of your weight loss efforts. They keep you motivated, accountable, and help you break through plateaus to achieve lasting results. Personal training empowers you with the knowledge and tools to make sustainable lifestyle changes, ensuring your weight loss success and overall well-being.

The Role Of Personal Training In Promoting Weight Loss And Fitness

Personal training plays a crucial role in promoting weight loss and overall fitness by providing personalized guidance and support. With the help of a certified personal trainer, individuals can embark on a journey tailored to their specific needs, fitness levels, and weight loss goals. Trainers conduct comprehensive assessments, considering factors like health conditions and fitness history to design a customized exercise program. They focus on maximizing calorie burn, increasing metabolism, and building lean muscle mass to facilitate weight loss effectively.

Moreover, personal trainers are not just fitness experts; they also offer nutritional guidance, helping individuals make informed choices to support their weight loss efforts. The one-on-one attention and motivation provided by personal trainers create accountability and keep clients dedicated to their fitness journey.

Beyond weight loss, personal training enhances overall fitness by improving cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance. It also helps individuals develop healthy habits, boosts confidence, and fosters a positive mindset towards fitness and well-being.

Setting And Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Setting and achieving fitness goals is essential for a successful and fulfilling wellness journey. Begin by defining clear and realistic objectives that align with your aspirations, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, improved endurance, or overall well-being. Break down bigger goals into smaller, achievable milestones to stay motivated and track progress effectively. Create a well-rounded workout plan that incorporates cardiovascular exercises, strength training, flexibility work, and rest days for recovery. Consistency is key, so set a routine that fits your lifestyle and commit to it. Seek guidance from fitness professionals, like personal trainers, to ensure your goals are attainable and to receive the support needed to overcome challenges. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and stay determined on the path to success.

Enhancing Health And Wellness

Enhancing health and wellness is a holistic journey that encompasses a number of different aspects of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves making conscious lifestyle choices that prioritize self-care and balance. Regular physical activity, for example cardio exercises, strength training, and yoga, contributes to improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, and overall fitness. Correct nutrition, including a balanced diet rich in nutrients, supports optimal body function and provides essential energy for daily activities. Mental and emotional well-being are equally vital; practicing mindfulness, meditation, and stress-reduction techniques can reduce anxiety and promote mental clarity.

Additionally, fostering positive social connections and maintaining a support network nurtures emotional health. Prioritizing quality sleep ensures sufficient rest and rejuvenation for the body and mind. Embracing hobbies and activities that bring joy and fulfilment further enhances overall wellness.

Designing An Effective Exercise Program

Designing an effective exercise program requires careful planning and consideration of individual goals, fitness levels, and preferences. Begin by setting clear and achievable objectives, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or improved overall fitness. Assessing current fitness levels helps determine a starting point and tailor exercises accordingly. Choose a diverse range of exercises that target different muscle groups and include cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Progression is key; gradually increase intensity and difficulty as fitness improves. Incorporating rest days is essential to allow muscles to recover and prevent injury. Stay consistent, track progress, and be open to adjusting the program as needed to ensure continued growth and success.

The integration of personal training in weight loss journeys proves to be a vital element in achieving successful and sustainable results. As individuals seek effective solutions for a healthier and fitter lifestyle, the personalized guidance and support provided by certified personal trainers prove invaluable. With tailor-made exercise programs and valuable insights into nutrition and lifestyle choices, personal training maximizes the efficiency of weight loss efforts. Beyond shedding pounds, personal training promotes overall fitness by improving cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance. It empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to make lasting lifestyle changes, fostering a positive mindset towards fitness and well-being. By setting clear and achievable fitness goals, embracing a holistic approach to health and wellness, and designing effective exercise programs, individuals can embark on transformative fitness journeys, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training plays a crucial role in weight loss success by providing personalized guidance and support throughout the fitness journey. Certified personal trainers design customized exercise programs tailored to individual needs, maximizing calorie burn and building lean muscle mass for effective weight loss.

Yes, personal trainers are not just fitness experts; they also offer valuable nutritional guidance. They help individuals make informed choices and adopt healthy eating habits in order to promote their weight loss efforts.

Personal training goes beyond weight loss and enhances overall fitness. It improves cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance, helping individuals develop a healthier lifestyle and boost confidence.

Personal trainers provide one-on-one attention and motivation, keeping clients accountable and focused on their goals. They help clients overcome plateaus and celebrate every achievement to maintain motivation.

Absolutely, personal training is tailored to individual needs, regardless of fitness levels or health conditions. Trainers conduct comprehensive assessments to ensure safe and effective exercise programs for all clients.

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How To Become A Personal Trainer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-become-a-personal-trainer/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34208 The post How To Become A Personal Trainer appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Becoming a fitness trainer is a rewarding and fulfilling career path for fitness enthusiasts who have a passion for assisting others to attain their health and wellness goals. As the demand for qualified fitness professionals continues to grow, individuals interested in pursuing this career may find themselves wondering, “How to become a personal trainer?” This comprehensive guide explores the essential steps and considerations on the journey to becoming a certified personal trainer. From acquiring the necessary qualifications and certifications to developing practical skills and building a thriving career in the fitness industry, we delve into the key aspects that aspiring personal trainers need to know. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast with a zeal for guiding others or seeking a career change into the dynamic world of fitness, this article will give you valuable insights and actionable steps to kickstart your path to becoming a successful personal trainer.

A Step-By-Step Guide To The Personal Training Journey

Embarking on the journey to become a personal trainer can be both exciting and rewarding. This step-by-step guide is designed to provide aspiring fitness professionals with a comprehensive roadmap to pursue their passion for assisting others achieve their fitness goals. Starting from the initial considerations of why personal training appeals to you, we explore the various education and certification options available to become a qualified trainer. Discover the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in this field, along with practical tips on gaining hands-on experience and building a strong client base. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to enhance your existing fitness career, this guide will equip you with the tools and knowledge to succeed as a certified personal trainer.

Training Essentials For Aspiring Fitness Trainers

Aspiring fitness trainers must equip themselves with vital knowledge and skills to achieve in their career journey. Understanding anatomy, physiology, and exercise principles lays the foundation for effective training programs. Learning about different fitness modalities, such as strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and flexibility work, empowers trainers to design well-rounded routines for their clients. Moreover, grasping the importance of proper form and technique ensures safe and injury-free workouts.

Communication and interpersonal skills are equally vital as trainers interact with diverse clients. Effective communication builds trust, rapport, and understanding, enabling trainers to tailor programs to individual needs and preferences. Empathy and motivation play crucial roles in inspiring clients to remain committed to their fitness goals.

Staying updated with industry trends and research enables trainers to provide evidence-based practices and innovative training methods. Additionally, pursuing certifications and continuing education enhances credibility and expertise.

Becoming A Certified Personal Trainer: The Journey Ahead

Becoming a certified personal trainer is a very exciting and rewarding journey that awaits aspiring fitness enthusiasts. This career path requires dedication, commitment, and a passion for assisting others attain their health and fitness goals. The journey typically starts with gaining a solid foundation in anatomy, exercise science, and nutrition through relevant courses and education. Pursuing certification from accredited organizations is essential to demonstrate credibility and expertise in the field. Hands-on experience and internships provide valuable practical knowledge and build confidence in working with clients. As trainers continue to grow, staying updated with industry trends and continuous learning are vital to ensure they deliver effective and safe training programs. Embrace the journey ahead and become a certified personal trainer ready to inspire and transform lives through fitness.

Fitness Trainer Certification: What You Need To Know

Obtaining a fitness trainer certification is a crucial step for individuals aspiring to embark on a career in the fitness industry. This certification not only enhances credibility but also equips trainers with the knowledge and skills to effectively guide clients towards their fitness goals. Before pursuing certification, it’s essential to research and choose a reputable and accredited certification program. Look for programs that cover comprehensive topics such as exercise science, anatomy, physiology, program design, and client assessment. Additionally, consider whether the certification is recognized by fitness organizations and gyms worldwide to broaden career opportunities. Dedicate time and effort to study and prepare for the certification exam, as it serves as a validation of expertise in the field. Once certified, continue to expand knowledge through workshops, seminars, and staying updated with industry trends to provide clients with the best fitness guidance possible.

Mastering The Art Of Personal Training: Tips For Success

Mastering the art of personal training requires dedication, expertise, and a genuine passion for fitness. First and foremost, focus on continuous learning and stay updated with the very latest fitness trends, research, and techniques. Develop quite strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively connect with clients, understand their needs, and provide tailored guidance. Be adaptable and creative in designing workout programs that suit individual abilities and preferences. Highlight the importance of proper form and technique to prevent injuries and maximize results. Cultivate a supportive and motivating training environment to keep clients engaged and committed. Set realistic goals and track progress to celebrate achievements and keep clients motivated on their fitness journey. By combining knowledge, empathy, and a client-centred approach, personal trainers can find success in transforming lives through fitness.

Embarking on the journey to become a personal trainer is a rewarding and fulfilling endeavour for fitness enthusiasts passionate about helping others achieve their health and wellness goals. This step-by-step guide provides aspiring fitness professionals with a comprehensive roadmap to pursue their dream career. From understanding the essential qualifications and certifications to developing practical skills and building a successful career in the fitness industry, this article covers the key aspects aspiring personal trainers need to know. Whether you’re starting from scratch or seeking to enhance your existing fitness career, this guide equips you with invaluable understandings and actionable steps to thrive as a certified personal trainer. Embrace the journey ahead and inspire positive transformations in the lives of your clients through the power of fitness coaching.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

To become a personal trainer, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers and certification organizations also require CPR and AED certifications. Additionally, pursuing a fitness-related degree or certification from accredited organizations can boost your credibility and expertise in the field.

The time it takes to become a certified personal trainer varies depending on your chosen certification program and study pace. Some programs offer self-paced learning, while others have set schedules for in-person or online classes. On average, it may take a few months to complete the necessary coursework and pass the certification exam.

Getting certified as a personal trainer offers several benefits. It enhances your professional credibility and increases your chances of being hired by reputable fitness facilities. Certification provides you with a rock solid foundation in exercise science, anatomy, program design, and client assessment, making you better equipped to develop effective training plans and provide personalized guidance to clients.

Yes, hands-on experience is crucial for becoming a successful personal trainer. While obtaining a certification equips you with essential knowledge, practical experience allows you to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios. Internships, volunteer work, or shadowing experienced trainers can provide invaluable practical insights and build your confidence in working with clients.

Personal trainers should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to connect with clients, understand their needs, and provide motivational support. Strong organizational skills are essential for planning and tracking clients’ progress. Adaptability and creativity are valuable for designing customized workouts that suit individual abilities and goals. Empathy and patience are vital in understanding clients’ challenges and providing empathetic guidance throughout their fitness journey. Finally, staying updated with industry trends and continuous learning helps trainers deliver the most effective and innovative fitness coaching.

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Will Yoga Help With Building Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/will-yoga-help-with-building-muscle/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34194 The post Will Yoga Help With Building Muscle? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of physical strength and fitness, various exercise regimens have emerged, each promising unique benefits to those seeking to build muscle and improve overall health. Among these, this form of exercise stands out as a time-tested practice that not only enhances flexibility, balance, and mental well-being but also raises the question: “Will yoga help with building muscle?” While it has long been associated with tranquillity and stress reduction, its potential as a strength-building activity has garnered increased interest in the fitness community.

The Impact Of This Exercise On Strength Training: Unveiling The Benefits

Yoga, often associated with relaxation and stress relief, is more and more recognized for its positive impact on building and enhancing physical strength. This ancient practice, rooted in mindfulness and body awareness, offers a myriad of benefits for development. Through a series of dynamic poses and controlled movements, it engages various muscle groups, promoting toning, flexibility, and balance. Furthermore, yoga’s emphasis on isometric contractions and bodyweight resistance can lead to gradual gains and improved muscular endurance. By complementing traditional strength training routines, this ancient practice fosters a well-rounded approach to fitness, fostering a strong and agile body.

Incorporating Strength Training In Yoga For Muscle Building

Incorporating strength training principles into yoga can be a powerful approach to enhance muscle building and overall physical fitness. While this exercise form is renowned for its focus on flexibility and relaxation, it also offers an excellent foundation for strengthening the body. By infusing traditional asanas with resistance techniques, such as utilising resistance bands or incorporating bodyweight exercises, practitioners can intensify engagement and stimulate growth.

The practice of Vinyasa or Power Yoga, which involves flowing sequences and holding challenging poses, can effectively elevate heart rate and stimulate development. Additionally, practicing dynamic poses like Chaturanga, Warrior III, and Crow Pose requires significant activation, contributing to enhanced strength and tone.

Furthermore, using props like blocks and straps can add resistance and increase the workload on muscles during poses, leading to increased activation and growth. As with any fitness regimen, consistency and progressive overload are essential in maximizing muscle-building benefits.

Exploring Yoga’s Fitness Benefits For Muscle Gain

Yoga offers a wealth of fitness benefits that can significantly contribute to muscle gain and overall strength. While often associated with flexibility and relaxation, asanas and sequences also engage various groups, fostering development and tone. Holding challenging postures, such as Plank, Boat Pose, and Warrior II, activates and strengthens muscles throughout the body. Additionally, practicing improves body awareness, balance, and stability, supporting proper form during strength training exercises. The mindful breathing techniques employed in yoga enhance oxygen delivery to muscles, optimizing their performance and aiding in post-workout recovery. By incorporating your practice into a comprehensive fitness routine, individuals can harness its fitness benefits to foster muscle gain and achieve a well-rounded level of strength and vitality.

Yoga And Strength Training: A Powerful Combination For Building Muscles

Combining yoga with strength training creates a powerful synergy that effectively promotes building and overall physical prowess. While strength training focuses on hypertrophy through resistance exercises, this practice complements it by targeting flexibility, balance, and functional movements. Asanas like Downward Dog, Chaturanga, and Cobra engage major muscle groups, fostering muscle activation and endurance. The controlled, deliberate movements enhance mind-muscle connection, allowing for greater muscle recruitment during strength exercises. Moreover, yoga promotes proper posture and alignment, reducing the risk of injury during intense workouts. The deep stretches and relaxation techniques aid muscle recovery, minimizing soreness and optimizing repair. Integrating yoga into a strength training regimen not only enhances development but also nurtures mental focus and stress reduction, resulting in a well-rounded approach to achieving a strong, balanced, and resilient body.

Achieving Muscle Gain Through Yoga: Key Techniques And Practices

Achieving muscle gain involves incorporating specific techniques and practices to optimize results. While your practice may not rely on heavy weights, it can still stimulate growth effectively. Practicing dynamic and challenging poses like Warrior II, Boat Pose, and Crow Pose engage multiple muscle groups, promoting strength development. Utilizing resistance bands during sessions adds extra challenge and enhances activation. Focusing on slow and controlled movements allows for greater engagement and endurance. Incorporating progressive variations in poses gradually increases resistance and tension. Adequate protein intake and a balanced diet support repair and growth. By embracing these strategies, enthusiasts can harness the power of this ancient practice to achieve significant gain.

The question “Will yoga help with building muscle?” can be confidently answered with a resounding yes. Yoga, often perceived as a practice for relaxation and stress reduction, has proven its efficacy as a valuable tool for development and overall physical strength. Through a combination of dynamic poses, controlled movements, and mindful breathing, the practice engages various muscle groups, leading to improved tone, flexibility, and endurance. By incorporating strength training principles into yoga, practitioners can further intensify activation and stimulate growth. Additionally, the integration of yoga into a comprehensive fitness routine complements traditional strength training exercises, fostering a well-rounded approach to building. Embracing yoga’s fitness benefits as part of a muscle gain journey enables individuals to achieve a strong, balanced, and resilient body while nurturing their mental well-being and overall health.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ready to take your love for yoga to the next level? Explore the rewarding path of becoming a certified yoga teacher. Follow this link to discover our comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Unleash your potential and inspire others on their wellness journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

While your practice can enhance tone and strength, it may not be sufficient for significant muscle mass gain. Incorporating strength training exercises with progressive overload is crucial for substantial building.

Yoga engages various muscle groups through dynamic poses and bodyweight resistance, leading to activation and improved endurance.

Yes, combining yoga with strength training creates a powerful synergy, targeting flexibility, balance, and functional movements while promoting hypertrophy through resistance exercises.

Yes, dynamic and challenging poses like Warrior II, Boat Pose, and Crow Pose are particularly effective in engaging multiple muscle groups and fostering strength.

Yes, the deep stretches and relaxation techniques can aid in recovery, minimizing soreness, and optimizing repair.

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Is Personal Training Worth It? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-personal-training-worth-it/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34193 The post Is Personal Training Worth It? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Are you contemplating the idea of enlisting the services of a personal trainer to kickstart or elevate your fitness journey? The question that often arises in the minds of many is, “Is Personal Training Worth It?” With the abundance of fitness resources and information available today, making the decision to invest in a personal trainer can be a thought-provoking process. Fitness training offers a tailored and guided approach to achieving your fitness goals, addressing your unique needs, challenges, and aspirations.

In this article, we will delve into the world of personal training to explore its true value and benefits. Discover how the expertise of a certified personal trainer can propel you towards success, optimize your workouts, and unlock your full potential in the pursuit of a fitter, healthier, and happier lifestyle. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to break barriers or a beginner seeking the right path, find out if fitness training is indeed worth the investment.

Achieving Your Fitness Goals With Personal Training

Achieving your fitness goals becomes a rewarding and transformative journey with the guidance of fitness training. A certified personal trainer serves as your dedicated ally, crafting a customized workout program tailored to your specific aspirations and fitness level. With their expertise, you gain access to personalized attention, proper form instruction, and motivation, ensuring your workouts are efficient and effective. Fitness training provides accountability, helping you stay committed to your fitness journey and surpassing limitations. If your goal is losing weight, muscle gain, improved endurance, or overall well-being, a personal trainer empowers you to stay focused and disciplined. With their support, you can unlock your full potential, experience incredible progress, and attain the lasting results you’ve been striving for.

Enhancing Health And Wellness Through Personal Training

Enhancing health and wellness through fitness training is a transformative and empowering experience. Personal training offers a holistic approach to well-being, focusing on physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional balance. A certified personal trainer designs personalized workout programs that align with your health goals, taking into account your unique needs and fitness level. The trainer provides expert guidance, ensuring proper form during exercises and minimizing the risk of injuries. The integration of cardiovascular workouts, strength training, flexibility exercises, and mindfulness techniques fosters a well-rounded fitness routine that enhances overall health.

Beyond physical gains, fitness training also addresses mental and emotional aspects. The trainer offers motivation and support, helping you overcome obstacles and cultivate a positive mindset. As you progress on your fitness journey, you build confidence and self-esteem, boosting your overall well-being.

Unveiling The Worth Of Fitness Training: Benefits Explored

Unveiling the worth of fitness training reveals a plethora of benefits that make it a valuable investment in one’s fitness journey. Fitness training offers a tailored approach to achieving fitness goals, with certified trainers customizing workout programs to individual needs. The expert guidance and personalized attention during exercises ensure correct form and minimize the risk of injuries. Additionally, personal trainers provide motivation, accountability, and support, helping clients remain focused and committed to their fitness journey. Whether seeking weight loss, strength gain, or improved overall health, personal training empowers individuals to achieve tangible results efficiently and effectively. The worth of fitness training lies in its ability to unlock potential, transform lifestyles, and foster lifelong habits for a healthier, happier self.

Maximizing Training Benefits: Is Personal Training The Key?

Maximizing training benefits is a paramount consideration for individuals looking to optimize their fitness journey, and fitness training emerges as a compelling solution. With its tailored approach, personalized guidance, and expert support, fitness training holds the key to unlocking one’s full potential and achieving fitness aspirations. Certified personal trainers play a pivotal role in crafting individualized workout programs that align precisely with specific goals and fitness levels, ensuring optimal results.

They offer invaluable insights into proper form and technique, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing the effectiveness of workouts. Moreover, personal trainers act as motivators, keeping clients accountable and focused on their objectives even during challenging times. The dynamic interaction and continuous feedback during training sessions foster a deeper understanding of personal capabilities and limitations, propelling clients towards success. For those seeking transformative outcomes and a well-rounded approach to health and wellness, personal training stands as a key to maximizing training benefits and unlocking a healthier, fitter, and happier version of oneself.

The question of whether fitness training is worth it is met with a resounding affirmation of its value and benefits. Personal training goes beyond just exercise guidance; it encompasses a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, addressing physical, mental, and emotional aspects. With certified personal trainers by your side, achieving your fitness goals becomes a rewarding and transformative journey. Their expertise allows for tailored workout programs that cater to individual needs and aspirations, optimizing your workouts and progress. The worth of fitness training lies in its ability to unlock your full potential, elevate your overall well-being, and foster lifelong healthy habits. From enhancing health and wellness to maximizing training benefits, personal training is the key to unlocking a fitter, better, and happier version of yourself. Invest in fitness training, and embark on a transformative fitness journey that will elevate every aspect of your life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, personal training is worth the investment as it offers personalized guidance, expert support, and tailored workout programs to help you with achieving your fitness goals efficiently and effectively.

Personal training provides numerous benefits, including accountability, motivation, reduced risk of injuries, customized workouts, and the ability to unlock your full potential in your fitness journey.

Absolutely! Personal training is ideal for beginners as it offers a safe and supportive environment with certified trainers who can create a workout program tailored to the individual’s fitness level and goals.

Yes, personal training is highly beneficial for individuals with health concerns or limitations. Certified trainers can adapt exercises and routines to accommodate specific needs and work in tandem with healthcare professionals to promote overall well-being.

Personal training stands out as a superior choice compared to other fitness options because of its personalized approach, expert guidance, and continuous support, which can result in more effective and sustainable fitness results.

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Will Personal Training Help Me? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/will-personal-training-help-me/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34188 The post Will Personal Training Help Me? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Are you wondering, “Will Personal Training Help Me?” If you’ve ever contemplated this question while striving to achieve your fitness goals, you’re not alone. Fitness training is a transformative and dynamic approach to fitness that has helped countless individuals, from fitness enthusiasts to beginners, on their health and wellness journeys. In this article, we will delve into the world of fitness training to explore how it can be the key to unlocking your full potential and transforming your fitness aspirations into reality. Whether you’re seeking to lose weight, build strength, improve endurance, or enhance overall well-being, personal training offers a personalized and guided path to success. Get ready to discover the multitude of benefits that fitness training can bring to your health, fitness, and quality of life.

Fitness Training: Your Path To Achieving Fitness Goals

Fitness training serves as your dedicated path to achieving fitness goals with expert guidance and support. A certified personal trainer customizes workout programs to align with your unique aspirations and fitness level, ensuring optimal results. Through comprehensive assessments and continuous monitoring, the trainer tailors exercises to suit your strengths and challenges, reducing the risk of injuries. They offer motivation and accountability, keeping you focused on your fitness journey and pushing you to surpass limitations. If you aim to lose weight, build muscle, increase flexibility, or enhance overall well-being, personal training empowers you to reach your objectives efficiently and effectively, unlocking your full potential and transforming your fitness aspirations into reality.

The Benefits Of Personal Training For Your Health And Wellness

Fitness training offers a plethora of benefits that significantly contribute to your health and wellness journey. With a certified personal trainer by your side, you gain access to personalized guidance and support tailored to your specific needs and goals. The trainer conducts thorough assessments, taking into account your fitness level, health history, and aspirations, to design a customized workout program that optimizes results and ensures safety.

The individualized attention and proper form instruction during exercises help reduce the risk of injuries while maximizing the efficiency of your workouts. Moreover, the ongoing motivation and accountability provided by your trainer keep you on track, even when faced with challenges or plateaus.

Beyond physical gains, fitness training can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being. It boosts confidence, enhances self-esteem, and reduces stress levels through the release of endorphins during exercise.

Creating A Customized Workout Program With Personal Training

Fitness training offers the unique advantage of creating a customized workout program tailored specifically to your individual needs and fitness goals. A certified personal trainer begins the process by conducting a detailed assessment, understanding your fitness level, health history, and aspirations. With this information, they design a personalized workout plan that factors in your strengths, challenges, and preferences. The program may include a variety of exercises, from strength training and cardiovascular workouts to flexibility and balance training, all aimed at optimizing your results and ensuring a well-rounded approach to fitness. With a customized workout program, fitness training empowers you to embark on a transformative fitness journey that is efficient, effective, and perfectly suited to your unique requirements.

How Fitness Training Can Assist You With Reaching Your Fitness Goals

Fitness training serves as an invaluable ally on your fitness journey, providing the guidance and support needed to reach your fitness goals. With the expertise of a certified personal trainer by your side, you will get access to a wealth of knowledge and personalized attention. The journey begins with a thorough assessment, where the trainer gains insights into your fitness level, health history, and aspirations. Based on this information, they craft a tailored workout plan designed to address your specific needs and objectives. Throughout the training process, the trainer monitors your progress, making necessary adjustments to keep you challenged and motivated. They provide guidance on proper form and technique, lowering the risk of injury and maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts. Additionally, personal trainers offer continuous support and encouragement, keeping you accountable and motivated to push past obstacles and achieve your desired fitness milestones. With the assistance of fitness training, you can unlock your full potential and experience transformative outcomes in strength, endurance, and overall well-being.

Unlocking The Benefits Of Personal Training For Your Health And Wellness Journey

Fitness training unlocks a myriad of benefits on your health and wellness journey, making it a transformative and enriching experience. With the guidance of a certified personal trainer, you gain access to a tailored workout program designed to suit your personal needs and goals. The trainer’s expertise ensures proper form and technique, minimizing the risk of injury and increasing results. Moreover, they provide continuous motivation, support, and accountability, empowering you to stay focused and committed to your journey. Through personalized attention, you can overcome obstacles, surpass limitations, and achieve optimal fitness levels. Personal training enhances your overall health and wellness, fostering a stronger, more confident, and healthier version of yourself.

The question “Will Personal Training Help Me?” can be confidently answered with a resounding “Yes!” Fitness training offers a transformative and personalized approach to achieving fitness goals, regardless of your current fitness level or aspirations. With the expertise and guidance of a certified personal trainer, you gain access to a customized workout program tailored to suit your unique needs and objectives. The numerous benefits of fitness training extend beyond physical gains, positively impacting your mental and emotional well-being as well. From weight loss and muscle building to boosted flexibility and overall well-being, personal training empowers you to reach your full potential and experience transformative outcomes in your health and fitness journey. Embrace the power of fitness training and unlock a fitter, healthier, and happier you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training is a guided fitness program led by a certified trainer that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Absolutely! Personal training is ideal for beginners as it provides personalized guidance and support to build a strong foundation and avoid injuries.

Yes, personal training can be effective for weight loss. A certified trainer will create a customized workout and nutrition plan to support your weight loss goals.

Yes, personal training is ideal for individuals with specific fitness objectives. The trainer will design a tailored program to help you achieve your desired results.

Personal training offers one-on-one attention and a personalized approach, while group fitness classes are typically more general and cater to larger groups with varied fitness levels.

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How Does Personal Training Work? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-personal-training-work/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34166 The post How Does Personal Training Work? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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If you’ve ever wondered, “How Does Personal Training Work?” you’re about to embark on an enlightening journey. Personal training is a dynamic approach to achieving fitness goals, designed to cater to your unique needs and aspirations. In today’s article, we will explore the intricacies of personal training, understanding the role of a dedicated trainer, and uncovering the personalized exercise techniques that propel you towards success. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to elevate your performance or a beginner taking the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, personal training holds the key to unlocking your full potential. Get ready to discover how this specialized approach can transform your fitness journey and lead you towards a fitter, healthier, and happier you.

Personalized Fitness Plans: How Personal Training Works

Personalized fitness plans are at the core of how fitness training works, providing individuals with a tailored roadmap to achieve their specific fitness goals. A certified personal trainer begins the process by conducting a comprehensive assessment, understanding the client’s current fitness level, health history, and aspirations. Based on this information, the trainer designs a customized workout program that factors in individual preferences, strengths, and challenges. Throughout the training journey, the trainer closely monitors progress, making necessary adjustments to keep the workouts effective and engaging. This one-on-one approach ensures exercises are appropriate and safe, maximizing results and preventing injuries. With personalized fitness plans, personal training empowers individuals to achieve their unique fitness milestones and embark on a transformative and sustainable path to a healthier lifestyle.

Understanding The Role Of A Personal Trainer In Your Fitness Journey

A personal trainer plays a pivotal role in guiding and supporting you on your fitness journey, serving as a knowledgeable mentor, motivator, and advocate for your success. They are trained professionals who possess expertise in exercise science, anatomy, and physiology, enabling them to design personalized fitness plans that align with your goals and abilities. Your personal trainer begins by conducting a thorough assessment, gaining insights into your fitness level, health history, and any limitations or preferences. With this information, they craft a tailored workout program that challenges and empowers you, while considering your unique strengths and challenges. During training sessions, the personal trainer ensures proper form and technique, minimizing the risk of injury and maximizing results. Beyond physical guidance, they provide continuous support, encouragement, and accountability, keeping you motivated and committed to your fitness goals. Their extensive knowledge and passion for wellness make them invaluable partners on your journey towards improved health, enhanced fitness, and a positive lifestyle transformation.

Exercise Techniques In Personal Training: Maximizing Your Workout

Exercise techniques in fitness training are carefully selected and customized to optimize your workout and achieve the best possible results. A certified personal trainer employs their expertise to design exercises that align with your fitness goals and target specific muscle groups effectively. They focus on proper form and technique to ensure safety and prevent injuries, while also challenging you to push your limits and make progress. By incorporating a variety of exercises, from strength training to cardiovascular workouts, they keep your routine dynamic and engaging. With personalized exercise techniques, fitness training takes your fitness journey to the next level, enabling you to maximize your workout and reach new heights of strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

The Benefits Of Personalized Fitness Training Programs

Personalized fitness training programs offer a multitude of benefits that elevate your fitness journey to extraordinary heights. Unlike generic workout plans, these tailored programs are designed by certified personal trainers to match your unique needs, preferences, and goals. With a comprehensive assessment of your fitness level and health history, the program is carefully crafted to optimize results and cater to your strengths and challenges. The personalized approach ensures that exercises are suitable for your body, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort. Moreover, the constant guidance and support from your trainer keep you motivated, accountable, and on track towards achieving your desired outcomes. As you progress, the trainer adjusts the program, introducing new challenges to avoid plateaus and foster continuous growth. The result is a fitness journey that is efficient, effective, and enjoyable, empowering you to surpass your limitations and experience transformative results in strength, endurance, and overall well-being.

How Personal Training Enhances Your Fitness Goals

Personal training is a powerful catalyst that enhances your fitness goals and propels you towards success. With a personalized approach, a certified personal trainer tailors every aspect of your workout program to align with your specific objectives, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or overall fitness improvement. They create targeted exercises that challenge and push you to achieve optimal results. The trainer’s expertise ensures that you perform exercises with correct form and technique, reducing the risk of injury and maximizing efficiency. Moreover, the continuous guidance, motivation, and support from your trainer keep you focused and committed, elevating your dedication to achieving your fitness milestones. Through personal training, you unlock your full potential, surmounting obstacles, and embracing a healthier, fitter, and more confident version of yourself.

Personal training is a transformative and empowering approach to achieving your fitness goals. With personalized fitness plans and expert guidance from a certified personal trainer, you embark on a journey towards improved health, enhanced physical performance, and a positive lifestyle transformation. The role of a personal trainer goes beyond physical guidance, as they become your mentor and motivator, ensuring you stay on track and committed to your aspirations. Through carefully selected exercise techniques, fitness training maximizes the effectiveness of your workouts, helping you surpass limitations and reach new heights of strength and endurance. The benefits of personalized fitness training programs are abundant, providing you with a tailored roadmap to success and minimizing the risk of injury. By embracing personal training, you enhance your fitness journey and unlock your full potential, propelling yourself towards a fitter, healthier, and happier you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training is a specialized approach to fitness where an individual works one-on-one with a certified fitness professional, known as a personal trainer, to achieve specific health and fitness goals.

Personal training offers a personalized and customized workout plan tailored to the individual’s unique needs, goals, and fitness level, whereas regular gym workouts are often generic and not tailored to specific requirements.

A typical personal training session includes a combination of exercises, including strength training, cardiovascular workouts, flexibility exercises, and more, all designed to target the individual’s goals and areas of improvement.

A personal trainer conducts an initial assessment, which may include health history, fitness level, body composition analysis, and goal-setting discussions, to create a personalized exercise program that aligns with the client’s objectives.

Yes, personal training can benefit individuals at all fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, a personal trainer will adapt the workout program to suit your current abilities and help you progress towards your desired fitness outcomes.

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Strength And Conditioning Explained https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/strength-and-conditioning-explained/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34157 The post Strength And Conditioning Explained appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Achieving peak physical performance and overall fitness requires a well-rounded approach that combines both strength and conditioning. These two pillars of fitness play a crucial role in enhancing athletic abilities, improving health, and optimizing daily life activities. Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, understanding the concepts of strength and conditioning is fundamental to unlocking your full potential.

Strength Training: Explained For Optimal Fitness Gains

Strength training, an essential component of fitness, involves exercises focused on building muscle strength and endurance. This form of training targets various muscle groups, utilizing resistance through weights, resistance bands, or body weight. The primary goal is to challenge the muscles, causing them to adapt and grow stronger over time. Strength training offers numerous benefits, including increased muscle mass, improved bone density, enhanced metabolism, and injury prevention. It is a versatile discipline, accommodating various fitness levels and goals, from beginners seeking overall fitness gains to athletes aiming to enhance their performance. Understanding the science behind strength training is crucial for designing effective workout routines and optimizing fitness gains for a stronger and healthier body.

Conditioning Workouts: Explained For Enhanced Fitness Performance

Conditioning workouts are a vital aspect of fitness, designed to improve cardiovascular endurance, stamina, and overall performance. These workouts involve repetitive, high-intensity exercises that elevate heart rate and challenge the body’s energy systems. Conditioning aims to enhance the body’s ability to sustain physical effort, allowing individuals to push through fatigue and achieve peak performance levels.

Workouts can take various forms, such as interval training, circuit training, as well as high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These workouts not only improve cardiovascular health but also boost metabolism, burn calories, and enhance athletic performance in sports and activities.

Exploring the science behind conditioning workouts provides valuable insights into the physiological adaptations that occur, helping individuals optimize their training strategies. Incorporating these workouts into a fitness routine can lead to increased energy levels, improved endurance, and better recovery times.

Whether you’re an athlete seeking to excel in your sport or an individual aiming to enhance overall fitness, conditioning workouts offer a pathway to achieve enhanced fitness performance and unlock your full potential. Understanding the principles and benefits of conditioning empowers individuals to craft effective workout routines tailored to their goals, promoting a fitter, stronger, and more resilient body.

Fitness Conditioning: The Explained Guide To Achieve Your Goals

Fitness conditioning is a comprehensive guide to reaching your fitness goals through systematic training and preparation. It involves a holistic approach to improving overall physical performance, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility. By incorporating various workout routines, such as strength training, cardio exercises, and flexibility exercises, fitness conditioning ensures a well-rounded approach to achieve optimal results. This explained guide offers valuable insights into the science behind fitness conditioning, helping individuals understand the importance of progressive training, rest and recovery, and nutrition. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, embracing fitness conditioning can propel you towards your goals, enhancing your overall fitness levels and empowering you to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Explained: The Role Of Strength In Fitness And Everyday Life

Strength plays a crucial role in both fitness pursuits and everyday life, impacting various aspects of physical well-being. In fitness, strength training is fundamental to building and toning muscles, enhancing bone density, and improving overall athletic performance. It aids in increasing metabolism, supporting weight management, and reducing the risk of injuries. Beyond the gym, strength is essential for daily activities like lifting objects, carrying groceries, and maintaining proper posture. It also promotes independence and functional mobility as we age. Understanding the role of strength in fitness and everyday life empowers individuals to prioritize strength training in their exercise routines. It is not just about achieving a sculpted physique; it is about fostering a stronger and more resilient body, allowing for an active, healthy, and balanced life. By embracing strength training, individuals can unlock the transformative power of physical strength, positively impacting their overall health and well-being.

Comprehensive Training: Strength And Conditioning Explained

Comprehensive training that combines strength and conditioning is a holistic approach to optimizing fitness and athletic performance. Strength training focuses on building muscle strength, power, and endurance, while conditioning targets cardiovascular health and endurance. By integrating both elements, individuals can achieve well-rounded fitness gains, enhancing overall physical capabilities and resilience.

Strength and conditioning form the bedrock of achieving peak physical performance and overall fitness. Understanding the concepts and science behind these two pillars empowers individuals to unlock their full potential in both athletic pursuits and everyday life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Strength and conditioning refer to a comprehensive approach to fitness that combines strength training, focused on building muscle strength and endurance, with conditioning workouts aimed at improving cardiovascular health and endurance.

Strength training promotes increased muscle mass, improved bone density, enhanced metabolism, and injury prevention, leading to better athletic performance and overall physical capabilities.

Conditioning workouts, such as interval training, circuit training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), elevate heart rate and challenge energy systems, improving cardiovascular endurance, stamina, and calorie burn.

Yes, both beginners and seasoned fitness enthusiasts can benefit from strength and conditioning. Customized workout routines can be tailored to individual goals and fitness levels.

Combining strength training and conditioning ensures a well-rounded approach to fitness, enhancing muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and overall physical performance, resulting in a fitter, stronger, and more resilient body.

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Can Resistance Training Be Used For Heart Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-resistance-training-be-used-for-heart-health/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34145 The post Can Resistance Training Be Used For Heart Health? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the pursuit of overall well-being, heart health stands as an essential cornerstone. The heart, tirelessly pumping blood throughout our bodies, sustains our very existence. As medical research delves deeper into the realms of exercise science, traditional views on cardiovascular health have expanded to encompass various forms of physical activity. While aerobic exercises like running and cycling have long been championed for their cardiovascular benefits, there’s another contender on the rise – resistance training.

The Impact Of Resistance Training On Heart Health

Resistance training, once primarily associated with building muscle and strength, has shown profound implications for heart health. Engaging in regular resistance exercises can enhance cardiovascular fitness, leading to improved endurance, lowered blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability.

It assists with reducing the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis by promoting healthy blood flow, strengthening arteries, and improving endothelial function. Resistance training also positively impacts lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation markers, crucial factors in heart disease prevention. By boosting cardiac output and oxygen delivery, it fortifies the myocardium, reducing the chances of heart failure and ischemic events. Embracing resistance training as part of a comprehensive fitness regimen demonstrates cardioprotective benefits, empowering individuals to foster optimal heart health.

Maximizing Heart Health With Cardiovascular Exercise

Maximizing heart health through cardiovascular exercise is a paramount endeavour. Cardiovascular exercises, such as running, cycling, swimming, and brisk walking, have been proven to be instrumental in maintaining a strong and healthy heart. These activities elevate heart rate and engage large muscle groups, promoting efficient blood circulation and enhancing cardiac output. Regular cardiovascular exercise bolsters endurance, improving the heart’s capacity to pump blood and deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Moreover, engaging in such exercises helps manage blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis. It also fosters favourable lipid profiles, elevating HDL cholesterol levels and lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. By improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, cardiovascular exercise plays a vital role in diabetes prevention and management.

Furthermore, cardiovascular workouts stimulate the release of endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety, which are significant contributors to heart disease. The enhanced oxygen flow during exercise supports the growth of new blood vessels, increasing vascular efficiency. Regular cardiovascular training contributes to weight management, reducing excess strain on the heart and preventing obesity-related cardiovascular issues.

It is crucial to tailor cardiovascular exercise to individual fitness levels and preferences to ensure consistency and adherence. Whether it’s jogging, dancing, or using exercise equipment, incorporating regular cardiovascular exercise into one’s lifestyle significantly improves heart health, promoting longevity and a higher quality of life.

Exploring Strength Training Benefits For A Healthy Heart

Exploring strength training benefits reveals a surprising connection to heart health. While typically associated with building muscle and enhancing physical performance, strength training offers remarkable advantages for the heart. Engaging in regular strength exercises, such as weightlifting or bodyweight workouts, increases cardiac output and strengthens the myocardium, fortifying the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. It also improves blood flow and arterial flexibility, reducing the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Strength training positively influences cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure, all crucial factors in maintaining cardiovascular wellness. By integrating strength training into a comprehensive fitness routine, individuals can unlock the potential for a healthier heart and improved overall well-being.

Heart-Healthy Workouts: Incorporating Resistance Training

When it comes to heart-healthy workouts, incorporating resistance training opens new avenues for cardiovascular well-being. While traditional cardiovascular exercises are valuable, combining them with resistance training offers unique benefits. Resistance workouts elevate heart rate, enhancing cardiac output and strengthening the heart. It promotes better blood flow, which helps reduce the risk of hypertension and improves arterial function. Resistance training also fosters muscle growth, aiding weight management and reducing stress on the heart. With increased muscle mass, the body becomes more metabolically efficient, positively impacting lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity. By integrating resistance training into heart-healthy routines, individuals can elevate their fitness levels while safeguarding their heart health.

A Comprehensive Guide To Cardiovascular Exercise And Heart Health

A comprehensive guide to cardiovascular exercise and heart health is a roadmap to a stronger, healthier heart. Cardiovascular exercises, ranging from brisk walking and running to swimming and cycling, hold immense benefits for the cardiovascular system. Engaging in regular aerobic activities elevates heart rate and strengthens the heart muscle, improving its efficiency and endurance. Enhanced blood circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, promoting overall wellness.

Consistent cardiovascular exercise is pivotal in managing blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension, and maintaining arterial health. It aids in achieving a favourable lipid profile, lowering LDL cholesterol levels while elevating HDL cholesterol. Moreover, cardiovascular workouts enhance insulin sensitivity, supporting diabetes management and prevention.

Beyond its physiological advantages, cardiovascular exercise aids weight management, reducing the burden on the heart. It also boosts mood, reducing stress and anxiety, both of which can impact heart health.

A well-rounded cardiovascular exercise routine, tailored to individual fitness levels and preferences, forms a cornerstone for a healthy heart and an overall improved quality of life. Embracing the principles of cardiovascular exercise outlined in this guide is a powerful step towards nurturing heart health and reaping the countless rewards of an active and vibrant life.

The exploration of resistance training’s impact on heart health reveals a compelling and multidimensional relationship. Alongside traditional cardiovascular exercises, resistance training emerges as a valuable component in fostering optimal heart health. Its potential to enhance cardiovascular fitness, reduce blood pressure, and promote arterial health showcases the far-reaching benefits it holds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Resistance training positively impacts heart health by enhancing cardiovascular fitness, improving endurance, reducing blood pressure, and increasing heart rate variability. It promotes healthy blood flow, strengthens arteries, and enhances endothelial function, reducing the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis.

While resistance training offers unique heart health benefits, it is not a complete substitute for traditional cardiovascular exercises. Both forms of exercise are valuable and complementary. Cardiovascular exercises elevate heart rate and enhance overall endurance, while resistance training focuses on strength and muscle development.

Various types of resistance exercises can benefit heart health. Weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and resistance band workouts are all effective. Compound movements like squats and deadlifts engage multiple muscle groups and stimulate the cardiovascular system, making them particularly beneficial.

Yes, incorporating resistance training into a fitness routine can aid in preventing heart-related diseases. Regular resistance exercise contributes to improved lipid profiles, better insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation markers, all of which are crucial factors in heart disease prevention.

It is essential for individuals with existing heart conditions to consult their healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen, including resistance training. In many cases, resistance training can be safe and beneficial under professional supervision. The intensity and type of exercises may need to be tailored to an individual’s specific condition and capabilities.

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What Is Yoga Teacher Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-yoga-teacher-training/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34144 The post What Is Yoga Teacher Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga has evolved from a centuries-old spiritual practice to a widely embraced lifestyle that promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As its popularity continues to soar, many yoga enthusiasts find themselves drawn to a deeper level of engagement with the practice – that of becoming a certified yoga teacher. If you’ve ever wondered what yoga teacher training entails and how it can transform your relationship with yoga, this article is your gateway to understanding the intricacies of this transformative journey.

Yoga Teacher Training: An In-Depth Guide To Becoming A Certified Instructor

Launching on your journey of yoga teacher training is a transformative experience that goes beyond perfecting yoga poses. This comprehensive program equips dedicated practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to guide others on their yogic path. From mastering asanas to understanding yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching techniques, and effective communication, participants dive deep into the essence of yoga. Becoming a certified instructor involves intense practice, self-discovery, and personal growth, cultivating a profound connection with the ancient art. This in-depth guide illuminates the diverse aspects of yoga teacher training, exploring its potential to unlock the path to inner harmony and share the gift of yoga with others.

The Importance Of Yoga Instructor Certification: Advancing Your Teaching Journey

Yoga instructor certification holds paramount significance in advancing one’s teaching journey and ensuring a fulfilling career as a yoga teacher. The certification process goes beyond demonstrating proficiency in yoga postures; it encompasses a comprehensive understanding of yogic principles, anatomy, teaching methodologies, and ethics. Attaining a recognized certification not only enhances credibility but also instils confidence in both the instructor and their students.

With certification, instructors gain the expertise to design well-structured and safe classes, catering to the diverse needs of practitioners. They learn effective communication and adjustment techniques, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for their students’ growth. Moreover, certification programs often involve intensive self-study and reflection, leading to personal transformation and a deeper connection with yoga’s spiritual essence.

Being a certified yoga instructor opens doors to a wide array of opportunities, from teaching at reputable studios to conducting workshops, retreats, and private sessions. It empowers instructors to share the profound benefits of yoga with authenticity, compassion, and professionalism, enriching the lives of others and contributing to the global yoga community. Ultimately, yoga instructor certification is a crucial stepping stone towards a meaningful and impactful teaching journey.

Earning Your Yoga Teacher Certification: Steps And Requirements

Earning your yoga teacher certification is a transformative and rewarding journey that requires dedication and commitment. The first step is to choose a reputable yoga teacher training program that aligns with your goals and interests. These programs typically involve comprehensive study of yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodologies, and practical experience in leading classes. Some programs may require prerequisites, such as a certain number of years of yoga practice. Once enrolled, immerse yourself in the training, embracing self-discovery and personal growth. Successfully completing the program and fulfilling all requirements will lead to your well-deserved yoga teacher certification, empowering you to share the gift of yoga with others and embark on a fulfilling career as a certified yoga instructor.

Exploring Different Yoga Training Programs: Finding The Right Fit For You

Exploring different yoga training programs is an exciting and essential step in your journey to becoming a certified yoga instructor. With a multitude of options available, it’s crucial to find a program that aligns with your aspirations, learning style, and schedule. Start by researching accredited programs that cover the core aspects of yoga, such as asanas, meditation, philosophy, and teaching techniques. Consider the program’s duration, whether it’s an intensive immersion or a part-time course, and whether it offers specialized training in specific yoga styles. Read reviews and testimonials from previous participants to gain insights into the program’s quality and effectiveness. Additionally, assess the credentials and experience of the instructors leading the training. Finding the right fit for you will not only enhance your learning experience but also shape your teaching approach and passion for sharing the transformative power of yoga with others.

Becoming A Yoga Teacher: Embracing The Path Of Teaching And Transformation

Becoming a yoga teacher is a profound journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Beyond mastering physical postures, it is an opportunity to delve into the depths of yoga’s philosophy and ancient wisdom. Aspiring teachers embrace the path of teaching with humility, compassion, and dedication to guide others on their yoga journey. It involves immersing oneself in various training programs to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Embracing the role of a yoga teacher means embodying the principles of mindfulness, empathy, and authenticity, inspiring students to cultivate self-awareness and find balance in their lives. It is a sacred responsibility that brings joy and fulfilment, creating a ripple effect of positivity and well-being in the lives of countless individuals.

Yoga teacher training is a transformative journey that goes beyond physical practice and offers a deeper connection with the ancient art of yoga. This comprehensive guide has shed light on the significance of yoga instructor certification, the steps and requirements to earn your certification, and the importance of exploring different training programs to find the right fit for you. Becoming a certified yoga instructor empowers you to share the profound benefits of yoga with authenticity and professionalism, enriching the lives of others and contributing to the global yoga community. Embracing the path of teaching and transformation is a sacred and rewarding responsibility that brings personal growth, fulfilment, and the opportunity to guide others on their yogic path. May this journey inspire you to embrace the gift of yoga and make a positive impact on yourself and others.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yoga teacher training is a thorough program that equips people with the knowledge, skills, and assurance to become certified yoga instructors.

Yoga teacher training involves in-depth study of yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching techniques, and practical experience in leading yoga classes.

Yoga teacher training is important because it goes beyond mastering yoga poses; it instils a deeper understanding of yogic principles and prepares individuals to guide others on their yoga journey.

Earning a yoga teacher certification enhances credibility, empowers instructors to design safe and effective classes, and opens doors to opportunities in teaching at studios, workshops, retreats, and private sessions.

To find the right yoga teacher training program, individuals should research accredited programs, consider their learning style and schedule, read reviews from previous participants, and assess the credentials of the instructors leading the training.

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How Does Strength And Conditioning Help Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-strength-and-conditioning-help-athletes/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34138 The post How Does Strength And Conditioning Help Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports and athletics, the pursuit of excellence is a constant endeavour. Athletes continually seek ways to enhance their performance, push their limits, and achieve new heights. This relentless quest for improvement has led to the widespread adoption of strength and conditioning programs as a cornerstone of athletic development. But what exactly is strength and conditioning, and how does it contribute to the success of athletes? This article delves into the intricacies of this essential training approach, exploring how it empowers athletes to reach their full potential, optimize their physical capabilities, and excel in their chosen sports. From building power and agility to preventing injuries and maximizing endurance, the benefits of strength and conditioning are undeniable, making it an indispensable component of an athlete’s journey to greatness.

Strength And Conditioning Techniques For Athletes

These techniques are fundamental for athletes seeking to elevate their performance and excel in their respective sports. These specialized training methodologies focus on building muscular strength, power, endurance, and agility, enabling athletes to achieve peak physical condition. Through a combination of resistance training, plyometrics, agility drills, and cardiovascular exercises, athletes can enhance their overall athletic capabilities. Additionally, strength and conditioning programs aid in injury prevention, promoting proper biomechanics and mobility. Personalized training plans tailored to specific sports and individual needs ensure optimal results. Whether it’s improving speed on the track, increasing explosiveness on the field, or building endurance for long-distance events, these techniques are invaluable in unlocking an athlete’s full potential.

Enhancing Sports Performance Through Strength And Conditioning

Enhancing sports performance through strength and conditioning is a multifaceted approach that empowers athletes to reach new heights in their respective disciplines. This comprehensive training methodology focuses on developing key physical attributes such as strength, power, speed, agility, and endurance, all of which are vital for excelling in sports. By incorporating resistance training, plyometrics, functional movements, and cardiovascular exercises, athletes can maximize their athletic potential and gain a competitive edge. Moreover, these types of programs are tailored to suit specific sports and individual athlete needs, ensuring targeted improvements in performance.

Beyond physical gains, strength and conditioning also contribute to mental toughness, discipline, and self-confidence. Athletes learn to push their limits, overcome challenges, and embrace the journey of continuous improvement. Furthermore, these programs prioritize injury prevention, emphasizing proper technique and biomechanics to reduce the risk of injuries.

By integrating strength and conditioning into their training regimen, athletes can optimize their sports performance, achieve personal bests, and elevate their competitive standing in their chosen sports.

Fitness Training Strategies For Athletic Development

Fitness training strategies play a pivotal role in athletic development, laying the foundation for peak performance and long-term success. Tailored specifically to the needs of athletes, these strategies encompass a holistic approach that encompasses strength, power, agility, endurance, and flexibility training. By focusing on sport-specific movements, athletes enhance their functional capabilities and movement efficiency. Periodization, a key element, involves planned training cycles to optimize progress and prevent overtraining. Additionally, recovery and injury prevention strategies are integrated to ensure athletes stay in optimal condition. Fitness training strategies for athletic development empower athletes to excel in their sports, reaching new levels of achievement and fulfilling their athletic potential.

The Role Of Strength And Conditioning In Improving Athlete Performance

This type of coaching plays a vital role in improving athlete performance across various sports and disciplines. By targeting specific physical attributes, such as strength, power, speed, agility, and endurance, athletes can enhance their overall athletic capabilities and excel in their respective fields. Strength training builds muscle mass and increases force production, enabling athletes to generate more power and explosive movements.

Conditioning, on the other hand, improves cardiovascular fitness and stamina, allowing athletes to sustain high-intensity efforts for longer durations. The combination of strength and conditioning helps athletes optimize their athletic potential, reduce the risk of injuries, and enhance recovery. Moreover, these training methods promote better body mechanics, posture, and movement efficiency, leading to improved sports-specific skills and performance. Whether in team sports, individual disciplines, or high-level competitions, a well-structured strength and conditioning program is essential for athletes to reach peak performance and achieve their competitive goals.

Effective Strength And Conditioning Programs For Athletes

Effective programs for athletes are tailored to individual needs and sports-specific demands. These programs focus on developing the key physical attributes required for peak performance, such as strength, power, speed, agility, and endurance. They involve a combination of resistance training, plyometrics, speed drills, and cardiovascular exercises. The programs are periodized to ensure progressive overload and prevent overtraining. Moreover, they include proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and recovery strategies to optimize athletic development and reduce the risk of injuries. Effective strength and conditioning programs are designed by qualified professionals who consider an athlete’s current fitness level, goals, and the demands of their sport, ensuring optimal results and long-term success.

Strength and conditioning coaching is indispensable components of an athlete’s journey to greatness. These specialized training methodologies empower athletes to reach their full potential, optimize their physical capabilities, and excel in their chosen sports. By building power, agility, endurance, and preventing injuries, strength and conditioning techniques lay the foundation for peak performance and long-term success. Tailored to suit specific sports and individual athlete needs, these programs ensure targeted improvements in performance. Beyond physical gains, strength and conditioning also foster mental toughness, discipline, and self-confidence. By integrating strength and conditioning into their training regimens, athletes can optimize their sports performance, achieve personal bests, and elevate their competitive standing in their chosen sports. It is a transformative journey that empowers athletes to embrace the pursuit of excellence and unlock their true potential on and off the field.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Strength and conditioning coaching programs enhance athletes’ physical attributes, such as strength, power, speed, agility, and endurance. This results in improved sports performance, reduced risk of injuries, and increased overall athletic capabilities.

A comprehensive strength and conditioning coaching program includes resistance training, plyometrics, speed drills, and cardiovascular exercises. It is tailored to an athlete’s specific needs and sports demands, ensuring targeted improvements in performance.

This type of coaching increases muscle mass and force production, enabling athletes to generate more power and perform explosive movements. This leads to improved performance in various sports and activities.

Conditioning improves cardiovascular fitness and stamina, allowing athletes to sustain high-intensity efforts for longer durations. It enhances endurance and recovery, enabling athletes to perform at their best throughout the game or event.

A well-designed program ensures progressive overload, proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and recovery strategies. It targets specific physical attributes and aligns with an athlete’s goals, ultimately maximizing their performance and achieving long-term success in their chosen sport.

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What Makes A Good Strength And Conditioning Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-makes-a-good-strength-and-conditioning-coach/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34139 The post What Makes A Good Strength And Conditioning Coach? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the world of sports and fitness, the job of a strength and conditioning coach is vital in helping athletes and individuals reach their peak performance. But what exactly makes a good strength and conditioning coach stand out from the rest?

Strength And Conditioning Coach: Exploring The Role And Responsibilities

A strength and conditioning coach plays a crucial role in enhancing athletic performance and overall fitness levels. Their main responsibility is to design and implement tailored training programs that align with the specific needs and goals of athletes and individuals. They assess physical capabilities, create personalized workout routines, and monitor progress to ensure continuous improvement. These coaches are experts in various exercise techniques, including strength training, conditioning, and flexibility exercises. Beyond the physical aspects, they also provide motivation, support, and guidance to boost athletes’ mental resilience. Moreover, they may collaborate with sports teams or fitness facilities to optimize training strategies and contribute to athletes’ success on and off the field.

What Makes A Good Strength Coach: Key Attributes To Look For

A good strength coach possesses a unique set of key attributes that set them apart as exceptional leaders in the fitness industry. First and foremost, expertise and knowledge in strength training techniques and exercise physiology are paramount.

They should have a deep understanding of biomechanics, nutrition, and injury prevention to design effective and safe workout programs. Communication skills are equally vital, as they need to effectively convey instructions, motivate clients, and build strong relationships.

Adaptability is another essential quality, as every individual’s needs and goals are different, and a good coach tailors their approach accordingly. Empathy and emotional intelligence play a significant role in understanding clients’ struggles and providing unwavering support.

Moreover, a good strength coach leads by example, embodying a healthy lifestyle and continuous self-improvement. Their passion for fitness and commitment to helping others achieve their goals make them an invaluable asset in guiding individuals towards success on their fitness journey.

Traits That Define An Exceptional Strength And Conditioning Coach

Exceptional strength and conditioning coaches possess a unique blend of traits that elevate their coaching to a higher level. One key trait is their in-depth knowledge and expertise in exercise science, biomechanics, and sports performance. They are excellent communicators, adept at conveying complex concepts in a clear and motivating manner. These coaches display adaptability, tailoring training programs to meet individual needs and goals.

Empathy and strong interpersonal skills foster trust and a positive coaching relationship with their clients. Exceptional coaches are also dedicated lifelong learners, continuously staying updated with the latest research and trends in the fitness industry. Their passion for empowering others to achieve their peak potential makes them true assets in guiding athletes and individuals towards success and improved performance.

Becoming An Effective Conditioning Coach: Tips For Success

Becoming an effective conditioning coach requires a combination of dedication, knowledge, and skills to propel athletes and clients towards optimal performance. First and foremost, gaining a strong foundation in exercise science, physiology, and sports conditioning is essential. Pursuing relevant certifications and continuing education courses enhances expertise and credibility.

Effective coaches understand the importance of individualized training programs, tailoring workouts to suit each client’s specific needs and goals. They prioritize open communication and actively listen to clients’ feedback to make necessary adjustments. Cultivating strong motivational and leadership skills helps inspire athletes to push their boundaries and attain new heights.

Consistency and patience are crucial, recognizing that progress takes time and consistent effort. Building a network of support and mentorship within the fitness community fosters growth and continuous improvement. Embracing a growth mindset and staying current with industry advancements equips coaches to deliver cutting-edge training methods and achieve lasting success in their role as effective conditioning coaches.

Developing Proficiency As A Strength And Conditioning Coach

Developing proficiency as a strength and conditioning coach requires a multi-faceted approach focused on continuous learning and practical experience. First, acquiring a solid educational background in exercise science, anatomy, and sports performance forms the foundation. Hands-on experience working with athletes and clients is invaluable for honing coaching skills and adapting to diverse needs. Building strong communication and interpersonal skills fosters effective coaching relationships and motivates athletes to excel. A commitment to remaining updated with the latest research and industry trends ensures coaches provide cutting-edge training methods. Embracing mentorship opportunities and seeking feedback from experienced peers facilitates personal growth and development. Ultimately, a passion for fitness, dedication to excellence, and unwavering commitment to clients’ success are the hallmarks of a proficient strength and conditioning coach.

A good strength and conditioning coach is a crucial asset in the world of sports and fitness, guiding athletes and individuals towards peak performance and overall well-being. The key attributes that define an exceptional coach include expertise in exercise science, effective communication, adaptability, empathy, and continuous self-improvement. These traits enable coaches to design personalized training programs, provide unwavering support, and foster positive coaching relationships with their clients. Becoming an effective conditioning coach requires dedication, knowledge, and a commitment to continuous learning. By developing proficiency in exercise science and gaining practical experience, coaches can excel in their role and make a significant impact on their clients’ fitness journeys. With a passion for empowering others and a dedication to excellence, a good strength and conditioning coach can elevate athletes and individuals to new heights of performance and achievement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A good strength and conditioning coach should possess a relevant bachelor’s degree in exercise science, sports science, or a related field. Additionally, certifications from reputable organizations such as NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) or CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) add credibility to their expertise.

Communication skills are crucial for a good strength and conditioning coach. They need to effectively convey instructions, provide feedback, and motivate athletes and clients to achieve their fitness goals.

Empathy is essential for understanding athletes’ and clients’ needs, struggles, and aspirations. A good coach empathizes with their clients’ challenges and provides unwavering support and encouragement throughout their fitness journey.

A good coach tailors training programs to suit each client’s specific goals, fitness levels, and limitations. They understand that individualized approaches yield better results and adjust workout routines accordingly.

An exceptional coach combines in-depth knowledge of exercise science with outstanding communication and leadership skills. They continuously seek to expand their expertise, stay updated with industry trends, and genuinely care about their clients’ success and well-being.

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Can Beginners Do Yoga Teacher Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/can-beginners-do-yoga-teacher-training/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34099 The post Can Beginners Do Yoga Teacher Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on a journey towards becoming a yoga teacher is a transformative and rewarding experience. However, for those new to the world of yoga, the idea of diving into yoga teacher training might seem daunting. The question arises: “Can beginners do yoga teacher training?”

In this comprehensive article, we will investigate the possibilities and considerations for aspiring yogis with limited experience. We will delve into the requirements, benefits, and challenges of yoga teacher training for beginners. Whether you are a novice seeking to deepen your practice or contemplating a career change, this guide will shed light on the path and possibilities that lie ahead in the fascinating world of yoga teacher training for beginners.

Beginners Yoga Teacher Training: A Step-By-Step Guide

In beginners yoga teacher training, participants are introduced to the art and science of teaching yoga with a focus on beginners. This specialized program is thoughtfully designed to cater to individuals with limited prior experience in yoga practice, making it an ideal starting point for those aspiring to become certified yoga teachers. The comprehensive curriculum covers foundational yoga philosophy, anatomy, alignment principles, and teaching methodology. Throughout the training, participants are given ample opportunities for hands-on practice and constructive feedback from experienced instructors. By immersing themselves in this programme, beginners not only deepen their own practice but also gain the knowledge and skills needed to guide and inspire others on their yoga journey.

Can Beginners Excel In Yoga Teacher Training Programs?

Beginners can indeed excel in yoga teacher training programs. While prior yoga experience can be beneficial, teacher training programs are designed to cater to individuals at all levels, including those with limited experience. These programs provide a nurturing and supportive environment for beginners to grow and flourish in their practice.

Yoga teacher training typically covers a wide range of topics, including yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodology, and hands-on practice. This comprehensive approach ensures that beginners receive a strong foundation and gain a deeper understanding of the principles and techniques of yoga.

Instructors in these programs are experienced and skilled in guiding individuals through their learning journey. They provide personalized attention, constructive feedback, and ample opportunities for hands-on practice, enabling beginners to build confidence and teaching skills.

With dedication, an open mind, and a willingness to learn, beginners can thrive and develop into proficient yoga teachers. The journey through yoga teacher training can be transformative, empowering individuals to share their passion for yoga and inspire others on their own yogic path.

Discovering The Benefits Of Yoga Teacher Training For Beginners

Discovering the benefits of yoga teacher training for beginners opens up a world of personal growth and transformation. These programs provide a nurturing and supportive environment, enabling beginners to deepen their yoga practice and gain a comprehensive understanding of yoga principles. Through immersive learning, beginners not only enhance their physical practice but also explore the profound philosophy and mindfulness aspects of yoga. Yoga teacher training equips beginners with essential teaching skills, empowering them to guide and inspire others on their yogic journey. The sense of community and camaraderie in these programs fosters connections with like-minded individuals, creating a supportive network of fellow practitioners. Ultimately, yoga teacher training for beginners is a transformative experience that lays the foundation for a fulfilling and enriching lifelong journey with yoga.

Yoga Teacher Training For Beginners: What To Expect

Yoga teacher training for beginners offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, guiding participants on a transformative journey into the world of yoga instruction. From the outset, beginners can expect a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among fellow trainees. The curriculum typically covers a wide array of topics, including yoga philosophy, anatomy, asana (postures) practice, meditation, and pranayama (breathwork). Throughout the training, expert instructors provide personalized guidance, offering individual attention and constructive feedback to help beginners develop their teaching skills and confidence.

In these programs, beginners can anticipate hands-on practice teaching opportunities, allowing them to put theory into practice and refine their teaching techniques. The learning process involves introspection, self-discovery, and exploration of one’s own yoga practice, enriching both the personal and teaching aspects of the journey. As the training progresses, beginners will witness their physical, mental, and spiritual growth, gaining a deeper understanding of yoga’s transformative power. Upon completion, participants emerge not only as competent yoga teachers but also as individuals empowered to share the profound benefits of yoga with others, embracing a new path of purpose and fulfilment.

Embarking On Beginners Yoga Training: Tips And Insights

Embarking on beginners yoga training is an exciting and enriching journey that offers numerous rewards. For those new to yoga, starting with a beginners’ program ensures a solid foundation and safe practice. Tips for beginners include approaching the practice with an open mind and embracing self-compassion, understanding that yoga is a process of growth, not perfection. Patience and consistency are key as beginners gradually build strength, flexibility, and body awareness. It’s essential to listen to the body and modify poses as needed, focusing on alignment and breath. Embracing a beginner’s mindset fosters curiosity and receptivity to new insights, making the yoga journey all the more fulfilling and transformative.

The question of whether beginners can pursue yoga teacher training is answered with a resounding “yes.” Yoga teacher training programs are thoughtfully designed to accommodate individuals at all levels of experience, including those with limited background in yoga. These specialized programs offer a nurturing and supportive environment, guiding beginners on a transformative journey of personal growth and self-discovery.

Through comprehensive curriculum, expert instruction, and ample hands-on practice, beginners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to embark on a fulfilling path as certified yoga teachers. Embracing a beginner’s mindset, along with patience and dedication, empowers individuals to excel and thrive in their journey towards becoming proficient yoga instructors. The benefits of yoga teacher training extend far beyond the physical practice, fostering a deeper understanding of yoga’s philosophical and mindful aspects. As beginners embrace this enriching experience, they not only enhance their own practice but also inspire and guide others on the transformative path of yoga.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, yoga teacher training programs are designed to accommodate individuals at all levels, including beginners with limited experience.

Most programs do not have strict prerequisites. A passion for yoga and a willingness to learn and grow are usually sufficient.

Yes, expert instructors provide personalized attention, offering guidance and constructive feedback to help beginners develop their teaching skills.

Absolutely! With dedication and practice, beginners can emerge as competent and confident yoga teachers ready to share their knowledge with others.

Yes, embracing a beginner’s mindset, having patience, and listening to the body are essential tips. A focus on alignment and breath is also beneficial in building a strong foundation for teaching yoga.

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Can Indoor Cycling Help With Improving Lung Capacity? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-indoor-cycling-help-with-improving-lung-capacity/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34100 The post Can Indoor Cycling Help With Improving Lung Capacity? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Indoor cycling can help improve lung capacity. During an indoor cycling session, your heart rate increases, and you engage in aerobic exercise that requires continuous oxygen intake. This sustained cardiovascular activity helps to strengthen the muscles involved in breathing, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. As you consistently participate in indoor cycling and challenge your respiratory system, your lung capacity can increase over time, allowing you to take in more oxygen and improve your overall respiratory efficiency.

What Are The Cardiovascular Benefits Of Indoor Cycling?

Indoor cycling offers a wide range of cardiovascular advantages that can significantly improve your overall health and well-being. By engaging in regular indoor cycling sessions, you can experience improved heart health, increased stamina and endurance, effective calorie burning for weight management, and a lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases for example heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Additionally, indoor cycling helps enhance lung capacity, lower resting heart rate, decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes, and promote stress reduction and mental well-being. Embrace the rhythmic nature of indoor cycling and enjoy the immersive workout experience while reaping these remarkable cardiovascular rewards.

Indoor cycling offers several cardiovascular benefits, including:

  • Improved Heart Health: Regular indoor cycling sessions elevate your heart rate, promoting cardiovascular endurance and strengthening your heart muscle. This increased heart rate helps improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery throughout your body.
  • Increased Stamina and Endurance: Consistent indoor cycling workouts challenge your cardiovascular system, leading to improved stamina and endurance. As you gradually increase the intensity and duration of your sessions, your cardiovascular capacity expands, allowing you to sustain higher levels of activity for longer periods.
  • Calorie Burning and Weight Management: Indoor cycling is an effective calorie-burning exercise that can aid in weight management. A high-intensity indoor cycling session can help you burn a significant number of calories, contributing to weight loss and improved body composition.
  • Lowered Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: Regular cardiovascular exercise, such as indoor cycling, can help reduce the risk of developing various cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It promotes healthy blood pressure levels, lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), and increases good cholesterol (HDL).
  • Enhanced Lung Capacity: Indoor cycling can improve lung function and capacity. The sustained aerobic activity involved in cycling helps strengthen the respiratory muscles, enhances oxygen uptake, and promotes efficient oxygen utilization by the body.
  • Reduced Resting Heart Rate: Consistent indoor cycling can lead to a lowered resting heart rate, indicating an improved cardiovascular fitness level. A lower resting heart rate signifies that your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain normal functions, which is an indicator of better overall cardiovascular health.
  • Lowered Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise like indoor cycling can help lower the risk of you developing type 2 diabetes. Cycling improves insulin sensitivity, allowing your body to effectively regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the likelihood of insulin resistance.
  • Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being: Indoor cycling stimulates the release of endorphins, which are also known as “feel-good” hormones, promoting a sense of well-being and reducing stress levels. The rhythmic nature of cycling and the immersive workout experience can also help clear your mind and improve mental clarity.

Does Indoor Cycling Contribute To Improved Joint Health And Flexibility?

Indoor cycling can contribute to improved joint health and flexibility to a certain extent. While indoor cycling is a low-impact exercise that puts minimal stress on the joints as compared to activities like running or high-impact sports, its primary focus is cardiovascular fitness rather than joint flexibility. However, the repetitive motion of pedalling can help promote some range of motion in the hips, knees, and ankles, which can contribute to improved joint mobility over time. Additionally, regular cycling can help strengthen the muscles around the joints, providing stability and support. To further enhance joint health and flexibility, it’s beneficial to incorporate stretching and flexibility exercises into your fitness routine in addition to indoor cycling.

Indoor cycling offers numerous cardiovascular benefits, including improved heart health, increased stamina and endurance, effective calorie burning for weight management, and a lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases. It also enhances lung capacity, lowers resting heart rate, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, and promotes stress reduction and mental well-being. While indoor cycling may contribute to improved joint health and some degree of flexibility, its primary focus is on cardiovascular fitness. To optimize joint health and flexibility, incorporating stretching and flexibility exercises alongside indoor cycling is recommended. Embrace the full range of benefits that indoor cycling provides and enjoy a well-rounded approach to your fitness journey.

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If you would like to become an indoor cycling instructor, then you need to do our Indoor Cycling Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-fyD-BJ4Ow

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, indoor cycling can help improve lung capacity. The sustained aerobic activity involved in cycling strengthens the respiratory muscles, enhances oxygen uptake, and promotes efficient oxygen utilization by the body.

Indoor cycling elevates your heart rate and engages in continuous aerobic exercise, which requires increased oxygen intake. This sustained cardiovascular activity strengthens the muscles involved in breathing, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, leading to improved lung capacity over time.

Improved lung capacity allows you to take in more oxygen and improves your overall respiratory efficiency. This can enhance your endurance during physical activities, improve athletic performance, and contribute to better overall health and well-being.

Consistency is key. To see improvements in lung capacity, it’s recommended to engage in regular indoor cycling sessions, ideally at least 2-3 times per week. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workout sessions to challenge your respiratory system and continue to improve over time.

Indoor cycling can be beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. It helps strengthen the respiratory muscles and improves lung capacity, which can enhance breathing efficiency and reduce symptoms associated with asthma. However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional prior to starting any new exercise program, especially if you have a respiratory condition, to ensure it’s safe for you and to receive personalized guidance.

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Are Kettlebell Exercises Effective For Targeting The Hip Flexors? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-kettlebell-exercises-effective-for-targeting-the-hip-flexors/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 04:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34101 The post Are Kettlebell Exercises Effective For Targeting The Hip Flexors? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises can be effective for targeting the hip flexors. The hip flexors are a collection of muscles which are located at the front of the hip joint that are responsible for flexing the hip and bringing the thigh towards the torso. Kettlebell exercises that involve movements like lunges, step-ups, and kettlebell swings can engage the hip flexors, helping to strengthen and tone these muscles. By incorporating kettlebell exercises that specifically target the hip flexors into your workout routine, you can improve their strength, flexibility, and overall function.

Which Kettlebell Exercises Are Best For Targeting The Hip Flexors?

Some kettlebell exercises that are effective for targeting the hip flexors include:

  • Kettlebell Lunges: Perform forward lunges or reverse lunges while holding a kettlebell in one or both hands. This exercise engages the hip flexors as you step forward or backward and return to the starting position.
  • Kettlebell Step-Ups: Step onto an elevated platform or bench with one foot while holding a kettlebell in one or both hands. The hip flexors work to lift the leg and bring it up onto the platform.
  • Kettlebell Swings: This dynamic exercise targets multiple muscle groups, including the hip flexors. The explosive hip hinge movement activates the hip flexors as you swing the kettlebell between your legs and thrust your hips forward.
  • Kettlebell High Pulls: Hold the kettlebell in one or both hands and perform a pulling motion, bringing the kettlebell up towards your chest or shoulder height. This exercise engages the hip flexors as you initiate the movement with a hip hinge and pull the kettlebell towards you.
  • Kettlebell Mountain Climbers: Assume a high plank position with your hands on the kettlebell handles. Alternately drive your knees towards your chest, engaging the hip flexors as you bring each knee forward.

How Often Should I Include Hip Flexor Kettlebell Exercises In My Workout Routine?

The frequency of including kettlebell exercises for the hip flexors in your workout routine depends on various factors, including your fitness level, overall goals, and the intensity of your kettlebell workouts. However, a general guideline is to aim for 2-3 sessions per week with at least one day of rest in between to allow for muscle recovery.

It’s important to listen to your body and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your kettlebell workouts over time. If you’re a beginner, start with 1-2 sessions per week and gradually progress as your strength and conditioning improve.

Additionally, it’s essential to have a well-rounded exercise routine that includes exercises targeting other muscle groups and incorporates different types of training, such as cardiovascular exercise and strength training.

What Are The Benefits Of Strong Hip Flexors?

Strengthening the hip flexors can offer several benefits for your overall health and fitness. Here are some key advantages:

  • Improved Posture: Strong hip flexor muscles help maintain proper posture by supporting the alignment of your pelvis and spine. When your hip flexors are weak, it can lead to imbalances and postural issues such as anterior pelvic tilt. Strengthening these muscles helps promote a more aligned and upright posture.
  • Enhanced Hip Mobility: The hip flexors play a crucial role in hip mobility. By strengthening these muscles, you can increase your range of motion (RoM)and flexibility in your hips, allowing for smoother and more efficient movement during various activities such as walking, running, and squatting.
  • Better Core Stability: The hip flexors are interconnected with the muscles of the core, including the abdominal and lower back muscles. Strengthening the hip flexors contributes to better core stability and overall core strength, which is essential for maintaining proper spinal alignment and providing support during functional movements.
  • Improved Athletic Performance: Strong hip flexors are beneficial for athletes and active individuals. They contribute to better performance in activities that require explosive movements, such as sprinting, jumping, and kicking. Strengthening the hip flexors can enhance your power, speed, and agility.
  • Reduced Risk of Injuries: Weak hip flexors can contribute to imbalances and compensations in the body, increasing the risk of injuries in the lower back, hips, and knees. By strengthening these muscles, you can improve the stability and alignment of the pelvis and reduce the strain on surrounding structures, thereby lowering the risk of injuries.
  • Enhanced Functional Movements: The hip flexors are involved in various everyday movements, such as walking, climbing stairs, and bending forward. Strengthening these muscles can improve your ability to perform these movements efficiently and with greater ease, enhancing your overall functional fitness.

How Long Does It Take To See Results In Hip Flexor Strength From Kettlebell Exercises?

The time it takes to see results in hip flexor strength from kettlebell exercises can vary depending on several factors, including your current fitness level, frequency and intensity of training, consistency, and individual factors such as genetics and recovery ability. Generally, with regular training and proper technique, you may start to notice improvements in hip flexor strength within a few weeks to a couple of months.

Consistency is key, so it’s important to stick to a well-rounded training program that includes targeted kettlebell exercises for the hip flexors. Over time, as you progressively increase the intensity and challenge of your workouts, you can expect to see further improvements in strength, stability, and overall hip flexor function. Remember to listen to your body, allow for proper recovery, and consult with a fitness professional if you have any specific concerns or goals.

Kettlebell exercises can be highly effective for targeting the hip flexors. Specific exercises such as lunges, step-ups, swings, high pulls, and mountain climbers engage and strengthen the hip flexor muscles.

By including these exercises into your workout routine, you can improve the strength, flexibility, and overall function of your hip flexors. Consistency and proper technique are key to seeing results. Remember to listen to your body, gradually increase the intensity, and allow for proper recovery.

Speak to a fitness professional for guidance and to tailor the exercises to your specific needs and goals. Strengthening the hip flexors can have numerous benefits, including improved posture, enhanced hip mobility, better core stability, improved athletic performance, reduced risk of injuries, and enhanced functional movements. Embrace kettlebell exercises as a valuable tool in your fitness journey and enjoy the benefits of stronger hip flexors.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Some kettlebell exercises that target the hip flexors include lunges, step-ups, swings, high pulls, and mountain climbers.

It is recommended to include hip flexor kettlebell exercises 2-3 times per week, with at least one day of rest in between sessions to allow for muscle recovery.

Yes, kettlebell exercises that engage the hip flexors can contribute to improved hip flexibility and range of motion over time.

Kettlebell exercises that target the hip flexors can help alleviate hip flexor tightness and discomfort by strengthening the muscles and improving flexibility in the hip area.

Yes, incorporating kettlebell exercises for the hip flexors can be beneficial for individuals with sedentary lifestyles or desk jobs as it helps counteract the prolonged sitting position and promotes hip mobility and strength

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Are Aerobics Classes Suitable For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-aerobics-classes-suitable-for-beginners/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34087 The post Are Aerobics Classes Suitable For Beginners? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Aerobics classes are generally suitable for beginners. Many aerobics classes offer options and modifications for different fitness levels, including beginners. Instructors are trained to provide guidance and support to individuals who are new to aerobics or exercise in general. Beginners can start at their own pace, gradually increasing intensity and difficulty as they become more comfortable and confident. It’s important to communicate with the instructor beforehand to ensure they can accommodate beginners and provide appropriate modifications if needed.

What Should I Expect As A Beginner Attending Aerobics Classes?

As a beginner attending aerobics classes, you can expect a dynamic and energetic workout that combines cardio exercises with rhythmic movements. Here’s what you can generally expect:

  • Warm-up: Classes usually start with a warm-up session to prepare your body for the workout. This typically involves gentle stretching, mobility exercises, and light cardio movements.
  • Cardiovascular Exercises: Aerobics classes focus on increasing your heart rate and improving cardiovascular fitness. You can expect a variety of cardio exercises such as jumping jacks, high knees, grapevines, and aerobic dance routines.
  • Rhythmic Movements: Aerobics classes often incorporate rhythmic movements, choreographed sequences, and dance-inspired routines. These movements are designed to engage multiple muscle groups while keeping the energy levels high.
  • Strength and Toning Exercises: Many aerobics classes include segments that target strength and toning. These exercises may involve bodyweight movements, resistance bands, or light weights to help sculpt and tone your muscles.
  • Modifications for Beginners: Instructors understand that beginners may need modifications or lower-impact options. They typically provide variations of exercises to accommodate different fitness levels, allowing you to progress at your own pace.
  • Cool-down and Stretching: Classes typically end with a cool-down segment that involves slower movements and stretches to help your body gradually return to a resting state. This aids in preventing muscle soreness and promotes flexibility.
  • Positive and Supportive Environment: Aerobics classes often foster a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. You can expect encouragement from the instructor and fellow participants, creating a supportive environment for beginners.

What Are Some Tips For A Beginner To Prepare For Their First Aerobics Class?

If you’re a beginner preparing for your first aerobics class, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure a smooth experience. Consulting with a healthcare professional is a good starting point, especially if you have underlying health concerns or medical conditions. They can provide personalized guidance to ensure your safety during the exercise program.

Choosing the right class is crucial. Look for beginner-friendly aerobics classes that cater explicitly to individuals at your fitness level. This ensures that the instructor will provide appropriate modifications and guidance to help you ease into the workout. You can explore options at local fitness centres, community centres, or online platforms.

Dressing comfortably is essential for an enjoyable experience. Opt for workout attire that allows for a full range of movement and consider using moisture-wicking fabrics to stay cool and comfortable throughout the class. Additionally, make sure to wear supportive shoes that provide cushioning and stability to protect your feet during the workout.

Hydration is key, so ensure you drink water leading up to the class and bring a water bottle to remain hydrated during the workout. Adequate hydration helps maintain energy levels and prevents dehydration, especially during a physically demanding activity like aerobics.

Arriving a few minutes early allows you to acclimate to the studio environment, meet the instructor, and set up any necessary equipment. This extra time also gives you the opportunity to mentally prepare and relax before the class begins.

Communication with the instructor is crucial. Inform them that you’re a beginner and share any specific concerns or limitations you may have. This allows the instructor to provide modifications or alternate exercises tailored to your needs. Feel free to ask questions or look for clarification during the class if needed.

Pacing yourself is important as a beginner. Listen to your body and go at your own pace. Don’t feel pressured to keep up with more experienced participants. It’s perfectly acceptable to take breaks when needed, gradually increasing the intensity as you build stamina and confidence.

Focus on maintaining proper form throughout the exercises. Pay attention to the instructor’s cues and guidelines to prevent injuries and ensure you’re maximizing the benefits of each movement.

Having realistic expectations is crucial. Understand that as a beginner, it takes time to build endurance, coordination, and familiarity with the routines. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small milestones along the way to keep yourself motivated.

Beginners attending aerobics classes can expect a dynamic and energetic workout that combines cardio exercises with rhythmic movements. The classes typically include a warm-up, cardiovascular exercises, rhythmic movements, strength and toning exercises, and a cool-down and stretching segment. Instructors often provide modifications for beginners to accommodate different fitness levels. To prepare for their first aerobics class, beginners should consult with a healthcare professional, choose a suitable class, dress comfortably, stay hydrated, arrive early, communicate with the instructor, pace themselves, focus on proper form, and have realistic expectations. By following these tips, beginners can have a positive and enjoyable experience while gradually improving their fitness and skills in aerobics.

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Keen on becoming an Aerobic Instructor? If you are then check out our Group Instructor Package. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, aerobics classes can be suitable for beginners. Many classes offer options and modifications to accommodate different fitness levels, including beginners. Instructors are trained to provide guidance and support, making the classes accessible and enjoyable for newcomers.

Aerobics classes cater to individuals of various fitness levels, including beginners. Instructors often provide modifications and lower-impact options for those who are new to the activity. You can start at your own pace and gradually increase intensity as you build stamina and confidence.

Aerobics classes are designed for people of all experience levels, including those with no prior background in aerobics or fitness. Instructors will guide you through the exercises, teach proper form, and offer modifications to ensure a safe and effective workout experience.

Aerobics classes generally foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Instructors and fellow participants are often supportive and encouraging, creating a welcoming environment for beginners. Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and the focus is on personal progress and enjoyment.

To make the most of aerobics classes as a beginner, communicate with the instructor about your fitness level and any concerns you may have. Listen to your body, take breaks when needed, and gradually increase intensity over time. Enjoy the process, have realistic expectations, and celebrate your progress along the way.

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Can Barre Pilates Improve Athletic Performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/can-barre-pilates-improve-athletic-performance/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34102 The post Can Barre Pilates Improve Athletic Performance? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Barre Pilates can contribute to improving athletic performance. By incorporating elements of strength, flexibility, balance, and core stability, barre Pilates can enhance overall physical fitness, which is beneficial for athletes in various sports. Barre Pilates exercises target specific muscle groups, improving muscular strength, endurance, and coordination. It helps to build a strong core, improve flexibility, and enhance body awareness, all of which can enhance athletic performance. Additionally, the focus on proper alignment and posture in barre Pilates can improve overall body mechanics, leading to more efficient movement patterns and reduced risk of injuries.

Does Barre Pilates Improve Flexibility And Mobility?

Barre Pilates can help improve flexibility and mobility. Barre Pilates incorporates a variety of exercises that focus on lengthening and stretching muscles, improving joint range of motion, and enhancing overall flexibility. The dynamic movements, stretches, and positions performed in barre Pilates target different muscle groups, helping to improve flexibility and mobility throughout the body.

The exercises in barre Pilates often involve elongating the muscles through movements like deep stretches, reaches, and extensions. These movements help to lengthen the muscles and increase their flexibility. Regular practice of barre Pilates can lead to improved flexibility in areas such as the hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and spine.

Additionally, the focus on proper body alignment and posture in barre Pilates helps to improve mobility. By strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints and improving stability, barre Pilates can enhance joint mobility and range of motion. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may experience tightness or stiffness in certain areas of the body.

What Specific Muscle Groups Does Barre Pilates Target?

Barre Pilates targets a wide range of muscle groups throughout the body. Here are some specific muscle groups that are commonly engaged during barre Pilates exercises:

  • Core Muscles: Barre Pilates places a strong emphasis on the core muscles, including the deep abdominal muscles (transverse abdominis), obliques, and the muscles of the lower back. Core engagement is essential for maintaining stability, balance, and proper alignment during the exercises.
  • Glutes: Barre Pilates includes various exercises that target the gluteal muscles, including the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. These exercises help to strengthen and tone the buttocks.
  • Thighs: The quadriceps (front of the thighs) and hamstrings (back of the thighs) are actively engaged in many barre Pilates movements. Exercises – for instance leg lifts, squats, lunges, and pliés – target these muscle groups, helping to improve strength and definition.
  • Calves: The muscles of the calves, including the gastrocnemius and soleus, are activated during barre Pilates exercises that involve heel lifts, relevés, or movements that challenge the lower legs’ stability and balance.
  • Arms and Shoulders: Barre Pilates incorporates exercises that target the muscles of the arms and shoulders. Movements like bicep curls, tricep dips, and shoulder presses engage the muscles of the upper body, including the biceps, triceps, deltoids, and the muscles of the upper back.
  • Back and Postural Muscles: Many barre Pilates exercises focus on improving posture and strengthening the muscles of the upper and lower back. Movements like back extensions, rows, and spinal articulation help to develop strength, stability, and postural alignment.
  • Abdominals and Waist: Barre Pilates includes exercises that target the abdominals, including the rectus abdominis (six-pack muscles) and the obliques. Movements such as crunches, planks, and side bends engage these muscles, helping to improve core strength and definition.
  • Hip Muscles: The muscles around the hips, including the hip flexors and external rotators, are engaged during various barre Pilates exercises. These movements help to improve hip mobility, stability, and strength.

Can Barre Pilates Help With Balance And Coordination

Barre Pilates, with its combination of controlled movements, postural alignment, and stability challenges, is known to improve balance and coordination. The practice offers several benefits in this regard.

Firstly, barre Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles, including the deep stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and back. A strong core provides a very solid foundation for maintaining balance during various exercises and movements.

Isometric holds are an integral part of barre Pilates, where you hold specific positions or movements for an extended period. These holds require both physical and mental focus, contributing to improved stability and balance.

Proper body alignment is emphasized in barre Pilates, including maintaining a neutral spine, engaging the correct muscles, and distributing weight evenly. Increased awareness of alignment helps improve postural control, leading to better balance.

The lower body is a primary focus in many barre Pilates exercises. Targeting the legs, hips, and ankles through movements like leg lifts, lunges, and relevés challenges the muscles responsible for maintaining balance and coordination.

Barre Pilates promotes a mind-body connection, encouraging you to focus on the quality of movement, breath control, and precise execution of exercises. This heightened awareness and connection improve coordination and allow for better control of movements.

The practice incorporates small, controlled movements that specifically target muscle groups. These precise movements require coordination and balance as you engage the targeted muscles while maintaining stability and proper form.

Additionally, barre Pilates often utilizes props such as stability balls, resistance bands, and balance discs. These props challenge your proprioception, which is your body’s ability to sense and control its position in space. Proprioception training further enhances balance and coordination skills.

Barre Pilates can indeed help improve flexibility and mobility. The practice incorporates a variety of exercises that focus on lengthening and stretching muscles, improving joint range of motion, and enhancing overall flexibility.

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Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, barre Pilates can contribute to improving athletic performance. By incorporating elements of strength, flexibility, balance, and core stability, barre Pilates enhances overall physical fitness, which is beneficial for athletes in various sports.

Barre Pilates exercises target specific muscle groups, improving muscular strength, endurance, and coordination. It helps to build a strong core, improve flexibility, and enhance body awareness, all of which can enhance athletic performance.

Barre Pilates focuses on key aspects such as core stability, muscular strength, flexibility, and balance. These elements are essential for athletes to perform at their best and reduce the risk of injuries.

Yes, barre Pilates can help with injury prevention in sports. By strengthening the muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing body control, barre Pilates reduces the likelihood of muscle imbalances and compensatory movements that can lead to injuries.

Barre Pilates is suitable for athletes of various sports. Its versatile nature allows for modifications and variations to cater to different athletic needs and goals. Athletes can benefit from the cross-training effects of barre Pilates, improving their overall athletic performance.

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Why Pursuing an Accredited Personal Trainer Certification Is Important for Your Fitness Career? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/why-pursuing-an-accredited-personal-trainer-certification-is-important-for-your-fitness-career/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 06:49:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34088 The post Why Pursuing an Accredited Personal Trainer Certification Is Important for Your Fitness Career? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Welcome to the thriving world of the fitness industry, where the demand for skilled and experienced personal trainers is skyrocketing. With people becoming more health conscious and looking for professional guidance to achieve their fitness goals, the role of qualified trainers has never been more crucial.

In this article, we will explore the significance of obtaining an accredited personal trainer certification, which is a vital step towards building a successful fitness career. We will answer the burning question: “How do I get a personal trainer certification?” Moreover, we will delve into the invaluable benefits and unparalleled value of pursuing a top personal training certification from a reputable institution like Trifocus Fitness Academy. So, let’s embark on this journey to discover why investing in your future as a certified personal trainer is an essential decision.

Understanding the Role of a Personal Trainer

What is a Personal Trainer?

A personal trainer is a fitness professional who specialises in guiding individuals through personalised exercise and fitness programmes to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. They provide expertise, motivation, and accountability to their clients, tailoring workouts and offering guidance based on individual needs, preferences, and limitations.

Here are the responsibilities of personal trainers:

  • Assessment and Goal Setting: Personal trainers conduct initial assessments to evaluate clients’ fitness levels, health history, and goals. In their personal training business, they use this information to create customised workout plans that address specific objectives such as weight loss, strength gains, or improved athletic performance.
  • Designing and Monitoring Exercise Programmes: Personal trainers develop exercise routines tailored to their clients’ goals, preferences, and abilities. In terms of how online personal training works, trainers demonstrate proper exercise techniques, provide feedback on form, and adjust programmes as clients progress.
  • Motivation and Support: Personal trainers serve as a source of motivation and support, helping clients stay committed to their fitness journey. They offer encouragement, track progress, and celebrate achievements to keep their clientele engaged and motivated.
  • Instruction and Education: Personal trainers educate clients on proper exercise techniques, safety precautions, and the science behind different workouts. They provide guidance on nutrition, lifestyle habits, and overall wellness to enhance clients’ understanding of holistic fitness.
  • Adaptation and Progression: Personal trainers modify exercise programmes as clients’ fitness levels improve. They introduce new exercises, increase intensity, and vary training methods to ensure continuous progress and prevent plateaus.

Personal trainers have a massive impact on clients’ fitness journeys:

  • Personalised Approach: A personalised approach maximises results and minimises the risk of injury.
  • Accountability and Motivation: Personal trainers hold clients accountable for their fitness goals, providing consistent support, and motivation. They help clients overcome obstacles, stay focused, and maintain consistency in their workout routines.
  • Proper Technique and Safety: Personal trainers ensure clients perform exercises with proper form and technique to prevent injuries. They provide guidance on using equipment safely and effectively, reducing the risk of accidents during workouts.
  • Goal Achievement: Personal trainers help clients set realistic and achievable goals. By monitoring progress, providing feedback, and adjusting programmes, trainers facilitate steady progress towards clients’ desired outcomes.
  • Education and Empowerment: Personal trainers empower clients by sharing knowledge and teaching them about fitness principles. Clients gain a deeper understanding of their bodies, exercise techniques, and healthy habits so enabling them to make informed decisions about their well-being.
  • Lifestyle Transformation: Personal trainers can have a profound impact on clients’ overall lifestyles. They inspire positive changes beyond the gym, encouraging healthy habits, improved nutrition, stress management, and self-care practices.

 Why is Personal Training a Lucrative Career Choice?

 The fitness industry is experiencing a surge in demand for personal trainers, making it a highly lucrative career choice. As we’ve said before, with more people becoming health conscious and prioritising their well-being, the need for qualified personal trainers has never been greater. As people seek professional guidance to achieve their fitness goals, personal trainers are positioned to capitalise on this growing market.

One of the key factors that make personal training a lucrative career choice is the potential for career growth and financial success. As personal trainers gain experience and build a reputation, they have the opportunity to expand their client base and command higher rates for their services. Additionally, personal trainers can explore various avenues for career advancement, such as specialising in specific fitness areas, working with elite athletes, or even branching out into fitness entrepreneurship.

Beyond financial rewards, personal training offers the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their fitness goals. The role of a personal trainer is not just about designing workout programmes; it involves building relationships, providing motivation, and witnessing clients transform their lives. The rewarding nature of seeing clients make progress, overcome obstacles, and improve their health and well-being is a significant aspect that adds fulfilment to a personal trainer’s career.

The Importance of Accreditation

What is Accreditation and Why Does it Matter?

 Accreditation – especially the top personal training certifications – plays a crucial role in the realm of personal trainer certifications. It serves as a validation and assurance of the quality, credibility, and industry recognition of a learning programme. It ensures that a certification meets specific standards set by reputable governing bodies or accrediting agencies within the fitness industry.

Choosing an accredited certification programme offers several benefits. Firstly, it provides confidence to both personal trainers and their clients that the certification is comprehensive, up to date, and aligned with industry best practices. The top personal training certifications often undergo rigorous evaluation processes, ensuring that they meet established standards of quality and relevance.

Moreover, accredited certifications hold greater value and recognition in the industry. They enhance the credibility and marketability of personal trainers, making them more attractive to potential clients and employers. These programmes can open doors to better career opportunities, as employers often prefer candidates who hold certifications from reputable and recognised institutions.

How Does Accreditation Ensure Quality and Credibility?

 Accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the best online personal training certifications. These undergo a rigorous evaluation process to meet established standards and criteria set by reputable governing bodies or accrediting agencies within the fitness industry.

The standards for accreditation encompass various aspects, including the content and curriculum of the certification programme, the qualifications and expertise of the instructors, the examination process, and ongoing support for certified personal trainers. These standards are designed to ensure that the certification programme covers essential knowledge, skills, and competencies required to train clients effectively.

By choosing an accredited certification, personal trainers gain validation and recognition within the industry. These certifications are often recognised by fitness organisations, employers, and clients as a mark of quality and professionalism. This recognition enhances the credibility of personal trainers, as they are seen as meeting industry standards and adhering to best practices.

Personal trainers with accredited certifications also enjoy increased trust from clients as they feel more confident in working with trainers who have undergone a rigorous certification process, knowing that their trainers have the necessary knowledge and skills to guide them effectively. The validation provided by accreditation builds trust and credibility, which can positively impact client retention and referral rates.

Furthermore, accredited certifications often offer ongoing support, continuing education opportunities, and access to resources. This ensures that personal trainers stay updated with the latest industry trends, research, and techniques. The continuous professional development facilitated by accredited programmes further enhances the quality and credibility of personal trainers.

Choosing the Right Certification Programme

Researching Accredited Certification Programs

 When embarking on the journey of becoming a certified personal trainer, thorough research is essential to identify reputable certification programmes that align with your career goals. Consider the following key factors when making an informed decision:

  • Accreditation: For your personal training business, look for certification programmes that are accredited by recognised governing bodies or accrediting agencies. Accreditation ensures that the programme meets industry standards and is also widely recognised and respected.
  • Curriculum: Evaluate the curriculum offered by different programmes. Look for comprehensive content that covers essential topics such as exercise science, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, client assessment, programme design, and coaching techniques. A well-rounded curriculum sets a strong foundation for your career.
  • Learning Formats: Consider the learning formats available, such as in-person workshops, online courses, or a combination of both. Choose a format that suits your learning style, schedule, and accessibility. Online programmes should provide interactive elements, instructor support, and practical components to enhance your learning experience.

When researching reputable certification programmes, Trifocus Fitness Academy stands out as a leading educational institution. With its credentials and commitment to excellence, Trifocus has established itself as a trusted name in the fitness industry. The academy offers accredited certification programmes with a robust curriculum that covers all aspects of personal training. Their flexible learning options, including online courses and practical workshops, cater to diverse learning preferences.

Trifocus Fitness Academy’s industry recognition and partnerships demonstrate their commitment to providing quality education and preparing individuals for successful careers in fitness. By choosing Trifocus, you can be confident that you will receive a comprehensive education that meets industry standards and positions you for success in the dynamic field of personal training.

 Benefits of Pursuing an Accredited Personal Trainer Certification

Enhancing Knowledge and Skills

 Certification programmes play a crucial role in expanding the knowledge and skills of aspiring personal trainers. These offer comprehensive education in exercise science, anatomy, and nutrition, enabling trainers to develop a deep understanding of the human body and its response to exercise.

Through hands-on training, the top online personal training certifications provide practical skills that are essential for success in the field. Trainers learn how to assess clients, design tailored workouts, and apply effective coaching techniques. Practical experience allows trainers to gain confidence and proficiency in applying their knowledge to real-life scenarios.

Staying updated with industry trends and research is another key benefit of certification programmes. The fitness industry is dynamic and constantly evolving, with new techniques, studies, and best practices emerging regularly. Certified trainers are encouraged to engage in continued learning, attend workshops, conferences, and webinars, and stay informed about the latest research findings. This commitment to staying current ensures that trainers provide the most effective and evidence-based guidance to their clients, helping them achieve optimal results.

 Building Trust and Credibility

 Trust and credibility are paramount in the personal training industry, where clients rely on trainers to guide them towards their fitness goals. Obtaining an accredited certification is a crucial step in establishing trust and credibility as a personal trainer.

An accredited certification demonstrates expertise and a commitment to upholding high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. It signifies that a trainer has undergone rigorous training and has met the industry’s recognised criteria for knowledge and skills. This validation enhances the trainer’s credibility in the eyes of clients, as they feel assured that their trainer has the necessary qualifications and competence to guide them effectively.

Gaining clients’ trust is essential for securing long-term success in the personal training field. Trust fosters strong client-trainer relationships, leading to increased client satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Clients are more likely to adhere to a trainer’s guidance and recommendations when they have confidence in their trainer’s expertise and professionalism. This trust also facilitates open communication, allowing trainers to understand clients’ needs, preferences, and limitations better, and tailor their training programs accordingly.

 Networking and Professional Development

In the dynamic field of personal training, expanding career opportunities often go hand in hand with networking, continuous professional development, and reputable educational institutions like Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Networking with industry professionals is invaluable for personal trainers looking to broaden their career horizons. Building connections with fellow trainers, fitness facility managers, fitness industry organisations, and allied health professionals opens doors to new job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship. Networking allows trainers to stay updated on industry trends, gain insights into emerging areas of specialisation, and tap into the collective knowledge and experiences of seasoned professionals.

How Online Personal Training Works

Exploring the World of Online Personal Training

In recent years, online personal training has revolutionised the fitness industry, offering unique benefits and opportunities for trainers and clients alike. This innovative approach to personal training utilises digital platforms and tools to provide remote fitness guidance and support.

Online personal training offers a range of benefits that traditional in-person training may not always provide. One key advantage is the flexibility it offers. Trainers can work with clients from anywhere in the world, breaking down geographical barriers and expanding their reach. Similarly, clients have the convenience of accessing personalised training programmes and guidance without being restricted by time or location. This flexibility allows trainers and clients to work together at mutually convenient times, making it easier to accommodate busy schedules and travel arrangements.

The convenience of online personal training extends beyond scheduling flexibility. Trainers can develop and deliver customised training programmes, track progress, and provide real-time feedback through digital platforms. Clients, on the other hand, have the convenience of accessing their training materials, videos, and communication with their trainers from the comfort of their homes or on-the-go. This level of accessibility ensures that clients can stay committed to their fitness goals without the constraints of physical proximity.

 Advantages of Obtaining an Online Personal Training Certification

 Getting an online personal training certification offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance a fitness professional’s career prospects and expand their client base. With the growing popularity of online training, having the necessary credentials and expertise in this digital realm is becoming increasingly valuable.

One of the key advantages of obtaining an online personal training certification is the expanded client reach it offers. With online training, trainers are not limited by geographical boundaries and can connect with clients from around the world. This opens up opportunities to work with people who may not have access to local fitness facilities or prefer the convenience of online guidance. By reaching a global clientele, trainers can significantly expand their potential market and increase their earning potential

Adapting to the latest trends and technologies is essential in the fitness industry. Obtaining an online personal training certification demonstrates a trainer’s ability to navigate and excel in the digital realm. Clients increasingly expect trainers to have the knowledge and skills to provide effective online training experiences. By acquiring the necessary certification, trainers can showcase their expertise in leveraging digital platforms, utilising online tools, as well as delivering engaging and effective virtual training sessions. This adaptability to digital trends not only enhances a trainer’s credibility but also ensures they remain competitive in an evolving industry.

 Pursuing an accredited personal trainer certification is of paramount importance for anyone aspiring to build a successful fitness career. The article sheds light on the multifaceted role of a personal trainer, emphasising their responsibilities in designing personalised workout plans, providing motivation, education, and support to clients, ultimately guiding them towards their fitness goals.

The fitness industry’s booming demand for qualified personal trainers makes it a lucrative career choice with abundant opportunities for growth and financial success. As more individuals prioritise their well-being and seek professional guidance, certified personal trainers are well-positioned to capitalise on this expanding market.

Accreditation emerges as a critical factor in the realm of personal trainer certifications, ensuring that the programmes meet industry standards, offer comprehensive education, and are recognised and respected within the fitness community. An accredited certification not only enhances a trainer’s credibility and marketability but also instils confidence in clients, knowing they are working with a qualified and competent professional.

Selecting the right certification programme becomes crucial for aspiring personal trainers, with an emphasis on researching reputable programs aligned with their career goals. By considering accreditation, curriculum, and learning formats, people can make informed decisions that set a strong foundation for their fitness career.

The benefits of pursuing an accredited personal trainer certification extend beyond acquiring knowledge and skills. Trainers gain trust and credibility, which are vital for fostering strong client-trainer relationships, increasing client satisfaction, and encouraging long-term commitment. Moreover, the certification opens doors to a myriad of career opportunities, providing avenues for specialisation and continuous professional development through networking and affiliating with esteemed educational institutions.

In the evolving landscape of the fitness industry, online personal training emerges as a revolutionary approach that offers unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Trainers can reach clients from all over the world, breaking geographical barriers and expanding their clientele. Obtaining an online personal training certification is crucial to demonstrate proficiency in the digital realm, enabling trainers to leverage technology, online tools, and virtual training sessions effectively.

Take your fitness career to new heights by exploring the certification options offered by Trifocus Fitness Academy. With their comprehensive programmes and industry-recognised accreditations, Trifocus is committed to helping you become a successful personal trainer.

Visit Trifocus Fitness Academy’s website to discover their flexible learning formats, which allow you to study at your own pace and convenience. Their dedicated assessors are there to provide personalised support and guidance throughout your learning journey, ensuring you have the resources and assistance you need to succeed.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills further. Trifocus Fitness Academy’s extensive library of fitness and nutrition resources is readily available to deepen your understanding and expand your professional development. Take advantage of these valuable resources to stay up to date with industry trends and improve your expertise.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Visit Trifocus Fitness Academy’s website today and embark on a rewarding fitness career. With their commitment to quality education, flexible learning options, and ongoing support, Trifocus is your gateway to becoming a certified and highly respected personal trainer.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A personal trainer is responsible for conducting assessments, designing personalised exercise programmes, providing motivation and support, educating clients, and adapting programmes for continuous progress.

Personal training is a lucrative career choice owing to the increasing demand for professional guidance in achieving fitness goals. As people become more health conscious, the need for qualified personal trainers grows, offering potential for career growth and financial success in the fitness industry.

Accreditation matters in personal trainer certifications because it offers confidence to both trainers and clients. Accredited certifications enhance credibility and marketability, ensuring that the programme meets industry standards and provides quality education.

Aspiring personal trainers should consider accreditation, curriculum, and learning formats when choosing a certification programme. It is important to research reputable programmes that align with their career goals to make an informed decision.

Pursuing an accredited personal trainer certification enhances the knowledge and skills of trainers, builds trust and credibility with clients, and opens up a wide range of career opportunities. It also emphasises the importance of networking and continuous professional development for long-term success in the fitness industry.

The post Why Pursuing an Accredited Personal Trainer Certification Is Important for Your Fitness Career? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Finding The Perfect Personal Training Academy: A Guide To Choosing The Best Programme For You https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/finding-the-perfect-personal-training-academy-a-guide-to-choosing-the-best-programme-for-you/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 06:04:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34075 The post Finding The Perfect Personal Training Academy: A Guide To Choosing The Best Programme For You appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Are you ready to take your fitness career to new heights? If so, it all starts with selecting the right personal training academy. The choice you make can have a profound impact on your future success and professional growth.

Enrolling in a reputable personal training programme offers numerous benefits. It provides you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to stand out in a competitive industry. A respected personal training academy not only enhances your credibility but also opens doors to exciting career opportunities.

Now, let’s dive into the main purpose of this blog post: guiding you on how to choose the best personal training programme. We understand that with so many options available, the decision can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to provide you with valuable insights and expert advice to help you make an informed choice.

Understanding Your Goals and Needs

Assessing Your Personal Training Goals

Before you embark on your journey to choosing the best personal training programme, it’s crucial to define your goals. What is it that you hope to achieve? Are you aspiring to become a personal trainer and help others transform their lives? Or maybe you’re looking to advance your current career in the fitness industry? Perhaps you simply want to enhance your fitness knowledge for personal growth and well-being.

No matter what your goals are, it’s essential to align them with the programme you choose. Each personal training academy has its own strengths and areas of focus. By understanding your objectives, you can find a programme that not only meets your educational needs but also supports your long-term aspirations.

If your goal is to become a personal trainer, look for a course that provides comprehensive training in exercise science, anatomy, physiology, and client assessment. Seek out opportunities for practical experience and mentorship to develop your skills further.

If career advancement is your aim, consider programmes that offer specialised certifications or advanced courses in areas such as sports performance, rehabilitation, or nutrition. These additional qualifications can set you apart and open doors to exciting career opportunities.

For those looking to expand their fitness knowledge, prioritise programmes that offer in-depth curriculum and resources in areas of interest to you. Look for access to a variety of courses, workshops, and resources that allow you to continually enhance your expertise.

 Identifying Your Learning Preferences

Online learning offers the flexibility of studying from anywhere at any time. With online programmes, you can access course materials, lectures, and assignments through a virtual learning platform. This format allows you to set your own pace and study at a time that suits your schedule. Online learning provides the convenience of fitting your education around other commitments and responsibilities. It’s a great option for people with busy schedules or those who prefer a self-paced learning style.

When choosing a learning format, consider your lifestyle, availability, and preferred learning style. If you thrive in a structured environment and value real-time interaction, in-class learning might be the best fit. If flexibility and self-paced learning are important to you, online learning offers convenience and accessibility. Blended learning provides a middle ground for those who desire a mix of both.

Researching Personal Training Programmes

Gathering Information on Accreditation and Recognition

 Accreditation plays a crucial role in personal training programmes as it ensures that it meets specific quality and excellence standards. It provides validation and recognition of the programme’s credibility, giving confidence to both trainers and clients:

  • Quality Assurance: Accreditation ensures that a personal training programme has undergone a rigorous evaluation process by an external accrediting body. It verifies that the programme meets certain standards of education, curriculum, and instructional quality. Choosing an accredited programme ensures that you are receiving a high-quality education that aligns with industry standards.
  • Credibility and Marketability: Accreditation adds credibility to your personal training certification. It signifies that you have completed a programme that is recognised and respected within the fitness industry. Accredited certifications are often preferred by employers and clients as they indicate that you have received comprehensive training and possess the necessary knowledge and skills.
  • Industry Recognition: Accreditation provides industry recognition and demonstrates that the programme is keeping up with current trends and best practices. It reflects the programme’s commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving field. Being associated with an accredited programme can enhance your professional reputation and open up more career opportunities.

Exploring Programme Curriculum and Course Offerings

 A comprehensive personal training curriculum encompasses a range of key components that provide trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively work with clients. These components typically include exercise science, anatomy, nutrition, and client assessment:

  • Exercise Science: Understanding exercise science is fundamental for personal trainers. It involves learning about the physiological and biomechanical principles underlying exercise and how they apply to different populations and fitness goals. Topics covered may include energy systems, muscle physiology, cardiorespiratory training, and exercise programming principles.
  • Anatomy: An in-depth knowledge of anatomy is essential for personal trainers to understand the structure and function of the human body. This includes learning about major muscles, bones, joints, and the nervous system. Understanding anatomy enables trainers to design safe and effective exercise programmes and adapt them to individual client needs.
  • Nutrition: Personal trainers often provide guidance on nutrition to support their clients’ fitness goals. A comprehensive curriculum should include basic nutrition principles, macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and dietary considerations for various populations. Trainers should learn how to provide general nutrition recommendations and when to refer clients to registered dietitians or nutritionists for specialised advice.
  • Client Assessment: Effective assessment is crucial for developing personalised fitness programmes and tracking client progress. A personal training curriculum should cover various assessment techniques, including fitness assessments, body composition analysis, movement screening, and health risk assessments. Trainers need to understand how to interpret assessment results and use them to design tailored exercise and wellness plans.

When selecting a personal training programme, it is important for readers to review its syllabi and course descriptions. This allows them to evaluate whether the curriculum covers the necessary topics mentioned above. Syllabi provide an overview of the course content and learning objectives, while course descriptions offer insights into the specific areas of study.

 Assessing the Programme’s Reputation and Reviews

 Reputation holds significant importance in the fitness industry, as it serves as a measure of the programme’s quality and effectiveness. When choosing a personal training programme, it is crucial to consider the reputation of the academy or institution offering the certification:

  • Credibility and Recognition: A programme with a solid reputation is more likely to be recognised and respected within the fitness industry. Employers, fitness facilities, and clients often prefer trainers who have graduated from reputable programmes, as it signifies that they have received quality education and training.
  • Quality of Education: Programmes with a good reputation typically uphold high education standards. They employ knowledgeable instructors, develop comprehensive curricula, and maintain updated course materials. Choosing a programme with a strong reputation increases the likelihood of receiving a well-rounded education that equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel as a personal trainer.
  • Industry Connections and Opportunities: A programme’s reputation can also impact your networking and career opportunities. Renowned programmes often have established relationships with fitness facilities, industry experts, and potential employers. These connections can provide valuable internship opportunities, job placement assistance, and industry insights that can help kickstart your fitness career.

To gauge the quality and effectiveness of a personal training programme, it is advisable for readers to look at reviews and testimonials from current and past students. By doing so, they can gain insights into the experiences of others who have gone through the programme. Look for reviews that highlight its strengths, such as the quality of instruction, practical hands-on training, and post-graduation support.

Additionally, look for testimonials from trainers who have successfully pursued their careers after completing the programme. Their success stories can serve as evidence of its effectiveness in preparing graduates for real-world challenges and opportunities.

 Evaluating Programme Features and Support

Examining Learning Resources and Materials

 Comprehensive learning resources play a vital role in personal training education as these provide students with the necessary knowledge and support to excel in their studies and future careers:

  • Depth of Knowledge: Personal training requires a solid understanding of various subjects, including exercise science, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and client assessment. Comprehensive learning resources, such as textbooks, online materials, and video tutorials, provide in-depth coverage of these topics, allowing students to develop a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Access to diverse resources ensures that students can explore different perspectives and theories, enhancing their overall knowledge base.
  • Flexible Learning: Different individuals have different learning preferences. Some may excel through reading textbooks, while others may prefer interactive online materials or video tutorials. By offering a range of learning resources, personal training academies cater to various learning styles, making education more accessible and engaging for all students. It allows individuals to choose the format that best suits their learning preferences, maximising their understanding and retention of the material.
  • Continuous Professional Development: The fitness industry is constantly evolving, with new research, trends, and techniques emerging regularly. Comprehensive learning resources provide ongoing access to up-to-date information, allowing personal trainers the opportunity to stay current with industry advancements. By having access to a wide range of resources,, trainers can continue their professional development even after completing their initial certification.
  • Personal training academies, like Trifocus Fitness Academy, understand the importance of comprehensive learning resources. They often provide students with an extensive library of resources to support their studies and professional development. Trifocus Fitness Academy, for example, offers a comprehensive online learning platform that includes a vast array of resources such as e-books, articles, video tutorials, and webinars.

By having access to such resources, students can dive deeper into specific subjects, reinforce their understanding of key concepts, and broaden their knowledge beyond the core curriculum. This access to additional materials empowers students to become well-rounded and knowledgeable personal trainers.

 Assessing Student Support

 The value of dedicated student support personnel in personal training education cannot be overstated. Having knowledgeable and accessible support staff is crucial for guiding and assisting students throughout their learning journey:

  • Personalised Guidance: Dedicated student support personnel, often experienced personal trainers themselves, understand the challenges students may face during their studies. They can provide personalised guidance and advice, tailoring their assistance to meet individual needs. Whether students have questions about course materials, need clarification on specific topics, or require study tips, support personnel are there to help.
  • Motivation and Encouragement: Pursuing a personal training certification requires commitment and effort. Student support personnel play a vital role in motivating and encouraging students to stay on track with their studies. They can provide positive reinforcement, share success stories of past students, and offer strategies to overcome obstacles. This encouragement fosters a supportive learning environment, boosting students’ confidence in their abilities.
  • Clarification of Concepts: In the field of personal training, grasping certain concepts may require additional explanation or examples. Student support personnel can offer further clarification on complex topics, ensuring that students have a clear understanding of the material. This level of assistance enhances the learning experience and prepares students for success in their exams and practical assessments.
  • Accessibility and Responsiveness: Student support personnel are generally available through various communication channels, such as email or chat. They aim to be responsive to student inquiries, providing timely and helpful assistance whenever needed. This accessibility ensures that students do not feel alone in their learning journey and can seek help whenever challenges arise.

 Considering Flexibility and Accessibility

 Flexible learning options play a very important role in enabling individuals with busy schedules to pursue personal training education without compromising their existing commitments. Online learning programmes offer several advantages that make them particularly suitable for those seeking flexibility:

  • Convenience and Accessibility: Online learning gives people the opportunity to access course materials, lectures, and resources from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility eliminates the need for physical attendance at a specific location, making it convenient for individuals with work, family, or other responsibilities. Whether you’re studying from home, a coffee shop, or while traveling, online learning provides the accessibility needed to fit education into a busy lifestyle.
  • Study at Your Own Pace: Online learning programmes offer the flexibility to study at your own pace. This feature is invaluable for people with demanding schedules as it allows them the opportunity to adjust their learning according to their availability. Whether you prefer to dive into intensive study sessions or spread your learning over an extended period, online programmes accommodate diverse learning styles and time constraints.
  • Time and Location Independence: With online learning, there are no set class schedules to adhere to. Instead, you have the freedom to choose when and where you engage in your studies. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to allocate time for learning during periods that work best for you, whether it’s early mornings, late evenings, or weekends. You can seamlessly integrate your personal training education into your existing routine without major disruptions.
  • Access to a Wealth of Resources: Online learning programmes often provide a wealth of digital resources that are available 24/7. This lets you revisit topics, reinforce your understanding, and delve deeper into specific areas of interest. The ability to access a wide range of materials enhances the learning experience and facilitates comprehensive understanding of the curriculum.
  • Interactive Learning Experience: Online learning platforms increasingly incorporate interactive elements, such as quizzes, simulations, and multimedia presentations, to enhance engagement and knowledge retention. These interactive features simulate real-world scenarios and practical applications, providing a dynamic and immersive learning experience. Additionally, online discussion forums and collaborative projects let students to connect with peers, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions.
  • Supportive Learning Environment: Despite the absence of physical classrooms, online learning programmes often foster a supportive virtual learning environment. Instructors and support staff are readily available through email, chat, or discussion boards to provide guidance, clarification, and feedback. This support system ensures that students receive the necessary assistance and feel connected to the learning community, despite studying remotely.

 Comparing Personal Training Rates and Packages

Understanding Pricing Structures

 Personal training programmes may employ different pricing models to accommodate the financial needs and preferences of individuals. Here are two common pricing models used:

  • Upfront Fees: Some personal training programs require payment of the full programme fee upfront. This means that you would pay the entire cost of the programme at the beginning of your enrolment. Upfront fees are often associated with discounts or incentives offered by the programme. Paying upfront can be advantageous if you have the financial means to do so and prefer to have the program’s cost settled from the start.
  • Instalment Plans: Many personal training programs offer instalment plans that allow you to spread the cost of the programme over a defined period. Instead of paying the entire programme fee upfront, you make regular payments in smaller instalments. These can be monthly, quarterly, or according to a schedule determined by the programme. Instalment plans provide a more manageable financial commitment and allow you to budget your payments over time.

When comparing personal training programme rates, it’s important to consider your budget and financial capabilities. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

  • Affordability: Assess your financial situation and determine how much you can comfortably allocate toward your personal training education. Consider your income, expenses, and any other financial obligations you may have. It’s essential to choose a programme that aligns with your budget and does not cause undue financial strain.
  • Value for Money: Evaluate the value you will receive from the programme relative to its cost. Look for programmes that offer a comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, support services, and additional resources. A higher-priced programme may provide more extensive content or additional benefits that justify the cost.
  • Payment Flexibility: Consider the flexibility of the payment options offered by the programme. If paying upfront is challenging for you, instalment plans can provide the flexibility needed to manage your payments more comfortably. Assess the terms of the plan, such as the duration and frequency of payments, to ensure they align with your financial capabilities.

Taking your fitness career to new heights starts with selecting the right personal training academy. The choice you make can significantly impact your future success and professional growth. By enrolling in a reputable personal training programme, you gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to stand out in the competitive fitness industry. A respected academy enhances your credibility and opens doors to exciting career opportunities.

Trifocus Fitness Academy is an excellent example of a reputable personal training academy that provides accredited programmes, a comprehensive curriculum, extensive support, and flexible learning options. As a leading fitness education provider, Trifocus Fitness Academy is dedicated to delivering high-quality training that meets industry standards and equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to excel in the field of personal training.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in personal training or expanding your fitness knowledge, I encourage you to explore Trifocus Fitness Academy’s website. There, you can find detailed information about their personal training programmes, including course modules, accreditation details, and the support they offer to their students.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Trifocus Fitness Academy and their personal training programmes, please visit their website at www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in personal training by discovering the opportunities and resources available through Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right personal training academy is crucial as it can greatly impact the quality of your education, your career prospects, and your overall success as a personal trainer.

Factors to consider include the programme’s accreditation, curriculum, learning formats, reputation, student support services, and pricing options.

Start by clearly defining your goals, whether it’s becoming a personal trainer, advancing your career, or expanding your fitness knowledge. Then, review the program’s offerings and assess if they align with your specific aspirations.

Flexible learning options, such as online or blended learning, allow you to study at your own pace, access materials from anywhere, and fit your education around your busy schedule. This flexibility can greatly enhance your learning experience.

Reviews and testimonials provide insights into the experiences of current and past students. They can help you gauge the programme’s quality, effectiveness, and the level of support provided. Reading reviews can give you a better understanding of what to expect and help you make an informed decision.

The post Finding The Perfect Personal Training Academy: A Guide To Choosing The Best Programme For You appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Is Pilates Suitable For People With Chronic Neck Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/is-pilates-suitable-for-people-with-chronic-neck-pain/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34080 The post Is Pilates Suitable For People With Chronic Neck Pain? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates can be suitable for people with chronic neck pain. Pilates exercises focus on strengthening and stabilizing the core muscles, including the muscles around the neck and shoulders. By improving core strength and posture, Pilates can help alleviate neck pain and promote better alignment.

However, it is important to approach Pilates with caution and work with a qualified instructor who is able to tailor the exercises to your specific needs and limitations. They can modify the exercises to avoid any movements or positions that may aggravate your neck pain. It is also wise to consult with a healthcare professional, for example a physical therapist or chiropractor, to ensure that Pilates is appropriate for your condition and to receive guidance on proper technique and modifications.

It’s important to listen to your body and communicate any discomfort or pain during the practice. Begin with gentle exercises and slowly increase the intensity as your strength and flexibility improve. Remember to maintain proper alignment and avoid straining the neck or overextending the spine.

Are There Specific Pilates Exercises That Target Neck Pain Relief?

Yes, there are specific Pilates exercises that can target neck pain relief. Here are some examples:

  • Neck Retraction: This exercise involves gently pulling the chin inward, lengthening the back of the neck. It helps improve posture and strengthens the muscles that support the neck.
  • Shoulder Rolls: Rolling the shoulders forward and backward in a circular motion can help release tension in the neck and shoulders, promoting relaxation.
  • Scapular Retraction: By squeezing the shoulder blades together and then releasing, you can strengthen the muscles between the shoulder blades and improve upper back and neck stability.
  • Upper Trapezius Stretch: This stretch focuses on relieving tension in the upper trapezius muscle. Gently pulling the head to the side while maintaining proper alignment can help alleviate discomfort.
  • Cat-Camel Stretch: Moving the spine through flexion and extension in a controlled manner can improve spinal mobility and release tension in the neck and upper back.
  • Seated Spine Twist: Sitting with a tall spine and rotating the torso from side to side can release tension in the neck and upper back while improving spinal mobility.
  • Chin Tucks: This exercise involves gently tucking the chin inward without tilting the head. It helps strengthen the deep neck flexors and improve neck alignment and stability.
  • Supine Chest Lift: Lying on your back with the head and shoulders lifted off the mat, engaging the core and neck flexors can strengthen these muscles and improve neck stability.
  • Supine Arm Openings: This exercise focuses on opening the chest and stretching the shoulders. By lying on your back with arms outstretched and moving them overhead, you can release tension in the neck and shoulders.
  • Supported Bridge Pose: Lifting the hips off the mat and supporting the lower back with the hands can help release tension in the neck and upper back while engaging the core.

How Does Pilates Improve Posture And Neck Alignment?

Pilates is a highly effective exercise method that can improve posture and neck alignment through various mechanisms. One of the ways it achieves this is by focusing on core strengthening. Pilates targets the deep core muscles, including the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic floor, which provide stability and support to the body. By developing a strong core, individuals can improve their overall posture and alignment, including the neck.

In addition to core strengthening, Pilates exercises also promote spinal mobility. The movements involved in Pilates, such as flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion, help increase the mobility and flexibility of the spine. As the spine becomes more flexible, it can relieve tension and reduce strain on the neck, leading to improved posture.

Muscle balance is another important aspect of Pilates. The method aims to create a balanced relationship between muscles, targeting both the larger movement muscles and the smaller stabilizing muscles. By addressing muscle imbalances, Pilates helps correct poor posture and neck misalignment. Strengthening and lengthening the muscles around the neck and upper back contribute to better posture and alignment.

Pilates also emphasizes postural awareness. Through mindful movement and cues, individuals become more aware of their body positioning and can make conscious adjustments to improve their posture and neck alignment. This increased awareness carries over into daily life, fostering better posture habits.

Specific exercises in Pilates target the neck muscles, such as the deep neck flexors and extensors. These exercises strengthen and lengthen the neck muscles, promoting better neck alignment and reducing strain. Proper alignment of the neck plays a vital role in overall postural improvement.

Relaxation and stress reduction techniques are integral parts of Pilates. The method incorporates breathing techniques and relaxation exercises that help lower stress and tension in the body, including the neck and shoulders. By releasing muscular tension and promoting relaxation, Pilates supports better posture and neck alignment.

Finally, Pilates emphasizes the mind-body connection. It encourages individuals to focus on proper alignment and movement control, developing a strong connection between the mind and body. This connection enables individuals to consciously engage the correct muscles and maintain proper alignment, resulting in improved posture and neck alignment.

Pilates can be a suitable exercise method for individuals with chronic neck pain. By focusing on core strengthening, Pilates helps improve overall posture and alignment, including the neck. It promotes spinal mobility, targeting the flexibility of the spine and reducing strain on the neck. Pilates also addresses muscle imbalances, enhancing muscle balance and supporting better posture.

Additionally, the method emphasizes postural awareness, allowing individuals to make conscious adjustments for improved alignment. Specific exercises target the neck muscles, promoting better neck alignment and reducing strain. Relaxation techniques in Pilates help release tension and lower stress levels. The mind-body connection in Pilates enhances proper alignment and movement control.

However, it is crucial to approach Pilates with caution and seek guidance from a qualified instructor. Consulting with a healthcare professional is advisable to ensure the appropriateness of Pilates for individual conditions. By practicing Pilates with proper form and modifications, individuals can experience improved posture, reduced neck pain, and enhanced overall well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pilates can be beneficial for individuals with chronic neck pain. By focusing on core strengthening, improving posture, and targeting neck muscles, Pilates helps alleviate pain and promote better alignment.

Yes, there are specific Pilates exercises that target neck pain relief. Exercises such as neck retractions, scapular retractions, and upper trapezius stretches can strengthen and lengthen the neck muscles, promoting better alignment and reducing pain.

It is wise to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or chiropractor, before starting Pilates for chronic neck pain. They can provide guidance on the appropriateness of Pilates for your condition and offer recommendations for modifications or additional treatments.

When practicing Pilates with chronic neck pain, it’s important to listen to your body and avoid any exercises or movements that worsen your symptoms. Work with a qualified Pilates instructor who can provide modifications and guide you through proper technique to prevent further strain on the neck.

Pilates can improve neck alignment and posture in individuals with chronic neck pain. By strengthening the core muscles, promoting spinal mobility, and enhancing muscle balance, Pilates helps align the neck and improve overall posture. Regular practice can lead to reduced pain and better postural habits.

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How Can Sports Psychology Help Athletes Overcome Performance Slumps And Regain Confidence? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-sports-psychology-help-athletes-overcome-performance-slumps-and-regain-confidence/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34064 The post How Can Sports Psychology Help Athletes Overcome Performance Slumps And Regain Confidence? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports psychology can be instrumental in helping athletes overcome performance slumps and regain confidence through various techniques and strategies. Here’s how sports psychology can assist in this process:

  • Identifying and addressing underlying issues: A sports psychologist can work closely with athletes to identify any psychological factors contributing to the performance slump. This may include exploring self-doubt, fear of failure, or perfectionism. By addressing these underlying issues, athletes can gain a better understanding of their mental barriers and develop strategies to overcome them.
  • Developing positive self-talk and belief systems: Sports psychologists help athletes reframe negative thoughts and develop positive self-talk. This involves replacing self-defeating statements with affirmations and constructive self-statements. By cultivating positive beliefs and reinforcing them through self-talk, athletes can boost their confidence and overcome self-doubt.
  • Goal setting and action planning: Setting clear, specific, and achievable goals is a crucial aspect of sports psychology. By working closely with a sports psychologist, athletes can set performance goals that are meaningful and relevant to their specific situation. Breaking these goals down into smaller, actionable steps helps athletes regain focus, motivation, and confidence in their ability to succeed.
  • Visualization and imagery techniques: Imagery and visualization are powerful tools used in sports psychology to enhance performance and build confidence. Athletes are guided to vividly imagine themselves performing at their best, overcoming challenges, and achieving their goals. This mental rehearsal helps reinforce positive neural pathways and instil confidence in the mind and body.
  • Building resilience and coping skills: Sports psychologists help athletes develop resilience and effective coping mechanisms to navigate challenges and setbacks. This includes teaching athletes strategies to manage stress, regulate emotions, and bounce back from failures. By learning how to handle adversity and setbacks, athletes can regain confidence and perform at their best.
  • Performance routines and rituals: Establishing pre-competition routines and rituals can provide a sense of control and familiarity, boosting confidence and reducing anxiety. A sports psychologist can help athletes develop personalized routines that incorporate mental preparation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive affirmations.
  • Enhancing focus and concentration: Sports psychology techniques can improve athletes’ ability to maintain focus and concentration during competition. Athletes learn strategies to block out distractions, stay in the present moment, and maintain a clear and focused mind. This heightened focus contributes to improved performance and confidence.
  • Providing ongoing support and motivation: Sports psychologists serve as a source of support and motivation for athletes, offering guidance and encouragement throughout their journey. They help athletes maintain a positive mindset, stay motivated, and navigate any challenges that may arise during the process of overcoming a performance slump.

What Techniques And Strategies Does Sports Psychology Use To Help Athletes Regain Confidence?

Sports psychology incorporates a range of techniques and strategies to assist athletes in rebuilding their confidence. These methods include goal setting, where athletes establish specific and achievable objectives to concentrate on their progress. Positive self-talk is encouraged to replace negative thoughts and foster a positive mindset. Visualization and mental imagery techniques help athletes imagine successful performances, reinforcing their confidence and readiness for success.

Reflecting on past accomplishments and recognizing strengths and achievements are key aspects of performance reflection. This exercise aids athletes in acknowledging their capabilities and building confidence based on their prior achievements. Building resilience is another essential aspect, teaching athletes to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, developing coping mechanisms for stress and pressure, and maintaining a positive outlook in challenging situations.

Pre-performance routines contribute to a sense of consistency and familiarity, preparing athletes mentally, reducing anxiety, and enhancing confidence before competitions. Focus and concentration techniques, such as mindfulness and attentional control exercises, train athletes to stay present and focused, enabling them to perform at their best and bolster their confidence.

Receiving constructive feedback from sports psychologists allows athletes to identify areas for improvement while acknowledging their progress. This feedback loop supports athletes in recognizing their strengths and building confidence in their abilities. Skill mastery, attained through deliberate practice and refining specific skills, contributes to increased confidence as athletes focus on technical development and strive for mastery in their respective sports.

The importance of a strong support network is emphasized, as athletes are encouraged to seek support from coaches, teammates, family, and friends. This support provides encouragement, motivation, and positive reinforcement, creating an environment conducive to building and maintaining confidence.

Are There Specific Exercises Or Practices In Sports Psychology That Target Performance Slumps?

Sports psychology utilizes specific exercises and practices to address performance slumps and help athletes regain their optimal performance levels. Some of these targeted interventions include:

  • Performance Analysis: Athletes work with sports psychologists to analyse their performance during slumps. They identify patterns, triggers, and areas of improvement to gain insight into the fundamental factors contributing to the slump.
  • Reframing Negative Thoughts: Sports psychologists help athletes reframe negative thoughts and beliefs that may be adding to the performance slump. By challenging and replacing negative self-talk with positive and empowering thoughts, athletes can shift their mindset and regain confidence.
  • Mental Reset Techniques: Athletes learn techniques to reset their mental state and refocus during a performance slump. This may involve strategies such as deep breathing, visualization, or using specific cues to interrupt negative thought patterns and regain mental clarity.
  • Performance Planning: Sports psychologists assist athletes in creating comprehensive performance plans. These plans outline specific strategies and actions to address the factors contributing to the slump and establish a roadmap for getting back on track.
  • Skill Refinement: Athletes focus on refining specific skills that may have been affected by the performance slump. Sports psychologists help athletes break down the skills into smaller components, identify areas for improvement, and design targeted practice routines to regain proficiency.
  • Goal Realignment: Working with sports psychologists, athletes reassess and realign their goals to ensure they are realistic, attainable, and relevant. This process helps athletes regain focus, establish achievable milestones, and rebuild confidence through a sense of progress.
  • Performance Visualization: Athletes utilize visualization techniques to mentally rehearse successful performances and overcome the slump. By vividly imagining themselves performing at their best and experiencing positive outcomes, athletes can enhance confidence and regain a positive mindset.
  • Motivation and Self-Regulation Strategies: Sports psychologists help athletes develop motivation and self-regulation strategies to maintain consistency and discipline during a performance slump. This may involve setting daily or weekly goals, establishing reward systems, or implementing self-monitoring techniques to track progress.
  • Psychological Support: Athletes receive ongoing psychological support from sports psychologists to address emotional challenges that may arise during a performance slump. This includes managing anxiety, building resilience, and developing coping strategies to navigate setbacks and maintain a positive mindset.
  • Performance Feedback and Evaluation: Regular feedback and evaluation from sports psychologists provide athletes with valuable insights and guidance to address areas of improvement. Constructive feedback helps athletes identify specific actions and adjustments needed to overcome the performance slump.

Sports psychology offers various techniques and strategies to help athletes regain confidence and overcome performance slumps. Through goal setting, positive self-talk, visualization, and performance reflection, athletes can develop a positive mindset and reinforce their belief in their abilities. Building resilience, establishing pre-performance routines, and enhancing focus and concentration contribute to improved performance and confidence.

The support of sports psychologists, along with skill refinement, feedback, and evaluation, aids athletes in identifying areas for improvement and tracking progress. By utilizing these targeted exercises and practices, athletes can overcome performance slumps and regain their confidence to perform at their best.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Goal setting is a crucial aspect of sports psychology in assisting athletes with performance slumps. Setting specific, attainable goals helps athletes regain focus, motivation, and confidence as they accomplish each milestone.

Positive self-talk is a powerful technique in sports psychology. By replacing negative thoughts with encouraging and constructive statements, athletes can cultivate a more optimistic mindset, build self-belief, and enhance confidence in their abilities.

Visualization and mental imagery are effective tools in sports psychology. Athletes are guided to vividly imagine themselves performing at their best, overcoming challenges, and achieving their goals. This mental rehearsal helps reinforce positive neural pathways and instil confidence in the mind and body.

Building resilience is essential in sports psychology. It involves reframing failures as learning opportunities, developing coping strategies to manage stress and pressure, and maintaining a positive mindset in challenging situations. Resilience enables athletes to bounce back from setbacks, regain confidence, and perform at their best.

Pre-performance routines provide a sense of consistency and familiarity for athletes. These routines incorporate mental preparation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive affirmations. By engaging in these rituals, athletes reduce anxiety, enhance focus, and boost confidence before competitions.

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Can Yoga Help With Vertigo And Dizziness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/can-yoga-help-with-vertigo-and-dizziness/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34056 The post Can Yoga Help With Vertigo And Dizziness? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Vertigo and dizziness can significantly impact one’s quality of life, causing feelings of imbalance and disorientation. Fortunately, yoga offers a potential solution for individuals experiencing these symptoms. With its focus on balance, coordination, and body awareness, yoga can help alleviate vertigo and dizziness. By practicing specific yoga poses and incorporating deep breathing and relaxation techniques, individuals can improve their balance, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance their overall well-being. However, it is very important to speak with a healthcare professional or an experienced yoga instructor to ensure that the chosen yoga practices are appropriate for individual conditions. With the right guidance and a consistent yoga practice, individuals can find relief and regain their equilibrium.

What Yoga Poses Are Recommended For Vertigo And Dizziness?

When it comes to managing vertigo and dizziness, several yoga poses can be beneficial. However, as we said before, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and it’s always best to speak to a healthcare professional or a qualified yoga instructor for personalized guidance. Here are some yoga poses that are often recommended for vertigo and dizziness:

  • Mountain Pose (Tadasana): This standing pose helps improve balance and posture, promoting stability and grounding.
  • Tree Pose (Vrksasana): By focusing on a fixed point and engaging the core and leg muscles, Tree Pose enhances balance and stability.
  • Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II): This pose strengthens the legs and core, promoting stability and improving body awareness.
  • Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana): By engaging the core and finding balance on one leg, Half-Moon Pose helps improve coordination and focus.
  • Child’s Pose (Balasana): This resting pose promotes relaxation and relieves stress, which can be beneficial for managing symptoms of dizziness.
  • Supine Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana): By gently twisting the spine while lying down, Supine Twist helps release tension and improve spinal mobility.
  • Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): This restorative pose allows for gentle inversion, which can help improve blood circulation and reduce dizziness.
  • Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): This gentle flowing movement promotes spinal flexibility and helps improve body awareness.
  • Corpse Pose (Savasana): This final relaxation pose allows for deep rest and rejuvenation, promoting overall well-being.

Are There Any Specific Breathing Techniques In Yoga That Could Help With Vertigo And Dizziness?

Certain breathing techniques in yoga can be beneficial for managing vertigo and dizziness. These techniques promote relaxation, calm the mind, and improve focus, which can help alleviate symptoms. Here are a few breathing techniques that may be helpful:

One technique is deep diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing. It involves taking slow, deep breaths, allowing the belly to rise on inhalation and fall on exhalation. Deep diaphragmatic breathing is responsible for stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. This can be particularly useful in managing symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.

Another technique is equal breathing, also known as Sama Vritti Pranayama. It involves inhaling and exhaling for an equal count. For example, inhaling for a count of four, and exhaling for the same count. Equal breathing helps balance the breath, calms the mind, and enhances focus and concentration. It can be helpful in managing dizziness and promoting a sense of equilibrium.

Alternate nostril breathing, or Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, is another technique that can be beneficial. It involves using your fingers to close one nostril while inhaling through the other, and then switching sides and exhaling through the opposite nostril. Alternate nostril breathing helps balance the flow of energy in the body, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. It can assist in calming the mind and reducing symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.

Cooling breath, also known as Sheetali Pranayama, is a technique that involves rolling the tongue and inhaling through the curled tongue, followed by exhaling through the nose. If rolling the tongue is not possible, you can purse your lips and inhale through them. Cooling breath has a calming and cooling effect on the body, which can help alleviate symptoms of dizziness and heat-related discomfort.

It’s important to approach these breathing techniques with patience and gentleness. Start with a few minutes of practice and gradually increase the duration as you feel comfortable. Listen to your body and stop if you experience any discomfort. If you have underlying medical conditions, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified yoga instructor before practicing specific breathing techniques.

Are There Any Precautions I Should Take While Practicing Yoga With Vertigo Or Dizziness?

When practicing yoga with vertigo or dizziness, it’s important to take certain precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Here are some guidelines to consider:

  • Inform your yoga instructor: If you attend yoga classes, inform your instructor about your vertigo or dizziness symptoms. This will allow them to provide modifications or alternative poses that are more suitable for you. They can also offer guidance on proper alignment and adjustments during the practice.
  • Choose a safe practice environment: Ensure that the space where you practice yoga is free of obstacles and provides a stable and supportive surface. Consider using a yoga mat or props to enhance stability and prevent any accidental slips or falls.
  • Take it slow and listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body feels during the practice. If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, take a break, sit or lie down, and focus on your breath until the symptoms subside. Avoid pushing yourself too hard and honour your body’s limits.
  • Modify poses as needed: Be open to modifying or adapting yoga poses to suit your needs. If certain poses or movements trigger dizziness, consider alternatives or skip those poses altogether. Your instructor can guide you in making appropriate modifications.
  • Avoid rapid transitions and abrupt movements: Sudden changes in body position or quick movements can potentially trigger vertigo or dizziness. Practice smooth and mindful transitions between poses, moving at a pace that feels comfortable and stable for you.
  • Stay well-hydrated: Dehydration can worsen dizziness, so it’s important to stay properly hydrated before, during, and after your yoga practice. Drink water regularly during the day to maintain optimal hydration levels.
  • Maintain proper lighting and ventilation: Practicing yoga in a well-lit and well-ventilated space can help create a comfortable environment. Ensure that the room is adequately lit and has proper airflow to enhance your overall experience.

If a specific pose or practice consistently exacerbates your symptoms, it’s best to avoid it and explore alternative options that promote balance, stability, and comfort. Your well-being is a priority, so adjust your practice as needed and seek guidance from a qualified yoga instructor or healthcare professional. With the right approach and a consistent yoga practice, individuals can find relief and regain their equilibrium.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, yoga can be beneficial for individuals experiencing vertigo and dizziness. Certain yoga poses and practices can help improve balance, coordination, and body awareness, which are essential for managing symptoms related to vertigo and dizziness.

Some yoga poses that are often recommended for vertigo and dizziness include Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana), and Child’s Pose (Balasana). However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified yoga instructor for personalized guidance.

Yes, certain breathing techniques in yoga, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing, equal breathing (Sama Vritti Pranayama), alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama), and cooling breath (Sheetali Pranayama), can help manage vertigo and dizziness by promoting relaxation, calming the mind, and improving focus.

Yes, it’s important to take precautions when practicing yoga with vertigo or dizziness. Some precautions include informing your yoga instructor about your symptoms, choosing a safe practice environment, taking it slow and listening to your body, modifying poses as needed, avoiding rapid transitions and abrupt movements, staying well-hydrated, and maintaining proper lighting and ventilation.

Yes, it is highly recommended to speak to a healthcare professional or an experienced yoga instructor before starting yoga for vertigo and dizziness. They can provide personalized guidance, assess your condition, and suggest appropriate yoga practices that suit your specific needs and limitations.

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How Do Personal Trainers Incorporate HIIT Into Workout Routines? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-personal-trainers-incorporate-hiit-into-workout-routines/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34065 The post How Do Personal Trainers Incorporate HIIT Into Workout Routines? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into workout routines is a valuable tool for personal trainers to help clients achieve their fitness goals. HIIT involves varying periods of intense exercise with short recovery periods, maximizing calorie burn, and improving cardiovascular fitness. Personal trainers can implement HIIT in various ways to create effective and engaging workouts.

Personal trainers can incorporate HIIT into workout routines in several ways:

  • Designing Circuit Workouts: Personal trainers can create circuit-style workouts that alternate between high-intensity exercises and short rest periods. Clients perform a series of exercises targeting different muscle groups, maximizing calorie burn and cardiovascular benefits.
  • Tabata Training: Tabata is a popular form of HIIT that involves performing an exercise at maximum intensity for 20 seconds followed by a 10-second rest. This pattern is repeated for multiple rounds, typically totalling four minutes. Personal trainers can incorporate Tabata intervals into cardio exercises like sprints, burpees, or jumping jacks.
  • Interval Training on Cardio Machines: Personal trainers can prescribe interval training on cardio machines, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, or rowing machines. This involves varying between short bursts of high-intensity effort and recovery periods, improving cardiovascular fitness and calorie burn.
  • Incorporating Plyometric Exercises: Plyometric exercises, such as box jumps, squat jumps, or medicine ball slams, can be integrated into a workout routine to add explosive and high-intensity movements. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups and elevate heart rate, making them ideal for HIIT
  • Implementing Supersets: Personal trainers can create supersets, where clients perform two exercises back-to-back without rest. By combining compound movements, such as squats and push-ups, clients can experience the benefits of HIIT while challenging different muscle groups.
  • Utilizing Timed Intervals: Personal trainers can set specific time intervals for clients to perform exercises at high intensity, followed by a short recovery period. This allows clients to push their limits and increase their overall fitness level.
  • Incorporating Functional HIIT Workouts: Personal trainers can design HIIT workouts that focus on functional movements like kettlebell swings, battle ropes, or bodyweight exercises. These exercises simulate real-life activities and engage multiple muscle groups, providing a full-body workout.
  • Customizing Work-to-Rest Ratios: Depending on the client’s fitness level and goals, personal trainers can adjust the work-to-rest ratios in HIIT workouts. This customization allows for progressive overload and ensures the workout is challenging yet manageable.
  • Monitoring and Adjusting Intensity: Personal trainers closely monitor clients during HIIT workouts to ensure proper form and safety. They can modify exercises or adjust intensity levels based on individual needs, making the workouts effective and suitable for all fitness levels.
  • Progression and Variety: Personal trainers continually progress HIIT workouts by increasing the intensity, duration, or complexity of exercises over time. They also incorporate variety by introducing new exercises and formats to keep the workouts engaging and prevent plateaus.

What Are The Benefits Of Incorporating HIIT Into My Workout Routine?

Integrating HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) into your workout routine offers numerous benefits. Firstly, HIIT workouts are time-efficient, allowing you to achieve maximum calorie burn and fitness gains in a shorter duration compared to traditional cardio exercises. Additionally, the intense bursts of activity during HIIT elevate your heart rate and metabolism, resulting in increased calorie burn even after the workout. This makes HIIT effective for weight loss and improving body composition.

Moreover, HIIT challenges your cardiovascular system, enhancing your aerobic and anaerobic capacity and improving overall cardiovascular fitness. It also assists with preserving lean muscle mass while burning fat, promoting muscle growth and strength development. HIIT stimulates the creation of human growth hormone (HGH), which supports muscle development, fat burning, and metabolism.

Regular HIIT training can also improve endurance and stamina, benefiting performance in various physical activities and sports. The flexibility and variety of HIIT workouts prevent boredom and promote long-term adherence to exercise. HIIT can be modified to suit different fitness levels, making it accessible to individuals of varying abilities. Furthermore, HIIT can lead to metabolic adaptations such as improved insulin sensitivity, efficient oxygen utilization, and enhanced fat oxidation. Lastly, HIIT workouts release endorphins, boosting mood, reducing stress levels, and increasing energy levels, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

How Often Should I Do HIIT Workouts To See Results?

The frequency of HIIT workouts required to see results depends on various factors, including your fitness level, goals, and overall training routine. As a general guideline, incorporating two to three HIIT sessions per week can be effective for most individuals. This allows for adequate recovery between sessions while still providing enough stimulus to elicit fitness gains.

It’s important to note that HIIT workouts are highly intense and place significant stress on your body. Therefore, it’s crucial to listen to your body and allow for proper recovery between sessions. Recovery days or low-intensity workouts can be included in your weekly routine to give your body the necessary rest and prevent overtraining.

Additionally, the duration of each HIIT session can vary depending on your fitness level and the specific exercises and intervals used. Typically, a HIIT session ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down periods. However, shorter or longer sessions can be customized based on individual needs and preferences.

Incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into your workout routine offers numerous benefits. Personal trainers can implement HIIT in various ways, such as circuit workouts, Tabata training, interval training on cardio machines, plyometric exercises, supersets, timed intervals, functional HIIT workouts, and customization of work-to-rest ratios. These strategies help maximize calorie burn, improve cardiovascular fitness, preserve muscle mass, enhance metabolism, increase endurance and stamina, provide flexibility and variety, and offer metabolic and mental benefits. To see results, it is recommended to incorporate HIIT workouts two to three times per week, allowing for proper recovery between sessions. Remember to listen to your body, gradually progress your workouts, and consult with a qualified fitness professional for personalized guidance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

HIIT involves varying between short bursts of intense exercise and brief recovery periods. Personal trainers incorporate HIIT into workout routines by designing circuit workouts, utilizing Tabata training, incorporating interval training on cardio machines, implementing plyometric exercises, and utilizing timed intervals.

Incorporating HIIT into workout routines offers benefits such as time efficiency, increased calorie burn, improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle preservation, enhanced metabolism, increased endurance and stamina, flexibility and variety, accessibility, metabolic adaptations, and mental benefits.

The frequency of HIIT workouts depends on factors like your fitness level, goals, and overall training routine. Generally, incorporating two to three HIIT sessions per week can be effective. It’s important to allow for adequate recovery between sessions and listen to your body to prevent overtraining.

Yes, HIIT workouts can be modified to suit different fitness levels. Personal trainers can customize the work-to-rest ratios, intensity levels, and exercise selection to ensure the workouts are challenging yet manageable for individuals of varying abilities and experience.

Personal trainers closely monitor clients during HIIT workouts to ensure proper form and safety. They can modify exercises, adjust intensity levels, and provide guidance based on individual needs and abilities. This ensures that the workouts are effective and suitable for each client’s fitness level.

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What Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Do? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-strength-and-conditioning-coaches-do/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34057 The post What Do Strength And Conditioning Coaches Do? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Strength and conditioning coaches play an extremely important role in helping athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and people – who are looking for improved physical performance – achieve their goals. Their expertise lies in designing and implementing specialised training programmes that enhance strength, conditioning, and overall athletic performance.

Whether you’re an athlete looking to excel in your sport or someone who wants to improve their overall fitness level, understanding what strength and conditioning coaches do can shed light on the valuable guidance and support they provide.

In this article, we will delve into the multifaceted world of strength and conditioning coaches. We will explore their core responsibilities, the principles they apply, and the impact they have on athletes and people striving for peak physical performance. From strength training and conditioning exercises to personalised fitness programmes and optimising athletic performance, we will uncover the essential aspects of their profession.

Strength And Conditioning Coaches: Exploring Their Vital Role In Athletic Training

Strength and conditioning coaches play a very important role in athletic training, working closely with athletes to optimise their physical performance and overall fitness levels. These coaches are knowledgeable professionals who specialise in designing and implementing training programmes tailored to the specific needs of athletes. By focusing on strength, power, endurance, and other physical attributes, they aim to enhance athletic abilities and maximise performance potential.

H2: Enhancing Athletic Abilities: The Role Of Strength And Conditioning Coaches

Strength and conditioning coaches play a pivotal role in enhancing athletic abilities across various sports and disciplines. Their expertise lies in developing comprehensive training programmes that focus on improving physical attributes, optimising performance, and reducing the risk of injuries. Through their guidance, athletes are able to reach new levels of strength, speed, agility, endurance, and overall fitness.

Key Responsibilities Of Strength And Conditioning Coaches In Sports Training

Strength and conditioning coaches play a significant role in sports training, with a range of key responsibilities. As we’ve said before, their expertise lies in developing and implementing specialised training programmes aimed at enhancing athletes’ physical performance and overall conditioning.

One of the primary responsibilities of strength and conditioning coaches is assessing athletes. They conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine athletes’ physical abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. These assessments provide valuable insights that inform the design of individualised training programmes tailored to meet the specific needs of each athlete.

Based on the assessment results, strength and conditioning coaches design training programmes that are structured, progressive, and target specific areas such as strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, and flexibility. These are customised to align with the demands of the specific sport and the athlete’s position within it.

During training sessions, strength and conditioning coaches provide guidance and supervision. They ensure that athletes perform exercises correctly, utilising proper form and technique, and maintain safety throughout their workouts. They offer feedback and make necessary corrections to optimise performance and prevent injuries.

Monitoring athletes’ progress is another crucial responsibility of strength and conditioning coaches. They closely track performance metrics, measure physical improvements, and analyse relevant data. By using tools such as strength tests, speed assessments, and body composition measurements, coaches evaluate the effectiveness of the training programmes. They then make adjustments and modifications as needed to maximise performance gains.

The Impact Of Strength And Conditioning Coaches On Athlete Development

Strength and conditioning coaches are knowledgeable professionals who specialise in designing and implementing training programmes tailored to the specific needs of athletes. By focusing on strength, power, endurance, and other physical attributes, they aim to enhance athletic abilities and maximise performance potential.

Effective Training Programmes By Strength And Conditioning Coaches

Strength and conditioning coaches play a crucial role in enhancing the athletic performance of individual athletes or teams. They are responsible for designing and implementing training programmes that are tailored to address the specific needs and goals of each athlete. These programs are carefully crafted to optimise physical conditioning, improve performance, prevent injuries, and support overall athlete development.

Here are the key components of effective programmes designed by strength and conditioning coaches:

  • Goal Setting: These coaches work closely with people to establish specific fitness goals. They help clients define realistic and measurable objectives, such as improving strength, endurance, or agility.
  • Individualized Training Programmes: Effective sports and conditioning coaches create customised programmes tailored to each person’s needs and abilities. They assess clients’ current fitness levels, medical history, and training preferences to design plans that address their unique requirements.
  • Proper Technique and Form: Coaches emphasise the importance of proper technique and form. They teach clients correct exercise execution to maximise efficiency, prevent injuries, and ensure optimal results. Regular feedback and corrections help clients maintain proper form throughout their training sessions.
  • Progressive Overload: Strength and conditioning coaches employ principle of progressive overload, gradually increasing training intensity, duration, or resistance over time. This approach challenges the body to adapt and improve, preventing plateaus and promoting continuous progress.
  • Periodisation: Sports and conditioning coaches utilise periodisation techniques to structure training programmes into distinct phases. This helps to optimise performance and prevent overtraining.

 

Strength and conditioning coaches play a vital role in helping people achieve their fitness goals and optimise their athletic performance. Their expertise lies in designing and implementing specialised training programmes that focus on strength, conditioning, and overall fitness.

By incorporating key components such as goal setting, individualised training programmes, proper technique, progressive overload, and periodisation, these coaches ensure effective fitness training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Strength and conditioning coaches are professionals who design and implement training programmes to enhance a person’s physical performance and overall fitness. They focus on developing strength, power, endurance, agility, and other physical attributes to optimise athletic abilities.

These coaches conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate an athlete’s physical abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. These assessments may include strength tests, movement screenings, flexibility assessments, and performance evaluations specific to the sport or activity.

They design individualised training programmes tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of athletes. These programmes may include strength training exercises, conditioning drills, speed and agility work, flexibility training, and injury prevention strategies.

While both strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers focus on fitness and physical training, there are some key differences in their roles and areas of expertise.

A strength and conditioning coach primarily works with athletes or people who have specific performance goals, such as improving athletic performance or excelling in a particular sport. They design and implement training programmes that target specific physical attributes and address the demands of the sport or activity.

On the other hand, a personal trainer typically works with a broader range of clients, including those who aim to improve general fitness, lose weight, or enhance overall health. Personal trainers focus on creating individualised exercise programmes, providing guidance on proper form and technique, and offering support and motivation to help clients reach their fitness goals.

These coaches use various methods to monitor an athlete’s progress. They track performance metrics such as strength gains, speed improvements, and endurance levels. They may also use body composition measurements, movement analysis, and regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program and make necessary adjustments.

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Can Barre Pilates Help With Body Alignment During Pregnancy? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/can-barre-pilates-help-with-body-alignment-during-pregnancy/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34034 The post Can Barre Pilates Help With Body Alignment During Pregnancy? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Barre Pilates can be beneficial for maintaining proper body alignment during pregnancy. The exercises in barre Pilates focus on strengthening the core muscles, improving posture, and enhancing overall body alignment. By practicing barre Pilates, pregnant women can develop better body awareness and stability, which can help alleviate discomfort and promote optimal body alignment during pregnancy. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or a certified prenatal fitness instructor before starting any exercise program during pregnancy to ensure safety and suitability for individual circumstances.

Can I Continue Practicing Barre Pilates During Pregnancy?

Before making any decisions regarding your fitness routine during pregnancy, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified prenatal fitness specialist. They will be able to provide personalized guidance based on your specific health status and any potential risks or considerations associated with your pregnancy.

In general, exercise during pregnancy is considered beneficial for both the mother and the baby, as it can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce pregnancy discomfort, and improve overall well-being. However, the safety and appropriateness of specific exercises, such as barre Pilates, can vary depending on various factors.

Barre Pilates combines elements of ballet, Pilates, and strength training, focusing on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness. While many pregnant women can continue some form of Pilates during pregnancy, it’s important to modify certain exercises to accommodate the changes in your body and to avoid activities that may pose a risk.

Here are a few general considerations to keep in mind if you’re considering continuing barre Pilates during pregnancy:

  • Consult your healthcare provider: Always discuss your exercise plans with your healthcare provider to ensure there are no contraindications or specific restrictions based on your individual health and pregnancy.
  • Find a prenatal-friendly instructor: Look for a qualified instructor who has experience working with pregnant women. They will be able to guide you through modifications and appropriate exercises that are safe for pregnancy.
  • Modify your routine: As your pregnancy progresses, your body goes through changes that affect your balance, joint stability, and abdominal muscles. Work with your instructor to modify exercises that avoid excessive strain on your joints, minimize the risk of falling, and prevent excessive abdominal pressure.
  • Be cautious with certain movements: Avoid exercises that encompass lying flat on your back for extended periods, as this can potentially decrease blood flow to the uterus. Instead, use props or perform exercises in a semi-reclined position to maintain good blood circulation.
  • Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body feels during exercise. If you experience any pain, dizziness, or discomfort, stop and consult your healthcare provider.

Are There Specific Barre Pilates Exercises That Can Help Improve Body Alignment While Pregnant?

During pregnancy, specific Barre Pilates exercises can be beneficial for improving body alignment. These exercises primarily target core strength, posture improvement, and overall body awareness. However, it’s crucial to recognize that each woman’s pregnancy is unique. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider or a qualified prenatal fitness specialist before attempting any new exercises. They can offer personalized guidance based on individual needs and considerations.

Here are a few examples of Barre Pilates exercises that may help enhance body alignment during pregnancy:

  • Pelvic Tilt: Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart and placing your hands on your hips. Engage your abdominal muscles and gently tilt your pelvis forward and backward. Concentrate on keeping a neutral spine during the entire movement.
  • Standing Leg Lifts: Stand upright next to a barre or sturdy support. Hold onto the barre for balance and lift one leg to the side while keeping your pelvis stable and your core engaged. Lower the leg back down and repeat the movement on the other side.
  • Plie Squats: Start by standing with your feet wider than hip-width apart, toes turned slightly outward. Make sure that you engage your core, keeping your back straight, and lower into a squat position, ensuring that your knees track over your toes. Return to the beginning position and repeat the movement.
  • Modified Push-Ups: Place your hands shoulder-width apart on an elevated surface, such as a sturdy barre or countertop. Step back into a modified push-up position, ensuring that your body forms a straight line from head to heels. Bend your elbows and then lower your chest toward the barre, then push back up to the starting position.
  • Cat-Cow Stretch: Assume a position on your hands and knees, aligning your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Inhale deeply and arch your back, lifting your chest and tailbone toward the ceiling (Cow Pose). Breathe out and round your back, tucking your chin and tailbone under (Cat Pose). Repeat this gentle spinal movement, focusing on maintaining stability and alignment.

Practicing barre Pilates can be beneficial for improving body alignment during pregnancy. The exercises in barre Pilates target core strength, posture improvement, and overall body awareness, which can contribute to better alignment and stability. However, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider or a certified prenatal fitness specialist before commencing or continuing any exercise routine during pregnancy to ensure safety and suitability for individual circumstances. They can provide personalized guidance and help modify exercises as needed. By incorporating specific barre Pilates exercises into a prenatal fitness routine, pregnant women can enhance body alignment, alleviate discomfort, and promote overall well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Barre Pilates focuses on strengthening core muscles, improving posture, and enhancing body awareness, which can contribute to better alignment during pregnancy.

Yes, exercises like pelvic tilts, standing leg lifts, plie squats, modified push-ups, and cat-cow stretches in Barre Pilates can help improve body alignment during pregnancy.

While many pregnant women can safely practice Barre Pilates, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider or prenatal fitness specialist for personalized guidance and to ensure suitability based on individual circumstances.

Yes, by strengthening core muscles and improving posture, Barre Pilates can help alleviate postural issues such as rounded shoulders, excessive lordosis (swayback), and anterior pelvic tilt that are commonly experienced during pregnancy.

The frequency of Barre Pilates practice during pregnancy may vary based on individual needs and preferences. It’s generally recommended to engage in regular, moderate exercise, including Barre Pilates, most days of the week, but it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

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What Are Some Effective Ways To Incorporate Strength Training With Aerobics Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/some-effective-ways-to-incorporate-strength-training-with-aerobics-exercises/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34043 The post What Are Some Effective Ways To Incorporate Strength Training With Aerobics Exercises? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Incorporating strength training with aerobics exercises can take your fitness routine to the next level. By combining these two elements, you can enhance your cardiovascular fitness while building strength and toning your muscles. There are various effective ways to merge strength training with aerobics, providing a well-rounded workout that targets both your cardiovascular system and your muscular strength.

Here are some effective ways to combine strength training and aerobics:

  • Circuit Training: Create a circuit workout that alternates between aerobic exercises and strength exercises. For example, perform a set of jumping jacks or high knees followed by a set of squats or lunges. Repeat this sequence for multiple rounds to target both cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
  • Interval Training: Combine aerobic intervals with strength intervals during your workout. Alternate between high-intensity aerobic exercises such as sprints or burpees and strength exercises like push-ups or dumbbell curls. This method keeps your heart rate elevated while challenging your muscles.
  • Bodyweight Exercises: Incorporate bodyweight exercises into your aerobics routine. Exercises like push-ups, squats, planks, and lunges engage multiple muscle groups and provide strength-building benefits. Perform these exercises in between aerobic movements to work on muscle strength and endurance.
  • Resistance Bands: Utilize resistance bands during your aerobic exercises to add resistance and strengthen your muscles. For example, you can perform bicep curls, lateral raises, or rows while incorporating resistance bands into your cardio routine. This helps improve muscle tone and strength.
  • Weighted Vest or Hand Weights: Add extra resistance to your aerobic exercises by wearing a weighted vest or holding hand weights. This increases the intensity and engages your muscles more effectively. Examples include jogging or jumping rope while wearing a weighted vest or incorporating dumbbell exercises into your aerobic routine.
  • Combination Exercises: Perform exercises that combine aerobic movements with strength exercises. Examples include squat jumps, lunge kicks, or mountain climbers with push-ups. These exercises challenge both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength simultaneously.
  • HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): HIIT workouts involve short bursts of intense aerobic exercises combined with strength exercises. For instance, perform a series of exercises like jump squats, kettlebell swings, or medicine ball slams followed by brief rest periods. Repeat this cycle to elevate your heart rate while building strength.
  • Group Fitness Classes: Join group fitness classes that incorporate both aerobic and strength training elements. Classes like boot camp, CrossFit, or cardio kickboxing often combine cardio exercises with bodyweight exercises or equipment-based strength training for a comprehensive workout.
  • Functional Training: Focus on functional exercises that mimic everyday movements while incorporating strength training. Exercises like squats with overhead presses, walking lunges with bicep curls, or planks with rowing motions engage multiple muscle groups and improve overall strength.

What Are Some Examples Of Circuit Training Routines That Incorporate Both Strength Training And Aerobics Exercises?

Circuit training routines that incorporate both strength training and aerobics exercises offer a well-rounded workout, targeting cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength simultaneously. Here are some examples of circuit training routines that effectively combine these elements.

Cardio Circuit

One example is the Cardio Circuit, where you alternate between aerobic exercises and strength exercises. For instance, you can begin with one minute of jumping jacks to get your heart rate up, followed by a set of push-ups to work your upper body. Then, move on to one minute of high knees for a cardio burst and follow it with a set of squats to engage your lower body. Repeat this sequence for multiple rounds to challenge your entire body.

Full-Body Circuit

Another option is the Full-Body Circuit, which incorporates exercises targeting different muscle groups alongside aerobic movements. Start with a set of burpees to elevate your heart rate and activate your entire body. Then, transition to strength exercises such as lunges, dumbbell curls, shoulder presses, and planks. Perform each exercise for a designated number of repetitions before moving on to the next. Repeat the circuit for a comprehensive full-body workout.

Resistance

You can also incorporate resistance bands into your circuit training routine. Begin with a resistance band rowing exercise to engage your back muscles and simultaneously perform jumping jacks or mountain climbers to elevate your heart rate. Continue with resistance band squats or lunges to work your lower body and finish the circuit with tricep dips or bicep curls using the bands for upper body strength. This variation adds resistance and challenges your muscles further.

Plyometric Circuit

For those seeking a higher intensity workout, a Plyometric Circuit is an option. This circuit combines explosive, plyometric exercises with strength exercises. Begin with box jumps or jump squats to enhance power and explosiveness. Then, switch to exercises like push-ups, burpees, kettlebell swings, and jumping lunges to target muscle strength. Repeat the circuit with appropriate rest intervals between exercises to maximize your workout.

Core and Cardio Circuit

The Core and Cardio Circuit focuses on strengthening your core while incorporating aerobic movements. Start with core exercises like planks, Russian twists, or bicycle crunches to engage and stabilize your core muscles. Then, perform aerobic exercises such as jumping rope, high knees, or running in place to elevate your heart rate. Alternate between core exercises and cardio bursts to challenge your core strength and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Are There Specific Bodyweight Exercises That Are Effective For Combining Strength Training With Aerobics?

there are several bodyweight exercises that are highly effective for combining strength training with aerobics. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups, increase your heart rate, and provide a challenging workout without the need for equipment. Here are some specific bodyweight exercises you can incorporate:

  • Burpees: Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines cardio and strength training. Start in a standing position, drop into a squat, kick back your legs into a plank pose, perform a push-up, jump your feet back to the squat position, and finish with an explosive jump. This exercise targets your legs, core, chest, and arms while elevating your heart rate.
  • Mountain Climbers: Mountain climbers are a dynamic exercise that works your core, shoulders, and legs while providing an aerobic challenge. Begin in a high plank position and alternate bringing your knees towards your chest as if running. Maintain a quick and controlled pace to keep your heart rate up.
  • Jump Squats: Jump squats are an explosive exercise that strengthens your lower body and engages your cardiovascular system. Start with a regular squat and explode upwards into a jump, then land softly and immediately go into the next squat. This exercise targets your quads, glutes, and calves while increasing your heart rate.
  • Plyometric Lunges: Plyometric lunges combine the benefits of lunges with explosive movements. Start in a lunge pose with one leg forward and the other leg back. From there, explosively switch legs in mid-air, landing with the opposite leg forward. This exercise concentrates on your leg muscles, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, while providing a cardiovascular challenge.
  • Jumping Jacks: Jumping jacks are a classic aerobic exercise that engages your entire body. Start with your feet together and arms by your sides, then jump while spreading your legs out to the sides and simultaneously raising your arms above your head. Jump back to the starting position and repeat. This exercise increases your heart rate while working your leg muscles and shoulders.
  • Plank Jacks: Plank jacks combine the core-strengthening benefits of planks with a cardiovascular element. Start in a high plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Jump both feet out to the sides and back in, similar to the motion of a jumping jack. Maintain a stable core throughout the exercise.

These bodyweight exercises can be performed in a circuit format or integrated into a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout to combine strength training with aerobics effectively. Remember to maintain proper form, start at a comfortable intensity, and gradually increase the difficulty as your fitness level improves. Combining these exercises into your fitness routine can provide a well-rounded workout, improve your cardiovascular endurance, and strengthen your muscles without the need for equipment or a gym.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can incorporate both elements by performing circuit training, interval training, or combining exercises that target both cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength.

Examples of bodyweight exercises that effectively combine strength training with aerobics include burpees, mountain climbers, jump squats, plyometric lunges, and jumping jacks.

Yes, circuit training routines, HIIT workouts, and group fitness classes such as boot camp or CrossFit often incorporate both strength training and aerobic exercises for a comprehensive workout.

Absolutely! Resistance bands can be incorporated into your aerobic exercises to provide resistance and strengthen your muscles. Similarly, wearing a weighted vest or holding hand weights can add extra resistance and intensity to your aerobic movements.

The frequency of incorporating strength training with aerobics exercises depends on your fitness goals and overall workout routine. Aim for at least two to three days a week of dedicated strength training alongside your regular aerobic workouts for optimal results.

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Can Pilates Benefit Individuals With Scoliosis? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/can-pilates-benefit-individuals-with-scoliosis/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34024 The post Can Pilates Benefit Individuals With Scoliosis? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Pilates can be beneficial for individuals with scoliosis, which is a condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, which can cause imbalances in muscle strength and flexibility. Pilates, with its focus on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness, can help improve posture, alignment, and overall body symmetry, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with scoliosis.

Here are some potential benefits of Pilates for individuals with scoliosis:

  • Core Strengthening: Pilates exercises target the deep abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, and back muscles, which can help strengthen the core. A strong core provides stability and support for the spine, enhancing posture and reducing strain on the affected areas.
  • Improved Flexibility: Pilates incorporates stretching exercises that can help improve flexibility and joint mobility. Increasing flexibility can help alleviate muscle imbalances and reduce the severity of the spinal curvature.
  • Body Awareness: Pilates emphasizes body awareness and proper alignment. Through Pilates exercises, individuals with scoliosis can develop a better understanding of their body’s alignment and learn to make adjustments to improve their posture and alignment throughout their daily activities.
  • Balanced Muscle Development: Scoliosis can lead to muscle imbalances due to the asymmetrical nature of the condition. Pilates exercises aim to promote balanced muscle development by working both sides of the body equally. This can help improve muscular symmetry and reduce muscular imbalances.
  • Pain Relief: While Pilates may not directly treat the curvature of the spine, it can help alleviate pain associated with scoliosis. Strengthening the core and improving holistic body alignment can help reduce strain on the spine, leading to decreased discomfort.

What Causes Scoliosis?

As we said above, scoliosis is a condition that is characterized by an unusual curvature of the spine, and its causes can vary. Based on the underlying cause, scoliosis can be classified into different types. The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis, which accounts for about 80% of cases. Idiopathic scoliosis refers to cases where the cause is unknown. It typically emerges during adolescence and affects both boys and girls, even though girls are more likely to experience progressive curves.

Another type is congenital scoliosis, which is present at birth and arises from abnormal spinal development during foetal growth. It is caused by vertebral abnormalities, such as partially formed or fused vertebrae.

Neuromuscular scoliosis is associated with neurological or muscular conditions that affect muscle control and coordination. Conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and spina bifida can contribute to the development of neuromuscular scoliosis.

Degenerative scoliosis, also known as adult-onset scoliosis, occurs later in life due to age-related degenerative changes in the spine. Conditions such as osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, and arthritis can contribute to the development of degenerative scoliosis.

Some genetic syndromes are associated with scoliosis as one of their features, leading to what is called syndromic scoliosis. Examples of such syndromes include Marfan syndrome, Down syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Additionally, scoliosis can develop as secondary scoliosis in response to an underlying factor or event. This could include a spinal injury, surgical intervention, or an imbalance in leg length.

Identifying the cause of scoliosis is important in determining appropriate treatment approaches. Medical professionals conduct thorough evaluations, including medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests, to diagnose the underlying cause and guide treatment decisions accordingly.

Are There Any Specific Pilates Exercises That Are Beneficial For Scoliosis?

There are specific Pilates exercises that can be beneficial for individuals with scoliosis. However, it’s important to note that the specific exercises should be tailored to each individual’s needs and the severity of their scoliosis. Working with a qualified Pilates instructor who has experience working with scoliosis is recommended to ensure safe and effective exercise selection. Here are some general Pilates exercises that are often recommended for individuals with scoliosis:

  • Pelvic Tilts: This exercise helps develop awareness of the pelvic alignment and engages the deep core muscles. Lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Inhale to prepare, then exhale and tilt the pelvis to press your lower back gently into the floor. Inhale to return to neutral position. Repeat several times.
  • Single Leg Stretch: This exercise targets abdominal and hip flexor strength while promoting stability and control. Lie on your back with knees bent and shins parallel to the floor. Bring one of your knees towards your chest while extending the opposite leg straight. Switch legs while maintaining a stable torso. Continue alternating legs while breathing smoothly.
  • Spine Twist: This exercise helps improve spinal mobility and rotation. Sit up tall. Have your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Cross one leg over the other, placing the foot on the floor. Breathe in to lengthen the spine, then exhale and rotate your torso towards the crossed leg. Keep the spine tall and shoulders relaxed. Return to the centre and repeat on the other side.
  • Side Leg Lift Series: This exercise targets the muscles of the hip, buttocks, and outer thighs while promoting stability and alignment. Lie on your side with legs stacked and aligned with the torso. Lift your top leg to a very comfortable height while maintaining stability in the torso. Lower the leg with control. Repeat several times on each side.
  • Cat-Camel Stretch: This exercise helps improve spinal mobility and promotes spinal alignment. Start off on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Inhale, arch your back, and then lift your head and tailbone towards the ceiling (cat position). Exhale, drop your head, and round your back, bringing your tailbone under (camel position). Repeat the movement smoothly, focusing on the articulation of the spine.
  • Chest Expansion: This exercise helps open the chest, stretch the front of the shoulders, and improve posture. Stand tall with your arms extended forward at shoulder height. Inhale to prepare, then exhale and draw your shoulder blades down while opening your arms wide to the sides. Inhale to return to the starting position. Repeat several times.

Pilates can offer numerous benefits for individuals with scoliosis. It can help strengthen the core muscles, improve flexibility, promote body awareness, and facilitate balanced muscle development. While it may not directly correct the spinal curvature associated with scoliosis, Pilates can contribute to better posture, alignment, and pain relief. It is essential to work with a qualified Pilates instructor who can design a customized program based on the individual’s specific needs and scoliosis severity. Additionally, identifying the underlying cause of scoliosis is crucial for appropriate treatment approaches, and medical professionals can conduct thorough evaluations to determine the cause and guide treatment decisions accordingly.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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Frequently Asked Questions

No, Pilates cannot cure scoliosis. However, it can help improve posture, alignment, and muscle imbalances associated with scoliosis, leading to potential benefits such as pain relief and enhanced body awareness.

It is quite wise to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist prior to starting any new exercise program, including Pilates, especially if you have scoliosis. They can offer personalized guidance based on your specific condition and recommend appropriate modifications or precautions.

When performed correctly and under the guidance of a qualified instructor, Pilates is generally safe for individuals with scoliosis. However, it is essential to work with an experienced instructor who can tailor the exercises to your needs and monitor your form to ensure that Pilates does not worsen your condition.

The timeline for seeing results from Pilates for scoliosis can vary depending on various factors, including the severity of the scoliosis, individual progress, consistency of practice, and adherence to proper technique. Some individuals may notice improvements in posture, strength, and flexibility within a few weeks to a few months of regular Pilates practice.

Yes, besides Pilates, other exercises and therapies can also benefit individuals with scoliosis. These may include physical therapy, yoga, specific stretching techniques, and targeted strength training exercises. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist to determine the most suitable options based on your specific condition and needs.

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Can Personal Training Help With Improving Mental Focus And Concentration? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-personal-training-help-with-improving-mental-focus-and-concentration/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34010 The post Can Personal Training Help With Improving Mental Focus And Concentration? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Personal training can indeed help improve mental focus and concentration. While personal training primarily focuses on physical fitness and strength, the benefits extend beyond the physical realm and positively impact cognitive functions as well.

Physical Activity And Brain Function

Engaging in regular physical activity, such as the exercises prescribed by a personal trainer, has been shown to have incredibly positive effects on brain health and cognitive function. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, promotes the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that enhance brain function, and stimulates the growth of new neurons.

Stress Reduction

Physical activity, including personal training sessions, is an effective way to manage and reduce stress. Regular exercise has been found to decrease anxiety and depression while improving mood and overall mental well-being. By reducing stress levels, personal training can create an environment conducive to improved focus and concentration.

Cognitive Engagement

Personal training often involves a variety of exercises, techniques, and movements that require focus, coordination, and mental engagement. Learning new exercises, mastering proper form, and following workout routines demand concentration, which can improve mental focus and attention.

Goal Setting And Accountability

Working with a personal trainer involves setting specific goals and creating a structured plan to achieve them. Personal trainers help clients establish realistic targets and provide accountability throughout the process. This goal-oriented approach can foster a sense of purpose and motivation, enhancing mental focus and concentration to stay on track.

Mind-Body Connection

Personal training emphasizes the connection between the mind and body. Through exercises like yoga, Pilates, or mindfulness practices incorporated into training sessions, individuals can enhance their mind-body awareness and develop techniques for mental focus, concentration, and mindfulness. This can carry over into various aspects of life beyond the training sessions.

Improved Sleep Quality

Regular exercise, which is a crucial component of personal training, can improve sleep quality and duration. Sufficient and restful sleep is crucial for cognitive function, including focus and concentration. By promoting better sleep, personal training indirectly supports mental focus and concentration during waking hours.

How Long Does It Take To See Improvements In Mental Focus Through Personal Training?

The time it takes to see improvements in mental focus and concentration through personal training can vary dependent on a number of different factors, including the individual’s starting point, frequency of training, consistency, and overall lifestyle. It is important to note that everyone’s response to exercise and the timeline for improvements can differ. However, here are some general considerations:

  • Short-term effects: Engaging in a single bout of exercise, including personal training sessions, can have immediate positive effects on mental focus and concentration. Exercise boosts blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, leading to temporary enhancements in cognitive function and mental clarity. These effects can be experienced shortly after the exercise session and may last for a few hours.
  • Medium-term effects: With consistent participation in personal training, typically over a period of a few weeks to a couple of months, individuals may start to notice more sustained improvements in mental focus and concentration. Regular exercise has been associated with structural and functional changes in the brain, such as increased neural connections and improved neurotransmitter function. These adaptations can lead to enhanced cognitive performance and better mental focus over time.
  • Long-term effects: Long-term engagement in personal training, typically over several months or more, can result in more profound and lasting improvements in mental focus and concentration. Regular physical activity has been linked to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections. Over time, this can lead to enhanced cognitive function, including improved attention, concentration, and mental performance.

Are There Specific Exercises That Are Particularly Effective For Enhancing Mental Focus?

There are particular types of exercises and training methods that have been found to be particularly effective in enhancing mental focus and concentration. Mindfulness meditation is one such method that involves directing attention to the present moment and cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, sensations, and surroundings. Regular practice of mindfulness has been shown to improve attention control, cognitive flexibility, and overall mental focus.

Yoga, which combines physical postures, breath control, and meditation, is another practice that can enhance mental focus and concentration. The deliberate movements, controlled breathing, and focused attention involved in yoga contribute to improved mindfulness, concentration, and mental clarity.

Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art characterized by slow and fluid movements accompanied by deep breathing, promotes relaxation, body awareness, and concentration. The mindful nature of Tai Chi practice enhances mental focus and clarity.

Interval training, which is a form of exercise that involves alternating between high-intensity periods and periods of rest or lower intensity, challenges the mind by requiring focus and mental resilience during intense bursts of activity. This type of training can significantly enhance mental focus and concentration.

Engaging in exercises that require coordination and balance, such as certain dance styles or activities like slacklining, also contribute to improved cognitive skills. These exercises demand mental engagement and concentration, leading to enhanced focus, attention, and coordination.

Dual-task training, which involves performing physical exercises while simultaneously engaging in a cognitive task, is another effective method for enhancing mental focus and concentration. This type of training challenges the brain to multitask, resulting in improved attention, focus, and cognitive performance.

Finally, outdoor activities such as hiking, trail running, or nature walks offer benefits for mental focus and concentration. The combination of physical activity, exposure to natural environments, and fresh air has been shown to positively impact cognitive function.

Personal training can be a very valuable tool for improving mental focus and concentration. Through physical activity, stress reduction, cognitive engagement, goal setting, and the mind-body connection fostered by personal training, individuals can experience positive effects on their mental faculties. While the timeline for seeing improvements may vary, consistent engagement in personal training over time can lead to sustained enhancements in mental focus and concentration.

Additionally, specific types of exercises and training methods such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, interval training, coordination and balance exercises, dual-task training, and outdoor activities have been found to be particularly effective in sharpening mental focus and concentration. By incorporating these practices into a well-rounded fitness routine, individuals can optimize their cognitive abilities and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with heightened mental acuity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training combines physical exercise with cognitive engagement, goal setting, and stress reduction, leading to improved blood flow to the brain, enhanced cognitive function, and reduced stress levels, all of which contribute to improved mental focus and concentration.

Yes, exercises such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, interval training, and coordination and balance exercises have been found to be particularly effective in enhancing mental focus and concentration.

Yes, personal training can be beneficial for individuals with attention deficit disorders, as it promotes structured routines, goal setting, and cognitive engagement, all of which can improve attention control, mental focus, and concentration.

The time frame for improvements can vary depending on factors such as starting point, frequency of training, consistency, and overall lifestyle. Short-term effects can be experienced immediately, while more sustained improvements are typically observed over weeks to months of consistent personal training.

Personal training can play a significant role in enhancing mental focus and concentration, but it is important to remember that overall lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress management, and mental wellness practices also impact cognitive function. Incorporating a holistic approach will yield the best results.

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How Can Yoga Support Overall Fitness And Strength Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-can-yoga-support-overall-fitness-and-strength-training/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34025 The post How Can Yoga Support Overall Fitness And Strength Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga can support overall fitness and strength training in several ways. Firstly, yoga helps improve flexibility by incorporating various stretching exercises that target different muscle groups. This increased flexibility allows for a greater range of motion and enhances performance in other fitness activities.

Secondly, while yoga may not solely focus on building muscle strength like traditional weightlifting, it utilizes bodyweight exercises and poses that engage and strengthen various muscle groups. Holding poses such as planks or warrior poses can build muscular endurance and stability.

Core strength is another area that yoga addresses. Many yoga poses require stability and engagement of the core muscles. Through consistent practice, yoga strengthens the abdominal, back, and deep core muscles, providing a solid foundation for overall strength and balance.

Yoga postures also challenge balance and stability, which are essential components of overall fitness. By improving balance, yoga enhances proprioception, reducing the risk of injuries and supporting better performance in other physical activities.

Moreover, yoga emphasizes the mind-body connection. By developing a heightened awareness of the body’s capabilities, individuals can make conscious movements, understand their limits, and prevent overexertion or injury during other fitness activities.

Regular yoga practice has been demonstrated to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. This is particularly beneficial for recovery after intense strength training sessions, as it allows the body to rest, repair, and restore energy.

Additionally, yoga helps in injury prevention by cultivating mindfulness and body awareness. This enables individuals to identify and address potential weaknesses or muscle imbalances, reducing the risk of injuries during other physical activities.

Conscious breathing techniques in yoga, such as ujjayi breath or pranayama exercises, improve lung capacity, enhance oxygen utilization, and contribute to better endurance during cardiovascular exercises or high-intensity workouts.

Yoga serves as an excellent tool for recovery and flexibility training. Gentle yoga practices focused on stretching, relaxation, and releasing tension aid in muscle recovery, alleviate soreness, and help maintain flexibility.

The mindful movement and focus on breath in yoga enhance mental concentration and focus. Regular practice improves mental clarity, which can translate into improved performance in other fitness and strength training activities.

Can Yoga Help With Weight Loss And Body Toning?

yoga can be beneficial for weight loss and body toning, in addition to its numerous other benefits. Here’s how yoga supports weight loss and body toning:

  • Physical Activity: Yoga is a form of physical activity that can contribute to calorie burning and weight loss. Active and dynamic styles of yoga, such as Vinyasa or Power Yoga, involve continuous movement and can provide a cardiovascular workout, aiding in calorie expenditure and weight management.
  • Increased Metabolism: Regular yoga practice, especially more vigorous styles, can boost metabolism. This means your body burns calories more efficiently, even when you’re at rest. A higher metabolic rate can support weight loss efforts by promoting fat burning.
  • Muscle Engagement: Yoga involves holding and transitioning through various poses that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This can contribute to muscle toning and strengthening. As you build lean muscle mass, your body composition can change, leading to a more toned appearance.
  • Core Strengthening: Many yoga poses require core engagement for stability and balance. As you strengthen your core muscles through regular yoga practice, it can help tone and define your abdominal muscles, contributing to a firmer midsection.
  • Mindful Eating: Yoga promotes mindfulness, which can extend to your eating habits. Mindful eating encompasses paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, making healthier food choices, and being aware of portion sizes. This mindful approach to eating can support weight loss goals.
  • Stress Reduction: Stress can contribute to weight gain and hinder weight loss efforts. Yoga helps reduce stress levels through breath work, relaxation techniques, and mindful movement. By managing stress, you may be less likely to engage in emotional or binge eating, supporting weight loss goals.
  • Improved Body Awareness: Yoga cultivates body awareness and a deeper connection with your physical self. This heightened awareness can help you make healthier choices in terms of posture, alignment, movement, and self-care, all of which contribute to overall body toning and well-being.

How Often Should Yoga Be Practiced Alongside Other Fitness And Strength Training Exercises?

To achieve optimal results, it’s important to find the right balance and frequency for incorporating yoga alongside other fitness and strength training activities. Consistency is key, so aim to practice yoga regularly, starting with 2-3 sessions per week and gradually increasing as you progress. Consider the intensity of your other workouts and adjust the frequency of yoga accordingly.

If you engage in high-intensity exercises frequently, incorporate gentler yoga sessions for balance and recovery. Conversely, if your other activities are less intense, you may opt for more frequent or challenging yoga practices. Listen to your body and allow for rest days when needed. Pay attention to signs of overexertion or fatigue and adjust the frequency or intensity of yoga as necessary. Customize your yoga practice to complement your other activities.

Choose dynamic and energizing sessions on days with lower-intensity workouts, and opt for gentle or restorative yoga on recovery or rest days. It’s important to personalize your routine based on your individual fitness level, goals, and any specific considerations. Consulting with a qualified yoga instructor or fitness professional can provide personalized guidance and help tailor your routine to maximize results. Remember, finding the right balance and listening to your body’s needs is essential for achieving optimal results and maintaining overall well-being.

Yoga can provide valuable support for overall fitness and strength training. It improves flexibility, engages multiple muscle groups, strengthens the core, enhances balance, and fosters a mind-body connection. Yoga aids in stress reduction, improves body awareness, and promotes mindful eating habits, all of which can contribute to weight loss and body toning. The frequency of yoga practice alongside other activities should be consistent and personalized to individual needs, considering the intensity of workouts, listening to the body’s signals, and allowing for proper rest and recovery. By finding the right balance and incorporating yoga into a well-rounded fitness routine, individuals can optimize their results and achieve greater overall well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

While yoga incorporates bodyweight exercises that engage and strengthen muscles, it may not be enough for significant muscle mass gain. However, it can complement other strength training activities and enhance overall strength, endurance, and muscular tone.

Yes, yoga poses can target specific muscle groups. For example, plank pose targets the core, chaturanga strengthens the arms and chest, and warrior poses engage the lower body muscles. A well-rounded yoga practice includes poses that engage multiple muscle groups.

Yes, yoga can enhance athletic performance by improving flexibility, balance, and mental focus. It can also support functional movement patterns, prevent injuries, and aid in recovery, making it a valuable addition to an athlete’s training regimen.

Yes, combining yoga with other exercises provides a well-rounded fitness routine. Yoga complements cardiovascular activities by improving flexibility, supporting proper posture, and aiding in muscle recovery. It can also enhance strength training by increasing stability, balance, and mind-body awareness.

Yoga cultivates body awareness and helps identify muscle imbalances or weaknesses. It improves flexibility, mobility, and joint stability, reducing the risk of injuries during strength training. The mindfulness aspect of yoga encourages individuals to listen to their bodies and avoid overexertion, promoting safe and effective workouts.

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Can Suspension Training Be Used For Rehabilitation Purposes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-suspension-training-be-used-for-rehabilitation-purposes/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34011 The post Can Suspension Training Be Used For Rehabilitation Purposes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Suspension training, such as TRX, has gained recognition as a versatile and adaptable tool for a variety of fitness goals. However, its benefits extend beyond traditional workouts. Did you know that suspension training can also be used for rehabilitation purposes? With its unique instability and adjustability, suspension trainers offer an effective means of rehabilitating injuries and improving mobility.

It allows for adjustable levels of difficulty, making it suitable for individuals at different stages of rehabilitation. It can be used to improve stability, range of motion, muscular strength, and endurance in targeted areas. The ability to adjust the angle and position of the body during exercises enables individuals to modify the intensity and challenge according to their specific needs.

For example, someone rehabilitating from a shoulder injury can perform exercises that isolate and strengthen the rotator cuff muscles using suspension training. Similarly, individuals recovering from lower limb injuries can work on improving balance, stability, and leg strength through exercises such as single-leg squats or lunges with the support of suspension straps.

When using suspension training for rehabilitation purposes, it is important to work with a qualified healthcare professional or a certified trainer who can develop a customized program tailored to your specific injury and rehabilitation goals. They can guide you through appropriate exercises, monitor your progress, and ensure proper form and technique to avoid further injury.

Are There Specific Exercises For Rehabilitating Knee Injuries Using Suspension Training?

There are specific exercises using suspension training that can be beneficial for rehabilitating knee injuries. Here are a few examples:

  • Assisted Squats: Utilize the suspension straps for support while performing squats. This exercise helps strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while reducing impact on the knees.
  • Single-Leg Balance: Stand on one leg while holding onto the suspension straps for balance support. This exercise improves stability in the knee joint and works on proprioception.
  • Hamstring Curls: Lie down flat on your back with your heels in the foot cradles of the suspension straps. Lift your hips off the ground and bend your knees, pulling your heels towards your glutes. This exercise targets the hamstrings and helps restore strength and flexibility.
  • Step-ups: Place one foot in a suspension strap and step onto a platform or raised surface with the other leg. Step back down and repeat with the other leg. This exercise focuses on quadriceps strength and stability.
  • Terminal Knee Extensions: Attach the suspension straps to a low anchor point and secure them around your ankles. Stand facing away from the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly extend your knees while maintaining tension on the straps. This exercise targets the quadriceps and aids in rebuilding knee stability.

How Does Suspension Training Help Improve Balance And Proprioception During Rehabilitation?

Suspension training offers several mechanisms through which it enhances balance and proprioception during rehabilitation. Firstly, the instability challenge presented by suspension training requires constant adjustments and stabilization from muscles and joints, thereby engaging the proprioceptive system. This engagement improves the body’s ability to sense its position in space and respond accordingly.

Additionally, suspension exercises demand core activation to maintain stability, as the straps create an unstable base. This activation of the core muscles, including the deep stabilizers, promotes better connections between the core, lower body, and upper body, ultimately enhancing overall balance and proprioception.

Moreover, suspension training involves multi-planar movements that activate multiple joints simultaneously. These dynamic movements require coordination and proprioceptive feedback from various muscle groups and joints, which contributes to improved balance and proprioception. The adjustable difficulty levels in suspension training allow for progressive challenge, enabling individuals to modify exercises by changing angles or leverage to match their balance and proprioceptive abilities. By continually adapting and advancing, individuals can enhance their balance and proprioceptive capacities over time.

Suspension training also fosters a strong mind-body connection, as individuals must focus on maintaining stability and proper form while performing exercises. This heightened focus and concentration further improve proprioceptive awareness and control. Lastly, suspension training often incorporates movements that simulate real-life functional activities. By training balance and proprioception in a functional context, individuals develop the stability and control needed for everyday tasks such as walking, running, and sports. This, in turn, reduces the risk of falls or re-injury. To ensure safe and effective rehabilitation, it is very important to work with a qualified health-care professional or a certified trainer who can tailor suspension exercises and progressions to meet the specific rehabilitation needs and goals of each individual.

Suspension training proves to be a valuable tool for rehabilitation purposes. Its unique characteristics, including instability, adjustability, and multi-planar movements, contribute to improved balance and proprioception during the rehabilitation process. By engaging the proprioceptive system, activating core muscles, and challenging the body’s coordination, suspension training enhances the body’s ability to sense its position in space and respond effectively.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Suspension training is adaptable, providing adjustable levels of difficulty and accommodating various stages of rehabilitation. Its instability engages multiple muscles and joints, promoting functional movements and strengthening the body in a controlled manner.

Suspension training improves stability, range of motion, muscular strength, and endurance in targeted areas. It allows for modification of the angle and position of the body, enabling individuals to adjust the intensity and challenge based on their specific needs during rehabilitation.

Yes, suspension training can be beneficial for rehabilitating a range of injuries. For example, exercises can be tailored to isolate and strengthen the rotator cuff muscles for shoulder rehabilitation or improve balance and stability for lower limb injuries.

Yes, it is important to work with a qualified healthcare professional or certified trainer who can develop a customized rehabilitation program. They can guide individuals through appropriate exercises, monitor progress, and ensure proper form and technique to prevent further injury.

Suspension training enhances balance, proprioception, stability, and functional movement patterns during rehabilitation. By challenging the body’s sensory systems, it promotes improved control, strength, and mobility, helping individuals regain confidence and accelerate their recovery.

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Are There Any Specific Bootcamp Exercises For Improving Speed And Agility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-there-any-specific-bootcamp-exercises-for-improving-speed-and-agility/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=34004 The post Are There Any Specific Bootcamp Exercises For Improving Speed And Agility? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Speed and agility are essential attributes for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. If you’re looking to enhance your quickness, coordination, and reactive movements, incorporating specific bootcamp exercises into your training regimen can be highly effective. These exercises are designed to improve foot speed, agility, and overall athleticism. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to outmanoeuvre opponents or simply seeking to boost your overall fitness level, these exercises can help you reach your goals.

In today’s article, we will explore a range of bootcamp exercises that specifically target speed and agility. By focusing on quickness, coordination, and reactive movements, these exercises will help you move with greater efficiency and fluidity. From agility ladder drills that enhance foot speed and coordination to cone drills that improve quick changes of direction, we will uncover a variety of effective exercises that you can incorporate into your workouts.

There Are Several Specific Bootcamp Exercises That Can Help Improve Speed And Agility

These exercises focus on enhancing quickness, coordination, and reactive movements. Here are some examples:

  • Agility Ladder Drills: Performing various footwork patterns through an agility ladder helps improve foot speed, coordination, and agility. Exercises like ladder hops, lateral shuffles, and high knees can be incorporated.
  • Cone Drills: Set up cones in different patterns or distances and perform quick changes of direction around them. Examples include the T-drill, 5-10-5 drill (also known as the pro agility drill), and the shuttle run.
  • Plyometric Exercises: Plyometric movements like box jumps, lateral bounds, and squat jumps help develop explosive power, which translates into improved speed and agility.
  • Speed Sprints: Incorporate interval sprints into your bootcamp workouts. Focus on short bursts of maximum effort followed by rest or recovery periods. You can perform straight sprints, shuttle sprints, or hill sprints for added intensity.
  • Reaction Drills: Use partner or coach cues to initiate quick reaction movements. For example, the coach can call out directions, and you have to react by sprinting in that direction or performing a specific movement.
  • Lateral Agility Drills: Exercises that emphasize lateral movement and change of direction are crucial for improving agility. Side shuffles, lateral lunges, and lateral cone hops are effective options.
  • Hurdle Hops: Set up a series of small hurdles or obstacles and practice jumping over them with quick and explosive movements. This exercise helps improve coordination, speed, and lower body power.
  • Zigzag Sprints: Set up a series of cones in a zigzag pattern and sprint through them, making sharp turns while maintaining speed. This drill enhances agility and quick changes of direction.
  • Tuck Jumps: Perform explosive jumps while bringing your knees up towards your chest. This exercise improves lower body power, explosive strength, and helps with quick take-offs and landings.
  • Mirror Drills: Partner up with someone and take turns mirroring each other’s movements. This exercise challenges reaction time, coordination, and agility.

How Often Should I Incorporate Speed And Agility Exercises Into My Bootcamp Workouts?

The frequency of incorporating speed and agility exercises into your bootcamp workouts depends on your current fitness level, training goals, and overall program design. However, for most individuals, it is generally recommended to include speed and agility exercises at least 1-2 times per week. This frequency allows for proper stimulus and adaptation while also providing enough recovery time.

To maximize the benefits, you can dedicate a specific portion of your bootcamp workout session solely to speed and agility training. This focused approach allows you to give adequate attention to developing these skills without compromising other aspects of your training.

In addition to the dedicated speed and agility sessions, you can also integrate elements of speed and agility into your regular workouts. For example, you can include short bursts of sprinting or agility ladder drills as part of your warm-up or incorporate quick change-of-direction movements during circuit training.

It’s important to listen to your body and avoid overtraining, especially when it comes to high-impact activities like speed and agility exercises. Allow for sufficient rest and recovery between sessions to prevent injuries and promote optimal performance.

Keep in mind that individual factors, such as your current fitness level, training history, and specific goals, may influence the ideal frequency of speed and agility training. It can be beneficial to consult with a qualified fitness professional or coach who can assess your needs and design a personalized training program that includes the appropriate frequency of speed and agility exercises.

What Precautions Should Be Taken To Avoid Injuries While Performing These Exercises?

When performing speed and agility exercises, it is crucial to follow certain precautions to minimize the risk of injuries. Here are some important considerations:

  • Warm-up: Begin your workout with a proper warm-up that includes dynamic stretches and light cardio exercises. This boosts blood flow, enhances flexibility, and prepares your body for the exercises.
  • Proper Technique: Focus on maintaining correct form and technique throughout each exercise. This involves maintaining good posture, using the appropriate footwork, and engaging the right muscles. Incorrect technique can increase the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries.
  • Gradual Progression: Start with exercises that match your current fitness level and gradually increase intensity, difficulty, and volume over time. Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon, as this can lead to overuse injuries or muscle strains.
  • Adequate Rest and Recovery: Allow sufficient rest between sets and workouts to give your body time to recover. Overtraining or insufficient recovery can raise the risk of injuries and hinder performance.
  • Appropriate Footwear: Wear suitable athletic shoes that offer adequate support, cushioning, and traction for the specific training surface. Ill-fitting or worn-out shoes can contribute to foot and ankle injuries.
  • Surface and Environment: Select a safe training surface that is free from hazards or obstacles. Be mindful of the terrain and potential risks in your training environment to minimize accidents or falls.
  • Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any pain, discomfort, or signs of fatigue during your training. If you experience sharp or persistent pain, it is important to stop the exercise and seek appropriate medical attention if necessary.
  • Hydration and Nutrition: Maintain proper hydration before, during, and after your workouts. Fuel your body with balanced nutrition to support energy levels and muscle recovery.
  • Cross-Training and Rest Days: Incorporate cross-training activities and rest days into your overall training program. This helps prevent overuse injuries, promotes muscle balance, and allows for adequate recovery.
  • Seek Professional Guidance: If you are new to speed and agility training or have specific concerns or pre-existing injuries, consulting with a qualified fitness professional or coach is beneficial. They can offer guidance on proper form, exercise selection, and customized training progressions to suit your needs.

Specific bootcamp exercises can be highly effective for improving speed and agility. Incorporating exercises like agility ladder drills, cone drills, plyometrics, speed sprints, and reaction drills into your bootcamp workouts can enhance your quickness, coordination, and reactive movements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Some specific bootcamp exercises for improving speed and agility include agility ladder drills, cone drills, plyometric exercises, speed sprints, and reaction drills.

Agility ladder drills involve performing various footwork patterns through an agility ladder. They enhance foot speed, coordination, and agility, making you more agile and quicker on your feet.

Yes, cone drills are effective for improving quick changes of direction and agility. By setting up cones in different patterns or distances and performing quick changes of direction around them, you can enhance your ability to manoeuvre and change direction rapidly.

Plyometric exercises, such as box jumps, lateral bounds, and squat jumps, develop explosive power. This translates into improved speed and agility, as these exercises focus on quick and powerful movements.

Speed sprints, which involve short bursts of maximum effort followed by rest or recovery periods, are highly effective for improving speed and agility. They enhance your ability to accelerate quickly and maintain high-speed movements.

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When Is The Best Time To Do Yoga Teacher Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/when-is-the-best-time-to-do-yoga-teacher-training/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33992 The post When Is The Best Time To Do Yoga Teacher Training appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Embarking on the journey to becoming a yoga teacher is exhilarating filled with self-discovery, personal growth, and a deepening understanding of this ancient practice. However, one question that often arises in the minds of aspiring yogis is, “When is the best time to do yoga teacher training?” Finding the optimal moment to immerse yourself in this transformative experience is crucial for a fulfilling and successful journey.

In today’s article, we will explore the factors that you need to consider when determining the perfect time to start your yoga teacher training. So, whether you’re an experienced practitioner ready to share your knowledge or a passionate novice eager to explore the yogic path, join us as we unravel the secrets behind choosing the ideal time for your training.

Find A Yoga Teacher Training Course That’s Right For You

Finding an online yoga teacher training course that aligns with your needs and commitments is essential to ensure a smooth and fulfilling journey. With countless options available, it’s crucial to approach the process thoughtfully and consider the following steps to find a yoga school that’s right for you.

  • Define Your Goals and Commitments: Begin by clarifying your goals for pursuing online yoga teacher training. Are you looking to deepen your personal practice, gain teaching skills, or embark on a career as a yoga instructor? Understanding your objectives will assist you with identifying the right yoga instructor training course that suits your aspirations. Additionally, consider your current commitments, such as work, family, or other responsibilities, and determine the level of flexibility you require.
  • Research Various Formats: Certified yoga teacher training courses come in various formats, including intensive immersions, weekend modules, and extended programmes spread over several months. Explore each format, considering factors such as the time commitment, intensity, and learning style that best suits you. Reflect on your preferred learning pace and the amount of time you can dedicate to the training.
  • Evaluate Available Timeframes: Take into account the duration of the training programmes and the timeframes they offer. Some might be full time, requiring you to take time off from other obligations, while others may offer part-time or weekend options to accommodate a busy schedule. Assess your availability and choose a timeframe that allows you to commit fully to the yoga training certification without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Seek Recommendations and Read Reviews: Consult with experienced yogis, friends, or teachers who have completed a certified yoga instructor programme. Their insights and recommendations can be invaluable in helping you find reputable learning programmes with schedules that suit your needs. Additionally, read online reviews and testimonials to gather further information about the quality and flexibility of different training schedules.

What Is The Best Time To Embark On Yoga Teacher Training?

Determining the ideal time to begin a yoga teacher training certification is a personal decision influenced by various factors. While there is no universal answer, reflecting on the following aspects can assist you in pinpointing the most opportune moment for your journey.

Firstly, consider your experience and practice level. It is generally advised to have a firm grasp of yoga before pursuing teacher training. A consistent practice of at least a year or more helps cultivate a deeper understanding of yoga postures, philosophy, and alignment. This foundation strengthens your training and enhances the learning experience.

Next, assess your personal readiness and commitment. Yoga teacher training demands dedication, focus, and a significant time investment. Evaluate your physical and mental well-being, as well as any personal or professional obligations that might affect your ability to fully engage in the training.

Timing your yoga teaching certification with life transitions can be advantageous. If you anticipate a career change, a new phase in life, or a sabbatical, it may be an ideal moment to embark on yoga teacher training. These transitions offer the opportunity to wholeheartedly immerse yourself in the training without the added stress of conflicting responsibilities.

Take seasonal considerations into account as well. Some people prefer the flexibility of the summer months, when holiday or breaks afford them more availability. Others find the introspective and focused atmosphere of the winter months suitable for training.

What Are The Benefits Of Doing An Online Yoga Teacher Training Course?

An online yoga teacher training course presents a host of benefits that make it an appealing choice for aspiring yoga instructors. Online programmes provide the freedom to learn at your own pace, fitting seamlessly into your schedule. You can access course materials and lectures whenever and wherever it suits you best. This level of flexibility is especially advantageous for people with busy lifestyles or those juggling various commitments, such as work or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in an online course grants you access to experienced and knowledgeable yoga teachers and experts worldwide. You can learn from renowned instructors who might not be geographically accessible otherwise. This diversity of expertise provides a rich learning experience and exposes you to different teaching styles and philosophies.

Online yoga teacher training courses generally come at a lower price compared to in-person programmes. By eliminating expenses related to travel, accommodation, and other associated costs, online yoga teacher training courses provide a cost-effective option without compromising the quality of education. This accessibility makes it more feasible for individuals with budget constraints.

Online courses typically offer a well-structured curriculum that covers all aspects of yoga teacher training, encompassing asanas, pranayama, anatomy, philosophy, teaching methodology, and more. The curriculum is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of yoga, ensuring that you acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become a competent yoga teacher.

Online courses often offer personalised attention and support from instructors. Through one-on-one sessions or small group interactions, instructors provide individualised guidance, feedback, and mentorship tailored to your specific needs and goals. This type of approach enhances the learning experience and supports your growth as a yoga teacher.

A notable advantage of online yoga teacher training courses is the continued access to course materials even after you finish it. This ensures you can refer back to lectures, resources, and materials whenever you need a refresher or require additional information for your teaching practice.

Determining the best time to embark on yoga teacher training course requires thoughtful consideration of various factors. It is essential to have a solid foundation in yoga, assess your personal readiness and commitment, and take advantage of life transitions or seasonal preferences. Additionally, exploring the benefits of online yoga teacher training courses can benefit you immensely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

While it’s generally recommended to have a solid foundation in yoga before pursuing teacher training, some programmes may accept beginners. However, having a consistent practice of at least a year or more can greatly enhance your learning experience.

Following a yoga instructor certification is an opportunity to improve your physical fitness and deepen your practice. As long as you are in good overall health and have a willingness to learn and grow, you can start training regardless of your current fitness level.

Yoga instructor training is open to people of various ages and life stages. It’s more important to consider your personal readiness and commitments rather than focusing on a specific age range. Many people embark on their training during career transitions, sabbaticals, or other life-changing moments.

The “right time” for online yoga teacher training is subjective and varies for each person. It’s essential to assess your personal readiness, including physical and mental well-being, time availability and resources, and any conflicting responsibilities. Trust your intuition and choose a time that aligns with your goals and circumstances.

Yes, it’s possible to balance yoga instructor training with a full-time job. Many training programmes offer flexible schedules, including evening or weekend options, to accommodate working professionals. However, it’s crucial to consider the time commitment and ensure you have enough energy and focus to dedicate to both your job and training.

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How Do I Transition From The Clean To The Jerk Smoothly In Olympic Lifting? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-transition-from-the-clean-to-the-jerk-smoothly-in-olympic-lifting/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33974 The post How Do I Transition From The Clean To The Jerk Smoothly In Olympic Lifting? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Transitioning smoothly from the clean to the jerk in Olympic lifting requires proper technique and coordination. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve a seamless transition:

  • Secure the bar: Once you have completed the clean and caught the barbell in the front rack position, ensure that the bar is secure and stable on your shoulders. Maintain a firm grip and position your elbows high.
  • Footwork: Position your feet in the correct split jerk stance. The front foot should be in line with the shoulder of the same side, while the back foot is positioned slightly behind and diagonally.
  • Dip and drive: Initiate the jerk by performing a slight dip, bending your knees while maintaining an upright torso. Use the power generated from your legs to drive the barbell upward. This upward force should be explosive and controlled.
  • Split: As you drive the barbell upward, simultaneously split your legs by extending one foot forward and the other backward. The front foot should land with the heel down and the knee slightly bent, while the back foot lands on the ball of the foot with the knee slightly bent.
  • Lockout: As you split, press the bar overhead by extending your arms fully. The barbell should be positioned directly overhead, aligned with your ears, while your shoulders and hips are stacked in a vertical line.
  • Stabilize and recover: Once you’ve achieved the lockout position, stabilize your body by engaging your core and maintaining an upright posture. Keep your weight balanced between your front and back legs. Recover by bringing your feet back together in a controlled manner, returning to a standing position.

Key tips:

  • Practice proper footwork and positioning to ensure a stable base for the jerk.
  • Focus on a strong and explosive drive from the legs to generate upward momentum for the barbell.
  • Maintain a tight core throughout the entire movement to provide stability and control.
  • Practice the timing and coordination of the split, aiming for a smooth and fluid transition.
  • Gradually increase the weight as you become more comfortable and confident with the movement.

How Can I Improve The Timing And Coordination Between The Clean And Jerk Movements?

Improving the timing and coordination between the clean and jerk movements in Olympic lifting requires practice and attention to specific aspects of the lift. Here are some tips to help you enhance your timing and coordination:

  • Break down the movements: Start by focusing on each individual lift separately—perform cleans and jerks as standalone exercises. This allows you to refine the technique and develop a solid foundation for each movement before integrating them together.
  • Establish a consistent setup: Develop a routine for your starting position, grip, and foot placement in both the clean and jerk. Consistency in your setup will help establish a familiar starting point and facilitate a smoother transition between the two lifts.
  • Practice the transition: Dedicate specific training sessions to practice the transition from the clean to the jerk. Slowly increase the speed and fluidity of the movement, aiming for a seamless connection between the two lifts. Focus on maintaining control and stability as you transition.
  • Enhance your proprioception: Proprioception, or body awareness, plays a crucial role in timing and coordination. Incorporate exercises that improve your proprioceptive abilities, such as balance drills, single-leg exercises, and coordination exercises like ladder drills or agility ladder work.
  • Utilize pause variations: Implement pause variations in both the clean and the jerk. For example, perform a clean pull or clean high pull and pause at various positions (e.g., mid-thigh, above the knee) before transitioning into the jerk. This helps reinforce the timing and coordination required for a smooth transition.
  • Focus on the transition points: Pay close attention to the critical points where the clean transitions into the jerk. This includes the moment the bar reaches the rack position and the initiation of the jerk. Practice these transition points repeatedly, gradually increasing the speed and intensity.
  • Video analysis: Record your clean and jerk attempts from different angles to assess your timing and coordination. Analyse the footage to identify any inconsistencies or areas for improvement. This visual feedback can be invaluable in refining your technique.
  • Seek coaching and feedback: Work with an experienced weightlifting coach who can provide guidance, correct technical errors, and offer personalized cues to improve your timing and coordination. Their expertise will be instrumental in refining your technique and optimizing the transition.
  • Develop overall strength and stability: Strengthening your core, legs, and shoulders will contribute to better timing and coordination in the clean-to-jerk transition. Include exercises like squats, lunges, overhead presses, and core stability exercises to enhance your overall strength and stability.

The Most Common Mistakes People Face When Transitioning From The Clean To The Jerk

When transitioning from the clean to the jerk in Olympic lifting, there are several common mistakes and challenges that people often encounter. Here are some of them:

  • Rushing the transition: One common mistake is rushing the transition from the clean to the jerk. This can result in a lack of stability and coordination between the two movements. It’s important to take the time to establish a solid starting position and smoothly execute the transition.
  • Poor footwork: Footwork is crucial in the jerk, and improper foot placement can hinder the transition. Some common footwork mistakes include landing with the feet too close together or failing to achieve a balanced split position. These errors can affect stability and make it challenging to recover from the split jerk.
  • Insufficient leg drive: Another challenge is not generating enough leg drive during the jerk. Insufficient leg power can result in a weak or incomplete extension, making it difficult to achieve a solid lockout position overhead. Focus on explosiveness and utilizing the power from your legs to drive the barbell upward.
  • Unstable front rack position: A common mistake in the clean-to-jerk transition is having an unstable or improper front rack position. If the bar is not securely positioned on the shoulders, it can affect the timing and coordination of the jerk. Ensure a firm grip, keep the elbows high, and create a solid shelf for the barbell.
  • Lack of upper body stability: Insufficient upper body stability can lead to a loss of control during the jerk. This can result in a missed lift or an inefficient transition. Strengthen your shoulders, back, and core to maintain stability and support the weight overhead.
  • Timing issues: Timing plays a crucial role in the clean-to-jerk transition. Poor timing can lead to mistimed leg drive or barbell trajectory, affecting the overall fluidity of the movement. Focus on the timing of your dip and drive, as well as the timing of your footwork and split.
  • Inadequate practice and repetition: Transitioning smoothly from the clean to the jerk requires practice and repetition. Insufficient time dedicated to specifically practicing this transition can hinder progress. Incorporate targeted drills and focused practice sessions to improve the coordination between the two lifts.
  • Lack of flexibility or mobility: Limited flexibility and mobility can present challenges in achieving proper positions during the clean and jerk transition. Adequate mobility in the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders is essential for optimal technique. Address any mobility restrictions through targeted exercises and stretches.
  • Mental focus and confidence: Transitioning from the clean to the jerk can be mentally demanding. Lack of focus, confidence, or hesitation can affect the timing and coordination of the movement. Develop a positive mindset, visualize successful transitions, and cultivate mental resilience.

To transition smoothly from the clean to the jerk in Olympic lifting, it’s important to focus on proper technique, timing, and coordination. Take the time to establish a secure front rack position and ensure proper footwork in the split jerk stance. Practice the transition specifically, paying attention to the critical points where the clean transitions into the jerk. Utilize pause variations, enhance your proprioception, and seek feedback from a coach to refine your timing and coordination.

Address common mistakes such as rushing the transition, poor footwork, insufficient leg drive, unstable front rack position, lack of upper body stability, timing issues, inadequate practice, flexibility or mobility limitations, and mental focus. With dedicated practice, attention to detail, and guidance, you can improve the smoothness and efficiency of the clean-to-jerk transition in Olympic lifting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The key is to establish a stable front rack position during the clean, maintain proper footwork, and execute a controlled split jerk with proper timing and coordination.

Practice drills that focus on footwork, such as split jerk footwork drills and split stance exercises. Consistency in foot placement and balance between the front and back foot are essential for a smooth transition.

Yes, some cues to consider are “drive through the legs explosively,” “maintain a firm grip on the bar,” and “lead with the front foot during the split jerk.”

Focus on a strong front rack position by keeping your elbows high, maintaining a firm grip on the bar, and engaging the upper back muscles to support the weight during the clean and transition.

Timing and coordination are crucial for a smooth transition. Practice the timing of the dip and drive, the transition from the clean to the jerk, and the split footwork to develop fluidity and efficiency in the movement.

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Can Foam Rolling Be Used For Alleviating Symptoms Of Sciatica? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-foam-rolling-be-used-for-alleviating-symptoms-of-sciatica/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33993 The post Can Foam Rolling Be Used For Alleviating Symptoms Of Sciatica? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Foam rolling can potentially be used to alleviate symptoms of sciatica. Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, or tingling that spreads along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down the legs. While foam rolling may not directly address the underlying causes of sciatica, it can help relieve muscle tension and tightness in the surrounding areas, potentially providing temporary relief. Here are some foam rolling techniques that may help with sciatica:

  • Piriformis Foam Rolling: The piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, can sometimes compress the sciatic nerve. By foam rolling the piriformis, you may be able to release tension in this muscle. Sit down on the foam roller with one leg crossed over the other and roll back and forth along the outside of the gluteal area.
  • Glute Foam Rolling: Rolling the larger glute muscles can also help alleviate tension that may contribute to sciatica symptoms. Sit on the foam roller with one buttock and roll back and forth to target different areas of the glutes.
  • Hip Flexor Foam Rolling: Tight hip flexor muscles can contribute to imbalances and increased pressure on the lower back, potentially aggravating sciatica. Lie face down on the foam roller with one hip flexor resting on it and roll back and forth along the front of the hip.

How Long And How Frequently Should I Foam Roll For Sciatica Relief?

The duration and frequency of foam rolling for sciatica relief can vary depending on individual needs and preferences. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

  • Duration: When foam rolling for sciatica relief, aim for a minimum of 1-2 minutes per muscle group or targeted area. This allows sufficient time to apply pressure and encourage muscle release and relaxation. You can gradually increase the duration as needed, based on your comfort level and response to the foam rolling.
  • Frequency: Foam rolling can be done daily or as needed, depending on the severity of your symptoms and your body’s response. Start with 1-2 sessions per day and adjust based on your comfort and symptom relief. Some individuals may find benefit from more frequent foam rolling, while others may find relief with less frequent sessions.
  • Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body responds to foam rolling. If you experience any discomfort, pain, or increased sciatica symptoms during or after foam rolling, it’s important to modify or discontinue the activity. Be mindful of your body’s limits and respect any pain signals.
  • Combine with other strategies: Foam rolling is just one component of a comprehensive approach to managing sciatica. It can be beneficial to combine foam rolling with other strategies such as stretching, strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and posture correction. Work with a healthcare professional to develop a well-rounded treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
  • Individualize your routine: Adjust the duration and frequency of foam rolling based on your personal comfort, schedule, and response to the technique. Experiment with different muscle groups, techniques, and durations to find what works best for you.

Are There Any Foam Rolling Techniques For The Lower Back That May Benefit Sciatica?

there are foam rolling techniques for the lower back that may benefit individuals with sciatica. While it’s important to be cautious and gentle when foam rolling the lower back due to its sensitivity, there are some techniques that can help relieve muscle tension and potentially provide relief for sciatica symptoms. Here are a few techniques to consider:

  • Thoracic Spine Mobilization: Lie down with the foam roller positioned horizontally beneath your upper back, at the level of your shoulder blades. Support your head with your hands, keep your knees bent, and gently roll back and forth, targeting the middle to upper back region. This technique can help improve mobility in the thoracic spine, which may alleviate pressure on the lower back and potentially reduce sciatica symptoms.
  • Glute Roll: Sit on the foam roller with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent. Cross one ankle over the opposite knee, creating a figure-four position. Lean slightly towards the side of the crossed leg, placing your weight on the gluteal area. Roll back and forth, focusing on the glute muscles. This technique can indirectly target the lower back and provide relief by releasing tension in the gluteal muscles, which can contribute to sciatica symptoms.
  • Latissimus Dorsi Release: Lie on your side with the foam roller positioned under the armpit area. Keep the bottom arm extended overhead and use your legs and top arm for support and stability. Roll along the side of your torso, from the armpit to just above the hip. This technique can help release tension in the latissimus dorsi muscle, which connects to the lower back and may indirectly alleviate discomfort associated with sciatica.
  • Quadratus Lumborum Release: Lie on your side with the foam roller positioned just below the ribcage, targeting the area around the lower back. Support your head with your hand and use your top leg for stability. Roll back and forth along the muscle, focusing on the quadratus lumborum. This technique can help relieve tension in this deep lower back muscle, which may contribute to sciatica symptoms.

Foam rolling can be potentially used as a complementary approach to alleviate symptoms of sciatica. While it may not directly address the underlying causes of sciatica, foam rolling can help release muscle tension and tightness in the surrounding areas, potentially providing temporary relief. When foam rolling for sciatica relief, it’s important to consider the duration and frequency based on individual needs and comfort level.

Listening to your body, combining foam rolling with other strategies, and personalizing your routine are key aspects. Additionally, there are foam rolling techniques for the lower back, such as thoracic spine mobilization, glute roll, latissimus dorsi release, and quadratus lumborum release, which may indirectly target the lower back and contribute to sciatica relief. It’s crucial to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional if you have severe or persistent sciatica symptoms to ensure appropriate management and guidance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Foam rolling can help alleviate muscle tension and provide temporary relief for sciatica symptoms. However, it may not directly address the underlying causes of sciatica. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific condition.

The frequency of foam rolling for sciatica relief varies based on individual needs. Start with 1-2 sessions per day and adjust based on your comfort and symptom relief. Some individuals may find benefit from more frequent foam rolling, while others may find relief with less frequent sessions.

While foam rolling can provide relief, certain exercises may exacerbate sciatica symptoms. It’s generally advisable to avoid direct pressure on the spine and to use caution when rolling over sensitive areas. Consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on specific exercises to avoid in your case.

Yes, foam rolling done incorrectly or with excessive pressure can potentially worsen sciatica pain. It’s important to use gentle pressure, listen to your body, and avoid any movements that cause discomfort or increased pain. Seek guidance from a healthcare professional or a qualified trainer to ensure proper technique.

Foam rolling can be safe for pregnant individuals with sciatica, but it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before attempting any foam rolling exercises. They can provide personalized advice and modifications to ensure the safety and efficacy of the foam rolling routine during pregnancy.

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Can Kettlebell Exercises Be Effective For Improving Sports Performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-kettlebell-exercises-be-effective-for-improving-sports-performance/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33976 The post Can Kettlebell Exercises Be Effective For Improving Sports Performance? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises can be effective for improving sports performance. Here’s how:

  • Enhanced Functional Strength: Kettlebell exercises, such as swings, snatches, and cleans, engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, mimicking real-life movements. This functional strength development can improve overall athleticism and performance in sports that require explosive power, agility, and coordination.
  • Improved Power and Explosiveness: Kettlebell exercises involve dynamic movements that require generating force quickly. The explosive nature of exercises like kettlebell swings and snatches can enhance power production, which is essential for sports that involve jumping, throwing, or sprinting.
  • Increased Core Stability: Many kettlebell exercises, such as Turkish get-ups and windmills, require significant core engagement for stability and control. Strengthening the core muscles through kettlebell training can enhance balance, posture, and overall body control, contributing to improved sports performance.
  • Better Grip Strength: Kettlebell exercises, particularly exercises like farmer’s carries and kettlebell swings, challenge grip strength and forearm muscles. This can be beneficial for sports involving holding or controlling equipment, such as tennis, basketball, or rock climbing.
  • Improved Endurance: Kettlebell training often involves high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or circuit-style workouts, which can improve cardiovascular endurance and stamina. This enhanced endurance can be advantageous for sports that require sustained effort over extended periods, such as soccer, basketball, or distance running.
  • Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility: Kettlebell exercises often involve movements that require an extremely wide range of motion, promoting mobility and flexibility. Improved joint mobility and flexibility can enhance sports performance by allowing athletes to move more freely and perform sport-specific movements with greater ease.
  • Injury Prevention: Kettlebell exercises focus on functional movements and strengthen stabilizer muscles, which can help prevent injuries. By improving overall body strength, stability, and movement mechanics, kettlebell training can reduce the risk of sports-related injuries and enhance long-term athletic performance.

Which Kettlebell Exercises Are Most Beneficial For Enhancing Speed And Agility In Sports?

Several kettlebell exercises can be beneficial for enhancing speed and agility in sports. Here are a few examples:

  • Kettlebell Swings: This exercise targets the posterior chain, including the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. It helps improve hip explosiveness, which is crucial for generating power and speed in sports movements.
  • Single-Leg Deadlifts: Single-leg deadlifts with kettlebells challenge balance, stability, and core strength while targeting the hamstrings, glutes, and hip stabilizer muscles. This exercise enhances proprioception and helps improve agility and stability during dynamic movements.
  • Lateral Lunges with Kettlebell Reach: Lateral lunges with a kettlebell reach focus on lateral movement patterns, which are essential for sports involving quick changes in direction. It targets the inner and outer thighs, glutes, and core muscles, improving lateral strength and agility.
  • Kettlebell High Pulls: Kettlebell high pulls are explosive movements that engage the hips, upper back, and shoulders. They help develop power, speed, and coordination, benefiting sports that require quick bursts of acceleration and upper body strength.
  • Kettlebell Mountain Climbers: This exercise combines the benefits of traditional mountain climbers with kettlebell placements. It improves core strength, shoulder stability, and cardiovascular endurance while simulating the fast-paced movements often seen in sports like soccer or basketball.
  • Kettlebell Turkish Get-Ups: Turkish get-ups with kettlebells promote full-body strength, stability, and mobility. This exercise improves coordination, body control, and overall athleticism, contributing to enhanced speed and agility in sports.

Can Kettlebell Exercises Help Increase Vertical Jump Height In Sports Like Basketball?

kettlebell exercises can be beneficial for increasing vertical jump height in sports like basketball. Here’s how:

  • Kettlebell Swings: Kettlebell swings are a dynamic exercise that engages the posterior chain muscles, including the glutes and hamstrings. The explosive hip extension motion involved in swings can enhance lower body power, which is crucial for generating upward force during a vertical jump.
  • Goblet Squats: Goblet squats with a kettlebell provide an effective way to strengthen the lower body, particularly the quadriceps, glutes, and core muscles. By improving leg and core strength, goblet squats can contribute to a more powerful and explosive vertical jump.
  • Single-Leg Deadlifts: Single-leg deadlifts with kettlebells target the posterior chain and challenge balance and stability. They help improve hip strength and stability, which are crucial for maintaining proper body alignment and generating force during a vertical jump.
  • Kettlebell Step-Ups: Step-ups with kettlebells work the lower body muscles, including the quadriceps, glutes, and calves. This exercise helps develop leg strength and power, which can translate to improved jump height.
  • Kettlebell Thrusters: Kettlebell thrusters combine a squat and overhead press movement, engaging both the lower body and upper body muscles. They improve overall strength and power, which can positively impact vertical jump performance.
  • Kettlebell Jump Squats: Jump squats with kettlebells add resistance to the explosive jumping motion. This exercise helps develop leg power and the ability to generate force quickly, contributing to increased vertical jump height.

Can Kettlebell Exercises Help Improve Endurance For Long-Distance Running Or Cycling?

Kettlebell exercises can help improve endurance for long-distance running or cycling. While kettlebell training is often associated with strength and power, it can also provide cardiovascular benefits and enhance endurance through specific training protocols. Here’s how kettlebell exercises can contribute to improved endurance:

  • High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Kettlebell HIIT workouts involve very short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. These workouts can improve cardiovascular fitness, increase aerobic capacity, and enhance endurance. Performing exercises like kettlebell swings, snatches, or cleans in a HIIT format can challenge the cardiovascular system and improve endurance for long-distance activities.
  • Full-Body Engagement: Many kettlebell exercises involve multiple muscle groups and require coordination and stabilization throughout the body. By engaging large muscle groups simultaneously, kettlebell exercises elevate heart rate and improve overall cardiovascular fitness, which is essential for endurance activities.
  • Strength and Muscular Endurance: Kettlebell exercises, such as kettlebell squats, lunges, and Turkish get-ups, target major muscle groups, including the legs, core, as well as upper body. By improving muscular endurance and strength, these exercises can enhance overall performance and delay the onset of fatigue during long-distance running or cycling.
  • Core Stabilization: Kettlebell exercises often require core engagement and stability. A strong and stable core helps maintain proper posture, improve running or cycling efficiency, and reduce the risk of injuries. Enhanced core stability translates into improved endurance as the body can maintain proper form and efficiently transfer energy during prolonged activities.
  • Grip Strength and Endurance: Kettlebell exercises challenge grip strength and endurance due to the nature of the kettlebell’s handle. Improved grip strength can be particularly beneficial for activities like cycling or long-distance running, where maintaining a strong grip is essential.

Kettlebell exercises can be an effective tool for improving sports performance. They enhance functional strength, power, core stability, endurance, and mobility, which are all crucial for athletic success. By incorporating specific kettlebell exercises tailored to the demands of a particular sport, athletes can enhance their speed, agility, vertical jump height, and endurance, ultimately improving their overall performance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kettlebell exercises can be effective for improving sports performance, but they are most beneficial when combined with a well-rounded training program that includes sport-specific drills, conditioning, and skill development.

Kettlebell exercises can benefit a wide range of sports, including but not restricted to basketball, soccer, tennis, martial arts, baseball, and track and field. They can improve overall athleticism, power, agility, and coordination, which are essential in many sports.

Kettlebell exercises enhance sports performance by developing functional strength, improving power and explosiveness, increasing core stability, enhancing grip strength, improving endurance, promoting mobility and flexibility, and helping prevent injuries.

Kettlebell exercises alone cannot replace sport-specific training. While they provide numerous benefits, it’s important to incorporate sport-specific drills and techniques into the training regimen to develop the specific skills required for the sport.

Kettlebell exercises can be adapted to accommodate athletes of all levels, from beginners to advanced. It’s essential to start with proper technique, progress gradually, and seek guidance from a qualified trainer or coach to ensure safety and optimize the effectiveness of the exercises for individual athletes.

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Does Functional Training Improve Joint Stability? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-functional-training-improve-joint-stability/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33975 The post Does Functional Training Improve Joint Stability? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Functional training can improve joint stability. These types of exercises often involve multi-joint movements that engage multiple muscle groups and challenge the stability of the joints. By performing exercises that mimic everyday movements and activities, functional training helps strengthen the muscles around the joints, improves proprioception (awareness of body position), and enhances neuromuscular control. This, in turn, can improve joint stability and reduce the risk of injury. Functional training exercises that focus on balance, core strength, and proper alignment can be particularly effective in promoting joint stability.

Are There Specific Exercises In Functional Training That Target Joint Stability?

Functional training incorporates various exercises that specifically target joint stability. Here are a few examples:

  • Single-Leg Balance Exercises: Balancing on one leg engages the muscles around the ankle, knee, and hip joints, promoting stability and proprioception. Examples include single-leg balances, single-leg squats, and single-leg deadlifts.
  • Bosu Ball Exercises: Performing exercises on a Bosu ball or other unstable surfaces challenges balance and activates the stabilizer muscles around the joints. Examples include squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks on the Bosu ball.
  • Stability Ball Exercises: Using a stability ball for exercises like ball squats, ball bridges, or stability ball planks requires the engagement of core muscles and promotes joint stability.
  • Resistance Band Exercises: Incorporating resistance bands into exercises adds variable resistance, which helps activate and strengthen the stabilizer muscles around the joints. Examples include lateral band walks, clamshells, and standing hip abduction with bands.
  • Functional Movements with Weighted Implements: Performing functional movements, such as farmer’s carries, kettlebell swings, or medicine ball throws, with weighted implements challenges balance, coordination, and joint stability.
  • Multi-Planar Movements: Functional training often involves movements in multiple planes of motion, such as rotational exercises like woodchops or cable twists. These exercises challenge joint stability and improve overall movement coordination.
  • Plyometric Exercises: Plyometric exercises like box jumps, lateral bounds, or depth jumps enhance neuromuscular control and joint stability through explosive movements.

How Does Functional Training Differ From Traditional Strength Training?

Functional training and traditional strength training are two different approaches to fitness and exercise. Here are some key differences between the two:

  • Movement Patterns: Functional training focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements and activities, such as pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, and rotating. It aims to improve the body’s ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently. Traditional strength training, on the other hand, often involves isolated muscle exercises targeting specific muscle groups.
  • Muscle Integration: Functional training emphasizes the integration of multiple muscle groups working together, simulating the coordination required for daily activities. It aims to enhance overall movement patterns rather than isolating individual muscles. Traditional strength training often isolates specific muscles or muscle groups to build strength in those areas.
  • Core Engagement: Functional training places a strong emphasis on core stability and strength, as the core muscles play a vital role in maintaining correct movement and stability during functional movements. Traditional strength training may focus less on core engagement as the primary goal is often to build strength in specific muscles.
  • Balance and Stability: Functional training incorporates exercises that challenge balance and stability, as these factors are crucial for daily activities and injury prevention. Traditional strength training may not place as much emphasis on balance and stability unless specifically incorporated.
  • Functional Adaptation: Functional training aims to improve functional fitness, which is the ability to perform tasks and activities with ease and efficiency. It focuses on training movements that directly translate to real-life activities. Traditional strength training may have a more specific focus on building muscle size and strength without necessarily targeting functional movement patterns.
  • Equipment and Tools: Functional training often utilizes a variety of equipment and tools, such as stability balls, resistance bands, medicine balls, and balance trainers, to add variety and challenge to exercises. Traditional strength training typically involves more traditional gym equipment like dumbbells, barbells, and weight machines.
  • Goal Orientation: Functional training is often geared towards improving overall functional movement, enhancing athletic performance, and preventing injuries. Traditional strength training may have a primary focus on building muscle size, increasing strength in specific muscle groups, or achieving specific aesthetic goals.

Can Functional Training Help Prevent Joint Injuries?

Functional training can be beneficial in helping to prevent joint injuries. Here’s how:

  • Improved Joint Stability: Functional training emphasizes movements that mimic real-life activities and challenges the stabilizer muscles around the joints. By strengthening these muscles, functional training can enhance joint stability, reducing the risk of injuries caused by joint instability or excessive joint movement.
  • Balanced Muscle Development: Functional training often involves compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This helps in developing balanced strength and coordination among various muscle groups, which can alleviate stress on the joints and lower the risk of imbalances that may lead to injuries.
  • Enhanced Proprioception: Proprioception refers to the body’s awareness of its position and movement in space. Functional training exercises that require balance, coordination, and body awareness can improve proprioception. This heightened proprioceptive ability can help individuals better control their movements, react to sudden changes, and avoid movements that could potentially strain or injure the joints.
  • Corrective Exercises: Functional training often incorporates corrective exercises that address muscular imbalances and movement dysfunctions. By identifying and addressing these imbalances, functional training can help correct faulty movement patterns and reduce the risk of joint injuries that may occur due to compensatory movements.
  • Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion: Many functional training exercises involve dynamic movements that promote flexibility and boost the range of motion in joints. By incorporating exercises that challenge mobility and flexibility, functional training can help prevent joint injuries associated with limited range of motion and muscle tightness.
  • Injury Prevention Programming: Functional training programs can be tailored to address specific joint vulnerabilities or areas of concern. By focusing on strengthening and stabilizing the joints that are prone to injuries, functional training can provide targeted support and reduce the likelihood of joint-related injuries.

Can Functional Training Help With Sports Performance?

Functional training can be beneficial in helping to prevent joint injuries. Here’s how:

  • Improved Joint Stability: Functional training emphasizes movements that mimic real-life activities and challenges the stabilizer muscles around the joints. By strengthening these muscles, functional training can enhance joint stability, reducing the risk of injuries caused by joint instability or excessive joint movement.
  • Balanced Muscle Development: Functional training often involves compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This helps in developing balanced strength and coordination among various muscle groups, which can alleviate stress on the joints and lower the risk of imbalances that may lead to injuries.
  • Enhanced Proprioception: Proprioception refers to the body’s awareness of its position and movement in space. Functional training exercises that require balance, coordination, and body awareness can improve proprioception. This heightened proprioceptive ability can help individuals better control their movements, react to sudden changes, and avoid movements that could potentially strain or injure the joints.
  • Corrective Exercises: Functional training often incorporates corrective exercises that address muscular imbalances and movement dysfunctions. By identifying and addressing these imbalances, functional training can help correct faulty movement patterns and reduce the risk of joint injuries that may occur due to compensatory movements.
  • Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion: Many functional training exercises involve dynamic movements that promote flexibility and boost the range of motion in joints. By incorporating exercises that challenge mobility and flexibility, functional training can help prevent joint injuries associated with limited range of motion and muscle tightness.
  • Injury Prevention Programming: Functional training programs can be tailored to address specific joint vulnerabilities or areas of concern. By focusing on strengthening and stabilizing the joints that are prone to injuries, functional training can provide targeted support and reduce the likelihood of joint-related injuries.

Functional training can improve joint stability through various mechanisms. By incorporating exercises that mimic real-life movements and activities, functional training strengthens the muscles around the joints and enhances proprioception, leading to improved joint stability. The focus on balance, core engagement, and proper alignment in functional training also contributes to joint stability. Additionally, functional training can help prevent joint injuries by promoting balanced muscle development, addressing muscular imbalances, improving flexibility and range of motion, and offering injury prevention programming. By incorporating functional training into a well-rounded fitness routine, individuals can enhance joint stability and reduce the risk of joint-related injuries, ultimately improving their overall physical well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Functional training is a type of exercise that focuses on movements and exercises that mimic real-life activities and tasks. It aims to improve overall functional fitness and enhance the body’s ability to perform daily movements efficiently.

Functional training improves joint stability by engaging multiple muscle groups and challenging the stabilizer muscles around the joints. The multi-joint movements and balance exercises in functional training enhance muscle coordination, proprioception, and neuromuscular control, leading to improved joint stability.

Some exercises in functional training that target joint stability include single-leg balances, Bosu ball exercises, stability ball exercises, resistance band exercises, and functional movements with weighted implements. These exercises challenge balance, engage core muscles, and activate stabilizer muscles around the joints.

Yes, functional training can help prevent joint injuries. By improving joint stability, promoting balanced muscle development, enhancing proprioception, addressing muscular imbalances, and increasing flexibility and range of motion, functional training reduces the risk of joint injuries caused by instability, imbalances, or limited mobility.

Functional training varies from traditional strength training in that it emphasizes movements that replicate real-life activities and focus on overall movement patterns rather than isolating specific muscles. Traditional strength training often targets individual muscles or muscle groups, while functional training engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting better coordination and joint stability.

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Can EMS Training Improve Muscle Endurance And Stamina? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-ems-training-improve-muscle-endurance-and-stamina/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33955 The post Can EMS Training Improve Muscle Endurance And Stamina? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yes, EMS training can contribute to improvements in muscle endurance and stamina. During EMS training, electrical impulses are delivered to the muscles, causing them to contract and engage more intensely than during traditional voluntary contractions. This high-intensity muscle activation can lead to increased fatigue resistance and improved endurance over time.

EMS training stimulates a larger percentage of muscle fibres simultaneously compared to regular workouts, which can help recruit and strengthen muscle fibres that are often not fully engaged during voluntary exercises. By targeting a greater number of muscle fibres, EMS training can enhance muscle endurance and stamina.

Moreover, EMS training allows for specific targeting of muscle groups, enabling focused training on areas related to endurance and stamina, such as the legs for running or the core for maintaining stability and posture during prolonged activities. By applying resistance and intensity through EMS, individuals can train their muscles to sustain contractions for longer durations, leading to improved endurance capabilities.

However, it’s important to note that EMS training should be used in conjunction with a well-rounded fitness routine that includes cardiovascular exercises and other forms of training specific to endurance and stamina development. Combining EMS training with aerobic activities like running, cycling, or swimming can further enhance overall endurance and stamina improvements.

Can EMS Training Be A Beneficial Addition To Endurance-Focused Sports Training?

EMS training can be a beneficial addition to endurance-focused sports training. Here’s why:

  • Enhanced Muscle Activation: EMS training activates a higher percentage of muscle fibres compared to traditional training methods. This increased muscle activation can lead to improved muscular endurance, allowing endurance athletes to sustain repetitive movements for longer durations.
  • Targeted Muscle Recruitment: EMS training enables specific muscle groups to be targeted, allowing athletes to focus on strengthening areas essential for their respective endurance sports. For example, runners can concentrate on their leg muscles, cyclists on their quadriceps and hamstrings, and swimmers on their upper body muscles.
  • Time Efficiency: EMS training can provide a time-efficient workout by stimulating multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial for endurance athletes who often have limited training time and need to maximize their efficiency.
  • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: EMS training can be used for injury prevention and rehabilitation in endurance-focused sports. By strengthening muscles and enhancing neuromuscular coordination, athletes can lower the risk of injuries caused by muscle imbalances or weaknesses.
  • Increased Intensity and Overload: EMS training allows athletes to train at higher intensity levels without putting excessive strain on joints and ligaments. This can lead to greater physiological adaptations, improved cardiovascular efficiency, and enhanced endurance performance.
  • Supplemental Training: EMS training can complement traditional endurance training methods, such as running, cycling, or swimming. By incorporating EMS sessions into their training routine, athletes can add variety, challenge different muscle groups, and break through plateaus.
  • Mental Focus and Endurance: EMS training can help athletes develop mental resilience and focus, which are essential for enduring long-duration endurance activities. The intensity of EMS contractions can simulate the mental demands of sustained effort, preparing athletes for the mental challenges they may face during their sport.

How Often Should I Do EMS Training Sessions For Optimal Results?

The frequency of EMS training sessions for optimal results can vary depending on individual factors, fitness goals, and the intensity of the sessions. However, here are some general guidelines to consider:

  • Beginner Level: If you are new to EMS training, it is recommended to start with one or two sessions per week. This allows your body to adapt to the training stimulus and recover adequately between sessions.
  • Intermediate Level: As you become more accustomed to EMS training and your fitness level improves, you can gradually increase the frequency to two to three sessions per week. This frequency allows for more consistent stimulation and progress in strength and endurance.
  • Advanced Level: Advanced individuals who have developed a solid foundation of strength and conditioning may benefit from three to four EMS training sessions per week. However, it’s important to listen to your body and ensure proper recovery between sessions to prevent overtraining and minimize the risk of injury.
  • Recovery and Active Rest: In addition to regular EMS training sessions, incorporating recovery and active rest days is crucial. These days allow your muscles to repair and regenerate, supporting overall performance and preventing overuse injuries. It is recommended to have at least one or two days of complete rest or low-intensity activities per week.

Remember that individual responses to EMS training can vary, and it’s important to assess your own recovery capacity, listen to your body, and adjust the frequency accordingly. Working with a qualified EMS trainer or fitness professional can provide personalized guidance and help tailor the training frequency to your specific goals and needs.

Can EMS Training Be Used As A Supplement To Traditional Endurance Workouts?

EMS training can be used as a supplement to traditional endurance workouts. Here’s how EMS training can complement and enhance your endurance training:

  • Muscle Activation and Strength: EMS training activates a higher percentage of muscle fibres compared to traditional training methods. By incorporating EMS sessions alongside your endurance workouts, you can target and strengthen specific muscle groups that are crucial for your endurance sport. This can result in improved muscular endurance and efficiency during your endurance activities.
  • Time Efficiency: Endurance training often requires long-duration sessions to achieve desired cardiovascular adaptations. EMS training can provide a time-efficient option by stimulating multiple muscle groups simultaneously, allowing you to maximize your training time. By adding EMS sessions to your training routine, you can effectively target muscles and enhance their endurance without significantly increasing your overall training duration.
  • Improved Neuromuscular Coordination: EMS training enhances neuromuscular coordination by stimulating muscle contractions through electrical impulses. This improved coordination can translate to better movement efficiency and form during your endurance workouts. It can help you maintain proper technique and reduce the risk of fatigue-induced form breakdown, leading to improved performance.
  • Variety and Challenge: Adding EMS training to your endurance routine brings variety and additional challenge to your workouts. The intensity and nature of EMS contractions can provide a new stimulus for your muscles, breaking through plateaus and helping you push your limits. This can be particularly beneficial if you have been following a similar endurance training routine for an extended period.
  • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: EMS training can aid in injury prevention and rehabilitation for endurance athletes. By strengthening muscles and improving neuromuscular coordination, EMS can address muscle imbalances and weaknesses that may lead to overuse injuries. It can also be used as a low-impact training option during periods of injury recovery or active rest to maintain muscle activation and prevent detraining.

EMS training can be a valuable supplement to traditional endurance workouts. It offers unique benefits such as enhanced muscle activation, targeted muscle recruitment, time efficiency, injury prevention, variety, and challenge. By incorporating EMS training strategically into your endurance training program, you can optimize your results and take your endurance performance to the next level. Remember to consult with a qualified trainer or sports professional to ensure proper integration and customization based on your individual needs and goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

EMS training stimulates high-intensity muscle contractions, activating a larger percentage of muscle fibres. This leads to increased fatigue resistance and improved endurance over time.

Yes, EMS training allows for targeted muscle recruitment, making it effective for strengthening specific muscle groups related to endurance sports, such as the legs for running or the core for stability during prolonged activities.

The frequency of EMS training sessions varies, but starting with one to two sessions per week and gradually increasing to two to three sessions for intermediate athletes can help optimize endurance gains.

Absolutely, EMS training can be a beneficial addition to traditional endurance training. It complements and enhances endurance workouts by improving muscle activation, neuromuscular coordination, and overall performance.

Yes, EMS training offers benefits such as time efficiency, injury prevention, variety, and challenge. It can address muscle imbalances, provide a new stimulus to break through plateaus, and contribute to a well-rounded training program for improved endurance and stamina.

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What Is The Ideal Diameter For Battle Ropes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-ideal-diameter-for-battle-ropes/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33977 The post What Is The Ideal Diameter For Battle Ropes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The ideal diameter for battle ropes can vary depending on personal preference, fitness goals, and the individual’s strength and grip ability. Generally, battle ropes come in various diameters, commonly ranging from 1.5 inches to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm). Thicker ropes tend to provide more grip challenge and require greater strength to manoeuvre, making them suitable for advanced users or those seeking a higher intensity workout. Thinner ropes, on the other hand, may be more manageable for beginners or individuals with smaller hands. It is recommended to try different diameters and select the one that feels comfortable yet challenging for your specific needs and goals.

Does The Diameter Of Battle Ropes Affect The Effectiveness Of The Workout?

The diameter of battle ropes can indeed affect the effectiveness of the workout to some extent. Thicker battle ropes generally require more grip strength and forearm engagement, making the exercises more challenging. As a result, using thicker ropes can potentially increase the intensity and difficulty of the workout, leading to greater muscle activation and overall strength gains. Thicker battle ropes also tend to create more wave amplitude, which can enhance core stability and coordination.

On the other hand, thinner battle ropes may be more manageable for beginners or individuals with smaller hands, allowing them to focus on proper technique and gradually build strength and endurance. Thinner ropes may provide a slightly different feel and range of motion compared to thicker ropes but can still deliver an effective workout when used correctly.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of the workout is influenced by various factors, including the individual’s fitness level, intensity of effort, exercise selection, and overall workout design. While the diameter of battle ropes is one aspect to consider, it’s essential to focus on maintaining proper form, challenging yourself appropriately, and progressively increasing the intensity and complexity of exercises over time to maximize the effectiveness of your workout.

What Are The Advantages Of Using Thicker Battle Ropes?

Using thicker battle ropes offers several advantages in a workout:

  • Increased Grip Challenge: Thicker battle ropes require a stronger grip to hold onto, which enhances grip strength development. As you work out with thicker ropes, your forearms and hand muscles are engaged more intensely, leading to improved grip strength and endurance.
  • Greater Intensity: Thicker battle ropes create more resistance and weight, resulting in a higher intensity workout. The increased thickness adds difficulty to the exercises, demanding greater muscular effort and energy expenditure. This can lead to improved strength gains, muscle development, and cardiovascular conditioning.
  • Enhanced Muscle Activation: Thicker battle ropes engage a larger number of muscle fibres throughout the arms, shoulders, and upper back. The added thickness increases the resistance against which these muscles must work, resulting in greater muscle activation and recruitment. This can contribute to improved muscle development and overall functional strength.
  • Increased Core Stability: The thicker diameter of battle ropes challenges your core muscles to stabilize your body during exercises. As you create waves or perform rotational movements, the core muscles are engaged to maintain balance and control. This can help improve core strength and stability, leading to better posture, balance, and injury prevention.
  • Improved Durability: Thicker battle ropes are generally more durable and resistant to wear and tear. They can withstand rigorous training sessions, frequent use, and outdoor environments without fraying or breaking easily. Investing in thicker ropes can ensure longer-lasting equipment and reduce the need for replacements.
  • Enhanced Wave Amplitude: Thicker battle ropes tend to produce larger and more pronounced waves as they move. This increased wave amplitude requires greater force production and coordination, providing a more challenging workout for the entire body, especially the core and upper body muscles.

Are Thinner Battle Ropes Easier To Handle For Beginners?

Yes, thinner battle ropes are generally easier to handle for beginners. Thinner ropes typically have a smaller diameter, which makes them more manageable for individuals who are new to battle rope exercises or those with smaller hands or weaker grip strength.

Here are a few reasons why thinner battle ropes can be more beginner-friendly:

  • Reduced Weight: Thinner ropes are lighter compared to thicker ropes. This lighter weight can make it easier for beginners to initiate the waves or perform other battle rope exercises without feeling overwhelmed or fatigued too quickly.
  • Increased Flexibility: Thinner ropes tend to have more flexibility and are easier to manipulate. They offer a greater range of motion, allowing beginners to focus on mastering proper technique and form without the added challenge of dealing with a thicker and less flexible rope.
  • Improved Grip Comfort: Thinner ropes are often more comfortable to grip, especially for individuals with smaller hands. Beginners may find it easier to maintain a secure grip on thinner ropes, reducing the risk of slipping or losing control during exercises.
  • Progressive Skill Development: Starting with thinner ropes allows beginners to gradually progress and build strength, endurance, and technique. As their proficiency improves, they can then transition to thicker ropes to add more challenge and intensity to their workouts.

Can The Diameter Of Battle Ropes Affect Grip Strength Development?

Yes, the diameter of battle ropes can have an impact on grip strength development. Thicker battle ropes require a stronger grip to hold onto, leading to increased grip strength gains over time. Here’s how the diameter of battle ropes can affect grip strength:

  • Increased Grip Challenge: Thicker ropes provide a greater grip challenge due to their larger diameter. Holding onto a thicker rope requires more hand and forearm strength to maintain a secure grip throughout the exercises. As a result, the muscles in your hands, wrists, and forearms are engaged more intensely, leading to improved grip strength development.
  • Forearm and Finger Activation: The thicker diameter of battle ropes necessitates greater activation of the muscles in the forearms and fingers. These muscles, such as the flexor and extensor muscles, are responsible for gripping and controlling the rope. The increased demand placed on these muscles during exercises with thicker ropes can lead to improved grip strength and endurance.
  • Progressive Overload: Thicker battle ropes offer a way to progressively overload your grip strength training. As you become proficient with thinner ropes, transitioning to thicker ropes provides a new challenge for your grip, allowing you to continue developing and strengthening your grip muscles. This progressive overload is important for continual improvement in grip strength.
  • Transfer to Other Activities: Developing a stronger grip through training with thicker battle ropes can have positive carryover to other activities and exercises that require grip strength, such as weightlifting, rock climbing, or carrying heavy objects. The increased grip strength developed from thicker ropes can boost performance and lower the risk of grip-related limitations.

The ideal diameter for battle ropes can vary based on individual preferences, fitness goals, and strength levels. Thicker ropes offer advantages such as increased grip challenge, greater intensity, enhanced muscle activation, improved core stability, improved durability, and enhanced wave amplitude. Thinner ropes, on the other hand, are often more beginner-friendly, with reduced weight, increased flexibility, improved grip comfort, and progressive skill development. The diameter of battle ropes can affect grip strength development, as thicker ropes provide a greater grip challenge, activate forearm and finger muscles more intensely, and offer progressive overload for continual improvement. Regardless of the diameter chosen, focusing on proper form, gradual progression, and incorporating a variety of exercises can maximize the effectiveness of battle rope workouts and grip strength development.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal diameter for battle ropes typically ranges from 1.5 inches to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm).

Yes, thicker battle ropes provide a greater challenge due to the increased grip strength required, making the workout more intense.

Yes, thinner battle ropes are generally more beginner friendly as they are lighter, more flexible, and easier to handle for individuals new to battle rope exercises.

Absolutely! The diameter of battle ropes can be tailored to individual preferences and fitness goals, allowing for customization and progression as strength and proficiency increase.

When selecting the diameter of battle ropes, it’s important to consider personal comfort, grip strength, and desired challenge level. It’s recommended to start with a diameter that feels comfortable yet provides a reasonable level of difficulty and gradually progress from there.

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What Is The Relationship Between Nutrition And Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-relationship-between-nutrition-and-exercise/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33962 The post What Is The Relationship Between Nutrition And Exercise? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The relationship between nutrition and exercise is highly interconnected and plays a vital role in overall health and well-being. Here are some key points regarding this relationship:

  • Fuelling the Body: Proper nutrition provides the necessary fuel to support physical activity and exercise. Consuming a well-balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats helps supply the energy needed for optimal performance during exercise.
  • Energy Balance: The balance between energy intake (calories consumed) and energy expenditure (calories burned) is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. Nutrition and exercise work together to achieve and maintain this balance.
  • Performance Enhancement: The right nutrition can enhance exercise performance. Consuming appropriate nutrients, such as carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein for muscle repair and growth, together with adequate hydration, can improve endurance, strength, and recovery.
  • Muscle Development and Repair: Adequate protein intake is essential for muscle development and repair. Protein supplies the necessary amino acids for building and repairing muscle tissues, which is crucial for athletes and individuals engaging in strength training.
  • Nutrient Timing: Proper nutrient timing involves consuming the right types and amounts of nutrients before, during, and after exercise to maximize performance and recovery. For example, consuming carbohydrates before exercise can provide readily available energy, and consuming protein after exercise aids in muscle repair.
  • Hydration: Proper hydration is vital for maintaining performance and preventing dehydration during physical activity. It is important to drink enough fluids before, during, and after exercise to replace the water and electrolytes lost through sweat.
  • Weight Management: The combination of nutrition and exercise plays a key role in weight management. Regular physical activity, paired with a balanced diet, helps to create an energy deficit, leading to weight loss. Conversely, consuming excess calories without adequate exercise can contribute to weight gain.
  • Overall Health: Nutrition and exercise are both essential for overall health. A healthy diet, which is very rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, along with regular physical activity, can lower the probability of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, as well as specific cancers.

What Are The Best Pre-Workout Foods To Eat For Energy?

The best pre-workout foods to eat for energy are those that provide a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and a reasonable amount of healthy fats. Here are some examples:

  • Banana: A quick and easily digestible source of carbohydrates that also provides potassium for muscle function.
  • Oats: A complex carbohydrate that provides sustained energy release, along with fibre and some protein.
  • Greek yogurt: Rich in protein and also contains carbohydrates for energy. Opt for plain yogurt and add fruits or nuts for added flavour and nutrients.
  • Whole grain toast or rice cakes: Provides easily digestible carbohydrates for quick energy without feeling too heavy on the stomach.
  • Nuts and nut butter: A very small handful of nuts or a spread of nut butter on whole grain toast can provide a combination of healthy fats and protein for sustained energy.
  • Trail mix: A mix of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds offers a balanced combination of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein for energy.
  • Smoothie: Blend fruits, a source of protein (such as Greek yogurt or protein powder), and a liquid base (such as almond milk) for a refreshing pre-workout drink.
  • Energy bars: Look for bars that are made with natural ingredients and provide a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
  • Chicken or turkey breast: If you prefer a more substantial option, lean protein sources like chicken or turkey can provide amino acids for muscle repair and maintenance.
  • Quinoa: A nutrient-dense grain that offers complex carbohydrates, protein, and fibre for sustained energy.

What Nutrients Are Most Important For Muscle Recovery After Exercise?

Several nutrients are crucial for muscle recovery after exercise. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • Protein: Protein is very important for muscle repair and growth. It offers amino acids, the building blocks of muscle tissue. Eating an adequate amount of protein after exercise helps promote muscle recovery and synthesis. Fantastic sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, legumes, and plant-based protein sources like tofu and tempeh.
  • Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the chief fuel source for your muscles during exercise. Consuming carbohydrates after a workout replenishes glycogen stores, which can become depleted during intense physical activity. Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to provide a steady release of energy.
  • BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): BCAAs, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are specific amino acids that play a significant part in muscle protein synthesis and recovery. They can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. BCAA supplements are also available for those who may have difficulty meeting their needs through food alone.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids boast anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation. Amazing sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish (such as salmon as well as sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and omega-3 supplements like fish oil or algae oil capsules.
  • Antioxidants: Intense exercise can lead to the production of free radicals, which could very well cause oxidative stress and muscle damage. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants helps combat this oxidative stress. Colourful fruits and vegetables, such as berries, spinach, kale, and bell peppers, are excellent sources of antioxidants.
  • Water: Hydration is crucial for optimal muscle recovery. Adequate fluid intake helps maintain optimal muscle function, aids in nutrient delivery to cells, and assists in the removal of metabolic waste products. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise to stay properly hydrated.

It’s important to note that individual nutritional needs may vary depending on factors such as age, gender, activity level, and specific health conditions. Consulting with a nutritionist can provide personalized guidance on how to optimize nutrition to support exercise and overall health goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition plays a critical role in exercise performance. Proper nutrition provides the necessary fuel and nutrients to support energy production, enhance endurance, and optimize muscle function during physical activity.

It’s important to consume a balanced meal or snack containing carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of healthy fats before exercising. This combination provides sustained energy, promotes muscle repair and growth, and helps prevent fatigue during workouts.

Yes, nutrition is crucial for post-workout recovery. Eating a mix of carbohydrates and protein after exercise helps replenish glycogen stores, repair muscle damage, and stimulate muscle protein synthesis, promoting optimal recovery.

Yes, certain foods can enhance exercise endurance. Complex carbohydrates, for example whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, provide a sustained release of energy. Additionally, foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, can help reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and improve endurance.

Proper hydration is essential for optimal exercise performance. Dehydration can lead to decreased endurance, muscle cramps, and impaired cognitive function. It’s important to drink enough water before, during, and after exercise to maintain proper hydration levels and support overall performance.

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What Are The Key Elements Of Defensive Strategies In Rugby Coaching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-the-key-elements-of-defensive-strategies-in-rugby-coaching/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33940 The post What Are The Key Elements Of Defensive Strategies In Rugby Coaching? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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When it comes to defensive strategies in rugby coaching, there are several key elements to consider. Here are the primary components that contribute to an effective defensive approach:

  • Line Speed: Encouraging players to quickly move up as a cohesive unit to put pressure on the opposition and limit their attacking options.
  • Tackling Technique: Emphasizing proper tackling technique, including body positioning, timing, and wrapping the arms securely, to bring the ball carrier down effectively.
  • Communication: Promoting clear and effective communication among players, ensuring everyone is on the same page and able to react swiftly to defensive situations.
  • Defensive Systems: Implementing and practicing different defensive systems, such as drift defence, blitz defence, or umbrella defence, to suit the team’s style and adapt to various attacking strategies.
  • Line Organization: Ensuring players are properly positioned and maintain a strong defensive line, minimizing gaps and denying the opposition space to exploit.
  • Rucking and Counter-Rucking: Teaching players how to contest and disrupt opposition ball possession in the rucks, aiming to slow down or regain possession.
  • Turnover Opportunities: Encouraging players to identify and exploit turnover opportunities by applying pressure on the ball carrier or through strategic positioning.
  • Defensive Readiness: Developing players’ ability to anticipate and react to attacking movements, including recognizing patterns, identifying threats, and adjusting positioning accordingly.
  • Cover Défense: Training players to provide support and cover for teammates, ensuring there are no gaps or exposed areas in the defensive line.
  • Discipline: Emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and avoiding penalties, as infringements can provide the opposition with scoring opportunities.

What Are Some Drills Or Exercises That Can Help Improve Players’ Tackling Skills In Defensive Strategies?

Improving players’ tackling skills is crucial for effective defensive strategies in rugby coaching. Here are some drills and exercises that can help enhance tackling abilities:

  • Tackle Technique Drill: Focus on proper body positioning, footwork, and arm placement during a tackle. Use tackling bags or pads to simulate game situations and provide players with repetitive practice.
  • Tracking and Targeting Drill: Set up cones or markers to create a channel. Players must track a moving target and execute tackles with proper technique as they progress through the channel.
  • Angle Tackling Drill: Create scenarios where players must approach the ball carrier from different angles, simulating various game situations. Emphasize correct body alignment and timing for effective angle tackles.
  • Multi-Player Tackle Drill: Practice team tackling by organizing small-sided games or drills where multiple defenders work together to bring down an attacking player. This helps improve communication, coordination, and decision-making in tackling situations.
  • Reactive Tackling Drill: Use agility or reaction-based equipment to simulate quick decision-making in tackling. Randomly release a target, and players must react and execute a tackle promptly.
  • Tackle Circuit Training: Set up a circuit with different stations that focus on specific aspects of tackling, such as footwork, upper body technique, and tackling in different scenarios. Rotate players through the circuit to target various skills.
  • Tackle Bag Relay: Divide players into teams and set up a relay race where they must tackle a moving tackle bag, then pass it to the next player in line. This drill helps develop speed and accuracy in tackling while adding an element of competition.
  • Live Tackling Drills: Incorporate controlled live tackling scenarios into training sessions, ensuring players follow proper safety guidelines. Use appropriate protective equipment and progress gradually to match-like situations.
  • Tackle Decision-Making Drill: Create game scenarios where players must quickly assess the situation and decide whether to tackle or hold their position. This drill improves tackling instincts and judgment.
  • Video Analysis: Review and analyse game footage to identify tackling strengths and areas for improvement. Provide feedback to players individually or as a team to enhance their technique and decision-making.

How Can I Help Players Develop Their Spatial Awareness And Reading Of The Game?

Developing spatial awareness and the ability to read the game are crucial for effective defensive strategies in rugby coaching. Here are some methods to help players enhance their spatial awareness and anticipation skills:

  • Game Analysis: Encourage players to watch professional rugby matches and analyse the movements and patterns of both attackers and defenders. Discuss different scenarios and highlight key indicators that can help anticipate attacking moves.
  • Tactical Sessions: Dedicate specific training sessions to focus on game scenarios and decision-making. Create small-sided games or drills that replicate match situations, allowing players to practice reading the game in real-time.
  • Position-Specific Training: Tailor training exercises to specific positions on the field. For example, work with backline players on reading attacking formations, while forwards can focus on identifying potential driving mauls or pick-and-go plays.
  • Pattern Recognition Drills: Set up drills that challenge players to recognize and react to specific attacking patterns or movements. This helps improve their ability to anticipate plays and make proactive defensive decisions.
  • Communication and Awareness Exercises: Emphasize the importance of effective communication among players to share information and anticipate attacking moves. Conduct exercises that enhance players’ awareness of their surroundings and the positions of teammates and opponents.
  • Video Analysis: Use video footage from training sessions or matches to review and analyse defensive scenarios. Point out instances where players successfully read the game or missed opportunities, providing feedback for improvement.
  • Scrimmaging and Simulated Games: Organize controlled scrimmages or simulated games where players can apply their spatial awareness and reading skills in real-game situations. This allows them to practice decision-making and improve their ability to anticipate attacking moves.
  • Positional Rotation: Encourage players to experience different positions on the field during training sessions. This provides them with a broader perspective and a better understanding of attacking patterns and movements from various positions.
  • Anticipation Drills: Create drills that focus on quick reactions and anticipation, such as defenders having to read and intercept passes or anticipate the direction of an attacking run. This sharpens players’ anticipation skills and reflexes.
  • Mental Visualization: Encourage players to mentally rehearse different game scenarios and practice visualizing attacking moves. This helps develop their ability to anticipate and react effectively during actual matches.

Remember, defensive strategies should be tailored to the team’s strengths, opponent analysis, and the specific match situation. Regular practice, effective communication, and a strong focus on technique are essential for successful implementation of defensive strategies in rugby coaching.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Line speed is crucial as it allows defenders to quickly close the space, put pressure on the opposition, and limit their attacking options. It disrupts their attacking flow and creates opportunities for turnovers.

Teaching proper tackling technique involves emphasizing body positioning, timing, and wrapping the arms securely. Coaches can use drills and exercises that focus on technique, repetition, and safety to develop effective tackling skills.

Communication is vital in defensive strategies as it enables players to coordinate their movements, relay important information, and make quick decisions. Effective communication ensures a cohesive and organized defensive unit.

Yes, there are various defensive systems such as drift defence, blitz defence, or umbrella defence. Coaches can choose the system that best suits their team’s style, opponent analysis, and match situation.

Maintaining a strong defensive line requires discipline and organization. Coaches can emphasize the importance of proper positioning, staying connected, and closing gaps to deny the opposition space and opportunities to exploit.

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Can Sports Conditioning Coaching Help With Injury Rehabilitation And Recovery? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/can-sports-conditioning-coaching-help-with-injury-rehabilitation-and-recovery/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33920 The post Can Sports Conditioning Coaching Help With Injury Rehabilitation And Recovery? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports conditioning coaching is a specialized form of coaching that focuses on improving an athlete’s physical fitness, performance, and overall conditioning specific to their sport. It involves designing and implementing structured training programs tailored to the needs and demands of the sport, with the goal of enhancing athletic performance, preventing injuries, and promoting optimal physical conditioning.

Injury rehabilitation and recovery refer to the process of restoring an individual’s physical health and function following an injury or illness. It involves a comprehensive approach that addresses not only the physical aspects of recovery but also the psychological and emotional aspects.

The goal of injury rehabilitation and recovery is to help individuals regain their pre-injury level of function, minimize pain, prevent further injury, and promote overall well-being. It typically involves a multi-disciplinary approach that may include healthcare professionals such as doctors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and sports psychologists.

Sports conditioning coaching plays a significant role in injury prevention by helping athletes develop the physical capabilities and skills necessary to reduce the risk of injuries during sports activities.

Understanding Injury Rehabilitation And Recovery

Sports injuries can differ depending on the type of sport, intensity of activity, and individual factors. Here are some common types of sports injuries:

  • Sprains: Sprains occur when ligaments, which connect bones to each other, are stretched or torn. Ankle sprains are particularly common in sports that involve running, jumping, or quick changes in direction.
  • Strains: Strains refer to the stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. They often occur in sports that involve sudden accelerations or excessive force on muscles, such as sprinting or weightlifting.
  • Fractures: Fractures are breaks or cracks in bones. They can result from acute trauma or repetitive stress. Fractures commonly occur in contact sports or sports that involve high-impact collisions, such as football or skiing.

The Benefits Of Sports Conditioning Coaching In Injury Rehabilitation

Sports conditioning coaching plays a significant role in injury rehabilitation by helping individuals recover from sports-related injuries and regain their physical abilities.

Improved Physical Conditioning

Improved physical conditioning is another significant benefit of sports conditioning coaching in injury rehabilitation. Here’s how it contributes to the recovery process:

  • Cardiovascular Fitness: Sports conditioning coaches incorporate cardiovascular exercises into rehabilitation programs to improve overall cardiovascular fitness. This helps individuals rebuild their endurance and stamina, which may have declined during the injury period.
  • Muscular Endurance: Rehabilitation programs include exercises that target specific muscle groups to enhance muscular endurance. Slowly increasing the intensity and duration of these exercises helps individuals rebuild their muscle endurance levels, ensuring they can perform at their best during sports activities.
  • Core Strength and Stability: Sports conditioning coaching emphasizes developing a strong and stable core, which includes the abdominal, back, and pelvic muscles. A strong core provides a solid foundation for movement, enhances overall body stability, and reduces the risk of future injuries.

Targeted Exercises For Injury-Specific Rehabilitation

Targeted exercises for injury-specific rehabilitation are an essential component of sports conditioning coaching. These exercises focus on the affected area and aim to promote healing, restore functionality, and prevent future injuries. Here are some examples of targeted exercises for injury-specific rehabilitation:

  • Sprained Ankle: Exercises may include ankle range of motion exercises, such as ankle circles and alphabet writing with the foot, to restore mobility. Strengthening exercises like calf raises, toe raises, and resistance band exercises can also be incorporated to improve ankle stability.
  • Rotator Cuff Tear: Rehabilitation exercises for a rotator cuff tear may involve gentle range of motion exercises, such as pendulum swings and wand exercises, to improve shoulder mobility. Strengthening exercises using resistance bands or light weights, like external and internal rotations, can help rebuild the strength of the rotator cuff muscles.
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: Rehabilitation exercises for an ACL tear typically focus on improving knee stability and strength. This may include exercises like leg presses, step-ups, hamstring curls, and lateral lunges. Balance and proprioception exercises, such as single leg standing and wobble board exercises, are also important to regain stability.

Enhanced Muscle Strength And Joint Stability

Sports conditioning coaching plays a crucial role in enhancing muscle strength and joint stability during injury rehabilitation. Here are some ways in which sports conditioning coaching can help achieve these benefits:

  • Resistance Training: Sports conditioning coaches incorporate resistance training exercises to target specific muscle groups and promote strength gains. By gradually increasing the intensity and load, athletes can regain muscle strength lost due to injury and improve overall joint stability. Exercises like squats, deadlifts, lunges, and bench presses are commonly utilized to build strength in the lower body, core, and upper body muscles.
  • Functional Movements: Sports conditioning coaching emphasizes functional movements that replicate the demands of sports and daily activities. These movements involve multiple muscle groups working together to improve coordination, balance, and joint stability. Examples include step-ups, single-leg squats, planks, and medicine ball exercises. By integrating functional movements into rehabilitation programs, athletes can enhance their overall muscle strength and joint stability in a sport-specific manner.
  • Core Strengthening: A strong core is very important for maintaining stability and transferring forces between the upper and lower body. Sports conditioning coaching incorporates exercises that target the core muscles, such as planks, Russian twists, and bridges. Strengthening the core helps improve overall body stability and reduces the risk of future injuries by providing a solid foundation for movement.

Sports Conditioning Coaching Techniques For Injury Rehabilitation

Sports conditioning coaching techniques play a vital role in injury rehabilitation, helping athletes recover and regain their physical capabilities. Here are some common sports conditioning coaching techniques utilized in injury rehabilitation:

  • Progressive Loading: Progressive loading involves gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or complexity of exercises and activities over time. This technique allows athletes to safely rebuild their strength, endurance, and mobility while – at the same time – minimizing the risk of re-injury. Sports conditioning coaches design progressive training programs tailored to each athlete’s specific needs and stage of recovery, ensuring a gradual and systematic progression.
  • Range of Motion Exercises: Range of motion exercises focus on improving flexibility, mobility, and joint function. These exercises may involve stretching, joint mobilizations, and dynamic movements to increase the range of motion in injured joints or muscles. Sports conditioning coaches guide athletes through appropriate stretching techniques and exercises to restore normal joint mobility and flexibility.
  • Neuromuscular Re-Education: After an injury, the neuromuscular system, which controls muscle activation and coordination, can be affected. Sports conditioning coaches use neuromuscular re-education techniques to restore proper movement patterns and enhance muscle coordination. This may involve exercises that challenge balance, proprioception, and coordination to help athletes regain optimal movement control.

Sports conditioning coaching plays a crucial role in injury rehabilitation and recovery, offering several benefits to athletes. For athletes undergoing rehabilitation, incorporating sports conditioning coaching into their programs can provide numerous benefits and greatly enhance their recovery journey. Injury rehabilitation and performance enhancement go hand in hand, and taking a holistic approach to both aspects is of utmost importance for athletes. A holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and various factors influencing athletic performance.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Sports Coach

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Sports conditioning coaching involves the guidance and support provided by a trained professional to help athletes improve their physical fitness, enhance performance, and facilitate injury rehabilitation and recovery.

Sports conditioning coaching can assist in injury rehabilitation and recovery by providing personalized exercise programs that target specific areas of weakness, improving overall physical conditioning, and helping athletes regain strength, flexibility, and stability.

Incorporating sports conditioning coaching into injury rehabilitation offers benefits such as improved physical conditioning, targeted exercises for injury-specific rehabilitation, enhanced muscle strength and joint stability, increased confidence in movement, and reduced risk of future injuries.

Yes, sports conditioning coaching can help athletes recover faster from injuries by implementing structured and progressive rehabilitation exercises that promote tissue healing, improve range of motion, restore muscular strength, and facilitate a safe return to sports activities.

Athletes of all levels and individuals recovering from sports-related injuries can benefit from sports conditioning coaching. It is particularly useful for those seeking a structured and supervised approach to rehabilitation, tailored to their specific needs and goals.

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What Are The Benefits Of Kettlebell Exercises For Endurance Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/benefits-of-kettlebell-exercises-for-endurance-athletes/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33878 The post What Are The Benefits Of Kettlebell Exercises For Endurance Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises offer a wide range of benefits for endurance athletes, helping them enhance their performance, build strength, and improve overall conditioning. Incorporating kettlebell training into an endurance athlete’s workout routine can provide specific advantages that contribute to their success in endurance activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and long-distance events. In today’s article, we will explore the benefits of kettlebell exercises for endurance athletes in detail.

Full-Body Conditioning

One of the primary benefits of kettlebell exercises for endurance athletes is the ability to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing a comprehensive full-body workout. Kettlebell movements, such as swings, snatches, cleans, and presses, involve the activation of the core, upper body, lower body, and stabilizer muscles. This comprehensive conditioning helps athletes develop overall strength, power, and muscular endurance required for endurance activities.

Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness

Endurance athletes rely heavily on cardiovascular fitness to sustain prolonged activity. Kettlebell exercises, with their dynamic and explosive nature, elevate heart rate and engage the cardiovascular system, leading to improved cardiovascular endurance. Movements like kettlebell swings and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routines incorporating kettlebells can increase aerobic capacity, allowing athletes to perform at a higher intensity for longer durations.

Improved Strength And Power

While endurance athletes focus primarily on cardiovascular fitness, neglecting strength training can lead to imbalances and increased risk of injury. Kettlebell exercises provide an effective way to improve strength and power without compromising endurance performance. The swinging, pressing, and snatching motions require the activation of fast-twitch muscle fibres, enhancing muscular power and explosiveness, which can translate into improved sprinting ability and faster race times.

Core Stability And Postural Strength

A strong core and proper posture are essential for endurance athletes to maintain efficiency and prevent injuries. Kettlebell exercises heavily involve the core muscles, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back. Movements like Turkish get-ups, windmills, and kettlebell carries challenge the core’s stability, coordination, and strength, improving posture and reducing the risk of fatigue-related form breakdown during long-distance efforts.

Functional Movements And Joint Stability

Endurance activities require repetitive movements and place significant stress on the joints. Kettlebell exercises focus on functional movements that mimic real-life activities, helping athletes develop better movement patterns and joint stability. The swinging and ballistic movements improve hip mobility, while exercises like lunges and squats enhance knee and ankle stability, reducing the risk of overuse injuries and enhancing overall joint health.

Mental Focus And Concentration

Endurance events often require mental resilience and concentration to push through fatigue and maintain a steady pace. Kettlebell training challenges athletes both physically and mentally, requiring focus, coordination, and concentration to execute proper technique and maintain rhythm. Regular practice of kettlebell exercises can enhance mental toughness, discipline, and the ability to overcome mental barriers during endurance activities.

Time Efficiency

Endurance athletes often have limited time for additional training due to the demands of their primary sport. Kettlebell exercises offer a time-efficient solution by providing a highly effective full-body workout in a short period. Incorporating kettlebell movements into circuit training or interval workouts allows athletes to maximize their training time, simultaneously working on strength, power, cardiovascular fitness, and endurance.

Injury Prevention And Rehabilitation

Endurance athletes are prone to overuse injuries due to repetitive movements and high training volume. Kettlebell exercises can help prevent these injuries by targeting weak areas, improving muscular imbalances, and enhancing overall strength and stability. Additionally, kettlebell training can be a valuable rehabilitation tool for athletes recovering from certain injuries, as it allows for controlled movements and progressive loading of affected muscles and joints

Cross-Training And Variety

Repetitive training in a single endurance discipline can lead to monotony and plateau in performance. Incorporating kettlebell exercises into an endurance athlete’s training routine adds variety and introduces new movement patterns, stimulating the body and mind. Cross-training with kettlebells can prevent training plateaus, improve overall fitness, and provide a fresh and enjoyable training experience.

Injury Resilience And Athletic Longevity

By improving strength, stability, and overall conditioning, kettlebell exercises help endurance athletes develop injury resilience and promote long-term athletic longevity. The increased strength and stability gained from kettlebell training can enhance an athlete’s ability to withstand the repetitive stress of endurance activities, reduce the risk of common overuse injuries, and support continued participation in endurance sports for years to come.

Incorporating kettlebell exercises into the training regimen of endurance athletes can provide a multitude of benefits. From full-body conditioning and improved cardiovascular fitness to enhanced strength, power, and mental focus, kettlebell training offers a well-rounded approach to support endurance performance. By adding variety, preventing injuries, and promoting overall fitness and resilience, kettlebell exercises can be a valuable addition to an endurance athlete’s toolkit, helping them reach new levels of success and achieve their performance goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kettlebell exercises provide a comprehensive full-body workout, enhance cardiovascular fitness, improve strength and power, promote core stability and postural strength, and help prevent injuries.

Kettlebell exercises elevate heart rate, engage the cardiovascular system, and increase aerobic capacity, allowing endurance athletes to perform at a much higher intensity for longer durations.

Kettlebell exercises activate fast-twitch muscle fibres, enhancing muscular power and explosiveness, which can translate into improved sprinting ability and faster race times.

Kettlebell exercises heavily involve the core muscles, challenging their stability, coordination, and strength. This improves posture and reduces the risk of fatigue-related form breakdown during long-distance efforts.

Kettlebell exercises focus on functional movements that improve joint stability and mobility, reducing the risk of overuse injuries and enhancing overall joint health in endurance athletes.

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What Equipment Is Needed For Boxing Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-equipment-is-needed-for-boxing-exercises/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33911 The post What Equipment Is Needed For Boxing Exercises? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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The equipment needed for boxing exercises may vary depending on the specific workout routine and individual preferences. However, here are some common equipment options.

Boxing Gloves

When engaging in boxing exercises, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and protection of your hands. The equipment that plays a significant role in safeguarding your hands during punches and strikes is none other than boxing gloves. These gloves are specially designed to absorb impact, lower the risk of injury, and boost overall performance.

Selecting the right boxing gloves is essential to ensure proper fit and adequate padding. Ill-fitting gloves can cause discomfort, restrict movement, and increase the likelihood of hand injuries. Conversely, gloves that provide appropriate padding offer sufficient cushioning to minimize the impact on your hands and wrists.

To find gloves that fit properly, it is recommended to try them on before making a purchase. This allows you to assess the glove’s size, snugness, and overall comfort. Remember that a snug fit is preferable to prevent excessive movement within the glove, which can lead to discomfort and less effective punches.

Hand Wraps

Hand wraps are an essential piece of equipment when it comes to boxing exercises, as they provide additional support and protection to the wrists and knuckles. Wearing hand wraps is highly recommended to minimize the risk of injuries and enhance overall hand stability during punches and strikes.

The primary function of hand wraps is to secure and stabilize the bones and joints in the hands and wrists. They help prevent excessive movement and alignment issues that can lead to strains, sprains, or even fractures. By offering an added layer of support, hand wraps contribute to the overall integrity and strength of the hands, allowing boxers to perform with confidence and reduced risk of injury.

When properly wrapped, hand wraps also act as a barrier between the skin and the boxing gloves, helping to absorb sweat and reduce friction. This not only enhances comfort but also helps prevent skin irritations and blisters that can occur during intense training sessions or prolonged periods of glove usage.

Punching Bag

A heavy bag or a speed bag is commonly used for practicing punches, combinations, and improving technique. Ensure the bag is securely mounted or suspended.

Jump Rope

Jump rope is a versatile and essential piece of equipment used in boxing exercises for various purposes, including warm-ups, conditioning, and improving footwork and agility. Incorporating jump rope exercises into your training routine can bring numerous benefits, such as cardiovascular endurance, coordination, and overall athleticism.

When selecting a jump rope, it is important to consider the appropriate length based on your height. Choosing the right length ensures that the rope is properly sized for your body, allowing for efficient and comfortable jumping.

To determine the suitable length, follow these general guidelines:

  • Stand in the centre of the rope with one foot.
  • Pull the handles upward and ensure that they reach approximately armpit level.
  • Adjust the length of the rope accordingly. Most jump ropes have adjustable mechanisms or can be easily trimmed to achieve the desired length.

By having the jump rope at the correct length, you can maintain an optimal jumping rhythm and avoid tripping over an excessively long rope or constantly adjusting a rope that is too short.

Focus Mitts

Focus mitts, also known as punch mitts or target pads, are essential equipment used in boxing exercises for practicing punches and combinations with a training partner or coach. These handheld targets provide a dynamic and interactive training experience, helping boxers improve their accuracy, speed, and coordination.

The primary purpose of focus mitts is to simulate realistic striking scenarios while providing a target for boxers to aim at. They are typically made of durable materials such as synthetic leather or foam padding, designed to absorb the impact of punches and protect the hands of the person holding them. The trainer or partner wears the mitts on their hands, allowing them to manoeuvre and position the targets to challenge the boxer’s skills and create realistic training scenarios.

Medicine Ball

Medicine balls are versatile fitness equipment that can be used to build core strength and power, making them an ideal addition to boxing workouts. These weighted balls come in various sizes and weights, allowing boxers to incorporate them into their training routines for added intensity and effectiveness.

Speed Bag

A speed bag, also known as a speedball, is a small and lightweight bag that hangs from a platform or ceiling. It is a vital tool in boxing training and is used to enhance various aspects of a boxer’s skills, including hand-eye coordination, rhythm, and timing.

The speed bag consists of a small bladder enclosed in a durable leather or synthetic material. When struck, it rebounds quickly, requiring the boxer to maintain a consistent rhythm and timing to keep the bag moving. This constant motion challenges the boxer’s coordination and reflexes, making it an essential component of training for fighters at all skill levels.

Boxing Shoes

Boxing shoes are specialized footwear designed to meet the unique demands of boxing workouts. These lightweight and supportive shoes play a crucial role in enhancing a boxer’s performance by providing traction, stability, and agility during training sessions and fights.

Here are some key aspects and benefits of boxing shoes:

 

  • Lightweight Construction: Boxing shoes are designed to be lightweight to minimize additional weight on the boxer’s feet. The reduced weight allows for quicker movements and footwork, enabling boxers to swiftly change direction, pivot, and dodge punches with ease. The lighter footwear enhances overall speed and agility, providing a competitive edge in the ring.

 

  • Optimal Support: While boxing shoes are lightweight, they also offer excellent support to the feet and ankles. They feature a snug fit and provide ankle support through high-top or mid-top designs. This support helps stabilize the feet and ankles, reducing the risk of injuries such as sprains or twists during rigorous training sessions or bouts.

 

  • Traction and Grip: Boxing shoes have specialized outsoles that provide superior traction on various surfaces, including boxing rings and training mats. The outsoles are often made of rubber or non-marking materials that offer excellent grip, allowing boxers to maintain stability and control their movements effectively. The enhanced traction ensures quick pivoting, smooth lateral movements, and solid foot planting for powerful punches.

 

Protective Gear

Depending on the intensity of the training, additional protective gear for example headgear, mouthguard, and groin guard may be needed, especially for sparring sessions.

It’s important to note that while these equipment options are commonly used in boxing exercises, beginners can start with minimal equipment and gradually add more as they progress. It’s recommended to consult with a trainer or coach to determine the specific equipment needed based on individual goals and training requirements.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To start boxing exercises, you will need a few essential pieces of equipment. These include boxing gloves, hand wraps, a punching bag, a jump rope, and a mouthguard.

Boxing gloves are essential to protect your hands during punches and strikes. They provide cushioning and support, reducing the risk of injuries to your hands and wrists.

Hand wraps are worn under the boxing gloves to provide additional support and protection to the wrists and knuckles. They help stabilize the hand, reducing the risk of sprains or fractures.

A punching bag allows you to practice and develop your punching technique, power, and accuracy. It also serves as a great tool for cardiovascular workouts and building upper body strength.

A jump rope is used for warm-ups, conditioning, and improving footwork and agility. Jumping rope enhances cardiovascular endurance, coordination, and quickness, all of which are crucial in boxing.

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What Are Some Tips For Staying Motivated During Bootcamp Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-tips-for-staying-motivated-during-bootcamp-workouts/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33889 The post What Are Some Tips For Staying Motivated During Bootcamp Workouts? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Staying motivated during bootcamp workouts can sometimes be challenging, but here are some tips to help you stay on track.

Set Clear Goals

Setting specific and achievable goals is crucial for staying motivated during bootcamp workouts. When you have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, it becomes easier to remain focused and committed to your fitness journey. Here are some tips to help you define and maintain your goals:

  • Be Specific: Instead of setting vague goals like “getting in shape,” be specific about what you want to achieve. For example, you can aim to increase your maximum push-up count, reduce your mile run time by a certain number of seconds, or lose a specific amount of weight. Specific goals provide clarity and allow you to track progress more effectively.
  • Make Them Achievable: While it’s great to challenge yourself, make sure your goals are realistic and attainable within a given timeframe. Setting impossible goals can lead to frustration and loss of motivation. Consider your current fitness level, available time for workouts, and any physical limitations when defining your goals.
  • Set Short-term and Long-term Goals: Break up your larger fitness goals into smaller, manageable milestones. Short-term objectives can be achieved within a few weeks or months, while long-term goals may take several months or even years. Short-term goals keep you motivated by providing a sense of accomplishment along the way, while long-term goals help you remain focused on the bigger picture.

Find An Accountability Partner

Pairing up with a friend or joining a bootcamp class with like-minded individuals can provide accountability and support. You can motivate and challenge each other to stay consistent and push through tough workouts.

Mix Up Your Routine

To avoid getting bored and maintain motivation during bootcamp workouts, it’s important to incorporate variety into your training routine. Trying different exercises, changing up the intensity, and exploring new training methods not only keeps things interesting but also challenges your body in different ways. Here are some tips to help you add variety to your bootcamp workouts:

  • Mix Up Exercises: Instead of sticking to the same set of exercises, incorporate a wide range of movements that target different muscle groups. Include cardio exercises like running, jumping jacks, or high knees, as well as strength-building exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks. You can also include equipment-based exercises using resistance bands, medicine balls, or kettlebells.
  • Try Interval Training: Intervals involve alternating between high-intensity exercises and periods of active recovery. This method not only boosts cardiovascular fitness but also adds an element of challenge to your workouts. For example, you can alternate between sprinting and walking or perform circuit-style training where you move quickly from one exercise to another.
  • Incorporate Bodyweight Exercises: Bodyweight exercises are an effective way to add variety to your bootcamp workouts, as they can be done anywhere without any equipment. Include exercises like burpees, mountain climbers, jumping lunges, and plank variations. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups, improve strength and endurance, and can be modified to suit different fitness levels.

Track Your Progress

Keep a record of your workouts, noting the exercises, duration, intensity, and any improvements you notice. Tracking your progress helps you see how far you’ve come and provides a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to keep going.

Celebrate Milestones

Celebrating your achievements along the way is a crucial aspect of staying motivated during bootcamp workouts. It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the progress you make, whether it’s reaching a weight loss goal, lifting heavier weights, or completing a challenging workout. Recognizing your milestones and rewarding yourself with something meaningful can provide a boost of motivation and reinforce positive behaviour. Here are some tips for celebrating your achievements during bootcamp workouts:

  • Set Milestones: Break down your larger fitness goals into smaller, achievable milestones. For example, if your goal is to lose a certain amount of weight, set smaller targets along the way, such as losing a certain number of pounds or inches. This allows you to track your progress and celebrate each milestone as you reach them.
  • Track Your Progress: Maintain a record of your workouts, measurements, and achievements. This can be done through a fitness journal, smartphone app, or even a simple spreadsheet. Seeing your progress visually can be incredibly motivating and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Reward Yourself: As you reach each milestone, reward yourself with something meaningful. It could be treating yourself to a new workout outfit, buying a fitness-related gadget or equipment, or indulging in a spa day or massage. Choose rewards that align with your interests and make you feel excited and appreciated for your hard work.

Focus On The Benefits

Remind yourself of the positive impact that bootcamp exercises have on your overall health and well-being. Recognize the increased energy, improved mood, and enhanced fitness levels that come with regular participation.

Visualize Success

Celebrating your achievements along the way is a crucial aspect of staying motivated during bootcamp workouts. It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the progress you make, whether it’s reaching a weight loss goal, lifting heavier weights, or completing a challenging workout. Recognizing your milestones and rewarding yourself with something meaningful can provide a boost of motivation and reinforce positive behaviour. Here are some tips for celebrating your achievements during bootcamp workouts:

  • Set Milestones: Break down your larger fitness goals into smaller, achievable milestones. For example, if your goal is to lose a certain amount of weight, set smaller targets along the way, such as losing a certain number of pounds or inches. This allows you to track your progress and celebrate each milestone as you reach them.
  • Track Your Progress: Maintain a record of your workouts, measurements, and achievements. This can be done through a fitness journal, smartphone app, or even a simple spreadsheet. Seeing your progress visually can be incredibly motivating and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Reward Yourself: As you reach each milestone, reward yourself with something meaningful. It could be treating yourself to a new workout outfit, buying a fitness-related gadget or equipment, or indulging in a spa day or massage. Choose rewards that align with your interests and make you feel excited and appreciated for your hard work.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you’re struggling to stay motivated, consider working with a certified personal trainer or coach who specializes in bootcamp exercises. They can provide guidance, tailor workouts to your needs, and offer the support you need to stay motivated.

Stay Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes down to maintaining motivation. Schedule your bootcamp workouts in advance and make them a non-negotiable part of your routine. Treat them as important appointments that you can’t miss.

Stay Positive And Have Fun

Approach your bootcamp workouts with a positive mindset and a sense of enjoyment. Remember that you’re investing in your health and well-being, and each workout is an opportunity to challenge yourself and become stronger.

By implementing these tips, you can stay motivated, committed, and achieve your fitness goals through bootcamp exercises.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on becoming a bootcamp instructor? If you are then check out our Bootcamp Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When you feel tired, remind yourself of your goals, focus on the progress you’ve made, and draw inspiration from others in the bootcamp class. Also, vary your workouts, set small achievable goals, and reward yourself for your accomplishments to maintain motivation.

To stay committed, find a workout buddy or join a supportive community, track your progress, mix up your routine to prevent boredom, set realistic goals, and remind yourself of the benefits you’ll gain from regular participation.

Practice positive self-talk, focus on your strengths and achievements, surround yourself with supportive people, break down your goals into manageable steps, and visualize success to overcome mental barriers and boost motivation.

Rediscover your motivation by trying new exercises or classes, participating in fitness challenges, seeking professional guidance, exploring different workout environments, and finding ways to make your workouts enjoyable and fun.

Remember that progress takes time, focus on non-scale victories like increased energy and improved mood, track your progress through measurements and photos, set realistic expectations, and celebrate small milestones along the way to stay motivated during your fitness journey.

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What Are The Potential Benefits Of Joining A Group Indoor Cycling Class? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/potential-benefits-of-joining-a-group-indoor-cycling-class/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33890 The post What Are The Potential Benefits Of Joining A Group Indoor Cycling Class? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Joining a group indoor cycling class can offer numerous benefits beyond simply pedalling away on a stationary bike. Beyond the physical advantages, such as improved cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning, group indoor cycling classes provide a supportive and motivating environment that can enhance your overall workout experience. In this article, we will have a look at the potential benefits of joining a group indoor cycling class in detail.

Motivation And Accountability

Group indoor cycling classes provide a motivating atmosphere where participants are encouraged to push themselves and reach their fitness goals. The energy and enthusiasm of the group can be contagious, inspiring you to work harder and stay committed to your workout routine. The presence of an instructor leading the class and guiding you through various challenges adds an extra level of accountability, ensuring that you stay on track and give your best effort.

Social Interaction And Community

Group indoor cycling classes offer the chance to connect with like-minded people who share a common interest in fitness and cycling. The supportive and friendly environment fosters a sense of community, where participants can build friendships and find encouragement from their fellow riders. The camaraderie created in these classes can be a powerful motivator and can help make your workouts more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Variety And Structure

Indoor cycling classes often follow a structured format that includes warm-up, intervals, hill climbs, and cool-down periods. The pre-planned routines designed by the instructor ensure a well-rounded and balanced workout. This structured approach eliminates the need to plan your own workouts, saving time and effort. Additionally, instructors often incorporate a variety of music and choreography into the class, making it more engaging and exciting.

Expert Guidance And Coaching

Instructors in group indoor cycling classes are typically certified professionals who have widespread knowledge and experience in cycling and fitness. They are trained to guide and motivate participants, ensuring proper form and technique during the workout. Their expertise can help you maximize the benefits of your workout, prevent injuries, and achieve your fitness goals more effectively.

Performance Tracking And Goal Setting

Many group indoor cycling classes use specialized bikes equipped with performance tracking features. These bikes can measure metrics such as distance, speed, power output, and heart rate. Tracking your progress and seeing real-time data can be incredibly motivating and allows you to set specific goals and monitor your improvement over time. Some classes even offer challenges and competitions that further enhance the fun and motivation.

Time Efficiency

Group indoor cycling classes typically have fixed durations, often ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. This structured timeframe allows you to fit an effective workout into your busy schedule. With no time wasted on planning or setting up equipment, you can arrive at the class, jump on your bike, and get started right away. This time efficiency makes it easier to prioritize your fitness and ensures that you make the most of your workout session.

Adaptability For All Fitness Levels

Group indoor cycling classes are designed to accommodate members of all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced riders. The resistance on the bikes can be adjusted to match individual capabilities, allowing everyone to ride at their own pace and intensity. If you’re just beginning your fitness journey or looking to challenge your limits, the inclusive nature of group classes ensures that everyone can participate and benefit from the workout.

Stress Relief And Mental Well-Being

Engaging in a challenging workout surrounded by supportive individuals can provide an excellent outlet for releasing stress and tension. The endorphins released during exercise contribute to an improved mood and increased overall well-being. The rhythmic pedalling, music, and positive atmosphere in group indoor cycling classes create a stress-free environment that can help you escape from the pressures of daily life and focus on your own physical and mental health.

Weight Loss And Body Toning

Group indoor cycling classes can be an effective component of a weight loss or body toning program. The intense cardiovascular workout, coupled with the resistance training offered by adjusting the bike’s tension, can help burn calories and building lean muscle mass. Regular participation in these classes, combined with a balanced diet, can contribute to weight loss, improved body composition, and increased overall fitness.

Cross-Training Benefits

Indoor cycling serves as an excellent cross-training activity that complements other forms of exercise. It provides a low-impact option for individuals recovering from injuries or looking to reduce the strain on their joints. Incorporating group indoor cycling classes into your overall fitness routine can enhance your cardiovascular endurance, strengthen your lower body muscles, and improve your overall fitness level, which can benefit other physical activities you enjoy.

Joining a group indoor cycling class provides a broad range of advantages that extend beyond the physical aspects of exercise. The motivation, support, and camaraderie of the group environment, combined with expert guidance and structured workouts, can elevate your fitness journey to new heights. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, the inclusive nature of these classes ensures that everyone can participate and enjoy the numerous advantages they offer. So, hop on a bike, join a class, and experience the transformative benefits of group indoor cycling firsthand.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Joining a group indoor cycling class can significantly improve cardiovascular fitness by providing a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that increases heart rate, strengthens the heart, and improves overall endurance.

Group indoor cycling classes can aid in weight loss by burning a significant number of calories during each session. The combination of intense cardio exercise and resistance training helps boost metabolism and promote fat loss.

Group indoor cycling classes involve pedalling against resistance, which targets and strengthens the leg muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Additionally, the standing positions and variations in speed and resistance engage the core muscles, contributing to overall muscle toning and strength building.

Yes, group indoor cycling classes can have positive effects on mental well-being. The release of endorphins during exercise assists with reducing stress and improve mood. The supportive and motivating atmosphere of the class, along with the sense of accomplishment after completing a challenging workout, can boost self-confidence and enhance overall mental well-being.

Group indoor cycling classes create a community of like-minded people who share a common interest in fitness and cycling. The camaraderie and encouragement from fellow participants and instructors can foster a supportive environment that motivates you to remain committed to your fitness goals and enjoy a sense of belonging.

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Will Barre Pilates Help Me Build Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/will-barre-pilates-help-me-build-strength/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33879 The post Will Barre Pilates Help Me Build Strength? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Barre Pilates is a popular exercise method that combines elements of ballet, Pilates, and strength training. It incorporates the use of a ballet barre for support and utilizes small, controlled movements to target specific muscles. One common question many people have is, “Will Barre Pilates help me build strength?” In today’s article, we will explore the ways in which Barre Pilates can contribute to building strength and toning the body.

Targeted Muscle Engagement

One of the key aspects of Barre Pilates is its focus on targeted muscle engagement. The exercises in a Barre Pilates class are designed to isolate and activate specific muscle groups. By performing repetitive and precise movements, you can effectively work muscles that are often neglected in traditional workouts. This targeted approach helps to build strength and definition in areas such as the arms, legs, glutes, and core.

Isometric Contractions

Barre Pilates incorporates a significant number of isometric contractions, which involve holding a static position while engaging the muscles. These contractions help to build muscular endurance and strength. For example, in a typical Barre Pilates class, you may hold a plie squat position or perform a static lunge while engaging the muscles of the legs and glutes. These sustained contractions challenge the muscles and promote strength development.

Small Range Of Motion

In Barre Pilates, movements are often performed with a small range of motion, which intensifies the muscle engagement. By working within a limited range, you increase the time under tension for the muscles, leading to strength gains. The small, controlled movements in Barre Pilates can be particularly effective in targeting and sculpting specific muscle groups, such as the inner thighs, outer thighs, and glutes.

Use Of Bodyweight And Props

Barre Pilates primarily relies on bodyweight exercises, which can effectively build strength and muscle tone. By using your own bodyweight as resistance, you can develop functional strength that translates into daily activities. Additionally, some Barre Pilates classes incorporate props such as resistance bands, light weights, or exercise balls. These props can add an extra challenge and resistance, further enhancing muscle strength development.

Core Strengthening

A strong core is critical for overall strength and stability. Barre Pilates places significant emphasis on core engagement throughout the exercises. Many movements in Barre Pilates require a stable and engaged core to maintain proper form and balance. By consistently practicing Barre Pilates, you can strengthen the deep abdominal muscles, obliques, and back muscles, leading to improved core strength and stability.

Full-Body Conditioning

While Barre Pilates is known for its focus on specific muscle groups, it also provides a full-body workout. The exercises in Barre Pilates engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting overall body conditioning. By incorporating movements that involve the arms, legs, core, and upper body, you can achieve balanced muscle development and a sculpted physique.

Progression And Challenge

As you become more proficient in Barre Pilates, you can progress to more challenging variations of the exercises. Barre Pilates offers options for increasing the difficulty level, such as adding ankle weights, increasing the range of motion, or performing movements on an unstable surface. These progressions help to continuously challenge your muscles and stimulate strength gains.

Mind-Body Connection

Barre Pilates not only focuses on physical strength but also emphasizes the mind-body connection. The precise movements and controlled breathing techniques require concentration and mindfulness. By developing a strong mind-body connection, you can enhance the effectiveness of the exercises and optimize muscle engagement, leading to improved strength development.

Barre Pilates can indeed help build strength. Through targeted muscle engagement, isometric contractions, small range of motion, use of bodyweight and props, core strengthening, full-body conditioning, progression, and the mind-body connection, Barre Pilates offers a comprehensive approach to strength development and toning. Incorporating Barre Pilates into your fitness routine can lead to improved muscle strength, endurance, and overall body sculpting. So, lace up your ballet shoes, grab a barre, and get ready to experience the strength-building benefits of Barre Pilates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Barre Pilates can help build muscle strength by targeting specific muscle groups through isometric contractions, small range of motion exercises, and bodyweight resistance.

Absolutely! Barre Pilates is suitable for both men and women and can effectively build strength by engaging and challenging various muscle groups throughout the body.

No, prior ballet experience is not necessary. Barre Pilates exercises are designed to be accessible to individuals of all fitness levels and backgrounds.

Yes, Barre Pilates is known for its ability to tone and sculpt muscles, particularly in areas such as the arms, legs, glutes, and core, through targeted muscle engagement and precise movements.

While Barre Pilates alone can provide significant strength-building benefits, incorporating a variety of exercises and training methods can offer a well-rounded approach to overall strength development. Combining Barre Pilates with other forms of strength training can enhance your results and provide a diverse range of challenges for your muscles.

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What Is The Difference Between A Life Coach And A Mentor? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/the-difference-between-a-life-coach-and-a-mentor/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33804 The post What Is The Difference Between A Life Coach And A Mentor? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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When seeking guidance and support for personal and professional development, it’s common to come across the terms “life coach” and “mentor.” While both roles involve helping individuals navigate their journey and achieve their goals, there are distinct differences between a life coach and a mentor. This article aims to clarify these differences, highlighting the unique qualities and functions of each role. By understanding the distinction, individuals can make informed decisions about the type of support that aligns with their needs and aspirations.

Defining The Roles

A life coach is a trained professional who partners with clients to explore their aspirations, clarify their values, and develop strategies to achieve personal and professional goals. Life coaches facilitate personal growth, self-discovery, and accountability through a structured and forward-focused approach. They employ powerful questioning techniques, active listening, and goal-setting frameworks to guide clients in realizing their potential.

On the other hand, a mentor is an experienced individual who shares their knowledge, insights, and experiences with someone less experienced or seeking guidance in a specific area. Mentors provide guidance, advice, and support based on their expertise and personal journey. They offer wisdom, share lessons learned, and serve as role models to inspire and guide mentees in their chosen paths.

Focus And Scope

The focus and scope of a life coach and a mentor differ significantly. Life coaching primarily centres around personal development, self-improvement, and goal achievement. Life coaches work with clients in order to identify their strengths, values, and areas for growth. They help clients set meaningful goals, develop action plans, and overcome obstacles that may hinder progress. The emphasis is on self-awareness, mindset shifts, and fostering personal transformation.

Mentoring, on the other hand, is typically domain specific. Mentors are individuals who have excelled in a particular field or have a wealth of experience in a specific area. They guide and advise mentees within their area of expertise, sharing industry insights, best practices, and offering practical advice. Mentoring relationships often focus on career development, skill enhancement, and knowledge transfer.

Qualifications And Training

Life coaches typically undergo specialized training and certification programs in order to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. These programs cover coaching techniques, effective communication, goal-setting strategies, and ethics. Certification ensures that coaches adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines.

Mentors, on the other hand, may not require formal training or certification. They gain expertise through their own experiences, achievements, and knowledge in a specific domain. While not all mentors have formal qualifications, their credibility and authority are derived from their track record and success in their field.

Structure Of The Relationship

Life coaching relationships are generally structured and formal. Coaches establish a professional agreement with clients, outlining the scope of the coaching relationship, confidentiality, and the expected outcomes. Coaching sessions are scheduled at regular intervals, and coaches employ a systematic approach to help clients progress towards their goals.

Mentoring relationships tend to be more flexible and informal. The structure and frequency of interactions between mentors and mentees vary depending on their availability and mutual understanding. Mentoring may involve occasional meetings, email exchanges, or phone calls as needed. The focus is on sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and offering support when requested.

Role In Decision-Making

Life coaches adopt a non-directive approach to decision-making. They empower clients to explore options, evaluate alternatives, and make informed choices based on their values and aspirations. Coaches facilitate self-reflection and provide a supportive space for clients to gain clarity and confidence in their decisions.

Mentors, on the other hand, often play a more advisory role in decision-making. They offer insights, share their experiences, and provide guidance based on their expertise. Mentors may offer recommendations and suggestions, but the final decision-making authority lies with the mentee.

While both life coaches and mentors offer valuable support and guidance, they fulfil distinct roles in personal and professional development. Life coaches focus on holistic personal growth, helping individuals identify and achieve their goals through a structured and forward-focused approach. Mentors, on the other hand, provide domain-specific guidance, drawing from their own experiences and expertise. By understanding the differences between a life coach and a mentor, individuals can choose the type of support that best aligns with their needs, goals, and aspirations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A life coach is a trained professional who partners with individuals to explore their aspirations, clarify values, and develop strategies to achieve personal and professional goals. They focus on personal growth, self-improvement, and accountability.

A mentor is an experienced person who shares their knowledge, insights, and experiences with someone less experienced or seeking guidance in a specific area. They provide guidance, advice, and support based on their expertise and personal journey.

The focus of a life coach is on personal development, self-improvement, and goal achievement. They help individuals identify strengths, set meaningful goals, develop action plans, and overcome obstacles. Mentors, on the other hand, offer domain-specific guidance and advice within their area of expertise.

Life coaches often undergo specialized training and certification programs that cover coaching techniques, effective communication, goal-setting strategies, and ethics. Mentors may not require formal training or certification, but their credibility is based on their own experiences, achievements, and expertise in a particular domain.

Life coaches take a non-directive approach to decision-making, empowering individuals to explore options, evaluate alternatives, and make informed choices based on their values and aspirations. Mentors often play an advisory role, offering insights and recommendations based on their experiences and expertise, but the final decision-making authority rests with the mentee.

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What Are Some Yoga Poses For Relieving Knee Pain And Strengthening The Knees? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-poses-for-relieving-knee-pain-and-strengthening-the-knees/ Fri, 23 Jun 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33790 The post What Are Some Yoga Poses For Relieving Knee Pain And Strengthening The Knees? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Yoga can be a beneficial practice for relieving knee pain and strengthening the knees. It helps improve flexibility, balance, and stability, which are essential for maintaining healthy knees. Below are some yoga poses that can be helpful in alleviating knee pain and promoting knee strength. It’s important to note that if you have a knee injury or condition, it’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified yoga instructor before attempting these poses.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Begin by standing up tall with your feet hip-distance apart. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet and align your ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders. Engage your thigh muscles and then lift your kneecaps, ensuring they are pointing straight ahead. Relax your shoulders and lengthen your spine. Hold the pose for several breaths, focusing on grounding through your feet and maintaining proper alignment.

Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

Begin by standing in Mountain Pose. Inhale and raise your arms overhead, perpendicular to the floor. As you breathe out, bend your knees and lower your hips, as if sitting into an imaginary chair. Keep your thighs parallel to the floor and try to bring your shins perpendicular to the floor. Engage your core and lengthen your spine. Stay in this pose for a few breaths, gradually working your way up to longer holds.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

Begin by standing up tall with your feet wide apart, around 3-4 feet. Turn your right foot out at 90 degrees and have your left foot in slightly. Line up your right heel with the arch of your left foot. Bend your right knee, ensuring it is directly over your ankle and pointing toward your toes. Stretch out your arms to the sides, parallel with the floor. Gaze over your right fingertips. Hold the pose for several breaths, feeling the strength in your legs and the stretch in your inner thighs.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Lie back with your knees bent at 90 degrees and your feet flat on the floor. Hold your hands by your sides, palms facing down. As you exhale, press your feet into the floor and lift your hips, creating a bridge shape with your body. Engage your glutes and thighs to support your hips. Avoid straining your neck and keep your chin slightly tucked. Hold the pose for a few breaths and then slowly release back down to the floor.

Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Sit down on the floor and bring together the soles of your feet and give your knees the opportunity to fall open to the sides. Hold onto your ankles or feet with your hands. Lengthen your spine and sit up tall. You could gently press your elbows into your inner thighs to deepen the stretch. Stay in this pose for several breaths, focusing on relaxing your hips and gently stretching your inner thighs.

Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)

Begin in a lunge pose with your right foot forward and your left foot back. Keep your right knee directly over your ankle and your left leg straight. As you inhale, raise your arms overhead, reaching up towards the ceiling. Square your hips and shoulders forward, and gaze up. Engage your leg muscles and feel the strength in your stance. Hold the pose for a few breaths, and then repeat on the other side.

Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)

Start by standing up tall with your feet hip-distance apart. Move your weight onto your left foot and lift your right foot off the ground. Place the sole of your right foot alongside your left inner thigh, above or below the knee (avoid placing it directly on the knee joint). Find your balance and bring your hands together at your heart centre. Lengthen your spine and gaze forward. Hold the pose for several breaths, and then switch sides.

Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)

Start in a wide-legged stance with your feet about 3-4 feet apart. You then need to turn on your right foot out at approximately 90 degrees and your left foot slightly in. Stretch out your arms to the sides, parallel to the floor. As you exhale, hinge at your right hip and reach your right hand towards your right ankle, shin, or a block. Reach out your left arm straight up to the sky, creating a straight line from your left heel to your left fingertips. Gaze up towards your left hand or forward. Hold the pose for a few breaths and then repeat on the other side.

Remember to listen to your body and never force yourself into any pose that causes pain or discomfort. If you experience knee pain during these poses, modify or seek guidance from a knowledgeable yoga instructor. Regular practice of these poses, combined with proper alignment and awareness, can gradually strengthen your knees and provide relief from knee pain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Some yoga poses that can help relieve knee pain include Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), and Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana).

Yes, certain yoga poses can strengthen the knees. Poses like Chair Pose (Utkatasana), Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II), and Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) are known to engage the leg muscles and promote knee strength.

Bridge Pose helps relieve knee pain by strengthening the muscles around the knees, including the glutes and hamstrings. This pose also helps improve flexibility and mobility in the knees.

Bound Angle Pose stretches and opens the hips, which can help alleviate knee pain caused by tightness or stiffness in the hip muscles. Also, it provides a gentle stretch to the inner thighs and assists with improving circulation in the knees.

Extended Triangle Pose helps stretch and strengthen the legs, including the quadriceps and hamstrings. By providing a gentle stretch to the knee joints and surrounding muscles, it can help relieve knee pain. Regular practice of this pose can also contribute to increased knee stability and strength.

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Can Personal Training Help With Reducing Body Fat? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-personal-training-help-with-reducing-body-fat/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33773 The post Can Personal Training Help With Reducing Body Fat? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Personal training can indeed be an effective tool in reducing body fat and achieving a healthier body composition. With the guidance and expertise of a qualified personal trainer, individuals can benefit from a tailored exercise program, nutritional guidance, and ongoing support to help them reach their fat loss goals. In this article, we will explore how personal training can aid in reducing body fat, the key factors involved in fat loss, and the strategies that personal trainers employ to maximize results.

Understanding Body Fat

Before diving into how personal training can assist in reducing body fat, it’s important to understand what body fat is and its significance. Body fat refers to the adipose tissue stored in the body, and it serves various functions such as energy storage, insulation, and hormone regulation. However, excessive body fat can lead to health issues and impact overall well-being.

Customized Exercise Programs

One of the primary benefits of personal training is the creation of customized exercise programs. A personal trainer will assess an individual’s current fitness level, body composition, and fat loss goals to design a program that is specifically tailored to their needs. This program may include a combination of cardiovascular exercises, resistance training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to maximize calorie burn and promote fat loss.

Resistance Training And Metabolism

Resistance training, which is also known as strength training or weightlifting, plays a crucial role in reducing body fat. Personal trainers incorporate resistance exercises into the program to build lean muscle mass. Muscle is metabolically active tissue, meaning it burns more calories at rest compared to fat. By increasing muscle mass through resistance training, individuals can boost their metabolism and increase their overall calorie expenditure, even during periods of rest.

Cardiovascular Exercise And Fat Burning

Cardiovascular exercises, for example running, cycling, or swimming, are essential for burning calories and promoting fat loss. Personal trainers incorporate various forms of cardio into the training program to create a calorie deficit, which is necessary for losing body fat. They may use interval training, steady-state cardio, or a combination of both to optimize fat burning and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Nutritional Guidance

In addition to exercise, nutrition plays a vital role in reducing body fat. Personal trainers provide valuable guidance on developing healthy eating habits, creating a calorie deficit, and making sustainable dietary changes. They may educate individuals about macronutrients, portion control, meal timing, and the importance of a well-balanced diet. By aligning nutrition with the exercise program, individuals can optimize fat loss and improve overall health.

Accountability And Motivation

One of the key advantages of personal training is the accountability and motivation it provides. Personal trainers serve as coaches and mentors, offering consistent support and encouragement throughout the fat loss journey. They help individuals stay on track, set realistic goals, and overcome obstacles. This personalized guidance fosters a positive mindset, enhances adherence to the program, and increases the chances of long-term success.

Monitoring Progress And Adjustments

Personal trainers closely monitor individual progress, regularly assessing body composition, measurements, and fitness improvements. They use this data to make necessary adjustments to the exercise program and nutrition plan, ensuring continuous progress and addressing any plateaus. Personal trainers may also incorporate advanced techniques such as metabolic conditioning, circuit training, or progressive overload to further enhance fat loss results.

Long-Term Lifestyle Changes

Personal training goes beyond short-term fat loss goals. A good personal trainer emphasizes the importance of sustainable lifestyle changes to maintain results in the long run. They educate individuals about the principles of healthy living, provide strategies for managing stress, improving sleep, and creating a balanced approach to exercise and nutrition. By adopting these habits, individuals can sustain their fat loss achievements and enjoy lasting health benefits.

Personal training can be an effective means of reducing body fat by providing customized exercise programs, nutritional guidance, accountability, and ongoing support. By combining resistance training, cardiovascular exercise, and proper nutrition, individuals can create a calorie deficit, boost metabolism, and promote fat loss. Working with a personal trainer offers the advantage of tailored guidance, continuous monitoring, and the motivation needed to achieve and maintain a healthier body composition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Personal training can be an extremely valuable tool for reducing body fat, but it’s important to mix it with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits for optimal results. Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to fat loss.

The frequency of personal training sessions depends on a number of different factors such as your fitness level, goals, and availability. Generally, a combination of 2-3 sessions per week, along with additional physical activity on non-training days, can yield significant fat loss results.

Personal trainers often include a mix of resistance training and cardiovascular exercises in their programs. Resistance training helps build lean muscle mass, which increases metabolism and aids in fat burning. Cardiovascular exercises, such as HIIT or steady-state cardio, help create a calorie deficit and promote fat loss.

Yes, many personal trainers offer nutritional guidance as part of their services. They can educate you on healthy eating habits, portion control, and creating a calorie deficit. They may also provide meal plans or recommend resources to help you make sustainable dietary changes.

The timeline for fat loss results varies among people and depends on factors such as starting body composition, adherence to the program, and lifestyle habits. With consistent effort and a well-designed program, individuals can start seeing noticeable changes in their body composition within a few weeks to a few months.

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How Long Does It Take To Learn Proper Olympic Lifting Techniques? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-proper-olympic-lifting-techniques/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33765 The post How Long Does It Take To Learn Proper Olympic Lifting Techniques? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Learning proper Olympic lifting techniques requires time, dedication, and consistent practice. While the duration may vary depending on individual factors such as athleticism, coordination, and prior experience, it generally takes several months to a year or more to develop proficiency in Olympic lifting. This article will delve into the process of learning Olympic lifting techniques, the factors that influence the learning timeline, and essential tips for efficient progress.

Understanding The Basics Of Olympic Lifting

To start the journey of learning Olympic lifting, it is vital to gain a solid understanding of the fundamental movements involved, including the snatch and the clean and jerk. Familiarize yourself with the terminology, biomechanics, and key points of each lift. Learning from qualified coaches, watching instructional videos, and studying reputable resources can provide a strong foundation.

Assessing Individual Readiness And Physical Condition

Everyone starts at a different point in terms of physical readiness and conditioning. Factors such as strength, flexibility, mobility, and body awareness play a significant role in Olympic lifting. Assessing your current fitness level and addressing any limitations or weaknesses through targeted exercises and training can expedite the learning process.

Finding A Qualified Coach Or Training Programme

Working with a knowledgeable coach or participating in a structured training program is crucial for learning Olympic lifting techniques safely and effectively. A qualified coach can provide personalized guidance, correct form errors, and tailor training programmes to suit your specific needs. Look for coaches certified by reputable organizations such as USA Weightlifting or the International Weightlifting Federation.

Breaking Down The Movements Into Progressions

Learning Olympic lifting involves breaking down complex movements into manageable progressions. Starting with basic variations and gradually progressing to full lifts allows for skill development, muscle memory, and technique refinement. Progressions may include practicing the snatch or clean and jerk with a PVC pipe, gradually adding light weights, and gradually increasing the complexity of the movements.

Emphasizing Technique And Quality Repetition

Quality over quantity is paramount when learning Olympic lifting. Focusing on proper technique, body positioning, and timing is essential to develop sound movement patterns. Performing repetitions with lower weights and prioritizing form allows for neural adaptation, muscle recruitment, and coordination. Gradually increasing the intensity and load while maintaining good technique is crucial for long-term progress.

Incorporating Strength And Mobility Training

Developing strength and mobility in specific muscle groups is vital for Olympic lifting. Exercises such as squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and mobility drills can enhance the necessary muscle strength, stability, and range of motion. Balancing Olympic lifting training with supplemental strength and mobility exercises creates a solid foundation for performance and injury prevention.

Consistency And Patience

Learning Olympic lifting techniques requires consistency and patience. Regular training sessions and dedicated practice are essential for skill acquisition and improvement. Be prepared for ups and downs along the learning journey and embrace the process rather than focusing solely on the end result. Celebrate small victories and stay motivated by setting realistic goals and tracking progress over time.

Video Analysis And Feedback

Recording your lifts and analysing them through video playback can provide valuable insights into form, technique, and areas for improvement. Seek feedback from your coach or knowledgeable lifters to identify any issues and make necessary adjustments. Visual feedback can be a powerful tool for refining your technique and enhancing performance.

Competing And Seeking Coaching Opportunities

Participating in weightlifting competitions or seeking coaching opportunities, such as attending clinics or workshops, can accelerate your learning progress. Competing allows you to apply your skills under pressure and gain valuable experience. Coaching opportunities provide opportunities to learn from experienced lifters and coaches, expanding your knowledge and understanding of Olympic lifting.

Long-Term Skill Development And Mastery

Learning Olympic lifting techniques is an ongoing process that extends beyond the initial learning phase. Continuous refinement, technical adjustments, and striving for mastery are necessary to excel in Olympic lifting. Embrace a growth mindset, seek ongoing education, and remain open to feedback and new approaches to continually develop your skills.

Learning proper Olympic lifting techniques is a journey that requires time, commitment, and structured training. By understanding the basics, working with qualified coaches, focusing on technique, and incorporating supplementary exercises, you can progress steadily in your Olympic lifting journey. Remember to be patient, stay consistent, and enjoy the process of developing strength, power, and skill in this dynamic sport.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The time it takes to learn Olympic lifting techniques varies depending on several factors, including individual athleticism, prior experience, and consistent practice. Generally, it takes several months to a year or more to develop proficiency in Olympic lifting.

While it’s possible to learn some aspects of Olympic lifting on your own, working with a qualified coach is highly recommended. A coach can provide personalized guidance, correct form errors, and tailor training programmes to accelerate your learning process and ensure safety.

Consistency is crucial when learning Olympic lifting techniques. Regular training sessions and dedicated practice allow for skill acquisition, muscle memory development, and overall progress. Aim for consistent training to optimize your learning timeline.

There are no strict prerequisites for learning Olympic lifting, but having a foundation of strength, flexibility, mobility, and body awareness can aid in the learning process. Assessing your current fitness level and addressing any limitations or weaknesses can help expedite progress.

Patience is key when learning Olympic lifting techniques. It’s essential to understand that progress takes time and that it’s normal to face challenges along the way. Embrace the learning process, stay motivated, and focus on gradual improvements rather than expecting immediate mastery.

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Can EMS Training Replace Traditional Strength Training Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-ems-training-replace-traditional-strength-training-workouts/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33754 The post Can EMS Training Replace Traditional Strength Training Workouts? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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In the realm of fitness and exercise, traditional strength training workouts have long been the go-to method for building muscle, increasing strength, and improving overall fitness. However, with the advent of technological advancements, alternative training methods such as EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) have gained popularity. EMS training involves the use of electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, providing a unique approach to muscle activation. This raises the question: Can EMS training replace traditional strength training workouts? In today’s article, we will explore the benefits and limitations of EMS training compared to traditional strength training, allowing you to make an informed decision about incorporating EMS into your fitness routine.

Understanding Traditional Strength Training

Traditional strength training primarily involves exercises performed with resistance, such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or the use of resistance machines. These exercises target specific muscle groups, imposing a mechanical load that stimulates muscle fibres to adapt and grow stronger over time. Traditional strength training emphasizes progressive overload, gradually increasing the resistance or intensity to promote muscle growth and strength gains. It also enhances neuromuscular coordination, joint stability, and bone density.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Training

EMS training, on the other hand, utilizes electrical impulses delivered through electrodes placed on the skin to activate muscles. The electrical impulses mimic the signals generated by the central nervous system, causing muscle contractions. EMS can be used as an additional modality to complement traditional training or as a standalone workout method. During an EMS session, multiple muscle groups can be simultaneously targeted, allowing for a time-efficient full-body workout. The strength of the electrical stimulation can be adjusted according to individual fitness levels and goals.

The Benefits of EMS Training

  • Enhanced Muscle Activation: EMS training can activate a higher percentage of muscle fibres compared to traditional strength training. The electrical impulses reach deep muscle tissue, including fast-twitch muscle fibres that are often challenging to target with conventional exercises alone. This enhanced muscle activation can lead to increased muscle growth and strength gains.
  • Time Efficiency: EMS training sessions are typically shorter than traditional strength training workouts. Since multiple muscle groups can be stimulated simultaneously, a full-body EMS session can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. This makes EMS training an attractive option for individuals with time constraints or those seeking efficient workouts.
  • Joint-Friendly: EMS training can be particularly beneficial for individuals with joint issues or injuries. Since the electrical impulses directly stimulate the muscles without imposing excessive mechanical stress on the joints, it provides a low-impact alternative to traditional strength training exercises. This makes EMS training suitable for individuals with joint conditions or those undergoing rehabilitation.
  • Targeting Specific Muscles: EMS training allows for precise targeting of specific muscle groups. By adjusting the electrode placement and intensity, specific muscles can be isolated and activated more effectively. This can be beneficial for individuals with muscle imbalances or asymmetries, as well as those looking to enhance the development of specific muscles.

Limitations Of EMS Training

  • Lack of External Load: One of the limitations of EMS training is the absence of external load or resistance. Traditional strength training utilizes weights or resistance equipment to progressively overload the muscles, promoting strength gains and hypertrophy. While EMS can induce muscle contractions, it may not provide the same level of mechanical stress required for maximal muscle adaptation.
  • Skill Development: Traditional strength training exercises often involve complex movement patterns that require skill development and coordination. EMS training, on the other hand, focuses primarily on muscle activation and may not provide the same skill-based benefits as traditional strength training. This is particularly important for athletes or individuals seeking to improve sport-specific performance.
  • Limited Progressive Overload: Progressive overload, gradually increasing the resistance or intensity of training, is a fundamental principle of strength training. EMS training may have limitations in progressively overloading the muscles due to the fixed intensity of electrical stimulation. This can impact long-term strength gains and muscle development compared to traditional strength training.
  • Individual Variability: EMS training responses can vary among individuals. Factors such as muscle fibre composition, body composition, and individual responsiveness to electrical stimulation can influence the effectiveness of EMS training. Some individuals may respond well to EMS, while others may not experience the same level of benefits.

Finding The Balance

While EMS training offers unique benefits, it is important to consider how it can be integrated with traditional strength training. Combining the two approaches can provide a synergistic effect, maximizing the benefits of both methods. For example, using EMS training as a supplement to traditional strength training can enhance muscle activation and stimulate additional muscle fibres. This can be particularly useful during plateaus or when seeking targeted muscle activation.

EMS training can be a valuable addition to a well-rounded fitness routine. It offers unique benefits such as enhanced muscle activation, time efficiency, and joint-friendly exercise. However, it is important to recognize the limitations of EMS training, particularly in terms of progressive overload and skill development. Rather than viewing EMS training as a replacement for traditional strength training, it should be considered as a complementary tool that can be used strategically to enhance specific aspects of muscle activation and save time. As with any fitness program, individual goals, preferences, and considerations should guide the decision-making process. Consulting with a qualified fitness professional can help tailor a training plan that integrates both EMS and traditional strength training methods effectively.

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Frequently Asked Questions

EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) training involves the use of electrical impulses delivered through electrodes placed on the skin to activate muscles. It can be used as a standalone workout method or as an additional modality to complement traditional training.

EMS training offers enhanced muscle activation, time efficiency, joint-friendly exercise, precise targeting of specific muscles, and the ability to stimulate deep muscle tissue, including hard-to-reach muscle fibres.

While EMS training can provide unique benefits, it cannot completely replace traditional strength training workouts. Traditional strength training exercises utilizing resistance or weights provide a level of mechanical stress and progressive overload that may be necessary for maximal muscle adaptation.

EMS training can be used as a supplement to traditional strength training. By incorporating EMS sessions strategically, individuals can enhance muscle activation, stimulate additional muscle fibres, and target specific muscle groups while still benefiting from the progressive overload and skill development provided by traditional strength training.

It is generally recommended not to rely solely on EMS training for strength and muscle development goals. While EMS training offers unique benefits, a well-rounded fitness routine that includes traditional strength training exercises is more likely to provide comprehensive results, including maximal muscle adaptation, skill development, and sport-specific performance improvements.

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What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Performing Kettlebell Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/safety-precautions-for-kettlebell-exercises-protecting-yourself-during-workouts/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33755 The post What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Performing Kettlebell Exercises? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises offer a dynamic and effective way to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. However, like any form of exercise, it is crucial to prioritize safety to prevent injuries and maximize the benefits of your workouts. This article will provide you with comprehensive safety precautions to follow when performing kettlebell exercises. By understanding and implementing these precautions, you can confidently incorporate kettlebell training into your fitness routine while minimizing the risk of accidents or strains.

Start With Proper Form And Technique

Before diving into kettlebell exercises, it is vital to learn and practice correct form and technique. This foundation is essential for maximizing your results and reducing the risk of injuries. Here are key points to keep in mind:

  • Maintain Neutral Spine: Keep your spine aligned and avoid excessive arching or rounding during exercises. Engage your core muscles to support your back.
  • Proper Grip: Hold the kettlebell firmly with a grip that allows for control and prevents slippage. Avoid gripping too tightly, which can strain your forearms and hands.
  • Controlled Movements: Focus on controlled movements throughout the exercise, avoiding sudden jerks or swings that can strain your muscles or joints.
  • Breathing: Breathe naturally and avoid holding your breath during kettlebell exercises. Exhale during the exertion phase and breathe in during the relaxation phase.

Warm-Up And Cool-Down

To prepare your body for kettlebell exercises and reduce the risk of injury, it is crucial to incorporate proper warm-up and cool-down routines. Here’s why they are important:

  • Warm-Up: Begin your workout with a dynamic warm-up that includes light cardio exercises, such as jogging or jumping jacks, to increase blood flow, raise your body temperature, and loosen up your muscles.
  • Joint Mobility Exercises: Perform a series of joint mobility exercises to lubricate your joints and improve their range of motion. This helps prepare your body for the movements involved in kettlebell exercises.
  • Cool-Down: After completing your kettlebell workout, engage in a cool-down routine that includes stretching exercises to improve flexibility and help your body recover. This helps reduce post-workout muscle soreness and promotes overall muscle balance.

Gradually Increase Intensity And Weight

When incorporating kettlebell exercises into your fitness routine, it is essential to progress gradually to avoid overexertion and potential injuries. Follow these guidelines:

  • Start with Lighter Weights: If you are new to kettlebell training, begin with lighter weights to allow your body to adapt to the movements and build strength gradually. Focus on mastering proper technique before increasing the weight.
  • Incremental Increases: Once you feel comfortable with a particular weight, gradually increase the load by small increments. This progressive approach allows your muscles and joints to adapt and reduces the risk of strains or muscle imbalances.
  • Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels during and after each exercise session. If you experience pain or discomfort, it may be a sign that you need to decrease the weight, adjust your technique, or seek guidance from a qualified trainer.

Be Mindful Of Surroundings And Space

When performing kettlebell exercises, it is essential to create a safe workout environment. Consider the following:

  • Ample Space: Ensure you have enough space around you to perform kettlebell exercises safely, allowing for the full range of motion without obstacles or potential collisions.
  • Secure Flooring: Choose a stable and non-slip surface to perform your exercises. This reduces the risk of accidents, especially during exercises that involve swings or dynamic movements.
  • Clear the Area: Remove any objects or hazards that may interfere with your movements or cause accidents. Make sure the area is free from loose equipment, cables, or other potential tripping hazards.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you are new to kettlebell exercises or have specific concerns about your form, technique, or overall fitness level, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified fitness professional or personal trainer. They can assess your individual needs, provide personalized instruction, and ensure that you are performing exercises correctly and safely.

Implementing safety precautions during kettlebell exercises is crucial for a safe and effective workout. By following proper form and technique, warming up and cooling down, gradually increasing intensity, creating a safe workout environment, and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can minimize the risk of injuries and enjoy the numerous benefits of kettlebell training. Remember, your safety is paramount, so prioritize it alongside your fitness goals to achieve long-term success and well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When performing kettlebell exercises, it is important to prioritize safety. Follow these precautions: maintain proper form and technique, warm up and cool down properly, gradually increase intensity and weight, be mindful of your surroundings and space, and seek professional guidance when needed.

Proper form and technique ensure optimal results and reduce the risk of injuries. It helps maintain a neutral spine, use a proper grip, perform controlled movements, and breathe correctly. Learning and practicing correct form is crucial for safe and effective kettlebell workouts.

Warming up before kettlebell exercises increases blood flow, raises body temperature, and prepares the muscles for the workout. Cooling down afterward helps reduce muscle soreness and promotes recovery. Incorporating these routines minimizes the risk of injuries and enhances overall performance.

Gradual progression is key to avoid overexertion and injuries. Start with lighter weights, focus on mastering proper technique, and gradually increase the weight as your strength and proficiency improve. Listen to your body and make adjustments as needed to prevent strains or imbalances.

Creating a safe workout environment is essential. Ensure you have ample space to perform exercises without obstacles or collisions. Use a stable and non-slip surface, clear the area of potential hazards, and be aware of your surroundings to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries during kettlebell workouts.

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What Role Does Flexibility Play In Functional Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-role-does-flexibility-play-in-functional-training/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33735 The post What Role Does Flexibility Play In Functional Training? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Flexibility plays a crucial role in functional training, enhancing movement efficiency, reducing the risk of injuries, and improving overall performance. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the significance of flexibility in functional training, its benefits, and how to incorporate flexibility exercises into your training routine.

What Is Flexibility?

The term ‘flexibility’ refers to the range of motion (ROM) around a joint or group of joints. It is influenced by factors such as muscle length, joint structure, and the elasticity of connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. Having good flexibility allows joints to move freely through their intended range without restrictions.

The Importance Of Flexibility In Functional Training

Improved Movement Efficiency

Flexibility allows for optimal movement patterns by ensuring joints can move freely through their full range of motion. When muscles and connective tissues are flexible, movements become more efficient, reducing the energy required to perform exercises. This efficiency enhances overall performance and prevents unnecessary strain on muscles and joints.

Injury Prevention

Adequate flexibility reduces the risk of injuries during functional training. Tight muscles and decreased range of motion can lead to imbalances, compensations, and improper movement mechanics. These factors increase the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. By improving flexibility, you minimize these risks and promote safer training sessions.

Enhanced Muscle Activation

Flexible muscles have a greater capacity for activation. When muscles are tight, they may not engage fully during exercises, leading to suboptimal performance. With improved flexibility, you can activate muscles more effectively, ensuring they contribute to the desired movement and achieve better training outcomes.

Balance And Stability

Flexibility contributes to improved balance and stability, which are vital in functional training. When joints have a full range of motion, it becomes easier to maintain stability during dynamic movements. This reduces the risk of falls and helps you maintain control and coordination during challenging exercises.

Corrective Function

Flexibility exercises can serve as corrective tools in functional training. They can help address muscle imbalances, correct postural issues, and alleviate tightness that may hinder movement patterns. By incorporating targeted flexibility exercises, you can gradually restore balance, symmetry, and optimal alignment within your body.

Incorporating Flexibility Into Functional Training

Now that we understand the importance of flexibility, let’s explore some effective ways to incorporate it into your functional training routine.

Dynamic Warm-Up

Begin your training sessions with a dynamic warm-up routine that includes movements that take joints through their full range of motion. This prepares your muscles and connective tissues for the upcoming workout and helps improve flexibility.

Mobility Exercises

Include mobility exercises specific to the joints and movement patterns involved in your functional training routine. This can include exercises such as leg swings, arm circles, hip rotations, and thoracic spine rotations. These exercises target specific areas, increase blood flow, and improve flexibility before engaging in more intense exercises.

Active Stretching

Perform active stretching exercises during rest intervals or as part of a circuit. Active stretching involves moving a muscle or joint through its range of motion without external assistance. Examples include walking lunges, high knees, and arm circles. Active stretching promotes dynamic flexibility and prepares muscles for dynamic movements.

Static Stretching

After your workout or during cool-down, incorporate static stretching exercises to improve flexibility. Hold stretches for 15-30 seconds, focusing on major muscle groups. Include stretches for areas commonly used in functional training, such as the hips, hamstrings, shoulders, and lower back.

Yoga Or Pilates

Consider adding yoga or Pilates sessions to your training regimen. These practices emphasize flexibility, balance, and body awareness. They can enhance your functional training by improving overall flexibility, core strength, and stability.

Foam Rolling And Self-Myofascial Release

Utilize foam rollers or massage balls to release muscle tension and promote flexibility. Self-myofascial release techniques target trigger points and tight areas, helping to increase tissue elasticity and restore optimal muscle function.

Gradual Progression

When working on flexibility, remember that progress takes time. Avoid forcing stretches or pushing beyond your limits, as this may lead to injury. Gradually increase the duration and intensity of your flexibility exercises over time to maintain a safe and effective approach.

Flexibility is a critical component of functional training, contributing to improved movement efficiency, injury prevention, muscle activation, balance, and stability. By incorporating dynamic warm-ups, mobility exercises, active and static stretching, yoga or Pilates, foam rolling, and gradual progression, you can enhance your flexibility and optimize your functional training experience. Remember to listen to your body, accept your limits, and seek guidance from a qualified professional if needed. Embrace the power of flexibility and unlock your full potential in functional training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Flexibility plays a crucial role in functional training as it enhances movement efficiency, reduces the risk of injuries, improves muscle activation, promotes balance and stability, and helps correct muscle imbalances and postural issues.

Flexibility allows joints to move freely through their full range of motion, enabling optimal movement patterns. This enhances the efficiency of movements, reduces energy expenditure, and prevents unnecessary strain on muscles and joints.

Yes, having adequate flexibility reduces the risk of injuries. Tight muscles and decreased range of motion can lead to imbalances, compensations, and improper movement mechanics, increasing the likelihood of strains and sprains. Improving flexibility minimizes these risks and promotes safer training sessions.

Flexible muscles have a greater capacity for activation. When muscles are tight, they may not engage fully during exercises, leading to suboptimal performance. Improved flexibility allows for better muscle activation, ensuring they contribute effectively to the desired movement and overall training outcomes.

Yes, incorporating flexibility exercises can serve as corrective tools in functional training. Targeted flexibility exercises can help address muscle imbalances, correct postural issues, and alleviate tightness that may hinder movement patterns, leading to improved balance, symmetry, and optimal alignment within the body.

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What Are Some Effective Techniques Or Tools Used In Life Coaching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-some-effective-techniques-or-tools-used-in-life-coaching/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33718 The post What Are Some Effective Techniques Or Tools Used In Life Coaching? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Life coaching is a dynamic and empowering process that helps individuals gain clarity, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals. Life coaches utilize various effective techniques and tools to support their clients in their personal and professional growth journeys. These techniques are designed to enhance self-awareness, motivation, and the development of practical strategies to create positive change.

Goal Setting

Setting clear, specific, and achievable goals is fundamental to life coaching. Coaches help clients identify their goals, break them down into smaller steps, and create action plans to achieve them. This technique provides focus and direction, keeping clients motivated and accountable.

Visualization

Visualization techniques involve guiding clients to create vivid mental images of their desired outcomes. By visualizing success, clients can enhance motivation, build confidence, and develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve. Visualization can be combined with other techniques like affirmations and meditation for greater impact.

Affirmations

Affirmations are positive statements that clients repeat to themselves to reinforce desired beliefs and behaviours. Coaches help clients identify and develop personalized affirmations that support their goals and promote self-belief. Regularly repeating affirmations can reprogram negative thought patterns and enhance self-confidence.

Action Planning

Coaches assist clients in creating actionable plans to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Breaking down goals into manageable tasks and setting deadlines helps clients stay organized and maintain momentum. Coaches provide guidance, accountability, and support throughout the implementation of action plans.

Accountability Structures

Accountability is crucial for progress. Coaches help clients establish accountability structures that work for them, such as regular check-ins, progress tracking, or partnering with an accountability buddy. These structures ensure clients stay committed to their goals and take consistent action.

Questioning Techniques

Skilful questioning is a fundamental tool in coaching. Coaches ask powerful and thought-provoking questions to help clients gain insights, challenge limiting beliefs, and explore new perspectives. Questions encourage reflection, self-discovery, and the development of solutions, enabling clients to make informed decisions and take ownership of their actions.

Values Clarification

Values clarification helps clients identify their core values, which are deeply held beliefs and principles that guide their behaviour and decision-making. Coaches assist clients in exploring their values, aligning them with their goals, and making choices that are in harmony with their authentic selves. Understanding personal values enhances clarity, motivation, and fulfilment.

Strengths Assessment

Coaches help clients recognize and leverage their strengths. Assessing and understanding individual strengths allows clients to tap into their unique talents and abilities, leading to increased self-awareness and confidence. Coaches support clients in leveraging their strengths to overcome challenges and achieve their goals effectively.

Mindfulness And Meditation

Mindfulness practices, for example meditation and deep breathing exercises, help clients develop present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and enhance focus. Coaches may integrate mindfulness techniques into sessions to cultivate self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and support clients in making conscious choices.

Reframing

Reframing involves helping clients shift their perspectives and interpretations of situations. Coaches guide clients in challenging negative or unhelpful thought patterns and replacing them with more empowering and constructive ones. Reframing helps clients develop resilience, overcome obstacles, and see opportunities where they previously saw limitations.

Time Management And Prioritization

Coaches assist clients in improving their time management skills and setting priorities. Through techniques like creating schedules, setting boundaries, and identifying time-wasting activities, coaches help clients optimize their use of time, reduce overwhelm, and achieve a better work-life balance.

Emotional Intelligence Development

The term ‘emotional intelligence’ refers to the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and effectively navigate social interactions. Coaches support clients in developing emotional intelligence by enhancing self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. This fosters better communication, relationships, and overall well-being.

Journaling And Reflection

Coaches may encourage clients to engage in journaling and reflective practices. Writing thoughts, feelings, and insights in a journal promotes self-reflection, problem-solving, and self-expression. Coaches may review and provide feedback on journal entries to deepen the coaching process.

Positive Psychology Techniques

Positive psychology focuses on cultivating positive emotions, strengths, and well-being. Coaches incorporate positive psychology techniques such as gratitude exercises, savouring positive experiences, and cultivating a positive mindset. These techniques promote resilience, optimism, and overall life satisfaction.

Boundary Setting

Coaches help clients establish healthy boundaries in various areas of life, such as relationships, work, and self-care. Setting and maintaining boundaries empowers clients to protect their time, energy, and values, leading to increased self-respect, improved relationships, and reduced stress.

Visualization Boards Or Vision Boards

Coaches may guide clients in creating visualization boards or vision boards. These boards consist of visual representations of the clients’ goals, dreams, and aspirations. Visualization boards serve as powerful visual reminders, keeping clients focused, motivated, and connected to their desired outcomes.

Gratitude Practices

Gratitude practices involve intentionally focusing on and expressing gratitude for the positive aspects of life. Coaches encourage clients to cultivate a gratitude mindset through practices such as gratitude journaling, gratitude letters, or daily gratitude rituals. Gratitude practices promote optimism, contentment, and overall well-being.

Energy Management

Coaches help clients optimize their energy levels by identifying activities that energize or deplete them. By managing their physical, emotional, and mental energy effectively, clients can improve their productivity, well-being, and overall quality of life.

Visualization And Guided Imagery

Coaches may use visualization and guided imagery techniques to help clients imagine and experience their desired outcomes in a detailed and sensory way. This technique activates the subconscious mind, enhances motivation, and reinforces positive beliefs and behaviours.

Action Reflection

Coaches facilitate action reflection by guiding clients to evaluate their actions, outcomes, and learnings. Reflecting on experiences and lessons learned allows clients to make adjustments, celebrate successes, and develop strategies for continuous growth and improvement.

These are just some of the effective techniques and tools used in life coaching. Coaches may employ a combination of these methods, tailoring their approach to the unique needs and goals of each client. At the end of the day, the aim is to empower individuals to unlock their potential, overcome obstacles, and create a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Goal setting in life coaching involves helping clients identify their aspirations and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Coaches assist in creating action plans that provide focus, direction, and motivation to achieve those goals.

Visualization is a powerful technique used in life coaching to help clients create vivid mental images of their desired outcomes. By visualizing success, clients can enhance motivation, build confidence, and develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve.

Affirmations are positive statements that clients repeat to themselves to reinforce desired beliefs and behaviours. They help clients reprogram negative thought patterns, enhance self-confidence, and stay focused on their goals.

Action planning involves breaking down goals into smaller, manageable tasks and setting deadlines. This technique helps clients stay organized, motivated, and on track as they work towards their desired outcomes.

Accountability structures, such as regular check-ins and progress tracking, provide external support and encouragement to clients. They help clients stay committed, take consistent action, and overcome challenges on their journey towards achieving their goals.

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Are There Any Specific Nutrition Considerations For Young Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/are-there-any-specific-nutrition-considerations-for-young-athletes/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33705 The post Are There Any Specific Nutrition Considerations For Young Athletes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Proper nutrition plays a vital role in supporting the growth, development, and athletic performance of young athletes. Their nutritional requirements differ from those of adults due to their unique growth and activity patterns. This article will discuss specific nutrition considerations for young athletes, highlighting the importance of balanced meals, hydration, nutrient timing, and addressing common challenges they may face.

Balanced Meals For Energy And Nutrient Needs

Young athletes require balanced meals that provide adequate energy and essential nutrients. Emphasize a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins as well as healthy fats. Carbohydrates are particularly important as they serve as the primary fuel source for physical activity and support optimal brain function.

Sufficient Caloric Intake

Growing athletes have higher energy needs than their sedentary counterparts. It’s crucial to ensure they consume enough calories to support growth, daily activities, and sports participation. However, individual energy requirements may vary based on factors such as age, body size, and activity level. Consulting with a registered dietitian can help determine appropriate caloric needs for young athletes.

Hydration For Performance And Safety

Proper hydration is essential for young athletes to maintain performance and prevent dehydration. Encourage them to drink fluids before, during, and after exercise. Water is generally the best choice for most activities, but for intense or prolonged exercise, sports drinks may be beneficial to replenish electrolytes. Teach them to recognize signs of dehydration and the importance of drinking fluids regularly.

Nutrient Timing For Optimal Performance

Timing nutrient intake around exercise can enhance performance and recovery. Encourage young athletes to consume a balanced snack or meal containing carbohydrates and protein before and after training or competition. This helps provide energy, support muscle repair, and replenish glycogen stores. Examples include a banana with yogurt, whole grain toast with nut butter, or a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Adequate Protein For Muscle Development

Protein is key for muscle growth and repair. Young athletes should consume sufficient protein to support their physical demands. Great sources of protein incorporate lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and plant-based sources like tofu and quinoa. Aim for a balance of protein throughout the day, including in each meal and snack.

Nutrient-Dense Snacks For Sustained Energy

Snacks play an important role in meeting the increased energy requirements of young athletes. Opt for nutrient-dense snacks that provide a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Examples include Greek yogurt with berries, trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, whole grain crackers with cheese, or a fruit smoothie with added protein.

Addressing Common Challenges

Young athletes often face challenges such as limited time for meals, frequent training sessions, and peer influence on food choices. Encourage them to plan and prepare meals in advance, prioritize nutrient-dense foods, and make smart choices when eating out. Educate them about the impact of nutrition on performance and emphasize the importance of making balanced food choices.

Bone Health And Calcium Intake

Building strong bones during adolescence is crucial for long-term health. Adequate calcium intake is essential, along with vitamin D for calcium absorption. Encourage the consumption of calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified plant-based milk, leafy greens, and calcium-fortified products. If needed, a calcium supplement may be recommended.

Monitoring Weight And Body Composition

Weight-related concerns may arise among young athletes, particularly those involved in sports with weight classes or aesthetic demands. Promote a healthy body image and focus on performance, strength, and overall well-being rather than weight alone. Encourage the adoption of balanced eating habits and discourage extreme dietary measures or restrictive eating patterns.

Education And Professional Guidance

Education is key in helping young athletes understand the importance of nutrition for their health and performance. Consider involving a registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition to provide personalized guidance and support. They can help create individualized meal plans, address specific concerns, and monitor nutritional status to optimize performance.

Young athletes have specific nutrition considerations to support their growth, development, and athletic performance. Providing balanced meals, promoting hydration, timing nutrient intake, ensuring adequate protein, addressing challenges, promoting bone health, monitoring weight and body composition, and seeking professional guidance are essential for their overall health and success in sports. By prioritizing proper nutrition, young athletes can enhance their performance, support optimal growth, and establish healthy habits for a lifetime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Young athletes should focus on consuming balanced meals that include carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Adequate intake of these nutrients supports growth, energy production, muscle development, and overall health.

Hydration is crucial for young athletes to maintain performance and prevent dehydration. They should be encouraged to drink fluids before, during, and after exercise and recognize the signs of dehydration. Water is generally the best choice, but sports drinks may be beneficial during intense or prolonged activities.

Young athletes require adequate protein for muscle growth and repair. Excellent sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and plant-based sources like tofu and quinoa. It’s important to include protein in each meal and snack throughout the day.

Building strong bones during adolescence is crucial. Young athletes should focus on consuming calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens, and calcium-fortified products. Sufficient vitamin D intake is also important for calcium absorption. In some cases, a calcium supplement may be recommended.

Young athletes can overcome challenges by planning and preparing meals in advance, prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, and making smart choices when eating out. They should understand the impact of nutrition on performance and prioritize balanced food choices even in busy schedules.

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What Role Does Exercise Science Play In Injury Prevention And Rehabilitation? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-role-does-exercise-science-play-in-injury-prevention-and-rehabilitation/ Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33583 The post What Role Does Exercise Science Play In Injury Prevention And Rehabilitation? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Exercise science plays a crucial role in injury prevention and rehabilitation by employing evidence-based strategies to enhance performance, minimize risks, and facilitate the recovery process. This article explores the multifaceted contributions of exercise science in promoting physical well-being, reducing injuries, and optimizing rehabilitation outcomes. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of injuries, implementing effective prevention strategies, and employing comprehensive rehabilitation techniques, exercise science professionals are instrumental in improving the overall health and functionality of individuals involved in physical activities and sports.

Understanding Injury Mechanisms

To effectively prevent injuries, exercise scientists delve into the biomechanical and physiological aspects that contribute to their occurrence. By identifying common causes and risk factors, such as poor movement patterns, muscle imbalances, or inadequate conditioning, exercise scientists can develop targeted interventions to mitigate injury risks. This section explores the importance of biomechanical analysis and physiological responses to exercise in understanding injury mechanisms.

Injury Prevention Strategies

Implementing preventive measures is a primary focus of exercise science in reducing the occurrence of injuries. This section delves into various strategies used by exercise scientists to prevent injuries, including pre-participation screenings, personalized training programs, warm-up and cool-down routines, strength and conditioning exercises, flexibility training, and promoting proper technique and form. By incorporating these strategies, individuals can enhance their physical readiness and minimize the chances of sustaining injuries.

Injury Assessment And Rehabilitation

When injuries do occur, exercise science professionals play a critical role in assessing the extent of damage and designing effective rehabilitation plans. This section explores the initial injury evaluation, collaborative approaches with healthcare professionals, rehabilitation phases, exercise prescription, manual therapy techniques, and the integration of functional training and sport-specific exercises. Exercise science ensures that rehabilitation programs are tailored to the individual’s specific needs, addressing not only the physical aspects but also psychological considerations for a holistic recovery process.

Return-To-Play Criteria And Performance Optimization

Exercise science provides guidelines and criteria to determine an individual’s readiness to return to physical activity after an injury. This section discusses the gradual progression of training, monitoring training load, sport-specific drills, simulations, and performance enhancement techniques during the rehabilitation process. By following evidence-based protocols, individuals can safely and effectively transition back to their desired level of activity, maximizing their performance potential while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

Long-Term Benefits And Conclusion

Exercise science’s impact extends beyond injury prevention and rehabilitation, promoting long-term health benefits and overall well-being. This section explores the significance of exercise science in fostering a culture of physical activity, educating individuals on injury prevention, and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. By incorporating exercise science principles into daily routines, individuals can improve their overall physical fitness, reduce the risk of chronic conditions, and enhance their quality of life.

Exercise science serves as a vital pillar in injury prevention and rehabilitation, employing evidence-based strategies to optimize performance, minimize risks, and facilitate recovery. By understanding the intricate mechanisms of injuries, implementing preventive measures, and tailoring rehabilitation programs to individual needs, exercise science professionals play a pivotal role in enhancing the overall health and functionality of individuals engaged in physical activities and sports. Emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practices, and ongoing research, exercise science continues to shape the landscape of injury prevention and rehabilitation, enabling individuals to lead active, fulfilling lives with reduced injury risks and improved overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise science utilizes biomechanical and physiological analysis to pinpoint risk factors and develop targeted interventions, including personalized training programs, warm-up routines, and strength and conditioning exercises, to reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Exercise science professionals play a crucial role in assessing the extent of injuries, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and designing comprehensive rehabilitation plans that incorporate exercise prescription, manual therapy techniques, and sport-specific exercises.

Exercise science provides evidence-based protocols and techniques to guide the rehabilitation process, focusing on progressive training, monitoring training load, and integrating functional training to restore functionality, strength, and range of motion after an injury.

Exercise science professionals establish criteria and guidelines for determining an individual’s readiness to return to physical activity, emphasizing gradual progression, performance optimization techniques, and ongoing monitoring to minimize the risk of re-injury.

Exercise science promotes not only injury prevention and rehabilitation but also long-term health benefits. By educating individuals on injury prevention, fostering a culture of physical activity, and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, exercise science contributes to overall well-being, reduced risk of chronic conditions, and improved quality of life.

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Can Sports Psychology Techniques Be Applied To Non-Athletic Areas Of Life? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/can-sports-psychology-techniques-be-applied-to-non-athletic-areas-of-life/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33555 The post Can Sports Psychology Techniques Be Applied To Non-Athletic Areas Of Life? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports psychology techniques are not limited to the realm of athletics. The principles and strategies employed in sports psychology can be valuable and applicable to various aspects of everyday life. While initially developed to enhance athletic performance, the insights and skills derived from sports psychology can be adapted and utilized in non-athletic domains such as education, business, personal development, and more. In today’s, we will explore how sports psychology techniques can be effectively applied to improve performance, well-being, and success beyond the athletic arena.

Education

One key area where sports psychology techniques can be applied outside of sports is in education. Students can benefit from understanding and applying mental skills to enhance their learning, focus, and motivation. Strategies such as goal setting, visualization – as well as positive self-talk – can help students set clear objectives, create mental imagery of success, and develop a constructive inner dialogue to overcome challenges. Sports psychology techniques can also assist students in managing stress, improving time management, and building resilience, all of which contribute to academic success.

Business World

In the business world, sports psychology techniques can play a pivotal role in optimizing performance and fostering a positive work environment. Just as athletes strive for peak performance, professionals in various fields seek to achieve their best in their careers. The principles of goal setting, mental imagery, and self-confidence can empower individuals to set and accomplish objectives, visualize success, and build self-belief. In addition, stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises and mindfulness, can help professionals cope with pressure and maintain focus in high-stakes situations.

Personal Development And Well-Being

Furthermore, sports psychology techniques can enhance personal development and well-being in numerous areas of life. For example, individuals can utilize mental skills to improve their physical fitness and overall health. Motivation strategies employed by athletes, such as setting specific and measurable goals, tracking progress, and rewarding achievements, can be effective in maintaining a regular exercise routine. Similarly, techniques such as visualization and self-talk can boost self-confidence, reduce anxiety, and enhance performance in public speaking, artistic pursuits, or any other personal endeavour.

Teamwork And Collaboration

Sports psychology techniques can also be beneficial in areas that involve teamwork and collaboration. Effective communication, leadership, and team dynamics are critical components in both sports and non-athletic contexts. Athletes learn to communicate effectively, support teammates, and develop cohesion within a team. These principles can be applied in professional settings, community organizations, and social relationships to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and maximize group performance.

Overcome Obstacles And Navigate Challenging Life Transitions

Moreover, sports psychology techniques can help individuals overcome obstacles and navigate challenging life transitions. Athletes often face setbacks, injuries, and periods of adversity, and they develop resilience and mental toughness to bounce back and continue pursuing their goals. These same skills can be applied to personal life challenges, such as managing personal loss, career changes, or dealing with unexpected circumstances. Learning to reframe setbacks, develop a growth mindset, and cultivate resilience can contribute to personal growth and well-being.

Coaching And Mentoring

In addition to individual application, sports psychology principles can be valuable in coaching and mentoring contexts. Coaches, teachers, and mentors can integrate sports psychology techniques into their guidance and support to inspire and motivate individuals to reach their full potential. For instance, employing effective feedback strategies, setting challenging yet attainable goals, and cultivating a positive and supportive environment can enhance the learning and development of those under their guidance.

It is important to note that while sports psychology techniques can be adapted to non-athletic areas of life, it is necessary to consider the context and tailor the application to the specific needs and goals of each individual or group. The effectiveness of these techniques may vary, and it is crucial to seek appropriate guidance and support from professionals in the respective fields.

Sports psychology techniques are not limited to sports alone. The mental skills, strategies, and principles derived from sports psychology can be successfully applied to various non-athletic areas of life, including education, business, personal development, teamwork, and overcoming challenges. By incorporating goal setting, visualization, self-talk, stress management, and other mental skills, individuals can enhance their performance, well-being, and success in diverse aspects of life. Whether it’s students striving for academic excellence, professionals seeking career advancement, or individuals pursuing personal growth, the principles of sports psychology offer valuable tools to unlock one’s full potential beyond the boundaries of the athletic arena.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a sports psychologist? If you do then you need to do our Sports Psychology Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports psychology techniques, such as goal setting, visualization, and stress management, can help students improve focus, motivation, and resilience. These skills enhance learning, time management, and coping with academic challenges, leading to better academic performance.

Sports psychology techniques can be valuable in the business world for enhancing performance and well-being. Strategies like goal setting, mental imagery, and self-confidence can optimize professional goals, while stress management techniques aid in maintaining focus and handling pressure.

Sports psychology techniques can empower individuals in personal development by improving physical fitness, building self-confidence, and enhancing overall well-being. Techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and goal setting can be used to overcome challenges and achieve personal goals.

Yes, sports psychology techniques are applicable in teamwork and collaborative environments. Athletes’ skills in effective communication, leadership, and team dynamics can be utilized in professional settings, community organizations, and social relationships to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and optimize group performance.

Coaches, mentors, and teachers can integrate sports psychology principles by providing effective feedback, setting challenging goals, and creating a supportive environment. Employing these strategies can inspire and motivate individuals, leading to their personal growth and achievement of their full potential.

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How Can Sports Coaches Create A Positive And Supportive Team Culture? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-sports-coaches-create-a-positive-and-supportive-team-culture/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33558 The post How Can Sports Coaches Create A Positive And Supportive Team Culture? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Creating a positive and supportive team culture is a crucial aspect of sports coaching. It not only fosters a healthy and enjoyable environment for athletes but also contributes to their overall performance and development. In today’s article, we will explore various strategies and practices that sports coaches can implement to cultivate a positive team culture.

Communication And Respect

Effective communication is the foundation of a positive team culture. Coaches should promote open and honest dialogue among team members, encouraging them to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Active listening and mutual respect are vital in creating an atmosphere where every individual feels valued and heard. Coaches can lead by example, demonstrating respectful and constructive communication with athletes and promoting positive interactions among team members.

Establishing Team Values

Defining and reinforcing team values is essential for creating a strong team culture. Coaches should work with athletes to establish core principles that guide their behaviour and actions both on and off the field. These values may include qualities like teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, accountability, and dedication. By consistently emphasizing and aligning with these values, coaches can shape the team culture and promote positive attitudes and behaviours.

Emphasizing Collaboration

Sports coaches should encourage a collaborative mindset among team members. Promoting teamwork and emphasizing that everyone has a role to play creates a sense of unity and shared responsibility. Coaches can organize activities that foster collaboration, such as team-building exercises, group discussions, and cooperative drills. By promoting a “we” rather than “me” mentality, coaches lay the groundwork for a supportive team culture.

Providing Constructive Feedback

Constructive feedback plays a vital role in athlete development and team growth. Coaches should provide feedback that is specific, timely, and focused on improvement. By highlighting strengths and areas for growth in a constructive manner, coaches help athletes understand their progress and work towards their goals. Feedback should be balanced, recognizing achievements while providing guidance for improvement. This approach encourages a growth mindset and reinforces a supportive team culture cantered around continuous learning.

Encouraging A Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is essential for individual and team development. Coaches can foster a growth mindset by emphasizing effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. Encouraging athletes to view challenges as opportunities for growth and celebrating their progress and resilience helps cultivate a positive team culture. Coaches can create an environment where athletes feel safe to take risks, learn from failures, and strive for continuous improvement.

Promoting Support And Camaraderie

Team bonding and fostering a feeling of camaraderie among athletes are key elements of a positive team culture. Coaches should organize team-building activities, social events, and community service projects to encourage connections and build relationships within the team. When athletes feel a sense of support and belonging, they are more likely to work together, support each other’s successes, and navigate challenges as a cohesive unit.

Recognizing And Celebrating Achievements

Acknowledging and celebrating the wins, both big and small, is crucial for maintaining a positive team culture. Coaches should recognize individual and team accomplishments, such as personal bests, team victories, or acts of sportsmanship. Celebrations can take various forms, including verbal praise, awards, team rituals, or public recognition. By highlighting and valuing achievements, coaches reinforce a positive and motivating team culture.

Encouraging Well-Being And Work-Life Balance

Coaches have a responsibility to prioritize the overall well-being of their athletes. They should promote a healthy work-life balance, encouraging athletes to take care of their physical and mental health. Coaches can educate athletes about the importance of rest, recovery, nutrition, and stress management. By demonstrating care for the whole person, coaches contribute to a supportive team culture that values athletes’ well-being beyond their athletic performance.

Creating A Safe And Inclusive Environment

Sports coaches must create a safe and inclusive environment where all athletes feel welcome and respected. Coaches should address and prevent any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying. They can establish clear guidelines and policies that promote inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all team members. By fostering an environment where athletes feel safe to be themselves, coaches cultivate a positive team culture that thrives on mutual respect and acceptance.

Leading By Example

As role models, coaches play a very significant role in shaping team culture. They should exemplify the values and behaviours they expect from their athletes. Coaches must demonstrate integrity, fairness, and professionalism in their interactions with athletes, officials, and other stakeholders. By leading by example, coaches set the tone for the team culture and inspire athletes to embody the positive qualities and attitudes promoted within the team.

Creating a positive and supportive team culture is essential for sports coaches. By prioritizing effective communication, establishing team values, promoting collaboration, providing constructive feedback, encouraging a growth mindset, fostering support and camaraderie, recognizing achievements, prioritizing well-being, creating a safe and inclusive environment, and leading by example, coaches can shape a team culture that not only enhances performance but also contributes to the holistic development and success of athletes.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a sports psychologist? If you do then you need to do our Sports Psychology Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Effective communication is crucial in creating a positive team culture. Coaches should encourage open and honest dialogue, active listening, and mutual respect among team members. Clear and consistent communication builds trust, fosters understanding, and promotes a supportive environment where athletes feel valued and heard.

Coaches can foster collaboration and teamwork by emphasizing the importance of working together towards a common goal. They can organize team-building activities, encourage cooperative drills, and promote a “we” mentality rather than an individualistic approach. By creating opportunities for athletes to collaborate, coaches cultivate a supportive team culture that values collective effort and shared success.

Coaches should provide constructive feedback that is specific, timely, and focused on improvement. They should highlight strengths, identify areas for growth, and offer guidance for development. By emphasizing progress and encouraging a growth mindset, coaches create a supportive team culture where athletes feel motivated, valued, and empowered to continually improve.

Coaches can promote camaraderie and support by organizing team-building activities, fostering positive relationships among team members, and encouraging a culture of inclusivity and respect. By creating opportunities for athletes to connect, bond, and support each other, coaches foster a positive team culture that values unity, collaboration, and shared experiences.

Coaches play a significant role in shaping team culture through their behaviour and actions. By leading by example, coaches demonstrate the values and attitudes they expect from their athletes. They exhibit integrity, fairness, and professionalism in their interactions, show respect for officials and opponents, and promote sportsmanship. Through their leadership, coaches inspire athletes to embody these positive qualities, contributing to a supportive team culture.

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What Are The Career Opportunities And Pathways For Soccer Coaches At Different Levels Of The Game? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-the-career-opportunities-and-pathways-for-soccer-coaches-at-different-levels-of-the-game/ Wed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33552 The post What Are The Career Opportunities And Pathways For Soccer Coaches At Different Levels Of The Game? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Soccer coaching is a dynamic profession that offers a multitude of career opportunities at different levels of the game. From grassroots to professional leagues, soccer coaches play a vital role in developing players’ skills, tactical understanding, and overall performance. In today’s comprehensive guide, we will delve into the diverse career pathways available for soccer coaches, highlighting the unique requirements, responsibilities, and growth opportunities at each level.

Grassroots And Youth Soccer Coaching

Introduction To Grassroots Coaching

Grassroots coaching forms the foundation of soccer development, focusing on nurturing young players’ passion for the game and building their fundamental skills. Opportunities in grassroots coaching include community clubs, recreational leagues, and school programs.

Certification And Qualifications For Grassroots Coaching

Acquiring coaching certifications, such as the USSF Grassroots License or equivalent qualifications, is essential for aspiring grassroots coaches. These certifications provide a solid knowledge base and coaching methodologies tailored to young players.

Responsibilities And Growth In Grassroots Coaching

Grassroots coaches are responsible for creating a positive and enjoyable environment, fostering player development, and instilling fundamental soccer principles. Progression within grassroots coaching can involve higher-level age groups, coaching education, and potential involvement in talent identification programs.

Academy And Youth Development Coaching

Introduction To Academy Coaching

Academy coaching focuses on talent identification, player development, and preparing young players for higher-level competition. Academy setups are typically affiliated with professional clubs and offer more structured training environments.

Certification And Qualifications For Academy Coaching

Academy coaches are expected to hold higher-level coaching licenses, such as the USSF D License or equivalent credentials. These certifications provide a deeper understanding of player development, tactical strategies, and age-specific coaching methodologies.

Responsibilities And Growth In Academy Coaching

Academy coaches are entrusted with developing technically proficient players and imparting tactical knowledge. They work closely with player development staff, implement training programs, and oversee competitive matches. Progression in academy coaching can involve higher age groups, specialized roles like goalkeeper coaching, and potential involvement with professional youth teams.

Professional And Elite-Level Coaching

Introduction To Professional Coaching

Professional coaching involves working with elite-level players in senior or youth teams associated with professional clubs. This level demands a high level of expertise, tactical acumen, and the ability to handle the pressures of professional competition.

Certification And Qualifications For Professional Coaching

Professional coaches typically hold advanced coaching licenses, such as the UEFA Pro License, USSF A License, or equivalent top-level certifications. These licenses signify a comprehensive understanding of advanced coaching methodologies, player management, and team tactics.

Responsibilities And Growth In Professional Coaching

Professional coaches are responsible for team preparation, game analysis, player development, and managing the overall performance of the team. Progression in professional coaching can involve higher coaching positions within the club, international coaching opportunities, or even transitioning to managerial roles.

National Team And International Coaching

Introduction To National Team Coaching

National team coaching involves leading a country’s representative team at various levels, from youth teams to senior squads. This level of coaching requires exceptional leadership, tactical prowess, and the ability to work with diverse players.

Certification And Qualifications For National Team Coaching

National team coaches often possess the highest coaching licenses available, such as the UEFA Pro License or equivalent top-level credentials. These certifications reflect a profound understanding of international tactics, player selection, and tournament preparation.

Responsibilities And Growth In National Team Coaching

National team coaches are responsible for team selection, strategic planning, and achieving success in international competitions. They work closely with staff, analyse opponents, and adapt tactics to the team’s strengths. Growth in national team coaching can involve leading higher-level teams, participating in major tournaments, and potentially transitioning to managerial positions.

Soccer coaching offers a vast array of career opportunities, allowing individuals to contribute to the game at different levels. From grassroots to professional and international coaching, each stage presents unique challenges, requirements, and avenues for growth. By understanding the various career pathways and investing in appropriate certifications and qualifications, aspiring soccer coaches can embark on a fulfilling journey, positively impacting players’ lives and leaving a lasting legacy in the beautiful game.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a soccer coach? If you do, then you need to do our Soccer Coaching Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Soccer coaches have various career opportunities at different levels of the game, including coaching at youth academies, amateur clubs, professional clubs, national teams, and even international leagues.

Aspiring soccer coaches can start by obtaining coaching licenses and certifications, such as those offered by organizations like the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). They can gain experience by coaching at local clubs, progressing to higher levels, and networking with professionals in the industry.

To progress from coaching youth academies to professional clubs, coaches need to demonstrate their skills, knowledge, and ability to develop players. They can build a strong coaching portfolio, seek mentorship from experienced professionals, and establish connections within the soccer community to increase their chances of being noticed and considered for coaching positions at professional clubs.

Soccer coaches with a proven track record of success and experience at the professional level may have the opportunity to coach national teams. They can also explore coaching positions in international leagues, for example the English Premier League, La Liga, or the Bundesliga, where there is a demand for skilled and experienced coaches.

Yes, there are alternative career paths for soccer coaches beyond coaching teams. They can transition into roles such as talent scouts, player development coordinators, sports analysts, or even move into administrative positions within soccer organizations or governing bodies. Additionally, some coaches become consultants or start their own coaching academies to impart their knowledge and expertise to aspiring players.

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Can Sports Conditioning Improve Agility, Speed, And Reaction Time? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/sports-conditioning-improve-agility-speed-and-reaction-time/ Wed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33549 The post Can Sports Conditioning Improve Agility, Speed, And Reaction Time? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports conditioning is a comprehensive training approach aimed at enhancing athletic performance across various disciplines. Among its numerous benefits, sports conditioning has gained significant attention for its potential to improve agility, speed, and reaction time. In today’s article, we will explore the science behind sports conditioning and its impact on these crucial aspects of athletic performance.

Understanding Agility

Agility is the ability to swiftly change direction, accelerate, and decelerate while maintaining balance and control. It plays a pivotal role in numerous sports, such as basketball, soccer, and tennis. Sports conditioning programs specifically designed to enhance agility focus on improving muscular strength, power, and coordination.

Benefits Of Sports Conditioning For Agility

By incorporating exercises that target the lower body, core stability, and proprioception, sports conditioning programs can significantly enhance agility. These exercises include ladder drills, cone drills, plyometrics, and quick footwork exercises. Through consistent practice and training, athletes can improve their ability to change direction rapidly, maintain body control during sharp turns, and react swiftly to on-field or on-court situations.

The Role Of Strength Training In Agility

Developing muscular strength is crucial for agility improvement. Sports conditioning programs often include strength training exercises such as squats, lunges, and lateral movements to enhance lower body strength and stability. By building strength in the muscles responsible for quick movements, athletes can improve their ability to generate power and change direction efficiently.

Unleashing Speed Potential

Speed is a fundamental attribute in numerous sports, enabling athletes to outrun opponents, break through defensive lines, or chase down balls. Sports conditioning programs that aim to enhance speed focus on improving stride length, frequency, and overall running mechanics.

Enhancing Speed Through Conditioning

Sports conditioning programs incorporate various training methods to improve speed. Interval training, sprints, and resisted sprinting with tools like parachutes or sleds are common techniques employed to enhance speed. These exercises target both the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, improving the body’s capacity to generate energy and maintain high-speed output.

The Role Of Plyometrics In Speed Development

Plyometric exercises, such as bounding, box jumps, and depth jumps, play a crucial role in speed development. By focusing on explosive movements, plyometrics enhance the body’s ability to generate maximal force in minimal time, leading to improved stride length and frequency. These exercises also enhance the elasticity and efficiency of muscle-tendon units, further contributing to enhanced speed.

Reaction Time Enhancement

Reaction time is the ability to respond swiftly and accurately to stimuli, such as a ball being thrown or an opponent’s movement. It is a vital attribute in sports like basketball, football, and martial arts. Sports conditioning programs designed to improve reaction time focus on enhancing neural pathways, visual processing, and overall coordination.

Neurological Adaptations And Reaction Time

Sports conditioning programs incorporate specific exercises that stimulate the central nervous system and improve the transmission of signals between the brain and muscles. These exercises include reaction drills, agility ladder drills, and hand-eye coordination exercises. By training the nervous system to respond rapidly to external stimuli, athletes can improve their reaction time on the field.

Visual Processing And Reaction Time

The visual system plays a crucial role in reaction time. Sports conditioning programs often include exercises that enhance visual tracking, peripheral vision, and depth perception. These exercises may involve the use of specialized tools like vision training goggles or specific visual tracking drills. By improving visual processing capabilities, athletes can react more quickly and accurately to visual cues during competition.

Sports conditioning is an effective approach to enhance agility, speed, and reaction time. By incorporating specific exercises targeting these attributes, athletes can unlock their full athletic potential. If you are a professional athlete or a recreational sports enthusiast, integrating sports conditioning into your training regimen can lead to important improvements in performance. Embrace the power of sports conditioning and take your agility, speed, and reaction time to new heights.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sports conditioning refers to a comprehensive training approach aimed at enhancing athletic performance across various disciplines. It involves specific exercises and techniques designed to improve physical attributes such as agility, speed, strength, and reaction time.

Sports conditioning programs incorporate exercises that target lower body strength, core stability, and proprioception. By consistently practicing these exercises, athletes can improve their ability to change direction rapidly, maintain body control during sharp turns, and react swiftly to on-field or on-court situations.

Yes, sports conditioning can enhance speed through various training methods. Interval training, sprints, and resisted sprinting with tools like parachutes or sleds are commonly used techniques. These exercises improve the body’s capacity to generate energy and maintain high-speed output, leading to improved stride length, frequency, and overall running mechanics.

Sports conditioning programs incorporate exercises that stimulate the central nervous system and enhance neural pathways. Reaction drills, agility ladder drills, and hand-eye coordination exercises are commonly used to improve reaction time. Training the nervous system to respond rapidly to external stimuli helps athletes react more quickly and accurately during competitions.

Sports conditioning is beneficial for athletes of all levels, from professional athletes to recreational sports enthusiasts. Whether you participate in team sports, individual sports, or even fitness activities, incorporating sports conditioning into your training regimen can help improve agility, speed, and reaction time, leading to enhanced overall performance.

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What Should I Expect From A Bootcamp Exercise Class? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-should-i-expect-from-a-bootcamp-exercise-class/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33546 The post What Should I Expect From A Bootcamp Exercise Class? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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A bootcamp exercise class is a high-intensity workout program that combines elements of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and endurance training. It is designed to challenge participants both physically and mentally so pushing them to their limits to achieve optimal results. In this article, we will explore what you can expect from a bootcamp exercise class, including the structure of the class, the types of exercises involved, the benefits of participating, and tips for getting the most out of your bootcamp experience.

Structure Of A Bootcamp Exercise Class

A bootcamp exercise class offers a dynamic and intense workout experience that challenges both your cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. Let’s explore what you can expect from a typical bootcamp class:

  • Warm-up: The class typically starts with a dynamic warm-up to prepare the body for the upcoming workout. This may include exercises like jogging in place, jumping jacks, arm circles, and leg swings. The warm-up helps increase blood flow, raise body temperature, and loosen up the muscles.
  • Circuit training: Bootcamp classes often include a series of exercises performed in a circuit format, with minimal rest between exercises. You will move from one exercise station to another, targeting different muscle groups and keeping your heart rate elevated. Each station may involve exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, kettlebell swings, or medicine ball slams. Circuit training allows for efficient use of time and provides a full-body workout.
  • High-intensity intervals: Intervals of high-intensity exercises, such as sprints or burpees, are commonly incorporated into bootcamp classes. These bursts of intense activity help elevate your heart rate and maximize calorie burn. Intervals challenge your cardiovascular system, improve endurance, and boost overall fitness levels.
  • Strength training: Various strength exercises using bodyweight, dumbbells, resistance bands, or other equipment may be included to build muscle and improve overall strength. You may perform exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, planks, or bicep curls. Strength training not only enhances muscle tone and definition but also increases metabolism and improves functional strength for everyday activities.
  • Core work: Core exercises targeting the abdominal muscles and lower back are often integrated into bootcamp classes. These exercises may include planks, Russian twists, mountain climbers, or bicycle crunches. Strengthening the core improves stability, balance, and posture, leading to better overall performance and reduced risk of injuries.
  • Cool-down: The class typically concludes with a cool-down period consisting of stretches and relaxation exercises. This helps to gradually lower your heart rate, release tension in the muscles, and improve flexibility. Stretching exercises for major muscle groups, such as hamstring stretches, shoulder stretches, and hip stretches, are commonly included.

In addition to the physical aspects, bootcamp classes often create a supportive and motivating environment. You’ll exercise alongside a group of individuals with similar fitness goals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and accountability. The instructor plays a crucial role in guiding and motivating you throughout the class, providing proper form cues and modifications as needed.

It’s important to note that the intensity and specific exercises in a bootcamp class may vary depending on the instructor and the class format. Some classes may focus more on cardio-intensive exercises, while others may emphasize strength training. Be sure to communicate with the instructor and let them know of any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries to ensure a safe and effective workout.

Types Of Exercises In A Bootcamp Exercise Class

  • Cardiovascular exercises: Running, jumping jacks, high knees, and mountain climbers are examples of cardio exercises that increase heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness.
  • Strength exercises: Push-ups, squats, lunges, and kettlebell swings are common strength exercises that target major muscle groups and improve muscular strength.
  • Plyometric exercises: Box jumps, burpees, and jump squats are explosive movements that enhance power, agility, and coordination.
  • Interval training: Alternating between high-intensity exercises and periods of rest or active recovery is a common feature of bootcamp workouts.

Benefits of participating in a bootcamp exercise class:

Bootcamp exercise classes offer a comprehensive and intense workout experience that delivers numerous benefits for your overall fitness. Let’s explore the key advantages you can expect from participating in bootcamp classes:

  • Improved cardiovascular fitness: Bootcamp classes incorporate a combination of cardio exercises and high-intensity intervals, such as sprints, burpees, or jumping jacks. This dynamic workout style elevates your heart rate, increasing cardiovascular endurance and improving heart health. Regular participation in bootcamp classes can lead to a stronger, more efficient cardiovascular system, allowing you to perform physical activities with greater ease.
  • Increased strength and muscle tone: Bootcamp classes include resistance training exercises, such as bodyweight exercises, dumbbell workouts, or resistance band exercises. These exercises target various muscle groups, helping you build strength and develop lean muscle mass. The consistent resistance training in bootcamp classes can enhance overall muscle tone, increase strength levels, and improve functional fitness.
  • Enhanced calorie burning: The intense nature of bootcamp workouts, which often include a combination of cardio and strength exercises, can lead to significant calorie expenditure. This calorie-burning effect is beneficial for weight management and supports weight loss goals. The varied and challenging exercises in bootcamp classes engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting efficient calorie burning during and after the workout.
  • Boosted endurance and stamina: Regular participation in bootcamp classes can enhance your overall endurance and stamina. The combination of cardio exercises, high-intensity intervals, and resistance training challenges your body’s energy systems and trains your muscles to perform for extended periods. As a result, you’ll notice improved stamina not only during bootcamp classes but also in other physical activities or sports.
  • Motivation and accountability: One of the unique aspects of bootcamp classes is the group setting and supportive atmosphere they provide. Exercising alongside others with similar fitness goals creates a motivating environment that pushes you to give your best effort. The camaraderie and friendly competition in bootcamp classes foster a sense of accountability, encouraging you to show up consistently and challenge yourself to reach new levels of fitness.
  • Variety and challenge: Bootcamp classes often incorporate a wide range of exercises and training techniques to keep workouts fresh, exciting, and challenging. This variety prevents monotony and keeps you engaged and motivated to continue attending classes. Bootcamp instructors are skilled at designing workouts that challenge participants at different fitness levels, offering modifications and progressions to accommodate individual needs.

In addition to these physical benefits, bootcamp classes also offer mental and emotional advantages. The intensive and challenging nature of the workouts are able to boost your mood, release endorphins, and reduce stress. The group environment and supportive atmosphere create a sense of community, fostering social connections and a positive mindset towards fitness.

It’s important to note that bootcamp classes can be physically demanding, and it’s essential to listen to your body, pace yourself, and modify exercises as needed. Communicate any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries to the instructor to ensure a safe and effective workout experience.

Tips For Getting The Very Best Out Of Your Bootcamp Experience:

  • Remain hydrated: Drink a lot of water before, during, and after the class to maintain hydration levels.
  • Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body’s limits and modify exercises if needed to prevent injury.
  • Communicate with the instructor: Inform the instructor about any injuries or concerns so they can provide appropriate modifications and guidance.
  • Pace yourself: Start at a comfortable intensity level and slowly increase the intensity as your fitness improves.
  • Enjoy the process: Embrace the challenge and really have fun during the class, as a positive mindset can enhance your overall experience.

Participating in a bootcamp exercise class offers a dynamic and intense workout experience that combines cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and endurance exercises. By understanding the structure, types of exercises, and benefits associated with bootcamp classes, you can better prepare yourself for the challenges ahead and make the most of your fitness journey. Remember to prioritize safety, listen to your body, and enjoy the rewarding feeling of pushing yourself to new limits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A bootcamp exercise class is a high-intensity workout program that combines cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and endurance exercises to provide a challenging and effective workout.

Bootcamp classes often include a variety of exercises such as running, jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, lunges, burpees, and kettlebell swings to target different muscle groups and improve overall fitness.

Bootcamp classes usually range from 45 minutes to an hour, including a warm-up, the main workout session, and a cool-down period.

Bootcamp classes offer numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, increased strength and muscle tone, enhanced calorie burning, boosted endurance and stamina, and motivation and accountability through the group setting.

It is advisable to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the class. Depending on the class format, you may also need a towel, exercise mat, and proper workout attire and shoes for comfort and safety.

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How Do Boxing Exercise Classes Compare To Other Types Of Group Fitness Classes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-boxing-exercise-classes-stand-out-among-group-fitness-classes/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33543 The post How Do Boxing Exercise Classes Compare To Other Types Of Group Fitness Classes? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Boxing exercise classes offer a unique and dynamic approach to group fitness that sets them apart from other types of group fitness classes. While each class format has its own benefits and appeal, boxing classes provide a combination of cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and skill development that can deliver a highly effective and engaging workout experience. In today’s article, we will explore the key characteristics of boxing exercise classes and compare them to other popular types of group fitness classes, highlighting their similarities, differences, and the potential benefits they offer to participants.

Cardiovascular Conditioning

One of the distinguishing features of boxing exercise classes is the emphasis on cardiovascular conditioning. Boxing involves a high level of intensity and continuous movement, which can elevate heart rate, increase stamina, and improve overall cardiovascular fitness. The combination of punching, footwork, and defensive manoeuvres creates a fast-paced and energetic workout that challenges both the cardiovascular and muscular systems.

Strength Training

Additionally, boxing exercise classes incorporate elements of strength training. While boxing primarily targets the upper body, it also engages the core, lower body, and stabilizer muscles. Punching and performing boxing combinations require strength and power, which can help develop muscular endurance and improve overall strength. Some classes may include additional exercises such as bodyweight exercises, resistance training, or circuit-style workouts to further enhance the strength training component.

Skill Development

Another aspect that sets boxing exercise classes apart is the focus on skill development. Participants learn proper boxing techniques, including punches, footwork, and defensive manoeuvres, under the guidance of experienced instructors. This not only adds an element of skill acquisition but also promotes coordination, agility, and mental focus. Boxing exercises often involve combinations of punches and movement patterns that challenge participants to think and react quickly, enhancing their cognitive abilities.

Offers A Unique Form Of Stress Release

Compared to other group fitness classes, boxing exercise classes offer a unique form of stress release and mental well-being. The blend of physical exertion, rhythmic movement, and the cathartic release of hitting the pads or bags can help reduce stress and promote a sense of mental relaxation. Boxing also provides an outlet for releasing pent-up energy and frustrations, which can contribute to improved mood and mental well-being.

A Wide Range Of Fitness Levels

In terms of accessibility, boxing exercise classes can cater to a broad range of fitness levels. Beginners can begin at their own pace and gradually build up their stamina and skills over time. Classes often offer modifications and progressions to accommodate different fitness levels and abilities. Whether someone is new to fitness or an experienced athlete, they can find a boxing exercise class that suits their needs and goals.

When comparing boxing exercise classes to other types of group fitness classes, it’s important to consider individual preferences, fitness goals, and any specific health considerations. Some individuals may prefer the structure and discipline of boxing workouts, while others may find more enjoyment in dance-based classes, HIIT workouts, or yoga sessions. The key is to find a group fitness class that aligns with personal interests and motivates consistent participation.

Boxing exercise classes offer a unique and engaging group fitness experience that combines cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, skill development, stress release, and mental well-being. While other types of group fitness classes have their own benefits, boxing classes stand out with their dynamic nature, focus on technique, and the combination of physical and mental challenges they provide. Whether someone is looking to improve their fitness, relieve stress, learn self-defence techniques, or simply enjoy an energetic workout, boxing exercise classes can be an excellent option to consider.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Boxing exercise classes stand out due to their combination of cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, skill development, stress release, and mental well-being benefits.

Boxing exercise classes involve high-intensity movements that elevate heart rate, increase stamina, and improve cardiovascular fitness, making them highly effective in this aspect.

Yes, boxing exercise classes engage the upper body, core, lower body, and stabilizer muscles, making them a comprehensive strength training workout.

Absolutely! Participants learn proper boxing techniques, punches, footwork, and defensive manoeuvres, enhancing coordination, agility, and mental focus.

The cathartic release of hitting pads or bags, coupled with rhythmic movement, can reduce stress, improve mood, and provide mental relaxation, making boxing classes unique in this aspect.

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Can Kettlebell Exercises Be Used For Both Strength Training And Cardio Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-exercises-be-used-for-both-strength-training-and-cardio-workouts/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33531 The post Can Kettlebell Exercises Be Used For Both Strength Training And Cardio Workouts? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell exercises are a versatile and efficient option for incorporating both strength training and cardio workouts into your fitness routine. By utilizing a kettlebell, a ball-shaped weight with a handle, you can engage multiple muscle groups and elevate your heart rate, resulting in a well-rounded workout that targets various aspects of your fitness goals.

One of the key benefits of kettlebell exercises is their ability to improve strength. The dynamic movements involved in kettlebell exercises, such as swings, snatches, and presses, require the activation of various muscle groups, including the core, lower body, and upper body. This leads to increased muscle strength and definition, allowing you to build functional strength that translates into everyday activities.

In addition to strength training, kettlebell exercises also offer cardiovascular benefits. Many kettlebell movements can be performed in a continuous and challenging manner, which helps to elevate heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness. This makes kettlebell exercises an effective option for those looking to improve endurance and burn calories.

Strength Training Benefits

  • Full-Body Engagement: Kettlebell exercises engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, including the core, legs, arms, and back. This promotes balanced strength development and functional fitness.
  • Increased Muscle Activation: The dynamic movements of kettlebell exercises require stabilizing and controlling the weight, leading to increased muscle activation and improved strength gains.
  • Improved Power and Explosiveness: Kettlebell exercises, such as swings and snatches, emphasize explosive movements that develop power, speed, and coordination.
  • Enhanced Core Stability: Many kettlebell exercises involve rotational movements and core engagement, leading to improved core strength, stability, and posture.
  • Joint Integrity and Mobility: The use of kettlebells challenges the body’s stability and range of motion, promoting joint integrity and mobility.

Cardiovascular Fitness Benefits

  • Elevated Heart Rate: Kettlebell exercises performed with high intensity and minimal rest intervals elevate heart rate, providing an effective cardiovascular workout.
  • Improved Endurance: Regular kettlebell training improves aerobic and anaerobic endurance, allowing you to sustain physical activity for longer periods.
  • Calorie Burning: Kettlebell exercises are calorie-intensive, helping to burn calories and contribute to weight management and fat loss goals.
  • Increased Oxygen Consumption: The demanding nature of kettlebell exercises increases oxygen consumption, improving cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency.
  • Metabolic Benefits: Kettlebell workouts can boost metabolism, leading to increased calorie burn even after the exercise session is over.

Tips For Effective Kettlebell Training

  • Start with Proper Technique: Before progressing to heavier weights, focus on mastering the correct form and technique for each exercise to reduce the risk of injury.
  • Gradually Increase Weight: As strength and proficiency improve, gradually increase the weight of the kettlebell to continue challenging the muscles and making progress.
  • Mix Strength and Cardio Exercises: Combine strength-focused exercises like presses and squats with cardio-focused exercises like swings and snatches to create a well-rounded kettlebell workout.
  • Vary Intensity and Repetitions: Adjust the intensity of your kettlebell workouts by varying the weight, repetitions, and rest intervals to continually challenge your body and avoid plateaus.
  • Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust the intensity and duration of your kettlebell workouts to accommodate your fitness level and recovery needs.

Kettlebell exercises offer a unique and effective way to combine strength training and cardio workouts. With their versatile nature and ability to engage multiple muscle groups, kettlebell exercises provide numerous benefits for overall fitness and well-being. By incorporating kettlebell exercises into your routine and following proper techniques, you can achieve a well-rounded workout that targets multiple aspects of your fitness goals.

One of the primary benefits of kettlebell exercises is their ability to enhance strength. The dynamic movements involved, such as swings, snatches, and presses, require the use of core stability and coordination. This results in improved strength and muscle tone, particularly in the lower body, core, and upper body muscles.

In addition to strength training, kettlebell exercises can also provide a challenging cardio workout. By incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits or performing movements like kettlebell swings, you can elevate your heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness. This makes kettlebell exercises an efficient option for those looking to improve endurance and burn calories.

Incorporating kettlebell exercises into your fitness routine offers a range of benefits. Firstly, it helps to improve overall strength and muscle definition. As you engage multiple muscle groups during each exercise, you develop functional strength that translates into everyday activities. This can enhance your ability to perform daily tasks, prevent injuries, and improve overall athleticism.

Another benefit is the improvement in cardiovascular fitness. By performing kettlebell exercises in a continuous and challenging manner, you can increase your heart rate and promote cardiovascular health. This not only boosts endurance but also helps to burn calories and maintain a healthy body weight.

Additionally, kettlebell exercises can enhance posture and stability. Many exercises require core engagement and balance, which helps to strengthen the muscles responsible for maintaining proper posture. By regularly incorporating kettlebell exercises into your routine, you can improve your posture, reduce the risk of back pain, and enhance overall stability.

One of the advantages of kettlebell exercises is their versatility. They can be adapted to suit various fitness levels, making them appropriate for beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts alike. Beginners can start with lighter kettlebells and focus on mastering correct form and technique before progressing to heavier weights. It’s important to listen to your body, start at an appropriate level, and gradually increase the intensity as you build strength and confidence.

In order to get the very best out of your kettlebell workouts, it’s crucial to use proper form and technique. This includes maintaining a neutral spine, engaging the core, and using controlled movements throughout each exercise. If you’re new to kettlebell exercises, consider looking for guidance from a qualified fitness professional to ensure you perform the exercises correctly and safely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, kettlebell exercises engage multiple muscle groups, promoting balanced strength development and functional fitness.

Absolutely, kettlebell exercises performed with high intensity and minimal rest intervals can elevate heart rate, providing a cardio workout.

Yes, many kettlebell exercises involve rotational movements and core engagement, leading to improved core strength and stability.

Yes, kettlebell exercises are calorie-intensive and can contribute to weight management and fat loss goals.

Definitely, regular kettlebell training improves aerobic and anaerobic endurance, allowing for longer periods of sustained physical activity.

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Do I Need Any Dance Experience To Participate In Barre Pilates? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/accessibility-of-barre-pilates-no-dance-experience-required/ Fri, 02 Jun 2023 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33516 The post Do I Need Any Dance Experience To Participate In Barre Pilates? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Barre Pilates is a unique fitness method that combines elements of ballet, Pilates, and strength training. Many individuals are drawn to this exercise technique owing to its low-impact nature and ability to target specific muscle groups for toning and strengthening. One common question that arises is whether prior dance experience is necessary to participate in Barre Pilates. In today’s article, we will explore this question in detail and provide insights into the accessibility of Barre Pilates for individuals of all fitness levels, regardless of dance background.

The Basics Of Barre Pilates

Barre Pilates is a workout regimen that takes inspiration from ballet movements, utilizing a ballet barre for support and incorporating exercises that focus on core strength, flexibility, balance, and alignment. It combines small, isometric movements with larger dynamic movements to sculpt and tone muscles while improving overall body awareness and posture.

No Dance Experience Required

The great thing about Barre Pilates is that it does not need any prior dance experience. While ballet-inspired movements are incorporated, they are modified and adapted to be accessible to individuals without a dance background. Barre Pilates classes are designed to accommodate people of varying fitness levels, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned exercisers alike.

Modifications And Progressions

Barre Pilates instructors are trained to provide modifications and progressions for exercises, allowing participants to adjust the intensity based on their individual abilities. This means that even if you are new to fitness or have limited dance experience, you can still participate and gradually build strength, flexibility, and coordination over time.

Focus On Technique And Alignment

In Barre Pilates, emphasis is placed on proper technique and alignment, rather than the level of dance skill. The instructor will guide you through each movement, ensuring that you understand the correct positioning and alignment of your body. This focus on technique helps to improve body awareness and ensures that you are performing the exercises safely and effectively.

Benefits For Everyone

Barre Pilates offers a range of benefits for participants regardless of their dance background. It helps improve muscular endurance, flexibility, core strength, and posture. The exercises are designed to target specific muscle groups, such as the thighs, glutes, arms, and abdominals, helping to sculpt and tone the body. Additionally, Barre Pilates promotes balance, coordination, and gracefulness, which can be beneficial for individuals in their daily activities and overall movement quality.

Progress At Your Own Pace

Barre Pilates classes allow participants to progress at their own pace. You are not expected to perform movements with the same level of precision or grace as a professional dancer. The focus is on personal improvement and growth, with each individual working within their comfort zone and gradually challenging themselves as they become more familiar with the exercises.

Enjoyment And Mind-Body Connection

Another advantage of Barre Pilates is that it can be a fun and enjoyable workout. The music, supportive atmosphere, and variety of movements make it engaging and motivating. As you participate in Barre Pilates classes, you may also develop a deeper mind-body connection, becoming more aware of how your body moves and functions.

Starting Your Barre Pilates Journey

If you are interested in trying Barre Pilates but feel uncertain due to your lack of dance experience, don’t let that hold you back. Look for beginner-friendly classes or introductory sessions that cater to individuals who are new to Barre Pilates. This will provide you with a comfortable environment to learn the basic techniques and gradually build your strength and coordination.

The Importance Of Proper Form And Alignment

While dance experience is not required for Barre Pilates, it is essential to pay attention to proper form and alignment during the exercises. This ensures that you engage the correct muscles and minimize the risk of injury. If you have any concerns about your form, don’t hesitate to ask the instructor for guidance and feedback.

Embrace The Journey

Finally, remember that everyone starts somewhere. Barre Pilates is a journey of personal growth and development. With consistent practice, you will see improvements in your coordination, strength, and flexibility. Embrace the process and enjoy the unique benefits that Barre Pilates offers, regardless of your prior dance experience.

Dance experience is not a prerequisite for participating in Barre Pilates. The exercises can be modified to suit individuals of all fitness levels, making it accessible and inclusive. Whether you are a beginner or have limited dance background, Barre Pilates can help you improve coordination, strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. So, go and give it a try – you may discover a new way to enhance your fitness journey and enjoy the many benefits of Barre Pilates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No, Barre Pilates does not require any dance experience. It is designed to be accessible to individuals of all fitness levels, regardless of their dance background.

Absolutely! Barre Pilates classes often cater to beginners and offer modifications for exercises. Instructors guide participants through proper technique and gradually progress the difficulty level as individuals become more comfortable.

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No, Barre Pilates focuses on personal improvement and growth. You are not expected to perform with the same level of precision or grace as a professional dancer. The emphasis is on your progress and enjoyment of the workout.

Barre Pilates exercises are designed to improve coordination and balance over time. Instructors provide guidance on proper form and alignment, and participants are able to progress at their own pace, gradually building strength and coordination.

Yes, Barre Pilates offers numerous benefits for individuals without dance experience. It helps improve muscular endurance, flexibility, core strength, posture, balance, and coordination. It can be an enjoyable and effective workout for anyone, regardless of their dance background.

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Can Aerobics Help Improve Coordination And Agility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-aerobics-help-improve-coordination-and-agility/ Fri, 02 Jun 2023 05:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33511 The post Can Aerobics Help Improve Coordination And Agility? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Aerobics is a dynamic and energetic form of exercise that involves rhythmic movements, often accompanied by music, to improve cardiovascular fitness. While its primary focus is on cardiovascular endurance, aerobics also offers several benefits for coordination and agility. In today’s article, we will explore the relationship between aerobics and these two aspects of physical fitness, and how incorporating aerobics into your exercise routine can help improve coordination and agility.

What Is Coordination, And How Does Aerobics Enhance It?

Coordination refers to the ability to synchronize different body parts and movements smoothly and efficiently. It involves the integration of sensory information, muscular control, and timing. Aerobics incorporates a variety of movements, such as jumping, kicking, twisting, and hopping, which require coordination between different muscle groups and body segments. By regularly engaging in aerobics, individuals can enhance their coordination skills through the repetition and practice of coordinated movements.

How Does Aerobics Improve Agility?

The term ‘agility’ refers to the skill of changing direction quickly, maintain balance, and move efficiently. It is essential in various sports and daily activities that involve rapid changes in movement direction. Aerobics, with its dynamic and varied movements, helps develop agility by challenging individuals to change directions, shift body weight, and maintain balance during exercises. The quick-paced nature of many aerobics routines enhances reaction time and neuromuscular coordination, which are essential components of agility.

Can Aerobics Benefit Individuals With Poor Coordination And Agility?

Yes, aerobics can be highly beneficial for individuals with poor coordination and agility. Regular practice of aerobics exercises can improve neuromuscular coordination, balance, and proprioception. It helps individuals develop a better sense of body awareness and control, leading to improved coordination and agility over time. Beginners can start with low-impact aerobics exercises and gradually progress to more complex and challenging routines as their coordination and agility improve.

What Are Some Specific Aerobics Exercises That Promote Coordination And Agility?

Several aerobics exercises specifically target coordination and agility. Examples include:

  • High knees: This exercise involves running in place while lifting the knees as high as possible, alternating between legs. It helps improve coordination, balance, and leg strength.
  • Grapevines: Grapevines are sidestepping movements where the legs cross in front and behind each other. They enhance coordination, agility, and lateral movement skills.
  • Jumping jacks: Jumping jacks involve jumping while simultaneously spreading the legs wide and raising the arms overhead. This exercise improves coordination, agility, and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Box jumps: Box jumps require jumping onto a platform or step, then jumping back down. They enhance lower body power, coordination, and agility.
  • Agility ladder drills: Agility ladder drills involve performing various footwork patterns in and out of ladder rungs. These drills enhance agility, foot speed, and coordination.

How Does Aerobics Compare To Other Exercises In Terms Of Coordination And Agility Improvement?

Aerobics offers unique benefits for coordination and agility improvement compared to other exercises. Its dynamic and rhythmic nature, combined with the incorporation of multi-directional movements, challenges individuals to coordinate their movements and adapt quickly to changing positions. Other exercises, such as strength training or steady-state cardio, may not emphasize these specific aspects as much as aerobics. However, a well-rounded fitness routine that includes a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises can provide comprehensive benefits for overall coordination, agility, and physical fitness.

Aerobics is an effective exercise modality for improving coordination and agility. By engaging in regular aerobics workouts, individuals can enhance their ability to synchronize movements, change direction quickly, and maintain balance. The varied movements and pace of aerobics routines challenge the body and the mind, promoting neuromuscular coordination and overall physical fitness. Incorporating aerobics into your exercise routine can help you achieve better coordination, agility, and enjoyment in your physical activities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Aerobics incorporates a variety of movements that require coordination between different muscle groups and body segments. Regular practice of aerobics exercises helps individuals enhance their coordination skills through the repetition and practice of coordinated movements.

Agility refers to the ability to change direction quickly, maintain balance, and move efficiently. Aerobics, with its dynamic and varied movements, challenges individuals to change directions, shift body weight, and maintain balance during exercises. The quick-paced nature of many aerobics routines enhances reaction time and neuromuscular coordination, which are essential components of agility.

Yes, aerobics can be highly beneficial for individuals with poor coordination and agility. Regular practice of aerobics exercises can improve neuromuscular coordination, balance, and proprioception. It helps individuals develop a better sense of body awareness and control, leading to improved coordination and agility over time.

Yes, several aerobics exercises specifically target coordination and agility. Examples include high knees, grapevines, jumping jacks, box jumps, and agility ladder drills. These exercises challenge individuals to coordinate their movements and adapt quickly to changing positions, improving overall coordination and agility.

Aerobics offers unique benefits for coordination and agility improvement compared to other exercises. Its dynamic and rhythmic nature, combined with multi-directional movements, challenges individuals to coordinate their movements and adapt quickly. While other exercises may have their own benefits, a well-rounded fitness routine that includes aerobics can provide comprehensive improvements in coordination and agility.

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Can Yoga Improve Flexibility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/can-yoga-improve-flexibility/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33505 Yoga is a holistic practice which combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness. One of the many benefits of regular yoga practice is improved flexibility. Flexibility refers to the range of motion in our joints and muscles. It is an essential component of physical fitness and plays a significant role in overall health and...

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Yoga is a holistic practice which combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness. One of the many benefits of regular yoga practice is improved flexibility. Flexibility refers to the range of motion in our joints and muscles. It is an essential component of physical fitness and plays a significant role in overall health and well-being. In this article, we will explore how yoga enhances flexibility and the specific ways in which it can benefit your body.

Stretching And Lengthening Muscles

Yoga involves a variety of stretching exercises that target different muscle groups in the body. Through consistent practice, these stretches help to lengthen and elongate the muscles, increasing their flexibility. Poses like forward folds, lunges, and twists gently stretch the muscles, encouraging them to become more supple and pliable.

Improving Joint Range Of Motion

Yoga postures work on increasing the range of motion in our joints. As we move through different poses, we explore the full potential of our joints, gradually expanding their mobility. The controlled movements and stretches in yoga help to lubricate the joints, reduce stiffness, and enhance their flexibility. Poses like warrior poses, hip openers, and spinal twists are particularly effective in improving joint range of motion.

Releasing Tension And Tightness

Stress, sedentary lifestyles, and poor posture can lead to muscle tension and tightness. Yoga offers a way to release this tension and restore balance to the body. By engaging in deep stretches and mindful movements, yoga helps to loosen tight muscles, relieve stiffness, and improve overall flexibility. Regular practice allows the body to unwind, promoting a sense of ease and suppleness.

Strengthening Supporting Muscles

Flexibility and strength go hand in hand. Yoga not only focuses on stretching muscles but also strengthens the supporting muscles around the joints. By building strength in the muscles that stabilize and support the body, yoga helps to improve flexibility. Stronger muscles provide better support, allowing for greater flexibility without compromising stability. Balancing poses, inversions, and core-strengthening exercises are beneficial for both strength and flexibility.

Developing Body Awareness

Yoga cultivates a heightened sense of body awareness, which is essential for improving flexibility. Through mindful movement and focused attention, yoga practitioners learn to tune in to their bodies, identifying areas of tightness or restriction. This awareness allows individuals to target specific areas that need attention and work on improving flexibility in those areas. Developing body awareness also helps prevent injuries by encouraging individuals to honour their body’s limits and avoid pushing beyond what feels comfortable.

Breath And Relaxation

The breath is a fundamental part of yoga practice. Deep, conscious breathing during yoga poses helps to relax the body and release tension, facilitating greater flexibility. As we breathe deeply and relax into the poses, we allow the muscles to soften and open up. The combination of breath and relaxation techniques in yoga promotes a state of calmness, which can help release physical and mental resistance to stretching and improving flexibility.

Progression And Modifications

Yoga is a practice that encourages individual progress and offers modifications for different levels of flexibility. If you are a newbie at yoga or an expert practitioner, yoga provides a range of modifications and variations for each pose. This allows individuals to work at their own pace and gradually improve flexibility over time. As you consistently practice yoga, you may find that your flexibility increases naturally as your body becomes more accustomed to the movements and stretches.

Mind-Body Connection

Yoga is not merely about physical postures; it is a mind-body practice. By cultivating a strong mind-body connection, yoga helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their bodies and their limitations. This awareness allows for safe and effective stretching, ensuring that individuals honour their bodies’ boundaries and avoid overstretching. The mind-body connection also helps individuals stay present and focused during yoga practice, enhancing the benefits of flexibility.

Yoga is a powerful tool for improving flexibility. Through a combination of stretching, strengthening, relaxation, breathwork, and mindful movement, yoga offers a comprehensive approach to enhance flexibility in the body. Regular yoga practice can lead to increased joint mobility, improved muscle elasticity, and a greater range of motion. Embrace yoga as a part of your fitness routine, and you’ll experience the positive effects of improved flexibility in your body and overall well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can yoga really improve flexibility?

Yes, yoga is known for its ability to improve flexibility. Regular practice of yoga postures (asanas) involves stretching and lengthening the muscles, promoting greater joint mobility and range of motion. Over time, consistent yoga practice can lead to significant improvements in flexibility.

How does yoga help in increasing flexibility?

Yoga helps increase flexibility through a combination of stretching exercises, deep breathing, and mindful movements. The asanas in yoga target different muscle groups and gradually stretch them, releasing tension and promoting muscle elasticity. The controlled movements, combined with conscious breathing, help to improve joint range of motion and overall flexibility.

How long does it take to see improvements in flexibility with yoga?

The time it takes to see improvements in flexibility with yoga can vary from person to person. It depends on factors such as the frequency and consistency of practice, individual body composition, and pre-existing flexibility levels. However, with regular practice, many people experience noticeable advances in flexibility within a few weeks to a few months.

Do you need to be flexible to start practicing yoga?

No, you do not need to be flexible to start practicing yoga. In fact, yoga is an excellent way to improve flexibility regardless of your starting point. Yoga is a progressive practice that offers modifications and variations for different levels of flexibility. It is about honouring your body’s current abilities and working at your own pace to gradually improve flexibility over time.

Can yoga help with specific areas of the body that are less flexible?

Answer: Yes, yoga can help target specific areas of the body that are less flexible. Yoga poses can be modified and adapted to focus on particular muscle groups or joints that need attention. By incorporating poses that stretch and strengthen those areas, you can gradually increase flexibility and mobility in specific body parts.

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Does Pilates Require A Lot Of Physical Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/does-pilates-require-a-lot-of-physical-strength/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33508 Pilates is a type of exercise which focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. While it does require some level of physical strength, it is accessible to individuals of various fitness levels. In this article, we will explore the physical strength requirements in Pilates, how it helps build strength, and the benefits it offers...

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Pilates is a type of exercise which focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. While it does require some level of physical strength, it is accessible to individuals of various fitness levels. In this article, we will explore the physical strength requirements in Pilates, how it helps build strength, and the benefits it offers to the body.

Core Strength

Pilates places a strong emphasis on developing core strength, which refers to the muscles in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic floor. Core strength is essential for maintaining proper alignment, stability, and balance in the body. Through specific exercises that engage the deep core muscles, for example the transverse abdominis and the multifidus, Pilates helps strengthen and stabilize the core, creating a solid foundation for movement.

Full-Body Strength

Although Pilates is known for its focus on the core, it is a full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Many Pilates exercises involve movements that engage the arms, legs, glutes, and back muscles. By incorporating exercises that work the entire body, Pilates helps to improve overall strength and muscular endurance. Over time, consistent Pilates practice can lead to a stronger and more toned physique.

Resistance Training

Pilates exercises often utilize various types of resistance, such as springs on the Pilates reformer or resistance bands. This resistance adds an additional challenge to the exercises, requiring the muscles to work harder. By incorporating resistance training, Pilates helps build muscular strength and endurance, improving overall physical fitness. The controlled and precise movements in Pilates also contribute to building strength efficiently.

Stability And Balance

Pilates exercises are designed to promote stability and balance throughout the body. Many exercises are performed in positions that require the engagement of multiple muscle groups to maintain control and alignment. The focus on stability and balance helps to develop strength in the deep stabilizing muscles, such as the muscles of the core, hips, and shoulders. Improved stability and balance not only enhance physical strength but also reduce the risk of injuries in daily activities.

Adaptability To Different Fitness Levels

One of the fantastic things about Pilates is its adaptability to different fitness levels. If you are a just a beginner or an advanced exerciser, Pilates exercises can be modified to suit your individual needs and abilities. The intensity and resistance of the exercises can be adjusted, allowing individuals to gradually build strength and progress at their own pace. Pilates instructors are skilled at providing modifications and variations to ensure that individuals can safely and effectively build strength based on their current fitness level.

Mind-Body Connection

Pilates places a very strong emphasis on the mind-body connection. The exercises are performed with focused attention, precision, and controlled breathing. This mindful approach allows individuals to engage their muscles more effectively, maximizing the benefits of each movement. The mind-body connection in Pilates not only improves physical strength but also enhances body awareness, coordination, and overall movement quality.

Functional Strength

In addition to improving physical strength, Pilates focuses on developing functional strength, which is the strength required for everyday activities. The exercises in Pilates often mimic movements that we perform in our daily lives, such as lifting, reaching, and bending. By strengthening the muscles involved in these functional movements, Pilates helps to improve overall functional fitness and supports injury prevention.

Low-Impact Nature

Another benefit of Pilates is its low-impact nature. Many Pilates exercises are performed in a supine or seated position, reducing the stress on the joints. This makes Pilates a suitable form of exercise for individuals with joint conditions or those looking for a gentle yet effective workout. Despite being low-impact, Pilates still provides an excellent opportunity to build physical strength and improve overall fitness.

While Pilates does require a certain level of physical strength, it is a highly adaptable form of exercise that can be modified to suit different fitness levels. Through its focus on core strength, full-body engagement, stability, and mind-body connection, Pilates helps individuals develop functional strength, improve overall physical fitness, and enhance body awareness. Embrace Pilates as part of your fitness routine, and you’ll experience the positive effects of improved strength and well-being in your body.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pilates require a lot of physical strength?

Pilates does require some level of physical strength, but it is accessible to individuals of various fitness levels. While it focuses on developing core strength, it is a full-body workout that targets a number of different muscle groups simultaneously. The exercises can be modified to suit different fitness levels, allowing individuals to gradually build strength over time.

 

What are the main areas of the body that Pilates helps strengthen?

Pilates primarily focuses on strengthening the core muscles, including the abdominal, lower back, and pelvic floor muscles. However, it is a full-body workout that engages various muscle groups, including the arms, legs, glutes, and back. By incorporating exercises that work the entire body, Pilates helps improve overall strength and muscular endurance.

 

Can beginners with limited physical strength practice Pilates?

Yes, beginners with limited physical strength can practice Pilates. Pilates exercises can be modified to suit individual needs and abilities. Instructors provide variations and adjustments to accommodate different fitness levels, allowing beginners to start at their own pace and gradually build strength over time.

 

Does Pilates use resistance training to build strength?

Yes, Pilates incorporates resistance training. Various equipment, such as the Pilates reformer or resistance bands, can be utilised to add resistance to the exercises. This additional challenge requires the muscles to work harder, helping to build strength and improve overall physical fitness.

 

Does Pilates help improve functional strength?

Yes, Pilates focuses on developing functional strength, which is the strength required for everyday activities. The exercises in Pilates often mimic movements performed in daily life, such as lifting, reaching, and bending. By strengthening the muscles involved in these functional movements, Pilates helps improve overall functional fitness and supports injury prevention.

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What Is The Appropriate Duration Of A Personal Training Session? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-appropriate-duration-of-a-personal-training-session/ Wed, 31 May 2023 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33492 The appropriate duration of a personal training session can vary dependent on several factors, including individual goals, fitness level, and availability. Personal trainers typically offer sessions ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, with some extending to 90 minutes or longer. The duration of the session plays a crucial role in achieving optimal results and...

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The appropriate duration of a personal training session can vary dependent on several factors, including individual goals, fitness level, and availability. Personal trainers typically offer sessions ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, with some extending to 90 minutes or longer. The duration of the session plays a crucial role in achieving optimal results and maintaining client engagement. In today’s article, we will explore the factors that influence the appropriate duration of a personal training session and provide insights to help you make an informed decision.

Goals And Objectives

The specific goals and objectives of the individual greatly influence the appropriate duration of a personal training session. Different goals require different amounts of time to address adequately. For example, if the primary goal is weight loss, longer sessions may be beneficial to incorporate cardiovascular exercises and high-intensity interval training. On the other hand, if the goal is strength training, shorter sessions focused on resistance exercises may be more suitable.

Fitness Level And Experience

The fitness level and experience of the client also impact the appropriate session duration. Beginners or individuals with limited fitness experience may require shorter sessions to gradually build strength, endurance, and confidence. Longer sessions can be overwhelming for beginners and may increase the risk of injury. As clients progress and their fitness level improves, longer sessions can be implemented to accommodate more advanced exercises and training techniques.

Time Availability

Time availability is a crucial consideration when determining the appropriate duration of a personal training session. Clients with busy schedules or multiple commitments may find it challenging to dedicate extended periods to their training. In such cases, shorter sessions that are focused and efficient can be more manageable and sustainable. It’s quite essential to strike a balance between the duration of the session and the client’s ability to commit to regular training.

Exercise Selection And Program Design

The complexity and variety of exercises included in a training program influence the appropriate session duration. If the program involves numerous exercises, each targeting different muscle groups or movement patterns, a longer session may be necessary to allow for proper execution, rest intervals, and technique corrections. Conversely, a more focused program with fewer exercises may require a shorter duration.

Intensity And Rest Periods

The intensity of the workout and the duration of rest periods also factor into session duration. High-intensity training, such as interval training or circuit training, typically involves shorter work intervals with brief rest periods. These types of workouts can be completed within a shorter session duration while still providing an effective workout. Conversely, longer rest periods or specific training techniques, such as strength training with heavy weights, may require more time to ensure proper recovery and maximal effort.

Individual Preferences And Attention Span

Individual preferences and attention span play a role in determining the appropriate session duration. Some clients may prefer shorter sessions for a more condensed and focused workout, while others may prefer longer sessions to allow for a more comprehensive training experience. Additionally, attention span varies among individuals, and it’s important to consider factors such as concentration, motivation, and mental fatigue when determining the duration of a session.

Trainer’s Expertise And Style

The expertise and training style of the personal trainer can influence the appropriate session duration. Trainers with specialized knowledge or certifications in certain areas, such as sports-specific training or rehabilitation, may require longer sessions to incorporate specific exercises or techniques. Additionally, trainers with a more interactive or hands-on approach may require additional time for demonstrations, cueing, and corrections.

Progression And Periodization

As clients progress in their fitness journey, the appropriate session duration may evolve. Periodization, which involves planned variations in intensity, volume, and duration, can be used to optimize results and prevent plateaus. Initially, shorter sessions may be suitable for building a foundation, while longer sessions may be introduced during phases aimed at enhancing strength, power, or endurance.

Determining the appropriate duration of a personal training session is a multifaceted process that considers individual goals, fitness level, availability, exercise selection, intensity, and client preferences. Personal trainers play a vital role in assessing these factors and tailoring sessions to meet the unique needs of each client. By understanding these considerations, you can work collaboratively with your trainer to determine the optimal session duration that aligns with your goals, schedule, and capabilities, ultimately maximizing the effectiveness of your training sessions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What factors influence the appropriate duration of a personal training session?

Several factors influence the appropriate duration of a personal training session, including individual goals, fitness level, time availability, exercise selection, intensity, and the trainer’s expertise.

How does the client’s fitness level affect the session duration?

The client’s fitness level plays a role in determining the session duration. Beginners or individuals with limited fitness experience may start with shorter sessions and gradually progress to longer durations as their fitness level improves.

Is there an ideal session duration for all fitness goals?

The ideal session duration varies depending on fitness goals. Weight loss goals may benefit from longer sessions that incorporate cardio and high-intensity exercises, while strength training goals may require shorter, focused sessions.

Should the client’s time availability be considered when determining session duration?

Yes, time availability is an important consideration. Clients with busy schedules may find shorter, more efficient sessions more feasible and sustainable, while others may have more flexibility for longer training sessions.

How can personal trainers help determine the appropriate session duration?

Personal trainers assess various factors, including the client’s goals, fitness level, preferences, and the nature of the training program, to determine the appropriate session duration. Their expertise and knowledge enable them to tailor sessions to meet individual needs effectively.

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What Should I Be Expecting During My First Consultation With A Personal Trainer? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-to-expect-during-your-first-consultation-with-a-personal-trainer/ Wed, 31 May 2023 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33495 During your initial consultation with a personal trainer, you can expect to have an in-depth conversation about your fitness goals, medical history, exercise experience, and any specific concerns or limitations you may have. This consultation serves as a foundation for the trainer to understand your needs and create a personalized fitness plan tailored to your...

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During your initial consultation with a personal trainer, you can expect to have an in-depth conversation about your fitness goals, medical history, exercise experience, and any specific concerns or limitations you may have. This consultation serves as a foundation for the trainer to understand your needs and create a personalized fitness plan tailored to your goals and abilities. Let’s delve into what you should expect during your initial consultation with a personal trainer.

Assessment Of Fitness Goals

Your personal trainer will start the consultation by discussing your fitness goals. If you aim to lose weight, build muscle, improve endurance, or enhance overall fitness, this is an opportunity to clearly communicate your objectives. The trainer may ask specific questions to understand your desired outcomes, timeline, and any specific events or milestones you want to prepare for.

Health And Medical History

To ensure your safety and design an appropriate exercise program, your trainer will inquire about your health and medical history. They may ask about any pre-existing conditions, injuries, surgeries, or chronic ailments. Sharing this information is essential for the trainer to modify exercises, provide suitable alternatives, or seek medical clearance if necessary.

Lifestyle And Exercise Habits

Your trainer will gather information about your lifestyle, including your occupation, daily activities, and exercise habits. This helps them assess your current level of physical activity and understand how exercise can fit into your routine. You may be asked about previous workout experiences, preferred types of exercise, and any barriers or challenges you have encountered in the past.

Fitness Assessment

In many cases, a personal trainer will conduct a fitness assessment during the initial consultation. This assessment may include various measurements such as body composition analysis, cardiovascular endurance tests, muscular strength and flexibility assessments, and postural analysis. These assessments provide a baseline understanding of your current fitness level and help the trainer track progress over time.

Discussion Of Training Preferences

Your trainer will likely inquire about your training preferences to understand what types of exercises or activities you enjoy. This information helps them design a workout program that aligns with your interests, ensuring you stay motivated and engaged. You may discuss preferences for cardio exercises, strength training, group classes, outdoor activities, or any other specific activities you find enjoyable.

Discussion Of Nutrition And Lifestyle Factors

Personal trainers often recognize the importance of nutrition and lifestyle factors in achieving fitness goals. During the consultation, your trainer may inquire about your dietary habits, hydration practices, sleep patterns, stress levels, and other lifestyle factors that can influence your overall well-being and progress. They may offer general guidance on nutrition.

Discussion Of Limitations And Concerns

If you have any limitations, concerns, or specific areas you want to focus on or avoid, it is essential to communicate them to your trainer. Whether you have joint issues, mobility limitations, or specific fears or anxieties related to exercise, your trainer can adapt the program and provide appropriate modifications to accommodate your needs.

Explanation Of Training Approach And Philosophy

During the consultation, your trainer may share their training approach and philosophy. This helps you understand their coaching style, expertise, and how they plan to support you in reaching your goals. It is an opportunity to ask questions and ensure their approach aligns with your expectations and values.

Discussion Of Training Frequency And Duration

Your trainer will discuss the recommended training frequency and duration based on your goals and availability. They will provide insights into how many sessions per week they suggest, the duration of each session, and the overall timeline to achieve your desired outcomes. This discussion allows you to plan your schedule and commit to the recommended training regimen.

Setting Expectations And Realistic Goals

Your trainer will set expectations and establish realistic goals during the consultation. They will discuss the time frame required to achieve your objectives, considering factors such as your starting point, commitment level, and the nature of your goals. Setting realistic expectations helps you maintain motivation and focus throughout your fitness journey.

Q&A And Communication

The initial consultation is an opportunity for you to ask any questions or seek clarifications. Your trainer will be available to address your concerns, explain specific aspects of the training process, and provide guidance. This open line of communication is crucial for building trust and ensuring you have a clear understanding of what to expect moving forward.

Program Recommendations And Next Steps

Based upon the information gathered during the consultation, your personal trainer will make program recommendations and outline the next steps. This may include discussing the frequency of sessions, types of exercises or training modalities to be incorporated, and the expected progression of the program. They may also discuss the pricing structure, payment options, and scheduling logistics.

Your initial consultation with a personal trainer is an important step in embarking on a fitness journey. It serves as an opportunity for you to share your goals, discuss your health and exercise history, and establish a rapport with your trainer. By gathering this information, your trainer can put together a personalized fitness plan that is tailored to your needs, ensuring a safe and effective approach to reaching your fitness goals. Embrace this consultation as a chance to ask questions, set expectations, and collaborate with your trainer to develop a successful partnership in your fitness journey.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to my very first consultation with a personal trainer?

It’s helpful to bring a water bottle, comfortable workout attire, and any relevant medical or health information such as doctor’s recommendations or previous injury history.

Will my personal trainer ask about my fitness goals during the initial consultation?

Yes, discussing your fitness goals is an important part of the initial consultation. Your trainer will want to understand what you hope to achieve and tailor the training program accordingly.

Should I expect a fitness assessment during my first consultation with a personal trainer?

Many personal trainers conduct a fitness assessment during the first consultation to gather information about your current fitness level. This may include measurements, strength tests, and flexibility assessments.

Will my personal trainer discuss nutrition and dietary habits during the consultation?

Personal trainers often address nutrition and lifestyle factors as they play a vital role in achieving fitness goals. They may provide general guidance on nutrition or refer you to a registered dietitian for specialized advice.

How long does a first consultation with a personal trainer typically last?

The duration of a first consultation can vary, but it normally lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. This time allows the trainer to gather information, discuss goals, and begin creating a personalized fitness plan.

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Can Kettlebell Training Help With Improving Sports Performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-kettlebell-training-help-with-improving-sports-performance/ Mon, 29 May 2023 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33399 The post Can Kettlebell Training Help With Improving Sports Performance? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Kettlebell training can indeed be beneficial for improving sports performance. The unique combination of strength, power, stability, and mobility required in sports can be enhanced through kettlebell exercises. By incorporating kettlebell training into an athlete’s regimen, it is possible to develop the specific physical qualities needed to excel in their sport. In this article, we will explore how kettlebell training can contribute to improved sports performance and discuss key exercises and training principles to incorporate into an athlete’s routine.

The Benefits Of Kettlebell Training For Sports Performance

Kettlebell training offers several benefits that directly translate to improved sports performance. These include:

  • Functional Strength: Kettlebell exercises involve multiple muscle groups and movement patterns, promoting functional strength that is applicable to sports-specific movements.
  • Power and Explosiveness: Many kettlebell exercises involve explosive movements that develop power and explosiveness, important attributes for athletes in sports such as sprinting, jumping, and throwing.
  • Core Stability: Kettlebell exercises require the engagement of the core muscles, leading to improved stability and control during dynamic movements.
  • Grip Strength: Kettlebell exercises challenge grip strength, which is crucial in sports that involve holding or controlling objects, such as racquet sports, wrestling, and climbing.
  • Cardiovascular Endurance: Kettlebell training can be structured in a way that promotes cardiovascular endurance, improving an athlete’s ability to sustain effort during prolonged periods of activity.

Key Kettlebell Exercises For Sports Performance

Several kettlebell exercises are particularly effective for improving sports performance. Here are some examples:

  • Kettlebell Swing: The kettlebell swing targets the posterior chain, including the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. It develops explosive hip power, which is essential for sports that involve jumping, running, and throwing.
  • Turkish Get-Up: The Turkish get-up is an involved movement that challenges full-body coordination, stability, and mobility. It helps develop core strength and stability, as well as shoulder stability, which is important for overhead movements in sports.
  • Kettlebell Snatch: The kettlebell snatch is a powerful exercise that engages the entire body. It develops explosive hip power, upper body strength, and cardiovascular endurance, making it beneficial for sports that require quick, forceful movements.
  • Single-Leg Deadlift: The single-leg deadlift with a kettlebell improves balance, stability, and single-leg strength, which are crucial for sports that involve unilateral movements, such as running, cutting, and changing direction.
  • Goblet Squat: The goblet squat is a flexible exercise that targets the lower body, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. It promotes proper squat mechanics, enhances lower body strength, and can improve overall athleticism.

Training Principles For Kettlebell Sports Performance

To optimize the benefits of kettlebell training for sports performance, it is essential to follow specific training principles:

  • Progressive Overload: Gradually increasing the load, repetitions, or intensity of kettlebell exercises challenges the body and stimulates improvements in strength, power, and endurance.
  • Periodization: Structuring training into distinct phases, each with a specific focus (e.g., strength, power, endurance), allows for proper progression and avoids overtraining.
  • Sports-Specific Movements: Identifying the specific movements and physical demands of the sport and selecting kettlebell exercises that mimic those movements can help improve performance more effectively.
  • Core Stability and Balance Training: Integrating exercises that challenge core stability and improve balance can enhance overall athletic performance and injury prevention.
  • Proper Technique and Form: Mastering proper technique and form in kettlebell exercises is crucial to maximize performance gains and lower the risk of injury. Working with a qualified kettlebell instructor or coach is recommended.

Incorporating Kettlebell Training Into An Athlete’s Routine

To incorporate kettlebell training into an athlete’s routine, consider the following steps:

  • Assess the athlete’s needs: Identify the specific areas of improvement and performance goals for the athlete. This could include power, strength, endurance, or sport-specific skills.
  • Plan the training program: Design a structured program that includes kettlebell exercises targeting the identified needs. Determine the frequency, duration, and intensity of kettlebell workouts.
  • Seek professional guidance: If unfamiliar with kettlebell training, it is recommended to look for guidance from a qualified kettlebell instructor or strength and conditioning coach. They can provide proper instruction, ensure correct technique, and develop a program tailored to the athlete’s needs.
  • Warm-up and mobility: Prior to starting kettlebell exercises, incorporate a comprehensive warm-up routine to prepare the body for the demands of the training. Include mobility exercises to improve joint mobility and flexibility.
  • Start with the basics: Begin with fundamental kettlebell exercises such as the kettlebell swing, goblet squat, and Turkish get-up. Focus on mastering proper technique and form before progressing to more advanced movements.
  • Progress gradually: As the athlete becomes proficient in the basic exercises, gradually increase the load, repetitions, or intensity to provide progressive overload and continue challenging the body.
  • Periodize the training: Structure the training program into distinct phases to target different aspects of performance (e.g., strength, power, endurance). This allows for proper progression and prevents plateauing.
  • Supplement with other training modalities: Kettlebell training should complement other components of the athlete’s training routine, such as strength training, conditioning, and sport-specific drills. Create a well-rounded program that addresses all aspects of performance.
  • Monitor progress and adjust: Regularly assess the athlete’s progress and make required adjustments to the training program. This could involve modifying exercises, increasing or decreasing intensity, or focusing on specific areas that need improvement.
  • Ensure recovery and injury prevention: Incorporate adequate rest days, recovery strategies (such as foam rolling or stretching), and prioritize injury prevention through proper technique, form, and listening to the body’s signals.

By incorporating kettlebell training into an athlete’s routine using these steps, it is possible to improve sports performance, enhance strength, power, stability, and endurance, and excel in their chosen sport. Remember, consistency, dedication, and proper technique are key to achieving optimal results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kettlebell training can enhance sports performance by improving strength, power, stability, mobility, and cardiovascular endurance, which are essential for athletic success.

Kettlebell training can benefit a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, soccer, tennis, golf, martial arts, track and field, and CrossFit.

Kettlebell training can improve aspects such as explosive power, agility, balance, core strength, grip strength, coordination, and overall functional movement patterns relevant to various sports.

Kettlebell training focuses on functional movements and engages multiple muscle groups, improving overall strength, stability, and body awareness, which can help reduce the risk of injuries.

Yes, kettlebell training can be tailored to suit athletes of all levels, from beginners to elite performers. The exercises can be scaled and progressed based on individual fitness levels and goals.

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Can Functional Training Be Customized For Specific Fitness Goals? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-functional-training-be-customized-for-specific-fitness-goals/ Mon, 29 May 2023 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33396 Functional training can indeed be customized to meet specific fitness goals. Whether you aim to improve athletic performance, enhance overall strength and endurance, rehabilitate from an injury, or achieve weight loss, functional training can be tailored to address your individual needs. By understanding the principles and components of functional training and working closely with a...

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Functional training can indeed be customized to meet specific fitness goals. Whether you aim to improve athletic performance, enhance overall strength and endurance, rehabilitate from an injury, or achieve weight loss, functional training can be tailored to address your individual needs. By understanding the principles and components of functional training and working closely with a qualified fitness professional, you can create a customized program that aligns up with your goals and helps you achieve optimal results.

Understanding Functional Training

Functional training focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements and activities, emphasizing the integration of multiple muscle groups and joints. Rather than isolating specific muscles, functional training aims to improve overall movement patterns, stability, balance, and coordination. It trains the body to perform tasks efficiently, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing functional fitness.

Identifying Specific Fitness Goals

To customize functional training, it’s crucial to identify your specific fitness goals. Are you looking to enhance sports performance, build strength and muscle, improve flexibility, rehabilitate from an injury, or lose weight? Each goal requires a different approach and emphasis within the functional training program.

Working With A Qualified Fitness Professional

Collaborating with a qualified fitness professional, such as a personal trainer or strength and conditioning specialist, is essential for customizing your functional training program. They can assess your current fitness level, discuss your goals, and design a program that addresses your individual needs and limitations. Their expertise ensures that you perform exercises correctly and progress at an appropriate pace.

Exercise Selection

Customizing functional training involves selecting exercises that target the specific muscle groups and movement patterns relevant to your goals. For instance, if your goal is to improve sports performance, exercises may include explosive movements, agility drills, and sport-specific movements. If you aim for weight loss, a combination of cardiovascular exercises, compound movements, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be incorporated.

Reps, Sets, And Intensity

The number of repetitions, sets, and intensity of exercises play a crucial role in customizing functional training for specific goals. For strength and muscle building, higher resistance and lower repetitions with adequate rest periods may be utilized. On the other hand, for endurance or weight loss, lighter resistance, higher repetitions, and shorter rest periods may be employed to promote cardiovascular fitness and calorie expenditure.

Progression And Periodization

Progression and periodization are vital aspects of customizing functional training. As your body adapts to the exercises, it’s essential to gradually increase the intensity, complexity, and challenge of the movements to continue making progress. Periodization involves dividing your training into distinct phases, each focusing on different aspects of fitness (e.g., strength, power, endurance) to optimize results and prevent plateaus.

Addressing Weaknesses And Imbalances

Functional training can be customized to address specific weaknesses, imbalances, or areas of concern in your body. A comprehensive assessment by a fitness professional can identify these areas, allowing for targeted exercises and corrective strategies to improve strength, stability, and mobility.

Recovery And Injury Prevention

Customizing functional training includes incorporating adequate recovery and injury prevention strategies. Rest days, active recovery sessions, proper nutrition, and sleep are crucial for allowing the body to repair and adapt. Additionally, including exercises that promote joint mobility, flexibility, and stability can help prevent injuries and enhance overall performance.

Monitoring And Adjusting

Regular monitoring of progress is essential to ensure that your customized functional training program is effective. Assessments such as strength tests, body composition measurements, and performance evaluations can provide valuable feedback. Based on these assessments, adjustments can be made to the program to keep you on track toward your goals.

Consistency And Commitment

Lastly, to achieve your fitness goals through customized functional training, consistency and commitment are key. Adhering to the program, following proper form and technique, and maintaining a positive mindset will contribute to your success.

Functional training can be customized to suit specific fitness goals by understanding the principles of functional training, working with a qualified fitness professional, identifying goals, selecting appropriate exercises, determining reps, sets, and intensity, focusing on progression and periodization, addressing weaknesses and imbalances, incorporating recovery and injury prevention strategies, monitoring progress, and maintaining consistency. By tailoring functional training to your needs, you can maximize results, improve overall fitness, and accomplish your desired fitness goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover additional information about functional strength training then we recommend that you do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can functional training be customized for weight loss?

Functional training for weight loss can involve incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT), cardiovascular exercises, compound movements, and circuit training to maximize calorie burn and promote fat loss.

Can functional training be customized for sports performance enhancement?

Yes, functional training can be tailored to improve sports performance. It may involve exercises that mimic specific movements and demands of the sport, such as agility drills, plyometrics, power exercises, and sport-specific movements.

How can functional training be customized for muscle building and strength gains?

To customize functional training for muscle building and strength gains, exercises can be selected that target specific muscle groups, incorporate progressive overload, and concentrate on compound movements which engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

Can functional training be adapted for rehabilitation purposes?

Absolutely. Functional training can be customized to aid in rehabilitation from injuries or surgeries. It may involve exercises that focus on improving stability, mobility, and functional movement patterns, addressing specific weaknesses and imbalances, under the guidance of a qualified professional.

Is it possible to customize functional training for overall fitness improvement?

Yes, functional training can be customized for overall fitness improvement. By incorporating a combination of strength, cardio, mobility, and flexibility exercises, along with progressive overload and periodization, functional training can enhance overall fitness, including endurance, strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility.

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What Areas Of The Body Could Be Targeted With EMS? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-areas-of-the-body-could-be-targeted-with-ems/ Fri, 26 May 2023 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33390 EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is a versatile training method that can target various areas of the body. By applying electrical impulses to the muscles, EMS activates muscle contractions, allowing for a targeted and efficient workout. Here are the different areas of the body that can be effectively targeted with EMS: Abdominal Muscles EMS can effectively...

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EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is a versatile training method that can target various areas of the body. By applying electrical impulses to the muscles, EMS activates muscle contractions, allowing for a targeted and efficient workout. Here are the different areas of the body that can be effectively targeted with EMS:

Abdominal Muscles

EMS can effectively target the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis (six-pack muscles), obliques, and transverse abdominis. By stimulating these muscles, EMS can help strengthen the core, improve stability, and enhance overall abdominal muscle definition. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to tone their midsection or improve core strength.

Gluteal Muscles

EMS can target the gluteal muscles, including the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. These muscles are essential for hip extension, stability, and overall lower body strength. EMS can help activate and strengthen the gluteal muscles, improving their tone, shape, and functionality. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to sculpt and strengthen their buttocks.

Quadriceps And Hamstrings

EMS can effectively target the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) and hamstrings (back thigh muscles). These muscles are crucial for lower body strength, stability, and functional movements. By stimulating the quadriceps and hamstrings, EMS can enhance muscle activation, improve muscle balance, and contribute to overall leg strength and development.

Biceps And Triceps

EMS can be used to target the biceps and triceps, which are the muscles of the upper arm. By stimulating these muscles, EMS can help improve arm strength, enhance muscle definition, and promote overall upper body aesthetics. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to tone their arms or improve their performance in sports or activities that involve arm movements.

Deltoids

EMS can effectively target the deltoid muscles, which are responsible for shoulder abduction, flexion, and rotation. By stimulating the deltoids, EMS can help improve shoulder strength, stability, and overall upper body function. This can be very beneficial for individuals seeking to develop well-rounded shoulder muscles or improve their performance in sports such as swimming, tennis, or weightlifting.

Back Muscles

EMS can target the muscles of the back, including the latissimus dorsi (lats), rhomboids, and erector spinae. These muscles play a vital role in posture, stability, and overall back strength. By stimulating these muscles, EMS can help improve muscle activation, posture, and overall back strength. This can be very beneficial for individuals with weak back muscles or those recovering from back injuries.

Calf Muscles

EMS can effectively target the calf muscles, including the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. These muscles are important for lower leg strength, ankle stability, and overall lower body performance. By stimulating the calf muscles, EMS can help enhance muscle activation, improve calf strength, and contribute to better lower body function. This can be advantageous for athletes involved in running, jumping, or sports that require strong lower legs.

Neck And Upper Back Muscles

EMS can also target the muscles in the neck and upper back region, including the trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboid muscles. These muscles are responsible for supporting – as well as stabilizing – the neck and upper back, and they can often become tense and tight due to poor posture or stress. By applying EMS to these muscles, it can help relieve tension, improve muscle activation, and promote better posture and overall upper body function.

Forearm Muscles

EMS can be utilized to target the muscles in the forearm, such as the flexor and extensor muscles. These muscles are crucial for wrist and hand movements, and they play a significant role in activities that involve gripping and manipulating objects. By stimulating the forearm muscles, EMS can enhance muscle activation, improve forearm strength, and contribute to better performance in sports like tennis, golf, or rock climbing.

Hip Muscles

EMS can effectively target the muscles around the hips, including the hip flexors, hip abductors, and hip adductors. These muscles are essential for hip mobility, stability, and overall lower body function. By stimulating the hip muscles, EMS can help improve muscle activation, enhance hip strength, and contribute to better movement patterns and performance in activities like running, dancing, or martial arts.

Chest Muscles

EMS can be used to target the muscles of the chest, including the pectoralis major and minor muscles. These muscles are responsible for movements such as horizontal adduction and are essential for upper body strength and aesthetics. By stimulating the chest muscles, EMS can enhance muscle activation, improve chest strength and tone, and contribute to a more well-defined and sculpted chest.

Postural Muscles

EMS can target the postural muscles, including the muscles of the lower back and the muscles responsible for maintaining good posture. By stimulating these muscles, EMS can help improve muscle activation and strength, enhance postural alignment, and reduce the risk of postural imbalances or injuries associated with poor posture.

In conclusion, EMS is a versatile training method that can effectively target various areas of the body. From the abdominal muscles to the calf muscles, and from the upper body to the lower body, EMS can be utilized to enhance muscle activation, improve strength, and optimize overall performance. Incorporating EMS into your training regimen can provide a time-efficient and effective way to target specific muscle groups and achieve your fitness goals. However, it’s essential to consult with a qualified professional or trainer to ensure proper usage and safety precautions when using EMS devices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which muscles in the body can be effectively targeted with EMS?

EMS can effectively target various muscles in the body, encompassing but not limited to the abdominal muscles, gluteal muscles, quadriceps and hamstrings, biceps and triceps, and the deltoids.

How can EMS benefit the abdominal muscles?

EMS can help strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles, encompassing the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. It can assist in achieving a more defined core, improving stability, and enhancing overall abdominal muscle strength.

Can EMS be used to target the lower body muscles?

Yes, EMS can effectively target the lower body muscles such as the gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. It can help improve muscle activation, strength, and overall lower body performance.

Which upper body muscles can be targeted with EMS?

EMS can be used to target the upper body muscles, including the biceps, triceps, deltoids, chest muscles, and the muscles in the neck and upper back. This can assist in improving upper body strength, muscle definition, and overall performance.

Are postural muscles targeted with EMS?

Yes, EMS can be used to target postural muscles, including the muscles of the lower back and those responsible for maintaining good posture. By stimulating these muscles, EMS can help improve muscle activation, strength, and contribute to better postural alignment.

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What Muscles Do Battle Ropes Target? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-muscles-do-battle-ropes-target/ Fri, 26 May 2023 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33393 Battle ropes are a dynamic and versatile training tool that engages multiple muscle groups throughout the body. By incorporating battle ropes into your workout routine, you can effectively target various muscles to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Here are some of the key muscles that battle ropes target: Upper Body Muscles Shoulders (Deltoids): Battle...

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Battle ropes are a dynamic and versatile training tool that engages multiple muscle groups throughout the body. By incorporating battle ropes into your workout routine, you can effectively target various muscles to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Here are some of the key muscles that battle ropes target:

Upper Body Muscles

  • Shoulders (Deltoids): Battle ropes engage the deltoid muscles, including the anterior (front), medial (middle), and posterior (rear) deltoids. The constant waves, slams, and rotational movements of the ropes challenge the shoulders, helping to develop strength and stability.
  • Arms (Biceps and Triceps): Battle ropes provide an excellent workout for the arms. The pulling and pushing motions involve the biceps and triceps, promoting muscle growth and toning in the upper arms.
  • Chest (Pectoralis Major): By performing exercises like rope slams or chest flyes, battle ropes can engage the pectoralis major muscles, contributing to chest strength and development.

Core Muscles

  • Abdominals (Rectus Abdominis and Obliques): Battle ropes activate the core muscles, encompassing the rectus abdominis (six-pack muscles) and obliques. The constant engagement of the core is required to maintain stability and generate power during battle rope exercises.
  • Back (Erector Spinae and Latissimus Dorsi): Battle ropes recruit the erector spinae muscles in the lower back and the latissimus dorsi muscles in the upper back. These muscles work in order to stabilize the spine and maintain proper posture during rope movements.

Lower Body Muscles

  • Glutes (Gluteus Maximus, Medius, and Minimus): Many battle rope exercises, such as squat slams or lateral waves, engage the gluteal muscles. These exercises activate the glutes, promoting strength and stability in the hips.
  • Quadriceps: Squatting or lunging while performing battle rope exercises targets the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thighs. These movements help to develop leg strength and power.
  • Hamstrings: Battle ropes can engage the hamstrings, which are located at the back of the thighs. Movements like rope jumps or reverse lunges challenge the hamstrings and contribute to lower body strength.
  • Calves: Jumping exercises with battle ropes, such as rope jumps or power jumps, target the calf muscles, helping to strengthen and tone the lower legs.

Cardiovascular System

Battle rope exercises are highly intense and demand significant energy expenditure. Performing vigorous movements with battle ropes elevates the heart rate and improves cardiovascular endurance, benefiting the entire cardiovascular system.

Forearms And Grip Strength

Gripping and controlling the battle ropes throughout the exercises require significant engagement of the forearm muscles, contributing to forearm strength and grip development.

Full-Body Coordination

Battle ropes engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting full-body coordination and integration. This helps to improve overall body awareness and movement efficiency.

It’s important to note that the specific muscles targeted during battle rope exercises may vary depending on the exercise variation, technique, and intensity level. It is recommended to perform a variety of battle rope exercises and incorporate them into a well-rounded workout routine to maximize the benefits and engage different muscle groups. Consulting with a fitness professional can also provide personalized guidance and ensure proper form and technique for effective and safe training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which upper body muscles are targeted by battle ropes?

Battle ropes engage and target several muscles in the upper body. The primary muscles targeted include the shoulders (deltoids), arms (biceps and triceps), and chest (pectoralis major). The constant waves, slams, and rotational movements performed with battle ropes challenge the deltoids, helping to develop strength and stability in the shoulder joints. Additionally, the pulling and pushing motions involved in battle rope exercises activate the biceps and triceps, promoting muscle growth and toning in the upper arms. Certain exercises, such as rope slams or chest flyes, can engage the pectoralis major muscles, contributing to chest strength and development.

Do battle ropes engage the core muscles?

Yes, battle ropes are highly effective at engaging and activating the core muscles. The core muscles include the abdominals (rectus abdominis and obliques) and the muscles in the back, such as the erector spinae and latissimus dorsi. During battle rope exercises, the core muscles play a vital role in stabilizing the body and generating power. The continuous waves, slams, and rotational movements require the engagement of the core to maintain stability and transfer energy effectively. As a result, battle ropes can help strengthen and tone the core muscles, contributing to improved overall core stability, balance, and posture.

How do battle ropes work the lower body muscles?

Battle ropes engage several major muscle groups in the lower body, providing an effective workout for the glutes (gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus), quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Exercises such as squat slams, lunges with rope waves, or lateral waves require lower body movements that engage these muscle groups. The explosive movements performed with battle ropes, combined with the lower body actions, activate the glutes, helping to strengthen and tone the muscles of the hips. Squatting or lunging while performing battle rope exercises targets the quadriceps in the front of the thighs, which aids in developing leg strength and power. Additionally, the hamstrings at the back of the thighs are engaged during movements like rope jumps or reverse lunges. These exercises challenge and strengthen the hamstrings. Lastly, jumping exercises with battle ropes, such as rope jumps or power jumps, target the calf muscles, helping to strengthen and tone the lower legs.

Can battle ropes improve cardiovascular fitness?

Yes, battle ropes are an excellent tool for improving cardiovascular fitness. Battle rope exercises are highly intense and demand significant energy expenditure. The vigorous movements performed with battle ropes elevate the heart rate, increasing cardiovascular endurance and conditioning. The continuous, rhythmic waves or rapid slams require a substantial amount of effort, leading to an increased oxygen demand and improved cardiovascular response. Regularly incorporating battle rope exercises into your fitness routine can enhance your cardiovascular health, promote efficient oxygen utilization, and improve your overall stamina and endurance.

Do battle ropes target grip strength?

Yes, battle ropes are highly effective at targeting and improving grip strength. Gripping and controlling the battle ropes throughout the exercises require a significant engagement of the forearm muscles, including the flexor and extensor muscles. The constant tension and dynamic movements challenge the muscles responsible for gripping, leading to improved strength, endurance, and coordination in the hands and forearms. As you perform various battle rope exercises, your grip strength is continuously challenged and improved. Enhanced grip strength can have significant benefits in various activities and sports, such as weightlifting, rock climbing, or even daily tasks that require a strong grip.

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How Can Life Coaching Help Me Maintain Work-Life Balance And Prevent Burnout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-can-life-coaching-help-me-maintain-work-life-balance-and-prevent-burnout/ Thu, 25 May 2023 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33379 The post How Can Life Coaching Help Me Maintain Work-Life Balance And Prevent Burnout? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Life coaching has become an increasingly popular approach for individuals seeking to maintain work-life balance and prevent burnout. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, many people find themselves really struggling to juggle the demands of their career and personal life, often leading to stress, exhaustion, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Life coaching offers a supportive and empowering environment where individuals can explore their priorities, set goals, and develop strategies to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What Is Work-Life Balance?

The term ‘work-life balance’ refers to the equilibrium between the time and energy devoted to work and the time and energy allocated to personal life activities and responsibilities. It is the ability to effectively manage and prioritise both professional and personal commitments, allowing individuals to experience satisfaction and fulfilment in all areas of their lives.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, achieving work-life balance has become increasingly challenging. The demands of work, coupled with personal obligations, can easily lead to an imbalance where one aspect of life dominates at the expense of the other. This imbalance can result in stress, fatigue, reduced productivity, strained relationships, and a diminished overall quality of life.

Work-life balance is not just bout allocating equal time to work and personal life; rather, it involves finding a personalised distribution of time and energy that aligns with an individual’s priorities and values. It recognises that individuals have different needs and preferences, and what constitutes balance for one person may differ from another.

chieving work-life balance requires individuals to establish boundaries and make conscious choices about how they allocate their time and energy. It involves setting realistic expectations for oneself and others, managing workloads effectively, and creating a supportive environment that encourages a healthy integration of work and personal life.

There are a number of key elements that contribute to work-life balance:

  • Time Management: Successful time management is crucial for achieving a work-life balance. This involves prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and allocating time for both work and personal activities. By efficiently managing time, individuals can avoid overworking and ensure that they have sufficient time for relaxation, hobbies, relationships, and self-care.
  • Flexibility: Flexibility in work arrangements can greatly enhance work-life balance. Flexible work schedules, remote work options, and the ability to adjust working hours can enable individuals to better manage their personal responsibilities and create a harmonious blend of work and personal life.
  • Boundaries: Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life is essential for maintaining a work-life balance. This includes establishing designated workspaces, defining specific work hours, and disconnecting from work-related communication during personal time. By creating boundaries, individuals can protect their personal time, reduce work-related stress, and foster a healthier work-life integration.
  • Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care activities is vital for work-life balance. Taking part in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones, helps individuals recharge, reduce stress, and maintain overall wellness.
  • Support Systems: Having a strong support system in both professional and personal life can contribute to work-life balance. This includes seeking support from colleagues, supervisors, and family members or friends who understand and respect the importance of work-life balance. Building a network of support can provide encouragement, guidance, and assistance when needed.

Work-life balance is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires regular evaluation and adjustment. It is important to recognise that work-life balance looks different for each individual and may vary depending on personal circumstances and priorities. It is a personal journey of finding harmony and satisfaction in all aspects of life, allowing individuals to thrive both personally and professionally.

Life Coaching And Work-Life Balance

One of the key ways in which life coaching can help individuals maintain work-life balance is by providing guidance in setting boundaries. Many people struggle with saying “no” and taking on too many responsibilities, which can lead to a lack of time and energy for personal activities and relationships. A life coach can assist individuals identify their priorities and values, and then work together to establish clear boundaries that protect their personal time and well-being.

Life coaching can provide individuals with tools and techniques to better manage their time and prioritise their tasks. By learning how to effectively allocate time for work, personal activities, self-care, and relationships, individuals can create a more balanced schedule that allows them to meet their professional responsibilities while still enjoying a fulfilling personal life.

Stress management is another area where life coaching can be invaluable. Excessive stress can lead to burnout and negatively impact both physical and mental health. Life coaches can help individuals develop coping mechanisms and stress management strategies that enable them to handle stress more effectively. Through techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and reframing negative thought patterns, individuals can reduce stress levels and improve their overall well-being.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is a condition of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that results from prolonged periods of chronic stress, particularly in relation to work or caregiving responsibilities. It is characterised by feelings of depletion, cynicism, detachment, and a sense of ineffectiveness or lack of accomplishment.

Burnout typically occurs when individuals face excessive job demands, high levels of pressure, or prolonged exposure to stressful situations without adequate rest or support. It can affect anyone, irrespective of their profession or level of success, and can have significant negative impacts on both personal well-being and professional performance.

Some common signs and symptoms of burnout include:

  • Physical and emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained, tired, and lacking energy. Individuals may experience frequent physical ailments, such as headaches, muscle pain, or gastrointestinal issues. Emotionally, they may feel overwhelmed, irritable, and emotionally detached.
  • Reduced productivity: Burnout can lead to decreased motivation, difficulty concentrating, and a decline in work performance. Individuals may struggle to complete tasks, meet deadlines, or maintain the same level of efficiency and effectiveness as before.
  • Emotional detachment: Burnout can lead to feelings of cynicism, indifference, or detachment from work and other activities. Individuals may develop a negative and cynical attitude toward their job, colleagues, or clients. They may also withdraw socially and isolate themselves from others.
  • Lack of satisfaction and fulfillment: Burnout can diminish the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction individuals derive from their work. They may lose interest in activities they enjoyed once and experience a general sense of apathy or disillusionment.
  • Physical and mental health issues: Prolonged exposure to burnout can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. It can contribute to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Individuals may also experience sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and a weakened immune system.

To address and prevent burnout, it is important to prioritise self-care, establish healthy boundaries, and seek support. Some strategies that can help include:

  • Self-care: Engage in activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and hobbies. Take breaks, practice good sleep hygiene, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Establish boundaries: Set clear limits on work hours, responsibilities, and expectations. Learn to say no when needed and delegate tasks when possible. Create a separation between work and personal life to allow for rest and rejuvenation.
  • Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues for emotional support. Think about talking to a therapist or counsellor who can provide guidance and help develop coping strategies. Connect with support groups or professional networks to share experiences and gain insights.
  • Prioritise activities and values: Identify activities that bring joy and fulfillment and make time for them. Align personal values with work responsibilities to find a sense of purpose and meaning.

Life Coaching And Burnout

In addition to work-life balance, life coaching can also help individuals prevent burnout by fostering self-care practices. Many people neglect their own needs and well-being in the pursuit of professional success. However, neglecting self-care can eventually lead to physical and mental exhaustion. A life coach can assist individuals in identifying self-care activities that replenish their energy and bring them joy. Whether it’s engaging in hobbies, exercising, spending time with loved ones, or practicing relaxation techniques, self-care is an essential component of preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being.

Furthermore, life coaching can support individuals in setting and achieving meaningful goals that contribute to their overall life satisfaction. By clarifying personal values and aligning goals with these values, individuals can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment in both their personal and professional lives. A life coach can provide accountability and support throughout the goal-setting process, helping individuals stay focused, motivated, and committed to their objectives.

Life coaching offers valuable support and guidance for individuals seeking to maintain work-life balance and prevent burnout. By addressing areas such as boundary-setting, time management, stress management, self-care, and goal-setting, life coaches can empower individuals to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. With the assistance of a skilled and compassionate life coach, individuals can navigate the challenges of today’s demanding world and achieve greater well-being, satisfaction, and success in all aspects of their lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Life coaching can guide you through self-reflection exercises and discussions to identify your core values. By understanding what truly matters to you, you can make informed decisions and allocate time and energy to activities that align with your values, helping you achieve work-life balance.

Life coaching can provide strategies and tools to help you establish boundaries and manage your time more efficiently. Through personalised coaching sessions, you can learn techniques to prioritise tasks, delegate responsibilities, and create a schedule that allows for both work and personal life commitments.

Life coaching can help you develop self-awareness and recognise early signs of burnout. By working with a coach, you can explore your stressors, understand their impact on your well-being, and develop coping mechanisms to prevent burnout. A coach can also provide support and accountability as you implement self-care practices to maintain your overall well-being.

Life coaching can help you gain clarity about your career aspirations and examine how they align with your desired work-life balance. By exploring your values, strengths, and passions, a coach can assist you in setting meaningful career goals that promote work-life integration and fulfilment.

Life coaching can provide guidance in developing personalised stress management techniques that work best for you. Through coaching conversations and exercises, you can explore various stress reduction methods, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and self-care practices. A coach can help you integrate these strategies into your daily life to prevent burnout and enhance your overall well-being.

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What Are The Key Nutrients For Promoting Muscle Strength And Endurance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-key-nutrients-for-promoting-muscle-strength-and-endurance/ Wed, 24 May 2023 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33375 Muscle strength and endurance are essential for various activities, including sports performance, fitness training, and overall physical health. To promote and optimize these attributes, it is crucial to provide the body with the necessary nutrients. A well-balanced diet rich in particular nutrients can support muscle development, repair, and overall performance. In today’s article, we will...

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Muscle strength and endurance are essential for various activities, including sports performance, fitness training, and overall physical health. To promote and optimize these attributes, it is crucial to provide the body with the necessary nutrients. A well-balanced diet rich in particular nutrients can support muscle development, repair, and overall performance. In today’s article, we will explore the fundamentals nutrients which play a crucial role in promoting muscle strength and endurance and discuss their sources and benefits.

Protein

Protein is often considered the cornerstone nutrient for muscle strength and endurance. It offers the building blocks, amino acids, necessary for muscle tissue repair and growth. Consuming adequate protein supports the recovery process after intense workouts, prevents muscle breakdown, and promotes muscle protein synthesis. Good sources of protein include – among others – lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and plant-based sources like tofu and tempeh.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for muscles during high-intensity activities. They provide readily available fuel to support muscle contractions and sustain endurance. Complex carbohydrates, for example whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are ideal choices as they offer a slow and steady release of energy. Adequate carbohydrate intake before exercise can enhance performance and delay fatigue, enabling individuals to perform at their best.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), offer several benefits for muscle health. They possess anti-inflammatory properties, which aid in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles, enhancing endurance and overall performance. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as walnuts and flaxseeds, are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial for muscle function and strength. It plays a role in muscle protein synthesis, calcium regulation, and overall muscle performance. Insufficient vitamin D levels have been associated with reduced muscle strength and increased risk of injuries. Exposure to sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, however  it can also be obtained from fortified dairy products, fatty fish, and supplements. Adequate vitamin D levels are particularly important for individuals who have limited sun exposure or live in regions with limited sunlight.

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in numerous processes within the body, including muscle contractions, energy production, and protein synthesis. It is essential for muscle strength, endurance, and recovery. Magnesium also helps regulate electrolyte balance, which is crucial for proper muscle function. Great sources of magnesium are leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and dark chocolate.

B Vitamins

B vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin), are essential for energy production and metabolism. They support the conversion of carbohydrates into usable energy and aid in muscle recovery and repair. Lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and fortified cereals are very good sources of B vitamins.

Iron

Iron plays a vital role in delivering oxygen to the muscles. It is a component of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Inadequate iron levels can lead to fatigue, reduced endurance, and impaired muscle function. Good sources of iron include lean meats, poultry, fish, legumes, fortified cereals, and dark leafy greens.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants, for example vitamins C and E, help protect muscles from oxidative damage caused by free radicals generated during intense exercise. These molecules can cause inflammation and contribute to muscle fatigue and damage. Including foods rich in antioxidants in your diet can help reduce oxidative stress and support muscle recovery and endurance. Colourful fruits and vegetables, such as berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and nuts, are excellent sources of antioxidants.

Creatine

Creatine is natural compound found in small amounts in certain foods, primarily meat and fish. It plays a crucial role in supplying energy to the muscles during high-intensity activities. Supplementing with creatine has been demonstrated to improve muscle strength, power, and endurance, making it beneficial for athletes and individuals engaging in strength training. However, it’s very important to consult with a health-care professional before considering creatine supplementation.

Hydration

While not a specific nutrient, proper hydration is essential for muscle strength and endurance. Water is involved in numerous physiological processes, including muscle function, nutrient delivery, and waste removal. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, reduced endurance, and impaired performance. It is crucial to maintain sufficient hydration levels before, during, and after physical activity to support optimal muscle function.

A combination of these key nutrients is crucial for promoting muscle strength and endurance. Incorporating a well-balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can support muscle development, repair, and overall performance. It is important to note that individual nutrient requires may vary based on factors such as age, sex, activity level, and specific goals. Consulting with a registered health-care professional can provide personalized guidance to meet your unique nutritional needs and optimize muscle strength and endurance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What role does protein play in promoting muscle strength and endurance?

Protein provides the necessary building blocks (amino acids) for muscle tissue repair and growth, supporting muscle strength and endurance.

Why are carbohydrates important for muscle strength and endurance?

Carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source for muscles during high-intensity activities, supplying the fuel needed for sustained endurance and optimal performance.

How do omega-3 fatty acids contribute to muscle strength and endurance?

Omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties, aid in reducing muscle damage and soreness, and improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles, enhancing endurance and performance.

What is the significance of vitamin D for muscle strength and endurance?

Vitamin D plays a role in muscle function, protein synthesis, and calcium regulation, and inadequate levels can lead to reduced muscle strength and increased injury risk.

How does magnesium support muscle strength and endurance?

Magnesium is involved in muscle contractions, energy production, and electrolyte balance, making it essential for muscle strength, endurance, and proper muscle function.

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What Are The Benefits Of NLP Coaching For Professional Development And Career Success? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-nlp-coaching-for-professional-development-and-career-success/ Wed, 24 May 2023 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33370 NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching offers a range of benefits for professional development and career success. By leveraging the principles and techniques of NLP, individuals can enhance their communication skills, mindset, and overall performance in the workplace. In today’s article, we will explore the various advantages of NLP coaching and how it can contribute to personal...

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NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching offers a range of benefits for professional development and career success. By leveraging the principles and techniques of NLP, individuals can enhance their communication skills, mindset, and overall performance in the workplace. In today’s article, we will explore the various advantages of NLP coaching and how it can contribute to personal growth, professional advancement, and achieving career goals.

Improved Communication Skills

Effective communication is vital in any professional setting. NLP coaching helps individuals develop excellent communication skills by understanding the impact of language patterns, non-verbal cues, and rapport-building techniques. By mastering these skills, professionals can engage in persuasive conversations, build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and become more influential communicators.

Enhanced Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating workplace dynamics and building successful professional relationships. NLP coaching focuses on developing emotional intelligence by helping individuals understand and manage their emotions effectively. Through techniques such as reframing, anchoring, and modelling, professionals can gain better control over their emotional responses, develop empathy, and effectively manage conflicts.

Increased Self-Awareness And Personal Growth

NLP coaching empowers individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their values, beliefs, and behaviours. By uncovering limiting beliefs and negative patterns, professionals can overcome self-sabotaging tendencies and develop a growth mindset. This self-awareness fosters personal growth, allowing individuals to tap into their full potential, set meaningful goals, and achieve greater success in their careers.

Effective Goal Setting And Achievement

Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coaching provides individuals with powerful tools for goal setting and achievement. By using techniques such as outcome visualization, timeline therapy, and chunking, professionals can create clear and compelling goals, break them down into manageable steps, and stay motivated throughout the journey. NLP enables individuals to align their goals with their values, overcome obstacles, and maintain focus, resulting in increased productivity and success.

Improved Leadership And Influence

NLP coaching equips professionals with effective leadership skills and strategies to inspire and motivate others. Through techniques like modelling successful leaders, developing persuasive language patterns, and understanding different communication styles, individuals can become influential leaders in their organizations. NLP helps leaders build trust, engage teams, and create a positive work environment that promotes collaboration and high performance.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs And Fears

Limiting beliefs and fears can hinder professional growth and hold individuals back from seizing new opportunities. NLP coaching offers tools and techniques to identify and overcome these obstacles. By reframing limiting beliefs, utilizing visualization techniques, and applying strategies such as the swish pattern, individuals can break free from self-imposed limitations, boost confidence, and take bold steps towards career success.

Stress Reduction And Resilience Building

In today’s fast-paced and persistent work environment, stress management is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and career success. NLP coaching teaches professionals effective stress reduction techniques such as anchoring, breathing exercises, and reframing. By building resilience and adopting resourceful mindsets, individuals can handle pressure more effectively, maintain a positive outlook, and perform at their best even in challenging situations.

Improved Decision-Making And Problem-Solving

NLP coaching enhances critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Through techniques such as perceptual positions, meta-programs, and strategies like the Disney creativity model, professionals can expand their perspectives, think creatively, and find innovative solutions to complex challenges. NLP helps individuals develop a flexible mindset and approaches problems with curiosity and adaptability.

Career Transition And Development

NLP coaching is highly beneficial for professionals undergoing career transitions or seeking career development. Whether changing industries, pursuing higher positions, or exploring new career paths, NLP coaching can provide valuable support. It helps individuals identify their strengths, values, and passions, aligning them with suitable career options. NLP techniques assist in creating compelling resumes, honing interview skills, and developing a confident and authentic personal brand. By leveraging NLP, professionals can navigate career transitions with clarity, make informed decisions, and take proactive steps towards their desired career trajectory.

Increased Confidence And Motivation

Confidence and motivation play a significant role in career success. NLP coaching empowers individuals to overcome self-doubt, build self-esteem, and cultivate a positive mindset. Through techniques like anchoring positive states, reframing self-limiting beliefs, and utilizing language patterns that reinforce confidence, professionals can enhance their self-confidence and motivation. This newfound self-assurance translates into improved performance, increased resilience, and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Work-Life Balance And Well-Being

Achieving work-life balance and maintaining overall well-being is crucial for long-term career success and personal fulfilment. NLP coaching emphasizes strategies for setting boundaries, managing time effectively, and prioritizing self-care. By integrating NLP techniques into daily routines, professionals can reduce stress, enhance focus, and create harmony between their professional and personal lives. This balanced approach promotes sustained career growth, improved relationships, and greater overall satisfaction.

NLP coaching offers numerous benefits for professional development and career success. Through enhanced communication skills, increased self-awareness, effective goal setting, improved leadership abilities, and the ability to overcome limiting beliefs, professionals can unlock their full potential and achieve their career aspirations. NLP techniques provide practical tools for managing stress, making confident decisions, and maintaining work-life balance. By harnessing the power of NLP, individuals can cultivate a growth mindset, build credibility, and excel in their chosen fields, leading to long-term success and personal fulfilment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can NLP coaching benefit professional development?

NLP coaching enhances communication skills, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness, leading to improved performance, leadership abilities, and goal achievement.

How does NLP coaching contribute to career success?

NLP coaching helps individuals overcome limiting beliefs, develop resilience, and make confident decisions, leading to career advancement, increased influence, and better opportunities.

Can NLP coaching assist with career transitions?

Yes, NLP coaching provides support during career transitions by helping individuals identify strengths, align with suitable career paths, and develop effective resumes and interview skills.

How does NLP coaching impact decision-making and problem-solving?

NLP coaching enhances critical thinking, expands perspectives, and promotes creative problem-solving, empowering professionals to find innovative solutions and make informed decisions.

What role does NLP coaching play in work-life balance and well-being?

NLP coaching promotes work-life balance by teaching effective stress management techniques, time management, and self-care strategies, leading to improved well-being and overall satisfaction.

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What Does A Health And Exercise Coach Do? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-does-a-health-and-exercise-coach-do/ Tue, 23 May 2023 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33359 A health and exercise coach plays a vital role in supporting individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals. These professionals provide guidance, motivation, and accountability to help clients make positive lifestyle changes and adopt sustainable habits. Their expertise encompasses various aspects of health, including exercise, nutrition, stress management, and overall well-being. Here is a...

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A health and exercise coach plays a vital role in supporting individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals. These professionals provide guidance, motivation, and accountability to help clients make positive lifestyle changes and adopt sustainable habits. Their expertise encompasses various aspects of health, including exercise, nutrition, stress management, and overall well-being. Here is a comprehensive overview of what a health and exercise coach does.

Goal Setting And Assessment

A health and exercise coach begins by understanding a client’s specific goals, whether it’s weight loss, improving fitness levels, managing stress, or enhancing overall health. They conduct an initial assessment to evaluate the client’s current health status, lifestyle factors, and any barriers that may hinder progress.

Individualized Exercise Programming

Based on the client’s goals and assessment, a health and exercise coach develops personalized exercise programs. These programs are designed to meet the client’s specific needs, taking into account factors such as fitness level, medical history, preferences, and time availability. Coaches may incorporate a variety of exercises, such as cardiovascular activities, strength training, flexibility exercises, and functional movements.

Nutritional Guidance

A crucial aspect of a health and exercise coach’s role is providing guidance on nutrition. They help clients develop a balanced and sustainable eating plan that aligns with their goals. Coaches educate clients on portion control, macronutrient distribution, and the importance of consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods. They may also address specific dietary needs, such as food allergies or intolerances.

Lifestyle Modification

Beyond exercise and nutrition, health and exercise coaches assist clients in making positive lifestyle changes. They address sleep patterns, stress management techniques, and strategies to improve overall well-being. Coaches help clients identify and overcome barriers to success, such as time constraints, lack of motivation, or self-sabotaging behaviours.

Motivation And Accountability

One of the primary roles of a health and exercise coach is to provide ongoing motivation and accountability. They serve as a supportive partner, cheering clients on, celebrating milestones, and providing encouragement during challenging times. Regular check-ins, progress tracking, and goal reassessment help clients stay focused and committed to their health journey.

Education And Empowerment

Health and exercise coaches empower clients by providing education and knowledge. They teach clients about exercise principles, proper form and technique, nutrition basics, and the science behind healthy lifestyle choices. By understanding the “why” behind their actions, clients can make informed decisions and take ownership of their health.

Behaviour Change Strategies

Effective behaviour change strategies are essential for long-term success. Health and exercise coaches employ evidence-based techniques to help clients adopt and maintain healthy habits. They explore underlying motivations, identify potential obstacles, and implement strategies to overcome barriers and sustain positive changes.

Support And Guidance

A health and exercise coach provides continuous support throughout a client’s journey. They offer guidance during challenging situations, provide resources and tools, and adapt programs as needed. Coaches serve as a source of knowledge, inspiration, and encouragement, promoting a positive and empowering relationship.

Monitoring And Evaluation

Regular monitoring and evaluation are crucial components of a health and exercise coach’s role. They track clients’ progress, collect data, and assess the effectiveness of the implemented strategies. By analysing results and feedback, coaches can adjust programs, set new goals, and ensure ongoing progress.

Collaboration With Other Professionals

Health and exercise coaches may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians, physical therapists, or psychologists when needed. This interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive support and a holistic perspective on the client’s health and well-being.

A health and exercise coach plays a multifaceted role in guiding and supporting individuals to achieve their health and fitness goals. By providing personalized exercise programming, nutritional guidance, behaviour change strategies, motivation, and ongoing support, health and exercise coaches empower clients to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Through education, accountability, and collaboration, they help clients overcome barriers, cultivate healthy habits, and enhance overall well-being. By working closely with clients, health and exercise coaches contribute to the development of healthier lifestyles, increased self-confidence, and improved quality of life.

It is important to note that while health and exercise coaches can provide valuable guidance and support, they are not a substitute for medical professionals. If clients have specific health concerns or conditions, it is urged to consult with a healthcare provider before starting an exercise or nutrition program.

A health and exercise coach plays a pivotal role in helping individuals transform their lives through exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Their holistic approach, expertise, and commitment to the well-being of their clients make them valuable partners in the journey towards optimal health and fitness. Whether it’s weight management, stress reduction, or overall wellness, a health and exercise coach can provide the necessary guidance and support to help individuals attain their goals and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

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With much focus being placed on health and wellness, it’s no surprise that being a health and wellness coach is a growing profession. To find out more about becoming engaged in this career, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job of a health and exercise coach?

A health and exercise coach guides individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals through personalized exercise programming, nutritional guidance, behaviour change strategies, and ongoing support and accountability.

How does a health and exercise coach help clients with their nutrition?

A health and exercise coach provides guidance on establishing a balanced and sustainable eating plan that aligns with clients’ goals. They educate clients on portion control, macronutrient distribution, and the importance of consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods.

How does a health and exercise coach assist clients in behaviour change?

Health and exercise coaches employ evidence-based behaviour change strategies to help clients adopt and maintain healthy habits. They explore motivations, identify obstacles, and implement strategies to overcome barriers and sustain positive changes.

What role does a health and exercise coach play in supporting clients’ exercise routines?

A health and exercise coach develops personalized exercise programs tailored to clients’ goals, fitness levels, and preferences. They provide guidance on proper form, technique, and progression, ensuring clients engage in safe and effective exercise routines.

How does a health and exercise coach provide motivation and accountability?

Health and exercise coaches serve as supportive partners, providing ongoing motivation and accountability. They offer regular check-ins, celebrate milestones, and provide encouragement during challenging times, helping clients stay focused and committed to their health journey.

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How Does Exercise Science Contribute To Optimizing Athletic Performance And Preventing Injuries? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-exercise-science-contribute-to-optimizing-athletic-performance-and-preventing-injuries/ Mon, 22 May 2023 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33345 Exercise science plays a crucial role in understanding the human body’s response to physical activity, optimizing athletic performance, and preventing injuries. By applying scientific principles and evidence-based practices, exercise scientists help athletes and sports professionals achieve their peak performance while minimizing the risk of injuries. This article explores how exercise science contributes to optimizing athletic...

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Exercise science plays a crucial role in understanding the human body’s response to physical activity, optimizing athletic performance, and preventing injuries. By applying scientific principles and evidence-based practices, exercise scientists help athletes and sports professionals achieve their peak performance while minimizing the risk of injuries. This article explores how exercise science contributes to optimizing athletic performance and preventing injuries, highlighting key concepts and strategies used in the field.

Biomechanical Analysis And Performance Enhancement

Exercise science utilizes biomechanical analysis to assess and optimize movement patterns in athletes. By studying the mechanics of sports-specific movements, such as running, jumping, and throwing, exercise scientists identify inefficient movement patterns or areas of potential improvement. Through video analysis, motion capture technology, and other tools, they provide valuable feedback to athletes and coaches, helping them optimize their technique, efficiency, and overall performance.

Fitness Assessment And Individualized Training Programs

Exercise scientists conduct comprehensive fitness assessments to evaluate an athlete’s physical capabilities, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Based on the results, they design individualized training programs that target specific areas for improvement. These programs may include strength and conditioning exercises, aerobic and anaerobic training, agility and speed drills, and flexibility training. By tailoring programs to individual needs, exercise scientists help athletes enhance their performance while reducing the risk of overuse injuries.

Injury Prevention And Rehabilitation

Exercise science contributes significantly to injury prevention in sports. By conducting thorough movement assessments, analysing biomechanics, and identifying potential risk factors, exercise scientists can develop targeted injury prevention programs. These programs focus on strengthening specific muscle groups, improving flexibility and joint stability, and enhancing neuromuscular control. By addressing imbalances, weaknesses, and faulty movement patterns, exercise scientists help athletes mitigate the risk of injuries.

In cases where injuries occur, exercise scientists play a vital role in rehabilitation. They collaborate with sports medicine professionals, physical therapists, and athletic trainers to develop evidence-based rehabilitation programs. These programs focus on restoring strength, range of motion, and functional movement patterns while ensuring a safe and effective return to sport. By incorporating exercises that target specific muscle groups and addressing compensatory movements, exercise scientists facilitate the recovery process and help athletes regain optimal performance levels.

Nutritional Support And Performance Enhancement

Exercise science also encompasses the study of nutrition and its impact on athletic performance. Exercise scientists provide valuable guidance on optimal dietary strategies, hydration, and supplementation for athletes. They assess an athlete’s nutritional needs based on their training load, energy expenditure, and specific sport requirements. By optimizing nutrition, exercise scientists contribute to improved energy levels, enhanced recovery, and overall performance enhancement.

Monitoring And Data Analysis

Exercise scientists utilize various tools and technologies to monitor athletes’ performance, physiological responses, and training loads. These may include heart rate monitors, GPS tracking, wearable devices, and physiological testing equipment. By analysing data such as training volume, intensity, and recovery metrics, exercise scientists can identify trends, adjust training programs, and prevent overtraining or burnout. This data-driven approach allows for better training optimization and performance management.

Sports Psychology And Mental Performance

Exercise science recognizes the critical role of mental performance in athletic success. Exercise scientists collaborate with sports psychologists to provide athletes with strategies for managing stress, enhancing focus and concentration, and developing mental resilience. By integrating mental skills training into the overall training plan, exercise scientists help athletes optimize their mental game, leading to improved performance under pressure.

Exercise science plays a vital role in optimizing athletic performance and preventing injuries by applying scientific principles and evidence-based practices. Through biomechanical analysis, individualized training programs, injury prevention strategies, nutritional support, monitoring and data analysis, and mental performance enhancement, exercise scientists help athletes reach their full potential while minimizing the risk of injuries. By focusing on optimizing movement patterns, exercise scientists improve efficiency and effectiveness in sports-specific actions. Individualized training programs address athletes’ specific needs, targeting strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Injury prevention strategies identify risk factors and implement interventions to mitigate potential injuries. Nutritional support optimizes energy levels, recovery, and overall performance. Monitoring and data analysis provide insights into training load, performance metrics, and recovery, allowing for informed adjustments. Lastly, mental performance enhancement equips athletes with the psychological tools to excel under pressure.

Collectively, these contributions of exercise science create a comprehensive approach to athlete development. By bridging the gap between science and practice, exercise scientists help athletes achieve peak performance while minimizing the risk of injuries. Through evidence-based strategies and individualized support, they optimize biomechanics, strength, conditioning, nutrition, and mental resilience. This multidimensional approach ensures that athletes not only maximize their athletic potential but also sustain long-term health and well-being.

In a dynamic and competitive sporting landscape, exercise science continues to evolve, incorporating advancements in technology, research, and practical knowledge. As the field progresses, exercise scientists remain at the forefront, providing athletes with the latest evidence-based interventions and strategies to optimize performance and minimize the likelihood of injuries. Their expertise is invaluable in unlocking the full potential of athletes, enabling them to excel in their respective sports and achieve long-lasting success.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of biomechanical analysis in exercise science?

Biomechanical analysis in exercise science involves studying movement patterns to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, ultimately optimizing technique and enhancing athletic performance while reducing the risk of injuries.

How do individualized training programs contribute to optimizing athletic performance?

Individualized training programs in exercise science consider an athlete’s specific needs, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. By targeting areas for improvement, these programs enhance strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, leading to optimized athletic performance.

What strategies does exercise science employ to prevent injuries in athletes?

Exercise science employs various strategies, including movement assessments, biomechanical analysis, and strength and conditioning exercises, to identify and address potential risk factors. By correcting imbalances, improving flexibility, and enhancing neuromuscular control, exercise science helps prevent injuries in athletes.

How does exercise science contribute to nutritional support for optimizing athletic performance?

Exercise science considers an athlete’s nutritional needs based on training load, energy expenditure, and sport-specific requirements. By providing guidance on optimal dietary strategies, hydration, and supplementation, exercise science helps athletes optimize their energy levels, recovery, and overall performance.

What role does monitoring and data analysis play in exercise science for optimizing athletic performance?

Monitoring and data analysis allow exercise scientists to track an athlete’s performance, physiological responses, and training loads. By analysing this data, exercise scientists can identify trends, make informed adjustments to training programs, and prevent overtraining or burnout, ultimately optimizing athletic performance while minimizing the risk of injuries.

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What Are Some Effective Drills And Exercises For Improving Speed In Sports Conditioning? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/effective-drills-and-exercises-for-improving-speed-in-sports-conditioning/ Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33342 Speed is a critical component of athletic performance in various sports. Improving speed enhances an athlete’s ability to sprint, accelerate, and react quickly, giving them a competitive edge. This article explores a range of effective drills and exercises that can be incorporated into sports conditioning programs to enhance speed. By implementing these drills and exercises,...

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Speed is a critical component of athletic performance in various sports. Improving speed enhances an athlete’s ability to sprint, accelerate, and react quickly, giving them a competitive edge. This article explores a range of effective drills and exercises that can be incorporated into sports conditioning programs to enhance speed. By implementing these drills and exercises, athletes can develop their speed, agility, and explosiveness, contributing to their overall performance on the field.

Sprint Training

Sprint training is a foundational element for improving speed. It focuses on developing explosive power, stride length, and stride frequency. Various sprint drills can be incorporated into training sessions, such as:

  • Acceleration Sprints: Perform short-distance sprints (10-30 meters) from a stationary start, gradually increasing speed and power with each repetition.
  • Flying Sprints: Build momentum by sprinting over a set distance (e.g., 40 meters) at maximum speed, starting from a running start.
  • Over-speed Sprints: Utilize downhill or assisted sprinting techniques, such as sprinting with a resistance band, to challenge the body to move at higher speeds.

Plyometric Exercises

Plyometric exercises focus on explosive power and the ability to generate force quickly. These exercises improve leg strength and reactive capabilities. Some effective plyometric exercises for speed development include:

  • Box Jumps: Jump onto a box or platform, focusing on explosive power and landing with proper technique.
  • Depth Jumps: Step off a box or platform and immediately explode into a vertical or horizontal jump upon landing.
  • Bounds: Perform exaggerated, explosive running strides, covering as much distance as possible with each stride.
  • Hurdle Hops: Jump over a series of hurdles placed at varying heights, focusing on quick, explosive jumps with minimal ground contact time.

Agility Drills

Agility drills enhance an athlete’s ability to change direction quickly, improving their overall speed and manoeuvrability. Incorporate the following agility drills into training sessions:

  • Ladder Drills: Perform various footwork patterns (e.g., side-to-side, forward-backward, and diagonal movements) through an agility ladder.
  • Cone Drills: Set up cones in a snaking pattern and perform quick changes of direction, focusing on speed, agility, and body control.
  • Shuttle Runs: Set two cones at a designated distance apart and sprint back and forth between them, focusing on explosiveness and change of direction.

Resistance Training

Resistance training enhances muscular strength and power, which directly contributes to speed development. Incorporate the following exercises into a resistance training program:

  • Squats: Perform barbell squats, goblet squats, or bodyweight squats to develop lower-body strength and power.
  • Deadlifts: Execute conventional deadlifts or Romanian deadlifts to target the posterior chain muscles (e.g., hamstrings, glutes, and lower back).
  • Lunges: Perform walking lunges, reverse lunges, or lateral lunges to strengthen the lower body and improve stability.
  • Plyometric Push-ups: Combine upper body strength and explosiveness by performing plyometric push-ups, focusing on pushing off the ground with maximum force.

Interval Training

Interval training combines high-intensity bursts of exercise with short recovery periods, simulating the demands of sports performance. This method improves anaerobic capacity, speed endurance, and overall conditioning. Some effective interval training exercises for speed development include:

  • Shuttle Runs: Set up cones at predetermined distances and sprint back and forth between them, allowing for brief recovery periods.
  • High- Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Alternate between short bursts of maximum effort sprints (e.g., 20-30 seconds) and active recovery periods (e.g., jogging or walking) for a set number of repetitions. This challenges the anaerobic energy system and improves speed, power, and endurance.
  • Fartlek Training: Incorporate periods of varied intensity and speed during a continuous run or workout. Alternate between fast-paced segments and slower recovery segments to improve speed and aerobic fitness.
  • Hill Sprints: Find a steep incline and sprint uphill for a short distance, focusing on explosive power and leg strength. Walk or jog back down to recover before the next sprint.
  • Tabata Training: Perform exercises (e.g., burpees, mountain climbers, or squat jumps) at maximum effort for 20 seconds, followed by around 10 seconds of rest. Do this again for a total of four minutes, alternating exercises to target multiple muscle groups and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Incorporating a variety of effective drills and exercises into sports conditioning programs can significantly enhance speed development in athletes. By incorporating sprint training, plyometric exercises, agility drills, resistance training, and interval training, coaches can create a comprehensive and balanced approach to improving speed, power, and overall performance. It is important to progressively increase the intensity and volume of training while prioritizing proper technique and adequate recovery. With consistent practice and dedication, athletes can unlock their full speed potential and excel in their respective sports.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

The Trifocus Fitness Academy offers specialised online and internationally accredited sports conditioning courses that have been designed to outfit professionals with all of the skills and knowledge needed to find success as a professional conditioning coach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is speed an essential component in sports conditioning?

Speed is crucial because it allows athletes to outpace opponents, react quickly, and execute explosive movements, giving them a competitive advantage in sports.

What are some effective sprint training drills for improving speed?

Effective sprint training drills include acceleration sprints (gradually increasing speed from a stationary start), flying sprints (sprinting at maximum speed after a running start), and over-speed sprints (utilizing downhill or assisted techniques to challenge speed limits).

How can plyometric exercises contribute to speed development?

Plyometric exercises, such as box jumps, depth jumps, bounds, and hurdle hops, enhance explosive power and reactive capabilities, improving leg strength and the ability to generate force quickly.

What are some agility drills that can enhance speed and manoeuvrability?

Agility drills like ladder drills (footwork patterns through an agility ladder), cone drills (quick changes of direction), and shuttle runs (sprinting back and forth between cones) improve change of direction, speed, and body control.

How does resistance training aid in improving speed?

Resistance training exercises like squats, deadlifts, lunges, and plyometric push-ups enhance muscular strength and power, directly contributing to speed development by improving force production and lower-body strength.

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How Can Coaches Create A Positive And Supportive Learning Environment For Their Rugby Players? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/how-can-coaches-create-a-positive-and-supportive-learning-environment-for-their-rugby-players/ Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33339 Coaches play a very crucial role in creating a positive and supportive learning environment for their rugby players. Such an environment not only enhances player development but also nurtures a sense of belonging, motivation, and enjoyment. This article explores effective strategies and practices that coaches can implement to create a positive and supportive learning environment...

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Coaches play a very crucial role in creating a positive and supportive learning environment for their rugby players. Such an environment not only enhances player development but also nurtures a sense of belonging, motivation, and enjoyment. This article explores effective strategies and practices that coaches can implement to create a positive and supportive learning environment that maximizes the potential of their rugby players.

Establish Clear Communication Channels

Clear and open communication is the foundation of a positive learning environment. Coaches should establish effective communication channels with their players, ensuring that expectations, goals, and feedback are conveyed in a transparent and constructive manner. Regular team meetings, individual player discussions, and active listening help build trust and encourage players to express themselves freely.

Emphasize Positive Reinforcement And Encouragement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for enhancing player motivation and confidence. Coaches should provide regular and specific feedback that highlights players’ strengths and improvements. Recognizing players’ efforts, celebrating achievements, and offering words of encouragement contribute to a positive and supportive environment where players feel valued and motivated to continuously improve.

Promote A Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is essential for player development. Coaches should encourage players to embrace challenges, view setbacks as opportunities for learning, and believe in their ability to improve. By fostering a growth mindset, coaches create an environment where players are willing to take risks, persevere through difficulties, and continually strive for personal growth and skill development.

Cultivate A Team Culture Of Support And Respect

Coaches have the power to shape team culture. Promote a culture of support and respect where players value teamwork, collaboration, and inclusivity. Emphasize the importance of respecting teammates, opponents, officials, and the game itself. Encourage players to support and uplift each other, both on and off the field. Building strong team bonds and creating a safe and inclusive environment fosters a positive learning atmosphere.

Provide Individualized Attention And Development Plans

Every player is unique and has different developmental needs. Coaches should invest time and effort in understanding each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. By providing individualized attention and tailored development plans, coaches demonstrate their commitment to player growth and ensure that each player receives the necessary support to reach their full potential.

Incorporate Fun And Enjoyment

Rugby should be enjoyable for players at all levels. Coaches can create a positive learning environment by incorporating fun and enjoyment into training sessions and activities. Engaging drills, small-sided games, and friendly competitions can make practices more enjoyable, fostering a love for the game and enhancing player engagement and enthusiasm.

Encourage Player Autonomy And Ownership

Empowering players to take ownership of their development fosters a positive learning environment. Coaches should encourage players to set personal goals, participate in decision-making processes, and take responsibility for their own learning. By promoting player autonomy, coaches instil a sense of ownership and accountability, which motivates players to invest in their development and take an active role in their rugby journey.

Supportive Athlete-Coach Relationships

Strong athlete-coach relationships are crucial in creating a positive learning environment. Coaches should develop trust, empathy, and mutual respect with their players. Regular one-on-one meetings, open-door policies, and understanding players’ individual needs and aspirations strengthen these relationships. Coaches who genuinely care for their players’ well-being and growth create a supportive and nurturing environment.

Emphasize Long-Term Development Over Short-Term Results

While winning is important, coaches should prioritize the long-term development of players over short-term results. Creating a safe space where players feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them fosters growth and resilience. Coaches should emphasize the importance of effort, growth, and improvement rather than solely focusing on immediate outcomes. By instilling a growth mindset and valuing the process of development, coaches encourage players to embrace challenges, take risks, and learn from both successes and failures.

Lead By Example

Coaches are not only instructors but also role models for their players. Leading by example is a very powerful way to foster a positive and reassuring learning environment. Coaches should demonstrate qualities such as discipline, sportsmanship, and commitment both on and off the field. By showcasing integrity, passion, and a strong work ethic, coaches inspire their players to follow suit, developing a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Provide Mental And Emotional Support

Acknowledging the mental and emotional well-being of players is essential in creating a supportive learning environment. Coaches should be attentive to the psychological needs of their players, offering guidance and resources to help manage stress, build resilience, and develop mental toughness. Creating an environment where players feel comfortable discussing their concerns and seeking support contributes to their overall growth and well-being.

Continuous Education And Professional Development

Coaches should be committed to their own continuous education and professional development. Staying updated on the latest coaching methodologies, strategies, and industry trends enables coaches to provide the best support and guidance to their players. Attending coaching seminars, workshops, and networking with other coaches fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for rugby players is a critical responsibility for coaches. By implementing the strategies outlined above, coaches can foster a culture of trust, growth, and enjoyment, maximizing the potential of their players. Emphasizing clear communication, positive reinforcement, a growth mindset, and team support contribute to a cohesive and motivated team. Furthermore, providing individualized attention, incorporating fun, and prioritizing long-term development over short-term results contribute to a nurturing environment. Ultimately, coaches who prioritize the holistic development of their players and create a supportive atmosphere set the stage for their success both on and off the rugby field.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a Rugby Coach? If you do, then you need to do our Rugby Coaching Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important for coaches to create a positive and supportive learning environment for their rugby players?

Building a positive and supportive learning environment is very crucial for the holistic development of rugby players. It fosters a sense of belonging, motivation, and enjoyment, enhances player confidence, and promotes teamwork and personal growth.

What role does effective communication play in creating a positive learning environment?

Effective communication is fundamental to a positive learning environment. Coaches should establish clear communication channels to convey expectations, goals, and feedback transparently. Regular team meetings, individual player discussions, and active listening build trust and encourage open dialogue.

How can coaches promote a growth mindset among their rugby players?

Coaches can promote a growth mindset by encouraging players to embrace challenges, view setbacks as opportunities for learning, and believe in their ability to improve. Emphasizing effort, perseverance, and personal growth over short-term outcomes fosters resilience and a willingness to continually strive for improvement.

What are some strategies that coaches can use to promote team culture and support among their rugby players?

Coaches can promote team culture and support by fostering an environment of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration. Encouraging teamwork, celebrating individual and team achievements, and creating opportunities for players to support and uplift each other contribute to a cohesive and supportive team culture.

How can coaches provide individualized attention and support to their rugby players?

Coaches can provide individualized attention by understanding each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Tailoring development plans, offering personalized feedback, and engaging in one-on-one discussions with players demonstrate a commitment to their growth. By addressing individual needs, coaches empower players to reach their full potential.

 

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What Are The Essential Skills And Techniques That Soccer Players Should Focus On Developing? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-the-essential-skills-and-techniques-that-soccer-players-should-focus-on-developing/ Thu, 18 May 2023 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33336 Soccer is a dynamic sport that requires a diverse range of skills and techniques. To excel on the field, soccer players should focus on developing a combination of technical, tactical, physical, and mental abilities. By honing these skills, players can enhance their performance and contribute effectively to their teams. In today’s article, we will discuss...

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Soccer is a dynamic sport that requires a diverse range of skills and techniques. To excel on the field, soccer players should focus on developing a combination of technical, tactical, physical, and mental abilities. By honing these skills, players can enhance their performance and contribute effectively to their teams. In today’s article, we will discuss the essential skills and techniques that soccer players should prioritize in their development journey.

Dribbling

Dribbling is a fundamental skill that allows players to maintain control of the ball while manoeuvrings past opponents. Players should focus on improving their close ball control, change of direction, and speed. Dribbling drills that involve cones, defenders, or small-sided games can help players develop their dribbling skills.

Passing And Receiving

Accurate and efficient passing is crucial for team play and maintaining possession. Players should work on their passing technique, including proper foot position, weight transfer, and accuracy. Additionally, developing good receiving skills, such as controlling the ball with various surfaces of the foot and maintaining awareness of the surrounding players, is essential.

Shooting

A strong shooting ability allows players to score goals and contribute to their team’s offensive success. Players should practice shooting with both feet, improving their shooting technique, power, and accuracy. Different types of shots, such as volleys, headers, and long-range strikes, should be practiced to enhance versatility in front of the goal.

Tactical Awareness

Understanding the game’s tactical aspects, such as positioning, movement off the ball, and team formations, is crucial for effective decision-making on the field. Players should study the game, analyse professional matches, and communicate with coaches and teammates to enhance their tactical awareness and contribute strategically to the team.

Defending

Defensive skills are essential for preventing opponents from scoring and regaining possession. Players should focus on improving their ability to anticipate and react to opponents’ movements, maintain proper defensive positioning, and execute tackling and marking techniques effectively. Developing physical strength, agility, and quickness can also enhance defensive capabilities.

Physical Fitness

Soccer requires players to have good endurance, speed, agility, and strength. Regular aerobic and anaerobic conditioning exercises, such as interval training and high-intensity drills, can improve cardiovascular fitness and stamina. Additionally, strength and resistance training exercises targeting the lower body, core, and upper body can enhance overall physical performance on the field.

Mental Strength

Soccer is a mentally demanding sport that requires players to stay focused, resilient, and composed. Developing mental strength involves practicing concentration, visualization, goal setting, and managing emotions under pressure. Players can benefit from working with sports psychologists or using mindfulness techniques to enhance their mental resilience.

Communication And Teamwork

Effective communication and teamwork are vital for successful collaboration on the field. Players should develop their verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including clear and concise instructions, reading teammates’ movements, and understanding the team’s overall strategy. Practicing small-sided games and participating in team-building activities can improve teamwork and cohesion.

Set Pieces

Set pieces, such as corner kicks, free kicks, and penalty kicks, provide scoring opportunities and strategic advantages. Players should work on their ability to execute set pieces both defensively and offensively. Practicing specific routines, understanding positioning, and mastering techniques like heading or free-kick accuracy can significantly impact game outcomes.

Game Intelligence And Decision-Making

Developing game intelligence involves understanding the flow of the game, making quick decisions, and adapting to changing circumstances. Players should improve their situational awareness, anticipation skills, and ability to read the game. Regular practice matches and tactical training exercises can enhance game intelligence and decision-making abilities.

Soccer players should focus on developing a comprehensive set of skills and techniques to excel on the field. By prioritizing the essential skills discussed above, players can enhance their performance and contribute effectively to their teams. It is important to note that consistent practice, dedication, and a growth mindset are key to skill development. Players should seek opportunities to train in different environments, such as club teams, school teams, and individual training sessions, to gain valuable experience and exposure to different playing styles. Additionally, seeking guidance from experienced coaches and studying the game through watching professional matches can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Remember, mastering these skills takes time and effort, so it’s essential to stay committed, focused, and motivated throughout the journey of becoming a well-rounded and impactful soccer player.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essential skills that soccer players should focus on developing?

Soccer players should focus on developing skills such as ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, and defensive techniques.

Why is ball control an essential skill for soccer players?

Ball control is crucial in soccer as it enables players to receive and maintain possession of the ball, make accurate passes, and execute precise movements on the field.

What is the importance of passing skills in soccer?

Passing skills are vital as they allow players to distribute the ball effectively, create scoring opportunities, and maintain team possession during gameplay.

How does dribbling proficiency benefit soccer players?

Dribbling skills enable players to manoeuvre past opponents, maintain control of the ball while moving, and create goal-scoring opportunities for themselves or their teammates.

Why are defensive techniques essential for soccer players?

Defensive techniques, including marking opponents, tackling, and positioning, are critical for players to protect their team’s goal, intercept passes, and regain possession of the ball. They contribute to maintaining a strong defensive line and preventing opposing team scoring opportunities.

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How Do I Choose The Right Kettlebell Weight For My Fitness Level And Goals? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-choose-the-right-kettlebell-weight-for-my-fitness-level-and-goals/ Thu, 18 May 2023 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33333 Choosing the right kettlebell weight is essential to ensure effective and safe workouts that align with your fitness level and goals. The weight of the kettlebell you select will depend on various factors, including your strength, experience, and specific objectives. By considering these factors and after a systematic approach, you will be able to make...

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Choosing the right kettlebell weight is essential to ensure effective and safe workouts that align with your fitness level and goals. The weight of the kettlebell you select will depend on various factors, including your strength, experience, and specific objectives. By considering these factors and after a systematic approach, you will be able to make an informed decision and optimize your kettlebell training experience. Here is a very detailed guide on how to choose the right kettlebell weight for your fitness level and goals:

Assess Your Current Fitness Level

Begin by evaluating your current strength and conditioning. Consider factors such as your overall fitness, experience with resistance training, and familiarity with kettlebell exercises. If you are not familiar with the exercise or have limited strength training experience, start with a lighter kettlebell weight to allow for proper technique and gradual progression.

Determine Your Specific Goals

Identify your fitness goals to guide your kettlebell weight selection. Are you aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, increased endurance, or improved overall fitness? Understanding your objectives will help you choose the appropriate weight that aligns with your desired outcomes.

Learn The Basic Kettlebell Exercises

Before selecting a kettlebell weight, it is crucial to learn and master the basic kettlebell exercises. Familiarize yourself with movements such as the kettlebell swing, goblet squat, Turkish get-up, and kettlebell press. This gives you better understanding of the demands and resistance involved in kettlebell training.

Start With A Lighter Weight

If you’re not familiar with the kettlebell training or have limited strength, it is advisable to start with a lighter weight. This allows you to focus on mastering proper technique and developing the necessary stability and control. Generally, women may begin with a weight between 8kg and 12kg (18-26 lbs), while men can start with a weight between 12kg and 16kg (26-35 lbs).

Progress Gradually

As you become a lot more comfortable and proficient with kettlebell exercises, gradually increase the weight to continue challenging your muscles and promoting progress. Gradual progression allows your body to adapt to the increasing load, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring consistent improvement. Increase the weight by 2-4kg (4-9 lbs) at a time, depending on your strength gains and exercise proficiency.

Consider Your Strength And Endurance

Evaluate your current strength and endurance levels to determine if you need to adjust the kettlebell weight. If you find an exercise too easy and can complete multiple repetitions without feeling challenged, it may be time to increase the weight. On the other hand, if the weight feels excessively heavy and compromises your form and technique, it is advisable to decrease the weight to maintain proper execution.

Listen To Your Body

Pay quite close attention to how your body is reacting to the kettlebell weight you are using. If you experience persistent pain, discomfort, or unusual fatigue during or after your workouts, it may indicate that the weight is too heavy for your current fitness level. Listen to your body’s signals and make adjustments as needed to prevent injury and optimize your training.

Seek Guidance From A Qualified Professional

If you are not certain about choosing the right kettlebell weight or need personalized guidance, consider consulting with a qualified fitness professional or kettlebell instructor. They can assess your abilities, provide expert advice, and recommend appropriate weights and training strategies based on your individual needs.

Gradually Diversify Your Kettlebell Collection

As your kettlebell training progresses and your strength and endurance improve, consider gradually diversifying your kettlebell collection. Investing in kettlebells of varying weights allows you to adjust the load based on different exercises, muscle groups, and training objectives. This versatility enhances the effectiveness and versatility of your kettlebell workouts.

Regularly Reassess Your Weight Selection

Lastly, it is essential to regularly reassess your weight selection to ensure that it remains appropriate for your changing fitness level and goals. As you continue to build strength and improve your conditioning, you may find that the weight you initially chose becomes too easy or no longer challenges you adequately. Periodically reassessing your weight selection allows you to make necessary adjustments and continue progressing in your kettlebell training.

Here are a few tips for regularly reassessing your weight selection:

  • Test your strength: Perform a strength test by attempting a few repetitions of an exercise with your current kettlebell weight. If you can complete the set without much effort or fatigue, it may be time to increase the weight. On the other hand, if you struggle to maintain proper form or experience excessive strain, consider decreasing the weight.
  • Monitor progress: Keep track of your performance and progress over time. Note how many repetitions you can perform with a certain weight or if you can lift heavier kettlebells for a specific exercise. Regularly review your training logs to identify patterns and trends in your strength and endurance levels. Use this information to guide your decision-making process when adjusting weights.
  • Slowly increase the load: As you become stronger and more proficient in your kettlebell exercises, gradually increase the weight in small increments. Aim for 2-4kg (4-9 lbs) increments at a time to ensure a gradual and manageable progression. This gives your body the opportunity to adapt to the increased load while minimizing the risk of injury.
  • Listen to your body: Pay close attention to how your body feels during the course of and after your workouts. If you consistently feel fatigued or experience joint discomfort or muscle soreness that lingers for an extended period, it may be a sign that the weight is too heavy. Conversely, if you find the weight too light and can easily complete multiple repetitions without exertion, it may be time to go up a weight.
  • Seek professional guidance: If you’re unsure about how to reassess your weight selection or need assistance in progressing your kettlebell training, consider consulting with a qualified fitness professional or kettlebell instructor. They can provide guidance based on your individual needs and help you make informed decisions about adjusting your kettlebell weight.

Remember, the goal is to find the right balance between challenging yourself and maintaining proper form and technique. Regularly reassessing your weight selection ensures that your kettlebell workouts remain effective, safe, and aligned with your fitness goals.

In conclusion, choosing the right kettlebell weight is crucial for optimizing your workouts and achieving your fitness objectives. By considering factors such as your current fitness level, specific goals, and gradual progression, you can select a weight that challenges you appropriately while minimizing the risk of injury. Regularly reassessing your weight selection and making adjustments as needed ensures continued progress and growth in your kettlebell training. Stay consistent, listen to your body, and enjoy the benefits of incorporating kettlebells into your fitness routine.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the right kettlebell weight for my fitness level?

To determine the right kettlebell weight, begin with a weight that allows you to perform exercises with proper form and technique while feeling challenged. slowly increase the weight as you build strength and improve your conditioning.

What factors should I consider when choosing the right kettlebell weight?

Consider your current fitness level, strength, and experience with kettlebell training. Also, take into account your specific goals, such as building strength, improving endurance, or enhancing overall fitness.

How can I assess if a kettlebell weight is too light or too heavy for me?

If a kettlebell weight feels too light and you can easily complete multiple repetitions without exertion, it may be too light. If you struggle to keep proper form or experience excessive strain, the weight may be too heavy. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly.

Should I choose different kettlebell weights for different exercises?

Depending on the exercise, you may need to choose different kettlebell weights. Some exercises may require a heavier weight to challenge larger muscle groups, while others may require a lighter weight for smaller muscle groups or faster movements. Tailor the weight selection to each exercise’s requirements.

How often should I reassess my kettlebell weight selection?

It is recommended to reassess your kettlebell weight selection periodically, especially as you progress in your training. Reassess every few weeks or months to ensure that the weight you’re using remains appropriate and aligned with your increasing strength and fitness goals.

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What Are The Best Boxing Exercises For Improving Cardiovascular Fitness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-boxing-exercises-for-improving-cardiovascular-fitness/ Wed, 17 May 2023 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33330 Improving cardiovascular fitness is crucial for boxers, as it directly affects their endurance, stamina, and overall performance in the ring. Boxers rely on their cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen to their muscles efficiently, enabling them to maintain a high work rate during intense bouts. Therefore, incorporating specific boxing exercises into training routines is essential to...

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Improving cardiovascular fitness is crucial for boxers, as it directly affects their endurance, stamina, and overall performance in the ring. Boxers rely on their cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen to their muscles efficiently, enabling them to maintain a high work rate during intense bouts. Therefore, incorporating specific boxing exercises into training routines is essential to enhance cardiovascular fitness while simultaneously developing boxing skills. In today’s article, we will have a look at the best boxing exercises for improving cardiovascular fitness and discuss how they can be integrated into a comprehensive training program.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is a fundamental boxing exercise that offers numerous cardiovascular benefits. It elevates the heart rate, improves coordination, footwork, and enhances overall endurance. Boxers can perform various jump rope techniques, such as single jumps, double unders, crossover jumps, and alternate foot jumps, to challenge themselves and maximize the cardiovascular benefits.

Shadow Boxing

Shadow boxing involves throwing punches in the air, simulating a real opponent. It is an excellent exercise to improve boxing technique, speed, and endurance. By incorporating different combinations, footwork, and defensive movements, boxers can elevate their heart rate and develop their cardiovascular capacity. Shadow boxing also helps boxers refine their punching technique and maintain proper form.

Bag Work

Working on the heavy bag is an effective way to improve cardiovascular fitness while enhancing boxing skills. The constant punching and movement against the bag challenge the cardiovascular system and build muscular endurance. Boxers can focus on throwing combinations, working on power shots, and maintaining a high work rate throughout the rounds. It is essential to maintain proper technique and form while delivering punches to maximize the cardiovascular benefits.

Pad Work

Pad work involves training with a coach or partner who holds focus mitts or Thai pads. This exercise allows boxers to practice their offensive and defensive techniques while improving cardiovascular fitness. The dynamic nature of pad work, with its constant punching and movement, challenges the cardiovascular system and builds endurance. Boxers can work on specific combinations, footwork drills, and defensive manoeuvres while maintaining a high work rate.

Sparring

Sparring, or controlled practice bouts, is an integral part of boxing training. It provides an opportunity for boxers to apply their skills, tactics, and strategies in a simulated fight scenario. Sparring sessions can be intense and demanding, pushing boxers to their cardiovascular limits while improving their ability to maintain a high work rate under pressure. It helps boxers develop endurance, adaptability, and mental fortitude in a realistic boxing environment.

Interval Training

Incorporating interval training into boxing workouts can further enhance cardiovascular fitness. Alternating between high-intensity bursts of punching combinations or footwork drills and short rest periods challenges the heart and lungs, improving aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. This type of training closely simulates the demands of an actual boxing match, where boxers must exert themselves intensely in short bursts and recover quickly.

Circuit Training

Circuit training encompasses performing a series of exercises consecutively, targeting different muscle groups and incorporating cardiovascular movements. For boxing-specific circuit training, exercises like burpees, squat jumps, mountain climbers, and kettlebell swings can be included to challenge the cardiovascular system and build overall fitness. Boxers can design circuits that focus on both strength and conditioning, ensuring a well-rounded workout.

Roadwork

Running is a staple in boxing training, often referred to as roadwork. Long-distance runs, sprints, hill runs, and interval running sessions help develop aerobic capacity, endurance, and mental toughness. Incorporating roadwork into a training routine helps improve cardiovascular fitness and prepares boxers for the physical demands of the sport. Running also aids in weight management and strengthens the muscles used in boxing.

High-Intensity Interval Training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a highly effective method for improving cardiovascular fitness in boxing. It involves alternating periods of intense exercise with short recovery periods. This type of training stimulates the cardiovascular system, increases calorie burn, and enhances overall performance. Boxers can incorporate HIIT into their workouts by performing high-intensity boxing drills such as punch-out intervals, rapid punching combinations, or intense footwork drills, followed by short rest intervals.

Plyometric Exercises

Plyometric exercises are explosive movements that develop power, speed, and cardiovascular endurance. They involve rapid stretching and contracting of muscles, which improves the efficiency of muscle fibres and enhances cardiovascular fitness. Boxers can incorporate exercises like box jumps, lateral jumps, medicine ball slams, and clap push-ups into their training routines. These exercises engage fast-twitch muscle fibres, improve overall athleticism, and challenge the cardiovascular system.

Circuit Training With Cardiovascular Emphasis

In addition to traditional circuit training, boxers can design circuits with a specific emphasis on cardiovascular exercises. This can include exercises like jumping jacks, mountain climbers, high knees, or skipping. By combining these exercises with boxing-specific movements, such as shadow boxing or bag work, boxers can create a circuit that not only improves cardiovascular fitness but also enhances boxing skills and conditioning.

Rowing Machine

Incorporating rowing machine workouts into a boxing training routine can provide a full-body cardiovascular workout. Rowing engages multiple muscle groups and elevates the heart rate, making it an excellent choice for developing aerobic fitness. Boxers can perform interval rowing sessions, alternating between high-intensity sprints and recovery periods, to challenge the cardiovascular system and improve endurance.

Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact exercise that offers significant cardiovascular benefits. It provides a full-body workout, engages various muscle groups, and improves lung capacity. Incorporating swimming into a training routine can help boxers develop cardiovascular endurance without putting stress on the joints. Swimming laps or performing interval-based swimming drills can enhance overall cardiovascular fitness.

Incorporating these boxing exercises and training methods into a comprehensive training program can significantly improve cardiovascular fitness in boxers. By combining high-intensity exercises, interval training, circuit training, and specific cardiovascular workouts, boxers can enhance their endurance, stamina, and overall performance in the ring. It is important to tailor the training program to individual needs, gradually increase intensity, and prioritize proper technique and form to maximize the benefits and minimize the risk of injury. With consistent training and dedication, boxers can achieve optimal cardiovascular fitness, enabling them to excel in the demanding sport of boxing.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some boxing exercises that can improve cardiovascular fitness?

Some of the best boxing exercises for improving cardiovascular fitness include skipping rope, shadow boxing, heavy bag training, pad work, and sparring.

How does skipping rope benefits cardiovascular fitness?

Skipping rope is a high-intensity exercise that elevates the heart rate and engages the entire body. It helps improve coordination, footwork, and endurance, making it an excellent cardiovascular exercise for boxers.

What is the benefit of shadowboxing for cardiovascular fitness?

Shadowboxing involves throwing punches in the air without a target. It helps improve technique, speed, and endurance while providing a cardiovascular workout. It allows boxers to practice combinations and footwork, enhancing their overall boxing skills and conditioning.

How does heavy bag training contribute to cardiovascular fitness?

Heavy bag training involves striking a heavy bag with punches and combinations. It builds strength, power, and endurance, providing a full-body workout significantly improving cardiovascular fitness. It also enhances punching technique and develops boxing-specific conditioning.

Can pad work improve cardiovascular fitness in boxing?

Pad work involves training with a partner who holds focus pads for the boxer to strike. It improves accuracy, speed, power, and cardiovascular endurance. By incorporating combinations and footwork drills, pad work offers an intense cardiovascular workout that simulates real boxing scenarios.

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How Can I Structure A Bootcamp Workout Routine To Maximize Fat Burning And Cardiovascular Fitness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-i-structure-a-bootcamp-workout-routine-to-maximize-fat-burning-and-cardiovascular-fitness/ Wed, 17 May 2023 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33327 To structure a bootcamp workout routine that maximizes fat burning and cardiovascular fitness, there are several key factors to consider. By combining high-intensity exercises, interval training, circuit training, and proper recovery, you can create an effective and efficient workout plan. Here is a detailed guide on structuring a bootcamp workout routine for optimal fat burning...

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To structure a bootcamp workout routine that maximizes fat burning and cardiovascular fitness, there are several key factors to consider. By combining high-intensity exercises, interval training, circuit training, and proper recovery, you can create an effective and efficient workout plan. Here is a detailed guide on structuring a bootcamp workout routine for optimal fat burning and cardiovascular fitness.

Warm-Up (10-15 Minutes)

Start with a dynamic warm-up to increase blood flow, warm up the muscles, and prepare the body for intense exercise. Include exercises like jogging, high knees, butt kicks, jumping jacks, arm circles, and leg swings.

High-Intensity Exercises (20-30 Minutes)

Focus on exercises that elevate the heart rate and challenge the entire body. These exercises should be performed at a high intensity to maximize fat burning and cardiovascular fitness. Examples include burpees, mountain climbers, squat jumps, plank variations, kettlebell swings, and box jumps. Perform each exercise for a specific duration (e.g., 30 seconds) or a certain number of repetitions.

Interval Training (10-15 Minutes)

Incorporate interval training to further boost cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning. Switch up between high-intensity exercises and short periods of active recovery or lower-intensity exercises. For example, perform a set of squat jumps for 30 seconds, followed up by 15 seconds of jogging in place. Repeat this cycle for the designated time period.

Circuit Training (20-30 Minutes)

Design a circuit of exercises that target different muscle groups. Include a mix of strength exercises (e.g., push-ups, lunges, dumbbell curls), cardiovascular exercises (e.g., jumping rope, cycling, rowing), and functional movements (e.g., kettlebell swings, medicine ball slams). Perform each exercise for a set duration or number of repetitions prior to moving on to the next exercise. Complete the circuit without rest and repeat for the desired number of rounds.

Active Recovery (5-10 Minutes)

Allocate time for active recovery exercises to bring the heart rate down gradually and promote muscle recovery. This can include low-intensity exercises such as walking, light jogging, or stretching. Focus on deep breathing and gentle movements to relax the body and reduce muscle soreness.

Cool-Down And Stretching (10-15 Minutes)

Finish the workout with a cool-down period to gradually lower the heart rate and prevent dizziness or light-headedness. Do static stretches to improve flexibility and aid in muscle recovery. Target major muscle groups, including the legs, arms, back, and core. Maintain each stretch for 15-30 seconds and breathe deeply.

Recovery And Rest

Allow time for rest and recovery between bootcamp sessions. Adequate rest is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall performance. Listen to your body and don’t overtraining, as it can lead to injuries and hinder progress. Aim for 1-2 days of rest each week and consider incorporating lighter activities like yoga or walking on rest days.

Nutrition And Hydration

Fuel your body with a well-balanced diet which incorporates lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, as well as healthy fats. Remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after workouts. Proper nutrition and hydration support energy levels, muscle recovery, and overall performance.

Progression And Variation

As your fitness level increases, slowly increase the intensity, duration, or complexity of exercises. Add weights, increase repetitions, or reduce rest time between exercises. Incorporate new exercises and variations to keep the workouts challenging and engaging.

Safety Considerations

Ensure proper form and technique during exercises to prevent injuries. Begin with lighter weights or modifications if needed and gradually progress. If you have any health concerns or illnesses, consult with a health-care professional prior to beginning a new exercise program.

In conclusion, structuring a bootcamp workout routine that maximizes fat burning and cardiovascular fitness requires careful consideration of various factors. By incorporating high-intensity exercises, interval training, circuit training, and proper recovery, you can create an effective and efficient workout plan. This comprehensive approach targets both cardiovascular endurance and fat burning, resulting in improved overall fitness.

The warm-up phase prepares the body for intense exercise by increasing blood flow and warming up the muscles. High-intensity exercises challenge the entire body and elevate the heart rate, promoting fat burning and cardiovascular fitness. Interval training further enhances calorie burning and cardiovascular endurance through alternating periods of high intensity and active recovery.

Circuit training targets different muscle groups and combines strength exercises, cardiovascular activities, and functional movements. This variety ensures a well-rounded workout that boosts muscular strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Active recovery exercises at the end of the session help gradually bring the heart rate down and promote muscle recovery.

Cooling down and stretching are essential to lower the heart rate gradually and prevent dizziness. Stretching improves flexibility and aids in muscle recovery, reducing the risk of post-workout soreness. Rest and recovery days allow the body time to repair and grow stronger, preventing overtraining and injuries.

Proper nutrition and hydration support energy levels, muscle recovery, and overall performance. Fuelling the body with a well-balanced diet, including lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, ensures optimal performance during workouts. Hydration is crucial for maintaining adequate energy levels and preventing dehydration.

To continue progressing and avoiding plateaus, gradually increase the intensity, duration, or complexity of exercises. Adding weights, increasing repetitions, and reducing rest time challenge the body and promote continuous improvement. Safety should always be a priority, emphasizing proper form and technique to prevent injuries.

Remember to consult your healthcare professional if you have any health troubles or medical conditions before starting a new exercise program. By following these guidelines and maintaining consistency, you can develop a bootcamp workout routine that maximizes fat burning, improves cardiovascular fitness, and helps you achieve your fitness goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on becoming a bootcamp instructor? If you are then check out our Bootcamp Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components to consider when structuring a bootcamp workout routine for fat burning and cardiovascular fitness?

The key components to consider include high-intensity exercises, interval training, circuit training, proper recovery, and nutrition.

How long should the warm-up phase be in a bootcamp workout routine?

The warm-up phase should typically last between 10 to 15 minutes to increase blood flow, warm up the muscles, and prepare the body for intense exercise.

What is the purpose of incorporating interval training in a bootcamp workout routine?

Interval training helps boost cardiovascular fitness and fat burning by alternating between high-intensity exercises and short periods of active recovery or lower-intensity exercises.

How can circuit training contribute to maximizing fat burning and cardiovascular fitness?

Circuit training combines various exercises that target different muscle groups, incorporating strength exercises, cardiovascular activities, and functional movements. This comprehensive approach enhances overall fitness and promotes fat burning.

Why is rest and recovery important in a bootcamp workout routine?

Rest and recovery are crucial for muscle repair, growth, and overall performance. Adequate rest allows the body to recover and prevents overtraining, which can lead to injuries and hinder progress.

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Is Aerobics Suitable For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-aerobics-suitable-for-beginners/ Tue, 16 May 2023 06:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33315 Aerobics is a popular form of exercise that combines rhythmic movements with music to improve cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and overall physical well-being. For beginners who are new to aerobics or have limited experience with exercise, it is natural to wonder if aerobics is a suitable activity to start with. This article aims to explore the...

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Aerobics is a popular form of exercise that combines rhythmic movements with music to improve cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and overall physical well-being. For beginners who are new to aerobics or have limited experience with exercise, it is natural to wonder if aerobics is a suitable activity to start with. This article aims to explore the suitability of aerobics for beginners, covering the benefits, considerations, and tips to help beginners embark on their aerobics journey confidently.

Benefits Of Aerobics For Beginners

Aerobics offers numerous benefits for beginners. It provides a dynamic and fun way to improve cardiovascular fitness, which enhances heart health and increases endurance. Regular participation in aerobics can also aid in weight management by burning calories as well as boosting metabolism. Additionally, aerobics helps to improve muscular strength, flexibility, and coordination, contributing to overall physical fitness.

Considerations For Beginners

Aerobics can indeed be a suitable activity for beginners; however, it is crucial to take into account individual fitness levels and health conditions. Beginning with low-impact aerobic exercises is recommended as they minimize stress on the joints and gradually build up endurance and strength. It is also advisable for beginners, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, to consult with a healthcare professional or an accredited fitness instructor. By doing so, they can ensure a safe and tailored approach to their aerobics journey.

Individual fitness levels play a significant role in determining the intensity and progression of aerobic exercises. Beginners with a sedentary lifestyle or limited exercise experience should start at a comfortable level and gradually increase the intensity over time. Low-impact exercises, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can be excellent starting points. These exercises provide cardiovascular benefits without putting excessive strain on the joints, making them ideal for beginners.

Considering health conditions is essential to prevent any potential risks or complications during aerobic exercise. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, for example heart disease, diabetes, or musculoskeletal issues, should seek professional guidance before starting an aerobics routine. Healthcare professionals can provide personalized recommendations, considering specific conditions and any necessary modifications to exercises to ensure safety and optimize health benefits.

Consulting with a certified fitness instructor or personal trainer is highly beneficial for beginners. These professionals possess the knowledge and expertise to assess individual fitness levels, design appropriate exercise programs, and provide guidance on proper techniques and modifications. They can offer personalized advice and monitor progress, adjusting the intensity and complexity of exercises as the individual progresses.

By consulting with a healthcare professional or fitness instructor, beginners can address any concerns or questions they may have. These experts can offer valuable insights into suitable exercise routines, warm-up and cool-down techniques, and potential modifications for individuals with specific limitations or health considerations. Additionally, they can provide guidance on setting realistic goals, tracking progress, as well as making adjustments as required.

Tips For Beginners

  • Start Slowly: Beginners should begin with shorter sessions and slowly boost the duration and intensity of their aerobics workouts. Starting slowly helps the body adapt to the demands of aerobic exercise and reduces the risk of injury.
  • Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Prior to each aerobics session, beginners should perform a warm-up routine that includes gentle movements to increase blood flow and warm up the muscles. Similarly, a cool-down routine at the end of the session helps the body gradually return to its resting state and prevents muscle soreness.
  • Listen to Your Body: It is important for beginners to pay attention to their bodies and modify movements or intensity levels if they experience discomfort or fatigue. Pushing too hard too soon can increase the risk of injuries.
  • Choose Appropriate Footwear: Wearing proper athletic shoes that provide support and cushioning is essential for comfort and injury prevention during aerobic workouts.
  • Hydrate and Fuel Properly: Staying hydrated before, during, and after aerobic exercise is crucial. Beginners should also consume a balanced diet to provide the necessary energy for their workouts.
  • Attend Beginner-Friendly Classes: Joining beginner-friendly aerobics classes or programs can provide a structured and supportive environment for beginners to learn proper techniques and progress at their own pace.
  • Mix Up Your Workout Routine: In order to prevent boredom and maintain motivation, beginners can try different types of aerobics such as dance aerobics, step aerobics, or water aerobics. Mixing up the routine keeps the workouts fresh and enjoyable.
  • Listen to Music: Aerobics is often accompanied by music, which adds to the fun and motivation. Beginners can create a playlist of their favourite upbeat songs to make their workouts more enjoyable.

Aerobics is a fantastic activity for beginners, offering a wide range of physical and cardiovascular benefits. However, it is crucial to consider individual fitness levels and, when necessary, consult with professionals to ensure a safe and effective start. By adopting a gradual approach, listening to the body, and following the provided tips, beginners can embark on their aerobics journey with confidence, steadily progressing to higher levels of intensity and fitness. Consistency and gradual progression are key to reaping the rewards of aerobics and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Aerobics, as a low-impact exercise, provides beginners with numerous physical benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness, increasing the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Regular participation in aerobic activities enhances endurance, allowing individuals to engage in activities for longer periods without feeling fatigued. Furthermore, aerobics aids in weight management by burning calories and boosting metabolism, contributing to overall weight loss or maintenance.

Considering individual fitness levels is of utmost importance when starting an aerobics routine. Beginners should be mindful of their current physical capabilities and select exercises that suit their fitness level. Low-impact aerobics, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, are gentle on the joints and provide an excellent starting point. As beginners gradually build strength, endurance, and confidence, they can gradually increase the intensity and complexity of their workouts.

Consulting with professionals, such as certified fitness instructors or healthcare providers, is highly recommended, particularly for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or concerns. These professionals possess the expertise to assess individual fitness levels, offer tailored advice, and ensure that exercise routines are safe and appropriate. They can provide personalized guidance, help set realistic goals, and monitor progress, making adjustments as necessary.

To embark on an aerobics journey, beginners should start slowly and listen to their bodies. It is crucial to pay attention to any discomfort or fatigue and modify movements or intensity levels accordingly. Pushing too hard far too soon can lead to injuries or burnout. By beginning with shorter sessions and gradually increasing the duration and intensity over time, beginners can build endurance and strength at a comfortable pace.

Warming up and cooling down are very important components of any aerobics routine. Before starting an aerobics session, beginners should perform a warm-up routine to prepare the body for exercise. This can include gentle stretches, mobility exercises, and light cardio movements to increase blood flow and warm up the muscles. Similarly, cooling down after a workout is essential to gradually lower the heart rate and prevent muscle soreness. Incorporating gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises during the cool-down phase can aid in the recovery process.

Consistency is fundamental when it comes to gaining the benefits of aerobics. Establishing a regular exercise routine ensures that beginners make progress and experience long-term improvements in their cardiovascular fitness and overall health. It is essential to find a balance between challenging oneself and allowing the body adequate time to rest and recover.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is aerobics suitable for beginners?

Yes, aerobics can be a suitable activity for beginners as it offers numerous benefits for cardiovascular fitness, weight management, and overall physical well-being.

What are the considerations for beginners starting aerobics?

Beginners should consider their fitness levels and health conditions, starting with low-impact exercises and consulting with professionals if necessary.

What tips can help beginners starting aerobics?

Beginners can start slowly, warm up and cool down properly, listen to their bodies, wear appropriate footwear, stay hydrated, and consider attending beginner-friendly classes.

Can beginners modify movements or intensity levels during aerobics workouts?

Yes, beginners should listen to their bodies and modify movements or intensity levels if they experience discomfort or fatigue, to prevent injuries.

How can beginners make their aerobics workouts enjoyable?

Beginners can mix up their routine by trying different types of aerobics, create a playlist of upbeat songs, and join beginner-friendly classes for a structured and supportive environment.

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Exploring the Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Comprehensive Guide https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exploring-the-benefits-of-indoor-cycling/ Tue, 16 May 2023 06:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33318 Indoor cycling, also known as spinning, has gained tremendous popularity as a highly effective form of cardiovascular exercise. This stationary cycling workout offers a range of benefits for individuals of all fitness levels. From burning calories and boosting cardiovascular health to building strength and reducing stress, indoor cycling provides a comprehensive workout that can be...

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Indoor cycling, also known as spinning, has gained tremendous popularity as a highly effective form of cardiovascular exercise. This stationary cycling workout offers a range of benefits for individuals of all fitness levels. From burning calories and boosting cardiovascular health to building strength and reducing stress, indoor cycling provides a comprehensive workout that can be customized to meet individual needs. This article explores the numerous benefits of indoor cycling, highlighting its impact on physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall health.

Physical Benefits Of Indoor Cycling 

Cardiovascular Health: Indoor cycling is a fantastic cardiovascular workout that increases heart rate, strengthens the heart, and improves blood circulation. Regular participation in indoor cycling classes can enhance cardiovascular endurance as well as reduce the risk of heart disease.

  • Calorie Burn and Weight Loss: Indoor cycling is an excellent calorie-burning exercise. Depending on factors such as intensity, duration, and body weight, it is possible to burn 400-800 calories per hour. In combination with a healthy diet, indoor cycling can aid in weight loss and weight management.
  • Lower Body Strength and Muscle Tone: Indoor cycling mainly targets the lower body muscles. This includes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. The resistance applied during the workout helps build strength, endurance, and muscle tone in these areas. Regular cycling workouts can lead to toned legs and improved overall lower body strength.
  • Low Impact on Joints: Indoor cycling is a low-impact exercise that minimizes stress on the joints. Unlike activities like running or jumping, where the joints bear a significant load, indoor cycling provides a smooth and low-impact motion, making it suitable for people with joint issues or those seeking a joint-friendly workout option.
  • Improved Endurance and Stamina: Regular indoor cycling sessions challenge the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, increasing endurance and stamina. As individuals progress, they can adjust the intensity and duration of their workouts, pushing their limits and improving overall athletic performance.

Mental And Emotional Benefits Of Indoor Cycling

  • Stress Reduction: Indoor cycling is a great way to relieve stress and improve mental well-being. Engaging in a challenging workout releases endorphins, which are known as “feel-good” hormones, leading to improved mood and reduced stress levels.
  • Mental Focus and Clarity: Indoor cycling requires concentration and mental focus, as participants focus on proper form, breathing, and adjusting resistance. This can help clear the mind, improve mental alertness, and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Increased Energy and Productivity: Regular indoor cycling workouts can boost energy levels and enhance overall productivity. The endorphin release and improved blood flow contribute to increased energy, allowing individuals to feel more energized and focused throughout the day.
  • Improved Sleep Quality: Engaging in regular exercise, including indoor cycling, has been linked to better sleep quality. The physical exertion and mental relaxation gained from a cycling workout can promote deeper and more restful sleep.
  • Sense of Community and Motivation: Participating in indoor cycling classes provides a sense of community and camaraderie. Sharing the workout experience with others can be motivating and create a supportive environment, increasing adherence and enjoyment.

Health Benefits Of Indoor Cycling

  • Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular aerobic exercise, such as indoor cycling, has been linked to a decreased risk of chronic diseases for example cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain kinds of cancer.
  • Improved Lung Function: The increased demand for oxygen during indoor cycling workouts can enhance lung function and capacity, leading to improved respiratory health.
  • Enhanced Immune System: Regular exercise has been shown to boost the immune system, reducing the likelihood of contracting common illnesses such as colds and flu. However, it is important to maintain proper hygiene practices to further protect against infections. Washing hands regularly, wiping down equipment before and after use, and avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated spaces are essential for maintaining hygiene during indoor cycling sessions.
  • Bone Health: Indoor cycling is a weight-bearing exercise that helps improve bone density and strength. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals at risk of osteoporosis or those seeking to maintain optimal bone health.
  • Reduced Blood Pressure and Improved Heart Health: Consistent participation in indoor cycling can help lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health. The cardiovascular workout strengthens the heart muscle, enhances circulation, and reduces the risk of hypertension.
  • Enhanced Metabolic Function: Regular indoor cycling sessions can boost metabolism and improve the body’s ability to utilize energy efficiently. This can lead to improved metabolic function, weight management, and better overall energy levels.
  • Balanced Cholesterol Levels: Engaging in aerobic exercises like indoor cycling has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels while at the same time reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. This can contribute to improved heart health and a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Indoor cycling offers a multitude of physical, mental, and health benefits. From improving cardiovascular health and burning calories to reducing stress and boosting immune function, the advantages of indoor cycling are undeniable. By engaging in regular indoor cycling workouts and maintaining proper hygiene practices, individuals can experience enhanced physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall health. Whether you’re a newbie or experienced fitness enthusiast, incorporating indoor cycling into your exercise routine can be an enjoyable and effective way to achieve your fitness goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the physical benefits of indoor cycling?

Indoor cycling provides cardiovascular health improvements, calorie burn and weight loss, lower body strength and muscle tone, low impact on joints, and improved endurance and stamina.

How does indoor cycling benefit mental and emotional well-being?

Indoor cycling helps reduce stress, enhance mental focus and clarity, increase energy and productivity, improve sleep quality, and foster a sense of community and motivation.

What are the health benefits of indoor cycling?

Indoor cycling reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves lung function, enhances the immune system, promotes bone health, lowers blood pressure, enhances metabolic function, and balances cholesterol levels.

Can indoor cycling contribute to weight loss and body toning?

Yes, indoor cycling is an effective calorie-burning exercise that aids in weight loss and promotes muscle toning, particularly in the lower body muscles.

How does indoor cycling support cardiovascular health?

Indoor cycling strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and enhances cardiovascular endurance, reducing the risk of heart disease and improving overall heart health.

 

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Are There Specific Pilates Exercises For Targeting Certain Muscle Groups? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/are-there-specific-pilates-exercises-for-targeting-certain-muscle-groups/ Mon, 15 May 2023 06:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33286 Pilates exercises are well known for their ability to target specific muscle groups and promote overall strength, flexibility, and body awareness. By focusing on precise movements and engaging the core, Pilates can effectively work various muscle groups. Here’s a comprehensive guide highlighting specific Pilates exercises that target different muscle groups: Core Muscles Pilates Hundred: Lie...

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Pilates exercises are well known for their ability to target specific muscle groups and promote overall strength, flexibility, and body awareness. By focusing on precise movements and engaging the core, Pilates can effectively work various muscle groups. Here’s a comprehensive guide highlighting specific Pilates exercises that target different muscle groups:

Core Muscles

  • Pilates Hundred: Lie on your back, lift your head and shoulders, extend your legs, and pulse your arms up and down while breathing in for a total of five counts and breathing out for five. This exercise engages the deep core muscles and helps build abdominal strength.
  • Roll Up: Start lying on your back, reach your arms overhead, and slowly roll up to a seated position, articulating through the spine. The roll-up targets the entire core, including the rectus abdominis and the obliques.

Glutes And Hips

  • Bridge: Lie down on your back. Bend your knees and then lift your hips off the mat while squeezing your glutes. The bridge exercise targets the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and lower back.
  • Clamshell: Lie down on your side with your knees bent and feet together. Open and close your top knee while keeping your feet touching. This exercise activates the gluteus medius, which helps stabilize the hips.

Back And Spine

  • Swimming: Lie on your stomach, extend your arms and legs, and alternate lifting opposite arm and leg off the mat while keeping your core engaged. The swimming exercise strengthens the erector spinae and other back muscles.
  • Spine Twist: Sit tall with your legs extended, twist your torso to one side, and then to the other side while keeping your spine lengthened. The spine twist exercise targets the obliques and improves spinal mobility.

Legs And Thighs

  • Single Leg Circles: Lie on your back, lift one leg toward the sky, and draw circles in the air with your leg. Reverse the direction. This exercise engages the hip flexors, quadriceps, and inner and outer thighs.
  • Pilates Chair Squats: Stand in front of a chair with your feet hip-distance apart, bend your knees, and sit back into a squat position. Press through your heels to get back to a standing position. Chair squats target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.

Arms And Shoulders

  • Pilates Push-Up: Begin in a plank position, lower your body while keeping your elbows close to your sides, and then push back up. The Pilates push-up targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders.
  • Tricep Dips: Sit on the very edge of your chair. Put your hands beside your hips and lower your body by bending your elbows. Tricep dips strengthen the triceps and shoulders.

Chest And Upper Back

  • Chest Expansion: Stand tall with your arms extended behind you and interlace your fingers. Lift your arms while opening your chest. The chest expansion exercise targets the chest, upper back, and shoulders.
  • Scapular Retraction: Stand or sit with your arms extended in front of you, retract your shoulder blades, and squeeze them together. This exercise helps improve posture and strengthens the upper back muscles.

Inner Thighs And Pelvic Floor

  • Pilates Frog: Lie on your back with the soles of your feet together and knees open to the sides. Lift your feet off the mat while keeping your pelvis stable. The Pilates frog exercise targets the inner thighs and pelvic floor muscles.
  • Pelvic Curl: Lie comfortably on your back with your knees bent and your feet standing hip-distance apart. Lift your hips off the mat, articulating through the spine, and slowly roll your spine back down to the mat. The pelvic curl exercise targets the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back while also promoting spinal mobility.

Balance And Stability

  • Single Leg Balance: Stand on one leg while keeping your core engaged and your standing leg slightly bent. This exercise will challenge your balance and activates the muscles in your standing leg, including the glutes and quadriceps.
  • Side Plank: Lie comfortably on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder. Lift up your hips off the mat and hold the position. The side plank strengthens the obliques, shoulders, and stabilizing muscles of the core.

Flexibility And Mobility

  • Swan Dive: Lie on your stomach, place your hands beside your shoulders, and lift your chest off the mat while lengthening your spine. The swan dive exercise enhances back extension and promotes spinal flexibility.
  • Mermaid Stretch: Sit with one leg bent to the side and the other leg extended. Reach one arm overhead and side bend towards the extended leg. The mermaid stretch improves side flexibility and stretches the side body.

Remember to perform these exercises with proper form and technique. It is advisable to learn Pilates exercises from a qualified instructor to ensure correct alignment and prevent injuries. As you progress, gradually increase the intensity, duration, or resistance of the exercises to continue challenging your muscles and advancing your practice.

Incorporating these Pilates exercises into your workout routine can help you target specific muscle groups, improve overall strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance body awareness. Enjoy the benefits of Pilates as you engage in these exercises and continue to explore the vast repertoire that Pilates offers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there Pilates exercises that specifically target the core muscles?

Yes, Pilates is known for its emphasis on core strength. Exercises like the Pilates Hundred and Roll Up engage the deep core muscles, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back, helping to develop a strong and stable core.

Can Pilates exercises help tone and strengthen the glutes and hips?

Absolutely! Pilates offers exercises such as the Bridge and Clamshell that specifically target the gluteal muscles. These exercises work to strengthen and tone the glutes, hamstrings, and muscles surrounding the hips for improved stability and mobility.

Are there Pilates exercises that focus on the back and spine?

Yes, Pilates includes exercises that promote back and spinal strength. The Swimming exercise and Spine Twist help strengthen the back muscles, including the erector spinae, and improve spinal mobility and flexibility.

Can Pilates exercises help target and tone the legs and thighs?

Certainly! Pilates offers exercises like Single Leg Circles and Pilates Chair Squats that engage the leg muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, inner and outer thighs. These exercises help improve leg strength, tone, and flexibility.

Are there Pilates exercises that specifically target the arms and shoulders?

Yes, Pilates incorporates exercises that focus on upper body strength. The Pilates Push-Up and Tricep Dips engage the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and upper back, promoting strength and toning in these areas.

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What Is Pranayama And How Does It Work? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-pranayama-and-how-does-it-work/ Mon, 15 May 2023 06:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33289 Pranayama is an integral part of yoga practice that focuses on breath control and regulation. A derivative from Sanskrit words “prana” (life force) and “ayama” (extension or expansion), pranayama involves various breathing techniques that aim to manipulate and optimize the flow of prana, the vital energy within the body. By practicing pranayama, individuals can enhance...

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Pranayama is an integral part of yoga practice that focuses on breath control and regulation. A derivative from Sanskrit words “prana” (life force) and “ayama” (extension or expansion), pranayama involves various breathing techniques that aim to manipulate and optimize the flow of prana, the vital energy within the body. By practicing pranayama, individuals can enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here’s a comprehensive guide explaining what pranayama is and how it works.

Understanding Prana And Pranayama

Prana is the subtle life force energy that permeates all living beings. It is believed to flow through a network of energy channels called nadis. Pranayama harnesses the power of the breath to influence and regulate the flow of prana, enabling individuals to experience a harmonious and balanced state of being.

The Purpose Of Pranayama

The primary aim of pranayama is to achieve control over the breath, which in turn helps control the mind and life force energy. By refining and mastering the breath, practitioners can cultivate a range of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, including increased energy, enhanced focus, stress reduction, and heightened self-awareness.

Techniques And Practices Of Pranayama

Pranayama encompasses a variety of breathing techniques, each with its unique purpose and effects. Some common pranayama practices include:

  • Ujjayi Pranayama: Known as the “victorious breath,” Ujjayi involves gently constricting the back of the throat to create a soft, audible sound during inhalation and exhalation. It promotes relaxation, balances energy, and builds internal heat.
  • Nadi Shodhana Pranayama: Also known as an alternate nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhana involves alternating the breath through each nostril, balancing the energy flow in the body, calming the mind, and improving focus.
  • Kapalabhati Pranayama: Kapalabhati consists of forceful exhalations through the nose while keeping inhalations passive. It helps cleanse the respiratory system, invigorates the body, and increases vitality.
  • Bhramari Pranayama: Bhramari, or bee breath, involves making a gentle humming sound during exhalation. This practice helps release tension, soothes the nervous system, and promotes relaxation.

Benefits Of Pranayama

Pranayama offers a wide range of benefits that positively impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Some key benefits include:

  • Improved respiratory function: Pranayama techniques enhance lung capacity, oxygenate the blood, and strengthen respiratory muscles, promoting healthy breathing patterns.
  • Stress reduction and relaxation: Pranayama activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response and reducing stress, anxiety, and the effects of chronic stress on the body.
  • Increased energy and vitality: By optimizing the flow of prana, pranayama practices increase vitality, improve energy levels, and promote a sense of rejuvenation.
  • Enhanced mental clarity and focus: Pranayama cultivates a calm and focused mind, improving mental clarity, concentration, and memory.
  • Balancing emotions and promoting emotional well-being: Pranayama helps regulate emotions, promotes emotional stability, and cultivates a more positive and balanced mindset.

Practice Guidelines And Precautions

While pranayama is generally safe for most individuals, certain guidelines and precautions should be followed:

  • Learn from a qualified instructor: It is recommended to learn pranayama techniques from a qualified yoga instructor who can guide you in proper breathing techniques and ensure correct alignment and practice.
  • Start slowly and progress gradually: Begin with simpler pranayama techniques and gradually progress to more advanced practices. Listen closely to your body and honour its limits. Avoid pushing yourself too hard or straining during pranayama practice.
  • Practice on an empty stomach: It is ideal to practice pranayama on an empty stomach or at least a few hours after a meal. This allows for better breath control and digestion.
  • Pay close attention to your breath as well as body: During pranayama practice, stay attuned to your breath and body sensations. Notice the quality of your breath, the rhythm, and any areas of tension or resistance. Practice with mindfulness and focus.
  • Avoid forceful breathing or breath retention: Unless guided by an experienced instructor, avoid forceful breathing or breath retention techniques, especially if you have underlying health conditions. These advanced practices require proper guidance to avoid any potential risks.
  • Respect individual differences: Each person’s breath capacity and experience with pranayama may vary. Do not compare yourself to others or force your breath to match someone else’s pace. Honora your own journey and progress at your own pace.
  • Consider medical conditions and pregnancy: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as respiratory disorders or cardiovascular issues, consult with your healthcare provider before practicing pranayama. Pregnant individuals should also seek guidance from a qualified instructor and adapt practices to suit their needs.
  • Listen to your body: If you experience any discomfort, dizziness, or shortness of breath during pranayama practice, pause, and return to natural breathing. It’s essential to prioritize your well-being and adjust your practice accordingly.
  • Integrate pranayama into a holistic yoga practice: Pranayama is most effective when practiced alongside other elements of yoga, such as asanas (physical postures), meditation, and ethical principles. By integrating pranayama into a holistic yoga practice, you can experience the full benefits of yoga on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

Pranayama is a powerful practice that involves conscious breath control to optimize the flow of prana and promote overall well-being. By following guidelines, learning from a qualified instructor, and practicing with mindfulness, pranayama can be a transformative tool for enhancing vitality, reducing stress, and cultivating inner balance. Embrace pranayama as a valuable component of your yoga journey, allowing it to deepen your connection to the breath and foster harmony within yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is pranayama?

Pranayama is a practice in yoga that focuses on breath control and regulation. It involves various breathing techniques to manipulate the flow of prana, the life force energy within the body, for physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

How does pranayama work?

Pranayama works by harnessing the power of the breath to influence the mind, body, and energy flow. By consciously controlling the breath, pranayama practices help balance the nervous system, oxygenate the body, and stimulate the flow of prana, promoting overall well-being.

What are the benefits of practicing pranayama?

Pranayama offers a range of benefits, including improved respiratory function, stress reduction, increased energy, enhanced mental clarity and focus, emotional balance, and a deeper connection to oneself. It supports overall health and well-being on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

Can anyone practice pranayama?

Yes, most individuals can practice pranayama. However, it is recommended to learn from a qualified instructor, especially if you have specific health conditions or concerns. They can guide you in choosing appropriate techniques and adaptations for your needs.

How can I incorporate pranayama into my daily life?

You can incorporate pranayama into your daily life by setting aside dedicated time for practice, integrating it into your yoga routine, or incorporating specific techniques during moments of stress or to enhance relaxation. Consistency and mindfulness are key to experiencing the benefits of regular pranayama practice.

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How Do Personal Trainers Create Workout Plans? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-personal-trainers-create-workout-plans/ Fri, 12 May 2023 06:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33281 Creating a personalized workout plan is one of the key services that a personal trainer provides. A workout plan involves designing a balanced and effective exercise program that meets the specific needs and goals of the individual. Personal trainers use a variety of methods to create workout plans, including conducting an assessment of the individual’s...

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Creating a personalized workout plan is one of the key services that a personal trainer provides. A workout plan involves designing a balanced and effective exercise program that meets the specific needs and goals of the individual. Personal trainers use a variety of methods to create workout plans, including conducting an assessment of the individual’s current fitness level, analysing their fitness goals, and providing education on exercise technique and proper form. In today’s article, we will discuss the process that personal trainers use to create workout plans and how they tailor these plans to meet the needs of each individual.

Assessment

The first step that a personal trainer takes when creating a workout plan is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s current fitness level. This includes gathering information about their exercise history, physical activity levels, and any medical conditions or injuries they may have. The assessment is important because it provides the personal trainer with a clear understanding of the individual’s unique fitness needs and allows them to tailor their workout plan to meet these needs.

Analysis

Once the assessment is complete, the personal trainer analyses the information gathered to determine the individual’s fitness goals. This involves identifying areas of strength and weakness, setting realistic and achievable goals, and establishing a timeline for achieving these goals. The personal trainer also considers any specific fitness needs or restrictions that the individual may have, such as a need for low-impact exercises or modifications due to injury. The analysis is important because it ensures that the workout plan provides the right balance of exercises for the individual’s needs.

Education

After completing the assessment and analysis, the personal trainer provides education on exercise technique and proper form. This may include information on the importance of warming up and cooling down, how to perform exercises safely and effectively, and how to modify exercises for individual needs. The personal trainer also discusses the importance of consistency and adherence to the workout plan and encourages the individual to track their progress and celebrate their successes. Education is a critical component of workout planning because it empowers the individual to make informed choices about their exercise routine and helps to ensure the long-term success of the workout plan.

Design

With all of the information gathered, analysed, and discussed, the personal trainer then designs a personalized workout plan for the individual. The workout plan includes a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups and fitness goals and is designed to be challenging and effective. The workout plan may include strength training exercises, cardiovascular exercises, and flexibility exercises, as well as suggested reps, sets, and rest times. The personal trainer may also provide guidance on how to progress the workout plan over time to ensure continued progress and results. The workout plan is tailored to the individual’s fitness level, preferences, and goals, and is designed to be sustainable and enjoyable.

Revision

Once the workout plan is implemented, the personal trainer monitors the individual’s progress and revises the plan as needed. This may involve adjusting the exercises, adding or removing certain exercises, or changing the frequency or intensity of the workout. The personal trainer may also provide ongoing education and support to help the individual maintain their exercise routine and reach their goals. Revision is an important part of the workout planning process because it ensures that the individual’s fitness needs are continually being met and that the workout plan is effective in achieving their goals.

Creating a personalized workout plan is a key service that personal trainers provide. The process involves assessing the individual’s current fitness level, analysing their fitness goals, providing education on exercise technique and proper form, designing a personalized workout plan, and revising the plan as needed. A workout plan is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle and can help individuals achieve their fitness and wellness goals. By working with a personal trainer to create a personalized workout plan, individuals can ensure that they are getting the right balance of exercises for their needs and can develop healthy exercise habits that last a lifetime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What information do personal trainers need to create a personalized workout plan?

Personal trainers need to gather information about an individual’s exercise history, physical activity levels, fitness goals, and any medical conditions or injuries. This information allows the personal trainer to tailor the workout plan to meet the individual’s unique fitness needs and goals.

How do personal trainers determine an individual’s fitness goals?

Personal trainers determine an individual’s fitness goals by identifying areas of strength and weakness, setting realistic and achievable goals, and establishing a timeline for achieving these goals. The personal trainer also considers any specific fitness needs or restrictions that the individual may have.

What is the role of education in creating a workout plan?

Education is a critical component of workout planning because it empowers the individual to make informed choices about their exercise routine and helps to ensure the long-term success of the workout plan. Personal trainers provide education on exercise technique and proper form, as well as the importance of consistency and adherence to the workout plan.

How do personal trainers design a personalized workout plan?

After assessing an individual’s current fitness level, analysing their fitness goals, and providing education on exercise technique and proper form, personal trainers design a personalized workout plan that includes a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups and fitness goals. The workout plan is tailored to the individual’s fitness level, preferences, and goals and is designed to be challenging and effective.

How do personal trainers revise workout plans as needed?

Once the workout plan is implemented, personal trainers monitor an individual’s progress and revise the plan as needed. This may involve adjusting the exercises, adding or removing certain exercises, or changing the frequency or intensity of the workout. The personal trainer may also provide ongoing education and support to help the individual maintain their exercise routine and reach their goals. Revision is an important part of the workout planning process because it ensures that the individual’s fitness needs are continually being met and that the workout plan is effective in achieving their goals.

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What Are Some Common Barre Pilates Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-some-common-barre-pilates-exercises/ Tue, 09 May 2023 06:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33243 Barre Pilates is a popular form of exercise that combines elements of Pilates, ballet, and yoga to create a low-impact workout that can improve strength, flexibility, and balance. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common barre Pilates exercises and their benefits. Plie Squat The plie squat is a classic barre exercise that...

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Barre Pilates is a popular form of exercise that combines elements of Pilates, ballet, and yoga to create a low-impact workout that can improve strength, flexibility, and balance. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common barre Pilates exercises and their benefits.

Plie Squat

The plie squat is a classic barre exercise that works the muscles in your legs, glutes, and core. To perform a plie squat, stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and then turn your toes outwards. Lower your body into a squatting position, making sure that you keep your knees in line with your toes. Then, straighten your legs to return to the starting position.

Chair Pose

The chair pose is a common barre Pilates exercise that can help improve leg and core strength, as well as balance and stability. Here are some tips for performing the chair pose correctly:

  1. Stand with your feet together: Begin by standing with your feet together and then your arms at your sides.
  2. Lower your body into a squatting position: From the standing position, slowly lower your body into a squatting position almost as if you were sitting back into an imaginary chair. Keep your back straight and your weight in your heels.
  3. Make sure that you keep your knees in line with your toes: As you lower your body into the squatting position, make sure your knees are in line with your toes. This will help prevent injury and ensure that you are engaging the correct muscles.
  4. Hold the pose for several seconds: Once you have reached the lowest point of the squat, hold the pose for several seconds. This will help build strength and endurance in the muscles of your legs and core.
  5. Return to the starting position: After holding the pose for several seconds, slowly return to the starting position by straightening your legs and lifting your body back up to a standing position.
  6. Repeat: Repeat the chair pose several times, aiming to hold the pose for a little bit longer each time as your strength and endurance improves.

The chair pose can be altered to make it more or less challenging, dependent on your fitness level and goals. For example, you can make the pose more challenging by holding weights in your hands or adding a leg lift at the end of the pose. You can also make the pose easier by placing a block or cushion under your heels or by holding onto a wall for balance.

In addition to targeting the muscles in your legs and core, the chair pose can also help improve your posture and balance. When performing the pose, make sure to keep your shoulders relaxed and your gaze forward. This will help engage the muscles in your upper back and improve your overall posture.

Plank

The plank is a common exercise in many forms of exercise, including barre Pilates. It is a great way to improve core strength and stability. In order to perform a plank, start in a push-up position with your arms straight as well as your hands shoulder-width apart. Lower your body until your forearms are flat on the ground and your body is in a straight line from your head right down to your heels. Maintain the position for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

Arabesque

The arabesque is a graceful exercise that derives its inspiration from ballet and focuses on developing the muscles in your legs, glutes as well as your core. This exercise is a great way to improve your balance, stability, and flexibility.

To perform an arabesque, begin by standing tall facing a barre or sturdy chair. Ensure that your feet are hip-width apart and your hands rest lightly on the barre or chair for balance. Next, lift one leg behind you, keeping it straight, and reach forward with your arms as if you were attempting to touch your toes. The lifted leg should be pointed and extended backward while maintaining the hips square to the front. Your other leg, meanwhile, should remain firmly planted on the ground. Hold this position for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

It’s very important to maintain proper form and alignment throughout the exercise to get the most out of it. Keep your core engaged, shoulders relaxed, and gaze forward to maintain balance. Keep your lifted leg in line with your hip and your extended arm in line with your lifted leg. This exercise may seem easy, but it can be challenging to maintain balance and coordination while holding the pose.

The arabesque offers several benefits. It helps strengthen the muscles in your legs and glutes, making them more toned and defined. Additionally, it helps develop your core strength and stability, which can improve your overall posture and balance. This exercise is also effective in enhancing your flexibility and range of motion in your hips and spine.

To make the arabesque more challenging, you can add variations to the exercise. For instance, you can increase the duration of the hold, or you can incorporate small pulses while holding the position. You can also use weights while performing the exercise to add resistance and make it more challenging.

The arabesque is a great exercise to incorporate into your regular barre Pilates routine. You can perform it at the beginning of your workout as part of your warm-up, or you can include it in your leg or core workout for an extra challenge. Remember to always start with proper form and alignment, and gradually increase the difficulty level as you get more comfortable with the exercise.

Side Plank

The side plank is another exercise that can help improve core strength and stability. To perform a side plank, start in a push-up position with your arms straight with your hands shoulder-width apart. Rotate your body to one side, balancing on one arm and the side of one of your feet. Extend your other arm towards the ceiling. Maintain the position for several seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.

Bridge

The bridge is an exercise that targets the muscles in your legs, glutes, and lower back. To perform a bridge, lie on your back. Have your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lift up your hips towards the ceiling, squeezing your glutes and engaging your core. Maintain the position for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

Leg Lifts

Leg lifts are a simple but effective exercise that target the muscles in your legs and core. To perform leg lifts, lie on your back with your legs straight with your arms at your sides. Lift one leg towards the ceiling, keeping it straight, and hold it for several seconds before lowering it back down to the ground. Repeat with the other leg.

Arm Circles

Arm circles are a great way to improve shoulder strength and flexibility. In order to perform arm circles, stand up tall with your feet hip-width apart and then your arms extended to the sides. Circle your arms forward in a small, controlled motion. After several repetitions, reverse the direction of the circles and perform them backwards.

Barre Pilates exercises can provide a challenging yet low-impact workout that targets various muscle groups and improves strength, flexibility, and balance. The exercises listed above are just a few examples of the many exercises you can perform during a barre Pilates class. By combining these exercises into your fitness routine, you can enhance your physical fitness and enjoy the many benefits of this popular form of exercise. Remember to always consult with a qualified instructor or health-care professional before starting any new exercise program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plie squat exercise in Barre Pilates?

The plie squat is a classic Barre Pilates exercise that works the muscles that are in your legs, glutes, and core. To perform a plie squat, stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width distance and turn your toes outwards. Lower your body down into a squatting pose, making sure that you keep your knees in line with your toes. Then, straighten your legs to return to the starting position.

How does the chair pose benefit in Barre Pilates?

The chair pose is another Barre Pilates exercise that targets the muscles in your legs and core. To perform a chair pose, stand with your feet together and then your arms at your sides. Lower your body into a squatting position, as if you were sitting back into an imaginary chair. Keep your back straight and your weight in your heels. Hold the pose for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

What is the side plank exercise in Barre Pilates?

The side plank is an exercise that can help improve core strength and stability. To perform a side plank, start in a push-up position with your arms out straight and your hands shoulder-width apart. Rotate your body to one side, balancing on one arm and the side of one of your feet. Extend your other arm towards the ceiling. Maintain the position for several seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.

What is the bridge exercise in Barre Pilates?

The bridge is an exercise that targets the muscles in your legs, glutes, and lower back. To perform a bridge, lie flat on your back with your knees bent and then your feet flat on the ground. Lift up your hips towards the ceiling, squeezing your glutes and engaging your core. Maintain the position for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

What is the leg lift exercise in Barre Pilates?

Leg lifts are a simple but effective exercise that target the muscles in your legs and core. To perform leg lifts, lie on your back with your legs straight and then your arms flat at your sides. Lift one leg towards the ceiling, keeping it straight, and hold it for several seconds before lowering it back down to the ground. Repeat with the other leg.

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What Are The Benefits Of Olympic Lifting Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-olympic-lifting-exercises/ Tue, 09 May 2023 06:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33246 Olympic lifting exercises, also known as weightlifting, have become more and more popular in the last couple of years as a way to improve athletic performance and overall fitness. These exercises involve lifting weights in a specific manner and require a high level of skill and technique. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of...

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Olympic lifting exercises, also known as weightlifting, have become more and more popular in the last couple of years as a way to improve athletic performance and overall fitness. These exercises involve lifting weights in a specific manner and require a high level of skill and technique. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Olympic lifting exercises and why you should consider incorporating them into your fitness routine.

Increased Strength And Power

One of the primary benefits of Olympic lifting exercises is increased strength and power. These exercises target the major muscle groups in the body, including the legs, back, shoulders, and arms, and can help to build lean muscle mass. By increasing your overall strength and power, you can improve your athletic performance in other areas, such as running, jumping, and throwing.

Improved Speed And Explosiveness

Olympic lifting exercises offer numerous benefits beyond just improving explosive power. They can also lead to increased strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Here are some of the ways Olympic lifting exercises can benefit your body:

  • Increased Strength: Olympic lifting exercises are known for their ability to increase overall strength. These exercises work on multiple muscle groups simultaneously, leading to increased strength gains throughout the body. The snatch and clean and jerk exercises are particularly effective at targeting the legs, hips, back, and shoulders.
  • Improved Flexibility: Olympic lifting exercises require a high degree of flexibility to perform the movements correctly. Consistent practice of these exercises can lead to improved flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and other joints.
  • Increased Power and Explosiveness: As mentioned earlier, Olympic lifting exercises require explosive power, which can lead to improved speed and agility in other areas of life. Regular practice of these exercises can also lead to increased power and explosiveness in other athletic endeavours, such as running, jumping, and throwing.
  • Improved Endurance: Olympic lifting exercises require a high level of cardiovascular endurance, as they require sustained effort over a short period of time. Regular practice of these exercises can lead to improved cardiovascular health and endurance.
  • Increased Bone Density: Weight-bearing exercises like Olympic lifting have been shown to boost bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis. This is especially important for women, who are more susceptible to bone loss as they age.
  • Improved Body Composition: Olympic lifting exercises are highly effective at burning calories as well as building lean muscle mass. This can lead to improved body composition, with a drop in body fat and an increase in muscle mass.
  • Increased Mental Focus: Olympic lifting exercises require a high level of mental focus and concentration. Regular practice of these exercises can lead to improved mental focus and concentration in other areas of life, such as work or school.

Overall, Olympic lifting exercises offer numerous benefits for both the body and mind. They can improve strength, flexibility, power, endurance, and body composition, while also increasing mental focus and concentration. Integrating these exercises into your workout routine can lead to significant improvements in your overall fitness and health.

Increased Bone Density

Weightlifting has been shown to boost bone density, which can help to avoid osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders. Olympic lifting exercises, in particular, can help to encourage bone density in the spine and hips, which are common areas of weakness as we age.

Improved Posture And Balance

Olympic lifting exercises are not only beneficial for improving strength and power, but they also require a high level of balance and coordination. These qualities are essential for proper execution of the lifts and can also translate to improved posture and balance in other areas of your life.

The Olympic lifts, such as the snatch and clean and jerk, require a significant amount of stability and coordination to perform correctly. During these exercises, you must maintain a balanced and upright position while moving a heavy weight through various positions. This requires the activation of multiple muscle groups, including the core, glutes, and legs, which work together to maintain stability and balance.

As you train your body to perform these exercises, you may begin to notice improvements in your overall posture and balance. The muscles responsible for stabilizing your spine and pelvis during the lifts also play a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and balance throughout the day. By strengthening these muscles, you are able to improve your ability to stand upright, sit with proper alignment, and move with more ease.

Improved posture and balance can also have a significant impact on reducing your risk of falls and other injuries. As you age, maintaining proper balance and coordination becomes increasingly important for preventing falls, which can result in serious injuries. By incorporating Olympic lifting exercises into your fitness routine, you can improve your body’s ability to maintain stability and balance in various situations, reducing your risk of falls and other injuries.

Additionally, Olympic lifting exercises can be especially beneficial for athletes who take part in sports that require balance and coordination, such as gymnastics, martial arts, and dancing. The explosive power and stability required for the lifts can help athletes move with more speed and agility, improving their performance in their respective sports.

Increased Metabolism And Fat Loss

Weightlifting has been shown to increase metabolism, which can help you burn more calories and lose weight. Olympic lifting exercises, in particular, can be a highly effective way to increase metabolism and burn fat, as they require a high level of energy expenditure and can help to build lean muscle mass.

Improved Mental Health

Studies have shown that regular exercise, including Olympic lifting exercises, can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The endorphins released during exercise can improve mood and provide a sense of well-being. Additionally, Olympic lifting exercises require mental focus and discipline, which can translate to increased self-confidence and self-esteem.

Another way that Olympic lifting exercises can improve mental health is by providing a sense of accomplishment and achievement. As you progress in your lifting abilities, you could feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, which can help to boost self-esteem and overall mental health.

Furthermore, Olympic lifting exercises can provide a sense of community and social support. Many Olympic lifting gyms offer a supportive environment where people are able to connect with others who share their passion for lifting. This sense of community can help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to poor mental health.

It’s important to note that Olympic lifting exercises should not be utilised as a substitute for professional mental health treatment. However, incorporating these exercises into a comprehensive wellness plan can provide additional benefits to overall mental health.

Injury Prevention

Olympic lifting exercises can also help to prevent injuries via strengthening the muscles and connective tissues that support the joints. By improving your overall strength and stability, you can lower your risk of injury during other activities, such as running, jumping, and lifting.

Increased Endurance And Stamina

Olympic lifting exercises require a high level of endurance and stamina, which could translate to improved performance in other areas of your life. By increasing your overall endurance and stamina, you can improve your ability to perform physical tasks for longer periods of time, whether that’s running a marathon or playing a game of basketball.

Improved Overall Fitness

One of the main benefits of Olympic lifting exercises is their ability to improve strength. These exercises target the major muscle groups in the body, including the legs, back, shoulders, and arms. By lifting heavy weights with proper form, you can increase the strength of these muscles and improve your overall muscular endurance.

Another benefit of Olympic lifting exercises is their ability to improve power. Power is the capability to generate force quickly, and Olympic lifting exercises require a high level of explosive power. By practicing these exercises, you are able to improve your ability to produce maximum force in a short amount of time, which can translate to improved performance in other activities, such as sprinting or jumping.

In addition to strength and power, Olympic lifting exercises also require a high level of speed and agility. These exercises train your body to move quickly and with precision, improving your overall coordination and balance. By incorporating Olympic lifting exercises into your fitness routine, you can improve your speed and agility, leading to better overall athletic performance.

Olympic lifting exercises also require a high level of balance and coordination. These exercises require you to lift heavy weights while maintaining proper form and balance, which can improve your overall balance and stability. Via strengthening the muscles that support your spine and improving your overall balance, you can reduce your risk of falls and other injuries.

Moreover, Olympic lifting exercises have mental health benefits as well. These exercises can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase self-confidence and self-esteem. The intense focus required during Olympic lifting exercises can assist with clearing the mind and reduce stress levels. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering these complex movements can boost self-confidence and self-esteem.

Finally, Olympic lifting exercises can help to improve your overall fitness by targeting multiple areas of the body and requiring a high level of skill and technique. By incorporating these exercises into your fitness routine, you can improve your overall fitness and health. These exercises challenge both the muscular and cardiovascular systems, improving overall endurance and stamina.

Olympic lifting exercises offer a wide range of benefits for individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you’re an athlete looking to improve your performance, or simply looking to improve your overall health and fitness, incorporating Olympic lifting exercises into your routine can help you achieve your goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the main benefits of Olympic lifting exercises?

Olympic lifting exercises can improve overall strength, power, and explosiveness, as well as enhance athletic performance and body composition.

Can Olympic lifting exercises help with weight loss?

Yes, Olympic lifting exercises can help with weight loss by increasing muscle mass and metabolism, and burning more calories during and after workouts.

Is Olympic lifting suitable for beginners?

Olympic lifting exercises can be challenging, but they can be adapted for beginners with proper instruction and a gradual increase in weight and intensity.

Are Olympic lifting exercises safe?

Olympic lifting exercises can be safe when performed with proper technique and under the guidance of a qualified coach or trainer.

Can Olympic lifting exercises improve mobility and flexibility?

Yes, Olympic lifting exercises require a high degree of mobility and flexibility, and consistent practice can improve these aspects of physical fitness.

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The Significance Of Rest And Recovery In A Comprehensive Fitness Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-significance-of-rest-and-recovery-in-a-comprehensive-fitness-routine/ Mon, 08 May 2023 06:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33225 Rest and recovery are indispensable components of a comprehensive fitness routine. While exercise is critical for building strength, endurance, and overall health, it is equally important to give the body the opportunity to rest and recover from the stress of physical activity. In today’s article, we will have a look at the significance of rest...

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Rest and recovery are indispensable components of a comprehensive fitness routine. While exercise is critical for building strength, endurance, and overall health, it is equally important to give the body the opportunity to rest and recover from the stress of physical activity. In today’s article, we will have a look at the significance of rest and recovery in a comprehensive fitness routine and provide tips for optimizing your recovery.

What Is Rest And Recovery?

Rest and recovery are fundamental components of any comprehensive fitness routine. After physical activity, the body experiences stress and trauma at the cellular level, which can trigger the release of hormones for instance cortisol and adrenaline. While these hormones help the body to adapt to the stress of physical activity, they can also cause inflammation and damage to tissues. This is where rest and recovery come in.

Rest and recovery refer to the period of time during which the body repairs and rebuilds itself after physical activity. During this period, the body repairs damage to tissues and builds new tissues, resulting in stronger muscles, bones, and other tissues. Without adequate rest and recovery, the body may not be able to adapt to the stress of physical activity, which can lead to injury, fatigue, and burnout.

Rest and recovery are crucial for preventing injuries during physical activity. When the body experiences stress during exercise, it can result in microscopic tears in muscle fibres, which can cause soreness and inflammation. Without sufficient rest and recovery, the body may not be able to repair these tears, which can lead to more significant injuries over time.

Rest and recovery also play an essential role in improving overall fitness and performance. When the body has time to rest and recover, it can fully adapt to the stress of physical activity, resulting in increased strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Conversely, overtraining can be harmful to the body, leading to fatigue, injury, burnout, and a decrease in performance. Rest and recovery are very important for preventing overtraining and allowing the body to fully adapt to the stress of physical activity.

There are several ways to optimize rest and recovery during a comprehensive fitness routine. Getting adequate sleep is crucial for recovery, as it give the body time to repair and rebuild. Aim for at least between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to maximize the benefits of rest and recovery.

Incorporating active recovery, such as gentle yoga or light walking, can also help improve circulation and reduce muscle soreness. Active recovery can help you recover more quickly and feel better overall.

Proper nutrition is another essential component of rest and recovery. Make sure that you eat a balanced diet that includes a lot of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild.

Staying hydrated is also essential for rest and recovery. Drink a lot of water throughout the day to help flush out toxins and provide your body with the hydration that is requires to function optimally.

Stretching and mobility work are also important for rest and recovery. Integrating stretching and mobility work into your routine can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and aid in recovery.

The Importance Of Rest And Recovery

There are several reasons why rest and recovery are essential components of a comprehensive fitness routine:

  • Injury Prevention: Rest and recovery help prevent injuries by allowing the body time to repair and rebuild tissues. Without adequate recovery time, the body may become more susceptible to injury.
  • Improved Performance: Rest and recovery can also improve performance by allowing the body to fully adapt to the stress of physical activity. This can lead to increased strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
  • Reduced Fatigue: Rest and recovery can help reduce fatigue by allowing the body to recharge and restore energy levels. This can help improve motivation and overall well-being.
  • Mental Health Benefits: Rest and recovery can also provide mental health benefits by reducing stress and anxiety levels. This can help improve overall mood and mental well-being.

Optimizing Your Recovery

While rest and recovery are critical components of a comprehensive fitness routine, it’s also essential to optimize your recovery to get the most benefit from your rest periods. Here are some tips for optimizing your recovery:

  • Enough Sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for recovery. As we said previously, you should aim for at least between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to allow your body time to repair and rebuild.
  • Active Recovery: Active recovery, such as gentle yoga or light walking, can help improve circulation and reduce muscle soreness. Incorporating active recovery into your routine can help you recover more quickly and feel better overall.
  • Proper Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for recovery. Make sure that you eat a balanced diet which includes plenty of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild.
  • Hydration: Staying hydrated is also essential for recovery. Drink plenty of water during the day in order to help flush out toxins and offer your body with the hydration it needs in order to function optimally.
  • Stretching and Mobility Work: Incorporating stretching and mobility work into your routine can help improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness. Stretching can also help improve circulation and aid in recovery.

Rest and recovery are crucial elements of any comprehensive fitness routine. After physical activity, the body experiences stress and trauma at the cellular level, which can lead to inflammation and damage to tissues. Rest and recovery provide the time and resources needed for the body to repair itself and build new tissues, resulting in stronger muscles, bones, and other tissues.

Injury prevention is one of the most significant benefits of rest and recovery. When the body experiences stress during exercise, it can result in microscopic tears in muscle fibres, which can cause soreness and inflammation. Without adequate rest and recovery, these tears may not heal properly, which can lead to more severe injuries over time.

In addition to injury prevention, rest and recovery can also improve performance. When the body has time to rest and recover, it can fully adapt to the stress of physical activity, resulting in increased strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Conversely, overtraining can be harmful, leading to fatigue, injury, burnout, and a decrease in performance.

Fatigue reduction is another benefit of rest and recovery. When the body is overworked and under-rested, it can lead to fatigue and decreased motivation. Taking time to rest and recover can help combat fatigue and restore energy levels.

Rest and recovery also provide mental health benefits. Physical activity can be stressful, and rest and recovery can help alleviate that stress by reducing cortisol levels and promoting relaxation. This can help improve mental clarity and overall well-being.

To optimize rest and recovery, proper nutrition is essential. Eating adequate protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats can provide the nutrients required to repair and rebuild tissues. Hydration is also critical, as water helps flush out toxins and provides the body with the hydration needed to function optimally.

Adequate sleep is another crucial component of rest and recovery. Sleep gives the body a lot of time to repair and rebuild, and it can also reduce stress and improve mental health. Go for at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night to maximize the benefits of rest and recovery.

Active recovery is also an effective way to optimize rest and recovery. Incorporating low-intensity activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga can help improve circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and aid in recovery. These activities can help you recover more quickly and feel better overall.

In addition to active recovery, stretching and mobility work can also aid in recovery. Stretching is able to help improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness, while mobility work can help improve joint health and lower the risk of injury.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is rest and recovery important in a comprehensive fitness routine?

Rest and recovery are very important components of a comprehensive fitness routine as they allow the body to repair and rebuild tissues, prevent injuries, improve performance, reduce fatigue, and provide mental health benefits.

What are some ways to optimize recovery during rest periods?

Some ways to optimize recovery include getting adequate sleep, incorporating active recovery, maintaining proper nutrition and hydration, stretching, and mobility work.

How does rest and recovery prevent injuries during physical activity?

Rest and recovery prevent injuries during physical activity by allowing the body time to repair and rebuild tissues. Without adequate recovery time, the body may become more susceptible to injury.

How does rest and recovery improve overall fitness and performance?

Rest and recovery can improve overall fitness and performance by allowing the body to fully adapt to the stress of physical activity. This can lead to increased strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

Can overtraining be harmful to the body?

Yes, overtraining can be harmful to the body. Overtraining can lead to fatigue, injury, burnout, and a decrease in performance. Rest and recovery are essential for avoiding overtraining and allowing the body to fully adapt to the stress of physical activity.

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How Do Sports Managers Balance Financial Considerations With The Goals Of Athletes And Teams? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/how-do-sports-managers-balance-financial-considerations-with-the-goals-of-athletes-and-teams/ Fri, 05 May 2023 06:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33218 The post How Do Sports Managers Balance Financial Considerations With The Goals Of Athletes And Teams? appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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Sports management is a complex field that requires managers to balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams. Effective sports managers must be able to navigate the business side of sports while also ensuring that the athletes and teams they represent are able to achieve their goals on and off the field. In this essay, we will explore how sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams.

The Main Responsibilities Of A Sports Manager

One of the primary responsibilities of a sports manager is to work with sponsors to secure financial support for their organization. Sponsorship deals can provide much-needed resources for sports organizations, including funding for events, athlete training and development, and facility maintenance. Sports managers must carefully evaluate potential sponsors to ensure that their values align with the organization’s goals and brand. This alignment helps to establish a mutually beneficial partnership, as the sponsor receives exposure and the sports organization receives financial support.

In addition to working with sponsors, sports managers must also be adept at negotiating contracts. Contract negotiation can be a delicate process, as both parties seek to achieve their desired outcomes. Athletes and their agents often seek the highest possible compensation, while sports organizations must ensure that they can maintain financial stability while adequately compensating their athletes. Sports managers must have strong negotiation skills to navigate these competing interests and establish fair contracts that balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams.

Sports managers must also manage budgets to ensure that their organizations remain financially stable. Budgets provide a framework for financial decision-making and help organizations allocate resources effectively. Sports managers must evaluate their organization’s financial needs and make strategic decisions on how to allocate resources in a way that supports the goals of athletes and teams. This may include investing in athlete training and development, facility maintenance, and marketing and promotional activities.

While financial considerations are critical to the success of sports organizations, managers must also balance these considerations with the goals of athletes and teams to ensure they can achieve success both on and off the field. Athletes and teams often have specific goals related to winning games, developing skills, and building team culture. Sports managers must work with coaches and other members of the organization to establish strategies and programs that support these goals while also maintaining financial stability.

To achieve this balance, sports managers must invest in technology and data analytics to inform their decision-making. Data can provide valuable insights into athlete performance, team strategy, and fan engagement, helping managers to make informed decisions that support the goals of athletes and teams. For example, sports managers may invest in player tracking technology that provides detailed data on the performance and conditioning of individual athletes. This data can then be utilised to inform training and conditioning programs that help athletes achieve their goals while also improving team performance.

In addition to these strategies, sports managers must also manage relationships with athletes and their agents. Building trust and rapport with athletes is critical to ensuring that their needs are met and their goals align with those of the organization. Sports managers must communicate effectively with athletes and their agents, providing clear and transparent information on issues such as contracts, compensation, and performance expectations.

Balancing Financial Considerations With The Goals Of Athletes And Teams

One way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams is by working to secure lucrative sponsorships and partnerships. Sponsors provide much-needed financial support to sports organizations, and managers must work to secure partnerships that line up with the goals and values of the team or athlete. For example, a team that values community outreach may seek out partnerships with local businesses or non-profit organizations that align with those values. By doing so, the team is able to secure the financial resources it needs while also promoting its values and goals.

Another way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams is by negotiating contracts that provide fair compensation for athletes while also ensuring that the organization is able to stay within its budget. Negotiating contracts can be a delicate process, as athletes and their agents often seek the highest possible compensation while sports organizations must ensure that they are able to maintain financial stability. Sports managers must be skilled negotiators who are able to strike a balance between these competing interests.

Ensuring That Athletes And Teams Are Able To Achieve Their Goals On The Field

Sports managers are not only responsible for managing the finances of a sports organization, but they must also ensure that athletes and teams are able to achieve their goals on the field. To achieve this, sports managers work closely with coaches, trainers, and other members of the sports organization to develop and execute strategies for success. Sports managers must balance the short-term goals of winning games with the long-term goals of developing athletes and building a strong team culture.

In order for athletes to perform at their best, sports managers work with coaches and trainers to develop training and conditioning programs that support athlete development. These programs can range from strength and conditioning programs to nutrition plans and psychological support. By providing the necessary resources to support athlete development, sports managers help athletes achieve their goals and promote a strong team culture that supports success on and off the field.

Training and conditioning programs are an essential aspect of athlete development, and sports managers must work with coaches and trainers to design programs that address the specific needs of individual athletes and the team as a whole. This necessitates a deep understanding of the sport and the physical and mental demands it places on athletes. By investing in the development of athletes, sports managers can help them achieve their goals and build a team culture that promotes success.

In addition to training and conditioning programs, sports managers must also balance the short-term goals of winning games with the long-term goals of developing athletes and building a strong team culture. Winning games is an important part of any sports organization, but sports managers must also ensure that athletes are developing their skills and reaching their full potential. This requires a focus on long-term athlete development and building a strong team culture that supports the growth and development of individual athletes.

Sports managers must also work to develop a strong team culture that promotes success on and off the field. This involves building relationships with athletes, coaches, and other members of the sports organization, and promoting a culture of trust, respect, and accountability. By building a strong team culture, sports managers can help athletes achieve their goals and promote a sense of harmony and purpose within the organization.

In addition to athlete development and team culture, sports managers must also balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams. This requires a deep understanding of the financial resources available to the organization and the priorities of the athletes and teams. Sports managers must work to secure sponsorships and partnerships that align with the goals and values of the organization, while also negotiating contracts that provide fair compensation for athletes while staying within the organization’s budget.

Investing In Technology And Data Analytics

Another way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams is by investing in technology and data analytics. By using data to inform decision-making, sports managers are able to make strategic investments in areas such as player development, team strategy, and fan engagement. For example, a sports manager may invest in player tracking technology that provides detailed data on the performance and conditioning of individual athletes. This data can then be used in order to inform training and conditioning programs that help athletes achieve their goals while also improving team performance.

In addition to these strategies, sports managers must also be able to manage relationships with athletes and their agents. This involves working to build trust and rapport with athletes, while also ensuring that their needs are met and their goals are aligned with those of the sports organization. Sports managers must be able to communicate effectively with athletes and their agents, providing clear and transparent information on issues such as contracts, compensation, and performance expectations.

Sports management is a complex field that requires managers to balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams. While financial stability is critical to the success of any sports organization, effective sports managers must also ensure that athletes and teams are able to reach their goals on and off the field. This involves a variety of strategies, including securing partnerships that align with the values and goals of the organization, negotiating contracts that provide fair compensation for athletes while also ensuring financial stability, investing in athlete development and technology, and managing relationships with athletes and their agents.

Sports managers must be skilled negotiators, strategic thinkers, and effective communicators. They must be able to navigate the complex landscape of sports business while also working to build relationships with athletes and their agents. Ultimately, the success of any sports organization is dependent on the ability of its managers to balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams. By doing so, sports managers are able to build strong and successful organizations that support both financial stability and athletic achievement.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to study sports management then you need to do our Sports Management Certification. Follow this link to learn more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Sports Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is one way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams?

One way sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams is by securing lucrative sponsorships and partnerships that align with the values and goals of the team or athlete.

What is another way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams?

Another way that sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams is by negotiating contracts that provide fair compensation for athletes while also ensuring that the organization stays within its budget.

How do sports managers help athletes and teams achieve their goals on the field?

Sports managers help athletes and teams achieve their goals on the field by working with coaches and trainers to develop training and conditioning programs that help athletes perform at their best.

What role does technology play in helping sports managers balance financial considerations with the goals of athletes and teams?

Sports managers invest in technology and data analytics to help make strategic investments in areas such as player development, team strategy, and fan engagement.

How do sports managers manage relationships with athletes and their agents?

Sports managers manage relationships with athletes and their agents by building trust and rapport, communicating effectively, and ensuring that their needs are met and their goals are aligned with those of the sports organization.

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What Are Some Advanced Battle Ropes Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-advanced-battle-ropes-exercises/ Fri, 05 May 2023 06:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33221 Battle ropes have become a popular tool for strength and conditioning training in recent years. They are an excellent way to build full-body strength, endurance, and power. While basic battle ropes exercises such as waves, slams, and circles are effective for building a foundation, advanced battle ropes exercises can take your workout to the next...

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Battle ropes have become a popular tool for strength and conditioning training in recent years. They are an excellent way to build full-body strength, endurance, and power. While basic battle ropes exercises such as waves, slams, and circles are effective for building a foundation, advanced battle ropes exercises can take your workout to the next level. In this article, we will explore some advanced battle ropes exercises that will challenge your strength and endurance.

Double Wave Snakes

The double wave snake is a challenging exercise that targets your upper body, core, and cardiovascular system. To perform this exercise, you will need two battle ropes of equal length. Begin by holding both ropes at your sides with your palms facing in. Raise both ropes simultaneously in a wave motion, and then bring them back down to the starting position. Next, bring the ropes out to the sides in a wave motion, and then back to the starting position. Repeat this movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm.

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks with battle ropes are an intense and effective way to take your workout to the next level. By combining the cardiovascular benefits of jumping jacks with the strength-building properties of battle ropes, you can target multiple muscle groups and achieve a full-body workout.

To perform jumping jacks with battle ropes, start by standing straight upright with your feet a distance of shoulder-width apart. Hold the battle ropes at your sides, making sure that your palms are facing inward. You should be gripping the ropes firmly, with your elbows close to your body.

Next, jump your feet out to the sides while simultaneously raising the ropes overhead. This movement should be explosive, with your legs and arms working together to generate power. As you jump, be sure to maintain good posture, keeping your core engaged and your back straight.

Once you have reached the top of the movement, with your arms extended overhead and your feet shoulder-width apart, jump your feet back together while simultaneously bringing the ropes back down to the starting position. Again, this movement should be explosive, with your legs and arms working together to generate power.

Repeat this movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm. In order for you to get the best out of this exercise, you should aim to perform it for at least 30 seconds at a time. As you become a lot more comfortable with the movement, you can increase the intensity by jumping higher and faster, or by adding more repetitions.

One of the main advantages of jumping jacks with battle ropes is that it engages multiple muscle groups at once. By jumping and lifting the ropes overhead, you are targeting your shoulders, arms, and back, while the jumping motion engages your legs and core. This makes it an excellent full-body workout that can assist you build strength and improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Another great benefit of this exercise is that it can be changed to suit your fitness level. If you are new to jumping jacks with battle ropes, you can start with a slower pace and lower intensity, gradually working your way up as you become more comfortable with the movement. Conversely, if you are already in good shape, you can challenge yourself by jumping higher and faster, or by increasing the duration of each set.

When performing jumping jacks with battle ropes, it is important to maintain proper form throughout the movement. This means keeping your core engaged, your back straight, and your elbows very close to your body. It is also important to breathe properly, exhaling as you jump and inhaling as you return to the starting position.

Alternating Waves With Burpees

This exercise combines two challenging movements to create a high-intensity workout. Begin by holding the battle ropes at your sides with your palms facing in. Perform alternating waves with the ropes, raising one rope while lowering the other. After several repetitions, drop the ropes and perform a burpee. Jump back up and immediately return to the alternating wave motion. Repeat this movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm.

Figure 8s

Figure 8s with battle ropes are a challenging exercise that targets your upper body and core. Begin by holding the battle ropes at your sides with your palms facing in. Cross the ropes in front of your body, then bring them down and around to the sides of your body. Cross the ropes again behind your body, then bring them up and around to the front of your body. Repeat this movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm.

Russian Twists

Russian twists with battle ropes are an effective exercise that targets your core and upper body. By combining the twisting motion of Russian twists with the resistance of battle ropes, you can challenge your muscles and improve your overall fitness.

To perform Russian twists with battle ropes, start by sitting on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Hold the battle ropes at chest height, making sure that your palms are facing inward. You should be gripping the ropes firmly, with your elbows close to your body.

Next, lean back slightly and twist your torso to the left while simultaneously lowering the ropes to your left side. This movement should be controlled, with your core engaged and your back straight. As you twist, be sure to keep your feet firmly on the ground and your hips stable.

Once you have reached the left side, twist back to the centre and raise the ropes back to chest height. Again, this movement should be controlled, with your core engaged and your back straight. Make sure that you exhale as you twist and breathe in as you go back to the starting position.

Repeat the same movement to the right side, twisting your torso and lowering the ropes to your right side. Again, be sure to maintain good form, keeping your core engaged and your back straight.

Repeat this movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm. To get the most out of this type of exercise, you should aim to perform it for at least half a minute at a time. As you become a lot more comfortable with the movement, you can increase the intensity by using heavier battle ropes or adding more repetitions.

One of the key benefits of Russian twists with battle ropes is that it engages multiple muscle groups at once. By twisting and lifting the ropes, you are targeting your obliques, abs, and back, while the stabilizing motion engages your shoulders, arms, and chest. This makes it an excellent full-body workout that can assist you build strength and improve your overall fitness.

Another great benefit of this exercise is that it can be adapted to suit your fitness level. If you are new to Russian twists with battle ropes, you can start with a slower pace and lower intensity, gradually working your way up as you become more comfortable with the movement. Conversely, if you are already in good shape, you can challenge yourself by using heavier battle ropes or increasing the duration of each set.

When performing Russian twists with battle ropes, it is important to maintain proper form throughout the movement. This means keeping your core engaged, your back straight, and your hips stable. It is also important to breathe properly, exhaling as you twist and inhaling as you return to the starting position.

Overhead Squats

Overhead squats with battle ropes are a challenging exercise which targets your legs, core, and upper body. Begin by holding the battle ropes at shoulder height with your palms facing in. Squat down as low as you are able to while simultaneously raising the ropes overhead. Return to the beginning position and repeat the movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm.

Sumo Squats With Waves

Sumo squats with waves are a challenging exercise that targets your legs, core, and upper body. Begin by holding the battle ropes at your sides with your palms facing in. Assume a wide stance with your feet pointing outwards. Squat down as low as you are possibly able to while simultaneously performing waves with the ropes. Return to the beginning position and repeat the movement pattern for several repetitions, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm.

Advanced battle ropes exercises are an excellent way to challenge your strength and endurance while building full-body strength and power. These exercises target multiple muscle groups and require coordination and control, making them a great addition to any strength and conditioning program. Whether you are looking to improve your cardiovascular fitness or increase your muscle strength, incorporating these advanced battle ropes exercises into your workouts can take your fitness to the next level. So, challenge yourself with these exercises and see the results in your overall fitness and performance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a battle ropes expert? If you do then it is very important to do our Battle Ropes Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ‘Double Wave Slam’ exercise with battle ropes?

The Double Wave Slam involves performing the standard Wave Slam exercise, but with both arms moving simultaneously. The goal is to create a larger, more forceful wave by using the strength of both arms at once.

What is the ‘Alternating Wave Lunge’ exercise with battle ropes?

The Alternating Wave Lunge is a combination exercise that involves performing alternating waves with the ropes while simultaneously stepping forward and backward in a lunge position. This exercise helps to increase leg strength and coordination while also providing a challenging cardio workout.

What is the ‘Snakes on the Floor’ exercise with battle ropes?

Snakes on the Floor involves placing the battle ropes on the ground in a straight line, and then creating a wavy motion by moving your hands up and down along the length of the ropes. This exercise engages the core, upper body, and lower body muscles while also improving balance and stability.

What is the ‘Power Slam’ exercise with battle ropes?

The Power Slam involves lifting the battle ropes above your head, then forcefully slamming them down to the ground. This exercise engages the core and upper body muscles, while also providing a cardio workout.

What is the ‘Crossover’ exercise with battle ropes?

The Crossover involves crossing the ropes in front of your body as you create waves. This exercise targets the muscles in the shoulders, chest, and upper back, while also improving coordination and stability.

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How Can I Continue To Challenge Myself And Progress In My Pilates Practice? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-can-i-continue-to-challenge-myself-and-progress-in-my-pilates-practice/ Thu, 04 May 2023 06:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33203 Pilates is a kind of exercise that emphasizes core strength, stability, and flexibility. While Pilates is accessible to individuals of all fitness levels, it is also a practice that can be challenging and rewarding for those looking to progress and deepen their practice. Here are some tips for continuing to challenge yourself and progress in...

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Pilates is a kind of exercise that emphasizes core strength, stability, and flexibility. While Pilates is accessible to individuals of all fitness levels, it is also a practice that can be challenging and rewarding for those looking to progress and deepen their practice. Here are some tips for continuing to challenge yourself and progress in your Pilates practice:

Set Goals

Setting specific, measurable goals is an essential aspect of progressing in your Pilates practice. Goals help you stay focused and motivated and provide a clear roadmap for achieving the results you desire. Here are a couple of tips for setting effective goals to challenge yourself and progress in your Pilates practice:

Be Specific

When setting Pilates goals, be as specific as possible. Rather than saying, “I want to get better at Pilates,” set a specific goal such as, “I want to master the Roll-Up exercise within the next three months.” This specificity will help you stay focused and motivated and allow you to track your progress more effectively.

Make Them Measurable

To track your progress towards your goals, make them measurable. This means setting goals that can be quantified, such as increasing the duration of your Pilates sessions by 10 minutes each week or holding a plank for 30 seconds longer than you did the previous week. This will help you see how far you’ve come and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

Set Realistic Goals

While it’s important to challenge yourself in your Pilates practice, it’s also essential to set realistic goals that are attainable. Setting goals which are too lofty or unattainable may lead to frustration and disappointment. This can ultimately derail your progress. Be brutally honest with yourself about your fitness level at the moment and set goals that are challenging yet achievable.

Break Them Down

If you’re working towards a larger goal, such as mastering a particular Pilates exercise or series, think about breaking it down into smaller, more manageable goals. This will assist you with staying motivated and focused and allow you to track your progress more effectively. For example, if your goal is to master the Teaser exercise, you could break it down into smaller goals such as mastering the Leg Lift, the Roll-Up, and the Half Teaser before attempting the full Teaser exercise.

Write Them Down

Writing down your Pilates goals can help you stay accountable and motivated. Keep a journal or a notebook where you track your goals and progress and use it to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Seeing your progress in writing can also help you stay motivated during times when you feel stuck or discouraged.

By setting specific, measurable, and realistic goals, breaking them down into smaller milestones, and tracking your progress along the way, you can continue to challenge yourself and progress in your Pilates practice. Remember to celebrate your accomplishments, stay focused on your goals, and enjoy the journey of your Pilates practice.

Focus On Form

In Pilates, form is everything. Proper alignment and technique are essential for maximizing the benefits of each exercise and preventing injury. As you progress in your Pilates practice, focus on refining your form and technique, paying attention to your alignment, breathing, and engagement of your core muscles. This will not only help you progress in your practice but also deepen your mind-body connection.

Try New Exercises

As you become more comfortable with your Pilates practice, it’s important to challenge yourself by trying new exercises and variations to target different muscle groups and keep your practice fresh and engaging.

Here are some tips for adding variety and challenge to your Pilates practice.

Try New Exercises

One of the very best ways to challenge yourself in Pilates is to try new exercises that you haven’t done before. This can include advanced variations of familiar exercises or entirely new exercises that target different muscle groups. Challenge yourself by trying exercises that require more balance, flexibility, or core strength than you’re used to.

Use Props

Pilates props such as resistance bands, Pilates balls, and foam rollers can add a new dimension of challenge and variety to your practice. For example, using a resistance band during exercises such as leg lifts or arm circles can increase the resistance and help you build strength and endurance.

Increase The Intensity

To continue to challenge yourself in Pilates, you can increase the intensity of your exercises. This can be done by increasing the duration or frequency of your sessions, or by adding more repetitions or sets of each exercise. You can also incorporate interval training, where you swap between periods of high intensity and low intensity exercises.

Focus On Form

Another way to challenge yourself in Pilates is to focus on form and technique. Make sure that you’re performing each exercise correctly and engaging the correct muscle groups. This will assist you with getting the most out of your Pilates practice and ensure that you’re challenging yourself in a safe and effective way.

Take A Group Class

Joining a group Pilates class can be a fantastic way to challenge yourself and add variety to your practice. Group classes often incorporate new exercises and variations, and the energy and motivation of the group can help you push yourself further than you might on your own.

Incorporate Interval Training

Interval training is a very effective way to build endurance and stamina in your Pilates practice. Via alternating periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise, you can challenge your body and achieve greater fitness gains.

Here are some tips for incorporating interval training into your Pilates sessions:

Choose Your Exercises

Choose two or three Pilates exercises that you feel comfortable with and that target different muscle groups. Examples might include the Pilates push-up, the hundred, or the single-leg stretch. These exercises should be challenging but manageable for you to perform at a high-intensity level.

Set Your Intervals

Determine the length of your high-intensity interval and your rest interval. A good starting point might be 30 seconds of high-intensity exercise that is followed by 30 seconds of rest or low-intensity exercise. You will be able to adjust the length of your intervals as you become more comfortable with the technique.

Warm Up

Before starting your interval training, it’s important to warm up your muscles and then prepare your body for the high-intensity exercises. Start with some light cardio, for example jumping jacks or jogging in place, and perform some gentle stretches to loosen up your muscles.

Begin Your Intervals

Perform your chosen exercises at a high-intensity level for the length of your high-intensity interval. This might mean performing as many repetitions as you can in 30 seconds or performing the exercise as quickly as possible. After the high-intensity interval, take a rest or perform a low-intensity exercise for the length of your rest interval.

Repeat

Repeat your intervals for a set number of rounds or for a set amount of time. For example, you might perform four rounds of your chosen exercises or perform intervals for 10 minutes.

Cool Down

After completing your intervals, it’s important to cool down and stretch your muscles. Perform some gentle stretches, such as the seated forward fold or the cat-cow stretch, to help your muscles recover and prevent injury.

Work With A Certified Instructor

Working with a certified Pilates instructor can help you progress in your practice by providing personalized feedback and guidance. A qualified instructor can help you set goals, refine your form, and challenge you with new exercises and variations.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an essential component of Pilates, helping you to connect with your body, reduce stress and tension, and enhance your overall well-being. As you progress in your Pilates practice, focus on practicing mindfulness, tuning into your breath, and staying present in the moment. This will help you deepen your mind-body connection and progress in your Pilates journey.

There are many ways to continue to challenge yourself and progress in your Pilates practice. By setting goals, focusing on form, trying new exercises, using props, incorporating interval training, working with a certified instructor, and practicing mindfulness, you can deepen your practice and experience the very many benefits of Pilates. Remember to listen to your body, take breaks when necessary, and enjoy the journey of your Pilates practice.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can setting specific goals help me progress in my Pilates practice?

Setting clear goals, such as mastering a particular exercise or increasing the intensity of your sessions, can assist you to track your progress and celebrate your accomplishments as you challenge yourself to improve.

What are some ways to mix up my Pilates practice and keep it engaging?

Trying new exercises or variations can help you target different muscle groups and keep your Pilates practice fresh and exciting.

How can interval training help me build endurance and stamina in my Pilates practice?

Varying periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise can challenge your body and help you achieve greater fitness gains.

What are some tips for incorporating interval training into my Pilates sessions?

Choose two or three exercises, set your intervals, warm up, begin your intervals, repeat for a set number of rounds, and cool down with stretches.

How can I continue to progress in my Pilates practice without risking injury?

It’s very important to listen to your body and advance at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Beginning slowly and gradually increasing the intensity of your sessions can help you avoid injury and achieve your fitness goals.

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How Can I Stay Motivated During Personal Training Sessions? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-i-stay-motivated-during-personal-training-sessions/ Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33194 Staying motivated during personal training sessions can be a challenge, particularly if you are a newbie to exercise or if you have been working out for a while and are experiencing a plateau in your progress. However, there are several strategies you can utilise to stay motivated and make the most out of your personal...

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Staying motivated during personal training sessions can be a challenge, particularly if you are a newbie to exercise or if you have been working out for a while and are experiencing a plateau in your progress. However, there are several strategies you can utilise to stay motivated and make the most out of your personal training sessions.

Set Clear Goals

One of the most effective ways to remain motivated during personal training sessions is to set clear and specific goals. Discuss your goals with your trainer, and work together to create a plan that will help you achieve them. Having a clear direction and purpose can help you stay focused and motivated, especially when you encounter obstacles or setbacks along the way.

When setting goals, it’s important to be specific and realistic. Rather than setting vague goals like “get in shape” or “lose weight,” set specific goals that are measurable and achievable. For example, you could set a goal to lose 10 pounds in two months, or to be able to run a 5k in well under 30 minutes. Your trainer can help you set goals that are tailored to your fitness level and interests and can help you create a plan that will help you achieve those goals.

Once you have set your goals, it’s important to regularly track your progress. This can assist you with staying motivated and focused on your goals and can provide a sense of accomplishment and empowerment when you achieve them. Your trainer can help you track your progress by measuring your weight, body fat percentage as well as other metrics, and by regularly evaluating your performance and progress towards your goals.

Having a plan in place can also help you stay motivated during personal training sessions. Your trainer can create a personalized workout plan that is tailored to your goals and fitness level and can help you stay on track by providing guidance and support throughout your sessions. This can assist you with feeling more confident and empowered during your workouts and can help you achieve your goals more quickly and effectively.

In addition to setting specific goals and creating a plan, it’s also important to stay positive and motivated during your personal training sessions. This can be challenging, especially if you encounter obstacles or setbacks along the way. However, staying positive and focused on your goals can help you overcome challenges and stay motivated throughout your fitness journey.

To stay positive and motivated, try to focus on the progress you are making rather than the setbacks or obstacles you encounter. Celebrate small victories and acknowledge the progress you are making each day. Remember that setbacks and plateaus are a normal part of the fitness journey, and that with the help of your trainer and a positive mindset, you can overcome them and achieve your goals.

Finally, it’s important to find ways to make your personal training sessions enjoyable and engaging. This can assist you with remaining motivated and make the most out of your workouts. Consider trying new exercises or equipment, or working out with a friend or family member who has similar fitness goals as you. You can also try setting up challenges or competitions with your trainer or other gym members to keep your workouts fun and engaging.

Find A Workout Buddy

Having a workout buddy can be a fantastic way to stay motivated and accountable during your personal training sessions. Consider partnering up with a friend or family member who has similar fitness goals as you. You can encourage each other, provide support, and hold each other accountable for coming to your training sessions.

Mix Up Your Workouts

Doing exactly the same workout routine repeatedly can lead to boredom and decreased motivation, which can hinder progress towards your fitness goals. A great way to stay motivated during your personal training sessions is by mixing up your workouts. Trying new exercises or incorporating different equipment into your routine can keep your workouts fresh and exciting.

Your personal trainer can help you create a varied and challenging workout plan that will keep you engaged and motivated. They can introduce new exercises, equipment, and workout styles to help you achieve your fitness goals. For example, if you have been doing the same weight lifting routine for several months, your trainer might suggest incorporating high-intensity interval training or plyometric exercises to mix things up.

Trying new exercises or equipment can also challenge your body in new ways, which can lead to greater physical gains. When you perform the same exercises over and over, your body adapts and becomes more efficient, which can lead to diminished results over time. By incorporating new exercises or equipment, you can challenge your muscles in novel ways, which can lead to greater gains in strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

Mixing up your workouts can also prevent injury. When you perform the same exercises over and over, you can develop muscle imbalances or overuse injuries. By incorporating new exercises or equipment, you can reduce your risk of injury and promote greater overall health and fitness.

Another benefit of mixing up your workouts is that it can help prevent boredom and keep you engaged and motivated. Doing the same workout routine every single day can become monotonous and boring, which can decrease motivation and hinder progress towards your fitness goals. By trying new exercises or equipment, you are able to keep your workouts fresh and exciting, which can increase motivation and keep you on track towards achieving your fitness goals.

Celebrate Your Progress

Applauding your progress can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Take time to acknowledge your achievements, whether it’s hitting a new personal best, losing weight, or feeling more energized and confident. Celebrating your progress can assist you with remaining motivated and remind you of why you began your fitness journey in the first place.

Focus On The Process, Not Just The Outcome

Focusing solely on the end result can be overwhelming and demotivating, especially if you have a long-term goal that may take some time to achieve. Instead, focus on the process and the small steps you can take each day to move closer to your goal. Celebrate small victories and acknowledge the progress you are making each day.

Keep A Workout Journal

Keeping a workout journal can be a powerful tool for staying motivated during personal training sessions. Write down your workouts, goals, and progress, and reflect on your journey. Seeing your progress in writing can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Visualize Success

Visualization is a very powerful tool that can help you stay motivated and fixed on your goals. Take some time before your personal training sessions to visualize yourself achieving your goals and performing your workout with confidence and energy. This can help you with staying motivated and focused during your session.

Get Enough Rest And Recovery

Rest and recovery are crucial for staying motivated and making progress during personal training sessions. Ensure that you are getting enough sleep and take rest days when needed. Your trainer can help you create a workout plan that includes appropriate rest and recovery periods to help you avoid burnout and stay motivated.

Staying motivated during personal training sessions is essential for achieving your fitness goals. By setting clear goals, finding a workout buddy, mixing up your workouts, celebrating your progress, focusing on the process, keeping a workout journal, visualizing success, and getting enough rest and recovery, you can stay motivated and make the most out of your personal training sessions. Remember that staying motivated is a journey, and it’s okay to experience setbacks or plateaus along the way. With the help of your personal trainer and a positive mindset, you can stay on track and achieve your fitness goals.

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If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Do Life Coaches Measure Success With Their Clients? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-do-life-coaches-measure-success-with-their-clients/ Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33198 Life coaches use a number of different tools and methods to help their clients achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives. Success in life coaching is often measured in terms of the client’s progress toward their goals, as well as improvements in their overall well-being, self-awareness, and self-confidence. Here are a couple...

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Life coaches use a number of different tools and methods to help their clients achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives. Success in life coaching is often measured in terms of the client’s progress toward their goals, as well as improvements in their overall well-being, self-awareness, and self-confidence. Here are a couple of the ways in which life coaches measure success with their clients.

Goal Achievement

Tracking progress towards specific goals is a critical way that life coaches measure success. Life coaches work with their clients to set goals that are clear, specific, and measurable. These goals should align with the client’s values and priorities, as well as their desired outcomes.

Throughout the coaching process, the coach will monitor the client’s progress toward their goals. They will evaluate the strategies and tactics that the client is using and offer feedback and guidance to help the client stay on track. The coach will also celebrate the client’s achievements along the way, which can help to boost their motivation and self-confidence.

By achieving their goals, clients can experience a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. They can see that their hard work and dedication are paying off, and they can feel more confident in their ability to overcome challenges and achieve their desired outcomes. This sense of accomplishment can also boost their motivation to continue working towards their goals and making positive changes in their lives.

In addition to tracking progress towards specific goals, life coaches may also help clients develop a growth mindset. A growth mindset involves the belief that intelligence and abilities may be developed through hard work and dedication. By helping clients develop a growth mindset, life coaches can help them overcome self-doubt and develop the confidence necessary to pursue their goals.

Life coaches may also use various tools and techniques to help clients stay motivated and on track towards their goals. These may include accountability structures, such as regular check-ins and progress reports, as well as visualization exercises or affirmations. By using these tools, life coaches can help clients stay focused and motivated, even when facing challenges or setbacks.

Self-Awareness

A key aspect of life coaching is helping clients develop greater self-awareness. This involves using various tools and techniques to help clients become more conscious of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Life coaches can use reflective exercises, mindfulness practices, and other strategies to help clients develop greater self-awareness.

Self-awareness is essential because it helps clients identify patterns and beliefs which may be holding them back from achieving their goals. For example, a client may have a limiting belief that they are not good enough to pursue their dream career. By becoming more self-aware, the client can identify this belief and develop strategies to challenge and overcome it.

Life coaches may use various reflective exercises to help clients become more self-aware. For example, a coach may ask a client to journal about their thoughts and emotions related to a particular situation or challenge. This exercise can help the client gain insight into their beliefs and behaviours and identify areas for growth and development.

Mindfulness practices can also be helpful in developing self-awareness. Mindfulness involves being present as well as totally engaged in the present moment, without judgment or distraction. Life coaches may teach clients mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises in order to help them become more self-aware.

By developing greater self-awareness, clients can also become more in tune with their values and priorities. This can help them make more intentional and purposeful decisions about their lives and careers. For example, a client who becomes more self-aware may realize that their current job is not aligned with their values and priorities. They may then work with their coach to develop a plan for pursuing a more fulfilling career path.

Improved Well-Being

Improving clients’ overall well-being is another key way that life coaches measure success. Life coaches work with their clients in order to identify areas of their lives that may be causing stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions. By developing strategies to manage stress and improve overall well-being, clients can experience greater happiness, fulfilment, and quality of life.

Life coaches may use various tools and techniques to help clients manage stress and improve their overall well-being. For example, they may teach clients mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises to help them reduce stress and anxiety. Life coaches may also help clients develop healthy habits – for example regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. These habits can help clients improve their physical and mental health and feel more energized and productive.

In addition to managing stress and developing healthy habits, life coaches may help clients develop a positive mindset. This involves cultivating a sense of optimism and gratitude and concentrating on the positive aspects of their lives. By developing a positive mindset, clients can feel more robust and better able to deal with challenges and setbacks.

Ultimately, improving clients’ overall well-being is an important measure of success in life coaching. By helping clients manage stress, develop healthy habits, and cultivate a positive mindset, life coaches can help clients experience greater happiness, fulfilment, and quality of life. Clients may also feel more confident and empowered to pursue their goals and make positive changes in their lives.

It’s important to note that improving well-being is a holistic process that involves looking at all aspects of a person’s life, including their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their relationships, work, and other areas. Life coaches may work with clients to identify areas of their lives that may be causing stress or dissatisfaction and develop strategies to improve those areas. By taking a holistic approach to well-being, life coaches can help clients make positive changes that can have a long-lasting influence on their lives.

Self-Confidence

By helping clients gain clarity around their values and priorities, life coaches can help clients make more intentional and purposeful decisions about their lives and careers. When clients feel aligned with their values and priorities, they may experience greater self-confidence and a stronger sense of purpose.

As clients achieve their goals and develop greater self-awareness, they may feel more empowered to make positive changes in their lives and pursue their passions and dreams. By working with a life coach, clients can develop the skills and mindset necessary to overcome self-doubt and take action toward their goals. This can lead to increased self-confidence and self-esteem, as clients see themselves achieving their goals and making progress towards their vision for their lives.

Life coaches may also use various strategies to help clients build self-confidence, such as visualization exercises or affirmations. These exercises can help clients envision themselves achieving their goals and develop a more positive self-image. By focusing on their strengths, values, and accomplishments, clients can develop a greater sense of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Positive Feedback

Receiving positive feedback from clients is another way that life coaches measure success. Life coaches often ask clients to provide feedback on their coaching experience, which can help the coach identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. Positive feedback from clients can also serve as a measure of success, as it indicates that the coach has helped the client achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives.

Feedback from clients can come in various forms, such as testimonials, reviews, or verbal feedback. Life coaches may ask clients to provide feedback at different stages of the coaching process, such as at the beginning, midway, or at the end. This feedback can help the coach understand the client’s experience and provide insights into what worked well and what could be improved.

Positive feedback from clients can be an indicator of success because it suggests that the coach has helped the client achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives. It also indicates that the client found the coaching experience to be valuable and effective. Positive feedback can also serve as a source of motivation and encouragement for the coach, as it reinforces the impact of their work and their ability to make a difference in people’s lives.

However, it’s very important to note that not all feedback is positive, and negative feedback can also be valuable for life coaches. Negative feedback can help coaches identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to their coaching approach. It can also help coaches better understand the client’s perspective and experience, which can inform their coaching practice.

Life coaches measure success in various ways, including goal achievement, self-awareness, improved well-being, self-confidence, and positive feedback from clients. By tracking progress towards goals, helping clients develop greater self-awareness, and improving overall well-being and self-confidence, life coaches can help clients achieve their full potential and make positive changes in their lives.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a life coach? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. For more information please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key ways that life coaches measure success with their clients?

Life coaches measure success by tracking progress towards specific goals, developing greater self-awareness, building self-confidence, improving overall well-being, and receiving positive feedback from clients.

Why is tracking progress toward specific goals important in life coaching?

Tracking progress towards specific goals is important because it helps clients stay focused and motivated and provides a sense of accomplishment and empowerment when goals are achieved.

How do life coaches help clients develop greater self-awareness?

Life coaches use various tools and techniques, such as reflective exercises and mindfulness practices, to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. By becoming more self-aware, clients can identify patterns and beliefs that may be holding them back and develop new strategies for personal growth and development.

What role does building self-confidence play in life coaching?

Building self-confidence is crucial in life coaching, as it can help clients overcome self-doubt and pursue their goals with greater motivation and determination.

Why is receiving positive feedback from clients important in life coaching?

Receiving positive feedback from clients is important because it indicates that the coach has helped the client achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives. It can also be a source of motivation and encouragement for the coach, reinforcing the impact of their work and their ability to make a difference in people’s lives.

 

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What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken When Using Suspension Trainers? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-safety-precautions-should-be-taken-when-using-suspension-trainers/ Tue, 02 May 2023 06:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33146 Suspension training is a popular and effective exercise method that utilizes a suspension trainer, which consists of two adjustable straps or ropes with handles that can be attached to an anchor point. While suspension training offers many benefits, it is important to take certain safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury. Here are a...

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Suspension training is a popular and effective exercise method that utilizes a suspension trainer, which consists of two adjustable straps or ropes with handles that can be attached to an anchor point. While suspension training offers many benefits, it is important to take certain safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury.

Here are a couple of safety precautions to take when using suspension trainers.

Check The Equipment Before Use

Before using the suspension trainer, check the straps or ropes, carabiners, and anchor point for any signs of wear or damage. Make sure the equipment is in good condition and properly secured before use.

Adjust The Height

Adjusting the height of the suspension trainer is an important safety precaution to take when using this exercise method. The height of the trainer should be adjusted to a level that is comfortable and safe for the user.

To start, the handles of the suspension trainer should be adjusted to waist height. This ensures that the user can comfortably grip the handles and perform exercises without placing undue stress on the shoulders or other joints.

The straps or ropes of the suspension trainer should also be adjusted to the appropriate length for the exercise being performed. This will help to ensure that the user is properly supported and can perform exercises with proper form and technique.

For example, if performing an exercise that requires the user to be in a kneeling position, the straps or ropes should be adjusted to a shorter length to ensure that the user is properly supported and can perform the exercise with proper form.

Conversely, if performing an exercise that requires the user to be in a standing position, the straps or ropes should be adjusted to a longer length to ensure that the user can comfortably perform the exercise and maintain proper form.

It is important to note that the appropriate height and length of the suspension trainer may vary depending on the user’s height, weight, and fitness level. It could take some trial and error in order to find the right height and length for each exercise, but taking the time to adjust the suspension trainer properly can help to prevent injuries and ensure a safe and effective workout.

Additionally, when adjusting the height and length of the suspension trainer, it is important to ensure that the anchor point is secure and can support the weight of the user and the trainer. The anchor point should be attached to a sturdy structure, such as a beam or pole, and should be able to support the weight of the user and the trainer without slipping or moving.

Use Proper Form

Proper form is important when performing exercises on a suspension trainer. The core should be engaged, and the body should be in a very straight line from your head to toe. Avoid arching or rounding the back and keep the shoulders down as well as away from your ears.

Start With Easier Exercises

For individuals who are new to suspension training, it is important to start with easier exercises and gradually progress to more challenging exercises. This approach can help to minimize the risk of injury and ensure that the body is properly prepared for the more demanding exercises.

Beginners should focus on mastering basic exercises that target the core muscles and promote stability, such as planks, push-ups, and rows. These exercises can be modified in order to make them simpler or more challenging, depending on the individual’s fitness level.

For example, beginners can perform modified push-ups with the suspension trainer by keeping their feet on the ground and using the trainer for support, gradually progressing to full push-ups with the feet elevated.

As the person becomes more comfortable with the basic exercises, they can gradually progress to more challenging exercises that target other muscle groups and promote full-body strength and stability. Examples of these exercises include squats, lunges as well as pull-ups.

It is important to note that proper form and technique are essential when performing suspension training exercises, especially for beginners. This can help to prevent injuries and ensure that the exercises are effective in building strength and stability.

To ensure proper form, beginners should focus on engaging the core muscles throughout each exercise, maintaining the shoulders down and then away from your ears. Avoid excessive arching or rounding of the back.

In addition to starting with easier exercises and focusing on proper form, beginners should also use appropriate resistance and avoid overtraining. Utilising too much resistance can increase the risk of injury, while overtraining can lead to fatigue and decreased performance.

It is also important for beginners to wear proper footwear that provides stability and support during exercises. Shoes with a non-slip sole and good arch support can help to prevent slips and falls and provide stability during exercises.

Lastly, beginners should consult with a healthcare provider prior to starting a new exercise program, particularly if they are suffering from any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries. A healthcare provider can help to determine whether suspension training is safe and appropriate for the individual’s specific needs and fitness level.

Use Appropriate Resistance

The resistance used during suspension training should be appropriate for the user’s strength and fitness level. Utilising too much resistance can increase the risk of injury, while using too little resistance may not provide enough of a challenge.

Avoid Overtraining

Overtraining can increase the risk of injury and lead to muscle fatigue and decreased performance. It is important to allow for proper rest and recovery between workouts and to avoid performing too many exercises in a single workout.

Use Proper Footwear

Proper footwear is essential when using suspension trainers as exercises typically involve balancing and stability. Wearing shoes with a flat, non-slip sole can help to prevent slips and falls and provide better stability during exercises.

Shoes with a flat sole are preferred as they help to maintain a stable base of support during exercises. Shoes that have an elevated heel can alter the natural alignment of the body and increase the risk of injury. A non-slip sole is also important as it provides better grip on the floor or mat and can assist with preventing slips and falls, particularly during exercises that involve jumping or dynamic movements.

It is very important to choose shoes that fit properly and offer adequate support for the feet. Shoes which are far too tight or too loose can increase the risk of blisters and other foot injuries, while shoes that do not provide adequate support can lead to foot fatigue and discomfort.

When selecting shoes for suspension training, consider shoes designed for cross-training, weightlifting, or other similar activities. These types of shoes often have a flat, non-slip sole and provide ample support and stability for the feet.

Finally, it is important to regularly check the condition of your shoes and replace them when they become worn or damaged. Worn-out shoes can decrease the level of support and stability provided, increasing the risk of injury.

Avoid Extreme Positions

Extreme positions, such as deep squats or lunges, can put quite a lot of stress on the joints and increase the risk of injury. It is important to avoid extreme positions and to focus on proper form and technique.

Listen To Your Body

It is important to listen carefully to your body and immediately stop exercising if you feel pain or discomfort. Pushing through pain can increase the risk of injury and lead to further complications.

Consult With A Healthcare Provider

Before starting any new exercise program, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider, particularly if you have a history of joint or back problems.

Suspension training is a highly effective exercise method that offers many benefits for improving strength, flexibility, and balance. However, it is important to take certain safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury. By checking equipment, using proper form, starting with easier exercises, using appropriate resistance, and avoiding overtraining, individuals can enjoy the benefits of suspension training while minimizing the risk of injury.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about suspension training, then you need to do our Suspension Training Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is suspension training?

Suspension training is a type of exercise that utilizes a suspension trainer, which consists of two adjustable straps or ropes with handles that can be attached to an anchor point.

What are the benefits of suspension training?

Suspension training offers many benefits for improving strength, flexibility, and balance.

What are some safety precautions you need to take when using suspension trainers?

Some safety precautions to take when using suspension trainers include checking the equipment before use, adjusting the height, using proper form, starting with easier exercises, using appropriate resistance, avoiding overtraining, using proper footwear, avoiding extreme positions, and consulting with a healthcare provider.

Why is it important to use proper form when using suspension trainers?

Proper form is important when performing exercises on a suspension trainer to avoid arching or rounding the back and to keep the shoulders down and away from the ears.

What should you do if you experience pain or discomfort during suspension training?

If you experience pain or discomfort during suspension training, it is important to listen to your body and stop exercising. Pushing through pain can increase the risk of injury and lead to further complications.

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How Can Suspension Training Improve Core Strength And Stability? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-suspension-training-improve-core-strength-and-stability/ Tue, 02 May 2023 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33143 Suspension training is a type of exercise that utilizes a suspension trainer, which consists of two adjustable straps or ropes with handles that can be attached to an anchor point. This type of training is gaining popularity due to its effectiveness in improving core strength and stability. The unstable nature of the suspension trainer requires...

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Suspension training is a type of exercise that utilizes a suspension trainer, which consists of two adjustable straps or ropes with handles that can be attached to an anchor point. This type of training is gaining popularity due to its effectiveness in improving core strength and stability.

The unstable nature of the suspension trainer requires the core muscles to work harder to maintain balance and control during exercises. This, in turn, leads to increased strength and stability in the core. The core muscles include the rectus abdominis, obliques, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae. These muscles work together to stabilize the spine, pelvis, and rib cage, and play a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and alignment.

A weak or unstable core can lead to poor posture, back pain, and an increased risk of injury. Poor posture can cause muscle imbalances and place undue stress on the spine and joints. This can lead to chronic pain and a decreased ability to perform daily activities. An unstable core can also increase the risk of injury during physical activity, as the body is less able to withstand the stresses placed on it.

By using a suspension trainer, individuals can target the core muscles directly and improve core strength and stability. Suspension training can be highly effective for improving core strength and stability because it requires the core muscles to work harder to maintain balance and control during exercises. The unstable nature of the suspension trainer means that the core muscles are constantly engaged, even during exercises that may not typically target the core muscles directly.

Some common exercises that can be done using suspension trainers to improve core strength and stability include plank variations, knee tucks, mountain climbers, pike variations, and side crunches. Plank variations involve holding a plank position while suspended from the suspension trainer, which targets the rectus abdominis and obliques. Knee tucks involve bringing the knees towards the chest while maintaining a plank position, targeting the rectus abdominis and obliques. Mountain climbers involve bringing the knees towards the chest in a running motion, targeting the rectus abdominis and obliques. Pike variations involve bringing the hips towards the chest while maintaining a plank position, targeting the rectus abdominis. Side crunches involve bringing the elbow towards the hip in a side plank position, targeting the obliques.

In addition to targeting the core muscles directly, suspension training can also improve core stability and control by incorporating full-body exercises that require the core muscles to work in conjunction with other muscle groups. For example, exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups can be performed on a suspension trainer, pushing the core muscles to work harder to maintain balance and control during the movements.

It is important to preserve proper form and technique during exercises to avoid injury when using a suspension trainer. Engaging the core muscles throughout the movement, maintaining a neutral spine, and avoiding excessive arching or rounding of the back are essential to avoid injury. Starting with easier exercises and gradually progressing to more challenging exercises as strength and stability improve is also important to minimize the risk of injury and ensure that the core muscles are properly strengthened and stabilized.

How Suspension Training Targets The Core

Suspension training can target the core muscles in a variety of ways, including:

  • Plank variations: Plank variations, such as the standard plank, side plank, and reverse plank, are highly effective for strengthening the core muscles. By performing these exercises on a suspension trainer, the instability of the trainer forces the core muscles to work harder to preserve balance and control.
  • Knee tucks: Knee tucks involve bringing the knees towards the chest while maintaining a plank position. This exercise targets the rectus abdominis and obliques, and can be made more challenging by increasing the angle of the body relative to the ground.
  • Mountain climbers: Mountain climbers involve bringing the knees towards the chest in a running motion. This exercise targets the rectus abdominis and obliques, and can be made more challenging by increasing the speed and range of motion.
  • Pike variations: Pike variations involve bringing the hips towards the chest while maintaining a plank position. This exercise targets the rectus abdominis and can be made more challenging by increasing the angle of the body relative to the ground.
  • Side crunches: Side crunches involve bringing the elbow towards the hip in a side plank position. This exercise targets the obliques and can be made more challenging by increasing the range of motion.

Improve Core Stability

Suspension training is a highly effective method for improving core strength and stability. By utilizing the unstable nature of the suspension trainer, individuals can target the core muscles directly and improve core strength and stability. However, suspension training can also improve core stability and control by incorporating full-body exercises that require the core muscles to work in conjunction with other muscle groups.

Exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups can be performed on a suspension trainer, compelling the core muscles to work harder to maintain balance and control during the movements. This is because the suspension trainer creates an unstable surface that forces the body to constantly adjust and stabilize itself. This, in turn, leads to improved core stability and control.

Squats are an excellent example of an exercise that can be performed on a suspension trainer to improve core strength and stability. Squats are a compound exercise which work multiple muscle groups, involving the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core. By performing squats on a suspension trainer, the core muscles are targeted directly, as they must work harder to maintain balance and control during the movement. This can lead to improved core strength and stability, as well as improved overall strength and functional fitness.

Lunges are another exercise that can be performed on a suspension trainer to improve core strength and stability. Lunges are also a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups, such as the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core. By performing lunges on a suspension trainer, the core muscles are targeted directly, as they must work harder to maintain balance and control during the movement. This can lead to improved core strength and stability, as well as improved overall strength and functional fitness.

Push-ups are a third exercise that can be performed on a suspension trainer to improve core strength and stability. Push-ups are a compound exercise that work a number of different muscle groups, including the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. By performing push-ups on a suspension trainer, the core muscles are targeted directly, as they must work harder to maintain balance and control during the movement. This can lead to improved core strength and stability, as well as improved overall strength and functional fitness.

To maximize the benefits of suspension training for core strength and stability, it is important to maintain proper form and technique during exercises. This includes engaging the core muscles throughout the movement, maintaining a neutral spine, and avoiding excessive arching or rounding of the back. Proper form and technique are essential to avoid injury and ensure that the core muscles are properly strengthened and stabilized.

It is also important to start with easier exercises and gradually progress to more challenging exercises as strength and stability improve. This can help to minimize the risk of injury and ensure that the core muscles are properly strengthened and stabilized. Starting with easier exercises also allows individuals to focus on proper form and technique before moving on to more challenging exercises.

Suspension training is a highly effective way to improve core strength and stability. By incorporating exercises that target the core muscles directly and full-body exercises that require the core muscles to work in conjunction with other muscle groups, suspension training can help to improve posture, reduce the risk of injury, and boost overall strength and stability in the core.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about suspension training, then you need to do our Suspension Training Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Onlne CPD course

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is suspension training and how does it improve core strength and stability?

Suspension training is a type of exercise that utilizes a suspension trainer to work against gravity and create an unstable surface, which challenges the core muscles to work harder to maintain balance and control. By performing exercises on a suspension trainer, such as planks and knee tucks, the core muscles are targeted directly, leading to improved core strength and stability.

What are the benefits of using suspension training to improve core strength and stability?

The benefits of using suspension training to improve core strength and stability include improved posture, reduced risk of injury, increased overall strength and stability in the core, and improved functional fitness.

What are some common exercises that can be done using suspension trainers to improve core strength and stability?

Some common exercises that can be done using suspension trainers to improve core strength and stability include plank variations, knee tucks, mountain climbers, pike variations, and side crunches.

How can suspension training be incorporated into an existing workout routine to improve core strength and stability?

Suspension training can be incorporated into an existing workout routine by adding it as a supplementary exercise, or by using suspension trainers for full-body exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups. It is important to start with easier exercises and gradually progress to more challenging exercises as strength and stability improve.

Are there any precautions which should be taken when using suspension trainers to improve core strength and stability?

It is important to maintain correct form and technique during exercises to avoid injury, engage the core muscles throughout the movement, maintain a neutral spine, and avoid excessive arching or rounding of the back. It is also important to start with easier exercises and gradually progress to more challenging exercises as strength and stability improve.

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Are Kettlebell Exercises Safe For People With Back Problems? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-kettlebell-exercises-safe-for-people-with-back-problems/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33134 Kettlebell exercises have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. They offer a unique and effective way to build strength, improve mobility, and increase cardiovascular fitness. However, for people with back problems, there may be concerns about the safety of using kettlebells. In today’s article, we will explore the safety of kettlebell...

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Kettlebell exercises have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. They offer a unique and effective way to build strength, improve mobility, and increase cardiovascular fitness. However, for people with back problems, there may be concerns about the safety of using kettlebells.

In today’s article, we will explore the safety of kettlebell exercises for people with back problems, including the benefits and risks, and some precautions that should be taken.

What Are Kettlebells?

Kettlebells are a kind of free weight that has been gaining popularity in recent years. These cast-iron weights have a unique design that resembles a cannonball with a handle, and they have a rich history which can be traced back to Russia. Kettlebells have been used for centuries as a tool for improving strength, endurance, and overall fitness, and they continue to be a very popular choice for people looking to improve their physical abilities.

Kettlebell exercises are a form of resistance training that involve swinging, lifting, and pressing the weight in various ways. These exercises typically focus on engaging the core, hips, and legs, which makes them an excellent tool for developing functional strength and improving overall body coordination. Because kettlebells require the use of multiple muscle groups simultaneously, they can be a highly effective way to build strength and endurance.

One of the unique features of kettlebell exercises is that they require a lot of movement and momentum, which can make them challenging for beginners. However, with practice and proper technique, kettlebell exercises can be a very effective way to improve overall fitness. In fact, many people find that using kettlebells helps to improve their posture, balance, and overall athletic performance.

One of the key benefits of kettlebell exercises is that they can help to improve overall body composition. This is because these exercises require a lot of energy and can burn a significant number of calories during a very short period of time. In addition, kettlebell exercises can help to build muscle and increase metabolism, which can result in improved body composition over time.

Another benefit of kettlebell exercises is that they can help to improve cardiovascular fitness. Because these exercises require a lot of energy and exertion, they can be an effective way to increase heart rate as well as improve cardiovascular health. In fact, many people find that incorporating kettlebell exercises into their fitness routine helps to improve their endurance and overall cardiovascular fitness.

Despite the numerous benefits of kettlebell exercises, there are some potential risks that should be considered. One of the most considerable risks is the potential for injury. Because kettlebell exercises require a lot of movement and momentum, they can put a lot of strain on the muscles and joints. This can increase the risk of strains, sprains, and other types of injuries. Additionally, because kettlebell exercises require a lot of energy and exertion, they can put significant stress on the cardiovascular system, particularly for people who are not used to high-intensity exercise.

For people with back problems, there may be additional concerns about the safety of kettlebell exercises. This is because these exercises can put a lot of stress on the lower back, which can exacerbate existing back problems or cause new ones. However, with proper technique and precautions, kettlebell exercises can still be safely incorporated into a fitness routine for people with back problems. Some of these precautions include consulting with a healthcare provider, starting slowly and gradually building up intensity, using proper form, avoiding high-impact exercises, and choosing an appropriate weight.

Benefits Of Kettlebell Exercises

There are many benefits to incorporating kettlebell exercises into your fitness routine, including:

  • Increased strength: Kettlebell exercises involve using multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making them a highly effective way to build strength.
  • Kettlebell exercises can be highly effective in improving cardiovascular fitness. Due to their high-intensity nature, these exercises require a lot of energy and can quickly elevate heart rate. This increased heart rate can help to improve the strength and endurance of the cardiovascular system over time.

During kettlebell exercises, the body is required to work hard to move the weight and generate power. This means that the heart and lungs must work harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health. Additionally, the high-intensity nature of kettlebell exercises can help to increase metabolism, leading to increased calorie burning and potential weight loss.

When performing kettlebell exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, it is very important to begin slowly and slowly build up intensity and duration over time. This can help to prevent injury and ensure that the body has time to adapt to the new exercise. In addition, it is important to maintain proper form throughout the exercise to ensure that the muscles are engaged properly and that the risk of injury is minimized.

  • Improved mobility: Many kettlebell exercises encompass movements that require a full range of motion, which can help to improve flexibility and mobility.
  • Improved body composition: Kettlebell exercises are a great way to burn fat and build muscle, which can help to improve body composition.
  • Kettlebell exercises can have a significant impact on overall fitness, including improvements in strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility. These exercises require the use of multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making them highly effective in building functional strength and improving overall body coordination.

In addition to strength, kettlebell exercises can also improve endurance by requiring the body to work hard and generate power for sustained periods. This can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health and increased endurance over time.

Furthermore, many kettlebell exercises require a full range of motion, which can help to improve flexibility and mobility. This increased range of motion can help to prevent injuries and improve overall physical performance.

Risks Of Kettlebell Exercises

While there are many benefits to using kettlebells, there are also some risks that should be considered, particularly for people with back problems. Some of the risks include:

  • Strains and sprains: Kettlebell exercises involve a lot of movement and can put a lot of strain on the muscles as well as the joints. This can increase the risk of strains and sprains.
  • Back pain: Kettlebell exercises can put a lot of stress on the lower back, which can exacerbate existing back problems or cause new ones.
  • Joint pain: Kettlebell exercises can also put stress on the joints, particularly the shoulders, wrists, and knees.
  • Cardiovascular stress: Kettlebell exercises can be very intense and can place a lot of stress on the cardiovascular system, particularly for people who are not used to high-intensity exercise.

Precautions For People With Back Problems

If you have back problems, there are some precautions that should be taken before incorporating kettlebell exercises into your fitness routine. Some of these precautions include:

  • Chat to a healthcare provider: Prior to beginning any new exercise program, it is very important to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have a history of back problems.
  • Start slowly: It is important to start slowly and gradually build up intensity and volume over time. This can help to minimize the risk of injury and allow your body to adapt to the new exercise.
  • Utilise proper form: Proper form is essential when performing kettlebell exercises, particularly for people with back problems. This includes maintaining a neutral spine, engaging the core, and using the hips and legs to generate power.
  • Avoid high-impact exercises: High-impact exercises, such as kettlebell swings, can place a lot of stress on the lower back and should be avoided by people with back problems.
  • Choose appropriate weight: It is important to choose an appropriate weight when using kettlebells. Utilising a weight that is too heavy can increase the risk of injury, particularly for people with back problems.

Kettlebell exercises can be a great addition to a fitness routine, providing numerous benefits such as increased strength, improved cardiovascular fitness, and improved overall fitness. However, people with back problems should take precautions before incorporating kettlebell exercises into their routine due to the risk of strains, sprains, back pain, joint pain, and cardiovascular stress. Consulting with a healthcare provider, starting slowly, using proper form, avoiding high-impact exercises, and choosing an appropriate weight are some precautions that should be taken. By following these precautions, people with back problems can safely enjoy the benefits of kettlebell exercises.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

Are kettlebell exercises safe for people with back problems?

Answer: While kettlebell exercises can provide numerous benefits, they can also put a lot of stress on the lower back, which can exacerbate existing back problems or cause new ones. Therefore, people with back problems should take precautions before incorporating kettlebell exercises into their routine.

What are some precautions that people with back problems should take before doing kettlebell exercises?

Answer: People with back problems should consult with a healthcare provider, start slowly and gradually build up intensity, use proper form, avoid high-impact exercises, and choose an appropriate weight when doing kettlebell exercises.

What are some benefits of kettlebell exercises?

Answer: Kettlebell exercises can help to increase strength, improve cardiovascular fitness, improve mobility and flexibility, and improve overall body composition.

What are some risks of kettlebell exercises?

Answer: Kettlebell exercises can put a lot of strain on the muscles as well as the joints. This can increase the risk of strains and sprains. They can also put stress on the lower back and joints, and cause cardiovascular stress, particularly for people who are not used to high-intensity exercise.

Can people with back problems still do kettlebell exercises?

Answer: People with back problems can still do kettlebell exercises, but they should take precautions to avoid exacerbating their condition. By consulting with a healthcare provider, starting slowly, using proper form, avoiding high-impact exercises, and choosing an appropriate weight, people with back problems can safely enjoy the benefits of kettlebell exercises.

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How Often Should I Incorporate Kettlebell Exercises Into My Workout Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-often-should-i-incorporate-kettlebell-exercises-into-my-workout-routine/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33138 Kettlebell exercises can be a highly effective way to improve overall fitness, including strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility. However, the frequency with which kettlebell exercises should be incorporated into a workout routine depends on several factors, including an individual’s fitness level, goals, and overall health. Beginners If you are new to kettlebell exercises, it is...

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Kettlebell exercises can be a highly effective way to improve overall fitness, including strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility. However, the frequency with which kettlebell exercises should be incorporated into a workout routine depends on several factors, including an individual’s fitness level, goals, and overall health.

Beginners

If you are new to kettlebell exercises, it is very important to approach them with caution and gradually build up your intensity over time. Starting too quickly or pushing yourself too hard can increase the risk of injury and may cause you to become discouraged or burnt out.

To begin with, it is recommended that you incorporate kettlebell exercises into your workout routine once or twice a week. This will allow your body to adapt to the new exercise and prevent you from becoming overly fatigued or sore. Additionally, starting slowly can help you to develop proper form and technique, which is essential for avoiding injury and maximizing the benefits of kettlebell exercises.

When starting with kettlebell exercises, it is important to choose exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level and goals. Begin with exercises that are less complex and focus on basic movements such as swings, squats, and presses. These exercises will help to develop the foundation of strength and mobility needed to progress to more advanced exercises.

In addition to starting slowly, it is also very important to incorporate rest and recovery into your workout routine. Kettlebell exercises can be highly demanding on the body, so it is crucial to allow your body time to rest and recover between your workouts. This may include taking a day or two off between workouts or incorporating active recovery exercises such as yoga or stretching.

As you become more comfortable with kettlebell exercises and your fitness level improves, you can slowly increase the frequency with which you incorporate them into your workout routine. However, it is important to continue to listen to your body and steer clear of pushing yourself too hard. Overdoing it can result in injury, burnout, and frustration.

Intermediate Or Advanced Athletes

For intermediate or advanced athletes, incorporating kettlebell exercises into their workout routine two to three times per week can be highly effective in improving overall fitness. This frequency allows for proper recovery time between workouts and can help to ensure that the body is properly adapting to the new exercise.

When incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine at this frequency, it is important to choose exercises that are suitable for your fitness level and goals. These exercises should engage multiple muscle groups and focus on the major muscle groups, such as swings, squats, and presses. It is also important to slowly increase the power and volume of your workouts over time to continue to challenge your body and maximize the benefits of the exercise.

It is important to note that incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine between two and three times per week should be in addition to other forms of exercise, such as cardiovascular training, strength training, and mobility work. These exercises can complement your kettlebell exercises and help to ensure that you are achieving a well-rounded workout routine.

In addition to choosing appropriate exercises and gradually increasing intensity, recovery and rest are also essential components of a successful kettlebell workout routine. Rest and recovery allow the body time to repair and rebuild muscle tissue and can help to prevent injury and burnout. It is important in order to listen to your body and allow for rest days between kettlebell workouts.

Proper nutrition is also important for ensuring that your body has the necessary fuel to perform kettlebell exercises and recover between workouts. Adequate protein intake is particularly important for muscle recovery and repair, while carbohydrates can provide the energy needed to fuel high-intensity workouts.

It is also important to utilise proper form and technique when performing kettlebell exercises. This can help to prevent injury and maximize the benefits of the exercise. If you are unsure of how to perform a specific exercise, seek guidance from a qualified trainer or coach.

Specific Goals Of An Individual

When incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine, it is important to consider your specific fitness goals. The frequency with which you should incorporate kettlebell exercises can vary depending on your goals, as well as your current fitness level and overall health.

If your goal is to build strength, incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine two to three times per week can be highly effective. These exercises are devised to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making them an efficient and effective way to build functional strength. When incorporating kettlebell exercises into your strength training routine, it is important to choose exercises that focus on the major muscle groups, such as swings, squats, and presses.

If your goal is to improve endurance or cardiovascular fitness, incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine more frequently may be necessary. Kettlebell exercises are high-intensity and require a lot of energy, making them an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness. When incorporating kettlebell exercises into your cardiovascular training routine, it is important to choose exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level and slowly improve the intensity and duration of your workouts over time.

In addition to building strength and improving cardiovascular fitness, kettlebell exercises can also be effective for improving mobility and flexibility. If your goal is to improve overall mobility and flexibility, incorporating kettlebell exercises into your workout routine once or twice a week can be highly effective. These exercises require a full range of motion and engage multiple muscle groups, making them an excellent way to improve overall flexibility and mobility.

When determining the frequency with which to incorporate kettlebell exercises into your workout routine, it is crucial to listen to your body and not overdo it. Overtraining can lead to injury, burnout, and frustration. It is also important to incorporate rest and recovery into your workout routine, allowing your body time to recover between workouts.

Additionally, it is important to choose exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level and goals. Starting with basic exercises and gradually building up to more complex exercises can help to minimize the risk of injury and ensure that you are getting the best out of your workout. It is also quite important to use proper form and technique when performing kettlebell exercises, as this can help to prevent injury and maximize the benefits of the exercise.

An Individual’s Overall Health

It is also important to consider an individual’s overall health when determining the frequency with which kettlebell exercises should be incorporated into a workout routine. For individuals with chronic health conditions or injuries, it may be necessary to incorporate kettlebell exercises into a workout routine less frequently or to modify the exercises to minimize the risk of injury.

Overall, the frequency with which kettlebell exercises should be incorporated into a workout routine depends on several factors, including an individual’s fitness level, goals, and overall health. Starting slowly and gradually building up intensity and volume over time can help to minimize the risk of injury and ensure that the body is properly adapting to the new exercise. For intermediate or advanced athletes, incorporating kettlebell exercises into a workout routine between two and three times per week can be highly effective in improving overall fitness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a recommended frequency for beginners to incorporate kettlebell exercises into their workout routine?

For beginners, it is recommended to incorporate kettlebell exercises into their workout routine once or twice a week.

How often should intermediate or advanced athletes incorporate kettlebell exercises into their workout routine?

Intermediate or advanced athletes can incorporate kettlebell exercises into their workout routine two to three times per week.

How do an individual’s specific goals impact the frequency with which kettlebell exercises should be incorporated into their workout routine?

If the goal is to build strength, incorporating kettlebell exercises into a workout routine two to three times per week can be highly effective. If the goal is to improve endurance or cardiovascular fitness, incorporating kettlebell exercises more frequently may be necessary.

What should be considered when determining the frequency with which to incorporate kettlebell exercises into a workout routine?

It is important to consider an individual’s fitness level, goals, and overall health when determining the frequency with which to incorporate kettlebell exercises into a workout routine.

How can overtraining impact the effectiveness of incorporating kettlebell exercises into a workout routine?

Overtraining can lead to injury, burnout, and frustration, and can impact the effectiveness of incorporating kettlebell exercises into a workout routine. It is important to listen to your body and avoid overdoing it.

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How Often Should You Do EMS Fitness Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-often-should-you-do-ems-fitness-training/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 06:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33121 EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) fitness training is a high-intensity workout that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. While EMS training can be highly effective, it is very important to understand how often you should do it to avoid overworking your muscles and causing injury. In this article, we...

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EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) fitness training is a high-intensity workout that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. While EMS training can be highly effective, it is very important to understand how often you should do it to avoid overworking your muscles and causing injury. In this article, we will explore how often you should do EMS fitness training based on your fitness goals, fitness level, and other factors.

Frequency Of EMS Training

It is important to note that while EMS training can be highly effective, it is not a substitute for traditional exercise methods. EMS should be used as a complementary tool to enhance the effectiveness of a regular workout routine.

Other factors that can affect the frequency of EMS training include the individual’s goals and schedule. For those with a busy schedule or limited time for exercise, EMS training can be a time-efficient way to achieve fitness goals. In this case, more frequent sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Conversely, those with specific fitness goals, such as building muscle or increasing endurance, may benefit from a more structured and less frequent approach to EMS training. Working with a qualified and experienced EMS trainer can help you determine the ideal frequency of training based on your individual needs and goals.

It is also important to consider the intensity of the electrical impulses used during EMS training when determining the frequency of sessions. Higher intensity levels may require longer recovery times, while lower intensity levels may allow for more frequent sessions.

In addition to considering frequency, it is important to also consider the duration of each session. While EMS sessions are typically shorter than traditional strength training workouts, the duration can vary dependent on the particular goals and needs of the individual.

For beginners, it is highly recommended to start with shorter sessions, typically lasting around 20 minutes. As the body adapts to the workout, the duration of sessions can be gradually increased.

For more experienced individuals, sessions may last up to 30-45 minutes, depending on the intensity of the electrical impulses being used and the specific goals of the individual.

It is important to also factor in adequate warm-up and cool-down time when determining the duration of EMS sessions. Proper warm-up and cool-down can help prevent injury and improve overall effectiveness of the workout.

Factors Affecting Frequency Of EMS Training

The frequency of EMS training can depend on a number of different factors, including the individual’s fitness level, goals, and schedule. Generally, it is recommended to do EMS training once or twice a week. This is because EMS training is an intense workout that can put significant strain on the muscles, and it may take longer to recover from than traditional strength training.

For beginners or those new to EMS training, it is recommended to start with one session per week and slowly increase the frequency as the body adapts. It is important to allow adequate recovery time between sessions to avoid overworking the muscles and causing injury.

For individuals who are more experienced in EMS training or have a higher fitness level, two sessions per week may be more suitable. However, it is still important to listen to your body and allow for sufficient recovery time between sessions.

It is also important to consider the intensity of the electrical impulses used during EMS training when determining the frequency of sessions. Higher intensity levels may require longer recovery times, while lower intensity levels may allow for more frequent sessions.

In addition to considering frequency, it is also important to consider the duration of each session. EMS sessions are typically shorter than traditional strength training workouts, with beginners starting with sessions lasting around 20 minutes. As the body adapts to the workout, the duration of sessions can be gradually increased.

For more experienced individuals, sessions may last up to 30-45 minutes, depending on the intensity of the electrical impulses being used and the specific goals of the individual. It is important to factor in adequate warm-up and cool-down time when determining the duration of EMS sessions. Proper warm-up and cool-down can help prevent injury and improve overall effectiveness of the workout.

It is important to note that while EMS training can be highly effective, it is not a substitute for traditional exercise methods. EMS should be used as a complementary tool to enhance the effectiveness of a regular workout routine. Working with a qualified and experienced EMS trainer can help you determine the ideal frequency and duration of sessions based on your individual needs and goals.

Benefits Of EMS Training

There are several benefits of EMS training, including increased muscle strength, improved endurance, and enhanced muscle tone. In addition, EMS training can be a time-efficient way to achieve these benefits, as sessions are typically shorter than traditional strength training workouts.

One of the advantages of EMS training is its ability to target specific muscle groups. This can be particularly advantageous for people who have difficulty targeting specific muscles through traditional strength training methods. EMS training can effectively engage these muscles and improve overall muscle tone.

While EMS training offers many benefits, it is important to understand how often you should do it to achieve the best results. Generally, it is recommended to do EMS training once or twice a week. Beginners should begin with one session per week and gradually increase the frequency, while more experienced individuals may do two sessions per week.

It is also important to work with a qualified trainer who can help ensure that the electrical impulses are being used safely and effectively. Trainers can also provide guidance on the intensity and duration of EMS sessions based on an individual’s goals and fitness level.

Overall, EMS training can be an effective and efficient way to improve your fitness level and achieve your fitness goals. However, it is important to follow a safe and appropriate schedule and work with a qualified trainer to ensure that you are using the electrical impulses effectively. With the right guidance and approach, EMS training can provide many benefits and help you reach your fitness goals.

The frequency of EMS fitness training can vary depending on several factors, including the person’s fitness goals, fitness level, and other activities. In general, it is recommended to do EMS training once or twice a week to allow for adequate recovery time and avoid overworking the muscles.

Other factors, such as the intensity of the electrical impulses and the specific muscle groups being targeted, should also be taken into consideration when determining the frequency of EMS training.

Working with a qualified and experienced EMS trainer can help you determine the ideal frequency of training based on your individual needs and goals. By doing so, you can safely and effectively achieve the benefits of EMS training and improve your overall fitness level.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EMS fitness training?

EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) fitness training is a high-intensity workout that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

How often should you do EMS fitness training?

In general, it is recommended to do EMS training once or twice a week. This is because EMS training is an intense workout that puts significant strain on the muscles and can take a lot longer to recover from than traditional strength training.

What factors affect the frequency of EMS training?

The frequency of EMS training can vary depending on several factors, including the individual’s fitness goals, fitness level, and other activities. Beginners or those with a lower fitness level may need more time to recover between sessions than those with a higher fitness level.

What are the benefits of EMS training?

EMS training offers several benefits for those looking to improve their fitness level, including increased muscle strength, improved endurance, and enhanced overall fitness. Additionally, EMS training can be a time-efficient way to achieve these benefits, as sessions are typically shorter than traditional strength training workouts.

How can you determine the ideal frequency of EMS training?

Working with a qualified and experienced EMS trainer can help you determine the ideal frequency of training based on your individual needs and goals. Additionally, other factors such as the intensity of the electrical impulses and the specific muscle groups being targeted should also be taken into consideration when determining the frequency of EMS training.

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Careers After Personal Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/careers-after-personal-training/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 06:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33102 Personal training is a rewarding career for people who are passionate about fitness and assisting others to achieve their health goals. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience in personal training, it’s essential to explore career opportunities beyond traditional gym-based trainer. In this article, we’ll use the AIDA framework to guide you...

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Personal training is a rewarding career for people who are passionate about fitness and assisting others to achieve their health goals. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience in personal training, it’s essential to explore career opportunities beyond traditional gym-based trainer. In this article, we’ll use the AIDA framework to guide you through the career landscape for personal trainers, alternative career paths, salary expectations, and frequently asked questions.

As a personal trainer, you’ll probably already be aware of the importance of professional development and exploring new opportunities. The health and fitness industry is constantly evolving so to stay relevant, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest trends and innovations. In this article, we’ll help you discover potential career paths that align with your passions as well as your goals.

The Personal Trainer Career Landscape

As a personal trainer, there are several traditional career paths to that you should think about. These include gym-based personal training, mobile personal training, and group fitness instruction.

Gym-based personal trainer

Working as a gym-based personal trainer is the most common career path in the fitness industry. It involves designing and implementing individualised exercise programmes for clients based on their fitness goals, lifestyle, as well as their particular health conditions. You’ll also be responsible for motivating and educating clients, monitoring their progress, as well as providing them feedback and support.

Mobile personal trainer

A mobile personal trainer has more flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. You can work with clients in a private setting, such as their homes or outdoors. You’ll need to be self-motivated, as you’ll be responsible for finding clients and managing your business.

Gym instructor

Gym instruction involves leading fitness classes for groups of people, such as aerobics, dance, yoga, or strength training. You’ll need to be energetic, engaging, and able to lead a group of fitness enthusiasts effectively.

Personal trainer career progression opportunities

There are several opportunities for personal trainers to progress in their careers, including:

 Specialisation in a specific fitness discipline

Becoming a specialist in a particular fitness discipline – such as Pilates, CrossFit, or yoga – can help you to attract a more targeted client base and increase your earning potential.

Management or supervisory roles in fitness facilities

As a personal trainer, you can also advance into management or supervisory roles within fitness facilities. The largest chains of fitness facilities in South Africa are Virgin Active and Planet Fitness. These roles involve overseeing other trainers, managing budgets, and ensuring the smooth operation of the facility.

Teaching and mentoring new trainers

If you’re passionate about sharing your knowledge and experience with others, you can consider becoming a teacher or mentor for new personal trainers. This role involves creating and delivering training programmes, assessing trainee performance, as well as providing feedback and support.

Alternative Careers for Personal Trainers

As the fitness industry evolves, there are several alternative career paths for personal trainers to consider. These include:

Online fitness coach

 Online fitness coaching involves providing fitness and nutrition advice and services to clients through digital platforms such as email, video chat, or instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp. This can be done as an individual entrepreneur or as part of a larger organisation.

Benefits of online coaching

Online coaching offers several benefits, including flexibility in scheduling, reaching a wider audience, and lower overhead costs as compared to traditional personal training. It also allows you to leverage technology to monitor client progress, communicate with clients in real time, and provide personalised feedback.

How to transition from in-person to online coaching

 Develop a strong online presence, including a professional website, social media profiles, as well as a digital portfolio of your work. You’ll also need to obtain relevant certifications and training, from an institution such as Trifocus Fitness Academy, to ensure that you’re providing evidence-based advice and services to your clients.

Health and Wellness Consultant

Another career path for personal trainers is to become a health and wellness consultant. This role involves working with individuals, groups, or corporations to develop health and wellness programmes that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

As a health and wellness consultant, personal trainers can leverage their expertise in fitness and nutrition to help clients achieve their health goals. This may involve designing and implementing fitness programmes, providing nutritional guidance, and coaching clients on stress management as well as overall wellness.

Working with corporate clients is a popular option for health and wellness consultants. This is because many companies are recognizing the importance of investing in the health and well-being of their employees. Health and wellness consultants can help corporations design wellness programmes that improve employee engagement, reduce absenteeism, and increase productivity.

To become a health and wellness consultant, personal trainers may need to obtain additional certifications in wellness coaching, health education, or behavioural change. These certifications can help trainers build the necessary skills that they need to work with a wide range of clients and develop customised wellness plans.

Potential Salary Range for Health and Wellness Consultants

According to Talent.com, entry-level positions start at R195 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R722 880 per year. Independent consultants who work on a contract basis can potentially earn more than those who are employed by a single organisation.

Sports and Conditioning Coach

If personal trainers have a passion for sports and working with athletes, becoming a sports and conditioning coach may be an excellent career choice. This role involves working with individuals or teams in various sports to help them achieve their fitness goals and improve their athletic performance.

As a sports and conditioning coach, personal trainers can design and implement training programmes that target specific aspects of athletic performance such as speed, agility, power, or endurance. They can also provide injury prevention and rehabilitation services, nutritional guidance, and mental coaching to help athletes perform at their best.

Building relationships with sports teams and clubs is a critical aspect of being a sports and conditioning coach. Coaches must work collaboratively with athletes, other coaches, and team management to develop comprehensive training plans that align with the goals and needs of the team.

To become a sports and conditioning coach, personal trainers may need to obtain additional certifications in sports performance, strength and conditioning, or sports nutrition. These can help trainers build the necessary skills to work with athletes at all levels, from amateur to professional athletes.

Potential Salary Range for Sports and Conditioning Coaches

According to Salary Expert, an entry-level strength and conditioning coach (between one and three years of experience) earns an average salary of R198 414. At the other end, a senior-level strength and conditioning coach (eight plus years of experience) earns an average salary of R328 590. Independent coaches who work with professional athletes or teams can potentially earn more than those who work with amateur athletes.

Fitness Writer or Content Creator

If personal trainers have a talent for writing, speaking, or creating content, becoming a fitness writer or content creator may be an excellent way to leverage their expertise and passion for fitness and nutrition. This role involves creating written, audio, or visual content that educates and inspires individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

As a fitness writer or content creator, personal trainers can create blog posts, articles, podcasts, videos, or social media posts that cover a wide range of health and fitness topics. They can share their expertise, insights, and experiences to help readers or viewers make informed choices about their diet, exercise routine, and overall well-being.

Building a loyal audience is an essential aspect of being a fitness writer or content creator. Creators must find ways to engage with their audience, provide valuable information, and create content that resonates with their target demographic.

To become a fitness writer or content creator, personal trainers will need to build a strong online presence and develop their skills in writing, video editing, and social media marketing. They can start by creating a blog or YouTube channel where they share their fitness knowledge, experience, and tips with their audience. Over time, they can build a following and establish themselves as experts in the field, which can lead to opportunities for guest blogging, podcast interviews, and other collaborations.

In addition to creating their own content, personal trainers can also write for fitness publications or websites. They can pitch article ideas or submit their work to publications that align with their interests and expertise. This can help them reach a wider audience and gain more exposure in the fitness industry.

As a fitness writer or content creator, personal trainers can earn a living through a variety of sources, including sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and product reviews. The potential for income is significant, but it is dependent on factors such as the size of their audience, the type of content they create, and their ability to monetise their platform effectively.

Personal Trainer Career Salary Expectations

Personal trainers can earn a decent living, but their income varies based on several factors, including experience and credentials, location and market demand, as well as the type of employment they have (mobile vs. gym-based). According to Glass Door, the salary trajectory of a personal trainer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at R50 028 per year and goes up to R 40 633 per year for more senior people.

However, personal trainers who specialise in a particular fitness discipline – or have advanced certifications from accredited institutions such as Trifocus Fitness Academy – may earn more.

Alternative careers for personal trainers also offer a range of income opportunities. As an online fitness coach, personal trainers can earn a similar or higher income than they would as a gym-based personal trainer. This is dependent on their level of experience and the size of their online following. According to Salary Expert, an entry-level online fitness trainer (between one and three years of experience) earns an average salary of R197 962. At the other end, a senior-level fitness trainer (eight plus years of experience) earns an average salary of R327,841.

How can I enhance my personal trainer career prospects?

Continuous learning and obtaining specialised certifications are critical to enhancing personal trainer career prospects. It’s essential to keep up to date with the latest research, trends, and best practices in the fitness industry. Pursuing advanced certifications can help personal trainers stand out from the competition and increase their earning potential.

What resources are available to help me explore alternative careers for personal trainers?

Trifocus Fitness Academy provides a range of resources to help personal trainers explore alternative careers, including an extensive library of fitness and nutrition information as well as professional development opportunities.

How can I transition from a traditional personal training career to an alternative career path?

Personal trainers can leverage their existing skills, obtain relevant certifications, and build a network to transition to an alternative career path. It’s important to research and gain a deep understanding of the alternative career they want to pursue in order to identify the necessary skills and certifications required.

Personal training is an exciting and rewarding career with many opportunities for growth and development. Gym-based personal trainer career paths are a great starting point, but personal trainers can also explore alternative career paths to find the perfect fit for their passions and goals.

From online fitness coaching to sports and conditioning coaching, the opportunities for personal trainers are endless. The key to success in any of these alternative career paths is to continuously learn, develop new skills, and build a network within the field that they are looking to get into.

Trifocus Fitness Academy is dedicated to providing personal trainers with the necessary education and support to excel in their chosen careers. Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal trainer career prospects or explore alternative careers for personal trainers, Trifocus Fitness Academy’s extensive library of fitness and nutrition information and professional development opportunities can help you reach your goals.

Staying adaptable and open to new opportunities is crucial in the ever-evolving health and fitness industry. By exploring diverse career paths, personal trainers can find the best fit for their passions and goals while continuing to make a positive impact on people’s lives. So if you’re a personal trainer who is looking to take your career to the next level, consider exploring the many alternative career paths available to you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some career paths that personal trainers can pursue beyond working in a gym or fitness centre?

Personal trainers can consider careers in corporate wellness, sports performance training, online coaching, physical therapy or rehabilitation, and starting their own fitness business.

What skills can personal trainers develop that are transferable to other careers?

Personal trainers can develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, goal-setting, time management, and customer service that are valuable in many other fields.

How can personal trainers transition into a career in physical therapy or rehabilitation?

Personal trainers can consider earning additional certifications in corrective exercise, injury prevention, or rehabilitation, or pursuing a degree in physical therapy or a related field.

What are some tips for personal trainers who want to start their own fitness business?

 Personal trainers should develop a business plan, create a brand, build a network of clients and contacts, and consider obtaining legal and financial advice.

What is the outlook for careers in the fitness industry?

 The fitness industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with an increasing demand for personal trainers and other fitness professionals owing to a greater focus on health and wellness.

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What Is Functional Training & Why is it Important? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-functional-training-why-is-it-important/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 06:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33099 Functional training is a type of exercise that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike weightlifting and cardio sessions, functional training focuses on improving daily movement patterns and reducing the risk of injury. It has become an essential part of many athletes’ training routines and is now widely recognised as an important component of...

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Functional training is a type of exercise that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike weightlifting and cardio sessions, functional training focuses on improving daily movement patterns and reducing the risk of injury. It has become an essential part of many athletes’ training routines and is now widely recognised as an important component of overall fitness and health for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore what functional training is, its benefits, exercises, personal training options, and certification options for fitness professionals.

What Is Functional Training?

Functional training is a type of exercise that focuses on movements that mimic activities of daily life or sports-specific movements. The principle behind this types of training is that it trains the body as a whole rather than isolating individual muscles. The goal is to improve general movement patterns, including flexibility, strength, and balance. This translates into everyday activities and sports.

The Benefits of Functional Training

Functional training offers many benefits, both for athletes and people who are just wanting to get fitter. Here are some of the most significant benefits of functional training:

  • Improved mobility and flexibility: Functional training movements help to increase mobility and flexibility, making it easier to perform daily activities and sports movements.
  • Increased core strength and stability: Functional training strengthens the muscles in the core, including the abdominals and lower back, which can help improve posture, balance, and stability.
  • Enhanced balance and coordination: Functional training movements can help with improving balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falls and boost sports performance.
  • Improved muscular endurance and power: Functional training helps improve muscular endurance and power by training the body to work as a complete system.
  • Increased calorie burn and weight loss: Functional training exercises are designed to work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This helps increase calorie burn and support weight-loss goals.
  • Improved sports performance: Functional training can improve sports-specific movements, such as jumping, running, and throwing. This leads to better performance on the field.
  • Decreased risk of injury: Functional training helps improve overall movement patterns, which can reduce the risk of injury during sports or daily activities.

Functional Trainer Exercises

Functional training exercises are designed to mimic the activities of daily life or sports-specific movements. Here are some examples of functional exercises:

  • Squats: Squats help improve lower body strength and mobility, which can improve movement patterns and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Lunges: Lunges work the lower body, including the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. This can improve overall lower body strength and stability.
  • Push-ups: Push-ups are a full-body exercise that improves upper body strength and core stability.
  • Planks: Planks are core exercises that improve core strength and stability.

It is essential to perform each functional exercise using proper form and technique to maximise the benefits and reduce the risk of injury. The importance of progression and modification – based on individual fitness levels – needs to be emphasised.

Functional Personal Training

Functional training can be incorporated into personal training sessions to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. Working with a functional personal trainer can offer many benefits such as tailored training programmes, expert guidance on form and technique, as well as motivation to achieve fitness goals. Functional personal training can be customised to meet individual goals and needs, whether it be to improve overall fitness or sports-specific movements.

Fitness Functional Trainer Certification

Fitness professionals who are interested in functional training can pursue certification – from an institution such as Trifocus Fitness Academy – to expand their skill set and credentials. Certification options typically require an accreditation process (and the endorsement from the relevant SETA) and prerequisites, such as a background in personal training or related experience. Ongoing education and professional development are also important for functional trainers to stay up to date with the latest techniques and research.

Functional training is a type of exercise that focuses on improving daily movement patterns and reducing the risk of injury. It offers many benefits, such as improved mobility and flexibility, increased core strength and stability, and enhanced balance and coordination. Functional trainer exercises include squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks, which should be performed with proper form and technique.

Personal trainers can incorporate functional training into their sessions to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. Fitness professionals can pursue certification options to expand their skill set and credentials.

At Trifocus Fitness Academy, we offer functional training courses and resources for aspiring fitness professionals. We believe that continuous learning and professional development are essential for success in the ever-evolving health and fitness industry. If you’re interested in exploring functional training as part of your fitness journey, we invite you to learn more about our courses and resources.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover additional information about functional strength training then we recommend that you do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is functional training?

 Functional training is a type of exercise that aims to improve the performance of daily activities by mimicking natural movements and using multiple muscle groups.

Why is functional training important?

Functional training can improve mobility, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness, leading to better performance in daily activities and reduced risk of injury.

What are some examples of functional training exercises?

Functional training exercises can include squats, lunges, deadlifts, push-ups, pull-ups, kettlebell swings, and medicine ball throws.

How does functional training differ from traditional weightlifting or bodybuilding?

Functional training focuses on movements that are practical and applicable to daily life, while traditional weightlifting or bodybuilding may prioritise isolated muscle groups or aesthetic goals.

Can functional training benefit athletes or fitness enthusiasts?

Yes, functional training can improve athletic performance by enhancing functional movement patterns and addressing muscular imbalances or weaknesses. It can also be a challenging and effective workout for fitness enthusiasts of all levels.

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How Can NLP Coaching Be Integrated With Other Forms Of Therapy Or Self-Help Practices? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/integrating-nlp-coaching-with-other-forms-of-therapy-or-self-help-practices/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33089 NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching is a powerful approach to personal growth and development that can be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practices. NLP coaching uses a combination of techniques to help individuals reprogram their minds and achieve their desired outcomes. Here are some ways NLP coaching can be integrated with other forms...

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NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching is a powerful approach to personal growth and development that can be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practices. NLP coaching uses a combination of techniques to help individuals reprogram their minds and achieve their desired outcomes.

Here are some ways NLP coaching can be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practice.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a style of psychotherapy that helps individuals change negative or harmful thought patterns and behaviours. By using a combination of techniques such as reframing, visualization, and anchoring, NLP coaching can be integrated with CBT to help individuals change their thoughts and behaviours at a subconscious level.

Reframing is a technique used in both CBT and NLP coaching that involves changing the way an individual thinks about a situation. NLP coaching can help individuals reframe their negative thoughts into positive ones, which can be a useful tool in overcoming anxiety and depression.

Visualization is another technique used in NLP coaching that can be integrated with CBT. It involves creating mental images of a desired outcome or situation. For example, if someone has a fear of public speaking, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves delivering a successful speech. This can help them overcome their fear and build confidence in their abilities.

Anchoring techniques can also be used in NLP coaching to help individuals associate positive feelings with a particular situation or experience. For example, if someone has a fear of public speaking, NLP coaching can help them anchor positive feelings to the act of speaking in public. This can help them overcome their fear and build confidence in their abilities.

By integrating NLP coaching with CBT, individuals can access a wide range of techniques to help them change their thoughts and behaviours at a subconscious level. This can be particularly useful for individuals who have struggled with traditional forms of therapy or who want to take a more holistic approach to their mental health.

For example, let’s say someone has a fear of flying. They may have tried CBT to help them overcome their fear but found that it was not effective. By integrating NLP coaching with CBT, they can access a range of techniques such as visualization and anchoring to help them overcome their fear and build confidence in their ability to fly.

NLP coaching can also be used in conjunction with CBT to help individuals develop positive habits and behaviours. For example, if someone is trying to quit smoking, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves as a non-smoker and anchor positive feelings to the act of not smoking. This can help them overcome their addiction and develop healthier habits and behaviours.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a practice that involves being present in the moment and observing one’s thoughts without judgment. NLP coaching can be integrated with mindfulness meditation by using techniques such as visualization and self-talk to help individuals focus on their desired outcomes.

For instance, if someone wants to improve their self-confidence, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves as a confident and successful person. Self-talk techniques can be used to reinforce positive affirmations, such as “I am confident and capable.”

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a kind of therapy that uses hypnosis to access the subconscious mind and create positive changes. NLP coaching can be integrated with hypnotherapy by using techniques such as visualization and suggestion to assist individuals achieve their desired outcomes.

The process of hypnotherapy involves inducing a trance-like state in the individual, during which the hypnotherapist can access the subconscious mind and create positive changes. This can be a powerful tool for individuals who are struggling with a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to addiction and phobias.

NLP coaching can be integrated with hypnotherapy to enhance its effectiveness. By using visualization techniques, individuals can create mental images of their desired outcomes, which can help them overcome their issues and achieve their goals. For example, if someone wants to quit smoking, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves as a non-smoker, which can help them overcome their addiction at a subconscious level.

Suggestion is another technique used in hypnotherapy that can be integrated with NLP coaching. By suggesting positive affirmations to the individual during the hypnosis session, the hypnotherapist can help them reprogram their subconscious mind and create lasting change. For example, if someone wants to overcome their fear of public speaking, the hypnotherapist can suggest positive affirmations such as “I am confident and capable,” which can help them overcome their fear and deliver successful speeches.

By integrating NLP coaching with hypnotherapy, individuals can access a broad range of tools and techniques to help them overcome their issues and achieve their goals. This can be especially useful for people who have not found success with traditional forms of therapy or who are looking for a more holistic approach to their mental health.

For example, let’s say someone has been struggling with anxiety for years and has tried traditional therapy with little success. By integrating NLP coaching with hypnotherapy, they can access a range of techniques such as visualization and suggestion to help them reprogram their subconscious mind and overcome their anxiety at a deeper level.

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is an aspect of psychology that focuses on positive emotions, strengths, and virtues. It is focused on the study of human flourishing, and the factors that contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling life. NLP coaching can be integrated with positive psychology to help individuals cultivate positive emotions and traits, using techniques such as visualization and self-talk.

One of the focus key areas in positive psychology is the cultivation of positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and love. NLP coaching can be used to help individuals visualize positive experiences and reinforce positive emotions. For instance, if someone is struggling with depression, NLP coaching can help them visualize positive experiences such as spending time with loved ones or engaging in a fulfilling hobby. This can help them cultivate positive emotions and improve their overall well-being.

Another area of focus in positive psychology is the development of positive character traits, for instance resilience, optimism, and self-esteem. NLP coaching can be used to help individuals reinforce positive affirmations and cultivate these traits. For example, if someone wants to improve their resilience, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves overcoming challenges and reinforce positive affirmations such as “I am strong and resilient.”

NLP coaching can also be used to help individuals develop a positive self-image. This can be especially useful for people who struggle with low self-esteem or negative self-talk. By using techniques such as visualization and self-talk, NLP coaching can help individuals develop a more positive and confident self-image.

In addition to these techniques, NLP coaching can also be used to help individuals develop positive habits and behaviours. For example, if someone wants to exercise more regularly, NLP coaching can help them visualize themselves enjoying physical activity and reinforce positive affirmations such as “I am committed to my health and well-being.”

By integrating NLP coaching with positive psychology, individuals can access a wide range of tools and techniques to help them cultivate positive emotions, traits, and habits. This can be especially useful for individuals who want to take a more proactive approach to their mental health and well-being.

For example, let’s say someone has been struggling with low self-esteem for years and has tried traditional therapy with little success. By integrating NLP coaching with positive psychology, they can access a range of techniques such as visualization and self-talk to help them develop a more positive self-image and cultivate positive traits such as self-esteem and confidence.

NLP coaching can also be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to enhance their effectiveness. For example, if someone is undergoing cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety, NLP coaching can be used to help them cultivate positive emotions and reinforce positive affirmations.

Self-Help Practices

Self-help practices such as affirmations, journaling, and goal setting can be integrated with NLP coaching to help individuals achieve their desired outcomes. NLP coaching can provide additional tools and techniques to enhance the effectiveness of these practices.

For example, if someone wants to boost their self-esteem, NLP coaching can help them create positive affirmations and visualize themselves as a confident and self-assured person. Journaling can be used to reflect on their progress and set goals for future growth.

NLP coaching can be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practices to create a comprehensive approach to personal growth and development. By using a combination of techniques, individuals can reprogram their minds and achieve their desired outcomes at a subconscious level. Whether utilised alone or in combination with other practices, NLP coaching can provide a powerful tool for creating positive change in one’s life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to study NLP coaching? If you do then you need to do our NLP Coaching Course. Follow this link to learn more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NLP coaching and how can it be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practices?

NLP coaching is an approach to personal growth and development that uses techniques to help individuals reprogram their minds and achieve their desired outcomes. It can be integrated with other forms of therapy or self-help practices, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness meditation, hypnotherapy, positive psychology, and self-help practices.

How can NLP coaching be integrated with cognitive behavioural therapy?

NLP coaching can be integrated with cognitive behavioural therapy by using techniques such as reframing, visualization, and anchoring to help individuals change their negative thought patterns and behaviours at a subconscious level.

How can NLP coaching be integrated with mindfulness meditation?

NLP coaching can be integrated with mindfulness meditation by using techniques such as visualization and self-talk to help individuals focus on their desired outcomes and cultivate positive emotions.

How can NLP coaching be integrated with hypnotherapy?

NLP coaching can be integrated with hypnotherapy by using techniques such as visualization and suggestion to help individuals achieve their desired outcomes at a subconscious level.

How can NLP coaching be integrated with positive psychology?

NLP coaching can be integrated with positive psychology by using techniques such as visualization and self-talk to help individuals cultivate positive emotions and traits, such as resilience and self-esteem.

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What Are Some Effective Coaching Strategies For Sports Teams? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-some-effective-coaching-strategies-for-sports-teams/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 06:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33082 Effective coaching strategies for sports teams can make a substantial difference in the performance and success of the team. The best coaches understand that their role is to not only teach technical skills but also to build a culture of teamwork, trust, and motivation. Here are some effective coaching strategies for sports teams: Set Clear...

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Effective coaching strategies for sports teams can make a substantial difference in the performance and success of the team. The best coaches understand that their role is to not only teach technical skills but also to build a culture of teamwork, trust, and motivation. Here are some effective coaching strategies for sports teams:

Set Clear Goals And Expectations

Setting clear goals and expectations is crucial in any team sport. A coach should clearly communicate what is expected of each team member and the goals that the team should strive to achieve. This helps to keep everyone focused and motivated towards a common goal. Goals should be realistic and achievable, and coaches should regularly assess and adjust them based on the team’s progress.

Encourage Communication And Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are essential for the success of any sports team. Coaches play a vital role in encouraging open communication and collaboration among team members, which can help build trust, improve teamwork, and lead to better performance on the field.

Coaches should create an environment that encourages open communication among team members. They should establish clear communication channels and ensure that everyone has the chance to share their ideas and opinions. This can be achieved by organizing regular team meetings, one-on-one sessions, or group discussions.

It’s very important to create an environment where team members feel very comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas, without fear of being criticized. Coaches should promote a culture of positivity, encouragement, and respect to foster healthy communication among team members.

Collaboration is another crucial component of a successful sports team. Collaboration can help build trust and improve teamwork, leading to better performance on the field. Coaches should encourage collaboration among team members by creating opportunities for them to work together towards a common goal.

Teamwork involves working together towards a common goal, with each member contributing their skills and expertise. Coaches should ensure that team members understand their roles and responsibilities and are aware of how their contribution fits into the team’s overall strategy.

Effective communication and collaboration can also help to resolve conflicts that may arise within the team. Coaches should be proactive in addressing conflicts, encouraging team members to discuss their concerns openly and constructively. This can help to resolve conflicts quickly and maintain a healthy team dynamic.

In addition to encouraging communication and collaboration, coaches should also lead by example. Coaches should demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills themselves, setting a positive example for team members to follow.

Provide Feedback And Support

Feedback is essential for improving individual and team performance. Coaches should provide constructive feedback regularly, both during practice and games. Feedback should focus on areas of improvement and highlight strengths. Coaches should also provide support to team members, especially when they are struggling. This helps to build confidence and motivation, leading to better performance.

Emphasize Skill Development And Practice

Skill development and practice are the foundation of any successful sports team. Coaches have the critical responsibility of designing effective training programs that focus on developing individual and team skills. By doing so, coaches can ensure that the team is practicing regularly and efficiently, focusing on both the physical and mental qualities of the game. Additionally, coaches should constantly monitor the team’s progress and make adjustments to the training program as needed.

Effective training programs should be tailored to the individual needs and goals of the team members. Coaches should assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses and design a training program that focuses on improving the areas which need the most attention. The training program should be progressive and challenging, gradually increasing in intensity and difficulty as the team progresses.

Effective training programs should focus on developing both individual and team skills. Individual skills training should be designed to help team members develop their strengths and improve their weaknesses. This can include skills such as shooting, passing, dribbling, and defensive skills. Team skills training should focus on developing teamwork, coordination, and communication skills. This can include team drills and game simulations that require collaboration and communication among team members.

Practicing regularly is also essential for skill development. Coaches should ensure that the team is practicing efficiently and effectively, with clear objectives and goals. During practice sessions, coaches should focus on correcting errors and reinforcing good habits. Coaches should also encourage team members to practice outside of regular practice sessions to reinforce skills and develop good habits.

Physical training is an essential aspect of effective training programs. Coaches should design training programs that focus on developing endurance, strength, and agility. This can include weight training, cardio exercises, and drills that focus on speed and agility. Physical training should be tailored to the specific needs of the sport and the team members.

Mental training is also a crucial aspect of effective training programs. Coaches should help team members develop mental toughness, focus, and resilience. This can include visualization and relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, and goal setting. Mental training can help team members maintain their focus and motivation, even in high-pressure situations.

Monitoring the team’s progress is an essential aspect of effective coaching. Coaches should regularly evaluate the team’s performance, looking for areas that need improvement and making adjustments to the training program as needed. Coaches should also provide regular feedback to team members, focusing on areas that need improvement and reinforcing good habits.

Foster A Positive And Supportive Environment

Creating a positive and supportive team environment is essential for the team’s success. Coaches should promote a culture of positivity, encouragement, and respect. This helps to build team cohesion and morale, leading to better performance. Coaches should also address any negative behaviour or conflicts among team members promptly, to maintain a healthy team environment.

Focus On Mental Preparation

Mental preparation is a critical aspect of success in team sports. Coaches should focus on helping team members develop mental toughness and resilience, especially when facing difficult situations on the field. They should encourage visualization and relaxation techniques, as well as emphasize the importance of positive self-talk and goal setting.

The term ‘mental toughness’ refers to the ability to perform under pressure and maintain focus in high-pressure situations. Coaches should help team members develop mental toughness by offering them tools and techniques to help them stay focused and composed in challenging situations.

Visualization is a powerful mental preparation tool that can help athletes stay focused and motivated. Coaches can encourage team members to visualize themselves successfully executing the skills they need to perform on the field. Visualization techniques can help team members stay focused on their goals and maintain their motivation throughout the season.

Relaxation techniques, for example deep breathing and meditation, can also be helpful in developing mental toughness. These techniques can help team members stay calm and composed in stressful situations, enabling them to perform at their best. Coaches can encourage team members to practice relaxation techniques regularly, both on and off the field.

Positive self-talk is another critical component of mental preparation. Coaches should encourage team members to use positive self-talk to reinforce good habits and build confidence. Positive self-talk can help team members maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations. Coaches can provide feedback and support to help team members develop positive self-talk habits.

Goal setting is also an essential aspect of mental preparation. Coaches should encourage team members to set specific, measurable goals that are achievable and realistic. Goals should be focused on improving individual and team performance. By setting goals, team members can maintain their motivation and focus, even in challenging situations.

In addition to these techniques, coaches should also promote a positive team culture that emphasizes mental preparation. Coaches should encourage team members to support each other and work together to achieve their goals. They should also promote a culture of respect, positivity, and inclusion, where team members feel valued and supported.

Coaches can also help team members develop mental preparation skills by providing regular feedback and support. They should provide constructive feedback that focuses on areas for improvement, while also acknowledging team members’ strengths and successes. Coaches should also provide support and encouragement, helping team members stay motivated and focused throughout the season.

Use Technology To Enhance Performance

Technology can be an effective tool for enhancing team performance. Coaches can use video analysis software to review game footage and identify areas of improvement. They can also use wearables and tracking devices to monitor the team’s physical performance during practice and games. Technology can also be used to track and analyse team statistics, which can help to inform training programs and game strategies.

Effective coaching strategies for sports teams require a combination of technical skill development, mental preparation, and team-building strategies. Coaches must set clear goals and expectations, encourage communication and collaboration, provide feedback and support, focus on skill development and practice, foster a positive and supportive environment, emphasize mental preparation, and use technology to enhance performance. By implementing these strategies, coaches can create a winning team culture that leads to better performance and success on the field.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you feel that you want to become a sports manager, then you need to do our Sports Management Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy Sport Management registration

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the task of a coach in sports team success?

A coach’s role is to teach technical skills, build a culture of teamwork, trust, and motivation, and create a winning team culture that leads to better performance and success on the field.

How can coaches encourage communication and collaboration among team members?

Coaches can encourage open communication among team members by providing a safe and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone has the chance to share their ideas and opinions, and fostering a culture of positivity, encouragement, and respect.

What are some effective ways coaches can provide feedback and support to team members?

Coaches can provide constructive feedback regularly, focusing on areas of improvement and highlighting strengths. They can also provide support to team members, especially when they are struggling, to build confidence and motivation.

How can coaches use technology to enhance team performance?

Coaches can use video analysis software to review game footage and identify areas of improvement. They can also use wearables and tracking devices to monitor the team’s physical performance during practice and games and use technology to track and analyse team statistics to inform training programs and game strategies.

What are some key elements of mental preparation for sports teams?

Coaches should help team members develop mental toughness and resilience, encourage visualization and relaxation techniques, emphasize the importance of positive self-talk and goal setting, and create a culture of positivity and encouragement.

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What Are The Main Skills Needed To Be A Successful Sports Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/main-skills-needed-to-be-a-successful-sports-coach/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33086 A successful sports coach must possess a range of skills and abilities that go beyond technical knowledge of the sport. While technical expertise is undoubtedly important, a coach must also be able to communicate effectively, motivate and inspire athletes, and create a positive team culture. In today’s article, we will explore the main skills required...

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A successful sports coach must possess a range of skills and abilities that go beyond technical knowledge of the sport. While technical expertise is undoubtedly important, a coach must also be able to communicate effectively, motivate and inspire athletes, and create a positive team culture. In today’s article, we will explore the main skills required in order to be a successful sports coach.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is a crucial skill for a successful sports coach. Coaches must be able to communicate technical information about the sport, such as skills and tactics, in a way that is easy for athletes to understand. They must also be able to give clear and concise feedback to athletes, both during training sessions and in game situations.

However, effective communication extends beyond technical knowledge. Coaches must also be able to build relationships with athletes and establish trust and respect. This involves listening to athletes, understanding their individual needs, and providing support and encouragement. Coaches must also be able to communicate effectively with other members of the coaching staff, as well as with parents and other stakeholders.

Leadership Skills

In order for a sports team to achieve success, a coach must be an effective leader who can inspire and motivate athletes. Coaches must set clear expectations and standards for their team, while also providing guidance and support. This involves being a role model for the team and leading by example.

One key aspect of effective leadership for a sports coach is creating a positive team culture. Coaches must create an environment that is supportive, respectful, and inclusive. This involves fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration among athletes, as well as promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. A positive team culture can help to build trust and improve performance on the field.

In order to build a positive team culture, coaches must first understand the individual needs and personalities of each athlete. They must be able to connect with each athlete and create a sense of belonging within the team. This can involve regular team building activities, such as group outings or team dinners.

Effective communication is also essential for building a positive team culture. Coaches must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with athletes, as well as provide feedback and support. This can involve providing individualized feedback on performance, as well as communicating team goals and objectives.

Another important aspect of effective leadership is leading by example. Coaches must demonstrate the behaviours and values that they expect from their athletes. This involves being a role model for the team and demonstrating a commitment to hard work, integrity, and respect.

In addition to building a positive team culture, effective leadership also involves setting clear goals and objectives for the team. Coaches must work with their athletes to set challenging but achievable goals and develop a plan to achieve these goals. This can involve developing training programs that focus on individual and team skills, as well as developing game plans that are tailored to the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Effective leadership also involves providing guidance and support to athletes. Coaches must be able to recognize when athletes are struggling and provide support and encouragement. This can involve providing individualized training or mentoring, as well as providing emotional support during times of stress or difficulty.

Finally, effective leadership involves being able to manage conflict and resolve issues within the team. Coaches must be able to recognize when there are problems within the team and take steps to address them. This can involve facilitating team discussions or mediating conflicts between athletes.

Planning And Organization Skills

A successful sports coach must be able to plan and organize training sessions and games effectively. This involves developing training programs that focus on individual and team skills, as well as developing game plans and strategies that are tailored to the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Effective planning and organization also involves managing resources effectively. Coaches must be able to allocate time and resources in a way that maximizes the team’s performance, while also taking into account the needs and abilities of individual athletes.

Motivational Skills

A successful sports coach must possess the ability to motivate and inspire athletes to perform at their best. To achieve this, coaches must be able to set challenging yet achievable goals and objectives for their athletes and provide them with the support and encouragement that they need to reach their full potential.

Effective motivation involves recognizing and rewarding athletes for their hard work and achievements. Coaches must create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of pride and motivation among athletes. This involves recognizing the contributions of individual athletes to the team’s success, as well as providing regular feedback on their progress.

To effectively motivate athletes, coaches must also be able to connect with them on a personal level. This involves taking the time to understand each athlete’s unique personality, needs, and motivations. Coaches must be able to provide personalized support and encouragement to each athlete, while also fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration within the team.

Another important aspect of effective motivation is setting a positive example for athletes. Coaches must demonstrate the values and behaviours they expect from their athletes, and lead by example. This involves modelling a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

In addition to motivating athletes, coaches must also be able to effectively communicate with them. This involves providing clear and concise instructions on training and game plans, as well as providing regular feedback on performance. Coaches must be able to communicate their expectations clearly, while also providing constructive feedback that helps athletes to improve.

Effective communication also involves building strong relationships with athletes. Coaches must be able to connect with athletes on a personal level and provide emotional support and guidance when needed. This involves developing trust and respect among athletes, and creating an environment where athletes feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

Finally, successful coaches must be able to adapt their motivational strategies to meet the changing needs and challenges of their athletes. This involves recognizing when athletes are struggling, and providing the support and encouragement they need to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Coaches must be able to adjust their coaching style as needed and provide individualized support to each athlete.

Adaptability And Flexibility

To achieve success as a sports coach, one must possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in their approach. Such adaptability requires coaches to have the capability of adjusting training programs and game plans as needed, and to make decisions quickly and effectively.

The world of sports is dynamic, and changes can occur at any time. Whether it be a change in weather, player injury, or unexpected circumstances, coaches must be able to respond to such changes promptly. This requires a coach to have a strategic mindset and the ability to anticipate potential changes in the game. By doing so, coaches can prepare their athletes for any scenario that may arise.

Moreover, it is vital for coaches to be flexible in their approach. This means that they must be willing to change their coaching methods and techniques as the situation demands. For instance, if a team is struggling to execute a particular play or technique, a coach may need to adjust their training program to focus more on the development of that particular skill. In addition, if a player is struggling with a particular aspect of the game, a coach may need to provide extra guidance or support to help the player improve.

Effective coaches also understand that every athlete is unique, and they must adapt their coaching style to meet the needs and abilities of individual athletes. This involves gaining a thorough understanding of each athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as their individual learning styles and personalities.

To achieve this, coaches must take the time to observe and analyse each athlete’s performance. They must also communicate with the athlete to identify areas where they need support or guidance. For example, some athletes may respond better to visual cues, while others may prefer a more hands-on approach. Effective coaches must be able to recognize these differences and tailor their coaching style accordingly.

It is also essential for coaches to provide constructive feedback that is specific to each athlete. This means that coaches must be able to identify the areas where an athlete needs to improve and provide targeted feedback to help them develop. In addition, coaches must also recognize when an athlete has achieved success and provide positive reinforcement to encourage continued growth and development.

Finally, effective coaches must have strong leadership skills. They must be able to motivate and inspire their athletes to perform at their best. This concerns setting clear goals and expectations, and providing the necessary support and guidance to help athletes achieve them.

In addition, coaches must also be able to build strong relationships with their athletes. This means taking the time needed to get to know each athlete on a personal level and creating a supportive and positive team environment. Effective coaches understand that building trust and respect with their athletes is essential for creating a culture of success.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise and manage one’s own feelings, as well as the emotions of other people. A successful sports coach must have a high degree of emotional intelligence, as they are responsible for managing the emotions of both athletes and other stakeholders.

Effective coaches must be able to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations, as well as be able to recognize and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. This involves being empathetic and understanding, as well as being able to communicate effectively and manage conflict.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key communication skills required for a successful sports coach?

Effective communication skills are crucial for a successful sports coach. Coaches must be able to communicate technical information about the sport in a way that is easy for athletes to understand. They must also build relationships with athletes, understand their individual needs, and provide support and encouragement.

What leadership skills are required for a successful sports coach?

A successful sports coach must be an effective leader. They must inspire and motivate athletes to work hard and achieve their goals. This requires setting clear expectations and standards, as well as providing guidance and support. Coaches must also create a positive team culture that fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration among athletes.

How important are planning and organizational skills for a sports coach?

Planning and organizational skills are essential for a sports coach. Coaches must develop training programs that focus on individual and team skills and develop game plans that are tailored to the team’s strengths and weaknesses. Effective planning and organization also involves managing resources effectively.

How can a coach motivate and inspire athletes to perform at their best?

Coaches can motivate and inspire athletes by setting goals and objectives that are challenging but achievable, and providing support and encouragement to help athletes reach their full potential. Effective coaches must also create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of pride and motivation among athletes.

Why is emotional intelligence important for a sports coach?

Emotional intelligence is important for a sports coach as they are responsible for managing the emotions of both athletes and other stakeholders. Effective coaches must be able to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations, as well as recognize and respond correctly to the emotions of others. This involves being empathetic and understanding, as well as being able to communicate effectively and manage conflict.

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How Can I Find A Reputable Health And Wellness Coach In My Area? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-can-i-find-a-reputable-health-and-wellness-coach-in-my-area/ Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33070 If you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, working with a coach can be a great way to achieve your goals. A health and wellness coach can assist you make positive lifestyle changes, develop healthy habits, and overcome obstacles to your well-being. However, finding a reputable coach in your area can be a daunting...

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If you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, working with a coach can be a great way to achieve your goals. A health and wellness coach can assist you make positive lifestyle changes, develop healthy habits, and overcome obstacles to your well-being. However, finding a reputable coach in your area can be a daunting task. Here are some tips for finding a qualified and reputable health and wellness coach in your area.

Research And Review Credentials And Qualifications

When looking for a health and wellness coach in your area, start by researching their credentials and qualifications. A reputable coach should have a certification from a recognized and reputable organization, such as the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) or the International Coaching Federation (ICF). These organizations have rigorous standards for certification, including education, training, and experience requirements.

In addition to certification, look for a coach who has experience and expertise in the areas you want to focus on. For example, if you are interested in improving your nutrition, look for a coach who has expertise in nutrition coaching.

Ask For Recommendations From Your Network

Asking for recommendations from your network can be an effective way to find a reputable health and wellness coach in your area. Your friends, family members, or colleagues may have worked with a coach and can provide valuable insights into their experience.

When reaching out for recommendations, be sure to ask about their experience working with the coach. Did they find the coach to be knowledgeable, supportive, and effective? Did the coach help them achieve their goals? It’s important to get specific examples of how the coach helped them and what they liked about working with them.

In addition to asking about their experience, it’s important to inquire about the coach’s qualifications and credentials. Did the coach have the proper certifications and training to provide effective coaching? This can give you a far better understanding of the coach’s expertise and ability to help you achieve your goals.

Finally, ask whether they would recommend the coach to others. This can help you gauge the overall reputation of the coach and whether they have a track record of success. Be sure to ask for multiple recommendations so that you can compare and contrast coaches to find the best fit for your needs.

It’s also worth reaching out to local health and wellness organizations or gyms for referrals. These organizations often have a network of coaches that they work with and can provide recommendations based on your specific needs and goals.

When asking for recommendations from these sources, be sure to inquire about the qualifications and experience of the recommended coaches. It’s also important to ask about any fees or costs associated with working with the coach, as well as their availability and location.

While asking for recommendations from your network and local organizations can be a great way to find a reputable health and wellness coach, it’s important remember that everyone’s needs and goals are different. What works well for one individuals may not inevitably work for another, so it’s important to conduct your own research and due diligence to find the best fit for your needs.

Conduct Interviews With Potential Coaches

Once you have a list of potential health and wellness coaches in your area, it’s important to conduct interviews to find the right fit. Schedule a consultation with each coach to discuss your goals and ask about their approach to coaching.

During the interview, be sure to ask about their experience and training, their coaching philosophy, and their approach to helping clients achieve their goals. It’s also important to ask about their fees and availability, as well as any additional support or resources they offer.

Look For Reviews And Testimonials

Reviews and testimonials from previous clients can be a valuable resource for assessing the reputation of a health and wellness coach. Many coaches have reviews and testimonials on their website or social media pages, making it easy to get a sense of their track record and reputation. You can also ask the coach for references if you want to speak directly with past clients.

When reading reviews and testimonials, it’s important to look for patterns in feedback. Are clients consistently happy with the coach’s services? Do they feel that the coach was effective in helping them achieve their goals? These are important questions to consider when evaluating the coach’s reputation.

It’s also important to read both positive as well as negative reviews to get a well-rounded understanding of the coach’s strengths and weaknesses. Positive reviews can provide valuable insights into what clients liked about working with the coach and what they found helpful. Negative reviews can highlight areas where the coach may need to improve or where their approach may not be effective for everyone.

However, it’s important to approach reviews and testimonials with a critical eye. Some reviews may be biased or fake, so it’s important to look for patterns in feedback and use your own judgment to evaluate the coach’s reputation.

If you are considering working with a coach who doesn’t have reviews or testimonials readily available, don’t be afraid to ask for references. A reputable coach should be happy to provide references from past clients who are able to speak to their experience and the effectiveness of their coaching.

When speaking with references, ask about their experience working with the coach and whether they would recommend the coach to others. It’s also important to ask about the coach’s qualifications and experience, as well as their approach to coaching.

While reviews and testimonials can be a valuable resource for assessing the reputation of a health and wellness coach, they should not be the only factor you consider. It’s important to conduct your own research and due diligence to ensure that the coach is the right fit for your needs and goals.

When evaluating a coach’s reputation, be sure to also consider their qualifications and experience, their coaching philosophy and approach, and their availability and fees. By taking the time to find a qualified and reputable coach, you can improve your health and well-being and achieve your goals.

Consider Virtual Coaching Options

With the rise of technology, virtual coaching has become an increasingly popular option for health and wellness coaching. This allows you to work with a coach remotely, which can be particularly convenient if you live in a rural area or have a busy schedule. However, when considering virtual coaching options, it’s important to ask about the coach’s experience and training in virtual coaching.

Virtual coaching requires different skills and techniques compared to in-person coaching. A good virtual coach should have experience and training in the use of technology, communication methods, and virtual engagement strategies. It’s important to ask the coach about their experience and qualifications in virtual coaching, as well as their understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that virtual coaching presents.

In addition to experience and qualifications, it’s important to consider the coach’s availability and communication methods. Virtual coaching often involves regular check-ins and communication via phone, email, or video conferencing. Be sure to ask about the coach’s availability and preferred communication methods to ensure that they are a good fit for your schedule and preferences.

It’s also important to consider the technology and platforms that the coach uses for virtual coaching. Ensure that you are comfortable with the technology and that it is accessible and user-friendly. You may also want to ask about any additional tools or resources that the coach uses to support virtual coaching, such as online tracking or communication tools.

When considering virtual coaching options, it’s important to remember that the quality of the coaching is ultimately more important than the mode of delivery. A good coach should be able to provide effective coaching regardless of whether it’s delivered in person or virtually. However, it’s important to ensure that the coach has the necessary qualifications, experience, and technology to provide effective virtual coaching.

In addition to convenience and flexibility, virtual coaching can also offer other benefits. For example, virtual coaching can provide greater anonymity and privacy, which may be important for some clients. Virtual coaching can also provide access to coaches who may not be available in your local area, allowing you to work with the best coach for your needs regardless of geography.

Finding a reputable health and wellness coach in your area requires research and due diligence. Look for coaches who have the proper certifications and qualifications, ask for recommendations from your network, conduct interviews with potential coaches, look for reviews and testimonials, and consider virtual coaching options. By taking the time to find a qualified and reputable coach, you can improve your health and well-being and achieve your goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

With much focus being placed on health and wellness, it’s no surprise that being a health and wellness coach is a growing profession. To find out more about becoming engaged in this career, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some ways to find a reputable health and wellness coach in my area?

There are several ways to find a reputable health and wellness coach in your area, including researching online directories, asking for recommendations from friends and family, and contacting local health and wellness organizations.

What should I look for when evaluating a health and wellness coach’s credentials?

When evaluating a health and wellness coach’s credentials, look for certifications from reputable organizations, as well as relevant education and training in areas such as nutrition, exercise science, and behaviour change.

Can I work with a health and wellness coach virtually?

Yes, virtual coaching is becoming an increasingly popular option for health and wellness coaching. Be sure to ask about the coach’s experience and qualifications in virtual coaching, as well as their availability and communication methods.

How can I assess the reputation of a health and wellness coach?

One way to assess the reputation of a health and wellness coach is to look for reviews and testimonials from past clients. You can also ask for references or reach out to local organizations for referrals.

What qualities should I look for in a health and wellness coach?

Some important qualities to look for in a health and wellness coach include empathy, communication skills, a non-judgmental attitude, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. It’s also important to find a coach who is a good fit for your needs and goals.

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How Long Does Health And Wellness Coaching Typically Last? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-long-does-health-and-wellness-coaching-typically-last/ Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33073 Health and wellness coaching is a process that helps individuals to identify and achieve their health and wellness goals. The duration of coaching can vary depending on a number of different actors, including the goals of the individual, the intensity of the coaching, and the coach’s approach to coaching. In general, health and wellness coaching...

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Health and wellness coaching is a process that helps individuals to identify and achieve their health and wellness goals. The duration of coaching can vary depending on a number of different actors, including the goals of the individual, the intensity of the coaching, and the coach’s approach to coaching.

In general, health and wellness coaching can last anywhere from a one or two weeks to several months or even longer. Some coaching programs are designed to be short-term, focused on addressing specific goals or challenges, while others may be more long-term, focusing on sustained behaviour change and lifestyle improvement.

Short-Term Health And Wellness Coaching

Short-term health and wellness coaching programs are a popular option for individuals who want to achieve specific, time-limited goals. These programs typically last from a few weeks to several months and focus on providing the individual with the tools and resources needed to achieve their goal. Short-term coaching programs can help individuals with a range of goals, including weight loss, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and improving sleep quality.

One of the main benefits of short-term coaching programs is their focus on achieving specific goals. The coach will work with the individual to set realistic and achievable goals and provides guidance on the steps needed to reach those goals. This can include developing a personalized plan for nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle changes, as well as providing accountability and support to help the individual stay on track.

Regular check-ins with the coach are a key component of short-term coaching programs. These check-ins allow the coach to monitor the individual’s progress, provide feedback and guidance, and make adjustments to the coaching plan as needed. Goal-setting exercises are also often included in short-term coaching programs, as they help the individual to stay focused and motivated.

Guidance on lifestyle changes, such as nutrition and exercise, is another important aspect of short-term coaching programs. The coach can provide information on healthy eating habits, recommended levels of physical activity, and other lifestyle modifications that can help the individual to achieve their goal. This guidance is often personalized to the individual’s requirements and preferences, which can help to ensure that the coaching is effective and sustainable.

Accountability and support are also key components of short-term coaching programs. The coach provides regular feedback and encouragement, which can help the individual to stay motivated and overcome obstacles. This support can be particularly important when trying to make lifestyle changes, as it can be difficult to stay on track without the guidance and support of a coach.

Mid-Term Health And Wellness Coaching

Mid-term health and wellness coaching programs are designed to achieve sustained behaviour change and lifestyle improvement over a time period of anywhere between three and six months. These programs are more in-depth than short-term coaching programs, as they involve a more comprehensive assessment of the individual’s health and wellness needs and a more personalized approach to coaching.

The first step in a mid-term coaching program is often a thorough assessment of the individual’s current health status and wellness goals. This may involve a review of medical history, lab tests, and other health-related information to identify areas of focus for the coaching program. The coach will work with the individual to set achievable goals based on their assessment, taking into account the individual’s lifestyle, preferences, and needs.

Regular check-ins with the coach are an important component of mid-term coaching programs. These check-ins allow the coach to monitor the individual’s progress and provide feedback and guidance as needed. The frequency of check-ins may vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals, but typically occur every 1-2 weeks.

Individualized coaching sessions are another key component of mid-term coaching programs. These sessions are focused on developing personalized strategies for achieving the individual’s goals. This may involve changes to diet and exercise, stress management techniques, and other lifestyle modifications. The coach works with the individual to develop a plan that is tailored to their particular needs and preferences.

Diet and exercise modifications are often a key focus of mid-term coaching programs. The coach may provide guidance on healthy eating habits, portion control, and meal planning to help the individual achieve their goals. They may also recommend specific types of exercise or develop a personalized exercise plan that takes into account the individual’s fitness level, preferences, and goals.

Stress management techniques are another important aspect of mid-term coaching programs. The coach may provide guidance on relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and other strategies for managing stress. These techniques can be particularly important for individuals who experience high levels of stress in their daily lives, as stress can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health.

Other lifestyle modifications that may be recommended as part of mid-term coaching programs include improving sleep quality, reducing alcohol or caffeine intake, and quitting smoking. These modifications are tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences and are designed to support their overall health and wellness goals.

Long-Term Health And Wellness Coaching

Long-term health and wellness coaching programs are ideal for individuals who are committed to making sustained lifestyle changes and improving their overall health and wellness over an extended period of time. These programs typically last for six months or longer and are designed to achieve lasting behaviour change and sustained wellness improvement.

The key difference between long-term coaching programs and short- or mid-term programs is the length and focus of the coaching. Long-term coaching programs involve ongoing support and guidance to help individuals achieve their goals over an extended period of time. These programs typically involve regular check-ins with the coach, as well as ongoing coaching sessions focused on developing and refining personalized strategies for achieving the individual’s goals.

The first step in a long-term coaching program is typically a thorough assessment of the individual’s health and wellness needs and goals. This assessment may include a review of medical history, lab tests, and other health-related information to identify areas of focus for the coaching program. The coach works with the individual in order to set achievable goals based on their assessment, taking into account the individual’s lifestyle, preferences, and needs.

Regular check-ins with the coach are a key component of long-term coaching programs. These check-ins provide ongoing support and guidance to help individuals maintain their progress and stay motivated over time. The frequency of check-ins may vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals, but typically occur every 2-4 weeks.

Ongoing coaching sessions are another important component of long-term coaching programs. These sessions are focused on developing and refining personalized strategies for achieving the individual’s goals. The coach works with the individual to adapt their strategies over time as needed, taking into account their progress, challenges, and changing circumstances.

Lifestyle modifications are a key focus of long-term coaching programs, as sustained behaviour change is critical for achieving lasting wellness improvement. The coach may provide ongoing support for changes to diet and exercise, stress management techniques, and other lifestyle modifications. They may also work with the individual to develop a plan for managing challenges and setbacks and maintaining motivation over time.

One important aspect of long-term coaching programs is the emphasis on building self-efficacy and self-awareness. The coach works with the individual to develop a deeper understanding of their strengths and challenges, as well as strategies for managing obstacles and setbacks. This self-awareness and sense of empowerment can be critical for maintaining progress and achieving lasting wellness improvement.

Factors Affecting The Duration Of Health And Wellness Coaching

The duration of health and wellness coaching can vary dependent on a number of factors, including the individual’s goals, the intensity of the coaching, and the coach’s approach to coaching.

One of the key factors affecting the duration of coaching is the individual’s goals. If the individual has specific, time-limited goals, such as training for a race or losing a certain amount of weight, then coaching may be focused on achieving these goals within a shorter time frame. However, if the individual is looking to make more sustained lifestyle changes, then coaching may be more long-term.

The intensity of coaching can also affect the duration of coaching. Intensive coaching programs may involve more frequent check-ins with the coach and a more personalized approach to coaching. These programs may be shorter in duration but may involve more intensive support and guidance.

Finally, the coach’s approach to coaching can also affect the duration of coaching. Some coaches may take a more structured approach, with specific milestones and timelines for achieving goals. Other coaches may take a more flexible approach, working with the individual to develop personalized strategies for achieving their goals over time.

Health and wellness coaching is a process that can vary in duration depending on a range of factors, such as the individual’s goals, the intensity of the coaching, and the coach’s approach. Short-term coaching programs focus on achieving specific, time-limited goals, whereas mid-term and long-term coaching programs aim for sustained behaviour change and lifestyle improvement. The duration of coaching can also be affected by the intensity of coaching and the coach’s approach, with some coaches taking a more structured or flexible approach to coaching. Ultimately, the duration of coaching should align with the individual’s needs and goals, as well as the level of support and guidance required to achieve their desired outcomes.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

With much focus being placed on health and wellness, it’s no surprise that being a health and wellness coach is a growing profession. To find out more about becoming engaged in this career, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

What are short-term health and wellness coaching programs, and how long do they typically last?

Short-term coaching programs are designed to help individuals achieve specific, time-limited goals such as weight loss, smoking cessation, stress reduction, or improving sleep quality. They can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

What is the focus of mid-term health and wellness coaching programs, and how long do they typically last?

Mid-term coaching programs are focused on achieving sustained behaviour change and lifestyle improvement. They typically last between three and six months.

What is the purpose of long-term health and wellness coaching programs, and how long do they typically last?

Long-term coaching programs are designed to provide ongoing support and guidance to individuals committed to making sustained lifestyle changes. They typically last for six months or longer.

What factors can affect the duration of health and wellness coaching programs?

The duration of coaching can be affected by factors such as the individual’s goals, the intensity of coaching, and the coach’s approach to coaching.

How can individuals determine which type of health and wellness coaching program is right for them?

Individuals can determine which type of coaching program is right for them by considering their goals, the level of support they need, and the amount of time and resources they are willing to commit to achieving their goals. Consulting with a coach can also help individuals determine the best approach for their needs.

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Is Barre Pilates Suitable For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/is-barre-pilates-suitable-for-beginners/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33047 Barre Pilates is a popular fitness program that combines elements of ballet barre exercises and Pilates. It has won a reputation for being a challenging workout that targets specific muscle groups, improves muscle tone and posture, and helps to burn calories. But is Barre Pilates suitable for beginners? In today’s article, we will explore the...

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Barre Pilates is a popular fitness program that combines elements of ballet barre exercises and Pilates. It has won a reputation for being a challenging workout that targets specific muscle groups, improves muscle tone and posture, and helps to burn calories. But is Barre Pilates suitable for beginners? In today’s article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of Barre Pilates and help you decide whether it’s a suitable workout for you.

Benefits Of Barre Pilates For Beginners

Barre Pilates is a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It’s a fantastic choice for beginners who want to improve their overall fitness and flexibility gradually over time. Barre Pilates combines the benefits of both Pilates and ballet barre exercises, making it a versatile and effective workout that can help beginners achieve their fitness goals.

Improved Posture

Barre Pilates is an effective workout for improving posture. The exercises are specifically designed to target the muscles which support good posture, such as the glutes, back, and abdominal muscles. These muscles play a critical role in maintaining proper spinal alignment and lowering the risk of back pain and other posture-related issues.

The small, repetitive movements used in Barre Pilates help to activate and strengthen these muscles gradually over time. The movements are performed in a controlled and precise manner, ensuring that the muscles are working properly and effectively. By consistently practicing Barre Pilates, beginners can gradually strengthen their posture muscles, leading to improved posture and reduced risk of injury.

In addition to strengthening the posture muscles, Barre Pilates also helps to improve body awareness. The movements require focus and concentration, forcing beginners to pay attention to their body’s alignment and posture. This increased body awareness can help beginners identify and correct postural imbalances and improve their overall posture.

Moreover, improved posture has numerous benefits beyond reducing the risk of back pain. Good posture can enhance physical appearance, boost confidence, and even improve breathing and digestion. It can also reduce the risk of injury during physical activities, as proper alignment and balance are essential for optimal performance.

Improved Flexibility

Barre Pilates exercises are also excellent for improving flexibility. The small, repetitive movements used in Barre Pilates can help beginners to stretch and lengthen their muscles gradually over time. This can help to reduce muscle tension, increase range of motion, and improve overall flexibility.

Improved Muscle Tone

Barre Pilates is a highly effective workout for toning and sculpting the body. The isometric movements used in Barre Pilates can quickly fatigue the muscles and create a deep burn, which can help beginners build muscle tone and definition. Unlike traditional strength training workouts that rely on lifting heavy weights, Barre Pilates uses small, repetitive movements to activate the muscles and promote muscle growth.

One of the key benefits of Barre Pilates is that it targets specific muscle groups, including the arms, abs, glutes, and legs, making it a full-body workout. By targeting these specific muscle groups, Barre Pilates helps beginners to tone and strengthen their muscles, resulting in a leaner, more sculpted physique.

In addition to toning and sculpting your body, Barre Pilates can also improve overall muscle endurance and cardiovascular fitness. The high-intensity nature of the workout can help to elevate the heart rate and increase calorie burn, making it an effective way to improve overall fitness and health.

Moreover, the low-impact nature of Barre Pilates makes it a safe and accessible workout for beginners of all fitness levels. The exercises are designed in order to be gentle on the joints, which reduces the risk of injury and makes it an ideal workout for individuals suffering from joint pain or mobility issues.

Challenges Of Barre Pilates For Beginners

While Barre Pilates is suitable for beginners, there are some challenges that beginners should be aware of. These include:

Physical Demands

Barre Pilates can be a physically demanding workout, particularly for beginners who may not be used to the intensity of the exercises. The small, repetitive movements used in Barre Pilates can quickly fatigue the muscles, making it important for beginners to pace themselves and take breaks when needed.

Coordination and Balance

Some exercises may require that you balance on one leg or holding a particular position for an extended period, which can be challenging for beginners.

However, with practice, beginners can improve their balance and coordination through Barre Pilates. The exercises are designed to improve proprioception, or the body’s awareness of its position in space. By practicing these exercises regularly, beginners can develop a better sense of balance and coordination, which can help with other activities in daily life.

Barre Pilates also focuses on improving core strength, which can aid in balance and stability. A strong core can help beginners maintain proper alignment and balance during exercises, reducing the risk of injury. The exercises in Barre Pilates often require a combination of core strength and coordination, which can improve overall balance and stability.

To help beginners improve their balance and coordination during Barre Pilates, instructors may offer modifications or provide additional support. For example, beginners can use a chair or wall for support during exercises that require balance. As they become more comfortable, they can gradually reduce the amount of support they need.

It’s important for beginners to start slowly and focus on proper form and alignment. Rushing through exercises or sacrificing form for speed can increase the risk of injury and hinder progress. By focusing on proper form and taking breaks when needed, beginners can build their balance and coordination safely and effectively.

Additionally, Barre Pilates offers a supportive and encouraging environment for beginners to practice their balance and coordination. Instructors often provide individualized attention and feedback to help beginners improve their technique and form. The group setting can also be motivating, as beginners can see the progress of others and feel a sense of accomplishment when they improve their balance and coordination.

Equipment

Barre Pilates often requires the use of specialized equipment, such as a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance. While this equipment is not essential, it can be helpful for beginners who want to get the most out of their workout.

Tips For Beginners

If you’re a beginner interested in trying Barre Pilates, here are some tips to help you get started:

Start Slowly

Barre Pilates is a challenging workout, and it’s essential to start slowly and gradually build up your fitness level over time. Beginners should begin with shorter workouts and fewer repetitions and gradually increase the length and intensity of their workouts as they become more comfortable with the exercises.

Starting slowly allows beginners to focus on mastering the correct form and technique, which is crucial for preventing injuries and really getting the most out of the workout. As they become more comfortable with the exercises, they can gradually increase the length and intensity of their workouts to challenge themselves further.

It’s very important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, in particular if you’re new to Barre Pilates. If an exercise is too challenging or causes pain or discomfort, it’s crucial to stop and rest before continuing. Taking breaks when needed and pacing yourself will help you build up your fitness level gradually while minimizing the risk of injury.

In addition to starting slowly, beginners should also be mindful of their fitness level and adjust their workouts accordingly. It’s crucial to work within your limits and not push yourself too hard, especially in the beginning stages of your Barre Pilates journey. As you become more comfortable with the exercises and build up your strength and endurance, you can slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

Working with a certified Barre Pilates instructor can also be helpful for beginners. A knowledgeable instructor can guide you through the exercises, provide modifications and adjustments to suit your individual needs, and help you avoid injury. They can also provide feedback on your form and technique, which is essential for getting the most out of the workout.

Listen To Your Body

It’s very important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. If an exercise is too challenging or causes pain or discomfort, stop and rest before continuing.

Use Modifications

Barre Pilates exercises can be modified to make them easier or more challenging, depending on your fitness level. Don’t be afraid to use modifications that suit your needs and abilities.

Barre Pilates is a suitable workout for beginners who want to improve their overall fitness and flexibility gradually over time. It combines the benefits of Pilates and ballet barre exercises, making it a versatile and effective workout. Beginners can enjoy improved posture, flexibility, and muscle tone by incorporating Barre Pilates into their fitness routine.

However, beginners should be aware of the physical demands, coordination and balance challenges, and specialized equipment requirements of the workout. Starting slowly, listening to your body, and using modifications can help beginners get the most out of their Barre Pilates workouts. With proper guidance and a commitment to consistent practice, Barre Pilates can be a fun and rewarding workout for beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barre Pilates, and is it suitable for beginners?

Barre Pilates is a fitness program that combines elements of ballet barre exercises and Pilates. It’s low-impact and gentle on the joints, making it suitable for beginners.

What are the benefits of Barre Pilates for beginners?

The benefits of Barre Pilates for beginners include improved posture, flexibility, and muscle tone. It’s a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

What are the challenges of Barre Pilates for beginners?

The challenges of Barre Pilates for beginners include the physical demands of the workout, which can be intense and tiring. The exercises often require coordination and balance, which can be challenging for beginners.

What tips can beginners use to start Barre Pilates?

Beginners can start slowly and gradually build up their fitness level over time. It’s very important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed, and use modifications to make the exercises far easier or more challenging.

Is Barre Pilates suitable for people with injuries or health conditions?

It’s quite important to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new exercise program, especially if you have injuries or health conditions. Barre Pilates can be modified to accommodate injuries or health conditions, but it’s important to seek guidance from a qualified instructor.

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How Does Barre Pilates Differ From Regular Pilates? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-does-barre-pilates-differ-from-regular-pilates/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=33043 Barre Pilates is a hybrid fitness program that combines elements of ballet barre exercises and Pilates. While both Pilates and Barre Pilates share similar principles and movements, there are some key differences that set them apart. Origins And History Pilates is a very popular format of exercise which was created by Joseph Pilates in the...

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Barre Pilates is a hybrid fitness program that combines elements of ballet barre exercises and Pilates. While both Pilates and Barre Pilates share similar principles and movements, there are some key differences that set them apart.

Origins And History

Pilates is a very popular format of exercise which was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Originally designed as a form of rehabilitation and strengthening exercise, Pilates has become a popular fitness program that is practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels.

The Pilates method focuses on improving core strength and emphasizing controlled, precise movements that improve posture, flexibility, and balance. The exercises are designed to work the deep muscles of the core, including the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles. Pilates also emphasizes proper breathing techniques and body alignment, which can help reduce the risk of injury and improve overall body awareness.

In contrast, Barre Pilates is a more recent development that emerged in the 2000s. It combines traditional Pilates exercises with ballet barre exercises to create a dynamic, full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups. Barre Pilates includes a variety of movements, including pliés, relevés, and tendus, which are inspired by ballet exercises.

The use of the barre in Barre Pilates allows for a wider range of movement and greater stability during the exercises. It also provides an additional source of resistance, which can help increase muscle tone and strength. Barre Pilates is designed to be a challenging, high-intensity workout that helps improve overall fitness and cardiovascular endurance.

While both Pilates and Barre Pilates focus on improving overall strength and flexibility, Barre Pilates places a greater emphasis on the lower body muscles, including the glutes, thighs, and calves. The ballet-inspired movements and use of the barre make Barre Pilates an excellent workout for toning and shaping the lower body.

In contrast, Pilates targets the entire body, including the core muscles, upper body, and lower body. The exercises are designed to improve overall strength and flexibility while promoting proper body alignment and posture.

Both Pilates and Barre Pilates can be done with or without equipment. Pilates typically involves the use of specialized equipment such as the reformer, Cadillac – as well as the Wunda chair – to add resistance and challenge to the exercises. In contrast, Barre Pilates usually requires only a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance.

When it comes to intensity, Barre Pilates is generally considered to be a more challenging workout than Pilates. The isometric movements and small, repetitive movements used in Barre Pilates can quickly fatigue the muscles and create a deep burn. This high-intensity workout is designed to tone and sculpt the body while improving endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

Pilates, on the other hand, is a low-intensity workout that focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time. The movements are designed to be slow and controlled, and the emphasis is on quality over quantity. Pilates is an excellent choice for people who are looking for a low-impact workout that can help improve overall fitness and reduce the risk of injury.

Equipment

Both Pilates and Barre Pilates can be done with or without equipment. Pilates typically involves the use of specialized equipment for example the reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda chair to add resistance and challenge to the exercises. In contrast, Barre Pilates usually requires only a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance.

Movements

Barre Pilates incorporates more isometric movements and small, repetitive movements that target specific muscle groups. These movements are inspired by ballet exercises and aim to improve muscle tone, balance, and posture. Isometric movements involve holding a static position, which can create a deep burn and fatigue the muscles quickly. This high-intensity workout is designed to help tone and sculpt the body while improving endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

In contrast, Pilates focuses on engaging the core muscles, including the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles. Pilates exercises are designed to improve overall strength, flexibility, and balance. The movements are often slow and deliberate, and they require focus and concentration. Pilates is a low-intensity workout that emphasizes quality over quantity and is ideal for individuals who want to improve their physical fitness gradually over time.

Another difference between Pilates and Barre Pilates is the type of movements used in each workout. Barre Pilates includes movements inspired by ballet exercises, such as pliés, relevés, and tendus. These movements target the lower body muscles, including the glutes, thighs, and calves. The use of the barre provides added resistance and stability during the exercises, making it an excellent workout for toning and shaping the lower body.

Pilates, on the other hand, focuses on engaging the core muscles and improving overall strength and flexibility. Pilates exercises include movements such as the Hundred, the Roll-Up, and the Single Leg Circle, which engage the core muscles and improve overall strength and flexibility. Pilates exercises are designed to be performed slowly and deliberately, with a focus on proper alignment and posture.

Equipment is also a factor that distinguishes Pilates from Barre Pilates. Pilates exercises can be performed using specialized equipment such as the reformer, the Cadillac, and the Wunda chair. These pieces of equipment provide added resistance and challenge to the exercises, making them more effective at improving overall strength and flexibility.

In contrast, Barre Pilates usually requires only a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance. The use of the barre provides an additional source of resistance, making the exercises more challenging and effective at improving muscle tone and strength.

Intensity

Pilates and Barre Pilates are both popular low-impact workouts that have gained popularity in recent years. While both workouts have many benefits, there are some differences in their intensity and goals.

Barre Pilates is a more intense workout that focuses on toning and sculpting the body. The isometric movements and small, repetitive movements used in Barre Pilates can quickly fatigue the muscles and create a deep burn. The workout incorporates elements from ballet exercises, and is designed to improve muscle tone, balance, and posture. Barre Pilates requires a lot of physical effort and can be a fantastic way to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

In contrast, Pilates is a low-intensity workout that focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time. Pilates exercises are considered to be slow and controlled, and the emphasis is on quality over quantity. Pilates focuses on engaging the core muscles, including the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles, to improve overall strength, flexibility, and balance. Pilates is an excellent choice for people who want to improve their physical fitness gradually and safely.

Another difference between Pilates and Barre Pilates is the type of movements used in each workout. Barre Pilates includes movements inspired by ballet exercises, such as pliés, relevés, and tendus. These movements target the lower body muscles, including the glutes, thighs, and calves. The use of the barre provides added resistance and stability during the exercises, making it an excellent workout for toning and shaping the lower body.

In contrast, Pilates exercises target the entire body, including the core muscles, upper body, and lower body. Pilates exercises include movements such as the Hundred, the Roll-Up, and the Single Leg Circle, which engage the core muscles and improve overall strength and flexibility. Pilates exercises are designed to be performed slowly and deliberately, with a focus on proper alignment and posture.

Equipment is also a factor that distinguishes Pilates from Barre Pilates. Pilates exercises can be performed using specialized equipment such as the reformer, the Cadillac, and the Wunda chair. These pieces of equipment provide added resistance and challenge to the exercises, making them more effective at improving overall strength and flexibility.

In contrast, Barre Pilates usually requires only a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance. The use of the barre provides an additional source of resistance, making the exercises more challenging and effective at improving muscle tone and strength.

While both Pilates and Barre Pilates have many benefits, it’s important to consider your fitness goals when choosing between the two workouts. Barre Pilates is a high-intensity workout that can be a great choice for people who want to improve their cardiovascular fitness and endurance, while Pilates is a low-intensity workout that focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time. Ultimately, the choice between Pilates and Barre Pilates will depend on personal fitness goals, preferences, and physical abilities.

Targeted Muscles

Both Pilates and Barre Pilates target the core muscles and improve overall strength and flexibility. However, Barre Pilates places more emphasis on the lower body muscles, including the glutes, thighs, and calves. The ballet-inspired movements and use of the barre make Barre Pilates an excellent workout for toning and shaping the lower body.

Pilates, on the other hand, targets the entire body, including the core muscles, upper body, and lower body. The exercises are designed in order to improve posture, balance, and flexibility while building overall strength.

Barre Pilates and Pilates share many similarities but also have some key differences. While both workouts focus on controlled, precise movements and improving overall strength and flexibility, Barre Pilates is a more intense workout that targets the lower body muscles and uses ballet-inspired movements. Pilates is a low-intensity workout that targets the entire body and focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about Pilates and become a Pilates instructor? If you are then please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Barre Pilates and regular Pilates?

Barre Pilates combines traditional Pilates exercises with ballet barre exercises, whereas regular Pilates focuses on the core muscles and emphasizes controlled, precise movements that improve posture, flexibility, and balance.

Which workout is more intense, Barre Pilates or regular Pilates?

Barre Pilates is generally considered more intense due to the isometric movements and small, repetitive movements used, while regular Pilates is a low-intensity workout that focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time.

How do the movements differ between Barre Pilates and regular Pilates?

Barre Pilates incorporates more isometric movements and small, repetitive movements inspired by ballet exercises that target specific muscle groups, while regular Pilates includes movements designed to engage the core muscles, including the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles.

Do Barre Pilates and regular Pilates require different equipment?

Yes, Barre Pilates usually requires a barre, a mat, and some light weights for added resistance, while regular Pilates can be performed using specialized equipment such as the reformer, the Cadillac, and the Wunda chair.

Which workout is better suited for improving cardiovascular fitness?

Barre Pilates is a high-intensity workout that can be a great choice for improving cardiovascular fitness and endurance, while regular Pilates is a low-intensity workout that focuses on building strength and flexibility gradually over time.

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What Are Some Common Poses Or Asanas In Yoga? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-some-common-poses-or-asanas-in-yoga/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32900 Yoga is a practice which involves physical postures, or asanas, which are designed to promote flexibility, strength, and balance in the body. There are hundreds of different poses in yoga, each with its own unique benefits as well as challenges. In today’s article, we will explore some of the most common poses or asanas in...

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Yoga is a practice which involves physical postures, or asanas, which are designed to promote flexibility, strength, and balance in the body. There are hundreds of different poses in yoga, each with its own unique benefits as well as challenges. In today’s article, we will explore some of the most common poses or asanas in yoga and their benefits.

Mountain Pose (Tad asana)

Mountain pose is a simple standing posture that is frequently utilised as a starting point for other standing poses. To perform this pose, stand with your feet together and distribute your weight evenly between them. Lift your toes and spread them apart, then place them back down on the ground. Engage your quadriceps, draw your shoulder blades down and back, and lengthen your spine. Take a few deep breaths in this posture and feel the strength and stability of the mountain.

Here are some of the advantages of practicing mountain pose:

  • Improves posture: Mountain pose helps to improve posture by aligning the spine and encouraging the shoulders to relax and the chest to open. This posture can help to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders, which can be caused by poor posture.
  • Increases body awareness: Mountain pose is a simple posture that can help to increase body awareness by encouraging you to focus on your breath and the sensations in your body. This can help to improve your overall sense of well-being and self-awareness.
  • Enhances balance and stability: Mountain pose helps to enhance balance and stability by encouraging you to distribute your weight evenly between your feet. This can help to improve your overall balance and lower the risk of falls and other balance-related injuries.
  • Reduces stress and anxiety: Mountain pose can help to lower stress and anxiety by promoting a sense of grounding and stability. This posture encourages you to connect with the earth beneath your feet and to focus on your breath, which can help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Increases energy and vitality: Mountain pose is a grounding posture that can help to increase energy and vitality by promoting a sense of inner strength and stability. This posture encourages you to stand tall and proud, which can help to boost your confidence and energy levels.
  • Improves breathing: Mountain pose can help to improve your breathing by encouraging you to breathe deeply and fully. This can help to increase oxygen flow to the body and brain, which can improve overall health and well-being.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adhi Mukhi Savasana)

Downward-facing dog is a common pose in yoga that helps to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and core while stretching the hamstrings and calves. To perform this pose, begin on your hands and knees with your wrists immediately under your shoulders and your knees will go under your hips. Lift your hips up and back, straighten out your arms and legs, and press your palms into the ground. Keep your head and neck relaxed and breathe deeply in this posture.

Here are a number of the benefits of practicing Downward-Facing Dog:

  • Strengthens the arms and shoulders: Downward-Facing Dog is a weight-bearing posture that strengthens the arms, shoulders, and upper back. This can help to improve posture and reduce the risk of shoulder and upper back injuries.
  • Stretches the hamstrings and calves: Downward-Facing Dog stretches the hamstrings and calves, which can help to improve flexibility and range of motion in these areas. This can be particularly beneficial for runners and other athletes.
  • Relieves back pain: Downward-Facing Dog can help to relieve back pain by stretching the spine and relieving tension in the lower back. This posture can be particularly beneficial for people who experience lower back pain or stiffness.
  • Improves digestion: Downward-Facing Dog can help to improve digestion by stimulating the abdominal organs and encouraging the flow of blood to the digestive system. This posture can also help to relieve constipation, bloating, and other digestive issues.
  • Reduces stress and anxiety: Downward-Facing Dog can help to lower stress and anxiety by promoting a sense of relaxation and calm. This posture encourages you to focus on your breath and the sensations in your body, which can help to quiet the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Improves circulation: Downward-Facing Dog is an inversion posture that can help to improve circulation by reversing the flow of blood in the body. This can assist with improving overall health and well-being.
  • Enhances overall fitness: Downward-Facing Dog is a weight-bearing posture that can help to enhance overall fitness by improving strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. This posture can be particularly beneficial for people who are looking to improve their fitness level or maintain their current level of fitness.

Warrior II (Virbhadra’s II)

Warrior II is a powerful standing posture that strengthens the legs and opens the hips and chest. To perform this pose, start in mountain pose and step your left foot back about 3-4 feet. Turn your left foot out to 90 degrees and your right foot in slightly. Stretch your arms out to your sides. Make sure that they are at shoulder height and turn your right knee so that it is directly over your ankle. Gaze out over your right hand and hold this posture for several breaths before repeating on the other side.

Here are some of the advantages of practicing Warrior II:

  • Strengthens the legs and core: Warrior II is a weight-bearing posture that strengthens the legs, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. This posture also strengthens the core muscles, which can help to improve overall strength and stability.
  • Increases flexibility and range of motion: Warrior II opens up the hips and stretches the inner thighs, which can help to improve flexibility and range of motion in these areas. This posture can be particularly beneficial for athletes who need to maintain flexibility in the hips and thighs.
  • Improves balance and focus: Warrior II is a challenging posture that requires balance and focus. Practicing this posture can help to improve your balance and focus, which can carry over into other areas of your life.
  • Opens the chest and shoulders: Warrior II opens the chest and shoulders, which can help to improve posture and reduce tension and stiffness in these areas.
  • Relieves stress and anxiety: Warrior II can help to relieve stress and anxiety by promoting a sense of grounding and stability. This posture encourages you to connect with the earth beneath your feet and to focus on your breath, which can help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Improves circulation: Warrior II is a weight-bearing posture that can help to improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the legs and core muscles. This can assist with improving overall health and well-being.
  • Builds confidence and self-esteem: Warrior II is a powerful and empowering posture that can help to build confidence and self-esteem. This posture encourages you to stand tall and proud, which can help to boost your confidence and sense of self-worth.

Tree Pose (Vishaan)

Tree pose is a balancing posture that strengthens the legs and improves concentration and focus. To perform this pose, start in mountain pose and lift up your right foot off the ground. Place the sole of your right foot on your left inner thigh or calf (avoid placing your foot on your knee). Press your hands together at your heart centre and hold this posture for several breaths before repeating on the other side.

Here are a number of the benefits of practicing tree pose:

  • Improves balance and stability: Tree pose is a balancing posture that requires focus and concentration. Practicing this posture can help to improve your balance and stability, which can be beneficial for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Strengthens the legs and core: Tree pose is a weight-bearing posture that strengthens the legs, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. This posture also strengthens the core muscles, which can help to improve overall strength and stability.
  • Enhances body awareness: Tree pose can help to enhance body awareness by encouraging you to focus on the sensations in your body and the alignment of your limbs. This can help to improve your overall sense of well-being and self-awareness.
  • Improves concentration and focus: Tree pose requires concentration and focus, which can help to improve your mental clarity and focus. Practicing this posture can also help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall sense of well-being.
  • Stretches the hips and inner thighs: Tree pose stretches the hips and inner thighs, which can help to boost flexibility and range of motion in these areas. This posture can be particularly beneficial for runners and other athletes who need to maintain flexibility in the hips and thighs.
  • Enhances overall fitness: Tree pose is a weight-bearing posture that can help to enhance overall fitness by improving strength, flexibility, and balance. This posture can be particularly beneficial for people who are looking to improve their fitness level or maintain their current level of fitness.
  • Boosts confidence and self-esteem: Tree pose is a powerful and empowering posture that can help to boost confidence and self-esteem. This posture encourages you to stand tall and proud, which can help to improve your overall sense of self-worth and confidence.

Child’s Pose (Bal asana)

Child’s pose (Bal asana) is a restorative yoga posture that is often used as a resting pose or as a way to release tension in the back, shoulders, and hips. Here are some of the advantages of practicing child’s pose:

  • Relieves stress and tension: Child’s pose is a great way to release stress and tension in the body, particularly in the shoulders, back, and hips. This pose encourages relaxation and can help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
  • Stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles: Child’s pose gently stretches the muscles in the hips, thighs, and ankles, which can assist with improving flexibility and range of motion in these areas.
  • Relieves lower back pain: This posture gently stretches the lower back, which can help to relieve tension and discomfort in this area. Child’s pose can be especially beneficial for people who experience lower back pain or stiffness.
  • Improves digestion: Child’s pose can help to stimulate the digestive system and relieve constipation, bloating, and other digestive issues. This pose can also help to reduce stress-related digestive problems, such as acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Calms the mind: Child’s pose is a restful posture that encourages relaxation and can help to quiet the mind. This pose can be particularly beneficial for people who experience stress, anxiety, or insomnia.
  • Regulates blood pressure: Child’s pose is a gentle inversion that can help to regulate blood pressure and improve circulation. This posture can be particularly beneficial for people who experience high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mountain Pose in yoga?

Mountain Pose, also known as Tad asana, is a standing posture in yoga that is often used as a starting point for other standing poses. This posture helps to improve posture, increase body awareness, and enhance balance and stability.

What is Downward-Facing Dog in yoga?

Downward-Facing Dog, also known as Adhi Mukhi Savasana, is a foundational yoga posture that strengthens the arms and shoulders, stretches the hamstrings and calves, and promotes relaxation and calm.

What is Warrior II in yoga?

Warrior II, also known as Virbhadra’s II, is a powerful standing posture in yoga that strengthens the legs, opens the hips and chest, and improves balance and focus. This posture can help to increase overall strength and stability and boost confidence and self-esteem.

What is Tree Pose in yoga?

Tree Pose, also known as Vishaan, is a balancing posture in yoga that strengthens the legs and core muscles and improves concentration and focus. This posture can help to enhance balance and stability, increase body awareness, and reduce stress and anxiety.

What is Child’s Pose in yoga?

Child’s Pose, also known as Bal asana, is a restorative yoga posture that helps to release tension in the back, shoulders, and hips. This posture can help to reduce stress and tension in the body, improve digestion, and promote relaxation and calm.

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What Are The Different Kinds Of Yoga, And Which One Is Right For Me? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-yoga-and-which-one-is-right-for-me/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32905 Yoga is a versatile and ancient practice that has been around forever, with many different styles and variations. Each style of yoga has its own unique focus and benefits, and finding the right one for you can depend on your individual preferences, needs, and goals. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common...

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Yoga is a versatile and ancient practice that has been around forever, with many different styles and variations. Each style of yoga has its own unique focus and benefits, and finding the right one for you can depend on your individual preferences, needs, and goals. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common types of yoga and help you determine which one is right for you.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a very popular form of yoga that is practiced by people of all ages and abilities. This style of yoga is well known for its gentle and slow-paced movements, making it an ideal choice for beginners or anyone who wants to focus on the basics of yoga postures and breathing techniques.

Hatha yoga typically involves holding each posture for a few breaths, allowing practitioners to fully experience the benefits of each pose. This style of yoga focuses on building strength, flexibility, and balance in the body. The postures in Hatha yoga are designed to help practitioners release tension, increase circulation, and improve overall physical and mental well-being.

One of the key benefits of Hatha yoga is its ability to lower stress and anxiety. The slow-paced movements and focus on deep breathing help to calm the mind and promote relaxation. Regular practice of Hatha yoga can help to reduce stress levels and improve overall mood, leading to an elevated sense of peace and contentment.

In addition to its stress-reducing benefits, Hatha yoga is also an effective way to improve overall fitness and well-being. The postures in Hatha yoga help to build strength, flexibility, and balance in the body, which can lead to improved physical health and reduced risk of injury.

Hatha yoga is also a great option for people who might be recovering from an injury or illness. The gentle movements and focus on proper alignment can help to improve mobility and reduce pain and discomfort in the body. Practicing Hatha yoga can also help to improve overall range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday activities and maintain an active lifestyle.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a more dynamic and fluid style of yoga that involves linking breath with movement in a series of flowing postures. This style of yoga can be more intense than Hatha yoga and is great for people who want to improve their strength and cardiovascular fitness. Vinyasa yoga is also a great option for people who want to improve their flexibility, coordination, and focus.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and invigorating style of yoga that can help practitioners build strength and endurance. This style of yoga involves a set sequence of postures, or asanas, which are practiced in a specific order, creating a structured and disciplined practice.

Ashtanga yoga is often considered to be a more challenging and intense style of yoga, making it a great option for people who are looking to push themselves physically and mentally. The postures in Ashtanga yoga are designed to be practiced in a specific sequence, with each posture building upon the previous one. This can help practitioners to develop a deeper understanding of their body and their practice, as well as build strength, flexibility, and endurance over time.

One of the key benefits of Ashtanga yoga is its ability to build strength in the body. The postures in this style of yoga require a great deal of upper body and core strength, as well as strength in the legs and hips. Practicing Ashtanga yoga can help to improve overall muscle tone and definition, making it a great choice for people who want to build a strong, healthy body.

In addition to its strength-building benefits, Ashtanga yoga is also a great way to improve endurance and stamina. The fast-paced movements and constant flow of the practice can help to increase cardiovascular fitness, as well as improve overall physical stamina and endurance.

Ashtanga yoga can also be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. The intense focus and discipline required by this style of yoga can help to calm the mind and promote relaxation. Additionally, the physical benefits of the practice can help to reduce tension and release stored energy in the body, leading to a greater sense of calm and well-being.

While Ashtanga yoga can be physically challenging, it is also a very accessible style of yoga for practitioners of all levels. The set sequence of postures allows practitioners to develop a deep understanding of the practice over time, and the structured nature of the practice can help to keep practitioners focused and motivated.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is a kind of yoga that emphasizes proper alignment and technique in each posture. This style of yoga typically involves the use of props, for example blocks, straps, and blankets, to help students achieve proper alignment and form. Iyengar yoga can be a great option for people who want to improve their posture, reduce pain and discomfort in the body, or who may be recovering from an injury or illness.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga, which is also called hot yoga, is a type of yoga that is practiced in a heated room, typically between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This style of yoga involves a set sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. It is great for people who want to improve their flexibility and detoxify their body through sweat.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a more spiritual and meditative style of yoga that involves a combination of physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and chanting. This style of yoga is great for people who want to reduce stress and anxiety, improve their overall health and well-being, or who are looking for a more spiritual and holistic practice.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is a gentle and restful style of yoga that involves holding postures for longer periods of time, typically between five and 20 minutes. This style of yoga can be a great option for people who want to reduce stress and anxiety, improve their flexibility and mobility, or who may be recovering from an injury or illness.

How To Select The Right Style Of Yoga For You

Choosing the right style of yoga can be a daunting task, but with a few considerations, you will be able to find the perfect fit for you. Here is some advice to help you find the right style of yoga for you:

  • Identify your goals: What do you hope to achieve through yoga? Do you want to improve your physical fitness, reduce stress and anxiety, or improve your flexibility and mobility? Identifying your goals can help you determine which style of yoga will be best suited for you.
  • Consider your physical abilities: Some styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga or Bikram, can be physically demanding and may not be suitable for beginners or people with physical limitations. If you have any health concerns or physical limitations, be sure to consult with a healthcare provider before starting a yoga practice.
  • Try different styles: The best way to find the right style of yoga for you is to try different styles and see what feels most comfortable and beneficial for your body and mind. Many yoga studios offer introductory classes or packages, allowing you to try out different styles without committing to a long-term membership.
  • Find a qualified instructor: Finding a qualified and experienced yoga instructor can be key to your success in finding the right style of yoga for you. Look for instructors who have completed a recognized yoga teacher training program and who have experience working with students at your level and with your goals.
  • Listen to your body: When trying out different styles of yoga, pay attention to how your body feels during and after each practice. If a particular style of yoga is causing pain or discomfort, it may not be the right fit for you. Always listen to your body and honour its needs and limitations.

By considering your goals, physical abilities, and preferences, trying different styles, finding a qualified instructor, and listening to your body, you can find the right style of yoga that will help you achieve your goals and enhance your overall health and well-being.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a yoga instructor then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hatha yoga, and who is it suitable for?

Hatha yoga is a gentle and slow-paced type of yoga that is great for beginners or anyone who wants to focus on the basics of yoga postures and breathing techniques. This style of yoga typically involves holding each posture for a few breaths, and focuses on building strength, flexibility, and balance in the body. Hatha yoga can be a great option for people who want to reduce stress and anxiety, improve their overall fitness and well-being, or who may be recovering from an injury or illness.

What is Ashtanga yoga, and who is it suitable for?

Ashtanga yoga is a challenging and intense style of yoga which involves a set sequence of postures, or asanas, which are practiced in a specific order. This style of yoga can be physically demanding and is great for people who want to build strength and endurance and who are looking for a more structured and disciplined practice.

What is Vinyasa yoga, and who is it suitable for?

Vinyasa yoga is a more dynamic and fluid style of yoga that involves linking breath with movement in a series of flowing postures. This style of yoga can be more intense than Hatha yoga and is great for people who want to improve their strength and cardiovascular fitness. Vinyasa yoga is also a great option for people who want to improve their flexibility, coordination, and focus.

What is Bikram yoga, and who is it suitable for?

Bikram yoga, which also known as hot yoga, is a kind of yoga that is practiced in a heated room, typically between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This style of yoga involves a set series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. It is great for people who want to improve their flexibility and detoxify their body through sweat.

How do I choose the correct type of yoga for me?

When choosing a style of yoga, it’s important to consider your individual preferences, needs, and goals. Identify your goals, consider your physical abilities, try different styles, find a qualified instructor, and listen to your body to find the right style of yoga that will help you achieve your goals and enhance your overall health and well-being.

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How Often Should I Do Pilates To See Results? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-often-should-i-do-pilates-to-see-results/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32894 Pilates is a very effective form of exercise that can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and overall fitness. Like any form of exercise, the frequency with which one practices Pilates can impact the results that they see. So, how often should one do Pilates to see results? The answer depends on several factors, including one’s fitness...

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Pilates is a very effective form of exercise that can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and overall fitness. Like any form of exercise, the frequency with which one practices Pilates can impact the results that they see. So, how often should one do Pilates to see results? The answer depends on several factors, including one’s fitness level, goals, and schedule.

Newbies

When starting Pilates as a beginner, it is important to take things slowly and not do too much. It is recommended to start with one to two Pilates sessions per week, giving the body time to adjust to the movements and build the necessary strength and flexibility.

Beginning with a lower frequency of practice can help prevent injury and ensure that one’s technique is correct. This will enable one to develop a strong foundation of core strength, proper alignment, and balanced muscle activation, which are key components of Pilates.

As one becomes more comfortable with the exercises and gains strength and flexibility, they can gradually increase the frequency of their practice. This can help to improve overall fitness and enhance the benefits of Pilates.

It is important to note that consistency is key when practicing Pilates. Even if one is only able to practice one or two times per week, maintaining a regular practice can lead to significant improvements in strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

In addition to the frequency of practice, it is also important to consider the quality of one’s practice. Focusing on proper alignment, engaging the core muscles, and moving with control and precision can enhance the effectiveness of each session.

As one progresses in their Pilates practice, they may also choose to incorporate more challenging exercises, which can be done with the guidance of a qualified instructor. This can help to continue building strength, flexibility, and balance, and can help to prevent boredom and plateauing.

More Experienced Practitioners

For individuals with more experience in Pilates, a higher frequency of practice may be necessary to see significant results. It is recommended to aim for three to four Pilates sessions per week in order to incorporate more advanced exercises into the practice and increase the challenge and intensity of the workout.

By increasing the frequency of Pilates sessions, individuals can continue to build on their core strength and improve their overall fitness. More advanced exercises can be added to the practice, providing a greater challenge and helping to further enhance the benefits of Pilates.

It is crucial to remember that the quality of the practice is just as important as the frequency. When practicing Pilates at a higher frequency, it is essential to maintain proper form and technique. This will assist with avoiding injury and ensure that the exercises are effective in targeting the intended muscle groups.

Incorporating different variations of Pilates exercises, such as using different props or adding resistance, can help to keep the practice challenging and prevent plateauing. It is important to continue pushing oneself to progress and improve, while also listening to the body and taking time to rest and recover as needed.

In addition to the physical benefits, practicing Pilates at a higher frequency can also have mental benefits. The practice of Pilates emphasizes mindfulness and focus, which can help to lower stress and improve overall well-being.

It is important to note that while a higher frequency of Pilates sessions can lead to significant improvements in fitness, it is not necessary to practice Pilates every day. Overtraining can result in injury and burnout, so it is important to give the body time to rest and recover.

Other Factors Affecting Results

While the frequency of Pilates practice is an important factor in achieving results, it is not the only factor that should be considered. The quality of one’s practice, the intensity of the exercises, and the level of effort put forth during each session are all important factors in achieving desired results.

The quality of one’s practice refers to how well the exercises are executed, with attention to proper form and technique. It is better to have fewer high-quality sessions, where the exercises are done with precision and control, than to have more low-quality sessions where form and technique are compromised.

The intensity of the exercises refers to the level of challenge and effort put forth during each session. By increasing the intensity of the exercises, individuals can improve their cardiovascular fitness, build more muscle, and burn more calories. However, it is important to increase intensity gradually to avoid injury and ensure that proper form and technique are maintained.

The level of effort put forth during each session is also important in achieving desired results. Pilates is a full-body workout that requires mental focus and engagement of the core muscles. By putting forth maximal effort during each session, individuals can maximize the benefits of the practice and achieve their desired results more quickly.

In addition to these factors, it is very important to listen to the body and make adjustments as necessary. It is important to rest when needed and to vary the duration and intensity of sessions to prevent boredom and plateauing. Additionally, incorporating Pilates principles into everyday activities, such as maintaining proper posture and engaging the core during daily activities, can also help to enhance results.

Integration Into Your Daily Routine

Additionally, Pilates can be integrated into one’s daily routine in other ways. Incorporating Pilates principles into everyday movements, such as maintaining proper alignment and engaging the core during daily activities, can help improve posture and increase overall strength and flexibility.

Frequency

Apart from practicing Pilates sessions, one can also integrate Pilates principles into their daily routine. By incorporating Pilates principles into everyday movements, individuals can improve their posture, increase overall strength, and enhance flexibility.

Maintaining proper alignment is one of the fundamental principles of Pilates. By practicing proper alignment during daily activities, individuals can reduce stress on their joints and improve their posture. This can lead to reduced back pain and improve overall physical function.

Engaging the core muscles is another important Pilates principle that can be integrated into daily activities. By engaging the core muscles during daily activities such as standing, walking, or lifting, individuals can strengthen their core and improve overall stability. This can lead to better balance and improved athletic performance.

Incorporating small movements into daily routines, such as shoulder rolls or hip circles, can also help to increase overall flexibility and reduce muscle tension. These movements can be done throughout the day, such as during breaks at work or while watching TV at home.

In addition to these principles, incorporating Pilates props such as resistance bands or small weights can also enhance daily movements. Resistance bands can be utilised to add resistance to everyday exercises such as squats or lunges, while small weights can be used to increase the intensity of arm movements during daily activities.

By incorporating Pilates principles and props into daily routines, individuals can improve their overall physical function and enhance the benefits of their Pilates practice. This can lead to increased strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

It is also important to listen to one’s body when determining the frequency of Pilates practice. Overtraining can result in injury and burnout, so it is important to give the body time to rest and recover between sessions. It is also important to vary the intensity and duration of sessions to prevent boredom and ensure continued progress.

The frequency with which one should practice Pilates to see results is dependent on several factors, including fitness level, goals, and schedule. Beginners may start with one to two sessions per week, gradually increasing the frequency as they become more comfortable with the exercises. Those with more experience may benefit from three to four sessions per week. However, the quality and intensity of the practice, as well as the integration of Pilates principles into daily activities, are also important factors that impact results. By listening to the body and varying the intensity and duration of sessions, one can maintain a consistent Pilates practice and achieve their desired results.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to study our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

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Who Can Do Pilates? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/who-can-do-pilates/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32897 Pilates is an exercise system that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It was originally developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who created a series of movements designed to improve flexibility, strength, and posture. Today, Pilates is practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and it is often recommended...

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Pilates is an exercise system that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It was originally developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who created a series of movements designed to improve flexibility, strength, and posture. Today, Pilates is practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and it is often recommended by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals as a safe and very effective form of exercise.

So who can do Pilates? The answer is simple: almost anyone! Pilates is a low-impact, non-aerobic form of exercise that can be adapted to suit a wide range of individual needs and abilities. If you are a beginner or quite an experienced athlete, Pilates can help you achieve your fitness goals and improve your holistic health and well-being.

A Customisable Form Of Exercise

Pilates is a versatile form of exercise that can be adapted in order to meet the needs of different populations, making it accessible to people of all ages, fitness levels, as we;; as abilities. One of the great things about Pilates is its ability to be modified and tailored to specific groups, including seniors, pregnant women, and those with injuries or medical conditions.

Seniors can benefit from Pilates in several ways. Pilates exercises can help improve balance, flexibility, and mobility, all of which are important for maintaining independence as one ages. Pilates can also help prevent falls and lower the risk of injury via strengthening the muscles used for balance and stability. Additionally, Pilates can improve posture, which can reduce discomfort and improve breathing, making daily activities such as walking and standing easier and more comfortable.

Pregnant women can also benefit from Pilates, both during and after pregnancy. Pilates exercises can help maintain strength and flexibility during pregnancy, which can help prepare the body for childbirth and aid in recovery after delivery. Pilates can also help relieve common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as back pain and fatigue, by strengthening the core and improving overall posture.

People with injuries or medical conditions can also benefit from Pilates. Because Pilates exercises can be modified to suit individual needs, it can be a safe and effective form of exercise for those with arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. For example, Pilates exercises can be adapted to avoid movements that aggravate joint pain or to provide support for weaker muscles. Pilates can also be used in conjunction with physical therapy or rehabilitation to help speed up recovery and prevent future injuries.

Building Core Strength

One of the primary benefits of building core strength through Pilates is injury prevention. The core muscles act as a stabilizing force for the entire body, helping to support the spine and prevent excessive movement or strain on other joints. A strong core can also improve athletic performance by providing a stable base for movements such as jumping, twisting, and turning. This can be especially beneficial for athletes who participate in sports that require quick, explosive movements.

In addition to injury prevention and improved athletic performance, a strong core can also support everyday movements such as lifting and bending. By developing the muscles of the abdomen, back, and hips, Pilates can improve overall strength and stability, making it easier to perform everyday tasks such as carrying groceries, lifting a child, or bending down to tie shoes.

No Equipment Necessary

Pilates is a highly accessible form of exercise that can be practiced with minimal equipment. While some Pilates exercises use specialized equipment such as a Reformer or Cadillac, many can be done with just a mat and a few simple props such as resistance bands or small weights. This makes Pilates a convenient and cost-effective form of exercise that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home or in a studio setting.

The minimal equipment required for Pilates is a key reason why it is such an accessible form of exercise. Unlike other forms of exercise that may require expensive gym memberships or specialized equipment, Pilates can be done with just a mat and a few simple props that are affordable and widely available. This makes it an ideal form of exercise for people who might not be able to access to a gym or prefer to exercise in the privacy of their own home.

In addition to its accessibility, Pilates can also be practiced in a variety of settings, from studios to community centres to online classes. This flexibility in terms of location and access means that Pilates can be easily integrated into one’s daily routine, making it a convenient way to improve overall health and fitness.

Another advantage of Pilates is that it can be tailored to suit individual needs and goals. Whether one is looking to improve core strength, flexibility, or overall fitness, Pilates exercises can be modified to target specific areas of the body and meet individual goals. This customization makes Pilates an ideal form of exercise for individuals of all ages and abilities, including those who may be recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition.

Finally, the accessibility of Pilates makes it a cost-effective form of exercise. Because minimal equipment is required, and it can be practiced in a variety of settings, the cost of Pilates is often much lower than other forms of exercise. This affordability makes it an appealing option for people who may not have the financial means to pursue other forms of exercise.

Caution

While Pilates is a safe and effective form of exercise, it is important to approach it with caution and under the management of a qualified instructor. To avoid injury, individuals should start slowly, focus on proper form, and listen to their body throughout their practice.

One of the main advantages of you working with a qualified Pilates instructor is their ability to modify exercises to suit individual needs and abilities. Everyone’s body is unique, and a good Pilates instructor will take the time to assess each client’s strengths, weaknesses, and limitations before designing a customized program. This tailored approach not only helps prevent injury but also ensures that clients get the most out of their practice by targeting specific areas of the body and addressing individual goals.

In addition to modifying exercises, Pilates instructors are also trained to provide guidance and feedback to help clients improve their technique and form. This is particularly important for beginners, who may not be familiar with the principles and movements of Pilates. A good instructor will not only demonstrate proper form but also provide verbal cues and hands-on adjustments to help clients achieve optimal alignment and engagement of the core muscles.

Working with a qualified Pilates instructor can also help people stay motivated and engaged in their practice. An instructor can help clients set achievable goals, track their progress, and provide encouragement and support along the way. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who may be struggling with health issues, recovering from an injury, or simply looking to improve their overall fitness and well-being.

Finally, working with a qualified Pilates instructor can help ensure the safety and effectiveness of one’s practice. Instructors are trained to recognize and address any potential issues that may arise during a Pilates session, such as muscle imbalances or joint pain. They can also provide modifications or adjustments as needed to help clients work around any injuries or limitations.

Pilates is an exercise system that can be practiced by almost anyone. If you are young or old, fit or sedentary, pregnant or injured, Pilates can help you improve your core strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. By focusing on proper alignment, controlled movements, and breath awareness, Pilates can help you move more efficiently and comfortably, and support your overall health and well-being. So why not give Pilates a try and see how it can benefit you?

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to study our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can do Pilates?

Pilates can be done by nearly anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or ability.

Can seniors do Pilates?

Yes, Pilates is a great form of exercise for seniors, as it can correct balance, flexibility, and overall mobility, helping them stay active and independent as they age.

Can pregnant women do Pilates?

Yes, Pilates can be used to maintain strength and flexibility during pregnancy, and to prepare for childbirth. Pilates can also help relieve common pregnancy-related discomforts such as back pain and fatigue.

Can people with injuries or medical conditions do Pilates?

Yes, Pilates can be modified to avoid aggravating injuries or medical conditions, making it a safe and effective form of exercise for those with arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and other conditions.

Do I need to be in good shape to do Pilates?

No, Pilates is a highly adaptable form of exercise that can be modified to suit different levels of fitness and ability. Pilates exercises can be tailored to meet individual needs and goals, making it an ideal form of exercise for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

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How Can Athletes Overcome Performance Anxiety And Build Their Confidence? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-athletes-overcome-performance-anxiety-and-build-their-confidence/ Tue, 11 Apr 2023 06:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32872 Performance anxiety can be a significant challenge for athletes, leading to decreased confidence and poor performance. However, there are several strategies athletes can use to overcome performance anxiety and build their confidence. Positive Self-Talk Positive self-talk is a powerful technique that athletes can use to build confidence and overcome performance anxiety. Negative self-talk can be...

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Performance anxiety can be a significant challenge for athletes, leading to decreased confidence and poor performance. However, there are several strategies athletes can use to overcome performance anxiety and build their confidence.

Positive Self-Talk

Positive self-talk is a powerful technique that athletes can use to build confidence and overcome performance anxiety. Negative self-talk can be detrimental to an athlete’s mental state, leading to feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety. By replacing negative thoughts and self-talk with positive affirmations, athletes can create a more positive mindset, leading to improved performance.

Positive self-talk involves using encouraging and supportive words and phrases to help athletes stay focused, calm, and confident. This technique can help athletes combat negative thoughts and emotions that can interfere with their performance.

To use positive self-talk effectively, athletes should identify negative self-talk patterns and then replace them with positive affirmations. For example, instead of saying “I’m not good enough,” athletes can say “I am capable and prepared for this challenge.” This type of positive self-talk can help athletes build confidence and feel more capable of achieving their goals.

Positive self-talk can be used in a variety of situations, including during training and competition. Athletes can use positive self-talk to help them overcome challenges, stay motivated, and maintain a positive mindset.

Positive self-talk can also be combined with visualization techniques to enhance its effectiveness. Athletes can visualize themselves performing at their best while using positive self-talk to reinforce their confidence and focus.

In addition to using positive self-talk, athletes should also focus on their strengths and accomplishments. By recognizing their strengths and past successes, athletes can build their confidence and feel more prepared for future challenges.

Athletes should also be aware of their self-talk patterns and make a conscious effort to shift negative thoughts and self-talk to more positive ones. This may take some practice, but with consistent effort, athletes can change their mindset and build a more positive outlook.

It’s important to note that positive self-talk is not a magic solution for overcoming performance anxiety or improving performance. It should be used together with other strategies, such as relaxation techniques, goal-setting, and practice and preparation.

Additionally, athletes should seek support from coaches, teammates, or mental health professionals if they are struggling with performance anxiety or negative self-talk. Talking to someone about their feelings and concerns can be helpful, and mental health professionals can provide additional strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Visualization

Visualization is another powerful technique that athletes can use to overcome performance anxiety. Athletes should try to visualize themselves performing at their best, imagining themselves achieving their goals and experiencing success. Visualization can help athletes build confidence and prepare mentally for competition.

Relaxation Techniques

Anxiety can cause physical tension in the body, which can interfere with performance. Athletes should try to use relaxation techniques, for instance deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation, to reduce physical tension and promote a sense of calmness and focus.

Goal Setting

Setting specific, achievable goals can help athletes build confidence and overcome performance anxiety. Athletes should set both short-term and long-term goals, and track their progress towards these goals. Achieving goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost confidence.

Practice And Preparation

Practice and preparation are essential for athletes looking to build confidence and reduce performance anxiety. Consistent practice and thorough preparation for competition can provide athletes with a sense of readiness and familiarity, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and improve performance.

Physical training is an important aspect of practice and preparation. Athletes should engage in regular physical activity and training to build strength, endurance, and agility. Physical training should be tailored to the specific demands of the sport and should include a combination of cardiovascular and strength training exercises.

Mental preparation is also crucial for building confidence and reducing performance anxiety. Athletes should develop mental toughness and resilience through techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness meditation. These techniques can help athletes stay focused, calm, and confident under pressure.

Nutrition is another important factor in practice and preparation. Athletes should consume a balanced diet that provides them with the necessary nutrients to fuel their bodies and support their training. Proper nutrition can help athletes maintain energy levels and improve performance.

Consistent practice is key to building confidence and reducing anxiety. Athletes should establish a regular training schedule and make time for practice sessions throughout the week. This can help athletes develop muscle memory and improve their skills, leading to improved performance.

Thorough preparation for competition is also important for reducing anxiety and improving performance. Athletes should familiarize themselves with the competition environment and conditions, including the location, weather, and competition rules. This can help athletes feel more prepared and confident on competition day.

Another aspect of preparation is developing a pre-competition routine. This can include warm-up exercises, mental preparation techniques, and visualization exercises. A pre-competition routine can help athletes feel more grounded and focused, reducing anxiety and improving performance.

It’s also important for athletes to set goals and track their progress towards these goals. Setting specific, achievable goals can help athletes build confidence and stay motivated. Athletes should set both short-term and long-term goals, and monitor their progress towards these goals throughout their training.

Finally, athletes should seek support from coaches, teammates, or mental health professionals if they are struggling with performance anxiety. Talking to someone about their concerns can be helpful, and coaches and mental health professionals can provide additional strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Seek Support

Athletes should not be afraid to seek support from coaches, teammates, or mental health professionals. Talking to someone about performance anxiety can be helpful, and coaches and mental health professionals can provide strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Focus On Process, Not Outcome

Athletes often face pressure to perform at their best and achieve certain outcomes. However, focusing too much on the outcome can lead to increased anxiety and decreased confidence. Instead, athletes should focus on the process of performing, which can help them reduce anxiety and build confidence.

Focusing on the process involves breaking down the steps needed to perform at one’s best. This can include techniques such as mental preparation, visualization, positive self-talk, and goal setting. By focusing on these techniques, athletes can build their confidence and feel more prepared for competition.

Goalsetting is an important aspect of focusing on the process. Athletes should set both short-term and long-term goals, and track their progress towards these goals. This can help athletes feel a sense of accomplishment and progress, and build their confidence over time.

Visualization is another powerful technique that can help athletes focus on the process of performing. Athletes can visualize themselves performing at their best, imagining themselves achieving their goals and experiencing success. Visualization can help athletes build confidence and prepare mentally for competition.

Positive self-talk can also be helpful for focusing on the process. Athletes can replace negative thoughts and self-talk with positive affirmations, such as “I am capable and prepared for this challenge.” Positive self-talk can help athletes stay focused and calm under pressure, and build their confidence over time.

Comparing oneself to others can be a major source of anxiety and decreased confidence for athletes. Instead, athletes should focus on their own progress and goals. By setting personal goals and tracking their own progress, athletes can build their confidence and feel more in control of their performance.

In addition to focusing on the process, athletes should also stay present in the moment. When athletes are present in the moment, they are better able to focus on the task at hand and perform at their best. Mindfulness meditation can be helpful for developing present moment awareness and reducing anxiety.

Finally, athletes should seek support from coaches, teammates, or mental health professionals if they are struggling with anxiety or decreased confidence. Talking to someone about their concerns can be helpful, and coaches and mental health professionals can provide additional strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Performance anxiety can be a significant challenge for athletes, but there are several strategies they can use to overcome it and build their confidence. Positive self-talk, visualization, relaxation techniques, goal-setting, practice and preparation, seeking support, and focusing on the process are all effective strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence. By using these strategies consistently, athletes can improve their performance and achieve their goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a sports psychologist? If you do then you need to do our Sports Psychology Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is performance anxiety and how can it affect athletes?

Performance anxiety is a feeling of fear or apprehension that can occur before or during a performance. It can affect athletes by decreasing their confidence and leading to poor performance.

What are some strategies athletes can use to overcome performance anxiety?

Athletes can use strategies such as positive self-talk, visualization, relaxation techniques, goal-setting, practice and preparation, seeking support, and focusing on the process to overcome performance anxiety.

Why is practice and preparation important for reducing performance anxiety?

Practice and preparation can help athletes feel more prepared and familiar with the competition environment, reducing anxiety and improving performance.

How can goal-setting help athletes build their confidence?

Goal setting can help athletes set specific, achievable goals and track their progress towards these goals. This can offer a sense of accomplishment and boost confidence over time.

Why is it important for athletes to focus on the process of performing, rather than the outcome?

Focusing on the process of performing can help athletes reduce anxiety and build confidence by breaking down the steps needed to perform at their best. It can also help athletes avoid comparing themselves to others and stay present in the moment.

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What Types Of Exercises And Workouts Should I Expect From A Personal Trainer? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-types-of-exercises-and-workouts-should-i-expect-from-a-personal-trainer/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32865 When working with a personal trainer, you can expect to participate in a wide range of exercises and workouts that are designed to help you achieve your fitness goals. Personal trainers have expertise in a variety of workout styles and can create customized plans tailored to your fitness level, goals, and preferences. Here are some...

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When working with a personal trainer, you can expect to participate in a wide range of exercises and workouts that are designed to help you achieve your fitness goals. Personal trainers have expertise in a variety of workout styles and can create customized plans tailored to your fitness level, goals, and preferences. Here are some exercises and workouts you can expect from a personal trainer:

Strength Training

Strength training is an essential component of many personal training plans. It involves using resistance, such as weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight, to build muscle and increase strength. Strength training can help you achieve a variety of fitness goals, from building muscle mass and increasing strength to improving bone density and overall fitness.

Personal trainers often incorporate a range of strength training exercises into their clients’ workout routines. Some of the most common strength training exercises include:

  • Squats: Squats are a compound exercise which work different muscle groups, including the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. There are quite a lot of different variations of the squat, including bodyweight squats, goblet squats, and barbell squats.
  • Deadlifts: Deadlifts are another example compound exercise that work the entire body, but primarily target the back, glutes, and hamstrings. These can be done with a barbell, dumbbells, or kettlebells.
  • Lunges: Lunges are a unilateral exercise that work the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. They can be performed with bodyweight or with added resistance, for example dumbbells or a barbell.
  • Bench Press: The bench press is a type of exercise which primarily works the chest, but also engages the triceps and shoulders. It can be performed with a barbell, dumbbells, or a machine.
  • Overhead Press: The overhead press targets the shoulders, however also engages the triceps and upper back. It can be performed with a barbell, dumbbells, or a machine.
  • Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups: Pull-ups and chin-ups are bodyweight exercises that work the back, shoulders, and biceps. They can be modified to make them easier or harder depending on your fitness level.
  • Rows: Rows are an excellent exercise for targeting the back muscles, including the lats, rhomboids, and traps. They can be performed with dumbbells, a barbell, or a cable machine.

Strength training can provide numerous benefits beyond building muscle and increasing strength. It can also help improve bone density, which is especially important for older adults. As we age, our bones naturally turn out to be weaker and far more prone to fractures. However, strength training can help maintain or even improve bone density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.

Strength training can also help improve overall fitness by increasing metabolic rate, which means you’ll burn more calories during the day, even when you’re not working out. This can be especially beneficial for those looking to lose weight or improve body composition.

Cardiovascular Training

Cardiovascular exercise, also known as cardio, is essential for improving heart health and overall fitness. Your personal trainer may include activities like running, cycling, rowing, or jumping rope to increase your heart rate and improve your endurance.

HIIT

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a popular and effective type of workout that involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise that is followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This type of training can be a highly efficient way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase muscle endurance.

During a HIIT workout, you can expect to perform a series of exercises that are designed to get your heart rate up and then challenge your muscles. Your personal trainer may incorporate a variety of exercises into your HIIT workout, including:

  • Burpees: Burpees are a full-body exercise which involves squatting down, kicking your legs out into a plank position, performing a push-up, and then jumping back up to a standing position. Burpees are an excellent exercise for building cardiovascular endurance and strength.
  • Mountain Climbers: Mountain climbers are a core-strengthening exercise that also helps improve cardiovascular endurance. To perform a mountain climber, start in a plank position and bring one knee up towards your chest, then switch legs.
  • Jumping Jacks: Jumping jacks are a classic exercise that involves jumping your legs out to the side while simultaneously raising your arms overhead. This exercise is great for warming up the body and getting the heart rate up.
  • Sprints: Sprints are a high-intensity exercise that involve running or cycling at a maximum effort for a short period of time. Sprints can help improve cardiovascular health and increase speed and power.
  • Box Jumps: Box jumps involve jumping up onto a box or step and then stepping back down. This exercise is fantastic for building explosive power and improving leg strength.
  • Kettlebell Swings: Kettlebell swings involve swinging a kettlebell between your legs and then using your hips and glutes to swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height. This exercise is great for building strength in the legs, glutes, and core.

HIIT workouts usually last between 20-30 minutes and can be customized to your fitness level and goals. Your personal trainer will help design a HIIT workout that is challenging yet achievable, with appropriate rest intervals to help you recover between intervals.

The benefits of HIIT workouts are numerous. First and foremost, they are highly efficient at burning calories and increasing metabolic rate. Because of the high-intensity nature of the workout, you’ll continue to burn calories for hours after the workout is complete. Additionally, HIIT workouts can help improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and improving lung capacity.

HIIT workouts can also be effective for increasing muscle endurance, as the short bursts of high-intensity exercise can help fatigue the muscles quickly. This can lead to improvements in overall fitness and athletic performance.

Yoga And Pilates

Yoga and Pilates are popular types of exercise that can help improve flexibility, balance, and core strength. Your personal trainer may incorporate yoga poses, Pilates exercises, or other stretching and mobility movements into your workouts.

Functional Training

Functional training is a kind of exercise that focuses on movements that mimic everyday activities or sports-specific movements. These exercises can help improve overall mobility, strength, and stability, which can translate to improved athletic performance and reduced risk of injury.

A personal trainer may incorporate a variety of exercises into your functional training program, including:

  • Lunges: Lunges are a unilateral exercise that targets the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise can help improve lower body strength and stability, which can translate to improved performance in sports and daily activities.
  • Squats: Squats are a compound exercise which work the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise can help improve lower body strength, balance, and coordination.
  • Balance Drills: Balance drills involve standing on one foot or on an unstable surface, such as a balance ball or Bosu ball. These exercises can help improve balance, stability, and overall body control.
  • Deadlifts: Deadlifts are a compound exercise that primarily target the back, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise can help improve overall strength and stability in the posterior chain, which can translate to improved performance in sports and daily activities.
  • Push-Ups: Push-ups are a bodyweight exercise that primarily target the chest, triceps, and shoulders. This exercise can help improve upper body strength and stability, which can translate to improved performance in sports and daily activities.

Functional training can provide numerous benefits beyond improved athletic performance. It can also help improve overall mobility and reduce the risk of injury. By focusing on movements that mimic everyday activities, functional training can help prepare your body for the demands of daily life, reducing the risk of injury and improving overall quality of life.

In addition to improving overall mobility and reducing the risk of injury, functional training can also be highly effective for improving sports-specific performance. By incorporating exercises that mimic sports-specific movements, functional training can help athletes improve their overall performance and reduce the risk of injury.

Sports-Specific Training

If you participate in a particular sport, your personal trainer may incorporate exercises that are specific to that sport. For example, if you’re a runner, your trainer may include exercises that improve your running form, increase your speed, and reduce your risk of injury.

Mind-Body Workouts

Mind-body workouts like meditation and Tai Chi can help to lower stress, improve mental clarity, and promote relaxation. Your personal trainer may incorporate these types of workouts into your routine to help you manage stress and improve your overall wellbeing.

A personal trainer is able to create an adapted workout plan that is tailored to your fitness level, goals, and preferences. You can expect to participate in a variety of exercises and workouts, including strength training, cardiovascular training, HIIT, yoga and Pilates, functional training, sports-specific training, and mind-body workouts. With the guidance of a personal trainer, you can achieve your fitness goals safely and effectively.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is functional training, and how can it benefit me?

Functional training focuses on exercises that mimic movements used in daily life or sports activities. These exercises can improve overall mobility, strength, and stability, reducing the risk of injury and improving athletic performance.

What are some common strength training exercises a personal trainer may incorporate into my workout?

A personal trainer may incorporate exercises like squats, deadlifts, lunges, and bench presses into your workout routine. Strength training can help you build lean muscle mass, increase bone density, and improve overall fitness.

How can high-intensity interval training (HIIT) benefit my fitness routine?

HIIT workouts encompass short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed up by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This type of training can be an effective way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase muscle endurance.

What are some examples of exercises that may be incorporated into a HIIT workout?

Examples of exercises that may be incorporated into a HIIT workout include burpees, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, sprints, box jumps, and kettlebell swings.

What is the importance of a personalized fitness plan from a personal trainer?

A personalized fitness plan is essential because it takes into account your fitness level, goals, and any injuries or health conditions you may have. A personal trainer can create a customized fitness plan that is safe and effective, with exercises and workouts tailored specifically to your needs.

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How Do I Find A Qualified And Trustworthy Personal Trainer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-find-a-qualified-and-trustworthy-personal-trainer/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32862 Finding a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer can be challenging, especially if you’re new to fitness. However, it’s crucial to choose a personal trainer who can assist you with achieving your fitness goals safely and effectively. Here are some tips to assist you with finding a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer: Research Choosing a personal...

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Finding a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer can be challenging, especially if you’re new to fitness. However, it’s crucial to choose a personal trainer who can assist you with achieving your fitness goals safely and effectively. Here are some tips to assist you with finding a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer:

Research

Choosing a personal trainer is an important decision that requires thorough research and consideration. With so many choices that are available, it can be overwhelming to know exactly where to start. Here are a number of tips to help you find the right personal trainer for your fitness goals.

  • Research Local Personal Trainers: Start by researching personal trainers in your area. Look for trainers who have a good reputation and are well-regarded in the fitness industry. A simple Google search can provide a list of personal trainers in your area. You can also request referrals from friends, family members, or your gym.
  • Read Reviews and Testimonials: Once you’ve identified potential personal trainers, read reviews and testimonials from their clients. Check their website or social media pages for reviews, or look for them on third-party review sites like Yelp or Google. Reading reviews can give you an idea of their training style, personality, and success rate.
  • Check their Credentials: It’s important to choose a personal trainer who is certified by a reputable organization. These certifications ensure that the trainer has the necessary knowledge and expertise to design safe and effective workout programs.
  • Consider their Experience: Choose a personal trainer with experience in training clients similar to you in terms of fitness level and goals. Ask for references from their past and current clients to see if they have a proven track record of success. Experienced trainers will have a better understanding of how to modify exercises, progress clients, and provide motivation.
  • Evaluate their Specialties: Personal trainers may specialize in specific areas like weight loss, strength training, or rehabilitation. It’s important to choose a personal trainer who specializes in your area of interest. They will have a better understanding of your goals and can design a customized workout program to meet your specific needs.
  • Assess their Personality: Personal training involves a lot of one-on-one interaction, so it’s important to choose a personal trainer whose personality and communication style align with yours. You should feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and receiving feedback from your trainer.
  • Look for Customization: A qualified personal trainer should be able to create a customized fitness plan based on your fitness level, goals, and any injuries or health conditions you may have. They should be able to adjust your plan as needed to ensure that you’re making progress towards your goals.
  • Prioritize Safety: Safety should be a top priority when choosing a personal trainer. Look for trainers who have experience working with clients with injuries or health conditions and know how to modify exercises to prevent injury. They should also be knowledgeable about proper form and technique to reduce the risk of injury.
  • Evaluate their Professionalism: A qualified and trustworthy personal trainer should be professional, punctual, and respectful of your time and privacy. They should be able to clearly communicate and be responsive to your questions and concerns. A professional trainer will take the time to listen to your needs and goals and design a program that is tailored to you.

Experience

When searching for a personal trainer, it’s important to find someone who has experience working with clients with similar fitness levels and goals as you. This will ensure that they have the knowledge and expertise to design a customized workout program that meets your needs.

One way to determine a personal trainer’s level of experience is to ask for references from their past and current clients. Contacting their references can give you insight into the trainer’s coaching style, communication skills, and success rate.

Here are some tips for requesting references from a personal trainer:

  • Ask the Trainer for References: When first meeting with a potential personal trainer, ask if they have any references available. Most personal trainers will be happy to provide you with contact information for their past or current clients.
  • Contact the References: Once you receive a list of references, contact them and ask about their experience working with the personal trainer. Ask about their training goals, how the trainer helped them achieve those goals, and their overall satisfaction with the trainer.
  • Look for Similarities: When speaking with references, look for similarities in their fitness levels and goals compared to yours. If they have similar fitness goals and achieved success working with the trainer, it’s a good indication that the trainer can help you achieve your goals as well.
  • Evaluate the Trainer’s Success Rate: Ask the references about their progress and success while working with the trainer. Did they achieve their goals? Did they make progress towards their goals? If the references had a positive experience and achieved success, it’s a good sign that the trainer can help you achieve similar results.
  • Consider the Trainer’s Communication Skills: In addition to evaluating the trainer’s success rate, consider their communication skills. Did the trainer listen to their clients’ needs and goals? Did they provide clear and effective feedback? Communication is essential in personal training, and it’s important to find a trainer who can communicate effectively with you.

In addition to asking for references, you can also do your own research to find out about a personal trainer’s experience. Check the trainer’s website, social media pages, and online reviews in order to see what others are saying about their training style and success rate.

Personality

Personal training involves a lot of one-on-one interaction, so it’s crucial to choose a personal trainer whose personality and communication style align with yours. You should feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and receiving feedback from your trainer.

Customization

When selecting a personal trainer, it’s important to find someone who can design a customized fitness plan that meets your specific needs. A qualified personal trainer should be able to assess your fitness level, discuss your goals, and take into account any injuries or health conditions you may have.

Here are some key components of a personalized fitness plan:

  • Assessment: A qualified personal trainer should conduct an initial assessment to determine your current fitness level, including your strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. This assessment will help the trainer design a workout plan which is tailored to your specific needs and abilities.
  • Goal Setting: Discuss your fitness goals with the personal trainer. If you would like to lose weight, bulk up, or increase endurance, the trainer should be able to assist you with setting realistic and achievable goals.
  • Customized Plan: Based on your assessment and goals, the personal trainer should create a customized workout plan that meets your specific needs. This plan should include exercises that target your areas of weakness, build on your strengths, and address any health concerns.
  • Progression: A good personal trainer should be able to monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed. This means that they will increase the intensity of your workouts as you get stronger and make adjustments to your plan to help you overcome any plateaus.
  • Adapting to Injuries or Health Conditions: If you have any injuries or health conditions, the personal trainer should be able to adapt your workout plan to accommodate these issues. This may include modifying certain exercises or incorporating alternative exercises that are safer for your condition.
  • Nutrition: A personalized fitness plan should also include nutrition guidance to help you achieve your goals. The personal trainer should be able to provide you with recommendations for healthy eating habits that support your fitness goals.
  • Motivation and Support: Finally, a good personal trainer should provide you with the motivation and support you have to stay on track with your fitness plan. They should be able to encourage you, provide feedback on your progress, and celebrate your achievements along the way.

Safety

Safety should be a top priority when choosing a personal trainer. Look for trainers who have experience working with clients with injuries or health conditions and know how to modify exercises to prevent injury.

Professionalism

A qualified and trustworthy personal trainer should be professional, punctual, and respectful of your time and privacy. They should have the ability communicate clearly and be responsive to your questions and concerns.

Finding a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer takes research, time, and effort. Look for personal trainers who are certified, experienced, have a customized approach, prioritize safety, and demonstrate professionalism. With the right personal trainer, you can achieve your fitness goals safely and effectively.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Coach.Me Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start my search for a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer?

You can start by researching personal trainers in your area, asking for referrals from friends or family members, or checking with your gym.

What credentials should I look for in a personal trainer?

Look for personal trainers who are certified by reputable organizations like NASM, ACE, or NSCA. These certifications ensure that the trainer has the necessary knowledge and expertise to design safe and effective workout programs.

How can I evaluate a personal trainer’s experience?

Ask for references from their past and current clients and check their credentials and specialties to see if they align with your fitness goals.

How important is communication when choosing a personal trainer?

Communication is essential in personal training, and it’s important to find a trainer who can communicate effectively with you. Look for someone who listens to your needs and goals and provides clear and effective feedback.

Should I prioritize safety when choosing a personal trainer?

Yes, safety should be a top priority when choosing a personal trainer. Look for trainers who have experience working with clients with injuries or health conditions and know how to modify exercises to prevent injury.

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Is Foam Rolling Safe For Everyone? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-foam-rolling-safe-for-everyone/ Wed, 05 Apr 2023 06:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32851 Foam rolling is generally considered to be safe for most people. However, there are some situations in which foam rolling may not be appropriate or may require additional precautions. Medical Conditions Or Injuries Foam rolling is generally considered safe, but certain medical conditions or injuries may require modifications or avoidance of foam rolling. Individuals with...

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Foam rolling is generally considered to be safe for most people. However, there are some situations in which foam rolling may not be appropriate or may require additional precautions.

Medical Conditions Or Injuries

Foam rolling is generally considered safe, but certain medical conditions or injuries may require modifications or avoidance of foam rolling. Individuals with osteoporosis or other bone conditions should avoid foam rolling over the spine or other bony areas. Those with acute injuries such as sprains or strains may need to avoid foam rolling until the injury has healed. Consulting with a medical professional before starting a foam rolling routine is recommended if there are concerns about health or a specific injury.

It is essential to understand your body and any underlying conditions or injuries before incorporating foam rolling into your fitness routine. By consulting with a medical professional, individuals can get personalized advice on how to modify their foam rolling routine to avoid any potential risks. In some cases, foam rolling may need to be avoided altogether to prevent further injury or exacerbation of a medical condition. However, for many individuals, foam rolling can be a safe and effective way to improve mobility and prevent injury.

Foam Rolling Newbies

Secondly, foam rolling can be uncomfortable or even painful for some individuals, particularly those new to the technique or with tight or sensitive muscles. Starting with shorter durations and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of foam rolling can help to reduce discomfort. Additionally, individuals can modify the pressure and intensity of foam rolling by using softer or firmer foam rollers, or by using a towel or cushion to decrease pressure. It is very important to listen to your body and adjust the foam rolling routine as needed to avoid injury or excessive discomfort. When starting with foam rolling, it is important to be patient and allow the body to adapt to the new technique gradually.

It is normal to feel discomfort or tightness in the muscles during foam rolling, but sharp or intense pain should be avoided. To reduce discomfort, individuals can start with shorter durations of foam rolling and gradually increase the duration and intensity as their muscles become more accustomed to the technique. Using softer foam rollers or adding cushions or towels can also help to decrease pressure and make foam rolling more comfortable. It is quite important to remember that foam rolling may not be comfortable or appropriate for everyone, and it is important to listen to your body and adjust the technique or seek guidance from a qualified fitness professional if necessary.

Warm-Ups And Cool-Downs

It is important to note that foam rolling should not be utilised as a substitute for proper warm-up or cool-down routines. While foam rolling can be beneficial for releasing tension in the muscles, it does not provide the same benefits as dynamic stretching or other warm-up exercises. Dynamic stretching involves movement-based stretching that helps to increase heart rate, body temperature, and blood flow to the muscles, which are all essential components of a proper warm-up. Similarly, foam rolling should not be used as the sole method of muscle recovery after a workout.

Although foam rolling can aid in muscle recovery by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle soreness, other recovery techniques such as stretching, hydration, and proper nutrition are also essential for optimizing muscle recovery and preventing injury. To effectively warm up before a workout, individuals should incorporate dynamic stretching, foam rolling, or a combination of both into their warm-up routine.

A proper cool-down routine should also be followed after a workout, which may include stretching, foam rolling, and other recovery techniques. By incorporating foam rolling into a well-rounded warm-up and cool-down routine, individuals can maximize the benefits of foam rolling while also reducing the risk of injury and improving overall fitness levels.

Areas To Avoid

Foam rolling should be avoided in certain areas of the body, for instance the neck and upper back, due to their sensitivity and complex structure of bones and nerves that can be easily damaged with foam rolling. It is important to use caution when foam rolling the lower back, as excessive pressure can cause discomfort or injury.

When foam rolling the lower back, it is recommended to use a softer foam roller or to place a towel or cushion between the foam roller and the lower back to reduce pressure. Alternatively, a massage ball or tennis ball can be used to target specific areas of tension in the lower back. Foam rolling should also be avoided on any areas of the body with open wounds, bruises, or other injuries that could be further aggravated by the pressure of foam rolling.

Additionally, individuals should avoid foam rolling any areas of the body that feel painful or uncomfortable, as this could indicate an injury or underlying medical condition that requires professional attention. By being mindful of which areas of the body to avoid when foam rolling and using caution when targeting sensitive areas such as the lower back, individuals can safely and effectively incorporate foam rolling into their fitness routine.

Improved Mobility And Lowered Muscle Soreness

Foam rolling can be a useful tool for improving mobility and reducing muscle soreness, but it should be used in conjunction with other fitness practices, such as strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and stretching. While foam rolling can aid in releasing tension in the muscles and improve overall mobility, it is not a substitute for a well-rounded fitness program that incorporates other essential components of fitness. Strength training is important for building muscle mass and increasing strength, while cardiovascular exercise is essential for improving heart health and overall fitness levels.

Stretching is also important for improving flexibility and reducing the risk of injury. Foam rolling can be used as a complementary technique to these other practices to help improve muscle recovery and mobility. By incorporating foam rolling into a well-rounded fitness program, individuals can maximize the benefits of foam rolling while also improving overall fitness levels and reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, it is important to listen to your body and adjust your foam rolling routine accordingly.

Foam rolling should not be performed to the point of excessive discomfort or pain, as this can cause injury or aggravate existing injuries or conditions. Instead, it should be used as a gentle technique to release tension in the muscles and promote recovery. By incorporating foam rolling into a well-rounded fitness routine that includes strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and stretching, individuals can improve their overall fitness levels and reduce the risk of injury, while also benefiting from the unique advantages of foam rolling.

Foam rolling is generally considered safe for most individuals, but there are certain medical conditions or injuries that may require modifications or avoidance of foam rolling. Individuals with osteoporosis or other bone conditions should avoid foam rolling over the spine or other bony areas. Individuals with acute injuries, such as sprains or strains, may need to avoid foam rolling until the injury has healed. It is always advised to check in with a medical professional before starting a foam rolling routine if you have any worries about your health or a specific injury. In addition, foam rolling can be uncomfortable or even painful for some individuals, especially those who are new to the technique or have particularly tight or sensitive muscles. It is important to start with shorter durations and slowly increase the intensity as well as duration of foam rolling as tolerated. Individuals can modify the pressure and intensity of the foam rolling by using softer or firmer foam rollers or by using a towel or cushion to decrease pressure.

While foam rolling can be beneficial for releasing tension in the muscles and improving mobility, it should not utilised used as a replacement for proper warm-up or cool-down routines. Foam rolling can be used in conjunction with dynamic stretching or other warm-up exercises, but it should not be the sole method of muscle preparation before a workout. Similarly, foam rolling should not be used as the sole method of muscle recovery after a workout. It is important to incorporate other recovery techniques, such as stretching, hydration, and proper nutrition, to optimize muscle recovery and prevent injury.

Furthermore, caution should be used when foam rolling sensitive areas of the body, such as the neck and upper back. These areas have a complex structure of bones and nerves that can be easily damaged with foam rolling. When foam rolling the lower back, it is recommended to use a softer foam roller or to place a towel or cushion between the foam roller and the lower back to reduce pressure. Foam rolling should also be avoided on any areas of the body with open wounds, bruises, or other injuries that could be further aggravated by the pressure of foam rolling. Additionally, individuals should avoid foam rolling any areas of the body that feel painful or uncomfortable, as this could indicate an injury or underlying medical condition that requires professional attention.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about foam rolling then you need to do our Foam Rolling Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Onlne CPD course

 

Coach.Me Fitness

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How Long Should I Foam Roll For? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-should-i-foam-roll-for/ Wed, 05 Apr 2023 06:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32847 Foam rolling has become an increasingly popular tool for improving mobility, reducing muscle soreness, and preventing injury. However, a lot of people are unsure of how long they should foam roll for, and whether there is an optimal duration for foam rolling. In today’s, we will discuss the benefits of foam rolling, the factors that...

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Foam rolling has become an increasingly popular tool for improving mobility, reducing muscle soreness, and preventing injury. However, a lot of people are unsure of how long they should foam roll for, and whether there is an optimal duration for foam rolling. In today’s, we will discuss the benefits of foam rolling, the factors that determine the appropriate foam rolling duration, and provide some guidelines for how long to foam roll.

Benefits Of Foam Rolling

Foam rolling is a category of self-myofascial release (SMR) that involves applying pressure to specific areas of the body utilising a foam roller, massage ball, or similar tool. SMR is used to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue, which can improve flexibility and mobility. Foam rolling has several benefits, including improved range of motion, reduced muscle soreness, and injury prevention.

Foam rolling can help to improve range of motion by reducing tension in the muscles and connective tissue. This improved flexibility can make it easier to perform exercises and daily activities. By breaking up adhesions and knots that are in the muscle tissue, foam rolling can help to reduce stiffness and increase mobility.

After a workout, foam rolling can also help to lower muscle soreness and aid in recovery. By encouraging blood flow to the muscles, foam rolling can help to flush out metabolic waste and bring fresh nutrients to the muscle tissue. This can speed up the recovery process and reduce the amount of soreness and stiffness experienced after a workout.

Regular foam rolling can also help to prevent injuries by improving flexibility, mobility, and joint range of motion. By addressing muscle imbalances and correcting movement patterns, foam rolling can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. For example, if a muscle is tight or overused, it can pull on the joints and cause pain or discomfort. By releasing tension in the muscle, foam rolling can improve joint alignment and reduce the risk of injury.

Foam rolling can be particularly beneficial for individuals who engage in physical activity or have a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for long periods may cause tightness in the hip flexors, which can lead to lower back pain and other issues. Foam rolling the hip flexors can help to release tension and improve overall mobility.

Incorporating foam rolling into a fitness routine is relatively simple. It can be done before or after a workout or as part of a recovery routine. To foam roll, simply place the foam roller under the targeted muscle group and slowly roll back and forth, applying pressure to the areas that are tight or sore. Beginners should start with shorter durations and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable with the technique.

Factors That Determine the Appropriate Foam Rolling Duration

The appropriate duration for foam rolling is dependent on several factors, including body size, muscle group, and foam roller density.

Body size is a significant factor in determining the appropriate foam rolling duration. Individuals with larger body mass may require longer foam rolling durations to achieve the same benefits as those with smaller body mass. This is because there is more muscle tissue to cover in larger individuals, which requires more time and pressure to release tension and knots.

Another factor that influences the appropriate foam rolling duration is the muscle group being targeted. Certain muscle groups may require longer foam rolling durations than others due to their size or the amount of tension they hold. For example, larger muscle groups such as the quadriceps or glutes may require longer durations to effectively release tension compared to smaller muscle groups such as the calves or forearms.

Foam roller density is also a crucial factor in determining the appropriate foam rolling duration. The density of the foam roller can affect the amount of pressure which is applied to the muscles and the amount of time required to release tension. Softer foam rollers may require longer durations to achieve the desired effects, while denser foam rollers may require shorter durations.

Individuals who are new to foam rolling should start with shorter durations and gradually increase the duration as they become more experienced. A general guideline of 30-90 seconds per muscle group can be followed, with a focus on the areas that are tight or sore. However, beginners may start with shorter durations, such as 15-20 seconds per muscle group, and gradually increase the duration to 30-60 seconds as they become more comfortable with the technique.

It is important to note that foam rolling should not be painful. While some discomfort or pressure is expected, individuals should avoid rolling over areas that are excessively painful. If you experience severe pain, you should stop foam rolling and consult a healthcare professional.

Foam rolling should not be used as a substitute for stretching or other forms of exercise. It should be used as a supplement to a balanced fitness program that includes strength training, cardio, and stretching. Foam rolling can help to improve mobility, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent injury when used in combination with other exercise modalities.

Guidelines For How Long To Foam Roll

While the appropriate foam rolling duration varies depending on the factors mentioned above, there are some general guidelines that individuals can follow. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) makes the recommendation that a foam rolling duration of 30-90 seconds per muscle group, with a focus on the areas that are tight or sore.

However, individuals who are new to foam rolling should start with shorter durations and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable with the technique. For example, beginners may start with 15-20 seconds per muscle group and gradually increase the duration to 30-60 seconds as they become more experienced.

It is also important to note that foam rolling should not be painful. While some discomfort or pressure is expected, individuals should avoid rolling over areas that are excessively painful. If you experience severe pain, you should stop foam rolling and consult a healthcare professional.

Additionally, foam rolling should not be used as a substitute for stretching or other forms of exercise. It should be used as a supplement to a well-rounded fitness program which includes strength training, cardio, and stretching.

Foam rolling is a technique that can be used to improve mobility, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent injury. The appropriate foam rolling duration is dependent on several factors, including body size, muscle group, and foam roller density. However, a general guideline of 30-90 seconds per muscle group can be followed, with a focus on areas that are tight or sore.

Individuals who are new to foam rolling should start with shorter durations and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable with the technique. This can help to prevent discomfort or pain, which can occur if the muscles are rolled too aggressively. As individuals become more experienced with foam rolling, they may find that they can tolerate longer durations without experiencing discomfort.

Incorporating foam rolling into a well-rounded fitness program can provide several benefits. By reducing muscle tension and improving mobility, individuals can perform exercises and daily activities with greater ease and less discomfort. Additionally, foam rolling can help to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness, especially after a workout. By encouraging blood flow to the muscles, foam rolling can also aid in muscle recovery and prevent injuries.

To effectively foam roll, individuals should identify the muscles or areas of the body that are tight or sore. By applying pressure to these areas using a foam roller, massage ball, or other similar tools, individuals can help to release tension and knots in the muscle tissue. The pressure should be applied gradually, with a focus on maintaining a comfortable level of pressure throughout the rolling process.

The appropriate foam roller density can also affect the foam rolling duration. Softer foam rollers may require longer durations to achieve the desired effects, while denser foam rollers may require shorter durations. Additionally, foam rolling can be tailored to specific muscle groups or areas of the body. For example, foam rolling can be particularly beneficial for the hip flexors, which can become tight and stiff from sitting for long periods of time.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about foam rolling then you need to do our Foam Rolling Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Onlne CPD course

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is foam rolling, and why is it important?

Foam rolling is a category of self-myofascial release technique used to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue. It is important for improving mobility, reducing muscle soreness, and preventing injury.

How long should I foam roll for each muscle group?

The appropriate foam rolling duration varies depending on several factors, including body size, muscle group, and foam roller density. A general guideline of 30-90 seconds per muscle group can be followed, with a focus on areas that are tight or sore.

Can I foam roll every day?

Yes, foam rolling can be done every day. However, it is very important to listen to your body and adjust the foam rolling duration and pressure based on how your muscles feel.

What are some common mistakes to dodge when foam rolling?

Common mistakes to avoid when foam rolling include rolling too quickly, rolling over joints or bony areas, and applying too much pressure. It is important to maintain a comfortable level of pressure and to roll slowly and intentionally over the muscles.

Can foam rolling replace stretching?

While foam rolling can help to release tension in the muscles and improve mobility, it is not a replacement for stretching. Incorporating foam rolling into a well-rounded fitness program that includes stretching can provide additional benefits for overall mobility and flexibility.

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What Should I Expect To Learn In An Olympic Lifting Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-should-i-expect-to-learn-in-an-olympic-lifting-course/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32841 Olympic lifting, also known as weightlifting, is a strength sport that involves two main lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. It requires a combination of power, speed, coordination, and technique to perform these lifts correctly and effectively. Olympic lifting courses are designed to teach individuals how to perform these lifts correctly, with proper...

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Olympic lifting, also known as weightlifting, is a strength sport that involves two main lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. It requires a combination of power, speed, coordination, and technique to perform these lifts correctly and effectively. Olympic lifting courses are designed to teach individuals how to perform these lifts correctly, with proper technique and form, and to develop the strength and power necessary to perform them at a high level. In today’s article, we will discuss what you can expect to learn in an Olympic lifting course.

Basic Lifting Techniques

In an Olympic lifting course, learning the basic lifting techniques is paramount. This includes understanding the correct way to grip the barbell, the positioning of your feet and body, and how to initiate the lift. The course will prioritize the safety and efficiency of your lifting, with a focus on developing proper technique and form.

The basics of lifting techniques are crucial for Olympic lifting, as they provide the foundation for all other lifts to build upon. The correct way to grip the barbell, for instance, ensures that you are able to hold onto the weight without causing strain or injury to your hands or wrists. It also enables you to lift the barbell in a controlled manner, which is essential for achieving the desired lifting motion.

The positioning of your feet and body is equally important in Olympic lifting. It determines your centre of gravity and enables you to generate power and strength from the ground up. Proper positioning also ensures that you are able to execute the lift in a smooth and controlled manner, reducing the risk of injury or strain.

Initiating the lift is the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to the basics of lifting techniques. It involves understanding how to generate power from your legs and hips, and how to transfer that power to the barbell. By learning how to initiate the lift correctly, you will be able to execute the lift with ease and efficiency, achieving maximum results with minimal effort.

In an Olympic lifting course, you will be taught how to perform the lifts safely and efficiently with a focus on technique and form. The course will provide you with the opportunity to practice and refine your lifting technique under the guidance of experienced coaches and trainers. This personalized attention will help you to master the basics of lifting techniques and ensure that you are able to execute the lifts with confidence and ease.

It is important to note that learning the basics of lifting techniques is just the beginning of your Olympic lifting journey. Consistent practice, dedication, and patience are necessary to achieve mastery of the lifts. However, by starting with a strong foundation of proper technique and form, you will be able to progress to more advanced lifts and achieve your lifting goals safely and efficiently.

The Snatch

The snatch is the first Olympic lift that you will learn in a course. This lift involves lifting the barbell from the floor to overhead in one smooth motion. You will learn how to position your feet and grip the barbell, as well as how to initiate the lift with your legs and hips. You will also learn how to transition from the first pull to the second pull, and how to catch the barbell overhead in the squat position.

The Clean And Jerk

As you progress in your Olympic lifting course, you will learn the second of the two main lifts: the clean and jerk. This lift involves lifting the barbell from the floor to the shoulders, and then overhead in two distinct motions. Throughout the course, you will develop the necessary knowledge and skill to execute this lift safely and effectively.

The first step in learning the clean and jerk is understanding the proper grip and foot positioning for the lift. These foundational elements are crucial to ensure that you are able to generate power and lift the barbell efficiently. You will also learn how to initiate the first pull with your legs and hips, using your lower body to drive the weight upward.

After initiating the first pull, you will learn how to transition to the second pull. This involves using your upper body to continue the lift, bringing the barbell up to your shoulders. Timing and coordination are essential here, as a mistimed movement can result in loss of control and injury.

Once the barbell is at your shoulders, you will learn how to catch it in the front rack position. This position involves holding the barbell across your shoulders and clavicles while keeping your elbows up and pointed forward. The front rack position enables you to brace your core and maintain stability while transitioning to the final stage of the lift.

The last stage of the clean and jerk is the jerk. This involves lifting the barbell overhead in a controlled manner. You will learn how to position your body correctly for the jerk, and how to execute the lift with proper technique and form. This requires explosive power from your legs and a smooth transition from the front rack position to overhead.

Throughout your Olympic lifting course, you will practice the clean and jerk under the guidance of experienced coaches and trainers. This personalized attention will allow you to identify and correct any mistakes in your technique, ensuring that you are able to execute the lift safely and effectively. You will also learn how to increase the weight you are lifting over time, building up your strength and power gradually.

It is important to note that the clean and jerk is a highly technical and demanding lift, and it may take time and practice to master. However, by focusing on proper technique and form, and by progressing gradually over time, you can build the strength and power necessary to execute this lift with confidence and ease.

Accessory Lifts

In addition to the main Olympic lifts, you will also learn a variety of accessory lifts that can help you develop the strength and power necessary to perform the lifts effectively. These may include exercises such as squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and pull-ups. These exercises will help you develop the foundational strength and power necessary to perform the Olympic lifts at a high level.

Mobility and Flexibility

Mobility and flexibility are crucial for Olympic lifting, and you will learn a variety of exercises to improve your mobility and flexibility in an Olympic lifting course. This may include exercises such as foam rolling, dynamic stretching, and mobility drills to improve your range of motion and prepare your body for the demands of the lifts.

Program Design and Periodization

An important aspect of an Olympic lifting course is learning how to design and implement an effective training program. This involves understanding the principles of periodization and how to structure your training to ensure continued progress and improvement.

Periodization is the process of dividing up your training into specific phases or periods, with each phase focused on a different aspect of your training. This can help you to achieve your goals more effectively by ensuring that your training is structured and progressive. In an Olympic lifting course, you will learn about the different phases of periodization, and how to design a program that is tailored to your goals and abilities.

Once you have an understanding of periodization, you will learn how to select appropriate exercises for each phase of your training. This will involve understanding the different exercises that are used in Olympic lifting, and how to incorporate them into your program in a way that is safe and effective. You will also learn how to modify exercises to suit your individual needs and abilities.

Setting goals is another important aspect of designing an effective Olympic lifting program. By setting specific, measurable goals, you can ensure that your training is focused and structured. Your goals may include increasing your strength, improving your technique, or preparing for a competition. By deciding on goals that are challenging but achievable, you can stay motivated and track your progress over time.

Tracking your progress is crucial for monitoring your performance and ensuring that you are making progress towards your goals. In an Olympic lifting course, you will learn how to track your progress using a variety of methods, such as recording your lifting sessions, tracking your weight and repetitions, or using performance metrics such as speed or power output. By tracking your progress, you can identify areas where you need to improve and adjust your training accordingly.

Implementing your training program requires discipline, consistency, and commitment. By sticking to your program and making adjustments as needed, you can continue to make progress and achieve your goals over time. In an Olympic lifting course, you will learn about the importance of consistency and how to develop a mindset that is focused on continuous improvement.

Coaching Techniques

Finally, you will learn coaching techniques to help you work with others and improve their Olympic lifting technique. This includes understanding how to analyse and diagnose common lifting errors, as well as how to provide effective feedback to help individuals improve their technique and form.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to learn more about Olympic lifting, then you need to do our Olympic Lifting Course. Find out more by following this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two main lifts you will learn in an Olympic lifting course?

The two main lifts you will learn in an Olympic lifting course are the snatch and the clean and jerk.

What other exercises will you learn in an Olympic lifting course besides the two main lifts?

In addition to the two main lifts, you will also learn a variety of accessory lifts, such as squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and pull-ups.

What skills will you develop in an Olympic lifting course?

In an Olympic lifting course, you will develop skills such as proper lifting techniques, mobility and flexibility, program design and periodization, and coaching techniques.

Is it necessary to have prior lifting experience before taking an Olympic lifting course?

No, it is not necessary to have prior lifting experience before taking an Olympic lifting course. These courses are designed to teach individuals of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced lifters.

Can you become an Olympic weightlifting coach after completing an Olympic lifting course?

Completing an Olympic lifting course does not automatically qualify you to become an Olympic weightlifting coach. However, it is a valuable step towards gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to pursue a career in coaching Olympic lifting. Further training and certification may be required to become a coach.

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Who Can Benefit From Taking Olympic Lifting Courses? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/who-can-benefit-from-taking-olympic-lifting-courses/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32844 Olympic lifting is a challenging and demanding sport that requires a combination of strength, power, speed, coordination, and technique to execute lifts correctly and effectively. While Olympic lifting is often associated with competitive athletes, individuals from all backgrounds and fitness levels can benefit from taking Olympic lifting courses. In this article, we will discuss who...

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Olympic lifting is a challenging and demanding sport that requires a combination of strength, power, speed, coordination, and technique to execute lifts correctly and effectively. While Olympic lifting is often associated with competitive athletes, individuals from all backgrounds and fitness levels can benefit from taking Olympic lifting courses. In this article, we will discuss who can benefit from taking Olympic lifting courses.

Athletes

Olympic lifting courses are beneficial for athletes from various sports, as the lifts develop explosive power and strength, which are essential for athletic performance. The lifts can also improve coordination and balance, which are crucial for sports that require quick and precise movements.

Explosive power and strength are key components of athletic performance, and Olympic lifting is a great way to develop these qualities. Athletes in sports such as football, basketball, track and field, and wrestling can all benefit from Olympic lifting courses. The lifts involve explosive movements that develop power and strength in the legs, core, and upper body. This translates to improved performance on the field or court, as athletes are better able to generate power and explosiveness in their movements.

In addition to developing power and strength, Olympic lifting can also improve coordination and balance. These skills are important for sports that require quick and precise movements, such as basketball, tennis, and soccer. By incorporating Olympic lifting into their training, athletes can improve their ability to control their body and execute movements with precision.

For example, Olympic lifting can improve a basketball player’s ability to jump and rebound. The explosive power generated through the lifts translates to improved vertical jump, enabling players to reach higher and grab more rebounds. Similarly, Olympic lifting can improve a sprinter’s ability to explode off the starting block. The lifts develop power in the legs and hips, which are essential for generating the speed and explosiveness needed to get off the starting block quickly.

Strength And Conditioning Enthusiasts

Individuals who enjoy strength and conditioning training can also benefit from Olympic lifting courses. The lifts provide a full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups, making them an efficient way to build strength and power. Additionally, the lifts can improve overall athleticism, coordination, and balance. For those who enjoy competing, Olympic lifting competitions can be a lot of fun and challenging way to test their skills.

Fitness Enthusiasts

Olympic lifting courses are not just for competitive athletes or strength and conditioning enthusiasts. Even if you are new to fitness, you can benefit from Olympic lifting as the lifts help you build strength, increase muscle mass, and improve overall fitness levels.

Incorporating Olympic lifting into your fitness routine can help you build strength and muscle mass in a way that traditional weightlifting may not. The lifts require explosive power and coordination, which engage multiple muscle groups and challenge the body in a unique way. This full-body workout can lead to significant gains in strength and muscle mass, even for individuals who are new to lifting.

As well as building strength and muscle mass, Olympic lifting can improve overall fitness levels. The lifts require a high level of cardiovascular endurance, as they involve lifting heavy weights at a fast pace. By incorporating Olympic lifting into your fitness routine, you can improve your cardiovascular health and endurance, leading to better overall fitness.

The lifts also improve mobility and flexibility, which are essential for overall health and fitness. By performing the lifts with proper technique and form, you can improve joint mobility and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, the lifts require a high level of mobility and flexibility, which can lead to improved overall movement patterns.

For those who are looking to switch up their fitness routine or try something new, Olympic lifting can be a challenging and rewarding option. The lifts require focus, discipline, and determination, making them a great option for individuals who are looking to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Additionally, Olympic lifting competitions provide an opportunity to test your skills and compete against others, which can be a fun and rewarding experience.

It is important to note that Olympic lifting requires proper technique and form to be performed safely and effectively. Therefore, it is recommended that beginners start with a qualified coach or trainer who can teach the proper techniques and progress the lifts at an appropriate pace. As you progress, you can gradually increase the weight and intensity of the lifts, building up your strength and power over time.

Weight Loss Enthusiasts

Incorporating Olympic lifting into a weight loss program can be advantageous for individuals who are looking to shed excess weight. The lifts provide a full-body workout that burns a significant number of calories, making them an excellent addition to a weight loss program.

Olympic lifting involves explosive movements that engage multiple muscle groups and require a significant amount of energy. As a result, the lifts can burn a significant number of calories, making them an effective way to accelerate weight loss. For people who are really looking to lose weight, Olympic lifting can be an excellent way to supplement cardio and other forms of exercise, providing a more complete and well-rounded workout.

In addition to burning calories, Olympic lifting can also help to build lean muscle mass, which can increase the body’s metabolism and help to burn more calories at rest. This is as muscle tissue requires more energy to maintain than fat tissue, meaning that individuals with more muscle mass burn more calories at rest. By incorporating Olympic lifting into a weight loss program, individuals can build lean muscle mass while also burning fat, leading to enhanced body composition and increased overall fitness levels.

It is important to note that Olympic lifting should be performed with proper technique and form to ensure safety and effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended that beginners start with a qualified coach or trainer who can teach the proper techniques and progress the lifts at an appropriate pace. As you progress, you can gradually increase the weight and intensity of the lifts, building up your strength and power over time.

Additionally, it is important to remember that weight loss is not just about exercise, but also about nutrition. A healthy diet which is rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods is crucial for weight loss and overall health. By combining Olympic lifting with a healthy diet, individuals can achieve their weight loss goals more effectively and efficiently.

Individuals With Specific Goals

Finally, individuals with specific goals can benefit from Olympic lifting courses. For example, a person who is looking to increase their vertical jump can benefit from training in Olympic lifting, as the lifts involve explosive power and require a high level of coordination and balance. Similarly, a person who is looking to improve their overall athleticism can benefit from Olympic lifting, as the lifts provide a full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups and improves overall movement patterns.

In summary, Olympic lifting courses are beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including athletes, strength and conditioning enthusiasts, fitness enthusiasts, weight loss enthusiasts, and individuals with specific goals. By incorporating Olympic lifting into a fitness program, individuals can improve overall fitness levels, build strength and power, and achieve their goals in a challenging and rewarding way. With personalized attention from experienced coaches and trainers, individuals can learn proper technique and form, and progress at their own pace to achieve mastery of the lifts.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to learn more about Olympic lifting, then you need to do our Olympic Lifting Course. Find out more by following this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of athletes can benefit from taking Olympic lifting courses?

Olympic lifting courses are beneficial for athletes from various sports, as the lifts develop explosive power and strength, which are essential for athletic performance.

Can individuals who are new to fitness benefit from Olympic lifting courses?

Yes, Olympic lifting can also benefit individuals who are new to fitness, as the lifts help build strength, increase muscle mass, and improve total fitness levels.

How can Olympic lifting be beneficial for weight loss?

Incorporating Olympic lifting into a weight loss program can help individuals build lean muscle mass while burning fat, leading to improved body composition and increased overall fitness levels.

Who can benefit from Olympic lifting if they have specific goals?

Individuals with specific goals such as increasing their vertical jump or improving overall athleticism can benefit from Olympic lifting, as the lifts involve explosive power and improve coordination, balance, and agility.

Why is it important to start with a qualified coach or trainer when taking Olympic lifting courses?

Olympic lifting requires proper technique and form to be performed safely and effectively. Therefore, it is important to start with a qualified coach or trainer who can teach the proper techniques and progress the lifts at an appropriate

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Prerequisites for Taking a Boxing Instructor Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/prerequisites-for-taking-a-boxing-instructor-course/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32787 To become a boxing instructor, there are certain prerequisites that you need to meet. These prerequisites may vary depending on the course or program that you choose, but generally, they will include a combination of education, experience, and physical fitness requirements. In this article, we will take a have at some of the most common...

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To become a boxing instructor, there are certain prerequisites that you need to meet. These prerequisites may vary depending on the course or program that you choose, but generally, they will include a combination of education, experience, and physical fitness requirements. In this article, we will take a have at some of the most common prerequisites for taking a boxing instructor course.

Age Requirements

One of the most important prerequisites for becoming a boxing instructor is age. Most courses and programs require candidates to be at least 18 years old before they can enrol. This age requirement is put in place for several reasons.

Firstly, boxing is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of physical fitness and endurance. Younger candidates may not have developed the physical strength or stamina needed to safely and effectively demonstrate boxing techniques and exercises. By requiring candidates to be at least 18 years old, courses and programs can ensure that their instructors have had time to develop the physical fitness needed to excel in the sport.

Additionally, boxing is often considered a high-risk sport, and younger candidates may not have the emotional maturity needed to become a safe and effective boxing instructor. As an instructor, you will have to instruct students how to perform boxing exercises and techniques safely and effectively. This means that you need to have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with your students, as well as monitor their form and technique to ensure that they are not putting themselves at risk of injury.

Furthermore, boxing instructors often work with a diverse range of students, including children, teenagers, and adults. Younger candidates may not have the life experience or emotional maturity needed to work effectively with such a diverse group of students. By requiring candidates to be at least 18 years old, courses and programs can ensure that their instructors have the emotional maturity needed to work effectively with students of all ages and backgrounds.

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is another important prerequisite for becoming a boxing instructor. As a boxing instructor, you will be responsible for demonstrating boxing techniques and exercises, as well as monitoring and correcting the form of your students. This means that you really need to have a high level of physical fitness and be able to perform the exercises and movements that you will be teaching.

To meet the physical fitness requirements for a boxing instructor course, you should have a regular exercise routine that includes cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. You should also have a healthy diet and be able to maintain a healthy weight.

Boxing Experience

Another important prerequisite for taking a boxing instructor course is boxing experience. While not always required, most courses and programs prefer candidates who have experience in the sport. This is because boxing instructors need to have a deep understanding of the sport and be able to demonstrate the techniques and skills required for effective training.

Having boxing experience can also help you relate to your students and understand the challenges they face as they learn the sport. It can also help you develop your own coaching style and strategies for teaching boxing effectively.

If you do not have boxing experience, it is recommended that you start training before taking a boxing instructor course. This will give you the opportunity to learn the basics of the sport and gain some experience before taking a certification course. There are several ways to gain boxing experience, including joining a local boxing gym or working with a personal trainer who specializes in boxing.

When starting your boxing training, it is important to focus on building a strong foundation of basic techniques and skills. This includes learning how to punch, block, and move around the ring effectively. You will also need to work on your physical fitness and endurance, as boxing is a highly demanding sport that requires a high level of stamina.

As you gain more experience in the sport, you can begin to focus on more advanced techniques and strategies, such as footwork, combinations, and defensive techniques. It is also important to gain experience sparring with other boxers, as this will help you develop your timing, reflexes, and overall technique.

When you feel confident in your boxing skills and experience, you can begin to explore opportunities for becoming a boxing instructor. This may include enrolling in a certification course or program or applying for a coaching position at a local gym or community centre.

Education

While not always required, having a high school diploma or equivalent is often a prerequisite for taking a boxing instructor course. This is because instructors need to have a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, and exercise science in order to teach effectively and safely.

If you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, you may be required to take a GED or other equivalent test before taking a boxing instructor course.

First Aid And CPR Certification

Another important prerequisite for taking a boxing instructor course is having a current first aid and CPR certification. This is because boxing is a high-risk sport, and injuries can occur during training or competition. As an instructor, you need to be able to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of your students.

Having a current first aid and CPR certification means that you have the knowledge and skills needed to provide basic medical care in emergency situations. This can include performing CPR, treating cuts and bruises, and stabilizing broken bones. By having this certification, you can help to prevent serious injuries and save lives in the event of an emergency.

To obtain first aid and CPR certification, you can take a course through a local training centre or through an online provider. Many community organizations, such as the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, offer first aid and CPR certification courses. These courses typically cover basic first aid techniques, such as wound care and splinting, as well as CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants.

When choosing a first aid and CPR certification course, it is important to ensure that the certification you obtain is current and recognized by the course or program you plan to take. This means that the certification should be valid for at least two years and should be recognized by the boxing instructor course or program you plan to enrol in.

Additionally, it is recommended that you refresh your first aid and CPR certification regularly, even after completing your boxing instructor course. This will help you to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and protocols for emergency care, and ensure that you are prepared to respond to emergencies effectively.

Background Check

Another prerequisite for taking a boxing instructor course is undergoing a background check. While not all courses require this, some may ask candidates to undergo a background check to ensure that they have a clean criminal record and are able to work with vulnerable populations, such as children or people with disabilities.

The purpose of the background check is to identify any criminal history or other factors that could potentially put students at risk. This includes offenses such as violence, theft, or any other activity that could be considered a threat to the safety and well-being of students.

If a background check is required, you will typically be asked to provide your personal information, such as your name and date of birth, and pay a fee for the check. The background check will then be conducted by a third-party agency, which will review your criminal history and other relevant information.

The results of the background check will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than the course or program administrators. If the background check reveals any concerning information, the course or program administrators may choose to deny your application or ask for further information before making a final decision.

It is important to note that having a criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from becoming a boxing instructor. However, certain offenses may make it more difficult to obtain certification or find employment in the field. This includes offenses related to violence, theft, or drug use.

If you have concerns about your criminal history and how it may impact your ability to become a boxing instructor, it is recommended that you speak with an advisor or representative from the course or program you plan to enrol in. They can provide you with more information about the specific background check requirements and any other factors that may impact your eligibility. In conclusion, there are several prerequisites that you need to meet in order to become a boxing instructor.

These include age requirements, physical fitness, boxing experience, education, first aid and CPR certification, and potentially a background check. By meeting these prerequisites, you can ensure that you have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed to become a safe and effective boxing instructor. Before enrolling in a boxing instructor course, it is important to research the specific requirements and qualifications needed for the program you are interested in. This will help you determine if you are a good fit for the program and if it will help you achieve your career goals in the field of boxing instruction.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age requirement for taking a boxing instructor course?

Most courses require candidates to be at least 18 years old.

Is it necessary to have boxing experience to become a boxing instructor?

While not always required, most courses prefer candidates who have experience in the sport as it helps in understanding the sport better.

Do boxing instructors need first aid and CPR certification?

Yes, having a current first aid and CPR certification is an important prerequisite as boxing is a high-risk sport and injuries can occur during training or competition.

Why might a background check be required for boxing instructor courses?

A background check may be required to ensure that instructors have a clean criminal record and are able to work with vulnerable populations, such as children or people with disabilities.

Can having a criminal history disqualify you from becoming a boxing instructor?

Having a criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from becoming a boxing instructor. However, certain offenses may make it more difficult to obtain certification or find employment in the field.

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What Is Covered In A Boxing Instructor Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-covered-in-a-boxing-instructor-course/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32790 A boxing instructor course is designed to teach individuals how to become effective coaches and trainers in the sport of boxing. These courses typically cover a wide range of topics, from basic techniques and training strategies to advanced coaching strategies and business management skills. In this article, we will have a much closer look at...

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A boxing instructor course is designed to teach individuals how to become effective coaches and trainers in the sport of boxing. These courses typically cover a wide range of topics, from basic techniques and training strategies to advanced coaching strategies and business management skills. In this article, we will have a much closer look at some of the topics that are covered in a typical boxing instructor course.

Boxing Techniques And Fundamentals

A crucial topic covered in a boxing instructor course is boxing techniques and fundamentals. This aspect of the course teaches instructors basic punches, footwork, defensive techniques, and combinations. It is essential for instructors to have a deep understanding of these techniques and be able to demonstrate them effectively to students of all skill levels.

The course typically covers different types of punches, including jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and crosses. Instructors will learn how to execute these punches with precision and how to teach students to do the same. Footwork is also a critical component of boxing, and instructors will learn how to teach students the proper stance and footwork for effective movement around the ring.

Defensive techniques, such as blocking, slipping, and parrying, are also covered in the course. Instructors will learn how to teach students to use these techniques to avoid punches and protect themselves from injury. Additionally, instructors will learn how to demonstrate different combinations of punches and how to teach students to execute them effectively.

It is very important for instructors to be able to teach these techniques effectively to students of all skill levels. This means understanding how to break down each technique into smaller components and then teach each component one at a time. Instructors will also learn how to provide feedback to students and how to adjust their teaching methods based on individual learning styles.

Teaching effective techniques is crucial not only for students’ safety but also for their success in the sport. Proper technique can help students improve their performance, prevent injury, and achieve their goals. By learning how to teach these techniques effectively, instructors can help their students develop a strong foundation in the sport of boxing.

Boxing Equipment And Gear

In addition to teaching basic techniques, a boxing instructor course will also cover the various types of boxing equipment and gear that are used in training and competition. This includes gloves, hand wraps, heavy bags, speed bags, and jump ropes, among other items. Instructors will learn how to choose the right equipment for their students based on their skill level, physical ability, and training goals.

Training Strategies And Methods

A boxing instructor course covers a diverse range of training strategies and methods that are designed to help students improve their skills and achieve their goals in the sport. This involves developing effective training plans, setting achievable goals, and monitoring progress. Instructors are also taught how to create engaging and challenging training sessions that keep students motivated and inspired.

Developing a training plan is a crucial component of the course. Instructors learn how to create plans that are tailored to each student’s individual needs, skill level, and goals. The plan will typically include a combination of different exercises and drills, including shadowboxing, heavy bag work, sparring, and cardio. Instructors will also learn how to adjust training plans over time as the student’s skill level improves.

Setting realistic goals is another important aspect of the course. Instructors learn how to help students set achievable goals that are challenging but attainable. These goals may include mastering a particular punch or combination, improving stamina or strength, or preparing for a competition. Instructors will also learn how to monitor progress and provide feedback to help students stay on track and achieve their goals.

Creating challenging and engaging training sessions is essential to keeping students motivated and inspired. Instructors will learn how to vary training routines and drills to keep them fresh and interesting. They will also learn how to adjust training intensity and difficulty levels based on the individual needs and goals of each student. This will help students stay engaged and committed to their training.

Additionally, instructors will learn how to use positive reinforcement to motivate students and help them achieve their goals. This includes providing encouragement and feedback to students, as well as recognizing and rewarding their achievements. By using positive reinforcement, instructors can help students build confidence and develop a love for the sport.

Overall, training strategies and methods covered in a boxing instructor course help instructors create effective training plans, set realistic goals, monitor progress, and create engaging and challenging training sessions that keep students motivated and inspired. This helps students develop a strong foundation in the sport and achieve their goals, whether they are training for fitness, competition, or personal growth.

Injury Prevention And Management

Boxing is a high-impact sport that can result in a variety of injuries if proper safety measures are not followed. A boxing instructor course will cover injury prevention and management techniques to help instructors keep their students safe and healthy during training and competition. This includes proper warm-up and cool-down techniques, proper technique instruction, and first aid and emergency response techniques.

Business Management And Marketing

In addition to teaching boxing techniques and strategies, many boxing instructor courses also cover business management and marketing skills. This includes topics such as creating a business plan, developing a marketing strategy, managing finances, and building a client base. These skills are important for instructors who want to start their own training programs or gyms, or who want to work independently as trainers.

Legal And Ethical Considerations

Legal and ethical considerations related to coaching and training are important topics covered in a boxing instructor course. Instructors learn about liability issues, client confidentiality, and the significance of maintaining professional standards of conduct. Additionally, they are taught about the various organizations and governing bodies that oversee boxing and ensure that instructors and trainers adhere to established rules and regulations.

Liability issues are a significant concern for any trainer or coach in the field of boxing. Instructors learn about the legal responsibilities they have to their students, including the duty to provide a safe training environment and to take appropriate measures to prevent injuries. They also learn how to protect themselves from legal liability by obtaining proper insurance and following established safety protocols.

Client confidentiality is another important consideration covered in the course. Instructors learn how to protect the privacy of their clients and maintain confidentiality with regards to any personal information shared during training. This is particularly important when working with vulnerable populations, such as children or individuals with disabilities.

Maintaining professional standards of conduct is critical for any trainer or coach. Instructors learn about ethical considerations related to coaching, such as the importance of treating all students with respect and avoiding any actions that could be perceived as discriminatory or abusive. They also learn about the importance of maintaining boundaries with clients and avoiding any behaviour that could be perceived as inappropriate or unprofessional.

Instructors also learn about the various organizations and governing bodies that oversee boxing and ensure that instructors and trainers adhere to established rules and regulations. This includes organizations such as USA Boxing and the International Boxing Association. Instructors learn about the rules and regulations set forth by these organizations and how to ensure compliance in their training programs.

Advanced Coaching Techniques

Instructors who have gained more experience and expertise in the sport of boxing may want to explore advanced coaching techniques and strategies. This involves delving deeper into the various aspects of boxing training and exploring different specializations. Topics that instructors may cover include psychological training, advanced strength and conditioning techniques, and sports nutrition.

Psychological training is an important aspect of boxing coaching. Instructors learn how to help their students develop mental toughness, focus, and resilience. This can include techniques such as visualization, mindfulness, and goal setting. Instructors also learn how to work with athletes who may be struggling with performance anxiety or other mental health issues.

Advanced strength and conditioning techniques are another area that instructors may choose to explore. These techniques focus on developing overall physical fitness, strength, and agility in athletes. Instructors learn how to design training plans that focus on specific areas of physical fitness, such as endurance or speed, and how to use specialized equipment such as weights, resistance bands, and agility ladders.

Sports nutrition is also an essential area that instructors may choose to specialize in. Nutrition is a critical component of any athlete’s training regimen, and instructors learn how to design nutrition plans that meet the specific needs of their athletes. This includes understanding the role of macronutrients, such as protein and carbohydrates, in building muscle and improving performance, as well as the importance of hydration and nutrient timing.

In addition to these specialized areas, instructors may choose to specialize in working with specific populations, such as competitive athletes or individuals with specific health conditions or disabilities. Instructors who specialize in working with competitive athletes learn how to develop training plans that focus on improving performance in the ring. They may also learn how to work with athletes who are recovering from injuries or surgeries.

Instructors who specialize in coaching individuals with specific health conditions or disabilities learn how to modify training plans to accommodate their students’ specific needs. For example, they may learn how to develop training plans for individuals with diabetes or heart disease, or how to work with individuals with physical disabilities who may need specialized equipment or modifications to their training routines.

A boxing instructor course covers a wide range of topics related to coaching and training in the sport of boxing. This includes learning basic techniques and fundamentals, choosing the right equipment and gear, developing effective training strategies, injury prevention and management, business management and marketing, legal and ethical considerations, and advanced coaching techniques. By completing a boxing instructor course, individuals can gain the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to become effective and successful trainers in this exciting and dynamic sport.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a boxing instructor, then you need to do our Boxing Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the basic techniques covered in a boxing instructor course?

A boxing instructor course covers basic techniques such as punches, footwork, defensive techniques, and combinations.

What training strategies and methods are covered in a boxing instructor course?

Boxing instructor courses cover a range of training strategies and methods, including developing training plans, setting goals, and monitoring progress.

What legal and ethical considerations are covered in a boxing instructor course?

Legal and ethical considerations covered in a boxing instructor course include liability issues, client confidentiality, and maintaining professional standards of conduct.

What advanced coaching techniques can instructors explore after completing a boxing instructor course?

Instructors can explore advanced coaching techniques such as psychological training, advanced strength and conditioning techniques, and sports nutrition.

Can instructors specialize in working with specific populations after completing a boxing instructor course?

Yes, instructors can specialize in working with specific populations such as competitive athletes or individuals with specific health conditions or disabilities.

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What Are The Prerequisites For Taking An Athletic Nutrition Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-prerequisites-for-taking-an-athletic-nutrition-course/ Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32776 Athletic nutrition courses are designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve athletic performance through proper nutrition. These courses are typically offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and require certain prerequisites before enrolment. Here are some common prerequisites for taking an athletic nutrition course. Basic Nutrition Knowledge A solid foundation...

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Athletic nutrition courses are designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve athletic performance through proper nutrition. These courses are typically offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and require certain prerequisites before enrolment. Here are some common prerequisites for taking an athletic nutrition course.

Basic Nutrition Knowledge

A solid foundation in nutrition principles is essential for anyone interested in taking an athletic nutrition course. This is because athletic nutrition builds upon basic nutrition concepts, such as macronutrients, micronutrients, and their roles in the body. Individuals who want to enrol in an athletic nutrition course are usually required to have completed at least one course in basic nutrition.

The reason for this is that athletic nutrition courses assume a certain level of knowledge and familiarity with nutrition principles. Without a basic understanding of nutrition, students may struggle to keep up with the course material, which can include complex topics such as sports nutrition for special populations, metabolism, and nutrition coaching.

In addition to a basic understanding of nutrition, some athletic nutrition courses may have additional prerequisites. For example, a course on sports performance nutrition may require that students have completed coursework in exercise physiology or have a background in sports science. Similarly, a course on nutrition coaching may require that students have a coaching or personal training certification.

Overall, the prerequisites for athletic nutrition courses will depend on the specific course and institution offering the course. Prospective students should carefully review the course requirements and ensure that they meet all prerequisites before enrolling in a course.

Here are some common prerequisites for athletic nutrition courses:

  • Basic Nutrition Knowledge: As mentioned earlier, a basic understanding of nutrition principles is typically a prerequisite for athletic nutrition courses. This includes knowledge of macronutrients, micronutrients, and their roles in the body.
  • Exercise Physiology: Some athletic nutrition courses may require that students have completed coursework in exercise physiology. This is because exercise physiology is closely related to sports performance nutrition, and a background in exercise physiology can help students understand how nutrition can affect athletic performance.
  • Coaching Certification: A course on nutrition coaching may require that students have a coaching or personal training certification. This is because nutrition coaching often involves working with athletes or clients to create personalized nutrition plans that support their fitness goals.
  • Sports Science Background: Some athletic nutrition courses may require that students have a background in sports science. This is because sports science is the study of the human body in motion, and a solid understanding of sports science can help students understand how nutrition can impact athletic performance.
  • Anatomy and Physiology: Some athletic nutrition courses may require that students have completed coursework in anatomy and physiology. This is because anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for understanding how the body works and how it responds to nutrition.

Anatomy and Physiology

Athletic nutrition courses are designed to teach individuals about the impact of nutrition on athletic performance. However, before enrolling in such a course, it is essential to have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology.

Human anatomy and physiology are important areas of study for athletic nutrition because it helps to understand how nutrition affects the body. Athletic nutrition courses may cover topics such as digestion, metabolism, and energy production, which all relate to the body’s processes.

An understanding of human anatomy and physiology can be obtained through previous coursework or through independent study. Courses in biology, physiology, and anatomy are good prerequisites for athletic nutrition courses. Students should have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology before enrolling in an athletic nutrition course to ensure that they can grasp the concepts taught in the course effectively.

The subject of anatomy is the study of the structure of the body, while physiology is the study of how the body works. Together, these subjects provide a foundation for understanding the effects of nutrition on the body. In anatomy, students learn about the body’s organs, tissues, and systems, while in physiology, they learn about the functions of those organs and systems.

For example, students in an athletic nutrition course may learn about the digestive system’s role in breaking down food into nutrients that the body can use for energy. An understanding of the anatomy – as well as the physiology – of the digestive system would be helpful in comprehending this topic. Similarly, a basic understanding of the respiratory system would be helpful in understanding how the body uses oxygen during exercise.

Additionally, understanding human anatomy and physiology is crucial in understanding how different types of exercise affect the body and how nutrition can impact the recovery process. Athletic nutrition courses may cover topics such as how different types of exercise affect the body’s metabolic rate and how nutrition can impact muscle growth and repair.

Exercise Science

Athletic nutrition and exercise science are interrelated, and proper nutrition plays a critical role in improving athletic performance. Therefore, it is essential for individuals pursuing athletic nutrition courses to have a basic understanding of exercise science. Exercise science covers the study of how the body responds to physical activity, including the mechanisms and adaptations that occur during exercise.

Athletic nutrition courses typically cover topics such as macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and nutrient timing, with an emphasis on how these concepts relate to exercise and athletic performance. A basic understanding of exercise science can help students better understand how nutrition can be used to optimize athletic performance.

One of the key areas of focus in exercise science is energy systems. Energy systems refer to the different pathways the body uses to produce energy during exercise. The three main energy systems are the phosphagen system, the glycolytic system, and the oxidative system. Each of these systems is used to produce energy during different types of exercise, and the body uses a combination of these systems to meet the demands of different activities.

Another important area of study in exercise science is sports performance. Sports performance refers to an athlete’s ability to perform in their chosen sport, and includes factors such as strength, power, speed, and endurance. Proper nutrition can play a significant role in optimizing sports performance, by providing the necessary fuel for exercise and aiding in the recovery process.

In addition to energy systems and sports performance, exercise science also covers topics such as muscle physiology, cardiovascular physiology, and environmental factors that can affect exercise and athletic performance. An understanding of these topics can help individuals better understand how nutrition can be used to optimize athletic performance.

Chemistry

A basic understanding of chemistry is important for understanding the biochemical processes that occur in the body. Athletic nutrition courses may cover topics such as the metabolism of nutrients and the effects of various supplements on the body. Students should have completed at least one course in chemistry before enrolling in an athletic nutrition course.

Research Methods

Athletic nutrition courses often require students to engage in research projects and critically evaluate research studies. Therefore, having a basic understanding of research methods is important for success in an athletic nutrition course. Students who have done at least one course in research methods will be better equipped to navigate the research and analysis required in these courses.

Research methods courses typically cover a range of topics related to scientific research, such as study design, data collection and analysis, statistical methods, and research ethics. These courses provide students with the tools they need to conduct research studies and analyse data effectively. They also help students understand how to critically evaluate research studies conducted by others.

Having a basic understanding of research methods is particularly important in athletic nutrition courses, as these courses often cover research topics related to the effects of nutrition on athletic performance, recovery, and injury prevention. Students may be required to design their own research studies or evaluate research studies conducted by others. They need to understand the different types of research designs, such as randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case reports. They also need to understand how to collect and analyse data using appropriate statistical methods.

In addition to research methods, students may also need to have a basic understanding of biostatistics. Biostatistics is the application of statistical methods to data in the health sciences. It is used to analyse data from clinical trials, observational studies, and other research studies in the health sciences.

Biostatistics courses cover topics such as probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and survival analysis. These courses provide students with the skills they need to analyse data from a variety of research studies. They also help students understand how to interpret the results of statistical analyses and how to make decisions based on those results.

Having a basic understanding of biostatistics is important for success in athletic nutrition courses, as these courses often require students to analyse and interpret data from research studies related to athletic nutrition. For example, students may be asked to analyse data from a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of different sports supplements on athletic performance. They need to understand how to analyse the data using appropriate statistical methods and how to interpret the results.

Finally, it is important for students to have good communication skills in order to succeed in athletic nutrition courses. Athletic nutrition professionals often work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes coaches, trainers, and medical professionals. They need to have the ability to communicate effectively with these individuals in order to develop and implement effective nutrition plans.

Communication skills courses cover topics such as verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, and conflict resolution. These courses provide students with the skills they need to communicate effectively with others. They also help students understand how to work effectively as part of a team and how to manage conflicts that may arise.

Overall, athletic nutrition courses require a strong foundation in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, exercise science, chemistry, and research methods. It is important for individuals interested in taking an athletic nutrition course to have completed prerequisite courses in these areas before enrolling in an athletic nutrition course. This will ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the course and apply the concepts learned to enhance athletic performance through proper nutrition.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a sports nutritionist then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What prior knowledge is necessary to enrol in an athletic nutrition course?

A basic understanding of nutrition principles is necessary, including knowledge of macronutrients and micronutrients.

Is it necessary to have prior knowledge of human anatomy and physiology for an athletic nutrition course?

Yes, understanding how nutrition affects the body requires a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

What is the relationship between athletic nutrition and exercise science?

Athletic nutrition is closely tied to exercise science, as proper nutrition can help improve athletic performance.

Is research methods knowledge important for an athletic nutrition course?

Yes, athletic nutrition courses may include research projects or require students to critically evaluate research studies.

Is it recommended to have completed a course in basic nutrition before enrolling in an athletic nutrition course?

Yes, it is recommended to have a basic understanding of nutrition principles before enrolling in an athletic nutrition course.

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Benefits of Studying Sports Nutrition https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/benefits-of-studying-sports-nutrition/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 06:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32747 Studying sports nutrition can provide numerous benefits for individuals interested in sports and fitness. Here are a couple of the main benefits of studying sports nutrition. Improve Athletic Performance One of the primary benefits of studying sports nutrition is the ability to optimize athletic performance. Through the study of sports nutrition, individuals can learn about...

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Studying sports nutrition can provide numerous benefits for individuals interested in sports and fitness. Here are a couple of the main benefits of studying sports nutrition.

Improve Athletic Performance

One of the primary benefits of studying sports nutrition is the ability to optimize athletic performance. Through the study of sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the specific types and amounts of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) that are necessary for fuelling the body during exercise. Additionally, they can learn about the importance of timing meals and snacks in relation to workouts to ensure that the body has adequate energy stores. Proper nutrition can help athletes improve endurance, strength, and power, allowing them to perform at their best and achieve their goals.

Another benefit of studying sports nutrition is the ability to prevent and treat injuries. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to recover from physical activity, and a diet that is deficient in key nutrients can increase the risk of injury. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the foods and supplements that can help speed up recovery and reduce inflammation, allowing them to return to training and competition more quickly.

Studying sports nutrition can also help individuals maintain their overall health and well-being. Correct nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and promoting mental and emotional health. By learning about the role of nutrition in physical health, individuals can make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle that can help them achieve optimal health.

Additionally, studying sports nutrition can lead to a fulfilling career in the field of sports and fitness. As the demand for sports nutritionists continues to grow, there are a variety of career opportunities available for individuals with expertise in this area. These may include working with individual athletes or teams, providing nutrition education to the general public, or conducting research in the field of sports nutrition.

Enhance Recovery

One of the primary benefits of sports nutrition is that it can help individuals improve their athletic performance. By understanding the nutrients that the body needs to perform at its best, individuals can tailor their diets to meet their specific needs. For example, they can learn about the best foods to eat before, during, as well as after exercise to ensure that they have the energy they need to perform at their very best.

Moreover, sports nutrition is also concerned with the role of nutrition in recovery. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn how to fuel their body with the nutrients it needs to recover quickly and effectively after exercise. This can assist with reducing  the risk of injury and enable individuals to return to training more quickly.

Prevent Injuries

Sports nutrition plays a significant role in injury prevention and overall physical health. Proper nutrition provides the body with the essential nutrients it needs to maintain strong bones and muscles, making it more resistant to injury. Studying sports nutrition can equip individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their diet and enhance their physical health.

One of the essential nutrients for preventing injuries is calcium. Calcium is necessary for the development and maintenance of strong bones, which are crucial for athletes who subject their bodies to high-impact activities. Athletes who do not consume enough calcium are at higher risk of stress fractures, which can be debilitating and can keep them out of competition for extended periods. Studying sports nutrition can help individuals learn about calcium-rich foods that can help prevent these injuries and keep bones healthy.

Another essential nutrient for injury prevention is protein. Protein is required for building and repairing muscles and tissues. Athletes who do not consume enough protein may be more susceptible to muscle strains and tears. Studying sports nutrition can help individuals learn about the optimal amounts of protein to consume based on their activity level and body composition.

Carbohydrates are another crucial nutrient for injury prevention and physical health. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy and are necessary for high-intensity exercise. Athletes who do not consume enough carbohydrates may experience fatigue, weakness, and a decreased ability to perform at their best. Studying sports nutrition can help individuals learn about the right types and amounts of carbohydrates to consume before, during, and after exercise to optimize performance.

Increase Energy Levels

In sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the different types of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and how they impact energy levels. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy, and they play a crucial role in fuelling high-intensity exercise. Proteins are vital for muscle growth and recovery, while fats are important for providing sustained energy during endurance exercise.

Studying sports nutrition can also provide insights into how to properly time meals and snacks to optimize energy levels. Pre-workout meals should be consumed 1-3 hours before exercise and should be high in carbohydrates and low in fat and fibre to ensure quick digestion and absorption. During exercise, athletes should consume easily digestible carbohydrates, such as sports drinks, to maintain energy levels. Post-workout meals should be consumed within 30 minutes of exercise and should include both carbohydrates and proteins to aid in recovery and muscle repair.

Develop Healthy Habits

One of the benefits of studying sports nutrition is that it can help individuals better understand their body’s nutritional needs. Through studying the relationship between nutrition and athletic performance, individuals can learn about the nutrients needed to fuel their body before, during, and after exercise. They can also learn how to create balanced meals that meet their body’s needs, including the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

In addition to optimizing athletic performance, proper nutrition can also help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the job of nutrition in disease prevention and how to make healthy choices to reduce the risk of developing these diseases. This knowledge can also be applied to other areas of life, such as making healthy choices when eating out or grocery shopping.

Another benefit of studying sports nutrition is the ability to develop customized nutrition plans based on individual needs and goals. Everyone’s body is different, and nutrition needs can vary according on factors such as age, gender, and activity level. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn how to create personalized nutrition plans that meet their specific needs, whether they are looking to improve athletic performance, lose weight, or simply maintain overall health.

Studying sports nutrition can also help individuals learn how to read and interpret nutrition labels. With so many food choices available, it can be challenging to determine which foods are the healthiest options. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn how to read nutrition labels to make informed choices about the food they eat. This skill is especially important for athletes who need to carefully monitor their nutrient intake to optimize their performance.

Proper nutrition is also essential for mental health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that a healthy diet can boost mood and lower symptoms of depression and anxiety. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the relationship between nutrition and mental health as well as develop healthy eating habits that support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Personalize Nutrition Plans

Every athlete has unique nutrition needs. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn how to develop personalized nutrition plans that are tailored to their unique needs and goals. This can help athletes optimize their performance and achieve their goals.

Enhance Overall Health

Proper nutrition is essential for overall health and wellbeing. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can learn about the role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases and promoting optimal health.

Career Opportunities

Studying sports nutrition can open up various career opportunities in the sports and fitness industry. With an increasing focus on the role of nutrition in athletic performance, there is a growing demand for sports nutrition professionals who can help athletes optimize their performance and achieve their goals.

Sports nutrition professionals can work with athletes at all levels, from amateur to professional, to help them develop personalized nutrition plans that meet their unique needs and goals. This can include creating meal plans, advising on nutrient timing, and recommending supplements.

In addition to working with athletes, sports nutrition professionals can also work in a variety of settings, such as sports teams, gyms, and wellness centres. They can also work as consultants, providing advice and guidance to individuals and organizations in the sports and fitness industry.

Competitive Edge

In sports, every advantage counts. By studying sports nutrition, individuals can gain a competitive edge by optimizing their nutrition and improving their overall health and wellbeing.

Personal Satisfaction

Finally, studying sports nutrition can provide personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. By learning about the importance of proper nutrition and how to apply that knowledge to their own lives, individuals can feel empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing.

In conclusion, studying sports nutrition can provide numerous benefits for individuals interested in sports and fitness. From improving athletic performance to enhancing overall health and wellbeing, studying sports nutrition can help individuals achieve their goals and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a nutritionist? If you do then you need to study our Diploma in Sports Nutrition Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Topics Covered in a Typical Sports Nutrition Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/topics-covered-in-a-typical-sports-nutrition-course/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 06:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32750 A sports nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to the role of nutrition in sports and exercise. These courses are designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nutrition and athletic performance, as well as the strategies and techniques for optimizing nutrition in sports. Here are some of...

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A sports nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to the role of nutrition in sports and exercise. These courses are designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nutrition and athletic performance, as well as the strategies and techniques for optimizing nutrition in sports.

Here are some of the topics that are typically covered in a sports nutrition course.

Nutrient Requirements For Athletes

A sports nutrition course typically covers the specific nutrient requirements for athletes, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is important for athletes to have a balanced diet that provides them with enough energy to perform at their best. In a sports nutrition course, students will learn about the role of each nutrient in the body and how they affect athletic performance.

Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for athletes as they provide energy to the muscles during exercise. Students will learn about the different types of carbohydrates and how to calculate the optimal amount of carbohydrates for different types of athletes, based on their body weight and the intensity of their training.

Protein is another important nutrient for athletes as it is essential for building and repairing muscles. Students will learn about the different types of protein and how to calculate the optimal amount of protein for different types of athletes, based on their body weight and the intensity of their training.

Fats are also an important nutrient for athletes as they provide energy during exercise and help with the absorption of vitamins. Students will learn about the different types of fats and how to calculate the optimal amount of fat for different types of athletes, based on their body weight and the intensity of their training.

Vitamins and minerals are vital nutrients that play a vital role in athletic performance. Students will learn about the different vitamins and minerals and how they affect athletic performance. They will also learn about the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals for athletes and how to calculate the optimal amount for different types of athletes.

Energy Metabolism

Macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, are the main sources of energy during exercise. Carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source for high-intensity exercise, while fats are the primary fuel source for low-intensity exercise. Proteins play a key role in muscle repair and recovery.

Sports nutrition courses cover how to optimize nutrient intake to maintain energy levels during exercise. For example, athletes may consume carbohydrates before exercise to maximize their glycogen stores and provide a quick source of energy during exercise. Similarly, consuming protein after exercise can help to repair and rebuild muscle tissue.

In addition to the macronutrients, sports nutrition courses also cover the role of micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, in energy metabolism. Vitamins and minerals are essential for the production of energy, and deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to decreased athletic performance.

Overall, understanding the principles of energy metabolism is essential for athletes to optimize their performance, and a sports nutrition course provides the knowledge and skills needed to achieve this goal.

Hydration

Proper hydration plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, maintaining blood volume, and supporting metabolic functions. Dehydration can lead to decreased athletic performance, fatigue, and an increased risk of injury. In a sports nutrition course, students will learn about the signs and symptoms of dehydration, the importance of monitoring fluid intake during exercise, and strategies for maintaining proper hydration levels.

Students will also learn about the different types of fluids that can be consumed before, during, and after exercise to promote proper hydration. Sports drinks are a very popular choice for athletes because they contain electrolytes that help to replace those lost through sweat. However, it’s quite important to note that not all sports drinks are created equal, and some may contain high levels of sugar or other additives. A sports nutrition course will teach students how to choose the right type of sports drink and how to read labels to identify potential health concerns.

Pre- And Post-Exercise Nutrition

Sports nutrition courses cover the critical aspects of pre- and post-exercise nutrition, which are essential for optimal athletic performance. Students learn about the specific nutrient requirements that the body needs to fuel and recover from physical activity. The timing and composition of meals play a crucial role in enhancing exercise performance, reducing fatigue, and promoting recovery. Proper nutrition can also prevent injuries and illnesses associated with sports.

A sports nutrition course teaches individuals about the benefits of consuming the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats before exercise. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy during exercise and are stored in muscles as glycogen. Students learn how to calculate the right amount of carbohydrates needed to maintain glycogen stores, which can improve endurance and delay fatigue during exercise. Protein is essential for repairing and building muscle tissue, which is critical for athletes who engage in high-intensity workouts. The course covers the specific protein requirements for athletes to optimize muscle recovery and growth.

A sports nutrition course also teaches individuals about the importance of post-exercise nutrition. Proper nutrition after exercise can help the body recover from physical activity and reduce muscle soreness. The course covers the specific nutrient requirements for recovery, including carbohydrates, protein, and fluids. Students learn how to calculate the ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein needed to promote muscle recovery and glycogen replenishment.

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for athletes to achieve their peak performance. Students will learn about the role of nutrition in weight loss and weight gain, as well as the methods and strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Weight management is a key component of sports nutrition. Athletes need to ensure they maintain an optimal weight to perform at their best. An optimal weight depends on factors such as age, gender, and sport type. Students will learn how to calculate body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage to determine a healthy weight range.

One of the main topics covered in a sports nutrition course is the role of diet in weight management. Students will learn about the importance of a balanced diet that includes all macronutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, and fats – as well as micronutrients for example vitamins and minerals. They will also learn how to calculate calorie intake and how to balance energy expenditure with calorie intake.

Supplements

The use of supplements is a popular topic in sports nutrition as athletes may use them to enhance performance, boost energy, or improve recovery. Supplements can come in different forms, such as powders, pills, or liquids, and can contain different types of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. In a typical sports nutrition course, students will learn about the different types of supplements available, the science behind them, and how to evaluate their safety and effectiveness.

One of the most common supplements used by athletes is protein. Protein supplements are often taken in the form of powders or bars and are used to support muscle growth and repair. Sports nutrition courses may cover the different types of protein supplements available, including whey protein, casein protein, and soy protein, and their potential benefits and risks. Students will learn how to determine the appropriate amount of protein an athlete needs based on their activity level and how to incorporate protein supplements into their diet.

Creatine is another popular supplement used by athletes, particularly those engaged in high-intensity activities such as weightlifting or sprinting. Creatine supplements are thought to increase muscle mass, strength, and power. However, there is some debate around the safety and effectiveness of creatine supplements, and sports nutrition courses will cover these issues in detail. Students will learn how to evaluate the risks and benefits of creatine supplements and how to use them safely and effectively.

Sports nutrition courses may also cover the use of supplements such as caffeine, beta-alanine, and nitrate, which are thought to enhance athletic performance. Caffeine is a stimulant which can increase energy, alertness, and focus. Beta-alanine is an amino acid that is thought to reduce fatigue and improve performance during high-intensity exercise. Nitrate supplements are thought to improve endurance and reduce fatigue by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles. However, students will also learn about the potential risks associated with these supplements and how to determine their safety and effectiveness.

Special Populations

Sports nutrition courses not only focus on the nutrient requirements of athletes but also take into account the specific needs of special populations. Female athletes, for example, have unique nutritional requirements due to their physiological differences, such as higher iron requirements and the need for adequate calcium intake to support bone health. Sports nutrition courses cover these specific nutrient needs and how to meet them through dietary choices.

Vegetarian and vegan athletes may also have unique nutritional needs, particularly in ensuring adequate protein intake. Sports nutrition courses address these needs and provide guidance on plant-based protein sources to meet protein requirements.

Athletes with food allergies or intolerances may face challenges in meeting their nutrient needs while avoiding certain foods. Sports nutrition courses provide guidance on how to ensure adequate nutrient intake while avoiding common allergens, such as dairy or gluten.

Ethics And Professionalism

A sports nutrition course will also cover the ethical and professional considerations involved in providing nutritional advice to athletes. Students will learn about the importance of following professional guidelines and ethical standards in the field of sports nutrition.

Research Methods

Sports nutrition courses may also cover research methods used in the field, such as experimental design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. This knowledge can be helpful for individuals who want to conduct research in the field of sports nutrition.

A sports nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to the role of nutrition in athletic performance. By studying these topics, individuals can learn how to optimize their nutrition and achieve their goals in sports and exercise.

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What Is The Difference Between A Beginner And Advanced NLP Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-a-beginner-and-advanced-nlp-course/ Mon, 27 Mar 2023 06:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32735 NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, is a methodology that focuses on the relationship between language, behaviour, and the mind. It is used to help individuals develop more effective communication skills, overcome limiting beliefs, and achieve their goals. NLP courses are available at different levels, from beginner to advanced, and each level offers different levels of depth...

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NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, is a methodology that focuses on the relationship between language, behaviour, and the mind. It is used to help individuals develop more effective communication skills, overcome limiting beliefs, and achieve their goals. NLP courses are available at different levels, from beginner to advanced, and each level offers different levels of depth and complexity.

Depth Of Knowledge And Skills

The difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses lies in the depth of knowledge and skills provided. Beginner courses offer a foundational understanding of NLP principles and techniques. These courses are for individuals who have little or no prior experience with the methodology. They cover basic NLP techniques, communication strategies, and the principles of behaviour change.

In contrast, advanced NLP courses are designed for those who have completed a beginner course and would like to take their skills to the next level. These courses cover advanced NLP techniques, leadership skills, and the principles of systemic change. They offer a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of NLP and how they can be applied in various contexts.

Beginner NLP courses typically start with an introduction to the basic principles of NLP, such as rapport-building, communication, and behaviour change. Students learn about the core concepts of NLP, such as sensory acuity, submodalities, and representational systems. These courses also cover NLP techniques, such as anchoring, reframing, and swish patterns.

Advanced NLP courses, on the other hand, delve deeper into the application of NLP principles in various contexts. These courses may focus on leadership skills, such as modelling excellence, coaching, and team building. They may also cover advanced NLP techniques, such as time-lining, belief change, and advanced language patterns. Advanced NLP courses may also cover the principles of systemic change and how to apply NLP to organizational change management.

Another key difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses is the level of complexity. Beginner courses are designed to provide a basic understanding of NLP concepts and techniques, whereas advanced courses are more complex and require a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of NLP.

Moreover, advanced NLP courses often require a greater time commitment and may be more expensive than beginner courses. They may also require students to complete assignments or projects to demonstrate their understanding of the material.

Level Of Complexity Of Techniques

One key difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses is the level of complexity of the techniques and strategies that are covered. Beginner courses tend to focus on simple techniques that are easy to learn and apply, such as rapport-building, sensory acuity, and anchoring. Advanced courses, on the other hand, cover more complex techniques, such as reframing, submodalities, and advanced language patterns.

Level Of Personalization And Customization

Beginner and advanced NLP courses differ in the level of personalization and customization offered to participants. Beginner courses provide a general overview of NLP principles and techniques, while advanced courses are tailored to meet the particular requirements and goals of participants. Advanced NLP courses may focus on using NLP in a particular context, such as business, education, or personal development.

In beginner courses, the focus is on developing a basic understanding of NLP principles and techniques. The course may cover topics such as the history of NLP, the NLP communication model, and basic NLP techniques such as rapport-building and anchoring. The main objective of this NLP course is to give participants with a foundation that they can build upon in advanced courses.

In contrast, advanced NLP courses build upon the foundational knowledge and skills developed in beginner courses. The course may delve deeper into NLP techniques and principles, exploring topics such as modelling excellence, using NLP to overcome limiting beliefs, and applying NLP in leadership and team-building contexts.

One of the advantages of advanced NLP courses is the level of personalization and customization that is offered. Advanced courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of individual participants. For example, a participant may want to focus on using NLP in a business context to improve their leadership skills, while another participant may want to use NLP to overcome personal challenges such as anxiety or procrastination.

Advanced NLP courses can also provide participants with the opportunity to work with experienced NLP practitioners and trainers. This can be particularly valuable for individuals who are looking to develop advanced NLP skills and apply them in their personal or professional lives.

Another difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses is the focus on leadership and systemic change. Advanced courses may explore how NLP can be used to influence and motivate others, build strong teams, and create systemic change within organizations. This is particularly relevant for individuals who work in leadership roles or who are looking to develop their leadership skills.

In addition to the above differences, advanced NLP courses may also require participants to complete practical assignments or case studies. This allows participants to apply their NLP knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, which can be a valuable learning experience.

It’s important to note that the difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses is not always clear-cut. Some courses may be marketed as advanced but still cover foundational NLP principles and techniques. Conversely, some beginner courses may cover advanced NLP techniques and principles.

Level Of Support Offered

Beginner and advanced NLP courses can vary in terms of the level of support and guidance offered to participants. Beginner courses are usually more structured, providing more guidance and support. In contrast, advanced courses may be more self-directed, allowing participants to explore and develop their own unique approaches to NLP.

However, it’s worth noting that the difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses is not always clear-cut. Some courses may be designed to bridge the gap between these two levels, providing a more in-depth understanding of NLP principles and techniques while still offering a supportive learning environment for individuals who are new to the methodology.

The level of personalization and customization offered is another difference between beginner and advanced NLP courses. Beginner courses tend to provide a general overview of NLP principles and techniques, while advanced courses can be tailored to meet the particular needs and goals of individual participants. For instance, an advanced NLP course may focus on using NLP in a specific context, such as business, education, or personal development.

Advanced NLP courses also tend to cover more complex NLP techniques and concepts, building on the foundational knowledge gained in beginner courses. Participants in advanced courses typically have a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of NLP and how they can be applied in various contexts.

For example, advanced NLP courses may cover techniques such as meta-programs, which are patterns of thought and behaviour that influence how individuals perceive and interact with the world. These techniques are often used in business settings to help individuals identify and leverage their strengths and overcome limiting beliefs.

Another topic that is typically covered in advanced NLP courses is the use of NLP in therapy and coaching. Advanced courses may explore the use of NLP techniques such as reframing and anchoring to help individuals overcome emotional and psychological challenges.

In addition to the above, advanced NLP courses may also focus on developing leadership skills. These courses may cover topics such as effective communication, decision-making, and team-building, helping participants to develop the skills needed to lead and inspire others.

Conclusion

NLP courses can be divided into two levels, beginner and advanced, based on the level of depth, complexity, personalization, and support offered. Beginner courses provide an overview of NLP principles and techniques, while advanced courses delve deeper into the underlying principles and how to apply them in various contexts.

Beginner NLP courses typically cover basic NLP techniques, communication strategies, and the principles of behaviour change. They are suitable for individuals who are new to NLP and have little or no prior experience with the methodology. These courses offer a more structured and supportive learning environment, with more guidance and support available.

On the other hand, advanced NLP courses are designed for individuals who have completed a beginner course and want to take their skills to the next level. These courses cover more advanced NLP techniques, leadership skills, and the principles of systemic change. They offer a deeper understanding of NLP principles and how they can be applied in a variety of contexts. These courses can be more self-directed, allowing participants to explore and develop their own unique approaches to NLP.

The level of personalization and customization offered can also differ between beginner and advanced NLP courses. Beginner courses typically provide a general overview of NLP principles and techniques, while advanced courses can be tailored in order to meet the specific needs and goals of individual participants. For example, an advanced NLP course may focus on using NLP in a specific context, such as business, education, or personal development.

It is worth observing that the distinction between beginner and advanced NLP courses is not always clear-cut. Some courses are designed to bridge the gap between these two levels, providing a more in-depth understanding of NLP principles and techniques while still offering a supportive learning environment for individuals who are new to the methodology.

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What Are The Different Types Of NLP Courses Available? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-nlp-courses-available/ Mon, 27 Mar 2023 06:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32732 Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a powerful tool for personal and professional development, and it can be applied in a wide range of contexts. There are several types of NLP courses available to individuals who are interested in learning more about this field. Here are a number of the most common types of NLP courses. Foundation...

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Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a powerful tool for personal and professional development, and it can be applied in a wide range of contexts. There are several types of NLP courses available to individuals who are interested in learning more about this field. Here are a number of the most common types of NLP courses.

Foundation Courses

Foundation courses are a popular type of NLP course, designed to provide a broad overview of NLP principles and techniques. These courses are typically aimed at beginners who have little or no prior experience with NLP. The goal of a foundation course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of NLP, providing them with a basic understanding of the principles and techniques involved.

Foundation courses often cover a range of topics, including basic NLP techniques, communication strategies, and the principles of behavior change. Students will learn about the different NLP models, such as the Meta Model and Milton Model, and how they can be utiised to improve communication and achieve desired outcomes. They will also learn about the key principles of NLP, such as rapport building, reframing, and anchoring, and how these techniques can be used to change behavior and achieve goals.

Some foundation courses may also include practical exercises and demonstrations, allowing students to practice NLP techniques in a safe and supportive environment. This can help to reinforce learning and build confidence in the application of NLP techniques.

Overall, foundation courses are an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning about NLP. They provide a solid foundation in NLP principles and techniques, and can be a great way to build the skills and confidence required to progress to more advanced NLP courses.

Intermediate courses are designed for individuals who already have some experience with NLP and are looking to deepen their understanding and skills. These courses typically build on the principles and techniques covered in foundation courses, delving deeper into the more advanced aspects of NLP.

Intermediate courses may cover topics such as advanced language patterns, submodalities, and advanced reframing techniques. They may also explore the use of NLP in specific contexts, such as business, coaching, or therapy.

Intermediate courses may also include more hands-on practice, with students working in pairs or smaller groups to practice and refine their NLP skills. This can be a fantastic way to gain practical experience in applying NLP techniques and to receive feedback on their performance.

Advanced courses are designed for individuals who have a deep understanding of NLP and are looking to develop mastery in the field. These courses are typically taught by highly experienced NLP practitioners and may require prior certification or extensive experience in NLP.

Advanced courses may cover topics such as advanced change work, modeling, and the use of NLP in organizational change. They may also explore the latest research and developments in the field of NLP, and provide opportunities for students to engage with and learn from leading experts in the field.

Advanced courses may include extensive practice and demonstration, with students working in small groups to explore and apply advanced NLP techniques. They may also require the completion of practical projects or case studies, allowing students to demonstrate their mastery of NLP techniques in real-world contexts.

In addition to these core types of NLP courses, there are also a range of specialized courses and workshops available. These may focus on specific NLP techniques or applications, such as NLP for sales, NLP for public speaking, or NLP for therapy.

Specialized courses and workshops can be an excellent way to deepen your understanding of a specific aspect of NLP, and to gain practical skills that can be immediately applied in your personal or professional life.

Practitioner Courses

Practitioner courses are more in-depth than foundation courses and are aimed at individuals who want to develop their skills further. These courses will cover a range of topics, including advanced NLP techniques, the principles of effective coaching, and the use of NLP in specific contexts such as business, education, or healthcare.

Master Practitioner Courses

Master Practitioner courses are advanced level courses for individuals who have already completed a practitioner course and want to enhance their skills further. These courses delve deeper into NLP techniques and principles and explore the more complex and sophisticated applications of NLP.

The focus of Master Practitioner courses is to help individuals develop a deeper understanding of NLP techniques and their underlying principles. They are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of NLP concepts and their application to real-world situations.

Master Practitioner courses cover a range of topics, including advanced communication strategies, advanced language patterns, and advanced coaching skills. They also cover the principles of systemic change, which is the process of making changes at the organizational or societal level.

Master Practitioner courses aim to help individuals become more effective communicators, leaders, and coaches. By enhancing their NLP skills, individuals can become more adept at understanding and influencing human behavior, which can be applied to a broad range of contexts, including business, education, and personal development.

One of the key benefits of Master Practitioner courses is that they provide individuals with the opportunity to work with experienced NLP practitioners and trainers. These trainers can offer feedback and guidance on how to apply NLP techniques effectively, which can be invaluable for individuals looking to develop their skills further.

Master Practitioner courses are typically longer in duration than practitioner courses, ranging from several months to a year or more. They may also involve more intensive training sessions and require a higher level of commitment from students.

In addition to the standard Master Practitioner course, there are also specialized Master Practitioner courses available that focus on specific areas of NLP. These courses may be tailored towards specific industries or applications, such as business, health, or sports performance.

Trainer Courses

Trainer courses are aimed at individuals who want to become certified NLP trainers. These courses cover the principles of effective teaching and training, advanced coaching techniques, and the business aspects of running an NLP training program.

Online Courses

Online NLP courses have gained immense popularity in recent years, thanks to the convenience and flexibility they offer. These courses are self-paced, allowing students to study at their own pace and at times that suit their schedule. Students can access the course materials from anywhere with an internet connection, making it far easier for them to learn from the comfort of their own home or office.

Online NLP courses cover a broad range of topics and can cater to students with different levels of NLP experience. Foundation courses are available for beginners who have no prior knowledge of NLP, and advanced practitioner courses are also available for those who want to take their skills to next level status.

Coaching Courses

NLP coaching courses are designed for individuals who want to develop their coaching skills using NLP techniques. These courses cover a broad range of topics that help individuals gain a better understanding of how to use NLP in coaching contexts, and how to become more effective coaches.

One of the main focuses of NLP coaching courses is effective communication. Students learn how to use NLP techniques to establish rapport with clients and communicate more effectively with them. This includes learning how to use nonverbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice, to establish a connection with clients.

NLP coaching courses also cover goal-setting, which is an essential part of coaching. Students learn how to use NLP techniques to help clients identify their goals and create action plans to achieve them. This includes learning how to use visualizations, affirmations, and other techniques to help clients stay motivated and focused on their goals.

Another important topic covered in NLP coaching courses is the use of NLP in coaching contexts. Students learn how to use NLP techniques to help clients overcome limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns. This includes learning how to use reframing and other techniques to help clients shift their perspective and create more positive outcomes in their lives.

In addition to NLP coaching courses, there are also specialized courses that focus on specific areas of coaching, such as executive coaching and life coaching. These courses are designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge they require to become successful coaches in their respective fields.

Executive coaching courses, for example, are designed for individuals who want to coach executives and business leaders. These courses cover topics such as leadership development, organizational change, and strategic planning. Students learn how to use NLP techniques to help executives become more effective leaders and achieve their business goals.

Life coaching courses, on the other hand, are designed for individuals who want to coach clients in areas such as relationships, career development, and personal growth. These courses cover topics such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and life purpose. Students learn how to use NLP techniques to help clients identify their strengths and weaknesses, set realistic goals, and create action plans to achieve them.

Specialized Courses

There are also specialized NLP courses available that focus on specific topics, such as NLP for sales and marketing, NLP for public speaking, or NLP for weight loss. These courses are aimed at individuals who want to apply NLP techniques in a specific context.

It is very important to note that the duration, intensity, and format of NLP courses can vary significantly depending on the provider and the level of the course. Some courses may be completed in a matter of weeks, while others may take several months or even years to complete. Additionally, some courses may be offered online, while others may be classroom-based or a combination of both.

Before choosing an NLP course, it is important to research different providers and evaluate their offerings. It is also important to consider your own goals and learning style, as well as the time and financial commitment required for the course. By choosing the right NLP course, individuals can develop valuable skills that can help them achieve personal and professional success.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to study NLP coaching? If you do then you need to do our NLP Coaching Course. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Topics Are Covered In A Boxing Instructor Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-topics-are-covered-in-a-boxing-instructor-course/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32711 A boxing instructor course typically covers a wide range of topics related to the sport of boxing. These topics can include everything from basic boxing techniques and training principles to more advanced concepts such as fight strategy and conditioning. Here are some of the topics that may be covered in a boxing instructor course. Boxing...

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A boxing instructor course typically covers a wide range of topics related to the sport of boxing. These topics can include everything from basic boxing techniques and training principles to more advanced concepts such as fight strategy and conditioning. Here are some of the topics that may be covered in a boxing instructor course.

Boxing Fundamentals

In addition to teaching proper technique, a boxing instructor course will often cover training principles that are essential for success in the sport. These principles include periodization, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention.

Periodization is the process of organizing training into specific periods or phases, with each phase having a different focus. In a boxing instructor course, students will learn how to design training programs that take into account the athlete’s goals, the time available for training, and the athlete’s current level of fitness. They will also learn how to modify programs as the athlete progresses and how to adjust training based on the athlete’s response to training.

Strength and conditioning are also important topics in a boxing instructor course. This includes learning about the different types of strength training, such as resistance training and plyometrics, and how to incorporate them into a training program. Students will also learn about cardiovascular training, such as running and cycling, and how to use these types of training to improve endurance and overall fitness.

Injury prevention is also a key topic in a boxing instructor course. Students will learn about the common injuries that can occur in boxing and how to prevent them. They will also learn about proper warm-up and cool-down techniques and how to use stretching and mobility exercises to prevent injuries.

Boxing instructor courses may also cover nutrition and weight management. Students will learn about the importance of proper nutrition for boxers and how to design meal plans that support their training goals. They will also learn about weight management strategies, including how to help athletes make weight for competitions safely and effectively.

In addition to these topics, a boxing instructor course may also cover the rules and regulations of the sport. Students will learn about the different weight classes and the rules for scoring points in matches. They may also learn about the role of judges and referees in matches and how to handle situations such as disqualifications and fouls.

Finally, a good boxing instructor course will cover teaching and coaching techniques. Students will learn how to communicate effectively with athletes, how to provide feedback and correction, and how to motivate and inspire athletes to achieve their goals. They will also learn about different coaching styles and how to adapt their coaching approach to the needs of individual athletes.

Nutrition

Because nutrition is such an important part of any athlete’s training regimen, most boxing instructor courses will also cover basic nutrition principles. This includes information on macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and hydration.

Coaching And Teaching

As a boxing instructor, having good coaching and teaching skills is essential for imparting knowledge and skills to students. Efficient communication is one of the most important skills for any instructor. It’s important to be able to convey information clearly and effectively, as well as to listen and respond to questions and concerns.

Demonstrating techniques is also a critical skill for boxing instructors. This involves being able to break down complex movements into smaller, more manageable components that students can understand and practice. Instructors must also be able to perform techniques with proper form and execution, as this is the model that students will emulate.

Providing constructive feedback is another key skill for boxing instructors. Students need feedback in order to improve, but it’s important to provide this feedback in a way that is helpful and motivating. This involves being able to identify areas for improvement and providing specific guidance on how to improve. Instructors must also be able to praise students for their successes and progress in order to build confidence and motivation.

Aside from coaching and teaching skills, boxing instructors also need to have a very good understanding of the sport itself. This includes knowledge of the rules and regulations of the sport, as well as an understanding of boxing history and culture. Instructors must also be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their students and tailor their teaching approach accordingly.

Another important skill for boxing instructors is the ability to create effective training programs. This involves setting goals for students and developing training plans that help them achieve those goals. Instructors must also be able to modify training plans as needed based on student progress and performance.

In addition to coaching and teaching skills, boxing instructors must also have a good understanding of injury prevention and safety. This includes knowledge of proper warm-up and cool-down techniques, as well as the use of protective gear. Instructors must also be able to identify potential hazards in the training environment and take steps to minimize the risk of injury.

Finally, it’s important for boxing instructors to have a good understanding of the business of boxing. This includes knowledge of marketing and promotion, as well as the ability to manage finances and handle administrative tasks such as scheduling and billing.

Injury Prevention And Management

Boxing is a high-intensity combat sport that involves striking and defensive techniques. Owing to the physical nature of the sport, injuries are a common occurrence. Therefore, a comprehensive boxing instructor course must cover the basics of injury prevention and management.

Injury prevention is an essential aspect of any sport, including boxing. Injuries can occur due to several reasons, such as improper technique, overtraining, fatigue, lack of conditioning, or inadequate protective gear. A good boxing instructor course will emphasize the importance of injury prevention and provide practical advice on how to minimize the risk of injuries.

One of the most common boxing injuries is hand and wrist injuries. These injuries can occur due to improper technique, inadequate hand wraps or gloves, or overuse. A good boxing instructor course must cover the basics of hand and wrist injuries, including how to prevent them and how to manage them if they occur.

The course must cover the proper technique for hand wrapping, as well as how to select and fit gloves properly. Proper hand and wrist protection are essential to minimize the risk of injuries during training and competition. In addition, the instructor must teach students how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hand and wrist injuries, such as pain, swelling, or limited range of motion.

Another common injury in boxing is head trauma, which can lead to concussions or other types of brain injuries. Therefore, a good boxing instructor course should also cover the basics of head injury prevention and management. The course must emphasize the importance of proper headgear and provide guidelines for selecting and fitting headgear correctly. The instructor must also teach students how to recognize the signs and symptoms of head trauma, such as headache, dizziness, or confusion.

Apart from injury prevention, a good boxing instructor course should also cover the basics of injury management. Injuries can occur despite taking preventive measures, and it’s essential to know how to manage them effectively. The course must provide practical advice on how to respond to common boxing injuries, such as cuts, bruises, sprains, or fractures. The instructor must teach students how to provide basic first aid and how to recognize when a more severe injury requires medical attention.

Moreover, the course should also cover the basics of injury rehabilitation, including the importance of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The instructor must teach students how to develop a rehabilitation plan for injured athletes and how to monitor their progress. The course should also emphasize the importance of working with qualified medical professionals, such as sports doctors or physical therapists, to ensure that injured athletes receive the best possible care.

Boxing History And Culture

A comprehensive boxing instructor course should include education on the history and culture of boxing. This knowledge can enhance an instructor’s understanding of the sport, and help them better connect with their students.

One key area that a boxing instructor course may cover is the origins of boxing. Boxing has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Boxing as we know it today originated in the 18th century, and has been a popular sport ever since. Instructors may learn about the evolution of boxing rules, equipment, and styles over time, as well as the sport’s growth and development across different regions of the world.

Another important topic that may be covered in a boxing instructor course is the role of boxing in popular culture. Boxing has had a significant impact on art, literature, and media throughout history, and continues to influence popular culture today. Instructors may learn about famous boxers and boxing matches throughout history, as well as the ways in which boxing has been portrayed in movies, television shows, and other forms of media.

Additionally, a good boxing instructor course may cover the cultural significance of boxing in different communities. Boxing has long been associated with working-class and immigrant communities, and has served as a source of pride and identity for many individuals. Instructors may learn about the role of boxing in different cultures, as well as the ways in which it has been used as a tool for social justice and political activism.

In addition to the history and culture of boxing, a good instructor course may also cover important legal and ethical considerations related to the sport. For example, instructors may learn about rules and regulations governing boxing matches, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of trainers and coaches. They may also cover topics such as sportsmanship, fair play, and the importance of promoting safety and respect in the ring. In addition to these topics, there may be other subjects covered in a boxing instructor course depending on the specific program. Some courses may also cover topics such as sports psychology, strength and conditioning for boxing, or the business aspects of running a boxing gym.

Overall, a boxing instructor course is designed in order to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective boxing coach or instructor. By covering a wide range of topics related to the sport of boxing, these courses can help individuals to develop a strong foundation in the sport, as well as the skills needed to pass that knowledge on to others.

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What Are Some Of The Best Kettlebell Exercises For Beginners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-of-the-best-kettlebell-exercises-for-beginners/ Wed, 22 Mar 2023 10:05:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32705 Kettlebell training is a highly effective way to improve overall strength and fitness levels. However, for beginners, it could be challenging to know where to start. Here are some of the best kettlebell exercises for beginners. Kettlebell Goblet Squat The goblet squat is an excellent exercise for beginners that focuses on the lower body, particularly...

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Kettlebell training is a highly effective way to improve overall strength and fitness levels. However, for beginners, it could be challenging to know where to start. Here are some of the best kettlebell exercises for beginners.

Kettlebell Goblet Squat

The goblet squat is an excellent exercise for beginners that focuses on the lower body, particularly the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise can be performed with a kettlebell and is an effective way to build leg strength and improve overall fitness levels.

To perform the goblet squat, hold the kettlebell close to your chest with both hands. Stand up tall and have your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed slightly outward. Take a deep breath and engage your core muscles.

Begin to lower your body into a squatting position, pushing your hips back and bending your knees. Make sure that you keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement. As you squat down, focus on keeping your knees tracking over your toes to avoid any undue stress on your joints.

As you reach the bottom of the squat, pause for a moment before pushing back up to the starting position. Be sure to push through your heels and engage your glutes and hamstrings to power the movement.

To get the most out of the goblet squat, it is important to focus on proper technique. Make sure to keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement. This will help to engage your core muscles and protect your lower back.

Additionally, make sure to keep your knees tracking over your toes as you squat down. This will help to protect your knee joints and ensure that you are targeting the correct muscle groups.

When performing the goblet squat, it is also important to choose an appropriate weight. For beginners, starting with a lighter weight kettlebell and focusing on proper technique is essential. As you become far more comfortable with the exercise, you can gradually increase the weight to challenge your muscles and improve your strength.

In addition to targeting the lower body muscles, the goblet squat also engages the core muscles. This can help to improve overall core strength and stability, which is important for maintaining good posture and preventing injury during other exercises and daily activities.

The goblet squat can also be modified to meet individual fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to increase the challenge of the exercise can incorporate a pause at the bottom of the squat or perform the exercise on an unbalanced surface, such as a balance ball or foam pad.

Kettlebell Deadlift

The kettlebell deadlift is another great exercise for beginners as it targets the muscles in the back, legs, and hips. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. The kettlebell needs to be on the ground in front of you. Bend your knees and hips and reach down to grab the kettlebell with both hands. Keeping your back flat, stand up, lifting the kettlebell with you.

Kettlebell Swing

Without a doubt, the kettlebell swing is one of the most useful exercises in kettlebell training, as it targets multiple muscle groups in the body. This exercise is particularly beneficial for building strength in the glutes, hamstrings, and core.

To perform the kettlebell swing, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the kettlebell with both hands in front of your body. Hinge at the hips and swing the kettlebell back between your legs, keeping your arms straight and your back flat.

As you swing the kettlebell back, engage your glutes and hamstrings to power the movement. Be sure to maintain proper form, keeping your chest up and your back straight throughout the exercise.

Once you have swung the kettlebell back between your legs, explosively swing it forward, extending your hips and squeezing your glutes. The momentum from the swing should carry the kettlebell up to chest height. At the top of the swing, be sure to engage your core muscles to maintain stability and control.

As the kettlebell swings back down between your legs, prepare to swing it forward again, repeating the movement for several repetitions.

When performing the kettlebell swing, it is important to focus on proper technique to avoid injury and get the most out of the exercise. One of the most common mistakes is rounding the back, which can put undue stress on the lower back muscles. Be sure to keep your back straight and your core engaged throughout the movement.

Another common mistake is using too much arm strength to lift the kettlebell. The swing should be powered by the glutes and hamstrings, with the arms acting as a guide for the movement.

When first starting with the kettlebell swing, it is important to begin with a lighter weight and focus on proper technique. Gradually increase the weight as you become more comfortable with the exercise and your strength improves.

In addition to targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles, the kettlebell swing can also be used to improve cardiovascular fitness. By performing the exercise for higher repetitions or incorporating it into a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, individuals can increase their heart rate and improve their overall fitness levels.

The kettlebell swing can also be modified to meet individual fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to increase the challenge of the exercise can perform a one-handed swing or incorporate a pause at the top of the swing to engage the muscles for longer.

Kettlebell Overhead Press

The overhead press is a fantastic exercise for targeting the muscles in the shoulders, arms, and upper back. Start by holding the kettlebell at shoulder height in the rack position with your elbow tucked into your body. Press the kettlebell overhead, extending your arm fully.

Kettlebell Rows

Kettlebell rows are an effective exercise for targeting the muscles in the upper back, including the latissimus dorsi and trapezius. By incorporating this exercise into a workout routine, individuals can improve their overall upper body strength and posture.

To perform the kettlebell row, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the kettlebell in one hand. Bend your knees a little and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back flat and your core engaged.

As you hinge forward, allow the kettlebell to hang down towards the ground. Then, pull the kettlebell towards your body, keeping your elbow close to your side and squeezing your shoulder blade.

Make sure to keep your back straight and avoid rounding your shoulders as you pull the kettlebell towards your body. Focus on using your back muscles to power the movement, rather than relying on your arm muscles.

As you complete the row, lower the kettlebell back down towards the ground and repeat the movement for several repetitions before switching to the other arm.

When performing the kettlebell row, it is important to focus on proper technique to avoid injury and get the most out of the exercise. One common mistake is rounding the back, which can put unnecessary stress on the lower back muscles. Be sure to keep your back flat and your core engaged throughout the movement.

Another common mistake is using momentum to complete the row, rather than engaging the back muscles. Be sure to control the movement and focus on squeezing your shoulder blades as you pull the kettlebell towards your body.

When first starting with the kettlebell row, it is important to begin with a lighter weight and focus on proper technique. Slowly increase the weight as you become more comfortable with the exercise and your strength improves.

In addition to targeting the upper back muscles, the kettlebell row can also be used to improve overall posture and prevent back pain. By strengthening the muscles in your upper back, individuals can improve their ability to maintain proper posture throughout the day, reducing the risk of back pain and injury.

The kettlebell row can also be modified to meet individual fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to increase the challenge of the exercise can perform a one-arm row or incorporate a pause at the top of the row to engage the muscles for longer.

Kettlebell Figure 8s

Figure 8s are a fun and engaging exercise that targets the muscles in the core and hips. Stand up tall. Make sure that your feet are shoulder-width apart and hold the kettlebell with of both your hands. Swing the kettlebell between your legs, passing it from one hand to the other in a figure 8 motion.

Kettlebell Halos

The halo is another great exercise for targeting the muscles in your shoulders as well as those in your upper back. Hold the kettlebell by the horns, with your elbows bent and close to your body. Circle the kettlebell around your head while keeping your core engaged and your shoulders down.

When starting with kettlebell training, it is essential to begin with light weights and focus on proper technique. Mastering the proper technique for each exercise is crucial for preventing injury and ensuring that you are targeting the correct muscle groups. It is also important to gradually increase the weight as you become stronger and more confident in your technique.

In addition to these exercises, there are many other kettlebell exercises that can be incorporated into a workout routine. By combining a range of exercises, individuals can target multiple muscle groups and improve overall strength and fitness levels.

Kettlebell training is a highly effective way to improve overall strength and fitness levels. For beginners, starting with basic exercises like the goblet squat, deadlift, and swing can be an excellent way to build strength and master proper technique. As strength and confidence increase, a wider range of exercises can be incorporated into a workout routine, targeting multiple muscle groups and improving overall health and fitness levels.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

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What Are The Benefits Of Kettlebell Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/all-that-you-need-to-know-about-kettlebell-training/ Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:53:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32702 Kettlebell training is a form of exercise that involves using a weighted ball with a handle. This type of training has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers a range of benefits for people of all fitness levels. Here are a number of the key benefits of kettlebell training: Full-Body Workout Kettlebell training...

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Kettlebell training is a form of exercise that involves using a weighted ball with a handle. This type of training has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers a range of benefits for people of all fitness levels. Here are a number of the key benefits of kettlebell training:

Full-Body Workout

Kettlebell training is a highly effective form of exercise that offers a range of benefits. One of the primary benefits of kettlebell training is that it provides a full-body workout, engaging multiple muscle groups at once to improve overall strength and fitness.

Kettlebell exercises involve a wide range of movements that can target various muscle groups in the body. For example, a kettlebell swing involves using the legs, hips, core, back, and shoulders to swing the kettlebell back and forth. This movement engages multiple muscle groups at once, providing a full-body workout that can assist to build strength and endurance.

In addition to engaging multiple muscle groups, kettlebell exercises often involve movements that mimic real-world activities, making them functional and practical for everyday life. For example, a kettlebell clean and press involves lifting the kettlebell from the ground to the shoulder, and then pressing it overhead. This movement mimics the motion of lifting a heavy object from the ground and lifting it overhead, making it a practical and functional exercise for real-life situations.

By engaging multiple muscle groups and incorporating functional movements, kettlebell training can help to improve overall strength and fitness. This type of training can also be an effective way to build endurance, as many kettlebell exercises involve high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that can increase heart rate and improve cardiovascular health.

Kettlebell training can also be an effective way to target specific muscle groups in the body. For example, a kettlebell goblet squat can help to strengthen the legs, while a kettlebell halo can help to strengthen the shoulders and upper back. By incorporating a variety of kettlebell exercises into a workout routine, individuals can target specific muscle groups and improve overall strength and fitness.

Another benefit of kettlebell training is that it can be easily adapted to meet individual fitness levels and goals. Kettlebells come in a range of weights, which means that individuals can select the weight that is appropriate for their fitness level and gradually increase the weight as they become stronger.

Kettlebell training can also be customized to meet specific fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to build strength and muscle mass can incorporate heavier kettlebells and perform exercises with a lower number of repetitions. Conversely, individuals who are looking to improve endurance can incorporate lighter kettlebells and perform exercises with a higher number of repetitions.

In addition to the physical benefits, kettlebell training can also have a positive influence on mental health. Exercise is responsible for releasing endorphins, which are natural chemicals that boost mood and lower feelings of stress and anxiety. By incorporating kettlebell training into a regular exercise routine, individuals are able to improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.

Increased Cardiovascular Endurance

Kettlebell training can also improve cardiovascular endurance, as it often involves high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT encompasses short bursts of intense activity that are followed by brief periods of rest, which can increase heart rate and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Improved Core Strength

Kettlebell exercises are known for being highly effective in developing core strength. These exercises require a strong and stable core to perform correctly, which can help to improve posture, balance, and stability.

The core is the group of muscles that make up the centre of the body, including the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, and hip muscles. These muscles are essential for maintaining good posture and balance, and they play a key role in stabilizing the body during movement.

Kettlebell exercises require the use of the core muscles to stabilize the body during movement. For example, a kettlebell swing involves a hip hinge movement that requires the core to engage to keep the spine stable and prevent injury. Similarly, a kettlebell Turkish get-up involves a complex movement pattern that requires the core to engage throughout the exercise to maintain stability and control.

By engaging the core muscles during kettlebell exercises, individuals can improve their core strength, which can have a range of benefits. Improved core strength can help to improve posture by reducing the risk of slouching and promoting a more upright position. This can help to reduce strain on the lower back and improve overall spinal health.

Improved core strength can also improve balance and stability. The core muscles play a key role in stabilizing the body during movement, and a strong core can help to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls and injuries. This can be particularly beneficial for older adults, who are at an increased risk of falls due to age-related changes in balance and stability.

In addition to improving posture, balance, and stability, kettlebell exercises can also help to improve overall athletic performance. Many athletic movements require a strong and stable core, and improving core strength through kettlebell training can help to improve performance in a range of sports and activities.

Another benefit of kettlebell training is that it can be easily customized to meet individual fitness levels and goals. Kettlebells come in a range of weights, which means that individuals can select the weight that is appropriate for their fitness level and gradually increase the weight as they become stronger.

Kettlebell exercises can also be modified to meet specific fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to improve core strength can incorporate exercises that specifically target the core muscles, such as the kettlebell Russian twist or the kettlebell plank. By incorporating a variety of kettlebell exercises into a workout routine, individuals can target specific muscle groups and improve overall strength and fitness.

Finally, kettlebell training can also have a positive impact on mental health. Exercise is responsible for releasing endorphins, which are natural chemicals that boost mood and lower feelings of stress and anxiety. By incorporating kettlebell training into a regular exercise routine, people can improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.

Increased Flexibility

Many kettlebell exercises involve dynamic movements that require a full range of motion. This can improve flexibility and mobility, which can lower the risk of injury and improve overall athletic performance.

Weight Loss

Kettlebell training has gained popularity in recent years as an effective way to lose weight. One of the explanations for this is that kettlebell training combines cardiovascular exercise with strength training, which can help to burn calories and build muscle. This combination can lead to improved body composition, which is the ratio of muscle mass to fat mass in the body.

Cardiovascular exercise is another effective way to burn calories and improve cardiovascular health. This type of exercise raises the heart rate, which can increase the number of calories burned during a workout. Kettlebell exercises often involve high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which combines short bursts of intense activity with brief periods of rest. This type of training can increase heart rate and burn more calories as opposed to traditional steady-state cardio.

Strength training is also an important component of kettlebell training for weight loss. Building muscle mass can help to increase metabolism, which is the rate at which the body burns calories at rest. This means that individuals with higher muscle mass burn far more calories than those with less muscle mass, even when they are at rest.

Kettlebell exercises are particularly effective for building muscle mass because they engage multiple muscle groups at once. For example, a kettlebell squat engages the leg muscles, core, and back muscles, providing a full-body workout that can help to build muscle and burn calories.

By combining cardiovascular exercise with strength training, kettlebell training can assist with burning calories and build muscle mass, which can lead to improved body composition. This can lead to a leaner, more toned physique and improved overall health.

Kettlebell training can also be easily customized to meet individual fitness levels and goals. Kettlebells come in a range of weights, which means that individuals can select the weight that is appropriate for their fitness level and gradually increase the weight as they become stronger.

Kettlebell exercises can also be modified to meet specific fitness goals. For example, individuals who are looking to lose weight can incorporate exercises that specifically target the muscles in the legs, which are the largest muscle group in the body and therefore burn more calories during exercise. Alternatively, individuals who are looking to build muscle mass can incorporate heavier kettlebells and perform exercises with a lower number of repetitions.

Another benefit of kettlebell training for weight loss is that it can be a fun and engaging way to exercise. Many people find traditional forms of exercise, such as running on a treadmill or using a stationary bike, to be boring and monotonous. Kettlebell training, on the other hand, can be dynamic and challenging, with a range of exercises that can be modified and combined to create an engaging and effective workout.

Increased Muscular Endurance

Kettlebell training can improve muscular endurance, as it involves performing multiple repetitions of exercises with relatively light weights. This can improve the ability of muscles to perform work over an extended period of time, which can improve overall fitness and athletic performance.

Time Efficiency

Kettlebell training is often more time-efficient than traditional strength training, as it combines cardio and strength training into a single workout. This can be particularly advantageous for people who are short on time but still want to get a full-body workout.

Versatility

Kettlebells are versatile pieces of equipment which can be used for a broad range of exercises. This means that workouts can be customized to meet the specific requirements and goals of each individual.

Low Impact

Kettlebell training is often low impact, making it a good option for people who are recovering from an injury or who have joint pain. The low-impact nature of kettlebell exercises can reduce the risk of injury and make it a safe and effective option for people of all fitness levels.

Kettlebell training offers a range of benefits for people of all fitness levels. It provides a full-body workout, improves cardiovascular endurance, core strength, flexibility, and muscular endurance. It can also lead to weight loss, be time-efficient, and have a positive impact on mental health. Kettlebell training is a versatile and low-impact form of exercise that can be customized to meet individual needs and goals. By incorporating kettlebell training into a regular exercise routine, individuals can improve their overall health and fitness levels.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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How Long Are Indoor Cycling Classes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-are-indoor-cycling-classes/ Mon, 20 Mar 2023 07:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32686 Indoor cycling classes, also known as spinning classes, have gotten a lot of popularity in recent years due to their numerous health benefits. These classes are high-energy and fun workouts that simulate outdoor cycling in a controlled, indoor environment. The duration of indoor cycling classes can vary, depending on the studio or gym where they...

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Indoor cycling classes, also known as spinning classes, have gotten a lot of popularity in recent years due to their numerous health benefits. These classes are high-energy and fun workouts that simulate outdoor cycling in a controlled, indoor environment. The duration of indoor cycling classes can vary, depending on the studio or gym where they are offered, the instructor, and the skill level of the participants.

In general, indoor cycling classes last between 30 minutes to one hour. The duration of the class is usually determined by the intensity and difficulty level of the workout. Shorter classes are ideal for beginners or those who have time constraints, while longer classes are suitable for experienced riders who want to challenge themselves and work on their endurance.

30-Minute Classes Are The Shortest Indoor Cycling Classes Available

These classes are ideal for beginners who are just starting with indoor cycling or those who don’t have much time to spare. The workout is designed to be intense and fast-paced, and it is usually a full-body workout that includes a warm-up, sprints, hill climbs, and cool-down stretches. Although 30-minute classes are short, they can still provide a challenging and effective workout.

45-Minute Classes Are More Popular Than 30-Minute Classes

This is because they provide a more balanced workout that is both challenging and achievable. These classes are designed to improve endurance, strength, and cardiovascular health. The workout usually includes a warm-up, sprints, hill climbs, endurance intervals, and cool-down stretches. 45-minute classes are suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.

One-Hour Classes Are The Most Common Indoor Cycling Classes Available

These classes are suitable for all fitness levels and provide a complete full-body workout. The workout includes a warm-up, sprints, hill climbs, endurance intervals, strength training, and cool-down stretches. One-hour classes are ideal for those who want to burn calories, improve their cardiovascular health, and increase their endurance.

Some studios also offer extended classes that last up to 90 minutes. These classes are suitable for very experienced riders who want to challenge themselves and work on their endurance. The workout is similar to the one-hour classes, but it includes more challenging sprints, hill climbs, and endurance intervals. Extended classes are not recommended for beginners or those who are not used to high-intensity workouts.

Other Factors That Affect The Length Of An Indoor Cycling Class

Apart from the duration of the class, other factors can affect the length of an indoor cycling class. For example, some classes are designed for specific fitness goals, for example weight loss, muscle building, or endurance training. These classes may last longer than regular classes because they include additional exercises or longer intervals.

The intensity of the workout can also affect the length of the class. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, for example, may last only 30 minutes, but they are more challenging than regular classes because they involve quick  bursts of intense exercise that are followed by periods of rest. On the other hand, endurance classes may last up to 90 minutes because they focus on building endurance and improving cardiovascular health.

The instructor can also influence the length of the class. Some instructors prefer shorter classes because they believe that short, intense workouts are more effective than longer, less intense workouts. Other instructors may prefer longer classes because they believe that they provide a more complete workout and allow participants to work on their weaknesses.

The skill level of the participants can also affect the length of the class. Beginner classes are usually shorter and less intense than advanced classes because beginners need more time to learn the basics and develop their skills. Advanced classes, on the other hand, are longer and more intense because they are designed for experienced indoor cycling riders who want to challenge themselves and improve their performance.

What Skills Should An Indoor Cycling Instructor Have?

An indoor cycling instructor should possess a range of skills, including technical expertise, communication skills, leadership qualities, and a passion for fitness:

  • Technical Expertise

The first and most crucial skill that an indoor cycling instructor should have is technical expertise. An instructor must have a thorough understanding of indoor cycling equipment, including bikes, pedals, and resistance systems. They should also have knowledge of the various riding positions and techniques used in indoor cycling, including standing, seated, and hovering positions. In addition, an instructor must know how to create a challenging and varied workout that includes sprints, hill climbs, and intervals.

An indoor cycling instructor should be certified by a recognized certification program, such as the Spinning® Certification Program. This certification provides instructors with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach indoor cycling effectively.

  • Communication Skills

An indoor cycling instructor must have excellent communication skills to lead and motivate participants effectively. They should be able to explain cycling techniques and riding positions in a way that is easy to understand. An instructor must also be able to motivate participants to push themselves and reach their fitness goals.

Communication skills also include the ability to read the room and adjust the workout to suit the participants’ needs. An experienced instructor can sense when participants are struggling and adjust the workout to make it more manageable. They can also tell when participants are ready for a challenge and adjust the workout to make it more difficult.

  • Leadership Qualities

An indoor cycling instructor should possess strong leadership qualities to create a positive and motivating class environment. They should be confident, assertive, and passionate about indoor cycling. An instructor should also be approachable and friendly, making participants feel welcome and included.

Leadership qualities also include the ability to create a sense of community in the class. An instructor can create a supportive and motivating environment by encouraging participants to cheer each other on and work together to reach their fitness goals.

  • Passion for Fitness

An indoor cycling instructor should have a genuine passion for fitness and a desire to assist others with achieving their fitness goals. They should be knowledgeable about health and fitness, including nutrition, exercise, and weight management. An instructor should also have a deep understanding of the benefits of indoor cycling and the role it plays in a healthy lifestyle.

A passionate instructor can inspire and motivate participants to push themselves and attain their fitness goals. They can create a sense of excitement and enthusiasm that keeps participants coming back for more.

  • Flexibility and Adaptability

An indoor cycling instructor should be flexible and adaptable to meet the diverse needs of participants. They should be able to adjust the workout to accommodate participants of all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced riders. An instructor should also be able to modify the workout to suit participants with injuries or physical limitations.

Flexibility and adaptability also include the ability to adjust the workout to suit the time constraints of participants. Some participants may only have 30 minutes to spare, while others may prefer a longer workout. An experienced instructor can adjust the workout to accommodate participants with different schedules and time constraints.

What Are The Benefits Of Becoming An Indoor Cycling Instructor?

Becoming an indoor cycling instructor can be a very rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those who have a passion for fitness and a desire to help others achieve their fitness goals. Not only does it offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and exciting environment, but it also provides numerous personal and professional benefits.

  • Personal Fitness and Health:

As an indoor cycling instructor, you will be leading and participating in high-intensity workouts regularly, which can help improve your own fitness and health. Cycling is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that strengthens the heart and lungs, improves endurance, and burns calories. By teaching indoor cycling classes regularly, you will be getting a full-body workout that can improve your own fitness and health.

  • Helping Others:

One of the most rewarding facets of becoming an indoor cycling instructor is the opportunity to help others achieve their fitness goals. As an instructor, you will be motivating and inspiring participants to push themselves and reach their full potential. You will be creating a supportive and motivating environment that encourages participants to work together to achieve their fitness goals.

  • Flexibility

Many indoor cycling instructors work on a part-time or freelance basis, which offers flexibility and freedom in their work schedule. You can choose to teach classes at a gym, studio, or fitness centre that offers indoor cycling classes. Alternatively, you can start your own business and offer indoor cycling classes at different locations, such as community centres or corporate offices.

  • Social Interaction

As an indoor cycling instructor, you will be interacting with participants regularly, creating a sense of community and social connection. You will have the opportunity to meet new people, build relationships, and create a supportive and motivating environment. Many instructors develop long-term relationships with participants, creating a sense of camaraderie and friendship.

  • Continuous Learning

Becoming an indoor cycling instructor requires ongoing education and training to stay up-to-date with the latest fitness trends and techniques. You will have the opportunity to attend workshops, conferences, and training programs to enhance your knowledge and skills. This continuous learning can also help you improve your own fitness and health, as well as provide new and innovative ideas for your classes.

  • Career Advancement

Becoming an indoor cycling instructor can lead to opportunities for career advancement, for example becoming a head instructor or fitness director. These positions offer greater responsibility and leadership, as well as increased compensation and benefits. You may also have the opportunity to teach other fitness classes or specialize in a particular fitness niche.

  • Personal Growth:

Teaching indoor cycling classes requires confidence, leadership, and communication skills. By becoming an indoor cycling instructor, you can develop these skills and improve your own personal growth. You will learn how to motivate and inspire others, communicate effectively, and lead a group of people towards a common goal.

Becoming an indoor cycling instructor can provide numerous personal and professional benefits, including improved fitness and health, the opportunity to help others, flexibility in your work schedule, social interaction, continuous learning, career advancement, and personal growth. If you have a passion for fitness and a want to make a positive impact on others, becoming an indoor cycling instructor may be the right career choice for you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become an indoor cycling instructor then you need to do our Indoor Cycling Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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What Are The Benefits Of Indoor Cycling? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-indoor-cycling/ Mon, 20 Mar 2023 07:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32689 Indoor cycling, also known as spinning, is a high-energy workout that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The workout involves riding a stationary bike while following a structured routine of varying intensities, resistance levels, and speeds. Indoor cycling provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Improved Cardiovascular Health Indoor cycling is an...

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Indoor cycling, also known as spinning, is a high-energy workout that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The workout involves riding a stationary bike while following a structured routine of varying intensities, resistance levels, and speeds. Indoor cycling provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental health.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Indoor cycling is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that can improve heart health and overall cardiovascular fitness. This is because indoor cycling requires a continuous, rhythmic movement that elevates heart rate and works the heart and lungs.

During indoor cycling, the rider is seated on a stationary bike and pedals in a circular motion, controlling the resistance level and speed of the workout. The intensity of the indoor cycling workout can be adjusted based on the rider’s fitness level and goals. The heart rate increases as the intensity of the workout increases, and the heart works harder to pump blood to the muscles.

One of the primary benefits of indoor cycling is that it is a form of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is any kind of exercise that requires oxygen to produce energy. During indoor cycling, the body’s demand for oxygen increases, and the heart responds by pumping more blood to the muscles to deliver the oxygen needed for energy production. This increase in oxygen uptake and delivery improves cardiovascular health and endurance.

Indoor cycling can also improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. Regular indoor cycling can help to strengthen the heart muscle, which can improve its ability to pump blood throughout the body. This can assist with lowering the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Another benefit of indoor cycling is that it can help to reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Regular indoor cycling can help to reduce blood pressure by increasing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and reducing the workload on the heart.

Indoor cycling can also improve circulation, which can benefit overall cardiovascular health. During indoor cycling, blood flow to the legs and feet is increased, which can help to boost circulation and lower the risk of blood clots and other circulation-related conditions.

Weight Loss and Management:

Indoor cycling is an effective way to lose weight and manage weight. It is a high-intensity workout that could burn a great amount of calories, making it an excellent choice for those looking to shed extra pounds.

During indoor cycling, the body burns calories for energy, and the number of calories burned depends on the intensity as well as the duration of the workout. A one-hour indoor cycling class can burn between 400-700 calories, depending on the rider’s weight, fitness level, and intensity of the workout. This calorie burn can contribute to weight loss when mixed with a healthy diet and other forms of exercise.

Indoor cycling can also help with weight management by increasing muscle mass. The resistance used during indoor cycling can help to build and tone muscle, which can increase the body’s metabolism. The higher metabolism means that the body burns more calories at rest, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Another benefit of indoor cycling for weight loss and management is that it can help to reduce body fat. High-intensity workouts like indoor cycling can trigger the body’s fat-burning mechanism, which can help to reduce overall body fat. The reduction in body fat can lead to a decrease in weight and a healthier body composition.

Indoor cycling can also be a low-impact exercise option for those who may have joint problems or injuries that prevent them from engaging in high-impact exercises. This low-impact option allows for regular exercise, which is essential for maintaining a healthy weight.

In addition to the physical benefits, indoor cycling can also have mental health benefits. Exercise has been demonstrated to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which can contribute to overeating or making unhealthy food choices. Regular indoor cycling can help to reduce stress and improve mood, making it easier to make healthy choices and maintain a healthy weight.

Increased Endurance and Stamina

Indoor cycling is an excellent way to increase endurance and stamina. Endurance is the ability to sustain a physical activity for an extended period, while stamina is the ability to maintain physical activity over time. Both of these aspects are essential for overall fitness and athletic performance.

During indoor cycling, the rider pedals continuously for an extended period, which requires cardiovascular and muscular endurance. The intensity of the workout may be adjusted to suit the rider’s fitness level, allowing them to gradually build endurance and stamina over time.

One way indoor cycling helps to increase endurance and stamina is by improving cardiovascular health. Indoor cycling is a high-intensity cardiovascular exercise that strengthens the heart and lungs, leading to improved endurance. Regular indoor cycling can improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular system, allowing the heart to pump more blood with each beat. This improved efficiency means that the body can perform physical activities for a longer period, without getting tired easily.

Indoor cycling can also improve muscular endurance. During indoor cycling, the muscles of the legs and core are constantly engaged, which can help to build and tone muscle. This muscle building and toning can lead to increased muscular endurance, allowing the rider to pedal for longer periods without getting tired.

Another way indoor cycling helps to increase endurance and stamina is by improving the body’s ability to use oxygen. During indoor cycling, the body’s demand for oxygen increases, and the lungs work harder to deliver oxygen to the muscles. This increased demand for oxygen leads to improved oxygen utilization, which can improve endurance and stamina.

Indoor cycling also helps to improve lactate threshold. Lactate threshold is a point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the muscles, leading to fatigue. By increasing lactate threshold, indoor cycling can help to delay fatigue and improve endurance. Regular indoor cycling can help to increase lactate threshold, allowing the rider to pedal at a higher intensity for longer periods.

Interval training is another way indoor cycling helps to increase endurance and stamina. Interval training involves varying periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of lower intensity exercise. This type of training can improve endurance and stamina by increasing the body’s ability to recover quickly between bouts of high-intensity exercise. Regular interval training during indoor cycling can help to increase endurance and stamina, allowing the rider to maintain a high level of intensity for longer periods.

In addition to the physical benefits, indoor cycling can also have mental health benefits. The high-intensity nature of the workout can release endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood boosters. Regular indoor cycling can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mood and wellbeing. The mental health benefits can also help to improve endurance and stamina, as the rider is better able to focus and maintain motivation during the workout.

Improved Mental Health

Indoor cycling can have significant mental health benefits. The intense workout can release endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood boosters. Regular indoor cycling can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mood and wellbeing. It can also offer a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which can boost self-esteem as well as confidence.

Convenience

Indoor cycling is a convenient exercise option for many reasons. Firstly, it is an indoor exercise that can be done in a controlled environment, making it less affected by weather conditions. This means that indoor cycling can be done all year round, regardless of the weather outside. Unlike outdoor cycling, indoor cycling doesn’t require riders to worry about traffic, uneven terrain, or other hazards associated with outdoor cycling.

Secondly, indoor cycling is widely available at many fitness centres, gyms, and boutique studios. This means that riders can easily find a class that fits their schedule and location. With many different studios offering classes at various times throughout the day, riders can easily find a class that fits their busy schedules.

Thirdly, indoor cycling is a highly customizable workout that can be tailored to suit individual fitness levels and goals. Riders can adjust the resistance level, speed, and intensity of the workout to make it more challenging or easier. They can also vary the routine by incorporating sprints, hill climbs, and intervals to target different muscle groups and improve overall fitness.

Fourthly, indoor cycling is a low-impact exercise that puts minimal stress on the joints. This makes it a great option for people who want to exercise without risking injury or aggravating existing joint problems. The adjustable resistance on the bike also allows riders to control the intensity of the workout and reduce the impact on their joints.

Finally, indoor cycling is a fun and social workout that can be done in a group environment. Many indoor cycling classes are held in a group setting, which can provide motivation and support. The group atmosphere can help riders push themselves harder, and the instructor can provide guidance and encouragement to keep everyone on track. The social interaction and sense of community can also make the workout more enjoyable and rewarding.

Customisable Workout

Indoor cycling is a highly customizable workout that can be tailored to suit individual fitness goals and preferences. Riders can adjust the resistance level, speed, and intensity of the workout to make it more challenging or easier. They can also vary the routine by incorporating sprints, hill climbs, and intervals to target different muscle groups and improve overall fitness.

 Group Environment:

Indoor cycling classes are often held in a group environment, which can provide motivation and support. The group atmosphere can help riders push themselves harder, and the instructor can provide guidance and encouragement to keep everyone on track. The social interaction and sense of community can also make the workout more enjoyable and rewarding.

In conclusion, indoor cycling provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. It improves cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness. Indoor cycling can also help with weight loss, lower stress and anxiety, as well as improve mood and wellbeing. It is a convenient and customizable workout that can be tailored to suit individual fitness goals and preferences. The group environment and social interaction can also provide motivation and support. If you are looking out for a challenging and rewarding workout, indoor cycling may be the perfect choice for you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become an indoor cycling instructor? If you do then you need to our Indoor Cycling Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

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What Topics Are Covered In A Nutrition Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-topics-are-covered-in-a-nutrition-course/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32681 A nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to food, health, and wellness. The specific topics covered will vary depending on the level and type of course, as well as the educational institution or organization offering the course. However, there are several key topics that are typically included in a nutrition course. Macronutrients...

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A nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to food, health, and wellness. The specific topics covered will vary depending on the level and type of course, as well as the educational institution or organization offering the course. However, there are several key topics that are typically included in a nutrition course.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are the three primary components of food that provide energy to the body: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A nutrition course will cover the role of macronutrients in the body, how to calculate and balance macronutrient intake, and the potential health risks of consuming too much or too little of each macronutrient.

Carbohydrates are the main chief of energy for the body. These are broken down into glucose, which is then used by cells for energy production. Carbohydrates also play a critical role in maintaining proper brain function and regulating blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates, for example whole grains and vegetables, provide sustained energy and are an essential source of dietary fibre, which helps regulate digestion.

Proteins are necessary for the growth and repair of tissues, including muscles, bones, and organs. These are made up of amino acids, which the body uses to build and maintain tissues. Proteins are also involved in various metabolic processes, such as the production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Animal products – for example meat, fish, and eggs – are excellent sources of protein, but plant-based sources, such as beans, lentils, and nuts, are also rich in protein.

Fats play several essential roles in the body, including energy production, insulation, and protection of organs. They are also necessary for the absorption of vitamins and the production of hormones. Unsaturated fats – for example those found in nuts, seeds, and fish – are considered healthy fats that can assist with lowering cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Saturated and trans fats, that are found in processed and fried foods, can increase the risk of heart disease and should be consumed in moderation.

In addition to the three macronutrients, the body also requires vitamins and minerals for optimal health. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for various metabolic processes, such as bone growth, immune function, and energy production. A balanced diet which includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods – for example fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, as well as healthy fats – can provide the necessary macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support optimal health.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are the essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function properly. A nutrition course will cover the functions of each micronutrient, how to calculate and balance micronutrient intake, and the potential health risks of deficiencies or excesses.

Vitamins are organic compounds which the body needs for growth, development, and proper functioning. They are essential for a wide range of processes, including metabolism, immune function, and the production of hormones and enzymes. There are two kinds of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble.

Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B vitamins, are not stored in the human body and need to be replenished often through diet. They play a critical role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as the synthesis of DNA and other essential molecules. Also, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage that is caused by free radicals.

Fat-soluble vitamins – for example vitamins A, D, E, and K – are stored in the body’s fat tissues and liver. They are involved in a range of processes, including vision, bone health, and blood clotting. Vitamin D, for example, helps the body absorb calcium and maintain bone health, while vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting.

Minerals are inorganic compounds which the body needs for various functions, such as building strong bones, transmitting nerve impulses, and maintaining a healthy immune system. There are two types of minerals: major minerals and trace minerals.

Major minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are required in larger amounts and are critical for proper bodily functions. Calcium, for example, is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, while magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body.

Trace minerals – for example iron, zinc, and selenium – are needed in smaller amounts, but are still essential for proper bodily functions. Iron is necessary for the making of haemoglobin, a protein which is found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Zinc is involved in immune function, wound healing, and the synthesis of DNA, while selenium is a very powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems. For instance, a lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a disease that is characterized by weakness, fatigue, and bleeding gums. Iron deficiency may lead to anaemia, a condition where the body does not have sufficient red blood cells to carry oxygen all throughout the body. Calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, which is a state where bones become weak and brittle.

Digestion And Absorption

Digestion is the process where the body breaks down food into tinier molecules that can be absorbed and used for energy. A nutrition course will cover the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system, the role of enzymes and hormones in digestion, and how the body absorbs and uses nutrients.

Energy Balance

Energy balance is the relationship between the calories consumed from food and the calories expended through physical activity and metabolism. A nutrition course will cover how to calculate and monitor energy balance, the impact of energy balance on weight management and overall health, and strategies for achieving and maintaining energy balance.

Energy balance plays a crucial role in weight management. It is the relationship between the energy we consume through food and drinks (calories) and the energy we burn through physical activity, exercise, and normal body functions (metabolism). If the amount of energy we consume equals the amount of energy we burn, then we are said to be in energy balance. However, if we consume more energy than we burn, we are in a state of positive energy balance, which can lead to weight gain. Conversely, if we burn more energy than we consume, we are in a state of negative energy balance, which can lead to weight loss.

Maintaining a healthy weight requires balancing the energy intake and expenditure. If we consume more calories than we burn, the excess calories are stored in our body as fat, leading to weight gain. On the other hand, if we burn more calories than we consume, our body uses stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss. Therefore, understanding energy balance is essential for successful weight management.

In order to lose weight, it is important to create a calorie deficit by burning more calories than we consume. This can be achieved through a combination of reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity levels. Eating a balanced and healthy diet that is lower in calories can help to reduce energy intake. This includes reducing the intake of high-calorie foods and drinks, such as sugary drinks, fast food, and snacks that are high in fat and sugar. Instead, it is recommended to consume nutrient-dense foods that are high in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Physical activity is also important for creating a calorie deficit and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular exercise can increase the number of calories we burn, which can help to create a calorie deficit. This includes both aerobic exercise, such as running, cycling, or swimming, and strength training, such as lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises. Exercise also has the added benefit of improving overall health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

In addition to reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity, there are other factors that can impact energy balance and weight management. Sleep is an important factor that can affect both metabolism and appetite. Lack of sleep can lead to decreased metabolism, increased appetite, and a higher risk of obesity. Stress can also impact energy balance, as it can lead to overeating and decreased physical activity levels.

Dietary Guidelines And Recommendations

Governments and health organizations around the world publish dietary guidelines and recommendations to help people make healthy food choices. A nutrition course will cover these guidelines and recommendations, including recommended serving sizes, food groups, and nutrient targets.

Food Labelling

Food labelling is an important tool for consumers to have a good understanding the nutritional content of the food that they are eating. A nutrition course will cover how to read and interpret food labels, including information about macronutrients, micronutrients, and other key nutrients.

Nutrition And Disease

Nutrition plays a very important role in the prevention and treatment of a great many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A nutrition course will cover the relationship between nutrition and various diseases, as well as strategies for using nutrition to prevent and manage these conditions.

Special Diets

There are many different special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb diets, that people may follow for various reasons. A nutrition course will cover the principles and potential benefits and risks of these diets, as well as strategies for adapting them to meet individual needs.

Food Safety

Food safety is an important consideration for anyone working with or consuming food. A nutrition course will cover the principles of food safety, including how to prevent foodborne illness, proper food storage and handling, and the potential risks associated with various types of food.

Culinary Techniques

Culinary techniques are the methods used to prepare food for consumption. A nutrition course may cover various culinary techniques, including baking, sautéing, grilling, and roasting, as well as strategies for cooking healthy and nutritious meals.

A nutrition course covers a wide range of topics related to food, health, and wellness. By understanding the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, individuals can make informed choices about the foods they consume, leading to improved health and well-being.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a nutritionist? If you do then you need to study our Specialised Nutrition Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Nutrition Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

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What Equipment Is Required In An Aerobics Course? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-equipment-is-required-in-an-aerobics-course/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:13:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32675 Aerobics is a highly popular form of physical activity that involves performing rhythmic movements with the aim of improving cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness. As with any form of exercise, the use of specific equipment can be highly beneficial in enhancing the experience and results of an aerobics course. In this article, we will...

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Aerobics is a highly popular form of physical activity that involves performing rhythmic movements with the aim of improving cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness. As with any form of exercise, the use of specific equipment can be highly beneficial in enhancing the experience and results of an aerobics course. In this article, we will discuss the equipment that is typically required in an aerobics course and how it can be used to maximize the benefits of this type of physical activity.

Athletic Shoes

One of the most significant pieces of equipment required for an aerobics class is a good pair of athletic shoes. Proper shoes are crucial in providing support and stability during the high-impact movements involved in aerobics. The shoes should also be lightweight and comfortable, allowing for ease of movement and reducing the risk of injury. It is recommended to choose shoes that are specifically designed for aerobics or other high-impact activities, as they are built to withstand the rigorous movements involved in this type of exercise.

Choosing the right athletic shoes for an aerobics class is crucial in providing the support and stability needed for the high-impact movements involved in this type of physical activity. Proper shoes can reduce the risk of injury and enhance the overall experience and results of the workout. Here’s how to choose these:

  • Look for Shoes Designed for Aerobics

When selecting athletic shoes for an aerobics class, it is important to choose shoes that are specifically designed for this type of activity. These shoes are built to withstand the rigorous movements involved in high-impact activities and provide the support and cushioning needed to reduce the risk of injury. Shoes that are not designed for aerobics may not provide the necessary support or may be too heavy, hindering movement during the workout.

  • Consider the Level of Impact:

Aerobics classes can vary in their level of impact, with some classes incorporating more high-impact movements than others. When selecting athletic shoes for an aerobics class, it is very important to consider the level of impact involved in the specific class. Shoes with more cushioning and support may be needed for classes with higher levels of impact to reduce the risk of injury.

  • Choose Lightweight Shoes:

Lightweight shoes are ideal for aerobics classes as they allow for ease of movement and reduce the risk of fatigue during the workout. Heavy shoes can make it difficult to perform the fast-paced movements involved in aerobics and may lead to discomfort and injury. Look for shoes that are lightweight and provide the necessary support and cushioning.

  • Ensure a Proper Fit:

Proper fit is essential in selecting athletic shoes for an aerobics class. Shoes that are too tight can hinder movement and cause discomfort, while shoes that are too loose can lead to instability and increase the risk of injury. It is recommended to try on shoes before purchasing to ensure a proper fit. The shoes should fit snugly however not be too tight, with enough room to wiggle the toes.

  • Look for Good Traction:

Good traction is important in providing stability during an aerobics class. Shoes with good traction can prevent slipping and reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Look for shoes with rubber soles that offer good grip on a variety of surfaces.

  • Consider Arch Support:

Arch support is important in providing the necessary support and stability for the feet during an aerobics class. Shoes with good arch support can reduce the risk of foot pain and injuries, as well as provide added comfort during the workout. Consider shoes with built-in arch support or the option to insert custom orthotics if needed.

Comfortable Clothing

Comfortable clothing is essential in allowing for full range of motion during an aerobics class. It is important to choose clothing that is lightweight, breathable, and allows for ease of movement. Clothing that is too tight or restrictive can hinder movement and lead to discomfort and injury. It is also important to consider the temperature of the workout environment when selecting clothing. In cooler temperatures, layering is recommended to maintain warmth during the workout.

Here are some examples of clothing that you should wear during an aerobics class:

  • Moisture-Wicking Clothing:

Moisture-wicking clothing is designed to pull sweat away from the body and keep you dry and comfortable during a workout. This type of clothing is ideal for an aerobics class as it reduces the risk of chafing and skin irritation caused by sweat. Look for clothing made from materials such as polyester, nylon, or spandex.

  • Supportive Sports Bras:

A supportive sports bra is essential in providing the necessary support and comfort for the breasts during an aerobics class. The high-impact movements involved in aerobics can cause discomfort and even pain without proper support. Look for sports bras specifically designed for high-impact activities and that fit properly.

  • Comfortable, Breathable Tops:

Comfortable, breathable tops are important in providing the necessary flexibility and movement for an aerobics class. Look for tops made from lightweight materials such as cotton or synthetic blends that allow for ease of movement and ventilation.

  • Flexible Bottoms:

Flexible bottoms such as leggings, yoga pants, or shorts allow for ease of movement during an aerobics class. Look for bottoms made from stretchy materials such as spandex or nylon that provide the necessary support and comfort for the workout.

  • Accessories:

Accessories such as sweatbands or headbands can be useful in keeping sweat out of the eyes and reducing the risk of slipping during an aerobics class. Additionally, bringing a water bottle is important in staying hydrated during the workout.

Exercise Mat

An exercise mat is a common piece of equipment used in aerobics classes, especially those that incorporate floor exercises or stretching. An exercise mat provides cushioning and support for the body, reducing the impact on joints during high-impact movements. It also helps to prevent slipping and provides a clean, comfortable surface for floor exercises.

When selecting an exercise mat, there are several key characteristics to consider to ensure you are getting a mat that suits your needs. Below are some characteristics to look for in an exercise mat:

  • Thickness:

The thickness of the mat is an important consideration as it affects the level of comfort and support provided. Thicker mats are generally more comfortable and provide more cushioning, especially for activities that involve lying or kneeling on the mat. However, thicker mats can be heavier and may not offer as much stability for standing poses. Mats with a thickness of around 1/4 inch are suitable for most activities.

  • Material:

The material of the mat affects its durability, texture, and grip. Common materials include PVC, rubber, and foam. PVC mats are typically the most affordable and durable, but they may not offer as much grip. Rubber mats are more eco-friendly and provide good grip, but they may be more expensive. Foam mats are lightweight and affordable, but they may not offer as much durability.

  • Texture:

The texture of the mat is important in providing grip and preventing slipping during use. Mats with a textured surface provide more grip, especially when wet from sweat. However, mats with a too-aggressive texture may cause discomfort or skin irritation. Look for mats with a texture that suits your needs and preferences.

  • Size:

The size of the mat is important in providing adequate space for movement and activities. Mats that are too small may not provide enough room for poses or movements, while mats that are too large may be difficult to transport or store. Standard exercise mats are typically around 68 inches long and 24 inches wide, but larger or smaller options are available.

  • Portability:

If you plan to transport your mat to classes or activities, portability is an important consideration. Mats that are lightweight and roll up easily are ideal for transport. Some mats also come with carrying straps or bags for added convenience.

  • Eco-Friendliness:

If environmental sustainability is a concern for you, consider choosing a mat made from eco-friendly materials such as natural rubber or recycled materials.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are a versatile piece of equipment that can be utilised in a number of different ways during an aerobics class. They are quite lightweight and easy to transport, making them a convenient add-on to any workout. Resistance bands can be utilised to add resistance to traditional aerobic movements, such as squats or lunges, or to perform upper body exercises such as bicep curls or tricep extensions. They are a cost-effective alternative to traditional weights and can be easily modified to suit individual fitness levels.

Hand Weights

Hand weights are a popular piece of equipment used in aerobics classes to add resistance to upper body exercises. They come in a variety of weights, allowing participants to choose the appropriate weight for their individual fitness level. Hand weights can be used in a variety of exercises, including arm curls, shoulder presses, and chest flies. They provide an effective way to build strength and tone muscles during an aerobics workout.

Step Platforms

Step platforms are commonly used in aerobics classes to add an extra challenge to traditional aerobic movements. They provide a raised platform for participants to step onto, increasing the intensity of the workout. Step platforms can be adjusted to different heights, allowing participants to choose the appropriate level of difficulty for their fitness level. They are a popular piece of equipment in high-intensity aerobics classes and provide an effective way to burn calories and improve cardiovascular fitness.

While equipment is not strictly necessary for an aerobics course, incorporating specific equipment can be highly beneficial in enhancing the experience and results of this type of physical activity. Athletic shoes, comfortable clothing, exercise mats, resistance bands, hand weights, and step platforms are all commonly used pieces of equipment in aerobics classes, each with their own unique benefits. When selecting equipment, it is important to consider individual fitness levels and goals, as well as any physical limitations or injuries.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’d like to become an aerobics instructor then you should check out our Aerobics Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Group Exercise

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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The Importance Of Continuing Education For Yoga Instructors https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-importance-of-continuing-education-for-yoga-instructors/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:24:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32661 Yoga is a constantly evolving practice, and as such, it is important for yoga instructors to continue their education and training to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest developments and research in the field. Continuing education for yoga instructors is essential to maintain their knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver effective and safe yoga...

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Yoga is a constantly evolving practice, and as such, it is important for yoga instructors to continue their education and training to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest developments and research in the field. Continuing education for yoga instructors is essential to maintain their knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver effective and safe yoga classes to their students. In this article, we will go into the importance of continuing education for yoga instructors.

Stay Up To Date With Latest Developments And Research

The world of yoga is constantly evolving, and new research, techniques, and approaches are emerging all the time. Continuing education allows yoga instructors to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, including new poses, breathing techniques, and modifications. This knowledge can help them to improve their teaching skills and provide better and more effective classes to their students.

What Are Some Of The Most Recent Advances In The Yoga World?

The world of yoga is constantly evolving, and new developments are emerging all the time. In recent years, there have been several exciting developments in the yoga world that are changing the way people practice yoga. In this post, we look at some of the latest developments in the yoga world.

  • Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy is a relatively new field that is gaining popularity as a complementary approach to traditional healthcare. Yoga therapy uses yoga practices, such as postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, to help individuals manage and treat specific health conditions, such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Yoga therapists work with clients to create personalized yoga practices tailored to their individual needs, helping them to manage symptoms and improve overall health and well-being.

  • Accessible Yoga

Accessible yoga is a movement that aims to make yoga more inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or body type. Accessible yoga teachers use a range of modifications, props, and variations to make yoga postures accessible to individuals with physical limitations or disabilities. This approach to yoga emphasizes the importance of individualized instruction and encourages students to explore the benefits of yoga at their own pace and level of comfort.

  • Trauma-Informed Yoga

Trauma-informed yoga is an approach to yoga that recognizes the prevalence of trauma and the impact it can have on individuals. Trauma-informed yoga teachers use specific techniques to create a safe and caring environment for students who have gone through trauma, such as using non-triggering language, offering options for physical touch, and creating a sense of community in the classroom. This approach to yoga can help individuals who have experienced trauma to reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a sense of safety and resilience.

  • Mindfulness-Based Yoga

Mindfulness-based yoga is a practice that combines yoga postures with mindfulness meditation. This approach to yoga emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, helping individuals to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Mindfulness-based yoga can be an effective tool for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and can also help people develop a greater sense of self-awareness and compassion.

  • Virtual and Online Yoga

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the trend of virtual and online yoga, allowing individuals to practice yoga from the comfort of their own homes. Many yoga studios and teachers now offer virtual and online classes, providing greater accessibility and flexibility for students. Virtual and online yoga has also opened up opportunities for individuals to practice with teachers and studios from around the world, creating a sense of community and connection beyond local boundaries.

  • Yoga for Athletes

Yoga for athletes is a specialized approach to yoga that is designed to help athletes improve performance and prevent injuries. Yoga poses can be used to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, while also helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga for athletes can be particularly effective for sports that require high levels of physical endurance and can help athletes to develop greater focus, concentration, and mental resilience.

Enhance Teaching Skills

Continuing education can help yoga instructors enhance their teaching skills and develop new techniques to better engage and motivate their students. Yoga instructors can learn new approaches to sequencing, cueing, and adjusting poses, as well as strategies for teaching specific populations, such as pregnant women or individuals with injuries or chronic conditions. This knowledge can help instructors to better understand their students’ needs and provide tailored instruction to meet their individual goals.

What Is The Best Teaching Methodology For Yoga Teachers To Adopt?

As a yoga teacher, there are several teaching methodologies that you can adopt to create a safe, effective, and engaging yoga class. While there is no one “best” teaching methodology, each approach has its strengths and can be utilised in different ways to create a unique and personalized yoga experience for your students. In this article, we will delve into a couple of the most effective teaching methodologies for yoga teachers.

  • Vinyasa

Vinyasa is a flowing style of yoga that emphasizes the connection between breath and movement. In a vinyasa class, students move through a series of postures, linking each posture with an inhale or exhale. Vinyasa classes can be structured in a variety of ways, with sequences ranging from gentle to vigorous, and can be tailored to the needs and abilities of your students. Vinyasa classes can be an effective way to build strength, flexibility, and endurance, while also cultivating a sense of mindfulness and connection to the present moment.

  • Hatha

Hatha yoga is a slower-paced style of yoga that emphasizes alignment and mindful movement. In a hatha class, students hold postures for longer periods of time, focusing on proper alignment and breath awareness. Hatha classes can be a great way to develop a deeper understanding of yoga postures, as well as to improve flexibility, balance, and overall physical health. Hatha yoga can also be a helpful tool for stress reduction and relaxation, making it a fantastic option for individuals who are looking to improve their mental health and well-being.

  • Restorative

Restorative yoga is a gentle and relaxing modality of yoga that uses props, for example blankets, blocks, and bolsters, to support the body in passive postures. In a restorative class, students hold postures for longer periods of time, allowing the body to release tension and deeply relax. Restorative yoga can be an effective tool for reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and promoting overall relaxation and well-being.

  • Iyengar

Iyengar yoga is a modality of yoga that emphasizes precise alignment and the use of props to support the body in postures. In an Iyengar class, students hold postures for longer periods of time, focusing on proper alignment and body awareness. Iyengar yoga can be a great way to develop strength, flexibility, and overall physical health, while also improving body awareness and mindfulness.

  • Kundalini

Kundalini yoga is a style of yoga that emphasizes the connection between breath, movement, and the flow of energy through the body. In a Kundalini class, students practice a series of postures, breathwork, and meditation techniques, aimed at stimulating the flow of energy through the body and promoting overall health and well-being. Kundalini yoga can be an effective tool for lowering stress, improving mental clarity and focus, and promoting overall vitality and energy.

  • Yin

Yin yoga is a slow-paced modality of yoga that involves holding postures for long periods of time, usually between three and five minutes. In a Yin class, students focus on deep breathing and relaxation, allowing the body to release tension and stress. Yin yoga can be a great way to improve flexibility, joint mobility, and overall physical health, while also promoting relaxation and stress reduction.

Expand Knowledge Of Anatomy And Physiology

An in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential for yoga instructors to effectively teach yoga poses and avoid injury. Continuing education can help instructors expand their knowledge of anatomy and physiology, including the muscles and joints involved in different poses, and how to cue students to move safely and effectively. This knowledge can also help instructors to better understand the physical limitations of their students and provide appropriate modifications and adjustments.

Improve Safety And Injury Prevention

Safety is paramount in any yoga class, and continuing education can help instructors improve their understanding of how to teach yoga poses safely and prevent injury. This includes understanding common injuries that can occur in yoga and how to modify poses to accommodate students with injuries or chronic conditions. Instructors can also learn how to properly use props, such as blocks and straps, to assist students move safely and effectively.

Maintain Credentials And Meet Continuing Education Requirements

Many yoga organizations require instructors to complete continuing education courses to maintain their credentials and meet certification requirements. Continuing education can help instructors meet these requirements and maintain their credibility as professionals. This can also help instructors advance their careers and open up new opportunities for teaching, such as teaching specialized classes or workshops.

Deepen Personal Practice

Continuing education can also help yoga instructors deepen their personal practice and expand their understanding of yoga beyond the physical postures. Instructors can learn about the philosophy and history of yoga, as well as explore different types of meditation and breathing techniques. This knowledge can help instructors to better connect with their own practice and bring a deeper level of insight and understanding to their teaching.

In conclusion, continuing education is essential for yoga instructors to maintain their knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver effective and safe yoga classes to their students. By staying up-to-date with the latest developments and research in the field, enhancing their teaching skills, expanding their knowledge of anatomy and physiology, improving safety and injury prevention, meeting continuing education requirements, and deepening their personal practice, yoga instructors can provide better and more effective instruction to their students and advance their careers as professionals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a yoga instructor then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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The Business Of Yoga: Marketing And Branding Yourself As A Yoga Instructor https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-business-of-yoga-marketing-and-branding-yourself-as-a-yoga-instructor/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:15:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32658 Yoga has become an increasingly popular practice in recent years, with more people recognizing its benefits for both physical and mental health. This popularity has created a growing demand for qualified yoga instructors, but it has also made the field more competitive. To succeed as a yoga instructor, it is essential to not only have...

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Yoga has become an increasingly popular practice in recent years, with more people recognizing its benefits for both physical and mental health. This popularity has created a growing demand for qualified yoga instructors, but it has also made the field more competitive. To succeed as a yoga instructor, it is essential to not only have strong teaching skills but also to effectively market and brand yourself. In this article, we will delve into a number of key strategies for marketing and branding yourself as a yoga instructor.

Develop A Strong Brand Identity

Branding is essential in any business, including yoga instruction. A very strong brand identity can help you stand out in a crowded field, attract new students, and build loyalty with existing ones. To develop a brand identity, consider your unique selling points. What makes you different from other yoga instructors? What are your values and philosophy? What type of experience do you offer students? Once you have identified these key elements, you can create a visual brand identity that communicates your message through your logo, website, social media, and other marketing materials.

Developing a super strong brand identity is essential for any business, including yoga instruction. A strong brand identity assists you to stand out in a crowded field, attract new students, and build loyalty with existing ones. Here are a couple of key steps to developing a strong brand identity as a yoga instructor:

Identify your unique selling points

To develop a strong brand identity, you need to identify your unique selling points. What makes you different from other yoga instructors? What are your values and philosophy? What type of experience do you offer students? Start by asking yourself these questions and writing down your answers. Your unique selling points will form the foundation of your brand identity.

Define your target audience

Once you have identified your unique selling points, you need to define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your yoga instruction? Are you targeting beginners, advanced students, or a specific demographic like seniors or pregnant women? Understanding your target audience is essential for developing a brand identity that resonates with them.

Create a visual identity

Your visual identity is the face of your brand. It includes your logo, color scheme, typography, and other design elements that communicate your brand message visually. Designing a visual identity that aligns with your unique selling points and target audience is essential for building brand recognition and differentiation. Consider working with a professional graphic designer to create a visual identity which reflects your brand values and resonates with your target audience.

Develop a brand voice

Your brand voice is how you communicate with your audience through written and spoken messages. Developing a consistent brand voice that reflects your brand values and speaks to your target audience is essential for building trust and credibility. Your brand voice should be steady across all channels, including your website, social media, and marketing materials.

Build a brand experience

Your brand experience is the total experience your students have with your brand. It includes everything from your studio environment to the way you greet students to the actual yoga instruction. Creating a positive and memorable brand experience is essential for building loyalty and repeat business. Consider how you can create a unique and memorable experience for your students that aligns with your brand values and speaks to your target audience.

Consistency is key

Consistency is key to developing a strong brand identity. Your visual identity, brand voice, and brand experience should be consistent across all channels, including your website, social media, marketing materials, and studio environment. Consistency helps build trust and credibility with your audience and reinforces your brand message.

Get feedback

Finally, getting feedback from your students and peers can assist you with refining your brand identity and make sure that it resonates with your target audience. Consider conducting surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews with your students to get feedback on their experience with your brand. This feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make sure your brand is effectively communicating your unique selling points to your target audience.

Establish An Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a presence online is very important for any business, including yoga instruction. An online presence can help you reach a wider audience, build your brand, and connect with students. Start by creating a website that showcases your services, classes, and schedule. Also, you can use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to promote your brand, share photos and videos of your classes, and connect with potential students.

Offer A Variety Of Classes

To attract a diverse range of students, it is essential to offer a variety of classes that cater to various skill levels and interests. For example, you could offer classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students, or classes that focus on specific styles. You could also offer classes that incorporate other forms of exercise, such as Pilates or barre, or that focus on specific themes like stress relief or mindfulness.

Here are a couple of the most popular types of yoga classes that you can offer.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is by far one of the most popular types of yoga classes offered in the Western world. It is a slower-paced yoga style that focuses on breathing techniques and holding poses for longer periods. Hatha Yoga is ideal for beginners as it helps to develop strength, flexibility, and balance.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic yoga style that involves linking movement with breath. The practice includes a series of flowing movements, such as sun salutations, and each movement is synchronized with an inhale or an exhale. Vinyasa Yoga is ideal for those who want to build strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a challenging and intense yoga style that involves performing a set sequence of poses in a specific order. The practice is physically demanding and requires a great deal of strength and endurance. Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for those who are looking for a more athletic and challenging yoga practice.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is a slower-paced yoga style that emphasizes proper alignment and technique. The practice involves holding poses for longer periods, and props such as blocks and straps are often used to help students achieve proper alignment. Iyengar Yoga is ideal for those who are interested in developing their strength and flexibility, as well as their understanding of proper alignment.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced yoga style that focuses on holding poses for longer periods, typically between three and five minutes. The practice involves stretching and lengthening the connective tissues in the body, which can help to improve flexibility and reduce stress. Yin Yoga is ideal for those who are looking for a gentle and restorative yoga practice.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is a gentle and relaxing yoga style that involves holding poses for extended periods using the support of props such as blankets and blocks. The practice is designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress, making it ideal for those who are looking to unwind and de-stress.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual and energetic yoga style that involves a series of dynamic movements, breathwork, and meditation. The practice is designed to awaken the Kundalini energy that is believed to be coiled at the base of the spine. Kundalini Yoga is ideal for those who are interested in exploring the spiritual aspects of yoga.

Collaborate With Other Businesses And Instructors

Collaborating with other businesses and instructors can be a fantastic way to expand your reach and build your brand. For example, you could partner with a local gym or wellness center to offer yoga classes to their members, or you could team up with other instructors to host a workshop or retreat. Collaborations can assist you with tapping into new audiences, share resources, and create new opportunities for growth.

Offer Workshops And Retreats

In addition to regular classes, offering workshops and retreats can be a great way to generate revenue and build your brand. Workshops and retreats allow you to offer more in-depth instruction on specific topics, such as alignment, breathwork, or meditation. They can also be a great way to connect with students on a deeper level and foster a sense of community around your brand.

Invest In Professional Development

Investing in professional development is essential for any yoga instructor looking to build their brand and improve their teaching skills. Continuing education can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in yoga instruction, improve your teaching skills, and expand your knowledge base. Consider taking workshops, attending conferences, or pursuing additional certifications to enhance your skills and credibility as an instructor.

Marketing and branding yourself as a yoga instructor is very important to stand out in a crowded field and attract new students. By developing a strong brand identity, establishing an online presence, offering a variety of classes, collaborating with others, offering workshops and retreats, and investing in professional development, you can build a successful yoga business and share your passion for yoga with others.

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a yoga instructor then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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Can A Pilates Instructor Help Me Modify Exercises To Accommodate Any Physical Limitations? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/can-a-pilates-instructor-help-me-modify-exercises-to-accommodate-any-physical-limitations/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 11:12:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32650 Pilates is a very popular form of exercise that is known for its ability to strengthen the core, improve flexibility and balance, and enhance overall physical fitness. While Pilates is generally considered a safe form of exercise for most individuals, there may be some cases where individuals with physical limitations or injuries may need to...

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Pilates is a very popular form of exercise that is known for its ability to strengthen the core, improve flexibility and balance, and enhance overall physical fitness. While Pilates is generally considered a safe form of exercise for most individuals, there may be some cases where individuals with physical limitations or injuries may need to modify certain exercises in order to perform them safely and effectively.

In these cases, a Pilates instructor can be an invaluable resource, as they are trained to understand the needs and limitations of their clients and can help to modify exercises accordingly. If you are recovering from an injury, dealing with a chronic condition, or simply have physical limitations that make certain exercises difficult, a Pilates instructor can work with you to find modifications that will allow you to get the most out of your Pilates practice while minimizing the risk of injury or discomfort.

What Are The Benefits Of Doing Pilates?

Pilates has become a popular form of exercise around the world due to its numerous benefits. Here are just a couple of the benefits of doing Pilates:

  • Improved Core Strength: Pilates is known for its concentration on strengthening the core muscles of the body, which include the muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvis. These muscles are essential for maintaining proper posture, balance, and stability, and a strong core can assist with reducing the risk of injury and improve overall physical performance.
  • Increased Flexibility: Pilates is also known for its emphasis on improving flexibility and range of motion. Many of the exercises in Pilates involve stretching and lengthening the muscles, which can help to increase flexibility and reduce stiffness and pain in the joints.
  • Better Posture: Poor posture can lead to a range of health problems, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Pilates can help to boost posture via strengthening the muscles which support the spine and promoting better alignment of the body. This can help to reduce pain and discomfort and improve overall physical function.
  • Reduced Stress: Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that focuses on slow, controlled movements and deep breathing. This can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it an ideal form of exercise for individuals who are looking to reduce stress and improve their overall sense of well-being.
  • Improved Balance and Coordination: Pilates is also known for its ability to improve balance and coordination. Many of the exercises in Pilates require precise movements and control, which can help to improve overall physical coordination and balance.
  • Low-Impact: Unlike some forms of exercise, such as running or weightlifting, Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that is gentle on the joints. This makes it an ideal form of exercise for individuals who may be recovering from an injury or who have joint pain or other physical limitations.
  • Increased Body Awareness: Pilates encourages individuals to focus on their movements and body alignment, which can help to increase body awareness and promote better overall physical function. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may be dealing with chronic pain or other physical limitations.
  • Versatility: Pilates can be adapted to suit individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are new to exercise or a seasoned athlete, Pilates can be tailored to your individual needs and goals, making it an ideal form of exercise for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental well-being.
  • Improved Breathing: Pilates emphasizes deep, controlled breathing, which can assist with improving lung capacity and overall respiratory function. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may be dealing with respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD.

The Key Benefits Of Working With A Pilates Instructor

One of the main benefits of working with a Pilates instructor is that they have a deep understanding of the human body as well as how it moves. This knowledge allows them to identify potential areas of weakness or imbalance in their clients and to tailor their instruction accordingly. For example, if you have a history of lower back pain, your instructor may recommend modifications to certain exercises that will help to protect your back and prevent further injury.

Another way in which a Pilates instructor can help you to modify exercises is by providing alternative exercises that target the same muscle groups. For example, if you have difficulty performing traditional Pilates exercises that require a lot of balance, your instructor may recommend exercises that can be performed while seated or lying down. These modifications can help to make Pilates more accessible and enjoyable for individuals with physical limitations, while still providing the many benefits of this form of exercise.

Look For Experienced Pilates Instructors

Of course, it is important to remember that not all Pilates instructors are created equal. When looking for a Pilates instructor who can help you modify exercises to accommodate your physical limitations, it is important to look for someone with experience and expertise in working with individuals with similar needs. You may also want to consider seeking out an instructor who has additional certifications or training in areas such as physical therapy or rehabilitation, as this can further enhance their ability to work with clients with physical limitations.

Working with an experienced Pilates instructor can provide numerous benefits for individuals at all levels of fitness. If you are new to Pilates or a seasoned practitioner, an experienced instructor can help you to achieve your fitness goals more effectively, safely, and efficiently. Here are just a couple of the benefits of working with an experienced Pilates instructor:

  • Customized Instruction: An experienced Pilates instructor will be able to provide customized instruction that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. This may include modifying exercises to accommodate physical limitations, adjusting the intensity of your workout based on your fitness level, or targeting specific areas of the body that you want to strengthen or tone.
  • Greater Efficiency: When you work with an experienced Pilates instructor, you can be sure that you are getting the very best out of your workout. An experienced instructor will be able to help you to perform exercises with proper form and technique, which can help to maximize the effectiveness of each movement and minimize the risk of injury. Additionally, an experienced instructor can help you to progress through exercises more efficiently, allowing you to achieve your fitness goals more quickly.
  • Improved Performance: Pilates is a challenging form of exercise that requires a high degree of focus, concentration, and control. An experienced Pilates instructor can help you to improve your performance by providing feedback and guidance on your technique, as well as by challenging you with more advanced exercises as you progress. With the help of an experienced instructor, you can continue to push yourself to new levels of fitness and achieve your full potential.
  • Motivation and Accountability: Working with an experienced Pilates instructor can help to keep you motivated and accountable to your fitness goals. An experienced instructor will provide guidance and support throughout your workout, helping you to stay focused and engaged even when the exercises become challenging. Additionally, an experienced instructor can help you to set realistic goals and track your progress over time, providing the motivation you need to continue working towards your fitness goals.
  • Injury Prevention: Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that is generally considered safe for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. However, as with any form of exercise, there is a risk of injury if exercises are performed incorrectly or with improper form. An experienced Pilates instructor can help you to prevent injury by providing guidance on proper form and technique, as well as by modifying exercises to accommodate any physical limitations you may have.

Why Does A Pilates Instructor Need To Be Certified?

Certification is important in any profession, including Pilates instruction. Here are a few reasons why certification is necessary for Pilates instructors:

  • Ensures Competence: Certification programs require Pilates instructors to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in teaching Pilates exercises. This ensures that instructors have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective instruction to their clients.
  • Provides Credibility: A certified Pilates instructor is viewed as more credible and trustworthy by clients, employers, and the wider fitness community. Certification demonstrates that an instructor has met certain standards and has been recognized by a reputable certification organization.
  • Increases Employment Opportunities: Many fitness facilities and studios require Pilates instructors to be certified before they can be hired. Certification can help to open up new employment opportunities and increase earning potential for Pilates instructors.
  • Ensures Safety: Pilates exercises can be challenging and require proper technique and form to be performed safely. Certified instructors have been trained in proper alignment and movement patterns, which can help to prevent injuries and ensure that clients are getting the most out of their workouts.
  • Demonstrates Professionalism: Certification demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and continuing education. Certified Pilates instructors are required to maintain their certification through ongoing education and training, which ensures that they are up-to-date with the very latest developments in the field.
  • Protects Clients: Certification organizations often require Pilates instructors to hold liability insurance, which can protect both the instructor and their clients in the event of an injury or accident.

Ultimately, whether or not a Pilates instructor can help you modify exercises to accommodate your physical limitations will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and severity of your limitations, your fitness level, and your goals for your Pilates practice. However, with the right instructor and the right modifications, Pilates can be an effective and enjoyable form of exercise for individuals of all ages and abilities. If you are considering Pilates as a form of exercise and have physical limitations that you are concerned about, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified Pilates instructor for guidance and support.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to study our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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What Are The Benefits Of Personal Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-personal-training/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:02:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=32641 Personal training can offer a range of benefits for people of all fitness levels and backgrounds. Here are a couple of the main advantages of personal training. Personalized Workouts One of the main benefits of personal training is that your workout program can be tailored specifically to your goals, fitness level, and any physical limitations...

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Personal training can offer a range of benefits for people of all fitness levels and backgrounds. Here are a couple of the main advantages of personal training.

Personalized Workouts

One of the main benefits of personal training is that your workout program can be tailored specifically to your goals, fitness level, and any physical limitations you may have. Your trainer can create a program that challenges you while also taking into account your unique needs and abilities.

What Steps Will A Personal Trainer Take In Designing A Workout For A Client?

When designing a workout for a client, a personal trainer will typically follow several steps to ensure that the program is safe, effective, and tailored to the client’s needs and goals. Here are the steps a personal trainer may take when designing a workout for a client:

  • Initial Consultation: The first step in designing a workout program is to meet with the client to discuss their goals, fitness level, health history, and any physical limitations they may have. This information will help the trainer create a program that is safe and effective for the client.
  • Assessment: The trainer will typically perform an assessment of the client’s fitness level, including measurements of body composition, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. This information will help the trainer develop a baseline for the client’s fitness level and track progress over time.
  • Goal Setting: Based on the client’s goals and assessment results, the trainer will help the client set specific and measurable goals for the program. This will help both the trainer and the client stay focused and motivated throughout the program.
  • Program Design: Once the trainer has gathered all the necessary information, they will begin designing a program that is tailored to the client’s needs and goals. This may include exercises that target specific muscle groups, cardio exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility exercises to improve mobility and prevent injury.
  • Exercise Selection: The trainer will select exercises that are appropriate for the client’s fitness level and physical abilities. They will also take into account any physical limitations the client may have and modify exercises as needed.
  • Reps, Sets, and Rest Periods: The trainer will determine the correct number of reps and sets for each exercise, as well as the rest periods between sets. This will help ensure that the client is working at the appropriate intensity for their fitness level and goals.
  • Progression: The trainer will develop a plan for progressing the program over time. This may include increasing the intensity or duration of exercises, or adding new exercises to the program.
  • Instruction and Demonstration: The trainer will demonstrate each exercise and provide instruction on proper form and technique. This will help ensure that the client is performing each exercise safely and effectively.
  • Monitoring and Adjustment: The trainer will monitor the client’s progress throughout the program and make adjustments as needed. This may include modifying exercises or changing the program altogether to ensure that the client is making progress towards their goals.

Designing a workout program for a client involves several steps, including an initial consultation, assessment, goal setting, program design, exercise selection, reps, sets, and rest periods, progression, instruction and demonstration, and monitoring and adjustment. By following these steps, a personal trainer can create a super safe and effective workout program that is tailored to the client’s needs and goals.

Accountability

Personal training sessions can help you stay accountable to your fitness goals. Knowing that you have a scheduled session with a trainer can help you stay motivated and committed to your workouts. Additionally, your trainer can provide feedback and encouragement, helping you stay on track and overcome any obstacles that may arise.

What Are Some Tips And Tricks To Help With Developing Accountability?

Developing accountability is an essential component of achieving success in any area of life, including fitness and wellness. Here are some tips and tricks to assist you with developing accountability:

  • Set Specific Goals: One of the most effective ways to develop accountability is to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals. This will help you remain focused and motivated, and provide a clear roadmap for tracking progress.
  • Write Down Your Goals: Writing down your goals can be a powerful tool for developing accountability. Seeing your goals in writing can help make them more real and tangible, and serve as a daily reminder of what you are working towards.
  • Share Your Goals with Others: Sharing your goals with friends, family, or a personal trainer can help create a sense of accountability. When others know what you are working towards, they can provide support and encouragement, and help keep you on track.
  • Track Your Progress: Tracking your progress is another effective way to develop accountability. This can be done through tracking apps, journals, or other tools. Regularly reviewing your progress can help you identify areas where you need to improve, and celebrate your successes along the way.
  • Find an Accountability Partner: Having an accountability partner can be a powerful motivator. This can be a friend, family member, or personal trainer who can provide support and encouragement, and hold you accountable to your goals.
  • Create a Routine: Developing a routine can help create a sense of structure and accountability. By scheduling regular workout sessions and sticking to a consistent routine, you can help ensure that you stay on track towards your goals.
  • Reward Yourself: Honouring your successes along the way can help keep you motivated and accountable. Set up rewards for reaching milestones, such as buying yourself new workout gear or treating yourself to a massage.
  • Be Patient and Persistent: Finally, it is important to be patient and persistent. Achieving your fitness goals takes time and effort, and setbacks are a very natural part of the process. By staying persistent and committed to your goals, you can develop the accountability you need to succeed.

Developing accountability is an important part of achieving success in fitness and wellness. By setting specific goals, writing them down, sharing them with others, tracking progress, finding an accountability partner, creating a routine, rewarding yourself, and staying patient and persistent, you can develop the accountability you need to achieve your goals.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - personal training

Injury Prevention

Personal trainers are trained to help prevent injuries during exercise. They can teach you proper form and technique, ensuring that you’re using correct posture and engaging the correct muscles. By working with a personal trainer, you can reduce your risk of injury and stay safe while exercising.

Goal Achievement

Personal trainers can help you set realistic and achievable fitness goals, and create a plan to reach those goals. By breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, a personal trainer can help you stay motivated and see progress over time.

How Do You Set Achievable Goals?

Setting achievable goals is a critical step towards achieving success in any area of life, including fitness and wellness. Here are some tips to assist you with setting achievable goals:

  • Be Specific: Your goals should be specific and well-defined. Rather than setting a vague goal like “get in shape,” set a specific goal like “lose 10 pounds in 3 months.”
  • Make Your Goals Measurable: It is important to make your goals measurable so that you can track your progress. For instance, if your goal is to run a 5K, you can measure your progress by tracking the time it takes you to complete the race.
  • Set Realistic Goals: It is essential to set realistic goals that are achievable. Setting goals that are too difficult or unrealistic can be demotivating and result in feelings of failure. Instead, set goals that challenge you but are achievable with effort and commitment.
  • Set Timely Goals: Your goals should be time-bound, with a specific deadline for completion. This will assist with keeping you accountable and motivated to achieve your goals within the given timeframe.
  • Break Down Your Goals: Breaking down your goals into smaller, more practicable steps can make them seem less overwhelming and more achievable. This can also help you track your progress and stay motivated.
  • Write Down Your Goals: Writing down your goals can help make them more real and tangible. This can also serve as a daily reminder of what you are working towards.
  • Make Your Goals Personal: Your goals should be personal to you and reflect your own aspirations and values. Setting goals based on external pressure or expectations can result in a lack of motivation and a sense of disconnection.

By following these tips, you can set achievable goals that are specific, measurable, realistic, timely, personal, and broken down into manageable steps. Remember to stay committed and motivated during the process, and celebrate your successes as you go along. With the correct mindset and approach, you can achieve your fitness and wellness goals and become the best version of yourself.

Variety And Fun

Personal training sessions can offer a variety of exercises and activities that can keep your workouts fresh and interesting. Your trainer can incorporate new exercises and equipment into your program, keeping you engaged and challenged.

Education

Personal trainers can teach you about proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery, as well as the science behind exercise and fitness. By gaining a better understanding of how your body works and how to take care of it, you can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Time Efficiency

Personal training sessions can be more time-efficient than working out on your own. With a trainer, you can get a full-body workout in a shorter amount of time, as your trainer can help you maximize the effectiveness of each exercise.

Flexibility

Personal training sessions can be scheduled around your busy lifestyle. Your trainer can work with you to find a schedule that works best for you, whether that’s early in the morning, during your lunch break, or in the evening.

In conclusion, personal training can offer a range of benefits, including personalized workouts, accountability, injury prevention, goal achievement, variety and fun, education, time efficiency, and flexibility. By working with a personal trainer, you can improve your overall health and wellbeing, and achieve your fitness goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover out how to become a personal trainer, you really need to do one of our personal training courses. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - Personal Training

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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Strength and Conditioning Coach Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/courses/strength-and-conditioning-coach/ Fri, 20 Jan 2023 09:36:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?post_type=product&p=32230 Trifocus offers an advanced conditioning coach course for individuals who aim to be an athlete's guidance coach. Register for advanced conditioning course.

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Are you considering becoming a strength and conditioning coach?

Becoming a strength and conditioning coach is an exciting and rewarding career path. It is an opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to help athletes reach their peak performance. As a coach, you will have the opportunity to use your creativity to come up with innovative and effective training plans and strategies. Additionally, you will be able to use your expertise to help athletes develop the mental skills and strategies necessary for successful performance.

With Trifocus Fitness Academy, you can earn three different qualifications as a Strength and Conditioning Coach that will ensure that you are super qualified and able to work in any kind of work environment that you want to. These include Strength and conditioning coaching course, PT skills course, Nutrition (UK) Diploma.

A strength and conditioning coach typically works with athletes daily to help them reach their peak performance. On a typical day, a coach may start with a warm-up and stretching session. They may then provide instruction on proper form and technique for exercises, such as weightlifting or plyometrics.

They will also provide guidance and support on nutrition, recovery, and other aspects of training. Finally, they will work with athletes on developing mental skills and strategies for successful performance.

Personal training skills can be incorporated into a strength and conditioning business in several ways. For example, a coach can use their knowledge and experience to create individualised training programs for their clients. They can also provide their clients with nutrition and lifestyle advice. Additionally, they can use their expertise to provide guidance and support on mental skills and strategies. Finally, they can use their personal training skills to create a more personalised and engaging experience for their clients.

How our strength and conditioning course is unique?

Our strength and conditioning course is unique in that it focuses on the fundamentals of strength and conditioning, as well as the latest trends and techniques. Additionally, we have an experienced team of educators who are dedicated to helping our students reach their goals. Finally, we offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of strength and conditioning, Personal Training and Sports Nutrition.

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What To Know Before Starting Life Coaching Career https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-to-know-before-starting-life-coaching-career/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:56:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=30913 Even though it could seem that learning how to become a life coach requires little more than stellar listening skills as well as outsized compassion, in reality, the decision to become a life coach is a business decision. What Options Does A Life Coaching Career Entail? A life coach is a person who can help...

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Even though it could seem that learning how to become a life coach requires little more than stellar listening skills as well as outsized compassion, in reality, the decision to become a life coach is a business decision.

What Options Does A Life Coaching Career Entail?

A life coach is a person who can help their clients progress in various aspects of their lives. People who’ve decided to follow a life coaching career help their clients can get support to improve their mindset, personal skills, relationships, and career.

Usually, people receive some format of training or coaching themselves in order to become life coaches. A talented life coach can help coachees to set and clarify the correct goals for them, identify what’s holding their clients back from achieving those goals, create a plan of action to get through what’s holding the coachee back, make the most of their client’s unique skills to get to a place where they would like to be and unlock their full potential

How To Become A Life Coach?

If you are very serious about becoming a certified professional life coach, we highly recommend that you get the very best training that you can find.

Life experience alone is not enough to qualify you as a life coach. In fact, without broad training in the various life coaching tools, techniques as well as systems it may even work against you as you could need to unlearn various conditioned habits in order to assist other people effectively.

Life coaching is very much a word-of-mouth-driven industry. This means that your ability to provide great results for your clients is far and away the most significant outcome you would like from the training you choose to undertake.

Make sure that the life coach training which you invest in is:

  • Broad based (concentrating on all aspects of life coaching and not just niche techniques),
  • Comprehensive (covering both theory as well as practical in some depth,
  • Trustworthy (with a suitable structure and/or system that has proven to deliver results over an extensive period),
  • Practical to apply (not excessively academic in nature), and
  • Supportive, during your certification period and, if possible, beyond.

The 5 Things To Know Before Starting A Life Coaching Career


Life Coaching Is A Personal Journey

Life coaching is a chance for self-exploration and to travel within oneself, to learn and use resources that you may never have known that you had in order to design a life you’ve always wanted. The best part of life coaching is a transformational sense that you are not the same person who you were when you began, that you are now a better form of yourself, that you have opened up new inspirational opportunities that was not clear earlier.

Making clear as to the position where one stands at the present moment and what one wants to accomplish is vital to the journey of life coaching. What’s very important is that the coach commits to the client as much as he/she commit during the process.

Via proper exploration and challenging, the client will get the ability to understand and work on one’s limiting beliefs and finally able to discover ways and means of removing these limiting beliefs and maximise one’s potential.

Clients recognise their own abilities to find the correct direction and to deal with challenges along the way. They are in-the-making versions of what it means to learn fully, to be fully effective, and be on the path towards creating a more and more happy and fulfilling life. Clients discover possibilities that would else remain beyond their wildest dreams.

You Have To Be Serious About What You Want To Do

While some people could be naturally confident, most of us need to work at it. The exhibition of confidence will be your greatest asset in your quest to be taken seriously as it shows that you take yourself seriously – and if you take yourself seriously, then other people probably will as well.

Practise confidence by being more assertive in day-to-day situations, practising good posture and refusing to be daunted by the normal stresses of work. If you’re not a naturally confident individual, this can take some time to develop, but don’t worry – practise will make perfect.

 It’s A Rewarding Career

A rewarding life coaching career might mean different things to different people. However, any career becomes truly meaningful when it includes an amalgamation of different gratifying experiences.

Selling Yourself Is Going To Be A Big Part Of Your Future

The online world has quickly become the “elevator” of today, where we have only a few lines of text on a computer screen in order to make a spectacular impact on potential employers.

With more pressure on people’s time than there has ever been before, life coaches can benefit from knowing your bespoke experiences, ambitions as well as strengths in 25 words or less.

In order to make your personal summary the lasting first impression it should be, have a look at these tips to help you stand out from other life coaches:

  • Highlight your stand-out features,
  • Ensure correct spelling as well as grammar,
  • Keep it directional with the most pertinent points

Have Confidence In Yourself & Abilities

Learning how to be confident is crucial in every part of your life however there are some instances where it’s crucial – particularly at times where you feel like giving up. As a life coach, being confident is non-negotiable. No one will follow a life coach who appears unsure of themselves. A lack of confidence can really impact your ability to put together a winning team and guide them to accomplishing your shared goals. Being confident assists you with making instant connections and building relationships that will make sure you and your company succeed.

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How To Prepare Your Path For A Career In Life Coaching?

What exactly is a coaching vision? It’s a broad, inspiring vision of your company, with a clear description of who you’ll serve and how. You don’t have to have a clear idea of your specialty right away. It may change as you progress through your training and put your coaching skills to the test.

What Qualification Do I Need To Have A Life Coaching Career?

To begin a life coaching career you need to have done an accredited life coaching course.

Why Should Enrol On A Life Coaching Course Today

If you would like to become a world-class life coach, and help your clients revolutionise their lives, then you need to enrol in a life coaching course today.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a life coach? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. For more information please follow this link.

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How To Become A Life Coach In South Africa https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-to-become-a-life-coach-in-south-africa/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:35:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=30905 Life coaching is a career that has a bright future. More and more, people are understanding the utter importance of having a life coach.  Individuals from all walks of life are now hiring coaches to assist them with meeting both personal and professional goals. It’s a career with a bright future. What Is A Life...

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Life coaching is a career that has a bright future. More and more, people are understanding the utter importance of having a life coach.  Individuals from all walks of life are now hiring coaches to assist them with meeting both personal and professional goals. It’s a career with a bright future.

What Is A Life Coach?

A life coach is a wellness practitioner who assists people with making progress in their lives in order to achieve greater fulfilment. Life coaches help their clients to better their relationships, careers as well as day-to-day lives.

Life coaches can assist with you clarifying your goals, pinpoint the obstacles holding you back, and then develop strategies for defeating each obstacle. In terms of creating these strategies, life coaches target your unique skills and gifts. By assisting you with making the most of your strengths, life coaches offer the support you need in order to achieve long-lasting change

What Does A Life Coach Do?

A life coach isn’t a therapist, does not dispense ‘expert’ advice, and does not tell their client what to he or she needs to do. Rather, they strive to be good listeners and communicators and utilise their positive energy, motivation and inspiration to assist their clients see a fresh perspective regarding particular situations.

The belief is that an individual is more than able of generating their own solutions. By asking particular and targeted questions, the life coach is able to provide a discovery-based framework which will help the client see things clearly as well as honestly. There is strong emphasis put on a person’s actions, accountability and follow-through. Together, the life coach and client will uncover a sense of purpose and a direction to proceed in.

It is frequently quite challenging for people to make the required changes to move forward towards bigger and better things. They may feel stuck in a specific area of their life. A life coach can assist a person to take a reflective view of their situation, sort out their feelings surrounding it, recognise any fears or worries that could be holding them back, attain mental clarity, and make a doable plan so that they can forge through with achievable goals and a positive attitude. Life coaching backs up professional growth, personal growth, and development that is future-focused and based on individually initiated change.

The 5 Benefits Of Becoming A Life Coach


Serve Your Life’s Purpose

Your life’s purpose is the central motivation of your life. it’s the reasons why you get up in the morning. Purpose may guide life decisions, influence behaviour, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some individuals, purpose is connected to vocation — meaningful and satisfying work.

Encourage Others Without Passing Judgment

The aim of encouragement is to motivate someone, convince them of their capabilities, or to lift their spirits. In order to know how to encourage someone you first need to understand the problem. And to understand the problem you have to empathise and actively listen to someone.

Help Individuals Perform At Their Highest Levels

It takes time to meditate every day however the time that is spent in meditation is traded for clarity of mind in the fleeting decisions which you make when you’ve meditated. And making even the tiniest of decisions correctly has the biggest impact on your life as well as your future performance.

As many people who perform in pressurised environments give way to the pressure and before they know it are making misguided decisions which impact upon their position however the positions and productivity of those under their leadership as well.

So clarity of mind is required and this is what meditating frequently gives you.

Assist Others To Live In The Possibilities

One of the simplest ways to assist others is simply to share your knowledge. You don’t need to be at the front of a classroom to teach. Every single day there is the chance to educate someone about your area of expertise. The very important thing is to ensure that you keep educating yourself so you can stay ahead of the curve.

Support Clients In Their Professional Endeavours

Clients would like to know what to expect from a partnership. Frequently, they come to you because they’re in new territory. The service you provide is likely a new world to them and they’re looking for a guide. However, keeping that in mind also it’s important to involve your client in the goal setting and strategy-building process as much as possible.

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What Is The Difference Between A Life Coach And A Psychologist?

Psychologists help people identify and uncover buried childhood issues to improve their present situation. Life coaches, on the other hand help people with emotional and spiritual issues and helps them improve the quality of their life.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Life Coach In SA?

According to results from past trainees, you may expect to take, on average, approximately 9 to 15 months to complete the life coaching certification training.

How Much Do Life Coaching Courses Cost In SA?

Life coaching courses in South Africa cost between R4 000 and R9 000.

What Skills/Qualifications Are Needed To Become A Life Coach In SA?

Here are the skills needed in order to become a life coach:

  1. Maintain a positive attitude,
  2. Be passionate,
  3. Have great listening skills,
  4. Be non-opinionated,
  5. No judgements,
  6. Cultivate curiosity,
  7. Be challenging,
  8. Be observant,
  9. Communicate with clarity, and
  10. Stay honest

 Why You Should Enrol For A Life Coaching Course In SA Now

If you want to become a world-class life coach then you need to enrol for a life coaching course in South Africa today.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a life coach, check out our Life Coaching Certification. Endorsed by COMENSA it will make you into the best life coach out there. Follow this link to learn more about this course.

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How To Grow Your Life Coaching Business https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-to-grow-your-life-coaching-business/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:48:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=30898    What Does A Life Coaching Business Do? A life coaching business is a type of wellness organisation that helps people make progress in their lives so that they can attain greater fulfilment. Life coaching businesses aid their clients in improving their relationships, careers as well as their day-to-day lives. Life coaching businesses can help...

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 What Does A Life Coaching Business Do?

A life coaching business is a type of wellness organisation that helps people make progress in their lives so that they can attain greater fulfilment. Life coaching businesses aid their clients in improving their relationships, careers as well as their day-to-day lives.

Life coaching businesses can help clients to clarify their goals, recognise the obstacles that are holding them back, and – after this – then come up with strategies for conquering each obstacle. In terms of creating these strategies, life coaching businesses target your unique skills and gifts. By helping you to make the most of your strengths, life coaching businesses provide the support you need to achieve long-lasting change.

How To Promote & Build Your Life Coaching Business Online?

As a life coach, your professional expertise is one of your greatest assets. Successfully establishing – as well as running – a life coach business takes a lot more than just being a field expert. If you’re not bringing in new clients regularly, your business may very well not reach the heights you are looking for.

So how do you create your presence as a credible life coach and target the correct people, at the correct time, through the correct channels?

The answer is quite simple: life coach marketing!

If you put yourself out there you’ll see how your game changes. The main point of difference between life coach marketing and marketing for any other business is that you’re not trying to promote a service here, you are trying to promote yourself!

The 5 Growth Tips To Success For A Life Coaching Business

 

Define What Type Of Coach You Are And What You Do For People

 

Life coaches are made up of a range of backgrounds, such as psychology, management, education, sports as well as health. And of course, how life coaches work with clients is related to this background in addition to the coach’s personality, experiences as well as history.

Coaching-related research pinpoints styles that are similar to those in classic parenting-style literature. In particular, in her often-cited studies, Baumrind (1991) identified a number of specific parenting styles, which include authoritarian, authoritative as well as permissive.

The way in which life coaches interact with clients is quite similar to the distinctions noted by Baumrind (1991). For instance, life coaches may vary in terms of the degree to which they control the sessions (e.g., authoritarian/autocratic) as opposed to allowing the client to have input in terms of the life coaching process (e.g., democratic/authoritative).

Also, life coaches may differ in terms of if they take a more specific focus or consider multiple connected facets of the client’s experiences (e.g., holistic coaching). Added approaches include laissez-faire, developmental, and mindfulness in addition to intuitive coaching.

Ensure That You Have Coaching Packages That Your Ideal Clients Want To Buy

One of the keys to putting together high-ticket coaching packages is including a solid signature programme (or even multiple signature programmes) that will solve a problem that your ideal client is experiencing.

When you market a life coaching package with your signature programme in mind, it allows you to hone in on a particular ideal client, with a particular problem, and get clear on the end result which they’ll walk away with.

A massive benefit to this is that everyone who comes to you will be coming looking for similar results. This means that you don’t have to re-create the wheel and design custom coaching packages every time you onboard a new client as this will lead to confusion on what you do and who you help, as well as potential burnout as you’re constantly creating new offers.

Another advantage is that when potential clients come to you, you know it’s for a reason!  Perhaps they heard you talking about your signature programme topics on social media or maybe in a blog or YouTube video. Either way, they know you’re the expert and they’re clear about how they will get results with your support.

Put Systems And Processes Into Place For Things You Do Repeatedly

As a life coaching business owner, you’re probably all too aware of the challenge of having too little time. This can be a huge roadblock when you’re trying to scale your company. You could find yourself working longer hours without really increasing your income which could lead you to question if you’re still on track to achieve your goals of freedom, wealth, and independence.

Know Your Priorities And Schedule Them For Your Week

During the working day, tasks are frequently prioritised (or not) according to the requirements of others or the closeness of deadlines. Prioritising tasks efficiently – with intention and according to future goals – can change this, ensuring that every task you tackle drives value and keeping unimportant tasks from cluttering your to-do list.  By implementing prioritisation strategies, you can drastically change the arc of your working day to really make the most of your time. These types of strategies will help you evaluate and set your top priorities.

Ensure You Have A Solid Client Onboarding Process

The term ‘client onboarding’ is the process of welcoming new clients into your life coaching business. It’s your opportunity to start building a strong relationship, get the client up to speed, address any queries they have, and chart the strategy going forward. Ultimately you want the client to feel like they’ve made the correct choice and that your life coaching practice will fulfill their varying needs.

Client onboarding isn’t just a nice-to-have —it’s a crucial business strategy. When done properly, it leads to:

  • Less client churn,
  • More efficiency,
  • Reduces scope creep,
  • Happier clients,
  • More clients, and
  • Ensures compliance.

How Long Will It Take To See The Growth Of Your Life Coaching Business?

There is no timeline. It depends on your life circumstances, your commitment, the market you are targeting, the training you have, and the credibility you are building. Every life coaching practice starts with one client changing their life. Concentrate on one life at a time and one day, you will feel prosperous and have built a profitable practice.

Why You Should Grow Your Life Coaching Business Today

The reality is clear – there’s only one of you! You can’t be duplicated so you are able to meet with more than one client at a time. The best way to scale your life coaching business is to think about new services or products that you could offer your clients that offer value and match up their needs.

One of the best things about a life coaching business is that there are numerous ways to grow your organisation. You aren’t trapped in one-on-one service delivery if you don’t want to be. And you don’t have to do exactly the same thing as everyone else working in your niche.

Life coaching gives you so much flexibility. You are free to select the products and services which will not only deliver additional value to your clients however will also allow you to stretch yourself, grow as well as learn professionally.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to study life coaching? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. Follow this link to learn more.

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How To Exercise With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=28042 Individuals who are living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) learn quickly that any exertion, if it’s physical activity or challenging mental problems, has ramifications: They frequently feel worse in the next few days. The terrible fatigue – as well as other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome – mean that national suggestions to exercise at least...

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Individuals who are living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) learn quickly that any exertion, if it’s physical activity or challenging mental problems, has ramifications: They frequently feel worse in the next few days.

The terrible fatigue – as well as other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome – mean that national suggestions to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week simply are not possible for most individuals with the condition.

One of the problems is that when people talk about exercise, CFS patients say, ‘I can’t exercise because I don’t have the energy, I don’t have the strength. Most of chronic fatigue syndrome patients have been immobilised by their illness for so long that they are “quite de-conditioned,” which means that they don’t have muscle strength and tone. Without muscle strength, even a couple of minutes on a treadmill can lead to severe joint pain.

What Are The Exercise Recommendations For CFS Patients?

But, by taking it slowly and knowing their fitness limits, CFS patients can maintain strength and work exercise into their lives.

Exercise recommendations for CFS patients are not the same as those for the general population. Far from it. In fact, asking someone who is suffering from CFS to go for a 30 minute jog or spend 45 minutes lifting weights may result in even the most functional of patients to crash. Rather, the kind of exercise which in some cases has been advantageous for CFS is Graded Exercise Therapy (GET).

GET usually starts at very low doses and is progressed quite gradually. This approach necessitates that the patients establish a ‘threshold’ of exercise that they can reliably complete without crashing, after which increases in the duration and then intensity of exercise are made.

Daily Activities For CFS Patients

When you’re in a relapse, it may be difficult to get through even simple morning routines, such as a shower. Plan to allow extra time for tasks which are hard for you.

When you feel well again, you might want to try to do as much as you can while you have the energy. Don’t try it. If you push yourself far too hard, you could crash later. Doing this cycle again can drive you right back into a relapse.

You’ll need to learn to balance everyday activities with rest, even when you’re in remission.

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What To Eat If You Have CFS

Watching what you eat can assist you with managing your symptoms. Steer clear of any foods or chemicals that you are sensitive to.

A diet that is rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, steering clear saturated fats and refined carbohydrates — for example the Mediterranean Diet — is reported by many individuals with CFS to be useful. Eat a number of small meals during the day. For instance, three meals and three snacks may help keep energy levels up.

Smaller meals may also help control nausea, which sometimes happens with CFS. To assist with controlling energy levels, it’s also a good idea to avoid these things:

  • Sugar,
  • Sweeteners,
  • Alcohol, and
  • Caffeine

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about exercising with chronic conditions? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How Can Resistance Training Help You To Sleep Better? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-resistance-training-help-you-to-sleep-better/ Wed, 09 Mar 2022 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=28002 People who suffer from sleep issues may want to get off the treadmill and give the rest of the gym a chance. Resistance training — using equipment such as weight machines, free weights or cables — may be better at generating quality sleep as opposed to aerobic exercise. Experts say that resistance training results in...

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People who suffer from sleep issues may want to get off the treadmill and give the rest of the gym a chance. Resistance training — using equipment such as weight machines, free weights or cables — may be better at generating quality sleep as opposed to aerobic exercise. Experts say that resistance training results in post-workout fatigue and muscle recovery which can promote better sleep.

In addition, as a nice secondary benefit, better sleep is important for good cardiovascular health. It is increasingly recognised that getting enough sleep, particularly high quality sleep, is very important for health, including cardiovascular health.

How To Use Resistance Training To Improve Sleep

Resistance training that concentrates on exercise types, frequency, intensity, and the proper number of reps and sets that is intended to build muscular strength. However, traditional resistance training isn’t the only way to get a better night’s sleep. Exercise which improves muscular endurance. In addition, hypertrophy can give similar results.

Resistance training concentrates on building muscular endurance as opposed to pure strength. However, don’t let that fool you. Reformer, as well as megaformer Pilates, resistance band exercises, free weights, cable machines, particular kinds of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) , and Barre, are all types of resistance training which will challenge you – big time!

If this sounds right up your alley, begin by including in two to three days of total body resistance training routines to begin getting a better night of rest. You’ll want to select the correct amount of resistance where you can do 12 to 15 reps with the last two or three of them feeling challenging. This will make sure that you are kept in the muscular endurance range.

Resistance Training Timing And Sleep

Do you know what is the best time of day to exercise for sleep? Well, the findings are quite inconclusive as it can be dependent on your natural circadian rhythm. If you’re naturally night owl, you would probably benefit from later evening workouts. But, if you’re an early bird, working out in the morning is your best bet to get to bed at a decent hour. What is the rule of thumb? Avoid any vigorous exercise at least 90 minutes before you go to bed.

Getting sufficient sleep is a very important part of being healthy and fit. If you aren’t getting the suggested seven to eight hours per night, your workouts, waistline, cognitive performance, mood as well as muscle growth potential can all be impacted.

Including strength training to your workouts is a phenomenal way to make sure you’re staying on top of your fitness and – in addition – meeting your sleep goals. If you need some additional guidance, motivation or – alternatively – some new inspiration, head on over to your favourite fitness app or personal trainer to check out all of our effective and fun strength workouts.

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Do you want to learn more about resistance training? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How To Exercise With Fibromyalgia? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-with-fibromyalgia-read-this-article/ Mon, 07 Mar 2022 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27950 Exercise is one of the most crucial treatments for fibromyalgia. Regular exercise is responsible for strengthening your muscles, increasing blood flow to the muscles and increasing your endurance. In addition, it may lower the risk of tiny injuries to the muscles which may cause more pain. Exercise may also assist you with sleeping better and...

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Exercise is one of the most crucial treatments for fibromyalgia. Regular exercise is responsible for strengthening your muscles, increasing blood flow to the muscles and increasing your endurance. In addition, it may lower the risk of tiny injuries to the muscles which may cause more pain. Exercise may also assist you with sleeping better and improving your overall sense of well-being.

Mild to moderate exercise is applicable for most people with this condition. A balanced exercise programme should include:

  • Low-impact aerobic exercise, for example walking, swimming, biking, or water aerobics. This is the most useful type of exercise for people who have fibromyalgia as it builds general strength as well as endurance.
  • Stretching exercises, which can assist with relaxing tight muscles and easing spasms.
  • Strengthening exercises to build stronger muscles.

Moderate activity is safe for most people. However it’s always good to talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise programme.

Exercise Should Lower Pain

Will exercise make you hurt more? Some muscle soreness is quite common after exercising in the beginning. However ultimately exercise should relieve fibromyalgia pain, not exacerbate it. Try these tips:

  • Start off small and build slowly.
  • Massage or apply heat to sore muscles prior to exercise and then apply cold after.

Take It Slowly

When you are ready to start an exercise programme, start slowly. Adopting a small-steps approach to beginning an exercise plan can assist. Add activity in small doses, daily if you can. Then build up your activity gradually over time.

For instance, if you walked for 10 minutes today, try out 11 minutes — a 10% increase — a week later. This approach is particularly important for avoiding a phenomenon called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Many individuals with fibromyalgia have this problem.

When they feel a lot less pain or more energy, they may attempt to get things done that they have not been able to do owing to symptoms. Frequently, they don’t realise when they are doing too much at once. They may wind up feeling so tired that it takes days or longer to recover. This is PEM, which is better known to people with fibromyalgia as a “crash.” A gradual approach to exercise can help.

How Are You Able Manage Post-Workout Flare-Ups?

When it comes down to exercise and fibromyalgia, the goal is to begin gradually and move towards moderate intensity.

Exercise which is too intense for the person, or (done) for too long, exacerbates pain. That’s why you need to start slow and low which is the best approach to take for success. As little as five minutes every day can impact pain in a very positive way:

  • Perform water exercises,
  • Walk on an elliptical machine, or
  • Go to a gentle yoga class.

For the best results, exercise daily for short periods (15 minutes at a time).

If you’re too sick to walk, start with conditioning (and even walking) in a warm-water pool. This can assist you with getting to the point where you are able to walk outside.

Individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from orthostatic intolerance. This means that when they stand up, the blood rushes to their legs and then stays there. This can be assisted dramatically by increasing water and salt intake as well as by utilising medium pressure (20 – 30 mmHg) compression stockings when they’re up and about. In these situations, utilising a recumbent bicycle can also be very useful for exercising.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about exercising properly? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Are Some Of The Best Strength Training Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-some-of-the-best-strength-training-exercises/ Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27944 When it comes to strength training exercises for beginners, it’s very important to know that you don’t need to do anything complicated to get strong. All it takes are some basic moves, consistency as well as patience. When you first begin strength training exercises, the exercises can feel difficult which may have you scrambling over...

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When it comes to strength training exercises for beginners, it’s very important to know that you don’t need to do anything complicated to get strong. All it takes are some basic moves, consistency as well as patience.

When you first begin strength training exercises, the exercises can feel difficult which may have you scrambling over your feet to figure out how to build muscle very quickly so that your workouts don’t feel like punishment. After all, if every movement is a struggle, it may be challenging to motivate yourself to even start a strength training workout routine, let alone give it a solid effort.

The key to putting together an effective and pleasant strength-training routine is beginning with a solid foundation of exercises that work each and every part of your body. If you concentrate mostly on this handful of staple moves, you’ll notice that they’ll begin to feel easier with time.

That’s you getting stronger. And once that takes place, you can start progressing the moves by utilising heavier or different weights, trying advanced variations, or experimenting with completely new exercises altogether.

So what are the best training exercises out there? Here are our top picks.

The Best Strength Training Exercises

Bodyweight Squat

You squat every single time you sit or stand however don’t take this exercise for granted. It works your legs and your glutes, which are the most influential muscle group in the body.

Performed incorrectly, squats may be hard on your knees. As you squat, make sure that you keep your butt pushed out as if you are about to sit on a chair. Utilise the muscles in your hips and thighs in order to push yourself up. Don’t press your knees forwards as you move. If you’re doing it correctly, your knees will move only during the first half of the squat; your hips will finish the movement.

Add some plyometric motion to a squat by jumping from the lowest position back into your starting stance.

Lunges

Utilising the same muscles as the squat, the lunge replicates a primary movement pattern. Whenever you walk up and down stairs, up and down hills or even if you’ve just simply walked you’ve utilised a version of the lunge.

As with squats, there is a version of the lunge which is suitable for many clients, restricted depth supported lunges for beginners and full depth lunges that are loaded with dumbbells or barbells for more advanced clients.  Lunges can be used in order to help burn calories and firm or tone muscles. Alternatively, they are a great exercise to build strength and size in the lower body.

One point with lunges although – as they are ultimately squats being performed on one leg you should be very careful about adding too much load too soon with your clients.  Because the majority of the clients weight goes through one leg during the lunge, rather than both legs with the squat, there is much more loading with a lunge than with an equivalently loaded squat.

Deadlift

Deadlifts are considered as one of the best exercises to train the backside of your body, namely your glutes as well as your hamstrings. And as you’re working from a very stable base, you can really load up the weight on these strength training exercises. There are a variety of deadlifts, like the Romanian (where you lower your weight as you hip hinge), traditional barbell (where you pull your weight from the floor), and sumo (which has a wider stance and your toes which are pointing out at about a 45-degree angle.)

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How To Exercise For Your Body Type? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-for-your-body-type-read-this-article/ Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27940 Do you experience trouble losing body fat, however seem to gain it after even the tiniest slip up with your diet? Or does it feel as if you can eat for days without gaining a kilogram? It could have a little bit to do with your body type. But is it really that straightforward? Each...

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Do you experience trouble losing body fat, however seem to gain it after even the tiniest slip up with your diet? Or does it feel as if you can eat for days without gaining a kilogram? It could have a little bit to do with your body type. But is it really that straightforward?

Each one of us has a genetic and physiological design which determine our body type, or somatotype.  Different body types have different answers to certain fitness programmes. So it may be that you or the men and women you see at the gym are doing the correct exercises the right way — but they’re optimal for someone else’s body type, not yours.

It’s a common mistake. It can be easily remedied by correctly identifying your body type — if you’re an ectomorph, a mesomorph, or an endomorph — then determining how to challenge your body with the right regimen.

What Are The Three Main Body Types?

The three fundamental human body types are the:

  • Endomorph,
  • Mesomorph, as well as
  • Ectomorph.

These categories were created in the 1940s by psychologist William Herbert Sheldon. And while some facets of Sheldon’s system have been debunked, modern research has confirmed that body type does indeed have implications for athletic performance.

Regardless of what it may feel like at times, you’re not totally bound to one category or the other! Research has demonstrated that both diet and training can influence your somatotype so allowing you to change the script over time.

Here is an explanation of the various body types.

Endomorphic

  • Sturdier bone structures with larger midsection and hips.
  • Carries more fat throughout the entire body.
  • Gains fat quickly and loses it slowly.
  • Naturally slow metabolism potentially owing to chronic conditions (e.g., thyroid deficiency, diabetes) but too often the result of a sedentary lifestyle as well as chronically-positive daily energy balance.

When it comes down to training as an endomorph, HIIT training is recommended. When training endomorphs, the main concentration should be on fat loss. Endomorphs usually have slower metabolisms, so consistent anaerobic and aerobic training routines will assist them increase their metabolism. Workouts with short rest periods, such as Tabata, and circuit training incorporating plyometrics for resistance work are great for these body types.

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Mesomorphic

  • Medium bone structure with their shoulders wider than the hips.
  • Developed athletic musculature.
  • Efficient metabolism; mass gain and loss both take place with relative ease.

Mesomorphs have it a tad bit easier than the rest. Most have an affective and functioning metabolism as well as a rock-solid foundation of muscle to start with. So when it comes down to training mesomorphs, most of it will come down to their goals in mind. So really, they could train in any way they see fit.

Ectomorphic

  • Narrower shoulders and hips in respect to height.
  • Relatively smaller muscles in relation to bone length.
  • Naturally fast metabolism makes it challenging for many to gain mass.
  • Potentially indicative of disordered eating (e.g., anorexia, bulimia) when BMI is ≤17.

When it comes down to fuelling and exercising as an ectomorph, Evans recommends resistance and strength training.

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How To Start Weight Training? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-start-weight-training-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27925 If your goal is developing more muscle mass or attaining a fitter, more toned body, lifting weights can assist you with achieving your goals. Weight training, which is also known as resistance or strength training, is responsible for building lean, stronger muscles, strengthening your bones and joints, and can help with keeping your metabolism in...

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If your goal is developing more muscle mass or attaining a fitter, more toned body, lifting weights can assist you with achieving your goals.

Weight training, which is also known as resistance or strength training, is responsible for building lean, stronger muscles, strengthening your bones and joints, and can help with keeping your metabolism in a healthy state. This means that you’ll burn more calories even when you’re resting.

And the advantages of lifting weights aren’t just for young people. Weight training as we get older can help with fighting the loss of muscle mass and mobility, as well as improving psychological well-being.

Weight Lifting For Beginners May Sound Like An Oxymoron To Some People

After everything, if you’re new to the weight room, the whole concept of picking up and putting down heavy things while displaying perfect form seems like a pretty advanced level of physical fitness. How do you learn to utilise a squat rack? And how are you really supposed to know if the weight you’re picking up is too light, far too heavy, or just right?

If your goal is to eventually deadlift your bodyweight, knock out 20 push-ups in a row, or merely to get stronger in ways which will help with everyday life (think about carrying groceries up the stairs, picking up your toddler, or putting luggage into your car—all without strains or muscle pulls), strength training can assist with that.

Your First Day At The Gym

Just getting to the gym is a great start. You need to begin your first workout with a warm-up that consists of 10 minutes of walking or jogging or – alternatively – other aerobic exercise.

Loosen up your body with a few very light exercises at first, then select a weight which is heavier and that starts to feel somewhat heavier as your muscles tire. Weights are not needed for crunches. Rest for at least 2 minutes between the exercises.

Get some instruction if you need it. Don’t over-train at this stage otherwise you will be sore. Do one set of 8–10 repetitions of each of the following exercises:

  • Leg press or barbell squat,
  • Pulldown,
  • Dumbbell arm curl,
  • Triceps pushdown,
  • Fitball crunch,
  • Incline or full bench press, and
  • Deadlift

Safety Tips For Beginning Weight Lifters

It’s important to concentrate on safety when you begin a weight training routine. Pay close attention to your body and also resist the urge to push yourself far too quickly.

To stay safe while weight training, keep in mind that you need to:

  • Wear proper clothing for weight lifting, such as closed-toe shoes and weight lifting gloves if required.
  • Do each exercise slowly, paying close attention to proper form.
  • Use a spotter to assist you with heavier lifts, particularly those that go above your head.
  • Remain hydrated throughout your workout.
  • Inhale before your lift and breathe out during the lift. Never hold your breath when you‘re working out weights.

Immediately stop your workout if you feel a sharp or stabbing pain. If the pain doesn’t dissipate when you finish your workout, seek medical attention. If you have a health condition, speak with your doctor about a weight training and exercise programme that’s safe for you.

In order for you to make the most of your weight training routine, begin with lighter weights until you master the proper weight lifting form. Then increase the weight or resistance slowly so that you avoid injury. Make sure to work all your muscle groups for optimal strength as well as fitness.

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What Are The Best Exercises To Prevent Lower Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-to-prevent-lower-back-pain/ Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27915 Performing exercises in order to strengthen the lower back can assist with alleviating and preventing lower back pain. These exercises may also strengthen the core, leg, and arm muscles. You might feel like resting, however moving is good for your back. These muscles assist with supporting your spine, relieving back pain. Always ask your health-care...

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Performing exercises in order to strengthen the lower back can assist with alleviating and preventing lower back pain. These exercises may also strengthen the core, leg, and arm muscles.

You might feel like resting, however moving is good for your back. These muscles assist with supporting your spine, relieving back pain. Always ask your health-care professional prior to doing any exercise for lower back pain

Avoid workouts which put far too much stress and strain on the back. So which exercises should you choose?

Bridges

The bridge exercise work a person’s gluteus maximus. This is the large muscle which is situated in the buttocks. Individuals engage this muscle when they move their hips, particularly when they bend into a squat.

The gluteus maximus is one of the most important muscles in the body and keeping it strong can help support the lower back.

Partial Crunches

Some exercises may aggravate back pain and should be avoided when you have acute lower back pain. Partial crunches can assist with strengthening your back and stomach muscles. Lie with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground.

Cross your arms over your torso or put your hands behind your neck. Tighten your stomach muscles and then raise your shoulders off the floor.  Breathe out as you lift your shoulders. Don’t lead with your elbows or utilise arms to pull your neck off the floor. Hold for one second, then slowly lower back down.

Repeat between 8 and 12 times. Correct form avoids unnecessary stress on your low back. Your feet, tailbone as well as lower back should remain in contact with the mat at all times.

Hamstring Stretches

Hamstring stretches relieve pain on the back of your leg, where some of the muscles which support the work done your lower spine are to be found.

To do a hamstring stretch, follow these steps:

  • Firstly, you need to lie on your back with one of your knees bent.
  • After this, thread a towel beneath the ball of the foot on your unbent leg.
  • Pull back on the towel gradually, straightening your knee. You should be feeling a gentle stretch along the back of your leg.
  • Maintain the stretch for at least 15-30 seconds.
  • For each leg, repeat five times.

Lower Back Rotational Stretches

The lower back rotational stretch can assist relieve tension in the lower back as well as your trunk. In addition, it gently works the core muscles in order to improve stability.

To do the lower back rotational stretch:

  • Roll out an exercise mat and lie on your back with your knees bent. Your feet really should be firmly on the ground.
  • Keeping your shoulders on the floor, roll both bent knees gently over to one side.
  • Hold the position for between 5 and 10 seconds.
  • Go back to the starting position.
  • Gently roll your bent knees over onto the opposite side, hold, and then go back to the starting position.
  • Do this again between two and three times on each side twice a day.

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How To Apply Sports Psychology Techniques In Your Daily Life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-apply-sports-psychology-techniques-in-your-daily-life/ Mon, 28 Feb 2022 02:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27904 The reality of life today is that a lot of our time is being impinged and demanded upon in ways which were not the case a few decades ago. The amount of technology which has infiltrated our daily existence is massive. Much of it is amazing technology. Phones, iPad, watches and apps for almost any...

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The reality of life today is that a lot of our time is being impinged and demanded upon in ways which were not the case a few decades ago. The amount of technology which has infiltrated our daily existence is massive. Much of it is amazing technology.

Phones, iPad, watches and apps for almost any occasion; measuring nearly anything we wish to measure. Sleep, breathing, running, walking, heart rate as well as blood pressure …. and the list goes on and on. This is fantastic and very useful stuff however it is also very distracting and over stimulating to our minds and bodies.

Elite sports is an arena where technological advances have significantly impacted the way in which sport is trained as well as played. GPS tracking devices that are strapped on or sown into players jerseys, multiple camera recordings and microphone access all now play a crucial part in what players are exposed to. Social media is a massive part of all games and is also another level of access that players and teams have to contend with and remain on top of.

So how do top level athletes manage through all of this? By using sports psychology principles and techniques.

So, if these principles help elite athletes, can they also be used in your daily life? The answer is yes.

Sports Psychology Techniques For Non-Sportsmen

Reflection

Honesty is very important for reflection. The sportsperson needs to identify – as well as capture -strengths and weaknesses to control their performance. Via creating a list and scoring (out of 10) where an athlete is now and where they want to get to it is possible to focus mental energy and direct training, development, and growth. Having a good understanding of what has to be improved makes it possible to increase the perception of control and begin creating motivating, action-focused goals.

Utilise Emotion To Increase Motivation

Sports psychologists find that emotional mostly influences motivation. Athletes are the most motivated in order to practice when there is a high-stakes championship coming up. The emotional push from wanting to win assists (at least in the short-term) to motivate them to work harder. Non-athletes can utilise this to help them, too. Thinking about how it will feel to accomplish a goal can encourage a person work harder.

Focus On What You Can Control

You just have control over yourself, your own actions and attitudes — nothing more. Make sure that you keep your focus here. If you concentrate on outcomes (things you have no control over), you’re creating anxiety that isn’t necessary. Focus on the process and you then increase the likelihood of positive results taking place.

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Develop Discipline

For long-term training programmes, athletes work best when they develop a disciplined training schedule. The most significant aspects of discipline are consistency and practice. Off the field, people are better able to attain their fitness, health, and other goals through developing a set of habits and then sticking to them.

Use Cue Words

Cue words are simple words and phrases which remind you of your focus points. Repeating words and phrases – such as relax, play hard, or quick feet – will remind you to concentrate on what you need to do. If your mind is concentrated on your cue words, your body will follow suit.

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What Are The Dimensions Of Wellness? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-dimensions-of-wellness-read-this-article/ Thu, 24 Feb 2022 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27884 The term ‘wellness’ is defined as the pursuit of continuous growth and balance in the different dimensions of wellness. A lot of people think about “wellness” in terms of physical health only. The word evokes thoughts of nutrition, exercise, weight management and blood pressure. Wellness, however, is about a lot more than physical health. Wellness...

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The term ‘wellness’ is defined as the pursuit of continuous growth and balance in the different dimensions of wellness. A lot of people think about “wellness” in terms of physical health only.

The word evokes thoughts of nutrition, exercise, weight management and blood pressure. Wellness, however, is about a lot more than physical health. Wellness is a full combination of physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is a complex interaction which leads to quality of life.

Each dimension of wellness contributes to our own sense quality of life. Each affects and overlaps with the others. At times one might be more prominent than others however neglect of any one dimension for any length of time has harmful effects on overall health.

Spiritual Dimension Of Wellness

The spiritual dimension of wellness recognises one’s search for meaning – as well as purpose – in human existence. It encompasses the development of a deep appreciation for the depth in addition to the expanse of life and natural forces which exist in the universe. Spiritual wellness is the ability to create peace and harmony in our lives.

It includes a high degree of faith, hope and commitment to our individual beliefs which offer a sense of meaning and intention in human existence. It is far better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be understanding of the beliefs of others as opposed to close our minds and become intolerant. Becoming spiritually well means striving for consistency with our values and beliefs.

Physical Dimension Of Wellness

This dimension of wellness focuses on practising healthy daily habits. It is crucial to building strength, flexibility and endurance. In order to help prevent disease as well as add quality years to your life. Experts advise a complete wellness approach, for instance,  integrating exercise, nutritious foods, personal safety in addition to moderation of alcohol consumption. When it comes down to exercise, everyone is different.

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Emotional Dimension Of Wellness

Emotional wellness is a dynamic state which fluctuates frequently with the other dimensions of wellness. Being emotionally well is frequently defined as possessing the ability to feel as well as express human emotions, for example happiness, sadness and anger. It means having the capability to love and be loved and attaining a sense of fulfilment in life. Emotional wellness includes optimism, self-esteem, self-acceptance and the ability to share feelings.

Career Dimension Of Wellness

The career dimension of wellness recognises personal satisfaction and enrichment in life which is attained through work. It is the ability to achieve personal fulfilment from jobs or selected career fields while still preserving balance in life. Occupational development is connected with attitudes about work. The desire to contribute to a career, in order to make a positive impact on the organisations which one works in and to society as a whole leads to career wellness.

It is very important that you contribute the unique gifts, skills, and talents to work which are both personally meaningful and rewarding so that you can gain purpose, happiness, and enrichment in life. Achieving optimal career wellness gives one the opportunity to maintain a positive attitude and experience satisfaction and pleasure in employment.

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How To Mix Yoga And High Intensity Training To Get Fitter https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-mix-yoga-and-high-intensity-training-to-get-fitter/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27876 We all know that in order to be healthy we need to eat well and exercise. However, the best strategy for optimising our bodies is still up for debate with the health philosophies of yogis being frequently at odds with the traditional fitness community. In actual fact, there are many aspects of physical strength. Being...

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We all know that in order to be healthy we need to eat well and exercise. However, the best strategy for optimising our bodies is still up for debate with the health philosophies of yogis being frequently at odds with the traditional fitness community.

In actual fact, there are many aspects of physical strength. Being strong in one discipline doesn’t certainly translate to another. Perhaps you’ve mastered a hand-stand but become short of breath a couple kilometres into your run, or you can squat many kilograms but can’t hold a tree pose. Total body fitness is a mixture of strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and power. In an ideal world, we should aim for a balance in all these facets of physical health.

The perfect fitness regimen will look differently for everybody depending on your goals however a mix of high intensity training, cardio and a dedicated yoga practice can benefit just about anybody. Plus it’s good to switch up your workouts so that all the different muscle groups get worked but not burnt out.

Why Is Yoga Good For You?

Slow movements – as well as deep breathing – increase blood flow and warm up muscles, while holding a pose can build strength.

Yoga is as good as fundamental stretching for lowering pain levels and improving mobility in individuals with lower back pain. It is recommended that yoga is done as a first-line treatment for chronic lower back pain.

Gentle yoga has been demonstrated to ease some of the discomfort of tender, swollen joints for people with arthritis.

What Is High Intensity Training Good For You?

High-intensity interval training (or HIIT for short) involves short and intense workouts. You’ll give a series of exercises your full effort for short bursts of between 30 and 60 seconds. After this, you’ll follow it up with an even briefer period of rest. While exercising with this kind of maximum effort is difficult, it does absolute wonders for your health.

It’s exercise after exercise with a minimal amount of rest. This gives your entire body, particularly your heart and core, a fantastic workout.

While you’re performing a HIIT workout, you’re burning around the same number of calories as you would during a normal workout like running. However, you burn more calories after you do a HIIT workout than you do during a steady-state cardio exercise such as running, where your heart rate stays relatively stable.

The phenomenon of burning calories after you stop exercising is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). EPOC takes place when your body burns more calories healing the wear-and-tear from an intense workout. It’s common with HIIT workouts as the exercise is so intense, and it has been linked with effective muscle growth.

As HIIT burns more calories because of EPOC, it can be a more convenient way to assist you with you losing weight, since you don’t have to spend as much time working out.

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How The Biology Of Muscles Changes As We Get Older https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-the-biology-of-muscles-changes-as-we-get-older/ Mon, 21 Feb 2022 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27833 As one gets older, the mass of skeletal muscle diminishes throughout the body.  The muscles atrophy which results in a decreased number of muscle fibres as well as a decrease in the size of the remaining fibres.  As skeletal muscles are postmitotic they are not able to reproduce to produce new fibres.  As a result...

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As one gets older, the mass of skeletal muscle diminishes throughout the body.  The muscles atrophy which results in a decreased number of muscle fibres as well as a decrease in the size of the remaining fibres.  As skeletal muscles are postmitotic they are not able to reproduce to produce new fibres.  As a result the fibres are switched out with fat tissue.

The muscle fibre loss has been reported to be as high as 30% between the ages of 30 and 80 years.  Correct nutrition and exercise may slow the loss muscle cells; however heredity also seems to be a factor.

Together with the loss of skeletal muscle mass comes the loss of skeletal muscle strength.  For most individuals there is only a 10 to 20% reduction in strength up to the age of 70.  After the age of 70 the reduction in strength may increase to 50%. More severe muscle loss (which is called sarcopenia, which literally means loss of flesh) is as a result of disease or extreme inactivity and not from ageing alone.

What Is Muscle Decline Caused By?

Some of the reduction is caused by physical inactivity as well as decreasing levels of growth hormone and testosterone, which are responsible for stimulating muscle development. In addition, muscles are not able to contract as quickly because more fast-contracting (fast-twitch) muscle fibres are lost as opposed to slow-contracting (slow-twitch) muscle fibres.

Most older people retain sufficient muscle mass and strength for all required tasks. A lot of older people remain strong athletes. They compete in sports and enjoy vigorous physical activity. But, even the fittest notice some decline as they age.

What Age-Related Changes Take Place In Muscle?

Muscle drops size and strength as we age, which can contribute to fatigue, weakness as well as reduced tolerance to exercise. This is as a result of a number of factors working in combination. These include:

  • Muscle fibres reducing in number and shrinking in size.
  • Muscle tissue is replaced more slowly. Lost muscle tissue is substituted with a tough, fibrous tissue.
  • Alterations to the nervous system cause muscles to have diminished tone and ability to contract.

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What Is Sarcopenia?

Sarcopenia is a condition that is characterised through loss of skeletal muscle mass and function.

Symptoms of sarcopenia may include weakness and loss of stamina. This can interfere with physical activity. Reduced activity shrinks muscle mass further. Although sarcopenia is demonstrated mostly in people who are not active, the fact that it also is seen in people who stay physically active suggests that there are other factors in its development. Researchers are of the belief that these include:

  • Reduction in nerve cells which are responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles to begin movement
  • Lower concentrations of some hormones in addition to growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor
  • A reduction in the ability to turn protein into energy
  • Not getting sufficient calories or protein each day in order to sustain muscle mass

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Is Strength Training Or Cardio Better For Your Heart Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-strength-training-or-cardio-better-for-your-heart-health/ Wed, 16 Feb 2022 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27819 When it comes down to heart health, cardiovascular exercises are always preferred over strength training. Cardio training is a form of aerobic exercise during which our body utilises more oxygen as our heart rate increases. This helps to increase your lung capacity as well as strengthen the heart muscles. Strength training is considered to be...

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When it comes down to heart health, cardiovascular exercises are always preferred over strength training. Cardio training is a form of aerobic exercise during which our body utilises more oxygen as our heart rate increases. This helps to increase your lung capacity as well as strengthen the heart muscles. Strength training is considered to be more about strengthening bones and muscles. Individuals trying to get a toned body or bulk up frequently try weight lifting.

However, a survey of 4 000 adults showed that static activity, for example strength training, had stronger links to lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases as opposed to dynamic activity, such as walking and cycling. The researchers note, however, that any amount of either type of exercise brings benefits, and that it’s probably better to do both than increasing either.

Both strength training and aerobic activity seemed to be heart healthy, even in small amounts, at the population level. While static activity looked to be more beneficial than dynamic. Those study participants who engaged in both types of activity fared better as opposed to those who just upped the amount of only one kind.

What Are The Other Advantages Of Cardio?

Brain And Joints

Cardio exercise may benefit brain and joint health. Physical exercise may reduce dementia risk, no matter what age you are. Other benefits include the following:

  • Increases blood flow and lowers the chances of stroke.
  • Improves memory as well as thinking ability.
  • Combats decline in brain functioning that happens with age.
  • Helps protect against developing Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Fights osteoporosis and lowers chances for a hip fracture.
  • Helps with managing arthritis discomfort and maintains joint range of motion.

Pancreas, Lungs And Blood

Your pancreas is the organ which  helps with converting the food you eat for energy while also – at the same time – helping aid in digestion. Remaining active improves blood sugar control, decreases stress on this vital organ and also reduces your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. It also assists with improving good cholesterol levels while lowering blood fats.

Also, your lungs are positively affected by physical activity. Cardio helps decrease how often you have to breathe as exercise ability improves and can lead to reductions in fatigue as well as shortness of breath in chronic lung problems.

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What Are The Other Benefits Of Strength Training?

Burns Calories Efficiently

Strength training assists with boosting your metabolism in two different ways:

  • First, building muscle boosts your metabolic rate. Muscles are more metabolically efficient as opposed to fat mass. This gives you the opportunity to burn more calories when you’re at rest.
  • Secondly, research shows that your metabolic rate is increased up to 72 hours subsequent to strength-training exercise. This means that you’re still burning additional number of calories hours and even days after you’ve exercised.

Can Help You Appear Leaner

As you build more muscle and then lose fat as a consequence, you will appear leaner.

This is as muscle is denser than fat. This means that it takes up less space on your body kilogram for kilogram. Therefore, you may lose centimetres off of your waist even if you don’t see a change in the number on the scale.

In addition, losing body fat as well as building stronger and larger muscles showcases more muscle definition so creating a stronger and leaner appearance

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How Can Pilates Help With Multiple Sclerosis? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-can-pilates-help-with-multiple-sclerosis-read-this-article/ Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27810 Movement is very good for everyone. Doing both aerobic and strength training exercises often can help to reduce your risk for chronic diseases for example type 2 diabetes, obesity, some kinds of cancer, and heart disease. Also movement helps to strengthen your bones and muscles. Pilates is a kind of activity which is especially helpful...

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Movement is very good for everyone. Doing both aerobic and strength training exercises often can help to reduce your risk for chronic diseases for example type 2 diabetes, obesity, some kinds of cancer, and heart disease. Also movement helps to strengthen your bones and muscles. Pilates is a kind of activity which is especially helpful for individuals who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The programme’s focus on stability and core muscle strength is fantastic for improving balance and movement. In addition, Pilates helps to reduce fatigue, a common symptom of MS.

How Could Pilates Help With MS Symptoms?

Pilates has a number of different benefits for MS. It can assist with:

  • Strengthening the muscles that support the joints,
  • Improving balance, strength, stability, and flexibility,
  • Increasing awareness of body position,
  • Improving walking distance,
  • Enhancing overall well-being and quality of life,
  • Reducing pain and fatigue,
  • Lowering the risk of falling, and
  • Improving memory and other cognitive symptoms.

Which Pilates Exercises Are Best For MS Patients?

Seated Toe Lifts

  • Sit down in your chair with your feet flat on the ground. Find tall alignment through your spine. Think about the crown of your head reaching up towards the sky and your tailbone pointing behind you just so slightly. Drop your shoulders away from your ears. Lift your collarbones.
  • Position your feet hip-distance apart with all 10 of your toes down on the floor. On an inhale, keep your heels are weighted down and lift your toes off the floor. As you lift, spread your toes apart, creating as much space as possible between the toes. Hold your toes up for a moment or two, then exhale and lower them back down again.
  • If you’re dealing with a drop foot, wrap a theraband or scarf around the ball of your foot and pull upwards in order to mimic the motion.
  • Either you can work both feet at the same time or one foot then the other. Either way, you need to do 10 sets on each foot.

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Leg Lifts

  • Safely lower yourself back down onto your back. Ensure that your knees are in a bent position and your feet are flat on the floor. Relax your arms down by your sides. Grab hold of the sides of your mat for stability. Alternatively, lay your hands on your tummy so you can feel it working.
  • Take a deep breath in. On your exhale, lift one of your legs up into tabletop. Breathe in to lower it back down, then switch legs. As you go, concentrate on the stabilising leg, the one which remains on the floor. Press your big toe of that foot down. Feel your inner thighs engage in order to keep you steady as the other leg floats up light as a feather. Perform 10 sets total, taking breaks when you require them.

Step, Lean & Look

  • Turn so that your right hand is pressed against the wall. Stand up nice and tall with your shoulders over your hips.
  • Ensure that you keep your right foot anchored as you step your left foot forwards. Make sure that you keep both feet steady. Look over your left shoulder for a period of eight counts.
  • Return your gaze to centre. Look over your right shoulder for a period of counts. Return to centre and then bring your left foot back to meet your right. Repeat stepping your right leg forward.

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How to Make Exercise an Unbreakable Habit? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-make-exercise-an-unbreakable-habit-find-out-more/ Mon, 14 Feb 2022 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27803 Including exercise into your everyday routine is a common resolution which entrepreneurs make and quickly abandon months after beginning. Exercise enhances mental health, increases productivity and has countless physical benefits. However, creating a new habit is difficult. A lot of business owners and entrepreneurs won’t stick to their new workout plan as soon as their...

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Including exercise into your everyday routine is a common resolution which entrepreneurs make and quickly abandon months after beginning. Exercise enhances mental health, increases productivity and has countless physical benefits. However, creating a new habit is difficult. A lot of business owners and entrepreneurs won’t stick to their new workout plan as soon as their lives get “busy”.

The most challenging part of exercising regularly is forming exercise as a lasting habit. Once you determine a habit, exercise will become second nature or even an activity that you look forward to each day. Here are some tips to assist with creating an exercise routine you can carry with you beyond just the early stages.

Only Take Part in Exercises You Actually Enjoy

Do you force yourself to run when you actually hate running? Do you dread every moment of sweating through hot yoga? Release yourself from the burden of doing exercises you don’t enjoy! With so many different kinds of workouts at your fingertips, it’s really not necessary to force yourself into the ones which you can’t stand.

Exercise really does need to be an act of self-love. There’s absolutely nothing loving about self-torture! Experiment with various kinds of workouts until you find the one which suits you best.

You can begin by looking at some options such as:

  • HIIT,
  • Yoga,
  • Dance, or
  • Strength training.

Put Your Exercise Training Schedule On Your Calendar

Rather than picking an activity which they don’t enjoy doing, the other thing that keeps individuals from regularly exercising is not blocking out the time for it on their calendar. For these people, exercise is one of those things which they’ll get to but only if they have time for it. However, of course, they never do, as something else always comes up.

If you want to have time to exercise, you need to make time for it. The best way that you can do this is to put your workouts on your calendar and then treat them like doctor’s appointments. Just as you’d tell someone that you were busy if they would like to do something at the same time you were slated to see a doctor, you’re going to tell people that you’re already booked when they ask you to do something that clashes with your workout “appointment”.

Set Realistic Expectations

As with any new practice, it’s always a great idea to begin small. Start with manageable and achievable tasks. The burst of resolve which you get when you begin off your new exercise habit can fade with time, so don’t depend on that to fuel your resolution beyond the first number of weeks.

Some exercise is always far better than no exercise, so remember this on days when you feel like giving up. Maybe just taking a short walk is good enough for that day. At least you went outside and also got some fresh air as well as movement.

Although it’s very important to stick to an exercise plan, don’t beat yourself up if you go off track for a day or two. Consistency is key, as long as you get back to the gym after a busy (or lazy) week, you have nothing which you need to lose sleep over. Defining manageable expectations and then showing yourself forgiveness when you fall short will make it more probable that your fitness routine will last in the long run.

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What Are The Best Exercises For Hip Arthritis? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-hip-arthritis-read-this-article/ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27797 The term ‘osteoarthritis’ refers to a degenerative disease which is caused when cartilage breaks down. This lets the bones to rub together, which may result in bone spurs, stiffness as well as pain. If you happen to be suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip, pain may prevent you from doing any exercises. A lack of...

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The term ‘osteoarthritis’ refers to a degenerative disease which is caused when cartilage breaks down. This lets the bones to rub together, which may result in bone spurs, stiffness as well as pain. If you happen to be suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip, pain may prevent you from doing any exercises. A lack of exercise could even contribute to osteoarthritis as well as muscle atrophy. Regular physical activity can assist with strengthening muscles, improving balance and making your hip joints far more stable.

In addition to regular exercise, you are able to increase your movements while doing regular day-to-day activities. Adding a moderate amount of activity each and every single day can improve your general health and well-being.

Factors such as your holistic health and your age will assist with determining which exercises are best for you. Before starting a new exercise routine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Alternatively, ask them to recommend a physical therapist.

Here are a number of exercises which will soothe any pain associated with hip arthritis.

Knee Lift

  • Lie on your back, extending both of your legs flat along the floor.
  • Make sure that you keep your left leg straight and pull your right knee up towards your chest.
  • Gently place both of your hands on the top of your knee to assist pull it in towards your chest.
  • Keep hold of the stretch for a period of 10 seconds.
  • Let go of the knee and then gently lower the leg back toward the floor.
  • Do this exercise again between five and 10 times on each knee.

Pelvic Tilt

This exercise encompasses a very slight internal movement which isolates and strengthens your core in addition to pelvic floor muscles:

  • Lie down flat on the floor with your knees bent, your feet placed on the floor parallel to each other and then your arms at your sides.
  • Tighten your lower abdominal muscles, sinking your abdomen downward toward your spine without using your buttock or leg muscles to help you. Your pelvis will tilt slightly during this movement while your low back presses against the floor.
  • Maintain this position for approximately five seconds, then relax your muscles.
  • Do 2 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.

Hip Extension

  • Using the back of a chair in order to balance yourself while standing.
  • Bend forward slightly and then lift your right leg straight behind you as your tighten your buttocks.
  • Raise your leg as high as you are able to without bending your knee or – alternatively – arching your back.
  • After holding the position briefly, lower your leg slowly.
  • Repeat this motion with your left leg and try to complete this four to six times on each side.

External Hip Rotation

  • Sit on the floor with both of your legs out in front of you.
  • Bend your legs at the knees and then press the soles of the feet together.
  • Put a hand on top of each knee and then gently push them both down toward the floor.
  • Apply pressure to the knees until there is a stretch however do not push them further than is comfortable.
  • Maintain the stretch for 10 seconds. After this, relax.
  • Repeat the stretch between five and 10 times.

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Which Calf Exercises Will Help You Run Faster? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-calf-exercises-will-help-you-run-faster-read-this-article/ Thu, 10 Feb 2022 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27794 For runners, the hamstrings, quads as well as the core get most of the attention. While your calf muscles aren’t as large as the other muscle groups, these lower leg muscles play a significant role in developing speed, enhancing your form and helping you stay injury free. Which Muscles Make Up The Calf Muscle Group?...

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For runners, the hamstrings, quads as well as the core get most of the attention. While your calf muscles aren’t as large as the other muscle groups, these lower leg muscles play a significant role in developing speed, enhancing your form and helping you stay injury free.

Which Muscles Make Up The Calf Muscle Group?

The calf muscles are made up of the gastrocnemius and soleus. Collectively, these two muscles are responsible for pushing off during the toe phase of your foot strike, propelling you up and forward. How strong these muscles are plays a significant role in the pace you are able to maintain over long distances as well as how long or short your stride is.

Through developing these muscles, you are able to improve your power on hills, maintain a quicker cadence for improved running form as well as boost your speed by improving the efficiency of your stride.

Conversely, when these muscles are weak or tight, more stress is placed on the Achilles, leading to injuries like tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, calf strains and even hip and hamstring injuries due to poor form or associated changes in your normal running mechanics.

Toe Jumps

  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
  • Rise onto the balls of your feet.
  • Keeping knees stiff (however not locked), quickly hop up and then down again. Perform 3 sets of 20 jumps.

If you would like to make this move more advanced:

  • Stand on your right leg with your left leg bent behind you.
  • Hop on your right leg.
  • Perform five jumps and switch legs for one set.
  • Perform three sets.

Skipping

As you stay on your toes, skipping is an excellent way to build sport-specific muscular endurance in your calf muscles. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it — if you really do want to get better at skipping, you have to practice:

  • Begin by keeping both feet together. Make sure that you stay on your toes as you jump.
  • As you get better and are able to do it for a number of minutes try switching feet so that you jump over the rope with only one foot at a time. This can closely resemble the running motion.

Double-Leg Box Jumps

  • Stand with feet hip-distance apart and rise to the balls of your feet.
  • Jump clockwise in a box shape. First about a foot forward and then to the right, then backward, then to the left.
  • Repeat five times.
  • Reverse the 0direction and repeat for one set. Do three sets.

Dumbbell Tip-Toe Walk

Adding weight assists with building power, which helps sustain proper form during long runs:

  • Take hold of a pair of kettlebells or dumbbells by your side.
  • Walk for between 40 and 60 seconds on your toes (heels off the ground), keeping your back straight, shoulders back as well as your head up.
  • Rest for one minute and repeat 3–4 times. Increase weight as necessary.

Lunges With Calf Raises

  • Stand with feet hip-distance apart.
  • Step forward with your right leg and then lower into a lunge.
  • Lift and lower your right heel for between 10 and 12 reps, keeping your spine straight and weight over your big toe.
  • Push off your front foot in order to return to standing. Switch legs and repeat for one set. Do three or four sets.

There’s nothing which can deter even the most disciplined training plan and running goals more than an injury that may have been prevented. Resolving those injuries comprises far more than drinking enough water in addition to light stretching.

Make sure that you listen to your body. Invest the necessary time into proper stretching, ice baths as well as strength training activities. It may not be the most enjoyable period of your training routine – but it’s worth it! Your whole body and personal records will thrive as a consequence!

Don’t wait for an injury to begin doing these calf exercises for runners. Make calf-strengthening a priority—not an afterthought.

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How To Do Proper Burpees? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-a-proper-burpees/ Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27780 Burpees have a reputation for a very good reason. They’re one of the most effective as well as extremely-challenging exercises out there. In addition, fitness buffs everywhere just love to hate them. The burpee exercise is basically the combination of a squat thrust in addition to a squat jump and often a push-up. There are...

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Burpees have a reputation for a very good reason. They’re one of the most effective as well as extremely-challenging exercises out there. In addition, fitness buffs everywhere just love to hate them.

The burpee exercise is basically the combination of a squat thrust in addition to a squat jump and often a push-up. There are various ways to perform burpees. Some fitness professionals coach burpees with a push-up or – alternatively – a cue to drop your body all the way down to the ground whereas other trainers coach burpees with just a jump back to a plank.

Irrespective of exactly how you perform the exercise, burpees turn your body into the best piece of workout equipment ever, training almost every single muscle in your body – including your shoulders, chest, abs, quads, inner thighs, butt as well as and triceps – and sending your heart rate through the roof for phenomenal calorie-burning, muscle-building benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Burpees?

Here’s a quick look at the top advantages that burpees offer:

  • Builds strength in your upper body as well as your lower body,
  • Boosts endurance,
  • Increases your heart rate,
  • Burns calories,
  • Works most of the main groups of muscle in your body,
  • Revs up your metabolism, and
  • Improves cardiovascular capacity.

How To Perform A Burpee With Correct Form

  • Begin in a squat position with your knees bent, with your back straight, and your feet about shoulder-distance apart.
  • Lower down your hands to the ground in front of you so that they’re just inside your feet.
  • With your weight being placed on your hands, kick your feet back so that you’re on your hands and toes as well as in a push-up stance.
  • Making sure that you keep your body straight from head to heels, perform one push-up. Keep in mind that you must not to let your back sag or – alternatively – to stick your butt in the air.
  • Do a frog kick through jumping your feet back to their beginning position.
  • Stand and then reach your arms over your head.
  • Jump into the air quickly so that you land back where you began.
  • As soon as you land, making sure that you have your knees bent, ensure that you get into a squat position and perform another repetition.

Maintain Your Jump Efficiency

When you’re performing burpees, think about getting off the ground as efficiently as you can. Note that we didn’t say quickly. If you concentrate only on quickness, however you’re not hitting efficient positions, you will leak and waste energy. As a default, you won’t get up as quickly as you would like to. And if you’re wasting a tonne of energy on each rep, it’ll slow you down and tire you out faster as you pile up reps and work time.

Ensure That You Keep A Wide Base

Always think about ‘feet wide’ when performing burpees and at least shoulder-distance apart at all times. Basically, you want your feet always at a width from which you are able to jump. So when you drop your torso to the floor, and you’re in that plank, they are wide. And when you leap your feet back towards your hands, they’re wide, as well. Do this, and when it’s time to jump, you won’t have to waste any time getting into the best position to jump as you’re already there.

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What Are The Benefits Of Increasing Your Cardio? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-increasing-your-cardio/ Mon, 07 Feb 2022 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27759 Aerobic exercise, which is also known as cardio exercise, is any activity that gets your blood pumping as well as large muscle groups working. This type of exercise also known as cardiovascular activity. Examples of aerobic exercise include the following: Brisk walking, Swimming, Heavy cleaning or gardening, Running, Cycling, as well as Playing soccer. Exercise...

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Aerobic exercise, which is also known as cardio exercise, is any activity that gets your blood pumping as well as large muscle groups working. This type of exercise also known as cardiovascular activity. Examples of aerobic exercise include the following:

  • Brisk walking,
  • Swimming,
  • Heavy cleaning or gardening,
  • Running,
  • Cycling, as well as
  • Playing soccer.

Exercise experts make the recommendation that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or, alternatively, 75 minutes of vigorous activity each and every single week. Brisk walking or swimming are great examples of moderate activity. Running or cycling are good examples of vigorous activity.

When part of an holistic heart-healthy lifestyle, not only can regular cardio exercise lead to an increase in your resting blood pressure as well as heart rate, however these basic changes can also mean your heart doesn’t have to work unnecessarily hard all of the time.

Here are some of the very significant benefits of increasing your cardio exercise.

Cardio Is Great For Weight Loss

One of the major reasons why people adopt a cardio exercising routine is as it can help you lose weight. Cardio is a fantastic exercise for those looking to slim down because it assists you with burning fat and losing calories. While diet is far more involved in weight loss, you will want to work cardio into your routine so that you can further advance your goal to shed a few kilograms. This is because cardio can burn hundreds of calories in a session.

Gets Your Blood Pumping

Getting your cardio in regularly can improve heart health through lowering cholesterol levels and lowering your risk of heart disease. How? Just as doing a biceps curl trains your arm muscles, cardio exercise challenges your heart. This assist blood to move more efficiently throughout your body and strengthens your heart.

Assists With Regulating Blood Sugar

Regular cardio helps regulate insulin levels and lower blood sugar, all while making sure that body weight is kept in check. In a study of people with type 2 diabetes, researchers made the finding that any form of movement, either aerobic or anaerobic, could have these effects.

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Cardio Is Great For Mental Health

As cardio exercise releases endorphins, another advantage is that it just makes you feel good afterward. Cardio exercise is a healthy way to combat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or, alternatively, stress. Many individuals have coined the feeling one feels after physical conditioning as a ‘runners high’.

Apart from the endorphins, as you are performing cardio, you are challenging yourself mentally. There are bound to be many times during your workout when you feel like you may quit.

Pushing through a challenging workout and ultimately finishing gives you a great sense of accomplishment and leads to a natural “high” you may experience afterward. When you get into the routine of doing cardio exercise, you will begin to feel better about yourself overall and also improve your confidence.

Cardio Exercise Helps With Improving Your Sleep

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that tiring yourself out on the treadmill can make sleep much better. According to lots of research, just a little bit of exercise can assist you with sleeping better at night. While older adults may benefit the most, science suggests that everyone will probably fall asleep quicker with a little extra cardio.

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How To Get A Full-Body Workout Without Using Any Equipment https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-get-a-full-body-workout-without-using-any-equipment/ Fri, 04 Feb 2022 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27751 Strength training at the gym or taking part in a class at a fitness studio is great however sometimes you just want to get in your workout at home—or on holiday, or on a work trip, or wherever you happen to be. While the majority of us don’t have round-the-clock access to a full gym...

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Strength training at the gym or taking part in a class at a fitness studio is great however sometimes you just want to get in your workout at home—or on holiday, or on a work trip, or wherever you happen to be.

While the majority of us don’t have round-the-clock access to a full gym that is stocked with weights as well as machines, the truth is that you actually are able to work your entire body without using these.

Of course, exercise equipment can assist and is great for progressing and changing up a workout programme. However if you want to just get moving and do some strength and cardio work wherever you are, that’s completely doable with a bodyweight workout.

What are the Benefits of a Full Body Workout Without Weights?

Convenience

When you train with bodyweight exercises, you need to spend time getting dressed, driving to the gym, warming up, speaking with others, working out, waiting for a piece of equipment, showering, and after all this then driving home.

With a body weight exercise, you have everything you need with you at all times. This means that you can work out whenever and wherever you want, wearing whatever you want as well!

While some may see training without weights as a drawback, it can actually be very liberating and super convenient!

Builds Muscle And Torches Fat

Another phenomenal benefit of bodyweight training is that it assists with building muscle and burning fat at the same time. So that you are able to benefit the absolute most out of training without weights, you really need to figure out ways in which you are able to push your muscles to failure without having to do hundreds and hundreds of reps.

One of the simplest ways to do this is to do bodyweight circuits and/or decrease the rest periods that you have between sets.

When you do this, you increase your metabolism while also challenging your muscles with exercises which promote strength and muscle development.

Bodyweight Exercises Are Ideal for ALL Fitness Levels

Many people avoid going to the gym as they fear that they don’t “look” the part, they are not experienced with weight lifting, and/or they don’t know the best way of structuring a workout. As a result, they will be missing out on all the advantages which resistance-training has to offer.

Workouts without weights at home can be done by anyone and everyone, irrespective of their experience level. What we are essentially saying by this is that bodyweight workouts may be scaled up or down in difficulty and complexity dependent on your own individual skill and strength levels.

Here are a number of different bodyweight exercises that you can try out at home.

Reverse Lunges

Reverse assist with strengthening your thighs and hips. They’re straightforward and target each leg individually for more balance as well as stability:

  • Stand with your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Take a long step backwards — so your knees form two 90-degree angles at the bottom — and then pull yourself back up with your forward leg.
  • Begin without dumbbells and advance to dumbbells or a barbell in either the back squat or front squat position.

Squats

  • Stand up tall with your feet approximately shoulder-width apart and slightly turned out with your weight sitting in your heels.
  • Hinge your hips in order to sit your butt back and bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  • Ensure that you drive through your heels as you return to your standing position. Squeeze your butt and keep your core tight as you return to your standing position.

Push-Ups

This is the best bodyweight movement for your upper body. This is because it builds a strong chest, shoulders, arms as well as abs.

  • Get in a push-up position with your hands approximately shoulder-distance apart.
  • Keep your lower back flat and don’t allow your hips sag.
  • Lower yourself and keep your elbows close to your body as you lower yourself down.

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How Should You Exercise For Better Balance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-should-you-exercise-for-better-balance/ Wed, 02 Feb 2022 05:00:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27720 Although it may not cross your mind, you really do need good balance to do just about everything. This includes walking, getting out of a chair as well as even leaning over to tie your shoes. Strong muscles and having the ability to keep yourself steady make all the difference in those and many other...

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Although it may not cross your mind, you really do need good balance to do just about everything. This includes walking, getting out of a chair as well as even leaning over to tie your shoes. Strong muscles and having the ability to keep yourself steady make all the difference in those and many other things which you do every single day.

Balance training is all about doing exercises which strengthen the muscles that assist with keeping you upright, for example your legs and core. These types of may improve stability and assist with preventing falls.

Doing balance exercises can be quite intense, like some very taxing yoga poses. Others are as straightforward as standing on one leg for a few seconds. Or – alternatively – you can utilise equipment that forces your body to stabilize itself, such as a Bosu half-circle stability ball or a balance board you use along with a video game.

Balance Exercises Are Great For Bodily Awareness

Having to focus mentally during these kinds of exercises impacts your ability to have a mind-body connection in your workouts.

The best way to utilise these balance-based moves is to choose a few to include into your warm-up. Warming up with exercises such as this is a great way to activate your core as well as mentally prepare you for the exercise regime to come, since balance requires a significant amount of mental focus.

No matter your workout level or goals, including balancing exercises into each of your workouts or warm-up routines is ideal for a holistic and balanced fitness regimen.

How Balance Exercises Work

Balancing exercises will be working your core muscles, lower back as well as legs. Also, lower-body strength-training exercises can help to improve your balance.

While balancing exercises may be quite difficult at times, consistent effort will make these exercises simpler. Slowly increase the number of repetitions as the exercises become far easier. You may ask someone to supervise or help you, particularly when you’re first getting started.

You can alter the exercises to increase or decrease the difficulty or change it for your needs. Begin on your nondominant side so that you find the second side easier. You can do your nondominant side twice if you would like to balance out your body between both sides. When you become comfortable with the exercises, try to do them with one or both eyes closed.

Sumo Squat With Outer Thigh Pulse

  • Begin in a broad stance with your feet turned out at 45 degrees.
  • Start at your knees and hips to lower into a sumo squat. Make sure that you keep your torso upright.
  • As you stand up straight, extend one leg and the opposite arm. Hold this position and pulse your leg up 2 to 3 centimetres three times.
  • Put your leg back down to your starting position and repeat.
  • Alternate sides for 12 repetitions.

This exercise will strengthen your lower body and force your core to engage while improving your balance. To make this move harder, hold an exercise weight or a medicine ball using the arm that isn’t extended.

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One-Legged Stand

  • Begin by holding yourself steady on the back of a chair or another sturdy handhold.
  • Lift one of your feet to about calf level and hold for 10 seconds.
  • Repeat between 10 and 15 times.
  • Then switch to the other leg.

Over time, as your balance gets better, you may be able to hold this position with your hands free.

Flamingo Stand

  • Stand on your left leg. Make sure that right leg is lifted.
  • Utilise a chair or wall for support as you stretch your right leg forwards.
  • Maintain good posture through keeping your spine, neck, and head in one line.
  • In order to increase the difficulty, extend your hand to reach for your right foot.
  • Hold for up to 15 seconds.
  • Then do the opposite side.

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What Is A Superset? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-superset/ Tue, 01 Feb 2022 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27683 The concept of a superset is to do two exercises back to back. This is followed by a short rest (however not always). This essentially doubles the amount of work you are doing, while keeping the recovery periods the same as they are when you finish individual exercises. Supersets are a fantastic way to maximise...

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The concept of a superset is to do two exercises back to back. This is followed by a short rest (however not always). This essentially doubles the amount of work you are doing, while keeping the recovery periods the same as they are when you finish individual exercises.

Supersets are a fantastic way to maximise your time in the gym. They can efficiently double the amount of work which you do during your workout. Alternatively, you can complete your workout in half the time if you’re a time-pressed person.

What Are The Benefits Of Supersets?

Supersets can be utilised as a way to perform more exercises in a specific length of time. While your muscles are recovering from a set, you are doing another exercise as opposed to than taking a break.

You are able to go back to the first exercise to perform another set and continue with that pattern until you require a break for a drink or – alternatively – recovery.

Supersets put an emphasis on stamina as well as ability, as the lack of a break between sets can be extremely challenging.

What Are The Different Types of Superset Workouts?

For your straightforward gym-goer, calling these things the broad term of “supersets” will do the job. However if you truly want to know what you’re talking about (as well as impress everyone in the weight room), learn the various types of superset workouts and how they can assist you to achieve even more strength gains.

If you go by the very-specific definition, a real superset (antagonist superset) is when you’re doing two exercises which target opposing muscles groups. Think about a biceps curl and a triceps extension. The main benefit of adding these to your workout is that your muscles will recover quicker in between sets. When one group of muscles is being contracted, its functional opposite will relax so reducing the requirement of a break or rest time between exercises.

Then there’s also the compound set (agonist superset) where both exercises work the same muscle groups. Think: a push-up and a dumbbell bench press. These babies are the ones that will target one zone and get it burning, stat.

They’re particularly helpful for adding intensity and volume to a workout in addition to focusing on specific muscle groups and is the most demanding type of superset. Some personal trainers even argue that you shouldn’t call these superset workouts at all — merely compound sets.

As well there are also unrelated supersets, which is where the two exercises utilise totally different muscles groups. Think about lunges and biceps curls. The maim advantage of this kind of superset is that there is no lowering of strength in going from one type of exercise to the other kind of workout. You will be able to hammer out quality reps of both without feeling super fatigued.

What Does A Full Body Superset Workout Look Like?

A full-body superset workout; concentrating on larger compound movements, and concentrating on a lower body/upper body set-up could look something like this:

  • Superset No. 1. Back squats and dumbbell chest press.
  • Superset No. 2. Lunges and bent over row.
  • Superset No. 3. Romanian deadlifts and military press.
  • Superset No. 4. Leg press and tricep dips.

This is an extremely effective but challenging superset workout. So ensure that you’re comfortable performing each exercise and then adjust the weight depending on how challenging you find each set as you go through the workout. The key is to keep the rest periods short so that your heart works harder.

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Do You Know What The Different Features Are Of Flexibility And Mobility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/do-you-know-what-the-different-features-are-of-flexibility-and-mobility/ Thu, 27 Jan 2022 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27635 If you take a walk through any gym’s stretching area you’ll see that most everyone uses the words “flexibility” and “mobility” to mean the same thing. The thought is that if you stretch enough, you’ll stay limber, mobile and always ready to move. What Is Mobility? Mobility is dynamic or active. For example, if you...

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If you take a walk through any gym’s stretching area you’ll see that most everyone uses the words “flexibility” and “mobility” to mean the same thing. The thought is that if you stretch enough, you’ll stay limber, mobile and always ready to move.

What Is Mobility?

Mobility is dynamic or active. For example, if you talk about mobility you’re referring to the ability to get your thumb to exactly the same spot on your wrist without the assistance of the other hand.

Prior to a workout, a focus on improving mobility will increase the ability of your nervous system to activate those muscles for movement. Mobility is responsible for improving the contraction of the muscle fibres by the nerves which activate them while – at the same time – lengthening the muscles as well as the surrounding connective tissues, in other words, the fascia. This intensifies the blood flow to the affected muscles, boosts joint range of motion, and ironically, decreases tension! Mobility training encompasses the entire body moving as one unit, enhancing coordination for precise and controlled movement.

Mobility is a massive part of taking care of our entire system of movement. Fitness and working out can be an exercise culture, but we should be thinking of it more as a culture of movement. A common assumption is that if we just exercise or work out, we will automatically have the ability to move better. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. Performing specific exercises repeatedly will most likely improve just those exercises. This improvement will typically not generalise to your whole system, and no single exercise can represent the full spectrum of human movement.

What Is Flexibility?

The term ‘flexibility describes the range of motion that is available to a person. Flexibility is passive and it comes down to the ability of the muscle to stretch.

For instance, you may have the ability to touch your toes while sitting on the ground in a forward fold (that’s your flexibility). You require the flexibility to get into particular positions, such as a deep squat.

How Do Flexibility And Mobility Work Hand In Hand?

In order to have sufficient joint mobility, muscle flexibility is crucial. After all, your hamstrings do need to stretch in order for you to touch your toes. However, there is a misconception that a lack of mobility is merely due to muscular flexibility limitations or – alternatively – a muscle losing natural length. A person can have superb flexibility however still have poor mobility.

That’s owing to the fact that muscle flexibility is only one of many factors in how a particular joint moves. The primary determiner of how a particular joint moves is its structure, in other words the shape of its bones, how they meet as well as how the joint’s ligaments and tendons connect to those bones. Do an X-ray and no two people’s joints are the exactly the same. That’s OK. Every person is built with a different ranges of motion that are available to them.

However, when someone does not have the ability to access that range of motion, that’s a problem. And, interestingly, for most individuals who have trouble performing certain movements – like touching their toes – isn’t due to poor flexibility.

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How To Exercise Smarter And Not Harder? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-smarter-and-not-harder-read-this-article/ Tue, 25 Jan 2022 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27560 Although you may want to go all in to your workout, remember that you need to find the correct training pace, frequency and exercises that won’t overexert your body and mind but will instead help you achieve your short and long-term fitness goals. So, where do you go from here? What can you do to...

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Although you may want to go all in to your workout, remember that you need to find the correct training pace, frequency and exercises that won’t overexert your body and mind but will instead help you achieve your short and long-term fitness goals. So, where do you go from here? What can you do to ensure you exercise smarter and not harder?

Mix Your Exercise Routine Up

You may think that your exercise regimen is rock solid however the truth is that mixing up your gym routine is very important in order to tone your body evenly and stay safe while exercising. Performing the same movements day after day can over-develop certain muscles, while not engaging others in your body. Having muscle groups which are uneven in strength can lead to compensation, muscle strain or – alternatively – injury, so make sure that you focus on staying well rounded.

If you adore lifting weights, try adding some yoga into your workout routine to stay limber. If you love cycling, add some upper body strength training into your schedule.

Go Into Your Exercise Routine With A Plan And Stick To It

Knowing precisely what exercises, sets and reps you’ll be performing when you get into the gym will give you focus in addition to an endpoint. Aimlessly utilising every single machine is sight until you’re exhausted will not get you very far. Following a well-designed training programme will.

Perfect Your Technique

Anything which is worth your time and your effort is worth doing well, particularly when it involves movement. Imagine a tennis player swinging off-balance or a weightlifter doing squats with bad form. The more athletes continue to repeat these poor techniques, eventually over time, they are bound to develop an injury. To nail down the technique, be patient, study the technique, and practice, practice, practice!

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Focus On Workouts That Make You Happy

Different people like to work out in different ways. Don’t pay attention to everything you read online. Squats are not the only way in which you can build your leg muscles. If you don’t like them or if they bother your knees or back, don’t do them.

Focus on the specific exercises that we feel give us the best results while also boosting our mood. Maybe weight lifting isn’t your thing and you’d rather do yoga or go on a long distance run. Everyone has different interests, aesthetic goals, and time boundaries. It all works as long as you’re moving your body and pushing yourself.

Fuel Up

Your nutrition is one of the absolute most important parts of attaining your fitness goals. It’s very important to eat well before and after your workouts so that you can reap the benefits of your hard work. By eating the correct things at the correct times, you’ll fuel your body and assist with providing yourself with the energy you require before a workout. By eating the correct things after a workout, you’ll also assist your body with repairing your muscles and recover.

Listen Carefully To Your Body

Your pre-planned workout routine should never take precedence over what your body is trying to tell you. Learning to exercise smarter means taking time off from the gym even when we initially planned on working out. Spend that time stretching instead of overexerting yourself. Your body will continually tell you what it needs as long as you’re willing to listen. When you’re tired, rest. When you’re hungry, eat. Give yourself grace and practice self-love, and don’t over-complicate the simple things.

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What Is LISS Cardio? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-liss-cardio/ Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27546 LISS, which is otherwise known as ‘Low Intensity Steady State’ training, involves exercises such as walking, hiking or cycling. It is one of those things which you’ve probably heard in passing however you’re still not quite able to put your finger on. You know it’s really good for you, but you’re not sure why, or...

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LISS, which is otherwise known as ‘Low Intensity Steady State’ training, involves exercises such as walking, hiking or cycling. It is one of those things which you’ve probably heard in passing however you’re still not quite able to put your finger on. You know it’s really good for you, but you’re not sure why, or how to really reap the rewards. If you’re in the 59% of individuals who make a New Year’s resolution to exercise more, although, then this is one mode of training it pays to be conscious of.

LISS Cardio Is The Opposite Of HIIT

LISS cardio is the total opposite of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT involves varying short bursts of intense exercise with low-intensity periods of recovery. With HIIT, your heart rate is usually at 80 to 95% of your maximum heart rate for the high-intensity intervals and between 40 and 50% for the low-intensity intervals.

As we said before, LISS is most often linked to running, cycling, brisk walking, swimming as well as other cardio activities which necessitate longer sessions of low-intensity exercise. Exercise professionals point out that while steady-state training is a very effective way to burn calories as well as train your aerobic system, it also necessitates more time in order to see results.

Some individuals say that HIIT is a far better form of training as opposed to steady-state cardio. However, while both styles have advantages and disadvantages, one doesn’t seem to be better overall than the other.

What Are The Benefits Of LISS Cardio?

As with other types of exercise, LISS cardio has a number of health benefits, such as improved blood flow, lowered stress, lower risk of heart disease as well as improved brain function.

Here are some other advantages of LISS cardio:

  • It assists in fat burning and fat loss. Steady-state training boosts your body’s ability to utilise fat as fuel rather than using glycogen stored in your muscles. Also, continuous aerobic exercise is more effective as opposed to HIIT at enhancing fat distribution.
  • LISS cardio is appropriate for all levels. Since LISS is simpler to do and gentler on the body, this type of training is appropriate for beginners. Intermediate to advanced fitness levels often utilise it as part of an endurance training programme.
  • It allows for easier recovery. As you’re putting less stress on your heart and body, you might find you recover more quickly and easily from LISS.
  • LISS cardio is an effective way to train for endurance events. Performing exercise at a lower intensity for a long period of time places less stress on your heart and lungs as opposed to a more-intense workout. This can be an efficient way to prepare for an endurance event.
  • It’s also phenomenal for recovery after a challenging workout. You can utilise LISS as a recovery session the day after a high-intensity workout.

LISS Cardio Improves Mood

There’s a lot of evidence regarding how mental health has an affect on physical health and vice versa. Sustained exercise is responsible for stimulating the release of the neurotransmitters which regulate and improve our mood, including dopamine and serotonin. This is confirmed by published research which revealed moderate intensity aerobic exercise had a large and substantial antidepressant effect in people with depression, demonstrating the mental health benefits of exercise.

Here are some ideas of how to incorporate LISS cardio into your workout routine:

  • Cycle at a very gentle speed on flat terrain for between 30 and 60 minutes.
  • Utilise a rowing machine at a steady stroke rate as well as intensity for a set time over 30 minutes.
  • Swim for 60 minutes utilising breast stroke.
  • Jog at 5km/hr for 45 minutes.
  • Walk at 3km/hr for 60 minutes – that’s almost 100 steps per minute.

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The Best Strength Training Workouts For You To Achieve Your Fitness Goals https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-strength-training-workouts-for-you-to-achieve-your-fitness-goals/ Fri, 21 Jan 2022 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27532 The important thing to figuring out which strength training workouts will best help you attain your fitness goals is to consider what you want your end-result to be. What particular results are you looking for? If your fitness goal is ultimately to lose weight, your strength training workout regimen will look quite different as opposed...

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The important thing to figuring out which strength training workouts will best help you attain your fitness goals is to consider what you want your end-result to be. What particular results are you looking for?

If your fitness goal is ultimately to lose weight, your strength training workout regimen will look quite different as opposed to the fitness plan of someone who wants to bulk up.

A fitness goal necessitates planning. Make sure that it’s attainable and that you have a clear vision on how to achieve it. They can become habits you work toward every day. Whether you’re ready to take on your first marathon or want to achieve your first handstand, there are many ways to attain your target and even go beyond.

Squat

One of the absolute purest tests of strength, the squat incorporates almost all the muscles in your legs as well as your core. The bodyweight squat is a phenomenal way to nail down your form. Once your form is solid, you will be able to add weight by holding a dumbbell in each of your hands or a bar in front of your shoulders (front squat), resting a barbell on your back (back squat) or- alternatively – holding a weight on your chest (goblet squat).

Here’s how to perform this strength training workout:

  • Stand up tall with your feet just wider than hip-distance apart.
  • Lower your hips into a squat position as you bend your knees and make sure that you keep your back flat.
  • Continue with lowering yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  • Push into the ground through your heels to go back to your starting position. That’s one rep.
  • Make sure that you maintain your heels in a flat position and knees aligned with your second toe so that they don’t cave in.

Reverse Lunge

  • Begin by standing with feet hip-width apart, your arms by your sides with a dumbbell in each of your hands.
  • Exercising control, step your right foot back and lower down until both legs so that they form 90-degree angles with your back knee is floating a couple of centimetres off the ground.
  • Reverse the movement in order to return to start. That’s one rep. Complete 15 on each side to complete a full set.

Deadlift

Deadlifts are considered to be hands-down one of the best exercises in order to train the backside of your body, in other words your glutes and hamstrings. And as you’re working from a stable base, you are really able to load up the weight on these. There are various different kinds of deadlifts, such as the Romanian, traditional barbell (where you pull the weight up from the floor), and sumo (with a wider stance and your toes pointing out.)

Proper form is crucial to protecting your lower back. This means that it’s a good idea to practise this with a lighter weight, and in front of a mirror, until you feel happy with the exercise.

Remember that you need to lift with your legs and not with your back. (That’s true for pretty much every exercise however particularly with the deadlift.) If you don’t have access to a barbell, you can utilise a pair of heavy dumbbells or even a loop resistance band.

Here’s how to perform this strength training workout:

  • Stand up tall and make sure that your feet hip-distance apar. Keep your knees bent slightly and arms relaxed by the front of your quads, with a dumbbell in each of your hands. This is the beginning position.
  • Hinge forward at your hips. Bend your knees somewhat as you push your buttocks way back. Keeping your back flat, gradually lower the weight along your shins. Your torso should be virtually parallel to the ground.
  • Ensuring that you keep your core engaged, push through your heels in order to stand up straight and go back to the starting position. Makes sure that you keep the weight close to your shins as you pull.
  • Pause momentarily at the top and squeeze your butt. That’s one rep.

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What Are Nordic Hamstring Curls? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-nordic-hamstring-curls/ Wed, 19 Jan 2022 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27512 The Nordic hamstring curl, which is also known as the Nordic ham curl as well as the inverse leg curl, is a lower body exercise which uses your bodyweight in order to activate your hamstring muscles. Perform Nordic hamstring curls by starting in a kneeling position with your ankles secured. Gently lower your body down...

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The Nordic hamstring curl, which is also known as the Nordic ham curl as well as the inverse leg curl, is a lower body exercise which uses your bodyweight in order to activate your hamstring muscles. Perform Nordic hamstring curls by starting in a kneeling position with your ankles secured. Gently lower your body down towards the floor. Catch yourself with your hands before squeezing your hamstrings to lift your bodyweight again.

What Are The Muscles That Nordic Hamstring Curls Target?

Clearly, the Nordic Hamstring Curl tightens and tones hamstrings. However what is great about this movement is that it works the hamstrings very deep into the muscle tissue for ultimate power as well as strength.

The hamstring is essentially made up of three muscles. These work together in order to support the movement of your legs and also stabilise your joints. The Nordic Hamstring Curl works all of these hamstring muscles, together making the entire muscle group stronger.

Then, there are the other muscles which are worked as a consequence of this movement. Also, your inner thigh, or sartorius, can benefit big time from Nordic hamstring curls. In addition, you might feel it in your glutes as your bodyweight moves towards the ground.

Your upper body may even see some beneficial results from this exercise. Your biceps and triceps will be strengthened as they stabilise your weight and push your weight off the floor. Also, you will feel the burn in your pectorals and deltoids as your chest and shoulder muscles are activated. In general, this is a great exercise for multiple major muscle groups.

What Is The Nordic Ham Curl And The Glute-Ham Raise?

The Nordic hamstring curl is often called the poor man’s glute-ham raise. The two exercises have a tonne in common. They’re both bodyweight knee-flexion movements which hammer the hamstrings, the difference is that the glute-ham raise uses a device which puts the body in an optimal position that allows for a far more effective range of motion.

It’s sort of like the preacher curl as opposed to the old-fashioned bicep curl. While one is a little swankier and does a slightly better job, both of these exercises are great for building as well as strengthening the bicep.

The same goes for Nordic ham curls as well as glute-ham raise (GHR). Both are phenomenal for hamstrings and while the GHR is a tiny bit more effective, you should feel no qualms about performing them Nordic style if you don’t have a GHR chair. (And no, the glute ham raise isn’t all that great at strengthening the glutes — it’s largely a hamstring exercise, like the Nordic ham curl.)

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How to Exercise Safely and Prevent Injury

If you have a prior or pre-existing health condition, consult your doctor before starting an exercise programme. Proper exercise technique is very important in ensuring the safety as well as effectiveness of an exercise programme, however you may need to adapt each exercise in order to attain optimal results based on your unique needs. Always select a weight which allows you to have full control of your body during the movement. When doing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and immediately stop if you note pain or discomfort.

In order to see constant progress and build body strength, include proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise programme. Your results will eventually be based on your ability to recover adequately from your workouts. Rest up for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow for sufficient recovery.

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Do You Know What The Best Exercises Are For Arm Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-you-know-what-the-best-exercises-are-for-arm-strength/ Mon, 17 Jan 2022 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27465 ‌Working your arms out and shoulders is a sure fire way in order to get toned, attractive muscles in this part of your body. However, there are additional health reasons to consider include arm strength work to your exercise routine, particularly if you’re over 30. As you become older, your muscles start to lose mass....

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‌Working your arms out and shoulders is a sure fire way in order to get toned, attractive muscles in this part of your body. However, there are additional health reasons to consider include arm strength work to your exercise routine, particularly if you’re over 30.

As you become older, your muscles start to lose mass. This process is known as sarcopenia. After 30, you may lose as much as between 3% to 5% of muscle mass every 10 years. Strength training is responsible for building muscle mass to replace what you lose owing to the natural process of ageing.‌

Losing muscles mass in your upper body may result in weakness and loss of range of motion. Over the long term, you might find that you have trouble lifting daily objects, such as a bag of groceries or a suitcase.

As well, you may notice that you aren’t able to reach up or out as well anymore. Putting objects in a high cabinet might be more of a challenge than it was in the past. Even driving could be more difficult without adequate strength as well as flexibility in your arms and shoulders.‌

So, given the importance of upper body strength here are a number of exercises to develop arm strength.

Exercises to develop arm strength

Bicep Curl

Stand up tall with your feet being shoulder-distance apart. Hold a weight in each hand. Beginning with the weights by your thighs, palms facing forward, and elbows glued to your hips, lift the weights towards your shoulders. Release to start; that’s one rep. Repeat.

Arm Circles

This beginner exercise concentrate on the shoulder muscles. It isometrically strengthens the biceps as well as your triceps. You are able to make smaller or larger circles however make sure that you maintain tension down your arm during the full set.

To do arm circles:

  • Stand up tall and have your arms straight out to your sides. Your muscles need to be contracted down the length of your arm.
  • Gently make circles with your arms by rotating them around your shoulders while maintaining them straight and your elbows locked with tension.
  • Do three sets of between 10 to 20 repetitions in both directions. You can do sets of large or small diameter circles to slightly change the effort required.

Triceps Extension

This exercise targets the triceps in isolation while training strength and stability in your shoulders as well as your core.

You can do this move utilising either a TRX suspension system or resistance bands. If you’re utilising TRX, adjust the straps to mid-length so that the handles are between your hip and chest height:

  • Grab onto the TRX handles, with your palms facing down, and stand under the anchor point with your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Straighten your arms and then hold them parallel to the ground at chest height.
  • After this lean forward into the straps and move your weight onto your toes (your body should be leaning forward between 30 and 45 degrees).
  • This is the beginning position. From here, bend your elbows in order to lower your body as far as you are able to comfortably go.
  • Press your triceps in order to straighten your elbows and go back to the starting position for one repetition.
  • Make sure that you keep your shoulders still and your body in a straight line from heel to head throughout the movement in order to isolate the triceps.

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What Are The Best Exercises For Legs? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-legs-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 14 Jan 2022 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27455 Strong legs assist you with walking, jumping and balancing. In addition, they support your body and allow you to enjoy everyday activities. With so many choices of how to train your lower body, it’s no wonder that so many lifters feel overwhelmed and skip leg day entirely. However, if you want to tone your legs,...

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Strong legs assist you with walking, jumping and balancing. In addition, they support your body and allow you to enjoy everyday activities. With so many choices of how to train your lower body, it’s no wonder that so many lifters feel overwhelmed and skip leg day entirely. However, if you want to tone your legs, follow these exercises and tips.

Barbell Back Squat

Squats are king as they’re the most challenging leg movement which you can do. This is because they work all the lower-body musculature and have also been shown to spike muscle-building hormone release. In fact, squatting before performing curls has even been shown to significantly improve arm strength!

High bar or low bar? That’s your choice entirely and depends on your goals. High bar, where the bar rests on top of your traps, hits all the leg musculature fairly evenly. Low bar, which is a favourite of powerlifters, targets the glutes and gives you the opportunity to lift more weight. Not sure which? Choose the variation which allows you to squat deeper, more comfortably as well as without excessively rounding your back.

Skaters

If you’re a runner, you should absolutely be including skaters into your routine. This cardio exercise assists with strengthening your legs and knees as well as improving stability and balance.

In order to perform this exercise properly, stand with your feet hip-distance apart. After this, shift your weight onto one leg and use it in order to laterally jump toward the other side and land on the opposite foot. Visually, you’ll look like you’re skating. (Hence, the name.)

This move assists runners with staying quick and agile while also strengthening knee stability.

Lunges

Lunges work your thighs, buttocks and abs. This movement uses both legs at the same time, making it a fantastic exercise for strong legs.

Romanian Deadlift

With this exercise, you’ll build your glutes, hamstrings, and calves, in addition to mobility in your hips.

How to do the Romanian deadlift:

  • Grip a barbell or a dumbbell in each hand. Make sure that you keep your back straight and your gaze straight throughout the movement.
  • Start to hinge forward at your hips, lowering your weight toward the ground with a small bend in your knees. Let the weights closely follow the line of your legs and lower until you can feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
  • Pause, then drive your hips forward in order to stand up, letting your glutes power the movement.

Snatch And Power Clean

Movements such as snatches as well as power cleans take some serious dedication and technique in order to master however they can be unrivalled when you are trying to improve jumping power for sports or even squat strength.

While the rep series for these lifts aren’t normally in the “golden” range for hypertrophy, the large amount of muscle mass utilised and higher intensities may still boost testosterone release. If you’re only learning, there are plenty of progression lifts to assist you with getting to the full lifts.

Skipping

You don’t need an actual skipping rope to carry out this move. (However, if you have one, bring it out.) All you really need to do is a series of non-stop small jumps in place, laterally or vertically, moving your arms as if you’re swinging a rope beneath you with each and every single burst.

Not only does this exercise give your legs a serious burn, but it’ll also raise up your heart rate for a very healthy cardiovascular workout as well.

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How To Add Skipping To Your Workout Routine? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-add-skipping-to-your-workout-routine-read-this-article/ Thu, 13 Jan 2022 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27445 There are so many benefits of adding skipping to your workout. Firstly, you can buy a skipping rope for less than the cost of a cappuccino. Secondly, they’re very easy to use and skipping does wonders for your health. Last, but by no means least, you are able to take and use a skipping rope...

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There are so many benefits of adding skipping to your workout. Firstly, you can buy a skipping rope for less than the cost of a cappuccino. Secondly, they’re very easy to use and skipping does wonders for your health. Last, but by no means least, you are able to take and use a skipping rope literally anywhere – or nowhere, if you’d prefer to stay home.

It’s for this reason that everyone seemed to take up skipping during each national lockdown. It’s also why we’re not hanging up our rope anytime soon. From the benefits of skipping to how to skip and the best skipping workouts, here’s everything that you need to know.

What Are The Benefits Of Skipping?

Skipping is a wonderful method for training power, speed as well as endurance. This type of workout has key benefits for ankle, pelvic and knee stability.

Skipping is one of the most efficient out there. Include intervals – so, go as fast as you can for a set amount of time, then slow down for a particular period, before repeating – and skipping can also make for a very effective HIIT workout.

One of the most significant benefits of skipping is that it’s a total-body workout, combining your arms and shoulders so much as it does your legs. In addition, it gives poor posture a helping hand by urging you to pull your shoulders back as well as out of the hunched posture in which you often spend most of your day.

Do A Skipping Warm-Up

If you are lifting weights, running or – alternatively – doing yoga, a quick skipping session can be an effective warm-up activity. Even just a few minutes of skipping will get your heart rate up, blood flowing, and muscles fired up.

Do A Skipping Workout Finisher

Although skipping is a great warm-up activity, it’s also great workout finisher. Get your cardio in by skipping for a few rounds at the end of your workout.

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Include Skipping Into Your Strength Training

If you’re concentrating on weight training, including skipping into the cardio element of your current routine is a fun and effective way in order to build your endurance as well as burn calories in a shorter amount of time.

What You Need To Get Started With Skipping

There’s no “correct” type of shoe for skipping — comfort is key — however training shoes which are designed for CrossFit or HIIT that have ample cushioning to assist with absorbing the impact as your foot hits the ground have a tendency to work well.

Take your workout to an impact-friendly surface, in other words one with sufficient padding to assist with cushioning your joints. The suspended wood which is found in many decks is ideal. In addition, if you skip a lot, investing in a gym mat or rubber tiles to put over harsh surfaces such as cement or concrete can assist. A hardwood floor would be your next best option.

Even with the best intentions — and mats — which are available, jumping rope can still be incredibly noisy to those living below you, so if you do live in a flat, you might want to avoid skipping early in the morning or late in the evening (or take your workout outdoors, if you have the space).

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Do You Know How To Make Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions Stick? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-you-know-how-to-make-your-new-years-fitness-resolutions-stick/ Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27432 As any year comes to a close, millions of individuals all across the country are preparing themselves for the beginning of a new year. As has been the case for any years, people use the new year as an opportunity to begin fresh. Millions of New Year’s fitness resolutions are set with the hopes of...

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As any year comes to a close, millions of individuals all across the country are preparing themselves for the beginning of a new year. As has been the case for any years, people use the new year as an opportunity to begin fresh. Millions of New Year’s fitness resolutions are set with the hopes of improving a person’s life.

The beginning of any new year is the absolute best time to set new fitness goals for yourself. While putting fitness goals in place for yourself is commendable and will undoubtedly improve both your physical health including your mental health, it can be extremely difficult. That’s why so many individuals never follow through with them.

In this blog post, we have a closer look at how you can stay on track and complete your fitness goals.

Begin By Asking Yourself, “Why?”

A new year’s fitness resolution is seldom about fitness. It’s very important to ask yourself why this fitness resolution is quite important to you on a much deeper level:

  • What is your driving force?
  • What makes you jump right out of bed in the morning?
  • What keeps you up at night?
  • What’s motivating you to make a change?

Establish precisely what that something is and then use it to push yourself to keep going when you feel like giving up.

Set Short-Term And Long-Term Goals

Short-term fitness goals should be measured or tracked easily, such as monthly weight loss, strength gains or time gains. Establish reasonable and manageable timelines for each of these goals. For instance, lose 8 kilograms in four weeks, cut out all processed foods for a week, or drop your kilometre time from 10:00 to 9:30 in seven weeks.

Don’t plan your fitness goals on a whim. Sit down and do some tough thinking about what you would like to achieve in the immediate future. After this put a plan together which outlines what your everyday or weekly routines will be. If you are not sure of what “reasonable” as well as “manageable” mean for your targeted goals, perform some research, ask a fitness coach or personal trainer if you know one/work with one, or contact friends who have experienced a similar journey already.

As for long-term fitness goals, this is where you really need to think big. Working on your running this year? Sign up for that half marathon and decide what you want your targeted finish time to be. Attempting to lose weight? Set a total-kilograms-lost goal for the year (utilising your short-term goals to make sure that you are kept on track).

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Establish A Set Workout Schedule

Another vital aspect of sticking to your New Year’s fitness resolutions is putting together a set workout schedule. If at all possible, workout at exactly the same time as well as the same place every single day. This will help you put together a routine while also assisting you to form strong habits. Review your schedule and find a daily time where you can fit in exercise without interfering with other parts of your life.

Hint: Take pictures of yourself every month in order to monitor your progress. It’s always simpler to see the before or after when compared side-by side. Finally signed up for those rowing courses at the next boathouse? Assemble a team for the regatta in the fall. The long-term New Year fitness resolution goal should be a significant mile-marker in your 365-day journey to a fitter, healthier you.

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How Much Cardio Is Enough? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-much-cardio-is-enough/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27417 When you hear the term ‘cardio’, do you think of sweat dripping off your forehead while you’re running your heart out on the treadmill or taking a brisk walk during your lunch hour? It’s both. Cardiovascular exercise, which is also known as aerobic exercise, means that you’re performing an activity ‘with oxygen’. This kind of...

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When you hear the term ‘cardio’, do you think of sweat dripping off your forehead while you’re running your heart out on the treadmill or taking a brisk walk during your lunch hour? It’s both. Cardiovascular exercise, which is also known as aerobic exercise, means that you’re performing an activity ‘with oxygen’.

This kind of exercise:

  • Uses large muscle groups, for example your legs or upper body,
  • Requires respiration or controlled breathing, as well as
  • Raises your heart rate and keeps it in an aerobic zone for a set amount of time.

Common forms of cardio include physical activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling and fitness classes. Cardio machines could include a rower, elliptical, stair climber, upright or recumbent bike as well as the treadmill.

While cardio does burn a lot of calories and helps with aiding in weight loss, including it with at least between two and three days a week of resistance workouts may raise the rate at which you lose weight.

The amount of cardio which you need to lose weight depends on various factors such as your current weight, diet, day-to-day activity level, and age.

Cardio Lowers Your Risks

Cardio exercise can assist with decreasing the risk of heart attack, stroke as well as a myriad of other health issues. However the amount itself is quite negligible.

In the United States of America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes the recommendation that all people who are over the age of 18 get no less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every single week (as well as to two strength-training sessions that target all the key muscle groups). That equals two and a half hours of any physical activity which bumps up your heart rate to 60% of its maximum.

You will be able to estimate your max heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. So, for instance, the average 38-year-old guy has a maximum heart rate of 182 beats per minute (BPM). Thus, he’d want his heart rate to hover around 109 BPM while performing moderate exercise.

So, How Much Cardio Is Actually Enough?

If you’re performing a moderate physical activity – such as a quick walk or jog, a fun dance class, or a moderate indoor cycling class – you will only need to do 30 minutes five days a week in order to check that box.

For a more intensive cardio – such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Orangetheory or another intense bootcamp – three sessions, which last between 25 and 30 minutes, per week would be enough.

When in doubt, 30 minutes of cardio on most days of the week is a great rule to follow. The sweet spot will be something which makes you feel energised and not depleted. You’ll also want to concentrate on doing cardio which you enjoy!

Some great rules of thumb to follow are:

  • Do Cardio And Strength Training

A solid routine involves cardio, strength, flexibility/mobility as well as rest. Even if you’re not including a traditional workout into your routine, concentrate on ways to remain active during the day. Strength training will assist with preventing and building lean muscle, which burns more calories than fat.

  • Alternate Cardio Intensities

Attempt to vary the kind of cardio you’re doing (a challenging day, an easy day, a hill day, an off day, etc.) to allow yourself adequate recovery time and avoid burnout.

  • Rather Than Adding Time To Your Workout Add A Challenge

On the treadmill, you are able to play with the incline or include speed intervals as an easy way to make the workout more exciting – as well as challenging – without being on there longer.

  • Try New Classes

This is a really fun way to try out new routines and change up your cardio sessions. Try an indoor cycling, dance, or Zumba class.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about cardio training? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Should You Add Cardio To Your Strength Training Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-should-you-add-cardio-to-your-strength-training-routine/ Fri, 07 Jan 2022 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27412 Cardio and strength training have distinct benefits however it’s a misconception that they aren’t able to enhance one another. Cardio doesn’t ‘eat your gains’ (in other words, prevent muscle growth). This type of training can actually complement resistance training by assisting you to recover from strength training workouts. Cardiovascular training is mainly an aerobic activity....

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Cardio and strength training have distinct benefits however it’s a misconception that they aren’t able to enhance one another. Cardio doesn’t ‘eat your gains’ (in other words, prevent muscle growth). This type of training can actually complement resistance training by assisting you to recover from strength training workouts. Cardiovascular training is mainly an aerobic activity. Strength training is mainly an anaerobic activity, so they work on different energy pathways in our body.

The Definition Of Strength Training

Strength training — which is also known as weight or resistance training — is physical activity which is intended to improve muscular strength and fitness through exercising a particular muscle or muscle group against external resistance, in addition to free-weights, weight machines, or – alternatively – your own body weight.

The fundamental principle is to use a load and overload the muscle so that it has to adapt as well as get stronger.

The practice of strength training is not only about body builders who lift weights in a gym. Regular strength or resistance training is great for people of all ages and fitness levels to assist with preventing the natural loss of lean muscle mass which comes with ageing. It can also benefit people with chronic health conditions, such as obesity, arthritis, or a heart condition.

Cardio’s Benefits For The Brain And Joints

Cardiovascular exercise can benefit your brain and joint health. Other benefits of cardio training include the following:

  • Increasing blood flow and decreases chances of stroke,
  • Improving memory and thinking ability,
  • Combatting decline in brain functioning with age,
  • Helping protect against developing Alzheimer’s disease,
  • Fighting osteoporosis and reduces chances for a hip fracture, and
  • Helping manage arthritis discomfort and maintains joint range of motion.

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Cardiovascular Training Is Fantastic For Weight Loss

One of the chief motives why people choose a cardio exercising routine is as it can assist you to lose weight. Cardio is a phenomenal exercise for those looking to slim down because it assists you with burning fat as well as losing calories. While diet is more instrumental in weight loss, you will want to work cardio into your routine in order to further advance your goal to shed a few kilograms. This is because cardio can burn hundreds of calories in a session.

The Benefits Of Cardio For Your Pancreas, Lungs And Blood

Your pancreas is the organ which assists with convert the food you eat for energy while also helping aid in digestion. Staying active assists with improving blood sugar control, decreasing stress on this vital organ and reducing your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular exercise also helps to improve good cholesterol levels while decreasing blood fats.

In addition, your lungs are positively affected by physical activity. Cardio helps lower how frequently you have to breathe as exercise ability improves and can result in reductions in fatigue as well as shortness of breath in chronic lung problems.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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How To Design A Super-Effective Strength Training Workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-design-a-super-effective-strength-training-workout/ Thu, 06 Jan 2022 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27404 If you’re attempting to build muscle as well as gain strength, you need to be on a strength training workout programme. A lot of individuals will make the mistake of merely going about their workouts with no rhyme or reason. These people also sometimes wing it with exercises which they like, however unfortunately, that frequently...

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If you’re attempting to build muscle as well as gain strength, you need to be on a strength training workout programme. A lot of individuals will make the mistake of merely going about their workouts with no rhyme or reason. These people also sometimes wing it with exercises which they like, however unfortunately, that frequently doesn’t lead to results.

When you’re on a proper strength training workout programme that’s consistent, well-rounded in addition to manageable with your lifestyle and skillset, you’ll know precisely what to do and how to make progress over time in order to reach your fitness goals. The correct strength training workout programme will also emphasise compound movements and address any weaknesses you may have.

Not sure how to design an efficient strength training workout programme? Read on to find out more.

How To Add Strength Training Workouts For Beginners Into Your Routine

Preferably, a beginner strength training workout should include eight to 10 exercises that target the main muscle groups. This total-body routine does just that and can be done a few times a week to maintain and build strength all over.

Begin small with your weights and increase these as needed.

Select a weight which is just heavy enough for you to complete 10 reps. By that eighth rep, you’ll be feeling really happy it’s almost over! This will make sure that you’re challenging your muscles so they can grow and get stronger while – at the same time – burning the max calories in every workout.

Start With Body Weight To Learn Fundamental Movement Patterns

Bodyweight exercises are a phenomenal place to begin if you’re new to strength training.

Learning the various movement patterns before you add on an additional load, such as dumbbells, should always be a top priority, as it assists with decreasing your risk of injury and will assist you with lifting more weight down the road.

There are five fundamental moves:

  1. Squat,
  2. Hinge,
  3. Push,
  4. Pull, as well as
  5. Core work.

There are many different variations of each of those movements, however for beginners, we tend to lean towards a bodyweight squat, glute bridges, push-ups (on an incline if required), inverted rows, in addition to planks.

There are five primary manoeuvres, in addition to movements, such as throwing, crawling as well as climbing:

  1. Hip-dominant (deadlifts, hinges as well as swings),
  2. Knee-dominant (squats and lunges),
  3. Pushing movements (push-ups, dips, and presses),
  4. Pulling movements (rows and pull-ups), and
  5. Gait patterns, for example walking and running.

Body weight gives you the opportunity to focus on form first, so you are able to set yourself up with a solid, safe basis and then address any muscle imbalances. A lot of personal training clients want to jump right into advanced techniques, however it’s far better to begin small and build off that momentum than to be out of the gym for a few weeks with a troublesome injury.

We all have imbalances and weakness which prevent us from moving optimally. These bands will assist with that as well.

It is very important to address these prior to adding a significant external load to your strength training workouts or else you’ll just be layering strength on top of dysfunction. Working with a trained personal training professional who can take you through some basic assessments will help you with determining what muscles might be over/under active and how to begin correcting these issues.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about strength training then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Benefits Of Working Out For Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-working-out-for-strength/ Wed, 05 Jan 2022 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27401 Strength training offers a number of health benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease as well as diabetes, stronger bones, improved brain health and mood in addition to improved self-esteem. Luckily, strength training isn’t only about lifting weights at the gym. You are able to get in a great strength-training workout using your...

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Strength training offers a number of health benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease as well as diabetes, stronger bones, improved brain health and mood in addition to improved self-esteem. Luckily, strength training isn’t only about lifting weights at the gym. You are able to get in a great strength-training workout using your body weight, resistance bands, free weights, or even items around your house. Whether you’re new or experienced, strength training is for everyone.

What Is Strength Training?

Strength training — which is also known as weight or resistance training — is physical activity that is designed to boost muscular strength and fitness by exercising a particular muscle or muscle group against external resistance. This includes free weights, weight machines, or your own body weight.

The fundamental principle is to employ a load and overload the muscle so that it needs to adapt and also get stronger. What’s important for everyone to understand is that strength training is not only about body builders lifting weights in a gym. Regular strength or resistance training is fantastic for individuals of all ages and fitness levels to assist prevent the natural loss of lean muscle mass which comes with ageing (the medical term for this loss is sarcopenia). In addition, it can benefit individuals with chronic health conditions, such as obesity, arthritis, or a heart condition.

What Are The Proven Benefits of Strength Training?

Lower Abdominal Fat

When individuals incorporate strength training into their exercise routine, these people not only burn calories, however increase lean muscle mass, that stimulates the metabolism. Muscle mass is a significant factor in determining basal metabolic rate, or the number of calories which the body burns per day in order to sustain physiological functions.

Better Cardiovascular Health

Abdominal fat (which is also known as visceral fat) is found in and around the vital organs. It is linked with more of a risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Visceral fat is associated with CVD as it’s linked to the release of certain proteins and hormones which are responsible for inflammation. This inflammation has been demonstrated to damage blood vessels, raise blood pressure and lead to other particular problems. Thus, preventing or lowering any excess abdominal fat through strength training can definitely improve heart health.

Controlled Blood Sugar Levels

Anyone who suffers from type 2 diabetes should really incorporate resistance training into their routine. That’s because as well as building muscle, strength training also boosts the muscle’s ability to take in and utilise glucose or blood sugar.

Lowered Injury Risks

Having an exceptional muscle base is very important for all movement, balance, coordination as well as injury prevention. If a muscle is far too weak, it puts more stress on its connecting tendon and (over time) can lead to tendinitis.

In addition, strength training increases the number and diameter of collagen fibrils in tendons in order to increase their strength and assist with preventing injury.

In your muscle cells, you will have these transporters that pick up glucose from the blood as well as deliver it to the muscle cells. This improves their functioning to pick up a lot more glucose from the blood and into muscle, so decreasing blood sugar levels.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about exercise and become a personal trainer? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Long Exactly Should You Wait To Exercise After Eating? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-exactly-should-you-wait-to-exercise-after-eating/ Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27332 You’ve possibly heard the old adage which warns against jumping into the pool straight after eating. Though it’s maybe alright to swim after a meal, you may want to wait at least 30 minutes in order to avoid muscle cramps. However, just how long should you wait to go for a run or lift weights...

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You’ve possibly heard the old adage which warns against jumping into the pool straight after eating. Though it’s maybe alright to swim after a meal, you may want to wait at least 30 minutes in order to avoid muscle cramps. However, just how long should you wait to go for a run or lift weights after eating?

When To Exercise After Eating

When eating a meal, food enters into your stomach and is gradually processed as well as released into your small intestine in tiny amounts. It usually takes between two and a half hours for food to completely move from your stomach to your small intestine.

While it’s often unnecessary to wait until food is fully digested prior to exercising, it’s best to give it a number of hours to settle down in your stomach. For most individuals, between one and two hours is enough after a moderate-sized meal, while waiting at least half an hour after a snack is fine.

At that point, food will be sufficiently digested to avoid stomach upset. That being said, as the intensity of the exercise rises, so does the risk of side effects.

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What Format Of Exercise Will You Be Doing?

What you eat may influence the success of your exercise routine at least as well as the timing of your meal — particularly when you factor in the activity itself. It becomes far easier to exercise within a couple hours after a substantial meal, for instance, if the meal itself isn’t filled with the types of food which will “weigh you down”.

For an activity which is slated to last longer than 60 minutes, your pre-workout meal needs to have an emphasis on healthy carbohydrates. Good selections for breakfast include whole grain pancakes or bagels slices, along with a couple of pieces of fruit or fruit juice. Lunch or dinner options may include a sandwich with whole grains, or a meal that is based on brown rice or wheat pasta. Plan to make around half of your meal carbohydrates.

Also, carry along healthful-carbohydrate snacks if that hike or paddleboard trip which will last longer than 60 minutes. Great choices encompass bars, sports drinks and/or granola. Make sure that you keep each snack light, although, so that you don’t allow yourself a stitch in your side or – alternatively – stomach troubles as you exert yourself.

For shorter routines in which the emphasis will be on strength training, increase the ratio of protein to carbs. This doesn’t mean that carbohydrates are a no-no for these types of workouts, however you should think about including peanut butter on that bagel or making pancakes with whey protein or – alternatively – cottage cheese.

In addition, fat provides fuel for workouts however be smart about the types you choose. Olive oil and nuts are instances of good types of fats. For heart health, you should limit saturated fats — the kind which is found in mayo, red meat and full-fat dairy products. Remember that fats digest slowly, which can divert the energy you require for exercise and sit in your belly longer which may result in a less-than-ideal workout.

Of course, it needs to go without saying that you need to be hydrating during the day, during your meals, as you prep for your workout, in addition to while you exercise.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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Which Hip Abductor Exercises Will Prevent Injuries? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-hip-abductor-exercises-will-prevent-injuries/ Fri, 31 Dec 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27095 Your hips play a very important role in your running mechanics. Runners who have weak hips are at a higher risk for a number of different injuries, such as IT band syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis as well as patellofemoral pain syndrome (which is also known as runner’s knee). Fortunately hip strength is...

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Your hips play a very important role in your running mechanics. Runners who have weak hips are at a higher risk for a number of different injuries, such as IT band syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis as well as patellofemoral pain syndrome (which is also known as runner’s knee).

Fortunately hip strength is something that can be improved, which can help reduce injury and associated pain. Strengthening your hip abductors takes time, so make sure that you start slowly and progress safely.

What Do Your Hip Abductors Actually Do?

The main hip abductor muscles are your gluteus medius, gluteus minimus as well as your tensor fasciae latae. These three small muscles are solely responsible for lifting your leg out to the side of your body. When you’re running, your abductor muscles on your stance leg are responsible for lifting up the non-stance side of your hip without giving your hip the opportunity to drop considerably to one side.

These muscles are quite easy to overlook, and runners frequently ignore them until they have an injury. By integrating the following exercises into your regular routine, you will be able to take care of many common runner injuries before they take place, so you have no interruptions in training.

Side-Lying Leg Lifts

One of the most straightforward ways of developing your hip abductors is with this simple exercise. It can be done anywhere, anytime and needs no equipment at all.

Equipment required:

Yoga or exercise mat or a comfy, firm surface

Muscles worked:

Hip abductor muscles, as well as the gluteus medius

  • Lie down on your side and have your hips stacked.
  • Ensure that you support your head by folding your floor side arm under your head.
  • Put your top hand on the floor in front of you as a reminder that you must not lean forward or backward.
  • Stack and flex both of your feet.
  • Lift the top leg up just higher than your hip up until you feel your hip flex. Hold for two seconds.
  • Lower down for a count of three and return to the start position.
  • Repeat on one side for 10 reps and after this switch to the other leg, working up to three sets.
  • As you make progress, aim to do 20 reps on each side.

Side Plank With Hip Hike

This exercise focuses on your abs, shoulders as well as hip abductors. The key to doing these exercises correctly is to make sure your legs are in line with your trunk, and not wandering forwards, which will miss your abductor muscles. If doing these from your feet is too hard at first, do them from your knees, bending them at 90 degrees and making sure you can draw a straight line from your knees to your head. Aim for 10-20 repetitions.

Hip Drop

Hip drops are utilised to rehabilitate a weak hip abductor, which may lead to mechanical issues in the legs, for example iliotibial band syndrome.

This easy, yet intentional, exercise needs to be done with control and body awareness in order to ensure that the hip is initiating the move as opposed to the legs.

Equipment needed:

A raised step, such as the bottom of a staircase or a fitness bench on one or two risers

Muscles exercised:

Gluteus medius

  • Stand up tall on a step or raised surface with one foot.
  • Make sure that you keep your standing leg straight.
  • Lower your opposite leg down, starting the movement from your hip.
  • Keep your standing leg straight as well as your shoulders stable during the entire movement.
  • Maintain the lowered position for two seconds without letting your pelvis rotate.
  • Return to neutral with your hips levelled once again.
  • Make each movement lower. Lift slowly and in a controlled manner.
  • Do between 12 and 15 reps, working toward 20 to 25 on each side.

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Why Is Pilates Great For Your Mind And Body? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-is-pilates-great-for-your-mind-and-body-find-out-more/ Thu, 30 Dec 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26796 Pilates is a type of exercise which helps lengthen – as well as strengthen the muscles in the body while at the same time creating mobility and flexibility. In fact, Pilates exercise has several physical health benefits which include: Spinal realignment/posture correction, Improvement of flexibility, Correcting movement patterns, Improvement in balance, and Improves coordination. Did...

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Pilates is a type of exercise which helps lengthen – as well as strengthen the muscles in the body while at the same time creating mobility and flexibility. In fact, Pilates exercise has several physical health benefits which include:

  • Spinal realignment/posture correction,
  • Improvement of flexibility,
  • Correcting movement patterns,
  • Improvement in balance, and
  • Improves coordination.

Did you know that there is a lot more to Pilates than physical benefits? It can also help improve your mental health providing stress management, memory improvement, and relaxation to those who regularly practice Pilates.

Pilates Increases Energy

By concentrating on breath, Pilates improves cardiorespiratory capacity. This stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow as week as blood circulation. Pilates achieves all of this and, owing to its low-impact nature, rarely leaves you feeling fatigued. Rather, it gives you a boost of energy.

Pilates Boosts Your Memory And Makes You Smarter

Starting in our late 20s most of us begin losing about 1% of the volume of our hippocampus, which is a portion of the brain that is responsible for memory as we;; as cognitive function. Our brains are literally shrinking.

For a long time scientists were of the opinion that we are born with a particular number of brain cells however recently they discovered that our brains could create new cells so slowing down or reversing brain reduction. What will it mean to you? It means improved memory, lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease, improved learning in addition to problem solving, a higher IQ and more.

Mindfulness Through Breathing

One of the main core supporters of our body is the diaphragm. During Pilates, particular focus is given to breathing well and giving movement the opportunity to follow the breath. This allows the Pilates practitioner to move with intention and pay attention to posture as well as the movements. Through focusing on breath and movement you are concentrating on the present and allowing your mind a chance to rest.

Developing the habit of mindful, deep breathing is a technique which can very easily follow you out of the studio to make use of in times when life is hectic. Utilising this technique during moments of stress can bring a sense of calm and assist you with focusing on the present.

It Enhances Body Awareness

Pilates is a mind-body practice which enhances proprioception, or body awareness. The attention inward – as well as the ability to concentrate on the sensations in your body – heightens your awareness of comfort or pain, your emotions as well as your surrounding environment.

With improved proprioception, your body is better able to respond to stimulus, which could prevent injuries and falls. Better body awareness may even assist you with preventing overeating, as you’ll be more in tune with your body’s hunger signals.

Pilates Reduces Stress Tension In Our Body

You have perhaps heard about the famous “fight-or-flight” response to situations which are stressful. When faced with a stressful situation (real, like almost getting in a car accident or imaginative, such as fear of public speaking) our body releases a wave of stress hormones in order to ready our body to fight or flee.

In situations which are stressful, our bodies are ready to move at its peak performance however in most modern-day scenarios we aren’t able to run away when stuck in a traffic jam and aren’t able to pick a fight with our boss. Physical activity should metabolise the build-up of stress hormones however we rather try to keep everything inside and work our way through it.

The result? Stress hormones becomes settled in our body causing hypertension, muscle spasms as well as pain.

Pilates alleviates tension which is built up in the muscles through gentle stretching as well as gradual conditioning. An energetic Jumpboard workout will allow you to metabolise stress hormones which are built up in your muscles. Fascial release techniques which many Pilates instructors utilise in their classes today will assist you with loosening tight muscles which are not responsive to passive stretching. When you get stress out of your body, you also get it out of your mind.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen on becoming a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Why Stretching Is Good For You? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/why-stretching-is-good-for-you-read-this-article/ Tue, 28 Dec 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26749 It’s not enough to build muscle and attain aerobic fitness. You need to think about flexibility, as well. Stretching can assist. You might think of stretching as something which is performed only by runners or gymnasts. However, we all need to stretch in order to protect our mobility and independence. A lot of people don’t...

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It’s not enough to build muscle and attain aerobic fitness. You need to think about flexibility, as well. Stretching can assist. You might think of stretching as something which is performed only by runners or gymnasts. However, we all need to stretch in order to protect our mobility and independence. A lot of people don’t understand that stretching has to happen on a regular basis. It should be daily.

There are very many advantages to stretching regularly. Not only can stretching assist with increasing your flexibility, which is an important factor of fitness, however it can also improve your posture, lower stress and body aches, and more.

Stretching Is One Component Of Overall Fitness

However, a lot of us find stretching far too easy to skip. While the research on stretching is a little bit mixed, there are some legitimate mental – as well as physical – benefits to including  it into your routine, whether you stretch before your workout, at the end of your session, or another time during the course of the day. People who carve time for stretching may find that it assists their workouts — and day-to-day life — feel a little (or a lot) better.

However, before we dig into those advantages, it can be useful to understand what we mean, exactly, by ‘stretching’.

Stretching is basically any movement which lengthens your muscles (and along with them, the tendons, ligaments in addition to connective tissue) even temporarily. Almost every time you move your body, something is being stretched.

What Are The Benefits Of Stretching?

Increases Your Flexibility

Stretching often can assist with increasing your flexibility, which is extremely important for your overall health. Not only can increased flexibility assist you to perform everyday activities with relative ease, however it can also help with delaying the reduced mobility that can come with ageing.

Assists With Better Recruiting Your Muscles When Working Out

If you’re able to stick to a regular stretching routine, you could see only an increase in range of motion, however also improvement in your performance. The more range of motion you possess, the more muscle you’ll have the ability to activate.

For instance, if you have limited range of motion in your hamstrings, you may only be able to activate, say, 40% of your muscle when doing a single-leg deadlift. However, if you increase your hamstring flexibility, you are then able to activate, say 60%, of that muscle.

The result? You’ll gain strength, which will allow you to lift more weight—and thus become even stronger. In addition, having more range of motion can assist you to perform a broader range of exercises.

Improves Your Performance In Physical Activities

Performing dynamic stretches before physical activities has been shown to assist to prepare your muscles for the activity. Also, it may help improve your performance in an athletic event or exercise.

Stretching Makes Day-To-Day Life Feel Easier

Improving your flexibility won’t just enhance your workouts — it can also make daily life better, too. You may not realise it, however there are a lot of day-to-day tasks which involve some level of flexibility.

Daily tasks include:

  • Squatting to sink into and out of a chair,
  • Leaning over to get in your car, as well as
  • Bending down to scoop up your toddler.

Through boosting your flexibility with stretching, you’ll have the ability to perform these small but essential day-to-day movements more easily as well as effectively.

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Is There A Link Between Cycling And Lower Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/is-there-a-link-between-cycling-and-lower-back-pain/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26736 As compared to many sports, cycling is one with a relatively low injury rate (crashes and collisions apart). However, riders do need to take care of their backs. Given how hard a cyclist’s legs work on the bike, it’s natural to make the assumption that when an overuse injury strikes you, it’s your knees which...

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As compared to many sports, cycling is one with a relatively low injury rate (crashes and collisions apart). However, riders do need to take care of their backs.

Given how hard a cyclist’s legs work on the bike, it’s natural to make the assumption that when an overuse injury strikes you, it’s your knees which will be most susceptible. Surprisingly, however, the research says otherwise. It seems the main culprit is not knee pain in cyclists – it’s lower back pain.

When Norwegian scientists studied 116 professional road cyclists and they looked at the types of overuse injuries suffered over the previous year, some interesting facts emerged: 94% of the cyclists had suffered some kind of overuse injury during that period:

  • 45% of the injuries were to the lower back,
  • 23% of injuries were to the knees,
  • 58% of all the cyclists had experienced lower-back pain in the previous 12 months, and
  • 41% of all cyclists had sought medical attention for back pain.

Why Does Cycling Cause Lower Back Pain?

Essentially it’s the position you’re in as well as the amount of time you spend there. There’s no getting away from that, sadly. Unless you would like to adopt the aerodynamic properties of a wall, you need to bend forward. Being in a bent-over position for long periods of time has been involved in back pain if you do it on a bike or just sitting slumped in a chair.

It’s thought this results in something called flexion relaxation. This is a situation where the muscles of the spine just turn off. Rather, you rely on passive structures such as ligaments to assist with maintaining your position. This could be an energy preservation strategy adopted by your central nervous system (CNS), or it could be owing to a lack of endurance in those muscles.

We can’t do much about the former however the latter can be improved.

Develop Core Strength To Address Lower Back Pain

Cyclists need to be strong in their lower backs and cores in order to avoid suffering the consequences of reduced movement patterns.

Here’s three exercises which can help to promote stability as well as correct movement patterns:

  1. The Founder

This exercise is responsible for working your entire posterior chain and it should be completed before you ride in order to activate the muscles:

  • Begin with your feet hip width apart, in an upright stance, and have your hips over your ankles and shoulders directly over your hips.
  • Rock back so that your weight is on your heels and unlock your knees.
  • Bring your hips back and then tilt your body forwards and making sure that you keep your chest straight.
  • Push your hands straight in front of you and have your fingertips together.
  • Reach your hands forwards and then over your head.
  • Reach up and push your hips back
  • You should now feel a burn through your upper and lower back, glutes and hamstrings.
  • Hold for 10 seconds and then repeat three times.

 

  1. The Woodpecker

The woodpecker exercise works your deep gluteal muscle fibres. This means that it’s good to do before you ride in order to activate them in advance:

  • Begin with your legs together and step your right leg forwards. Now, you should be able to look down and still be able to see your shin.
  • Ensure that your hips are square.
  • Reach out your arms out in front of you, and then clasp them together.
  • Pivot at your hips, ensuring that you keep your lower body and upper body still.
  • Reach as far forward as you are able to – push your right heel into the floor and then pull your hips back.
  • You should feel a burn in your glutes. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then repeat two and three times each side

  1. The Plank

The plan works to engage the muscles, which are called the core. Do it before your ride in order to get the muscles activated:

  • Come onto your elbows and your toes. Ensure that your feet are hip-width apart.
  • Keep your head straight, and your eyes pointing towards the floor around 10cm in front of you.
  • Ensure that you keep your hips in a straight line – no sagging or raising up.
  • Hold for a minute.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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What Are The Health Advantages Of Power Walking? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-health-advantages-of-power-walking/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26732 Power walking is an exercise technique which emphasises speed and arm motion as a method of increasing health benefits. Done correctly, regular power walking is good for your cardiovascular health, joint health, and emotional well-being. In addition, this kind of walking is a phenomenal way to better or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes...

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Power walking is an exercise technique which emphasises speed and arm motion as a method of increasing health benefits. Done correctly, regular power walking is good for your cardiovascular health, joint health, and emotional well-being.

In addition, this kind of walking is a phenomenal way to better or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day may very well increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, lower additional body fat, and increase muscle power as well as endurance. It can also lower your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis in addition to some cancers. Unlike some other kinds of exercise, power walking is free and doesn’t need any special equipment or training.

Any Kind Of Exercise Is Great For You

Physical activity does not need to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to boost your health. A 2007 study of women who weren’t active discovered that even a low level of exercise – around 75 minutes every single week – improved their fitness levels considerably, when compared to a non-exercising group.

Power walking is low impact, necessitates minimal equipment, can be done at any hour of the day and can be done at your own speed. You are able to get out and walk without worrying about the risks which are associated with some more vigorous forms of exercise. In addition, power walking is a great form of physical activity for individuals who have a couple of extra kilos to shed, elderly, or who haven’t exercised in a very long time.

Power walking for fitness and fun isn’t limited to just strolling by yourself around local neighbourhood streets. There are a number of different clubs, venues and strategies you can utilise to make power walking an enjoyable as well as social part of your lifestyle.

Benefits Of Power Walking

What are the real advantages of walking faster if you still just walk the same distance? The National Institutes of Health and other experts provide a list of power walking benefits.

  • Boosts your heart rate to an increased heart rate zone. Easy walking is frequently done in the light intensity zone, while power walking will raise your heart rate into the moderate-intensity zone.
  • Improves weight loss efforts (with increased calorie burn) and increases fitness and endurance.
  • Increases flexibility of your muscles and joints depending on your walking pattern and your starting point. Stretching after walking will help you improve flexibility.
  • Strengthens muscles particularly your leg and abdominal muscles. Walking may increase your range of motion as well as shift pressure from your joints to your muscles.

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What Footwear Should You Wear For Walking?

As we said before, power walking is a low-cost and effective form of exercise. However, the incorrect kind of shoe or walking action may cause foot or shin pain, blisters as well as injuries to soft tissue. Ensure that your shoes are comfortable, with appropriate heel as well as arch supports. Take light, easy steps and ensure that your heel touches down before your toes. When possible, walk on grass – as opposed to concrete – to help absorb the impact.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become an exercise expert then you need to do our Exercise Science Certification Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Is The Goal Of Pilates Coordination Of Body, Mind And Spirit? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-is-the-goal-of-pilates-coordination-of-body-mind-and-spirit/ Thu, 23 Dec 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26657 Are you looking for a new exercise to tone as well as strengthen your core? To better your posture and flexibility? A low-impact exercise which you can do at home or, alternatively, in a class? Something to lessen your back and neck pain after long hours sitting at the computer? Have you considered trying out...

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Are you looking for a new exercise to tone as well as strengthen your core? To better your posture and flexibility? A low-impact exercise which you can do at home or, alternatively, in a class? Something to lessen your back and neck pain after long hours sitting at the computer?

Have you considered trying out Pilates?

Pilates is unique in that, as opposed to yoga and other activities, its origin is fairly recent. Pilates was designed in 1920 by Joseph Pilates for the purposes of physical rehabilitation.

The idea behind Pilates is to achieve flexibility, strength as well as body awareness without building bulk. It is considered to be a resistance exercise, even though, as a newbie, you may experience an increased heart rate. Another distinctive difference is that Pilates has a full mat routine, in addition to exercises which can only be done on specific Pilates machines, such as the reformer as well as the cadillac.

The main goals of Pilates are to:

  • Strengthen the stomach,
  • Improve posture, and
  • Stabilise and elongate the spine and build balance and overall strength.

There are six main principles of Pilates:

  • Concentration,
  • Control,
  • Centring,
  • Breathing,
  • Flow, as well as
  • Precision.

When these key principles are utilised in conjunction with the mindset that you are creating a leaner, better you from your core muscles out, Pilates is able to provide that long, toned body you desire.

Concentration

This highlights that during Pilates you should concentrate on your entire body in order to ensure smooth movements.  This is challenging. During Pilates exercise technique – as well as how exercises are performed – are, in many respects, more important as opposed to the exercises themselves.

Control

Every exercise in Pilates must be performed with control.  Basically it’s about you being in control of your body.

Centring

In order to effectively control your body, you need to have a starting place. That place is your centre.  You’ll frequently hear this termed the ‘powerhouse’ which is a term that means your centre. This term encompasses the abs, upper and lower back, hips, butt in addition to your inner thighs.  All movements in Pilates should start from your centre, your powerhouse and flow out to the limbs.

Flow

Exercises during Pilates are supposed to flow into each other in order to help build strength as well as stamina.  The utilisation of appropriate transitions and economy of movement is highly prized and is one of the key things which differentiates novice from advanced practitioners.

Precision

Pilates is not about performing many repetitions poorly or with poor technique. Conversely, Pilates aims for precise and perfect movement.  With regular Pilates practice and expert instruction, this precision will become second nature eventually and carried over into everyday life.  An expert Pilates instructor is able to tell a lot about a person by just watching them walk.

Breathing

Typically in Pilates you concentrate on breathing out with effort and in on the return.  Coordinating breathing with your movements is an important part of Pilates. Good instructors will continually remind you when to breathe in as well as when to breathe out. Like everything in Pilates you should concentrate on each breathe and feel the engagement of your powerhouse.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a world-class Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Should Runners Be Eating? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-should-runners-be-eating/ Wed, 22 Dec 2021 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26653 A good race depends on more than just your training. To improve your speed and performance, you also need to consider what you are putting into your body. The correct foods at the correct time may boost your running performance tremendously. For runners, food is far more than straightforward nutrition — food is fuel. What...

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A good race depends on more than just your training. To improve your speed and performance, you also need to consider what you are putting into your body. The correct foods at the correct time may boost your running performance tremendously.

For runners, food is far more than straightforward nutrition — food is fuel. What and when should you eat prior to, during as well as after your runs? What should you drink? How much? When you are training hard for a long race you are going to have to adjust how you eat; we’ll show you how to make those changes.

Timing

When you start a run, you shouldn’t feel starved or stuffed. You don’t want to eat anything directly before running as it could lead to cramping or annoying side stitches. However, if you run on an empty stomach may cause you to run out of energy and leave you feeling quite tired during your runs.

Figuring out what and when to eat prior to a run takes some time for each runner to figure out. Research about optimal timing and food choices has produced mixed results.

For instance, in one published study that investigated meal timing and exercise, study authors made the suggestion that consuming carbs within one hour before exercise could potentially impair performance when compared to carbohydrate ingestion between two and three hours before exercise. However they also noted that other studies demonstrated a performance benefit.

Another study suggested that it is commonly recommended to consume snacks or meals high in carbohydrate for between one and four hours before higher-intensity, longer duration exercise. However, that study also makes the suggestion that what you eat before exercise is dependent on what you’ve eaten in your diet in the days before exercise.

As quite a general rule, some running gurus make the recommendation that you eat a light meal around one and a half to two hours prior to you starting running, or a small snack about half an hour to 60 minutes before you go running. But you should experiment during your training runs and workouts to see what works best for you.

The Best Foods For Runners

Bananas

If you really need a high-carb energy booster prior to your afternoon run, you can’t go wrong with a banana. Also, this fruit contains a healthy dose of potassium (about 400 mg). This is particularly important for long-distance runs or in hot temperatures when you will probably sweat a lot and thus lose a lot of valuable minerals. Potassium (in addition to other minerals such as sodium, magnesium and chloride) balances this loss and lowers your blood pressure simultaneously

 Oats

Oatmeal is the absolute perfect breakfast when you are wanting to go out for a run after you’ve finished eating. It offers you plenty of carbs (one serving contains about 25 g) and this is high in fibre. In addition, oats have a low glycaemic index which means that they cause your blood sugar level to slowly rise, provide you with energy over a longer period of time and make sure that you keep you feeling full longer. In addition, did you know that a healthy adult should get about 50% of his or her total energy from carbohydrates?

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Peanut Butter

Here we are speaking about pure peanut butter without any additives such as sugar, salt or oil. It’s a good supply of vitamin E, which is perhaps the most effective antioxidant among the vitamins.

While it is true that peanuts have a lot of fat (making them anything but low in calories), it mainly consists of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These can assist to lower cholesterol levels in your blood. In addition, they are important for strengthening your immune system, quickening your post-run recovery as well as preventing injuries.

Also peanut butter contains a good deal of protein and so helps your muscles grow, making it a crucial part of a runner’s diet. Try spreading peanut butter on whole grain toast and topping this off with banana slices – it tastes amazing! It is also great for a snack with a couple of slices of apple.

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What Is The Importance Of Exercise For Those With Diabetes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-importance-of-exercise-for-those-with-diabetes/ Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26648 Physical activity is very important for people who are living with diabetes. The great news is that it’s not as challenging as you might think to be more active. If you are suffering from diabetes, being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin (which is the hormone that allows cells in your body to...

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Physical activity is very important for people who are living with diabetes. The great news is that it’s not as challenging as you might think to be more active. If you are suffering from diabetes, being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin (which is the hormone that allows cells in your body to utilise blood sugar for energy), which assists with managing your diabetes. Also, physical activity helps to control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease as well as nerve damage.

Some additional benefits of exercise for people suffering from diabetes include the following:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight,
  • Losing weight, if needed,
  • Feeling happier,
  • Sleeping better,
  • Improving your memory,
  • Controlling your blood pressure, and
  • Lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

What Kinds of Exercise Should You Do?

There are three main types of exercises — aerobic, strength training as well as flexibility work. You should ideally aim to have a good mixture of all three.

 Aerobic Exercises

Aim to get at least 30 minutes of cardio (aerobic) exercise most days of the week. If the thought of finding 30 minutes too difficult, you can break up the exercise into shorter periods, say 10 minutes here and there, aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes at the end of the day.

Aerobic exercises include the following:

  • Tennis,
  • Dancing and Zumba,
  • Jogging/Running,
  • Walking,
  • Basketball,
  • Swimming, and
  • Biking

Strength Training

Once you have been able to integrate aerobic activity into your days, then you will be able to start to add in some resistance training.

Strength training assists you with achieving lean and efficient muscles. These resistance-type exercises, in addition to walking or jogging, also support strong and healthy bones. Creating more muscle in place of fat is particularly beneficial when you have type 2 diabetes as muscles use the most glucose. So, the more you utilise your muscles, the more effective you will be at controlling your blood glucose level.

Weight training is one of the most utilised strength-building techniques, although you are able also utilise your own body weight in order to build up strength—think of pull-ups as well as planks.

When you’re beginning a weight training programme, make sure that you know how to use all the equipment. Ask the staff at your gym about how you should use the weights properly or consider engaging with a personal trainer so that you can learn the best exercises for you.

Lifting weights for between 20 and 30 minutes, two or three times a week, is enough to get the full advantages of strength training.

Flexibility Training

With flexibility training, you’ll boost how well your muscles and joints work. Stretching before and after exercise (particularly after exercise) reduces muscle soreness and actually relaxes your muscles.

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Weightlifting Myths Busted. Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/weightlifting-myths-busted-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Mon, 20 Dec 2021 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26638 Gym myths are the modern weightlifter’s bewildering version of ‘fake news’. Despite unprecedented access to pro expertise and scientific research about weightlifting, the daily gym-goer now also has to compete with waves of online pseudoscience and locker room legends that have crystallised word-of-mouth fitness myths into so-called training truths. However if you build your workouts...

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Gym myths are the modern weightlifter’s bewildering version of ‘fake news’. Despite unprecedented access to pro expertise and scientific research about weightlifting, the daily gym-goer now also has to compete with waves of online pseudoscience and locker room legends that have crystallised word-of-mouth fitness myths into so-called training truths. However if you build your workouts on hollow foundations, you’ll not only miss out on some of the most interesting as well as effective ways to train, but you’ll also never achieve the gains you deserve.

There are many individuals out there who aren’t sure weightlifting is for them. Weightlifting seems almost involved (requires complicated machines, right?), perhaps embarrassing (if you can’t lift heavy things!). Plus, who has the time? If you’re like most people out there – on a tight schedule with a job, family, pets, etc., a cardiovascular workout could seem like a better use of limited time.

Right? Well … not so fast. There are some pervasive myths about weight weightlifting — also called strength training or resistance training which need some serious busting.

Turns out that there are loads of good reasons to add weightlifting to your regime or perhaps even switch to it as a mid-pandemic fitness goal: better movement control, improved cognitive abilities, enhanced cardiovascular health, improved bone development, reduction in chronic pain — and just plain old feeling better.

Weightlifting Is Just For Men

Weightlifting results in the increase of muscle strength as well as bone density. Both of these effects are beneficial for everyone. Women as well as men both are both able to benefit from good bone density, and more so with women after menopause because they are at higher risk of osteoporosis.

Weightlifting Leads To Injuries

The belief that weightlifting harms your muscles still haunts even the most committed athletes, causing a lot to skip the gym. However research shows that strength training really does prevent muscle injuries. A study of over 25 000 athletes, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, revealed that those who performed strength training experienced less than a third of the sports injuries of gym-dodgers who never lifted weights.

Weightlifting Will Make You Bulky

Sure, that’s true if you consume upwards of 3 000 calories per day and also work out four-plus days a week with extremely heavy weights. That’s a particular programme that a person would follow for a specific that goal. You’re will only get huge if you really want to and try super hard.

What will take place instead? If you begin regular weightlifting, you become stronger and also build lean muscle mass. The first noticeable results can be particularly dramatic, including kilograms lost and big gains in strength. In addition, if you want to get huge muscles you can do that, as well — that’s just a different programme.

Muscle Turns Into Fat If You Stop Weightlifting

Some very serious magic would have to take place for muscle to turn into fat, as they’re two completely different things. Muscle never turns into fat and then fat never turns into muscle. Muscle will, on the other hand, assist you with burning fat. Research has found that an extreme bought of strength training results in far more calories which are burned in the 16 to 24 hours after your training session finishes.

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Does Sprint Training Increase Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-sprint-training-increase-strength/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26634 Does Sprint Training Increase Strength? Sprint training is loosely defined as practising all-out effort runs as well as working on becoming faster. Training varies, however generally comprises runs done all-out, or at about between 85 and 90% of your best effort, with plenty of rest between sets. Such work has been shown to build muscles,...

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Does Sprint Training Increase Strength?

Sprint training is loosely defined as practising all-out effort runs as well as working on becoming faster. Training varies, however generally comprises runs done all-out, or at about between 85 and 90% of your best effort, with plenty of rest between sets. Such work has been shown to build muscles, improve cardiovascular health as well as increase muscular capacity in addition to short-term muscular endurance.

And while it’s good to be able to run very fast — we should be able to, just for our own sake — sprinting does more than merely build up speed. It can be viewed as a kind of strength training.

Increased muscular endurance — which is the ability of a muscle to sustain contractions for a period of time — means that lifters who sprint will be better conditioned to do hard, immediate lifts. Increased cardiovascular health turns longer workouts both shorter as easier. Building up muscle speaks for itself.

Sprinting Is One Of The Most Flexible Forms Of Exercise

This is because it can be utilised in order to build power as well as speed, increase muscle size, shred body fat in addition to increasing your cardiovascular capacity and muscular endurance. No other single exercise can successfully address all of these qualities.

Learning how to regulate the intensity, duration, and rest intervals will give you the opportunity to target the proper energy systems and muscle fibre types for the training effect that you are after. Learning how to fit them in with your strength training routine appropriately will make sure that the workouts complement each other.

If you are a strength and speed junkie who is wanting to wring every bit of performance out of your body, some type of sprints should be a staple in your training programme. If you have been performing weight training for years upon years and have been experiencing continuous progress however you feel like your training has been stagnant and your results could be better, including sprints into your routine will help you see results faster.

Explosive Strength Training

In order to improve your sprinting ability or speed, it’s very important to concentrate on applying force rapidly as opposed to focusing on the maximum amount of force which you can apply.

During this stage, athletes can improve their power production by making use of explosive movements under heavy loads. Owing to the heavy loads moved at very high speeds, this kind of training enables a higher threshold of motor units.

Sprinters frequently make use of explosive training as it necessitates the athlete to do accelerated actions. These kinds of exercises need the athlete to continue increasing speed throughout the movement until the moment of release or take off.

Explosive exercises have an increased degree of muscle activation, concentric velocity, force as well as power as opposed maximum strength exercises. Also, they are technically more demanding, so it’s even more important that you’re able to perform them correctly in order to avoid injury.

Sprints attack the fast-twitch muscles of the posterior chain (calves, hamstrings, glutes as well as spinal erectors). The abdominals, obliques, shoulder flexors in addition to extensors are also heavily involved. Also, sprinting trains the stretch-shortening cycle (a quick eccentric contraction that is followed by powerful concentric contraction), which carries over to enhanced jumping ability as well as other explosive plyometric exercises.

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What Exercises Are Good For Psoriatic Arthritis? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-exercises-are-good-for-psoriatic-arthritis-read-this-article/ Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27336 Exercise is a fantastic way to lower joint pain and stiffness which is caused by psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Although it can be hard to imagine exercising when you’re in pain, performing some sort of physical activity will probably help. In addition, regular exercises can help to lower stress as well as enhance your sense of...

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Exercise is a fantastic way to lower joint pain and stiffness which is caused by psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Although it can be hard to imagine exercising when you’re in pain, performing some sort of physical activity will probably help.

In addition, regular exercises can help to lower stress as well as enhance your sense of well-being. The thing which you need to keep in mind is to be aware of your exercise routine as well as to listen to your body’s signals.

Speak with your doctor before starting a new routine. They will be able to offer you some suggestions for getting started or offer advice on what movements to try or avoid.

Common Exercise Mistakes With Psoriatic Arthritis

You Don’t Work On Your Muscular Strength

One of the things to remember – which a lot of people don’t – is the importance of strengthening. Essentially, the stronger your muscles are, the better they are able to absorb shock as well as control motion. This ultimately minimises stress on the actual joint.

It’s very important not to start out with too much weight or resistance. Rather, start at an intensity which doesn’t feel too difficult, and perform more repetitions of the exercise as opposed to what you would at a higher weight.

You Don’t Get Sufficient Aerobic Activity

As important as strength training is, it’s also important to incorporate aerobic exercise into your workout routine.

If you’ve felt discomfort in your joints while doing moderate-impact aerobic exercises such as jogging you may be tempted to skip cardio entirely. However lower-impact alternatives such as elliptical machines, stationary bikes, rowing machines, swimming, or – alternatively – pool exercises can improve your health without overstressing your joints.

As an alternative, you are able to use lighter weights for strength training and perform them in a circuit fashion — with short and timed pauses in between activities — in order to get a cardiovascular benefit.

You Focus On High-Impact Exercises

Running and jumping may not be great choices if you have psoriatic arthritis since they can put strain on your joints and speed up the inflammatory process. Walking places between 1.5 and 2 times your body weight in stress on your joints, while jogging places five to eight times your body weight in stress on your joints.

That’s loads of stress for a joint which is irritated or inflamed. There’s a huge amount of force coming up through your legs and into the spine. And any kind of jumping or rapid form of resistance activity could be even worse for your joints. Those activities just aren’t going to be tolerable in most people with joint issues.

Don’t Forget Your Strength Training

These exercises are created to boost muscle strength. The stronger your muscles, the steadier your joints. You should choose light weights with lots of repetition and not lift heavy weights. Aim to perform strength training two or three times a week, on alternating days. Although you could need to work yourself up to this.

Work On Range-Of-Motion Exercises

These types of exercise include gently stretching your joints as far as you are able to in each direction. Performing range-of-motion exercises can assist with keeping your joints flexible and stop you from feeling stiff.

Aim to perform range-of-motion exercises every day, such as wrists bends, arm circles as well as leg raises — however take breaks as-required to protect your joints.

Include Endurance Exercises In Your Routine

These activities can assist with improving your cardiovascular fitness as well as overall health in addition to your psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

The best endurance exercises for individuals who have psoriatic arthritis are walking, swimming, and biking. If you’re can, running is fine too. Just make sure to run on softer surfaces in order to avoid any repetitive, hard impact on your joints.

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How To Avoid Injury While Strength Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-avoid-injury-while-strength-training/ Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27302 Strength training is the utilisation of resistance to muscular contraction in order to build the strength, anaerobic endurance in addition to the size of skeletal muscles. Regular, repeated and steady resistance training will result in stronger muscles. Strength training may be dangerous if your technique is not correct. Before beginning any strength training ensure that...

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Strength training is the utilisation of resistance to muscular contraction in order to build the strength, anaerobic endurance in addition to the size of skeletal muscles. Regular, repeated and steady resistance training will result in stronger muscles.

Strength training may be dangerous if your technique is not correct. Before beginning any strength training ensure that you have an assessment and programme that is written for your specific needs. Make sure you follow any medical advice and are shown the exercises by a personal trainer.

What Are Common Injuries From Strength Training?

These often include the following:

  • Rotator Cuff Injuries

Your rotator cuff is the set of tendons and muscles that surround your shoulder joint. Injury results in inflammation or a tear in these muscles and tendons. It’s a common cause of shoulder pain. This can make it challenging to carry out daily tasks that require arm movement, such as hair brushing or getting dressed.

Rotator cuff injuries are quite common place in athletes who play tennis and baseball, or construction workers, as the injuries are caused by repetitive overhead motions. The two main kinds of rotator cuff injuries are a rotator cuff tear, which may develop subsequent to an injury or if you dislocate your shoulder, and tendinopathy, which is pain around the tendons of your rotator cuff as they are unable to repair themselves. Tendinopathy is often a result of wear and tear over time.

  • Hamstring Pulls

Your hamstrings are strong bands of tissue which are located at the back of your thigh and injuring them results in the tendons or muscles to strain or tear. Pulling your hamstring takes place when one or more of the muscles are stretched too far. This is frequently a result of sudden, powerful movements, and can take place when you are running, jumping or – alternatively – lunging.

You will more probably to suffer a hamstring injury if you have already had one in the past. While they often cause relatively little pain and have a quick recovery time, there are three grades of hamstring injuries. A pull can take days to heal, but a grade two or three tear might take weeks or months to heal fully.

  • Disc Herniations

A herniated disc (which is frequently called a slipped disc) is a common back injury. We have vertebral discs between each vertebral bone in our spine that act as cushions. They help to absorb impact and guide movement in the spine.

When they rupture and herniate, it can be painful and can cause symptoms to travel down your legs as pressure is put on your nerves. This type of injury can be caused by a sudden extreme movement or by repetitive poor movement when weightlifting, which is why good form and correct technique are essential.

Warm-Up Properly

Stretching and a proper warm-up are very important for avoiding injury. Your personal trainer can teach you warm-up routines which utilise light weights or resistance bands in order to get the muscles ready for weight lifting. In addition, some light cardio and stretching are crucial. The goal here is to have your muscles warm and loosened up and to have your muscle cells oxygenated and ready to work.

Don’t Try To Lift Too Much Weight

Utilising too much weight in an exercise is a high-risk proposition that is ripe with injury potential.

What’s too much?

  • If you aren’t able to control a weight on its downward, loading trajectory,
  • If you aren’t able to contain a movement within its biomechanical boundaries, and
  • If you need to jerk or heave a weight in order to lift it.

An out-of-control barbell or dumbbell will have a mind of its own. The weight bows down to the laws of gravity and looks for the floor. Anything which is in its way (or attached to it) is in danger.

Proper Fuel for Your Body

Utilise the proper nutrition in order to maximise your gains from strength training. The best technique is to eat a nutritious meal about two hours prior to your workout. Your physical therapist is able to recommend the correct amounts of fruits, vegetables, proteins as well as carbs to take in before your workouts. Likewise, you’ll want to remain properly hydrated for working out.

Drink a big glass of water about two hours prior to your workout and remain hydrated while you’re engaged in strength training. One last thing that you need to note: Don’t eat a massive meal just as you have a workout coming up. It’s better to eat the correct amounts of healthy foods than to overdo it.

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Do you want to become a strength training expert? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Pilates Changed Fitness Forever? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-pilates-changed-fitness-forever-read-this-article/ Fri, 10 Dec 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27293 Pilates may be quite challenging at first however with time, you will gain the strength – as well as balance – in order to execute the movements without falling over or requiring a break. If you’re accustomed to doing intense cardio, Pilates is going to be quite a shock. Its focus is on increasing posture,...

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Pilates may be quite challenging at first however with time, you will gain the strength – as well as balance – in order to execute the movements without falling over or requiring a break. If you’re accustomed to doing intense cardio, Pilates is going to be quite a shock. Its focus is on increasing posture, balance and flexibility without putting strain on your joints.

If you have never tried Pilates out, chances are good that you may have a few ideas of what a class entails as well as the common benefits of this type of exercise. While Pilates hasn’t quite garnered the popularity which Yoga has in recent years, many experts will enthusiastically attest to the benefits that a Pilates practice offers – in both body in addition to mind.

Pilates is so effective, and also so powerful, that when taught well, it can make your whole body stronger and far more flexible in no time at all. Apart from strength and flexibility, Pilates can help with everything from improved posture to improved breathing, greater mood as well as noticeable weight loss and tone. These effects can even be felt after a single class, and after a week or month, chances are good you will be hooked for life!

Pilates Will Make You More Flexible

Pilates isn’t about striving towards getting your legs behind your head or breaking out into a full set of splits.

Pilates works towards a safe increase in length and stretch of the muscles as well as the range of motion within the joints. Just as Pilates aims to establish a level of muscular strength which will enhance and balance your daily life and activities, so do does it intend to build a body that can stretch and bend in order to meet the flow of daily life. It establishes practical strength and flexibility.

Pilates is great for all levels and is definitely not only intended for those who even now have an increased degree of natural flexibility. Studies have demonstrated that just 20 Pilates sessions can result in a 20% boost in flexibility. A Pilates workout is all about strengthening and stretching—and this mixture is the perfect way to ease tight muscles and generate a more limber and subtle body.

Exercising Without The Fuss

If even the mere thought of going to the gym fills you with anxiety and you keep putting it off, Pilates allows you the opportunity to tailor your workouts and even finish sessions at home.

The best way that you can keep up with your training is to have a Pilates trainer design a personalised programme of exercises so that you are able to keep up with in between your sessions in the studio. Plot a review session every so often to make sure your technique is still sound and that you are getting the most you can out of your Pilates training.

So you may be stretching, however you could do more damage as opposed to good. Check that you’re doing the moves correctly. In time, you’ll be surprised by the results.

Doing Pilates Will Give You More Energy

Pilates is a practice which offers you more energy as opposed to depleting your energy. The movements are slower and necessitate mindful exertion. Pilates makes sure that the breath and circulation is kept moving. It stimulates the spine in addition to muscles, as well as flooding the body with endorphins which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Pilates is the best pick-me-up for when you would like a workout without it feeling overly strenuous and taxing.

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What Happens In Your Body When You Do Weight Lifting Every Day? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-happens-in-your-body-when-you-do-weight-lifting-every-day/ Mon, 06 Dec 2021 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27153 If your goal is to become a stronger athlete or you want to build bigger muscles, lifting weights not only assists you with looking great in your favourite pair of jeans and T-shirt, however it can support healthy joints, improve your heart health as well as promote weight loss. It’s very tempting to hit the...

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If your goal is to become a stronger athlete or you want to build bigger muscles, lifting weights not only assists you with looking great in your favourite pair of jeans and T-shirt, however it can support healthy joints, improve your heart health as well as promote weight loss.

It’s very tempting to hit the squat rack every single day if you’re seeing (or looking for) these gains, however as with all things, too much of a great thing can be bad. If you don’t allow your muscles sufficient time in order to recover, lifting weights every day can backfire on you – badly.

When you don’t give your muscles at least one day of rest between heavy workouts, it lowers the amount of time that your body’s cells have to recover as well as form new proteins. If one muscle group is particularly sore, it’s as it is still recovering from the tough workout which you put it though earlier. In other words, fighting through muscle soreness does your body absolutely no favours.

In order to avoid the negative symptoms of lifting weights everyday – such as excessive fatigue, reduced performance, mood as well as sleep disturbances, and nagging injuries – try to give each muscle group at least a day of rest between each of your weightlifting workouts.

You Burn Fat And May Lose Weight

Lifting weights every single day may support your weight-loss goals by assisting you with burning calories as well as reducing total body fat. Even though you can’t spot-reduce specific areas, such as your belly, strength training encourages body fat loss through building lean muscle and boosting your metabolic rate.

Muscles burn more calories at rest as opposed to fat and will burn calories even after the workout session is done (potentially) for up to 48 hours. With individuals who weight train consistently  they will have physiological changes which include decreased percent body fat, more lean body mass as well as increased bone density.

The lengthy calorie burn is due in part to a process which is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). It is also known as workout afterburn and is a measure of the oxygen it takes for your body to recover. Taxing your body during resistance training means that you need more oxygen afterward in order to restore normal metabolic function. This process burns calories.

Strength Training Increases Energy Levels And Improves Your Mood

Strength training has been noticed to be a valid treatment option (or an additional treatment) to quell symptoms of depression. All types of exercise boosts mood as it increases endorphins. However for strength training, additional research which is looked at neurochemical and neuromuscular responses to such workouts offers further evidence it has a positive effect on the brain.

Your Bones Remain Strong

After you turn 30, you start to suffer the loss of muscle mass by between 3 and 5% per decade, a process called sarcopenia. This loss in muscle mass results in less mobility as well as an increased risk of falls and fractures. Sarcopenia is mostly the result of changes in hormones owing to ageing.

The good news is that you are able to help prevent sarcopenia through lifting weights regularly (although days off are still important). Concentrate especially on strength-training exercises which stimulate your fast-twitch muscle fibres, because most of the muscle loss you experience from sarcopenia affects those type II fibres.

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What Are The Fundamental Goals Of Sports Psychology? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-fundamental-goals-of-sports-psychology/ Fri, 03 Dec 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27140 When most people think about sport psychology, they tend to think about what is usually referred to as mental training. The aim of mental training is to better prepare athletes psychologically as well as emotionally for the demands of sports practice and the requirements of competition. Growing motivation, building confidence, managing competitive anxiety, and enhancing...

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When most people think about sport psychology, they tend to think about what is usually referred to as mental training. The aim of mental training is to better prepare athletes psychologically as well as emotionally for the demands of sports practice and the requirements of competition. Growing motivation, building confidence, managing competitive anxiety, and enhancing focus are common areas in which sport psychologists and mental coaches help athletes.

What is a Mental Performance Coach?

A mental performance coach assists athletes to develop mental skills to perform well constantly in competition. This is related to a head coach who concentrates on the physical and tactical components of sport. From a sports psychology point of view, mental performance coaches work with athletes one on one, or in groups, in order to identify their mental strengths as well as to break through mental barriers in order to boost their performance.

Sports Psychology and Performance

Mental performance coaches work with athletes of all abilities and ages. These coaches help athletes handle the demands of training, cope with pressure in competitive situations, overcome high expectations as well as perform consistently well so they can maximise their potential.

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The Aim Of Sports Psychology

Some athletes look for help from a sport psychologist – or other exercise and sport psychology professionals – when they have a challenge which they need to overcome. They could become anxious or lose focus during competition, for instance. They could have trouble communicating with teammates, managing their temper, or even just encouraging themselves to exercise. Or they might choke at important moments during a game.

However, athletes don’t just consult sports psychologists when they’re having difficulties. Sport psychologists can also help athletes:

  • Enhance performance. Various mental strategies, such as visualisation, self-talk as well as relaxation techniques, can assist athletes overcome obstacles and attain their full potential.
  • Cope with the pressures of competition. Sport psychologists can assist athletes at all levels deal with tension from parents, coaches, or even their own expectations.
  • Recover from injuries. After an injury, athletes could need assistance with tolerating pain, adhering to their physical therapy regimens, or adapting to being side-lined.
  • Keep up an exercise program Even those who would like to exercise regularly could find themselves not able to fulfil their goal. Sport psychologists can assist these individuals to increase their motivation as well as tackle any related concerns.
  • Enjoy sports. Sports organisations for young people could hire a sport psychologist to educate coaches about how to assist kids enjoy sports and how to encourage healthy self-esteem in participants.

Becoming an elite athletic performer results from years of careful planning as well as hard work. The winners get to the top by identifying, defining, and attaining a series of smaller goals along the way to reaching the podium.

However being at that level takes sustainable motivation in addition to the ability to stay calm under considerable pressure. Successful performance necessitates the correct mindset and psychological tools to give the sportsperson the opportunity to overcome both defeat and success. Neither of which is simple.

Modern athletes (professional and amateur), coaches, and team managers recognise the challenges within their sport and the competitive edge gained from seeking sports psychologists’ help.

Sports psychology can even assist people off the playing field. The same strategies which sport psychologists teach athletes—relaxation techniques, mental rehearsals as well as cognitive restructuring, for example—are also helpful in the workplace and other settings.

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What Are The Benefits Of Pull-Ups? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-pull-ups-read-this-article/ Thu, 02 Dec 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27129 The pull-up is an upper body resistance training exercise. In order to perform a pull-up, you begin by hanging onto a pull0up bar with your palms facing away from you. Your body must be extended fully. Then, you pull yourself up until your chin is just above the bar. Pull-ups are different from a chin-up....

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The pull-up is an upper body resistance training exercise. In order to perform a pull-up, you begin by hanging onto a pull0up bar with your palms facing away from you. Your body must be extended fully. Then, you pull yourself up until your chin is just above the bar.

Pull-ups are different from a chin-up. With a chin-up, your palms and hands face towards you. The pull-up is considered to be an advanced exercise. It’s more difficult as opposed to the chin-up. However the pull-up can be modified or done on an assisted machine for beginners, and you’ll still get benefits from these variations.

Is It A Great Idea To Do Pull-Ups Every Day?

Exaggerated tales of epic everyday workouts done by elite athletes are absolutely nothing new in the fitness world. However, with the rise of YouTube influencers as well as other similar social media trends, 30-day exercise routines involving everyday training with high repetitions have become ever more popular.

Regrettably, many of these programmes contain excessive volume — even for trained fitness aficionados — and are frequently way beyond what a novice fitness trainee could or should do.

This does not mean doing these kinds of routines is impossible, however rather that this kind of programme is best thought of as a challenge as opposed to an optimal workout programme for long-term results.

Pull-Ups Are An Effective Compound Exercise

When you think about a ‘typical’ compound exercise, what do you picture? In all probability, you imagine the deadlift, bench press, shoulder press or – alternatively – the squat. These moves may work different muscles, however they have a lot in common:

  • They are most effective when they include heavy weights.
  • They use several muscles all at the same time.
  • They can be adapted in order to target some muscles more than others.

These attributes are important; however they are by no means restricted to the standard compound exercises which we’ve come to know and love. Also, pull-ups work a number of different muscles — and they can be tweaked when needed to focus on particular areas. The sheer power needed for a successful pull-up should not be discounted. Rather than of utilising dumbbells or barbells, this move uses the entire weight of your body.

No isolated muscle can lift your body above the bar on its own, however all the upper body muscles — as well as the lats, traps, deltoids, pecs, biceps, forearms as well as triceps — work together when you perform a pull-up. If you’re determined to work several muscles simultaneously during your daily exercises, you’ll find few moves that are more comprehensive or effective than the pull-up.

Pull-Ups Do Wonders For Your Grip Strength

Grip strength is quite an important part of everyday life. This is why pull-ups are so fantastic. Sure, you require good grip strength to actually do a single pull-up, however in doing so they go a long way in training that very same grip strength.

Think about it. Your hands and fingers need to hold up all of your body weight and this serves as better grip strength training as opposed to virtually any other exercise out there.

Things such as baseball, mountain climbing, weight lifting, football, holding up your baby and even opening up a stubborn jar of pickles all necessitate great grip strength. If you would like to stop struggling with that pickle jar you should definitely start doing a few pull-ups every day.

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Does Exercise Assist With Lowering Blood Pressure? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-exercise-assist-with-lowering-blood-pressure/ Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27092 Your risk of high blood pressure (which is also called hypertension) increases with age, however getting some exercise in can make a massive difference. And if your blood pressure is high already, exercise can assist you with controlling it. Don’t think that you need to be able to run a marathon immediately or join a...

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Your risk of high blood pressure (which is also called hypertension) increases with age, however getting some exercise in can make a massive difference. And if your blood pressure is high already, exercise can assist you with controlling it. Don’t think that you need to be able to run a marathon immediately or join a gym. Rather, begin slowly and work more physical activity into your everyday routine. Lifestyle plays a very important role in terms of treating your high blood pressure. If you control your blood pressure successfully with a healthy lifestyle, you could avoid, delay or lower the need for medication.

How It Works

Frequent physical activity results in your heart becoming much stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood all over your body with less effort. Consequently, the force on your arteries lessens, lowering your blood pressure.

Blood pressure is calculated in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Normal blood pressure levels are less than 120 mm Hg for the top figure (systolic) and less than 80 mm Hg for the bottom figure (diastolic). Increasing your levels of physical activity can lower both your top and bottom blood pressure figures. How much lower isn’t totally clear, however studies show decreases from 4 to 12 mm Hg diastolic as well as 3 to 6 mm Hg systolic.

Exercising often also assists you with maintaining a healthy weight — which is another important way to control blood pressure. If you’re overweight, losing even 2.3 kilograms may lower your blood pressure.

In order to keep your blood pressure healthy, you really do need to keep exercising often. It takes around one to three months for regular exercise to have a significant impact on your blood pressure. The benefits last only as long as you continue to exercise.

What Type of Exercise Is Best For Controlling High Blood Pressure?

There are three basic kinds of exercise:

  • Cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise can assist with lowering your blood pressure as well as making your heart stronger. Good examples include walking, jogging, skipping, bicycling (stationary or outdoor), cross-country skiing, skating, rowing, high- or low-impact aerobics, swimming as well as water aerobics.
  • Strength training builds strong muscles that assist you to burn more calories during the day. Also, it’s great for your joints and bones.
  • Stretching makes you more flexible, assists you with moving better, and assists with preventing injury.

Choose moderate activity, such as brisk walking, no less than 30 minutes a day, no less than 5 days a week. If you’re short on time, vigorous activity, such as jogging, gives you exactly the same benefit in 20 minutes, between three and four days a week.

If you’re not active today, work up to gradually this quantity of exercise. If it takes you a number of weeks to get there, that’s totally fine.

Supportive family and friends can assist with improving your health. They may persuade you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor’s office or embark on an exercise programme with you to make sure that you keep your blood pressure low.

If you find that you need support beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support group. This may put you in touch with individuals who can give you an emotional or morale boost and who are able to offer practical tips so that you can cope with your condition.

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How Can Pilates Improve Your Triathlon Performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-pilates-improve-your-triathlon-performance/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=27011 The very important thing about a triathlon is keeping in mind that the three stages are quite different and recruit quite different muscles. This is crucial because it’s one of the reasons why it’s a very difficult sport! When warming up, you’ll want to try and hit all these different groups and get the body...

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The very important thing about a triathlon is keeping in mind that the three stages are quite different and recruit quite different muscles. This is crucial because it’s one of the reasons why it’s a very difficult sport! When warming up, you’ll want to try and hit all these different groups and get the body ready for rotation in swimming, a flexed and static body position in cycling as well as repetitive impact when running.

Proficiency in running, cycling as well as swimming are not sufficient to be successful in triathlons. Triathletes need general strength conditioning and workouts in order to attain the highest levels of power, strength in addition to endurance. Over the last couple of years, many triathletes have begun including Pilates in their triathlon training. This kind of workout targets the mind and body. It is able to provide flexible, strong muscles without adding any bulk.

What Are The Benefits of Pilates for Triathletes?

For triathletes, traditional crunches might not be as effective as Pilates for increasing power and flexibility. For triathletes, traditional abdominal crunches may not be as effective as Pilates for increasing power and flexibility.

The fundamental goal of Pilates is to increase strength and flexibility without adding on bulk to the body. The wonderful thing about performing Pilates on a regular basis is that it provides a deep-muscle workout for the core abdominals. This type of workout stabilises the pelvic floor and shoulder girdle, which is very important for balancing the big muscle groups in the arms as well as the legs.

One of the absolute best things about Pilates for triathletes is that it assists with mainlining optimal posture and make sure that the body is kept operating at peak performance over a long period of time. In addition, Pilates can prevent injuries and improve athletic performance through improved energy conservation.

Having A Strong Core Is Vital For Proper Form And Alignment

It can ease some of the strain of endurance exercise on the body. Any kind of weakness in the core means that the limbs need to work harder when swimming, cycling as well as running. For the duration of a triathlon, this could mean the difference between finishing the race and failing down in utter exhaustion.

Pilates can significantly improve flexibility, which assists with endurance as a tense muscle will get tired faster than one that is engaged however elongated. In addition, Pilates focuses on rhythmic breathing, which is another key aspect for success with any endurance exercise.

In addition to assisting triathletes perform at their peak, doing Pilates lowers the likelihood of injury during a race. Through strengthening the core – in addition to the pelvic and shoulder girdle – you effectively alleviate strain in the major muscle groups that are associated with those areas. You’ll also achieve greater stability and alignment in the body. Thus, the body is better protected during the difficult and demanding activities of a triathlon.

Pilates Helps With Increase in Range Of Motion And Preventing Injury

Triathletes know well that tight muscles may have a detrimental impact on the race. Also, they can cause injuries in the joints as well as lower back pain. For this very reason, the muscles need to be flexible. Pilates is one of the greatest workouts for triathlon training as it assists with developing flexible and lean muscles in the body. This can diminish injuries in the shoulder, chest, hamstring as well as calf muscles.

A regular Pilates routine can make sure proper stretching in a triathlon training programme. It can also encourage lubrication to the joints and healthy blood circulation. With Pilates exercise routines, it is easy for the body to utilise all the muscles efficiently and save energy. Using the correct muscles will prevent the onset of fatigue in a triathlon. This can be the key to a successful race.

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How Exercise Affects Your Appetite? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-exercise-affects-your-appetite-read-this-article/ Fri, 26 Nov 2021 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26981 Studies have shown that aerobic exercise — such as running, cycling as well as swimming —decreases appetite through changing the levels of hormones which drive our state of hunger. However, the fundamental biological mechanisms which are thus set in motion, and which tell our bodies to secrete fewer of the hormones which drive hunger, have...

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Studies have shown that aerobic exercise — such as running, cycling as well as swimming —decreases appetite through changing the levels of hormones which drive our state of hunger.

However, the fundamental biological mechanisms which are thus set in motion, and which tell our bodies to secrete fewer of the hormones which drive hunger, have remained uncertain. Most research shows, for instance, that exercise lowers levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin and boosts levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin.

Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the many factors at play during exercise – as well as the best way to make use of them to your advantage in order to achieve your health and fitness goals.

Intensity

While an intensive spinning class burns more calories than a leisurely walk, harder workouts tend to suppress appetite temporarily, while low- to moderate-intensity exercise may make you feel hungry quickly.

This is as, during a challenging routine, your body shuttles much of its blood supply to the heart, brain as well as muscles. Your digestive system, in the meantime, gets more or less abandoned. The harder you exercise, the more blood you’re pulling away from the gut and the less hungry you’re going to feel.

Duration

The longer you exercise, the longer it will take going to take for your body systems to go back to baseline and cue your hunger. So, after a two-hour run, you may be able to shower, get dressed and drive to a restaurant before the menu looks appealing, while after a 20-minute high-intensity interval training session, you may not make it home from the gym without stopping for a snack.

Longer exercise also suppresses your appetite in the way that it fills time you may otherwise spend mindlessly eating.

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Beware Of The Exercise Halo

A phenomenal sweat session can make you feel as if you’re a health angel—for good reason, given its life-boosting power. However, we may feel so virtuous that we reward ourselves with some not-so-healthy habits. Don’t fall for these self-sabotaging thoughts.

What Kind Of Exercise Represses Appetite?

Only vigorous exercise seems to make any difference. In one study, 14 young men walked vigorously for an hour or rested calmly on separate days. The researchers saw no difference in appetite, the hunger hormone ghrelin, or calorie intake. In our studies, you have to get above about 60% of your maximal oxygen uptake for exercise to suppress appetite. That means a fast jog or cycling like you’re in a hurry to get somewhere.

Exercising is considered to be an important factor for losing weight. Taking part in any type of physical activity is known to burn calories as well as strengthen your bones and muscles. Honestly, weight loss without exercising is considered to be impossible. However the benefits of exercising in weight loss are not only limited to calorie burning and muscle building. As seen in this article, studies suggest that it can also help to curb your appetite, making you indulge less in unhealthy munching after your workout session.

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What Are The Undeniable Benefits Of Kettlebell Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-undeniable-benefits-of-kettlebell-training/ Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26904 Perhaps your gym has an entire rack of kettlebells which are just waiting for you to get swinging. Or perhaps you’re working out from home and you’ve got a reliable kettlebell by your side in your living room. Wherever you’re training with kettlebells, you’re bound to get stronger, become a better overall athlete, and then...

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Perhaps your gym has an entire rack of kettlebells which are just waiting for you to get swinging. Or perhaps you’re working out from home and you’ve got a reliable kettlebell by your side in your living room. Wherever you’re training with kettlebells, you’re bound to get stronger, become a better overall athlete, and then fight off sticking points in your barbell lifts.

Despite there being no “correct” way to hold a kettlebell, these implements offer unparalleled training advantages. Unlike a barbell, most kettlebell exercises will generally force you to contribute evenly with both sides of your body. And unlike a dumbbell, the nature of the load itself tends to recruit more of your stabiliser muscles. From circuits to flows, you are able to work with kettlebells in more ways than you think to develop power or improve your cardiovascular endurance.

Kettlebells For Killer Cardiovascular Training

There is absolutely no better way to burn fat than with a couple of high rep sets of kettlebell swings, snatches as well as clean and jerks. These amazing ballistic exercises work your body as one unit and necessitate a great deal of hard work. The harder that you work the more calories you burn. This is the reason why sprinters are ripped to shreds and marathon runners also have a skinny-fat look.

As efficient as sprinting is, ballistic kettlebell exercises – for example high rep snatches (20 reps or more per set) – make sprinting look like a walk in the park. High-rep snatches work more muscle groups as opposed to sprinting and will build strength in the lower back, shoulders as well as hip flexors.

Kettlebell Training Combines Cardiovascular And Strength Training

Really busy people want the biggest bang for their fitness buck. Kettlebells can be the solution to attempting to squeeze cardio, strength as well as flexibility training in an already tight schedule. Owing to the intensive nature, the workout duration needs to be kept short. Best of all, they are so small and portable that training can take place in your bedroom.

Kettlebell Training Is A Form Of Low-Impact Cardio

While traditional cardiovascular exercises – such as jogging – can be a massive asset to strength athletes, these types of exercises can put a huge amount of strain on the body. Including hours on the treadmill into your training might not be the most effective cardio option if your recovery isn’t perfectly catered to that plan.

As your feet remain planted during even the most explosive kettlebell moves, you won’t be putting the same repetitive strain on your joints – as well as connective tissue – as running will.

A lot of kettlebell exercises are ballistic in nature, which makes them ideal for low-impact cardiovascular training. As we said previously in this article, kettlebell circuits and flows don’t take up a lot of time, are done at submaximal loads, and will put a lot of positive demand on your cardiovascular system. You can boost your endurance in a lot less time. The more efficient your engine, the more volume you’ll likely be able to handle in your other training.

Kettlebell Training Is Great For Active Recovery

Adequate recovery is critical for athletes. However, programmes in which you train to failure and then take a week off to hang out on the coach are not efficient for athletes. The key with athletes is to enhance performance and conditioning. Performing a few light workouts per week will quicken recovery by getting some blood into the worked muscles.

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Would you like to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Benefits Of Indoor Cycling? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-indoor-cycling-read-this-article/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26877 Indoor cycling classes are as tough as they are thrilling. Benefits of a class include weight loss, enhanced strength, and endurance. These advantages are enhanced when indoor cycling classes are mixed with other cardio as well as resistance workouts, however you can easily utilise an indoor cycling class as your main workout. It’s certainly worth...

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Indoor cycling classes are as tough as they are thrilling. Benefits of a class include weight loss, enhanced strength, and endurance. These advantages are enhanced when indoor cycling classes are mixed with other cardio as well as resistance workouts, however you can easily utilise an indoor cycling class as your main workout. It’s certainly worth trying out an indoor cycling class, particularly if it’s within your budget and you think it’s something you’ll enjoy.

Indoor cycling classes assists you with shedding fat, improving your heart health as well as boosting your muscle endurance. Your legs will get a major workout. By the time the indoor cycling class is done, you’ll have a constant stream of feel-good brain chemicals that are called endorphins.

Many gyms offer indoor cycling classes. Alternatively you will be able to join one of the popular cycling boutiques, which merges indoor cycling together with a weighted workout for your arms or others which add mind-body exercise into its bike routine.

How Many Times Per Week Must I Do Indoor Cycling?

You should plan to do 3-5 classes a week for best results. Or, alternatively, add between one and two classes a week into your workout routine. Classes frequently last between 45 and 60 minutes. An instructor will lead the class through various different types of cycling, such as uphill climbs, bursts of speed as well as short recovery periods with simple pedalling. At times you’ll get off the saddle and pedal in a standing position.

The Benefits Of Indoor Cycling For Your Body

Indoor cycling classes are extremely challenging, which means you’ll probably see results, especially if you commit to regular classes. In order to gain the full benefits, it will be necessary to commit to three and six classes per week for a sum total of 150 minutes. Make use of a journal or app in order to track the progress of your fitness goals.

Building Strength

In order to develop your strength, you should plan on doing at least 150 minutes of cycling per week. You might see results after a couple of weeks of regular classes, however you’ll need to keep up with the classes to sustain the results.

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Cardiovascular Benefits

Indoor cycling is a great way to improve cardiovascular health. It’s quite similar to other types of cardio, such as running, swimming as well as elliptical training. Indoor cycling ideal for people who want a cardio workout without putting excessive amounts of stress on their joints. A small 2017 study on female high school students found that indoor cycling was even better as opposed to bicycling in improving physical fitness.

Burn Calories

Indoor cycling classes are a marvelous way to burn calories. Dependent on the difficulty and duration of the class, you will be able to burn 400 to 600 calories per class. You’ll need to attend classes three to six times per week to see weight-loss results.

A study from 2018 made the finding that indoor cycling and strength training were sufficient to have a positive effect on endurance as well as strength without changing dietary habits.

It’s still a good idea to follow a healthy diet that includes plenty of carbohydrates and protein. In a 2010 study, indoor cycling coupled with a low-calorie diet was found to promote weight loss and raise HDL cholesterol levels.

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If you would like to become an indoor cycling instructor then you need to do our Indoor Cycling Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Actual Are The Benefits Of Cold Water Swimming? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-actual-are-the-benefits-of-cold-water-swimming/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26850 Cold water swimming (which is also called winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Up until a couple of years ago, ice swimming was practised by very few extreme athletes. For a number of years now, ice swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C). Fans...

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Cold water swimming (which is also called winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Up until a couple of years ago, ice swimming was practised by very few extreme athletes. For a number of years now, ice swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C).

Fans are of the belief cold water swimming is the elixir of health and well-being. In fact, the first claims of the advantages of cold water swimming date back to 400BCE. Since then many different studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that it has a wide variety of benefits.

An Increased Tolerance To Stress

Immersing yourself in cold water is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. The temperature of the water generates a stress reaction in the body, which is the same kind of reaction which we experience if we find ourselves in a frightening or tense situation. The body releases the stress hormone which is called cortisol. In addition, breathing frequency and heart rate rises. The body’s fight or flight mechanism comes into play, which explains why the natural response to getting into cold water is that you want to get out of the water as fast as you possibly can.

As anybody who has braved an icy dip will know, the stress reaction diminishes as you adjust to the temperature. At the moment, there is evidence which suggests that repeatedly putting your body through cold water immersion gradually lowers the seriousness of the initial stress reaction. It might not be that cold water swimmers become accustomed to the water; they just get used to their body’s reaction as well as the reaction itself becomes far less severe.

The real magic is that the drop in the stress response applies in other stressful situations and not just on exposure to cold water. Your reaction to other stressful events – such as writing an exam, bungee jumping – is also lowered.

It Boosts Your Immune System

The impacts of cold water on the immune system have been widely studied. Cold water assists with boosting the white blood cell count as the body is forced to react to altering conditions. Over time, your body will become better at mobilising its defences.

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A Boost To Self Esteem

The process of pushing yourself to stay in cold water could increase your mental strength. Getting out of your comfort zone improves confidence and courage as well as giving you a sense of accomplishment. By getting comfortable with being uncomfortable you increase your resilience in other areas of life.

It Burns More Calories

The heart needs to pump faster and the body has to work harder in order to keep everything warm while swimming in cold water. Overall, you will burn a lot more calories as opposed to swimming in hotter conditions. The idea that drinking cold water boosts the number of calories you burn could be a myth, however it’s a fact that cold water lowers your body temperature so much that the body needs to act. It’s no accident that cold water swimmers are often thin.

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What Are The Health Benefits Can Be Gained From Kettlebell Swings? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-health-benefits-can-be-gained-from-kettlebell-swings/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26765 If you’re a gym newbie or a seasoned CrossFitter, you can benefit from adding kettlebell swings to your strength training routine. This essential all-in-one workout helps with everything from spine strength and hip flexibility to cardio and calorie burn. The kettlebell is an utterly fantastic piece of equipment. There is so much which you area...

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If you’re a gym newbie or a seasoned CrossFitter, you can benefit from adding kettlebell swings to your strength training routine. This essential all-in-one workout helps with everything from spine strength and hip flexibility to cardio and calorie burn.

The kettlebell is an utterly fantastic piece of equipment. There is so much which you area able to do with a kettlebell that it would blow your mind if you read them all at once. We are actually here to talk about the benefits of kettlebell swings, the swing being one very particular exercise which you are able to do with the kettlebell.

The kettlebell swing is one of the base movements of kettlebell exercises and has a lot of different benefits. Not only can it assist you with burning fat as well as increasing your fitness, but a kettlebell workout can also improve postural reactions.

 Not Familiar With The Kettlebell?

A kettlebell is basically a cannonball that has a handle. This piece of equipment has gained popularity as an exercise as well as rehabilitation tool. The kettlebell is nothing new.  Popular myth is that the kettlebell was born out of Russia. Russian farmers utilised them as a counter weight in order to measure grain at the market. They then started throwing them around and developing competitions to pass the time.

How To Do Kettlebell Swings For Maximum Benefits

The two-handed Russian swing is the ideal entryway into kettlebell exercises. Here’s how to perform this exercise:

  • Stand straight and tall. Make sure that your feet are around shoulder-distance apart. Hold the kettlebell to the front of your body with both of your hands.
  • Engage your core. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Keep arms long as well as loose.
  • Bend knees slightly. Shift your weight into your heels and push your hips back.
  • Drive through your heels and explode forwards with your hips. Activate your core and glutes as you thrust your hips in order to assist you with swinging the kettlebell to your chest height, with your arms extended.
  • Ensure you keep your upper body relaxed as you swing. Don’t lifting the weight with your arms. Rather, push with your hips and allow the kettlebell to swing from your shoulders.
  • Shift hips back as the kettlebell drops (almost like pushing your hips to the wall behind you). Hinge at your hips, allowing your hamstrings and glutes to carry the weight.
  • Allow the kettlebell to gently swoosh back between your legs.
  • Drive through hips and heels to repeat this movement. Your arms should act as a pendulum which the kettlebell swings from.

The Benefits Of Working Out With Kettlebells

Strengths Dozens Of Muscles Quickly

You’ll be challenged to find another exercise which works so many areas of your body.  The kettlebell swing improves your core, glutes, hamstrings, quads, back, delts as well as your arms.

Improves Balance And Posture

Research demonstrates that kettlebell swings betters balance and posture – this is even for elite athletes.  When you utilise a kettlebell, you learn naturally what good posture feels like. In order to keep your balance, it is necessary for you to keep your back straight and your core engaged.  And forward bend comes from your hips as opposed to slouching your back.

Enhances Flexibility

Every time you swing the kettlebell and stand up tall, you engage your glutes which relaxes your opposing hip flexor.  The constant contraction of the glutes and relaxing of the hips finally unlocks tight hips… which is a common problem.  This is partly owing to the modern conveniences of today… we sit too much! This can lead to lack of hip mobility.

The kettlebell swing is a phenomenal exercise to combat our modern-day issues of sitting too much.  Improving hip flexibility assists with increasing performance in other exercises, sports, and decreases back tension.

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Would you like to study to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Strength Training Is Important For Runners? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-strength-training-is-important-for-runners-read-this-article/ Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26746 Strength training is a type of exercise that is completed against resistance. Dependent on your workout goals and fitness, the resistance which you use may be your body weight, resistance bands, or weights. Resistance training is fundamental to maintaining muscle mass, which may improve your metabolic rate, functional capacity, fitness as well as athletic performance....

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Strength training is a type of exercise that is completed against resistance. Dependent on your workout goals and fitness, the resistance which you use may be your body weight, resistance bands, or weights. Resistance training is fundamental to maintaining muscle mass, which may improve your metabolic rate, functional capacity, fitness as well as athletic performance.

Strength training for runners is frequently neglected in favour of getting kilometres under your belt. Resistance training has the potential to lower your injury risk through correcting muscle imbalances and developing muscle activation, as well as improving the efficiency of your running biomechanics. This results in enhanced running performance.

So how many strength training sessions should a runner be doing? The length of your runs will be the best way in order to determine this. Middle and shorter distance runners should be aiming for between two and three times per week on low volume training days or rest days. Longer distance runner (for example, ultra-marathon) should do strength blocks, building a solid strength base initially and then decreasing strength training volume as your running volume ramps up.

The Benefits Of Strength Training For Runners

Whether you’re looking to become faster, stronger, or lose weight, doing strength training can assist you with achieving your fitness goals. Here are some ways that strength training could enhance your running programme.

Increased Running Efficiency

If you’ve ever felt your form fall apart as you become fatigued toward the end of a long run or race, strength training can assist. Strengthening your core can assist you to improve and maintain your running form. This translates into improved running efficiency.

This is very crucial for those who are training for a long-distance event such as a half or full marathon because small improvements in efficiency can make a massive difference over all those kilometres.

Weight Loss

Including more lean muscle mass will boost your metabolism. This means that you’ll burn more calories both at rest as well as during workouts. A lot of runners find that adding strength training to their training regimen boosts their weight-loss effort and assists them to bust through a weight-loss plateau.

Improved Endurance And Reduced Fatigue

Strength training assists your body better deal with the stresses of running. Your muscles can perform longer before becoming fatigued, which will assist you with maintaining your proper running form. Boosting your strength will assist you to fight off hitting the wall or cramping up during the late stages of a long-distance race.

How Can You Add Strength Training Into Your Routine?

It can be slightly intimidating to work out at a gym if you’re not used to it. However, it’s a great way to access to all the equipment as well as space you need. If you’re not sure about how to strength train on your own, taking a group class such as CrossFit, Barre, TRX, yoga, or Pilates are all fantastic options.

If you would rather be outside, take your weights with you and do bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, lunges, and planks. Alternatively, use equipment such as benches for tricep dips and bars on a playground for inverted rows.

In addition, you can integrate cross-training, such as cycling or swimming, into your workout routine in order to build strength and flexibility in muscles that running doesn’t utilise and to help prevent injury.

Concentrating on different body parts on different days is another very effective way to organise your strength training each week. That way, you are able to strategically schedule lower-body or leg day a few days after a long run so that you can give your body proper time to fully recover.

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How To Exercise With Chronic Pain. Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-with-chronic-pain-read-this-article/ Fri, 12 Nov 2021 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26660 Chronic pain (which is also known as persistent pain) is pain that continues beyond the expected healing time of an injury. As opposed to acute pain, which is the result of tissue damage, chronic pain or persistent pain is far less about the structural or tissue damage and is more about the sensitivity of the...

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Chronic pain (which is also known as persistent pain) is pain that continues beyond the expected healing time of an injury. As opposed to acute pain, which is the result of tissue damage, chronic pain or persistent pain is far less about the structural or tissue damage and is more about the sensitivity of the nervous system and non-tissue-related factors.

Significant research has proven that exercise is an essential aspect in the treatment of chronic pain. Frequently, when we experience chronic pain we steer clear of activity in an attempt to not cause pain flare-ups. However, we know that slowly, over time, individuals experiencing chronic pain become less able to complete activities which were previously enjoyed, for instance walking, and commonly also have difficulties in finishing activities of daily living such as housework.

Research has proven that exercise can be an effective way in order to reverse this downward cycle of deconditioning as well as worsening pain. Gradually over time exercise helps those with this pain engage more in activities of enjoyment and essential activities of day-to-day living with greater ease.

Things To Remember About Exercising With Chronic Pain

  • Keep in mind that exercise is medicine and is an important daily strategy utilised in order to assist in the regulation of pain conditions.
  • Stretch to cool down and not warm up. Do short bursts of exercise and not long stretches.
  • It is important to begin slowly when starting an exercise programme and avoid pushing into stronger pain. It is frequently useful to use the 0-10 scale in order to monitor your pain levels while you’re exercising.
  • If pain levels rise by more than 2 points from baseline you should stop and alter that exercise to make sure that you do not cause a flare up of your pain.

What Exercises To Try For Chronic Pain Management

Try a mixture of cardio, relaxation, stretching and strength exercises and you could feel some of your pain go away over time.

Cardio Exercises

Cardiovascular exercise has a number of different physical as well as mental benefits. It can be particularly useful for people with chronic pain. Cardio can be performed any time of day and frequently requires little or no equipment.

Relaxation Exercise

Relaxation exercises are very important for many individuals who live with chronic pain. Visualisation requires no equipment and can also be done anywhere.

Stretching Exercises

If you suffer from chronic pain in your lower back or neck, stretching can relieve tension as well as stiffness. Try some equipment-free stretches for the back and neck in order to improve overall mobility and facilitate proper movement.

Strengthening Exercises

Building strength is crucial for stabilizing the joints and also preventing future injuries. For people living with chronic pain, sufficient core strength is particularly important. This is because It helps you to maintain proper posture and balance as well as reducing the risk of injuries which could lead to more pain. Working the muscles of the abdomen, hips as well as back can assist with improving core strength and stability.

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Pilates Workouts for Runners. Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-workouts-for-runners-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Thu, 11 Nov 2021 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26645 We don’t often give our core sufficient credit. However the group of muscles which make up your core are always working overtime to stabilise your spine, which in turn ensures that you are kept steady as well as upright. Plus, almost all movements start from the core, from sitting up straight, to bending over to...

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We don’t often give our core sufficient credit. However the group of muscles which make up your core are always working overtime to stabilise your spine, which in turn ensures that you are kept steady as well as upright. Plus, almost all movements start from the core, from sitting up straight, to bending over to even running.

However if your idea of a core workout is just doing crunches at the end of a run, you’ll wreak absolute havoc on your lower back as well as, eventually, your running performance. That’s why you should consider including Pilates into your training routine.

Every Pilates move focuses not just on the six-pack ab muscles (in other words, the rectus abdominis in addition to the obliques), however Pilates is also known for targeting the deep core muscles which support your spine and also tap into other often neglected muscles in runners such as the glutes and inner thighs.

As a result, you will build greater core strength and control and this leads to improved posture and a more efficient running form. In fact, researchers found that when runners experienced weaknesses in the deep core muscles which support the spine, it led to more risk of lower back pain over time.

A Few Quick Form Notes Before You Begin

Two major things that you should concentrate on during these exercises are your posture as well as breathing. In order to get into good alignment, you’ll want to find what Pilates instructors call your ‘neutral spine’. Here’s how to find this:

  • Rock your pelvis forwards and backwards, feeling it extend to its extreme point on either end, ultimately coming to a rest in the middle. Your back mustn’t be overarched.
  • Ensure that you engage your core and pelvic floor muscles while you stand up tall, keeping your chest up.
  • Think about stretching out your spine, together with your neck, so if feels like “helium balloons are affixed to the top of your head as well as lifting you upwards.

Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, and ensure that you keep those abdominal muscles activated throughout the exercise. Concentrate on breathing in through your nose as deeply as you possibly can so that your rib cage expands. Breathe out through your mouth. Practise this a few times before you start.

And last but not least, if you’re injured it’s best to get advice from a Pilates instructor, trainer, or physical therapist in terms of how to modify these exercises so that you don’t make things worse.

The Roll-Up

  • Lie faceup on a Pilates mat with your legs extended straight out. Ensure that your feet are hip-width apart.
  • Extend your arms overhead and breathe in deeply to prepare.
  • Exhale, tuck your chin to chest, and then draw arms forward.
  • When your wrists are directly above your shoulders, slowly peel upper back off the mat one vertebrae at a time by utilising your core for control.
  • Continue to reach forwards as you fold up as well as over the legs as far as you can without straining.
  • Inhale here and then exhale as you tuck your chin to chest. Round your upper back to roll backward slowly until your shoulders are on the mat. Do five to 10 repetitions.

Neck Stretch

  • Stand up tall. Have your feet together, your back straight, your shoulders back, and your arms relaxed at your sides.
  • Gradually drop your left ear to your left shoulder to a point where you feel a stretch. Hold for a number of seconds.
  • Return to your starting position and then repeat four times to the right.
  • Repeat the same motion on your left side four times.

Single Straight-Leg Stretch

  • Lie face-up on the Pilates mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Rest your arms at your sides.
  • Lengthen your right leg towards the ceiling with your toes pointed and take hold of it at the highest point possible.
  • Lift your left leg a couple of centimetres off the ground. Peel your head and shoulders off the Pilates mat while engaging your abdominals.
  • After this, gently pulse the right leg toward you twice.
  • Exhale with each pulse and attempt to keep your right leg as straight as you possibly can. Inhale and then switch legs.
  • Repeat the two pulses, making sure that you exhale with each pulse. Continue to alternate.
  • Do reps on each side for a total of 10 reps.

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Which Strength Training Exercises Promote Longevity and Build Up Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-strength-training-exercises-promote-longevity-and-build-up-strength/ Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26592 Every single exercise has some or the other health-linked benefits. However, when we talk about long and disease-free life, then strength training becomes very essential. Strength training is not only for shedding kilos or gaining muscle mass. It is equally beneficial and necessary for people trying to stay fit. Lifting weight regularly can strengthen bones,...

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Every single exercise has some or the other health-linked benefits. However, when we talk about long and disease-free life, then strength training becomes very essential. Strength training is not only for shedding kilos or gaining muscle mass.

It is equally beneficial and necessary for people trying to stay fit. Lifting weight regularly can strengthen bones, slow muscle loss, and help to boost metabolism. But even in strength training, there are a number of exercises that can confuse people.

What Are The Basic Principles Of Strength Training?

Strength training consists of various components. The basic principles include the following.

Weight

Various weights or other types of resistance – for instance a 3 kg hand weight or fixed weight, body weight or rubber band – will be utilised for different exercises during your strength training session.

Exercise

A specific movement, for instance a calf-raise, is designed to strengthen a specific muscle or group of muscles.

Repetitions Or Reps

This term relates to the number of times you continuously repeat each exercise in a set.

Set

This is a group of repetitions that are performed without resting, for instance, two sets of squats by 15 reps would mean that you do 15 squats then rest muscles prior to doing another 15 squats.

Rest

You need to rest between sets. Rest periods vary according to the intensity of exercise being undertaken.

Strength Training Exercises For You To Try

Dumbbell Goblet Squat

  • Step 1: Stand up nice and tall with your feet wider than hip-distance apart.
  • Step 2: Hold onto one end of a dumbbell (in a vertical position) with both of your hands close to your chest.
  • Step 3: Bend your knees. While you’re doing so, push your butt back so that you come into a squat position (thighs parallel to the ground).
  • Step 4: Maintaining your spine and neck in a straight position, hold the pose for a few seconds before going back to your beginning position.

Dumbbell Lunges

  • Step 1: Stand on the floor with your feet hip-width apart. Ensure that you take hold of a dumbbell in each one of your hands.
  • Step 2: Move your left leg one foot forward and then lower your body until both your front as well as back legs form a 90-degree angle.
  • Step 3: Your front leg should definitely not cross your toes.
  • Step 4: Pause, rise and then take your right leg back to your starting point in order to complete one rep. Repeat the same with the left leg.

Dumbbell Row

  • Step 1: Stand up straight and take hold of a pair of dumbbells in each of your hands.
  • Step 2: Ensure that you bring your hands in front of your body with your palms facing your body. This is the beginning position.
  • Step 3: Bend your elbows and then push your shoulder blades back to lift the dumbbells to your chin level.
  • Step 4: Pause, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.

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Common Weight Training Mistakes Every Newbie Lifter Must Avoid https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/common-weight-training-mistakes-every-newbie-lifter-must-avoid/ Fri, 05 Nov 2021 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26576 There is much information to take in about weight training and it is extremely difficult to learn enough – even to know what you are doing. As a beginner weight lifter, jumping into this gigantic pool of knowledge and information may be very discouraging as well as even dangerous. Beginning a new exercise routine can...

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There is much information to take in about weight training and it is extremely difficult to learn enough – even to know what you are doing. As a beginner weight lifter, jumping into this gigantic pool of knowledge and information may be very discouraging as well as even dangerous.

Beginning a new exercise routine can be intimidating, however hopping on a treadmill is easy enough — after all, you’re doing a movement which you are familiar with. However venturing into the weight room is a different story altogether. For those who haven’t lifted weights beforehand (or who are a little rusty), you need to research exercises, learn the proper form, and frequently work on creating a muscle memory before your body feels 100% comfortable performing them.

Research Shows That Weight Training Is Worth The Effort

When done regularly, between two and three times a week, weight training builds muscle strength and mass and also preserves bone density. In addition,, it has the ability to lower the risk of osteoporosis in addition to the signs and symptoms of chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis as well as type 2 diabetes.

While weight training is important and has a tonne of benefits, it’s also very easy to do incorrectly. So while we wholeheartedly encourage individuals to include it in their routine, we also can’t stress enough how crucial it is to ease into it. We see the mistakes first hand as a personal trainer. What’s a lot worse is that a lot of these mistakes aren’t just in one movement: they’re repetitive habits which people have picked up over the course of their lives and simply don’t realise.

Utilising An Advanced Workout Routine

The very first error which commonly made is utilising a more advanced workout routine than required or possible. While it’s great that you would like to see optimal success and also push yourself, keep in mind that your body is just becoming used to the exercise of weight lifting.

If you put yourself on an innovative split body routine with complicated weightlifting techniques, how well do you think you’ll keep up? Not well at all. It’ll be one week in and then you’ll be injured. Or you’ll only fully commit for a number of weeks and then stop due to a lack of time as well as motivation.

Clearly this isn’t what you’re after so make sure that you choose a workout routine which fits your schedule and fits your body. You’ll be far more likely to reach results.

Not Tracking Anything

“What gets measured is managed,” Austrian business visionary, Peter Drucker, once said. Beginners never take notes. However, if you measure nothing, what can you improve?

Make sure that you record everything in your workout: what exercises you did, what weight you utilised, how many reps — everything! In addition, track your physique by taking photos as well as measuring your bodyweight, circumference in addition to body fat percentage regularly. This will emphasise your successes and failures so that you are able to adjust your exercise program and diet in order to upgrade your results.

For instance, if you try out a new diet, however your physique stays constant, you need to change something. However if you try a new workout and your body fat drops while your circumference grows, you’re doing great.

Overtraining

Quite a common mistake is that having weight training sessions lasting hours long or performing tonnes of the same exercises more than a few days a week will get you improved gains. Less is undoubtedly more when it comes down to weight training. Keep in mind that your central nervous system (CNS) and joints come into the picture and suffer a lot more from the harm of weight training than your muscles.

Your muscles grow when you are resting and not when you are at the gym. This is as when you lift weights, you produce tears in the muscle tissue. When you are at rest, the muscle repairs itself and becomes larger than it was before. How long it takes to repair will be dependent largely on your diet as well as how much sleep you get per night.

In order to help avoid overtraining, utilise some of the routines already on this site, and keep in mind not to take an intermediate or advanced workout routine until you have far more experience. About three months before an intermediate routine and a number of years before an advanced routine. Also, remember that it is recommended about every 12 weeks, you take a week off of weight lifting to heal any of those little nagging injuries as well as to give your CNS a break.

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Are you wanting to study personal training? If you do then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Exercises To Develop Stronger Muscles In Your 40s And 50s https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-develop-stronger-muscles-in-your-40s-and-50s/ Thu, 04 Nov 2021 05:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26572 Fitness isn’t age-specific. In addition, it doesn’t go to waste when you start getting older. While it’s a common belief that exercise only benefits the young, building on strength as well as maintaining muscles is just as vital when you hit your later ages. As the body begins to lose muscle mass when you grow...

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Fitness isn’t age-specific. In addition, it doesn’t go to waste when you start getting older. While it’s a common belief that exercise only benefits the young, building on strength as well as maintaining muscles is just as vital when you hit your later ages.

As the body begins to lose muscle mass when you grow older, and your metabolism slows down as well, it can also be challenging for some people to lose weight effectively. That is why while every person should take time out to stretch muscles and be physically active, practising strength training is also something which is equal important.

One of the most important benefits of weight training is building on lean muscle mass. Routine strength training will make your body stronger, but leaner, rather than feeling ‘bulky’. When you build lean muscle mass after you turn 40, you also become stronger and find it much easier to perform activities or chores which have the potential to cause strain.

How To Become Stronger

There are two core principles that you need to learn in order to ensure your muscle-building techniques are successful:

  • Your Form Should Be Perfect

There is a correct way and there’s an incorrect way to perform any exercise. The wrong way will place a strain on your body and is more likely to result in an injury. The right way allows you to lift heavier weights and build muscle.

  • You Should Progressively Increase Your Resistance

The answer to how to get stronger in your 40s is building lean muscle. The real secret is simply to increase the weights you are using whilst lowering the number of reps. This will push your body to lift more and more. The best part is that you won’t risk an injury through extended lifting routines. The key to getting stronger is in pushing your muscles just past their limits and then giving them time to rest. This is the reason you should only train three times a week.

Squats

Don’t underestimate the power of simple squats! The squat is one extremely beneficial exercise which dole out benefits for people of any age. This exercise can be done anytime, anywhere. Not only are squats excellent weight-loss-promoting exercise that burns calories, but they also significantly lower chances of injuries to the knee or the ankles.

In addition, doing squats is a great way to tone and add strength to your lower body as performing a squat movement strengthens your tendons and ligaments in the leg muscles. Squats also improve flexibility in your lower body, back and strengthens your knee joints.

Dumbbell Goblet Squat

The goblet squat is to be one exercise that works major muscle groups in the body, from your core, forearm, back as well as upper back muscles. Practising the squat move with a dumbbell can be even more effective as well as easier to do as opposed to a traditional squat. Doing so effectively provides the same benefits to the core and encourages additional strength in the lower body. As it assists with strengthening the important muscle groups, it can also lower one’s risk of injuries, and assists with weight loss. This is one exercise that is worth trying if you have been struggling to lose weight.

Full Body Roll-Up

Bodyweight exercises – such as the full body roll-up – are often considered to be good methods for training core muscle groups together, without the need of gym or workout equipment, hence, allowing for comfort as well as ease.

The roll-up movement, while greatly focuses on the abdominal muscles, is also quite effective in boosting overall flexibility, lengthening the hip flexors and back muscles. By focusing on mobilising your spine, this exercise will assist to reduce stiffness, promote flexibility in the body as well as reduce pain.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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What Are The Best Exercises for MS to Boost Strength and Balance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-ms-to-boost-strength-and-balance/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26557 Exercise is vital not just for overall well-being — it can also assist with managing symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). According to a review which was published in August 2016 in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, in people who have MS, exercise has been linked with a reduced relapse rate, lower lesion volume, slower progression of...

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Exercise is vital not just for overall well-being — it can also assist with managing symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). According to a review which was published in August 2016 in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, in people who have MS, exercise has been linked with a reduced relapse rate, lower lesion volume, slower progression of the disease, as well as improved performance on neurological tests.

Another study which was published in July 2017 in Multiple Sclerosis made the finding that resistance training in particular may increase cortical thickness in individuals with relapsing-remitting MS. This suggests that this type of exercise can assist with combatting brain atrophy, which is linked with disease progression in MS.

More recently, a March 2020 review that was published in BMC Neurology found that physical exercise can drastically reduce fatigue in people who have MS. Another recent study, which was published in July 2020 in the Journal of Neurology, made the finding that regular physical activity assist people who have MS to maintain volume in the hippocampus region of the brain.

However before you get started exercising, a physical therapist should assess your strengths and weaknesses in order to determine what type of exercise programme would be best for you. However here are some ideas about appropriate exercises.

Exercises For Balance

Stretching is, undoubtedly, one of the most helpful physical activities for bettering balance and coordination. It’s also easy for individuals of all physical activity levels.

In addition, stretching can assist with improving your posture and preventing aches and pains that are associated with MS. Gentle stretching can also assist with warming up muscles for movement. This is very important if you’ve been not active for a long period of time.

Warming up and moving your muscles slowly will also assist with preventing torn muscles, strains and sprains. You should stretch after you wake up or after you’ve been sitting for long periods of time. Seated stretching is simpler and safer for beginners.

Stretching Exercise: Hip Marching

  • Sit in a sturdy chair and make sure that your back touches the back of the chair.
  • Put your hands easily on your legs.
  • Gradually lift your left leg straight up, leaving your knee bent.
  • Hold this position for a count of 5 (or as long as it is comfortable for you), and then return your foot to the floor.
  • Repeat with your other leg.

Pilates For MS

Pilates may be the perfect exercise option for someone who has early symptoms of MS. Pilates exercises can assist with activating the smaller stabilising muscles which make human movement possible..

The roll-up is a phenomenal exercise to activate the deep abdominal muscles which are responsible for stabilising the spine. Maintaining this function is super important for balance, which can be one of the biggest limiters for people with advanced MS.

Pilates Exercise: Roll Ups

  • Lie down on your back on a Pilates mat with your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Reach overhead and take hold the end of the mat with your fingertips.
  • Exhale and attempt to pull your stomach in towards the floor.
  • While still holding onto the mat, slowly peel your shoulder blades and upper back off the floor, while pushing your head back into the mat gently.
  • Pause for two seconds, trying to feel that contraction in your abdominals.
  • Reverse the movement slowly, lowering your upper back down to the floor.

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What Are The Life Coach Boundaries? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-the-life-coach-boundaries/ Fri, 29 Oct 2021 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26552 Under normal circumstances, a life coach who has been properly trained has a good working grasp of what life coaching boundaries look like. However, even the most experienced life coaches encounter moments when it’s challenging to know just where to draw the line. In order for a confidence coach to avoid sticky situations, it’s helpful...

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Under normal circumstances, a life coach who has been properly trained has a good working grasp of what life coaching boundaries look like. However, even the most experienced life coaches encounter moments when it’s challenging to know just where to draw the line.

In order for a confidence coach to avoid sticky situations, it’s helpful to lay out some ground rules with clients upfront. There’s a reason that having coaching agreements in place is considered to be a best practice, and this is it!

We all hear about the requirement for boundaries in personal relationships. As certified life coaches, we probably even assist our clients to establish boundaries in their work as well as personal lives. However, why can it be challenging for life coaches to set boundaries?

As like skills coaches, we concentrate on being of service to clients, providing life coaching services, and giving our time, energy as well as knowledge in order to help them lead a more rewarding and joyous life. We act as their sounding boards for some of their most personal and exposed issues, thoughts, and worries. Owing to this, it may be tempting to give a little more time here, and a little more latitude there, in the spirit of being of a lot more service to them.

What Is The Problem With This?

When your boundaries are weak as a life mentor, you are left extremely vulnerable to individuals who take advantage of your time, strength, and resources. This leaves you feeling depleted and not able to give your all to any client, particularly to yourself. Most clients will not do this maliciously or even consciously. It’s just what takes place when you don’t set clear, strong boundaries around your work.

Healthy boundaries in the confidence coach-client relationship mean that there are crystal clear limits on what is acceptable behaviour for both sides. It gives both parties the opportunity to know what to expect of the other, resulting in a fulfilling and – hopefully – wildly successful life coaching relationship.

How To Manage Life Coach Boundaries?

Write Them Out

Don’t make the assumption that your client knows what you expect of them! Prepare a document that explains all of your policies as well as procedures. Then, ask your client to review and sign it. If an issue comes up, you will be able to refer to the document that they have agreed to. Being clear up front may save you a lot of time and anguish in the long run.

Watch The Clock

Begin and end on time, all the time. Unless there is a special circumstance, making sure that you keep firm on your schedule every session demonstrates that you value your time as well as that of your client.

Select Clients Carefully

Just because a person wants life coaching doesn’t mean that they are the correct client for you. If you notice any red flags (not being on time for consultation calls, calls or emails late or often), you do not need to sign on to work with them.

Choose Your Hours

It can be very helpful, as a confidence coach, to include your work hours in your email signature, contracts as well as any other documents you give to clients. If you identify particular work hours for yourself, stick to them, and then don’t feel forced to respond after hours, even if you do have the time.

Don’t Feel Bad

Setting boundaries, as a life mentor, is not about restriction or closing off your clients. It can actually have the opposite effect – establishing a more powerful coach-client connection. Resist the urge to feel guilty about setting boundaries with your clients.

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Do you want to study life coaching? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. Get a Life Coach Certification with Trifocus Fitness Academy today! Trifocus Fitness Academy - Mind Body Specialist

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What Is The Difference Between Life Coaching, Nutrition Coaching And Sports Coaching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-life-coaching-nutrition-coaching-and-sports-coaching/ Thu, 28 Oct 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26548 What Is A Life Coach? A life coach professional is a type of wellness professional who assists individuals make progress in their lives in order to attain more fulfilment. Life coaches help their clients in bettering their relationships, careers as well as day-to-day lives. Life coaches can assist you to clarify your goals, pinpoint the...

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What Is A Life Coach?

A life coach professional is a type of wellness professional who assists individuals make progress in their lives in order to attain more fulfilment. Life coaches help their clients in bettering their relationships, careers as well as day-to-day lives.

Life coaches can assist you to clarify your goals, pinpoint the obstacles which are holding you back, and then devise strategies for overcoming each obstacle. In establishing these strategies, life coaches target your distinctive skills and gifts. By assisting you to make the most of your strengths, life coaches offer the support you need in order to achieve long-lasting change.

What Is A Nutrition Coach?

As a nutrition coach, you work with real people and their real struggles, all within the messiness of their real lives. In other words, an effective personal diet coach has more to do with behaviour change psychology than it does with nutrition science.

What Is A Sports Coach?

Sports coaches train teams or individuals in a number of different skills on how to develop their performances. These types of coaches determine the level of instruction needed by observing how the individual or team performs. Their job titles often reflect their sport (i.e. hockey coach, rugby coach, soccer coach, swimming coach, figure skating coach) or – alternatively – their position relative to others in an organisation (i.e. head coach, club coach).

Techniques are taught to acquire as well as improve skills. Sports coaches plan training programmes and activities to make sure that athletes are kept fit and strong. They work closely with sports managers and they apply the findings of sports scientists regarding fitness, to improve their coaching.

Coaches arrange fixtures and entries into competitions and sometimes months of strategic planning pass before the actual competitions. Coaches need to analyse progress or mistakes from previous competitions or games and then try to improve and correct the mistakes players made.

Coaches also perform administrative tasks, for example, organising tours, controlling finances, and making bookings. They employ or dismiss staff and team members. Some coaches operate on an honorary or unpaid basis, but most operate professionally and are paid.

How To Become A Life Coach?

Coaching has a number of parallels with counseling as well as mentoring however it is not the same thing. Counseling is inclined to concentrate on past experiences and make sense of them. A mentor tends towards offering less experienced individuals motivation, guidance, insight, and support within a particular field.

Both counseling and mentoring are often longer-term approaches. In contrast, life coaching is shorter-term and future-focused. Being a personal coach is orientated towards assisting a client achieve specifically defined goals as well as maximise their own potential. In confidence coaching sessions, clients take the lead and life coaches support them in order to maximise their potential.

This means that clients, and not coaches, generate solutions in order to challenges and determine which path to take to reach a goal.

You can attain your life coach certification online with Trifocus anywhere in South Africa and abroad.

Is Coaching A Good Fit For You?

To determine if you have the essential qualities needed to become a life coach, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you enjoy assisting people maximise their own potential?
  • Are you good at talking to individuals and guiding them in making decisions about their lives?
  • Do you listen well?
  • Are you willing to be a guide and not a problem solver?

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to study life coaching? If you do, then you need to do any of our Life Coaching Programs.

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Sports Manager Responsibilities. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/sports-manager-responsibilities/ Wed, 27 Oct 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26543 Duties of a Sports Manager Sports managers’ responsibilities may vary depending on the level of sport that they oversee. For instance, a high school sports team manager’s responsibilities will probably not have as many duties as well as responsibilities as a sports manager for a professional sporting organisation. These sports managers may assist with managing...

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Duties of a Sports Manager

Sports managers’ responsibilities may vary depending on the level of sport that they oversee. For instance, a high school sports team manager’s responsibilities will probably not have as many duties as well as responsibilities as a sports manager for a professional sporting organisation. These sports managers may assist with managing an entire team or organisation however their primary duty is to handle the business side of the sport so that athletes and coaches are able to focus on competing.

This may require sports team managers to perform such duties as:

  • Creating and organising schedules,
  • Promoting clients through various forms of media,
  • Seeking endorsement deals,
  • Handling and negotiating contracts,
  • Maintaining positive public relations, and
  • Ensuring compliance with rules and policies.

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What Is A Sports Manager?

Sports managers, who are also often referred to as business managers, are responsible for handling the business matters of athletes as well as sports teams, at both the university and professional levels. A sports manager may be called upon in order to manage relations with the media and organise promotional events.

It is not unusual for sports managers to be requested to hire coaches or draft new players as well as other members of a team’s athletic staff. Sports managers are also responsible for managing the finances of the individual or organisation that they work for.

Role Of A Team Manager In Sport

Each sporting season, the sports manager plans the budget, taking into consideration possible revenues, operating costs as well as salaries of everyone from the athletes to sports coaches to staff members. In addition, sports managers handle the budgeting for team travel, equipment in addition to uniforms. The role of a team manager in sports needs to take into account player injuries, potential playoff games, as well as other issues which may arise that, would affect the budget.

Other sports managers assist with ticket sales and merchandising for the franchise or work in sports merchandising, selling sporting goods. At the university level, the responsibilities of a sports manager include being a compliance director.

Frequently, the sports manager acts as the face and spokesperson for the team and needs to conduct interviews as well as press conferences with the media. Sometimes, the sports team manager’s duties include working as sports marketers or fundraisers who bring in corporate sponsors in addition to endorsements.

In addition, the sports manager’s responsibilities including serving as public relations personnel or sports information director, directing media days for his team, and working as a liaison between the team and media for interviews, scores, and team updates. A sports manager may serve as an event planner for a team or athletic organisation.

Sports Manager’s Role and Duties

On a daily basis, the sports team manager’s duties may vary greatly. These duties include the following:

  • Spearheading public relations between athletes, coaches, additional athletic personnel as well as the media,
  • Accounting for sporting team travel plans,
  • Balancing an organisation’s income against financial commitments,
  • Planning public events where members of your team will be there and documented,
  • Partnering with promotional brands, introducing fundraisers, and landing endorsements to further strengthen team marketing efforts,
  • Instructing team personnel, and athletes, on methods for correct media interaction, as well as
  • Monitoring ticket sales.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a sports manager, enroll for our Sports Management Certification Course.

 

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Soccer Drills To Maintain Fitness. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/soccer-drills-to-maintain-fitness-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26528 If you aspire to being any half-decent soccer player, you’ll really need to work on your stamina with soccer drills. The average professional soccer player now covers over 10km in a 90-minute match. These days it’s not just about increasing lung capacity – the demands of the game have increased so exponentially that being bigger,...

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If you aspire to being any half-decent soccer player, you’ll really need to work on your stamina with soccer drills. The average professional soccer player now covers over 10km in a 90-minute match. These days it’s not just about increasing lung capacity – the demands of the game have increased so exponentially that being bigger, more powerful and explosive is more critical than ever. Thus, the importance of soccer training drills.

How To Be Become A Soccer Coach

Coaching soccer is a rewarding career to pursue. Soccer coaches see their team expand in skills and agility through the soccer drills with cones they plan as well as the game decisions which they make. If you have an absolute passion for soccer and also love directing others to success, a soccer coach could be the right occupation for you.

What Is A Soccer Coach?

A soccer coach is a professional who educates players on the skills that they need to succeed in soccer. They lead professional or amateur athletes in their soccer games and soccer fitness drills, determining appropriate plays as well as who should be on the field. A soccer coach is both a teacher and a mentor, helping individuals learn how to be excellent team players and healthy athletes.

How Can Soccer Drills Help Maintain A Healthy Diet?

Being a top athlete on the soccer field takes hard work in the gym, on the field and during soccer practice drills. However to stay at your best, you’ll also need to concentrate on what you’re eating on a day-to-day basis.

Soccer players burn a massive amount of energy by running around the field so much as well as doing soccer drills. This means soccer players need to make sure that they’re giving their bodies what it needs in order to recover as well as get out there again.

The best thing which athletes can do for themselves is get down to the nutritional basics. Cook for yourself as much as possible. Make sure that you’re really aware of what’s in your food. At the moment, there’s so much more information which is available about what is in your food and can assist you make strong decisions.

How To Do Soccer Drills At Home?

In order to perfect your soccer skills, you need to dedicate time to your craft. This time can be utilised to exercise your skills, improve your knowledge of the sport as well as better your athleticism. Here are some of the best soccer training drills that you can practise at home.

Cone Dribbling

To begin our list of the best soccer drills which you can practise at home, we had to begin with a basic drill – soccer drills with cones. With just a yard, a soccer ball as well as some cones required, you will put three cones in a line or triangle, approximate three feet apart.

Then, just dribble the ball between the cones, letting the surfaces of your feet to control the ball. Practise quick touches to the ball and then guide the ball around the cones in a pattern, with control, as well as speed.

Wall Passes

Wall passes, which are also called wall juggling, is next on our list of the best soccer drills which you can practice at home. A great way to practise juggling the ball as well as your strengthen your reflexes, this drill needs you to stand around one to three yards away from the wall.

To start this soccer fitness drill, throw the ball against the wall, and juggle the ball with your feet, feeding it back against the wall, and repeating this process until you cannot control it any longer. With practice and dedication to this drill, the difficulty will decrease.

25’s Dribbling

25’s dribbling will both condition as well as improve your dribbling skills. This soccer drill with cones includes lining up approximately six to 10 cones five yards apart. After this, weave the ball through the cones utilising the inside of your feet. Repeat this soccer training drill by alternating between the outside as well as inside of your feet. Circle right, then left, around the cones.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a simpler approach, you will begin at cone one, sprint to cone two with the soccer ball, turn back and then sprint to cone number one, then to cone three, then to number one, then to number four. Make sure that you take a minute of rest before beginning your next set.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a soccer coach? If you do, then you need to do our Soccer Coaching Course. Follow this link for more information.

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How Frequently Do You Need To Exercise To Get In Shape? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-frequently-do-you-need-to-exercise-to-get-in-shape/ Tue, 12 Oct 2021 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26451 How frequently you should train is dependent on a lot of different factors, for example your training goals, the intensity of your exercise as well as any history of injury that you may have. Also, the kind of training you do can determine how frequently you need to exercise. Exercise stresses a number of systems...

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How frequently you should train is dependent on a lot of different factors, for example your training goals, the intensity of your exercise as well as any history of injury that you may have. Also, the kind of training you do can determine how frequently you need to exercise.

Exercise stresses a number of systems in our body. This stress results in fatigue however also leads to ‘adaptations’ (in other words, improvements) particular to the stress that we’ve experienced. For instance, while resistance training (such as weight lifting) assists us with building muscular strength, it’s far less likely to improve our cardiovascular fitness as it places more stress on our skeletal muscles as opposed to our heart.

But improvements only take place with a mixture of recovery and repetition. If we don’t perform the training stress again, improvements that you make will be lost. In addition, we need to give our body sufficient time – but not too much time – between training sessions to recover as well as ‘adapt’. In short, the key to boosting fitness is to consistently train, which means striking a balance between exercising and recovering enough.

Aerobic Activity

It is recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or – alternatively – 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate as well as vigorous activity. The guidelines make the suggestion that you distribute this exercise during the course of a week.

In order to provide even better health benefits, and to help with weight loss or sustaining weight loss, at least 300 minutes per week is advised. However, even small amounts of physical activity are useful. Being physically active for short periods of time during the day can add up to provide a health benefit.

Strength Training

Perform strength training exercises – for all main muscle groups – at least two times a week. Make sure that you aim to do a single set of each exercise utilising a weight or resistance level which is heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

How Can You Make Exercise A Habit?

Setting a doable goal for the number of times you’ll begin working out each week can be useful by ensuring that you don’t get burned out.

However shooting for a bit of movement every single day, even if you’re not doing an actual workout, can also assist you make working out a habit which will stick. This could mean a 10-minute walk or a series of gentle stretches.

Another important consideration is carving out a time slot when you’ll work out. Again, there’s no correct answer to this, but it helps to take a good look at your schedule when you’re figuring out when you should pencil in your workout. For example, if your mornings are super-frantic with lots of last-minute changes, it may be self-defeating to decide on doing morning workouts. In that case, an afternoon or evening exercise session may be more likely to take place as scheduled.

Also, pay attention to your body. Some people feel more energised in the morning, while other people are dragging. Matching up your workout time to when you feel the best can make you more likely to want to stick with it.

Whether you should be exercising more or less often is dependent on many things – including how often you’re able to get to the gym, your training goals as well as the intensity of the exercise that you’re doing. We recommended trying to vary the type of training you do within a week and allow sufficient recovery between intense or resistance training days. This is including at least one recovery day a week. However, overall, the most effective training programme is the one which you maintain consistently over a long period of time.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become an exercise and fitness expert? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is Functional Fitness? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-functional-fitness-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 08 Oct 2021 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26353 Functional fitness is a classification of training which prepares the body for real-life movements as well as activities. Also referred to as functional training or functional movement, this type of exercise trains your muscles to work together and prepares them for day-to-day tasks by simulating common movements that you could do at home, at work...

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Functional fitness is a classification of training which prepares the body for real-life movements as well as activities. Also referred to as functional training or functional movement, this type of exercise trains your muscles to work together and prepares them for day-to-day tasks by simulating common movements that you could do at home, at work or – alternatively – in sports.

Movements such as squatting, reaching, pulling as well as lifting will be made simpler with functional fitness integrated into your exercise routine.  Functional fitness concentrates on building a body capable of performing real-life activities in real-life positions, not just lifting a particular amount of weight in an idealised posture that is created by a gym machine.

For instance, you could be deadlifting 181 kg in the gym however when you go to put a suitcase in the overhead stowage in an airplane, you throw your back out. Alternatively, you can bicep curl with 22 kg dumbbells with perfect form, however picking up your child makes you pull one of your muscles. If either of these things sound like you, it could be time to incorporate functional fitness training into your routine.

Functional Training Has A Point And Translates Into An Activity Beyond Your Exercise Regime

The central word here is function and function is purpose. So functional training is merely training which has a purpose. More than that, functional training concentrates on movement patterns which have a purpose.

That purpose can be related to becoming better at everyday activities—like walking, squatting to pick up a heavy object, pushing a revolving door, or getting into and out of a chair — or preparing to compete in a sport such as soccer, football or tennis.

A functional workout is just one that strengthens you in a specific way which directly translates into an activity outside the weight room. For most individuals, the practical application of functional training is to make daily activities easier to perform.

Increasingly, fitness studios are adding classes which can help individuals become stronger in their everyday movement patterns. Functional training has become more popular as a lot of studios as well as gyms are making it extremely accessible for the consumer to try this form of training.

Is Working On Your Functional Fitness Great For Losing Weight, Developing Muscle Or Cross-Training For Certain Sports?

All of the above! As functional fitness combines muscle groups across the whole body it is beneficial for nearly any type of individual no matter what their fitness goal is. It builds lean muscle and assists you with losing weight if that’s your intention. Athletes right up until the professional level will utilise this kind of training for conditioning as it brings a well-rounded aspect to their frequently highly-targeted training regimes.

What Are The Components Of Functional Fitness?

There are a number of components of functional fitness. Before you are able to move freely in your everyday life without worrying about injury, you need to nail the basics. These include:

  • Strength,
  • Balance and coordination,
  • Power,
  • Range of motion, as well as
  • Mobility.

Zeroing in on these characteristics of your training will have a number of benefits which translate to your everyday life. Movements such as walking, jogging, running, sprinting, jumping, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, turning, standing, starting, stopping, climbing, and lunging will be made easier while training to improve functional strength.

If You’re A Beginner To Functional Training, Should You These Exercises Under Supervision At First?

As with any kind of exercise, it is far better to at least be shown the fundamentals. For most movements there are just a number of key points that you need to focus on that will greatly lower the risk of injury when doing them. When you learn these little points it is very straightforward to do functional training by yourself. In order to lower the risk of injury at the outset you also able to focus more on bodyweight exercises and utilise lighter weights.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a functional fitness trainer then you need to do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Exercise Without Hurting Your Knees? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-without-hurting-your-knees-read-this-article/ Wed, 06 Oct 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26304 Knee pain is a very common ailment, with one in four adults suffering from recurrent knee pain. Exercise has been shown to be exceptionally effective at reducing knee pain. However, it can frequently be difficult to get started if your knees are hurting already. Discovering how to exercise without hurting your knees may be troublesome,...

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Knee pain is a very common ailment, with one in four adults suffering from recurrent knee pain. Exercise has been shown to be exceptionally effective at reducing knee pain. However, it can frequently be difficult to get started if your knees are hurting already.

Discovering how to exercise without hurting your knees may be troublesome, however there are two main routes which you can take:

  • Stop doing any exercise which hurts your knees, and
  • Strengthen the tissues around your knees in order to make them stronger as well as more resilient.

Regrettably, avoiding any exercise or activity which hurts your knees isn’t practical, feasible or even advisable. A substantial amount of research has demonstrated that not only does activity tends to reduce pain in the long-term but also that sedentary behaviour will make it worse.

That leaves us with the more sensible, practical option of strengthening the leg muscles as well as tissues so that you are able to exercise without hurting your knees. For most of these exercises, you’ll require equipment such as an exercise bike, yoga mat, bench, or some resistance bands.

Make Sure That You Warm Up First

You can ride a stationary bike for approximately minutes, taking a brisk two-minute walk while pumping your arms, or doing between 15 and 20 wall push-ups followed by the same number of calf raises. Doing this will assist you to get more out of your workout, prepare you to stretch as well as lower your risk of an injury.

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What Are The Best Cardio Exercises If You Have Knee Pain?

Once you understand what’s going on with your knee and have clearance from your doctor, you are able to start exercising. Cardio exercise is a great place to begin and one of the absolute best choices for strengthening the lower body, boosting your heart rate as well as losing weight.

If you can access a gym, there are a number of different options to choose from when it comes to cardio, including the kinds of workouts below.

Swimming

Swimming is one of the absolute best choices if you are suffering from knee pain. The water keeps your body afloat, taking the impact off the rest of your body while – at the same time – allowing you to get a great cardio workout and strengthen the muscles that support your knee.

The best swimming moves are freestyle and the backstroke, however you can also try out other drills and exercises:

  • Reverse kicking: Wrap your arms firmly around a kickboard, and then flip over onto your back. Kick, bringing your knees high with each kick. It’s almost as if you’re marching.
  • Walking: If it doesn’t trouble your knees, you could wear a flotation device and then walk across the pool. The resistance will make sure that you get your heart rate up, however there’s no impact and you are able to strengthen your knees. You can walk forwards, backwards, and even sideways. This gives you great variety while allowing you to strengthen all the muscles in the lower body.
  • Water aerobics: Group exercise is a lot of fun and doing movements in the pool will give you a fantastic cardio workout without any impact on the joints.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on becoming an exercise expert? If you are then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more and to register.

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What Are Eccentric Exercises? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-eccentric-exercises-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Wed, 06 Oct 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26309 Going through the motions is never a great idea when it comes to fitness and exercise. Ask any personal trainer, and they’ll tell you it’s about quality, not quantity. Take a push-up, for instance. You know dropping your body down then pushing it back up is considered to be one rep, however both of those...

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Going through the motions is never a great idea when it comes to fitness and exercise. Ask any personal trainer, and they’ll tell you it’s about quality, not quantity. Take a push-up, for instance. You know dropping your body down then pushing it back up is considered to be one rep, however both of those steps — which are known as eccentric and concentric movements — are equally important. And when you understand and concentrate on those specific movements during exercise, it can assist you vary your routine and up your gains.

Why Are Eccentric Exercises Crucial?

  1. Facilitates Muscle Change

Eccentric loading has been associated with greater muscle strength gain and hypertrophy. This is particularly true with type-2 fibres. This is a result of more muscle tendon unit load in addition to load intensity. Your muscles are able to withstand more force doing an eccentric exercise as opposed to other forms of exercise.

  1. Improves Tendon Health And Stiffness

Eccentric exercises play a huge role when it comes to tendon health by boosting stiffness. It may sound counterintuitive however stiffness is not a bad thing. We actually want stiffness in our tendons however not in our joints. Reduced stiffness in tendons is one of the reasons why athletes get tendinopathies, like jumper’s knee and Achilles’ tendinopathy.

Owing to improved tendon stiffness, this will basically help to bulletproof your tendons from injuries. Studies have demonstrated that eccentric exercises improve the capacity of the tendon unit load. This leads to an improved ability to adapt to load. Improving the capacity of the tendon will assist with decreasing tendinopathy injuries.

The reason why we want stiffness is that it gives your tendon the opportunity to withstand high loads. This stiffness allows for proper energy storage and the contract-relax portion of jump to take place. For instance, think of the act of jumping as a spring. If the spring is far too loose, it won’t store energy well and the rebound effect will be negligible. However, if the spring is tightly wound when it is loaded, it will store far more energy, create more force and result in a greater vertical jump.

  1. Better Range of Motion

Eccentric training could improve your range of motion. Studies have demonstrated that an increase in ankle range of motion following six weeks of eccentric loading. This boost in range of motion is due to lowered resistance to passive stretching from improved muscle tendon unit compliance. Therefore, eccentric contractions are improving your tissue’s capacity to tolerate deeper ranges of motion. In other words, if you are keen to improve your mobility, do not solely stretch but add in eccentric training.

How Can You Add More Eccentric Training To Your Routine Safely?

Almost any exercise can be performed with an eccentric focus, so you are able to begin incorporating this kind of training into any strength workout. Start with the basics: squats, deadlifts, push ups, and rows.

Eccentric exercises are done slowly, with control, to add to the muscle’s time under tension. Attempt doing a three-second count on the lengthening phase of the exercise as well as a one-second count on the shortening phase.

Do eight to 10 reps per exercise as well as two to three sets. (FYI: It’s not necessary for you to use weights. Eccentric exercises are an amazing way to increase the challenge of any exercise — just imagine a gradual push-up from the floor.)

As you may have more muscle soreness than you’re used to (if you are new to eccentric training), give yourself around 48 to 72 hours before doing an eccentric workout again. You want to ensure that your muscles are recovered fully and repaired before you tax them again.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Eager to become a fitness and exercise expert? If you are then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Are The Surprising Benefits Of Lifting Light Weights At Home? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-surprising-benefits-of-lifting-light-weights-at-home/ Tue, 05 Oct 2021 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26293 Resistance training – which is also called ‘weight training’ or ‘strength training’- is important in order to improve strength, counteract age-related muscle loss, boost bone health as well as improve body composition (improve muscle mass and lose body fat). Interestingly enough, your body will respond to different resistance training types. This is dependent on your...

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Resistance training – which is also called ‘weight training’ or ‘strength training’- is important in order to improve strength, counteract age-related muscle loss, boost bone health as well as improve body composition (improve muscle mass and lose body fat).

Interestingly enough, your body will respond to different resistance training types. This is dependent on your gender, age, genetic make-up, nutrition as well as recovery. Even while at home, you are still able to perform strength workouts safely and lift weights effectively by using your own body weight as resistance or – alternatively – using light dumbbells and still enjoying the benefits of the traditional strength training.

The Benefits Of Lifting Lighter Weights

Enhanced Strength

A study which was performed at McMaster University compared the advantages of lifting heavy and light weights. Interestingly enough, the results showed no major strength differences between the group allotted to lifting heavy weights and the group allotted to lifting light weights.

What the study revealed was that the key to gaining strength was to get tired from your workout. Volunteers in both groups could just increase muscle size and strength by pushing themselves to nearly total muscle fatigue.

Choose a lighter weight (as well as more repetitions) the next time that you’re in the gym. It’s your effort which matters and not the weight of your dumbbells. If you’re lifting easier weights, you’ll be able to work for longer periods before getting tired.

Reduced Chance Of Injury

Om addition, choosing lighter weights can reduce your chance of injury. This is because your body isn’t tasked with lifting more weight than it is able to support. Gone are the days of plummeting weights on your toes or overextending yourself! If you’re utilising lighter weights, you are able to focus solely on form and technique — assisting you to avoid injury as well as benefit from your time in the gym.

No Need To Rely On Momentum

If you’re lifting a weight which is too heavy, you’re probably relying on momentum as well as the strength of your muscles. While this may assist you with feeling powerful, it won’t help you build strength. When you work out with lighter weights, your muscles do most of the work and not momentum!

What Are The Benefits Of Using Resistance Bands?

Resistance bands offer a lot of benefits which standard weights can’t:

Same Muscle Activity, Less Chance Of Injury

Training with resistance bands offers similar and sometimes even better muscle activity as weight training. One significant difference is that is involves a lower amount of force on the joints, which means that more stimuli may be provided to the muscles with less opportunity for injury. Also, this is good news for anyone with existing injuries or joint pain as resistance bands could allow you to continue working out and doing exercises that you can’t with dumbbells.

More Muscle Stimulus

One significant difference between free weights and resistance bands is the varying resistance employed through the full range of motion of an exercise. With free weights, there are really parts of the movement when the muscles aren’t doing much work owing to lack of gravity, such as at the top of a bicep curl.

What this means is that when utilising resistance bands the muscle is receiving greater resistance at its strongest moment in the range of motion. Therefore, it is receiving more adequate resistance to better stimulate strength adaptations.

Stabilisation/Core Activation

The constant tension from resistance bands adds an element of required stabilisation from your body in order to maintain form during many exercises. In addition, this means that you will frequently need to activate your core for balance. The requirement to control them from snapping back into place means greater stimulation as well as strength through the muscle’s full range of motion. The pull of the bands lowers your ability to cheat by using momentum.

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Do want to know what the benefits of lifting weights are? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Are The Benefits Of Post-Natal Yoga? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-post-natal-yoga-learn-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26274 During pregnancy, many women attend a pregnancy yoga class in order to keep toned, to remain flexible and to prepare their bodies for labour and birth. Expecting women also go to pre-natal yoga to meet other pregnant women in their area. However, once the baby is born it can be easy to lose the connection...

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During pregnancy, many women attend a pregnancy yoga class in order to keep toned, to remain flexible and to prepare their bodies for labour and birth. Expecting women also go to pre-natal yoga to meet other pregnant women in their area. However, once the baby is born it can be easy to lose the connection with other pregnant women and feel disheartened about the physical and emotional effects childbirth can have on your baby.

After having a baby, your body requires time to heal as well as rest — and so does your mind. Postpartum yoga, which is also referred to as post-natal yoga, can assist with both. This form of yoga concentrates on recovery and restoration and can ease stress and depression after giving birth. You can begin practising yoga a few days to a few weeks after childbirth, depending on how your delivery went.

What Is Post-Natal Yoga?

Post-natal yoga is a modified, low-intensity yoga practice. A lot of changes take place to your body after childbirth. This kind of yoga is designed to assist your body with recovering from childbirth. Post-natal yoga provides the most benefits during the first three months prior to childbirth. For instance, post-natal yoga has been shown to lower the risk of postpartum depression. Yoga can assist with balancing your energy, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety.

In addition, post-natal yoga could also offer the following benefits:

  • Increased calmness
  • Decreased anxiety and depression
  • Reduced irritability and anger
  • Increased energy
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduced muscle tension
  • Relaxation through meditation

What Are The Core Benefits of Post-Natal Yoga?

‍The core benefits of attending a post-natal yoga class are:

  • Restoring hormonal balance
  • Easing pressure on the nervous system
  • Helping in building up strength in the spine
  • Minimising the effects of holding and feeding a baby
  • ‍Restoring the body towards full core strength
  • Helping to reduce anxiety and depression
  • ‍Providing rest and instant relaxation
  • ‍Helping to ease the effects of another heavy lifting

What Safety Considerations Need To Be Applied To Post-Natal Yoga?

Post-natal yoga is a simple way to get your body moving again. You could want to exercise at the level you did before pregnancy. However, your body is not quite ready for that intensity. If you push yourself far too much, you may hurt yourself.

Keep in mind that abdominal wall separation that takes place during pregnancy as your belly stretches. Owing to this, you should talk with your doctor prior to doing extensive core work. If you see increased bleeding, dizziness, or have a fast heart rate, seek immediate medical care.

You’ll need to be as careful with your body postpartum as you were throughout pregnancy. There’s no rush in getting back to your pre-pregnancy body. It’s very important to focus on how you feel and allowing your body to heal. Childbirth is a strenuous activity which puts a lot of stress on your body. Post-natal yoga is meant to help your body slowly return to a healthy new normal you.

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If you are keen on becoming a yoga instructor then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Life Coaches Can Help To Spread Positivity? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-life-coaches-can-help-to-spread-positivity/ Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26269 If you’re looking for methods of spreading positivity, you’re in the right place. As a certified life coach, you’ll be often tasked with helping your clients to develop a more positive outlook.  Positive thinking assists with stress management and can even improve your health. Indeed, some of the studies around positivity show that personality traits...

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If you’re looking for methods of spreading positivity, you’re in the right place. As a certified life coach, you’ll be often tasked with helping your clients to develop a more positive outlook.  Positive thinking assists with stress management and can even improve your health. Indeed, some of the studies around positivity show that personality traits such as optimism and pessimism may affect many areas of your health and well-being. The positive thinking that frequently comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management.

Here are techniques that life coaching services can teach so that you can introduce more positivity into your life.

Smile!

A smile is the general sign of trust, happiness as well as friendship. Remember that emotions are contagious. That’s why people say: “Smile and the whole world smiles with you.”

Compliment

When did a great compliment ever not make you break out into a smile? We frequently keep our thoughts to ourselves, which can be a good thing. However, we need to stop holding back what could alone make a person’s day. When you’re ambling down the street and you happen to see someone who is wearing an outfit that you just love, tell them.

When you notice that your friend has tried out a new make-up routine and she’s rocking it, tell her how great she looks. In addition, this means telling someone how much you appreciate them, reminding your mom how much you love her, and informing someone how grateful you are to have them in your life.

Ask Someone How They’re Doing

When you’re looking deeply into someone’s eyes and ask, ‘How Are You?’ with true sincerity, this can really mean a lot. They’ll see it’s not a token gesture however that you actually care how they’re getting on. Follow up with extra questions so that you can prove to the other person that you do actually care.

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Life Coach?

Boosted Self-Confidence

A study that was conducted by the International Coaching Federation (IFC) found that 80% of people who hired a life coach reported a boost in self-confidence.

A Different Perspective

We are frequently consumed by our own opinions, life experiences as well as way of thinking. A life coach can offer a new and often useful perspective on things.

Heightened Self-Awareness

Being completely aware of your impact on others – and recognising your flaws, strengths as well as unique personality attributes – is an extremely challenging adventure. This is the art of self-awareness.

Self-awareness necessitates a strong capacity for introspection and reflection, which is something that a life coach can assist you to work towards. In actual fact, one study found that 67.6% of life coaching clients experience a higher level of self-awareness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a life coach then you need to do our international Life Coach Certification Course.

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Why Strength Training Is Just As Good As Cardio For Dropping Fat? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-strength-training-is-just-as-good-as-cardio-for-dropping-fat/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26265 It has been shown, in a recently conducted study, that strength training is just as effective as aerobics or cardio workouts at lowering body fat. A lot of individuals think that if you are keep on losing weight you need to go out and run. However, the study found that that even when strength training...

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It has been shown, in a recently conducted study, that strength training is just as effective as aerobics or cardio workouts at lowering body fat. A lot of individuals think that if you are keep on losing weight you need to go out and run.

However, the study found that that even when strength training is done on its own, it still causes a favourable loss of body fat without having to diet consciously or go running. The study found that you are able to lose around 1.4% of your entire body fat through strength training alone, which is similar to how much we might lose through cardio or aerobics.

Why Cardio Exercise Aids In Fat Loss

Minute-for-minute, cardiovascular exercise (or aerobic exercise) burns more calories than weight training owing to the continuous nature of intensity. Owing to this, doing cardio for weight loss can assist you with losing body fat.

However, the kind of cardio which you choose is very important – depending on what your ultimate goal is:

  • LISS (which stands for ‘low-intensity steady-state’ cardio) is best for those with large weight loss goals. This type of cardi is great for beginners and assist with chipping away at stubborn body fat
  • HIIT (which stands for ‘high-intensity interval training’) is best for retaining existing muscle, stimulating fat-burning enzymes as well as burning fat as efficiently as possible

How Important Is Cardiovascular Exercise For Fat Loss?

Research actually found that those who select aerobic exercise lost up to four times more fat as opposed to those who only chose to strength train. However, and this is important, your healthy body goals may not just be about fat loss – maintaining muscle tissue is very important for a healthy metabolism and sculpted physique. That’s where resistance training comes in.

Resistance Training Helps You Burn More Calories Every Day

Although a resistance-training workout doesn’t usually burn as many calories as a cardio workout, it has other important benefits. For instance, resistance raining is more effective than cardio at building muscle. Muscle burns more calories at rest as opposed to some other tissues, including fat.

Owing to this, it is commonly said that developing muscle is the key to boosting your resting metabolism — in other words, how many calories you burn when you are at rest.

One study assessed participants’ resting metabolisms throughout the 24 weeks of resistance training. In men, resistance training led to a 9% increase in resting metabolism. The results in women were smaller, with an increase of almost 4%.

While this might sound good, it’s important to think about how many calories this represents. For the men, resting metabolism increased by about 140 calories per day. In women, it was only about 50 calories per day.  Thus, resistance training and building a little bit of muscle won’t make your metabolism skyrocket, however it may increase it by a small amount.

Resistance Training Has Other Important Calorie-Burning Benefits

In particular, research has shown that you burn more calories in the hours after a weight training session as compared to a cardio workout. In fact, there are reports of resting metabolism remaining elevated for up to 38 hours after resistance training, while no such increase has been reported with cardio. This means that the calorie-burning benefits of weights aren’t limited to when you are exercising. You may keep burning calories for hours or days afterward. For most kinds of exercise, a more intense workout will increase the number of calories you burn afterwards.

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If you’re eager to discover more about strength training then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more and to register.

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What Are The Benefits Of Cardiovascular Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-cardiovascular-exercise/ Thu, 30 Sep 2021 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26250 Cardiovascular exercise is any activity which gets your blood pumping and your large muscle groups working. Examples of cardiovascular exercise include: Brisk walking, Swimming, Heavy cleaning or gardening, Running, Cycling, and Playing soccer. Exercise experts, such as personal trainers, recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity...

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Cardiovascular exercise is any activity which gets your blood pumping and your large muscle groups working. Examples of cardiovascular exercise include:

  • Brisk walking,
  • Swimming,
  • Heavy cleaning or gardening,
  • Running,
  • Cycling, and
  • Playing soccer.

Exercise experts, such as personal trainers, recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each and every single week. Brisk walking or swimming are good examples of moderate activity. Running or cycling are instances of vigorous activity.

If you are new to exercising or returning to the gym, deciding what type of exercises you should do can be quite overwhelming. While it doesn’t hurt to try a tiny bit of everything, there are a number of different exercises which will be more beneficial toward your goals. For instance, cardio exercise is one of the best and most popular types of exercises individuals do. However, a lot of individuals also despise cardio in any form.

Cardiovascular Exercise Improves Cardiovascular Health

Cardio exercise is recommended by the American Heart Association and by most doctors to people with, or who are at risk for, heart disease. That’s as exercise strengthens your heart and assists it to more efficiently pump blood throughout the body.

In addition, cardiovascular exercise can help lower blood pressure, and keep your arteries clear through raising “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol as well as lowering “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood.

If you’re particularly looking to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, make sure that you aim for 40 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise between three and four times each week.

Cardiovascular Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure

A healthy heart pumps more blood with every beat, so enabling it to function far more efficiently. This lowers stress on the heart as well as surrounding arteries, so potentially lowering blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, cardiovascular exercise could help to lower it. If you don’t have high blood pressure, exercise might help prevent it from rising as you age.

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Cardiovascular Exercise Is Great For Weight Loss

One of the chief reasons why individuals adopt a cardio exercise routine is because it can assist you lose weight. Cardiovascular exercise is a great exercise for those looking to slim down as it helps you burn fat and lose calories. While diet is far more instrumental in weight loss, you will want to work cardio into your routine to further advance your goal to shed a few kilograms. This is because cardio can burn hundreds of calories in a session.

Cardiovascular Exercise Reduces Asthma Symptoms

Cardiovascular exercise can assist people with asthma to lessen both the frequency as well as severity of asthma attacks. You should still speak with your doctor prior to starting a new exercise routine if you have asthma, however. They could recommend particular activities or precautions om order to help keep you safe while working out.

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Do you want to learn more about cardiovascular exercise? Then you really need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Make sure that you follow this link to learn more.

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Cycling Vs Walking: Which Is The Best Workout For You? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/cycling-vs-walking-which-is-the-best-workout-for-you/ Wed, 29 Sep 2021 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26229 Aerobic exercise is a very important way in order to maintain your health and vitality. If you’re a newbie to exercising or have an injury or health condition which is forcing you to change up your exercise routine, you may wonder what type of aerobic exercise to select. Walking and cycling are two of the...

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Aerobic exercise is a very important way in order to maintain your health and vitality. If you’re a newbie to exercising or have an injury or health condition which is forcing you to change up your exercise routine, you may wonder what type of aerobic exercise to select.

Walking and cycling are two of the extremely common kinds of aerobic activity. Both can be adjusted for beginners or individuals with injuries or other health conditions. They both offer a lower impact activity as opposed to other aerobic activities, such as running or skipping. In addition, you can do them both outdoors and indoors, making them available no matter what the weather is like.

However, they tend to differ regarding cost. Cycling obviously requires a bike, while all you need to begin walking is a pair of shoes (or not) as well as the will to move. Still, you may wonder which is the better workout and which is better for your health.

Calories That Are Burned – Losing Weight Is All About Utilising Calories

When it comes down to burning calories, cycling is a much faster way to lose weight as opposed to walking. On flat ground, a 68-kilogram person would burn almost 600 calories cycling for an hour (depending on speed) as compared with only about 300 calories per hour walking.

In addition, cyclists will probably further the gap even more as covering a greater distance on a bike in an hour of exercise means they are more likely to come across hills, which would increase the number of calories that are burned.

Walking Takes Up More Time Than Cycling Does

Walking 10 000 steps could transport the average person approximately 8 km. If we consider that the average speed of walking, 5 km/h, then it would take approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes to complete the daily number of steps.

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Which Works Muscles Better?

Cycling and walking both involve utilising many of the same muscles in order to produce force to move. The gluteal muscles of the hip and hamstrings are engaged in power production in both walking as well as cycling. These muscles increase their activation when you boost your speed during cycling, particularly when you stand up to pedal. As well, gluteal activation increases when you walk uphill or up the stairs.

The quadriceps (knee extensors) are involved to a larger extent in cycling. This is as compared with walking. These are larger producers of force during the power or push-down phase of cycling when you’re sitting down.

Finally, the calf muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius) play a vital role in both cycling and walking. They are the muscles which propel you in the push phase of cycling as well as the push-off phase of walking (mid-stance to pre-swing phases).

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Keen on learning more about the biomechanics of exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more about this course.

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What Is The Positive Power Of Life Coaching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-is-the-positive-power-of-life-coaching/ Tue, 28 Sep 2021 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26217 Life coaching – which is also called consulting – is a career where the life coach has a fixed understanding regarding the principles of success as well as their application. A life coach teaches other people how they are able to put these principles to work for them in their career or – alternatively –...

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Life coaching – which is also called consulting – is a career where the life coach has a fixed understanding regarding the principles of success as well as their application. A life coach teaches other people how they are able to put these principles to work for them in their career or – alternatively – personal life. As well, life coaches are able to help clients deal with stress and anxiety.

Imagine that you are in a job you hate and are stuck in. You don’t have sufficient money to see you through a move to a new job. In this scenario, a life coach helps you discover the industry in which you will flourish in that matches your purpose in life. Once you and the life coach have found an industry that you want to work in, he or she helps you select the career path you want and help you develop a course of action in order to make the switch.

What Is The Difference Between Life Coaching And Therapy?

When considering life coaching, it is very important that you are aware that it is quite separate from therapy and counselling.

While there are quite a lot of parallels and crossovers, they are very distinct types of support. Both have the ultimate goal to help their client to overcome barriers as well as move towards core goals and authentic living, however, key differences include the following:

  • Therapy tends to reflect on past experiences as well as how they influence the present. Life coaching is more focused on the here and now, supporting events as well as behaviours occurring in the present in order to generate positive change for the future.
  • Therapy can be far less outcome-focused, with an emphasis on the inner subconscious as well as conscious personal development, to assist the client to overcome challenges and barriers in life. Life coaching tends to concentrate on more attainable and measurable goals within the coaching process. Clients are working toward quantifiable outcomes.
  • Therapy may take place over many years, for as long as the person feels that they need it or for as long as the relationship is assisting them. Coaching tends to be shorter term owing to the outcome focus of the relationship.
  • Knowing these core differences gives us the opportunity to make fundamental decisions regarding which pathway of support is the best for us or the clients who we work with.
  • Being able to offer clients the advice that therapy, counselling, or mentoring could be a more beneficial route for support is a verify important part of offering quality coaching guidance.

What are the Established Benefits of Life Coaching and Mentoring?

Should an individual choose a life coach or a mentor? The answer depends on your specific goals.

A life coach can assist a person to identify strengths, develop them as well as identify personal and professional goals. Their responsibility is to assist the coachee throughout the change process. As you will discover, this takes place in several ways.

A mentor’s emphasis is partly on compatibility with the mentee. The mentor and mentee could engage with each other through social or professional events in order to determine ‘fit’.

This is the initiation stage. During this stage, the mentee needs to “prove him- or herself worthy of a mentor’s attention”. There might or might not be money that changes hands in a mentor/mentee relationship.

The three other phases of a mentoring relationship are the following:

  1. Cultivation – The mentee learns from the skills of the mentor. The mentor gets insights from the mentee about new areas or evolving issues within the shared field.
  2. Separation – This is the ending of the relationship. Questions arise if one of the parties is not ready to finish the relationship.
  3. Redefinition – The relationship gets to this level after effectively completing the separation stage. During this phase, the relationship evolves into a “collegial relationship or social friendship”.

If a person chooses coaching, there are many benefits. Coaching conversations help a person focus attention on their desired goals.

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If you would like to become a life coach then you need to do our Life Coaching Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why HIIT Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness More Than Low-Intensity Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-hiit-improves-cardiorespiratory-fitness-more-than-low-intensity-exercise/ Tue, 28 Sep 2021 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26221 High intensity interval training (HIIT) contributes to better improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness as opposed to moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) – or alternatively – low-intensity exercise, according to a review which was published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. Investigators said slowly introducing – as well as progressing – HIIT exercise on a case-by-case basis. This...

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High intensity interval training (HIIT) contributes to better improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness as opposed to moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) – or alternatively – low-intensity exercise, according to a review which was published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Investigators said slowly introducing – as well as progressing – HIIT exercise on a case-by-case basis. This is as opposed to trying a one-size-fits-all model which can reduce musculoskeletal discomfort while maximising safety, adherence, enjoyment in addition to physiological outcomes.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a class 1 clinical practice recommendation for patients with select cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). For patients who have coronary heart disease and heart failure (HF), cardiorespiratory fitness is a very strong predictor of mortality. Owing to this, exercise prescription which optimises improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise capacity is an extremely critical consideration for the efficacy of CR programming.

Between 2004 and 2011, systematic reviews on coronary heart disease showed that exercise-based CR reduced hospitalisations by 31%, CV mortality by 26% as well as all-cause mortality by 20%, compared with standard medical care. Since then, however, outcomes from RAMIT (the Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial) and ensuing systematic reviews questioned the success of exercise-based CR for reducing those outcomes.

What Does A HIIT Routine Look Like?

What distinguishes HIIT (or SIT) from the steady-state, continuous types of exercise — jogging at an even pace or walking, for instance — is the intervals, those periods of heart-pounding intensity. If you would like to try it, you can simply take a HIIT class, or run or even walk in a way which involves higher-speed – as well as higher-incline bursts.

If you would like a routine which has been lab-tested, there’s the 4-by-4 from Norway. It includes a warm-up, followed by four four-minute intervals (again, where your heart rate goes past 80% of its maximum capacity), each interspersed with a three-minute recovery period, and ended off with a cool-down.

So, for instance, you’d jog for 10 minutes to warm up, then perform four four-minute intervals of faster running, with three three-minute intervals of moderate jogging or brisk walking in between, and a five-minute cool down at the end. And you can substitute jogging with other aerobic exercises, such as biking or swimming. The whole routine should take 40 minutes.

A shorter, and also heavily studied, example of an interval routine is the 10-by-1, which involves 10 one-minute bursts of exercise each followed by one minute of recovery.

How Does HIIT Work?

Irrespective of the type of HIIT, it’s thought the health improvements are caused by the rate – as opposed to the amount – at which skeletal muscle glycogen (carbohydrates that are stored by the body for energy) is used. Muscle glycogen is a very important fuel reserve – so our body attempts to replenish it as a priority.

HIIT workouts reduce muscle glycogen at such a rate that the body increases the number as well as activity of mitochondria (powerhouses of cells) in our muscles in order to allow us to meet the energy requirements of exercise. This in turn leads to increases in fitness, metabolic function as well as health.

Again, these routines look pretty different from what’s on offer at chains such as Virgin Active and Planet Fitness, or even the seven-minute workout. Even though they’re frequently referred to as HIIT, they mix cardiovascular exercise with strength training.

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What Are The Best Weighted Exercises For Toned Legs And Arms? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-weighted-exercises-for-toned-legs-and-arms/ Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26134 Strength training, which is also called weight training or resistance training, is a very important part of any fitness routine. It assists with making stronger. This type of training also builds muscle endurance. Strength training is a very versatile type of workout which you can do practically anywhere. While it’s a popular exercise choice at...

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Strength training, which is also called weight training or resistance training, is a very important part of any fitness routine. It assists with making stronger. This type of training also builds muscle endurance.

Strength training is a very versatile type of workout which you can do practically anywhere. While it’s a popular exercise choice at many gyms, you are also able to build a robust strength training programme which you can do in the comfort and privacy of your home.

If one of those fitness goals is to become stronger and tone, exercising with weights should certainly be on your list of regular workouts. From dumbbells and kettlebells to sandbags and those quite intimidating barbells that fitness enthusiasts make use of, weighted exercises have more benefits as opposed to just defining your muscles.

Training with weights has numerous benefits. It has the potential to boost your health and fitness, improve bone density and muscle endurance, in addition to increasing your overall strength.

The Best Leg Exercises

Goblet Squat

Ensure that you stand up straight with your feet hip-distance apart. Hold a weight in front of your chest, with your elbows pointing towards the floor. Push your hips back. Bend your knees so you are able to lower yourself into a squat. Push yourself back to begin. That’s one rep. Perform between three and four sets of 10 to 12 reps and then rest for 30 to 60 seconds. Continue onto your next move.

Single Leg Deadlift

Holding a weight in each one of your hands, stand on your left leg with your palms facing towards your thighs. Keep your left leg bent slightly while hinging forward at your hips, extending your right leg straight behind you til your torso is parallel to the floor. The weights should be lowered straight down as you move until they’re nearly touching the floor. Drive into your left heel to go back to standing. That’s one rep. Perform three or four sets of 10 to 12 reps on each side. Rest for between 30 and 60 seconds and then continue onto your next move.

The Best Arm Exercises

Bicep Curl

Begin this movement by standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding a pair of dumbbells at your sides. Your palms need to be facing forward with your back straight and your chest upright. Without moving the upper portion of your arms, bend your elbows and bring the weights up towards your shoulders. Lower the dumbbells slowly – and with control – back to your starting position. That’s one rep.

Upright Row

Start the movement by standing with your feet hip-width apart, with your arms resting in front of your body and a dumbbell in each of your hands. Lift the dumbbells by raising your elbows until they reach chest-level. Gradually lower them back down to your waist with control and repeat. That’s one rep. Complete 12 reps and then continue to your next exercise. When you complete all six moves, rest for 60 seconds, then repeat three times for a total of four rounds.

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Keen on finding out more about other types of exercise? If you are then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Skipping Vs Running – Which Is Best? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/skipping-vs-running-which-is-best-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26138 Skipping is a low-cost exercise which requires little equipment as well as minimal space. In addition, running is a low-cost exercise, however it typically necessitates increased space in order to perform unless you’re running on a treadmill. However, that compromises the affordability side. Still, both exercises are economical and efficient ways in order to work...

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Skipping is a low-cost exercise which requires little equipment as well as minimal space. In addition, running is a low-cost exercise, however it typically necessitates increased space in order to perform unless you’re running on a treadmill. However, that compromises the affordability side. Still, both exercises are economical and efficient ways in order to work on your fitness, whether you’re working on endurance or intensity. As such, you could wonder which is better for you, or if you should concentrate on one over the other.

What Are The Benefits Of Skipping?

It’s Efficient

Stop thinking about spending an hour on the treadmill for the sake of your cardiovascular routine. All you actually need is a few minutes skipping. The benefits of skipping for 10 minutes a day have been proven to be just as effective in terms of cardiovascular health as well as caloric expenditure as running for 30 minutes. This means you can get your daily dosage of cardio in three songs, flat.

It’s Low Impact

There’s no question that running is wonderful for your cardiovascular health, however one thing that it’s not so good for? Your joints. When done properly, skipping can actually be lower impact on the joints as opposed to running. It’s a phenomenal way for runners to train on off days so that you can build ankle stability and may even prevent shin splints.

It’s Great For Strengthening

Skipping isolates the muscles in your calves and quads. The rhythmic bouncing on the balls of your feet serves to target – as well as strengthen – these areas with every swing of the rope. In addition, it’s a great warm-up for the rest of your muscle-building routine.

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What Are The Benefits Of Running?

As an aerobic activity, running supports both lung and heart health. Running will build cardiovascular endurance, as well, but you need either a treadmill or space outside. In addition, with proper form, running can build lower-body muscle.

Studies have also linked running with longevity, stating that runners have a 25% to 40% lowered risk of premature mortality and live almost three years longer as opposed to non-runners.

Together with physical benefits, running can promote mental well-being — regardless of your speed. If you can take it outside, running can be meditative and connect you with nature.

Running and skipping are both excellent forms of exercise. They’re cheap and necessitate minimal equipment. In addition, they both burn a significant number of calories in a short period of time. This can assist to reduce your body fat percentage as well as improve your body composition, if those are your goals. Nonetheless, both are high-impact activities which may not be suitable for those who have hip, knee, or ankle injuries.

Choosing the exercise which you find more interesting and which you’ll stick with is the most important factor. You can always alternate both activities as an excellent option to provide variety to your exercise routine.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about the biomechanics of exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What You Shouldn’t Do In Yoga? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-you-shouldnt-do-in-yoga-learn-more-in-this-article/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:10:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26126 Yoga can be intimidating, particularly if you’re a newbie. Not only could it be challenging to learn the lingo (pranayama wha?) and master the poses, however the overall vibe of yoga is quite different from your typical fitness class. And while most yoga studios are extremely warm and welcoming to beginners, there are a few...

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Yoga can be intimidating, particularly if you’re a newbie. Not only could it be challenging to learn the lingo (pranayama wha?) and master the poses, however the overall vibe of yoga is quite different from your typical fitness class. And while most yoga studios are extremely warm and welcoming to beginners, there are a few important etiquette tips that are useful to know before you hit the mat. (Even if you’re a practised yogi, this might be a good refresher!)

Don’t Allow Distractions

You’ll have a lot of other opportunities to be distracted. In order to effectively practise yoga, your mind needs to be in the present moment. This is not just to encourage proper technique. Mindfulness is a very important precept to the practice. Furthermore, if you permit distractions while practising yoga, you’re much more prone to injury. Yoga is a challenging science to master, and it requires synchrony of the body and mind.

Be Considerate About Where You Put Your Mat

You don’t want to set up too near to someone else (and risk smacking her during sun salutations), however in a crowded studio, it could be difficult for latecomers to find a place if all the yoga mats are spaced far apart. In a full class, a good strategy to adopt is to stagger your mat, so it’s not perfectly lined up with your neighbour’s. This will assist you to avoid colliding arms or having a butt in your face when you do side straddle.

Don’t Force Results

Mastery of various asanas in yoga is considered to be a high priority. That said, knowledgeable yogis too frequently see new practitioners trying to rush the process; specifically, attempting to contort their body into an asana for which they are not ready. Of course, doing so drastically increases the risk of injury. Yoga teachers steadfastly teach against forcing things and being too goal-oriented.

Limit Conversation Before Class

If you’re with a friend, try make sure that you keep your voices down while you’re waiting for the teacher to begin. This is particularly important if the classroom climate is quiet. People typically come to yoga to unplug and find their zen, so it’s challenging to do that when you’re surrounded by chatter.

Don’t Forget About Props

For the uninitiated, a yoga prop is “simply an object that is used to aid the practice of yoga poses.” These objects include things like wooden bricks, foam blocks, yoga bolsters, “sticky mats,” belts and blankets. The purpose of these props is to develop the bodily alignment and strength necessary to further advance proficiency. Of course, developing these physical attributes helps to prevent injury as well.

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Are you keen on becoming a yoga instructor and deepening your yoga practice? If you are, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to learn more and to book.

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Does Running Build Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-running-build-muscle/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26116 While most individuals associate building muscle with strength training. However, the fantastic news is that it is possible to build muscle while you run if you follow the correct training and nutrition plan. And that’s great news if you don’t like lifting weights as building muscle has a tonne of health benefits. It strengthens your...

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While most individuals associate building muscle with strength training. However, the fantastic news is that it is possible to build muscle while you run if you follow the correct training and nutrition plan. And that’s great news if you don’t like lifting weights as building muscle has a tonne of health benefits. It strengthens your bones, increases your metabolism, manages chronic conditions, and makes it much simpler to do everyday tasks.

How Does Running Affect Your Muscles?

Running can build lower body muscles, however it largely depends on the intensity as well as the duration of your runs. In one study, 12 recreationally trained university students completed high intensity interval training (HIIT) involving four sets of running at near maximal capacity for four minutes followed by three minutes of active rest.

After 10 weeks of HIIT workouts, three times per week, they showed close to an 11% increase in the muscle fibre area of their quadriceps (which are located at the front of the thigh), as compared with the control group. As such, workouts such as sprinting may provide benefits for muscle development.

Aerobic exercise – such as running – is thought to build muscle through constraining proteins that interfere with muscle growth as well as lowering muscle protein breakdown (MPB). On the other hand, long-distance running may significantly increase MPB and so hinder muscle growth.

For instance, in a study in 30 male amateur runners who ran 10, 21, or 42 km, all of the groups experienced major increases in markers of muscle damage. Levels of these markers rose together with the distance and stayed elevated even three days afterward. These results make the suggestion that high intensity, short duration running builds leg muscles, while long distance running causes noteworthy muscle damage, inhibiting muscle growth.

Including Strength Training To Your Exercise Routine Is A Good Idea

Adding strength training into your exercise routine is another fantastic way to build up muscle. Some advantages of adding strength training to your workout routine include:

  • Reduced fatigue,
  • Faster runs,
  • Better runs, as well as
  • Lowered likelihood of injuries.

However, building muscle could be dangerous, especially for new runners. Pushing yourself too hard may lead to certain injuries, such as:

  • Plantar fasciitis,
  • Achilles tendinitis,
  • Runner’s knee,
  • ITB syndrome,
  • Shin splints, or
  • Stress fractures.

Being mindful of your body and also wearing the proper footwear can go a long way in order to ensure that you do not injure yourself. Build yourself up slowly and then you will see improvement in your ability as well as muscle mass over time.

So, does running build muscle? It can, dependent on what you do. Integrating different running styles into your training as well as strength training may contribute to muscle growth. Alone, training is not enough. However, getting the correct nutritional balance from your food, getting plenty of rest as well as drinking plenty of water all play a part in assisting your body build muscle.

It is very important to remember that your body could need a different training and nutritional regime in order to achieve the same results as another runner. Not all bodies are the same so if you need help building a routine, contact a local certified personal trainer for advice on where to start.

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Eager to learn more about the biomechanics of exercise? Then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Is It Safe For Children And Teens To Exercise With Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-it-safe-for-children-and-teens-to-exercise-with-weights/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26121 We all know that exercise is an important element of living a healthy lifestyle, and most parents believe that their children should do more of it. However, many parents prefer that their children participate in aerobic activities than strength exercises. This is largely owing to the perception that lifting weights is dangerous for children. Done...

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We all know that exercise is an important element of living a healthy lifestyle, and most parents believe that their children should do more of it. However, many parents prefer that their children participate in aerobic activities than strength exercises. This is largely owing to the perception that lifting weights is dangerous for children. Done properly, strength training offers many benefits to young athletes. Strength training is even a great idea for kids who just want to look and feel better. In fact, this format of exercise might put your child on a lifetime path to improved health and fitness.

Do Weights Pose A Risk Of Injury?

There was virtually little data on injuries connected with youth strength training until recently. However, there were a few case reports detailing catastrophic injuries caused by the misuse of weight training equipment, as well as a few short studies indicating high injury rates in competitive adolescent weightlifting and powerlifting programmes.

In 1990, the American Academy of Paediatrics carefully recommended against participation in strength training before reaching physical maturity. This report was essentially referring to weightlifting, powerlifting, as well as bodybuilding which involve the usage of maximal loads and extremely technical lifting movements which had never been recommended for young people. Nevertheless, the message that ‘weights are bad for children and teens’ took hold and the public distrust of strength training stayed on.

We now know that supervised and age-appropriate weight training is a safe activity for children and adolescents. Strength training is a good way to improve muscular fitness, body composition, and psychological health. In fact, appropriately conducted strength training programmes have a much reduced risk of injury as opposed to many popular youth sports like soccer, football, or basketball – activities which parents happily enrol their children in year after year. Ironically, participation in strength training can actually lower the risk of children being injured when they play sports.

What Are the Advantages of Strength Training?

Strength training can assist children and teens build strong muscles. With a well-designed and supervised programme, they are able to

  • Improve overall fitness and sports performance,
  • Improve lean body mass (more muscle, less fat),
  • Burn more calories,
  • Make bones stronger, and
  • Better mental health.

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When Can A Child Begin Strength Training?

During childhood, children improve their body awareness, control and balance through active play. As soon as age seven or eight, however, strength training could become a valuable part of a holistic fitness plan — as long as the child is sufficiently mature to follow directions and can practise proper technique as well as form.

It is recommended school-age children get 60 minutes or more of day-to-day activity. As part of this activity, muscle- as well as bone-strengthening exercises are advised at least three days per week. If your child demonstrated an interest in strength training, remind him or her that strength training is meant to boost muscle strength and endurance. Bulking up is something else completely — and most safely done after adolescence, when your child’s bones have stopped growing.

You could also check with your child’s doctor for the OK to start a strength training programme, particularly if your child has a known or suspected health problem — such as a heart condition, high blood pressure or – alternatively – a seizure disorder.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a certified exercise expert – who can teach children and adults to exercise properly – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Why You Should Be A Fan Of Indoor Cycling? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-you-should-be-a-fan-of-indoor-cycling-learn-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 22 Sep 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26110 Indoor cycling classes are as exciting as they are exhilarating. The benefits of this type of class include weight loss as well as boosted strength and endurance. These benefits are improved when indoor cycling classes are combined with other cardio and resistance workouts however you can easily use an indoor cycling class as your main...

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Indoor cycling classes are as exciting as they are exhilarating. The benefits of this type of class include weight loss as well as boosted strength and endurance. These benefits are improved when indoor cycling classes are combined with other cardio and resistance workouts however you can easily use an indoor cycling class as your main workout. It’s certainly worth trying out an indoor cycling class, especially if it’s within your budget and you think it’s something you’ll enjoy.

As any loyal cyclist knows, there’s a lot more to cycling indoors than flashy indoor bikes with on-demand, interactive workouts. Indoor cycling is perhaps one of the best forms of cardio that you can do, particularly long term. Cycling indoors is non-weight-bearing, so it reduces the risk of injuries owing to wear and tear on your joints, particularly your knees.

Knees are often the first joints in the body to show signs of ageing, so it’s crucial to take care of them over your lifetime with healthy, gentle forms of cardiovascular exercise such as indoor cycling. With that in mind, if you’re jumping on the bike for the first time, it’s a very good idea to talk to your doctor first. In this way, you can implement any specific recommendations.

Here are a few of the phenomenal reasons why you should be a fan of cycling indoors.

Indoor Cycling Is Time Efficient

One of the biggest benefits of doing cycling indoors is how little time it takes as compared to going for a ride outside. So if you’re short on time – and who isn’t? – riding indoors can assist you squeeze in a workout session when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

Indoor cycling is convenient, it’s set up ready to go and there’s no time-wasting. You are able to get on the bike, warm-up and you’re well into a session. Cool down, finish, in the shower and you’re done.

If you’re planning on cycling outside, you’ll need to find a route and, if you live in a city centre, you need to get out of the city. By the time that you’ve even warmed up you could have done your entire session indoors. What’s more, and as we’ll come on to, the specificity and uninterrupted nature of cycling indoors means that you can make big training gains in a relatively short amount of time.

Indoor Cycling Builds Strength

So that you can improve your strength, plan on doing at least 150 minutes of cycling indoors  per week. You might see results after a few weeks of regular classes however you’ll need to keep up with the classes so that you can maintain the results.

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Indoor Cycling Has Major Cardiovascular Benefits

Indoor cycling is a great way to boost cardiovascular health. It’s similar to other forms of cardiovascular exercise – such as running, swimming as well as elliptical training. It’s ideal for people who want a cardiovascular workout without placing too much stress on their joints.

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Do you want to become an indoor cycling instructor? If you do then you need to our Indoor Cycling Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Women Should Seriously Consider Working Out With Kettlebells https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-women-should-seriously-consider-working-out-with-kettlebells/ Wed, 22 Sep 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26107 There was a day (and it was not that long ago) when kettlebells were kept for Hulked-out bros and go-hard-or-go-home Cross Fitters. Quite fortunately, that day is over, and women are cosying up to kettlebell training in a massive way. Whether your aim is to gain strength and muscle mass, or grow your aerobic capacity,...

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There was a day (and it was not that long ago) when kettlebells were kept for Hulked-out bros and go-hard-or-go-home Cross Fitters.

Quite fortunately, that day is over, and women are cosying up to kettlebell training in a massive way. Whether your aim is to gain strength and muscle mass, or grow your aerobic capacity, kettlebells can assist.  You are able to accomplish a killer workout in your living room, garage or even outside with nothing more than just a handful of kettlebells as well as half an hour of your time.

Case in point: In one tiny American Council on Exercise–sponsored study of 10 individuals, people doing the kettlebell snatch incinerated more than 400 calories in only 20 minutes. Another study of 40 people, which was published in The Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health found that when sedentary workers finished 20-minute kettlebell workouts between two and three times per week for eight weeks, they reduced their lower-back pain by 57% and their neck and shoulder pain by 46%.

After all, thanks to the kettlebell’s less-than-firm design, exercising with one is responsible for firing up multiple muscle groups at the same time — especially those of the core, which we utilise for balance — helping to teach your body to move as one functional, rock-hard unit.

Kettlebells Help To Condition Muscle But Won’t Beef You Up

Kettlebells won’t make you bulky. You will enjoy being lean and toned while still keeping those curves. Effective kettlebell workouts for women are incredibly dynamic as well as cardiovascular in nature. Although the resistance element of kettlebell training will serve to condition existing muscles it will not cause a massive amount of muscle hypertrophy or muscle growth.

This is great news for women who want to add muscle tone without the bulk.

Plus ladies, you don’t have to worry about looking like a bodybuilder, women have 100 times less testosterone, the male growth hormone, so it is quite challenging for women to put on too much muscle.

Kettlebells Are A Total-Body Workout Tool

Unlike many training styles which have you work one body part at a time, most kettlebell movements engage your whole body at once. Thanks to its bespoke handle, the kettlebell creates an offset centre of gravity, making it ideal for dynamic movements which activate your stabilising muscles. Take the kettlebell swing, for instance: with just one move you’re working out your glutes, quads, abs, lats, grip, and shoulders, all while burning a tonne of fat. As opposed to doing separate cardio, strength, and mobility workouts, kettlebell training combines them which allows you to build muscle and – at the same time – burn body fat.

Kettlebells Are The Answer To Lower Back Pain And Joint Issues

When utilised correctly a kettlebell improves lower back pain as well as your joint stability and mobility specifically in your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. When you swing a kettlebell you learn how to activate your posterior chain (which is the back of your body from your heels to neck) which is frequently weakened by hours spent being sedentary and well, sitting on your chair!

This is frequently overlooked by other exercise methods. In addition, you will learn to wake up this lazy as well as tired muscle to support your lower back plus working more in this area increases fat burn as your butt muscles necessitate huge amounts of energy in order to function. What’s more, as you swing, the weight tries to pull your joints apart and it is your stabilising muscles that maintain the closure of the joint.

Strong development of stabilising muscles makes sure that you have a stronger foundation for your larger muscles to operate from enabling less injury and an increase in strength. Kettlebells also force longer ranges of movement opening up your joints and increasing mobility and thus better movement freedom.

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If you want to become a kettlebell instructor then you should check out our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is The Best Type Of Exercise To Correct Muscle Imbalance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-type-of-exercise-to-correct-muscle-imbalance/ Tue, 21 Sep 2021 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26090 Muscle imbalances are a familiar reason for pain, improper form or a plateau in progress. However, they are so frequently overlooked. Continuing to exercise with a muscular imbalance in your legs can cause the symptoms to worsen, down the line leading to injury. Fortunately, finding and fixing muscle imbalances is a relatively simple process. Muscle...

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Muscle imbalances are a familiar reason for pain, improper form or a plateau in progress. However, they are so frequently overlooked. Continuing to exercise with a muscular imbalance in your legs can cause the symptoms to worsen, down the line leading to injury. Fortunately, finding and fixing muscle imbalances is a relatively simple process.

Muscle imbalances happen when one collection of muscles — for instance, the pectorals — are of unequal strength or size associated with an opposing group of muscles — for instance, the lats. These differences in muscle function could derail your hard work in the gym and also produce severe injuries.

When one muscle is not strong and the other is overactive, it pulls your body into an incorrect posture — such as rounded shoulders or an excessively arched lower back — which also reduces mobility at your joints and makes particular muscles stiff. Usually, muscle imbalances take place around areas of your body which are supposed to be mobile — hips, shoulders and thoracic spine — however they can happen just about anywhere.

Isolating Muscles Is Crucial To Fixing Imbalances

These types of exercises are useful for highlighting muscular imbalances which may be causing inactivity during exercise. When you have found the areas where strength is weaker, fixing the imbalance requires isolating the muscle and completing targeted exercises in order to strengthen the weaker side.

Split Squats

  • Place yourself in a staggered stance with one of your feet forward.
  • Squat through bending your knees, allowing the heel of your back foot to rise and then your back knee to almost touch the floor.
  • Return to the beginning position by pushing down with your front heel and then extending your front leg.
  • Repeat

(Optional: Hold a dumbbell in each of your hands with your arms at your sides throughout the exercise.)

Wide-Grip Inverted Row

By gripping the barbell wider, your arms will do a lot less work while your overlooked mid-back muscles will do more:

  • Lay a barbell on a power rack or – alternatively – a Smith Machine and, from underneath it, pull yourself up and then touch your chest to the bar.
  • Pin your shoulder blades together and make sure that you keep your body straight like a plank.

Rear Foot Elevated Split Squats (otherwise known as Bulgarian Split Squats)

  • With a bench or chair behind you, place yourself in a staggered stance with your back foot elevated.
  • Squat with your front leg and make sure that your front knee in line with your front foot.
  • Return to your beginning position by pushing down with your front heel and then extending your front leg. Repeat.

Doorway Pec Stretch

  • Stand in a doorway and keep your hands above your head and make a 90° angle with your elbows. Keep your forearms on the door frame.
  • Lean forward and then stretch your pec muscles.

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If you’d like to discover more about exercise then you should really check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Type Of Exercise Is The Most Effective? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-type-of-exercise-is-the-most-effective-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 21 Sep 2021 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26096 Fitness experts say there is no magic to exercise: You get out of it exactly what you put in. That doesn’t mean you need to work out for hours each day. It just means you need to work out smartly. That said, fitness experts agree that not all exercises are created equally. Some are just...

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Fitness experts say there is no magic to exercise: You get out of it exactly what you put in. That doesn’t mean you need to work out for hours each day. It just means you need to work out smartly. That said, fitness experts agree that not all exercises are created equally. Some are just more efficient than others, whether they target a number of different muscle groups, are appropriate for a wide range of fitness levels, or assist you to burn calories far more effectively

What’s The Least Amount Of Exercise You Should Be Getting?

All healthy adults are urged to get around 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (30 minutes, five days a week) or – alternatively – 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week (or three 25-minute intense workout sessions).

If you think about it, you may be able to break down the 150 minutes of activity into 30 minutes per day, five days per week. Alternatively, you could go the 75-minute route but rather doing 25-minute workouts, three days per week.  The most effective way to get your recommended amount of exercise could be to lean towards the 75-minute suggestion — which means less time however more intense workouts.

Walking

Any exercise programme has needs to include cardiovascular exercise, which strengthens the heart and also burns calories. And walking is something which you can do anywhere, anytime, with no equipment other than just a good pair of shoes.

Walking is not just for beginners. Even the very fit can get a great workout from walking.

Going on a brisk walk can burn up to 500 calories per hour. As it takes 3 500 calories to lose just over a kilogram, you could expect to lose just more than a kilogram for every seven hours you walk, if you did nothing else.

Don’t go from the couch straight away to walking an hour day. Beginners should begin by walking five to -10 minutes at a time, slowly moving up to at least 30 minutes per exercise session. Don’t increase your workout by more than five minutes at a time. It’s far better to lengthen your walks before boosting your speed or incline.

Do Full-Body Workout Moves

One really popular way to get into shape is through working particular muscle groups on particular days. So for instance, on Mondays you work your arms and lift weights, and then on Tuesdays perhaps you focus on ab workouts. This is great but it’s not very efficient. What occurs if something comes up and you aren’t able to make your workout, then you completely miss working whatever body part you set aside to work for that day.

A far better approach could be doing workout moves which use your entire body in order to make sure that you’re never missing a muscle group every time you work out. Examples of full-body moves are push-ups as well as planks.

One of our go-to moves is a tried-and-true plank (which you are able to change up a lot!). We like to shake up the plank a little bit and then add moves like a passe, where you bring the opposite foot to the knee which gives you a little less stability in the move, which further initiates core engagement, particularly the obliques.

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Can Over-Exercising Harm Your Body? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-over-exercising-harm-your-body/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26077 Exercising is supposed to be very good for you. It can assist you to stay at a healthy weight, improve your cardiovascular health as well as even ward off depression. However like most things, it’s possible to over-do it. In addition, over-exercising can have serious consequences for your body as well as brain. So, what...

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Exercising is supposed to be very good for you. It can assist you to stay at a healthy weight, improve your cardiovascular health as well as even ward off depression. However like most things, it’s possible to over-do it. In addition, over-exercising can have serious consequences for your body as well as brain. So, what precisely is ‘too much’ exercising?

Well, it depends on factors such as your age, health and choice of workouts. However, in general adults should get around five hours a week of moderate exercise or – alternatively – two and a half hours of more intense activity. Or some mixture of the two. But research shows that going way above and beyond that, and over-exercising, doesn’t increase your health benefits.

Extreme Exercisers Have An Intense Need For Control

You are able to distinguish healthy enthusiasts from exercise addicts by the following trait. Healthy exercisers organise their exercise around their lives, while dependents organise their lives round their exercise. Excessive exercise, as with extreme diets, attracts people who feel an extreme need for control in their lives. As with weight reduction, boosted athletic performance is readily observable.

Determining Your “Just Right” Amount of Exercise

if you have a specific fitness goal — such as for instance, losing weight, getting stronger, becoming better at a particular sport — you’ll probably need to exercise more than that. For instance, the American College of Sports Medicine 2019’s guidelines state that while 150 to 250 minutes of exercise every week can yield modest weight-loss results, you’ll need to exercise more than 250 minutes per week as well as moderately restrict your diet to see more dramatic results. In practice, this looks like working out for one hour, five days a week.

In a similar fashion, while performing two days a week of general strength work will definitely support muscle growth. In order to reach maximum muscle-building potential, you will need to focus on training each muscle group twice a week. That likely means strength training between four and five times a week and then splitting it up by muscle group (such as a bodybuilding training plan) or making sure that you’re hitting every single muscle group in your total-body strength sessions.

Figuring out the ‘just right’ amount of exercise for you means that you need to take into account your fitness goals, training age, nutrition habits, stress levels, sleep schedule as well as the intensity of the training that you’re doing. A good training schedule takes [all of those things] into account.

Over-exercising exerts a negative effect on the stress hormones cortisol as well as epinephrine. This hormonal imbalance can lead to emotional lability, trouble with concentration, bouts of irritability, depression, and difficulty with sleep. Hormone imbalance also impacts hunger and satiety processes in the body.

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Do Resistance Band Workouts Work? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-resistance-band-workouts-work/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26081 Resistance band workouts have been all over social media during the pandemic. In case you don’t know about them, resistance bands are similar to an elastic band. These are usually made from a synthetic fibre such as latex or rubber. You are able to loop them around your legs or arms, for instance, which assists...

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Resistance band workouts have been all over social media during the pandemic. In case you don’t know about them, resistance bands are similar to an elastic band. These are usually made from a synthetic fibre such as latex or rubber. You are able to loop them around your legs or arms, for instance, which assists with creating more tension while you work out. This tension makes it more challenging to do movements and engages more muscles, which some claim will assist you to build strength as well as muscle.

Many of us realise that strength training is important. Not only can it assist us to build strength, it can slow muscle deterioration as we grow older, while increasing muscle mass can also enhance metabolism. While you are able to build some strength through bodyweight-only exercises such as squats or lunges. Frequently, the key to building a greater amount of strength is by creating resistance.

This is frequently done utilising weights or weight machines. However in recent years – particularly at the height of the pandemic – resistance bands have become a very popular way of creating this resistance to build strength. This means that you are able to get the benefits of extra strength without needing to spend hours in the gym lifting weights.

Are Resistance Bands Effective At Building Muscle?

Yes, resistance bands do build muscle. Although free weights, such as the best dumbbells for women, have always been the go-to for muscle-building, resistance bands can be similarly effective at building both strength as well as muscle mass.

Resistance bands assist you to build muscle by recruiting stabilising muscle groups and offering extra intensity to other body-weight exercises. In addition, they help you to focus your body on control, flexibility as well as even rehabilitation.

There are two ways to utilise resistance bands. The first is unanchored exercises where we utilise your own body in order to create a fixed point. You would stand on the band and then hold the ends so that you can perform the movement, which is great as you are able to train anywhere you like, at home, in the garden down the beach or – alternatively – in the park.

Benefits Of Resistance Bands

Get A Cost-Effective Workout

Whether you buy resistance bands individually or as a set, these are an inexpensive addition to your home gym equipment. Some of the resistance bands are even sold with a guided exercise DVD.

Adapt Easily For Multiple Fitness Levels

Resistance bands come in different resistance levels, often light, medium or heavy. You are able to further adjust the amount of resistance during exercise merely by offering more or less slack on the band, in addition by mixing multiple resistance bands in order to boost the challenge.

Modify Familiar Exercises

Resistance band exercises are frequently based on familiar strength-training moves. For instance, if you stand on one end of the cord and then curl your arm up while holding the other end, you’ve swapped your standard dumbbell bicep curl.

Exercise Your Entire Body

A lot of resistance band kits come with suggested exercises for almost every major muscle group in your body. Stepping on one side of a resistance band or – alternatively – looping it around a stationary object, for instance, opens up many exercise opportunities.

Save On Storage Space

When you don’t have much room available for a home gym, resistance bands are a fantastic option which can be stored in very little space. You can hang them on a hook after you exercise or coil them up to store in a box or drawer.

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How Many Steps Should You Take Daily To Maintain Good Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-many-steps-should-you-take-daily-to-maintain-good-health/ Fri, 17 Sep 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26068 Walking is a type of low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise which has a number of health benefits and very few risks. As a result, it is recommended that most adults should aim for 10 000 steps per day. For most individuals, this is equal to 8 km. Most people only take between 3 000 and 4 000 steps...

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Walking is a type of low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise which has a number of health benefits and very few risks. As a result, it is recommended that most adults should aim for 10 000 steps per day. For most individuals, this is equal to 8 km.

Most people only take between 3 000 and 4 000 steps per day, which equates to about 2.5 to 3 km. As doctors often consider fewer than 5 000 steps per day to be sedentary. This means that a lot of people are not getting as many steps as they should in order to benefit their health.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, walking may improve:

  • Muscle strength,
  • Range of motion,
  • Blood flow,
  • Flexibility,
  • Balance, which can help prevent falls,
  • Joint stiffness,
  • Mood and sleep, and
  • Breathing.

In addition, walking can help to improve or prevent certain health conditions, such as obesity, osteoporosis as well as age-related memory loss.

The Health Benefits Of Walking Appear To Increase With Step Count

A 2020 study found that people who took part and who took 8 000 steps per day had a 51% lower risk of dying by any cause as compared with those who took 4 000 per day.

This trend continued with increased step counts as participants who took 12 000 steps every day had a 65% lower risk of dying as opposed to those who took 4 000.

This finding suggests that the health benefits of walking increase with step count however also shows that people who are not able to reach 10 000 steps in a day can still benefit from the activity.

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How To Integrate More Steps Into Your Day

Once you’ve determined your health and fitness goals, try out these ideas for incorporating more walking into your daily routine:

  • Why not take the dog for a walk? If you don’t have a dog, offer to walk dogs at an animal shelter. Or merge your activity with social time by connect with a friend and walking his or her dog.
  • Try music. A bouncy tune – or something with a strong beat – may make activity more enjoyable and assist with motivating you to walk farther or faster.
  • Include the family. Rather than an afternoon movie, go for a walk or hike together.
  • Go in person. Rather than sending a work email, walk to your colleague’s desk and talk to them.
  • Walk while waiting. Take a walk rather than sitting when you’re early for an appointment or waiting for a flight.
  • Schedule workday walks. Put reminders into your calendar for short walking breaks in order to ramp up your energy during the day. Have a one-on-one meeting? Plan to walk and then talk.
  • Park farther away. Select parking spots farther away from the entrance. If you use the bus, get off a stop early and then walk the rest of your way.
  • Take the stairs. Even going down the stairs goes towards your step count
  • and also burns calories.

How far will you go today? Your fitness and health goal will depend on your starting point. However nearly everyone can reap the benefits of walking more, step by step.

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Comprehensive Bootcamp Group Exercises. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/comprehensive-bootcamp-group-exercises/ Thu, 16 Sep 2021 06:56:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26064 If you’re looking to get lean for the summer, group bootcamp workouts are the ultimate exercise regime to get it done. If you lay it all out during bootcamp group exercise, you’re bound to burn at least 500 calories by your last rep. Not to mention, this full-body strength and conditioning workout increases your metabolism...

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If you’re looking to get lean for the summer, group bootcamp workouts are the ultimate exercise regime to get it done. If you lay it all out during bootcamp group exercise, you’re bound to burn at least 500 calories by your last rep. Not to mention, this full-body strength and conditioning workout increases your metabolism so you’ll continue to burn hundreds of calories hours after your session.

Can I Do Boot Camp Group Exercises Every Day?

There is a reason why bootcamp group training workouts have become very popular. A genuine group bootcamp workout incorporates resistance and cardio training exercises for a great full-body workout. It frequently comes with a number of exercises that often require hardly any specific equipment, so that your body is challenged consistently in new as well as sensible ways.

The truth is that team bootcamp workouts provide a group atmosphere and develop camaraderie. This helps to promote accountability and healthy competition, which you will not get every time you exercise alone. Likewise, you could burn roughly 9.8 calories each minute throughout the average group bootcamp workouts.

As long as a bootcamp group training session provides moderate aerobic workouts, you could take part every single day. Actually, you should aim for at least 150 minutes each week of moderate-intensity workout for modest weight reduction. This goes up to over 250 minutes each week of workout for considerable weight reduction.

If you’re performing much more intense aerobic workouts – such as high-intensity interval training workouts or HIIT – you will burn much more calories as well as shed weight a lot quicker. However, your body will need additional time in order to recuperate. It is not advisable that you do more than two days of HIIT training each week. Allow for a minimum of 48 hours in between your workout sessions.

Do Boot Camp Workouts Build Muscle?

For guys and gals looking to pack on a few kilograms of muscle, the bootcamp group training may not be the best choice. As the exercises are strung together with little rest in between, participants usually have to make use of a lighter weight than usual in order to maintain form.

This shifts the focus of team bootcamp workouts from strength to cardio. In order to build muscle, weightlifters should be focused on putting a massive amount of strain on the muscle as well as working with heavy loads. Owing to the intense nature of bootcamps, it’s often not possible (or safe) to work with the loads that are to produce muscle growth.

In fact, rather long bootcamp workouts may even be harmful to weightlifters looking for size. The length and intensity of the group bootcamp workouts may be sufficient to send the weightlifter into a catabolic status (breaking down muscle) during the course of the workout. Even though cardiovascular fitness may improve, muscle size and strength could decrease. In order to build size, integrate high-intensity group bootcamp workouts sparingly. Dedicate the remainder of your time to working with heavy strength training as well as improving your nutrition intake.

Team Bootcamp Workouts

Roll, Win, Benefit

This is a great group bootcamp workout idea!

Divide the group in to two teams and have them face each other.

In this first round, show the group an exercise and then ask the end two participants to roll a dice. The team who rolls the highest number wins a point and will complete the exercise for 60 seconds. The team who rolls the lowest number continues to 80 seconds.

Play 15 rounds in total. After each round they pass the dice to the next two players in the line. The group who has won the greatest number of points at the end of the challenge wins.

Mexican Wave

Divide the group in to two teams and have them face each other. Starting at the one end of the team line (right side), each of the participants completes a single burpee. The first team who finishes wins a point. The team who has the most points over 15 games wins.

If you happen to have odd-numbered teams the bootcamp trainer joins in. These are just copy-and-paste games so make sure that you keep the flow going. As soon as one game finishes you need to be ready and waiting to initiate the next game straight away.

Power Lifter

Participants complete power lifters for four minutes at the max reps. Once finished, participants have a two-minute break. During the break, ask participants to swap scores with one another. In round 2, two players complete power lifters four minutes at maximum reps. The goal is to beat their partner’s score.

Ask players to swap scores with a person of a similar ability.

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How To Build Muscle Power With Plyometric Exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-muscle-power-with-plyometric-exercises/ Thu, 16 Sep 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26053 Plyometric exercises are fun! Who doesn’t want to jump as well as leap? It almost feels as if you’re a kid again. If you are able to make workouts fun, why not? There is much more to plyometric jumps as opposed to the joy of leaping, of course. Plyometrics are essential exercises for developing and...

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Plyometric exercises are fun! Who doesn’t want to jump as well as leap? It almost feels as if you’re a kid again. If you are able to make workouts fun, why not? There is much more to plyometric jumps as opposed to the joy of leaping, of course. Plyometrics are essential exercises for developing and boosting power.

From plyo push-ups to jumping squats, these exercises target the big muscle groups and harness the elastic energy in the stretch-shortening cycle of muscle contractions in order to build brute power. Anyone will be able to benefit from improving power, including your athletes and beginners. Just be sure that you begin safely and progress at a pace which makes sense for each individual to avoid injuries.

Plyometrics exercise routines assist the muscles of the body to become more flexible as well as stronger. This exercise routine makes use of the force of different movements in order to build muscle power. There are many benefits of plyometric exercises and they contribute a lot to building a healthier body structure. So, make plyometrics exercise a part of your day-to-day workout routine.

How To Do Plyometric Push-Ups

  • Get into a push-up posture and have your feet together. Make sure that your hands placed just wider than shoulder-width apart on the floor. Your toes should be tucked in and your wrist should be under your shoulders.
  • While keeping your back straight, gently lower your elbow – as well as your body – towards the ground until your chest is very close to the floor.
  • Press yourself away from the floor as fast as possible, bringing your hands off the floor.
  • Clap your hands before bringing them back on the ground. Go down again and repeat the same.

How To Do Squat Jumps

This is an all-around fantastic strength and power move. It is responsible for developing powerful leg muscles and boosts heart rate. Perform a squat. Jump quickly – and as high as possible – from the lowered position. Straighten your legs as you reach the highest point.

How To Do Box Jumps

  • Stand in front of a sturdy surface that is about 50 cm high (choose the height according to what is comfortable for you). Your feet must be hip-width apart and your body in a relaxed position.
  • Now squat down and then jump onto the sturdy surface and land in a squat position. Focus and attempt to balance your weight while you’re jumping up.
  • Again jump slightly to step down and complete one repetition.

How To Do Lateral Jumps

So much of many workouts that are often done at the gym remain in the linear plane, with movements being done forwards and backwards. Working in the lateral, or side-to-side, plane benefits muscle groups. For plyometric exercises, try lateral jumps or bounds, which involve simply leaping side to side on one foot at a time.

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Yoga Asanas To Help With Managing Diabetes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-asanas-to-help-with-managing-diabetes/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26044 Yoga can do a lot more than merely relax your body in mind — especially if you’re living with diabetes. Certain yoga asanas may assist with lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels while improving circulation as well. This leads many experts to recommend yoga for diabetes management. Regular practice may even assist to reduce...

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Yoga can do a lot more than merely relax your body in mind — especially if you’re living with diabetes. Certain yoga asanas may assist with lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels while improving circulation as well. This leads many experts to recommend yoga for diabetes management. Regular practice may even assist to reduce your risk for other complications of diabetes, such as heart disease.

What Are The Benefits Of Yoga Asanas For Diabetes?

Individuals have practised yoga for thousands of years. In addition, it has gained mainstream popularity in recent years. Yoga may assist with improving physical and mental well-being by the following:

  • Lowering Stress Levels

In addition to strengthening the body, practising yoga asanas can also boost a person’s mental well-being. Some evidence makes the suggestion that stress plays a role in the onset and management of diabetes. Thus, managing stress levels may also assist a person to manage diabetes.

  • Improving Emotional Well-Being

Practicing yoga asanas can help people to learn deep breathing skills as well as develop the mind-body connection. It is a format of mindfulness which helps people stay in the present moment. Also, it may reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

  • Boosting Strength And Balance

Yoga involves a number of asanas which aim to help improve a person’s strength, flexibility as well as balance. One study suggests that improving strength may assists with reducing liver fat and improving blood glucose levels in individuals with obesity and diabetes. Some individuals with diabetes experience peripheral neuropathy owing to nerve damage. In some cases, this may affect muscle strength and mobility. Building up strength through exercise may assist people manage these effects.

  • Protecting Heart Health

The American Heart Association (AHA) cites a number of reasons why yoga is good for health, including heart health. They cite a study in which individuals with a type of atrial fibrillation practised yoga and breathing exercises. After 12 weeks, the participants experienced a lower heart rate in addition to lower blood pressure as opposed to those people who did not practise yoga.

Examples Of Yoga Asanas

Marjariasana

To do the Urdhva Mukhi Marjari asana, come on your knees and put your palms under shoulders and knees under hips. Inhale and curve your spine to look up. For Adho Mukhi Marjari Asana, breathe out and round your back and then drop your chin to chest. Focus your gaze on your navel region.

Paschimottanasana

Also known by the name seated forward bend, start the yoga asana by stretching your legs forward while ensuring that your knees are bent slightly. Raise your arms upward and make sure that you keep your spine erect. Exhale and then bend forward at the hip, putting your upper body on your lower body. Attempt to hold your big toes with your fingers. Pregnant women should not practise this asana. In addition, those suffering from slip disc, sciatica or asthma should also avoid doing this apart from ulcer patients.

Balasana

It is also known as Child’s Pose. In order to perform this asana, kneel down on mat and then sit on your heels. Breathe in and raise arms above head, exhale and gently bend your upper body forward. Put your forehead on the floor resting your pelvis on the heels. Don’t hunch your back.

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Why You Should Integrate Pilates Into Your Workout Routine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-you-should-integrate-pilates-into-your-workout-routine/ Tue, 14 Sep 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26035 Pilates is a low-impact workout which is effective at strengthening, lengthening as well as toning your muscles through controlled and repetitive movements. There are many advantages to including Pilates into your workout routine from increased strength to improved posture. What Are The Advantages Of Pilates? Pilates is a full-body exercise method which will help you...

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Pilates is a low-impact workout which is effective at strengthening, lengthening as well as toning your muscles through controlled and repetitive movements. There are many advantages to including Pilates into your workout routine from increased strength to improved posture.

What Are The Advantages Of Pilates?

Pilates is a full-body exercise method which will help you to do everything better. It strengthens and stabilises your core body, which is your foundation, so that you are able to move effectively while improving your posture, flexibility as well as mobility.

And if you’re looking for functional movement — which is the kind that assists you to move better on a daily basis with everyday tasks — Pilates can train you in that as well. A 2018 study of 90 people – which was published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation – found that participants who practised Pilates for one hour three times a week for eight weeks boosted their scores on a functional movement screen, which measures aspects such as balance, stability as well as mobility, more than individuals who did yoga instead (or who didn’t exercise at all).

Then there are the muscle benefits — particularly in the endurance realm. One 2010 study that was published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research discovered individuals who performed one hour of Pilates twice a week for 12 weeks reported noteworthy improvements in abdominal stamina, hamstring flexibility as well as upper-body muscular endurance.

The researchers theorise that the scapular stabilisation cues during the moves (when your instructor tells you to bring your shoulder blades together or – alternatively – down), in addition with the increase in core strength and endurance, may translate to upper-body strength improvements.

As with other forms of exercise, Pilates has been found to have a positive effect on mental health.

A 2018 meta-analysis of eight Pilates studies discovered that those who practised Pilates reported a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety as well as fatigue, in addition to an increase in energy. The practice of Pilates is all about mind-body connection and can be a phenomenal introduction to both physical as well as mental endurance. (Of course, no type of exercise is considered to be a treatment for mental health conditions. Improvements don’t take place for all people — meeting with a mental health professional is still a very important step if you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or other issues.)

Pilates Improves Posture

Good posture is a sign of good alignment which is supported by a strong core. It is a point from which the body is able to move freely. Beginning with Pilates movement fundamentals and progressing through mat and equipment exercises, Pilates is responsible for training the body in order to express itself with strength as well as harmony. People who practise Pilates frequently have excellent posture. In addition, it’s a reason why people do Pilates for back pain.

Pilates Boosts Energy

Pilates gets the circulation and breath moving, stimulates the muscles and spine, and floods the body with the good feelings which you get from exercising your entire body.

The more that you engage in exercise, the more energy you have. And the more energised you are, the more you’ll feel like doing your exercise routine (to a point, of course). Pilates is a fantastic low-impact form of exercise which can be incorporated into your daily routine. (Just ensure that you consult with your physician before starting any new workout programme.)

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How To Tone Your Arm Muscles Quickly When You Start Strength Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-tone-your-arm-muscles-quickly-when-you-start-strength-training/ Tue, 14 Sep 2021 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26031 If your fitness goal is athletic arms, strength training can be a phenomenal way to see results, especially if you’re a fitness beginner. Beginning a strength training routine can lead to a short period of quick improvements that are known as ‘newbie gains’. With the correct exercises and plan, you are able to take advantage...

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If your fitness goal is athletic arms, strength training can be a phenomenal way to see results, especially if you’re a fitness beginner. Beginning a strength training routine can lead to a short period of quick improvements that are known as ‘newbie gains’. With the correct exercises and plan, you are able to take advantage of newbie gains in order to sculpt your upper body.

Do Compound Exercises

Compound exercises are movements which work multiple muscle groups at the same time. For instance, a squat is defined as compound exercise and it works the quadriceps, glutes as well as calves. In addition, you can perform compound exercises which combine two exercises into one move to target even more muscles (for instance, a lunge with a bicep curl).

Compound exercises are different from isolation exercises. Those movements work a single muscle group at a time. A traditional bicep curl is an isolation exercise that is meant to strengthen the biceps, for instance. Isolation exercises are at times beneficial in physical therapy to strengthen certain muscles or rehabilitate them after injury.

Compound Exercises Burn Far More Calories

The body burns calories of energy in order to consumer one litre of oxygen. Exercises which involve more muscle tissue need more oxygen, which assists the body increase its net energy spend.

Compound Exercises Improve Intermuscular Coordination

This is the function and timing of several muscles around a joint or joints. Consider, for instance, the gluteal complex (gluteus maximus, medius as well as minimus), which is responsible for controlling the motion of the hip. Compound exercises – for example squats, lunges or steps which move the hips in all three planes may improve how all of the muscles work together to produce as well as control force.

Compound Exercises Raise The Heart Rate And Provide A Cardiovascular Training Benefit

The aim of cardiovascular exercise is to boost the ability of the heart to work as a pump. This can be accomplished by doing activities such as running and cycling, or by doing exercises which involve a lot of muscle tissue.

Sitting down in a leg-extension machine doing knee extensions or doing bicep curls with dumbbells utilises only a limited amount of muscle tissue. These exercises are more suitable for focusing on isolated strength.

Medicine ball chops, squats to shoulder presses or – alternatively – burpees are all very good examples of compound exercises which involve significant amounts of muscle tissue, which challenges the heart to pump blood to make sure that the muscles are kept fuelled and active.

Nutrition Is Key For Fat-Burning

In addition, muscle definition involves being relatively lean. The absolute best way to achieve a lower body fat is to maintain a caloric deficit through burning more energy that you eat in the form of food. As it’s much quicker (and simpler) to eat calories as opposed to burning them, trying to maintain a calorie deficit through exercise alone may result in overtraining and burn out, specifically for exercise newbies. If people want to lose body fat, we really preach the nutrition side of things.

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If you are quite eager to learn more about toning then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Core Exercises Can You Do With A Foam Roller? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-core-exercises-can-you-do-with-a-foam-roller/ Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26014 The foam roller has been receiving lots of fitness love lately. This piece of equipment has long been known as a stand-out recovery tool which helps to relieve tense muscles as well as tight fascia. In addition, experts recommend it as a way to warm up and get your blood flowing before a workout. Now...

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The foam roller has been receiving lots of fitness love lately. This piece of equipment has long been known as a stand-out recovery tool which helps to relieve tense muscles as well as tight fascia. In addition, experts recommend it as a way to warm up and get your blood flowing before a workout.

Now there’s another great reason to have a foam roller by your side. This is that it can seriously strengthen your core. This is because the foam roller creates an unstable surface, which means more core muscles need to work in order to make sure that you’re kept stable.

Foam Roller Exercises For Your Core

Alternating Heel Tap

  • Lie face-up with a foam roller vertically under your spine.
  • Place your fingertips onto the floor as you lift legs into tabletop position.
  • Maintaining a 90-degree angle, tap your heels to the floor one at a time.

To make this exercise harder, tap your heels faster and then keep lower abdominals firing by pressing your low back firmly into the foam roller. The muscles targeted are your obliques (side ab muscles), glutes as well as your lower back

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Side Plank With Leg Raise

Talk about hitting every muscle of your midsection! You’ll work into the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis as well as obliques in addition to the quadratus lumborum. In addition, with the leg lift you’ll turn on your glutes and thighs.

How To Do This Exercise:

  • Lie on your side. Make sure that you place your left hand on the middle of the foam roller.
  • Lift up your hips so they’re in a diagonal line with your shoulders. Lift your right arm straight above you at your shoulder height.
  • Lift the right leg up to the height of your hip, without lifting or lowering your hips.
  • Return your foot to the ground. Then you need to repeat. Then switch sides.

Sawing plank

  • Begin in a forearm plank with your wrists on the foam roller, hands clasped and your feet at hip width. Make sure your hips are level.
  • Make use of your arms to rock back and forth slowly so the foam roller moves from wrists to elbows, challenging your stability.

This exercise targets your whole core as well as upper arms.

Push-Up

A regular push-up has nothing on this foam roller variation. You’ll very definitely feel the burn in trying to keep yourself steady.

How To Do The Push-Up:

  • Put your hands shoulder-width apart on the middle of the foam roller and then begin in a high plank position.
  • Bend your elbows (as you make sure that you keep them by your sides) and lower down your chest as close to the foam roller as you can.
  • Push back up and then repeat.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about the foam roller? If you do then you need to do our Foam Rolling Course. To find out more and to book, please follow this link.

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How Long Should a Weight Lifting Workout Last? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-should-a-weight-lifting-workout-last/ Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=26010 Even if you really cherish your time at the gym, there’s something to be said for workout efficiency. So how long should a weight lifting session be? It depends on your lifting history, current fitness level, goals as well as how many days per week you train. For instance, if you’re new to weight lifting...

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Even if you really cherish your time at the gym, there’s something to be said for workout efficiency. So how long should a weight lifting session be? It depends on your lifting history, current fitness level, goals as well as how many days per week you train.

For instance, if you’re new to weight lifting training, short and sweet workouts might be all you need. However, intermediate and advanced weight lifters could need to spend more time in the gym to keep progressing. Because the human body adapts quickly to something new, the minimum amount of time you need to actively strength train for your workout to be effective very much depends on your experience level.

However, while you really don’t want to miss out on any muscle gains, you really don’t want to put in extended periods of time in the gym than is truly necessary. In addition, you may have heard that spending too long in the gym could have an undesirable effect on two hormones — testosterone as well as cortisol — which in turn will put the brakes on muscle growth.

So, How Long Should These Be?

The sweat spot for most weight lifting workouts is 45 to 60 minutes per workout, however slightly less or more is fine, as well. If your work schedule can manage it, train more often with shorter workouts as opposed to training less often with longer workouts. Your recovery will be quicker. As well, your workouts will be more efficient which will lead to more gains.

Some Of The Best Weight Lifting Exercises

Deadlift

How To Do The Deadlift:

  • Stand behind a grounded barbell.
  • Bend your knees slightly in order to grab it, making sure that you keep your shins, back as well as hips straight.
  • Keeping your back straight, push your hips forwards in order to lift the bar.
  • From upright, push your hips back in order to lower the bar, bending your knees just slightly.

Why Do The Deadlift

This exercise is a sure-fire way to stoke your body into a fat-burning furnace. You just need to make sure you begin the move with the weight to manage 10 reps before slowly levelling up to the full heart-pumping calorie-incinerating zone of your one rep max.

Barbell Bench Press

How To Do The Barbell Bench Press:

  • Lie back on a flat bench making sure that you hold a barbell in the rack above you with a shoulder-width, overhand grip.
  • Lift the bar right off the rack and then position it above your chest with your arms fully extended.
  • From your starting position, breathe in and then lower the bar slowly until it skims the middle of your chest.
  • Push the bar back explosively to the beginning position as you exhale. That’s one rep.

Why Do The Barbell Bench Press:

The Barbell Bench Press move sends your testosterone levels into blubber-burning overdrive through engaging your arms, chest as well as shoulders at the same time. The more that you push, the more calories you burn with this move which makes this exercise a great move to lose weight.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about weight lifting then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Moderate Exercise Improves Memory And Learning https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-moderate-exercise-improves-memory-and-learning/ Fri, 10 Sep 2021 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25994 You possibly already know that exercising is needed in order to preserve muscle strength, keep your heart strong, maintain a healthy body weight as well as stave off chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, exercise can also assist with boosting your thinking skills. There’s a lot of science behind this. Exercise improves your memory and...

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You possibly already know that exercising is needed in order to preserve muscle strength, keep your heart strong, maintain a healthy body weight as well as stave off chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, exercise can also assist with boosting your thinking skills. There’s a lot of science behind this.

Exercise improves your memory and thinking skills directly as well as indirectly. It acts directly on the body through stimulating physiological changes such as decreases in insulin resistance and inflammation, along with encouraging the production of growth factors — chemicals which affect the growth of fresh blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance, survival as well as overall health of fresh brain cells.

Exercise Also Acts Directly On The Brain Itself

Many studies have proposed that the parts of the brain which control thinking and memory are larger in volume in individuals who exercise than in individuals who don’t.

Even more amazing is the finding that engaging in a programme of regular exercise of moderate intensity over a period of six months or a year is associated with an increase in the volume of particular brain regions.

In addition, exercise can boost memory and thinking indirectly through improving mood and sleep, as well as by reducing stress and anxiety. Problems in these areas can often cause, or contribute to, cognitive impairment.

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Try It Out                                                                                                          

So what should you do? Start with exercising! We don’t know really which exercise is best. Nearly all of the research has looked at walking. It’s quite likely that other forms of aerobic exercise, which get your heart pumping, could yield similar benefits.

How much exercise is needed to improve memory? Study members walked briskly for one hour, twice a week. That works out to 120 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week. Standard recommendations recommend half an hour of moderate physical activity on most days of the week, or 150 minutes every week. If that seems to be intimidating, start with a few minutes a day, and increase the amount that you exercise by five to 10 minutes every single week until you get to your goal.

If you aren’t keen on walking, consider other types of moderate-intensity exercises, such as swimming, stair climbing, tennis, squash or – alternatively – dancing. Remember that household chores can count as well, for example intense floor mopping, raking leaves, or anything which gets your heart pumping so much that you break out into a light sweat.

Don’t have the discipline exercise on your own? Try any or all of these ideas:

  • Join a class or work out with a friend who’ll hold you accountable.
  • Track your progress, which encourages you to reach a goal.
  • If you’re able, hire a personal trainer. (Paying an expert is good motivation.)

Whatever exercise and motivators you choose, commit to establishing exercise as a habit, almost like taking a prescription medication. After all, they say that exercise is medicine, and that can go on the top of anyone’s list of reasons to work out.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Do Aerobic Exercise Right? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-aerobic-exercise-right-learn-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 10 Sep 2021 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25998 Aerobic workouts are designed to balance three factors for maximum effectiveness as well as safety: frequency, intensity and duration. In addition, you will need to include a warm-up period prior to entering the goal intensity period of your workout in addition to a cool-down period before finishing your workout. Aerobic exercise is any kind of...

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Aerobic workouts are designed to balance three factors for maximum effectiveness as well as safety: frequency, intensity and duration. In addition, you will need to include a warm-up period prior to entering the goal intensity period of your workout in addition to a cool-down period before finishing your workout.

Aerobic exercise is any kind of cardiovascular conditioning. These activities can include activities such as brisk walking, swimming, running or – alternatively – cycling. You probably know it by the term cardio. By definition, ‘aerobic exercise’ means that it is exercise ‘with oxygen’. Your breathing and heart rate will improve during aerobic activities. Aerobic exercise helps with keeping your heart, lungs as well as circulatory system healthy.

Aerobic exercise is different from anaerobic exercise. Anaerobic exercises – for example weightlifting or sprinting – involve quick bursts of energy. These exercises done at maximum effort for a short time. This is unlike aerobic exercises. You do aerobic exercises for a sustained period of time.

Warm Up And Stretch

Warm up before the more intensive portion of your workout gets the blood flowing to your muscles and then loosens you up. This is very essential – you should not just begin your workout at full effort. Traditionally, the recommendations were to stretch the primary muscles to be utilised in the workout during your warm-up. There are a number of diverse schools of thought on the use as well as efficacy of stretching, with some experts recommending a dynamic warm-up however not static stretches before cardio exercise.

Cooling Down

After you have done your workout in your target heart rate zone, it is necessary for you to cool down with between five and 10 minutes of activity that is of lower intensity (again, between 50% and 60% of your maximum heart rate. Usually, you would end your workout with gentle stretching of the muscles utilised in the workout. This is no longer generally recommended; however you can do it if you wish.

Examples Of Aerobic Exercises

Stair Master

Equipment: Takkies

How To Do It:

  • You perhaps know how challenging it can be to walk up several flights of stairs — and a stair master turns that everyday activity into an aerobic exercise.
  • Ensure you stay upright and then don’t lean on the handles. Utilise your legs in order to step up and down and keep your eyes forward while you’re engaging your core.
  • Begin at a slow pace to warm up. After this, add resistance until you feel yourself working at a challenging pace which you can maintain for the duration of your workout.
  • Slow it back down to cool down.
  • Begin with short bursts — working on the stair master is a challenge for new and conditioned exercisers.

Duration And Frequency: 20–60 minutes, three times per week

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Swimming

Equipment: Pool, swimming costume and (optional) swimming cap and goggles

How To Do It:

  • Swimming is a phenomenal workout that’s also no-impact, particularly if your joints complain loudly when you’re walking or running.
  • Begin with laps using one stroke (freestyle is fantastic for newbies). Add in more when you feel up to it, such as breaststroke, backstroke, or (for more advanced swimmers) butterfly.
  • Rest between laps as necessary and never swim alone or without a lifeguard who is present.

Duration and frequency: 10 – 30 minutes, two – five times a week. Try to increase your duration by five minutes every week.

Stationary Bike

Equipment: Stationary bike, bike seat that is padded or shorts (not obligatory) as well as sturdy shoes (cycling shoes not obligatory)

How To Do It:

  • Ensure that you adjust the bike to the proper height. At the gym, you will be able to ask your cycling instructor to assist. If not, you could end up injuring your knees.
  • Warm up by riding at a comfortable pace for between five and 10 minutes. Then raise your pace up until it feels challenging.
  • Ride consistently at that pace, coming out of the seat as required, for 20 – 30 minutes to start. Ride slowly for five minutes to cool down.

Duration And Frequency: 30–60 minutes, three times per week

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you feel like discovering more about aerobic exercise – and about exercise in general – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Unwritten Rules Of Running? Learn More. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-unwritten-rules-of-running-learn-more/ Thu, 09 Sep 2021 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25981 At its very core, running is simple: you throw one foot in front of the other and then plod along. Things can get slightly more complicated when a lot of runners share the same space, such as at a running track or a big race. However, if you follow a few unwritten rules, you will...

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At its very core, running is simple: you throw one foot in front of the other and then plod along. Things can get slightly more complicated when a lot of runners share the same space, such as at a running track or a big race. However, if you follow a few unwritten rules, you will have a smooth experience.

Don’t Run Side By Side

While yes, you might be running with a friend but during a race or on a busy trail, please make room for other runners. We all have to share the path, and nothing is more frustrating than having to go around 10 athletes running side by side.

When And How To Pass Someone

If you’re in a race or just out for a run in a very busy park, it’s quite usual to find yourself closing in on a person who’s running just a bit slower than you. Don’t run two or three steps behind a person who you just happened upon for more than a couple of seconds.

If you’re going to pass them by, make that choice and actually pass them. On the flip side, if they’re running faster than you and you’re using them as motivation (that old “pretend there’s an invisible rope and they’re pulling you forward” trick), hang back and do so from a respectful distance.

Run Counter Clockwise On The Track

The absolute most important rule to keep in mind is the direction to run: counter clockwise (or anti-clockwise). If the track is empty when you get there, you may be tempted to begin running in the direction which has the most allure at the moment, however always make a point of running counter clockwise. If everyone is already running clockwise when you arrive, it’s far better to join them in order to avoid collisions, but in general, counter clockwise is the best choice.

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If You Choose To Use Music, Use Headphones

While the safest way to run is without music, if you decide to run with music, make sure you have headphones. We all have different music tastes, and no one wants to get stuck with your music. I’ve even run races where someone has an app shouting their paces out loud. No thank you, please keep that for your ears only.

Understand Which Side Of The Road To Run On

If you’re on a road that doesn’t have sidewalks, run on the right so that you’re facing on-coming traffic. This means that you’ll see the cars that are coming toward you as opposed to having them sneak up on you from behind. The exception is that you may move to the other side if it has better visibility around a blind curve. Safety first.

If You Run In The Dark Stay Lit Up

No one can protect you more than yourself. If you are running in all black, at night that’s just both dangerous and dumb. Be as safe as possible.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about the biomechanics of running then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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How To Do Hip Thrusts Correctly? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-hip-thrusts-correctly-read-this-article/ Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25967 The best bodyweight exercise that you can do is to build stronger glutes is the glute bridge. So, it obviously follows that the best weighted exercise you are able to do for them entails a similar thrust of the hips. This more or less what the hip thrust is – a glute bridge with weights...

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The best bodyweight exercise that you can do is to build stronger glutes is the glute bridge. So, it obviously follows that the best weighted exercise you are able to do for them entails a similar thrust of the hips. This more or less what the hip thrust is – a glute bridge with weights – although you also have your shoulders in a raised position. The finer points of technique are always far more important when heavy weights are involved.

You’ll want all the information on how to do the hip thrust as – quite simply – you should be doing this exercise. It’s not only the glutes which benefit from the exercise as the move also recruits your hamstrings and quad muscles. In addition, it will help to build speed as well as power in your legs alongside strength. After a couple of weeks of including it to your regular routine, you’ll notice the benefits when you’re performing squats or deadlifts. In short, no lower-body exercise plan is complete without the hip thrust.

How To Do A Hip Thrust Exercise

For the hip thrust, start by using a barbell with a weight which you can control for between two and three of six to 12 repetitions. Choose a weight which allows you to maintain good technique throughout all sets as well as repetitions:

  • Put a loaded barbell parallel to a bench.
  • Sit on the floor. Ensure that your back is against the bench. Roll the barbell on top of your hips until the barbell is resting in the crease of your hips.
  • With your upper back being in contact with the bench, lift your hips a little bit off of the ground. Your upper arms need to rest against the bench. Rotate your shoulders outward in order to engage your lats. The bottom of your shoulder blades must be in contact with the bench.

The weight on your feet needs to be distributed evenly along each entire foot. Rotate your feet into the floor in order to create a stable foot position. Your chin needs to remain tucked throughout the movement – almost as if you were holding an egg under your chin. All repetitions need to begin from this position.

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  • To start the upward movement, squeeze your glutes and then push your feet into the ground.
  • Continue with squeezing your glutes as you push your hips toward the ceiling in order to achieve full hip extension. Your core should be engaged so that you can keep your ribs down and your pelvis should be slightly tucked at the top. Your shins should be in a vertical position.
  • Pause for between two and three seconds at the top.
  • To start the downward movement, hinge from your hips in order to return to the starting position. Give your chest the opportunity to follow your hips. Gaze forward while making sure that your chin remains tucked in. Maintain tension on your glutes and ensure that your core remains engaged. Your torso should create a 45-degree angle with the ground at the bottom of the movement.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are enthusiastic about discovering more information about exercise then you should really consider doing our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Are The Best Cardiovascular Exercises For Weight Loss? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-cardiovascular-exercises-for-weight-loss/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25957 Losing weight is far easier said than done, and there isn’t a magic pill to take off unwanted kilograms. Rather, you need to burn more calories than you take in. This involves a healthy diet, as well as a combination of cardiovascular and strength training. However, when it comes down to which kind of cardio...

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Losing weight is far easier said than done, and there isn’t a magic pill to take off unwanted kilograms. Rather, you need to burn more calories than you take in. This involves a healthy diet, as well as a combination of cardiovascular and strength training.

However, when it comes down to which kind of cardio is best for burning fat, you need to choose which lean body type you’re aiming for. If you train as a distance runner does, you’ll achieve a distance runner’s body: little muscle, very lean from lots of kilometres logged at relatively slower paces. If you train as a sprinter does – short, high-intensity workouts – you’ll get a sprinter’s body with muscle growth as well as fat loss.

Here’s something that we can all agree on intensity is key. As intensity increases, more calories are burned. That’s why high-intensity interval workouts are a fantastic choice for getting shredded while maintaining (or even gaining) muscle.

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

As the cream of the cardio crop, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) comes up time and time again for assisting people to lose weight in less time. Characterised by brief periods of intense work followed immediately by rest periods, HIIT works your cardiovascular system hard and fast. If you’re wanting to burn fat, it’s one of your absolute best choices as it’s over double-quick and makes you work incredibly hard at the same time.

Low-Intensity Cardio

It’s not necessary for you to exercise at a high intensity in order to lose weight. If you’re a beginner or have physical restrictions, low-intensity cardio can also assist you to burn calories and drop kilograms. These workouts include:

  • Jogging,
  • Bicycling,
  • Power walking,
  • Swimming, as well as
  • Aerobics

Start slowly and then gradually up the intensity as you adapt to your new routine. Aim for around 60 minutes of low-intensity cardio five days per week. As you become physically fitter, carry hand weights while jogging, walking or – alternatively – doing aerobics.

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Elliptical

These machines were originally designed to minimise the impact on the knees and hips, however, still allow a phenomenal workout. As the impact is quite low, the calorie-burning effect isn’t as great as other cardio machines, such as treadmills and stair masters. However, the elliptical machine can be an exceptional way to burn calories without wearing out your joints. While the average 82-kg man may only burn close to 500-600 calories per hour if he’s going at an above moderate pace, you are able get even more out of it by switching up the intensity, speed as well as resistance.

Skipping

Skipping not only improves coordination as well as cognitive function, however the intensity of this workout boosts your heart rate, helping you burn about 1,300 calories per hour:

  • Warm up with between eight and 10 jumps.
  • Then jump continuously for 1 ½ minutes.
  • Rest for between 15 and 30 seconds and repeat.
  • Complete three sets.

You can switch up your routine as well. Jump one set on a single leg and then one set with both legs as well as one set while running in place.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about cardiovascular training then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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How To Start Strength Training? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-start-strength-training-learn-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25953 Whether your fitness goal is to create muscle mass or get a fitter, more toned body, strength training can assist you to get there. Strength training leads to leaner, stronger muscles, strengthens your bones and joints, and even assists to boost your metabolism. This means that you’ll burn more calories even when you’re at rest....

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Whether your fitness goal is to create muscle mass or get a fitter, more toned body, strength training can assist you to get there. Strength training leads to leaner, stronger muscles, strengthens your bones and joints, and even assists to boost your metabolism. This means that you’ll burn more calories even when you’re at rest.

In addition, stronger muscles can improve your athletic performance as well as reduce your chance of injuries. Even if you’ve not done any type of weight training before, it’s not too late to start. Strength training is great for both men and women. The best part about it is that strength training can be begun at any age or – alternatively – fitness level.

You really don’t need to be a fitness buff. In fact, you really don’t even need to belong to a gym. You can just make use of your body weight for many exercises or utilise free weights, resistance bands, or other home fitness equipment in order to get results.

Start Out With Your Bodyweight

Simply put strength training just means making use of resistance to create work for your muscles.  In time, this can mean external weight however for beginners that can also mean your bodyweight —and that’s a phenomenal place to start.

Not only are you able to get a super effective strength training workout using just your bodyweight, however  bodyweight exercises are also a helpful way for beginners to become familiar with all the main movement patterns in strength training.

For instance, before you grab a pair of dumbbells to use for a set of deadlifts, you first need to make sure that you understand the hip hinge — pushing your hips and butt backward, maintaining a neutral spine and a slight bend in your knees.

Begin With A Short, Simple Workout Programme

Your goal is to do a routine which works for all muscle groups on two non-consecutive days every single week. This will assist you with building a strong foundation and will give you the opportunity to progress from week to week.

Choose The Correct Amount Of Weight To Lift

The key is to use weights which are not too light and not too heavy. You’ll know it’s too light if you can do an entire set with minimal effort. It’s too heavy if your form is sacrificed or it just feels too taxing. Just right is a challenging effort that you can do with proper form and control and without excess strain.

Nail Down Your Form

A personal trainer can assist you to master those basic movement patterns, which set the stage for a number of the exercises which you’ll be doing. As they’ll be able to suggest real-time corrections in order to your form, you’ll be better prepared to progress safely.

f you don’t have much wriggle room in your budget for a personal trainer, online tutorials can assist you with learning what a proper move needs to look like and exercising in front of a mirror (or recording using your phone) can assists you to make sure you’re executing it correctly.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about strength training then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Why It’s High Time That You Started Training With Battle Ropes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/why-its-high-time-that-you-started-training-with-battle-ropes/ Mon, 06 Sep 2021 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25935 Battle ropes are definitely no passing fad. They’ve been around in gyms and fitness facilities since the mid-noughties and interest has increased steadily to the point where virtually all gyms have a set of these workout beasts. And there’s a great reason for such widespread adoption. Throwing these thick and heavy ropes about does more...

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Battle ropes are definitely no passing fad. They’ve been around in gyms and fitness facilities since the mid-noughties and interest has increased steadily to the point where virtually all gyms have a set of these workout beasts. And there’s a great reason for such widespread adoption. Throwing these thick and heavy ropes about does more than just look impressive – it’s a ruthlessly effective workout.

Along with boosted strength and fat loss, battle ropes offer an intense cardio workout. They’re well-suited to Tabata training and also develop muscular endurance. What’s not to love?

It’s also an easy-to-obtain piece of kit which is simple to set up outside and also takes up minimal storage space. We’d recommend having ropes of different lengths in order to suit your experience and space available.

What Are The Benefits of Battle Ropes?

Improves Cardio And Strength

While battle ropes may look like fun to utilise, you might be asking yourself what the benefits behind them are. The main benefit of the battle ropes is that it boosts levels of significant elements of the body such as cardio, power, endurance as well as strength.

Doesn’t Require A Lot Of Time

Don’t believe us? Try using a battle rope workout routine for five straight minutes. Your lungs will be scorching, your forearms will feel utterly exhausted and the sweat will be pouring down your face.

Sure, lots of cardiovascular workouts can boast that type of benefit. You could sprint, perform jumping jacks, box jumps as well as a lot of other high-intensity exercises. However, those take a heavy toll on your body, especially your knee in addition to your ankle joints.

Low-Impact On The Joints

The fact that you are able to push yourself at a high-intensity level while the battle ropes are considered to be low-impact exercises is fantastic. This minimises the individuals’ chances of getting injured while still allowing them to push themselves close to their maximum capacity.

Essential Battle Rope Exercises

You are able to use battle ropes at the start of your session as part of a warm-up or activation phase. In addition, you can use them in the middle of your workout in order to build intensity with waves, slams and whips. Or you can utilise them at the end of a workout as a finisher for time or reps.

Ropes are fantastic for time-based workout routines. You work at an increased intensity as opposed to what you do than with, say, dumbbells. Thus you get your heart rate up as well to burn more calories

Biceps Wave

Keeping the rest of the body still, wave the battle ropes as quickly as possible, concentrating on high reps as well as high amplitude. It’ll get your muscles ready for what’s to come. Remain in a quarter squat position, with your back up straight, and make sure that you keep your elbow movement to a minimum. Ensuring that you keep your elbows in will stop your shoulders from burning out and keep the movement in your biceps.

Lateral Whip

With a very minor bend in the elbows, bring the battle ropes up as if you were doing a lateral raise, making sure that you keep your thumbs pointing a bit forwards. Then whip them downwards. Carry on doing to do your raises at speed.

This is a marvellous way to target the rear delts and back muscles, which are muscles that are linked to creating better posture. Quite common errors include too much leg movement in and out of the squat and allowing the torso slouch. Keep your chest up and remain in a quarter squat position.

Outside Spiral

With alternating arms, make outward circles so that the battle rope moves like a corkscrew, working your shoulders as well as your rotator cuffs.

This exercise has a number of different variations for all levels of ability, from half kneeling to clockwise and anti-clockwise rotations. This battle ropes exercise will work the rotator cuffs, which are the small stabilising muscles of the shoulder joints and create core tension. This is why it is incredibly essential to keep your torso as strong as possible through not allowing yourself to slouch. It’s a fun as well as dynamic way to train the back muscles and rotator cuffs.

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A Couple Of Secret Tricks for Keeping in Shape After 60 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-couple-of-secret-tricks-for-keeping-in-shape-after-60/ Mon, 06 Sep 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25929 If we had to “brand” an overly streamlined, get-in-shape exercise philosophy for people who are over 60, chances are very good that we’d go with something like “The WWY Life”. For the record, “WWY” is shorthand for “weights, walking as well as yoga”. Do you know why older folks should prioritise those types of fitness?...

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If we had to “brand” an overly streamlined, get-in-shape exercise philosophy for people who are over 60, chances are very good that we’d go with something like “The WWY Life”. For the record, “WWY” is shorthand for “weights, walking as well as yoga”. Do you know why older folks should prioritise those types of fitness? Well, while it’s great to take part in cardio exercise at any age and get in shape — and any exercise is good exercise — as you get older, your fitness goals could be better redirected at achieving strength and better balance as well as flexibility.

Weights are responsible for building and maintaining lean muscle mass for strong bones as well as better metabolism, while yoga and walking reduce stress and cortisol levels while also keeping your fat burn high and helping your balance and flexibility. Too much cardio stresses our bodies and can take our appetites out of control.

While that seems straightforward enough — lift weights, walk a lot, do yoga — we all know that, when it comes to fitness, it’s always easier said than done. However, here’s some incentive for keeping in shape.

Work Out Socially

If you can’t just seem to pick yourself up and get off the couch alone and get into gym to try and stay in shape after you’ve turned 60, try asking a friend or two to lend you a helping hand. A number of different studies indicate that working out with other people can improve exercise enjoyment.

This study which was published in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, makes the conclusion that walking in a group leads to both greater workout enjoyment as well as  overall quality of life. Researchers also found that people were more likely to stick with exercise for the long haul. “At a time when we are being encouraged to meet physical activity guidelines, a large proportion of the public fail to do so. Our review found that people may be more likely to exercise if they have social support,” explains lead study author Catherine Meads, professor of health at Anglia Ruskin University.

One more study which was published in Biology Letters even discovered that exercising in a group leads to the release of more “feel good” endorphins as compared to a solo workout.

Hack Your Personal Reward System

The key to getting and remaining in shape is to understand your personal reward system. People generally don’t have a problem following a healthy meal plan or doing a week of workouts in order to shape up. However, not everyone gives thought to the behaviours or patterns they fall back into after they’re successful for a week.

Say you’ve lost a few kilograms. Do you say, ‘I’ve worked I’ve worked so hard; I deserve a big dinner and drinks tonight?!’ Or do you say, ‘I’ve worked so hard, I deserve a better pair of running shoes to keep the momentum going?!’

If you’re the latter, your chances of being in shape are far higher. When you’re over 60, it’s challenging to burn the candle at both ends. Giving into an unhealthy reward system is much harder to come back from than it is for someone 30 years younger.

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Start With Confidence

It may sound cheesy, but a little bit of self-confidence and positivity goes a long way toward a better workout. One study which was published in PLOS ONE found that believing in one’s athletic ability helps make exercise feel less strenuous. Study participants who reported a positive attitude and belief in their physical abilities found a 30-minute stationary bike session to be much easier.

In addition, when study subjects really believed in the benefits of a compression shirt they were wearing, they felt the shirt was an asset during their workout. Not least, the findings impressively show that for all those who don’t consider themselves to be great sportsmen and -women – the right product really can make sport more pleasant, if ‘only’ you believe in it.

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If you want to learn how to keep in shape then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Is Yoga Considered Strength Training? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/is-yoga-considered-strength-training-learn-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:10:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25921 Is yoga strength training? Depending on the style that you practise, yes — however its suitability also depends upon your fitness goals. Light yoga won’t build strength and get you ready for a power-lifting competition however the muscle-building yoga styles can offer the benefits of regular strength training. The more strenuous, muscle-building styles of yoga...

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Is yoga strength training? Depending on the style that you practise, yes — however its suitability also depends upon your fitness goals. Light yoga won’t build strength and get you ready for a power-lifting competition however the muscle-building yoga styles can offer the benefits of regular strength training. The more strenuous, muscle-building styles of yoga could very well be considered to be strength-training activities, as long as these are targeting the muscles in your whole body.

If there’s one authority that you should be consulting on how much you need to exercise to remain fit, it’s the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the United States, which releases a new collection of physical activity guidelines every couple of years. Those guidelines are based on the most up-to-date exercise science, and the 2015-2020 edition recommends strength-training all your main muscle groups two times per week.

If you dive a bit  deeper into the extended version of the HHS guidelines, you’ll find that “some yoga postures” are mentioned particularly as an option for strength training. So if you’re doing the correct type of muscle-building yoga then yes, it can count as strength training regarding health purposes.

Not All Yoga Styles Are Created Equal

This is what part of what draws many yogis to the practice in the first place. If your practice resolves around a gentle and restorative style such as yin yoga or Kripalu yoga, then strength-training won’t be among the advantages it can offer. However if you’re doing a more strenuous style like Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga or power yoga, you’ll be developing muscular strength and endurance.

That doesn’t mean that you should stop doing gentle yoga. Gentle styles might be a better fit for some bodies, lifestyles as well as spiritual attitudes as opposed to the vigorous styles — and they can offer many of the potential benefits of yoga spelled out by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health. These include stress relief; improving sleep and emotional balance; better emotional health and resilience; managing anxiety and depression; increased flexibility; and more.

Can Yoga Really Build Muscle?

When you do yoga asanas, you’re putting your body in positions and orientations which you ultimately need to support with your muscles. So ultimately you are lifting weights. The consequence is that you are able to increase muscle tone and definition — and even muscle size — with yoga. However because you’re limited to “lifting” your own body weight, it may take a lot more skill, time, and determination than it would with lifting weights.

Asanas To Help With Building Muscle

Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)

It really doesn’t do you a lot of good for you to put so much effort into your triceps if your shoulders will give out in a number of years. Assuming that your alignment in great, you aren’t able to beat Chaturanga when it comes to arm strength in addition to shoulders, back, and core. It is basically a mindful push-up and you are able to treat it as such. Rather than one Chaturanga, try doing five in a row and then back to Plank each time. Also, you can also hold the low position or include an extra Chaturanga after your Upward Facing Dog in a classic vinyasa. As with Plank, dropping your knees to the mat is a wonderful option for beginners.

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

The Low Cobra is much more than just a stepping stone to Upward Facing Dog. It provides the rare opportunity to tap into the muscles which are underused in your back. In order to make the most of Cobra’s strengthening potential, you first need to take a solemn vow not to cheat this asana.

When we say that you need to lift your chest up as high as possible, all of a sudden individuals begin pressing into their palms as well as straightening their arms and yes, their chests do come up higher, however they haven’t utilised their back muscles at all.

So first of all reconcile yourself to the idea that your Cobra is going will need to be pretty low. You are going have to make sure that your elbows bending straight back and not putting any pressure into your hands to assist you to lift up.

Warrior Ii (Virabhadrasana Ii)

This standing asana strengthens your legs, core, arms as well as back. In order to get the most strengthening power out of this asana, set yourself up with the best possible alignment. After this, go for a longer hold time, possibly up to ten breaths.

Your foot alignment, with your front heel lined up with the back arch, makes this a little of a balance, necessitating core strength in order to steady the wobbles. You will actually feel some muscle fatigue in your front thigh when you deepen your front knee sufficiently to bring the thigh parallel to the floor. Holding your arms outstretched also works the biceps and deltoids.

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What Is Isometric Resistance Training? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-isometric-resistance-training-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:05:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25918 Isometric exercises are contractions of a specific muscle or group of muscles. During isometric resistance training, the muscle doesn’t visibly change length and the affected joint doesn’t move. Isometric exercises help to maintain strength. They can also build strength, however not effectively. Why is this? As isometric resistance training is done in one position with...

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Isometric exercises are contractions of a specific muscle or group of muscles. During isometric resistance training, the muscle doesn’t visibly change length and the affected joint doesn’t move. Isometric exercises help to maintain strength. They can also build strength, however not effectively.

Why is this?

As isometric resistance training is done in one position with no movement, they’ll improve strength in only one specific position. You’d have to do a number of different isometric exercises through your limb’s entire range of motion in order to improve muscle strength across the range.

In addition, as isometric resistance training in performed in a static position, they won’t assist with improving speed or athletic performance. They can be helpful, however, in enhancing stabilisation — maintaining the position of the affected area — as muscles frequently contract isometrically to help in stabilisation.

Isometric Resistance Training May Be Helpful To Someone Who Has An Injury

This is because the injury which could make movement painful. For example, if you happen to hurt your rotator cuff, your doctor or physical therapist may initially recommend isometric exercises that involve the group of muscles that helps stabilise the shoulder to maintain shoulder strength during recovery.

Isometric resistance training may also be useful to someone who has arthritis, which may be aggravated by making use of muscles to move a joint through its full range of motion. As individuals with arthritis perform isometric resistance training and their strength improves, they could progress to other types of strength training. Strength training may assist in reducing pain and improve physical function.

Examples Of Isometric Resistance Training Exercises

Wall Sit

Wall sits concentrate on boosting the strength in your thighs. The absolute best part is that you don’t need any equipment for this. The muscles worked are the quadriceps, hamstrings as well as glutes:

  • Stand approximately 60 cm away from a sturdy wall, leaning your back against it.
  • Sink your glutes down so that your legs form a 90-degree angle with the wall. Your body position should resemble exactly same posture that you have when sitting in a chair.
  • Maintain this position for about 15 seconds.
  • Perform five rounds of a 15-second hold.
  • In order to maintain this position, you will feel your thighs becoming tighter as well as more fatigued. Experiment with going back and forth between driving your weight down through your toes and then your heels. Driving down through your heels will have the result of targeting your glutes, while driving down your toes will target your quadriceps. Just make sure not to let your knees go our past your toes. When you put weight on your toes, don’t put too much pressure on your knees.

Plank

  • Get on all fours with your feet firmly together, your body straight from your head to heels, as well as your hands in line with (however slightly wider than) your shoulders.
  • Clench your glutes and draw your shoulders down. Brace your core in order to lock your body into position.
  • Hold until you become fatigued. (Can also be done on forearms and on each side.)

Overhead Hold

Overhead holds are responsible for challenging the muscular endurance of your shoulder girdle. You need a light to medium weight. Start with a 15-pound plate, dumbbell or – alternatively – kettlebell. The muscles are worked are the anterior, posterior as well as superior portions of the shoulder:

  • Extend your arms above your head and then hold the weight steady.
  • Ensure that you keep your arms fully extended. Bending your arms will engage various muscles (your biceps as well as triceps).
  • Hold the weight straight over your head for 30-second intervals.
  • Do five rounds.
  • Boost the challenge by standing on one leg while you hold the weight.

 

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How to Do Kettlebell Windmills Like a Pro? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-kettlebell-windmills-like-a-pro/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25905 Kettlebell windmills are classified as a compound exercise (i.e., one which works multiple muscle groups) that entails holding a kettlebell above your head while performing a hip hinge. Kettlebell windmills focus chiefly on the shoulders, core, thoracic spine, hips as well as hamstrings. The kettlebell windmill exercise is an overhead loaded stretch as well as...

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Kettlebell windmills are classified as a compound exercise (i.e., one which works multiple muscle groups) that entails holding a kettlebell above your head while performing a hip hinge. Kettlebell windmills focus chiefly on the shoulders, core, thoracic spine, hips as well as hamstrings. The kettlebell windmill exercise is an overhead loaded stretch as well as strengthening exercise.

What Are The Advantages of Kettlebell Windmills?

As there are different movements involved, there are multiple advantages of doing kettlebell windmills. Kettlebell windmills do the following three things:

  • Stretch the muscles in the hip (piriformis, hip rotator as well as hamstrings),
  • Strengthen the muscles of the shoulders and core, and
  • Stabilise the shoulder.

The exercise increases strength, mobility, and stability. And kettlebell windmills not only challenge your core strength however it also challenges your entire kinetic chain (basically, the notion that joints and segments in your body are all connected, and that movement in one part affects others in the chain). The emphasis is on shoulder/scapular stability, glute activation as well as increasing the range of motion in your hips.

The Proper Form To Adopt With Kettlebell Windmills

When you are first attempting the kettlebell windmill, utilise a smaller kettlebell or no weight at all. As you become more comfortable with the finer mechanics of the move, add on more weight:

  1. Start off with your feet a bit wider than hip-distance apart. Your toes can rotate out just slightly in order to allow for an enhanced range of motion.
  2. Firmly grip the kettlebell with your right hand and then extend your right arm over your head. Your right palm needs to face forwards.
  3. Extend your left arm down in front of your left thigh with your palm facing forward. In this position, your arms need to look like two arms of a windmill.
  4. Hinging at your hips, lower your upper body down and to the left side. Your left hand will remain facing forward while it slides down close to the front of your left leg toward your foot. Keep your right arm steady as well as fully extended overhead.
  5. In the lowest position (with your left hand close to the left foot) your torso will be tipped towards the left however slightly rotated to the right. When done correctly, you’ll feel some weight shift into your right hip.
  6. Reverse the movement. Lift the body while keeping a strong straight spine. Keep your weight steady and elevated over your right shoulder.
  7. Go back to your starting position and start again.

Make sure that you maintain a strong, straight spine during this move. Perform between 5 and 10 repetitions on the right and then put the kettlebell in your left hand. Repeat the sequence bending to the right.

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Yoga Poses To Help Train Your Core. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-poses-to-help-train-your-core-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25896 Strengthening your core could help to relieve back pain and improve your posture (nothing makes your belly look tummy other than slouching). You don’t need to just go to the gym in order to strengthen your core muscles. Yoga is an extremely good tool to access for improving the strength in your abs and back....

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Strengthening your core could help to relieve back pain and improve your posture (nothing makes your belly look tummy other than slouching). You don’t need to just go to the gym in order to strengthen your core muscles. Yoga is an extremely good tool to access for improving the strength in your abs and back. You might think of yoga classes as slow and meditative or involving fluid movements from asana to asana. But there are individual yoga postures you can practise to stimulate the energy, growth, and strength in your core.

Cat-Cow Stretch

  • Begin by coming onto all fours with your knees being underneath your hips and your wrists being underneath your shoulders.
  • Do a few Cat-Cow stretches in order to warm up, curving your back on your inhalations and rounding your spine on your exhalations. Make sure that you keep your belly hugging in throughout both motions.

This is a fantastic way in order to warm up your abdomen as it targets the rectus abdominis as well as external obliques. Consciously think about pulling in your abdomen as you breathe in and then relaxing it on the exhale.

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Boat Pose

  • Sit on the ground on a mat. Ensure that your legs are straight out in front of you. Make sure that you press your hands on the floor a little bit behind your hips, with your fingers pointing toward the feet, and strengthen your arms.
  • Lift through the top of your sternum and lean back slightly. As you do this ensure your back doesn’t round. Continue with lengthening the front of your torso between your pubis as well as top sternum. Sit down on the “tripod” of your two sitting bones as well as your tailbone.
  • Breathe out and bend your knees. Lift your feet off the mat so that your thighs are angled approximately 45 – 50 degrees relative to the floor.
  • Lengthen your tailbone into the floor and then lift your pubis toward your navel. If at all possible, gradually straighten your knees so raising the tips of your toes slightly above the level of your eyes. If this isn’t possible stay with your knees bent, perhaps lifting your shins parallel to the floor.
  • Stretch your arms beside your legs, parallel to each other and the floor.
  • Spread your shoulder blades across your back and then reach strongly out through your fingers. If this isn’t possible, keep your hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of the thighs.
  • While your lower belly should be firm, it shouldn’t become hard and thick. Attempt to keep your lower belly relatively flat. Press your heads of the thigh bones towards the floor in order to help anchor the pose and lift the top sternum. Breathe easily and then tip your chin slightly towards your sternum so the base of your skull lifts somewhat away from the back of the neck.
  • At first stay in the pose for between 10 and 20 seconds. Slowly increase the time of your stay to one minute. Release the legs with an exhalation and sit upright on an inhalation.

 

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Why Is It Important To Have Strong Glutes? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-it-important-to-have-strong-glutes-read-this-article/ Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25890 Well-toned glutes play a huge role in aesthetics however have you ever thought about why a good set of glutes is important for your health, performance as well as longevity? The gluteal complex is called the powerhouse of your body. It also happens to be the biggest – as well as strongest – muscle in...

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Well-toned glutes play a huge role in aesthetics however have you ever thought about why a good set of glutes is important for your health, performance as well as longevity?

The gluteal complex is called the powerhouse of your body. It also happens to be the biggest – as well as strongest – muscle in the body. Well, at least, it should be. It really doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or not either: everyone needs strong glutes. Whether you appreciate it or not, your glutes do so much for you each and every single day:

  • Need to extend your hip?
  • Laterally rotate your hip?
  • Abduct your hip?
  • Posteriorly tilt your pelvis?
  • Sit on a chair?
  • Swing a golf club?
  • Take a step?

That’s right: Literally every step that you take your glutes are working in order to stabilise your hips and lower back. To say the least, your glutes are quite important.

Why Is Glute Activation So Crucial?

The main and most apparent reason is so that you are able to strengthen them. These muscles have a substantial impact on your overall body strength. They help you to strengthen your core and assist with supporting a range of compound movements as well as exercises. Also, strong glute muscles help with preventing and avoiding muscle imbalances which can lead to mobility issues.

A great example would be weak glutes that cause an imbalance in the hip. This might lead to excessive rotation of the femur (in other words, the thigh bone), which in turn results in knee pain. Another example is that weakened glute muscles may contribute to pulled muscles in your hamstring or groin.

Strong glutes are quite essential in almost every sport; they are responsible for altering directions, accelerating, decelerating as well as creating explosiveness jumps. When it comes down to running, sprinting is one of the most effectual exercises for stimulating the glutes as they activate more of the gluteus maximus muscle as opposed to a vertical jump. Athletes who have strong glutes will be faster, more efficient as well as explosive in their movements.

Reduced Back Pain

As we said previously, your gluteals are responsible for hip extension and help their reverse action. When your feet are fixed on the floor, their job is to move your chest upward from the ground as in a deadlift. Strong gluteals are essential to lower back health as they assist with pelvic, hip and trunk motions. They also help more evenly distribute load throughout your lower back and lower extremities and help with good posture.

Strong Glutes Help To Prevent Injuries

If you’re attempting to get in shape or remain in shape, you likely know that one of the simplest ways to delay your progress is to become injured. Having strong, functional gluteal as well as hip muscles can assist you with avoiding and recovering from injury in your lower back, hips, knees and ankles by creating correct alignment and stability.

In individuals with weak glutes, it is very common to see ‘dynamic valgus’ at the knee. This is when the knee caves in the direction of your other leg as you lower down into a squat, specifically on single leg movement patterns (together with walking and running).

​Dynamic valgus is a fantastic indicator of if someone is at risk of injury. When the knee caves in, the pelvis will drop at the hip in the direction of the other side, and the femur (thigh bone) pivots inwards. This is a common dysfunctional pattern which may lead to injuries anywhere from your low back to your feet and ankles. The fantastic news is that by concentrating on strengthening your glutes as well as your surrounding hip muscles, you are able to improve and prevent valgus and therefore reduce your chance of injury.

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Why Resistance And Mobility Training Are Key For Healthy Ageing https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-resistance-and-mobility-training-are-key-for-healthy-ageing/ Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25870 Weight lifting and stretching are extremely useful at any age, however there are particular benefits for older adults. With ageing comes concerns about strength, balance as well as mobility. However, integrating resistance training and stretching into your routine may keep you feeling healthy and strong. What Is Mobility Training? The term ‘mobility’ designates exercises which...

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Weight lifting and stretching are extremely useful at any age, however there are particular benefits for older adults. With ageing comes concerns about strength, balance as well as mobility. However, integrating resistance training and stretching into your routine may keep you feeling healthy and strong.

What Is Mobility Training?

The term ‘mobility’ designates exercises which will increase your range-of-motion as well as your stabilisation, or control of the muscles which surround each joint. Mobility isn’t the same as flexibility although it is close. Mobility incorporates flexibility in addition to strength. It’s crucial to assist you squat deeper, push much harder and – ultimately – jump higher.

Why You Need To Begin Working On Mobility

You’ve perhaps heard this before, however it’s worth repeating: As we spend so much time in poor, static positions – and this includes in front of the computer, TV, or phone, our body becomes ‘tight’ and lacks both optimal range-of-motion and adequate activation of specific muscle groups.

Go into a workout with limited range-of-motion, and your assistance muscles will begin to compensate. As assistance muscles are usually smaller and weaker, compelling them to handle excessive torque is a recipe for pain as well as injury. Worse still, if your lifts aren’t activating primary muscles as you can’t attain full range-of-motion, you perhaps won’t even build the muscle that you’re working toward.

Most individuals either don’t know that they need to spend time working on their mobility, don’t know what they need to be doing, or are wasting their time performing futile techniques. And you never really know it’s trouble until it’s too late: Most people can get away with poor mobility and movement for a finite amount of time – until your body has had enough, and injury and pain set in.

What Is Resistance Training?

Resistance training (which is also called strength training or weight training) is the usage of resistance to muscular contraction in order to establish the strength, anaerobic endurance as well as size of skeletal muscles. Resistance training is premised on the principle that muscles of the body will work in order to overcome a resistance force when they need to do so. When you do resistance training repeatedly and consistently, your muscles will become stronger.

What Is The Significance Of Strength Training As We Get Older?

One of the best ways to combat physical age-related concerns — in addition to maintaining range of motion, strength as well as balance — is to incorporate consistent resistance training into your weekly routine.

Resistance training can aid older adults by:

  • Increasing Bone Density

When you strength train, you’re placing stress on your bones from the movement and force patterns. This leads to bone-forming cells to jump to work. This creates bone which is stronger and denser.

  • Increasing Muscle Mass

More muscle means increased strength, better balance as well as an increased metabolism. One study found that by implementing a training programme, older adults were able to improve their muscle mass and muscle strength by 30%.

  • Enabling Better Balance And Functionality

Having strong muscles contributes to better daily function. After all, activities like sitting down in a chair, reaching up to get something from a shelf, or even tying your shoes all require balance, flexibility, and strength. And for older adults in particular, these benefits translate into a reduced risk of falls or other catastrophic injuries.

  • Improving Body Composition

Maintaining muscle mass is important to decrease the chances of obesity, especially as we age. Improving quality of life. Older adults who participate in a regular resistance training routine often see improvements in their psychosocial well-being.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about resistance and mobility training? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why You Shouldn’t Skip Exercise After 60? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-you-shouldnt-skip-exercise-after-60-read-this-article/ Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25875 We can’t stress it enough. If you’re over 60, it’s very important that you continue exercising as much as you can, and rather with a healthy dose of strength training. According to studies, which analysed more than 1 million older adults, just exercising approximately one hour more every week than usual was linked to an...

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We can’t stress it enough. If you’re over 60, it’s very important that you continue exercising as much as you can, and rather with a healthy dose of strength training. According to studies, which analysed more than 1 million older adults, just exercising approximately one hour more every week than usual was linked to an 11% decreased risk of heart disease. What’s more, this same research found that ceasing physical activity around the age of 60 results in a 27% increased risk of heart disease.

It’s in line with other studies of additional treatment interventions which show it’s clearly never too late to improve things. Also, it’s in line with other studies of exercise particularly showing that even those who take up exercise later in life will experience a clinical benefit.

What Are The Benefits Of Exercise For Older Adults?

  • Prevent Disease

Studies have shown that keeping up regular physical activity can assist with preventing many common diseases, such as heart disease as well as diabetes. It enhances overall immune function, which is very important for seniors as their immune systems are frequently compromised. Even light exercise, for example walking, can be an extremely powerful tool for preventable disease management.

  • Improved Mental Health

The mental health benefits of exercise are almost endless. It produces endorphins (which are the “feel good” hormone) that act as a stress reliever. This leaves you feeling happy and satisfied. In addition, exercise has been associated with improving sleep, which is particularly important for older adults who frequently suffer from insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns.

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  • Decreased Risks of Falls

Mature adults are at a heightened risk of falls, which could prove to be potentially disastrous for preserving independence. Exercise boosts strength and flexibility, which also assist with improving balance and coordination, lowering the risk of falls. Seniors take far longer to recover from falls, so anything that helps to avoid them in the first place is critical.

  • Social Engagement

If you join a walking group, go to group fitness classes or go to a gardening club, exercise can be made into an enjoyable social event. Maintaining strong social ties is quite important for ageing adults to feel a sense of purpose as well as avoid feelings of loneliness or – alternatively – depression. Above all else, the key is to find a type of exercise you love, and it will never feel a mundane chore again.

  • Improved Cognitive Function

Regular physical activity and fine-tuned motor skills benefit cognitive function. Countless studies suggest a lower risk of dementia for physically active individuals, regardless of when you begin a routine.

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If you want to learn more about exercise for seniors, and how to teach correct exercise form, then you need to do our Exercise and the Elderly Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is Aerial Fitness? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-aerial-fitness-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25852 The discipline of aerial fitness fuses stretching style exercises, Pilates-based core moves, fun aerial challenges, strength training, balance as well as posture work in order to help to create new brain-body connections. This is for those who are looking for something outside of the normal gym workout in order to stay fit or for those...

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The discipline of aerial fitness fuses stretching style exercises, Pilates-based core moves, fun aerial challenges, strength training, balance as well as posture work in order to help to create new brain-body connections.

This is for those who are looking for something outside of the normal gym workout in order to stay fit or for those to utilise it as a good body conditioning plus your weight or cardio workouts.

In addition, aerial fitness allows for the freedom for the different design of body types, personality types as well as in different levels of challenge for reviving or – alternatively – restoration. Aerial fitness has a special focus on three-dimensional movement, conditioning as well as joint rotation and mobility.

Aerial fitness is for:

  • The woman who would like to have a strong core, great flexibility, poise and posture, and is open to trying something new.
  • The man who is able to take a step outside the box in order to challenge himself, have a lot of fun with the flexibility, build muscle as well as solid core strength.

Aerial Fitness makes use of a soft hammock supporting 454 kg to support as well as suspend your body to work with your body type making use of the effects of supported body weight as well as gravity to lengthen, strengthen, contract, extend muscles improve posture, add gentle traction effects, optional inversions, and align joints.

What Are The Benefits Of Aerial Fitness?

Aerial fitness routines have the following benefits:

  • Intensifies stretches,
  • Relieves joint pressure as well as spinal compression that floor workouts can trigger,
  • Relieves tension,
  • Increases balance and proprioception (in other words, bodily awareness),
  • Improves core strength,
  • Enhances breath awareness,
  • Simpler access to inverted postures, as well as
  • Releases endorphins.

As you are able to see, there are myriad benefits of aerial fitness. While all of these provide positive additions to your daily routine, perhaps the most noteworthy is the fact that you’re hanging suspended in the air somehow provides a sense of safety which is difficult to match.

What Is Aerial Yoga?

One of the most common practices of aerial fitness is termed aerial yoga, also known as flying yoga. It takes traditional yoga poses and then combines them with the usage of an aerial hammock as a prop. This aerial workout makes use of yoga hammock, or fabric suspended in a U-Shape, in order to suspend your body mid-air and perform poses that are derived from the traditional yoga and Pilates.

The fabric is often suspended from two points, which offers stability. The hammock acts as a helping hand, a balance partner in addition to a support tool in poses. Inversions become available to everyone with the assistance of a hammock. This means that aerial yogis enjoy all the advantages of hanging upside-down and also decompressing the spine. You have the choice to put together your aerial flow and are even able to upgrade your favourite floor yoga flows with the assistance of the hammock and gravity.

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What Are Aerial Silks?

Aerial yoga and aerial silks can often be confused to be the same thing. The truth is that these practices have quite different basics:

  • While aerial yoga originates from traditional yoga with an emphasis on breathing as well as flows, aerial silks is traditionally a circus act that has a focus on tricks as well as dance. The two can be recognised by looking at the flow, style, and equipment that is utilised.
  • Aerial silks make use of different types of equipment in order to perform mid-air – typically the same fabric as aerial yoga, however rigged differently, so that the user has two “poles” of fabric hanging down from one single point. This creates a larger challenge for the aerialist in order to support themselves because there’s no pocket of fabric to sit or – alternatively – stand in.

With higher intensity, the ultimate aim of this approach is frequently to practice routines – as well as tricks – in a performance-like way and is frequently called “Aerial Dance”. However, a lot of classes teach aerial silks tricks for beginners with more emphasis on fitness as well as strength training. That means, more muscle usage and exquisite movements to practise.

What Is The Aerial Hoop?

Another format of aerial arts is derived from Circus, aerial hoop is growing in popularity quickly! It’s a mixture between pole fitness as well as aerial arts, with many tricks that transfer from one apparatus to another one. Aerial hoop is a very Instagrammable format of aerial arts which is perfect for photoshoots. As an aerial art, it’s a fantastic way to build strength, flexibility and is a beautiful type of aerial arts.

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If you would like to learn more about yoga then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Use A Bosu Ball Correctly? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-a-bosu-ball-correctly-read-this-article/ Mon, 30 Aug 2021 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25831 Are you curious about how to utilise a Bosu ball in your workouts? We’ve got you covered! If you haven’t seen a Bosu ball before, don’t worry — we’ve got you on that as well. A Bosu ball — which appears to be an exercise ball that is cut in half — is inflated on...

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Are you curious about how to utilise a Bosu ball in your workouts? We’ve got you covered! If you haven’t seen a Bosu ball before, don’t worry — we’ve got you on that as well.

A Bosu ball — which appears to be an exercise ball that is cut in half — is inflated on one of the sides with a flat platform on the other side. You are able to find them at most gyms, sports stores and online.

The Bosu ball is a balance trainer and provides the user with an unstable surface on which to perform exercises which engage a number of different muscles. Utilising the Bosu ball will make your workout more challenging, and it’s a fabulous tool to mix things up. Another great benefit of the Bosu ball is that it’s versatile.

The magnificent thing about a Bosu is that you are able to perform all types of exercises with it — everything from leg exercises balancing on it, to core exercises as well as even upper-body and cardio work. In any of those situations, it simply adds an additional element of instability, which needs you to engage more of the small muscles in your core which help you control your body and stay balanced.

How The Bosu Ball Can Be Used

Cardio

Utilise the Bosu ball for short bursts of cardio such as side lunges, plyo-lunges and over-the-top squat jumps. Also, you can utilise it as a move for choreographed workout routines.

Strength Training

With a Bosu ball, you can add a whole new challenge to your strength workouts with exercises like squats with an overhead press, lunges with biceps curls or – alternatively – push-ups. You can even utilise the Bosu ball as a weight bench in order to add a balance challenge during traditional weight work such as  chest presses.

Flexibility

Stand or kneel on the dome of the Bosu ball while doing traditional stretches such as the hamstring stretches or hip flexor stretches. Also, this adds instability to the exercise, so you should practise these while standing next to a wall until you become used to it.

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Sports Conditioning

Use the Bosu ball to perform sports drills, such as jumping. In addition, the Bosu ball can be used to perform plyometric movies like side leaps in order to boost performance and agility.

Core Training

Utilise it for abdominal exercises such as dead bug and v-sits, or for lower back exercises such as back extensions in order to target the core muscles.

Bosu ball exercises are the primary step to take on your next fitness challenge. So, don’t be shy. Ask your personal trainer to assist you. Buy a Bosu ball and start exercising at your home and see your physical fitness improve like never before. Take care!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become an exercise trainer and teach people how to exercise properly then you really need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about the course and to register, please follow this link.

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How Frequently Should You Exercise To Get In Shape? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-frequently-should-you-exercise-to-get-in-shape/ Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25781 Elite athletes train almost ten to 14 times per week, clocking up a lot of hours on the field as well as in the gym. However for the rest of us, getting into shape does not necessarily mean such an arduous exercise regime. How frequently you should train depends on a lot of different factors...

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Elite athletes train almost ten to 14 times per week, clocking up a lot of hours on the field as well as in the gym. However for the rest of us, getting into shape does not necessarily mean such an arduous exercise regime.

How frequently you should train depends on a lot of different factors – such as your training goals, the intensity of your exercise in addition to any history of injury you may have. The kind of training you do can also determine how often you need to exercise.

Exercise Stresses Different Systems In Our Body

This stress causes fatigue however also leads to “adaptations” (improvements) that are specific to the stress we’ve experienced. For example, while resistance training (such as weight lifting) helps us build muscular strength, it’s less likely to improve our cardiovascular fitness as it puts more stress on our skeletal muscles than it does our heart.

However improvements only take place with a combination of recovery and repetition. If we don’t repeat the training stress, improvements will be lost. We also need to give our body sufficient time – but not too much time – between training sessions to recover and “adapt”. In short, the key to improving fitness is to train consistently, which means striking a balance between exercising and recovering enough.

To complicate matters, some body systems take longer to recover than others. For example, exercise that stresses the body’s nervous system – such as sprinting, high-intensity interval training, or very heavy resistance training – will take longer to recover from than a lower-intensity session – such as a gentle jog that primarily stresses the heart and lungs.

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How Quickly Do You Want To See Results?

Knowing how frequently you need to strength train – as well as do cardiovascular exercise to lose weight – is dependent on how fast you want to see results. The overall recommendation is to lose no more than 1 to 2 kilograms per week. That being said, many people seek programmes which are designed for quicker weight loss.

In the most basic of terms, you’ll need to burn more calories than you take in order to lose weight. Dieting has shown to be an efficient method of losing weight, however in order to maintain weight loss, you really do need to exercise.

The amount of weight which you lose is dependent on the amount of exercise that you’re willing to commit to and how carefully you stick to your diet. If you really would like to see significant results that reflect on the scale and go on to make headway over time, you need to commit to exercising at least four to five days every single week.

However keep in mind that you’ll build up to this. To start off, you might only want to do between two and three days per week and very slowly get up to exercising five days. Plan your workouts to include a blend of:

  • Cardio,
  • Resistance Training,
  • Core Work, as well as
  • Stretching.

For maximum results, an exercise programme should consist of cardiovascular as well as strength training exercise. When you lift weights, you’ll increase your lean muscle mass. This gives you the great opportunity to boost your metabolism and burn calories at a higher rate, even when you’re not working out.

Cardiovascular exercise isn’t just essential in maintaining good heart health. Cardio exercise can:

  • Burn calories,
  • Boost your mood, as well as
  • Decrease stress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are super keen to learn more about exercise and how to teach people to exercise properly then you really need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Is The Secret To A Fit Lifestyle? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-secret-to-a-fit-lifestyle-read-this-article/ Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25757 You know that very fit person who doesn’t even seem to try to stay in shape? The individual who confesses to actually crave vegetables and also looks forward to her daily workout, however never seems to obsess about every calorie and eats dessert without even feeling the slightest bit of guilt? Those individuals don’t just...

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You know that very fit person who doesn’t even seem to try to stay in shape? The individual who confesses to actually crave vegetables and also looks forward to her daily workout, however never seems to obsess about every calorie and eats dessert without even feeling the slightest bit of guilt?

Those individuals don’t just have really great genes. Whether knowing it or not, they have put together a collection of habits over the years which allows her to stay in shape without putting in a supreme amount of effort. And those habits, plus a fit lifestyle, can equal the difference between a really fit person — and a couch potato.

Exercise

Adults who are cleared by their doctors should be aiming for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. You don’t need to do a high-intensity cardio workout in order to reap the benefits of exercise. Taking just 10 minute walking breaks throughout the day is just as beneficial. Most importantly, you need to find what works for you as you’ll be more likely to stick to an exercise plan if the physical activity is something that you enjoy.

Avoid Stress

Stress is a very common factor in dozens of chronic diseases as well as conditions. According to a recent study, women who suffer from chronic stress have substantially depleted levels of Klotho, which is a hormone that can assist with protecting the body and brain from ageing.

Owing to this, avoiding stress as much as possible is one of the absolute best ways to live a happy, healthy life for a lot of years. While it’s not possible to cut stress out of life entirely, it is possible to cope with it better through learning stress-management techniques, such as meditation, and doing healthy things such as going for a walk, cooking, or meeting with friends when you feel like stress is getting the better of you.

Don’t Diet

Have you ever known a person in really great shape who was continually trying out every new fad diet? Yeah, we didn’t think so. This is because for the most part, fit people don’t diet — they make healthy eating a part of their fit lifestyle.

While we recommend sticking to an 80/20 nutrition plan, ultimately, the key to remaining fit and eating healthy is learning how to listen to your body:

  • What makes you feel great?
  • What keeps you feeling full and energised throughout the day?
  • What assists you to annihilate your workouts?
  • What makes sure that you keep you feeling and looking fit?

If you learn how to answer these questions for yourself, you’ll soon be on the road towards embracing healthy eating as a lifestyle and not following every new diet that comes along.

Get Enough Sleep

Your body heals and recharges during sleep. This is why it’s important to get at least between seven and eight hours of shut-eye per night. When you are sleeping, your body resets itself so that you are able to wake up fresh each day. If you find yourself requiring more than eight hours of sleep every single night, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. Lack of sleep can cause severe side effects, so it’s important that you learn what’s keeping you up at night so that you are able to fix it.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle? If you are then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Fitness Habits Should You Follow In Your 30s? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-fitness-habits-should-you-follow-in-your-30s/ Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25752 While age might be a mindset in many ways, a decade can make a world of difference to physiology as well as metabolism. Moving from your 20s to your 30s can be a dramatic shift and based on your prior food and lifestyle habits, you could find yourself sailing through or struggling with a number...

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While age might be a mindset in many ways, a decade can make a world of difference to physiology as well as metabolism. Moving from your 20s to your 30s can be a dramatic shift and based on your prior food and lifestyle habits, you could find yourself sailing through or struggling with a number of different challenges.

The 20s can be a lot about drive, ambition, confidence, empowerment as well as you working towards your higher education and goals. It is usually the time that some people miss taking care of their bodies. If so, you might find that you have some metabolic challenges when you enter your 30s.

What Takes Place To Your Body In Your 30s?

Life becomes far more complicated for you in your 30s. You’ve probably began a family and more responsibilities at work. Not only is finding time to exercise difficult however training itself becomes more difficult:

  • Your metabolism begins to slow down, and
  • Gaining body fat takes place more quickly than before.

At this age, a lot of men fall out of their training habits. You really shouldn’t do this. De-training happens rapidly. Starting up again is tough, both mentally and physically. Train in a more time-efficient manner in order to ensure that you stay fit.

Your enhanced commitments mean that you might find yourself with less time to train. Plan your sessions ahead of time so that when you arrive at the gym you’re ready to spring into action. Concentrating on shorter sessions will be far more rewarding and feasible and this will ensure adequate rest time between sessions.

Reassess your training load so that you can make sure it’s still feasible. If you’re short on time, avoid splitting your sessions into upper versus lower body. Instead, perform more full-body workouts, and combine strength and endurance into a single session. Include quick spinning sessions into your training. Alternatively, go for short, fast runs.

Food Is The Foundation For A Strong Fitness Routine

A lot of people struggle to increase fitness regimes in their 30s and end up just adding some sporadic exercise simply because they do not have a strong food foundation in order to support a strong workout. If you do not get optimal protein and antioxidants for energy, you simply cannot push the boundaries of a fitness routine. You require at least a gram per kg of body weight in protein, if not more when you increase exercise.

If you find yourself sore, as well as unable to recover from strength training for several days, that is a sign that you need much more protein. Antioxidants come from rich colours in vegetables and fruits. Having several cups of coloured vegetables with your meals and including potent antioxidants such as pomegranate every day can help recovery and the damage from exercise.

You Need To Drink More Water

A shortage of water leads to water retention, ageing skin, a slow metabolism as well as many more challenges. If you get in the good habit of drinking water while you’re still young, you are able to slow the effects of ageing.

Add Slow Fat-Burning Aerobic Exercise Three Times A Week

This should range from the slow aerobic ones such as biking, swimming, and walking, which are good for cardiovascular movement. You also need stretching, which you can get from yoga. It can be as straightforward as walking 10 000 steps a day as a start and gradually adding some days of 15 000 to 20 000 steps. With walking or running, achieving – and maintaining a maximum heart rate – can be beneficial. If you are running, always phase it out with initial stretching, walking, running, cooling down, and stretching once again in order to avoid damage to your knees.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more fitness habits then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Keep Exercise Fun? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-keep-exercise-fun-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 25 Aug 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25735 Has exercising become too much like work? Or does merely thinking about working out make you want to go and have a lie down? You know that you need to move to burn calories as well as get fit, however mustering the motivation to exercise is another matter. And if you’re not feeling motivated to...

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Has exercising become too much like work? Or does merely thinking about working out make you want to go and have a lie down? You know that you need to move to burn calories as well as get fit, however mustering the motivation to exercise is another matter. And if you’re not feeling motivated to exercise, chances are good that it’s because you’re not having any fun.

It’s recommended that adults do between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week. Beginning with just 30 minutes a day will put you right in the middle of that range. However, no one wants to spend half an hour a day slogging it out doing something which they hate. You’ll get the most out of any exercises which you enjoy, and you’ll keep coming back for more.

Make Play Your Workout

Do you remember begging your mother to let you stay outside five more minutes when you were a child? No matter what you were doing – playing catch, skipping or riding your bike – it was too much fun to quit. The key to fitting more physical activity into your life is rediscovering that joy of movement.

If you have children, play backyard games such as tag and hopscotch. But you don’t need your kids to play. Play basketball. Go swimming. Play tennis, volleyball, badminton, croquet, or golf.

Get Down And Dance!

How when was the last time that you had a dance to your absolute favourite music? Undo your hair down, draw the curtains if you’ve got very nosy neighbours, pump some beats, and then get moving. It’ll only take round about eight songs for you to get your 30 minutes in, so make sure you select your best bangers to get your heart beat up!

Train For An Active Holiday

Have you ever thought of doing a wine-country bike tour or living out your dream at a fantasy sports camp? These are the types of holidays that you’ll never stop talking about. However, whether you come away with fond memories or a pulled ligament could be dependent on how well prepared you are. In order to prevent muscle soreness and injury, train before your trip (utilising the upcoming holiday as your inspiration). Do general strength, cardiovascular as well as flexibility training, including exercises which target the muscle groups for your sport.

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Catch And Kick

Anyone with children will know that sometimes entertaining them takes precedence over looking after your own health. Why don’t you think about killing two birds with one stone and take them to the park to kick around a football or throw a ball back and forth. Once everyone’s practised their kicking, throwing as well as catching skills, take things to the very next point by asking them to throw or kick long and make you run to fetch it.

Master A Skipping Routine

Skipping is great aerobic exercise and will also get your heart rate up in no time. Get fancy by learning a skipping routine – you can find tutorials online for everything from basic tricks through to complicated routines.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you eager to learn more about exercise? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Fitness Can Help You Get Through The Menopause https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-fitness-can-help-you-get-through-the-menopause/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25715 Every woman experiences menopause in a different manner. For some women, the signs of menopause are mild and pass quickly. For other women, it’s an explosion of hot flashes as well as mood swings. The great news is that you are able to adopt lifestyle changes to help cope with the changes occurring in your...

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Every woman experiences menopause in a different manner. For some women, the signs of menopause are mild and pass quickly. For other women, it’s an explosion of hot flashes as well as mood swings. The great news is that you are able to adopt lifestyle changes to help cope with the changes occurring in your body.

Exercise during – as well as after – menopause offers many benefits. These include the following:

  • Avoiding Weight Gain

Women have a tendency to lose muscle mass and gain abdominal fat around the time of menopause. Regular physical activity can assist with preventing weight gain.

  • Reducing The Risk Of Cancer

Exercise throughout and after menopause can help you to lose excess weight or maintain a healthy weight, which may offer protection from different types of cancer, including breast, colon as well as endometrial cancer.

  • Fortifying Your Bones

Exercise can slow bone loss after you go through menopause, which lowers the risk of fractures in addition to osteoporosis.

  • Lowering The Risk Of Other Diseases

Menopause weight gain can have significant implications for your health. Excess weight raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercising regularly can counter these risks.

  • Boosting Your Mood

Physically active adults have a decreased risk of depression and cognitive decline.

Have a Menopause Fitness Routine

Cardio

Also known as aerobic exercise, cardiovascular activities are those which get your heart rate up and your lungs working harder. Walking, bicycling as well as dancing are all good examples of cardio exercise. Cardio exercises are responsible for burning a good number of calories, so assisting to prevent weight gain. It also helps ward off heart disease, which is a condition that’s quite common among women of menopausal age.

Strength Training

Muscle-building exercises are quite important for women going through menopause as they help slow the normal bone loss which can eventually lead to brittle bones (osteoporosis. Strength training can also help to preserve lean muscle, which frequently starts to dissipate in middle age.

Yoga And Other Relaxation Exercises

Dealing with menopause can be stressful, so activities such as yoga and meditation can reduce the tension through their low-key approaches as well as deep-breathing practices. In addition, there’s some evidence that insomnia, a common menopause symptom, can be relieved through yoga and meditation.

Stretching And Flexibility

Although it’s very important to stretch your muscles before and after a workout session, it can also be done as part of your day-to-day routine. It protects your body’s range of motion and makes sure that your joints are kept flexible

Stability And Balance Moves

Exercises which enhance your body’s ability to remain upright and steady are particularly important as you enter menopause. As you grow older, your balance isn’t as good. You’re at an increased risk for falling — and if you break a hip, your life span can be substantially decreased.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about fitness then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How To Do Aerobic Exercise Right? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-aerobic-exercise-right-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25720 People do not require a lot of equipment in order to perform cardiovascular exercise. Rather, they are able to take part in cardio training at home through working their own body weight. It is recommended that people engage in between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. People are able to select...

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People do not require a lot of equipment in order to perform cardiovascular exercise. Rather, they are able to take part in cardio training at home through working their own body weight. It is recommended that people engage in between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. People are able to select the exercises that suit their current fitness level. In addition, they could move on to more difficult movements over time as their fitness improves.

Aerobic exercise is any sort of cardiovascular conditioning. It may include activities such as brisk walking, swimming, running or – alternatively – cycling. You perhaps know it as “cardio”. By definition, aerobic exercise means “with oxygen”. Your breathing and heart rate will go up during aerobic activities. Aerobic exercise assists with keeping your heart, lungs as well as circulatory system healthy.

Aerobic exercise is different from anaerobic exercise. Anaerobic exercises, such as weightlifting or sprinting, include quick bursts of energy. They’re done at maximum effort for a short time. This is unlike aerobic exercises. You perform aerobic exercises for a prolonged period of time.

Warming Up And Stretching

Warming up prior to the more intense portion of your exercise routine gets your blood flowing to your muscles and loosening you up. This is essential as you should not just start your workout at full effort.

  • Do between a 5- to 10-minute warm-up at low intensity (50% to 60% of your maximum heart rate) in order to prepare your muscles for exercise as well as steadily raise your heart rate.
  • Do whatever type of activity will be your workout for your warm-up. If you are walking or running, begin at an easy pace which puts you into this low-intensity heart rate zone—where you are still able to carry on a full conversation.
  • Next, stretch the muscles you will utilise in your workout. They are warmed up and could benefit from flexibility stretches or drills that are specific to the muscle groups that you will be using in the workout.

Cooling Down

After you have finished your workout in your target heart rate zone, you need to cool down with between five and 10 minutes of lower intensity activity (again, between 50% and 60% of your maximum heart rate. Previously, you would end your workout with gentle stretching of the muscles that are used in the workout. This is no longer universally recommended; however you can do it if you wish.

How Much Aerobic Exercise Do You Need To Do?

It is advised that you get 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise five or more days each week. That can be broken up, though. For instance, you are able to take three, 10-minute walks throughout the day.

You should also include two or more anaerobic strengthening sessions each week which concentrates on major muscle groups. If you’re a newbie to exercise, see your doctor. They are able to assess your health and recommend a fitness routine which is safe and effective for you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about aerobic exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of A Zumba Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-a-zumba-workout/ Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25662 If you’ve ever seen a Zumba class, you’ve undoubtedly noticed its mysterious resemblance to the dance floor of a trendy club on a Saturday night. Rather than the sounds of exertion that you’d hear at your typical CrossFit or spinning class, a Zumba class features catchy dance music, clapping hands, as well as even the...

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If you’ve ever seen a Zumba class, you’ve undoubtedly noticed its mysterious resemblance to the dance floor of a trendy club on a Saturday night. Rather than the sounds of exertion that you’d hear at your typical CrossFit or spinning class, a Zumba class features catchy dance music, clapping hands, as well as even the occasional “Woo!” or gasp of excitement from an excited participant.

Zumba is a workout that features movements inspired by a number of different styles of Latin American dance that is performed to music. It’s become a very popular and trendy workout across the globe. There are a number of different kinds of Zumba classes, from Aqua Zumba workouts to classes such as Zumba Toning which incorporates weights for additional calorie burning as well as strength training. There are even Zumba classes which have been designed for kids.

Working up a sweat in the 1-hour-long classes burns an average number of 369 calories which is more than cardio kickboxing or – alternatively – step aerobics. You’ll get a great cardio workout that melts fat, strengthens your core, and improves flexibility.

Zumba Is Fun

The more that you enjoy your exercise routine, the more likely it is that you will stick with it. Many individuals say they have so much fun dancing that they don’t remember they are actually exercising!

Great For Weight Loss

Zumba is a very powerful exercise with a 600- to 1 000-calorie burn in only an hour.

Tones Your Whole Body

You may feel sore in parts of your body that you never knew existed, however it gets results. Zumba targets lots of muscle groups at the same time for total body toning.

Boosts Your Heart Health

You not only get aerobic advantages (Zumba really gets your heart rate up), you also get anaerobic benefits – the kind which help you to maintain a great cardiovascular respiratory system.

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Assists You To De-Stress

Focusing your attention on dance and away from the day-to-day grind, is a great way of relieving stress. Studies have shown that exercise is highly effective at reducing fatigue, increasing alertness and concentration, in addition to enhancing overall cognitive function.

Improves Coordination

In Zumba, your arms and legs are often moving in different directions so it needs a good deal of coordination.  Repetitive practice improves coordination and assists you to feel more comfortable with moving your body.

Makes You Happy

Every time you exercise, you release endorphins. These trigger positive feelings throughout your  body.

Aerobic exercise – such as Zumba – can lower health risks, help to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your heart as well as boost your mood. If you enjoy Zumba, you’re also more likely to do it regularly and experience its benefits as an aerobic exercise. As with any exercise, if a certain movement or position hurts, try to modify the workout to avoid the activities that are painful.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn the best way of teaching others to work out? If you do, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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How EMS Training Gets Tangible Results In 20 Minutes A Week https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-ems-training-gets-tangible-results-in-20-minutes-a-week/ Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25656 Reaching your fitness goals may feel impossible when your calendar is full and your to-do list continues to become longer and longer by the week. Imagine getting real results in far less time. It’s no longer a pipe dream anymore thanks to a ground-breaking bio-hack called Electromyostimulation (EMS) training. EMS training is the most efficient...

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Reaching your fitness goals may feel impossible when your calendar is full and your to-do list continues to become longer and longer by the week. Imagine getting real results in far less time. It’s no longer a pipe dream anymore thanks to a ground-breaking bio-hack called Electromyostimulation (EMS) training. EMS training is the most efficient and effective way to train because you only need to put in 20 minutes once a week to see real results.

How Does EMS Training Work?

During conventional strength training, the brain transmits impulses that stimulate the muscles to contract. However, not all of your body’s muscles have a well-developed connection to your brain. Thus, the muscles are not activated quite as easily and – as a result – will not develop as well as they could.

EMS training stimulates all of the main muscle groups. EMS training also helps to grow the motoric nerve connections that relate to muscle movement. By sending electric impulses to these motoric nerves directly, even the weakly connected muscles are activated.

As the muscles are activated with the aid of EMS training, combined with custom workouts a more intense level of training is enabled from the start. This allows the creation of more muscle fibre at an accelerated rate. More active muscle tissue requires more energy intake which therefore burns more calories, even at rest!

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What Are The Benefits of EMS Training?

Getting fit – as well as exercising – isn’t as simple as just going to the gym as well as watching what you eat. That’s why a lot of people choose a personal trainer in order to guide them along the way. In recent years, science has increasingly explained how your body works as well as what it truly means to be healthy. You may be surprised to learn that EMS training delivers a broad range of health and fitness benefits.

Strengthens Muscles And Tones Body

With the electrodes being directly onto your body, it works each muscle group and makes sure that each collection of impulses works the targeted area on your body. EMS training delivers a full-body workout in every session, activating over 90% of the muscle fibres.

Rapid And Effective Weight Loss

Through the particular exercises offered by the EMS training system, you’ll rapidly burn up calories making this a wonderful way of shifting fat and losing the kilograms. Burn up to 2500 calories in just one session.

Reduce Cellulite And Increase Blood Flow

The EMS system produces faster blood flow to the targeted muscles – one of the greatest ways of decreasing cellulite in problem areas. It quickens blood circulation, so stimulating surrounding muscles, ridding your body of metabolic waste which will be dispersed and processed through the lymphatic system, which is your body’s natural filtration system.

Gentle On Your Joints

The EMS training system is one of the best ways to recover from injury as it places totally no strain on your joints and tendons. This is revolutionary for those who suffer from joint problems or injuries, who have previously found exercise to be difficult.

Improves Your Posture

Making use of a set of targeted electrodes, stimulation is generated throughout your spinal column, which has been demonstrated to help with back problems as well as posture. EMS will help your tight, overworked muscles and give them a chance to relax and then let go so that you are able to experience more movement and less pain.

Time Effective

Your time is valuable – too valuable to spend it on time-consuming and ineffectual training sessions. Push your weight loss and fitness goals with two 20 minutes of EMS training every week which is equivalent to between four and six hours of regular gym training.

Rehabilitation

EMS training is an ideal partner during rehabilitation as the electrical impulses are absolutely not putting any extra load on the joints. Thus, this training can also be applied in the case of some injuries. In medical applications the EMS devices have been safely used for decades.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become an EMS trainer then you need to do our EMS Trainer Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Most Common Yoga Injuries To Watch Out For. Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/most-common-yoga-injuries-to-watch-out-for-learn-more/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25636 You’ve probably heard a friend or two commend the virtues of yoga. Among the many possible benefits of yoga are improved flexibility, reduced anxiety as well as depression, lowered chronic pain as well as even lowered blood pressure. However, if you’re not careful yoga can also cause injury, specifically to your wrists, lower back, shoulders,...

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You’ve probably heard a friend or two commend the virtues of yoga. Among the many possible benefits of yoga are improved flexibility, reduced anxiety as well as depression, lowered chronic pain as well as even lowered blood pressure.

However, if you’re not careful yoga can also cause injury, specifically to your wrists, lower back, shoulders, elbows, knees, hamstrings as well as neck. In fact, a 2016 study found that yoga-related injuries have almost doubled from 2001 to 2014.

Let’s have a look at the most common yoga injuries and how we are able to prevent them.

Most Common Yoga Injuries And Fixes

Wrists

When it comes down to your wrists, it’s all about leverage. Putting all of your weight in your wrists when your hands are on the mat can lead to muscle as well as joint injuries.

How To Find Relief

In any asana where you put weight on your hands, spread your body’s weight through both hands by spreading them wide and then pressing through your fingers.

In the Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Muka Svanasana), push your hips back in order to decrease the angle of your wrists versus the floor. In terms of arm balances, such as Crow Pose (Bakasana), look to see that your elbows are stacked directly over your wrists.

Lower Back

Lower back pain is the most often-cited yoga injury owing to rounding through the spine in asanas such as forward folds and downward dog, or – alternatively – keeping the legs too straight when going into an asana.

Rounding results in the spine flexing in the opposite way it’s supposed to, which can lead to disc problems as well as lower back muscular problems. Over-stretching the chief muscle groups in your back, or pushing muscles into elongation, is a recipe for injury as well as irritation.

In addition, it can hurt your SI (sacroiliac) joint, which connects the sacrum as well as the bones of the pelvis. The SI joint supports the spine. People injure the ligaments around this area below the lower back in poses when one leg is floating in the air, behind your body, in moves such as Warrior III or half moon.

How To Find Relief

The key to avoiding this injury is to spread your toes out and then push the bone under your big toe joint away from your body. This draws all of your leg muscles towards the bones, taking the pressure away from the SI joint.

Elbows

Pain in your elbows can be the result of bending them out to the sides in poses such as Low Plank (Chaturanga Dandasana). While it may be simpler to execute, lowering down with outward-pointing elbows can put a lot of stress on both your elbows as well as your wrists.

How To Find Relief

When bending your elbows in an asana (particularly Plank or Chaturanga), make sure that you keep them tucked beside your ribs as you bend them. In addition, make sure your elbows’ creases face forward.

If this is challenging (yes, it’s a serious test of triceps strength), begin with your knees on the floor. Remember, you are able to always work up to the unmodified version through regular practice. This process of toning of the leg, while it is in motion, is responsible for developing inner strength, balance, and stability. Balance and stability translate to safety.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to deepen your yoga practice then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Benefits Of The Plank Exercise? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-plank-exercise-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 17 Aug 2021 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25607 The plank exercise is one of the simplest exercises which you can do. It’s very straightforward in its appearance and the number of steps that are involved in doing one. However being simple does not mean that doing a plank is easy – far from it. Getting into plank pose can be quite easy. Holding...

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The plank exercise is one of the simplest exercises which you can do. It’s very straightforward in its appearance and the number of steps that are involved in doing one. However being simple does not mean that doing a plank is easy – far from it.

Getting into plank pose can be quite easy. Holding the plank exercise can even be easy, for a few seconds, however since the plank is an exercise position which can be held indefinitely, its difficulty can range from easy, short-term planks to excruciating tests of endurance. A heads up: easy, short-term planks aren’t the type which are going to provide you with much strength improvement.

What Is The Importance of Core Strength?

There are many sites and blogs which detail ways to build your core muscles or core strength – something which the plank exercise is brilliant at. However, these sites often neglect to properly explain what your core muscles actually are as well as why building them is very important.

This is quite astonishing, as core muscles are quite simple to explain.

Your core muscles are a sequence of muscles that are found in your midsection and are utilised in most forms of movement. Though they aren’t located in your arms or legs, your core muscles can help to shift force from one limb to the other or are made use of in addition to muscles in your arms or legs to boost their effectiveness. As such, a strong core can significantly improve your ability to move as well as exercise more effectively.

Also, your core muscles are great for assisting other muscles in your midsection, such as your abdominal muscles. Your abdominal muscles are very important for supporting your back as well as spinal column. This means that they are important aids in preventing injuries. However, in order for them to be most effective, you need to spend a lot of time developing your core muscles.

What Are The Advantages Of The Plank Exercise?

A weakened core may cause serious injury if ignored and not exercised properly. The plank exercise helps to target the core muscles as well as give them a good burn in order to build muscle strength.

The core muscles groups that are engaged in the plank exercise are the following:

  • Transverse abdominis:

These are abdominal wall muscles which are responsible for stabilising the lumbar spine as well as pelvis before the movement of limbs (raising your arms, bending forwards, etc.). Building this muscle increases our strength for lifting heavy weights.

  • Rectus abdominis:

This is the muscle that gives you your six pack! Working this long strap muscle can assist with improving high jumps as well as kicks.

  • Oblique Muscles:

These are the muscles which make side bending, waist twisting as well as turning possible.

  • Gluteal Muscles or Glutes:

This is the most powerful muscle of the body. It is responsible for the movement of the hip and thigh. It is attached to the tailbone and maintains the shape of your back as well as buttocks.

Holding the plank exercise can fire up all these muscle groups at the same time so giving us these benefits:

  • A Healthy Posture

A bad posture is when we hunch and also have slumped shoulders. This takes place because of poor alignment and sitting for long periods of time. A good posture is where the weight of your body is evenly distributed. It lowers the stress on our spine and gives us a straight, well-aligned body while walking, standing as well as sitting.

The plank position engages all the muscles from your neck, shoulder and back up to your pelvis, thighs and legs. Slowly, this results in a strong posture and gives you the confidence to walk tall.

  • Balance And Coordination

Our core muscles are responsible for assisting us with balancing while riding a bike or standing on one leg. Even dancing necessitates engaging the core muscles in order to achieve the right balance in form. Planks hold the core muscles taut so teaching your muscle to endure. This builds muscle stability as well as increasing body balance.

  • Improves Body Alignment And Helps To Avoid Illness

Many of us, even at a very young age, experience back pain as well as lower back issues. This is owing to bad posture and incorrect alignment of the body. Regular planks can help to improve posture and rid you of back pain.

This is as planks help to build strong abdominal muscles which lower the strain on your back, shoulders and neck. Planking down after a long, hard day of sitting on your computer can assist to relieve neck and shoulder knots too and assist your body come back into alignment. Planks and regular exercise can help to prevent degenerative muscle atrophy that is caused by osteoarthritis too.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn about more benefits of the plank exercise, as well as other Pilates exercises, then you need to become a Pilates instructor. Follow this link to find out more about our Pilates Instructor Course.

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Why Do People In Their 30s Need To Prioritise Stretching? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-do-people-in-their-30s-need-to-prioritise-stretching/ Mon, 16 Aug 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25596 In our 20s, we pop into a HIIT class and then sneak out before the cool-down. We sit all day at work with very few breaks and never feel any ill effects. We enter our 30s and all of a sudden these habits leave us with a sore back, neck pain as well as muscle...

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In our 20s, we pop into a HIIT class and then sneak out before the cool-down. We sit all day at work with very few breaks and never feel any ill effects. We enter our 30s and all of a sudden these habits leave us with a sore back, neck pain as well as muscle tightness. Why does it seem as if stretching becomes a necessity when you hit 30? Is it three decades of wear-and-tear catching up with us? Or is something else that is going on?

Age-related changes certainly do occur yearly, however more distinctly with different decades. When we are younger, we have far more collagen as well elastin which keeps our bodies firm, more resilient as well as with an improved ability to rebound. With age, comes increased wear-and-tear.

Sarcopenia

When you hit the age of 30, a change takes place physiologically called sarcopenia. That means that your muscle tissue begins to diminish owing to ageing. We inherently get weaker and lose our stamina so our bodies have to work harder to maintain the base level of fitness as well as to perform exercises and we feel the effects of exercises even more.

This change can result in heightened pain and risk of injury. We see a lot of sports injuries among this age group. Particularly in the low back, shoulders and knees in addition postural-related issues from being more sedentary or from working out without appropriate stretching or cooling down.

Where To Begin

With a body that is full of muscles, the idea of daily stretching could seem overwhelming. However you don’t need to stretch every muscle that you have. The areas that are critical for mobility are in your lower extremities: your calves, your hamstrings, your hip flexors in the pelvis as well as quadriceps in the front of your legs. Stretching your shoulders, neck – in addition to your lower back – is also beneficial. Aim for a programme of daily stretches or – at the very least – three or four times per week.

Defining a proper stretch can be quite challenging and is something you should speak to a doctor about. There are a few generic tips which you can follow. For instance, a static stretch should always be held for at least 30 seconds every single day. To maintain – as well as improve – muscle flexibility, you need stretch a muscle for 30 seconds each day, every day. You will be able to trust your intuition with the form. If a stretch hurts, you could very well be doing it wrong.

Find a physical therapist or – alternatively – personal trainer who is able to assess your muscle strength and tailor a stretching programme to fit your needs. If you suffer from a chronic condition, for example Parkinson’s disease or arthritis, you’ll want to clear a new stretching regimen with your doctor before you start.

Contact  Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn proper stretching techniques – and how to exercise properly in general – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Are The Wonders Of Pilates? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-the-wonders-of-pilates-read-this-article/ Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25587 It’s not new news that Pilates does absolute wonders for your physical health. It is one of the best ways for you to get in shape and get in shape quite quickly. Say “hello” to abdominals like you’ve never seen before and a workout which will have you feeling exhausted in a way you could...

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It’s not new news that Pilates does absolute wonders for your physical health. It is one of the best ways for you to get in shape and get in shape quite quickly. Say “hello” to abdominals like you’ve never seen before and a workout which will have you feeling exhausted in a way you could have never imagined — particularly when this workout has you doing moves as slowly as possible. There’s undoubtedly no doubt in our minds that you will love the physical results from your Pilates classes.

If you have never tried out a Pilates session, chances are good you may have a few ideas of what a class entails as well as the common benefits. While Pilates hasn’t quite gotten the popularity that yoga has in recent years, many fitness experts will eagerly attest to the advantage that a Pilates practice offers – in both your body and mind.

Pilates is so effective as well as so powerful, that when taught properly, it can make your whole body stronger in addition to more flexible in absolutely no time at all. Aside from strength and flexibility, Pilates can help with everything from improved posture to improved breathing, greater mood as well as visible weight loss and tone. The effects can even be felt after just a single class. After a week or month, chances are very good that you will be hooked for life!

Say Goodbye To Back Pain

Unlike many other different types of workouts, Pilates will not cause you to have back problems. In fact, one of the chief focuses in Pilates is making sure that your back remains strong as well as safe. You’ll hear your instructor say, during the class, to pull your abs into your ribs. This is done to protect your back (and it doesn’t hurt that this assists with keeping your abs engaged, which means that you’re strengthening at the same time). Through keeping your spine correctly aligned and breathing the correct way during Pilates, you will be doing wonders for your back.

Say “Hello” To A Far More Relaxed Mind

You might not think of Pilates class as a method of meditation; however you’ll quickly find out that it is. As the moves in Pilates are so intentional – and need so much focus to perform correctly and reap all the benefits, you’ll need to have a calm mind as well as focus your attention on what is staring you in the face.

You don’t have the mental space to think about what’s on your list of things to do or stress about anything that isn’t Pilates-related. To keep your body engaged – as well as get the most out of your class – you’ll need all your mental energy and attention on the moves that your body is doing.

The great thing about this aspect is that it will not only give you that sense of meditation and “unplugging” during the Pilates class, but it will give you the tools – as well as the practice- to take that concept of concentrating on your body and breath into the rest of your day-to-day life.

This means a calmer mind and more complete zen sense of self.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a world-class Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Simple Exercises Which Can Help Relieve Foot Pain https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/simple-exercises-which-can-help-relieve-foot-pain/ Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25583 Regularly exercising – as well as stretching – the feet and ankles can assist with ensuring that the muscles are offering the best support. These exercises could also increase range of motion in the feet, so assisting with keeping a person active for as long as possible. Many foot exercises are simple and require no...

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Regularly exercising – as well as stretching – the feet and ankles can assist with ensuring that the muscles are offering the best support. These exercises could also increase range of motion in the feet, so assisting with keeping a person active for as long as possible. Many foot exercises are simple and require no complicated equipment to perform. Individuals can do them at home or in the gym as a big part of a regular exercise routine.

Foot strength and mobility is a crucial – yet frequently neglected – component of a runner’s strength as well as recovery regimen. The foot is responsible for absorbing shock as you run and is as a rigid surface for push-off. Consequently that moment becomes the most important moment. Additionally, muscular imbalances and dysfunctions in the feet could result in injury.

What Causes Foot And Ankle Pain?

A number of different things may be the cause foot and ankle pain. Around one in five middle-aged or older people suffer from it, and women are specifically affected. The most common causes include the soft tissues of the foot as well as ankle:

  • Plantar fasciitis: This often causes pain in your heel along the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis happens when the soft tissue on the underside of your foot (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed. The pain is frequently worse after being inactive or the first thing in the morning.
  • Achilles tendonitis: This is responsible for causing pain at the back of the ankle when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, is irritated. It can be caused by overuse, often when you begin a new type of exercise or if the amount that you exercise is increased
  • Ankle sprains: these occur when the ligaments (the soft tissues connecting the bones of the foot) are damaged due to an injury. There will often be pain around the ankle and bruising or swelling, as well as reduced movement

Toe Raise, Point, And Curl

This exercise has three stages and will assist with strengthening all parts of the feet and toes.

To perform this exercise:

  • Sit in a straight-backed chair – like a dining room chair – with your feet being flat on the floor.
  • Making sure that your toes on the floor, raise your heels. Stop when just the balls of your feet stay on the ground.
  • Maintain this position for five seconds before lowering the heels.
  • For the second stage, lift your heels and point your toes so that just the tips of your big and second toes are tapping the floor.
  • Hold for five seconds before lowering to the ground.
  • For the third stage, raise your heels and curl your toes inward so that only the tips of your toes are touching the floor. Hold this position for five seconds.
  • Build flexibility – as well as mobility – by repeating each stage 10 times.

Standing Calf Raise

The big toe is the main push-off point during running; however many runners experience limited range of motion in this area. They experience foot pain and cramping as a consequence.

How to perform the standing calf raise exercise:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Raise your heels and finish by lifting onto the big toe.
  • Keep the ball of each of your feet on the ground throughout the movement.
  • Work up to four to five sets of 20 reps prior to each run.

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Knowing how to properly exercise is vital to maintaining good health and wellness. Get these skills under your belt with our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Why Is Strength Training The Secret To Midlife Weight Loss? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-strength-training-the-secret-to-midlife-weight-loss/ Thu, 12 Aug 2021 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25576 Getting older doesn’t have to mean that you’ll automatically get fatter. In fact, you are able to stay fit, lean as well as strong as you age. Yes, it takes a tad bit more effort and a lot savvier than it did when you were younger, however middle age weight loss (in addition to healthy...

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Getting older doesn’t have to mean that you’ll automatically get fatter. In fact, you are able to stay fit, lean as well as strong as you age. Yes, it takes a tad bit more effort and a lot savvier than it did when you were younger, however middle age weight loss (in addition to healthy weight maintenance) also comes with additional benefits.

If you keep your weight steady and minimise weight gain as you age, you are able to minimise your risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure as well as other conditions that frequently plague men and women as they get older. In addition, remaining active and lean assists you to maintain stronger healthier joints so that you are able to enjoy physical activity with friends, children in addition to grandchildren.

It may feel like the odds are stacked against you however as you hit middle age, a number of lifestyle factors change that can assist you to get – as well as stay – fit. Take advantage of this stage of life — with all of its inherent benefits and challenges — in order to get and keep a strong, fit, healthy body.

How Long Must We Aim To Exercise For?

For longevity, weight loss as well as better brain health, muscle toning have to be intense however need only be carried out for short bursts of time. Interestingly enough, we don’t have to work out for very long to benefit however it does have to be regular – and hard.

Research demonstrates that the best exercise is taken in spurts – think of it as exercise ‘snacking’. We are able to sneak short bursts of intensive exercise into our daily life without it taking up too much time. As opposed to calorific snacking, grabbing a sly bit of strength or speed work can drastically improve our body.

There are many simple tricks that we are able to utilise in order to make each day a workout:

  • Walk up the stairs at speed, two at a time,
  • Perform vigorous push-ups against the countertop while you wait for the kettle to boil,
  • Put weight in your backpack to wear whilst you walk, or
  • Invest in a specifically weighted jacket, with adjustable weight pockets, for wear every day to build strength as well as endurance the easy way.

Integrating easy muscle toning exercises into your day-to-day routine is much like a bank. We are able to make deposits and exercise to save up for periods when we’re less active. The same goes for stretching.

Can Muscle Toning Exercises Assist Us With Living Longer?

Brief periods of intense muscle toning exercise are great for cellular ageing. It lengthens are our telomeres, which cap off the end of our chromosomes. The longer our telomeres are, the better our cells are able to resist the ageing processes of stress as well as inflammation.

Also, Intensive spurts of exercise release the muscle-building as well as fat-burning human growth hormone (HGH), which improves metabolism. Switch to a high-fat, low-carb diet for best results because this improves insulin resistance, which allows for greater growth hormone release. As a result, this builds muscle much faster.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to learn more about strength training then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How Resistance Training Burns Fat? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-resistance-training-burns-fat-find-out-in-this-article/ Thu, 12 Aug 2021 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25572 Weightlifting, which is also known as resistance training, has been practised for centuries as a method of building muscular strength. Research demonstrates that resistance training – whether done via body weight, resistance bands or weight machines, dumbbells or free weights – not only assists us with building strength, but also improves muscle size. In addition,...

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Weightlifting, which is also known as resistance training, has been practised for centuries as a method of building muscular strength. Research demonstrates that resistance training – whether done via body weight, resistance bands or weight machines, dumbbells or free weights – not only assists us with building strength, but also improves muscle size. In addition, resistance training can help to counteract age-related muscle loss.

In recent times it’s become popular among those looking to lose weight and burn fat. While exercises such as running as well as cycling are indeed effective for reducing body fat, these activities can – at the same time – decrease muscle size, leading to weaker muscles in addition to greater perceived weight loss. This is as muscle is denser than fat. However, unlike endurance exercises, evidence demonstrates resistance training not only has beneficial effects on reducing body fat, but it also increases muscle size as well as strength.

Weight Training Assists You With Burning More Calories Every Day

Although a weight-training workout doesn’t usually burn as many calories as a cardio workout, it has other significant benefits. For instance, weight training is far more effective than cardio at building muscle. In addition, muscle burns more calories at rest than some other tissues, including fat.

Owing to this, it is commonly said that building muscle is the fundamental to increasing your resting metabolism. In other words, how many calories which you burn at rest. One recent study measured participants’ resting metabolisms throughout 24 weeks of resistance training. In men, resistance training led to a 9% rise in resting metabolism. The effects in women were smaller, with a rise of almost 4%.

While this might sound good, it’s very important to think about how many calories this represents:

  • For the men, resting metabolism rose by about 140 calories per day.
  • In women, it was just about 50 calories per day.

This means that weight training and building a little bit of muscle won’t make your metabolism skyrocket, however it may increase it by a small amount.

Weight Training Also Has Several Other Crucial Calorie-Burning Benefits

Specifically, research has demonstrated that you burn more calories in the hours following a weight training session as compared to a cardio workout. In fact, there are a number of reports of resting metabolism remaining elevated for up to 38 hours after weight training, while no similar increase has been reported with cardio. This means that the calorie-burning advantages of weights aren’t limited to when you are exercising. You may keep on burning calories for hours or days afterward. For most kinds of exercise, a more intense workout will increase the number of calories you burn afterward.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen on learning more about resistance training and possibly even becoming a personal trainer, then you certainly need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Should Men Stretch Every Day? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-should-men-stretch-every-day-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25555 Stretching is a fundamental component of any man’s well-rounded exercise routine. And yet this crucial element is frequently overlooked by many of us.  Flexibility exercises are just as essential as cardio, strength and power training. Regular stretching assist with increasing a man’s range of motion in the joints, improves blood circulation and posture, in addition...

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Stretching is a fundamental component of any man’s well-rounded exercise routine. And yet this crucial element is frequently overlooked by many of us.  Flexibility exercises are just as essential as cardio, strength and power training. Regular stretching assist with increasing a man’s range of motion in the joints, improves blood circulation and posture, in addition to alleviating muscular tension throughout the body. In addition, it improves your athletic performance and may lower the risk of injury.

Moreover, stretching also boosts nutrition supply to the muscles. When you stretch, you’re enhancing blood flow in the body and, in turn, circulating more nutrients throughout the body. In addition, stretching also improves your mental state, as it reduces stress and releases tension. It’s a great way to give yourself a mental break, to recharge and calm the mind.

Regular Stretching Improves Strength

There are a number of reasons why regular stretching assists you with getting stronger:

  1. Stretching lengthens muscle tissue as well as increases flexibility, both of which allow you to perform strength building moves with a greater range of movement, making the exercise highly more effective.
  2. When you are building muscle, you are producing tiny tears in the muscles and lactic acid builds up. Stretching post-workout assists the body to circulate fresh blood, feeding nutrients to these hungry muscles.
  3. Post-workout stretching assists with removing the build-up of lactic acid which goes a long way towards reducing post-workout soreness as well as delayed onset muscle soreness (so you can get back to the gym sooner!).
  4. Stretching can boost your one-repetition maximum (the amount of weight you are able to lift one time), increase your endurance as well as enhance performance.
  5. Stretching helps with preventing injuries. If you’re suffering from a rotator cuff injury, for instance, you won’t be able to continue your regular upper body strength training until the injury heals. It is very important to take steps in order to reduce your risk of injury before they take place.

What Takes Place In Your Body If You Skip Out On Stretches?

An absence of stretching can limit your range of motion over time in addition to making your muscles tight and shortened owing to inflexibility. This therefore makes your muscles weak, increasing the risk for strains, joint pain as well as muscle damage.

Our joints can lose almost 50% of their range of motion as we age which means that stretching is not just important for athletes hoping to avoid tears, sprains or strains. Rather, we all need to be consistent with stretching during each stage in our lives.

Stretches To Help Men

Counterweight Deep Squat

  • Take hold of two light dumbbells and put a foam roller between your thighs.
  • Make sure that you push your knees forward and then squat until your butt is hovering just above the floor. (Utilise the lightest weight that allows you to achieve this position.)
  • Attempt to round your spine by tucking in your pelvis.
  • From that position, take five long, deep breaths. Stand back up. That’s one rep. Do between three and five.

Couch Stretch

  • Adopt a half-kneeling position with your back knee being close to a box or wall.
  • Your back shin should be approximately parallel to the box or wall. You might need to hold on to something at first.
  • Hold the position between one and two minutes as you contract the stretched leg’s hamstring.
  • Repeat with your other leg.

Modified Pigeon

  • Get down on all fours and put a pillow or foam roller under your left knee.
  • Lift your right knee and put it behind and to the left of your left calf.
  • Rock your hips back and forth for a period of two minutes.
  • You should feel your left hip stretch. Switch sides and then repeat.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you eager to become an exercise expert? If you do then you should definitely consider doing our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Is The Wood Chop Exercise? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-wood-chop-exercise-read-this-article/ Tue, 10 Aug 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25518 Few would dispute that the introduction of indoor ovens – as well as – central heating has made human lives easier, however if there is one downside to ditching real fires it’s the consequent lack of a need to chop wood regularly. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, but you are still able to recapture...

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Few would dispute that the introduction of indoor ovens – as well as – central heating has made human lives easier, however if there is one downside to ditching real fires it’s the consequent lack of a need to chop wood regularly. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, but you are still able to recapture some of the magic with the woodchop exercise.

The woodchop exercise is a fantastic functional movement to add to your core workout routine. Your abdominals and obliques are working overtime as you twist and lift. The global movement of the exercise means the core strength benefits generated will translate into everyday activities as well as sports.

If you’re a golfer, the woodchop exercise should definitely be part of your regular workout routine. The rotational movement of the exercise enlists exactly the same core muscles as are needed to send a golf ball coasting down the fairway, so if you are looking to add 30 or 40 metres to your drive, hit the gym and start chopping wood!

What Are The Benefits Of The Wood Chop Exercise?

The woodchop exercise targets the transverse abdominis muscle as well as the oblique muscles. These are the muscles which allow you to twist at your waist and to swing a bat or racket utilising the weight of your body and not only your arms.

In addition, the woodchop engages the muscles of your back, shoulders as well as legs. In addition to sports that use a stick or racket (baseball, golf, tennis, hockey, cricket, etc.), twisting the abdominals under load is a prominent movement in sports including football and basketball.

Of course, this approximate movement is slightly different in any number of sports. This exercise is also safe during pregnancy.

How To Do The Wood Chop Exercise

  • Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell with both of your hands.
  • Rotate your torso to the right. After this, raise the dumbbell until it’s over your right shoulder.
  • Squat as you rotate your torso to your left and bring the dumbbell diagonally across your body until it’s very close to your left hip.
  • Repeat the movement and then switch sides.

What Is The Proper Form And Breathing Pattern To Adopt With The Wood Chop Exercise?

Engage your core, keep your feet and knees pointing in the same direction, maintain your arms straight and then breathe out as you twist your torso.

Try out these variations on the wood chop exercise for additional challenges.

  • Reverse cable woodchop or standing cable lift: Set the adjustable system of the cable machine at the bottom so that you can pull the cable from low to high.
  • Woodchop lunges: Step forward into a lunge as you bring the cable down across your body.
  • Woodchops with weights: You are able to perform the woodchop using a dumbbell as opposed to a cable machine.
  • High-speed woodchops: Perform the movement at high velocity, rest for 10-15 seconds, then repeat. This exercise is best utilised for power.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to learn more about exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How To Strengthen Shoulder Mobility? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-strengthen-shoulder-mobility-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 07:59:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25514 In a perfect world, we’d all have active jobs which didn’t keep us hunched over our computers all day long. However that’s not the world we live in. As a consequence, a lot of us have limited shoulder mobility, which can cause a whole host of problems beyond merely tightness. You could be hesitant to...

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In a perfect world, we’d all have active jobs which didn’t keep us hunched over our computers all day long. However that’s not the world we live in. As a consequence, a lot of us have limited shoulder mobility, which can cause a whole host of problems beyond merely tightness.

You could be hesitant to go to that yoga class your friend has been pleading you to try out as your tight shoulders have made those types of stretches very uncomfortable in the past. Or perhaps your shoulders just get really achy during the day.

No matter what is happening in your shoulders, the response is definitely not to quit your job and become a farmer. Rather, adding some simple exercises to your day-to-day routine can make a huge difference in terms of how you’re feeling and functioning.

So, Where Do You Begin?

Firstly, while both flexibility and mobility play a part in the effective movement of the shoulders, consider that there is a distinct difference between “shoulder flexibility” as well as “shoulder mobility”:

  • The term ‘shoulder flexibility’ refers to the ability of the soft tissue muscles to stretch or elongate temporarily. Someone with good hamstring flexibility, for instance, will be capable of pulling – with a resistance band – their knees to their chest while lying flat on their back as well as maintaining a straight leg.
  • Shoulder mobility, on the other hand, is the ability for the shoulders to move through a range of motion with control prior to being restricted. This includes having the requisite strength, coordination as well as body awareness along with flexibility. Having excellent mobility, then, will be of far greater benefit to an athlete as opposed to possessing excellent flexibility.

How to Boost Shoulder Mobility

  • Foam rolling and myofascial release. Both notions promote the break-up of scar tissue, so improving blood circulation to targeted areas, and releasing knots,
  • Dynamic motion stretching,
  • Strength building, as well as
  • Static stretching. One part of having excellent mobility is to improve flexibility. One instance is long-duration static stretching such as yoga.

Exercises To Improve Shoulder Mobility

Posterior Capsule Pails & Rails

The sleeper stretch has long been utilised in order to improve shoulder mobility however this variant with a strong isometric contraction right at the end range of internal rotation. When the posterior shoulder is tight, we’ll frequently see limitations in overhead positioning as well. So addressing this will frequently create the improvements in shoulder flexion that we want. By merging with isometrics muscle contractions, we also can work on increasing shoulder strength at the same time.

Lat Eccentrics

Eccentrics (in other words, the lowering portion of a lift) are performed slowly are possibly the best mobility technique to utilise for any muscle or joint. The blend of a supinated grip and legs being flexed which you’ll see in the below drill really emphasises lat flexibility. With overhead lifts, lat flexibility very usually affects our ability to get into optimum positioning.

Prone Lift Offs

Prone lift offs are a terrific shoulder mobility drill as they also offer a significant stimulus to build upper back strength while at the same time increasing flexibility:

  • Begin with a wide grip opening your arms up until they are in line with your ears.
  • As you are able, narrow your grip in order to increase the difficulty of this exercise.
  • Be sure that you keep your abs and glutes tight in order to focus the movement on your shoulders and not cheating with thoracolumbar spine extension.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover more about exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Best Kettlebell Exercises For Men? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-kettlebell-exercises-for-men/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25496 It mightn’t look like much, however, take it from us: kettlebell exercises are your ticket to faster fitness. Packing the same weighty punch as dumbbells do, and well-suited to the heart rate-spiking benefits of HIIT, these cannonball-shaped weights build power, endurance, muscle as well as strength simultaneously for heavyweight results. Even today, the kettlebell is...

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It mightn’t look like much, however, take it from us: kettlebell exercises are your ticket to faster fitness. Packing the same weighty punch as dumbbells do, and well-suited to the heart rate-spiking benefits of HIIT, these cannonball-shaped weights build power, endurance, muscle as well as strength simultaneously for heavyweight results.

Even today, the kettlebell is underused as well as misunderstood by most of the gym-going community, however, don’t let that fool you. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, ‘The muscle doesn’t see what you’re holding in your hands’. And as they’re compact, adaptable and versatile, the kettlebell is an ideal bit of exercise equipment for the home workout warrior.

Ready to add kettlebell exercises to your armoury? We run through the benefits of kettlebell exercises, reveal the most effective kettlebell exercises as well as workouts in order to burn fat, build muscle and increase fitness.

The Benefits Of Kettlebell Exercises

Kettlebells can be utilised for strength, endurance, flexibility as well as balance training. These are the four main aspects of fitness. This is certainly one of the biggest benefits of kettlebells. They are versatile and they streamline things!

In a fast-paced complicated world, the ability to do total body conditioning with one piece of exercise equipment is a great change of tempo. As a matter of fact, we’d go out on a limb and say that kettlebells are one of the absolute best tools in existence for truly effective, result-achieving, safe and full-body conditioning.

In addition, there are a number of different reasons why kettlebells are great for improving core strength as well as stability.

As many kettlebell exercises are a format of ballistic training. Ballistic training works on explosive power through maximising acceleration and also minimising deceleration. These movements – which are explosive – are responsible for stimulating the ab muscles very well. They require core contraction and coordinated breathing as the movements are intense. This leads to serious improvement in core strength, even when not necessarily targeting your core like you would with crunches or leg raises.

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Kettlebell Thrusters

This ignored kettlebell exercise blends a front squat with an overhead press. This kettlebell exercise works your full body in the process. There will be pain however it will be a good kind of pain, which is what the absolute best kettlebell workouts are all about. Here’s how to execute this exercise:

  • Grab two kettlebells and then stand with your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Hold the kettlebells in the rack stance (so that the weight is lying on the back of your shoulders).
  • Lower as you bend somewhat at the knees into the semi-squat position.
  • Hold for a second and then power upwards with all your might. Push through at the legs as well as your heels.
  • As you reach the upright position, make use of the natural momentum of the kettlebells u birder to press them up.
  • Finish the kettlebell exercise with your palms facing outward.
  • Lower back into the beginning position and repeat.
  • Perform three sets of three reps, increasing the weight – as well as number of sets – as you improve.

Muscles worked: shoulders, legs

Difficulty level: Intermediate-advanced

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a kettlebell instructor then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

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The Best Pilates Stretches To Relieve Neck And Back Pain https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-best-pilates-stretches-to-relieve-neck-and-back-pain/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25501 The perpetrators behind niggling neck and back pains are so diverse that it can be hard to pinpoint an exact cause. However, common causes include static postures such as sitting at a desk for long periods of time as well as repetitive actions such as heavy lifting without stretching in addition to doing something continually...

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The perpetrators behind niggling neck and back pains are so diverse that it can be hard to pinpoint an exact cause. However, common causes include static postures such as sitting at a desk for long periods of time as well as repetitive actions such as heavy lifting without stretching in addition to doing something continually on one side.

Pilates isn’t just effective at making you long and lean. It can also be an incredibly effective way for managing neck as well as back pain by allowing you to strengthen, stretch and support the muscles. This is owing to the movements allowing you to improve your posture and utilise your own body weight to gain proper control around your shoulders while keeping good alignment of your neck.

Even though you can’t completely avoid slouching on the couch or slipping into an awkward sleeping position, some Pilates moves can assist with stopping these normal occurrences from leading to an achy upper body.

Full Body Release

For top to toe release, we recommend a standing side stretch:

  • Stand straight with hands above your head and your palms together.
  • Shift your hips to the left while arching your torso and arms to the right.
  • Repeat on the other side.

Neutral Spine With Pelvic Tilts

Having a strong core has advantages beyond holding long planks as well as having strong, sculpted abs. A super strong core can also support your back and enhance your posture. Doing pelvic tilts performed with a neutral spine is a gentle way to wake up the deep lower transversus abdominis muscle which plays a massive role in supporting your back:

  • Lie supine with your knees bent, feet hip-distance apart and touching the floor.
  • Lengthen the back of your neck so that you are gently closing the space between your neck and the floor. After this, relax the shoulders and then rest the arms at your side.
  • Breathe in. As you breathe out, draw your navel in towards your spine and make sure that you imprint your spine into the mat with a tiny pelvic tilt.
  • Hold for a breath then return your spine back to neutral and allow the pelvis to return to starting position.
  • Complete ten reps of the exercise.

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Lower Back And Shoulder Stretch

A phenomenal way to stretch your lower back and shoulders is a combination of Child’s Pose as well as Puppy Pose. This assists with opening the lower back and chest, strengthening the upper back and elongating your spine:

  • Start on your Pilates mat with your legs tucked under your chest.
  • Make sure that you stretch out your arms straight in front of you, with your palms touching the floor.
  • Then, smoothly transition to Puppy Pose by pushing your bum up into the air and keeping your chest – as well as your arms – on the floor.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to become a world-class Pilates instructor then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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The Beginner’s Guide To Strength Training For Women https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-beginners-guide-to-strength-training-for-women/ Thu, 05 Aug 2021 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25486 When you hear about strength training, what might come to mind are bodybuilders with hulk-like figures. This leads many women to think that strength training just isn’t for them. However, don’t put the weights down just yet! Including a little resistance to your workout will not only assist you become stronger – it also brings...

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When you hear about strength training, what might come to mind are bodybuilders with hulk-like figures. This leads many women to think that strength training just isn’t for them. However, don’t put the weights down just yet! Including a little resistance to your workout will not only assist you become stronger – it also brings about many other health benefits for the ladies.

What Are The Advantages Of Weight Training For Women?

Strength training is so vital for both men and women, but we’re a huge advocate for women picking up weights. This is why:

  • Strength training increases your metabolism.
  • Strength training builds lean muscle (without a chance of getting bulky).
  • Strength training effectively burns body fat in order to help women lose weight.
  • Strength training lowers the risk of heart disease (which is the number one killer of women).
  • Strength training boosts mood and reduces stress.

How To Get Started With Strength Training

Bodyweight exercises are a sort of strength training which can be done anywhere by utilising your body weight as a form of resistance. In addition, these exercises can be tweaked in order to suit your ability level, which makes them accessible to beginners.

Chair Dips Targeting Arms

For this exercise, all you require is a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a chair or a coffee table:

  • Place this piece of furniture behind you.
  • Face yourself away from the chair or coffee table. Place your hands on the edge of the seat or the edge of the table, shoulder-width apart.
  • Straighten your arms and then bend your knees so you’re nearly in a seated position.
  • Gradually lower your whole body by bending your arms to a 90-degree angle. Maintain that position for a second before straightening your arms and then repeat.
  • If this is too simple for you, put a heavy book on your lap in order to increase resistance.

Lunges Targeting Legs

  • Ensure that you stand up straight with your feet hip-distance apart and then tighten your core.
  • While keeping your posture upright, step forward with one of your feet until your rear knee nearly touches the floor.
  • Keep the front foot flat and then lift the back heel. Push yourself back up and repeat.

Crunches Targeting Abs

  • The first step in lying down flat on your back on a mat or a soft carpet.
  • Place your hands behind your head.
  • Bend your knees and make sure that you keep your feet firmly on the floor.
  • Lift your legs off the floor and then cross them. Keeping your hands behind your back – as well as your lower back fixed to the mat – curl up and outwards so that your shoulders and the top half of your torso are off the mat.
  • The movement is comparable to that of a sit-up, but don’t go up all the way. Hold for 5 seconds, slowly lower yourself down and repeat.

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What Are The Best Yoga Poses For Knee Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-best-yoga-poses-for-knee-pain/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25476 Do you have knee pain? Many people suffer from chronic knee or joint pain from arthritis, osteoarthritis, or simply strain from everyday life. Fortunately, yoga exercises are a proven remedy, although they can seem daunting for beginners.  When you’re doing yoga, it’s important to do the poses with the correct form.  Practising with a cautious...

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Do you have knee pain? Many people suffer from chronic knee or joint pain from arthritis, osteoarthritis, or simply strain from everyday life. Fortunately, yoga exercises are a proven remedy, although they can seem daunting for beginners.  When you’re doing yoga, it’s important to do the poses with the correct form.  Practising with a cautious pace will help you get positive results.

What Are The Common Triggers Of Knee Pain?

Chronic knee pain is on the rise. Strangely enough, the issue often isn’t with the knee itself. As it’s a joint, it’s affected by the muscles which surround it, including the quads, hamstrings as well as calves. The knee never acts in isolation owing to the way the soft structure of the cartilage is designed.

Other frequent culprits of knee pain include injury to a ligament (such as a torn ACL), weak quads or hamstrings, or – alternatively – a chronic condition like tendinitis. Another option is to blame your job: Sitting at a desk all day may create imbalances in your body by weakening your glutes, Miller says. It’s best that you see a doctor or physical therapist in order to find out what’s triggering your particular pain.

What Are The Benefits Of Yoga For Knee Pain?

On the bright side, a number of specific yoga poses can assist with providing relief.. Studies show that individuals with knee pain are able to get some much-needed relief by practising yoga a couple of times a week.

In 2013, for instance, researchers worked with 30 women who suffered from knee osteoarthritis. Half were assigned to an eight-week yoga programme. By the end of the research study, their pain as well as symptoms had decreased more than those of the control group. In addition, they had a better total quality of life.

One study is wonderful, but how about six?

A 2016 review looked at six studies about the effects of yoga on osteoarthritis. In these studies, individuals experienced pain relief and functional improvements as early as two weeks after regularly getting on the mat. The researchers reached the conclusion that yoga could be a medication-free means of alleviating pain and improving mobility.

Other more recent studies have demonstrated similar results, placing yoga among the best natural knee pain relief methods, along with tai chi as well as massage therapy.

While this is exciting news, also some research has found that certain yoga poses (particularly single-leg balances) can be stressful on the knees. Conversely, squatting and lunging postures can improve leg strength as well as minimise knee adduction — the inward movement of the knees that’s linked to osteoarthritis.

Triangle Pose

A weak vastus medialis (which is the inner part of the quadriceps) as well as vastus lateralis (the outer part of the quadriceps) may cause injury. To assist with preventing it, the triangle pose in yoga will stretch as well as bolster your inner thigh muscles.

The triangle pose is performed by stepping your feet out at a wide stance to make sure they are parallel with your back, with your right foot being turned at a 90-degree angle and parallel with the horizontal edge of the mat. Your right knee needs to be bent in line with your hip and ankle. Both of feet should be rested as your right leg straightens in order to engage your inner quad and thighs.

Peaceful Warrior Pose

Step your right foot forwards with your toes pointing straight. Turn your left toes at 45 degrees to the side and then extend your arms out with your palms facing up. Curve your right knee at a 90-degree angle, keeping it in line with your ankle.

Put the back of your left hand on your left leg and then arch back, reaching your right arm overhead and toward the back of your mat, gazing toward the ceiling.

This asana activates and strengthens the glutes, quads as well as hamstrings. These are all muscles that help keep the knee in good shape.

Supported Half Moon Pose

The Supported Half Moon Pose is also termed the Ardha Chandrasana. This balancing asana is beneficial in terms of building strength in the muscles which support your knee. The initial step is to find an empty wall – as well as a block – for support. Then, stand with your back up against the wall and rotate your right foot. Make sure that the bottom of your foot is parallel to the wall. After that, put the block in your right hand, then bend your right knee. Shift your weight so that you are balancing on your right leg.

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Exercises To Build Knee Strength And Stability. Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-build-knee-strength-and-stability-read-this-article/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25464 The knee happens to one of the human body’s major joints. People utilise it heavily every day as they walk, run, climb or – alternatively – jump. As a result, it is also quite prone to injury as well as pain. When these occur, a doctor could recommend exercises in order to assist an individual...

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The knee happens to one of the human body’s major joints. People utilise it heavily every day as they walk, run, climb or – alternatively – jump. As a result, it is also quite prone to injury as well as pain. When these occur, a doctor could recommend exercises in order to assist an individual strengthen the muscles which are around the knee.

People of all ages might experience knee pain. According to one article, a kind of knee pain called patellofemoral pain syndrome (or runner’s knee) is the most common orthopaedic condition in sports medicine. As well as being common in athletic people, knee pain could also be a problem for people who suffer from arthritis.

While it could be tempting to avoid exercise when knee pain takes place, this is not always the appropriate solution. Particular types of exercise can assist with alleviating existing knee pain and preventing future pain or injury by providing the knee with additional support.

Is It Safe for Me to Exercise?

Are you concerned that working out could cause increased levels of knee damage or pain? As long as your doctor says that it’s OK, the best thing that you can do is to strengthen the muscles which support your knee and keep them flexible. Begin slowly and build up over time. Speak to your doctor about which specific exercises are good for you.

Leg Lifts

Muscles involved are the quadriceps (front of the thigh) as well as abdominal (stomach) muscles:

  • Lie down on the floor and make sure that your back is flat. Make use of a yoga mat, folded blanket, or exercise mat for you to be comfortable on a hard floor.
  • Make sure that you keep your left leg straight and bend your right leg slightly at the knee, bringing the foot closer to your body.
  • Pull your abdominal muscles inward by imagining your belly button pulling down toward the floor. Doing this should get the lower back down against the floor and assist with providing extra support for the duration of the exercise. Put a hand beneath your lower back to make sure that there is no space between the floor as well as the small of your back. If there is space for your hand, gently push the lower back down on top of the hand.
  • Slowly lift your left leg without bending your knee. Keep your toes pointed toward the ceiling and stop when your leg is about 30 cm off the floor. It must not be higher than your bent knee on the right leg. Hold your left leg up for five seconds.
  • Gradually lower your leg back down to the floor. Do not put it down too fast or allow it to drop.
  • Repeat twice more with the same leg. Switch sides and repeat.

Hamstring Curls

These are the muscles which are located along the back of your thigh:

  • Lie down flat on your stomach.
  • Gradually bring your heels as close to your butt as you can and maintain that position.
  • Do three sets of 15.

In addition, you can also do this exercise standing while you hold onto a chair and then lift one leg at a time. If this becomes simple, you can add ankle weights, slowly increasing the weight from 500 g to 1 ½ kg to 2 ½ kg.

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A Guide To Exercise During Pregnancy. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-guide-to-exercise-during-pregnancy/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25452 Maintaining a frequent exercise routine during your pregnancy can assist you with remaining healthy and feeling your best. In addition, it can improve your posture as well as decrease some common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue. There is proof that it may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes which develops during pregnancy), relieve stress as well...

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Maintaining a frequent exercise routine during your pregnancy can assist you with remaining healthy and feeling your best. In addition, it can improve your posture as well as decrease some common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue. There is proof that it may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes which develops during pregnancy), relieve stress as well as build more stamina which is required for labour and delivery.

If you were physically active prior to you falling pregnant, you should have the ability to continue your activity with modifications as needed. You are able to exercise at your former level as long as you are comfortable and also have your doctor’s approval. Low impact aerobics are encouraged as opposed high impact. Do not let your heart rate go beyond 140 beats per minute. The pregnant competitive athlete should be followed closely by an obstetrical provider.

If you have never exercised frequently before, you are able to safely start an exercise programme during pregnancy after consulting with your health-care provider. Do not try a new, vigorous activity. Walking – as well as swimming – are considered safe to initiate when pregnant. Medical experts recommend 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise every day on most if not all days of the week, except if you have a medical or obstetric problem.

What Are The Advantages Of Exercise During Pregnancy?

Regular exercise when you’re pregnant benefits you – as well as your foetus – in these key ways:

  • Lowers back pain
  • Alleviates constipation
  • May lower your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia as well as caesarean delivery
  • Encourages healthy weight gain during pregnancy
  • Enhances your overall general fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels
  • Helps you to lose to the baby weight after your baby is born

Take safety measures with aerobic exercise during pregnancy if you have:

  • Severe anaemia
  • Unevaluated maternal cardiac arrhythmia
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
  • Extreme morbid obesity
  • Extreme underweight (BMI <12)
  • History of extremely sedentary lifestyle
  • Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy
  • Poorly controlled hypertension
  • Orthopaedic limitations
  • Poorly controlled seizure disorder
  • Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism
  • Heavy smoker

What Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Most exercises are safe to do when you’re pregnant. This is as long as you exercise with caution as well as you do not overdo it.

The safest and most useful exercises are swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling, step or elliptical machines in addition to low-impact aerobics (which is taught by a certified aerobics instructor). These exercises carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can also be continued until birth.

Tennis is generally safe activities, however changes in balance during pregnancy could affect rapid movements. Other activities such as jogging can be performed in moderation, particularly if you were doing them before you fell pregnant. You may want to choose exercises or activities which do not require great balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.

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Which Muscles Are Vital To Strengthen For Distance Running? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-muscles-are-vital-to-strengthen-for-distance-running/ Mon, 02 Aug 2021 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25386 Running is a fantastic cardio workout. However in order to make sure that you are getting the most of it, and preventing injury, you need to combine it with strength training and bodyweight workouts. Running, as with any physical activity, involves coordination among a group of muscles in order to push you forward. So isolating...

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Running is a fantastic cardio workout. However in order to make sure that you are getting the most of it, and preventing injury, you need to combine it with strength training and bodyweight workouts.

Running, as with any physical activity, involves coordination among a group of muscles in order to push you forward. So isolating out one of those muscles as the “most essential” risks oversimplifying the process. However, specific muscles do play a more vital role as opposed to others in running. And they could not be the ones that first pop into your mind.

Core

A strong core is the basis for running. Your core muscles are the ones which are keeping you upright as well as making sure that you maintain a very good posture during the run.

One of the absolute best exercises to strengthen your core, even if you’ve only recently started to run, is plank holds. For running, planks – that involve multiple muscle groups – work better than something like crunches.

Mountain climbers and advance plank holds are good exercises as well because these involve getting on your elbows and then coming into a push-up position. You can also do side planks.

Glutes

Running is responsible for engaging a group of muscles which is known as the posterior chain. The main driver of the posterior chain is the gluteus maximus, or your bum muscle. This muscle instigates hip extension, which is the basis of running. As well as the gluteus maximus, the gluteus minimus as well as medius also get into the action with the medius playing a very important role in stabilising the hips during running.

Many runners – as well as triathletes – suffer from weak or inactive glutes owing, in part, from the modern lifestyle which involves substantial amounts of sitting. All that time you spend sitting at a desk or in a car puts your glutes to sleep. This “sleepy glute” syndrome impacts your running and cycling negatively as the prime muscles which drive the posterior chain go missing.

Use the Donkey Kicks exercise in order to strengthen as well as activate your glutes:

  • Get on your hands and knees. Make sure that you maintain your back in a straight position, flat as well as still.
  • Squeeze the glutes in order to move one leg back and slightly to the side (like a donkey kicking). Note that the movement should be initiated from the glutes (butt), not the lower back.
  • If you feel the lower back working, begin with smaller movements until you are able to increase the range of extension. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

Leg Muscles

Hamstrings, quadriceps as well as calves take a lot of load while running. While the quads assist in straightening and extending your leg, the hamstrings assist in flexing the knee. Exercises such as squats – including variations like sumo squat, single-leg squat, weighted squat – will assist strengthen the leg muscles as well as the glutes.

It is often observed that runners’ hamstrings are weaker as opposed to their quads. One of the best exercises for this is hamstring curl on the exercise ball. The calves, meanwhile, help you push off from the ground. You can jump rope or do calf raises to strengthen your calves.

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How Dancing Improves Cholesterol And Fitness In Postmenopausal Women https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-dancing-improves-cholesterol-and-fitness-in-postmenopausal-women/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:34:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25373 Postmenopausal women are quite susceptible to weight gain, overall/central body adiposity increases, as well as metabolic disturbances, which together, increases cardiovascular risk in addition to a decrease in overall fitness levels. At the same time, postmenopausal women are frequently less physically active and as a result, often suffer from decreased self-image as well as self-esteem....

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Postmenopausal women are quite susceptible to weight gain, overall/central body adiposity increases, as well as metabolic disturbances, which together, increases cardiovascular risk in addition to a decrease in overall fitness levels.

At the same time, postmenopausal women are frequently less physically active and as a result, often suffer from decreased self-image as well as self-esteem.

A new study, which was designed to analyse the effects of dance practice on body composition, metabolic profile, functional fitness in addition to self-image/self-esteem, has found credible benefits of a three-times-weekly dance regimen. In addition, dance therapy was found to not only improve the lipid profile and functional fitness but also self-image in addition to self-esteem.

Dancing is also known to improve balance, postural control, gait, strength, and overall physical performance.

Other Exercises And Fitness Routines for Lowering Cholesterol

There are a lot of exercise programmes out there, and most types of fitness routines, ranging from walking to running to yoga, seem to have a positive impact when it comes to lowering triglyceride levels and raising HDL. Some great choices include these fitness routines.

Walking, Jogging, Or Running

Which one you decide to select will depend on your stamina as well as your joint health, however all are beneficial. A 2013 study likened tens of thousands of runners to an equal number of walkers and made the conclusion that the amount of exercise was what mattered, not the type. Individuals who exerted the same level of energy when exercising experienced similar benefits, whether they walked or ran. The researchers concluded that walking 4.3 miles at a brisk pace would use the same amount of energy as running three miles.

Biking

Cycling spends roughly the same energy as jogging however it’s easier on your joints. If you experience joint pain, it could be best to select cycling over running. Scientists reported – in the Journal of the American Heart Association – that people who cycled to work were less likely in order to develop high cholesterol as opposed to those who didn’t.

Swimming And Water Exercises

Water exercises – such as swimming, water walking as well as participating in water games – can also produce the same results in your cholesterol profile as other aerobic exercises and are very kind to your joints as well.

Weightlifting

Lifting weights or doing other resistance exercises – for instance using resistance bands or even your own body weight – is helpful on its own, and particularly as part of an exercise and fitness programme that includes aerobic exercise as well.7

Yoga

While yoga is usually a low-intensity exercise, studies have demonstrated that it may reduce the risk of heart disease and could positively affect cholesterol levels. A significant review in 2014 found that those who practised yoga regularly showed significant improvement in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol as well as blood pressure over those who didn’t exercise.

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The Best Exercises For Arthritis. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-exercises-for-arthritis-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:05:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25361 People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who exercise may find that they have less pain as opposed to those who do not. Exercise may reduce painful symptoms, improve joint function as well as flexibility, increase range of motion in addition to boosting mood. It is best to look for medical advice before starting any exercise programme....

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People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who exercise may find that they have less pain as opposed to those who do not. Exercise may reduce painful symptoms, improve joint function as well as flexibility, increase range of motion in addition to boosting mood.

It is best to look for medical advice before starting any exercise programme. Work with a doctor and a physical therapist to develop a tailored exercise plan. Exercise increases strength and flexibility, lowers joint pain, and assists with combating fatigue. Of course, when you are already suffering from stiff and painful joints, the mere thought of walking around the block or – alternatively – swimming a few laps may seem to be overwhelming.

However, you don’t need to run a 5-k marathon or swim as fast as an Olympic competitor in order to help reduce arthritis symptoms. Even moderate exercise may ease your pain and help you to maintain a healthy weight. When arthritis threatens to immobilise you, exercise keeps you moving.

Walking

Walking is an easy, low-impact aerobic exercise which nearly anyone can do irrespective of fitness level. Walking strengthens your bones as well as muscles, increases your range of motion and – in addition – shifts pressure and weight from joints and muscles in order to reduce pain from arthritis. Have a plan to walk for at least 150 minutes every single week so that you can benefit from reduced arthritis symptoms.

Swimming

For the gold standard in low-impact exercise, we suggest swimming or water aerobics. It’s joint- and cardio-friendly at the same time, plus has some other arthritis benefits. In a pool that’s between 23 to 29 degrees, swimming is a non-weight-bearing exercise that also gives you aerobic activity, plus the warmth of water helps with circulation as well. Improving circulation can also improve joint health, carrying important oxygen and nutrients to joint tissue.

Yoga

Yoga is another low-impact exercise which can help you to build strength, improve joint function, reduce joint inflammation as well as minimise arthritis-related pain. Find a qualified yoga instructor who will be able to show you a gentle, easy yoga routine for beginners that involves movements and asanas that protect your joints, while improving your strength and flexibility. Try not to do asanas that require you to balance on one foot or that bend joints to more than 90 degrees as these movements may worsen symptoms if you’re at a beginner’s fitness level.

Pilates

Pilates is a low-impact activity which can increase flexibility for improved joint health. It can be useful to do Pilates poses which activate the core muscles and emphasise movements that assist with stability. Pilates may be good for overall movement patterns, similar to tai chi and yoga.

People new to Pilates should begin slowly and seek guidance from a certified trainer if possible.

Strength Training

Strength training exercises – such as weightlifting, push-ups, and squats – help you strengthen bones and muscles to support joints, while also decreasing pain, stiffness as well as swelling. Work with an expert physical therapist or fitness personal trainer who can help you to develop a strength-training routine comprised of movements which are safe as well as ideal for your type of arthritis.

Prior to your workout session, warm up utilising gentle stretches in order to loosen your joints as well as lower the probability of damage that may worsen pain and swelling. In addition, try limiting strength training to times of the day when arthritis symptoms are minimal and you can exercise freely, without experiencing pain.

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Why Is Swimming Good For Your Brain? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-swimming-good-for-your-brain-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25345 We’ve long known that swimming is a super excellent cardiovascular exercise which strengthens your heart as well as circulatory system in far-reaching ways. Those benefits, it seems, may reach the top of your head.  Swimming works several different parts of your body. In addition, swimming is a good workout for your heart. What a lot...

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We’ve long known that swimming is a super excellent cardiovascular exercise which strengthens your heart as well as circulatory system in far-reaching ways. Those benefits, it seems, may reach the top of your head.  Swimming works several different parts of your body. In addition, swimming is a good workout for your heart. What a lot of individuals don’t actually realise is that swimming is actually good for your brain as well.

Swimming very often has been shown to improve brain function and repair damaged brain cells. A common phrase that is repeated among cardiologists as well as neurologists is, “What’s good for the body is good for the brain as well.” Right in step with this, it’s very clear that swimming is good for your heart in addition to your brain.

Brain benefits are both structural — assisting your brain repair damage to cells as well as grow new cells — as well as functional. Both of these elements contribute to a brain that functions more optimally.

Swimming Supports Good Mental Health

Your brain is where your cognition – as well as – emotions live. A healthy brain adds greatly to good mental health. Swimming can assist with supporting this pursuit by lowering anxiety as well as depression.

Swimming with a group is usually a social affair. Having and making friends with comparable interests may be a strong antidote to loneliness, which is a condition which the Health Resources and Services Administration calls an “epidemic”. Loneliness and social isolation could be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The problem is specifically pronounced among older adults.

However exercise, particularly when it’s performed in the context of a supportive peer group, can provide a necessary physical and mental boost which could alleviate loneliness as well as pay long-term health benefits.

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Swimming Supports Cognitive Function And Development

In addition, it’s been well documented (in at least one report which was released by researchers at Griffith University in Australia) that children who learn to swim younger reach cognitive developmental milestones quicker — by as much as 10 months in some cases. That’s no small feat and it underscores just how very important swimming could be to supporting good brain health.

Although adults don’t automatically have specific milestones in order to achieve quite like children do, we have the tendency of losing cognitive function as we age, however exercise could slow the rate at which these changes occur.

In accordance with research findings which were presented at the 2020 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, researchers at Columbia University made the finding that activities including walking, gardening, swimming as well as dancing could prevent brain shrinkage in older adults. Brain shrinkage is linked with reduced cognitive function, and adults who were more active had larger brain volumes as opposed to their sedentary peers.

Increasingly, science is demonstrating that cognitive decline is not an unavoidable aspect of getting older. Turns out, the folks who work the best at eating right, keeping a strong social network. Taking part in regular physical activity seem to fare best when it comes to cognitive performance — as well as possibly fending off dementia—later in life.

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How To Kickstart Your Day With Yoga? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-kickstart-your-day-with-yoga-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25342 You don’t need to be in a yoga studio with the temperature pumped up to 40 degrees or be surrounded by individual saying “ohm” in order to benefit from yoga. The ability of yoga to stretch – as well as centre you – can be the perfect way to greet the day. In addition, you...

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You don’t need to be in a yoga studio with the temperature pumped up to 40 degrees or be surrounded by individual saying “ohm” in order to benefit from yoga. The ability of yoga to stretch – as well as centre you – can be the perfect way to greet the day. In addition, you can do it just after you’ve hopped out of bed.

Yoga is very famous throughout the world for its advantages of holistic wellness. This thousand-year-old traditional science is brimming with wisdom as well as knowledge which takes care of your complete physical, mental in addition to spiritual health.

Without the requirement for any cumbersome tools or equipment, all it takes to practise yoga is your determination as well as will. Yoga – which builds discipline – can be done anywhere as well as at any time. However, the ideal time to practise yoga is early in the morning.

Supine Spinal Twist

This asana is a great transition to get out of bed. In addition, it helps to awaken your spine for the day.:

  • Roll out of your bed and then on to your yoga mat. Make sure that you bring your right knee in to your chest. Then extend your left leg flat on the floor.
  • Stretch your right arm out to your side, palm down.
  • Hook your right foot at the back of your left inner thigh and gradually guide your right knee towards the floor in the totally opposite direction.
  • Look to the right and allow your entire body to relax.
  • Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides.

Happy Baby

  • Lie on your back. Bend your knees and then hold onto the outside edges of your feet with your both of your hands.
  • Gently make use of your upper body strength to pull your knees towards the bed.
  • Stay like this for a total of five deep breaths, then release.

Eye of The Needle

An incredibly beneficial stretch for the hips, lower back as well as glutes, this asana also increases circulation to the legs and hips. In addition, it is known to relieve cramps and reduce stress.

  • From a lying position, bring your heels towards your glutes. Rest your left ankle onto your right thigh, allowing your left knee in order to drop open gently to the side.
  • Reach both of your hands around your right thigh, clasping them just below your knee.

Spinal Stretch

  • Sitting up cross-legged, press your sitting bones into the floor.
  • Lengthen your spine, reaching up with the crown of your head.
  • Put your left hand onto your right knee, inhale and then lengthen your spine.
  • Then exhale and twist to the right. Breathe, return to centre, switch sides, and repeat.

Bridge

This is a great change-up from the previous poses. The bridge pose is responsible for building strength in your core, legs as well as feet. In addition, it opens the hips and shoulders, it lengthens and strengthens the spine and energizes the body:

  • Lying on your back, bend your knees as well as place your feet flat on the floor hip distance apart. Make sure that you keep your knees over your ankles.
  • Slide your arms until they are at your sides. Shimmy your shoulders underneath your back and clasp your hands together.

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Exercises You Must Do In The Morning If You Wake Up Tired https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-you-must-do-in-the-morning-if-you-wake-up-tired/ Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25328 Does your morning exercise routine involve working your arms by smacking the snooze button for the third time? (No shame ― every so often you got to do what you got to do!) It may feel as if exercising at the beginning of the day is an impossible feat when you’re so tired. However, you...

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Does your morning exercise routine involve working your arms by smacking the snooze button for the third time? (No shame ― every so often you got to do what you got to do!)

It may feel as if exercising at the beginning of the day is an impossible feat when you’re so tired. However, you don’t need to spring out of bed and begin running a marathon in order to feel energised. Even a tiny little bit of physical activity will go a long way when it comes down to getting you going for the day.

Moving your body when you first wake up assists your circulation and also stimulates your lymphatic system. Exercise helps fluid move through your body and reduce inflammation. As a result, you feel more energised.

Why You Could Be Waking Up Tired

Sleep Inertia

Chances are good that if you wake up groggy you could be suffering from sleep inertia, which is a typical part of the waking process. Your brain frequently doesn’t instantly wake up after sleeping. It transitions gradually to a wakeful state. During this transition period, you could feel groggy or disoriented. If you aren’t careful, you will be able to easily fall back asleep.

Sleep inertia slows down your motor – as well as cognitive – skills, which is why it sometimes feels impossible to do anything correctly after you wake up. Sleep inertia may last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, though it usually improves inside 15 to 60 minutes.

Blue Light Exposure

Blue light is any artificial lighting which emits blue wavelengths, which aren’t automatically a bad thing. During daylight hours, they are able to boost alertness as well as mood. However, this isn’t the vibe that you’re going for when you’re heading off to bed.

Energy-efficient lighting – as well as electronic screens – have increased our exposure to blue light, particularly after sundown.

Blue light, more than other kinds of light, suppresses the secretion of melatonin which is a hormone that assists with regulating your body’s circadian rhythm, which is your sleep-wake cycle. This makes it far more challenging for you to get good-quality sleep, which can leave you feeling tired the next morning.

Exercises To Help With Tiredness

Downward Dog

Start your morning with a downward dog in order to get your blood flowing as well as increase alertness.

One of the motivations for you not wanting to drag yourself out of bed is as your body is very stiff from sleeping all night. This yoga asana is a fantastic way to kickstart blood flow and wake up.

  • Beginning on your hands and knees, stack your shoulders over your wrists and then spread your palms out quite wide.
  • Pressing through the palms of your hands, tuck your toes and then lift your knees, facing your hips up towards the ceiling as you press down through your heels.

In order to make this stretch more active, you are able to pedal out the feet while you press into the floor actively or bend and straighten both legs. Maintain the pose for 15 seconds and then repeat for between three and four rounds.

Hamstring Flossing

This dynamic stretch assists with loosening up your hamstrings and your lower back more efficiently as opposed to doing a static stretch, which could cause muscle spasms if your body isn’t properly warmed up.

To do this move:

  • Begin by lying on your back, on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat.
  • Gently grab behind one of your thighs and straighten and bend the knee repeatedly (just make sure not to overextend your knee).
  • This back-and-forth flossing motion will give your hamstring a stretch-and-release sensation.
  • Perform 10 reps on each of your sides for two to three rounds.

 Wake-Up Bounce

Don’t underestimate the cardio and energy power of a little dancing.

This is our go-to morning move which really wakes us up. Choose a song which is roughly three to five minutes and spend the duration of the song bouncing through the balls of your feet. You’ll start to increase blood flow ― not to mention sneak in a quick calf workout ― and may find that after the song ends your mood has improved, too.”

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to become a master at exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information

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How to Do Air Squats Properly? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-air-squats-properly-find-out-in-this-article/ Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25333 Air squats, which is also known as bodyweight squats, are commonly made use of in training programmes such as CrossFit and workout routines. They are only done making use of your own body weight, while regular squats may make use of additional weights instead. You should feel the squat in your thighs as well as...

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Air squats, which is also known as bodyweight squats, are commonly made use of in training programmes such as CrossFit and workout routines. They are only done making use of your own body weight, while regular squats may make use of additional weights instead. You should feel the squat in your thighs as well as in your glutes.

Watch Your Form

Before performing air squats, be sure to stretch and also warm up:

  • Stand up tall with your feet aligned shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly outwards.
  • Engage your core muscles and pull shoulder blades together slightly in order to push out your chest.
  • Squat back as if you are about to sit down in a chair. Make sure that you keep your weight in your heels so you don’t lean forward. Your hips should move down and back.
  • Ensure your lower back curve is maintained. Keep your heels flat on the floor during the entire exercise. Your hips will descend lower than your knees. (The eventual goal is for you to touch your glutes onto the backs of your calves.)
  • Make sure that you hold for a few seconds and then rise up by pushing through heels and utilising glutes to return up to a standing position.

Pay close attention to maintaining correct form, even if that means you need to move slowly. When doing an air squat, you’ll want to remember these tips:

  • Your knees should never go out past your toes.
  • Angle your toes slightly outwards (while still keeping them mostly straight) to prevent knee pain.
  • Your back should not be rounded.
  • Don’t drop your shoulders forward. Your upper body needs to stay still, and only your lower body need to move.
  • Keep your eyes fixed on a point that is directly in front of you in order to keep your chest lifted.
  • Make sure that you keep all your weight in your heels in order to keep yourself from pitching forward.

Watch Out For These Points

When you do air squats, you need to feel the move in your thighs and glutes. If you’re feeling pain somewhere else that means you need in order to correct your form. If air squats trigger pain in your knees, that means you’re either going too low or not using correct form. It could mean you’re putting more weight towards your toes than your heels. If you are suffering from niggling lower back pain during or after doing air squats, that could mean you’re leaning your chest forwards too much. Avoid leaning forward when doing this move.

Air Squats Are Most Effective When Integrated Into A Full Workout Routine

In order to mix cardio and full-body strength training include four rounds of:

  • Running 200 metres
  • 25 push-ups
  • 25 sit-ups
  • 25 air squats

Some individuals perform squat challenges as a way of building strength and endurance. One 30-day squat challenge, for example, incorporates air squats with other variations, like sumo squats and jump squats. Rest days are included.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about other forms of exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Pilates. Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-pilates-learn-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 28 Jul 2021 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25294 Pilates is an astounding form of exercise that can help to improve core strength, stability and overall fitness. Regular Pilates can improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension. However, if you’ve never tried it before, there are some basic principles related to the discipline that you need...

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Pilates is an astounding form of exercise that can help to improve core strength, stability and overall fitness. Regular Pilates can improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension.

However, if you’ve never tried it before, there are some basic principles related to the discipline that you need to get your head around.

With the rise of online workouts and YouTube tutorials, it is more important than ever that you learn the basic rules before throwing yourself in – or you could develop bad habits, or even risk injury.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a workout which allows the practitioner in order to develop stability as well as control. Mainly, strengthening the core is the only purpose of this practice however, all the movements which are done in Pilates are dedicated to training the body as well as giving the body the opportunity to move with grace, efficiency as well as ease.

These qualities, or Pilates principles as they are termed, are applied in every Pilates exercise. It is very important to know that this practice focuses on developing all muscles evenly by use of different movements.

It has the intention of targeting the weaker part of the body so that muscle can be built up. While it doesn’t make use of any weights, it includes many repetitions of each movement in order to strengthen the core as well as allow you to build up precision in your movements.

In addition, the technique focuses on quality over quantity. Rather than having the user repeat the same thing over and over again, Pilates focuses chiefly on doing the movements properly so that the exercise may strengthen the core. The idea is that by doing each exercise with precision and focusing on the breath you are able to achieve notorious results in a smaller period of time.

What Are The Principles Of Pilates?

Concentration

This highlights that during Pilates you need to focus on your entire body in order to ensure smooth movements.  This is difficult. In Pilates, exercise technique – as well as how exercises are performed – is, in many respects, more important as opposed to the exercises themselves.

Control

Every exercise in Pilates must be performed with control.  Essentially, it’s about you being in control of your body.

Centering

To effectively control your body you need to have a starting place and that place is your centre.  You’ll frequently hear this called the ‘powerhouse’ which is a term that means your centre and includes the abs, upper and lower back, hips, glutes and inner thighs.  All movement in Pilates should start from your center, your powerhouse and flow out to the limbs.

Flow

Exercises within Pilates are meant to flow into each other in order to help build strength and stamina.  The usage of appropriate transitions and economy of movement is highly prized and is one of the main things which differentiates novice and advanced practitioners.

Precision

Pilates is not about doing a lot of repetitions poorly or with poor technique. Instead Pilates seeks for precise and perfect movement.  With frequent Pilates and expert instruction this precision will ultimately become second nature as well as carry over into everyday life.  An expert Pilates instructor may tell a lot about a person by just watching them walk.

Breathing

Usually in Pilates you focus on breathing out with effort and in on the return.  Coordinating breathing with movement is a very important part of Pilates and good instructors will frequently remind you when to breathe in as well as when to breathe out. Like everything in it, you should concentrate on each breathe and feel the engagement of your powerhouse.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover how to become a master Pilates instructor then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Click on this link to find out more and to register.

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How To Set And Keep Boundaries As A Personal Trainer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-set-and-keep-boundaries-as-a-personal-trainer/ Tue, 27 Jul 2021 14:52:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25306 Setting professional boundaries is a major key to managing a successful professional personal training business. Being a professional fitness coach is a challenging job. It’s not straightforward nor is there much “downtime” on any given day. It takes a great amount of energy, time, and effort to thoughtfully engage with different personalities every day, as...

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Setting professional boundaries is a major key to managing a successful professional personal training business. Being a professional fitness coach is a challenging job. It’s not straightforward nor is there much “downtime” on any given day.

It takes a great amount of energy, time, and effort to thoughtfully engage with different personalities every day, as well as manage a professional fitness coach business and your clients’ expectations and progress. In short, it’s a lot.

As a result, personal trainers can find themselves overwhelmed and burnt out early on in their careers. The good news: there’s a reasonable solution to help all fitness professionals — new and seasoned — avoid early career burnout and fatigue. The key is setting clear and specific boundaries for your clients and yourself.

Should A Personal Trainer Touch Clients?

A personal trainer should ask before touching a client. They should explain what part of the client’s body they’re going to touch and what it is that they are demonstrating. It’s very important that boundaries with personal trainers are drawn.

Here’s how a professional fitness coach should set boundaries with their clients.

Consent

Consent (which is also referred to as permission) is essential before touching a client. Perceived inappropriate or unwelcome touching of clients is particularly worrying in legal terms. Remember that this isn’t how you judge the situation, but rather how your client does.

Don’t Assume

Ask your clients questions both during your informational and screening interviews, in addition to during your training sessions:

  • “Would you like me to spot you by touching or pulling the bar”?
  • “Is it OK if I show you on your calf where you need to be feeling the stretch?”
  • “Would you object if I put your shoulders in the right position for this exercise?”

Don’t assume that consent which is given once is for always. Ask your clients every time that you think it is needed to touch them during your training sessions. Some personal training clients will agree to allowing you to touch them, while others could ask you not to. Respect your client’s wishes and know that they do not have to agree to you touching them. It is your job as a professional personal trainer to find an alternative if they don’t agree.

How Long Does It Take To Get In Shape With A Personal Trainer?

If your client is out of shape or, alternatively, hasn’t not worked out for 10 years — or ever — it will usually take about two months of working out most days of the week to get to a moderate level of fitness.

And if the client exercises often, over time they will reap even more fitness benefits.

At the six-to-eight-week mark, you can certainly notice some changes in your personal training client and in three to four months one can do a pretty good overhaul of the client’s health and fitness.

Strength-specific results take approximately the same amount of time. For a personal training client who is already in good cardio shape but just would like to learn how to lift weights in a safe manner, three months is often a reasonable time frame.

So, how long will it be until your client is sporting a “ripped body”?

If your personal training client is consistent about working out with you and dieting properly for a full year – and they weren’t considerably overweight to begin with – then after one year you can expect to see them sporting a lean, muscular physique, with that coveted visible six pack.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to be outfitted with the skills needed for success as a trainer, why not consider enrolling in a fully accredited course through Trifocus Fitness Academy. Contact us today or visit our website for additional information on our courses.

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How To Do Mountain Climbers? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-mountain-climbers-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25257 Climbing a mountain would be an intimidating workout to most, however what if the mountain is the floor? That’s the idea behind mountain climbers. Done from a plank position, you’ll swap bringing one of your knees to your chest, then back out again, speeding up each time till you’re “running” against the floor. While it...

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Climbing a mountain would be an intimidating workout to most, however what if the mountain is the floor? That’s the idea behind mountain climbers. Done from a plank position, you’ll swap bringing one of your knees to your chest, then back out again, speeding up each time till you’re “running” against the floor.

While it sounds to be quite simple, mountain climbers are responsible for exercising almost the entire body and also raise your heart rate. You can easily include mountain climbers to your morning workout at home or the gym, in a hotel room while you’re travelling, or even squeeze in a few in your break room at work. The basic move is great for beginners, however more experienced exercisers can take things up a notch with variations.

The Benefits Of Mountain Climbers

The mountain climbers exercise is an explosive bodyweight exercise which engages multiple muscle groups at once so helping to improve your balance, agility, coordination, strength, flexibility as well as blood circulation. As a compound exercise which utilises multiple muscle groups in your whole body, mountain climbers are an efficient way of strengthening your arms, back, shoulders, core in addition to your legs.

Another benefit of utilising multiple muscles at once is an increased heart rate, which will assist you to burn more calories. This makes this a fantastic exercise if your goal is to get more definition in your abdominal region.

Mountain climbers can also improve your reflex speed, joint movement and overall stability. The great news is that it is not necessary for you to trek to your nearest mountain to give this exercise a go!

How To Do Mountain Climbers

  • Start in a plank position. Have your shoulders placed directly over your hands and wrists. Make sure that you keep your back flat and your glutes down, ensuring that you maintain a neutral spine.
  • Engage your core (think about you pulling your belly button toward your spine) and then lift up your right knee as you bring it towards your elbow. It’s OK if you can’t bring your knee all the way to your elbow. Take your right knee back to your starting position as you simultaneously drive your left knee up toward your left elbow. Return to your starting position.
  • Continue switching legs and start to pick up your speed until it feels as if you’re “running” in place in a traditional plank position.
  • Keep On “running” in your plank for 30 seconds. Repeat for a total of four sets.

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Up for a Challenge?

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you should challenge yourself with a more advanced variant.

Foot-Switch Mountain Climbers

This variant is more of a footswitch as opposed to a run. It has more impact and the potential in order to get your heart rate up:

  • Begin from a plank position.
  • As you bring your right knee in and then touch your big toe to the floor.
  • Jump-switch your feet, making sure that you take your right foot back and then your left foot forward at the same time.
  • Repeat for your required number of reps or time period.

Sliding Mountain Climbers

If you have a gliding disc or – alternatively – a towel, as well as hardwood floor, try utilising them to change up the fundamental move:

  • Put your disc or towel on the floor and then position your foot on it as you assume a plank position.
  • Slowly start to complete a basic rep, using your other non-sliding leg and your upper body to stabilise yourself.
  • As you quicken the move, you’ll feel this variation working your quads more than the basic mountain climbers version.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn additional information about exercises, as well as how to teach people how to properly exercise, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Exercises To Build Stronger Bones. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/exercises-to-build-stronger-bones/ Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25242 Very important at every age for healthy bones, exercise is important for treating as well as preventing osteoporosis. Not only can exercise enhance your bone health, in addition it can increase muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and lead to better complete health. As with muscle, bone is living tissue which responds to exercise through becoming...

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Very important at every age for healthy bones, exercise is important for treating as well as preventing osteoporosis. Not only can exercise enhance your bone health, in addition it can increase muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and lead to better complete health.

As with muscle, bone is living tissue which responds to exercise through becoming stronger. Young women and men who regularly exercise generally achieve greater peak bone mass (maximum bone density and strength) as opposed to those who do not.

For most individuals, bone mass peaks during the third decade of life. After that time, we can start to lose bone. Women and men older than the age 20 can help prevent bone loss with regular exercise. Also, exercising can help us to maintain muscle strength, coordination as well as balance, which in turn assists to prevent falls and related fractures. This is particularly important for older adults and people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Exercises Which Build Healthy Bones

While most kinds of exercise are good for you, not all kinds are good for healthy bones. For instance, weight-bearing exercises may build healthy bone. These exercises include challenging your muscle strength against gravity as well as putting pressure on your bones. So, your bones will signal your body to produce additional tissue in order to build stronger bones. Exercises – for instance walking or swimming – may be beneficial to your lung and heart health but won’t certainly help you strengthen your bones.

With strength training, you make use of weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight in order to strengthen your muscles. This is important as strong muscles – especially those near your spine – can assist with protecting your bones. However, strength training also puts pressure on your bones. This assists with building and maintaining bone mass.

It’s a very good idea to ask a physical therapist or certified personal trainer to assist you to create a strength training workout that’s safe as well as tailored to your needs. If you don’t want to go into a gym or physical therapy office, some fitness experts may be able to help you through video calls.

Foot Stomps

The goal for exercise to lessen the effects of osteoporosis is to challenge the key areas of your body which osteoporosis most commonly affects, such as your hips. One of the ways that you can challenge your hip bones is by foot stomps:

  • While standing, stomp your foot, imagining that you are crushing an imaginary can underneath it.
  • Repeat four times on one of your feet and then repeat the exercise on your other foot.
  • Hold on to a railing or solid piece of furniture if you have difficulty keeping your balance.

Bicep Curls

You are able to perform bicep curls with either dumbbells weighing between ½ a kilo to 2 kilos or a resistance band. These can be done when you’re sitting or standing, depending on what you’re most comfortable with:

  • Take hold of a dumbbell in each one of your hands or step on a resistance band while you’re holding an end in each of your hands.
  • Pull the bands or weights in towards your chest and watch the bicep muscles on the fronts of your upper arms contract.
  • Lower your arms in order to return to your starting position.
  • Repeat between eight and 12 times. Rest and then repeat the exercise for a second set, if possible.

Shoulder Lifts

In addition, you’ll require weights or a resistance band in order to perform shoulder lifts. You are able to do this exercise from either a standing or seated position:

  • Take a dumbbell in each of your hands. Alternatively, step on a resistance band while holding an end in each of your hands.
  • Begin with your arms down and hands down at your sides.
  • Gradually raise your arms out straight in front of you, however, don’t lock your elbow.
  • Lift to a relaxed height, but no higher than your shoulder level.
  • Repeat between eight and 12 times. Rest for a number of seconds and then repeat for a second set, if you are able to.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about exercises? If you do, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Pilates For Men. Find out more in today’s article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-for-men-find-out-more-in-todays-article/ Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25250 Pilates is a popular workout method that involves a variety of exercises that are designed to develop functional strength as well as flexibility in tandem. In modern fitness, Pilates as a methodology focuses heavily on improving core strength, flexibility, posture in addition to balance. If you think that Pilates is only for gorgeous women with...

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Pilates is a popular workout method that involves a variety of exercises that are designed to develop functional strength as well as flexibility in tandem. In modern fitness, Pilates as a methodology focuses heavily on improving core strength, flexibility, posture in addition to balance.

If you think that Pilates is only for gorgeous women with ballerinas’ bodies, you’re probably not alone. However you — and everyone else who buys into that limited line of thinking — are wrong. Notwithstanding this common misconception, Pilates can be a great workout for everyone – both men and women.

The practice includes all the elements of healthy physical movement: breath, posture, strength, balance, coordination as well as flexibility. Men need to be able to move, as well, so beards and chest hair are just as welcomed and encouraged in the studio as yoga pants are.

Pilates Builds Strength And Uniform Development

Many men spend hours every single week lifting weights, building-up the bigger muscle groups. Unfortunately, they neglect other important muscles which are essential for overall strength. Pilates builds strength in every single part of the body.  In fact, many men find Pilates quite difficult when they first begin. They’re surprised at how little flexibility that they have.

Pilates Increases Flexibility

These days many of us are living an inactive life. We don’t move sufficiently and that has a serious impact on our health as well as longevity. Without flexibility we feel stiff and sore. And no amount of pumping iron will assist. In fact, it may make a stiff spine as well as a stiff neck even worse.

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Pilates Helps To Prevent And Repair Injuries

Back pain, in particular pain in the lower back, is a problem for everyone out there. It’s often owing to jobs which include sitting for hours at a time. Men are also susceptible to having knee and hip problems as they get older. If they’ve been engaged in any sport, they’re sure to have wear and tear problems that need help.

Pilates helps strengthen your body’s structure and support weaknesses that may have developed over years of neglect. Through resistance exercises, it strengthens bones and builds muscles to prevent further injury.

How Popular Is Pilates With Men?

Pilates, in general, is becoming increasingly popular with men. This involves athletes, fitness enthusiasts as well as working professionals who are hoping to counteract the effect of static positions, for example extended periods of sitting.

As Pilates at first grew in popularity, it was mostly marketed to women and associated with dancers only. Now, men are realising this is far from the truth. As professional athletes across many sporting disciplines add Pilates into their practice those stereotypes have fallen by the wayside. In addition, many individuals (not just men) have come to realise the versatility of Pilates.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to get the full benefit of Pilates, you should really consider doing our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Maximise Your Metabolism? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-to-maximise-your-metabolism/ Thu, 22 Jul 2021 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25228 Metabolism is a term which explains all the chemical reactions in your body. These kinds of chemical reactions keep your body alive and working. However, the word metabolism is often made use of interchangeably with metabolic rate, or the number of calories that you burn. The higher it is, the more calories which you burn...

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Metabolism is a term which explains all the chemical reactions in your body. These kinds of chemical reactions keep your body alive and working. However, the word metabolism is often made use of interchangeably with metabolic rate, or the number of calories that you burn. The higher it is, the more calories which you burn and the simpler it is to lose weight and also keep it off. Having a high metabolism could also give you energy and make you feel better.

Enhancing metabolism is without a doubt the holy grail of weight watchers everywhere, however how fast your body burns calories is dependent on a number of different things. Some individuals get a speedy metabolism. Men have the tendency to burn far more calories as opposed to women, even while resting. And for most individuals, metabolism slows steadily after the age of 40. While you aren’t able to control your age, gender, or genetics, there are other ways to improve your metabolism. Here are 10 of them.

Eat At Regular Times

Eating at regular times may help someone to increase their metabolism. The body depend on balance as well as regularity. Eating at consistent times may help to maintain metabolic balance.

Otherwise, if an individual eats a lot of food, then goes for long periods without eating, the body may burn calories more slowly as well as store more fat cells.

Through eating at routine times, a person may reduce this tendency. Ideally, a person should eat a number of small meals or snacks about 3 or 4 hours apart.

Consume A Lot Of Protein At Every Meal

Eating food could increase your metabolism for a limited number of hours. This is termed the ‘thermic effect of food; (TEF). It’s triggered by the extra calories needed to digest, absorb and process the nutrients in your meal.

Protein causes the largest rise in TEF. It raises your metabolic rate by between 15 and 30%, compared to between 5 and 10% for carbs as well as between 0 and 3% for fats. In addition, eating protein has been shown to help you feel fuller and also prevent you from overeating. One small research study found that people were likely to eat around 441 fewer calories per day when protein constituted 30% of their diet.

In addition, eating more protein can reduce the drop in metabolism that is frequently associated with losing fat. This is as it lowers muscle loss, which is a usual side effect of dieting.

Build Muscle

Your body continuously burns calories, even when you’re not doing anything. This resting metabolic rate is far higher in individuals with more muscle. Every 45 grams of muscle uses about 6 calories a day just in order to sustain itself, while each 45 grams of fat burns only 2 calories daily. That small difference could add up over time. After a session of strength training, your muscles are activated all over your body, raising your average daily metabolic rate.

Drink More Cold Water

Individuals who drink water as opposed to sugary drinks are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off. This is because sugary drinks have calories, so switching them with water automatically lowers your calorie intake.

However, drinking water may also briefly speed up your metabolism. Studies have demonstrated that drinking 0.5 litres of water boosts resting metabolism by between 10 and 30% for about an hour. This calorie-burning effect may possibly be even greater if you drink cold water, as your body uses energy in order to heat it up to body temperature.

In addition, water can help to fill you up. Studies demonstrate that drinking water a half an hour before you eat may assist you to eat less. One study of overweight adults made the finding that those who drank half a litre of water before their meals lost 44% more weight as opposed to those who didn’t.

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Why Weightlifting May Be Key To Avoiding Obesity https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-weightlifting-may-be-key-to-avoiding-obesity/ Wed, 21 Jul 2021 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25219 Obesity results from energy discrepancy: too many calories in, too few calories burned. A number of factors have an influence on how many calories (or how much “energy”) people burn each and every single day, among them, age, body size as well as genes. However the most variable factor – and the most easily adapted...

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Obesity results from energy discrepancy: too many calories in, too few calories burned. A number of factors have an influence on how many calories (or how much “energy”) people burn each and every single day, among them, age, body size as well as genes. However the most variable factor – and the most easily adapted – is the amount of activity which people get each day.

Remaining active can help people stay at a healthy weight or lose the weight that they want to. It can also decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis in addition to certain cancers, as well as reduce stress and increase mood. Inactive (or, in other words sedentary) lifestyles do just the opposite.

In spite of all the health benefits of physical activity, individuals worldwide are doing less exercise – at work, at home, and as they travel from place to place. All over the world, about one in three people gets little, if any, exercise. Physical activity levels are declining not just in wealthy countries, such as the U.S., however also in low- as well as middle-income countries, such as China. As well as it’s clear that this decline in physical activity is a very significant contributor to the worldwide obesity epidemic, and in turn, to blossoming rates of chronic disease everywhere.

Lifting Weights A Few Times A Week May Help Us Stave Off Obesity

This is according to an interesting new study of resistance training and body fat. It shows that individuals who complete muscle-strengthening exercises – of any kind – regularly are about 20 to 30% less expected to become obese over time as opposed to people who do not, if they also work out aerobically or not.

The findings show that weight training could be more important for weight control than a lot of us may expect, and a little lifting now may keep us lighter, later. Ireland has one of the highest ratio of obesity in Europe, with 60% of adults and more than one in five children and young people living with overweight and obesity.

The most successful way to deal with obesity is perhaps to prevent it. In addition, regular exercise may help in that regard. Many studies demonstrate that people who walk, jog, cycle, swim or otherwise work out aerobically often tend to gain less weight with age as opposed to sedentary people and are at lower risk of becoming obese.

RDA Of Physical Activity

Being moderately active for no less than 30 minutes a day on most days of the week may assist to lower the risk of chronic disease. However to stay at a healthy weight, or to lose weight, most individuals will require more physical activity-at least an hour a day in order to counteract the effects of increasingly sedentary lifestyles, as well as the powerful societal influences which encourage overeating.

Keep in mind that remaining active is not just an individual choice: The so-called “built environment” – buildings, neighbourhoods, transportation systems, and other human-made elements of the landscape – influences how active people are.

Individuals are more prone to be active, for instance, if they live near parks or playgrounds, in neighbourhoods with sidewalks or bike paths, or sufficiently close to work, school, or shopping to safely travel by bike or on foot. Individuals are less likely to be active if they live in sprawling suburbs which are designed for driving or in neighbourhoods without recreation opportunities.

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Breathing Exercises To Relieve Anxiety https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/breathing-exercises-to-relieve-anxiety/ Tue, 20 Jul 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25196 Breathing is a necessity of life which often takes place without much thought. When you breathe air in, blood cells receive oxygen and then release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product which is carried back through your body and is then exhaled. Improper breathing may upset the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. In...

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Breathing is a necessity of life which often takes place without much thought. When you breathe air in, blood cells receive oxygen and then release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product which is carried back through your body and is then exhaled. Improper breathing may upset the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. In addition, not breathing properly can contribute to anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue as well as other physical and emotional disturbances.

Have you ever observed how you are breathing when you are feeling relaxed? The next time that you are feeling relaxed, take a moment in order to notice how your body feels. Imagine how you would be breathing when you first wake up in the morning or just before you fall asleep at night. Breathing exercises can assist you to relax as they make your body feel like it does when you are relaxed already.

Breathing deeply is one of the utter best ways in order to lower stress in the body. This is because when you deeply breathe, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and then relax. Then your brain communicates this message to your body. Those things which happen when you are stressed – such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure – all lower as you breathe intensely to relax.

The Way You Breathe Has An Effect On Your Whole Body

Breathing exercises are an absolute fantastic way to relax, reduce tension as well as relieve stress. Breathing exercises are straightforward to learn. You are able to do them whenever you want, and you don’t require any special tools or equipment to do them. You are able to do different exercises to see which work best for you.

You will get the most advantage if you do it often, as part of your daily routine. You are able to do it standing up, sitting in a chair that supports your back, or even lying on a bed or yoga mat on the floor.

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How To Do The Breathing Exercise

Make sure that you are as calm and clear headed as reasonably possible. If you can, loosen any clothes which restrict your breathing. If you’re lying down, put your arms a little bit away from your sides, with your palms up. Allow your legs to be straight. Alternatively, bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor:

  • If you’re sitting, put your arms on the chair arms.
  • If you’re sitting or standing, put both feet flat on the ground.

Whatever position you’re in, put your feet roughly hip-width apart.

Allow your breath to flow as deep down into your belly as is comfortable, without pushing it. Attempt breathing in through your nose and then out through your mouth.

Breathe in gently as well as regularly. Some people find it useful to count steadily from one to five. You might not be able to reach 5 when you first do it. Then, without stopping or holding your breath, let it flow out gently, again counting from 1 to 5, if you find this useful.

Keep doing this for between three and five minutes.

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How To Begin With Strength Training For The Youth https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-begin-with-strength-training-for-the-youth/ Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:05:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25139 When strength training — either using free weights or on a machine — make sure that there’s always someone which is nearby to supervise. Having a spotter nearby is especially important when making use of free weights. Even someone in great shape just sometimes can’t do that last rep. It’s no big deal if you’re...

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When strength training — either using free weights or on a machine — make sure that there’s always someone which is nearby to supervise.

Having a spotter nearby is especially important when making use of free weights. Even someone in great shape just sometimes can’t do that last rep. It’s no big deal if you’re just doing biceps curls; all you’ll have to do is just drop the weight onto the floor.

However, if you’re right in the midst of a bench press — a chest exercise where you’re lying on a bench and then pushing a weighted barbell away from your chest — it’s simple to get hurt if you drop the weight. A spotter may keep you from dropping the barbell onto your chest.

Youth strength training is a massive topic of interest for a lot of researchers, clinicians, practitioners as well as coaches. When to begin, how much is sufficient or too much, and what to prescribe is constantly debated as well as put under scrutiny.

However, at the moment, a compelling body of scientific evidence supports participation in properly designed youth resistance training programmes which are supervised and instructed by qualified fitness professionals. Furthermore, the benefits of strength training starting at younger ages may eventually have long-term implications for a person’s healthy lifestyle and future sports participation.

Is Strength Training Safe?

Strength-training programmes are usually safe. When done correctly, strength training won’t damage growing bones. Children and teens with a number of medical conditions — such as unrestrained high blood pressure, seizures or – alternatively – heart problems — will need to be cleared by their doctors before beginning a strength-training programme.

When you’re in the midst of a strength-training session and something which doesn’t feel right to you, you feel some sort of pain, or if you hear or sense a ‘pop’ during a workout, stop what you’re doing immediately. Have a medical practitioner check you out before you go back to strength training. You may need to alter your training or even stop lifting weights for a while to allow the injury to heal.

Many individuals tend to lump all types of weightlifting together. However, there’s a massive difference between strength training, powerlifting as well as bodybuilding. Powerlifting concentrates on how much weight an individuals can lift at one time. The goal of competitive bodybuilding is to establish muscle size as well as definition.

Powerlifting, maximal lifts, as well as bodybuilding, are not recommended for teens who are still maturing. That’s as these types of activity increase the chance for injuries.

Strength Training And Athletic Performance

The progress of athletic performance in youth athletes is a complicated task, and to achieve high levels of athleticism necessitates a robust long-term plan. Sports participation alone, in a number of cases, does not offer the sufficient stimulus in order to achieve this. Resistance training in all types (e.g. strength, power or speed training) can assist to attenuate these issues through protecting against injuries and positively affecting youth athlete’s physical literacy, so, diminishing the impact of low physical activity as well as early sport specialisation among the youth.

Stronger young athletes will be better equipped to learn complex movements, master sport tactics, and sustain the requirements of training and competition resistance training prescription needs to be based on a suitable progression according to training age, motor skill, technical proficiency as well as existing strength levels. Another factor which you need to consider is the biological age and psychosocial maturity level of the child or adolescent.

A high-level of muscular strength adds to enhancing performance ability in young athletes. Moreover, it is also very important to build a good base of fundamental movements during childhood as well as adolescence as this will help the youths develop more efficient motor skills whilst simultaneously reducing their risk of injury due to improved body control and/or technique.

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What Is The Role of Massage in Sports Performance and Rehabilitation? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-role-of-massage-in-sports-performance-and-rehabilitation/ Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25132 Getting harmed is each competitor’s most exceedingly awful dread. Wounds weaken execution, defer preparing and moulding plans during recovery, are absurd to treat, and, in particular, injuries hurt. Managing agony and restricted versatility after a physical issue are debilitating, baffling, and worth the actions essential to stay away from a physical problem from occurring. Furthermore,...

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Getting harmed is each competitor’s most exceedingly awful dread. Wounds weaken execution, defer preparing and moulding plans during recovery, are absurd to treat, and, in particular, injuries hurt.

Managing agony and restricted versatility after a physical issue are debilitating, baffling, and worth the actions essential to stay away from a physical problem from occurring. Furthermore, after some time, wounds negatively affect the body.

More often than not, harmed tissue recuperates; however, when muscles are consistently burdened to their maximum through superior sports, the chances increment that a physical issue, particularly a common one, will bring about a lasting condition.

Athletes train hard in order to achieve their greatest possible performance in their selected sport. However, rigorous training may lead to muscle tension, joint stress as well as injury. This affects training and conditioning schedules, and eventually performance.

Dependent on the seriousness of the injury, it may necessitate a few months of rest to heal the damaged body part. Combining professional sports massage therapy into your regime assists with improving performance, conditioning, and lowering the risk of injury. In addition, it can promote healing, relieve chronic pain, reduce muscle inflammation as well as improve range of motion.

What Are The Benefits Of Sports Massage?

Many advantages from sports massage have been demonstrated based on experience as well as observation. Some are advantageous to the mind (psychological) and some are advantageous to the body (physiological).

Some of the related benefits of sports massage include the following:

  • Increased joint range of motion (ROM),
  • Increased flexibility,
  • Increased sense of well-being,
  • Decreased muscle tension,
  • Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed),
  • Decreased muscle spasms, and
  • Improved sleep.

Alleged benefits that are not supported by research include the following:

  • Increased blood flow,
  • Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid),
  • Decreased chance of injury, and
  • Decreased recovery time between workouts.

You may not actually realise it; however massage affects the cardiovascular system.  It dilates blood vessels, which assists them to work more efficiently in order to promote circulation.  The manual assistance of fostering venous blood flow back to the heart improves blood flow, which delivers fresh oxygen as well as nutrients to the tissue and encourages the removal of waste products and toxins.  Thanks to the relaxed state which you’re in during and after the massage, your heart rate is lowered.

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More known and expected are the advantages of massage for the muscular system.  One of them directly relates to the cardiovascular benefits.  The increased and enhanced blood circulation assists with:

  • Relieving muscle tension,
  • Reducing soreness, and
  • Making for a faster recovery.

Then the relaxed muscles are able to experience “an increase in range of motion as well as flexibility,” as explained in a study in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.  Those benefits are able to lead to better athletic performance. In short, massage can assist with pain relief, build muscles and encourage their recovery as well.  Not only does massage feel good on the muscle tissues, but it actually is also good for them.

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Asanas To Do In Prenatal Yoga. Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/asanas-to-do-in-prenatal-yoga-find-out-in-this-article/ Thu, 15 Jul 2021 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25120 It’s important, both for your health as well as that of your baby, to stay active during your pregnancy. If you manage at least three hours of activity weekly, or 30 minutes per day, as a minimum bar, you will be able to weather the pregnancy and delivery much easier. In addition, it will also...

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It’s important, both for your health as well as that of your baby, to stay active during your pregnancy. If you manage at least three hours of activity weekly, or 30 minutes per day, as a minimum bar, you will be able to weather the pregnancy and delivery much easier. In addition, it will also be a quicker bounce back into shape after you give birth.

Yoga is a particularly great activity for pregnant moms, whether you practise it occasionally or even go on a full yoga retreat. It doesn’t just assist you physically, it can also assist you relax and quiet down any anxiety you could be feeling. Prenatal yoga is a very common exercise with expectant moms, precisely because it seems to be tailored to make your body more comfortable.

Yoga, in particular, can be awesome as it’s a perfect combination of stretching as well as strengthening. Yoga does two things whilst you’re pregnant: It’s a physical format of exercise which is also going to bring some mindfulness and understanding into how your body is changing on a daily level.

Easy Pose

Benefits

Easy Pose is a very gentle opener for your hips and also invites a sense of ease. The pose brings with it a feeling of peace as well as tranquillity.

Instruction

  • Start seated and cross your legs in the way which is most comfortable for you with your right or left leg in front.
  • Sit up straight and then feel length in your side body (waist).
  • Lengthen your neck and then allow your shoulders to move easily down as well as away from your ears by lowering the trapezius muscles.

Adjustments

Easy Pose can be done with your back flat against a wall if you are feeling very tired. If you are sitting in Easy Pose for an prolonged period (especially for meditation), sitting on top of a blanket or two may feel very comfortable.

Ankle-To-Knee Pose

In addition to making space for your belly and opening up your back, this asana will assist with relieving tension in your glutes and the muscles under your glutes, such as the piriformis.

How To Do It

  • Sit with your feet on the floor, with your knees bent and your shoulders relaxed.
  • Slide your flexed right foot under your left knee so that your right knee rests on the mat (like half of a regular cross-legged asana).
  • Stack your left shin on top of your right, so that your left foot rests on right knee and your left knee rests on your right foot. Rest palms gently on your knee and foot or bring them together to prayer
  • For a deeper stretch, hinge forward. Switch your leg placement and repeat on the other side.

Unicorn And Rainbow Pose (Cow And Cat)

Benefits

This asana sequence, which is often called cat and cow, helps to strengthen as well as maintain flexibility in your lower back and abdomen. This sequence is a very gentle way of warming the core muscles. Invite a feeling of warmth from the inside out.

Instruction

  • Start on all fours with your hands shoulder width apart as well as your knees hip-width apart.
  • Inhale and then gaze to the sky, lifting your breastbone and the coccyx (tailbone) towards the sky as you contract softly in your lower back.
  • Exhale and then round your spine in the shape of a rainbow. Take it easy with your pelvic tuck in the second and third trimesters and concentrate more on the curve in the upper body.

Adjustments

Utilise a folded blanket under your knees in order to cushion them. Or you can practise this sequence standing, with feet hips width apart, a soft bend in the knees, and hands on top of the thighs.

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What Are The Most Popular Workout Supplements? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-most-popular-workout-supplements/ Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25110 Sports nutrition is a rapidly growing industry with proteins, energy gels as well as workout supplements being popular sports nutrition products only used by bodybuilders and athletes now being utilised by the bulk of the population. Research finds that as many as one in four (24%) of the South African public have taken a sports...

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Sports nutrition is a rapidly growing industry with proteins, energy gels as well as workout supplements being popular sports nutrition products only used by bodybuilders and athletes now being utilised by the bulk of the population. Research finds that as many as one in four (24%) of the South African public have taken a sports nutrition product in the past three months, with the highest segment being 42% of men aged 16-24.

SA consumers spent R66 million on popular sports nutrition food as well as drink products in 2015, up by 27% from 2013 when sales stood at R52 million. And it seems that as opposed to an occasional added extra, these products are now store-cupboard staples. Almost half (47%) of consumers who use the products say these are part of their everyday diet.

The Fitness World Is Full Of Tricks And Promises

Let’s face it, exercising is hard work, and if there’s one thing which human history has shown us, it’s that humans absolutely love a good shortcut. The truth is that there’s no real substitute for good old-fashioned hard slog. When it comes down to fitness, hard work means going to the gym, banging weights around, laying down miles, not eating junk food as well as making the effort to cut fat as well as make gains.

That said, it’s not all smoke and mirrors. Our grandparents got their strength from eating good and lifting big, but you bet your ass if they had the science and technology, we have today, they’d have explored the world of supplements, too.

However, in a space occupied heavily by nonsense wonder drugs as well as placebos, how are you meant to tell the difference between useful supplements versus nonsense? It’s difficult, to be honest, however the trick is to not buy into the magic pills or simple “programmes” that make it seem as if you won’t have to work hard in order to get the results you want.

Look for the products which aren’t trying to sell you something which sounds too good to be true. In the fitness world – as well as every other world – if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Creatine

Creatine is a molecule which is produced naturally in your body but also provides energy for your muscles in addition to other tissues. However, taking creatine as a dietary supplement may increase muscle creatine content by up to 40% outside its normal levels.

This affects your muscle cells and exercise routine, so boosting muscle gain. In fact, a large amount of research demonstrates that creatine increases muscle strength. This is wonderful news if you’re trying to increase muscle. Greater strength gives you the opportunity to perform better during exercise, leading to more significant improvements in muscle mass over a specific period of time.

In addition, creatine may increase water content in your muscle cells. This could cause your muscle cells to swell slightly and produce signals for muscle growth.  Furthermore, this supplement may increase levels of the hormones involved in muscle growth.

 

Proteins

Whey Protein

When it comes down to building as well as preserving muscle mass, protein is one of the most essential and popular sports nutrition supplements all over the world. The regular consumption of protein, specifically in the ‘anabolic window’ that directly follows exercise, contributes to the significant growth and restoration of muscle fibres.

Protein is not gender specific. This means that its benefits can extend to men and women of all ages, body types as well as fitness levels.

The average individual requires approximately 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight every single day. However, this need is larger for those who frequently take part in endurance training (approximately 1.2g/kg) or strength training (approximately 2g/kg).

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If you would like to learn more about sports nutrition then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. Read more about this here.

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Exercises To Loosen Your Hips. Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-loosen-your-hips-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25106 A feeling of tightness across your hips comes from tension around your hip flexors. The hip flexors are a collection of muscles which are around the top of your thighs that connect the upper leg to your hip. These muscles allow you to bend at your waist and raise your leg. Some of the chief...

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A feeling of tightness across your hips comes from tension around your hip flexors. The hip flexors are a collection of muscles which are around the top of your thighs that connect the upper leg to your hip. These muscles allow you to bend at your waist and raise your leg.

Some of the chief hip flexors are the following:

  • Iliopsoas,
  • Rectus femoris,
  • Tensor fasciae latae, and
  • Sartorius.

Many individuals have tight hips, from individuals who spend several hours a day sitting to regular gym-goers as well as professional athletes. Some individuals are more prone to tightness in that area of their body, as well as. Tight hips may put you at an increased risk for injury owing to the increased demands on tissues which aren’t moving properly.

The Benefits Of Hip-Strengthening Exercises

While not everyone is able to have hips as agile as Shakira, we are all able to benefit from strengthening the muscles which support this ball-and-socket joint. Our hips aren’t only accountable for the rocking dance moves that we bust out from time to time but they’re also a vital area for runners, bikers as well as non-athletes alike.

Sitting for the best part of the day — something which almost all of us are guilty of — promotes tight hip flexors. Tight hip flexors may cause lower back pain, hip pain as well as injury. As well, hip problems don’t end there. As stated by the pre-eminent American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as well as other related associations over the globe, hip replacements are on the increase in the United States. They peak among adults who are in early middle age.

Obviously, you know what it feels like to suffer from a tight muscle. However, tight hips aren’t just uncomfortable — they could lead to all sorts of other aches and pains, particularly in the lower back. Individuals focus on the hips and say their hips are tight, however we don’t always think about the fact that your lower back connects to our legs at the hip. Tight hip flexors make it more difficult for your pelvis to rotate properly, which can cause your lower back to overcompensate and this can be a set up for lower-back injury.

Foam Roller Stretch

You are able to use a foam roller in order to loosen up tight hips.

  • Lie with your face down, with your foam roller beneath – and somewhat below – your right hip.
  • Put your left leg to the side with your knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
  • Rest your forearms on the floor in front of you in order to take some of your body weight off of your hip. This will make sure that the stretch less painful.
  • Extend your right leg straight out behind you. Make sure that your toes are pointed backward as well as the front of your foot flat against the ground
  • Slowly move backward and forward over your foam roller.
  • For an extra stretch, add in some side-to-side movement as you roll.
  • Continue for up to half a minute. As you roll, recognise any trigger points, or points which feel extra tight or painful. You will be able to focus on those areas for about 10 seconds in order to relieve some of the tightness.
  • Repeat with your left hip.

Seated Butterfly Stretch

This simple move will allow you to stretch your inner thighs, hips as well as lower back. And you can also do it sitting down:

  • Sit on the floor with your back up straight and abdominals engaged.
  • Drive the soles of your feet together in front of you. Allow your knees to bend out to the sides.
  • As you pull your heels towards you, relax your knees and allow them to get closer to the floor.
  • Take a deep breath. Make sure that you hold this pose for between 10 and 30 seconds.

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What Are The Best Pre-Workout Foods? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-best-pre-workout-foods/ Tue, 13 Jul 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25083 We all would like to get the most out of a workout – to train harder, spin faster, run faster, and jump higher. While a lot of us prepare mentally for a challenging workout, we frequently forget to fuel the engine or to do it correctly. So what pre-workout foods should you be eating? There...

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We all would like to get the most out of a workout – to train harder, spin faster, run faster, and jump higher. While a lot of us prepare mentally for a challenging workout, we frequently forget to fuel the engine or to do it correctly. So what pre-workout foods should you be eating?

There are a particular number of best foods to eat before you work out which will help your body prepare, and which can maximise your efforts in the gym. While we all have different nutritional needs, these known foods – which are the absolute perfect balance of fats, and carbs in addition to protein – can fuel your body, fend off hunger, fight fatigue, and even aid recovery.

Knowing what to eat is important as fuelling your body with the correct nutrients before exercise will give you the energy and strength that you need in order to perform better. Each of the micronutrients has a specific role before a workout. However, the ratio in which you are required to consume them varies by the individual and type of exercise.

So what is a good pre-workout snack?

Wholegrain Toast, Peanut Or Almond Butter As Well As Banana Slices

There’s a very good reason why runners adore their post-race bananas — the fruit is packed with simple carbohydrates, natural sugars as well as, best of all, potassium. That electrolyte helps prevent muscle cramps and may be lost through sweat. Peanut or almond butter has healthy fat, and the toast is all about blood-sugar-calming complex carbs.

Oats

As they are chock-full of fibre, oats release carbohydrates slowly. Because of this slow release, energy levels remain steady throughout your workout, meaning you are able to train harder for longer. Oats also contain Vitamin B, which assists with converting carbohydrates into energy. Irish oats are frequently considered to be the best as they are the least processed type and boast a lower glycaemic load rather than quick-cooking and instant oats. So, ensure that you keep a look out for them the next time you go shopping.

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Protein Shakes

Protein shakes are quite popular among those who are regular hitters of the gym. Protein is very important for overall development of the muscles, bones as well as even the skin. A protein shake is really good if you do not get sufficient amounts from natural sources. For athletes – as well as individuals doing regular workouts – it is fine to have a protein shake after a workout, however not every couple of hours. Protein shakes can have side effects such as kidney damage. Therefore, make sure that you check in with your doctor to know the recommended daily dose of protein intake.

Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, And Sweet Potato

If you are working on building increased muscle mass – or plan to hit circuit training hard – then this combo is a must-try. Although it is more of a meal as opposed to a snack, there’s a reason pro-athletes chow down on this regularly. As a result, we think it’s time you gave it a go.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover more information about sports nutrition then you need to do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is The Positive Effect Exercise Could Have On Your Child’s Heart? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-positive-effect-exercise-could-have-on-your-childs-heart/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25068 Physical activity and exercise in early childhood may have an impact on cardiovascular health later in life. Over the course of several years, scientists monitored the activity levels of hundreds of pre-schoolers. They discovered that physical activity benefits blood vessel health, cardiovascular fitness, and is critical in the prevention of early risk indicators that can...

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Physical activity and exercise in early childhood may have an impact on cardiovascular health later in life. Over the course of several years, scientists monitored the activity levels of hundreds of pre-schoolers. They discovered that physical activity benefits blood vessel health, cardiovascular fitness, and is critical in the prevention of early risk indicators that can lead to adult heart disease in children as young as three years old.

When many individuals decide to “get fit” they assume it involves rigorous physical activity. However, you don’t have to spend hours in a gym in order to be physically active. People can get in shape by doing everyday activities in their home. Every time that you and your child throw a softball around,  swim a lap, climb a flight of stairs, take a walk to the shops, or carry a set of packages, your health and fitness levels are steadily improving.

When someone is physically fit, they feel and looks better, and she stays healthier. The earlier a child begins getting in shape and exercising, the more she’ll reduce her risk of numerous illnesses.

Exercise Means Playing And Being Physically Active

Children are physically active when they have gym class at school, during recess, at dance class or soccer practice, while riding bikes, or even when playing tag.

Everyone can benefit from exercising frequently. Active children will have:

  • Stronger muscles as well as bones,
  • Leaner bodies,
  • Lower risk of becoming overweight,
  • A lesser likelihood of contracting type 2 diabetes,
  • Lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, and
  • An improved outlook on life.

Rather than enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, fit kids sleep better. In addition, they’re better able to handle physical and emotional challenges — from running to catch a bus to studying for an exam.

What Are The Three Elements of Fitness?

If you’ve ever watched children on a playground, you’ve seen the three aspects of fitness in action when they:

  • Run away from the children who’s “it” (endurance),
  • Cross the monkey bars (strength), and
  • Bend down in order to tie their shoes (flexibility).

Parents need to encourage their kids in order to do a variety of activities so that they are able to work on all three elements.

Endurance develops when children regularly get aerobic activity. During aerobic exercise, significant muscles are moving, the heart beats faster, and the children breathes harder. Aerobic activity strengthens the heart and also improves the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to all its cells.

Aerobic exercise can be loads of fun for both adults as well as children. Aerobic activities include:

  • Basketball,
  • Bicycling,
  • Ice Skating,
  • Inline Skating,
  • Soccer,
  • Swimming,
  • Tennis,
  • Walking,
  • Jogging, and
  • Running

Improving strength doesn’t need to mean lifting weights. Instead, children can do push-ups, stomach crunches, pull-ups, and other exercises in order to help tone and strengthen muscles. In addition, they improve their strength when they climb, do a handstand, or engage in wrestling.

Stretching exercises assist with improving flexibility, allowing muscles and joints to bend as well as move easily through their full range of motion. Children get chances every day to stretch when they reach for a toy, practice a split, or do a cartwheel.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to become a personal trainer to children then you need to do our Exercise and Children Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Skipping Is On The Rise In At-Home Fitness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-skipping-is-on-the-rise-in-at-home-fitness/ Fri, 09 Jul 2021 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25056 Skipping rope sales have risen, too — and quite significantly. Skipping is safe, convenient and effective. Owing to social distancing orders and gym closures, new populations have become interested in the safe, convenient, and effective training tool. It’s no secret that plenty of physical activity is essential for good health. As we cannot step out...

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Skipping rope sales have risen, too — and quite significantly. Skipping is safe, convenient and effective. Owing to social distancing orders and gym closures, new populations have become interested in the safe, convenient, and effective training tool.

It’s no secret that plenty of physical activity is essential for good health. As we cannot step out of the house in quarantine, we need to find a way of exercising indoors. It’s not too difficult as all you need is a sturdy skipping rope. Yes! Skipping with a rope is a fun, high-intensity interval-training workout that is free and effective.

Skipping Improves Heart Rate

One of the best benefits of skipping is that it is one of the best form of cardiovascular exercises out there, which contributes to a healthy heart. Your cardiovascular framework encompasses your heart, along with the arteries and veins which help to circulate blood and oxygen between your heart as well as the other organs of your body. By increasing the capacity of this framework, your heart will work more efficiently. In addition, you will find yourself suffering less from shortness of breath amid various activities, as it will assist you to build your stamina.

Total-Body Strengthening

Skipping is all about full body strengthening. It’s really head-to-toe engagement for the entire time that you’re exercising. The movement particularly targets your legs (think: calves, quads, and hamstrings, as well as the muscles in your feet and ankles).

In addition, skipping also works your core, biceps, and shoulders. What’s really neat is that you don’t need to think actively about engaging all of these muscle groups at the same time while you jump—it tends to just take place naturally.

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Best Tool for Weight Loss

One of the chief benefits of skipping is that it is a great tool to achieve weight loss. Jumping rope for 30 minutes can burn roughly 300 calories, and hence, so as to lose one kilogram for each week, you should skip for 30 minutes consistently and cut out 400 calories from your diet.

While this may appear to be challenging at the start, it will set the motion for weight reduction in the most beneficial way. Skipping is an astonishing and simple approach to lose those extra calories. It is safer as opposed to jogging or running as you arrive on your toes while doing it, without severely affecting your knees.

Boosts Bone Density

Skipping can help build bone density owing to the impact of jumping. In actual fact, a small 2015 study of premenopausal women demonstrated that jumping rope can improve hip bone mineral density. This matters as bone density tends to decrease with age, which could lead to conditions such as osteocalcin (pronounced softening of the bones) and osteoporosis. In addition, it could also predispose you to fractures.

By building bone density through activities such as skipping, you are able to reduce your risk of these issues. Although if you already have osteoporosis, it’s best to ask your doctor first before starting exercise like jumping rope as the high impact may be harmful to already weakened bones.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about different types of exercise then you need to really think about becoming a personal trainer with Trifocus Fitness Academy. For more information about this course, please follow this link.

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Should I Exercise After My COVID Shot? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/should-i-exercise-after-my-covid-shot-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 07 Jul 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25035 Should you truly get your sweat on after getting the jab, or should you sit this one out? The short answer: Sure, in most cases, it’s totally OK exercise after your COVID shot — as long as you’re feeling well enough. However, some of the more common vaccine side effects might impact your exercise plans,...

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Should you truly get your sweat on after getting the jab, or should you sit this one out? The short answer: Sure, in most cases, it’s totally OK exercise after your COVID shot — as long as you’re feeling well enough. However, some of the more common vaccine side effects might impact your exercise plans, so it’s best to be aware of those — as well as how you can plan your physical activity around your vaccine— in order that you feel as good as possible.

Can I Exercise After The COVID-19 Vaccine?

If you had plans for joining a workout class directly after your vaccine, you may want to re-plan. Light exercise is fine however we generally recommend avoiding very hard exercise in the 48 hours post vaccination. This is on the foundation that a large proportion of individuals will develop some, usually minor, side effects (such as headache as well as muscle aches).

Research has found that 83% of young individuals who had the Pfizer vaccine reported local reactogenicity (in other words, arm aches) and 50% of people had systemic reactogenicity including fatigue as well as headache.

It is really not pleasant to try and exercise hard with these types of symptoms, so it’s best that you plan your training week around your vaccination as well as build in a couple of recovery days.

What Do You Need To Know About Exercising After A COVID-19 Vaccine?

First things first. There is probably not anything dangerous about exercising after you get the vaccine —even if you have some of the more painful side effects such as muscle aches or a mild fever. The only risk of performing exercise after a COVID-19 vaccine is that some of the side effects may lower the quality of your workout and make it less enjoyable overall. There is no evidence that exercising right before or right after the vaccine could impact the effectiveness of the vaccine.

As a rule of thumb, ensure that listen to your body. If, post-vaccination, you don’t feel well enough to exercise, make sure that you take a rest day. Missing your favourite Peloton class might suck but forcing yourself to break a sweat when you’re not feeling good is counterproductive. You’re not going to be able to perform your best.

Depending on the type as well as intensity of your side effects, you may elect to do a gentler style of your standard workout routine. For instance, if your arm is achy however the rest of your body feels fine, you may modify your full-body strength workout for it to be just a leg and core-focused routine. Or if you’re feeling a little lethargic, however still want to get some movement in, you might go on a long walk instead of your typical HIIT workout.

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Is It Safe For You To Exercise After The Covid-19 Vaccine?

Exercising when you feel nauseous, fatigued, headachy or are suffering from muscle pain is not advised, if that’s through illness, a hangover, a vaccine or any other cause. As for whether your workout will impact your vaccine, there’s no known evidence for exercise to impact the effectiveness of the vaccine.

If you feel completely side-effect free, it is probably safe for you to exercise. However, given that side-effects can take a while to develop, there’s no need to push yourself. Stick to gentle exercise -such as walking – for 48 hours. Except if you are a very elite or professional athlete, there’s simply no need to exercise on the day of your COVID-19 appointment.

Remember that the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t mean you are immune to coronavirus or can’t pass it on to other people, so if you do decide to go to the gym or play sport, ensure that you are training safely.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a personal trainer? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

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How Much Time Do You In Fact Need To Spend In The Gym? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-much-time-do-you-in-fact-need-to-spend-in-the-gym/ Tue, 06 Jul 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25024 One of the most commonly asked questions which exercisers ask is: “how long should I spend in the gym?” The answer to this query is very much dependent on your goals as well as current health status. While adhering to minimum guidelines for physical activity can assist with maintaining health and combat the negative effects...

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One of the most commonly asked questions which exercisers ask is: “how long should I spend in the gym?” The answer to this query is very much dependent on your goals as well as current health status. While adhering to minimum guidelines for physical activity can assist with maintaining health and combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, it takes more effort to lose weight as well as get fit. In addition, a person’s current level of fitness will also determine how much they need exercise each day.

When individuals wonder how long they should be spending in the gym they may hope the answer is less versus more. In fact, the latest health and fitness trend is to do shorter workouts for weight loss. However, this fad might not always be effective for everyone—whether you’re trying to lose weight or enhance your level of fitness.

The best method to decide on how long you should work out for at the gym shouldn’t be based on fitness trends. Of course, you are able to (and should) still include short workouts on rotation in your schedule. However, you will also have to do some cardiovascular workouts which are a little bit longer if you want to lose weight as well as stay healthy.

Less Time In The Gym Is Sometimes More

It’s not as if we haven’t heard it before: Exercise is a super essential part of the health equation. A total of 30 minutes a day is where it starts.

Thirty minutes of physical activity is – across the board for all adults – essential every day of the week. Meeting the 30-minute threshold at the gym will help a person maintain a healthy weight as well as reap health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes as well as hypertension.

From there on, the amount of physical activity which a person needs climbs, depending on their weight status.

Gym Time Builds Strength

Muscle mass decreases with age, which highlights the importance of steady resistance training. Strength training builds stronger muscles and bones in order to support the joints as well as prevent fractures and may even be beneficial for managing arthritis.

In addition to building a regular strength training regimen, it’s very important to make sure that you’re still incorporating sufficient cardiovascular activity to sustain or improve your current level of aerobic fitness.

Switching up your workout routines as well as workout lengths can assist with staving off boredom and help you to remain motivated. However, be sure to carve out time for rest and recovery days to avoid injury or burnout.

Exercise At The Gym For Health

Exercise is the best-kept secret in terms of preventive medicine. In spite of our other differences, we all need to exercise for health. Regular exercise offers essential protection against many of the diseases which plague our country. The list comprises:

  • Heart attack,
  • Stroke,
  • High blood pressure,
  • Diabetes,
  • Obesity,
  • Osteoporosis and fractures,
  • Depression,
  • Colon and breast cancers, and
  • Dementia (memory loss).

Contact With Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to discover additional information about exercise, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is Hyperbolic Stretching? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-hyperbolic-stretching-learn-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 05 Jul 2021 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25011 Hyperbolic stretching is an online, self-paced workout programme which promises to help you to improve your flexibility in just four weeks. You are able to buy the programme from the website and follow the stretching videos at home. Hyperbolic stretching is – without a doubt – a rising star in the world of ‘next best...

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Hyperbolic stretching is an online, self-paced workout programme which promises to help you to improve your flexibility in just four weeks. You are able to buy the programme from the website and follow the stretching videos at home.

Hyperbolic stretching is – without a doubt – a rising star in the world of ‘next best thing’ in fitness programming. The gender-specific programme is based on the idea that full-body flexibility can be transformed in four weeks, only eight minutes per day. Men and women require different stretching techniques in order to achieve their fitness goals. The programme boasts that it is appropriate for novices and experts.

Generally — although without any actual scientific basis — stretching is considered to be a cornerstone of any good fitness routine. For decades, fitness gurus have preached about the value of stretching in spite of the lack of evidence that it warms muscles up, decreases pain, or enhances recovery.

The Definition Of Hyperbolic Stretching

Hyperbolic stretching helps to elevate muscle flexibility which evolves the stretching methods of ancient times. This type of stretching also helps to reduce the complexity level and help to get a strengthful and muscular body. This stretching programme mainly focusing on increasing flexibility and reciprocal muscle inhibition.

Is The Programme The Real Deal?

There are many traditional methods to maintain body fitness, such as heavy workouts as well as hitting the gym. However popularly the Hyperbolic Stretching is an incredible exercise plan for parents and busy professionals. So, should you try hyperbolic stretching? That’s totally up to you. In general, this programme is probably best for folks who already have some experience.

Hyperbolic Stretching Could Improve Flexibility

Multiple studies show that stretching could help you gain hip mobility. However, there isn’t any proof to show that hyperbolic stretching’s more effective as opposed to other stretching methods. In general, studies make the suggestion that both static and PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation… we’ll just stick with terming it PNF) stretching — where muscles are both contracted as well as stretched — have similar results.

Hyperbolic Stretching May Help To Strengthen Muscles

The debate around if stretching actually counts as strength training is nothing new. There’s no guarantee that the hyperbolic stretching programme will make you stronger. What does come with hard evidence? Some research shows that PNF stretching could be effective in increasing muscular strength and athletic performance, particularly as a post-workout activity.

Hyperbolic Stretching Could Increase Range Of Motion (ROM)

The dynamic stretches on this programme are supposed to assist you with developing a greater range of motion. Do you think eight minutes of stretching per day isn’t able to do much for you? Current literature suggests that time spent stretching per week could be more important as opposed to the time you spend stretching per session.

So, if you’re going to consistently perform eight minutes of stretching per day, this will probably get you far more results as opposed to one 15-minute session per week.

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If you are eager to learn additional information about stretching, and the best form to adopt, why not have a look at our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Exercise With Your Children? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-with-your-children-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 05 Jul 2021 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=25007 If you’re a parent, particularly of small children, your workout time could very well be limited. There are definitely ways to fit in solo exercise time, such as quite early on in the morning, late at night, while the children are taking part in an activity, at a gym with childcare facilities, or when a...

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If you’re a parent, particularly of small children, your workout time could very well be limited. There are definitely ways to fit in solo exercise time, such as quite early on in the morning, late at night, while the children are taking part in an activity, at a gym with childcare facilities, or when a partner, grandparent, or sitter is able to take charge of the kids. However, let’s face it. That doesn’t always occur.

But your duties as a parent don’t have to disrupt your fitness goals. Rather, embrace exercising with your children around. Actually, you will be able to get them moving along with you, introducing positive fitness habits into your kids’ lives as well as providing great opportunities for family bonding.

Parenting is a full-time job. Even a few minutes’ worth of ‘me-time’ can feel nigh-on impossible to achieve when you have children. However, with a few simple steps you can incorporate your kids into your exercise regime and turn it into fun-time!

Here are some ideas about how to stay fit and involve your children as well.

Push-ups

Modify push-ups – in addition to other strength training moves (such as squats, lunges, sit-ups as well as planks) – in order to match your child’s ability. While you will do a traditional push-up (toes on the floor, legs as well as back straight, elbows bent), your child will be able to push up from his knees or just lie on their stomach and then straighten their arms.

In addition, you can do simple bicep curls, ​tricep raises, and chest presses with a set of hand weights. Older children can join you, using 1- to 2-kilogram weights. Give younger kids bean bags, cylindrical wooden blocks, or water bottles (fill partway to add weight) if they want weights of their own. Count together as you lift and you’re practising numbers, too!

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Squats

Squats are the signature movement when it comes down to toning your lower body. Having your child on your back gives a whole different dimension to your workout.

Try this:

  • Stand up tall with your feet at a shoulder-width distance apart and your toes pointed somewhat outward.
  • Bend your knees and then lower your hips as if you were sitting down. Your child now should climb onto your back, putting their arms around your neck as well as their hands on your chest. Hold onto your child’s hands in order to keep them safe and sturdy.
  • Now, you lower your hips down until they form a 90-degree bend at your knee. Contract your abdominal muscles and pushing your weight down into your heels. Push straight back up, lifting your hips up and forward.

Running And Walking

Take your child along while you run, walk, bike, or in-line skate. Babies, toddlers as well as young pre-schoolers are able to ride in a jogging stroller, bike seat, or bike trailer. Older pre-schoolers can get their own workout on scooters, tricycles, bikes or – alternatively – in-line skates while you walk, jog, or run. If you are a cyclist, contemplate a trail-a-bike which turns your bike into a tandem-style bike for you and your child.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become an exercise specialist then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Is Suspension Training Good For? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-suspension-training-good-for-read-this-article/ Fri, 02 Jul 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24996 Most individuals believe that lifting weights – or extreme workouts – are the only way in order to achieve results. Suspension training is an exercise method which is shown to improve total body strength, stability as well as cardiovascular health. This is done minus traditional weightlifting, swinging kettlebells, or lifting semi-truck tyres. The suspension training...

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Most individuals believe that lifting weights – or extreme workouts – are the only way in order to achieve results. Suspension training is an exercise method which is shown to improve total body strength, stability as well as cardiovascular health. This is done minus traditional weightlifting, swinging kettlebells, or lifting semi-truck tyres.

The suspension training system was developed by a Navy Seal over 20 years ago and since then has captured the attention of athletes, coaches and personal trainers. It continues to grow as an effective programme utilised by professional athletes, every branch of the military, Olympians as well as gyms worldwide.

The gist is quite simple. Suspension training involves any bodyweight exercise that is done while using straps, cords, rings, ropes or chains that are suspended from a single or multiple vertical anchor points. However, the question, of course, is why someone should try this form of training?

Delivers A Fast, Effective Total-Body Workout

Whether you want to build strength, lose fat, improve endurance or flexibility, suspension training can be used in order to achieve any fitness goal. By just leveraging your body weight in order to perform hundreds of exercises, you are able to get a full body workout while – at the same time – working your core. And because you’re working with one training tool and are able to adjust your weight on the fly, you can minimise your training time by switching from one exercise to the next in just a matter seconds.

Suitable For All Fitness Levels

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an Olympic athlete or just venturing out into a new fitness hobby. Suspension training is useful for all levels of athlete. Just by altering your body position slightly, the load may be increased or decreased on your muscles meaning that everyone can use this method of training.

Helps To Build A Rock-Solid Core

Having a strong core means more as opposed to having a visible six-pack. If you would like to move, feel and look better, chances are good that you should start with your core. That’s why any movement performed during suspension training requires that you brace – as well as stabilise – with your abs, obliques and lower-back so you are able to leverage your own bodyweight as resistance. Suspension training exercises use functional movements to help you increase your overall core fitness.

Versatility

Just two adjustable bands offer a comprehensive workout to every single muscle in your body. You are able to transport them easily and set up the suspension training system anywhere, so when you come back from your healthy holiday, totally addicted, you will be able to buy your own and carry on enjoying the benefits wherever you are.

Low Impact Nature

Owing to its suspended nature, suspension training is very low impact and means that your joints are not put under much stress. In turn, this means that there is a low risk of injury, allowing you to train as hard as you wish with less risk of causing or agitating a pre-existing injury.

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If you want to learn more about suspension training, then you need to do our Suspension Training Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Lift Weights The Safe Way? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/how-to-lift-weights-the-safe-way/ Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24960 You don’t need to be a bodybuilder or a professional athlete in order to reap the benefits of weight training. When performed correctly, weight training can help you lose fat, increase your strength and muscle tone, and boost your bone density. If not done correctly, however, weight training won’t give you these benefits — and...

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You don’t need to be a bodybuilder or a professional athlete in order to reap the benefits of weight training. When performed correctly, weight training can help you lose fat, increase your strength and muscle tone, and boost your bone density. If not done correctly, however, weight training won’t give you these benefits — and may actually lead to injury.

Whether your fitness objective is to create muscle mass or achieve a fitter, more toned body, weight training can assist you with getting there. Weight training, which is also known as resistance or strength training, develops lean, stronger muscles, strengthens your bones and joints, and helps boost your metabolism. This means that you’ll burn more calories even when you’re at rest.

In addition, stronger muscles can improve your athletic performance and lower your chance of injuries. Even if you’ve never performed any type of weight training before, it’s never too late to begin. Strength training is appropriate for both men and women, and it can be started at any age or fitness level.

Knowledge Prevents Injury

You are able to avoid injury by using a cautious as well as knowledgeable approach to weight training exercises. Your technique — your form and how you do the exercise — is crucial to minimising injury. You also need to make good judgments regarding the type of exercise in addition to the load you try to lift, push or press, particularly in relation to your existing fitness, strength, bone and muscle health as well as injury status.

Check Your Technique

You may learn weight training techniques by watching friends or others in the gym, however sometimes what you see isn’t safe. Incorrect weight training technique could lead to sprains, strains, fractures and other painful injuries which may hamper your weight training efforts.

If you’re getting started with weight training, it’s advisable that you work with a knowledgeable physical therapist, athletic trainer or other fitness specialist who’s familiar with proper weight training technique. If you’ve been utilising weights for a while, consider scheduling time with a personal trainer in order to double-check your technique and identify any changes you may need to make.

Don’t Overdo It

Start with a weight you are able to comfortably lift 12 to 15 times. For most individuals, a single set of 12 to 15 repetitions with a weight that fatigues so that the muscles are able to build strength efficiently and can also be as effective as three sets of the same exercise. As you become stronger, gradually increase the amount of weight.

Remember To Breathe

You may be persuaded to hold your breath while you’re lifting weights. Don’t do this! Rather, breathe out as you lift the weight and breathe in as you lower the weight.

Rest

Don’t exercise the same muscles two days in a row. You may work all of your major muscle groups at a single session two or three times a week. Alternatively, plan daily sessions for particular muscle groups. For instance, you could work your arms and shoulders on Monday and your legs on Tuesday, etc.

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If you are keen to learn additional information about weightlifting, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Develop A More Balanced Workout Plan? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-develop-a-more-balanced-workout-plan/ Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24921 There is no one single type of exercise which can take care of all your requirements. Actually, in order to get the most benefits from your routine, you would need to include a mixture of actions during the course of a week. If not, it’s like a diet which consists just of fruit — healthful...

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There is no one single type of exercise which can take care of all your requirements. Actually, in order to get the most benefits from your routine, you would need to include a mixture of actions during the course of a week. If not, it’s like a diet which consists just of fruit — healthful as far as it goes, though lacking a lot of the nutrients you’ll find in other foods, such as fish, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

With benefits such as better sleep quality, a boost in brainpower as well as augmented quantities of happiness, it’s no doubt because exercise is a significant part of your day-to-day practice. The point that you’re getting up and outside is a win in itself, however science and fitness experts concur: There are loads of benefits to diversifying your workouts, particular if you would like to avoid injury.

Variety is the spice of fitness. One of the truest ways to hit a plateau is to do the same workout over and over. While it’s not for everyone, you can work out every single day if you would like to forgo a rest day-as long as you do so quickly. You are able to do some type of cardio or strength training seven days a week if you really want to. Particularly if you’re not doing max lifts, and opting for smaller sets of 10-or-so reps.” (And be sure you’re hitting that foam roller.)

Take A Leaf Out Of Elite Athletes’ Books

Take elite marathoners, for instance. Whether they’re performing speedwork or logging miles, the bulk of their training rotates around pounding the pavement, trails as well as track. However, to be truly competitive, in addition they strength train. Not only can it lower their risk of injury, but research shows that it can also boost speed, power output in addition to time to exhaustion.

On the flipside, strength athletes who knit cardio into their training plans can really gain more muscle than if they just lifted weights — not to mention increase their overall endurance as well as exercise capacity.

Personal trainers and coaches call this type of athletic activities “cross-training”. The advantages are numerous and not only can taking part in a sport or activity – other than your primary one – expand your athletic skillset, however it can also enhance your existing one and lower your risk of injury by working out your muscles in new ways. Just as importantly, giving new and unique activities a try can assist to eliminate the boredom and monotony that frequently comes with being singularly focused on your workouts.

How To Develop A Balanced Exercise Plan

So, what does a balanced exercise routine consist of? All adults are urged to include the following types of exercise in their weekly workout routines:

  • 150 minutes of reasonable aerobic exercise every single week (for instance, 30 minutes on each one of the five days), or
  • 75 minutes of robust aerobic activity (or a corresponding mix of the two),
  • More than two strength training sessions each and every single week, with at least two days in between in order to allow muscles the opportunity to recover, and
  • Balance exercises for older adults who are at risk for falls.

If this all sounds overwhelming, keep in mind that workouts can be broken up into smaller segments. For instance, three 10-minute walks can get you to your day-to-day goal of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise.

In addition, each workout should also consist of a simple warm-up at the beginning and a cool-down at the end. The warm-up should consist of gentle exercise, such as marching in place, in order to loosen up your muscles as well as get more oxygen-rich blood flowing to them. To cool down, slow your activity and the intensity for five to 10 minutes, then finish off with stretches to help prevent stiffness.

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if you would like to discover more about putting together balanced workout plans then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Hand Exercises Will Ease Arthritis Pain? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-hand-exercises-will-ease-arthritis-pain-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24893 Arthritis wears away at the cartilage as well as the synovial lining of a joint, which is the cushioning material that is between bones. When arthritis influences the joints of the hands, it may cause pain as well as stiffness. This pain can get worse whenever you make use of the hand a lot —...

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Arthritis wears away at the cartilage as well as the synovial lining of a joint, which is the cushioning material that is between bones. When arthritis influences the joints of the hands, it may cause pain as well as stiffness. This pain can get worse whenever you make use of the hand a lot — for instance, when typing on a computer keyboard or gripping utensils in the kitchen. In addition, you may lose strength in your hands. Weakness in your hands can make it difficult to do even the easiest everyday tasks, for example opening jars.

How To Treat Hand Arthritis

There are a number of medicinal options for handling hand arthritis. You are able to take oral pain-relieving medications. In addition, you can also get steroid injections in your joints and then splint your hands in order to give them support. If these alternatives don’t work, you might need to have surgery in order to fix the damaged joint.

There are also a number of different home treatments you can utilise to reduce the pain and disability of arthritis.

One easy and non-invasive way to make sure that you keep the joints flexible, improve range of motion, as well as relieve arthritis pain is by doing hand exercises. Hand exercises can assist with strengthening the muscles that support the hand joints. This can assist you to perform hand movements with less discomfort.

In addition, movement can help to keep ligaments – as well as tendons – flexible. This can assist with boosting range of motion and hand function. Finally, exercise can boost the production of synovial fluid, which can also improve joint function.

Tips For Hand Exercises For Before You Begin

Do Them Throughout Your Day

Many of these exercises can performed [resting hands] on the table or counter, however you are able to do them wherever you happen to be standing in line, commuting on the train or bus, even in bed, before you begin your daily activities.

Be Gentle

Do all motions slowly. Stop when you feel tension, so you don’t injure yourself. For each exercise, hold for two to three seconds if possible, and do reps of 10 for each hand. The whole set can be done daily. But if anything hurts, stop.

Be Mindful While Doing The Exercises

Breathing in with your nose and then out with your mouth to help relax and reduce stress is another thing to incorporate.

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Exercises To Try

Make A Fist

You can do this simple exercise wherever and anytime that your hand feels stiff:

  • Begin by having your left hand out with all of your fingers straight.
  • Then, gradually bend your hand into a fist, putting your thumb on the outside of your hand. Be gentle and don’t squeeze your hand.
  • Open your hand until your fingers become straight once again.
  • Repeat the exercise 10 times with your left hand. Then repeat the whole sequence with your right hand.

Finger Bends

  • Begin in the same position as in the previous exercise, with your left hand held up straight.
  • Bend your thumb down towards your palm. Hold it for a couple of seconds.
  • Straighten your thumb back up.
  • Bend your index finger down towards your palm. Hold it for a number of seconds.
  • Then straighten it.
  • Repeat this exercise with each finger on your left hand. Then repeat the whole sequence on the right hand.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn additional information about exercise, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma.  Read more by following this link.

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How To Improve Your Strength With Olympic Lifts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-improve-your-strength-with-olympic-lifts/ Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:10:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24881 Olympic weightlifting is not something which people naturally pick up and find fantastic success at on a frequent basis. While it is true that some people who are gifted at Olympic lifts may transition/get started quite easily into the formal competition lifts (snatch as well as clean and jerk), the harsh reality is most beginners...

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Olympic weightlifting is not something which people naturally pick up and find fantastic success at on a frequent basis. While it is true that some people who are gifted at Olympic lifts may transition/get started quite easily into the formal competition lifts (snatch as well as clean and jerk), the harsh reality is most beginners and newcomers (in addition to lifters who have been training however have not continue to progress past the first surge of success) may not be doing everything they should to truly advanced one’s Olympic lifting.

The Clean And Jerk Is Perhaps The Most Recognisable Olympic Lift Of All

The barbell begins on the floor in front of the athlete. The Olympic lifter will then utilise an overhand grip in order to grasp the barbell. The lifter will then lift the barbell in a jerking fashion, while making use of the legs and straight back in order to move the weight forward, up and then on to your chest or shoulders.

Finally, the ending position is with the barbell to be lifted over your head and kept there for two seconds without the Olympic lifter moving. This move is also known as the military press as armies use it in order to test their soldier’s capabilities to lift as well as move equipment and supplies.

The shoulders, knees and legs will make use of explosive movements in order to shift the barbell upward in two motions. You are able to utilise your torso to ‘catch’ the barbell prior to the final press. It’s very important that you have a strong back, particularly your spinal erector muscles along the spine. To train this lift, you should utilise an empty barbell and focus on the movement and then slowly add weight. Focus on form and your breathing.

For those practising the Clean + Jerk, there are two main issues to conquer:

  1. Having skilled technique regardless of the weight on the bar, and
  2. Acquiring the highest 1RM possible.

Much attention is given to method, as well it should be, however we frequently don’t discuss what exercises are best utilised to actually build strength in the Clean + Jerk.

There is always the clear. “You want to be better at the Clean + Jerk? Well, then do more Clean + Jerk!” Of course, that’s true. However, what ELSE is there? There are some fitness coaches and athletes out there who feel they should max out every day. To me, however, testing your personal record (aka “P.R.”) often isn’t the answer. It may help for a limited time but will ultimately lead to overtraining, fatigue and injury.

Squat With Integrity

Many Olympic lifters prioritise squatting strength and justly so. Weightlifting puts a high demand on an athlete’s maximal strength, in particular the high bar back squat. Many Olympic lifters, however, may choose to sacrifice integrity in the squat (so allowing a less vertical torso and hips shooting up out of bottom) so that they almost do a hybrid low bar/good morning/whatever else will shift more weight (same is true for the front squat).

Squatting in weightlifting should be made use of in order to increase one’s clean, and jerk as it is the ultimate strength movement in order to build a stronger, more forceful base. Without squatting using the same mechanics required to have a direct correlation to the lifts, your weightlifting (clean and jerk) performance may stay stagnant even though your squat numbers go up. Bottom line, squat with integrity, then add load.

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What Are The Best Exercises For Men? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-men-find-out-more/ Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:05:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24877 Frequent exercises offer countless benefits. It boosts your immune system, enhances your bone health as well as lowers health risks like heart problem, diabetes and a lot more life-threatening diseases. With the growing family responsibilities as well as demanding jobs, exercise takes a backseat in the main concerns list. Most of us give superb excuses...

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Frequent exercises offer countless benefits. It boosts your immune system, enhances your bone health as well as lowers health risks like heart problem, diabetes and a lot more life-threatening diseases. With the growing family responsibilities as well as demanding jobs, exercise takes a backseat in the main concerns list.

Most of us give superb excuses for not exercising frequently. Being too busy is the by far the most common excuse one makes. However, with proper planning you will be able to take some time out of your frantic schedule for your future own well-being. There is no doubt that routine exercise is the best path to live fit as well as healthy life.

Every guy who’s into fitness has some approach, piece of equipment, or programme they like over anything else. Some like to do circuit train every day, some adhere to bodybuilding protocols, and still other individuals participate in any number of fitness trends and fads. However, there are some exercises which have withstood the test of time, no matter what your approach is. These moves have become staples in every major weightlifter’s plan. If you’re serious about your gym routine at all, you need to make sure that you add these into your workouts.

Jumping Jacks

This exercise targets the entire body. Jumping jacks are the best cardiovascular exercises. There are a number of different benefits including it in your everyday exercise programme. It makes your heart stronger, makes muscles stronger, assists in weight loss, builds stronger bones and uplifts your mood instantly and assists with relieving stress. It makes you stronger and flexible by improving your stability as well as stamina.

How to do this exercise:

  • Stand straight with your feet together and then your hands on your sides.
  • Jump along while raising your arms above your head and bring your feet apart.
  • Immediately reverse the movement and come back to the original position.
  • Start doing it faster.

Deadlift

Perhaps the king of all exercises, the deadlift hits every single major muscle group hard, and is probably the greatest test of strength there is. Owing to all the muscles involved, it releases a massive amount of testosterone (a muscle-building hormone) into the bloodstream. Owing to this reason, the deadlift is a phenomenal cornerstone for any fitness plan. Use this six-week training plan for a new personal best.

Plank

The plank is the best exercise for rock-hard abs. A straightforward exercise for beginners for stronger abs and to strengthen your shoulder, arms as well as back. It can be done in many variations.

How to do this exercise:

  • Get into push up position with your elbows bent at 90 degrees and keep your body weight on your forearms.
  • Ensure that your body is in a straight line from the head to feet.
  • Hold on to the position as long as you can.

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Exercises To Help You Sleep Better. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-help-you-sleep-better-fin-d-out-more-in-this-article/ Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24865 The link between regular exercise as well as sleep quality has been studied widely. Current research strongly makes the suggestion that exercise and sleep share a bidirectional relationship. Moderate exercise during the day can assist people to sleep better, while not getting sufficient sleep could lead to lower levels of day-to-day physical activity. Some kinds...

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The link between regular exercise as well as sleep quality has been studied widely. Current research strongly makes the suggestion that exercise and sleep share a bidirectional relationship. Moderate exercise during the day can assist people to sleep better, while not getting sufficient sleep could lead to lower levels of day-to-day physical activity.

Some kinds of exercise promote better, higher-quality sleep as opposed to others. Understanding which types of exercises are best for sleep – and when you need to work out during the day – can help to ensure you get sufficient rest on a nightly basis.

Exercises Are Great For Your Body And Mind

In addition, to working out can also help you get a good night’s sleep. However, for some individuals, exercising too late in the day may disturb with how well they rest at night.

Based on existing studies, we have solid evidence that exercise does, in fact, help you to fall asleep more quickly and also boosts sleep quality. However, there’s still some debate as to what time of day you should exercise. We encourage individuals to heed to their bodies to see how well they sleep in response to when they work out.

Which Kinds of Exercise Are Best For Sleep?

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic or “cardio” exercise encourages more rapid breathing as well as faster heartbeats. This type of exercise can boost blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease.

Aerobic exercise is calculated in intensity. Moderate-intensity activities will boost your heart rate as well as cause you to perspire. Examples include brisk walking, water aerobics as well as semi-hilly bike rides. Vigorous-intensity aerobics, which will raise your heart rate to a much greater extent, encompass running or jogging, lap-swimming, intense bike rides in addition to physically demanding sports such as basketball or singles tennis.

An informal way of evaluating the intensity of aerobic movements is known as the Talk Test. During moderate-intensity exercises, you are able to talk at a normal rate however most won’t be able to sing. For vigorous-intensity activities, most individuals can’t speak more than a few words before they need to catch their breath.

Resistance Exercise

Resistance exercise, which is also referred to as strength training, concentrates on building muscle strength through the body. Health experts recommend a mixture of aerobic and resistance exercise to improve different facets of your physiological health. Examples of resistance exercise are:

Lifting weights

Working out using resistance bands

Push-ups, sit-ups, and other resistance exercises

The crucial aspect to effective strength training is repetition. You need to perform sets of resistance exercises which include up to 12 repetitions apiece. Strength training can primarily be very difficult, so first-timers could begin with one set of each activity per workout and slowly increase to multiple sets once they are comfortable.

Yoga

Yoga is a particular type of resistance training which focuses on posture improvement, breathing exercises in addition to meditation. Yoga has been shown to relieve stress, help people lose weight, and lower pain in the neck and lower back.

Practising yoga could also improve sleep quality. While the link between yoga and improved sleep has not been extensively evaluated in terms of the overall population. A number of studies have noted sleep improvements for certain individuals. These include the elderly8, women with sleep problems, and women with Type 2 diabetes.

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If you would like to learn more about exercising, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more by following this link.

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How To Get The Most Out Of Skipping? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-skipping-read-this-article/ Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24837 Would you like to learn how to skip for fitness? Skipping is one of the most useful exercises for burning calories, building endurance and strength in as little as 20 minutes. You don’t require a lot of space or equipment, and you can do the workouts wherever you go. It’s the best-kept secret in fitness....

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Would you like to learn how to skip for fitness? Skipping is one of the most useful exercises for burning calories, building endurance and strength in as little as 20 minutes. You don’t require a lot of space or equipment, and you can do the workouts wherever you go. It’s the best-kept secret in fitness.

Skipping may seem like child’s play. However, as any boxer can tell you, it can also be genuine exercise. Individuals have been skipping as exercise for most of civilized history. Egyptian athletes had a skipping workout as early as 1600 BC.

Interest in the sport is now experiencing one of its periodic spikes ever since being introduced in the USA in the 1800s mainly as an exercise for girls. Some skippers have become social media stars on platforms such as Instagram as well as TikTok.

Jump On The Balls Of Your Feet

When you skip, try to softly jump up and down on the balls on your feet. Your heels should not ever touch the ground, which is one reason why skipping is a serious calf workout.

Don’t Jump Too High, Relax

Many individuals who try to skip jump so high it’s like they don’t realise that the rope is an eighth of inch thick. If you’re attempting to get in a rhythm and skip for more than 30 seconds without burning yourself out, make sure that you keep your jumps as small as possible without tying up the skipping rope. Just relax and don’t fret if you trip on the skipping rope.

Don’t Swing Your Arms/Shoulders Too Much

Skipping is all in the wrists. Watching people who don’t know how to skip reminds us of how some individuals will try to swim really hard however barely go anywhere. Then you see another swimmer who is scarcely trying yet flies through the water.

Just as swimming is all about the effectiveness of your stroke, jumping rope effectively is all about the effectiveness of the revolutions. If you are making use of your arms and shoulders while jumping very high, jumping rope becomes an EXTREMELY  difficult cardio activity. Just make use of your wrists in a circular motion.

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Get A Great Skipping Rope

You don’t need anything fancy in terms of a skipping rope. There are all types of ropes from plastic to leather to cloth. The plastic as well as leather ropes are more unforgiving: they sting when you miss and you’re going ‘pepper’. The cloth ropes are slow and also ‘float’ too much for our liking. These are the most forgiving for skipping beginners.

The Beginner Skipping Routine

This is a beginner skipping routine for you:

  • 30 seconds of ‘phantom’ skip
  • 30 seconds of prisoner squats
  • 30 seconds of ‘phantom’ skip
  • 30 seconds of push ups (modify these by doing them on your knees if need be)
  • 30 seconds of ‘phantom’ skip
  • 30 seconds of front plank (drop to your knees if needed)

Repeat between three and five times.

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Can Yoga Help You Build Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/can-yoga-help-you-build-muscle/ Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24834 Building muscle is without a doubt one of the best ways in order to get as well as remain healthy. When you develop muscle, not only are you improving your metabolism, but you are also making day-to-day tasks a little easier on yourself (like finally being able to open that peanut butter jar you always...

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Building muscle is without a doubt one of the best ways in order to get as well as remain healthy. When you develop muscle, not only are you improving your metabolism, but you are also making day-to-day tasks a little easier on yourself (like finally being able to open that peanut butter jar you always need to hand to your roommate). However, does this mean that lifting weights is the only way to go for building muscle? Does practising yoga build muscle?

When most individuals want to build muscle, they gravitate towards free weights as well as weight machines. After all, nothing promotes muscle growth quite like lifting weights. However, sometimes the most efficient tool for the job is your own body. That’s where yoga comes in. Yoga is a lot more than merely glorified stretching. When done correctly, certain yoga poses can target your muscles, torch your core as well as aid in functional strength gains.

Yoga For Muscle Building

Yoga builds up muscle just as your usual gym workout does. After all, it’s just a separate application of bodyweight exercises. From progressive overload right down to metabolic stress, a strong yoga practice will naturally engage these muscle building processes; however, we can optimise them through pose progressions, flow structure and intensity.

What Are The Benefits Of Building Muscle Through Yoga?

While yoga may not be the quickest way to pack on kilograms of muscle, it comes with its own benefits over hitting the gym (and has even been shown in studies to boost performance at the gym):

  • Functional strength – Yoga has you moving as well as exerting through natural movements patterns. Building strength in functional ways as opposed to isolated movements that exist only in the gym.
  • Balanced workouts – The majority of yoga positions are compound movements and sequences are designed in order to balance every movement with one which is equal and opposite.
  • Maintain muscle health while building strength – We all know it’s good practice to stretch after a workout. Well, yoga has that covered the whole time.
  • Increase flexibility together with muscle mass – With larger muscle mass normally comes lowered mobility and flexibility however not through a yoga practice.
  • Low impact – Adding more as well as more weight to the bar at the gym will certainly take its toll on your joints in addition to tissues. Whereas yoga lets you build muscle in a low-impact environment.

Yoga Asanas For Muscle Building

Tree Pose

This single-leg asana helps the body to root through the ground as well as establish balance. It works all those little stabiliser muscles around the ankle, knee, and hip of the planted leg while providing the other leg a good groin stretch. In order to keep your body steady from beginning to end, your core need to remain engaged.

Warrior Three

The single-leg nature of warrior three necessitates balance and also engages your core. However, unlike tree pose, warrior three has a forward-leaning orientation. This asana puts even more weight on the standing leg and also works the whole backside of the body. Expect to develop strength and endurance in your calves, hamstrings, glutes, back as well as shoulders.

Bridge Pose

This pose necessitates that the body is squeezed through your legs, glutes, core as well as lower back. The Bridge Post is a great lower body strength building exercise. In addition to its muscle-building benefits, the bridge pose opens up your chest and shoulders, while also giving the spine and hip flexors a good stretch.

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Most Common HIIT Mistakes, According To Trainers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/most-common-hiit-mistakes-according-to-trainers/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 13:03:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24862 HIIT training is well-known as a very quick way to build muscle, increase aerobic fitness as well as burn fat. Most HIIT training routines are less than 30 minutes and alternate between maximum effort for a period of between 20 and 30 seconds and then shorter rest periods of lower intensity. You are also able...

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HIIT training is well-known as a very quick way to build muscle, increase aerobic fitness as well as burn fat. Most HIIT training routines are less than 30 minutes and alternate between maximum effort for a period of between 20 and 30 seconds and then shorter rest periods of lower intensity.

You are also able to customise HIIT training for your body’s needs and then apply it to running, strength training or both of these exercise modalities. The only downside to not doing HIIT properly is that there are a lot of ways to do HIIT incorrectly, which not only leads to injury as well as fatigue but also prevents you from accomplishing your health and fitness goals.

HIIT Workout Mistakes

Doing HIIT Every Day

Over training is a very real thing. If you do HIIT every single day, your body will begin to break down. What we mean is that if you work out too intensely on most days, you will probably experience overuse injuries such as tendinitis or stress fractures. In addition, the stress which overtraining causes to your body is linked to hormonal imbalances that result in chronic fatigue.

Instead, to do HIIT correctly aim for about two to three sessions a week (not more than four). Always give your body at least a full day in between to rest. You don’t need to take those days totally off of exercise altogether, though, you could try low-impact, cross-training workouts such as swimming, walking, cycling, hiking or yoga.

You Don’t Push Yourself Hard Enough

Doing HIIT properly is not short and sweet. It’s meant to be quick and dirty. What this means is that since HIIT workouts can be as brief as 10 to 20 minutes, these workouts are supposed to be intense (hence the name). On a measure of perceived exertion, where the maximum is 10, you need to be at an eight or a nine.

If you don’t go beast mode during HIIT work intervals, you won’t reap the fat-burning, metabolism-boosting benefits of these types of sessions. So don’t hold back and save your energy like you might for a longer workout — give it all you’ve got.

You Go Too Hard, Too Quickly

However, if you’re a newbie one of the common HIIT mistakes is doing too much too quickly. This can backfire – badly. For instance, when you push too hard in the first work interval, you might not have sufficient petrol in the tank for the last. Or worse still, you could injure yourself.

So, what can you do to avoid this common HIIT mistake? Consider the number of intervals you’ll be doing ahead of time and then strategise how to pace yourself. The idea is to begin at a moderately high level of intensity and then ramp it up a notch with each consecutive interval. In this way, you’re working quite hard from the get-go without utilising all of your energy in one fell swoop.

In addition, you might want to begin with a shorter workout, say eight-minutes long, so that you can maintain your intensity for the entire of the routine. Then, gradually progress to something longer as you become stronger.

What Are The Benefits Of Interval Training?

Here are some of the benefits of interval training:

  • You’ll burn more calories. The more vigorously that you exercise, the greater the number of calories you’ll burn — even if you up the intensity for only a few minutes at a time.
  • You’ll be more time efficient with your workouts.
  • You’ll improve your aerobic capacity.

What Should I Wear For HIIT?

If you’re taking part in a sports-specific type of HIIT — such as a cycling or running-focused class —wear something that is appropriate for that activity.

For more general High-Intensity Interval Training classes, again, if you are a lady pick out a sports bra that’s supportive as you will probably be moving around a lot during the class. Supportive athletic shoes are also recommended. It’s especially good if your shoes are designed for lateral movements as opposed to just running.

As for your top, choose a material which absorbs moisture well, such as a cotton-poly blend. Otherwise, you will constantly be in a puddle of sweat.

For your bottoms, shorts, or leggings work for the ladies, too. As long as they are comfortable – and give you the opportunity to move about – this is all that matters.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about HIIT? If you do, then check out our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. For more information and to register, please follow this link.

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A Simple Guide To High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-simple-guide-to-high-intensity-interval-training-hiit/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:16:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24854 Modern day life has a way of making us feel time-crunched and pressured to find the most effective ways of making use of our waking hours. The trendy fitness regimen high-intensity interval training (which is also called HIIT) epitomises this feeling. A HIIT training program promises the best workout in a minimum amount of time....

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Modern day life has a way of making us feel time-crunched and pressured to find the most effective ways of making use of our waking hours. The trendy fitness regimen high-intensity interval training (which is also called HIIT) epitomises this feeling.

A HIIT training program promises the best workout in a minimum amount of time. Runners have made use of interval training for more than 100 years, alternating between sprints and jogging in order to improve their endurance.

However, HIIT didn’t really go mainstream until about a 10 years ago, when exercise physiologists began to publish multiple studies proving that intervals could deliver the biggest health improvement for workout time.

What Is HIIT?

The term ‘HIIT’ refers to a very specific type of training. Despite popular belief, it’s possible to do interval training without essentially doing a real HIIT workout.

What Does A HIIT Routine Look Like?

The hallmark of a HIIT routine is repeated, extremely hard bouts of work, interspersed with periods of recovery – usually with a ratio of 20 to 30 seconds of intensity followed by 15 to 30 seconds of rest, or less-intense exercise. During your HIIT training work intervals, you’ll be challenging yourself nearly to your max.

A HIIT training program for beginners is the opposite of going for a long, easy run where you need to ration your energy in order to sustain the activity for longer. And it’s a little different from what you probably have seen labelled as “HIIT” in gen-pop exercise classes.

Most exercise protocols called “HIIT” would actually be more accurately described as circuit training or interval training.

How To Start HIIT Training

For your HIIT workout routine to be effective, you need to go into it with a plan. This means that you need set your work and rest intervals in accordance with your current fitness level.

For a HIIT training program for beginners, try to begin with a 1:4 work to rest ratio. For instance, you might do 15 seconds of work, then rest for approximately one minute. As you gain in fitness, you are able to reduce the ratio to 1:2 for a 30 second effort which is followed by one minute of rest.  Next, decide on the length of your HIIT workout. When you are just starting out, 10-15 minutes is enough to kickstart results.

Finally, the HIIT training guide advises you to choose the exercises that you are going to use. For sprint training, you could cycle, run, row or swim. For strength training, you could use exercises which target a variety of muscle groups, such as burpees, push-ups, or crunches.

A HIIT Training Program For Beginners

This HIIT bodyweight circuit is the ideal HIIT training program for beginners. It doesn’t need any equipment, which means you are able to do HIIT in the comfort of your own home.

This HIIT routine is an AMRAP-style workout. This means that you do ‘as many reps (repetitions) as possible’ for each and every single HIIT exercise in the set time frame. AMRAP-style HIIT routines are great for beginners because your progress over time can very well be quite obvious. As you exercise for a set amount of time, you can track your progress through the number of reps you are able to pack into each set period.

Remember to pace yourself when you start your HIIT training program for beginners. You should be pushing yourself hard and attempt to do as many reps as possible, however you don’t want to overdo it. It’s important to do a good warm-up before your HIIT workout so that you can prepare your muscles and assist with reducing the risk of injury.

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HIIT Training Guide

Here are some more examples of HIIT training

Elliptical

This machine has a dial for resistance and it can be used for interval training. For a number of minutes, go on low resistance (0-2 level) and then crank up the resistance for 60 seconds (up to 8-10). Repeat this process 12 times, which could give you a 20-minute workout.

Stair Climber

Much like the elliptical machine, alternate between periods of low intensity for two minutes and then one minute for high intensity. The difference with the climber is that the dial will control the speed of the stairs.

Rowing Machine

Begin with a two-minute warm-up. On minute three, row as hard as you can for 60 seconds. Then catch your breath. The rowing machine could be hard to do for a full 20 minutes as it’s a lot of upper body work. Shoot for ten minutes at first.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover more about HIIT workouts, then you should really do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Exercise Your Neck? Read this article to find out. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-your-neck-read-this-article-to-find-out/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24824 If you have neck pain, you will surely want to get rid of it as soon as you are able to. One of the ways which you are able to do this is through exercise. What should you be doing? More importantly, what shouldn’t you be doing? As long as your medical practitioner gives you...

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If you have neck pain, you will surely want to get rid of it as soon as you are able to. One of the ways which you are able to do this is through exercise. What should you be doing? More importantly, what shouldn’t you be doing?

As long as your medical practitioner gives you the thumbs up, you should start exercising as soon as possible in order to ease stiffness as well as pain. Resting for too long, often anything more than a couple of days, will make it more difficult to get moving again.

Don’t exercise if you have serious neck pain or weakness in your hands or arms. If you get it while you exercise, stop immediately and call your doctor.

What Happens When Your Neck And Upper Back Muscles Are Weakened?

When your neck and upper back muscles become weakened, your head sags forward and increased stress is put on the cervical spine. This can lead to neck pain. Strengthening these muscles can assist with improving posture and get the head closer to neutral position (with the ears directly over the shoulders).

The scalene muscles (side of the neck), as well as suboccipital muscles (lower back of head and top of neck, are most efficiently stretched in conjunction with strengthening of the weakened postural muscles, including the upper thoracic extensors as well as the deep cervical flexors.

What Exercises Will Strengthen And Stretch The Muscles In Your Neck And Shoulders?

Cervical Retraction

This is the single best exercise to improve posture as well as neck stability and one which can simply be done sitting at your desk. Cervical retraction is best learned when you’re lying down.

  • Lie on your back, on your mat, with your neck relaxed.
  • Keep your head on the ground, gently tuck your chin toward your chest as if making a double chin. Squeeze and hold for between 5 and 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
  • Don’t push your head into the floor and make sure that you sense a contraction in the front of your neck.
  • In order to do cervical retraction seated, sit in a vertical position with your feet flat on the floor.
  • Gently tuck in your chin towards your chest and making sure that your eyes fixed on something in front of you. Squeeze as well as hold for 5-10 seconds.
  • Don’t look down or bending your neck forward.

Neck Tilt

  • From a sitting position, tilt your head down so that your chin touches your chest.
  • Maintain this position for 5 seconds.
  • Go back to your starting position and then repeat.
  • Do this five times.

Side-to-Side Neck Tilt

  • From exactly the same starting position, tilt your neck towards one shoulder, leading with your ear.
  • Maintain for 5 seconds and then return to your starting position.
  • Do this five times on each side.

Isometric Cervical Side Bending

  • Stand or sit in a vertical position with your head in a neutral position and with your feet flat on the floor.
  • Position your hand on the side of your head.
  • Keeping your eyes fixed on something which is in front of you, push gently into the side of your head, resisting the motion with your neck muscles.
  • Ensure that your head remains steady.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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How Often Should I Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-often-should-i-exercise/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24821 How often have you signed up to a gym or committed to an exercise plan in order to lose weight, only to back out after a few weeks as you have no idea how frequently you should work out? If your respond is “too many to count,” you’re definitely not alone. Knowing how many days...

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How often have you signed up to a gym or committed to an exercise plan in order to lose weight, only to back out after a few weeks as you have no idea how frequently you should work out?

If your respond is “too many to count,” you’re definitely not alone. Knowing how many days you need to exercise may be confusing. This is particularly so if the amount of time that you’re putting in doesn’t match up with your fitness goals.

So, if your fitness goal is to sweat it out on the treadmill more frequently in order to lose a few kilos or to increase the amount of weight you’re lifting so that you can gain muscle, the following tips can help you hit your target sooner and with greater success.

Just Trying To Stay Healthy?

If you want to work out just so that you can maintain your physical health, it is recommended that you aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or – alternatively – 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each and every single week.

Moderate aerobic activity (in order words, moderate intensity cardio) means that you’re moving fast enough to talk but not to sing that new Taylor Swift song. Vigorous aerobic activity means that you’re breathing hard as well as fast — too quickly even to chat.

Split up your minutes in any which way you like — you do you. If your goal is to sustain basic health, even brisk walking for 30 minutes, five days per week (remember to break a sweat!) will get the job done.

How Frequently Should You Work Out For Weight Loss?

Knowing how frequently you should strength train – and also do cardiovascular exercise to lose weight – depends on how fast you would like to see results.

The usual recommendation is to lose no more than 500 g to 1 kg per week. That said, many people seek programmes that are designed for faster weight loss.

In the most straightforward of terms, you’ll need to burn more calories than you take in so that you can lose weight. Dieting has proven to be a very effective method of losing weight, however in order to maintain weight loss, you’ll be required to exercise.

How much weight you lose is dependent upon the amount of exercise which you’re willing to commit to as well as how closely you adhere to your diet. If you really would like to see results reflected on the scale and continue to make progress over time, it is necessary for you to commit to working out at least four to five every per week.

However, keep in mind that you’ll build up to this. To begin, you might only want to exercise two or three days per week and then gradually work your way up to exercising five days. Plan your workouts in order to include a combination of:

  • Cardio
  • Strength Training
  • Core Work
  • Stretching

For maximum results, a workout programme should consist of cardiovascular as well as strength training exercise. When you lift weights, you boost your lean muscle mass. This gives you the opportunity to increase your metabolism in addition to burning calories at a higher rate, even when you’re not exercising.

Cardiovascular exercise isn’t just vital in maintaining good heart health. Cardio exercise can:

  • Burn calories
  • Boost your mood
  • Decrease stress

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to discover more about exercise and become a personal trainer then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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Yoga Poses To Treat Acidity. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/yoga-poses-to-treat-acidity/ Fri, 18 Jun 2021 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24806 Acid reflux – or acidity – is a prevalent ailment that develops when the stomach generates too much acid. Food breakdown typically takes place by the acid caused by the stomach, however occasionally the stomach’s acid production goes overboard and produces an excess of acid. Proper chewing of food, drinking sufficient water, and quitting smoking...

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Acid reflux – or acidity – is a prevalent ailment that develops when the stomach generates too much acid. Food breakdown typically takes place by the acid caused by the stomach, however occasionally the stomach’s acid production goes overboard and produces an excess of acid.

Proper chewing of food, drinking sufficient water, and quitting smoking are essential for those with acid reflux or heartburn. Else, it may make the condition worse. Along with a few other types of naturopathic remedies, yoga may help lower acidity in the digestive system and effectively treat acid reflux.

Studies have shown that individuals who experience acid reflux report stress as the main contributing factor to their symptoms of acid reflux. According to research, practising yoga was shown to help regulate and/or alleviate symptoms that are linked to digestive disorders, such as acid reflux.

Kapalabhati Pranayama

This yoga asana is good for alleviating symptoms associated with stomach disorders, digestive disorders as well as many other disorders that are related to the stomach.

Steps:

  • Sit on the floor and make sure that you keep your legs Close your eyes and ensure that you keep your spine straight position.
  • Keep your left palm on your left knee and your right palm on your right knee.
  • Make sure that you take a deep breath in and then breathe out with force.
  • Try not to stress on inhaling. Inhaling should never mean a lot of effort. You are able to increase your time from 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Do not do this very fast – you should be doing this as a medium speed.

Benefits:

  • Kapalabhati Pranayama will improve the functions of your respiratory system, especially the lungs.
  • It will boost the function of the pancreas by assisting with producing the hormone insulin naturally.
  • It cleans the internal system as well as removing toxins from the body.
  • Kapalabhati Pranayama brings stability to your mind and calms you down.
  • It is really effective for weight loss.

Bhastrika Pranayama

In Sanskrit, the word Bhastrika means bellows. This exercise resembles the blowing of bellows:

  • Sit on a yoga mat. If you cannot sit on the ground, then you could also sit on a chair as this exercise is related to breathing.
  • Inhale deeply through your nostrils. Fill your lungs with air. When you do exhale, do it with a hissing sound.
  • Exhale completely. Inhale very deeply.
  • If you perform the same exercise for a maximum of five minutes, you will see the result in a few days.

Benefits:

  • Bhastrika Pranayama helps with improving blood circulation in the body.
  • This asana may assist with preventing heart-related problems.
  • This asana relaxes the body and mind. It also assists with improving your concentration.
  • Bhastrika Pranayama helps strengthen the lungs.
  • This asana can provide relief from hypertension and stress-related depression.
  • It could be a good cure for obesity and arthritis.
  • Bhastrika Pranayama could also be a panacea for headaches, asthma, migraine, depression, neurological problems as well as gastric problems.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to learn additional information about yoga poses, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Find out more here.

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How To Add Resistance Training To Your Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-add-resistance-training-to-your-workout/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24791 No matter what your age or athletic ability, resistance training is the key to flexibility, mobility, improved performance as well as lower injury risk. Anybody, at any fitness level, can and should strength train. And it doesn’t need to take hours at the gym in order to see results. It’s true that resistance can appear...

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No matter what your age or athletic ability, resistance training is the key to flexibility, mobility, improved performance as well as lower injury risk. Anybody, at any fitness level, can and should strength train. And it doesn’t need to take hours at the gym in order to see results.

It’s true that resistance can appear to be intimidating — especially if you’re scrolling through social media and seeing individuals deadlifting double their bodyweight, pressing a loaded barbell high over their head, or doing Superman push-ups where they fly into the air.

However, it’s very important to remember that those are just highlight reels of individuals who have been doing resistance training for a very long time. When they first started, you can be pretty sure that they began small. Those explosive push-ups? It’s probable that they started as a modified, knees-on-the-floor exercise.

The Goal Of Resistance Training

Resistance training for beginners doesn’t have to begin with the goal of getting you to that point. If you want to squat with superheavy weight, starting a strength training programme can definitely assist you with getting there. However, it can also just help you get stronger in ways that will help you in everyday life, as well, whether it’s carrying all the grocery bags into the house in one trip or squatting down to the floor so that you can pick up your not-so-cuddly cat.

Resistance training is one of the out-and-out best ways to assist your body to stay functional as well as healthy for the long run. And as muscle mass could begin to decline as early as in your 30s, beginning a weightlifting programme as an adult can help you maintain – and even build – that strength as you grow older.

Start With Your Bodyweight.

Put simply, resistance training means making use of resistance in order to create work for your muscles. In time, that can mean external weight however – for beginners – that can also mean your bodyweight too. That’s a phenomenal place to start.

Not only can you get a super effective resistance training workout using only your bodyweight, but bodyweight exercises are also a useful way for beginners to become familiar with all the main movement patterns in resistance training. For instance, before you grab a pair of dumbbells for a set of deadlifts, you need to first make sure that you understand the hip hinge — pushing your hips as well as butt backward, keeping a neutral spine and a slight bend in your knees.

Prep Your Muscles Before You Start

A proper warm-up is a very important part of an effective resistance workout. Begin by waking up your muscles using a foam roller. Foam rolling relaxes tight muscles so that they are able to work the way they’re designed to.

A dynamic warm-up is an additional important part of your pre-workout routine as it preps your muscles for the work that they’re about to do and assists with increasing your range of motion. Boosting your range of motion gives you the opportunity to go deeper into those squats and completely extend those bicep curls, which means more muscle recruitment as well as better results.

These two combined lower your risk of injury and give you the opportunity to push harder during your workout.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about resistance training, then you need to become a personal trainer. Check out our Personal Training Diploma here.

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What Is The Difference Between Mobility And Flexibility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-mobility-and-flexibility/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24794 Most individuals think that mobility as well as flexibility are one and the same. However, in fact they are two quite different concepts. Knowing the difference between them may assist you in your quest to become a better “mover”: Flexibility can be looked at as the capacity of a muscle or muscle groups to passively...

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Most individuals think that mobility as well as flexibility are one and the same. However, in fact they are two quite different concepts. Knowing the difference between them may assist you in your quest to become a better “mover”:

  • Flexibility can be looked at as the capacity of a muscle or muscle groups to passively lengthen through a range of motion.
  • Mobility is the capacity of a joint in order to move actively through a range of motion.

Many other structures outline how good a person’s mobility is. It is not just the muscles stretching over a joint but also how much the joint moves within the joint capsule. In addition, mobility takes into account the element of motor control within the nervous system.

The One Depends On The Other

In order to have good mobility, you do actually need good flexibility.

In addition, you require muscular strength and stability to manipulate the joints actively. Dynamic, moving stretches operate on joint mobility by tackling flexibility, strength as well as stability all at the same time.

A simple way to test the distinction between flexibility and mobility in your own body is to lift your knee toward your chest. Your hip mobility is evaluated by how far your knee travels without help.

After this, place your hands on your knee and actively pull it closer towards your chest. This stretch shows your entire flexibility in the hip.

What You Need To Do

Don’t miss your warmup or cool down. Dynamic stretching (pre workout), as well as static stretching (post workout), are very effective at improving both mobility and flexibility. You’ll get bonus points if you also stretch between workouts and incorporate yoga in your weekly routine.

In addition, just to help yourself out in general, don’t cheat during exercises. Advanced training strategies – such as partial reps (like quarter squats) – have their place in a well-designed workout programme, but true strength means being able to handle a load through a full range of motion.

Why You Need Mobility In Your Life

Mobility May Prevent Injury

Studies have demonstrated that range of motion in the joints and injury risk are directly related.

By incorporating dynamic stretches – as opposed to static – you’ll activate as well as strengthen all the muscles required to move a joint through its range of motion. This creates muscle balance and lowers the risk of injury.

The static versus dynamic question is always contentious and depends on your intended outcome.

Improve Posture

If you feel immobility in the joints, your posture may suffer. Several studies have associated postural imbalance with a lack of joint mobility. In essence, without strong muscles around the joints, it’s difficult to maintain good posture.

Mobility tips:

  • Joint range of motion is king – you need to move your joints first.
  • Move with strength, control and stability in order to maintain your gains.
  • Make use of a foam roller as an adjunct to your mobility programme.
  • Move gently and regularly – if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about mobility, then you should really consider becoming a yoga instructor. Follow this link in order to discover more about our Yoga Instructor Course.

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How Long Does It Take To Build Up Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-up-muscle/ Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:39:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24787 If you would like to build muscle, lifting weights is the absolute best way in order to reach that goal. Research supports the fact that resistance training, particularly weightlifting, is the best method for inducing hypertrophy (which is the scientific term for muscle growth).  If you’re on the hunt for bigger muscles, it’s very important...

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If you would like to build muscle, lifting weights is the absolute best way in order to reach that goal. Research supports the fact that resistance training, particularly weightlifting, is the best method for inducing hypertrophy (which is the scientific term for muscle growth).  If you’re on the hunt for bigger muscles, it’s very important to begin your new workout plan with the correct expectations.

Building muscle takes much longer than most individuals realise. It’s a slow — almost excruciatingly slow — process which can feel discouraging when you don’t see the muscle definition that you want.

You’ve probably heard that you should be including strength training into your exercise routine. However, hitting the weights could feel far more intimidating as opposed to taking a walk or jog around your neighbourhood. While results may not always be fast, putting together a solid strength training routine should show you noticeable muscle gains in several weeks to a number of months.

Why Are Healthy And Strong Muscles Important?

Healthy and strong muscles are very important essential for proper body functioning. In addition, some Individuals may want to achieve a physical appearance which is enhanced by muscle development.

Skeletal muscles consist of contracting muscle fibres that make movement possible. Also, muscle contraction plays a role in how a person sits as well as stands. In other words, their posture. In a similar fashion, muscles affect joint stability, heat production as well as the maintenance of body temperature.

Interestingly enough, skeletal muscles are not just muscles however organs as well. They contain a lot of components including muscle fibres, connective, nerve, and blood or – alternatively – vascular tissues. Muscles are different in size – from the large ones in the back and thigh to the much smaller muscles in parts of the body such as the middle ear.

How Does Muscle Growth Happen?

Building muscle includes the repair of microtraumas in your muscle fibres. Here’s a breakdown of this exceedingly complex process:

  1. Each muscle consists of thousands of tiny muscle fibres.
  2. When you lift weights (or perform body weight exercises), your muscles endure tiny injuries throughout their fibres.
  3. Then, when you are resting your muscles, your body starts to repair your damaged muscle cells.
  4. The repair process entails fusing torn muscle fibres back together, as well as laying down new proteins within each muscle cell.
  5. Your muscles become bigger as well as stronger as a result of the repair process.

Remember that the above is a greatly simplified version of what actually takes place in your body after a weight training workout routine. In reality, the process involves more than just your muscles — your nervous system, circulatory system as well as endocrine system all make a contribution to muscle repair and growth.

How To Build Muscle

Devoting your entire day in the gym isn’t required to build muscle. Weight training for between 20 and 30 minutes, two to three times a week is sufficient to see results. You need try to target all of your major muscle groups at least twice during your weekly workouts.

While you might not see results straight away, even a single strength training session may help to stimulates muscle growth. Exercise promotes what’s called protein synthesis in the two to four hours after you complete your workout. Your protein synthesis levels may stay elevated for up to an entire day.

How exactly are you able to tell if your muscles are growing? You could be able to see more muscle definition. If not, you’ll definitely be able to lift heavier weights with increased ease over time.

Strength training activities include the following:

  • Body weight exercises, such as push-ups, squats as week as lunges
  • Resistance band movements
  • Drills with free weights, or even objects such as soup cans
  • Exercises with stationary weight machines, like a leg curl machine

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn how to build muscle then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma? Follow this link to find out more.

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How Does Exercise Protect The Brain Against Depression And Anxiety? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-does-exercise-protect-the-brain-against-depression-and-anxiety/ Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24778 When you suffer from depression or anxiety, exercise frequently seems like the last thing which you want to do. However, once you get motivated, exercise can make a huge difference. Exercise assists with preventing and improving a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes as well as arthritis. Research on depression, anxiety as...

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When you suffer from depression or anxiety, exercise frequently seems like the last thing which you want to do. However, once you get motivated, exercise can make a huge difference.

Exercise assists with preventing and improving a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes as well as arthritis. Research on depression, anxiety as well as exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also assist with improving mood and reducing anxiety.

The linkages between depression, anxiety and exercise aren’t completely clear — however working out and additional forms of physical activity can certainly ease symptoms of depression or anxiety and make you feel a lot better. In addition, exercise may help keep depression and anxiety from coming back once you’re feeling better.

Brain Biology And Growth

Working out on a regular basis really does change the brain biology, and it is not just ‘go walk and you will just feel better’. Regular exercise, in particular cardio, does alter the brain. In spite of what some individuals may think, the brain is a very plastic organ of the body. Not only are new neuronal connections formed each and every day, but however also new cells are also generated in significant areas of the brain. One fundamental area is the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory as well as and regulating negative emotions.

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A molecule, which is called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, assists the brain to produce neurons, or brain cells. A number of different aerobic and high-intensity interval training exercises substantially increase BDNF levels. There are several bits of evidence from animal research that these changes are at epigenetic level, meaning that these behaviours affect how genes are conveyed, leading to changes in the neuronal connections and function.

In addition, moderate exercise seems to have anti-inflammatory effects to regulate the immune system as well as excessive inflammation. This is important, given the novel insight neuroscience is gaining into the possible role of inflammation in anxiety as well as depression.

Finally, there is a tonne evidence for the positive effects of exercise on the neurotransmitters – brain chemicals which send signals between neurons – dopamine as well as endorphins. Both of these are engaged in positive mood and motivation.

What Is The Relationship Between Exercise And Anxiety Disorders?

Stress and anxiety are a typical part of life, however anxiety disorders, which affect 40 million adults, are the most common psychiatric illnesses. The benefits of exercise may well extend beyond stress relief to enhancing anxiety and related disorders.

Psychologists who studied how exercise relieves anxiety and depression make the suggestion that a 10-minute walk may be just as efficient as a 45-minute workout. Some studies have shown that exercise can work quickly in order to elevate depressed mood in many individuals. Although the effects might be temporary, they show that a brisk walk or other simple activity may deliver several hours of relief, which is similar to taking an aspirin for a headache.

In addition, science has provided some evidence that physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression as opposed to sedentary people. Exercise may improve mental health by assisting the brain cope better with stress. In one study, the researchers made the finding that those who performed regular vigorous exercise were 25% less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder over the next five years.

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How To Strengthen Your Abs With Boxing? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-strengthen-your-abs-with-boxing-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24781 Boxing is a phenomenal way of developing both functional as well as aesthetic abs. A common misconception is that boxing is just an arms workout. Sure, if you box with bad form your shoulders will burn like no other however when you box using proper form it is also a great core workout. In order...

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Boxing is a phenomenal way of developing both functional as well as aesthetic abs. A common misconception is that boxing is just an arms workout. Sure, if you box with bad form your shoulders will burn like no other however when you box using proper form it is also a great core workout.

In order to generate speed as well as power in boxing you need to make use of hip and trunk rotation. This requires the muscles of the abdomen – such as the internal and external obliques – to contract explosively (both concentrically as well as eccentrically) in order to create torque as well as to delay the movement so that your centre of gravity stays over your base of support, i.e., midline stability.

It is also extremely effective at developing a muscle which many individuals attribute to sculpting the greatest abdominal region – the Serratus Anterior (SA). When it comes down to sculpting the midsection, most individuals fall short of their potential by just focusing on the rectus abdominus, which is also known as the visible six-pack and ignoring the serratus anterior.

What Does The Serratus Anterior Do?

The SA ties the whole abdomen together and should not be overlooked. The serratus anterior is often called the boxer’s muscle as boxers tend to have the best development. The motive for this is owing to the action of the SA is scapular protraction (think about reaching for a long punch). It’s a functional muscle which also has aesthetic benefits. It brings together the six-pack look.

Naturally, if your body fat percentage is not sufficiently low to reveal your abs, then doesn’t matter how many crunches as well as leg raises you do – or how many punches you throw – you won’t be able to see what’s underneath the layer of subcutaneous fat. In other words, abs are sculpted in the gym and uncovered in the kitchen. It is necessary for you to put in the hard work in the gym in order to stimulate growth and then you should let your nutrition do the remainder of the job. Sculpted abs are one of the biggest advantages of boxing.

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Scapula Exercises Which Strengthen Your Serratus Anterior

Shoulder blade protractions are a phenomenal exercise to prepare for the added weight which your serratus anterior will meet during push-ups. In order to protract your shoulders, pull your shoulder blades away from the spine. Think about giving yourself a bear hug. If you do this, you are protracting your shoulders.

Scapular push-ups are another great scapula exercise as they isolate this particular muscle group. To perform this move, get into a push-up position and straighten your arms. Cautiously slide your shoulder blades inward towards each other and then outwards away from each other. Do this movement ten times.

You are also able to do a wall exercise for your serratus anterior. First, stand with your back against a wall and then raise your arms. Inch your arms upwards while making sure that you keep your shoulders down. If you’re just beginning, keep your thumbs touching the wall and then slowly press your elbows firmly against the wall as far back as you are able to.

And then, obviously, there are your Bar Method classes! Push-ups, plank, rhomboid pulls, arm dancing as well as oblique punches are all effective moves for your serratus anterior. Ask your instructor to assist you with engaging this underrated muscle during your next class — your arms will thank you for it!

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How To Make Exercise Part Of Your Social Life? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-make-exercise-part-of-your-social-life-find-out-more/ Mon, 14 Jun 2021 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24764 Exercise is a phenomenal way to improve your physical as well as mental health. Remaining active can asist you to avoid serious age-related diseases like cancer. In addition, exercising on a steady basis can help you to dodge a heart attack and – not insignificantly – help to lower longevity-busting stress hormones such as cortisol....

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Exercise is a phenomenal way to improve your physical as well as mental health. Remaining active can asist you to avoid serious age-related diseases like cancer. In addition, exercising on a steady basis can help you to dodge a heart attack and – not insignificantly – help to lower longevity-busting stress hormones such as cortisol. The challenge is to really enjoy the exercise and keeping it social is a good way to make physical activity more fun, and up the odds of your sticking with your exercise programme.

It’s critically important in order to maintain a strong social network as well as a physically active lifestyle. By amalgamating your social life with your fitness programme, you’ll get some exercise while hanging out with your favourite people. The bonus? You’ll have a phenomenal time, strengthen your friendships, meet new people as well as stay on track with your fitness goals.

What Are The Benefits Of Exercising With Other People?

Group exercise can offer support as well as structure to an exercise programme. A 2007 randomised controlled trial evaluating supervised group exercise for early-stage breast cancer patients receiving treatment found physical as well as psychological benefits lasted beyond the 12-week exercise programme.

The study contrasted a regimen of two group classes every single week as well as one additional at-home session, with instructions to exercise at home regularly in control subjects. The group of exercisers reported a higher quality of life in questionnaires as opposed to the control group who were exercising on their own at the end of the 12-week programme and six months later.

Whether it’s a consequence of attention from personal instructors, or support from fellow patients, the social exercisers enjoyed the activity far more and remained more active in the months which followed. Even entirely healthy adults may benefit from the distraction an exercise buddy can provide, keeping your mind off your aching muscles.

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Ideas For Social Exercising

Go For A Hike

Gather your friends together and plan a day of fun – as well as fitness – at a nature reserve. Pack a lunch, plenty of water in addition to your camera.

Team Sports

Recreational leagues are offered for men and women of all ages as well as abilities. You’ll get together for practices as well as games and might even travel to tournaments. Check out your local parks and recreation department or search for baseball, soccer, volleyball, or tennis leagues online.

Put On Your Dancing Shoes

Even though you may not have danced a step in your life, it’s not too late to learn how bust a move. Learning how best to swing, tango, rhumba, or do the hustle is fun, energising as well as a phenomenal way to sneak in some exercise. Some communities have dance clubs where members meet often to learn new steps and practise together.

Join A Group Fitness Class

Ask your friends to sign up for an exercise class together. There’s an infinite variety of formats to choose from: water aerobics, yoga, Pilates, martial arts, Zumba®, step, cardio kickboxing, cycling, boot camp. The list is endless. You’re sure to find something which makes you sweat and laugh.

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Does Strength Training Make You Less Flexible? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-strength-training-make-you-less-flexible/ Mon, 14 Jun 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24760 Many of us will know of someone who spends loads of time strength training however can barely touch their toes. They may lift heavy weights but when it comes down to mobility, they’re like a creaking old gate. Why is that? Is it their strength training which chips away at their flexibility, or are they...

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Many of us will know of someone who spends loads of time strength training however can barely touch their toes. They may lift heavy weights but when it comes down to mobility, they’re like a creaking old gate. Why is that? Is it their strength training which chips away at their flexibility, or are they simply not doing enough mobility work in the first place?

Clearly, it’s no good being able to squat heavy or deadlift our own bodyweight if we aren’t able to squat deep or hinge forward to any real depth. And if you aren’t able to balance (crucial for avoiding accidental falls), what good is being able to chest press the weight of a small child?

What Is Functional Fitness?

Functional fitness is all about moving well and also being mobile. However, what impact does getting stronger have on our mobility and does strength training make us less mobile and flexible?

This misconception about weight training leading to inflexibility has remained to be tenacious in people’s minds, in spite of the fact that studies as long ago as the 1960s and 1970s proved otherwise.

Studies conducted later have confirmed that properly performed strength training exercises serve to increase flexibility rather than reduce it.

Research About Strength Training

A recent study that compared static stretching and strength training found out the following:

  • Stretching and strength training boosted hamstring flexibility to the same degree.
  • Resistance training outperformed static stretching in terms of improving hip flexibility.
  • Resistance training boosted strength around all joints while stretching did not.

This is a very important side note: Most injuries are owing to a paucity of strength around a joint, not poor flexibility. If you have the strength in order to avoid a fall, or catch yourself, you won’t overstretch the muscle. Strength training is superior to flexibility training in terms of injury prevention as you improve flexibility and strength simultaneously.

The Parallels Between Static Stretching And Weight Training

So, weight training could be comparable to static stretching for boosting flexibility. The key is to make use of full range-of-motion when you train. Partial reps as well as static holds won’t give you a boost in flexibility. For instance, doing full range-of-motion squats assists with improving hip flexibility. More hip flexibility, in turn, will, in turn, boost your ability to go deep on squats. Partial reps have their advantages, but they don’t build flexibility.

The one situation where weight training works counter to flexibility is if you build such large muscles that it limits movement of the adjoining joint. If you are carrying a lot of body fat, it may also restrict movement at a joint. However, you require massive significant amount of fat or muscle development for this to have a big impact on flexibility.

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What Is The Spiderman Lunge Exercise? Learn more in this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-spiderman-lunge-exercise-learn-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 10:51:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24756 The Spider-Man Lunge exercise (which is also known as the Spiderman Climb) is a variation on the traditional lunge, a body weight exercise. This exercise works on the flexibility of your hips, hamstrings as well as lower back. In addition, the Spider-Man lunge also works on hamstring muscle strength. This exercise forms part of the...

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The Spider-Man Lunge exercise (which is also known as the Spiderman Climb) is a variation on the traditional lunge, a body weight exercise. This exercise works on the flexibility of your hips, hamstrings as well as lower back. In addition, the Spider-Man lunge also works on hamstring muscle strength. This exercise forms part of the Superhero workout.

In order to improve mobility – as well as assist with the hip pain – one exercise that is great to do all the time (mainly before and after running) is the Spider Man lunge. This one is not always the easiest for older adults however even if you’re not great at it, it will certainly help to open up your hips. You’ll especially notice its affects during your recovery from athletic activities.

How To Do The Spiderman Lunge Exercise

Adopt the classic push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders, your legs straight as well as your abs braced. Lift your right foot straight off the floor and then bend your knee. Place your foot outside your right hand. Go back to your beginning position and after this lunge out with your left leg. Continue the process of alternating legs for a total of 20 reps.

Which Muscles Are Targeted With The Spider-Man Lunge Exercise?

The Spider Man lunge targets the following muscle groups:

  • Chest,
  • Core, and
  • Legs.

This exercise is a phenomenal way to help with loosening up your groin.

What Are The Alternatives To The Spider Man Lunge?

If you don’t have great flexibility, be careful that you don’t overstretch. Bring your foot up halfway, and as your mobility improves, slowly work your way to bringing your foot up right next to your hand.

What Are The Benefits Of Lunges?

Here are some of the benefits of doing lunges:

  • Weight Loss

Lunges are responsible for working the large muscle groups in your lower body, which builds lean muscle and lowers body fat. This can increase your resting metabolism, which gives you the opportunity to burn more calories as well as trim extra weight.

If you’re looking to lose a couple of extra kilos, why not push yourself to your outer limits by incorporating lunges in a high-intensity circuit training routine utilising heavy weights?

  • Balance And Stability

Lunges are a lower body unilateral exercise as you work on each side of your body independently. The single-leg movements activate your stabilising muscles in order to develop balance, coordination as well as stability.

Working one leg at a time results in your body being less stable, which forces your spine and core to work harder in order to remain balanced.

  • Alignment And Symmetry

Lunges are far better than bilateral exercises for rehabilitation as they can correct imbalances and misalignments in your body in order to make it more symmetrical.

If you have one side which is less strong or flexible, make sure that you spend a bit of additional time working on this side so that you don’t overcompensate or – alternatively – overuse the dominant side.

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What Does The Ideal Training Plan Consist Of? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-does-the-ideal-training-plan-consist-of/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24752 There is no single type of training that is able to take care of all your needs. In fact, in order to get the most advantages from your routine, you will want a mixture of activities during the course of a week. Otherwise, it’s like a diet that consists only of fruit — healthful as...

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There is no single type of training that is able to take care of all your needs. In fact, in order to get the most advantages from your routine, you will want a mixture of activities during the course of a week. Otherwise, it’s like a diet that consists only of fruit — healthful as far as it goes, however lacking a lot of the nutrients which you’ll find in other foods, such as fish, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

With benefits such as better-quality sleep, a levelling up in brainpower as well as increased levels of happiness, it’s no wonder why training should be a major part of your day-to-day routine. The very fact that you’re getting up and out is a big win in itself, however science and experts agree: There are loads of benefits to diversifying your workouts, particularly if you want to avoid injury.

Variety is the spice of fitness. One of the surest ways in order to hit a plateau is to do the same workout over and over.

You Can Train Every Single Day

While it’s not for everyone, you could very well work out every single day if you really want to forgo a rest day. This is as long as you do so smartly. You are able to do some sort of cardio or strength training seven days a week if you actually want to. Especially if you’re not doing max lifts, and opting for smaller sets of 10-or-so reps.

Developing A Balanced Training Plan

So, what does a reasonable exercise plan consist of? Medical experts urge all adults to include the following types of training in their weekly routines:

  • 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every single week (for instance, half an hour on each and every single of five days) or 75 minutes of vigorous cardiovascular activity (or an equivalent mixture of the two).
  • Two or more strength training sessions every single week, with at least 48 hours in between in order to give muscles the opportunity to recover.
  • Balance exercises for older adults in danger of falls.

If this all sounds overwhelming, remember that training sessions can be broken up into smaller segments. For instance, three 10-minute walks can get you to your daily goal of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise.

Each training session should also include a straightforward warm-up at the beginning and a cool-down at the end. The warm-up should also consist of gentle exercise, such as marching in place in order to warm up your muscles as well as get more oxygen-rich blood flowing to them. To cool down, slow your activity and the intensity for between five and 10 minutes and then finish off with stretches in order to help prevent stiffness.

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What Are The Advantages Of Lifting Heavy Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-advantages-of-lifting-heavy-weights/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24742 For years, only a minority of dedicated fitness enthusiasts have practised a sure-fire method of attaining outcomes from exercise: lifting weights with the heaviest loads that are possible. While theoretically NOT lifting, pulling (or pushing) a car is phenomenal for developing lower body strength as the muscles are working to overcome a maximal load. The...

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For years, only a minority of dedicated fitness enthusiasts have practised a sure-fire method of attaining outcomes from exercise: lifting weights with the heaviest loads that are possible. While theoretically NOT lifting, pulling (or pushing) a car is phenomenal for developing lower body strength as the muscles are working to overcome a maximal load.

The most common gym routines are derived from the bodybuilding world and focus on moderate-to-high repetition ranges, usually 8-15 reps, to increase the size of a muscle. Serious strength-training enthusiasts know that lifting heavy for five repetitions or less, while extremely challenging, can increase muscle strength without necessarily increasing size.

You’ll Incinerate More Body Fat

Build more muscle and you’ll be keeping your body burning fat all day long. In addition, lifting weights could increase your lean body mass, which has the result of increasing the number of overall calories that you burn during the day.

In the latest research on overweight or obese adults (age 60 and over), the mixture of a low-calorie diet and weight training lead to greater fat loss as opposed to a combination of a low-calorie diet in addition to walking workouts. The adults who walked rather than training with weights did lose a comparable amount of weight—however a considerable portion of the weight loss included lean body mass.

In the meantime, the adults who did strength training retained muscle mass while losing fat. This makes the suggestion that strength training is better at assisting people lose belly fat compared with cardio as while aerobic exercise burns both fat and muscle, weightlifting burns nearly exclusively fat.

Confidence

Training with heavy weights is demonstrated to improve your self-confidence. In addition, weight training can reduce anxiety, ease depression as well as increase happiness. While it might be quite challenging at times to get motivated in order to hit the gym, the benefits far outlast the initial struggle.

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Your Muscles Will Look More Defined

Do you love the lean and defined muscles on super-fit ladies? If ladies want more definition, they need to lift heavier as they cannot get bigger muscles owing to low testosterone levels. So, lifting heavier weights has the potential to make women far more defined.

Lifting heavy weights is responsible for developing more than only muscle. Lifting heavy weights increases the production of a number of different hormones, including the hormone IGF-1, which assists with stimulating connections in the brain and enhancing cognitive function. In a recent study, leg strength was positively linked with stronger minds that are far less susceptible to the negative effects of ageing. Simply stated: Strength training may improve your ability to learn and think as you age.

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How To Prevent Injuries From Indoor Cycling? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-prevent-injuries-from-indoor-cycling-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 09 Jun 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24729 Indoor cycling fast is becoming more popular than ever before. Cycling bikes come with an array of benefits that help you work up a sweat without even going anywhere.  Are you looking for a fun alternative to the same old treadmill? A high energy indoor cycle class is a phenomenal way to sweat it out...

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Indoor cycling fast is becoming more popular than ever before. Cycling bikes come with an array of benefits that help you work up a sweat without even going anywhere.  Are you looking for a fun alternative to the same old treadmill? A high energy indoor cycle class is a phenomenal way to sweat it out to some feel-good music. Time flies when you’re having fun.

An indoor cycling class (sometimes called a spin class) comes with all the benefits of cardiovascular exercise. Plus, it’s a low-impact workout to give your joints a break. What could be so difficult about riding a stationary bike? Just hop on and start pedalling. It turns out that a lot can go wrong. Enter: cycle class injuries.

What Are Some Common Indoor Cycling Injuries?

Indoor cycling is a cardio program which builds up both strength and fitness with very slight impact to your joints, so it’s a programme that almost anyone can do. However, as with any movement one does repetitively, indoor cycling can cause injury or could cause the body part to become ‘worn’. That’s why it’s an extremely very good idea to cross-train so that your muscles and bones are being used differently.

Knee Injury

Indoor cycling can be quite taxing on your knees, especially if you are not sitting correctly on the bike. You could also find that your knee hurts more after you’ve pedalled for a long period of time. This kind of knee pain is so common that it was even given its own name — cyclist’s knee, or the more scientific term, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Back And Shoulder Pain

Common indoor cycling injuries consist of back pain and related shoulder injuries which are caused by bad posture. A common mistake that people make is hunching over the handles too far forward and tensing their shoulders.

Wrist Strain

Wrist pain is another one of those troublesome common indoor cycling injuries. If you are susceptible to wrist strains, then make sure to keep them straight when holding the handles.

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Learn How To Set Up Your Bike

It all begins right here. A poor spin bike set-up will put you behind the eight ball to start. Bike settings that are not right will put you in poor alignment and may also cause injury. All bikes are different. Bring a few basics with you.

There will always be the option to adjust the bike saddle height (seat height) as well as handlebar height. Then it becomes more fine-tuned with forward/back positions, and foot placement if you’re not using clips. Find the optimal set up that works for your body. Even small adjustments can make a ride uncomfortable. Starting with the right set up can help prevent cycle class injuries.

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How To Use The Pain-Blocking Effects Of Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-the-pain-blocking-effects-of-exercise/ Tue, 08 Jun 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24724 Pain is an disagreeable sensory and emotional experience that is associated with, or resembles that associated with, actual or possible tissue damage. In addition, pain is always subjective, and each person learns the application of the word through experiences that are related to injury in early life. It is also argued activity induced in nociceptor...

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Pain is an disagreeable sensory and emotional experience that is associated with, or resembles that associated with, actual or possible tissue damage. In addition, pain is always subjective, and each person learns the application of the word through experiences that are related to injury in early life. It is also argued activity induced in nociceptor and nociceptive pathways by toxic stimulus is not pain.

For people who are suffering from pain, their initial response is to avoid exercise and seek rest. And yet exercise therapy is frequently prescribed as a treatment option for managing pain. There are known advantages of exercise and regular physical activity.

Here are the benefits of physical activity:

  • Controls weight,
  • Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease,
  • Reduces the risk of some cancers, strengthens bones and muscles,
  • Enhances mental health and mood,
  • Improves the ability to perform day-to-day activities and prevent falls, as well as
  • Increases chances of living longer.

What Are The Benefits Of Exercise For Managing Pain?

The benefits of exercise for dealing with pain are well documented in a number of different of clinical settings. These include nonspecific back pain, for lower back pain during pregnancy, for knee osteoarthritis pain as well as many other cases of chronic noncancer pain conditions. However, much of this research concentrates on the benefits of strengthening exercises.

In addition, high intensity aerobic activity has been shown to decrease pain significantly. This is a phenomenon that is referred to as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH, or runner’s high). However, for older patients, high-intensity workouts may not be an accurate or a safe option, given the possible disabilities or complicating health factors which they may have.

Moreover, a study that compares older and younger healthy adults has shown age disparities in EIH after isometric as well as aerobic exercise, with younger adults undergoing greater EIH as compared with older adults.

Could Light Physical Activity For Older Adults Offer The Same Benefits As High-Intensity Aerobics Do For Healthy Adults?

The answer looks to be a distinct yes, according to a research team which is led by Kelly M Naugle, PhD, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana.

In a study which examined the results of light physical activity (PA) on 47 older adult patients (15 male with an average age = 67.35 yrs ± 5), Dr Naugle and her colleagues found that the collected data on total energy expenditure and light PA meaningly predicted pain inhibitory function, according to conditioned pain modulation (CPM) tests. The team made the finding that frequent, low-intensity PA was associated with greater pain inhibition in healthy older adults. Moderate to vigorous PA data also predicted pain facilitation on temporal summation (TS) tests for heat pain (at 48° C).

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What Is Eccentric Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-eccentric-exercise/ Mon, 07 Jun 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24701 Just going through the motions is never quite a good idea when it comes to fitness and exercise. Ask any personal trainer and they’ll tell you it’s about quality, not quantity. Take a push-up, for instance. You know that lowering your body down and then pushing it back up is considered to be one rep,...

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Just going through the motions is never quite a good idea when it comes to fitness and exercise. Ask any personal trainer and they’ll tell you it’s about quality, not quantity. Take a push-up, for instance. You know that lowering your body down and then pushing it back up is considered to be one rep, however both of those steps — which are known as eccentric and concentric movements — are equally important. And when you understand and concentrate on those specific movements during exercise, it can assist you with varying your routine and up your gains.

Lifting heavy weights is a phenomenal way to efficiently and effectively strengthen your muscles. However, it’s not the only method that you can use. Enter eccentric training.

Changing up the weight you lift by adding more of it is a straightforward way to continually challenge your muscles, however the tempo of your lifting matters as well. You are able to get a stellar strength workout by just tinkering with the speed at which you do the exercises.

By slowing down specific portions of your exercises, you are able to challenge your muscles to the maximum and get the most bang-for-your-workout buck. It’s an exercise concept that is known as eccentric training.

What Are The Benefits Of Eccentric Exercise?

Eccentric exercise focuses on the lengthening phase of any specific exercise, which makes it killer for building strength. By lowering the weight using control, you can create a phenomenal stimulus for growth even though the gravitational force of the weight is more than the force that the muscle is producing.

In fact, research which was published in 2014 found eccentric training to be better at building both muscle size as well as strength than concentric training. You are able to lengthen muscles under loads much greater than possible to contract with. It’s a phenomenal tool for ‘overloading’ the body” which is the key to making adaptations.

During an eccentric contraction, your muscle fibres are lengthened to a point that causes microscopic tears (think about the image of pulling Velcro apart), which encourages your muscle’s inflammatory response. With proper recovery time, they’ll repair as well as rebuild themselves stronger than they were before.

Overall Force Increases During These Exercises

Eccentric contractions cause more muscle damage (in a good way) than concentric contractions as you’re moving more slowly through the motion, overall force improves. Over time, your muscle will naturally build increased strength in order to accommodate that increased force.

Eccentric training also needs less oxygen, a reduced cardiac output, and produces less lactate build-up within the muscle as opposed to concentric training when making use of similar loads. All of this is easier on your body.

It’s not only about making gains. That lengthening of the muscle fibres can also improve flexibility as well as range of motion. Eccentric training was found to be an efficient way in order to improve lower limb flexibility.

The cherry on top: Strength training and improved flexibility both lessen your risk of injury. And eccentric training also strengthens your body’s connective tissue (think of it like a web throughout your body which supports and protects your muscles and organs).

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How To Optimise Your Workouts? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-optimise-your-workouts-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 04 Jun 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24620 You don’t want to commit hours upon hours at the gym however you want to get stronger, fitter, leaner as well as just plain look great. It’s highly possible that you’re not getting the most out of your workout time. Your time is valuable so you can’t waste one single second on a bad workout....

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You don’t want to commit hours upon hours at the gym however you want to get stronger, fitter, leaner as well as just plain look great. It’s highly possible that you’re not getting the most out of your workout time.

Your time is valuable so you can’t waste one single second on a bad workout. The good ones are challenging enough to plan for. Strained reps, poor energy levels, inadequate sets, longer-than-desired workouts as well as shoddy results can leave you feeling as if your time in the gym is all for naught.

The good news is that there are things which you can do – before as well as after you head to the gym – in order to ensure supercharged workouts today, tomorrow, and beyond. These tips can improve your efficiency, strength, even your time spent lifting weights.

When Your Workout ACTUALLY Starts

Your workout doesn’t begin when you walk into the gym. It starts when you wake up in the morning and continues during the entire day. Preparations go beyond merely packing your gym bag. They begin with eating the correct things at the correct times in order to increase your body’s productivity at the gym. As a supplement to your usual nutritional goals, you should observe that what you’re eating is meant to power you through your workout. So, make your choices wisely.

Prior to your workout – whether you do your training before work, or in the evening after work – there are a number of different things that you can (and should) do to gear up for the battle ahead. Again, nutrition plays a part, however your supplements are what will put you over the top. Taking the correct mixture of supplements during this crucial window helps get your body in a position to grow from today’s session.

Immediately after your workout, you should start to look ahead. Your body requires the correct fuel in order to grow as well as repair itself over the next few days. In addition, you need to start getting ready for your next bout with the weights. That recuperation and preparation starts now.

Limit Your Workouts To Between 30 And 40 Minutes

Although the tendency of some individuals who really want to get a lot out of their workouts is to spend as much time as possible at the gym, the honest truth is that after 30 or 40 minutes, your benefit of the workout isn’t as significant. In order to go that long, you’d have to lower the intensity of the workout, and this means that you’re spending too much time working out. It’s much better to work out at a higher intensity for a shorter period of time.

High-Intensity Workouts

If you’re just beginning to exercise, it’s best to take it slowly. If you’re running or cycling, for instance, build up your endurance for a minimum of a month before you get into anything more concentrated. This means going at a rate where you can speak easily without being out of breath. Nevertheless, once you have that base of endurance, step up the intensity in order to increase the effectiveness of the workout.

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Why Is Aerobic Exercise Key To A Healthy Brain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-aerobic-exercise-key-to-a-healthy-brain/ Thu, 03 Jun 2021 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24517 You’ve taken to heart the recommendations to get – at a minimum – 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week in order to improve your physical fitness. What you may not realise is that with every step that you take, every kilometre you pedal or every lap that you swim around the pool,...

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You’ve taken to heart the recommendations to get – at a minimum – 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week in order to improve your physical fitness.

What you may not realise is that with every step that you take, every kilometre you pedal or every lap that you swim around the pool, you’re enhancing your cognitive fitness. A number of studies suggest that the activities you do in order to improve your body also benefit your brain.

Physical exercise, as well as aerobic exercise specifically, is very beneficial in terms of maintaining brain health, even in individuals who are at risk for developing dementia in addition to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). You are able to make a key difference in terms of how your body is operating and, as a consequence, how your brain is operating.

How Aerobic Exercise Helps

Exercise assists with memory and thinking through both direct as well as indirect means. The advantages of aerobic exercise come directly from its ability to lower insulin resistance, reduce inflammation in addition to stimulating the issuing of growth factors — chemicals in the brain which affect the health of brain cells, the development of new blood vessels in the brain as well as even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.

Indirectly, exercise enhances mood and sleep, in addition to reducing stress and anxiety. Problems in these areas often result in – or contribute to – cognitive impairment.

Many studies have made the suggestion that the parts of the brain which control thinking as well as memory (the prefrontal cortex as well as the medial temporal cortex) have a larger volume in individuals who exercise as opposed to individuals who don’t.

Even more thrilling is the finding that engaging in a programme of regular exercise of moderate intensity – over a period of six months or a year – is associated with an increase in the volume of select brain regions.

Safety Of Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is usually safe for most people. In order to avoid injuries, it is always a good idea to discuss exercise regimens with a personal trainer or fitness consultant. People who suffer from chronic health conditions should check in with a doctor to find out if their exercise plan is suitable. In some instances, people with heart conditions or high blood pressure might need to avoid high intensity exercise.

Get Into Strength Training Exercises

Strength training isn’t only for body builders. Lifting weights – or making use of a resistance band – not only builds muscle and strengthens bone; but it can boost brain power, improve mood, enhance concentration as well as increase decision-making skills.

Aerobic exercise and strength training provides a wide range of benefits for the body as well as the brain. Physical activity guidelines advise at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity – or 75 minutes – of high intensity aerobic activity every single week. Getting more exercise than this will probably have extra benefits.

For some individuals, it may be difficult to find the time for sports or regular visits to the gym. However, making small changes to day-to-day routines can assist these individuals to reach the recommended amount of physical activity. For instance, they could take the stairs as opposed to the lift or, when possible, try walking instead of driving.

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What Is Kalari? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-kalari/ Thu, 03 Jun 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24512 Kalari is an Indian martial art which originated in modern-day Kerala that is a state on the southwestern coast of India. Kalari is known for its established history within Indian martial arts. It is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India, with a history that spans over 3 000 years. Even most...

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Kalari is an Indian martial art which originated in modern-day Kerala that is a state on the southwestern coast of India. Kalari is known for its established history within Indian martial arts. It is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India, with a history that spans over 3 000 years.

Even most of the Chinese martial arts originate from Bodhi Dharma, who was a Buddhist Monk as well as a Kalari master from Kerala. Kalari is a holistic form of physical training, which merges the dynamic skills of attack and defence with the covert knowledge of the Marma points.

As well as the physical training, Kalaripayattu also encompasses the training of the mind. These days, it is also practised by dancers and circus performers as it helps in making the body extremely flexible.

What Does A Kalari Practice Look Like?

A Kalari practice can be just as enjoyable, strenuous as well as mystical as its past. Luckily, we are not preparing for battle like the ancients however, we are still able to get the health as well as wellness benefits of the art. Kalari is a very broad art so at first glance it could appear martial, yogic, theatrical, medicinal or – alternatively – therapeutic. When preformed it feels fluid, extremely natural, energetic, challenging in addition to life supporting.

After Kalari practice, the body has been through a workout and your mind is calm, clear as well as harmonic undertones that are similar to the feelings that are experienced in a deep yoga session. As a practitioner continues with the art, he or she feels the benefits of flexibility, strength, balance, stamina, inner peace as well as a sense of well-being.

Owing to the effectiveness of Kalari, there is an increasing number of professionals in the performing arts and sports who train in Kalari in order to enhance their skills and performance. Regardless of the interest in martial arts, anyone in the body-oriented activities (performance sports professional or recreational) can benefit from this training.

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What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Kalari?

During Kalari, practitioners don’t focus on one part of the body. It is a whole body and mind workout. Practising the martial art not only increases your bodily strength, but also assists you to achieve better blood circulation, flexibility, levels of endurance, stamina, concentration, self-control, posture, muscle tone, speed in physical movements as well as neuro-muscular coordination. In order to become the best version of yourself, your body and your mind need to be at peace with one another. In this way they can work in accordance with each other.

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How Can HIIT Exercises Help Your Heart? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-hiit-exercises-help-your-heart-learn-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 02 Jun 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24497 Although it is public knowledge that exercise provides a whole heap of health benefits, many individuals can find it challenging to find time for regular physical activity. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has achieved popularity as a quick and effective way to exercise. It offers many of the same health benefits as other kinds of...

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Although it is public knowledge that exercise provides a whole heap of health benefits, many individuals can find it challenging to find time for regular physical activity. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has achieved popularity as a quick and effective way to exercise. It offers many of the same health benefits as other kinds of exercise does.

Aerobic – or cardiovascular – training is designed in order to develop a healthier heart as well as circulatory system. Some sort of aerobic training is really essential in order to guarantee good health.

You could give interval training a trial run just by altering your current workout routine. In order to get the cardiac boost from HIIT training. You need to be willing to push yourself close to your limits—at least for a little while.

What Are HIIT Exercises?

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a kind of exercise in which you alternate cycles of intense, quick cardio sessions with short intervals of rest in-between.

HIIT can either be high-volume or low volume:

  • Low-volume HIIT is comprised of intervals of exercise which are longer but include a longer recovery period.
  • High-volume HIIT is comprised of short bursts of vigorous cardio with extremely short rest periods.

Variations in the length of rest periods didn’t seem to have an impact on the benefits of the high-intensity exercise however more people reported to like the shorter rest periods as well as the shorter intense cardio intervals as compared to the longer intervals.

Many individuals described the HIIT workouts as motivating, entertaining, and less boring as opposed to working out for longer periods of time. When people are motivated to work out, they are more likely to do it.

It is very important to note that you should only work out for as long as you feel comfortable doing so. Doctors urge patients to set the duration and intensity to what they felt comfortable with doing. Take things slow and also take a break when you need to. If you continue to feel ill, it is important that you contact a medical professional right away.

What Are The Benefits Of HIIT?

HIIT allows you to accomplish the same amount of exercise “work” in far less time. That could make workouts much simpler to fit into an extremely busy day or open a time slot in order to add some strength training. If you are able to reduce your moderate half-hour workout to 15 or 20 minutes of interval training, the cardiovascular advantage should be about the same.

As your fitness improves, you should feel better, with increased endurance as well as more get-up-and-go. However, cardiovascular training doesn’t considerably boost muscle strength or power. Even elite marathoners don’t have unusually strong leg muscles. But their hearts and lungs work in tandem at peak performance.

No matter what kind of cardiovascular training you choose, you need to do it regularly in order to see the improvements. Three days a week is a good recommendation—more if you can, but not much less and definitely not just once a week.

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What Are The Best Exercises For Strengthening Your Back? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-strengthening-your-back/ Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24475 If you’ve ever suffered from a backache, you’ll know just how dismal it can be. Every movement that your body makes will engage your back in some sort of way, so a hurt back means that you’re down and out — which is absolutely no fun at all… Strengthening your back muscles can assist with...

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If you’ve ever suffered from a backache, you’ll know just how dismal it can be. Every movement that your body makes will engage your back in some sort of way, so a hurt back means that you’re down and out — which is absolutely no fun at all…

Strengthening your back muscles can assist with preventing these types of injuries and make sure that your entire body works smoothly, both during daily movements as well as during exercise. However, with the plethora of back exercises which are out there on the Internet, you could be a little overwhelmed — especially if you’re an exercise newbie.

You may feel a lot like resting, however moving is really great for your back. Exercises for your lower back pain can assist with strengthening your back, stomach as well as leg muscles. They assist with supporting your spine, so relieving back pain. Always ask your health care professional or doctor before doing any exercise for back pain. Depending on the reason and intensity of your pain, some exercises may not be recommended and also could be harmful.

The Exercises Not To Do

Any mild discomfort which you feel at the beginning of these exercises should disappear as your muscles become stronger. However, if pain is more than mild – and lasts more than 15 minutes during exercise – you should stop exercising and consult a doctor. Some of the exercises may aggravate pain. Standing toe touches, for instance, put greater stress on your discs and ligaments in the spine. They can overstretch lower back muscles as well as your hamstrings.

Good Exercises

Knee-To-Chest Stretches

Performing a knee-to-chest stretch can assist with elongating the lower back, so relieving tension as well as pain.

In order to perform the knee-to-chest stretch:

  • Lie on your back on the floor.
  • Bend your knees, keeping both of your feet flat on the floor.
  • Utilise both of your hands to pull one of your knees in towards your chest.
  • Hold your knee against your chest for five seconds, keeping your abdominals tight and pressing your spine into the floor.
  • Return to your starting position.
  • Repeat with your opposite leg.
  • Repeat with each of your legs between two and three times twice a day.

Draw-In Manoeuvres

The draw-in manoeuvre works your transversus abdominis. This is the muscle on the front and side of the abdomen, stabilising your spine and lower back region.

To perform the draw-in manoeuvre:

  • Lie with your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Keep your arms by your sides.
  • Breathe in deeply.
  • While breathing out, pull your bellybutton toward the spine, tightening the abdominal muscles and keeping your hips still.
  • Hold the position for approximately five seconds.
  • Repeat five times.

Superman

Your back extensors run along both sides of your spine. They assist you with maintaining an upright position, supporting your spine and pelvic bones, and allowing you to arch your back.

If this exercise makes your back pain a lot worse, stop doing it until you obtain further evaluation. Your doctor could need to rule out more significant causes of your back pain.

The muscles worked out are your back, glutes, hips and shoulders.

Here’s how to do the superman exercise:

  • Lie on your chest with your arms extended out straight in front of you and your legs long.
  • Lift your hands – as well as your feet – off the ground approximately 15 cm, or until you feel a contraction in your lower back.
  • Engage your core muscles by marginally lifting your belly button off the floor. Reach away with your hands and feet. Make sure that you look at the floor during this exercise in order to avoid neck strain.
  • Hold for two seconds.
  • Return to your starting position. Repeat 10 times.

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What Are The Best Exercises For COPD? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-for-copd-learn-more/ Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24471 Breathing difficulties may make people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel they that can’t do all kinds of exercises. However, your doctor could encourage physical activity because it can improve shortness of breath as well as other COPD symptoms. Inactivity, on the other hand, may cause a decline in cardiovascular function as well...

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Breathing difficulties may make people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel they that can’t do all kinds of exercises. However, your doctor could encourage physical activity because it can improve shortness of breath as well as other COPD symptoms.

Inactivity, on the other hand, may cause a decline in cardiovascular function as well as muscle mass. Over time, you could find yourself more and more breathless every single time you exert yourself.

As a result, ordinary tasks such as cleaning the house or playing with your children may trigger coughing in addition to wheezing. This can disturb your quality of life, causing more and more sedentary behaviour, loss of independence in addition to even depression.

What Is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition which affects a person’s ability to breathe well. It’s often linked to other conditions such as emphysema as well as chronic bronchitis.

Symptoms of COPD include:

  • Wheezing,
  • Chest tightness,
  • Shortness of breath, as well as
  • Large amounts of mucus that collect in your lungs.

These can worsen with time; however practising breathing exercises can assist you to manage them. When you practise regularly, breathing exercises may help you to exert yourself less during day-to-day activities. They can also potentially aid in your return to exercising, which can lead to you feeling more energetic overall.

The Best COPD Exercises

Experts recommend regular, moderate exercise for people who are suffering from COPD. The best types of exercise for individuals with COPD include the following:

  • Stretching

Stretching is relaxing and also improves flexibility. Dynamic stretching is a great way for a person to warm up before exercise. Static stretching is also a good way to cool down after exercise. A person should practise holding a gentle static stretch for approximately 10 to 30 seconds while slowly breathing. This needs to be repeated a good number of times.

  • Aerobic Exercise

This type of exercise allows the body to utilise oxygen more efficiently. It is generally good for the lungs as well as heart. Swimming, walking, and cycling are great examples of aerobic exercise. A person suffering from COPD should aim to do aerobic exercise for about half an hour approximately five times a week.

  • Resistance Training

This strengthens muscles, including those which assist with breathing. It often involves resistance bands and weights; however, a person can perform resistance training at home with only using bodyweight calisthenics exercises.

A person needs to repeat each exercise no more than 10 times and then add small amounts of weight as repetitions get easier. A doctor or respiratory therapist should offer guidance on a suitable resistance training programme.

It is often safe for a person with COPD to exercise, however they should not exercise if they:

  • Have chest pain,
  • Are out of oxygen,
  • Have an infection or fever, as well as
  • Feel nauseated

Physical and breathing exercises may benefit people who are suffering from COPD. They can improve anxiety, stress as well as depression, energy levels, cardiovascular health, muscle strength, oxygen use in addition to shortness of breath:

  • The optimal physical exercises for COPD include stretching, aerobic exercise in addition to resistance training.
  • The very best breathing exercises include pursed lip breathing as well as diaphragmatic breathing.
  • Tai chi and yoga are also helpful and include physical and breathing exercises.

A person suffering from COPD should monitor their levels of exertion and keep exercise at a moderate level.

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What Is The Best Moment Of Day To Exercise For Metabolic Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-moment-of-day-to-exercise-for-metabolic-health/ Fri, 28 May 2021 05:05:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24407 Exercise in the evening may be more potent – as opposed to morning workouts – for improving metabolic health. This is according to a useful new study of exercise timing. The study, which looked at high-fat diets and overweight men, made the finding that late-day workouts were responsible for moderating the undesirable health effects of...

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Exercise in the evening may be more potent – as opposed to morning workouts – for improving metabolic health. This is according to a useful new study of exercise timing. The study, which looked at high-fat diets and overweight men, made the finding that late-day workouts were responsible for moderating the undesirable health effects of a greasy diet, while morning exercise did not.

The study involved only men who were eating a fatty diet, however, adds to growing evidence that exercise timing matters and, for many of us, working out later might have particular advantages.

Although we may be only dimly aware of this, operations inside our bodies follow busy, intricate as well as mutable circadian schedules. All of our tissues contain molecular clocks which coordinate biological systems so prompting our blood sugar to rise and dip throughout the day, along with our hunger, heart rates, body temperature, sleepiness, gene expression, muscle strength, cell division, energy expenditure and other processes.

More Research On Exercise Timing

Some individuals are morning exercisers. For these people, an early run or swim is as much an integral part of their wake-up ritual as their first cup of coffee. Other people can’t abide the idea. They really do need a night-time workout in order to rid themselves of the day’s stresses.

However, does it really make a difference? A number of recent studies suggest that it does. However, it’s complicated.

One study indicates that morning exercise could activate certain genes in the muscle cells, so boosting their ability in order to metabolise sugar as well as fat. While scientists say this finding needs further study, they think it ultimately might assist those who are overweight or are suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

An evening workout, on the other hand, consumes less oxygen, making these types of workouts more efficient as well as improving athletic performance, potentially a boon for serious competitors.

How Can You Make Your Workout More Efficient?

  • Don’t Push Your Body Too Much

Don’t try to kill yourself in the short amount of time which you have committed to exercising each week. You should really have a realistic approach and understand that exercise only is probably not going to generate desired results as it accounts for a very small portion of your daily calorie burn. You will need to take into account a number of different factors such as NEAT, diet, sleep quality and medication.

  • Shift The Focus

Make sure that you pay more attention to the quality of movement (form, technique, etc. in order to avoid injury) as opposed to the quantity of movement (squeezing in a few extra reps in order to burn a few more calories).

  • Remember The Progressive Overload Principle

The Progressive Overload Principle says that for a muscle to grow stronger, the body needs to be forced to adapt to a tension which is above and beyond what it has experienced previously. If you’re doing what you’ve done always, your body will never change. You have to challenge your body to change your body.

  • Learn To Enjoy

Exercise for many is not something that they necessarily want to do, however rather something which they feel obligated to do. It’s a means to an end. Learn to revel in exercise to the point where you choose to participate voluntarily as opposed to out of some obligation. If you dread going to the gym, seek out a fitness class, a sport, or some other type of activity which allows you to have fun while you move your body.

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How Aerobic Exercises Can Help To Strengthen Your Heart https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-aerobic-exercises-can-help-to-strengthen-your-heart/ Fri, 28 May 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24396 Being physically active is a very big step toward good heart health. Aerobic exercises are one of your most effective tools in terms of strengthening the heart muscle, keeping your weight under control and fending off the artery damage from high cholesterol, high blood sugar as well as high blood pressure which can lead to...

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Being physically active is a very big step toward good heart health. Aerobic exercises are one of your most effective tools in terms of strengthening the heart muscle, keeping your weight under control and fending off the artery damage from high cholesterol, high blood sugar as well as high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

It’s also very true that different types of exercise are required to provide complete fitness. Aerobic exercises and resistance training are the most important for heart health. Although flexibility doesn’t directly contribute to heart health, it’s nonetheless important because it provides a good foundation for performing aerobic as well as strength exercises more effectively.

The Best Time To Get Moving On Your Fitness Goals

Regular exercise does more than assist you with losing weight and build muscle — although it’s definitely great for those reasons!

Aerobic exercises, which are also known as “cardio” exercise, makes use of the repetitive contraction of large muscle groups to get your heart beating faster and is the most beneficial type of exercise for your cardiovascular system (your heart and blood vessels). Regular cardio workouts can:

  • Strengthen your heart and blood vessels,
  • Improve the flow of oxygen throughout your entire body,
  • Lower your blood pressure as well as cholesterol, and
  • Reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke in addition to some kinds of cancer.

Why You Need To Strengthen Your Heart

Strengthening your heart is one of the absolute best things which you can do for your health. And as you know, the best way in order to strengthen your heart is to exercise. In actual fact, if you don’t exercise, you’re more than twice as likely to get heart disease as a person who does. If there is a history of heart disease in your family, or you are just worrying about your heart health, you need to create a regular exercise routine. Experts recommend that you spend at least 150 minutes performing moderate exercise per week.

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What Does Aerobic Exercise Do?

Aerobic exercise improves circulation, which results in reduced blood pressure as well as heart rate. In addition, cardiovascular exercise increases your overall aerobic fitness, as measured by a treadmill test, for instance. In addition, it helps your cardiac output (how well your heart pumps). Also, aerobic exercise reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. If you already live with diabetes, aerobics exercise helps you control your blood glucose.

You should do, ideally, at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular a day, for at least five days a week.

Examples of aerobic exercise are:

  • Brisk walking,
  • Running,
  • Swimming,
  • Cycling,
  • Playing tennis, as well as
  • Jumping rope.

Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the type which doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.

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If you would like to learn more about aerobic exercise, in addition to other types of exercises, then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more by following this link.

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Should You Do Burpees Every Single Day? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/should-you-do-burpees-every-single-day-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 28 May 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24400 Burpees can be exceptionally challenging, particularly if you’ve never performed them before. However, if you do burpees every single day, even if it’s just a few, you’ll be powering up like a professional in no time! As with all other aspects of health and fitness, it’s about consistency. One way in order to motivate yourself...

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Burpees can be exceptionally challenging, particularly if you’ve never performed them before. However, if you do burpees every single day, even if it’s just a few, you’ll be powering up like a professional in no time! As with all other aspects of health and fitness, it’s about consistency. One way in order to motivate yourself to keep on going is to remember the many health benefits burpees which are able to provide.

While burpees can be difficult in the moment, they provide so many benefits for strength as well as endurance (in addition, you can do them anywhere!). You may face burpees in practically every workout, from HIIT sessions, to boot camps, to CrossFit, and there’s a good reason why: They’re one of the most efficient, functional exercises you can do.

Burpees Can Boost Your Endurance (No Treadmill Needed)

Do you want to get fit in a hurry? Whether your fitness goal is to train for a race, try out a new sport, get in shape, or you only want to look good, burpees are able to get you there – quickly.

In actual fact, burpees are one of the best exercises ever to increase your conditioning as well as endurance for sports and other activities. Even only 10 burpees in a row may make your heart pound and your breath become quicker.

When you feel comfortable with 10 burpees, try to push yourself to 15, then to 20. Once you increase your endurance levels, you’ll likely be able to add more and more to your workout regime. Do them consistently and then watch your conditioning level skyrocket.

The Best Way To Do A Burpee

There are many burpee variations which you are able to choose from. In addition, you are able to select the style of burpee which works best for you based on your needs as well as current level of fitness. You are able to do simpler exercises as you work up to the burpee. As soon as you master the standard burpee, you will be able change things up in the motion in order to make the exercise more challenging.

To assist you with getting started, here’s how to do a burpee:

  • Stand up straight with your arms at your sides.
  • Squat until your hands reach to the floor.
  • Making use of your hands as anchors, jump and then thrust your legs backward. When you land, you must be in plank position.
  • Hold the plank for a moment and then check that your form is correct.
  • Jump your feet back towards your hands. If you would like to make the burpee more challenging, add in a push-up before you jump your feet back to your hands.
  • Jump into the air and then extend your arms over your head as you rise. Land in a standing position and then repeat the exercise as many times as you are able to.

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Do you want to learn how to do exercises properly? If you do then you should become a personal trainer. Study towards our Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class fitness professional.

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Indoor Cycling https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/courses/indoor-cycling/ Fri, 28 May 2021 03:58:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?post_type=product&p=24430 This Indoor Cycling Instructor Course will help you to teach your clients how to enhance their cardiovascular fitness & lower body strength.

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Indoor cycling classes are staples at most gyms. There are also specialised, stand-alone indoor cycling studios in most major cities across the world. This means that indoor cycling instructors are in hot demand.

Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Indoor Cycling Instructor Course will help you to teach your clients and group fitness participants how to enhance their cardiovascular fitness and improve lower body strength.

Indoor cycling is a type of cardiovascular exercise – which is often delivered in a group setting – that mimics road cycling.

Indoor cycling is a popular fitness niche and now you are able to study the course in the comfort of your own home with Trifocus Fitness Academy.

 

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Barre Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/courses/barre-pilates/ Thu, 27 May 2021 12:06:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?post_type=product&p=24412 This Barre Pilates course will teach how to create exercise and nutrition plans while assisting your clients as a coach. Apply now!

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Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Pilates Barre Course will help you to teach your clients how to build a lean and strong body as well as improve stability and flexibility.

Pilates Barre is a combination of Pilates and ballet barre-style exercises. These types of classes take the foundations of Pilates and combine these basics with ballet-inspired moves. Pilates Barre also incorporates elements of dance, yoga, and strength training.

The Trifocus Barre Pilates Course provides the foundation education for Barre Instructors, enabling you to produce effective, safe, and varied barre training classes that cater to the needs and goals of your clients.

As one of the leading fitness trends right now Trifocus Barre programme offers you the chance to have an accredited certificate in Barre which you can add on to further your exercise regime with your clients or offer on its own.

 

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Why Dairy Plays A Key Role In Nutrition Assistance Programmes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/why-dairy-plays-a-key-role-in-nutrition-assistance-programmes/ Thu, 27 May 2021 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24386 Dairy foods and ingredients play a very important nutrition delivery as well as cultural role in the daily diets of people all across the world. Whether traditional fare or novel additions to regional preferences, dairy foods offer clear benefits to people of all ages. Specifically: Dairy and dairy-containing foods contribute a lot of essential nutrients....

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Dairy foods and ingredients play a very important nutrition delivery as well as cultural role in the daily diets of people all across the world. Whether traditional fare or novel additions to regional preferences, dairy foods offer clear benefits to people of all ages. Specifically:

  • Dairy and dairy-containing foods contribute a lot of essential nutrients. These include protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, potassium as well as magnesium
  • Milk, cheese and yoghurt are core aspects of healthy eating patterns, in addition to dietary guidance recommendations, in many countries

Dairy ingredients – such as like whey and milk proteins – support healthful and nutritious diets and are found in dairy-based beverages, yogurt, nutrition and energy bars, ready-to-drink beverages, oatmeal, snacks and powder for homemade smoothies and shakes.

Nutrition Benefits Of Dairy

Just one 236 ml serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, which builds – as well as repairs – muscle tissue (an equivalent serving of almond beverage contains only 1 gram of protein). One serving of milk also satisfies the daily values (DV) for the following:

  • Calcium (25%): Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth
  • Riboflavin (35%): Supports body growth, red blood cell production and metabolism
  • Phosphorus (20%): Strengthens bones
  • Vitamin D (15%): Helps promote the absorption of calcium
  • Pantothenic Acid (20%): Helps convert food into energy
  • Potassium (8%): Regulates fluid balance and helps maintain normal blood pressure
  • Vitamin A (15%): Promotes good vision and healthy skin
  • Niacin (10%): Promotes proper circulation

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Is It All About Calcium?

Milk and dairy usually provide almost one third of our recommended calcium intakes however the nutrition provided by dairy products goes way beyond just calcium. A single glass of semi-skimmed milk offers protein, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, riboflavin as well as pantothenic acid. This glass of milk offers a MASSIVE 72% of our daily needs for vitamin B12. The main dietary supply of B12 for vegetarians is dairy.

Together, the nutrients that are to be found in milk and dairy assist with:

  • Keeping muscles, bones, nerves, teeth, skin and vision healthy
  • Releasing energy from foods as well as reducing tiredness and fatigue
  • Maintaining a healthy blood pressure
  • Supporting normal growth and brain development
  • Supporting normal immune functioning

That’s pretty remarkable for a humble glass of milk! Guidelines recommend that milk and dairy products and their alternatives, form part of a healthy balanced diet, and lower fat and lower sugar options should be chosen where possible.

Milk, Dairy And Exercise

Milk and dairy can play a phenomenal nutritional role for people who keep fit and exercise regularly. Before exercising it offers carbohydrates for energy. After exercising it provides the correct balance of carbohydrates, proteins and electrolytes to assist with muscle recovery as well as rehydration.

The mineral concentration of milk is very similar to that of sports drinks and is considered to be just as effective, if not better, than a sports drink or water for rehydration purposes.

Milk offers additional nutrients which may help the body retain fluid. In addition, milk is great for dental health. Eating and drinking dairy (or whey protein) is associated with larger increases in lean muscle gain and fat loss for those who are watching their weight.

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If you would like to become a nutrition expert then you should do our Specialised Nutrition Course. Find out more by following this link.

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Can You Get A Good Workout With An EBike? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-you-get-a-good-workout-with-an-ebike/ Wed, 26 May 2021 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24359 Electric bikes (ebikes) offer a very wide range of benefits so allowing you to travel further as well as faster, offering a green alternative for commuting in addition to enabling more people in order to experience the joy of cycling. However, with a motor and battery offering assistance while you pedal, can you get fit...

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Electric bikes (ebikes) offer a very wide range of benefits so allowing you to travel further as well as faster, offering a green alternative for commuting in addition to enabling more people in order to experience the joy of cycling. However, with a motor and battery offering assistance while you pedal, can you get fit on an ebike and get a great workout?

With a lot of different aspects of cycling apparently focused on performance gains, ebikes are often met with scepticism for giving a helping hand on hills or a sweat-free ride to work. However, riding an ebike can still improve your fitness.

Research About EBike Workouts

Researchers who are from Brigham Young University recruited 33 subjects, mostly men between the ages of 18 as well as 65, to ride both regular mountain bikes in addition to electric, pedal-assist mountain bikes on a rolling six-mile, single-track course. Afterward, they evaluated their heart rates and found that riding an e-bike is not without effort. In fact, it necessitates almost as much physical exertion as riding a traditional mountain bike does.

Riding both finds of bikes put the vast majority of participants in the vigorous-intensity heart rate zone. The typical heart rate of a test subject who rode an ebike was 93.6% of those riding conventional bikes. Moreover, ebikes appear to be an excellent form of aerobic or cardiovascular workouts, even for experienced mountain bikers who regularly engage in this fitness activity.

In addition, the researchers surveyed their test subjects, both before as well as after riding, in order to determine their attitudes toward ebikes. Some reported their preconceived notions were confirmed, while others admitted the experiment challenged their beliefs. Most were positive toward ebikes before the test, with only 18% saying they were opposed. Some attitudes changed, though, with fewer participants willing to admit after the test that e-bikes were just a passing fad.

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How Many Calories Are Burned With An EBike Workout?

While there is no doubt that traditional bikes burn more calories, ebikes are not too bad. Just 20% fewer calories are burnt. The continuous utilisation of ebikes results in the considerable burning of calories which results in significant weight loss in addition to greater muscle strength.

Ebikes strengthen our core muscles. As they are much heavier as opposed to normal bikes – and hence require more effort in order to balance and manoeuvre, they give the result of the weight training exercise. Likewise, as one moves an e-bike in or out of garage or lift it requires great strength. Unquestionably, ebikes give us great weight training sessions.

Well, it is human nature that people usually try doing such physical things, which have a “less strain on human muscle” or – in other words – those tasks which offer “less fatigue”. Same is the concept between simple pedalled bikes and ebikes. As ebikes are somewhat assisted by a motor, therefore it is fairly easy to ride an ebike as opposed to a conventional bike.

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Does becoming a personal trainer sound like something you want to do? If it is then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Oblique Workouts for Runners. Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/oblique-workouts-for-runners-learn-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 25 May 2021 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24348 There’s no secret weapon for staving off running fatigue, however incorporating oblique workouts into your strength-training routine will assist you with maintaining proper form and posture for longer — even when you’re extremely tired. Your obliques — which are the muscles which stretch from your ribs down to your hips — control pelvic rotation. Your...

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There’s no secret weapon for staving off running fatigue, however incorporating oblique workouts into your strength-training routine will assist you with maintaining proper form and posture for longer — even when you’re extremely tired.

Your obliques — which are the muscles which stretch from your ribs down to your hips — control pelvic rotation. Your running stride depends on a neutral, stable pelvis to give your legs the opportunity to fully extend back so they can pull forward into the next stride. Strong obliques enable better form and stability when running, allowing you to conserve energy, run efficiently, and prevent injury.

What Are The Benefits Of A Strong Core?

The core is your body’s centre of gravity. When you have a strong core, this will give you the opportunity to perform stronger functional movement throughout exercise as well as everyday life.

In addition, a strong core is key not only for running – as well as and other athletic endeavours – however also daily life activities, such as carrying groceries as well as walking tall.

Plenty of research has revealed that the more belly fat you carry around, the higher are your risks of serious diseases, for example diabetes, blood pressure as well as heart attacks.

The Oblique Exercises You Need To Do

Forearm Side Plank Dip

  • Begin on your side with your right forearm on the ground, to form a straight line from head to feet, with your feet stacked on top of each other.
  • Make sure that your right elbow is directly under your shoulder and then place your left hand on your left hip.
  • Engage your core and gradually dip your hips and then tap them on the ground.
  • Return to plank and repeat. Make sure that you maintain your hips stacked the entire time.
  • Do as many reps as you conceivably can in 30 seconds and then switch sides.

Pallof Press

The Pallof press requires the use of your gym’s cable pulley system, however it’s very simple:

  • Stand sideways to the pulley, approximately a metre away, and put sufficient amounts of resistance on it so that you are able to pull it out with two hands with some effort however without straining.
  • Hold it in front of your torso with both of your hands for three seconds.
  • Extend your arms straight out in front of you and then hold for three seconds.
  • Return your arms in front of your chest.
  • Repeat between six and eight times. Release the pulley in a controlled manner.
  • Do between two and three sets on each side. You’ll feel the contraction on the side that is farthest away from the pulley.

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Rotational Medicine Ball Throw

  • Begin with a 3.5 kg medicine ball and slowly increase weight.
  • Stand approximately a metre and a half out from a solid wall.
  • With your knees slightly bent, slowly swing the ball slightly away from the wall. Throw it sideways onto the wall with sufficient force so that so that you are able to catch it again.
  • Experiment with how far to stand away from the wall, ball weight as well as how hard to throw it. Do between three and five reps and repeat while facing the other way.
  • Do two to three sets on each side. You’ll feel the contraction in the side furthest from the wall.

Cross-Body Mountain Climber

  • Begin in a high plank position, with your shoulders over your wrists. Engage your core so your body forms a straight line from shoulders to your heels.
  • Engage your glutes and thighs in order to keep your legs straight.
  • Drive your right knee across your chest toward left arm. Quickly step it back to plank position.
  • Immediately drive left knee across chest toward right arm, then quickly step it back into plank position. Continue alternating. Complete 10 reps per side.

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Keen to become Personal trainer? If you are then you should check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Yoga Asanas That You Must Do Every Day? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-yoga-asanas-that-you-must-do-every-day/ Mon, 24 May 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24335 Are you constantly feeling lethargic as well as tired – without any underlying medical condition? A 10-minute yoga routine every day can assist you with feeling more energetic as well as assisting you with regaining body-mind balance. While many individuals feel that yoga doesn’t match up to cardiovascular exercises or heavy-duty High-intensity interval training, research...

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Are you constantly feeling lethargic as well as tired – without any underlying medical condition? A 10-minute yoga routine every day can assist you with feeling more energetic as well as assisting you with regaining body-mind balance.

While many individuals feel that yoga doesn’t match up to cardiovascular exercises or heavy-duty High-intensity interval training, research has demonstrated that yoga can assist you with everything from weight loss, to lowering period pain, boosting heart health and even ensuring smooth digestion. In addition, you don’t really require special workout gear or studio space to do yoga asanas.

Pelvic Tilt

The first few pelvic tilts will show any traces of lower back pain as well as stiffness. Do them slowly and keep on going until the movement feels fluid. After 10 to 20 reps, see if you feel any type of relief in your back.

Remember that pelvic tilts are incredibly subtle. You’re just rocking your hips towards your face, without lifting your bum off the floor. Start off with your lower back only slightly curved, and as you do the movement you should feel that your lower back is pushing into the floor.

Cat-Cow Stretch

Continue warming up your back with 5 to 10 cat-cow stretches. If the movement feels like it’s familiar, it’s because the pelvis is moving in basically the same way as in the pelvic tilt. The cat-to-cow stretch encompasses that movement along your entire spine, assisting with awakening and invigorating your whole body. Initiate each movement from your tailbone and then let it ripple up the spine, moving your head last of all.

Downward-Facing Dog

From your hands and knees, go back into downward-facing dog. Bend your knees and then reach your bum up high, then gradually straighten your legs. Make use of any other movements which help you to settle into the pose. When you feel that you are ready, hold the posture for between five and 10 breaths, pedalling your legs (bend one knee and then the other) if you want to further stretch the hamstrings, calves as well as your feet.

Chair

If you would like to focus on your leg muscles by toning them up, the Chair asana helps with just that! This asana not only benefits your leg muscles however it also targets your calves and ankles.

Tree

The Tree asana is very simple and it’s all about stability! During this asana it is very important to remember that you need to keep your posture straight. This means that you need to keep your back aligned and hips wide in order to feel a slight stretch. In addition, the key to mastering this without falling is to have ALL the weight distribution on your standing leg.

Boat

Do you want to test out your core strength? Or fix your posture? The Boat yoga asana is specifically designed for these two aspects! When you align your legs straight out in front of you – and have your chest up creating your back to be completely straight – your abdominal area is targeted- all around so improving strength in the core area.

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If you want to become a yoga instructor then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Strength Training Can Help To Decrease Stress https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-strength-training-can-help-to-decrease-stress/ Mon, 24 May 2021 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24329 Strength training has countless benefits which go way beyond bulking up. This kind of training revs up your metabolism, prevents disease, makes you stronger, lowers blood pressure and also helps you to sleep better. There’s also evidence in order to prove that weight and strength training workouts can actually help to reduce back pain. Strength...

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Strength training has countless benefits which go way beyond bulking up. This kind of training revs up your metabolism, prevents disease, makes you stronger, lowers blood pressure and also helps you to sleep better. There’s also evidence in order to prove that weight and strength training workouts can actually help to reduce back pain. Strength training’s psychological pros include zapping stress, improving self-confidence as well as controlling depression.

Despite the myths, strength training won’t make you bulk up – unless you actually want it to. From lateral raises to push-ups, the point of resistance training is to build strength, not bulk. For the best results, include a mixture of weight lifting (using free weights as well as exercise machines in your gym) as well as body-strengthening exercises (making use of your own body weight as resistance) for a healthy back as well as a happy mind.

What The Research Says

Researchers came to the conclusion, after crunching the numbers from 16 previous studies on 922 participants, that strength training can definitely assist with reducing stress.

The weightlifting routine varied in each study, however ranged from two to five days per week for an average of 11 weeks. The routine included lifting at moderate intensity — about 50 to 80% of your one-rep max — or high intensity, or above 80% of your one-rep max.

After completing the weightlifting programme, the participants reported substantial improvement in their anxiety symptoms. Healthy people — those without a physical or mental illness — received an even greater boost from pumping iron.

Blast Stress With Strength Training

It’s not only yoga which increases your mental health as well as well-being. Pumping iron has all types of psychological advantages. Your body will be swamped with feel-good endorphins, increasing your mood and lowering anxiety.

In addition, the yogic technique of mindfulness is at play when strength training. The concentration and focus of functional movements make it quite impossible to allow your mind stray to anywhere but the present moment. More reps mean less fret.

Owing to the near-instant results which are seen in weight training, you’ll also be able to feel the difference in your muscles after only one session. If you’re usually the one to shy away from apparently intimidating weights machines, this progress is a huge confidence booster.

The happiness which comes with strength training lifting doesn’t come from a number on the scale – it comes from looking closely in the mirror as well as seeing your body becoming more and more sculpted. That kind of empowerment is priceless.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about strength training and want to teach people how to strength training properly, then you need to become a personal trainer. Check out our Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class personal trainer that everyone will clamour to go to.

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Are Resistance Bands Better Than Dumbbells? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-resistance-bands-better-than-dumbbells-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 21 May 2021 05:10:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24310 Resistance band training and training with dumbbells, both offer feasible strength training alternatives. The better of the two is slightly subjective as both dumbbells and resistance bands are capable of building muscle. Dumbbells With dumbbells, resistance is created by gravity. Owing to this, dumbbells can only offer resistance in a vertical plane (the direction of...

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Resistance band training and training with dumbbells, both offer feasible strength training alternatives. The better of the two is slightly subjective as both dumbbells and resistance bands are capable of building muscle.

Dumbbells

With dumbbells, resistance is created by gravity. Owing to this, dumbbells can only offer resistance in a vertical plane (the direction of gravity – down!). So, because gravity just pulls the weight down, you need to position yourself correctly in order to work the muscle that you want to work.

Resistance Bands

With resistance bands, resistance is generated by elastic force. You aren’t depending on gravity to create resistance; you simply require tension. Force is created in the direction which you are stretching the resistance band. Owing to this, resistance bands can provide resistance in both horizontal as well as vertical planes, and in any direction and at any sort of angle.

Dumbbells Vs Resistance Bands

Let’s say that you are training your chest with dumbbells. For this, you need to lie down on a bench and utilise your muscles in order to press up as gravity attempts to force the weight down. You would never have the ability to establish resistance on your chest by pressing the dumbbells from a standing position.

With resistance bands, you can lie down on a flat bench and then stand. Both ways would generate the same resistance for your chest, as you are generating tension through tensile force as opposed to gravity which is only in the direction of down.

So, this fact makes resistance bands more versatile in terms of how you are able to create resistance.

If you think about various free weight exercises, you can imagine how you would be able to do the same exercise with resistance bands in both a vertical as well as horizontal plane.

Another example is if you were to hold a dumbbell with your arm at a 90-degree angle and to your side body, and you move the dumbbell in a horizontal motion (external as well as internal rotations), you won’t really be creating and resistance in that horizontal motion.

You will only have downward resistance, which will be you holding the dumbbell with your arm at a 90-degree angle. This makes an internal and external rotation ineffective with a dumbbell from the standing position. In order make this movement effective with a dumbbell, you’d have to get yourself into a position which the external/internal rotation is taking place in a vertical plane.

With resistance bands, conversely, you are able to anchor it to your side and perform this movement standing up, as the resistance will be there in the horizontal plane.

If you’re a newbie to exercise, a resistance band workout is a great place to start. Or (for all levels), make use of resistance bands for a full body stretching routine. Grab a resistance band and experience all the benefits resistance bands have to offer for shaping a stronger and leaner you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about working out, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more by following this link.

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What Breathing Tips Will Help You To Strengthen Your Lungs? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-breathing-tips-will-help-you-to-strengthen-your-lungs/ Fri, 21 May 2021 05:05:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24306 Your lung capacity is the entire amount of air which your lungs is able to hold. Over time, our lung capacity as well as lung function usually decrease gradually as we age after our mid-20s. Some conditions – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – may significantly speed up these reductions in lung capacity...

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Your lung capacity is the entire amount of air which your lungs is able to hold. Over time, our lung capacity as well as lung function usually decrease gradually as we age after our mid-20s.

Some conditions – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – may significantly speed up these reductions in lung capacity as well as functioning. This leads to challenges in breathing and shortness of breath.

Breathing feeds oxygen to every single cell in the body. Without enough oxygen, individuals are more prone to health problems, including respiratory illnesses. However ordinary, everyday breathing isn’t enough to keep the oxygen flowing through your body at peak levels.

Lungs at rest and during most day-to-day activities are only at 50% of their capacity. Like the rest of your body, lungs flourish on movement and activity. As regular day-to-day activity doesn’t assist you with using your lungs to full capacity, you need to challenge your lungs with more intense activity. In order to help offset the build-up of toxins as well as tar in the lungs which is caused by environmental pollutants, allergens, dust and cigarette smoke, you need to help your lungs cleanse themselves.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, or “belly breathing”, involves the diaphragm, which is meant to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes down to breathing.

This technique is especially helpful in people who suffer from COPD, as the diaphragm isn’t as effective in these people and could be strengthened. The technique best utilised when feeling rested. If you suffer from COPD, ask your doctor or respiratory therapist to show you how to make use of this exercise for best results.

You should do the following in order to practise diaphragmatic breathing:

  • Relax your shoulders and then sit back or lie down.
  • Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest.
  • Inhale through your nose for two seconds. Feel the air moving into your abdomen and your stomach move out. Your stomach should move more than your chest does.
  • Breathe out for two seconds through your pursed lips while pushing on your abdomen.
  • Repeat.

Pursed Lip Breathing

Pursed lip breathing may help to keep the airways open for longer to facilitate the flow of air in, and then out of, your lungs.

In order to perform pursed lip breathing:

  • Sit up straight. Good posture can assist with promoting lung movement.
  • Breathe in very deeply through your nose in a slow as well as controlled fashion.
  • Purse your lips. They should be practically touching, as when making a “kissing” face.
  • Breathe out through pursed lips. Preferably, the exhalation should be twice as much as the inhalation was.

Some individuals find it especially beneficial to focus on time, for instance by breathing in for five seconds and then breathing out for 10 seconds. It can assist to keep a clock which shows the seconds nearby. For individuals who are not very physically active and may not be exercising their breathing muscles often, pursed lip breathing may have specific benefits.

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If you are attracted to learning more about breathing exercises, as well as meditation, then you should become a Yoga instructor with our Yoga Instructor Course. Find out more by following this link.

 

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What Takes Place In Your Body When You Walk More? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-takes-place-in-your-body-when-you-walk-more/ Fri, 21 May 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24302 Walking is a phenomenal way of improving or maintaining your overall health. Just 30 minutes every single day could increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones, reduce excess body fat as well as boost muscle power and endurance. Walking may also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis in...

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Walking is a phenomenal way of improving or maintaining your overall health. Just 30 minutes every single day could increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones, reduce excess body fat as well as boost muscle power and endurance.

Walking may also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis in addition to some cancers. As opposed to some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t necessitate any special equipment or training.

Put simply, walking more — whether you are going for a casual stroll around the park, you go shopping, or are performing walking intervals on a treadmill at your gym or at the local athletics track — is integral to your health, your conditioning, and – ultimately – your longevity.

You’ll Boost Your Energy Levels

It’s very true that any physical activity – which gets your heart pumping, your blood flowing and your body’s endorphins moving – will result in enhanced energy levels. Walking is really no exception, and you don’t have to walk for hours and hours in order to experience the benefits. Going for a short 20-minute walk for three days, every week, for six weeks can result in 20% more energy levels as well as less feelings of fatigue.

Better Sleep

If you walk within two hours of you getting up in the morning, that is.  It all has to do with your contact with natural light, which will reset your body clock. As our clocks run longer than 24 hours, it’s very important to reset your body clock each and every morning with exposure to the morning’s blue light, which our receptors are especially sensitive to. Light assists with resetting our internal body clock and exposure to light also suppresses the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that assists us to go to sleep.

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How To Build Walking Into Your Life

There are several ways to add more walking into your day.  Some of these are:

  • Try taking the stairs rather than the lift,
  • Pace around while talking on the telephone, and
  • Leave the office and then go for a brisk walk during your lunch break.

Improve your circulation, enhance your mood, lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and live a longer, healthier life just by walking.

Try to make walking a routine. For instance, try to walk at the same time every day. Remember that you make use of the same amount of energy, no matter what time of day it is that you walk, so do what is most suitable for you. You may find that asking a friend or relative to walk with you will assist with making it a regular activity. Some individuals find that keeping an activity diary or log also makes keeping motivated easier.

Wear A Pedometer While Walking

A pedometer keeps count of the number of steps which you take. You will be able to use it to measure your movement throughout a day and then compare it to other days or to advised amounts of activity. This could motivate you to move more. The suggested number of steps accumulated per day to achieve health benefits is 10 000 steps or more.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to discover more about different types of exercise, then you need to become a personal trainer with our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

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How Can Resistance Bands Help To Build Upper Body Strength? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-resistance-bands-help-to-build-upper-body-strength/ Fri, 21 May 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24297 The lack of weights doesn’t need to mean the absence of a good workout. Resistance bands come in a range of styles, so finding the best one for your requirements may vary. There are a number of different reasons to love resistance bands. They are not expensive; they are light, easy to travel with and...

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The lack of weights doesn’t need to mean the absence of a good workout. Resistance bands come in a range of styles, so finding the best one for your requirements may vary. There are a number of different reasons to love resistance bands. They are not expensive; they are light, easy to travel with and may be used in order to help strengthen virtually every major muscle group.

An upper-body resistance-band workout is fantastic for building both strength as well as mobility. The focus of the exercises in this exercise routine is shoulders, upper back, chest, triceps as well as biceps. All of these exercises in the routine will strengthen the muscles that are involved, thanks to the resistance from the bands as well as the two pull-apart exercises in particular will also improve shoulder mobility since they strengthen your shoulders safely through a wide range of motion.

This type of workout is also wonderful for opening your chest, releasing tension in your shoulders, and working the muscles who are have the responsibility for good posture. When you are sitting down, driving, or looking at your phone, your shoulders are elevated, rolled forward, and shoulder blades are spread apart.

When you are in this type of position for a prolonged period of time, your posture begins to adapt and change to a forward shoulder and head posture. This is called kyphosis. By performing exercises consistently that oppose this posture, it can help to improve your shoulder mobility and help prevent kyphosis.

Bicep Curl

A bicep curl is a classic gym movement that can help you build and strengthen your bicep muscles. This resistance band workout for arms works both biceps simultaneously.

Steps:

  • Step on the centre of the resistance band with both of your feet, shoulder-width apart.
  • Hold the handles on the resistance bands next to your sides with your palms facing up.
  • Gently curl your hands up toward your shoulders. Ensure to keep your elbows tucked, next to your sides.
  • Gradually release your arms down to the starting position and then repeat.

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Shoulder Press

With this modified overhead press, you are able to build – as well as strengthen – your deltoids. During a shoulder press, in addition you need to engage your core muscles to stabilise your body.

Steps:

  • Stand on the mid-point of the band with your feet hip-width apart.
  • Firmly grip the handles at shoulder height.
  • Bend both of your elbows at a 90-degree angle with your palms facing forward. The band needs to be behind your arms.
  • Press your arms straight up towards the celling. If you aren’t able to keep your arms straight, attempt to use a lighter resistance.
  • Gradually return to your starting position and then repeat.

Tricep Kickbacks

If you’re looking for a movement to tone as well as strengthen your arms, the tricep kickback is for you. This move necessitates a full range of motion with your arms, so it could be best to start light on the weight.

Steps:

  • Step on the centre of the tube with your feet hip-width apart.
  • Make sure that you keep your back straight. Bend slightly at the knees and then lean forward over your toes. Your back needs to be as flat as possible in order to avert needless stress on your lower back.
  • Hold the handles of the resistance band so that your palms are facing behind you as well as your arms bend at a 90-degree angle.
  • Keep your elbows tucked at your side and then push the handles back until your arms are straight behind you.
  • Go back to your starting position and, after this, repeat.

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If you are eager to acquire more information about exercise, and how to teach people how to exercise correctly, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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How Can Pilates Help You In Your Overall Well-Being? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-can-pilates-help-you-in-your-overall-well-being/ Thu, 20 May 2021 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24286 While the fitness benefits of Pilates are very well known, there is another aspect of wellness that this form of exercise helps with too. It is beneficial for mental well-being as much as it is for a physical one. Pilates is about lot more than just a workout. Any individual who’s been doing it for...

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While the fitness benefits of Pilates are very well known, there is another aspect of wellness that this form of exercise helps with too. It is beneficial for mental well-being as much as it is for a physical one. Pilates is about lot more than just a workout. Any individual who’s been doing it for at least several months knows very well that Pilates doesn’t only shape your body, but it also empties your mind and also gives you energy as well as inner serenity.

What Is Pilates?

Pilates is a mind-body exercise regime that is designed to strengthen, lengthen and restore the body’s balance. It is a practice that not only builds a ‘strong core’ or perfect posture and promotes the uniform development of the body. Pilates is a low-impact workout which uses controlled and repetitive movements. There are many advantages for incorporating Pilates into your workout routine from increased strength to improved posture.

Pilates For Physical Well-Being

Physically, Pilates addresses the underlying structural imbalances in the body which create pain and difficulty with movement. This form of exercise helps to re-train dysfunctional movement patterns in the body and ultimately restores optimum physical function.

Regular practitioners of Pilates experience a heightened sense of body awareness as well as increased mobility. Research has proven that this form of low-impact exercise is the only movement practice that heals, strengthens and relaxes the body at the same time.

Pilates For Mental Well-Being

Mentally, Pilates is considered to be a ‘brain booster’ which assists with an individual’s cognitive abilities. Exercises are done mindfully and make use of the guiding principles of concentration and focus which promotes better communication between the brain and other parts of the body.

This in turn helps Pilates practitioners to become more alert and sharper. The deeply focused breathing mechanism helps calm the mind and improves mood-boosting hormones and one’s resilience to stress.

At the moment, we’re a lot more conscious about our own mental health and well-being. Whether this be in the form of meditation every day – or attending regular fitness classes – there are many ways we are able to assist ourselves.

Our health and well-being are essential in helping us with leading a happy and healthy life. This is something which we often neglect. Every person from family to friends as well as work relationships will gain from the time that we spend looking after ourselves.

With this in mind, the healthier and happier we are, the better prepared we are for any day-to-day challenges we may face. Consequently, the better prepared our bodies are in being able to survive the stresses and strains placed on it.

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If you would like to become a Pilates instructor – and if you enjoy doing Pilates, then this is a good career choice – then you should do our Pilates Instructor Course. Find out more by following this link.

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How Quickly Do We Become Unfit? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-quickly-do-we-become-unfit/ Thu, 20 May 2021 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24292 Getting in shape isn’t for the faint hearted. However, after all that hard work, how long do we actually maintain it? It turns out that even the fantastic effort we put into training, taking a bit of time off could mean that we become “unfit” much quicker than it took for us to actually get...

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Getting in shape isn’t for the faint hearted. However, after all that hard work, how long do we actually maintain it? It turns out that even the fantastic effort we put into training, taking a bit of time off could mean that we become “unfit” much quicker than it took for us to actually get in shape.

In order to understand how the body becomes “unfit”, first we need to comprehend how we become fit. The crucial thing to becoming fitter – whether that’s boosting cardiovascular fitness or muscular strength – is to surpass “habitual load”. This means that doing more than our body is used to. The stress which this has on our body makes us adapt and also become more tolerant, leading to improved fitness levels.

The time it takes to get fit is dependent on a number of factors, including:

  • Fitness levels,
  • Age,
  • How hard you work, as well as
  • Even environment.

However, some studies do show that even just six sessions of interval training can lead to improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (V02 max), which is a measure of overall fitness. In addition, these sessions improve how efficiently our body is able to fuel itself using the sugar stored in our cells during exercise. For strength training, a number of different gains in muscle force may be shown in as little as two weeks, however changes in muscle size won’t be seen until around 8-12 weeks.

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Becoming Unfit Takes Place In Stages

Different systems in our body lose fitness at different rates, but generally speaking, it takes about between three and four weeks to notice a considerable change in one’s fitness levels.

Let’s take recreational exerciser, Jane, for instance. Jane is someone who logs about three days a week of physical activity and still has sufficient levels energy to run around after her terrible two-year old. Jane developed an illness and was down and out for a month before she felt reasonable enough to resume her exercise programme.

The first system that lost fitness was Jane’s cardiovascular system. With no physical activity over the last month, Jane’s ability to consume – as well as utilise oxygen – had considerably diminished. In fact, after just 10 to 14 days of sedentary behaviour, a person’s aerobic system begins to decline.

The muscular system is also affected by not training, albeit less dramatically as opposed to the cardiovascular system. We lose muscular strength and endurance after about four weeks of inactivity. During the first few weeks, the effects are hardly noticeable, but after the four-week mark, muscle fibres start to shrink. Muscles lose their “bulky” feeling, becoming softer, smaller as well as weaker. But there is a bit to be said for muscle memory, and typically upon resumption of training, it is fairly easy to regain muscular performance.

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If you are keen to discover more about fitness – and teaching others how to become fitter – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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Why Are Walking Workouts Great For Heart, Bone And Muscle Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-are-walking-workouts-great-for-heart-bone-and-muscle-health/ Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24260 Walking is very good for you, there’s not a lot of doubt about this. As a way of adding in physical activity to your life, walking workouts have many advantages. There’s a very tiny barrier to entry into these workouts, which means that almost everyone, irrespective of age or ability, can start to walk frequently...

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Walking is very good for you, there’s not a lot of doubt about this. As a way of adding in physical activity to your life, walking workouts have many advantages. There’s a very tiny barrier to entry into these workouts, which means that almost everyone, irrespective of age or ability, can start to walk frequently as a form of exercise.

Walking has clear benefits in terms of keeping our bodies functioning as we get older, increasing cardiovascular health, assisting us lose fat mass and maintain muscle mass, and assisting to maintain bone density. These advantages are true for people of all ages. It seems that the more active which you are as a young adult may affect general health and bone and muscle physical function later on in your life.

In addition, walking outside is linked to mental health benefits, especially if you’re able to walk in parks or green spaces. Such “green exercise” may improve mental health and well-being, reduce symptoms of depression as well as lower blood pressure to a greater degree as opposed to similar urban exercise.

Walking Workouts When Your Job Involves Sitting?

Sometimes, it’s much simpler to talk the talk as opposed to walking the walk, particularly if you have a job which keeps you sedentary for most of the day. By taking time to understand your day-to-day routine, it’s very possible to find pockets of time for cardio fitness in the form of walking. With your doctor’s direction, try out these health tips:

  • Go for an early-morning walk with your dog. Or, if you don’t by now have a pet, think about getting one — caring for an animal can assist with reducing your heart disease risk.
  • When you’re going to work or the shop, park your car far from the entrance so that you are able to fit more steps into your day.
  • Take the stairs instead of the lift.
  • Wear a pedometer in order to keep track of your physical activity. Set attainable goals to stay motivated.
  • Set a timer in order to make sure that you up and move around the office at least once an hour.
  • Employ co-workers for a daily lunchtime workout outside, weather permitting.

Are Walking Workouts Enough?

However, while walking is good for you, it’s not a magical cure for everything. In order to gain even further benefits, consider adding in both higher intensity exercises as well as strengthening exercises.

This should include vigorous, challenging, quick movements which get your heart beating faster as well as making you out of breath. Examples are running or cycling up hills, sports games or – alternatively – walking up stairs. Once again, intensity is at play here. So, although walking is great for cardiovascular fitness, running is much better, even if you still only make use of similar amounts of calories on a short run as opposed to a longer walk.

The greater the intensity is, the better for your health. Muscle strengthening exercises, for example weightlifting, are also great for building muscle mass as well as strength at all ages. These will assist maintain muscle mass and function with older age and are linked with reduced incidence of chronic diseases. Importantly, muscle mass losses and function start in your 30s-40s. So, exercising while you’re younger isn’t just good for you now, but could help your health and function decades later.

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Why Are Cardio And Strength Training Both Important For Your Fitness Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-are-cardio-and-strength-training-both-important-for-your-fitness-routine/ Mon, 17 May 2021 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24244 Trying to find a workout routine which fits into your already-packed calendar may be challenging. When confronted with this challenge, many of us try to provide a solution to the problem by choosing either cardiovascular training or strength training. And not without a precedent — even within the fitness world, you have individuals who swear...

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Trying to find a workout routine which fits into your already-packed calendar may be challenging. When confronted with this challenge, many of us try to provide a solution to the problem by choosing either cardiovascular training or strength training. And not without a precedent — even within the fitness world, you have individuals who swear by cardio and those who absolutely love to pump weights.

So, which is actually best for weight loss, health benefits as well as overall fitness?

Both.

The truth is that fitness is all about balance. You need a balanced diet as well as a balanced workout. This is why both methods of training are very important, and the best workout programmes include a dosage of strength and a measure of cardio.

What Are The Pros Of Cardiovascular Training?

Cardiovascular exercise assists you with improving your body’s ability to deliver blood – as well as oxygen – to your muscles, improving your heart and lungs. This process is responsible for building up your endurance through training your muscles in order to better utilise oxygen. Regular cardio reduces blood pressure, body fat, regulates blood sugar levels and lowers inflammation.

In the long term, regular aerobic (which is another word for cardio) exercise may also lessen your danger of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes as well as cancer. It can also increase your memory and protect the brain against age-related cognitive decline.

What Are The Pros Of Strength Training?

On the other hand, strength training assists you with building muscles which support you in your everyday life, improving your metabolism and enhancing the body’s ability to burn more fat in the long run. Strengthening your muscles allows you to feel stronger, stimulates bone growth, assists with weight control, enhances balance, posture and lowers pain in the lower back and joints.

How Much Is Sufficient?

Many of the benefits of cardiovascular and strength training are reciprocal. There are definitely activities which combine both. (If you do CrossFit, for instance, or strongman training, you may well have most of your bases covered.) However, for simplicity, physical activity guidelines break out the two different types.

Guidelines suggest no less than 20-30 minutes of strength training, two times a week. (Most beginner strength training programmes will have you work out three times a week, which is also OK.) These types of sessions should work all your muscles, so if you choose to split your workout into upper-body and lower-body days, make sure that you do two of each.

 

As you get accustomed to strength training, you might want to do more. This is great, as long as you work up to it steadily. While you can do once-off videos or make up an exercise routine out of exercises that you like, you’re better off in the long run with a programme that gives you a way to progress as you get stronger.

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If you want to learn more about cardio and strength training, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

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Why Runners Should Do Mobility Work? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-runners-should-do-mobility-work-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 17 May 2021 05:00:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24249 Runners frequently bemoan their tight hips, quads, hamstrings as well as ankles. Those problem areas are often the cause of injuries. In order counteract this, we add stretching as well as strength training to our routines, however many of us still end up with niggling aches and pains. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably missing...

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Runners frequently bemoan their tight hips, quads, hamstrings as well as ankles. Those problem areas are often the cause of injuries. In order counteract this, we add stretching as well as strength training to our routines, however many of us still end up with niggling aches and pains. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably missing one key element to your training plan: mobility work.

Mobility often gets confused with flexibility however there are some key differences. First, let’s look at the definitions:

  • Mobility: the active movement of a joint through its entire range of motion without restriction, pain or assistance from an external source (another person, a strap, etc.). In other words, it’s simply the ability to move well.
  • Flexibility: the passive range of motion available to you when you temporarily stretch a muscle using an external force for instance a strap, the assistance of another person or gravity.

Why Does Mobility Matter For Runners?

Mobility drills make runners more aware of our bodies as well as our range of motion. This leads to better running form as well as less injuries. As we said before, runners’ hips are notoriously tight and we often use them only in a straight forward motion, this move assists with increasing range of motion in the joint and can loosen up tight areas.

How do you loosen up tight hips? It’s not just via stretching – these mobility moves are going to provide both flexibility as well as strength. Here are some moves to increase mobility.

  • Standing figure Eight:

Stand on your right leg and bring your left knee up to 90 degrees. Move it through figure 8 motion. It may feel awkward, however that’s ok. It is necessary that you work the hip in a number of different planes.

  • Hurdle Step:

Imagine that you have a hurdle (the kind from the athletics field) on your right side. Swing your left leg up and over. Then bring your right leg over. Repeat the movement by moving back across your imaginary hurdle. Get that leg up quite high.

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  • Frog Stretch:

This move looks deceptively easy. Begin with both knees wider than your yoga mat with your legs straight behind you (don’t pull your feet together like child’s pose). Gradually push back and you should feel the stretch through your inner thigh. If not try legs wider or ensure your legs are straight.

How Often Should You Be Doing These Sorts Of Exercises?

We have a straightforward rule of thumb:

  • 1 x weekly = Not sufficient
  • 2 x weekly = Maintenance
  • 3 x weekly = You’ll begin to see progress
  • 4 x weekly = A good average to aim for in an average running week
  • 5 x weekly = If you’re performing intensive rehab, or are else not running for some reason

If you are able to aim to perform these exercises on average between 3-4 times weekly as a maintenance practice, you’ll be in a good place when it comes to providing yourself a chance to continue running injury-free.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to discover more about mobility exercises, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

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What Is The Power Of Resistance Band Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-power-of-resistance-band-training/ Fri, 14 May 2021 05:10:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24241 It is quite hard to look at a little band next to a big dumbbell and believe that it is a highly effective sort of resistance training.  However, resistance band training is a great strength training tool. They could be small and unassuming however the power that they have sneaks up on you. Just one...

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It is quite hard to look at a little band next to a big dumbbell and believe that it is a highly effective sort of resistance training.  However, resistance band training is a great strength training tool. They could be small and unassuming however the power that they have sneaks up on you. Just one band can be used in order to strengthen all major muscle groups.

If you’re looking to set up a home gym, to train outdoors, or even in the gym to shift or mix it up, resistance bands are the absolute perfect addition. Resistance bands take up a little space – or no space – at all, are portable to be utilised anywhere, and have unlimited movement possibilities.

The Start Of Resistance Band Training

Resistance band training originated in the early part of the 1900s and these bands were made from surgical tubing. Their original purpose was muscle rehabilitation, although the photos from exercises at that time look quite similar to exercises that are used for strength today. The bands made a comeback in the fitness market during the 1990s and they have continued to increase in popularity.

Types Of Resistance Bands

Resistance Bands With Handles

These tube bands are mainly used for working out and building muscle strength as well as size. The handles offer a sturdy grip and allow for a number of different exercises, like what you may do in the gym with free weights or machines.

Therapy Flat Resistance Bands

These are frequently found in therapy situations, such as a physical therapist or sports therapist offices. They are broad and flat, which makes them very easy to wrap around your hand and adjust the length easily. These bands can also be cut into smaller pieces or used in order to stretch.

Loop Bands

These bands are very similar to therapy bands, however, are smaller and are in a closed loop. These are mainly used for strengthening the legs and buttocks.

Leg & Arm Tube Resistance Bands

These closed-loop tube bands come in a number of different variations, such as leg bands with ankle cuffs as well as figure-eight shapes with handles for the upper body. These are more muscle-specific and are limited in the variety of exercises that can be performed.

Power & Mobility Bands

These heavy-duty bands loop bands are most used for cross-training and with power lifting. They are also utilised for stretching as well as correcting mobility issues, adding variable resistance to weight training, and pull-up assistance.

Owing to the great versatility of resistance bands, these bands are also more efficient. A bicep curl using a dumbbell is a fixed motion and the muscles utilised are predictable. Add in the instability of the band, and muscle fibres all over your arms and shoulders kick in to make sure that the band is kept stable.

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What Is A Rucking Workout? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-rucking-workout-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 14 May 2021 05:05:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24237 Put a weight in your backpack and then go for a walk. It sounds deceptively straightforward however this age-old activity, which has been newly popularised by military-fitness programmes and workouts, will torch fat, boost strength, and also challenge even the most seasoned gym-goer. It’s called rucking. Tactical athletes, such as soldiers and police officers, know...

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Put a weight in your backpack and then go for a walk. It sounds deceptively straightforward however this age-old activity, which has been newly popularised by military-fitness programmes and workouts, will torch fat, boost strength, and also challenge even the most seasoned gym-goer. It’s called rucking.

Tactical athletes, such as soldiers and police officers, know full well that rucking could sharpen fitness levels along with assisting to save your life. Triumph on the battlefield is often determined by how fast a soldier can move with important gear on his back, and it is necessary for SWAT officers to be able to kick down doors as well as tackle bad guys who are clad in lots of kilograms of protective gear.

For the non-military person to get the most out of rucking, it’s best to involve strength-training routines which will build the muscles you utilise while you ruck. It is suggested that a good strategy is one fast-walk backpacking session a week in addition to three resistance-training workouts. After completing this training programme, it is recommend doing a three- to five-mile ruck, twice per week, carrying a 25-kilogram load.

What Are The Benefits Of Rucking?

While rucking will feel quite easy while you’re doing it, don’t be duped. Taking a stroll with a weighted backpack has a lot of benefits for body, mind as well as spirit.

Rucking Assists You

Rucking raises your heart rate as compared to regular walking (which means that it counts as cardio exercise!) and has an effect on your heart rate that’s comparable to jogging. In addition, rucking enhances your all-around work capacity as well as endurance. Obtaining the ability to cover ground under load builds a strong fitness foundation.

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Rucking Burns More Calories Than Walking And Just a Little Less Than Running

If you really don’t like running, however still want to get the caloric burn which comes with running, rucking is the answer that you’ve been looking for. In fact, you are able to burn approximately as many calories rucking as jogging does.

If you’re a 90-kg man and run for an hour at 8 KPH, you’ll burn 755 calories. Walking briskly (5.6 kph) for an hour burns 391 calories for a man who is the same size.

If you add a weight to your brisk, hour-long walk (i.e., go rucking), the research shows that you can burn around 40-50% more calories. So, our 90 kg man walking at a 5.6 kph pace while carrying 20 kg of weight will burn around 585 calories.

If you’re already going for regular walks, start throwing a backpack on when you do and you’ll burn thousands more calories over the duration of the year.

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How To Become Golfing Fit https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-become-golfing-fit/ Fri, 14 May 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24228 When things do go wrong with our golf game, our primary instinct is to question our technique. Of course, this might be where the problem lies. However, more often than you might think, a single focus on improving your physical conditioning may resolve – or at least improve – the situation. You might walk a...

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When things do go wrong with our golf game, our primary instinct is to question our technique. Of course, this might be where the problem lies. However, more often than you might think, a single focus on improving your physical conditioning may resolve – or at least improve – the situation.

You might walk a lot in golf however the top players (as well as good amateurs) have superb flexibility, mobility, stability as well as core strength. If the amateur golfer is lacking in those physical aspects, the ability to execute the golf swing in an effective manner is going to be limited. Then, what often transpires is that the body is not able to execute the golf swing correctly. So, compensation patterns are established and swing faults are the result.

Exercises To Keep You Fit For Golf

Split Squat

The split squat is a lower-body exercise which works on mobility, stability as well as strength. The narrow stance will lessen your base of support and also challenge your stability. In the slip squat, you’re primarily working your front leg, so make sure that you keep the bulk of your weight centred over the middle of your front foot.

Deadbug

Deadbugs are a phenomenal exercise for strengthening your core. You require strength in your midsection in order to be able to shift power from your lower body to your upper body when you’re doing the golf swing. During this exercise, it’s very important to keep your lower-back flat against the ground in order to ensure you’re working your abs.

Push-ups

There’s a very good reason push-ups are go-to exercises. When done correctly, push-ups can be very beneficial to your overall strength and to the golf swing. To set up properly for a push-up, put your hands underneath your shoulders and your feet shoulder-width apart. After this, squeeze your core and go to the top of a plank.

Your body should be moving as one piece with a regulated tempo to ensure that you are working the correct muscles. Essentially, the push-up is a moving plank so to ensure your push-ups are utilising your full range of motion, your chest and hips need to touch the floor on the way down. If doing push-ups is too difficult, elevate your hands onto the side of a couch, table or countertop. The higher your hands are, the easier the push-up will be.

What you’ve got to recognise is that basically the golf swing is a repetitive movement so you’re performing the same movement over and over again. With repetition comes fatigue as well as tightness. So, do a cool-down with some static stretching as well as self-mild fast relief exercises with a foam roller for several minutes after the round is over in order to help to create length within the body after it’s become fatigued and tight.

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How To Do A Deep Squat? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-a-deep-squat-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 14 May 2021 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24231 Squats are a major component of most lower body exercise programmes. The movement is also part of many daily activities. Whether you’re squatting down in order to pick up something heavy or just standing up and sitting down from a chair, the squatting movement is part of your everyday life. Squats necessitate a certain amount...

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Squats are a major component of most lower body exercise programmes. The movement is also part of many daily activities. Whether you’re squatting down in order to pick up something heavy or just standing up and sitting down from a chair, the squatting movement is part of your everyday life.

Squats necessitate a certain amount of flexibility in your hips, knees as well as ankles. In addition, they necessitate the muscles of your lower body to provide sufficient force in order to move your weight, as well as any other weight you stack on.

What’s more, squats — especially when done with resistance — challenge the stability of your trunk and pelvis. They’re an excellent addition to any resistance programme.

A Very Effective Exercise

The humble squat may just be the most effective exercise which you can do. It is responsible for engaging the entire lower half of your body, including your hips, glutes, quads, hamstrings as well as calves, while also hitting your core, shoulders and your back.

The perfect squat is a masterpiece of muscular coordination throughout your entire body, achieving the rare feat of simultaneously building muscle as well as burning fat thanks to its high metabolic demand.

What’s A Deep Squat?

There are several different definitions of a deep squat, however it is generally accepted that a deep squat involves a knee angle greater than 120 degrees. This means that the crease in your hip drops below your knees and your bum nearly touches the ground.

Squats are very beneficial no matter how deep you go. Your squat form is dependent on your flexibility, range of motion, strength as well as training goals. However, there are a number of extra benefits if your body gives you the opportunity to go deeper.

  • Greater body workout – A deep squat needs more than only your legs. It takes the full range of motion from your ankles right up to your shoulders and mobility in your core as well as your spine. All the joints and muscles recruited are getting exercise.
  • Increased knee stability – It was once felt that deep squats lead to instability in your knee, therefore the conventional wisdom. Research since then has demonstrated that the opposite is true: deep squats really lead to stronger ligaments as well as better knee stability.
  • Increased activation of gluteus maximus in addition to other hip extensors – As you go down deeper, it becomes increasingly difficult. The additional difficulty makes your bum and hips work harder, which boosts their strength.
  • Lessened forces on the ACL and PCL – Your knee is far more stable in a deep squat, so it’s putting less force on the ligaments which are holding it at all together. At the bottom of a deep squat, there is not a lot of pressure on your ACL as well as your PCL — most of the stress actually takes place at the start of a squat.

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High-Intensity Interval Training Exercises for the Pool https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/high-intensity-interval-training-exercises-for-the-pool/ Thu, 13 May 2021 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24209 High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts have come to be ever more popular with fitness enthusiasts in the last couple years. These cardiovascular workouts consist of periods of extremely intense activity (working portion) which is followed by a recovery period. After this, it’s repeated all over again. Often times when individuals hear the word “HIIT,”...

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High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts have come to be ever more popular with fitness enthusiasts in the last couple years. These cardiovascular workouts consist of periods of extremely intense activity (working portion) which is followed by a recovery period. After this, it’s repeated all over again.

Often times when individuals hear the word “HIIT,” sprinting or cycling will come to mind. An aqua HIIT exercise routine may seem like an unforeseen choice at first, however just wait until you take your exercise regimen off land and then into the pool.

What Happens When You Exercise In Water?

When we work out in the water, we are actually adding resistance to the moves which we are performing so making them increasingly more difficult.

Another additional bonus is that exercising in the water is low impact which makes doing HIIT underwater (as opposed to on dry land) a much better choice for those who could be suffering with any joint issues.

However, the key is to find exercises in the pool which, when performed, require near-maximal exertion for the working section.

Aqua HIIT 45/15

This protocol makes use of the formula of 45 seconds of high-intensity work which is followed by 15 seconds to rest. Do each exercise, one directly after the other, for three rounds. The total time for this workout is 12 minutes.

Before you start your HIIT pool workout:

  • Place yourself in shallow water between your navel and chest. You should be able to stand easily with both of your feet on the bottom of the pool floor.
  • Start jogging in place and then slowly increase the intensity by running in place or even running the lap lane. Warm up for nearly five to 10 minutes in order to allow your body to adjust and prepare for the exercises.
  • You aren’t able to feel it, but you are sweating in the pool so make sure to have a bottle of water poolside to hydrate in between each round.

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What Are The Advantages Of Pool Exercises?

As water offers heavier resistance as opposed to air, working out in the pool may make the same exercises, which that you’d do on land far more challenging in water.

The heavier resistance may engage your muscles more fully and also assist you with burning more calories in a shorter amount of time. Aquatic exercise gives you the opportunity to get a great cardio workout, while – at the same time 0 also increasing your:

  • Strength,
  • Endurance, as well as
  • Flexibility.

The buoyancy of water also offers extra support for your muscles as well as your joints. This allows you the opportunity to work out harder while putting less impact on your body as opposed to what you would on land.

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How To Make Your Run More Of A Workout? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-make-your-run-more-of-a-workout-learn-more/ Thu, 13 May 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24213 There are only a very few people who would say no to being able to run a little bit faster and get more of an intensive workout at the same time. No matter what your chosen distance is, and how relaxed your attitude to the sport is, a quick all-out effort is nothing short of...

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There are only a very few people who would say no to being able to run a little bit faster and get more of an intensive workout at the same time. No matter what your chosen distance is, and how relaxed your attitude to the sport is, a quick all-out effort is nothing short of exhilarating.

If you’ve been running at a very steady pace for a while, it can be all too commonplace to hit a plateau. However, luckily there are a number of different techniques which you can employ in order to build endurance as well as learn how to run faster without you getting tired. As you begin to push yourself a little harder, if you set new performance goals for your runs this can help you to stay motivated as you discover how far (as well as how fast) you are able to go.

When you first begin, improvements in your running workouts come easily and quickly. Just by doing more running as opposed to you were before, your body becomes better conditioned. In addition, you get faster. At some point in time, however, those speed gains stop coming so easily and it is necessary for you to start mixing up your workouts and training.

What To Introduce?

You can accomplish this by introducing intervals, tempo sessions as well as other types of workouts to your training routine. It’s very important not to overdo the amount of fast training you do, as that will raise your injury risk. However, having one or two speed-focused sessions a week – alongside your easy and steady runs – will assist you to become a faster runner.

Another way of improving your speed is to hit the gym and work on your leg and core strength. Weight training, whether or not it is with bodyweight or added weight, assists with building leg muscles and core strength assisting your body sustain faster speeds more easily as well as keeping your posture strong when fatigue creeps in.

Well-developed muscles are vital for protecting bones and joints. This means less chance of stress fractures in addition to other running injuries. Weight training has also been shown to increase bone density and enhance connective tissue so reducing your risk of tears and breaks.

Bulgarian Split Squat

When running at any speed over any distance, you’re consistently on one foot. This means that it’s good to train in that way whenever it is possible:

  • Get into a lunge position. Your knees are bent and your back foot needs to rest on a bench 12-15cm off the floor.
  • Lower yourself until your front thigh is nearly horizontal.
  • However, don’t push your knee past your front foot. Drive through your front heel and then back up to your starting position.

Deadlift

The deadlift works pretty much every muscle in your body however with a specific focus on the back of the body. That goes through your hamstrings, glutes as well as lower back, which are all quite important for sprinting:

  • Bend at your knees and grasp a barbell with an overhand grip. Your hands must be shoulder-width apart.
  • Lift the bar to thigh height with the movement driven by your leg muscles as well as by the forward movement of your hips.
  • Pause and pull your shoulders back, then lower the bar.

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Why Do You Need To Exercise The Muscles In Your Feet? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-do-you-need-to-exercise-the-muscles-in-your-feet/ Wed, 12 May 2021 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24202 Keeping your feet strong and flexible can assist with reducing foot and ankle pain, lessening muscle soreness, improving your overall foot health and keeping you active. Exercises which improve range of motion and help supple up your feet could reduce your chance of getting hurt. Slow and gentle stretches will enhance your flexibility. Strength exercises...

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Keeping your feet strong and flexible can assist with reducing foot and ankle pain, lessening muscle soreness, improving your overall foot health and keeping you active. Exercises which improve range of motion and help supple up your feet could reduce your chance of getting hurt. Slow and gentle stretches will enhance your flexibility. Strength exercises will give you the opportunity for your muscles to provide better support as well as protection for your foot as a whole.

You can do these gentle stretching as well as strengthening exercises three times per week or as frequently as every day in order to increase your range of motion and strength for permanent foot health and vitality.

If your feet and ankles are aching a lot, if you have any injuries, or if you have arthritis or diabetes, make sure that you check with your doctor or physical therapist prior you start doing any of these exercises. Dependent on your needs, your doctor could add other exercises or take away some of the ones listed here.

Flexibility And Resistance Exercises May Also Assist With Keeping Your Feet Healthy

Flexibility Exercises

Exercises which improve flexibility assist with keeping your feet supple and could reduce your risk for injury. Don’t worry at all if your feet have become stiff with age. Studies demonstrate that no matter how old you are, you are still having to improve your flexibility. The simplest way to build flexibility is through slow as well as gentle daily stretches, concentrating on one particular group of muscles at a time.

An example is the toe raise, point and curl

  • Sit up dead straight in a dining room chair, with your feet flat on the floor.
  • While making sure that you keep your toes on the floor, raise the heels. Stop when only the balls of your feet stay on the ground.
  • Maintain this position for a period of five seconds before lowering your heels.
  • For the second stage, raise your heels and point your toes so that only the tips of the big as well as second toes are touching the floor.
  • Hold for a period of 5 seconds before lowering.
  • For the third stage, raise your heels and curl your toes inward so that just the very tips of your toes are touching the floor. Hold this position for a period 5 seconds.
  • Build flexibility and mobility by repeating each stage 10 times.

Resistance Exercises

Strength training exercises are those movements in which your muscles work versus some type of resistance, such as weights or exercise bands. Resistance exercises are responsible for strengthening muscles, which, in turn, offer better support as well as protection for the foot as a whole. Exercise bands look a bit like compression bandages however they come in various colours that correspond to the amount of resistance which they provide.

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What To Eat Before And Following A Pilates Exercise Session https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-to-eat-before-and-following-a-pilates-exercise-session/ Tue, 11 May 2021 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24179 As you have probably heard before, getting that body which you’re after doesn’t happen only by working out. You’ve got to pair your workout with a nutritious diet to get the results which you’re after. This includes prepping for your Pilates class as well as cooling down from it by putting the right things in...

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As you have probably heard before, getting that body which you’re after doesn’t happen only by working out. You’ve got to pair your workout with a nutritious diet to get the results which you’re after. This includes prepping for your Pilates class as well as cooling down from it by putting the right things in your belly.

As everyone takes Pilates classes different times of the day, and everyone has somewhat different eating schedules, it’s challenging to say across-the-board what you should be eating before and after Pilates class, and exactly when you should eat those particular things.

Pilates encompasses a lot of work on your core on the mat. Many individuals wonder what and when to eat before doing Pilates exercises. Pilates has been around for many, many years however its popularity is still growing. Currently, it is regarded as a part of a healthy and well-rounded fitness routine.

Many who want to stay fit and strong engage in Pilates, and usually, one of the questions in mind is, what can you eat before and after a class? Is there a special diet when engaging in Pilates?

When Should You Eat Before A Pilates Session?

As there is so much emphasis in Pilates on making use of your abdominal muscles, you will want to make sure that any food you’ve eaten before your session is fully digested.

Attempt to eat a light meal before your session. Perhaps try snacking on a banana or sipping on a smoothie for some carbohydrates in order to give you energy. Irrespective of what you eat, nutrition experts recommend that you wait between two and three hours after eating before you work out.

Another thought that you should be keeping in mind is that if you skip breakfast or it’s been too many hours from the time that you’ve eaten, you could run out of energy in the middle of your workout. It’s best to eat no less than a light snack.

Recommendations For A Small Pre-Pilates Meal

  • A protein shake which uses fruit can be a very convenient choice. You will be able adjust the portion size so that it suits you.
  • Yoghurt with fruit or a small portion of oatmeal may provide carbohydrates.
  • Peanut butter on whole grain bread provides a quick source of complex carbohydrates as well as protein.

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What To Eat After A Pilates Session

After a Pilates session, you need to make sure that your body is fed with nutrients in order to strengthen your muscles as well as restore any nutrient imbalance. You could drink another protein shake right after your session or eat another light snack.

In essence, your diet will depend on why you’re attending a Pilates class. If you want to lose weight, then you should cut down on calories. Use Pilates plus cardio exercises in order to create a fat-burning workout routine. Remember that you won’t be able to lose weight if you only exercise or use Pilates. You still need to reduce your calorie intake daily.

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What Is The Best Workout To Develop Agility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-workout-to-develop-agility/ Mon, 10 May 2021 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24155 Agility training workouts help with improving speed, explosive power, coordination as well as certain sports skills. From high school to professional sports players, all types of athletes are able to benefit from agility training exercises. Integrate these exercises a few times a week into your training routine to perfect your foot speed and refine your...

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Agility training workouts help with improving speed, explosive power, coordination as well as certain sports skills. From high school to professional sports players, all types of athletes are able to benefit from agility training exercises. Integrate these exercises a few times a week into your training routine to perfect your foot speed and refine your sports technique.

Athletes frequently make use of plyometric jumping exercises in order to build power as well as improve coordination. Hurdles are not just vital to training for field sports but they are able to improve the strength and jumping ability of basketball players, skiers, figure skaters, and sports divers.

What Is Agility?

Agility is the capability to quickly move on your feet and including this type of training into your workout routine can assist with improving your speed, strengthen your lower body as well as reduce your risk of injury.

In addition, like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it seriously ups your calorie burn, thanks to all the extra muscles it calls into play.

As we become older, or just become complacent in our day-to-day routines, both our mental as well as physical agility suffers.

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Workouts To Help With Developing Agility

Lateral Plyometric Jumps

Lateral plyometric jumps assist with building explosive power, balance as well as coordination by utilising our natural body weight. This advanced agility training exercise is vital for any athletic position which requires lateral coordination and power. For the best results, be sure to perform this drill after a thorough warm up. Another wonderful option is the lateral single leg hop.

Lateral Jump With Agility Ladder

Stand to the left of the initial square of the ladder, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower almost into a squat. Then drive through your heels to pop off the ground and then jump into the ladder square diagonally to the front of your feet.

Immediately pop off the ground again in order to jump to the right side of that ladder square. Continue to move forward quickly. At the end of the ladder, run backwards to the beginning point. Repeat.

Hurdle Drills

Utilising either 6- or 12-inch hurdles (these can be cones, yoga blocks or whatever else you have on hand), set up five to 10 hurdles up in a row. Make sure that these are parallel to each other. Moving laterally, begin by going over the primary hurdle with a high step. Pause in a stork stance prior to moving back to your starting position.

Then move over the primary two hurdles, pause and then go back to the beginning. Continue this workout until all five to 10 hurdles have been travelled (1, 1 2, 1 2 3, 1 2 3 4, etc.). Count your hurdles out loud (both ascending as well as descending numbers). Remember to pause on one leg prior to moving back to the beginning. In addition, don’t forget to switch directions. When you become more advanced, speed up your hurdle steps and take out the pause.

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What Is The Best Way Is Of Keeping Track Of Your Fitness Progress? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-way-is-of-keeping-track-of-your-fitness-progress/ Fri, 07 May 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24131 You will probably have seen a dozen of unbelievable transformation photos and want a similar result. The one thing which these weight-loss or muscle-gain achievers have in common is that they keep track of their fitness progress. If you would like to lose weight or gain muscle, then you really need to start tracking the...

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You will probably have seen a dozen of unbelievable transformation photos and want a similar result. The one thing which these weight-loss or muscle-gain achievers have in common is that they keep track of their fitness progress.

If you would like to lose weight or gain muscle, then you really need to start tracking the changes in your body. With the number of techniques as well as methods out there, it is very easy to get a little stuck. This is because it can be very tempting in order to give up on your workout routine if you feel as if you’re not making progress. Weight loss may take time and your weight may fluctuate for reasons other than true weight loss or gain — this is why relying on the scale alone is often a mistake.

Instead, by taking the time to notice small advances, you can begin to look at each workout as a step toward your end goal. This is why using tools to track your exercise performance is an excellent idea: It’s the only way in order to get an accurate idea of your activity level and the rate at which you’re performing.

Keep A Fitness Journal

Logging a fitness and workout journal is one of the simplest and most effective ways in order to track the amount of weight which you lifted in prior workouts. This way you’ll realise if you’re becoming stronger.

The body adjusts to exercise quite effortlessly, to whatever workouts we’re regularly performing. So, if we constantly do the same weights as well as the same exercises, the body will no longer prompt a response to change. The muscles will not grow or – alternatively – get stronger.

A major mistake that is seen in the gym is individuals doing the same workouts each week, with exactly the same amount of weight. However, a workout journal can assist you with switching up your strength training programmes. This will keep your muscles in a perpetual state of being challenged.

Take Photos

Although not a numerical measurement, body photos can be a great tool for measuring progress for those who are more visual. Photos help you to see alterations in your physical appearance.

Weight loss, as well as muscle gain, is a gradual and incremental process. In addition, it’s common for people’s weight to vary, particularly when they start weight training for the first time. Often, the human eye may not see the small changes which take place day-to-day. People become very frustrated with a seeming lack of results and make the decision to give up.

Nevertheless, there is progress that the scale and numbers will not show. This is where progress photos can serve as highly motivational fitness trackers. Progress photos can also serve as a visual confirmation that all your hard work is paying off.

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Monitor Steps Taken

By keeping an eye on the number of steps that you take during a workout, you are able to assess your performance and make changes when necessary. For instance, if you walked below your targeted number of steps during a workout, you would know that you need to pick up your speed. Tracking your steps is also an easy way to monitor the progress you’re making and boost your morale.

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What Are The Long-Term Benefits Of Lifting Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-long-term-benefits-of-lifting-weights/ Fri, 07 May 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24135 Strength training will help you to get stronger as well as looking and feeling better with only a few short sessions each week. You are able to do strength training with free weights such as barbells and dumbbells, weight machines, or with no equipment at all. There are a lot of positive effects of weightlifting....

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Strength training will help you to get stronger as well as looking and feeling better with only a few short sessions each week. You are able to do strength training with free weights such as barbells and dumbbells, weight machines, or with no equipment at all.

There are a lot of positive effects of weightlifting. Over a long period of time, weight training causes helpful changes in both your physical as well as mental health. As long as you are able to avoid the potential disadvantages of lifting heavy weights, this kind of exercise may be a helpful tool in reaching your health goals.

Stronger, Healthier Bones

It turns out that lifting weights is very beneficial for your skeletal system. As you perform your bicep curls or deadlifts, tiny protein molecules are deposited in the space between your bones’ cells. Later, these are calcified on the bone surface. This increases bone density and strength, which in turn lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

In addition, the muscles you develop may reduce the weight which is placed on your bones and joints so that you are able to move around more freely.

Beneficial Effects On Muscle Mass

Lifting weights long term can lead to increases in both muscle size as well as strength. In fact, chronic hypertrophy – or gains in muscle size that occurs as a result of long-term weight training – is associated with increases in cross-sectional muscle fibre size by as much as 20 to 45%. These increases are credited with equivalent gains in strength. People who engage in consistent resistance training routine over the long-term may be able to increase muscle strength by 7 to 45%.

Experience Better Coordination With Lifting Weights

In addition, long-term weight training will improve your coordination, posture as well as balance. This improvement is particularly crucial for older people who are more prone to losing their balance owing to declining physical function. The muscles developed as a consequence of weightlifting allow for more fluid and less stiff body movement.

Assists With Managing Cholesterol

Long-term resistance training seems to be effective in managing cholesterol.  In fact, epidemiological research demonstrates that consistent resistance training could lead to decreases in both total – as well as -low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in addition to increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Increased glucose management is also associated with long-term resistance training. When combined, these effects can lead to substantial improvements in heart health.

As you can see, weight training does have amazing health benefits, going about it in the incorrect way could result in injuries. The most frequent mistake which people make is having poor breathing form.

Holding your breath while lifting increases your blood pressure and eventually enlarges your heart muscles as they strain to pump blood against this greater pressure. This can lead to health complications later in life. So, learning how to breathe, i.e., exhaling while lifting the weight and inhaling while lowering it, is crucial. If you want to look better, feel better and live a healthier life, get started on a workout regimen that includes weight training.

Contact  Trifocus Fitness Academy

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How To Up Your Fitness Regime With EMS Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-up-your-fitness-regime-with-ems-training/ Thu, 06 May 2021 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24074 EMS is a fitness tool that physical therapists use in order to assist people recover from surgery or rehabilitate injuries. Typically, EMS training is utilised in situations where an individual has muscular inhibition and weakness owing to pain, swelling, and immobilisation. For instance, after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee surgery, individuals tend to have weakened...

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EMS is a fitness tool that physical therapists use in order to assist people recover from surgery or rehabilitate injuries. Typically, EMS training is utilised in situations where an individual has muscular inhibition and weakness owing to pain, swelling, and immobilisation. For instance, after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee surgery, individuals tend to have weakened quads. EMS training may “involuntarily activate” or wake up the quads, so that people don’t completely lose their muscle mass or function, he says.

However lately, boutique workout aficionados – as well as fitness influencers – have been buzzing about workouts which incorporate EMS technology.

These EMS workouts consist of sending electrical impulses to your muscles to recruit more muscle fibres and also to increase the intensity of a strength-training sequence. Sound hardcore? People claim that you can work more muscles and also improve your fitness in a shorter period of time using EMS, which is why so many individuals are drawn to it.

What Does An EMS Workout Involve?

An EMS workout involves exactly the same movements as many other workouts. The difference between this type of workout and a traditional strength training workout is the inclusion of electrical stimulation in order to recruit more muscle fibres. In theory, should boost the intensity of the workout. With little (although growing) research, the verdict is still out on whether these EMS routines are truly worth all the buzz.

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Choose The Best EMS Training Centre

When you decide to start an EMS training programme, you projected an image of what you wanted to attain and, probably, how you would feel about it as well as during the process.

When selecting your EMS training centre, look for the one which has that atmosphere that you need. It must be a place where you want to go, that when you think about the idea of ​​going to train you feel extremely motivated. Many individuals say that their EMS training centre or gym is their place of disconnection while others do not even go frequently enough in order to make a difference.

If the latter instance has ever happened to you, certainly you have felt that it wasn’t your time or that the gym is just not for you. The most likely scenario is that you base your choice of centre on the inappropriate criteria (thinking that you will minimally analyse the centre and its services).

Today the offering in the fitness-wellness sector is massive and there are services which cover the requirements of the huge majority of the population. Analyse the options which you have available according to the location which you need, your tastes and needs (not all individuals need the same types of training) and stay where you feel really comfortable.

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Keen on learning more about fitness? If you are, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Yoga Asanas To Strengthen The Immune System https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-asanas-to-strengthen-the-immune-system/ Thu, 06 May 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24078 Stress is one of the foremost triggers of sickness. When we’re chronically stressed, the deep tissue which surrounds our organs, muscles, bones, tendons as well as ligaments (which are called fascia) is compromised. This is because fascia is made up of nerves, it is necessary for us to move and stretch our body so that...

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Stress is one of the foremost triggers of sickness. When we’re chronically stressed, the deep tissue which surrounds our organs, muscles, bones, tendons as well as ligaments (which are called fascia) is compromised.

This is because fascia is made up of nerves, it is necessary for us to move and stretch our body so that the fascia can be “rung out”. Considering our organs and tissue to be like sponges, absorbing what we put into our bodies. By stretching as well as moving, we release the stagnant energy within our cells so permitting it to remove the dangerous toxins in our bodies.

Alongside this, our blood requires oxygen in order to keep the body healthy and assist in cell growth. Intentional breath work gives our blood the boost of oxygen that is needed to generate new circulation. When performing asanas (yoga poses) and pranayama breathing, we’re assisting this circulation process in our systems. This leads to health and stronger immunity.

Simply explained, yoga is movement that is linked with breath. Through incorporating yoga into our routines, we are able to significantly strengthen our body’s ability to combat sickness.

Locust Pose

Lie flat on your chest on your mat and keep your arms stretched out ahead of you. Make sure that you maintain your knees in a straight position and your feet together. Inhale and then lift your legs and arms up together. Lift your head up and raise your chest off the floor as much as possible. Hold the pose for 10 seconds.

Revolved Chair Pose

Twisted postures in yoga are wonderful for the overall health of your body. Revolved chair pose, in particular, provides an even deeper “ringing out” of the kidneys and digestive organs. This results in an internal detox. This pose is also excellent for the deepening of breath and is ultra-grounding.

Allow the breath to root this pose and find grounded stillness in your legs. Bring your arms into prayer and utilise your elbows against your thighs in order to deepen the twist and then release with breath.

Low Lunge Pose

Begin in Samasthithi. This is a simple standing asana, with the feet together and the body upright. There are variations within different styles of yoga about the precise nature of samasthiti, but it is often utilised as an alternate name for tadasana (which translates as ‘mountain pose’).

Step back with your left leg and then drop your knee. Extend your toes out and your legs need to be wide enough in order to align your right knee with the right ankle. Push your pelvis downward.

Raise your arms overhead. Bend your upper body back and then form an arch (which resembles half a moon).

Standing Backbend

Backbends are expressly detoxifying for the adrenal glands, which can become exasperated owing to stress. A standing backbend is an altered version of Camel pose and is particularly useful in opening up the respiratory system. During the cold season, use a standing backbend in order to strengthen the lungs and maintain the nasal passage open for breath.

Standing first in mountain pose, make use of the core in order to lift the upper body upright and back. Put your hands on your lower back directly above your glutes. Breathe in and allow your body to lift and then extend backwards. Hold here for a few deep breaths and then come up slowly as backbends may cause a light-headed sensation.

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Why Should You Use An Exercise Trampoline? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-should-you-use-an-exercise-trampoline-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 05 May 2021 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24067 Trampoline exercises are a convenient and pleasant way of boosting your cardiovascular health, improving endurance as well as relieving stress and tension. They can assist you with developing better balance, coordination in addition to motor skills. These types of exercises target your back, core as well as your leg muscles. In addition, you’ll work your...

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Trampoline exercises are a convenient and pleasant way of boosting your cardiovascular health, improving endurance as well as relieving stress and tension. They can assist you with developing better balance, coordination in addition to motor skills.

These types of exercises target your back, core as well as your leg muscles. In addition, you’ll work your arms, neck muscles and glutes. Research shows that trampoline exercises have a positive effect on bone health and also may help to improve bone density and strength.

Rebounders are mini exercise trampolines which are close to the ground, making them more stable as well as secure. They’re particularly designed for individual aerobic exercise. Outdoor trampolines also have a higher weight capacity and give you more space to move.

Why Should You Try Rebounding?

Rebounding is quite a low-impact cardiovascular exercise. It’s usually appropriate for individual of all ages, from children right up to older adults.

As with any type of exercise, it’s a very good idea to consult with your doctor before you begin to rebound. While mini trampolines do assist with absorbing some of the force which you may experience with traditional land exercises (such as running) this type of exercise may not be suitable if you’ve had prior surgeries or have any other medical concerns.

When utilising a mini trampoline:

  • Check in order to ensure that your trampoline is in good working order as well as on a stable surface prior to each workout to lessen risk for falls or other kinds of injury.
  • Move the trampoline a distance from the wall or other objects, such as furniture.
  • Be sure to do various types of moves on your trampoline so that you don’t overuse the same muscles every time you exercise.
  • Consider buying a trampoline with a handlebar for extra stability as well as balance.
  • If you have small kids, store your trampoline away when it’s not in use or otherwise be sure to oversee children who may play on or around it.
  • Stop jumping instantly if you notice that you have any shortness of breath, pain, or other warning signs with your health.

You may be feeling a bit dizzy or lightheaded after your first few times on a mini exercise trampoline. Your body may only require some time in order to adjust to this new type of movement however you should still stop working out if you feel faint or dizzy. If these feelings subsist for several workouts, contact your medical practitioner.

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What Are The Benefits Of An Exercise Trampoline?

Bouncing on a mini exercise trampoline has great all-over toning and body-renewing benefits. Rebounding is incredibly effective. Just couple of few minutes of bouncing at the end of your day may make a big difference to your health as well as happiness.

Light bouncing can assist with increasing blood flow to underused muscles. It could also loosen and release overused ones. In addition, it helps the body to release endorphins (which are your brain’s natural calming aid, and they make us feel good). Being in your body and getting out of the business in your head comes very naturally as you bounce. It can assist with clearing your mind and decreasing tension.

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If you would like to become a personal trainer then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

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How Much Exercise Is Best For Keeping Your Blood Pressure in Check? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-much-exercise-is-best-for-keeping-your-blood-pressure-in-check/ Tue, 04 May 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24042 Making exercise a regular habit can assist to lower your blood pressure. In addition, it gives you additional energy. It’s also a great way for easing stress and feeling better. Consult with your doctor first if you’re not already active at the moment. They’ll ensure that you’re ready for exercise. As an active lifestyle is...

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Making exercise a regular habit can assist to lower your blood pressure. In addition, it gives you additional energy. It’s also a great way for easing stress and feeling better.

Consult with your doctor first if you’re not already active at the moment. They’ll ensure that you’re ready for exercise. As an active lifestyle is good for your blood pressure, your doctor will probably be all for it.

It’s not necessary for you to go to a gym. You just need to be active enough so that you are breathing harder and making sure that your heart beats a little faster. That includes brisk walking, jogging, swimming, biking, lifting weights, or doing work in your garden.

A Stronger Heart Has The Capacity To Pump More Blood With A Lot Less Effort

If your heart is able to work less to pump, the force on your arteries decreases so lowering your blood pressure.

By becoming increasingly more active you are able to lower your systolic blood pressure (in other words, the top number in a blood pressure reading) by a typical reading of 4 to 9 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). This is as good as some blood pressure medications. For some individuals, getting some exercise is sufficient in order to reduce the requirement for blood pressure medication.

If your blood pressure is at a required level — less than 120/80 mm Hg — exercise may assist with preventing it from rising as you age. In addition, regular exercise assists you with maintaining a healthy weight — which is another important way for you to control blood pressure.

However, to keep your blood pressure low, it is required for you to keep exercising on a regular basis. It takes approximately between 30 and 90 days for regular exercise to have a good impact on your blood pressure. The advantages last only as long as you continue to exercise.

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

Aerobic activity may be a very effective way of controlling high blood pressure. However, flexibility and strengthening exercises (for instance, lifting weights) are also important parts of a global fitness regimen. You don’t necessarily need to spend hours in the gym every single day in order to benefit from aerobic activity. Just by adding moderate physical activities to your daily routine will help.

Exercise also lowers blood pressure through reducing blood vessel stiffness so that blood is able to flow more easily. The effects of exercise are most clear during – as well as immediately after – a workout. Lowered blood pressure can be most meaningful right after you work out.

Thus, health professionals theorise that the ideal way to combat high blood pressure may be to break up your workout into a number of different sessions throughout the day. In actual fact, one study found that three 10-minute walks each and every single day more effectively prevented future blood pressure spikes as opposed to one 30-minute session per day.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are really wanting to become a fitness expert, you really should consider becoming a personal trainer. Check out Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class fitness professional.

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How Many Times Should You Lift Weights Weekly? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-many-times-should-you-lift-weights-weekly/ Mon, 03 May 2021 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24012 When individuals start lifting, they typically overdo it. You want to develop muscle fast, so you train five, six, or even seven days a week as you think that the more you do, the faster you’ll be able to see results. However, it doesn’t take long before you learn the hard way about the significance...

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When individuals start lifting, they typically overdo it. You want to develop muscle fast, so you train five, six, or even seven days a week as you think that the more you do, the faster you’ll be able to see results. However, it doesn’t take long before you learn the hard way about the significance of recovery. You’re sore all the time and your improvements grinds to a halt, obliging you to scale your workouts back so you only hit a muscle once or twice a week. This is the frequency that most of us then stay with indefinitely.

What Does The Research Say About Lifting Weights?

Studies demonstrate that – in some cases – the number of times per week that you lift weights makes a difference. However, in other studies, it does not.

In older adults, there is not a lot of difference shown in strength if the person trains either once or twice per week. However, there is a significant growth in strength when the time spent training jumps to three times per week.

The research points to the direction the “sweet spot” of strength training which is somewhere between two and three times per week. We typically recommend that most individuals strength train approximately three days per week in order to make sure that they hit that minimum effective dose, particularly if they are not getting any other activity in the week.

You could also consider adding a fourth day if you have a flexible schedule and also have strength or sport-specific goals. In this case, ensure that you deload your training and take a recovery week every month or so.

Strength Training Exercise To Try

These are moves which work multiple muscles at a time. Examples include:

  • Squats with a shoulder press
  • Deadlift with a bent-over row
  • Lunges with a lateral raise
  • Push-ups and plank with a one-arm row

Other very important exercises to include in your strength training programme include:

  • Squats
  • Lunges
  • Planks
  • Push-ups
  • Straight leg deadlifts
  • Bench presses
  • Push-up dips
  • Overhead presses
  • Pull-ups
  • Dumbbell rows
  • Planks
  • Exercise ball crunches

In order for you to get the most out of your weight-loss workouts, ensure that you’re following these standards:

  • Vary the intensity of your workouts. Include both HIIT as well as moderate-intensity exercises.
  • Do different methods of cardio on a weekly basis, like running on the treadmill, biking as well as swimming.
  • Make use of circuit training when lifting weights in order to keep your calorie burn high. Circuit training involves doing a sequence of exercises, one after the other, with no rest between each of the exercises. Towards the end of the series of exercises, you would typically rest for a set period (between 30 and 60 seconds) and then repeat the circuit two or three more times.
  • Take at minimum two days of rest each week.

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If you would like to learn more about strength training – in addition to other forms of training – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are Anti-Rotational Exercises? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-anti-rotational-exercises/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 07:16:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=24005 A great workout programme should make you move in every direction – forward, backward, sideways as well as even rotationally. It is necessary for us to be strong in every plane of motion to help us prevent injury when moving in everyday life. However, sometimes strengthening ourselves so that we can move better in everyday...

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A great workout programme should make you move in every direction – forward, backward, sideways as well as even rotationally. It is necessary for us to be strong in every plane of motion to help us prevent injury when moving in everyday life. However, sometimes strengthening ourselves so that we can move better in everyday life and prevent injury means performing anti-rotational exercises.

Anti-rotation exercises are movements (or, alternatively, static movements) which require you to resist a force that is attempting to cause your trunk to rotate.  One of the chief functions of the rotary muscles of the core is to resist – or prevent – rotation. This is precisely what anti-rotation exercises train you for.

Training Core Stability

Anti-rotation exercises train core stability through the transverse plane of motion without rotating your torso.

Your core involves much more than just your six-pack muscles. In actual fact, your core is a girdle of muscle which lies beneath your six pack and then stretches all the way around your lower back, where it attaches to your glutes, hips as well as obliques. When this corset of muscle is properly strengthened, you’ll have tighter, toned abdominals and an unrivalled centre of gravity.

What Are The Benefits Of Anti-Rotational Exercises?

Reduce Injuries

A lot of different injuries are caused by the failure to resist rotation. This can take place in daily life, and it is particularly common in sports. Anti-rotation exercises are the best way to combat injuries which are caused by instability as well as rotation.

Improve Other Lifts

Powerful core stability may make you much stronger in big lifts such as squats, bench press as well as overhead presses.

Mind Muscle Connection

Anti-rotation exercises don’t need heavy weights to be effective. What they really necessitate is for you to hone in on the muscles that are being worked in order to resist rotation. Therefore, you will develop your mind muscle connection of your core. This will move over to bigger lifts where you normally don’t think about your core, although your core is performing a lot of work, for example squats as well as deadlifts.

Fix Improper Movement Patterns And Imbalances

Many individuals over the age of 25 have developed inappropriate movement patterns which are challenging to break. This could be triggered by their training techniques or injuries. In any case, anti-rotational exercises can help you to readjust these movement patterns.

Acceleration And Deceleration

Anti-rotation exercises can significantly improve your ability to accelerate – as well as decelerate -through multiple directions. This will be important for multi-direction explosive power in addition to reducing the chance of injury when doing so.

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An Example Of An Anti-Rotational Exercise

Single Leg Deadlifts

Single Leg Deadlifts (otherwise called Single Leg Squats) and Single Leg Lunges, for that matter, all need your core to stabilise in order to help you to balance and prevent your from falling over.

In addition, these exercises are also unilateral movements which force each side to work separately to correct imbalances and avoid injury.

Single leg deadlifts are a wonderful anti-rotational movement as your core needs to work in order to keep your hips level – as well as your body steady – as you hinge over and stand back up. You do not need to rotate when doing this movement, which necessitates core strength and stability, particular as you add weight.

In addition, this move works one of the largest muscles in your body in addition to a vital muscle of your core – your glutes. Strong glutes can assist with protecting your lower back from pain when you do rotate and even help you rotate correctly.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen on learning more about exercise? If you are, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Does Diet And Exercise During Pregnancy Impacts Child’s Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-does-diet-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-impacts-childs-health/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 05:05:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23982 The lifestyles of soon-to-be mothers and fathers could shape the health of their unborn offspring in lasting ways. Exercise during pregnancy may let mothers drastically reduce their children’s chances of developing diabetes in addition to other metabolic diseases later in life. Many women are extremely hesitant with engaging in any type of physical activity while...

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The lifestyles of soon-to-be mothers and fathers could shape the health of their unborn offspring in lasting ways. Exercise during pregnancy may let mothers drastically reduce their children’s chances of developing diabetes in addition to other metabolic diseases later in life.

Many women are extremely hesitant with engaging in any type of physical activity while they are pregnant. This is rightfully so as exercise has been believed to increase risks which are associated with pregnancy. However, many of these beliefs have not been backed up by scientific evidence. It only has been in the last 10 years that this area has been thoroughly researched. It has been found that exercise is safe during pregnancy and it is helpful for both the mother and for her baby.

The Benefits Of Exercise

Training large muscle groups have been demonstrated to assist with normalising blood sugar levels through improving glucose utilisation in addition to insulin sensitivity.

Diabetes Mellitus

Women who exercise during their pregnancy are significantly less likely to develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as opposed to those who are not physically active.  This effect is predominantly strong in women who are physically active for at least one year before they become pregnant and then continue to exercise during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia

The risk of preeclampsia is significantly reduced in women who exercise during pregnancy compared to inactive women. This effect is strengthened in women who are physically active before as well as during their pregnancy.

Exercise Suggestions During Pregnancy

Pre-exercise screening is utilised in order to identify individuals with medical conditions which may put them at an increased risk of facing a health problem when they perform physical activity. It is a streamline or ‘safety net’ to assist with deciding if the probable benefits of exercise offset the risks for you.

If you have been cleared in order to exercise, and you took part in physical activity before you were pregnant, it is suggested that you:

  • Do at least half an hour of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.
  • Allow your body to be your guide. You know that you’re at a good exercise intensity when you are able to talk normally (however cannot sing) and do not become tired too quickly.
  • If you are healthy, and also you are not facing complications in your pregnancy, continue this level of activity during pregnancy, or until it becomes awkward for you to do so.
  • Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or health-care professional.

If you have been cleared to exercise, however you were inactive prior to your pregnancy:

  • Begin with low-intensity exercises such as walking or swimming, and then build up towards moderate intensity activity.
  • You need to aim to do at least half an hour of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all of, the days of the week. You can begin with separate sessions of 15 minutes each and also build up to longer durations.
  • Allow your body to be your guide. You know that you’re at a great exercise intensity when you are able to talk normally (but are not able to sing) and do not become exhausted too fast.
  • If you are strong and you are not facing complications in your pregnancy, continue with this level of activity throughout your pregnancy, or until it becomes difficult for you to do so.
  • Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or health-care professional.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to get more clued up about exercise? If you do then you should become a personal trainer. For more information, please follow this link.

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Are Battle Ropes Good For Fitness? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/are-battle-ropes-good-for-fitness-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23971 While they could look intimidating, the battle ropes are a very simple workout tool which everyone can utilise. You’ll exercise the muscles in your upper back, arms, abs, back as week as glutes. If you incorporate jumps, lunges, and squats, you can also work your legs. If you’re looking for something new to add to...

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While they could look intimidating, the battle ropes are a very simple workout tool which everyone can utilise. You’ll exercise the muscles in your upper back, arms, abs, back as week as glutes. If you incorporate jumps, lunges, and squats, you can also work your legs. If you’re looking for something new to add to your workout regimen, you should definitely check out how battle ropes as they can transform your fitness levels.

What Are Battle Ropes?

Battle ropes, which are also known by the name ‘battling ropes or heavy ropes’, are a fitness training implement that is used in order to improve strength as well as conditioning. As the name indicates, it is a rope, but it is not just any rope. The rope is heavy, thick, and long so giving it substantial resistance and movability.

Although the term “battle ropes” is plural, it is, actually, one long rope which wraps around an object (such as a pole) in order to create two ropes of even length which you are able to grab onto with one end in each of your hands (your arms work autonomously of each other by grabbing one side of the rope).

Normally speaking, battle ropes can be bought in three lengths:

  • 30, 40 or 50 feet, and
  • 5” and 2” in thickness.

For a 30-foot battle rope, you would have almost 15 feet of rope in each of your hands as it would be anchored at the middle and then pulled evenly to each side.

The History Of The Battle Rope

While battle ropes are very popular, they haven’t been around for almost as long as other fitness equipment such as dumbbells or even kettlebells.

The battle rope concept was developed by a well-known fitness trainer – named John Brookfield – back in 2006. Soon after he developed it, John trained the Special Forces, the Cincinnati Bengals as well as the US Olympic wrestling team with his freshly created battle ropes system. Within a couple of years, it was mainstream. These days, you will see battle ropes in pretty much every single commercial gym around the world as it is a highly effective and efficient training tool for full-body workouts.

The Fat-Burning Potential of Battle Ropes

As with any workout, how much fat you burn (or calories which you spend) is dependent on how hard you work. That said, battle rope workouts are considered to be one of the most effective ways of burning fat.

You may be able to burn approximately 10-15 calories per minute using battle ropes. With battle ropes, there is substantial resistance, so your muscles will also be worked. This only adds to the intensity, and therefore, fat burning power. If done correctly, you will be burning tonnes of calories long after your workout is completed. This is what is called the after burn and battle ropes are great for accomplishing this.

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If you are eager to learn addition information about battle ropes, then you need to do our Battle Ropes Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Can TRX Completely Replace Weight Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-trx-completely-replace-weight-training/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23975 The TRX suspension trainer – in addition to other “instability platforms” like it – are found in millions of homes (perhaps even yours) and practically every gym. However, for building muscle, strength, and performance, do they work as well as good, old-fashioned weights? The answer seems to be yes. What Is TRX? TRX is suspension...

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The TRX suspension trainer – in addition to other “instability platforms” like it – are found in millions of homes (perhaps even yours) and practically every gym. However, for building muscle, strength, and performance, do they work as well as good, old-fashioned weights? The answer seems to be yes.

What Is TRX?

TRX is suspension trainer equipment which has become widely popular among gym enthusiasts. Basically, it is just a smart rope which allows you to utilise your body weight as resistance as you push – as well as pull – your body in a number of different ways.

This resistance training system was made famous by the NAVY SEALS. There are various studies which have all come to the conclusion that TRX is a worthy contender if you’re searching for serious exercise equipment.

It is also quite straightforward to utilise as you can adjust your body weight to alter the resistance level. TRX is certainly one of the best-known trainer brands for suspension training.

What Are Dumbbells?

Everyone understands what dumbbells are. These are basically the face of weightlifting, the ‘hard iron’ which builds strength, endurance as well as muscle. Their mechanism is easier – the more weight which you add, the tougher the exercise is.

Unlike suspension training, dumbbells make use of weights of different sizes in order to introduce resistance. They are possibly the most popular weight equipment which people use.

Why Do You Need To Train With TRX?

TRX is a phenomenal alternative to weight machines as it’s portable. In addition, it can be done anywhere plus the gym, home or even on the road. Plus, suspension training is an efficient training tool for people of all levels of fitness as it’s adjustable.

By altering the angle of your body, or where you stand, you are able to make exercises more difficult or easier. In addition, TRX is a safe way to train many people with knee and back issues as it lowers the pressure on those areas.

The manner in which you incorporate TRX into your workout decides whether you have more of an endurance or strength workout routine. Doing TRX exercises consecutively for 12 reps or more while keeping rest at a minimum may also assist with increasing cardio endurance as well as burning more calories at the same time.

However, you are also able to build muscle by adjusting standard exercises to the TRX equipment. The TRX Chest Press or TRX Curl may be done at maximum resistance, depending on where you stand, and go to failure without breaking form. Doing movements slowly, focusing on maximum time under tension and resting longer between sets are also helpful strategies for gaining muscle with suspension training.

The neuromuscular responses that occur during TRX workouts assist with building strength and stability. The system is designed for newbie exercisers to advanced athletes and continues to grow as a popular exercise method. If you’re considering TRX training and are new to exercise, workouts performed in stable conditions is recommended before adding the instability of suspension straps.

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If you would like to become a suspension training expert, then you need to do our Suspension Training Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Start An Exercise Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-start-an-exercise-routine/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23968 Starting an exercise routine may be one of the best things which you can do for your health. With physical activity you will be able to reduce your risk of chronic disease, better your balance and coordination, lose weight — and even improve your sleep habits as well as self-esteem. Of course, there’s a catch....

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Starting an exercise routine may be one of the best things which you can do for your health. With physical activity you will be able to reduce your risk of chronic disease, better your balance and coordination, lose weight — and even improve your sleep habits as well as self-esteem.

Of course, there’s a catch.

It is required for you to get – and keep – moving if you would like to cash in on the benefits. This doesn’t inevitably mean following a strict, time-exercise routine regimen at the gym. Although this can certainly reap benefits. The truth is that you are able to get rewards from many different types as well as levels of exercise.

Any little increase of physical activity will be a great boost to weight loss and feeling better. Your exercise options are numerous, such as walking, dancing, gardening, biking. Even performing household chores is a form of aerobic activity. The important thing is to select activities which you enjoy. That will boost your chances of making it a habit.

Types Of Exercise

Aerobic

The core of any fitness programme should include some type of continuous movement. Examples include swimming, running as well as dancing.

Strength

These exercises assist with increasing muscle power and strength. Examples include resistance training, plyometrics, weightlifting as well as sprinting.

Calisthenics

These moves are frequently performed without gym equipment and use large muscle groups. They’re performed at a medium aerobic pace. Examples include lunges, sit-ups, push-ups as well as pullups.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

This format of exercise includes repetitions of short bursts of high-intensity exercise which are followed by low-intensity exercises or – alternatively – rest periods.

Boot Camps

These are timed-based, high-intensity circuits which combine aerobic and resistance exercises.

Balance Or Stability

These exercises are designed in order to strengthen muscles and improve body coordination. Examples include Pilates, tai chi poses in addition to core-strengthening exercises.

Flexibility

These types of exercises assist with muscle recovery, maintaining range of motion as well as preventing injuries. Examples include yoga or individual muscle-stretch movements.

Evaluate Your Fitness Level

You possibly have some idea of how fit you are. However, assessing and recording standard fitness scores may give you benchmarks against which you are able to measure your progress.

Design Your Exercise Programme

It’s very straightforward to say that you’ll exercise each and every single day. However, you’ll need a plan. As you design your exercise programme, keep these points firmly at the top of your mind.

Carefully Consider Your Fitness Goals

Are you beginning an exercise programme in order to help with losing weight? Or do you have an alternative motivation, such as preparing for a marathon? Having crystal clear goals can assist you with gauging your progress and staying motivated.

Put Together A Balanced Routine

For most healthy adults, it is recommended getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity – or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity – every single week or a combination of moderate as well as vigorous activity. Greater amounts of exercise will offer even greater health benefits.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to discover more about fitness, then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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How Fit Can You Get Only By Walking? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-fit-can-you-get-only-by-walking-find-out-more/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23962 We all know that it is necessary for us to exercise in order to stay fit and strong, ward off disease and keep a healthy weight. Walking is the most common physical activity undertaken by South African adults. It’s free, easy, and can also be done almost anywhere. Walking leads to a significant reduction in...

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We all know that it is necessary for us to exercise in order to stay fit and strong, ward off disease and keep a healthy weight. Walking is the most common physical activity undertaken by South African adults. It’s free, easy, and can also be done almost anywhere.

Walking leads to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, a number of different cancers, arthritis, depression, anxiety and insomnia, as well as premature death from all causes.

The health advantages of walking stem from the changes which occur in our body systems as a consequence of exercising. For a number of these health conditions, fitness has been shown to be a very important factor for prevention.

An Essential Part Of Good Health

Aerobic activities – such as walking – are a vital component of a good health plan. But you may be surprised at just the amount of time you need to spend walking in order to get the full benefits of the exercise. There are various walking recommendations based on your fitness goals. Choose the plan which works for you and get walking to get fit.

At the very least you need to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like walking, per week. This is 2.5 hours’ worth of exercise over the course of a week. This number could seem like a lot, however it’s a manageable amount of time when you break this down. For example, you are able to achieve this by walking just 22 minutes per day if you happen to walk every day. If you were to walk just five days per week you would need to increase your workouts to 30 minutes.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Walking?

Increased Muscle Strength and Endurance

A physical benefit of walking regularly is increased strength as well as tone in the muscles in your legs, particularly if you walk in hilly areas or – alternatively – on an incline treadmill.

Your muscular endurance will benefit a consequence of walking as well. Endurance is achieved through time as well as repetition. This means that those who walk on a regular basis – and cover a considerable distance – may expect to see the best outcomes.

Joint Pain Relief

Walking can assist with protecting your joints, especially your knees and hips, as this activity assists with lubricating and strengthening the muscles that support them. This is why individuals with arthritis are often instructed to go for walks.

Burning Calories and Reducing Body Fat

Like any type of physical activity, walking will assist with burning calories which, in turn, will help you to maintain or lose weight. Precisely how many calories you’ll burn will vary depending on a number of different factors, such as your weight, the rate at which you walk at, the distance covered as well as terrain (you’ll burn a lot more calories when walking uphill as opposed to walking on a flat surface).

Being overweight is a vital risk factor in developing Type 2 diabetes, so regular walking and guaranteeing that you maintain a healthy weight will reduce the likelihood of these conditions affecting you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about exercising, then you should become a personal trainer. Register for our Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class personal trainer.

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How To Use Periodisation For Strength Training? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-periodisation-for-strength-training-learn-more/ Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23939 If you’re looking out for a chance to get the most out of your strength training programme, you need to understand basic periodisation strength training principles. Simply by going to the gym and working out will assists for a short time. However, without a plan you will ultimately plateau out and fail to make any...

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If you’re looking out for a chance to get the most out of your strength training programme, you need to understand basic periodisation strength training principles. Simply by going to the gym and working out will assists for a short time. However, without a plan you will ultimately plateau out and fail to make any sort of gains.

What Is Periodisation?

The term ‘periodisation’ is a system of training which is used to prevent overtraining as well as reduce the risk of injury by proceeding slowly from one phase to the next. You will start by utilising a light weight (or only your body weight) as well as performing more reps. You will then gradually progress to heavier weights and fewer reps.

Several periodisation strength training models are employed by coaches as well as athletes today. This includes traditional, step-wise, undulating and over-reaching.

Periodisation also addresses peak performance for competition or meets. The process of periodisation, if properly arranged, can peak the athlete a number of different times over a competitive season (Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, athletics) or optimise an athlete’s performance over an entire competitive season as with soccer or basketball.

Think about periodisation as a continuum. When we want to reach a specific training objective, such as an boost in vertical jumping ability or 1RM squat strength, it does not matter what phase the strength training is in.

Rather, we need to be focusing our energy on the training stimulation being applied during this objective. In addition, it is necessary for it to feature extensive repetitions and volume without the chance of different stimulation that would disrupt the adaptation changes taking place.

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What Is Linear Periodisation?

The term ‘linear periodisation” is the most commonly utilised style of strength training. It’s most likely the style you did naturally when you first began lifting weights. This format of periodisation is portrayed as a training plan that steadily increases intensity and lowers volume throughout multiple mesocycles in an annual strength training plan.

Why Should I Use Linear Periodisation?

Linear periodisation is a fantastic for building a strong foundation, improving in one variable, and progressing towards a peaking point. This programming style is very useful for those who are newer to training, and while that point can be argued, it’s definitely the easiest periodisation style to understand, thus my reasoning.

As linear periodisation is written for an annual training plan, it’s very easy to cater this training style towards a slow progressive peak. For instance, if you have a marathon in February, you’d begin your programme around April-May and slowly work towards peaking in February while avoiding burnout.

If you have a long-term aim of strength and power, try out a linear periodisation programme. If you would like to increase muscle endurance, try out a reverse linear periodisation plan. If you have more short-term strength aims, are training for events which happen on a regular basis, or want to change things up more frequently, then undulating periodisation could be for you. No matter what you elect to do, ensure that you can do every repetition of every single exercise with good form as well as in a safe environment.

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If you are eager to find out more about periodisation, then you need to sign up for our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more by following this link.

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How To Get Started With Meditation? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-get-started-with-meditation-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:41:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23935 If you think that meditation is something which only Buddhist monks (or individuals with lives that are a lot less crazy than yours) can do, think again. Not only can anyone out there meditate, however there are myriad of health and well-being benefits from a straightforward, daily meditation practice. For starters, meditation may: Lower blood...

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If you think that meditation is something which only Buddhist monks (or individuals with lives that are a lot less crazy than yours) can do, think again.

Not only can anyone out there meditate, however there are myriad of health and well-being benefits from a straightforward, daily meditation practice. For starters, meditation may:

  • Lower blood pressure as well as cortisol (which is a stress hormone) and cholesterol.
  • Increase creativity.
  • Reduce anxiety; and
  • Strengthen your immune

A study has found that meditators produced substantially more antibodies to a flu vaccine than did nonmeditators. The same research also showed that those who meditated were calmer and had a more positive emotional state.

What Happens At The Beginning

Most first-time meditators find it very strange to sit in silence, to sit with their deepest thoughts and feelings, to sit and do absolutely nothing — the very things that, strangely enough, the mind tends to resist. To a beginner, meditation could at first feel a little alien, perhaps even scary, but that’s okay. People have been meditating for approximately 3 000 years, and many have doubtless experienced the same reticence, trepidation, or wonder that first-time meditators often feel.

When we pay very close attention to our breath, we are learning how to go back to, and stay in, the present moment—to secure ourselves in the here and now by design, without judgment. The idea behind mindfulness seems straightforward — the practice takes a lot of patience.

Whilst meditation isn’t a cure-all, it can definitely provide some much-required space in your life. At times, that’s all we require in order to make better choices for ourselves, our families as well as our communities. And the most significant tools you can bring with you to your meditation practice are a little patience, some kindness for yourself as well as a comfortable place to sit.

The Practice Of Meditation

When you close your eyes and stick to the guidelines of your first guided meditation (if in-person or through a recording), you should anticipate your mind to be busy, easily distracted, as well as restless, if not more so. Just because you’ve elected to sit and meditate doesn’t mean that you’ll suddenly experience uninterrupted calm, in the same way which you’d never be expecting to tame a wild horse overnight.

The process of meditating is simple and easy: just sit and practise. All you are really required to do is to close your eyes, remain focused on your breathing, and allow your mind to do its thing. This is the one single skill where you don’t have to make every effort to accomplish something — just a spot of stillness where no work is needed.

There Is No Judgement

There’s no such matter as a good or bad meditation. There is just awareness or non-awareness. The moment you appreciate you’re lost in thought, that’s understanding, and that’s when you return to the object of focus (frequently the breath). This is all you have to keep on doing — return from your preoccupied thought to the breath, all the time perfecting your awareness. With perseverance, the periods between awareness and confusion will get longer and longer. Prior to starting, it’s good to familiarise yourself with how the mind works as well as what to expect of it when you take a seat to meditate.

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If you are eager to discover more about how to meditate, then you should do our Yoga Instructor Certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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Does Exercise Boost Immunity? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/does-exercise-boost-immunity/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 05:05:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23905 Exercise has many demonstrated health benefits, from lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease to increasing your mood — and even a tougher immune system. There are many theories about how exercise boosts the immune system. The idea of boosting your immunity is very enticing. However, the ability to do so has proved to be elusive...

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Exercise has many demonstrated health benefits, from lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease to increasing your mood — and even a tougher immune system. There are many theories about how exercise boosts the immune system.

The idea of boosting your immunity is very enticing. However, the ability to do so has proved to be elusive for a number of different reasons.

The immune system is just that. It is a system and not a single entity. In order to function well, it requires balance and harmony. There is still a lot more that researchers don’t know about the intricacies as well as connections of the immune response. For now, there are no scientifically established direct links between lifestyle and improved immune function.

However, that doesn’t mean the consequences of lifestyle on the immune system aren’t interesting and shouldn’t be studied. Researchers are studying the impacts of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress in addition to other issues on the immune response, both in animals as well as in humans.

In the meantime, overall healthy-living strategies make sense as they likely help immune function and they come with other proven health benefits.

Exercise Boosts Immunity And Helps To Fight Off Infections

Exercise benefits your immune system in many different ways. It can do the following:

  • Boost blood flow,
  • Assist with clearing bacteria out of your airways,
  • Cause a brief elevation in body temperature which may be protective,
  • Strengthen antibodies in order to help fight infection, as well as
  • Lessen stress

Exercise also results in immune cells being more effective. Regular exercise lowers inflammation, so allowing the immune system in order to perform better. While acute inflammation – in response to an injury – is part of a healthy immune system, chronic inflammation may slow down the immune system.

Regular exercise improves the immune response and, in addition, improves immune markers. For instance, these improved markers include Interleukin 6, a protein that helps the body respond to injury.

What’s The Best Kind Of Exercise To Boost Your Immunity?

In order to gain the immune-boosting benefits, it’s recommended to push the pace a bit when walking. For most individuals, we’re talking about a 15-minute mile. This is enough stimulus to recruit immune cells into circulation. For other different forms of exercise, aim to reach about 60% of your VO2max or – approximately – 70% of your maximum heart rate.

There’s less science about high-intensity interval training workouts (or HIIT, a popular type of exercise) and if they help your immunity. The same goes for strength training—it likely helps your immune system, but there’s less research and recent studies backing up its benefits on immunity.

Regular exercise is one of the strong mainstays of healthy living. It enhances cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, assists with controlling body weight. In addition, regular exercise protects against a variety of diseases. However, does it assist with boosting your immune system naturally and keeping it healthy? Just like a healthy diet, exercise may contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about exercise, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Do You Need To Know About Lifting Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-you-need-to-know-about-lifting-weights/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23902 Lifting weights has many health and aesthetic benefits and contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just reserved for body builders and professional athletes. Weightlifting can aid with weight loss, improving bone density, increasing muscle tone and strength and more. It can be quite intimidating lifting weights at the gym when you aren’t knowledgeable about the...

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Lifting weights has many health and aesthetic benefits and contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just reserved for body builders and professional athletes. Weightlifting can aid with weight loss, improving bone density, increasing muscle tone and strength and more. It can be quite intimidating lifting weights at the gym when you aren’t knowledgeable about the basics of weight training and can easily lead to injury if not done correctly. This is why equipping yourself with information and knowing the basic dos and don’ts of weight training is important.

Weight training is an organised exercise in which muscles of the body are compelled to contract under tension using weights, body weight or a number of different devices in order to stimulate growth, strength, power as well as endurance. Weight training is also called “resistance training” as well as “strength training”.

You don’t need to be a bodybuilder or a professional athlete in order to reap the benefits of weight training. When done properly, weight training can assist you to lose fat, increase your strength and muscle tone, as well as enhancing your bone density. If done inaccurately, however, weight training won’t give you these advantages — and may even result in injury.

Check Your Weightlifting Technique

You might pick up weight training techniques by watching friends or other people in the gym, however sometimes what you see isn’t safe. Incorrect weight training technique may lead to sprains, strains, fractures in addition to other painful injuries which may impede your weight training efforts.

If you’re just starting out, work with a knowledgeable weight training specialist — a physical therapist, personal trainer or other fitness specialist who’s very familiar with proper weight training technique. If you’ve been utilising weights for a while, consider scheduling time with a personal trainer to double-check your technique as well as identify any changes you may need to make.

Always Warm Up Beforehand

Before you start to lift weights, you need to warm your muscles up. You are able to do this by taking a 5-to-10-minute walk on the treadmill, skipping, jogging in place, and even doing a couple of stretches. By warming up your muscles, you significantly decrease your chances of becoming injured.

Wear Shoes Which Provide Great Traction

The shoes that you wear when you lift weights should be comfortable and also provide good traction so that you don’t inadvertently slip and injure yourself. Invest in a quality shoe brand which will last you a long time as opposed to choosing for a less expensive brand which may wear out quickly thereby hampering your ability to perform the exercises.

Begin With Lower Weights And Then Work Your Way Up

Don’t begin with the heaviest weight that you can probably lift. Simply because you can lift it once, it doesn’t mean you should be lifting the weights it repeatedly. Pick a weight which you can lift for at least three sets of 12 repetitions. As time progresses, you will be able to slowly increase the heaviness of the weights which you use.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about lifting weights – in addition to other forms of exercise – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Why Is Flexibility Training Essential For CrossFit Athletes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/why-is-flexibility-training-essential-for-crossfit-athletes/ Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23868 So how important is flexibility training for Cross Fitters? Did you stretch after your recent workout? If you did, given that this type of training is a regular part of your programme, chances are very good that – in time – you will gain a significant advantage over your fellow Cross Fitter at your Box...

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So how important is flexibility training for Cross Fitters? Did you stretch after your recent workout? If you did, given that this type of training is a regular part of your programme, chances are very good that – in time – you will gain a significant advantage over your fellow Cross Fitter at your Box who always heads home as soon as they have finished each session.

Getting significantly stronger and remaining that way is mainly a matter of taking care of the finer details, such as:

  • Training consistently,
  • Designing a workout program which fits your individual needs,
  • eating wholesome foods,
  • taking nutritional supplements, as well as
  • getting plenty of rest.

Most diligent strength athletes take care of these tasks carefully, however at the same time they’re neglectful when it comes to two other disciplines which are most important to success in the weight room: warming up and stretching.

The Importance Of Warming UP

It is incredibly important to perform a proper warm-up before any kind of physical activity.  The aim of a warm-up is to prevent injury by boosting the body’s core and muscle temperature.  Warm muscles boost the rate of energy production which increases reflexes and lessens the time it takes to contract a muscle.

A good warm-up should also enhance the range of motion and prepare you mentally for exercise. Warm-ups should be very specific to the type of exercise which you are doing, however it should be a full body warm-up even if you are only planning to work out a few muscle groups.  For instance, if you are planning to do a leg workout you should be doing a warm-up with mostly lower body exercises, but also include a few upper body/full body exercises.

Why Should You Stretch After Exercise?

Stretching gives the body the opportunity to cool down and also assists your heartbeat to return to normal. The releasing of lactic acid during an intense workout is broken with stretching. This allows for muscle recovery and repair. The blood circulation to the muscles is again resumed with stretching.

The moment that you work out your muscles, the body produces lactic acid which makes the muscles fatigued as well as sore. Hence, it is vital to stretch because stretching removes the lactic acid which has accumulated inside the body and also relaxes the muscles.

Boost Your Energy

If you stretch correctly, you’ll likely notice that your energy level is steady as well as consistent. When the body cools, the brain releases endorphins, which is a natural and healthy feel-good chemical. After a good post-workout stretch, you’ll be energised and will also be ready to meet any challenge.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to get to grips with flexibility training – in addition to other types of training, such as cardio and strength training? If you are, then you should really do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Can Reformer Pilates Help With Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-can-reformer-pilates-help-with-back-pain/ Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23863 In this modern day and age, many individuals work and sit in front of a computer for hours on end. It is no wonder if they find it difficult to sit up with proper posture for eight hours – or even more. Such a ferocious cycle – sitting for long periods of time, typically in...

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In this modern day and age, many individuals work and sit in front of a computer for hours on end. It is no wonder if they find it difficult to sit up with proper posture for eight hours – or even more. Such a ferocious cycle – sitting for long periods of time, typically in a little hunched-over position, then the postural muscles suffer a loss of strength owing to not using them too much. Then you can hardly sit up properly as your muscles lack strength. As a consequence, you get back pain.

In order to minimise back pain, you need to improve your core. Reformer Pilates is a great way to end this never-ending cycle. It builds core strength, increases flexibility and also corrects muscle weaknesses and imbalances – just to name a few. And when it comes to avoiding low back pain, it can be your major ally.

Core Strength Is The Basis Of Pilates Exercise

Pilates is responsible for training the deep muscles of your abdomen and back so that you are able to be strong and effective in everything you do. Efficient movement means that every part of your body works together with the superficial muscles of your trunk. This means that your spine gets the support it requires from the rest of your body.

If your core strength – as well as flexibility – is developed, so is the stability of your whole torso. A stable torso assists with relieving and preventing stress on your back. And this is why reformer Pilates is your absolute best bet if you want to relieve your back pain naturally.

The Best Way Of Restoring Flexibility

Reformer Pilates is much more than just stretching. Both the springs and sliding carriage of the Reformer will guide you with exercises ranges of movement which you don’t use (but should) in your normal day. This may assist with relieving the stiffness built up through your day-to-day routine and alleviate back pain.

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Activating And Strengthening Muscles

Where tight muscles affect posture and causing pain, there are likewise muscles in a weak or hypoactive position. Typically, we are able to weak core (muscles of the stomach as well as around the spine) and gluteals (buttocks).

Boosting these muscle groups will assist with keeping your body in a better posture and this will put less strain on your back. Reformer Pilates may be used in order to isolate these weak points as well as to ensure that they activate during exercises to assist with strengthening them quicker.

Comfortable Equipment

In contrary to its appearance, the reformer is truly safe and comfortable. You are able to do many different exercises while you’re lying down. It has a headrest where you are able to comfortably place your head. If you perform exercises on a reformer, you may notice that the movements are simpler than when you’re doing them on a mat.

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Would you like to become a Pilates instructor and master all types of Pilates exercises? The reformer included? If you do, then you should do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

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How Can You Protect Your Back When Strength Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-you-protect-your-back-when-strength-training/ Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23848 Including strength training in your exercise routine is by far one of the best things which you can do for your health. Strength training goes far beyond building muscle, losing weight as well as looking leaner. Adding weight training into your weekly workout routine may also keep your bones strong, manage chronic conditions and diseases,...

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Including strength training in your exercise routine is by far one of the best things which you can do for your health. Strength training goes far beyond building muscle, losing weight as well as looking leaner.

Adding weight training into your weekly workout routine may also keep your bones strong, manage chronic conditions and diseases, in addition to even enhancing your thinking and learning capabilities as you get older.

However, if you do not take the proper steps to protect your back and body during the strength training process, you will have a greater chance of hurting your back. This may put you out from weightlifting for months and could also affect your general quality of life.

Your Lower Back Is More Predisposed To Injury

The superb strength and flexibility which are engineered into your lower back also makes it vulnerable to developing lots of problems.

In addition, because of the many nerves which run throughout your spine and into the rest of your body, trouble in your lower back may lead to leg pain, hip problems as well as other challenges. Lumbar Spine Anatomy Video Lumbar Spine

Protecting your lower back involves taking measures in order to avoid direct injury, prevent indirect trauma, and control the progression of a problem which may have already occurred.

Don’t Skip The Warm-Up

When you’re hard-pressed for time, it can be extremely tempting to skip straight to the good stuff: cardio as well as strength training. However, easing into action with gentle, gradual movements increases blood flow and also warms your muscles so that they’re more pliable and also ready to work. Without a warm-up, your muscles — including those which support and protect your spine —will be stiffer and more prone to strain.

Strengthen Your Core Muscles On A Daily Basis

Strong and supportive muscles in the entire trunk of your body are vital in supporting your spine. Core-building exercises include the following:

  • Low-impact cardiovascular exercises, such as normal or brisk walking, which assists with increasing blood flow to your spine and stretching your muscles. An ample flow of blood supplies healing nutrients – as well as hydration – to the structures in your lower back.
  • Water therapy, which offers a greater range of motion owing to the buoyancy of water, particularly for exercises which require lifting the legs. Water also offers resistance by means of gentle friction that allows for the strengthening and conditioning of an injured muscle. In addition, water therapy is ideal for people who have chronic back pain and find it excessively painful to exercise without the helpful effect of water.
  • Exercise ball workouts, for example sitting on the ball sporadically for about 20 to half an hour and/or using the ball for stretches and exercises which engage your core muscles.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about the art of strength training, then you need to become a personal trainer. Studying towards our Personal Training Diploma is the best way to do this. Find out more about this course by following this link.

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Is BODYJAM An Effective Workout? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-bodyjam-an-effective-workout/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23804 By definition, exercise and workout fads come and go. This is specifically true in the fitness industry, where new gadgets, workouts as well as programmes are constantly emerging. In contrast, there are some mainstays which have been an important part of the industry from the very beginning. Dance as a form of cardiorespiratory exercise which...

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By definition, exercise and workout fads come and go. This is specifically true in the fitness industry, where new gadgets, workouts as well as programmes are constantly emerging. In contrast, there are some mainstays which have been an important part of the industry from the very beginning.

Dance as a form of cardiorespiratory exercise which certainly makes that list. In actual fact, dance exercise is woven in between the history of the American Council on Exercise (ACE)since its inception in 1985.

Dancing is fun, this form of workout burns calories and can also be done just about anywhere. It’s no wonder that exercise professionals – as well as companies – have been putting together dance programming since – at best – the late 1960s, when Jacki Sorensen was asked to design a fitness programme for Air Force wives at a military base in Puerto Rico. What Sorensen designed was dance exercise, in other words choreographed routines to upbeat music.

What Is BODY JAM?

BODYJAM – which was put together by Les Mills – is a relative newcomer to the dance exercise scene. BODYJAM is the best combination of music and dance. When it comes to benefits, it’s good to know that you’ll be getting a killer workout and burning calories while you’re at it. The workout is about 55 minutes long and, at a moderate intensity level, that burns 530 calories a session on average.

How Effective Is BODY JAM?

Dance cardio workouts – such as BODY JAM – have been proven to make individuals happier, healthier as well as fitter. Dancing may improve brain functioning, increase life outlook, protect organs as well as aiding in growing your social skills and friend circle.

Society is gravitating towards ‘movement is medicine’ for overall health benefits, so dancing absolutely fits into this category. We are discovering that when the body is in motion, our total well-being benefits. This is because the body is able to function and stay healthier longer.

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What Muscles Are Targeted In BODY JAM?

Dance cardio is wonderful for toning the entire body. Your legs, glutes, hips and the waistline are the major target muscles which you may notice toning, strengthening as well as lengthening from dance cardio. This comes from moving in so many separate planes of motion. In addition, if you move all of your limbs, your arms and upper body will get to see results from this form of exercise.

Whether you’ve got two left feet or fancy yourself as Beyonce’s back up dancer, we’ve got your back. BODYJAM doesn’t discriminate, and dance is free, so what’s stopping you?

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There are so many other types of exercise formats out there, so you don’t need to be limited to just one. Want to learn more about these? If you do then you should check out Trifocus Fitness Academy’s course page to see what takes your fancy.

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A Number Of Simple Habits to Make You Healthier and Happier https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/a-number-of-simple-habits-to-make-you-healthier-and-happier/ Fri, 16 Apr 2021 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23693 Happiness has developed into a popular field of study for researchers over the last 10 years or so. Universities are putting together whole courses surrounding the topic. In today’s fast-paced life, following an exceptionally healthy lifestyle could be a difficult task. However, taking on board healthy habits is the ultimate key in terms of achieving...

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Happiness has developed into a popular field of study for researchers over the last 10 years or so. Universities are putting together whole courses surrounding the topic. In today’s fast-paced life, following an exceptionally healthy lifestyle could be a difficult task. However, taking on board healthy habits is the ultimate key in terms of achieving wellness.

Work Out Often

Make a mix playlist of your favourite songs and hit the gym. Burning off calories – as well as strengthening your muscles – just touches the surface of the extreme benefits of working out. Below the surface of all of your physical components lies some awesome chemicals called endorphins.

When you break a sweat, these so-called endorphins are discharged, and they bring about a feel-good reaction which promotes happiness. That’s the reason why healthy people are generally 20% happier as opposed to the average person.

Eventually, remaining active may naturally cause you to feel more excitement – as well as enthusiasm – for day-to-day activities. Adding music and friends in order to share in the workout experience may also lighten your stress load and help you unwind.

Write Down 3 Things You’re Grateful For

In a very recent study from psychologists at UC Davis, researchers had three groups of volunteers keep weekly journals that are focused on a single topic. While one group wrote about major events which had happened that week, the second group wrote about difficulties they’d experienced, and the last group wrote about things they were thankful for.

Ten weeks later, those in the gratitude-journal group reported feeling more optimistic and more satisfied with their lives than those in any of the other groups and reported fewer physical symptoms of discomfort, from runny noses to headaches.

Eat Healthily

Eating a well-balanced meal could keep your metabolism going strong all day long. This will provide you with enough energy in order to sustain your daily routines and keep you feeling great. Make sure that you strive to eat as naturally as possible.

Cutting corners by eating pre-packaged – as well as processed foods – may can really make you feel sluggish and cause problems such as bloatedness as well as unpleasant digestive issues. Make sure that you eat plenty of lean protein such as chicken or fish which is coupled with some green vegetables for brainpower as well as focus. Make sure that you don’t forget that banana!

Do A Physical Activity For 45 Minutes

Commit to spending – at a minimum – of 45 minutes every single day exercising. It is not necessary for you to follow the same routine. Just make sure that you work out every single day. Simple forms of exercise go a long way in order to preventive care. These help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, alleviate depression and anxiety, and even boost mental alertness and confidence.

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If you would like to become a Health and Wellness coach with Trifocus Fitness Academy, then you need to follow this link – now!

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How To Use Battle Ropes? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-battle-ropes-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23633 Battle ropes are definitely no passing fad and been around since the mid-noughties. Interest has progressively grown to the point where almost all gyms have a set. And there’s a great reason for such widespread adoption. Tossing these thick, heavy ropes about does more than just look impressive – it’s a brutally effective workout. Along...

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Battle ropes are definitely no passing fad and been around since the mid-noughties. Interest has progressively grown to the point where almost all gyms have a set. And there’s a great reason for such widespread adoption. Tossing these thick, heavy ropes about does more than just look impressive – it’s a brutally effective workout.

Along with increased strength as well as fat loss, battle ropes provide a very intense cardio workout – they’re well-suited to Tabata training – and develop muscular endurance. It’s also an easy-to-acquire piece of kit which is simple to set up outside and takes up minimal storage space.

Battle Ropes Are Very Simple To Use And Set Up

Once you have your battle ropes, find some type of anchor to put the mid-point of the rope around. This could be a lamppost outside or – alternatively – around one of the columns of a squat rack. Whatever you make use of as your anchor, make sure that it will not fall over.

In addition, there are anchor strap kits that you are able to purchase for your battle ropes. These are not necessary in order to perform the exercise. However, dependent on your choice of anchor, they may be useful to assist attach the rope to bigger immobile objects.

Once you have anchored your battle ropes, lay them down on the floor in front of your anchor in order to ensure that you have enough room to perform the exercise. Grasp one end of the rope in each hand and you are ready to perform any battle rope exercise.

Essential Battle Ropes Exercises

You are able to use ropes at the beginning of your session as part of a warm-up or – alternatively – activation phase. In addition, you are also able use them in the middle of your workout in order to build strength with waves, slams and whips. Also, you can use them at the end of a workout as a closer for time or reps.

Battle ropes are super for time-based workouts. You work at a higher intensity as opposed to with, say, dumbbells. This is because you get your heart rate up and burn more calories.

Biceps Wave

Making sure that the rest of your body is kept still, wave the ropes as fast as possible. Focus on high numbers of reps and high amplitude. It’ll prime your muscles for what’s to come.

Remain in a quarter-squat position, with your back straight, and make sure that you keep elbow movement to a minimum. Keeping your elbows in will stop your shoulders from burning out and keep the movement in the biceps.

Lateral Whip

With a minor bend in your elbows, bring the battle ropes up as if you were doing a lateral raise. Keep your thumbs pointing slightly forwards and then whip them downwards. Continue with performing do your raises at speed.

This is a phenomenal way to target your rear delts as well as back muscles. These are muscles which are associated with creating better posture. Common errors include too much leg movement in and out of the squat and letting the torso slouch. Keep your chest up and stay in a quarter squat.

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Do you want to discover more about battle ropes? If you do, then you need to do our Battle Ropes Course. Find out more by following this link.

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How To Use Kettlebells To Improve Your Strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-kettlebells-to-improve-your-strength/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:10:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23626 It doesn’t look like much but take it from us. The lowly kettlebell is your ticket to fitness, much faster than many other types of exercises. Packing the same weighty punch as dumbbells, and well-suited to the heart rate-spiking advantages of HIIT, these cannonball-shaped weights develop power, endurance, muscle and strength – at the same...

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It doesn’t look like much but take it from us. The lowly kettlebell is your ticket to fitness, much faster than many other types of exercises. Packing the same weighty punch as dumbbells, and well-suited to the heart rate-spiking advantages of HIIT, these cannonball-shaped weights develop power, endurance, muscle and strength – at the same time – for heavyweight results.

Even today, the kettlebell is underused as well as undervalued by most of the gym-going community. But don’t let this fool you. As MH hero Arnold Schwarzenegger says, ‘The muscle doesn’t see what you’re holding in your hands’. And since they’re compact, adaptable and versatile, the kettlebell is an ideal bit of kit for the home workout warrior.

Why Kettlebells Are Fantastic For Strength Building

The truth is you are able to build strength with any kind of added resistance, whether that is in the form of dumbbells, barbells or – alternatively – powerbags. However, there is one advantage which kettlebells have over other pieces of workout equipment – the handle.

The handle of the kettlebell is shaped in such a manner which is ideal for holding the weight in a number of different positions. For instance, during the kettlebell you need to press the ball of the kettlebell lies against your forearm which offers a comfortable position for your wrist. It enables you to work with a much larger weight.

During the squat, the kettlebell may be placed in the rack position so that it’s nicely resting against your upper arm and forearm and enables a much larger weight to be held against your body.

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Kettlebell Exercises To Build Strength

Single-arm kettlebell row

Put the kettlebell to the front of your feet. Take a large step back with your left leg and make sure that you grasp the kettlebell in your left hand. Put your right arm on your right knee and then pull the kettlebell into your hip. Lower the kettlebell until just before it touches the floor. As you do this, ensure that your arm is fully extended. Maintain your back in a fixed position throughout the movement.

Kettlebell Triceps Extension

Grasp the kettlebell firmly with both of your hand. Then a step forwards with your right leg so that your feet are in a staggered stance. Raise the kettlebell directly overhead with both of your arms extended. Make sure that your elbows are kept near to your ears as you lower the kettlebell towards the back of your head until your hands are in line with your elbows. Return the kettlebell back overhead by extending your arms.

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If you would like to discover more information about kettlebells and become a kettlebell instructor, then you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. Follow this link in order to find out more.

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Why Is Strength Training The Secret To Becoming A Better Runner? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-strength-training-the-secret-to-becoming-a-better-runner/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:05:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23623 Going for a run is probably one of the most common forms of exercise that there is. It’s free, it doesn’t technically require training in order to get started (though, good technique is quite useful) and it doesn’t ask for equipment beyond activewear as well as a pair of sneakers. Running is a phenomenal way...

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Going for a run is probably one of the most common forms of exercise that there is. It’s free, it doesn’t technically require training in order to get started (though, good technique is quite useful) and it doesn’t ask for equipment beyond activewear as well as a pair of sneakers.

Running is a phenomenal way in order to improve your cardio fitness. In addition, it’s also particularly effective in assisting with weight loss. However, if you’re just starting out in terms of running it can be kind of intimidating. In addition, it takes a lot of hard work to improve your ability.

Two Types Of Runners

There are two categories of runners: those who just run as well as those who are well-balanced athletes:

  • Those who fall into in the latter group cross-train and also perform strength training. They’re usually stronger, healthier as well as more successful athletes who have the ability to keep reaching new levels of performance.
  • On the other hand, the runners who ‘just run tend to get injured often and question why they aren’t able to make much headway over the long term.

Running is pretty tough on the body as you are essentially standing on one leg at a time which requires core strength and good posture. You’re also utilising your legs in order to launch yourself forward. So, building up your strength in the relevant muscles is a great way to improve your running ability.

What Are The Benefits of Strength Training for Runners?

Strength work is the ideal accompaniment to a runner’s training plan and is ideal cross training. One of the main benefits is that it’s a brilliant tool for injury avoidance. Given that runners have the tendency to experience alarmingly high injury rates, it is maybe the most helpful cross training method for them.

The stronger that you get, the stronger your body will become in order to respond to the demands of running. The rhythmic impact of running won’t wear you down so much. In addition, when you’ve got a strong body, any pre-existing conditions will be less likely to get worse. This is because strength training assist with improving structural weaknesses in your body, whether it be in the muscles, joints, or connective tissues. Often, this will remove the source of many common running injuries.

If you’re prepared to upgrade from often-injured, slower runner to a fit, faster athlete, then strength training is ultimately one of the best ways in order to get there. If you’re an injury-inclined runner or if you’re putting in a lot of kilometres on the road, then strength work is an absolute no-brainer. You’ll have the ability to run more, experience fewer overuse injuries will also be able to race faster. And who doesn’t want that?

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If you would like to become a strength training expert, then you should really consider doing our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more by following this link.

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What Is The Role Of Nutrition In Health? Read this article to find out. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-the-role-of-nutrition-in-health-read-this-article-to-find-out/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23588 Health is much more than the lack of disease. It is a positive quality that emphasises physical, social, intellectual, emotional as well as spiritual well-being. Optimal nutrition, which provides all nutrients in both kind and amount, is the cornerstone of good health in addition to cutting-edge prevention. The food which we eat day to day,...

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Health is much more than the lack of disease. It is a positive quality that emphasises physical, social, intellectual, emotional as well as spiritual well-being. Optimal nutrition, which provides all nutrients in both kind and amount, is the cornerstone of good health in addition to cutting-edge prevention.

The food which we eat day to day, in addition to the nutrients that they should provide, are the most essential continuing environmental factors that influence our growth, development, functional abilities as well as health. Nutritional information, with education of both the general public and predominantly health professionals is crucial if we are to succeed in substantially reducing the excessive premature morbidity – as well as mortality – from our leading killer diseases – heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

How we structure our lifestyles – with proper nutrition, health habit discipline and exercise programming – will have a massive influence on personal health. In addition, this will help reduce our current catastrophic medical care expenditures.

What Is Health?

According to WHO, health is a condition of complete physical, mental as well as social well-being. Optimum Nutrition contributes to the general well-being hence development and better quality of life (Gibney et al. 2009).

The Nutrition Care Process can be utilised in order to carry out health promotion as well as disease prevention efforts. Primary prevention is the most effective, inexpensive approach of chronic disease prevention and that dietary involvement positively impacts outcomes health across the lifespan.

Poor nutrition is related to chronic diseases such as cancer, T2DM, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis as well as anaemia – among others – which greatly compromise the physical, social, psychological and emotional wellness of an person. It is thus very important to promote good nutrition in order to promote good health and well-being in all society.

The amount of energy which is consumed – in relation to physical activity and the quality of food – are key determinants of nutrition-related chronic illnesses. Eating nutrient-dense foods, as well as balancing energy intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, are essential practices in all stages of life. Good nutrition has also been linked to better outcomes of disease management.

What Is Nutrition?

The term ‘nutrition’ refers to the study of nutrients in food, how the body utilises them, and the relationship between diet, health as well as disease. Nutritionists utilise ideas from molecular biology, biochemistry as well as genetics in order to gain an understanding of how nutrients affect the human body.

Nutrition also concentrates on how people are able to use dietary choices in order to reduce the risk of disease. This happens if a person has too much – or too little – of a nutrient as well as how allergies work.

Nutrients offer nourishment. Proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, fibre as well as water – are all nutrients. If people do not have the correct balance of nutrients in their diet, their chance of forming certain health conditions increases.

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If you want to become a nutritionist – and you should, because it’s a great career – then you need to do our Specialised Nutrition Course. Find out more by following this link.

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Why Exercise Could Help To Curb Chronic Pain? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-exercise-could-help-to-curb-chronic-pain-find-out-more/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23576 Chronic pain (which also known as persistent pain) is pain which persists beyond the anticipated healing time of an injury. As opposed to acute pain which is as a result of tissue damage, chronic pain is less about the structural or tissue injury and more about the sensitivity of the nervous system as well as...

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Chronic pain (which also known as persistent pain) is pain which persists beyond the anticipated healing time of an injury. As opposed to acute pain which is as a result of tissue damage, chronic pain is less about the structural or tissue injury and more about the sensitivity of the nervous system as well as ‘non-tissue-related factors’.

Frequently, when we feel chronic pain we avoid physical activity and exercise in an attempt to not cause pain flare-ups. However, we know that gradually – over time – people who experience chronic pain become less capable of completing activities which were previously enjoyed, for example walking and other types of exercises. They commonly also have difficulties in completing activities of daily living such as housework.

Exercise is a very common treatment for chronic pain. Dependent on your current state of health, it may assist with:

  • Decreasing inflammation,
  • Increasing mobility, and
  • Decreasing overall pain levels.

No additional medication could be required. Try out a mixture of the cardio, relaxation, stretching, and strength exercises.

6 Ways Regular Exercise Affects Chronic Pain

  1. It decreases pain.
  2. It improves energy levels and reduces fatigue.
  3. It improves mood and reduces feelings of depression.
  4. It enhances joint health.
  5. It increases global day-to-day functionality.
  6. It assists with controlling weight (when combined with a healthy diet).

Cardio exercises

Cardiovascular exercise has a number of physical and mental benefits. In addition, it can be particularly helpful for people who are suffering from chronic pain. Cardio can be performed at any time of day and frequently requires little or no equipment. Try out these two exercises.

Walking

Walking for approximately 30 minutes, three to five times per week may help to increase strength, endurance as well as heart health. If walking is challenging for you, begin slowly and then work your way up to doing longer walks as you get stronger. If you make use of a walker or a cane, ensure that you take it with you.

Swimming And Water Aerobics

This is a great alternative to walking for people who suffer from mobility issues. This low-impact, cardiovascular exercise could help to keep you moving without putting additional stress on your joints as well as muscles. Swimming can frequently be therapeutic and it’s also a great way to clear your mind.

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Stretching Exercises

If you struggle with chronic pain in your low back or neck, stretching may relieve tension as well as stiffness. Try out this these equipment-free stretches for the back and neck in order to improve overall mobility and to facilitate proper movement.

Lower Back And Glute Stretch

  • Lie supine on the floor.
  • Bring your knees in close to your chest and then wrap your arms around your knees. Give yourself a gentle hug.
  • Rock from side to side, feeling a stretch through your hips as well as your lower back. Attempt crossing one leg over the other for an additional glute and piriformis stretch.
  • Stand or sit next to a door.
  • Lift your elbow above your shoulder on the side that you want to stretch.
  • Rest your elbow next to the door jam. This will turn the outside of the shoulder blade up.
  • Next, turn your head away from that side and then bring your head to look down.
  • Lightly deepen the stretch by putting your free hand on top of your head and then applying slight pressure.

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If you want to learn about more exercises to help with chronic pain, then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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What Is Vinyasa Yoga? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-vinyasa-yoga-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23545 Vinyasa is a style of yoga which is characterised by stringing postures together so that you are able to move from one to another, seamlessly, utilising your breath.  Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga, Vinyasa yoga is sometimes confused with “power yoga“. Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures. In addition, no two classes are...

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Vinyasa is a style of yoga which is characterised by stringing postures together so that you are able to move from one to another, seamlessly, utilising your breath.  Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga, Vinyasa yoga is sometimes confused with “power yoga“.

Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures. In addition, no two classes are ever alike.  The opposite kind of yoga would be “fixed forms” such as Bikram Yoga, which features the same 26 postures in every class. Ashtanga Yoga features the same sequence every time.

The variable nature of Vinyasa Yoga assists in developing a more balanced body as well as preventing repetitive motion injuries which can happen if you are always doing the same thing every day.

What Is The History of Vinyasa Yoga?

Vinyasa Yoga – or Vinyasa Flow – is not a system and does not follow a crystal clear lineage, order or leading guru. There is no formal founder of Vinyasa Yoga and it is a modern style of yoga which is born out of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga tradition.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition, in turn, is founded on the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya.  Krishnamacharya taught that the movements which take place between each asana should be considered just as important as the asanas themselves.

His idea behind this was to strengthen concentration and body consciousness during the entire practice. As opposed to focusing on “getting into the posture” and then breathing, in Vinyasa Yoga, the goal is to keep the deep breathing and body consciousness stable throughout all movements during the practice.

Designed To Open The Body

Designed to open the body progressively, each sequence in a Vinyasa Yoga class builds on the previous and evolves into deeper, more advanced postures as the yoga practice unfolds. Re-setting “vinyasas” are a standard series of poses which return the yogi back to their home base pose: Downward Facing Dog. The entire practice concludes with a deep sense of mindfulness, self-connection as well as ease.

Typical elements of a Vinyasa yoga class encompass a range of:

  • Standing,
  • Seated and supine poses,
  • Twists,
  • Balancing postures,
  • Forward folds,
  • Inversions,
  • Back bends, as well as
  • Targeted core strengthening.

Some Vinyasa Yoga classes may offer guided meditation, chanting, or breathwork. All classes end in a state of sheer relaxation in Corpse Pose or “Savasana.” This yoga may be practised at any level, tempo or temperature which is based on individual preferences. Yogis can expect to experience improved flexibility, strength, stability as well as overall calmness and clarity.

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If you would like to learn more about yoga, and perhaps even become a yoga instructor, then you really need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information about this course, and to register, please follow this link.

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Do You Know How Long Will It Take To Get A Six Pack? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-you-know-how-long-will-it-take-to-get-a-six-pack/ Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23542 Ripped, chiselled abs are the holy grail of several fitness enthusiasts. They tell the world that you’re strong and lean. And six pack abs are not easy to achieve. Athletes aside, most individuals have abdominal muscles which are veiled by a layer of fat. Some of it is near the exterior of the skin (subcutaneous...

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Ripped, chiselled abs are the holy grail of several fitness enthusiasts. They tell the world that you’re strong and lean. And six pack abs are not easy to achieve. Athletes aside, most individuals have abdominal muscles which are veiled by a layer of fat. Some of it is near the exterior of the skin (subcutaneous fat). Some of it is hidden within the abdominal cavity itself (visceral fat). The more fat that you have, the longer it will take to shed it and then to showcase six-pack abs.

It Depends On The Person

How long it takes to develop six-pack abs varies from person to person and is based on both current body fat levels as well as approaches to nutrition and exercise. Generally, it takes longer to develop six-pack abs than most people would like, so make sure that you practice patience. For you, it may take somewhere from months to a year or more, depending on how much fat you need to lose as well as how you go about getting rid of fat and building muscle through nutrition as well as exercise.

After all, chiselling your core necessitates simultaneously growing the rectus abdominis muscle (which is colloquially known as the six-pack muscle) and reducing the amount of subcutaneous belly fat that sits between that muscle and the skin of your abdomen. If you do both, you’ll be able to see your abs in the mirror.

The Best Way Of Reducing Your Body Fat Level

Lowering your body fat percentage may be a long and painstaking process. Research published in a scientific journal notes that the average woman has about 40% body fat and the average man has about 28%. Women naturally carry more fat – as opposed to men – because of the hormone oestrogen.

Most men and women need to lose at least half their body fat in order for their abs to show. Fitness experts report that a 1% body fat loss per month is safe and attainable. Given these figures, it could take a woman – with average body fat – around 20 to 26 months in order to achieve the appropriate amount of fat loss for six-pack abs. The average man would require about 15 to 21 months.

Research has found that strength training has a number of different health benefits, particularly when it comes to burning fat. In one study, strength training lowered visceral fat in 78 people who suffer from metabolic syndrome. (Visceral fat is the kind of dangerous fat which surrounds the organs in the belly.)

Another study demonstrated that 12 weeks of strength training – together with aerobic exercise – was more efficient at reducing body fat – as well as belly fat – than aerobic exercise alone. Resistance training may also assist with preserving fat-free mass, which can increase the number of calories that your body burns at rest. Ten weeks of resistance training could assist with increasing calories burned at rest by 7% and may reduce fat weight by 1.8 kg.

Performing body-weight exercises, lifting weights or making use of gym equipment are a few easy ways to get started with strength training.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a personal trainer so that you can make your passion for fitness your career? If you do then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about this course, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Are The Benefits Of Using A Pilates Reformer? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-using-a-pilates-reformer/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:05:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23509 There is quite probably no piece of Pilates equipment that is more famous than the Pilates reformer. There are very good reasons for this. The reformer makes quite a dramatic impression when you first see one, and an even more dramatic change in your body when you utilise it. You will see reformers that are...

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There is quite probably no piece of Pilates equipment that is more famous than the Pilates reformer. There are very good reasons for this. The reformer makes quite a dramatic impression when you first see one, and an even more dramatic change in your body when you utilise it. You will see reformers that are lined up in Pilates studios as reformer classes are frequently one of the main choices offered. Portable reformers are also popular as home exercise equipment.

Although the reformer is sometimes thought to be a later addition, potentially owing to its popularity on social media, it was part of Joseph Pilates’ original technique that was designed to help bed-bound WW1 patients.

This was alongside other ‘apparatus’ such as the chair and Cadillac – the latter which has bars to hang from. The Pilates reformer was then brought to the UK by pioneering teacher Alan Herdman after he worked in New York and being trained by Joseph Pilates himself.

What Does The Pilates Reformer Look Like?

The Pilates reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates. It has a bed-like frame with a flat platform that rolls backward and forwards on wheels.

It is a piece of apparatus that is used as a part of a Pilates exercise session under the direction of an instructor. The reformer uses springs for assistance and resistance in order to achieve proper muscle length and strength in an organised manner.

The reformer assists the practitioner in achieving the goals of Pilates, which include the usage of diaphragmatic breathing in order to organise the body’s posture through coordinated movements with an emphasis on control of the posture.

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Adjustable Resistance

The platform of the reformer is called the carriage, and the carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a number of springs. The springs give you the opportunity to adjust the resistance to the carriage. This will be pushed and pulled along the frame by your own body weight as well as strength. There are also shoulder blocks that are situated on the carriage which keep you in a stable position so that you’re not sliding off of the edge of the reformer.

There is a foot bar at the edge of the reformer and this an adjustable bar that holds the springs. Your feet and hands may be situated on this bar depending on the exercise. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them which your feet or hands can be placed into. These are at the top of the frame and opposite the foot bar.

The springs may be adjusted in order to affect both the foot bar and the handles so that the workout can be modified for different skill levels as well as body types. In fact, the reformer is utilised not only by people looking to strengthen their core but also by dancers for training and injury rehabilitation.

Contact  Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to become a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. To find out more and to register, please follow this link.

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What Can You Expect In A Hatha Yoga Class? Find out in the article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-can-you-expect-in-a-hatha-yoga-class-find-out-in-the-article/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:05:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23514 Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga which typically comes to mind when you think of yoga in general terms. The practice of hatha yoga includes breath, body and mind. Classes usually consist of 45 minutes to 90 minutes of breathing; yoga poses as well as meditation. Research shows that hatha yoga helps to relieve...

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Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga which typically comes to mind when you think of yoga in general terms. The practice of hatha yoga includes breath, body and mind. Classes usually consist of 45 minutes to 90 minutes of breathing; yoga poses as well as meditation. Research shows that hatha yoga helps to relieve stress, support healthy habits, improve emotional health, ease back and arthritis pain, and even help people to quit smoking.

The term “hatha” is traditionally thought of as the “yoga of force”, which relates less to a forceful state and more to a state of discipline during the practice of asana (yoga poses).

In practical terms, “hatha” is the basis of all asana practices in yoga including vinyasa flow as well as power. So, chances are good that if you are presently practising flow-style yoga, you will be well-versed in the poses of hatha.

The Differentiating Factor

What sets this yoga apart from flow-style yoga is the lack of the flowing movements in and out of asana. Emphasis is put on the breath while holding poses static for 5-10 breaths and then simply moving into the next pose. Hatha allows for more time in between each pose to practise using breath in order to open up the pose, as well as consider how the mind responds to periods of stillness.

What Are The Benefits Of Hatha Yoga?

Research has frequently shown that hatha yoga has a wide range of benefits for both mental as well as physical health. Some of the most significant include the following.

Better Sleep

Doing yoga can not only assist people with falling asleep faster but can also improve their quality of sleep.

Reduce Stress

People who do hatha yoga right before tackling a stressful task have lower blood pressure and cortisol levels compared to those who watched TV beforehand instead.

Relieve Neck And Back Pain

Yoga can help to prevent and manage lower back pain by enhancing posture, strengthening core muscles, and correcting spinal imbalances.

Lower Levels Of Depression

Yoga can boost levels of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which calm and regulate mood.

Strengthen Flexibility

Yoga exercises should be suggested to the elderly in order to increase their range of motion in the joints as well as enhance their muscle flexibility.

If you’re new to yoga, a slower-paced, alignment-based class is ideal for learning some of the most common yoga poses. Look for words such as beginner, gentle, or restorative.  While many gyms and yoga studios offer hatha-style classes, you could also use one of the many yoga apps and online videos to try this style at home. However, seek guidance via a virtual instructor.

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Do you want to see what it takes to become a Yoga instructor? If you do then you should check out our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Is It Important To Combine Anaerobic And Aerobic Exercises Into Your Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-it-important-to-combine-anaerobic-and-aerobic-exercises-into-your-training/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23505 Aerobic exercise is any kind of cardiovascular conditioning or “cardio.” Throughout cardiovascular conditioning, your breathing – as well as heart rate – increase for a sustained period of time. Examples of aerobic workouts include swimming laps, running or – alternatively – cycling. Anaerobic exercise involves quick bursts of energy and is performed at maximum effort...

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Aerobic exercise is any kind of cardiovascular conditioning or “cardio.” Throughout cardiovascular conditioning, your breathing – as well as heart rate – increase for a sustained period of time. Examples of aerobic workouts include swimming laps, running or – alternatively – cycling.

Anaerobic exercise involves quick bursts of energy and is performed at maximum effort for a short period time. Examples include jumping, sprinting and heavy weightlifting. Your breathing and heart rate are different in aerobic activities as opposed to anaerobic ones. Oxygen is your chief energy source during aerobic workouts.

What Happens During These Different Forms Of Exercise?

During aerobic exercise, you will breathe faster and deeper as opposed to when your heart rate is at rest. This is because you’re maximising the amount of oxygen in the blood. Your heart rate goes up, so increasing blood flow to the muscles and it then goes back to the lungs.

During anaerobic exercise, your body requires energy immediately. Your body relies on stored energy sources, as opposed to oxygen, to fuel itself. That encompasses breaking down glucose as well.

Your fitness goals should assist with determining whether you should take part in aerobic or anaerobic exercise. If you’re a newbie to exercise, you may want to start with aerobic exercises in order to build up endurance. If you’ve been exercising a long time – or are attempting to lose weight quickly – include anaerobic workouts into your routine. Sprints or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions may help you meet your goals.

The Benefits Of Combining The Two Exercises

If you’re looking for the best way to include aerobic and anaerobic exercises into your workout routine, high intensity interval training can achieve both. This is because HIIT workouts continuously mix anaerobic with aerobic exercises. This leads to muscles working with an oxygen deficit. When the workout is finished, and muscles are resting, they will claim all that wasted energy so that they can go back to balance.

Your body will require a higher flow of oxygen through your blood, even eight hours after completing training, hence, burning more fat.

Other benefits of merging anaerobic and aerobic exercises are:

  • Arthritis prevention. Stronger muscles protect articulations better.
  • A boost in insulin sensitivity. This kind of exercise assist cells to respond better to insulin, which will also improve blood glucose levels.
  • Overall quality of life will improve as better muscular strength means better performance in daily activities such as climbing stairs, lifting heavy items, walking or picking up your kids.
  • Injury prevention. The higher your level of muscle mass is, the less chances you will have of suffering from muscle contracture as well as sprains. Your posture will also improve, so lowering the risk of injuries or common ailments such as lower back pain.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become an exercise expert? If you do then you should study our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it by following this link.

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What Is Bungee Fitness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-bungee-fitness/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23501 The term “bungee” inevitably conjures visions of daring jumps off tall bridges in addition to swinging upside down by your ankles. Alas, none of that is involved in a bungee fitness workout (daredevils, you’ll have to get your thrills elsewhere). Bungee fitness workouts are one of the latest fitness trends which are rocking the world...

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The term “bungee” inevitably conjures visions of daring jumps off tall bridges in addition to swinging upside down by your ankles. Alas, none of that is involved in a bungee fitness workout (daredevils, you’ll have to get your thrills elsewhere).

Bungee fitness workouts are one of the latest fitness trends which are rocking the world these days. The busy, stressful life we live always requires something new as well as something different, something which can juice up the apathy that we sometimes feel towards working out.

Sports is basically a great practice to free the body from all the negativity, but we tend to get bored of the routine. In case you discover yourself to be in the same boat, now we list you the best things about the new craze, Bungee Fitness.

How Does It Work?

Bungee Fitness is a totally different way of exercising as compared to traditional workouts. It is a revolutionary, full-body training system for fitness as well as rehabilitation. It mixes resistance training with a cardiovascular workout and uses your own body in order to push against the bungee cord.

Weightless training in a bungee harness means that you can complete a high-intensity workout with no stress on your joints. A low-impact workout in a bungee offers individuals of all ages and body shapes, a new, innovative and fun way to train as well as rev up metabolism, improve mobility, balance & coordination and quickly burn hundreds of calories.

What Are The Benefits Of Bungee Fitness?

The primary benefits of bungee fitness are:

  • Increasing heart rate and endurance, as well as
  • Building muscle and burning calories.

The great variety of moves which you can do with the help of the bungee gives you a full-body workout — expect to work your core, legs, arms in addition to your back.

Owing to the harness and bungee, you’ll get a low-impact workout which combines cardiovascular and strength moves without a concession in intensity. A standard class is 70% cardio and 30% strength training. It includes lunges, squats, push-ups and loads of jumping.

The bonus is that because it’s so unique, it’s a great way to either reignite your love of working out without it feeling like a huge effort or step out of your comfort zone and tackle a new challenge.

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Who Can Do A Bungee Fitness Workout?

If you’re a first-timer or don’t work out regularly, don’t feel deterred. The bungee fitness workout is very accessible to all different ages and body types. It can get people moving in a new and different way.

Even if you’ve suffered from workout injuries in the past — such as knee or ankle injuries from running — you could find that bungee allows for a cardiovascular workout without the constant pounding which could injure unstable joints or cause old injuries to flare up.

People who have knee, hip or other body issues may find a lot of benefits from the low-impact nature of bungee fitness. In addition, for people who want more cardio in their fitness routine – but don’t care for treadmills, jogging or other activities – bungee can be a wonderful alternative.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to set yourself on the path of learning more about fitness then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Coach.Me Fitness

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How To Test Your Running Fitness? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-test-your-running-fitness-learn-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 30 Mar 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23494 No matter how well your training may be going, you could doubt your capacity to hit your goal time on race day. How can you be extremely confident that your hard work is paying dividends? The answer is a benchmark workout, which is done a few weeks before your race day. Having the ability to...

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No matter how well your training may be going, you could doubt your capacity to hit your goal time on race day. How can you be extremely confident that your hard work is paying dividends? The answer is a benchmark workout, which is done a few weeks before your race day.

Having the ability to predict your time has many possible benefits, including improved mental preparation, informed goal setting, nutrition planning as well as fluid planning. However, marathoners aren’t the only runners who are able to benefit. There are workouts which you can do before your 5K, 10K or half marathon. These workouts give you a good indicator of what you’ll be capable of on race day,’ he says.

There are also straightforward formulas which don’t involve a workout that can give you an idea of your race potential. Most runners’ paces decrease by about four seconds every single 400m as they move up from one race distance to the next. For instance, a 25-minute 5K equates to 120 seconds per 400m. Making use of the four-second rule, this translates to 124 seconds per 400m for 10K (a time of 51:40), or 128 seconds per 400m for a half marathon (1:52:00).

How To Perform This Fitness Test

Follow the instructions below and then mark your results in a notepad. Focus on the sections which  you score fair or lower for between six and eight weeks. Then retest yourself in order to see how much you’ve improved. You will need to have access to a treadmill, a step, a yoga strap or belt. You’ll also need a stability ball, dumbbells and a track or 400-metre straightaway.

Core Strength

A strong core—the muscles in your abdominals, back as well as glutes—gives you stability, power, and endurance. If your core muscles are not able to support your pelvis, it will drop, which causes your hips, knees, and ankles to lose proper alignment. When this happens, you can’t absorb forces appropriately, and your muscles fatigue quickly.

Forearm Plank

  • Begin on all fours.
  • Drop down onto your forearms with your elbows directly under your shoulders.
  • Then step each of your feet back so that your body forms a straight line from your head to your heels.
  • Engage your core in order to keep hips level with shoulders and keep your neck relaxed.
  • Time how long you are able to maintain the plank with perfect form (don’t let your hips hike up or dip).

Improve It: Hollow Hold to V-Sit

  • Lie faceup on the mat.
  • Lift head, shoulder blades as well as your feet off floor as you extend arms straight out.
  • Your neck should be relaxed and also not strained. This is your hollow hold.
  • Next, engage your abs in order to lift chest towards legs as you bend knees so that your body forms a V shape and your shins are parallel to floor.
  • Gently lower back down to a hollow hold position. That’s one rep. Do up to 20 reps.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about exercise? If you do, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course by following this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Is A Hex Bar? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-hex-bar/ Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23479 Most personal trainers would probably agree that the hex bar is an essential piece of gym equipment. This is mainly because it’s the best regression exercise for the traditional barbell deadlift. Based on comfort and favourable execution, some may even make the argument that the hex bar is preferred. Not only because long legs, as...

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Most personal trainers would probably agree that the hex bar is an essential piece of gym equipment. This is mainly because it’s the best regression exercise for the traditional barbell deadlift. Based on comfort and favourable execution, some may even make the argument that the hex bar is preferred. Not only because long legs, as well as short arms, are taken away as obstacles however the unique design of the bar facilitates an upright body position that limits the potential for injury.

The hex bar is much better (as opposed to barbells) for going heavier on deadlifts as well as for lowering stress on your lower back. If your gym has a hex bar, stop just using it for shrugs and think about doing some deadlifts with it.

This is because the hex bar can allow you to go heavier as opposed to standard deadlifts (which place more overload on the leg muscles) so leading to greater muscle growth in the long run. Even if you compete in the deadlift, making use of the hex bar occasionally can help you go heavier in order to get stronger in your lower-body muscles. And if you needed to give up deadlifts owing to lower-back issues, the hex bar may be your key to doing them again.

Hex Bars Offer Similar Load Distribution

Although hex bars come in many shapes and sizes, in general, they’re exactly the same weight as traditional barbells are. They set you up to lift from exactly the same height and the hex bar lets you hold them with both hands. They’re just sculpted very differently from barbells. However, they still have us doing a lift that’s hip dominant (which is focused on our hips, glutes as well as hamstrings. They check very similar boxes as the standard barbell deadlift.

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Centre of Mass and Why It Matters

The deadlift is very hip-dominant pattern when it is done correctly. The barbell weight is a bit in front of your body and you need to extend the hips first in order to pull the weight off the ground so challenging your glutes, hamstrings, and, often, your lower back. The torque of the barbell deadlift results in high stress on the joint systems supporting the movement, especially the lower back.

This varies from person to person, based on such things as limb length and the weight you’re moving. However what’s true is that the hip extension pattern, which is one thing we’re really working to attack on a deadlift from a training standpoint, is altered because the weight is in front of you and is always, at least a little bit, pulling you forward.

From Crossfitters to powerlifters to bodybuilders to athletes in general, the very best gym-goers learn to combat that, and that process has its strengths. Battling the barbell deadlift teaches you to activate your lat muscles to keep the bar close to you, and forces you to engage your hamstrings at the start of a deadlift rep.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Are you considering taking your passion for fitness to the next level and become a personal trainer? If you are then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

 

Coach.Me Fitness

 

 

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How Can Pilates Help Skiers? Read this article to find out. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-can-pilates-help-skiers-read-this-article-to-find-out/ Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:10:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23471 It’s a great workout all year round, obvs, but Pilates is especially good at preparing the body for skiing. That hard-earned core strength, flexibility, balance and control will all help you shoop-shoop in style. It’s no surprise that injuries are common with skiers. In fact, there are around 10 000 individuals hospitalised each year with...

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It’s a great workout all year round, obvs, but Pilates is especially good at preparing the body for skiing. That hard-earned core strength, flexibility, balance and control will all help you shoop-shoop in style.

It’s no surprise that injuries are common with skiers. In fact, there are around 10 000 individuals hospitalised each year with winter sports-related breaks as well as ruptures. However, preparing your body in the weeks before you hit the slopes may assist you with avoiding injuries and falls. It may also improve performance.

More particularly, skiers should do Pilates as this method is devised to strengthen and mobilise the body – exactly what you need for these types of sports. Even professional downhill alpine skiers do Pilates.

Common Skiing  Injuries

Skiers run the risk of sustaining a host of different injuries. In particular the knees, where we’ve seen a lot of tears of the:

  • Anterior crutiate ligament (ACL),
  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL), and
  • Meniscus

Pilates assists skiers with really focusing on a dynamic and full range of motion as well as the strengthening of the hamstrings. This can help to balance overused quads as well as serve as back-up support for the ACL. Exercises which emphasise the adductors can help a skier’s recovery from catching an edge or keeping the skis under the centre of the body, thus reducing the stress on passive structures such as the MCL.

In addition, closed chain exercises (where the foot is in contact with bar/strap/board/floor) can assist simulate proper muscle recruitment and timing as well as offer functional applicable movements for skiing. Using specific exercises to focus on VMO (vastas medialis oblique of the quadriceps) and glute medius are important for proper patella (kneecap) tracking and stability of the knee and hip joints.

Pilates Moves To Help

Bicycle Crunches (Develops Core Control)

This move strengthens your abs and obliques. This means better posture as well as more control of those planks on the end of your feet:

  • Lying supine on a mat with a neutral spine, lift your legs in near you with your knees bent as well as shins parallel to the floor.

Hamstring Stretch (Flexibility)

Stretching your big leg muscles is extremely important – you’ll be taxing your quads and hamstrings all day on the slopes:

  • Lying supine with neutral spine and both legs bent, loop a resistance band or scarf around one foot and then straighten the leg towards the ceiling until you feel a gentle stretch in your hamstring.
  • Taking deep breaths increases the stretch by slowly bringing your leg in near you, aiming for a 90-degree angle to your body. Repeat with both of your legs. Hold for at least a minute on each side breathing into the stretch.
  • With your fingertips touching your temples, gradually lift your head and shoulders off the floor. The movement should come from your abs and not your neck.
  • Exhale and bring your left leg in and your right elbow to meet it. Twist your body and then swivel to switch. Repeat 10 times changing sides.

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Want to learn more about Pilates? If you do, then need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Find out more by following this link.

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What Is High Intensity Interval Pilates? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-is-high-intensity-interval-pilates-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:05:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23466 HIIT (High-intensity interval training) is THE buzzword at the moment. The fitness world is flooded with different types of HIIT programmes and a lot of research is being done to show the benefits. Generally speaking, HIIT describes any workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and fixed periods of light activity or complete rest....

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HIIT (High-intensity interval training) is THE buzzword at the moment. The fitness world is flooded with different types of HIIT programmes and a lot of research is being done to show the benefits. Generally speaking, HIIT describes any workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and fixed periods of light activity or complete rest. The intense burst needs to be “as hard as you possibly can” in order to push your heart rate into the anaerobic zone.

One of the main reasons HIIT has such a following is because it’s great if you just have a limited amount of time in order to work out. Some studies show that 15 minutes of high intensity interval training burns more calories than jogging on a treadmill for an hour. Other studies have found that after eight weeks of doing HIIT workouts, subjects were able to exercise on a bicycle twice as long as they could prior to the study, while maintaining the same pace.

Love HIIT workouts and Pilates? If you do, then High Intensity Interval Pilates (HIIP).

How Does High Intensity Interval Pilates Work?

The HIIP workout blends traditional Pilates moves with cardio in order to build your fitness quickly by doing each exercise with the burst and  then rest method of interval training. For those who are wanting to get back into their fitness routine after life in lockdown, this is a wonderful place to start.

The only equipment which is needed for a HIIP session are sliding discs, which assist with increasing the difficult of each move and speed up your heart rate. No discs? No worries! If you’re working out on a carpet, grab two magazines. If you’re on tiles or wooden floors, you can swap the discs out for thick socks.

Aim to complete each HIIP exercise for 45 seconds, with a 15 second rest in between. Perform three rounds of each move.

Double Leg Pull-Up

Walk out with double leg pull up. This move is great for boosting the strength in your arms, core and legs. It will get your heart rate right up.

Stand up straight with the discs under the balls of your feet and then walk yourself into a plank position. In a slow and controlled manner make sure that you bring your knees to your chest, now lengthen your legs back to a plank position and walk your arms back and bring your body back up to standing position.

This is a challenging move so take your time on your first rep. Make sure that your core is strong and your spine is in a neutral stance. You can make this move more difficult by speeding it up by shooting your knees towards your chest and springing them back out.

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Arm Crossovers Using Discs

This movement is not only great for your core but will also have you sweating and shaking in no time at all.

Make sure that you set yourself up in a plank position. Have you  hands in the middle of the discs, your shoulders over your wrists, your chest pushing away from the floor, your tummy in and heels pushing away from you. Slip your right hand under your left arm. Then tap your pinky fingers together, alternating one of your hands at a time.

The aim is to make sure that keep your hips stable, like you have two hot cups of coffee on the back of each hip, and you don’t want to spill them. You can modify this exercise by lowering your knees.

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Keen on becoming a Pilates instructor? If you are, then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Certification. Read more about it here.

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What Is The Weight Training Rep Range Rule? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-weight-training-rep-range-rule-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:00:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23457 Lifting weights is, as countless research shows, is a phenomenal way to get stronger, build muscle, burn fat, increase endurance, relieve stress as well as improve a variety of health markers. However, the term “lifting weights” covers all manner of sins — there are many ways to do it. A large percentage of us are...

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Lifting weights is, as countless research shows, is a phenomenal way to get stronger, build muscle, burn fat, increase endurance, relieve stress as well as improve a variety of health markers. However, the term “lifting weights” covers all manner of sins — there are many ways to do it.

A large percentage of us are using resistance training and also trying to get stronger. For example, you’re lifting “X” amount of resistance for a total of “Y” number of repetitions and over “Z” number of sets. Good for you – if this exercise plan is working for you.

If it isn’t working, ask yourself the following questions about your resistance training plan:

  • Is it based on the underlying principles of overload-recovery-progression?
  • Is it an easy system?
  • Does it show you progression on a routine basis?
  • Is it truly creating muscle overload successfully?

 Why Is Rep Range Is the Essence of Progressive Training?

Dependent on your answers, it may be time to streamline your plan to something which is more direct, simple, and based on established science. You cannot wander away too far from the principles of muscle overload, adequate recovery time as well as progressive (more demanding) training, so why not use a system which is the essence of it?

Fitness lore prescribes that the rep range which you choose determines the outcome for your body. Working in sets of three to seven reps is how to build strength. Eight to 12 is the ballpark for hypertrophy (muscle growth), and 12 or more is endurance training or toning.

Of course, the rep range you choose requires scaling your weights: You can lift heavier weights if you’re doing fewer reps.

To Build Muscle You Must Get Stronger

When you get stronger, you will be able to lift heavier weights, in the 8-12 rep range, for more reps. This creates a greater training response to trigger muscle growth. Then, you can use lighter-rep exercises more effectively to cap off your physique.  Mechanical tension, such as lifting a heavy load with a full range of motion, is a key component to muscle growth

To cap off your training, sprinkle in higher rep training. Do one exercise with 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps with short rest periods to maximise metabolic stress.  Additionally, you can use one exercise to failure. This exercise must be an isolation exercise, like a biceps curl or leg extension instead of a squat.  A recent study found when it comes to muscle growth, the same growth came from using three sets to failure with 30% max as 3 sets of 80%.

This means that regardless of how heavy the weight is, training to failure maximises muscle fibre recruitment and stimulates growth, even with lighter weight. This both saves your joints and preserves your nervous system while maximising gains.

Applied to your training, you can train to failure but use isolation exercises. Keep the weight light and focus on technique. When your technique breaks down you’ve reached failure. Rest and repeat for 2-3 sets and call it a day.

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Want to learn more about weight training as well as other forms of exercise? If you do then you should become a personal trainer with our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Why Is Strength Training Important For Women? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-strength-training-important-for-women/ Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23461 Strength training isn’t only about getting more muscle tone. It’s also about becoming healthier, fitter, and feeling stronger — all of which is encouraging for women. Exercising with weights offers many important health benefits for women and should be incorporated in your fitness routine along with cardio. Bodyweight exercises, free weights, as well as weight...

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Strength training isn’t only about getting more muscle tone. It’s also about becoming healthier, fitter, and feeling stronger — all of which is encouraging for women. Exercising with weights offers many important health benefits for women and should be incorporated in your fitness routine along with cardio.

Bodyweight exercises, free weights, as well as weight machines all, fall under the strength training umbrella. In actual fact, even Pilates, TRX moves as well as resistance band exercises qualify as strength training.

You’ve got options. That’s a small part of the reason why, perhaps, people are starting to think in a different way about strength training, which is a good thing. People are beginning to realise the true importance of strength training as well as how it can add strength and longevity to their lives. With new research and studies appearing every day about the benefits of strength training, we’re seeing a paradigm shift.

Helps To Prevent Age-Related Muscle And Bone Loss

Physically inactive women may lose as much as 3-5% of their muscle mass each 10 years after the age of 30. A mixture of age-related changes, inactivity as well as inadequate nutrition conspire to slowly steal bone mass, at the pace of 1% per year after age 40. As your bones grow more fragile and susceptible to fracture, they are more likely to break. Strength training can even lower your risk of osteoporosis, especially important for women.

Strength Training Is One Of The Greatest Forms Of Low-Impact Cardio Exercise

While it’s more challenging to build muscle via aerobic exercise, strength training is really one of the best, low-impact cardio workouts. The key is to concentrate your workouts on compound movements, which may include more than one joint and muscle group as well as not to rest for very long (if at all) in between your exercises.

Bring together four to five compound movements as well as do them with very little rest and you’ll get your heart rate pumping and also reap of all the aerobic benefits without conventional methods like running.

Strength Training Helps You To Lose Weight

As we said before, resistance training builds muscle. This increases your metabolism. An increased metabolism means that you burn more calories all day, even when you’re at rest. As women age, our metabolism slows down naturally. This often leads to a steady weight gain over the years, even if your diet hasn’t changed much. Exercise assists with fighting this by revving up your metabolism, helping to keep off the extra pounds.

Exercise releases endorphins which enhance your mood, prevent pain as well as fight depression.

Women who strength train commonly report feeling more confident and capable as a result of their training.

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Keen on learning more about strength training as well as other forms of exercise, you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more by following this link.

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Why Should You Consult A Doctor Before Starting A New Diet? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/why-should-you-consult-a-doctor-before-starting-a-new-diet/ Thu, 25 Mar 2021 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23452 It can be difficult to know where to begin when you want to lose weight. Fortunately, there’s plenty of diet information available online and at your local library. However, before you begin any new diet, it’s essential to run it by your doctor. Everyone can, and should, be exercising and maintaining their fitness levels. If...

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It can be difficult to know where to begin when you want to lose weight. Fortunately, there’s plenty of diet information available online and at your local library. However, before you begin any new diet, it’s essential to run it by your doctor.

Everyone can, and should, be exercising and maintaining their fitness levels. If you have a health issue – such as heart disease – your doctor may order a stress test before starting a new exercise programme. This is because they want to ensure that the diet plan is safe for you and that hypothetically dangerous medications are not being used with weight loss.

Also, people with certain medical illnesses – such as kidney disease – may need to avoid certain diet plans:

  • Diets that recommend high protein intake;
  • Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure or – alternatively – heart failure should avoid diets which are high in salt.

If You Have A BMI Over 30

Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is the measurement which is used to determine your body mass to height ratio. Before beginning any diet programme, you should figure out your BMI. This is relatively easy to do.

In order to determine your BMI, you need to know your weight in kilograms, as well as your height, metered squared. You will then need to divide your weight by your height (kg/m2). Your BMI end result will fall into a range:

  • If you have a BMI which is below 18.5, you are considered to be underweight.
  • If you fall anywhere between 18.5 as well as 24.9, you are considered to have a normal weight.
  • If you have a BMI of between 25 and 29.9, this figure is considered as overweight.
  • You are considered obese if you have a BMI higher than 30.

If you fall into the obese BMI category, you need to consult with a doctor prior to starting a new diet. This is because individuals who suffer from obesity are at a greater risk of experiencing health problems as well as complications. These possible risks may be avoided if a doctor guides you during the weight loss process.

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Don’t Cut Out Anything Without Medical Advice

Some diets urge you to cut out specific food groups. Before cutting any foods out of your diet, you should be consulting with a doctor in order to ensure that it won’t harm your overall health as well as put you at higher risk for gaining the weight back.

If you limit your diet so that a food group, such as carbs for instance, doesn’t exist in it anymore, this could lead to a shortage of nutrients. This may put you at risk for losing muscle mass and complications such as brittle bones as well as organ damage. Furthermore, if you start to eat “normally” again, your weight is likely to come back because your body will have been starved for the element and will try to conserve it in case it gets “starved” again.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a nutrition expert? If you do then you need to do our Specialised Nutrition Course. Follow this link for more information.

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What Is The Bear Plank Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-bear-plank-exercise/ Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23434 The bear plank is a beginner- to intermediate-level bodyweight exercise which targets the muscles in your hips, glutes as well as core region. It’s an amazing exercise for balance and core stabilisation. As it allows you to fire-up the muscles in your core, the bear plank is a phenomenal addition to an abdominal workout. This...

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The bear plank is a beginner- to intermediate-level bodyweight exercise which targets the muscles in your hips, glutes as well as core region. It’s an amazing exercise for balance and core stabilisation.

As it allows you to fire-up the muscles in your core, the bear plank is a phenomenal addition to an abdominal workout. This is especially as it’s really good at engaging your lower abdominal muscles.

You are also able to add the bear plank to a dynamic warm-up routine in order to assist with activating upper and lower body muscles before cardio exercises such as running or cycling or before lifting weights.

The Perfect Beginning To Any Workout

Most personal trainers and fitness experts would agree that it’s a great idea to start every workout with a plank. Whether you’re trying to stay sturdy on your forearms, balance on one leg, hold a push up position, or alternate arm lifts, there’s really no straightforward variation. However, nothing makes your entire body roar quite like a bear plank.

Just like alligator crawls or inchworms, the bear plank is an even more challenging full-body workout. A bear crawl entails getting down on all fours with your knees hanging a few inches off the floor. You need to use your strength in order to get you from point A to B. However, the bear plank is stationary. And although it might seem that holding still would be easier, you’ll quickly realise that’s not always the case. A few seconds in and your core—as well as the rest of your body!—will be on fire.

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How To Do It

Make sure that you keep your back parallel to the floor during the entire exercise. Squeeze both your ab and mid-back muscles. Imagine that you have a cup of water on your back (or better yet, have a friend put one there). If you shift the wrong way it’ll spill.

A bear plank imitates a squat so, much like a squat, you will need to squeeze your glutes. In addition, doing so will open your knees ever so slightly and put you in a more athletic position.

Your knees should be about an inch above the floor and your shins need to be parallel to the ground. This assists with keeping your back flat. In addition, it also fires up your quads. Your knees need to be directly under your hips and line up with your wrists.

You might be tempted to lock your elbows. Don’t. Bend them slightly and then flex your triceps. Let your arms function as shock absorbers for your upper body. Your wrists should be directly below your shoulders. In addition, this will also ready you to crawl forward (and yes, that can blast your abs, too).

 

How To Modify The Bear Plank

The bear plank is already an altered form of a traditional plank. That said, if you need to streamline the move, the first strategy is to reduce the distance between your knees and the floor. For instance, as opposed to lifting your knees three inches of the floor, only do one inch. In addition, you can decrease the time which you spend in the hold or contraction portion of the exercise.

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If you dream of becoming a world-class personal trainer then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Is The V-Sit Exercise? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-v-sit-exercise-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23438 Let’s face it. While traditional crunches and planks are robust muscle-building moves, they could get boring after a while. That’s where v-sit-up exercises come in. Not only are they a completely different move to include into your core workouts, but they also have fun variations which you can try The V-sit ab exercise is responsible...

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Let’s face it. While traditional crunches and planks are robust muscle-building moves, they could get boring after a while. That’s where v-sit-up exercises come in. Not only are they a completely different move to include into your core workouts, but they also have fun variations which you can try

The V-sit ab exercise is responsible for building core strength through working multiple areas of the core simultaneously while also testing your balance. In this ab exercise, you will sit with your legs extended and your torso off the ground and your body forming a V shape.

If you are a beginner at the V-sit exercise you will be able to modify it to use a little bit of assistance from your hands or perform it with bent legs. Intermediate exercisers could add this exercise to abdominal and core workouts.

What Are The Benefits Of The V-Sit Exercise?

The V-sit is a super-effective way of targeting the:

  • Rectus abdominis,
  • External obliques,
  • Internal obliques, as well as
  • Hip flexors.

This is all while improving your core and trunk balance. You are not alone if you are not able to do more than 10 to 12 of the V-sit ab exercise prior to you reaching failure. If you feel the burn it means that the exercise is working.

Growing your core strength, balance, as well as coordination, may assist you with maintaining good posture, catching yourself so that you can avoid falls and performing better at a number of different physical activities.

For those of you who’ve done yoga or Pilates before, this movement will look a bit familiar. It’s very similar to the Boat Pose and also adds an added lift of the arms and legs in order to move into a V-shaped position.

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How To Do The V-Sit Exercise

Begin in a seated position and have your knees bent and your feet off the floor. Your chest needs to be open and lifted. As we’ve said before, this is similar to a modified Boat pose which you’ll do in yoga.

With your arms by your sides, gradually unfold from your seated v by – at the same time – lowering your torso and legs towards the floor. Stop when your legs are just about at a 45-degree angle, or when you feel that your lower back is curving away from the mat. Make sure that you keep your head and shoulders off the floor as well as your lower back pressed firmly into the mat.

With your core being tight and tucked, make use of your abs in order to return to your starting position. Repeat for one minute and keep your abs engaged as you do this move rather than relying on gravity. If the move gets too hard, keep your knees bent as you lower down.

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Want to become a sought-after personal trainer? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course here.

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How Can Diet Help To Boost Immunity? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-can-diet-help-to-boost-immunity-find-out-more/ Tue, 23 Mar 2021 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23418 For the most part, your immune system is responsible for doing an outstanding job of protecting you against disease-causing microorganisms. However, unfortunately, sometimes it fails: A germ successfully invades and makes you sick. Ensuring that you are eating a diet which is high in immune-boosting nutrients is one of the ways that you are able...

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For the most part, your immune system is responsible for doing an outstanding job of protecting you against disease-causing microorganisms. However, unfortunately, sometimes it fails: A germ successfully invades and makes you sick.

Ensuring that you are eating a diet which is high in immune-boosting nutrients is one of the ways that you are able to take an active role in keeping up your health and wellness.

Your body utilises and absorbs nutrients more efficiently when these come from whole food sources such as fruits as well as vegetables as opposed to processed foods or supplements. Getting a range of these foods and nutrients in your diet is vital as compared to merely focusing on just one or two in large quantities.

Vitamin C – Citrus Fruits And Greens

Eating foods which are high in vitamin C – such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale and kiwifruit – are thought to increase white blood cell production. This is key to fighting off infection.

Beta-Carotene – Root Vegetables And Greens

Beta-carotene changes into vitamin A, which is an anti-inflammatory vitamin. This  can help your antibodies to respond to toxins, such as a virus.

Carrots, spinach, kale, apricots, sweet potato, squash as well as cantaloupe are all great sources of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. What this means is that consuming foods with healthy fats will help in its absorption. A wonderful immune-boosting combination would be carrots with tried-and-trusted hummus or a spinach salad with avocado or olive oil in the dressing.

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 Vitamin E – Nuts, Seeds And Greens

Vitamin E happens to be a fat-soluble vitamin that is key in regulating as well as supporting immune system functioning. Foods which are rich in vitamin E include nuts, seeds, avocado, and spinach.

As we get older, our immune response capability reduces. This, in turn, contributes to more infections as well as more cancer. Because the life expectancy in developed countries has increased, so too has the prevalence of age-related conditions.

While some individuals age healthily, the conclusion that has been reached in many studies is that – compared with younger people – the elderly are more likely to contract infectious diseases. More significantly, they are more likely to die from them.

Respiratory infections, including, influenza and particularly pneumonia are a leading cause of death in people over 65 all across the globe. No one knows for certain why this takes place, but some scientists observe that this increased risk relates to a decrease in T cells, perhaps from the thymus atrophying with age and producing fewer T cells in order to fight off infection. Whether this reduction in thymus function explains the decreased number of in T cells or whether other alterations play a role is not fully understood. Other studies are interested in if the bone marrow becomes less efficient at producing the stem cells which create the cells of the immune system.

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As you can see, consuming a healthy diet can improve immunity. Find out what else healthy foods can do by signing up to Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Specialised Nutrition Course. Read more about it here.

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Can I Exercise When I Have The Flu? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-i-exercise-when-i-have-the-flu/ Tue, 23 Mar 2021 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23422 Regular exercise plays a very big role in making sure that you are kept healthy and preventing illnesses. It strengthens your immune system and assists with fighting viral and bacterial infections. Ever hear the theory which says that you need to sweat out a cold or flu virus? It’s false. In fact, strenuous exercise when...

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Regular exercise plays a very big role in making sure that you are kept healthy and preventing illnesses. It strengthens your immune system and assists with fighting viral and bacterial infections.

Ever hear the theory which says that you need to sweat out a cold or flu virus? It’s false. In fact, strenuous exercise when you’re ill can be incredibly dangerous to your health. In addition, you could also collapse if you go back to an intense exercise programme too soon after having the flu or additional flu-like illnesses.

The reason for this is that viral infections, such as the flu, may cause temporary muscle weakness which extends to the muscle cells in your heart. A heart which is weakened by a viral infection may be further weakened by strenuous exercise. Putting strain on an infected heart muscle may lead to further inflammation, or even paralysis, of the muscle.

Can Exercise Prevent The Flu?

Well, the jury is still on recess about this one. However, what we do know is that the best way to remain healthy and well is to make sure that you safeguard your immune system. When you perform any type of exercise, your white blood cells – which are the ones that fight infections – travel through your body quicker and do their jobs better.

Fitness experts say you should get – at a minimum – 30 minutes of moderate cardio each day. Examples are like walking, swimming, biking, or running.

There are a whole hosts of other benefits to being more active, such as less stress and better sleep. Stress is extraordinarily bad for your body and mind but the good news is that you can ease it with regular exercise. Get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night, too, because that also helps keep your body’s defences in good shape.

When To Go Back To Exercising

Ask your doctor when’s the best time for up to return to full-on exercise. Your decision should be based on factors such as  any underlying chronic illness; if you’re infectious to others; as well as your ability to perform safely without there being any chance of relapse.

In addition, going back to a pre-illness training programme too soon may result in further illness, so you need to be patient. And while it can be trying not to exercise, particularly if you’re training for specific events, rather rest and recover entirely before putting on your training shoes again.

Your initial workout once you’ve recovered should be extremely light. Start with low-impact active recovery exercises – such as walking, yoga, swimming or cycling at a low intensity. You can then progress slowly to return to your normal routine.

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What Is Rebound Therapy? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-rebound-therapy-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 09:30:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23412 The phrase ‘rebound therapy’, when applied correctly, describes a specific methodology, assessment as well as programme of using trampolines in order to provide opportunities for enhanced movement patterns, therapeutic positioning, exercise as well as recreation for a wide range of users with additional needs. This therapy is utilised in order to enhance movement patterns; develop...

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The phrase ‘rebound therapy’, when applied correctly, describes a specific methodology, assessment as well as programme of using trampolines in order to provide opportunities for enhanced movement patterns, therapeutic positioning, exercise as well as recreation for a wide range of users with additional needs.

This therapy is utilised in order to enhance movement patterns; develop and promote motor skills, body awareness, balance, coordination as well as communication. It is an extremely enjoyable physical activity and is utilised to great effect as a cross-curricular teaching tool.

Where Did It Start?

Although the idea of using trampolines in special education has been in existence existed since the 1950s, it was not up until the 1970s that the idea of Rebound Therapy was established by the physiotherapist, remedial gymnast as well as head teacher Eddy Anderson. He worked with children with both physical and learning disabilities.

In 1992, after the interest from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy as well as the British Trampoline Federation, Anderson offered training courses to both organisations in the use and application of Rebound Therapy after many years of working in education and delivering Rebound Therapy on staff development courses. From 2011, Rebound Therapy has been introduced into countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Canada, and the USA.

Who is Rebound Therapy For?

Rebound therapy is for almost anyone! This type of therapy may be used in order to facilitate movement, promote balance, affect muscle tone, clear secretions, promote sensory integration, improve fitness and exercise tolerance, promote relaxation, and improve communication skills. Rebound therapy is individualised and can be adapted for use in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, trampolining/gymnastics, recreational activity… the list goes on.

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What Are The Benefits Of Rebound Therapy?

The benefits of rebound therapy may include the following:

  • Improved exercise tolerance, stamina and balance,
  • Improved muscle tone and coordination,
  • Relaxation, and
  • Fun

During rebound therapy,  stretching, walking, bouncing and other exercises may be done using gym balls, hoops and other pieces of equipment while on the trampoline.

Other benefits of rebound therapy include:

  • Strength of limbs
  • Numeracy
  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Independence
  • Self-confidence
  • Balance
  • Muscle tone
  • Reaction speed
  • Self-image
  • Eye contact
  • Relaxation
  • Freedom of movement
  • Sense of achievement
  • Stamina
  • Spatial awareness
  • Body awareness
  • Social awareness
  • Consideration of others
  • Trust and confidence in coach/assistant
  • Colour recognition
  • Height and depth perception
  • Fun and enjoyment
  • Stimulation of the digestive system
  • Improved bowel function
  • Internal organ massage
  • Clearing of toxins from the body
  • Respiratory benefits

In order to gain definitive benefit – as well as a carry-over from a rebound therapy session – it is very important that it is done alongside physiotherapy sessions. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to warm-up and cool-down prior to, and after, a rebound therapy session as well as how to stretch and strengthen in order to gain maximum benefit from the gravity-free situation on the trampoline.

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Why Pilates Can Work Wonders For Your Health? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-pilates-can-work-wonders-for-your-health-learn-more/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23404 As an approach to fitness which emphasises strength, flexibility as well as precision, Pilates is often compared and contrasted with yoga owing to their health benefits. Indeed, even though the advantages to be gleaned from yoga often coincide with Pilates, the latter nevertheless offers many unique benefits to bodily health and performance. If you have...

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As an approach to fitness which emphasises strength, flexibility as well as precision, Pilates is often compared and contrasted with yoga owing to their health benefits. Indeed, even though the advantages to be gleaned from yoga often coincide with Pilates, the latter nevertheless offers many unique benefits to bodily health and performance.

If you have never tried out Pilates, chances are that you could have a few ideas of what a class entails in addition to the common benefits. Many fitness experts will eagerly attest to the benefits that a Pilates practice offers in both body as well as mind.

Pilates is so effective, and is also so powerful, that when it is properly taught, it can make your entire body stronger – as well as more flexible – in no time at all. Besides strength and flexibility, Pilates can help with everything from enhanced posture to better breathing, greater mood as well as noticeable weight loss as well as tone. The effects can even be felt after a one single class, and after a week or month, chances are very good that you will be hooked for life.

Entire Body Fitness

As a holistic approach toward physical fitness, Pilates promotes strength as well as soundness throughout your whole body. As Pilates utilises all of your body’s areas and muscles, regular practice with a qualified Pilates trainer will eventually help you to attain more energetic physical health from head to toe

Pilates Is Adaptable To Different Fitness Levels

One of the ultimate things about Pilates is its accessibility to people at all physical fitness levels. There is a broad range of different sorts of Pilates classes and techniques which cater to everyone from seasoned athletes to older adults who are recovering from recent injuries.

Improved Flexibility

Pilates puts a premium focus on flexibility – and for good reason. Improving your flexibility as well as mobility can be fundamental to unlocking your body’s physical fitness potential by giving the range of motion which you need in order to excel at all other forms of physical performance and training. Examples are running and swimming to intensive weight training.

Whether you are a senior who is starting to exercise, an athlete, or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates movement will apply to you. Going from core strength, focusing on proper alignment, and a body/mind integrative approach make Pilates accessible to all. With thousands of possible exercises and modifications, the workouts can suit individuals. There are endless ways you can modify the exercises and even specific considerations for Pilates for men.

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How To Cope With Stiffness After A Workout? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-cope-with-stiffness-after-a-workout-read-this-article/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23400 Sore muscles post a workout can go from the uncomfortable to incapacitating. After-work out soreness is extremely common, however that doesn’t make it any more bearable for the individuals who are experiencing it. However, it may be encouraging to know that – 9 times out of 10 – it’s a normal reaction to your training...

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Sore muscles post a workout can go from the uncomfortable to incapacitating. After-work out soreness is extremely common, however that doesn’t make it any more bearable for the individuals who are experiencing it.

However, it may be encouraging to know that – 9 times out of 10 – it’s a normal reaction to your training stimulus. So for individuals who are bothered by sore muscles after a workout, it’s not a big surprise that they would like to know what they are able to do to stop it.

It assists to understand what’s instigating that muscle discomfort—what specialists refer to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Once you have the understanding which is behind that discomfort, you will be able to focus on treatment—or, in other cases – what you are able to do in order to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Post Strenuous Physical Activity

After taking part in some sort of strenuous physical activity, mainly something which is new to your body, it is very common to experience muscle soreness. Muscles go through a lot of physical stress when we take part in exercise.  Mild soreness just a natural consequence of just about any kind of physical activity. They’re most prevalent in beginning stages of a workout programme.

Exercise experts believe that DOMS is a result of the small tears to your muscle fibres which occur while you’re working out. The small microtears to our muscles produce pain and lead in inflammation. The pain frequently starts to develop between 12 and 24 hours after your workout and it peaks around 24 – 72 hours after your exercise training stimulus.

The Same As Building Muscle

This is essentially the same process which is involved in building muscle. When your muscle fibres build back after these tears, these recover and come back stronger than ever before. It’s a normal part of the muscle-building as well as strength-building procedure.

However, more DOMS does not necessarily equal better or faster muscle-building or strength-building results. In fact, getting too sore after an exercise routine can be counterproductive to those fitness goals as you may find yourself skipping a few workouts owing to the discomfort.

There are varying degrees of pain which depend on how much damage has been done (as well as other factors like genetics in addition how hydrated you are). Regularly experiencing an extreme level of soreness isn’t something you should make a habit of.

It Affects Everyone

Anyone can get DOMS, from weekend warriors to select athletes. The muscle soreness is just a symptom of utilising your muscles and also placing stresses on them which are leading to adaptations in order to make them stronger as well as better able to do the task the next time.

However, for the deconditioned person starting out, this can be intimidating. People starting an exercise program need guidance. The big challenge is with individuals who aren’t very fit and go out and attempt these things. They become all excited to begin a new class and the instructors don’t tell them that they could get sore.

To them they could feel very sore and as they aren’t familiar with it, they may worry that they’ve hurt themselves. Then they won’t want to do it again. Letting them know it’s OK to be sore may help them work through that first few days without being discouraged.

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What Are The Benefits Of Ankle Weights? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-ankle-weights-find-out-more/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23389 Ankle weights are one of the most vital tools in producing toned, lean legs as well as a lifted butt. The added weight on your ankles allow the muscles to activate and work just sufficiently hard to become prominent without breaking down as well as bulking. As a result, you will feel muscles that you...

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Ankle weights are one of the most vital tools in producing toned, lean legs as well as a lifted butt. The added weight on your ankles allow the muscles to activate and work just sufficiently hard to become prominent without breaking down as well as bulking. As a result, you will feel muscles that you normally keep dormant.

When you’re doing your workout routine, and you want to raise the stakes easily, adding in some wearable ankle weights to your routine is perhaps one of the top ideas for increasing your overall body strength and calorie burn.

It’s quite straightforward. Slip them on and then carry on with your workout. If you’re walking, jogging, running, or jumping you simply add some weights and this makes your muscles work harder. In addition, it adds changes to the mechanics of your gait. This is what makes this type of exercise equipment highly popular and ankle weights have been incorporated into numerous exercises throughout the years – especially aerobics.

The Versatility Of Ankle Weights

Part of the reason why ankle weights are so fantastic is that they’re versatile. You are able to bring them anywhere, strap them to your feet while you’re travelling. Utilise them on your ankles or in your hands as weights if you’re stuck at a gym-less hotel.

When utilised correctly, ankle weights are also able to target and isolate muscles which grow weak (the glutes, which are not active all day from sitting, for instance). They can be very useful in a physical therapy setting, if you’re suffering from something such as injured or weak hamstrings or knee issues.

Free Movement

They allow you to move freely as well as perform movements you can’t with traditional weight equipment. Ankle weights give you the opportunity to move in nearly every direction and rotation imaginable, This is particularly important for hip work as it is a ‘ball joint’ which moves in all directions. It’s important that you strengthen the numerous movement patterns and large and small muscles which are at play.

Even just walking around with them on your feet may make a difference. Wearing ankle weights can include impact forces, which may assist with maintaining bone density.

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Using Ankle Weights

Ankle weights can be utilised in a number of different ways in order to achieve various results. Changing up the weight with several different exercises makes you feel things differently by using different muscles as well as engaging those hard-to-reach areas.

Attempt to use your ankle in order to activate the hips by means of propulsion or to activate specific parts of the butt in the process of accelerating and decelerating the motion. Depending on if you are on the mat doing glute lifts, or standing up doing legs lifts, the weight which you use makes a difference in where you are able to feel it.

For exercises which have a big range of motion, for example a leg lift that is at the end range, make sure that you keep the weight light in order to allow you to reach the correct muscles and assist with balance. With glute lifts, utilise a medium weight in order to really make your butt work without putting undue strain on your back.

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What Is The Ketogenic Diet? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-the-ketogenic-diet/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23394 The ketogenic diet is an extremely low-carb, high-fat diet which shares a lot of similarities with the Atkins and low carb diets. This diet involves significantly reducing carbohydrate intake and then substituting it with fat. This decrease in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. This diet typically limits carbs to 20...

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The ketogenic diet is an extremely low-carb, high-fat diet which shares a lot of similarities with the Atkins and low carb diets. This diet involves significantly reducing carbohydrate intake and then substituting it with fat.

This decrease in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. This diet typically limits carbs to 20 to 50 grams per day. While this may seem challenging, many nutritious foods can easily fit into this way of eating.

When your body happens to be in a state of ketosis, it becomes incredibly effective at burning fat for energy. In addition, your body also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy for your brain. Ketogenic diets may cause significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Who Should NOT Go On A Ketogenic Diet?

There are a number of different controversies – as well as myths – about a ketogenic diet. However, for most individuals, it appears to be very safe. Controversial topics related to the this diet include:

  • Saturated fats,
  • Cholesterol,
  • Whole grains, and
  • Red meat.

This being said, three groups often need special consideration:

  • Do you take medication for diabetes, for example insulin?
  • Do you take medication to curb high blood pressure?
  • Are you breastfeeding?

The main potential danger about medications, e.g. for diabetes, is where doses may need to be adapted. What you ultimately need to do is to discuss any changes in medication and relevant lifestyle changes with your doctor.

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What Are The Different Variations Of Ketogenic Diets?

There are a number of different versions of the ketogenic diet: These include the following:

Standard Ketogenic Diet (SKD)

This type of ketogenic diet is a very low carb, moderate protein and high fat diet. It usually contains 70% fat, 20% protein as well as only 10% carbs.

Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD)

This format of the diet involves periods of higher carb refeeds, such as five ketogenic days, followed by two high-carb days.

Targeted Ketogenic Diet (TKD)

The TKD diet gives you the opportunity to add carbs around workouts.

High-Protein Ketogenic Diet

This is very similar to a standard ketogenic diet, however,  includes more protein. The ratio is very frequently 60% fat, 35% protein as well as 5% carbs.

However, just the standard and high-protein types of ketogenic diets have been studied extensively. Cyclical or targeted ketogenic diets are more advanced methods and are mainly used by bodybuilders or athletes.

This diet can be utilised in order to achieve weight loss, blood sugar management as well as other health-related goals. Very fortunately,  this diet can include a wide variety of nutritious, tasty, and versatile foods that will allow you to keep within your daily carbohydrate range. In order to reap all the health benefits of a ketogenic diet, consume keto-friendly foods on a regular basis.

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Is Fish Oil Beneficial For Bodybuilders? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-fish-oil-beneficial-for-bodybuilders-find-out-more/ Wed, 17 Mar 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23375 Fish oil is commonly taken in order to promote heart, brain, eye as well as joint health. However, bodybuilders – as well as other athletes – also utilise this widespread supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties. Some bodybuilding afficionados believe that it may boost muscle strength, improve range of motion in addition to providing numerous other...

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Fish oil is commonly taken in order to promote heart, brain, eye as well as joint health. However, bodybuilders – as well as other athletes – also utilise this widespread supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties. Some bodybuilding afficionados believe that it may boost muscle strength, improve range of motion in addition to providing numerous other benefits.

What Is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is a nutritional supplement that is harvested from fatty fish. These fish include sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna as well as herring.

Manufacturers are able to use many different methods in order to harvest fish oil, however most techniques usually involve a four-stage process which involves cooking, pressing, filtering as well as centrifuging the finished product.

Fish oils have omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These are crucial fatty acids which the body is unable to make for itself. The three main omega-3 fatty acids are:

  • Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA),
  • Its metabolites docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

While vegetables – in addition to other plant foods – may contain ALA, the body is not able to use it as easily as DHA or EPA. As fish is a rich dietary supply of both DHA and EPA, individuals may consume fish in order to boost levels of these omega-3 fatty acids. Those who do not often consume fish consider taking fish oil supplements.

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The Advantage Of Fish Oil For Bodybuilders

Reducing The Effects Of DOMS

It’s extremely common to feel sore after you’ve worked out. In fact, some individuals start to feel sore and stiff between 12 and 72 hours after unfamiliar or exhausting exercise. This situation is commonly known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and this may be caused by inflammation in your muscle cells.

DOMS usually affects bodybuilders. In addition, it can also hinder workout motivation as well as performance. While massage may reduce the symptoms of DOMS, fish oil may also help by restricting muscle damage and inflammation after resistance exercise.

Improving Workout Quality

Some research makes the suggestion that the EPA and DHA in fish oil could improve workout performance. This is because their anti-inflammatory properties could prevent – or even reduce a decline in strength and range of motion that results from intensive exercise.

May Assist With Muscle Health As You Age

Ageing is associated with the gradual loss of muscle mass. After the age of 30, muscle mass declines by 0.1–0.5% per year. You’ll notice a dramatic increase in loss after age 65.

As you get older, it becomes more challenging to maintain – as well as build – muscle. This is partially due to a decreased response to both resistance training and protein intake

Interestingly enough, the anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil may also enhance your muscles’ sensitivity to protein and resistance training. This will allow you to achieve greater gains in muscle size and strength as you age.

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What Is The Hip Hike Exercise? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-hip-hike-exercise-find-out-in-this-article/ Tue, 16 Mar 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23361 The hip hike exercise is a very straightforward movement when it is done correctly. However, this exercise may have far-reaching benefits as it is responsible for strengthening the hip abductor muscles. You can also perform the hip hike exercise by holding a chair to steady yourself. Make sure that you’re standing on a low, but...

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The hip hike exercise is a very straightforward movement when it is done correctly. However, this exercise may have far-reaching benefits as it is responsible for strengthening the hip abductor muscles. You can also perform the hip hike exercise by holding a chair to steady yourself. Make sure that you’re standing on a low, but stable, platform before you start.

The hip abductors are vital to pelvic stability and are among the muscles which enable us to walk, run, climb stairs and perform any movement that necessitates our legs moving away from the midline of our body.

How To Do The Hip Hike Exercise

Stand sideways with a resistance band positioned around your body and resting on one hip. The band will pull your pelvis inwards.

Support your bodyweight entirely on the inside leg which is farthest from the band. The other leg needs to touch the floor lightly for stability. Alternatively, you can also lift the leg off the floor or stand with one leg on a raised platform which the other hanging off.

If you have trouble with your balance,  to start off with you can hold on to something stable as we mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

Push your pelvis out against the band until the left side of your pelvis is higher than the right. The hip abductors, of which the gluteus medius is a part, pull the pelvis and create lateral flexion. It is incredibly important that you make sure that keep your pelvis stable.

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Variations On The Hip Hike Exercise

You are able to change the load by altering the position of the band on your pelvis. In addition, you can change the load by stretching the band.

Weak gluteus medius muscles are a very common reason for knee valgus, ITB syndrome as well as hip and lower back problems. Inefficient pelvic and/or hip stabilisation may affect lower back, hip, knee and ankle problems. You should strengthen your hip abductors in order to help prevent all of these problems.

Stretching and strengthening the muscles in your hip helps build stability and flexibility so you can move with ease and avoid injury. Many people have weak or inflexible hips due to excessive sitting and too little exercise. Athletes who overuse their hips can also experience pain and injury.

Use this movement to start off your strength training routine before including more complex lower leg as well as balance movements to your regimen. You’ll find that you’ll be stronger later into your runs and feeling significantly less pain after just a few sessions.

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Is Suspension Training Good For Building Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-suspension-training-good-for-building-muscle/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:15:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23320 Suspension training has traditionally been seen as a good exercise for developing stability. However, now there’s solid evidence that this sort of training should be taken seriously as a muscle-building tool. In a study that was recently published, a group of experienced gym-goers – who all had at least four months of experience in terms...

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Suspension training has traditionally been seen as a good exercise for developing stability. However, now there’s solid evidence that this sort of training should be taken seriously as a muscle-building tool.

In a study that was recently published, a group of experienced gym-goers – who all had at least four months of experience in terms of working with unstable training systems – performed press-ups using four different suspension training devices, in addition to their own bodyweight.

It was found that, on average, all four suspension training devices scored higher as opposed to the floor version of the exercise in terms of muscle activation.

The Best Way To Build Muscle

When it comes to working out in order to build muscle, you first need to assess your fitness goals.  Are you looking to:

  • Bulk up,
  • Gain strength, or
  • Get a combination of the two?

The reason that it is vital to figure out your goals before beginning a routine is that each piece of exercise equipment that can be found in the gym does something totally different for you. And that is true for suspension training as opposed to weight machines.

While you do build muscle using suspension training (especially muscles of your core), you are limited to the weight of your body in order to build that strength. A suspension trainer (cables) hangs from the wall. Then you hold on to them – either with your hands or feet through the loops -and do you’re the suspension training workout that you want to.

With weight machines, your range of motion is not as great as it is with suspension training however you can add more weight as you become stronger which leaves you with a lot of room to grow your muscles.

Many studies have shown that suspension training forces you to engage more muscles than you would with a traditional workout, especially the push-up. And, with the benefits that you get with engaging your core every single time, together with its compactness and diversity, the suspension trainer may just be the only tool you need in the gym.

What Are The Pros Of Suspension Training?

Offers A Wide Range Of Exercises

Squats, rows, presses, curls, extensions and raises – a suspension-training system is versatile to the extreme. Chances are very good that if you are able to do it with a free weight, you will be able to figure out a challenging variation with the suspension trainer.

Engages The Entire Body

In addition to core activation, a suspension trainer functionally integrates the whole posterior chain. This means that it hits the rear delts, traps, external obliques, spinal erectors, glutes, hamstrings, and calves during most exercises that you perform with it.

Can Be Used Almost Anywhere

You are able to hook it to a door, a pole, a pullup bar or the top of a squat rack. With your own suspension system—which is very affordable—you are able to ensure that you never miss another workout, whether you’re at home or on the road.

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How Long Does It Take to Restore Lost Fitness? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-restore-lost-fitness/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:10:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23306 When it comes down to fitness, we’ve all heard of the saying, “Use It or Lose It”. While it’s very true that when you stop exercising you will lose fitness, how fast you lose it depends on several factors. These include how old you are, how fit you happen to be, how long you have...

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When it comes down to fitness, we’ve all heard of the saying, “Use It or Lose It”. While it’s very true that when you stop exercising you will lose fitness, how fast you lose it depends on several factors. These include how old you are, how fit you happen to be, how long you have been exercising as well as how long you stopped.

Losing fitness when you cease working out also called detraining or deconditioning. This is one of the major tenets of conditioning.

The fundamental principle of use/disuse just means that when we cease exercising, we usually begin to decondition and also lose both strength as well as aerobic fitness. Many of us need to stop exercising, from time to time, for any number of reasons. Illness, injury, holidays, work, travel as well as social commitments often interfere with training routines. When this takes place, we will often see a decline in our level of conditioning.

Let’s Talk Numbers

It doesn’t matter if you’re of normal fitness, or if you’re a marathon runner – levels of fitness drop fast. It goes without saying that the marathon runner’s fitness would still be better as opposed to a person whose chief exercise is walking because the marathon runner was fitter in the first place.

However, after a week of no training, both would be half as fit as they were the last time they worked out. Cardio fitness is the first to go and after about two weeks, you’ll probably start to show between a 7-10% loss in strength levels.

Regarding cardio, you will pretty quickly notice a vast difference in your body’s ability to transport as well as utilise oxygen. This will show up in the form of you getting puffed out easily, sweating more profusely and feeling tired.

On the strength side, when there is no stimulus, your muscle mass will decrease. Some research suggests that in just a week you can lose up to 10% of your muscle mass. Over three months, you will lose the majority of your gains.

Getting Back In Shape

If you’re resuming your strength-training routine after a break, begin with lighter weights or fewer reps (if you’re doing bodyweight exercises) than what you’re used to. Increase the weight gradually in order to give your tendons time in order to regain their elasticity.

You don’t just lose strength in your muscles when you take an extended break from weight-lifting. You will also lose elasticity in your tendons (these are responsible for attaching muscle to bone). When your tendons are elastic, they’re more able to generate – as well as absorb – force during high-impact movements. Examples are sprints, plyometrics in addition to heavy weight-training.

Some people go right back to lifting heavy weights while their tendons are still quite stiff: This is where the tendons run the risk of tearing or breaking. So, whatever you do, don’t attempt to pick up where you left off.

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Would you like learn more about developing into a fitness expert? If you do, then check out our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course here.

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What Is A Good Age To Start Kickboxing? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-good-age-to-start-kickboxing/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:05:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23291 Two questions that we are commonly faced with are “What is the best age to start kickboxing?” and “What age is too old to start kickboxing?” When it comes down to kickboxing, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Kids as young as six can start to train and we know of some people in their 80s...

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Two questions that we are commonly faced with are “What is the best age to start kickboxing?” and “What age is too old to start kickboxing?” When it comes down to kickboxing, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Kids as young as six can start to train and we know of some people in their 80s who train more than once a week. It is very true that kids may sometimes learn faster than adults. In addition, children can quickly become comfortable with the skills and moves in kickboxing.

Very often, children who start off kickboxing drop out after a year or two. As a result, they never really reach a level at which they are able to adequately perform in a sparring event or competition.

We do see many adults going back in their 20s and even 30s who had trained as a child and want to go back. However, because there was a gap of a number of years, kickboxing skills will need to be re-learned. So either as an adult coming back to kickboxing or as a new adult to the sport, you will still be able to learn the sport. At the end of the day it all comes down to your dedication to training.

If you want to take up kickboxing at a competitive level it is necessary to train multiple times a week.

Kickboxing defined

The term “kickboxing” is something of a catchall. In Southeast Asia, the terms can refer to Cambodia’s Pradal Serey, Lethwei from Burma, the Filipino Yaw Yan, or the immensely trendy Muay Thai. All of these kickboxing styles permit the use of elbows as well as knees during fights.

However, in the United States kickboxing is more a mixture of boxing and karate. It strictly bans strikes with anything save the hands and feet. In addition, attacking an opponent’s groin, legs or – alternatively – back is also off-limits.

Kickboxing isn’t just a great way to shred calories and also to build muscle. The sport also improves balance, coordination as well as flexibility. And research suggests that cardio kickboxing might help strengthen bones to ward off osteoporosis in the future.

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How Often Should I Do Kickboxing?

It is recommended that kickboxers train at least once a week. Competitive kickboxers can train up to seven days a week. Olympic athletes or world champions would be required to have this amount of dedication in order for them to compete at the highest levels.

Even at national kickboxing levels kickboxing students would compete between four and five times a week. For kids under the age of 16, it’s not recommended that they do kickboxing more than twice a week. It is more important that a child is more rounded and also has other activities on their schedule  and not just kickboxing training.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you do then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about this course and to book, please follow this link.

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Why Is Aqua Aerobics Good For You? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-aqua-aerobics-good-for-you-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23298 If you’re looking, high and low, for a low-impact workout that is varying in intensity and fun fitness pool exercises then water aerobics is for you! Aerobic exercises are a phenomenal way of getting in shape while still enjoying the social aspect of working out in a class. Aqua aerobics classes are a superb way...

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If you’re looking, high and low, for a low-impact workout that is varying in intensity and fun fitness pool exercises then water aerobics is for you! Aerobic exercises are a phenomenal way of getting in shape while still enjoying the social aspect of working out in a class.

Aqua aerobics classes are a superb way of mixing up a traditional gym workout with the amazing benefits of water. It just takes a few aqua aerobics sessions and you’ll see a massive difference in your overall fitness levels.

Also termed as water aerobics or sometimes waterobics, the usual classes will involve all the exercises which you would expect in a ‘dry’ class. However, there are added bonuses when you exercise in water.

Improving Your Heart Rate

Regularly taking part in water aerobics or water exercise classes can assist with improving heart health as well as cardiovascular strength. The water’s pressure acts as your best friend in the pool and assists with  circulating the blood in your body more effectively. As your heart continues to beat and pump away with less strain and pressure over time, effectively you lower your risk of heart disease. Water exercises have even been shown to help lower high blood pressure.

Mental And Physical Wellness

he natural resistance of water has the effect of increasing strength while – at the same time – making sure that you are kept cool and comfortable. Only 150 minutes of a pool workout per week may help to decrease your risk of chronic illness.

Water aerobics may improve your cardiovascular and respiratory system in the same ways as cycling or running. Water is roughly 800 times denser as opposed to air, which means that it offers about 12 times more resistance. That means the moves you do in the pool can work your entire body, particularly your arms, legs, shoulders, and core.

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Toning Muscles And Burning Calories

Exercising in the water is a terrific way to burn calories as well as to better tone your muscles. As water is thicker than air, and is more resistant, our bodies and muscles must work harder so ensuring more rounded and fuller workouts.

Confidence Booster

Pool exercise is able to boost your confidence if you are overwhelmed by conventional exercise routines. In the water, you are largely submerged, so no one is able to see if you get the moves wrong. If you are a beginner at water aerobics, you will be able to build a level of fitness which you can then carry over in order to feel more confident when you’re exercising on land.

Water is naturally reassuring. If you miss your footing on land, gravity will take over and then you will most likely fall and hurt yourself. In water there is no necessity to worry about falling as the water will not give you the opportunity to. It will support you during all of your exercises.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’d like to become an aerobics instructor then you should check out our Aerobics Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

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How To Use Fitness To Ease Stress? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-fitness-to-ease-stress-learn-more/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23283 Practically any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga and anything in between, can act as a stress-reliever. Even if you’re not an athlete, or even if you’re not in the greatest shape, you can still make a little bit of exercise go a long way towards stress management. Chronic tension may very well be...

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Practically any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga and anything in between, can act as a stress-reliever. Even if you’re not an athlete, or even if you’re not in the greatest shape, you can still make a little bit of exercise go a long way towards stress management.

Chronic tension may very well be the culprit behind both long-term conditions such as depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as high blood pressure. It can also be the mastermind behind everyday health woes such as headaches, back pain, insomnia, upset stomach, anxiety and even anger.

Women Suffer More From Stress Than Men

Research demonstrates that women experience it more acutely than men. In addition, it is more probable that women will suffer from the physiological effects of chronic stress.

The human body was not expected to sit all day. Just getting up and then moving around is a powerful way of reducing stress as it gives our muscles the opportunity to move, promotes blood flow as well as helping us feel more like ourselves.

Exercise also gets us breathing deeper, which is responsible for triggering the body’s relaxation response.

Get Moving

A successful exercise programme starts with a few simple steps.

Ask With Your Doctor

If you haven’t done any exercise for some time, or you suffer from health concerns, you may want to speak with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

Walk Before You Run

Gradually build up your fitness level. Excitement about a new fitness programme can lead to overdoing it and perhaps even injury.

For most healthy adults, it is recommended getting at least 150 minutes of mild aerobic activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate as well as vigorous activity.

Examples of mild aerobic activity include brisk walking or swimming, and vigorous aerobic activity could include running or biking. Greater amounts of exercise will offer even more health benefits.

Also, you should aim to do strength training exercises for all your major muscle groups at least twice a week.

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Do What You Love

Almost any form of exercise or movement could increase your fitness level while slicing your stress. The most critical thing that you need to do is to select an activity which you enjoy. Superb examples include the following:

  • Walking,
  • Climbing stairs,
  • Going for a job,
  • Dancing,
  • Taking a bike ride,
  • Yoga,
  • Tai chi,
  • Working in the garden,
  • Weightlifting, as well as
  • Swimming

Keep in mind that it’s not necessary for you to join a gym in order to get moving. Take a walk with the dog or your children, try out body-weight exercises or try out a yoga video at home.

Put It In Your Diary

You could need to do a workout in the morning on one day and an evening activity the next. However, carving out some time in order to move every day assist you with making your exercise programme an ongoing priority. Aim to incorporate exercise in your schedule during your week.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a master personal trainer? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Is Functional Strength Training? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-functional-strength-training-find-out-more/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23287 Functional strength training is defined as training which attempts to mimic the specific physiological requirements of real-life activities. Functional training – for example resistance exercises and body-weight movements – can assist you with becoming stronger, more flexible, agiler as well as better equipped to handle day-to-day feats of strength and athleticism which are often overlooked....

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Functional strength training is defined as training which attempts to mimic the specific physiological requirements of real-life activities. Functional training – for example resistance exercises and body-weight movements – can assist you with becoming stronger, more flexible, agiler as well as better equipped to handle day-to-day feats of strength and athleticism which are often overlooked. In addition, it can help you become less injury-prone.

While functional strength training is commonly perceived as a form of core training, core training itself could be deemed to be a subset of functional strength training. This is because core training is the practice of unrestricted motion against resistance. It focuses on stabiliser muscles of your back, abdomen as well as your sides. Functional strength training extends the same discipline to your entire body.

In any case, functional strength training involves unrestricted movement against resistance, in which the exerciser defines the exercise motion.

Who Can Benefit From Functional Strength Training?

Functional strength training is something that all adults could really benefit from. The good news is that it’s never too late to reap the benefits.

A study, which was conducted of 87 adults aged between 65 and 93 years, showed that functional ability improved for functionally restricted elderly people who took part in a 16-week structured exercise programme consisting of 13 different strength-training exercises utilising a Thera-Band resistance band.

In another study which was conducted, researchers tested the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training on the following:

  • Isometric strength,
  • Explosive power, and
  • Selected functional abilities.

The subjects were healthy women aged 75 and over. They saw statistically significant improvements in 4 out of 5 exercises measured.

The science is clear: functional strength training is something which everyone can benefit from. Unfortunately, most aren’t doing it.

A common question is that in order to build functional strength, do you have to start benching, squatting, and deadlifting heavyweights? Not if you don’t want to, and for some, that might even a barrier to even getting started. That’s why we listed several exercises that don’t require weights to help you get started.

How To Get Started

One of the benefits that functional strength training has is that it can successfully be done with very little equipment.

The functional training is built on just six movement patterns:

  • Squat,
  • Lunge,
  • Push,
  • Pull,
  • Bend, as well as
  • Core.

Strength training in these six movement patterns can be performed in a number of different environments including a garage gym, commercial gym, a school hall, functional fitness gym, OPEX Gym – basically anywhere with space as well as some free weights.

When beginning functional strength training focus on learning how to do the basic movement patterns and building motor control of your muscles. As you’re new to this type of training you can train the full body multiple times a week as you will be able to adapt and recover very quickly. All beginners would benefit from training under the watchful eye of a personal trainer.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover additional information about functional strength training then we recommend that you do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Does A Life Coach Do Exactly? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-does-a-life-coach-do-exactly/ Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23264 A life coach is a type of health and wellness professional who assists people with making progress in their lives. This is so that they can attain greater fulfilment. In addition, life coaches help their clients in improving their relationships, careers as well as their day-to-day lives. Life coaches undergo extensive training which teaches them...

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A life coach is a type of health and wellness professional who assists people with making progress in their lives. This is so that they can attain greater fulfilment. In addition, life coaches help their clients in improving their relationships, careers as well as their day-to-day lives.

Life coaches undergo extensive training which teaches them how to ask the right questions, communicate effectively and also get to the heart of your needs as well as desires in life. They’re often trained in a specific coaching method.

Life coaches can assist you with clarifying your goals, identifying the obstacles which are holding you back, and then devising strategies for overcoming each obstacle. In creating these strategies, life coaches are able to target your unique skills and gifts. By helping you to make the most of your strengths, life coaches provide the support you need to achieve long-lasting change.

A Helping Hand

We all need a little assistance sometimes – particularly when it comes to journeys of self-discovery. Whether your aim is to be more confident or to seek out fulfilment in a passion project, it can be pretty challenging to figure out how to progress from point A (pin-pointing a goal) to point B (really going after – and then achieving – that goal).

This is where a life coach will step in. The same as with a therapist, a life coach is a person who is able to help you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses and then overcome obstacles holding you back. However,  who you should see depends on your issues in addition to what you’re hoping to achieve.

The Actual Tasks Of A Life Coach

Well, you know what a sports coach is responsible for doing? They assist an individual or team with identifying a goal (in other words,. winning). After this, they develop a plan for that person or group to achieve the goal which has been set out. It’s pretty simple and the same is equally valid for life coaching.

Life coaching concentrates on what’s taking place right now, what a person wants next as well as how that gap may be bridged. Coaching is about assisting people with:

  • Identifying the stumbling blocks that keep getting in their way,
  • Assisting them with finding the motivation to do what they need to do, and
  • Pinpointing any opposition to change.

A life coach is a wide term. You are also able to find business coaches, executive coaches, leadership coaches as well as health coaches. However,  a life coach is typically most helpful when you’re thinking about your overall future.

The Benefits Of Hiring A Life Coach

The exact benefits you will experience with life coaching depend on what your particular goals are. Some of the most common areas, which clients improve while working with a life coach, include the following:

  • Identifying goals as well as defining a vision for success
  • Establishing professional and personal growth plans
  • Identifying beliefs which are limiting
  • Working towards achieving financial independence
  • Striving for a work/life balance

At the end of the day, life coaching allows you the opportunity to maximise your potential in any area. Research demonstrates  that coaching and training is a far more effective combination than training alone. Training alone can increase productivity by 22.4%, but when combined with weekly life coaching, productivity is boosted by 88%.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen on learning more about what it takes to become a life coach, check out our Life Coaching Certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Kind Of Workout Is Pilates? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-kind-of-workout-is-pilates/ Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23267 Pilates isn’t only for fitness fanatics. It’s actually an incredibly accessible way for you to build strength in your core muscles. This will help you to attain a better posture as well as improved balance and flexibility. The first time that you take any new fitness class may be a little intimidating. However, for some...

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Pilates isn’t only for fitness fanatics. It’s actually an incredibly accessible way for you to build strength in your core muscles. This will help you to attain a better posture as well as improved balance and flexibility.

The first time that you take any new fitness class may be a little intimidating. However, for some reason, Pilates classes have an extra sense of “don’t do this if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.” But if you’ve wanted to try Pilates classes and something has been preventing you from doing so, now’s your time to sign up for your first session.

Pilates offers loads of benefits for your body, no matter your fitness background. Through Pilates, you’ll improve your posture, focus on your bodily alignment and will also get one heck of a core workout.

Strengthening Muscles And Improving Posture

Pilates is a type of low-impact exercise. Its aim to strengthen muscles while – at the same time – improving postural alignment as well as flexibility.

A Full-Body Workout

Pilates movements tend to concentrate on the core, although the exercises do work other areas of your body as well. You are able to do Pilates with or without equipment. However,  no matter what, expect the moves to involve slow, precise movements in addition to breath control.

Pilates is a full-body exercise methodology that will assist you with doing everything better. It strengthens and stabilises your core body, which is your foundation. This means that you will have the ability to move efficiently while improving your posture, flexibility, and mobility.

How Long Is A Typical Pilates Workout?

A typical Pilates workout is 45 minutes to an hour long.

Beginners Can Do Pilates

It’s a common misunderstanding that Pilates is only for very serious athletes or professional dancers. While these are the first groups to adopt the exercise, they aren’t the only ones who are able to benefit from this low-impact approach to strength training.

Another very common misperception is that Pilates necessitates specialised equipment. Perhaps you’ve seen a Pilates apparatus — which is called a Reformer — that looks like a bed frame with a sliding carriage with adjustable springs or, perhaps you’ve seen a kind of trapeze table.

But don’t let those machines intimidate you because the reality is that many Pilates exercises can be done on the floor with only using a mat.

Pilates And Injury Prevention

When doing Pilates, the tissues surrounding the joint are strengthened which therefore minimises the critical joint load (in other words, the load at which the joint will finally suffer). Collectively, this offers an improved psychological perspective of high risk situations. As a result the person’s muscles can respond more rapidly and effectively, which means that acute injury is minimised.

The on-going practice of Pilates will pre-condition the tissues to several exercises and loads. Slowly increasing the exercise load will increase the remodelling capacity and vascularisation of the tissues. This means that their ability to adapt and change is improved  which makes them a lower risk for injury because of their ability to respond to different challenges.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on becoming a Pilates instructor? Then check out our Pilates Instructor Course. Find out more here.

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How To Exercise Without Gym Equipment? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-without-gym-equipment-find-out-more/ Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23252 Going to the gym isn’t always the absolute best option when you want to exercise. In fact, every so often it just doesn’t make sense at all. Going to the gym can be costly – both for your bank account and your precious free-time. The good news is that bodyweight exercises may be just as...

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Going to the gym isn’t always the absolute best option when you want to exercise. In fact, every so often it just doesn’t make sense at all. Going to the gym can be costly – both for your bank account and your precious free-time. The good news is that bodyweight exercises may be just as effective as the moves you do with gym equipment. With the assistance of a little gravity, your own body is an amazing tool which you can use for challenging your muscles.

What Is A Body Weight Workout?

Bodyweight workouts are exercise regimens which use a person’s own bodyweight in order to create resistance. A bodyweight workout also improves:

  • Strength,
  • Flexibility,
  • Endurance, and
  • Coordination

If you’ve done a push-up before, well done! You’ve already done a bodyweight exercise without you probably even knowing it. Sometimes, you can use a resistance band in order to support an exercise.

While there are bodyweight exercises which you can do in a gym, having a calisthenics or – alternatively – a plyometrics routine means that you are able to stay in shape without the necessity for a gym membership or expensive equipment.

What Are The Benefits Of Bodyweight Exercises?

They’re Efficient

With a bodyweight exercise routine you are able to get impressive results from only short workouts. In addition, they can work alongside other types of exercises in order to boost performance.

They’re Both Strength And Cardio Exercises

Make sure that you keep your heart pumping while building muscle and flexibility.

They’re Exceptionally Good For Burning Fat

The burn continues long after the workout. For instance, one study found that a 45-minute bodyweight workout increases how quickly your body burns fat for 14 hours.

You Are Able To Switch Up With Ease

There is no wiping down and changing machines. In addition, there are no restrictions on how to exercise according to your ability level. It is not likely that you’ll bored during a bodyweight workout as the challenge stays.

You Have No Excuses Not To Exercise

It’s not necessary for you to be in a gym and sweating it out on the treadmill — you just need sufficient space to move around a bit.

The Results

Bodyweight exercises may very well help you get results. These workouts make use of compound movements which engage several joints and muscles with each move. This makes exercises – such as push-ups and lunges – super effective for improved strength as well as performance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a master exercise trainer and learn all about exercise – be it in a gym or outdoors – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information please follow this link.

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What Are The Best Exercises To Boost Brain Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-to-boost-brain-health/ Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23257 While you know that it is necessary for you to exercise your body, did you know that it is also vitally important for you to exercise your mind. You’ve probably heard of the old adage “use it or lose it”. Many researchers are of the firm belief that this maxim applies to your brain health...

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While you know that it is necessary for you to exercise your body, did you know that it is also vitally important for you to exercise your mind. You’ve probably heard of the old adage “use it or lose it”. Many researchers are of the firm belief that this maxim applies to your brain health as well.

We know that doing physical exercise, often, is important. This is especially as we get older and want to lessen our risk of developing diseases in addition to other health issues that are associated with ageing. For example:

  • Strength exercises may assist with building muscle and reducing the risk of osteoporosis,
  • Balance exercises can help to prevent falls, and
  • Flexibility and stretching exercises can help maintain range of motion to stay limber.

The Best Exercises For Brain Health

Regular aerobic exercises – such as running, biking and swimming – preserve existing brain cells while (at the same time) nurturing the growth and development of new ones.

In fact, a recent study which was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has uncovered a link between long-term moderate physical activity as well as an increase in volume of the hippocampus. (This is the segment of the brain that deals with the formation of long-term memories.) The hippocampus is the area which is the first to be damaged in Alzheimer’s disease.)

A Well-Balanced Exercise Routine

It’s important to include aerobic activity (such as walking, biking or swimming), along with strength training (such as lifting weights, Pilates or yoga) and balance exercises (such as tai chi or yoga) into your exercise regimen.

Strength training, stretching and balance exercises are extremely helpful in terms of improving your mood as well as enhancing your concentration and decision-making skills. This is all while keeping you strong, flexible and able to move about well as you get older. Regardless of what type of exercise it is that you do, make sure that you start slowly and warm up your muscles each time you exercise.

Eat Right

Be sure that you drink plenty of water in order to remain hydrated. Eat meals and snacks which are high in fibre. Examples are:

  • Oatmeal,
  • Fruits and vegetables,
  • Beans,
  • Tofu, and
  • Fish

People can take steps in order to keep their brains healthy, just as they know that they are able to prevent heart disease by taking a number of specific actions. In the foreseeable future, brain wellness to be right up there with heart health.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

As you can see, exercise has loads of benefits such as promoting brain health. If you want to learn what other benefits there are, and also discover the best way of teach people how to exercise, then you need to become a personal trainer. To make this happen, study our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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What Upper Body Strength Training Should Runners Do? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-upper-body-strength-training-should-runners-do/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 08:36:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23232 Nine times out of 10, runners don’t spend a lot of time contemplating the size of their biceps. And why should they? When all is said and done, it’s the legs which count. So, does this mean that upper body exercises for runners don’t mean anything? Running’s not just about your legs. This is because,...

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Nine times out of 10, runners don’t spend a lot of time contemplating the size of their biceps. And why should they? When all is said and done, it’s the legs which count. So, does this mean that upper body exercises for runners don’t mean anything?

Running’s not just about your legs. This is because, as you move through space where you’re running, the following happens:

  • Your core fires,
  • Your arms pump, as well as
  • Your entire body works together in order to drive you forward.

So, while logging the kilometres is still the best way in order for runners to train, don’t forget that you need to train the top half of your body with upper body exercises.

Making sure that you have a strong upper body makes you a more effective runner. A strong upper body helps in the forward movement of each stride. One’s abdominals and arm muscles provide give you support and coordination. All these elements combined allow the athlete to run more efficiently.

Upper Body Strength Training Ensures Better Posture

Ultimately, your running form dictates your performance potential. If you aren’t to keep proper form as well as posture throughout your training or event, you’ll never perform at your very best. Increasing upper-body strength could improve posture and help you to keep consistent form.

It Improves Your Arm Swing

Your arm swing is responsible for dictating your rhythm. And while you don’t want to pump your arms actively while running a distance event. A strong set of shoulders and arms assists with keeping a consistent tempo. Flimsy arms become tired quickly which leads to sloppy form. This means that you should sprinkle some direct arm training into your workouts.

Increased Muscle Glycogen

Almost every experienced runner has experienced a depletion of muscle glycogen, which is your body’s stored carbohydrates which serve as fuel for intensive exercise. Once the glycogen stored in your muscles – as well as your liver – is used up, your body slows down just as a car which is running just on fumes.

You are able to prevent this by eating or drinking carbs during your workout or race. If you’re searching for a more proactive approach, building muscle in the gym increases your body’s capacity to store muscle glycogen. Quite simply, more muscle means a bigger “tank” to hold your glycogen stores.

Upper Body Exercises For Runners

Here is a list of exercises which you are able to do in order to build upper body strength at home, without weights:

  • Bodyweight biceps exercises and triceps exercises
  • Core exercises for runners
  • Dynamic plank variations
  • Back exercises you can do at home

During strength-training sessions, runners tend to focus solely on the legs, glutes as well as core. After all, they’re doing the bulk of the work as you pound the pavement. However, you’d be doing yourself a massive disservice if you didn’t also make sure to work your arms.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on becoming a strength training whizz? If you are then you need to become a personal trainer. The best way to do this is by doing our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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What Is The Turkish Get-Up Exercise? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-turkish-get-up-exercise-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23224 The Turkish get-up exercise is one of the most functional exercises that you can do. The movement takes you from when you’re lying on the floor to standing upright. You’ll do all of this while holding a kettlebell above your head. The full-body exercise is phenomenal for improving coordination – as well as shoulder stability...

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The Turkish get-up exercise is one of the most functional exercises that you can do. The movement takes you from when you’re lying on the floor to standing upright. You’ll do all of this while holding a kettlebell above your head.

The full-body exercise is phenomenal for improving coordination – as well as shoulder stability – so that you have the ability to pick up heavy things as well as avoid injuring the vulnerable shoulder joint. It also trains the simple (but necessary) skill of getting off the floor. The complex Turkish get-up is a full-body exercise which emphasises balance, coordination, core strength and stability, in addition to overall body tension.

How Athletes Will Benefit From The Turkish Get-Up

For outdoor athletes the stability gained through the Turkish get-up is a major plus. It will help you to generate more power through your core as well as create a firm, solid base throughout your trunk so that you can transition forces between your lower and upper body.

While, for example, skiing on the mountain, this strength will assist you to maintain a still upper body while your legs execute turns at breakneck speeds. In addition, it’ll keep you balanced and holding your momentum while running through steep, technical terrain.

How To Do The Turkish Get-Up

You don’t need much space or equipment in order to be able to perform the Turkish get-up. Just ensure that you have sufficient room to comfortably move from a lying to a standing position.

You may want to utilise an exercise mat in order to make your time on the floor more comfortable. Otherwise, all you need is a kettlebell. Remember that if you’re new to the exercise, start with something light and add resistance once you feel confident with the movement.

  • Step 1: Lie down on your mat, on your left side and in a foetal position. Have the kettlebell on the mat in front of your chest and take hold of the handle using an underhand grip in your left hand. If the weight is quite heavy for you, hold it with both hands and make use of an overhand grip with the right hand.
  • Step 2: Roll onto your back and have the kettlebell at your side. Twist your left knee to almost 70 degrees. Position your left foot flat onto the mat and then extend your right leg at a 45-degree angle away from your body.
  • Step 3: Push the kettlebell straight up and then directly over your chest. Do this until your elbow(s) are fully lengthened. If the weight is on the side which is lighter, and you are able to lift it with control, you will be able to use your left arm only. Then drop your right arm to the ground, extending it at 45-degree angle from your body. Place your palm down to support you. This is the starting position and which you’ll need to return to this with each repetition. From this moment on, make sure that you keep your eyes on the kettlebell. Hold it straight overhead with control.
  • Step 4: Making sure that you keep your eyes on the kettlebell, roll up onto your right elbow. There needs to be a straight, vertical line from the kettlebell and down all the way through your shoulders to your grounded elbow is.
  • Step 5: Straighten your grounded arm in order to brace yourself up into a sitting position. Move your hand closer to your body if you need to.
  • Step 6: Push your hips off the ground until the thigh of your bent leg – as well as your torso – form a dead straight line.
  • Step 7: Move your right leg back into a kneeling position beneath your hips. Come up off your grounded hand and then bring your torso to an upright position.
  • Step 8: Pivot your back foot in order to enter a lunge, with your knee still remaining on the ground.
  • Step 9: Finally, stand up and then bring your feet together.
  • Step 10: Reverse the movements in order, still keeping your eyes on the bell.

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If you want to learn how to harness the power of the kettlebell then you should do our Kettlebells Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Is Mental Flexibility Important? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/why-is-mental-flexibility-important/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23227 Having the ability to “go with the flow” and be flexible in your thinking is a needed skill for dealing with life’s inevitable changes. This is a trait which assist us to adjust more easily to new circumstances, challenges as well as situations as they arise. Whether it’s beginning a new job, taking a new...

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Having the ability to “go with the flow” and be flexible in your thinking is a needed skill for dealing with life’s inevitable changes. This is a trait which assist us to adjust more easily to new circumstances, challenges as well as situations as they arise. Whether it’s beginning a new job, taking a new class or getting married, being mentally flexible helps us to grow and also get along better with others.

What Is Mental Flexibility?

Mental flexibility – which is the mind’s ability to adapt – is a particularly sought-after skill among people given the ever-evolving challenges which are faced in the real world. Mental flexibility is related to resilience. Both of these traits are extremely important in terms of maintaining highly functional mental health in addition to developing pro-social behaviour. These two traits can be practised with continuous exposure to new situations, where the brain is challenged to the point right before the stress threshold is attained and then performance is compromised.

The world of mental flexibility and fitness may be broken down into the same three categories as applies to physical fitness:

  • Strength,
  • Endurance, as well as
  • Flexibility

As with our bodies, many people develop intelligence and willpower – strength – together with the ability to work incredibly long hours – endurance – but neglect to develop flexibility with our minds. And lacking mental flexibility will just as surely lead to injury as lacking physical flexibility – it’s just that the injuries here are psychological: anger problems, depression, anxiety, meltdowns, emotional crises.

How To Develop Mental Flexibility

An essential part of increasing control over your repetitive thoughts and developing mental flexibility is to become mindful of them when they happen. Then practise the simple technique of thought- stopping. Here’s how to do this:

  • Try to envision a red stop sign and saying to yourself: STOP! The more that you practise this, the more you may feel to have control over their thoughts.
  • You could also make use a rubber band on your wrist and then snap it when you see yourself in a vortex of negative thinking.

Noting down your thoughts assists you with “get them out of your head” and allowing you to view them in a more rational manner.

Try writing down:

  • The thought which is stuck in your head
  • What you can do in order to help offset the thought
  • Things which you have no control over with respect to the thought

Making use of these techniques could help you improve your mental flexibility which, in turn, may help you to reduce your worries, improve your relationships in addition to reducing the distress that you encounter when you get stuck on unhealthy or negative thoughts and behaviours.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to assist people manage their mental flexibility then you need to become a life coach. In order to become a professional life coach you really need to do our Life Coaching Certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Common Kettlebell Mistakes I Should Avoid? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-common-kettlebell-mistakes-i-should-avoid/ Thu, 04 Mar 2021 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23200 When looking for ways in order to improve your muscular endurance as well as speed, it’s generally accepted that you need to include strength training into your weekly workout plan. Kettlebells can be a useful tool to assist you with developing your strength. Whether you’re a new entrant to kettlebell training or are an old...

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When looking for ways in order to improve your muscular endurance as well as speed, it’s generally accepted that you need to include strength training into your weekly workout plan. Kettlebells can be a useful tool to assist you with developing your strength. Whether you’re a new entrant to kettlebell training or are an old hand, injuries can still strike at any time if you’re practising the moves incorrectly.

Here are some common mistakes, that a lot of people make with kettlebells. Avoid these and you’ll be able to reap the maximum benefit from your kettlebell training.

Not Following Correct Movement Progression

Too many individuals attempt exercises which they, and their bodies, are not prepared to properly execute. The most usual area at risk is usually the back. For instance, the kettlebell swing shouldn’t be done until the deadlift is mastered. To avoid injury, be patient with your training and progress slowly. Take up sessions with a coach or personal trainer in order to develop a solid and progressive plan.

Make Sure That You’re Not In An Open Chain Position

Correct technique is an essential factor when you begin loading up exercises with additional weight and try to exert more force as well as power. The smallest of discrepancies movement will be exposed and you risk of injuries occurring will increase.

With this firmly in mind, it is key that you make sure your body is set up in a closed circuit with your spine stable and braced, and hips and shoulders stable is key.

Don’t Squat The Weight Up

Think of the kettlebell swing as a deadlift, in which you drive using your hips. When you bend your knees, your quads take over. This eliminates the main benefits of the kettlebell swing. However, there is an additional for the squat because a proper swing loosens up your hips.

Don’t Take Too-Wide A Stance

All stances are not created in an equal fashion. Overly extended stances during kettlebell swings leave several areas which are vulnerable to injury.

The area of risk to your body are your:

  • Hips,
  • Knees, as well as
  • Lower back.

In order to avoid injury, adopt an athletic stance. An athletic stance may be defined as a stance out of which you would jump.

Don’t Allow Momentum To Shift  Your Weight Forward

This mistake is often seen with the kettlebell swing individuals first start out. The action of a swing brings the person’s weight out in front of the body in its arching movement pathway.

If you don’t have a rock-solid stance, with your feet driving down into the floor, it’s very easy for the momentum of this movement to shift your weight forwards into the balls of the feet which brings your heels up from the ground. This also creates an unstable and uncontrolled movement which will in turn often lead to over-compensation, with you having to re-establish your foot position. It can create issues with load on the spine, which is not ideal.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen on becoming an expert at kettlebells then you should do our Kettlebells Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Should I Take My Protein Shake Before Or After My Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/should-i-take-my-protein-shake-before-or-after-my-workout/ Wed, 03 Mar 2021 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23191 Protein is vital for muscle repair in addition to growth. So, the question is if you need protein shakes in order to achieve your strength training and nutrition goals. It can be argued that a protein shake is one of the best supplements that you can buy. It’s extremely convenient and practical to use. In...

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Protein is vital for muscle repair in addition to growth. So, the question is if you need protein shakes in order to achieve your strength training and nutrition goals. It can be argued that a protein shake is one of the best supplements that you can buy. It’s extremely convenient and practical to use. In addition, there’s plenty of science to support how important protein is.

Many individuals consume protein supplements in the form of shakes together with their workouts. However, the best time to have a protein shake is a hotly debated topic. Some people believe that it’s best to drink a protein shake before a workout, whereas others argue that after a workout is the ideal for a protein shake.

People Who Exercise More Need More Protein

Research suggests that people who routinely do strength training may need double the RDA of protein, to 1.6 g/kg), to support muscle recovery and growth. For a person weighing 68 kg this equals 109 grams of protein per day.

In order to optimise your results, spread this amount over three to four meals which are consumed every three to four hours. A protein shake is a good option between meals, either as a snack or around your workout. They typically contain 25–30 grams of protein per scoop.

What Is The Truth?

The truth Is that there isn’t a right or wrong answer.

It really depends on your fitness goals as well as when you ate your last meal before working out. If you want to build stacks of muscle, you should be having a protein-rich meal (or shake) every three to five hours during the day.

An academic study showed that muscle protein synthesis (in other words, the process of using protein in order to build muscle) rises when you consume a reasonable amount of protein — around 30 grams per meal — during the day as opposed to eating the suggested daily amount (0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight) at once, for example at dinner. So whether you exercise in the morning or evening, it’s best practice to spread out your protein intake evenly, and you can do it with a shake if it’s more convenient for you.

It’s not so much about the timing of your protein consumption but rather the total amount of protein that you take in daily. If you prefer to have your protein shake before your workout, as opposed to after, that will be just as beneficial to you. If you are attempting to gain muscle as well as strength, drinking your protein shake before or after your workout doesn’t matter like it was once believed.

What Protein Shake Is Best?

Whey protein comes out on top and is the most bio-available protein on the market. It beats both solid foods as well as other protein supplements.

When a protein has a superior bio-availability, this means it is absorbed and utilised well in the body. Whey protein has a bio-availability of somewhere between 90% to 100% which means that it comes out on top when compared to other appropriate protein sources.

There’s also a timing benefit to utilising whey protein. Protein from whey is broken down very rapidly as compared to other proteins. This means that its amino acids are readily available within roughly an hour.

Alternative proteins – such as casein – break down at a much slower rate and this gives them an almost drip-feed effect. So, if you don’t have a lot of time to eat a solid meal around your workout window – need some fast-acting, high-quality protein – you won’t go wrong with whey. In addition, if you mix your whey protein shake with milk, it behaves more like casein and slows down the digestion.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to hear how to teach people to exercise properly and maximise all of their workouts then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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How Will Exercise Change My Life? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-will-exercise-change-my-life-find-out-more/ Wed, 03 Mar 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23187 If you are just exercising in order to lose weight, you may find it difficult to stick to your fitness goal as It may  take a few weeks or months to notice changes in your outward appearance. Thankfully, there are heaps of ways that exercise can improve your health from the inside out. Some exercise...

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If you are just exercising in order to lose weight, you may find it difficult to stick to your fitness goal as It may  take a few weeks or months to notice changes in your outward appearance. Thankfully, there are heaps of ways that exercise can improve your health from the inside out. Some exercise benefits can be seen straightaway, which can give you that extra push when all that you want to quit.

Men and women who are able to successfully maintain a healthy weight, after they have lost weight or who never really have had a challenge with their weight, tend to be those who are physically active. Regular exercise gives you the ability to improve your weight status – as well as fitness levels – because it utilises excess calories that would otherwise get stored in your body as fat. But that’s not all exercise does.

Exercise Assists With Balancing Hormones

People often turn to supplements – as well as medications  – in order to treat hormone-related health issues such as:

  • Stress,
  • Depression,
  • Sleep deprivation,
  • Weight gain, as well as
  • Mood swings.

However, the key to balancing your hormones may lie in boosting your physical activity. Fitness experts recommend exercise in order to enhance your quality of life and to assist with regulating hormonal imbalances.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven society, it is more important than ever before to make time to exercise. Exercise is a productive outlet which stimulates feel-good transmitters that help boost overall well-being.

Exercise Boosts Your Energy Levels

Aerobic exercises – including fast walking, swimming as well as bicycling – build up your cardiovascular endurance. This is as opposed to push-ups and other weight-bearing exercises which build up your muscular endurance. Increased endurance means more efficient as well as sustained delivery of oxygen and nutrients to every cell in your body.

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Exercise Helps To Improve Your Posture

Walking properly – tall and proud – with your head held high as well as your shoulders back allows you to avoid discomfort when you are walking for exercise. In addition, this will help you go the distance, while improving your posture by preventing you from slumping and slouching.

How To Find The Motivation To Exercise

Your fitness goals may be too big for you right now, especially if you’re new to the whole exercise thing. Beginners want to go for maximal fitness goals however they tend to become overwhelmed.  So don’t begin trying to work out an hour every day. Rather, set more reasonable, achievable goals, like exercising 20 to 30 minutes two or three times a week.

Keep a track of your routines. It doesn’t matter if you do it online or in a retro fitness journal. Seeing improvements – whether it be running faster, doing more reps, or working out more often – makes you want to keep going and striving for increased levels of fitness.

Get real. You’re will miss a day or two. If you accept – from the get-go- that there will be some side steps along fitness journey, you’ll be mentally better prepared to deal with setbacks. Don’t let a misstep be an excuse for you giving up.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become an exercise expert then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Do You Have To Make Sure That Your Workouts Are Age Appropriate? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-do-you-have-to-make-sure-that-your-workouts-are-age-appropriate/ Mon, 01 Mar 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23089 We all know very well that exercise is really good for us. However, it does more than merely improve our physical fitness. Exercise also reduces our risk of contracting many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease or even diabetes. It assists with reducing stress, helping us sleep better, and it boosts our mental health. As...

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We all know very well that exercise is really good for us. However, it does more than merely improve our physical fitness. Exercise also reduces our risk of contracting many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease or even diabetes. It assists with reducing stress, helping us sleep better, and it boosts our mental health.

As exercise does so much for us, it is incredibly important to exercise no matter what how old you are. A lifelong exercise programme is the surest way to help you live and thrive into old age. However, the type and amount of exercise which you should do changes as you age.

Workouts For Children

In childhood, exercise helps with controlling body weight, building healthy bones and promoting self-confidence as well as healthy sleep patterns. The government makes the recommendation that children should get – as a minimum – at least one hour of exercise a day. As a tip:

  • Children should try a number of different sports and develop skills, such as swimming as well as the ability to hit and kick a ball.
  • A lot of non–scheduled physical activity is great as well, such as playing in playgrounds.

Exercise habits tend to decline steadily during teen years, particularly in girls. Getting enough exercise is responsible for promoting a healthy body image as well as assisting with manage stress and anxiety. You can also encourage teenagers to keep one team sport, if possible.

For teenagers who are just not into team sports, swimming or athletics may be a good way to keep fitness levels up.

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Workouts For Older People

Starting an exercise routine in your 50s or later may feel scary as well as intimidating, whether you are starting out for the first time or reviving an old habit. You may feel that it’s too late or you aren’t in good enough shape to get started. However, the smallest changes produce drastic results.

When anyone first starts to exercise, it is important to assess your current state of physical fitness first. While there is almost no out-and-out contraindication to exercise, certain medical or physical conditions may necessitate particular adjustments to an exercise routine.

Your doctor may want to make certain adjustments to your exercise routine if you suffer from one of the following:

  • For patients who are suffering from osteoporosis, impact exercise (with caution) and weight training are vital as these types of exercise can assist with building bone mass and slowing degeneration.
  • For patients who have arthritis, impact exercise can be bothersome to the joints. This means that physicians will typically recommend low-impact cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming or – alternatively – biking.
  • Patients who suffer from high blood pressure that is not controlled (higher than 180/110 mmHg) should avoid heavy weightlifting until they’ve received the all-clear from their doctor.

After receiving the OK from your doctor, it’s time to have some fun! It’s important to begin with activities which are familiar and enjoyable, such as taking a walk or a bicycle ride. It’s also smart to begin slowly.

The ultimate goal is to build a habit and be able to slowly increase your activity over time. If you’re lifting weights, start with weights with which you can perform 10-12 repetitions of at first. You don’t want to be so sore after the first outing that you can’t move for a week.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn to discover more about teaching all walks of life how to exercise properly then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Do Kettlebells Do For Your Body? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-kettlebells-do-for-your-body-find-out-in-this-article/ Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:10:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23110 Burn up to 400 calories in just 20 minutes: That’s the result that you’ll get from a kettlebell workout. A kettlebell looks like a cast-iron cannonball with a handle on the top. These pieces of exercise equipment come in a number of different weights. You’ll make use of them as you do exercises such as...

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Burn up to 400 calories in just 20 minutes: That’s the result that you’ll get from a kettlebell workout. A kettlebell looks like a cast-iron cannonball with a handle on the top. These pieces of exercise equipment come in a number of different weights. You’ll make use of them as you do exercises such as lunges, lifts as well as shoulder presses.

A kettlebell workout gets your heart pumping and utilises up to 20 calories per minute which is about as much as running a 6-minute mile does. Kettlebell workouts offer exercises a lot of flexibility. You are able to include a few of the moves in your own workout or do a dedicated kettlebell workout a couple of times a week.

Kettlebells Are Great For Strength Training

Kettlebells are a great exercise tool for strength training. Yes, for many of the different exercises they’re totally interchangeable for dumbbells or types of weights. However, for some weighted moves – especially ones that require an explosive movement – kettlebells reign supreme.

This is because of the way that they’re shaped which makes them much easier to swing around. You are also able to hold them by the handle or the bell (which is the round part of the weight). This allows you to get a different range of motion depending on the kettlebell exercise which you’re doing.

In addition, the shape of a kettlebell allows you to work your muscles a little differently as opposed to a traditional dumbbell. The weight is distributed differently than the usual dumbbell so it works different muscles while doing the same movement. A kettlebell also requires more wrist motion, so your wrists and forearms get a little extra work.

Helps With Improving Core Stability And Strength

There are a different number of great reasons why kettlebells are fantastic for improving core strength as well as stability.

Many kettlebell exercises are a format of ballistic training. Ballistic training focuses on working on explosive power through maximising acceleration as well as minimising deceleration. These explosive movements are responsible for stimulating the abdominal muscles tremendously well.

Kettlebell workouts require core contraction, in addition to coordinated breathing, as the movements are extremely intense. This leads to phenomenal improvement in core strength, even when you’re not necessarily targeting your core as you would with crunches or leg raises.

Kettlebell movements are multiplanar. What this means is that will be working your core from all directions. This is vital to building well-rounded core strength.

Some of the best kettlebell exercises are offset as well as unilateral. This means that you will only be making use of one kettlebell. When you’re moving the kettlebell around on one side, you will be working your core stability as well as your strength.

These are all super important reasons why athletes train with kettlebells. Athletes require core power in order to explode through opponents, quickly change/move in a number of different directions without risking injury (twisting, turning, accelerating/decelerating), and handle loads as well as pressure from one side while still remaining upright (think about a running back taking a hit on one side during a play).  Kettlebell training provides a dynamic method of accomplishing these important physical capabilities.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re a personal trainer and want to become a kettlebell pro, then we really recommend that you do our Kettlebell Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Is Suspension Training Effective? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-suspension-training-effective-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 26 Feb 2021 08:28:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23106 Suspension training may be intimidating to the exercise newbie. After all, any type of exercise with the word “suspension” in it may be off-putting to those who would rather to keep both feet on the ground at all times. However, as it turn out interestingly enough not only is suspension training an effective workout, it’s...

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Suspension training may be intimidating to the exercise newbie. After all, any type of exercise with the word “suspension” in it may be off-putting to those who would rather to keep both feet on the ground at all times.

However, as it turn out interestingly enough not only is suspension training an effective workout, it’s also an increasingly popular one among people of all abilities and levels of fitness. In addition, it’s a super-effective way of torching your whole body, building strength, and getting your heart beating just by making use of just your own bodyweight.

The Proof Is In The Stats

A research study of 16 healthy men and women (from 21 up to 71 years old) was commissioned in order to look at the long-term effects of suspension training. Participants did a 60-minute suspension training class three times a week for a period of eight weeks. In addition, they had various physical fitness and health markers that were measured both before and after the programme.

Participants in the study burned about 400 calories per session and there were significant decreases in waist circumference, body fat percentage, and resting blood pressure. Individuals also improved their muscle strength and endurance, which includes significant improvements in the leg press, bench press, curl-up as well as push-up tests.

All of these results combined make the suggestion that the long-term adherence to a suspension training program is likely to decrease your likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

What Areas Of Your Body Does Suspension Training Target?

Suspension training targets a number of different areas on your body:

  • Core: Yes. No matter what type of exercise you’re doing in suspension training (and there are hundreds), almost every one of them challenges your core.
  • Arms: Yes. There are a number of different possible arm as well as upper body exercises to do in suspension training.
  • Legs: Yes. You will almost always be working your legs in some way with most suspension training exercises.
  • Glutes: Yes. Your glutes get a lot of work with most suspension exercises. In addition, you can always choose specific butt-targeting moves if you want to.
  • Back: Yes. You’re using your entire core, including your back muscles, at all times in order to maintain stability.

One last thing to keep at the forefront of your mind about suspension training is that while it has tremendous potential from a fitness perspective, it can also result in injury without the proper techniques in place. This is why personal trainers are an essential part of the process. With the appropriate knowledge, training, and experience, they are uniquely positioned to help their clients minimise the risk of injury while maximizing the effects of suspension training.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are a personal trainer and would like to become a whizz at suspension training then you need to do our Suspension Training Course. Find out more here.

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What Is The Farmers Walk Exercise? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-farmers-walk-exercise-find-out-more/ Fri, 26 Feb 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23063 The health and fitness industry has made giant leaps over the past decade. In the past couple of years, exercises that were traditionally only done by diehard strength athletes are making their way into the health and fitness routines of normal gym-goers who are looking to improve their health. A farmer’s walk — which is...

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The health and fitness industry has made giant leaps over the past decade. In the past couple of years, exercises that were traditionally only done by diehard strength athletes are making their way into the health and fitness routines of normal gym-goers who are looking to improve their health.

A farmer’s walk — which is also known as a farmer’s carry, suitcase carry, or loaded carry — is a type of general strength exercise in which you hold a kettlebell or a substantial load while walking in a straight line.

The farmers walk exercise is extremely simple, but effective movement. All the equipment that you require are (one or) two weights as well as some space to walk back and forth in. In addition, you are also even able to use household items such as jugs or an actual suitcase that is loaded with books if you don’t have weights. Not only does this go towards enhancing sports-specific areas but it also helps to address weaknesses in your everyday life.

What Are The Benefits Of The Farmers Walk Exercise?

Improved Posture

The farmers walk improves your posture by increasing your awareness of your muscles as well as your body in general as well as forcing you to think hard about your form. In addition to this, it creates stability and eradicates imbalances in your body (especially if two weights are used at a time). By default, this leads to better posture.

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Improved Grip Strength

A weak grip is certainly something you will want to fix before you begin taking deadlifts or other strength-training techniques seriously. If you don’t concentrate on your grip then you’ll never be able to reach your maximum potential with free weights or sports.

The farmer’s walk strengthens your grip through working your wrists, hands, forearms, shoulders, and back altogether. This is because all of these muscles support grip strength when they are properly trained.

Lowers Risk Of Injury

The farmers walk (with lesser weights perhaps) is really quite a natural movement for our bodies. As humans, we were made with the ability to carry objects from one locale to another place, more so than we were to lift and then hold them in unnatural poses.

When you begin small and then work your way up, the chances of injury are slim if you keep proper form as well as focus on what you’re doing. Although there’s a risk with every exercise, one of the farmers walk benefits is that it’s less likely to injure you as opposed to the more strenuous weight-lifting movements.

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Which Exercises Can Help With Improving Your Balance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-exercises-can-help-with-improving-your-balance/ Thu, 25 Feb 2021 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23014 With your exercise, you may concentrate on how certain regimens may improve your strength, assist you with losing weight, or even make you more flexible. Alternatively, maybe you just exercise to feel good as well as stay healthy—all are incredibly valid motivations for breaking a sweat. However, another huge benefit of exercise that you may...

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With your exercise, you may concentrate on how certain regimens may improve your strength, assist you with losing weight, or even make you more flexible. Alternatively, maybe you just exercise to feel good as well as stay healthy—all are incredibly valid motivations for breaking a sweat. However, another huge benefit of exercise that you may not think about is how it improves your balance.

Balance is something which many of us take for granted however everyone is able to benefit from improving it. Balance training exercises are responsible for strengthening core muscles and improving stability. This makes you lighter on your feet.

Balance training can assist anyone no matter what age they are. Athletes find that improved balance can make them more powerful. Seniors use improved to prevent injuries from falls and maintain independence. And fitness lovers know that improved helps to improve workouts as well as everyday life. In fact, merely moving around efficiently in life necessitates healthy postural alignment and good balance.

Different Types Of Balance

Balance is classified under two headings: static and dynamic.

  • Dynamic balance: This is the ability to move outside your body’s base of support while maintaining posture control.
  • Static balance: This is the ability to maintain your body’s centre of mass within its base of support

Both types of balance are important and both may be improved with targeted exercises.

Tai Chi

Studies from across the globe show that tai chi, which is a gentle exercise that is often called “meditation in motion,” may help you to cut down on falls if you’re older as well as if you’re having balance issues. A skilled tai chi teacher will be able to show you the slow, precise movements which  will assist you to not only find more stability, but boost your overall health and mood, as well.

One-Legged Balance

Start out with this beginner’s move and keep a stable chair or a wall within an arm’s reach. With your feet together, pick up one foot with your knee facing forward or – alternatively – to the side. Hold the position with your eyes open and then closed. Switch over feet and repeat for four reps on each of your feet. If any move feels wrong or precarious to you, stop and check with a personal trainer. Depending on your health as well as physical condition, some exercises may not be recommended.

Weight Shifts

Stand up tall and make sure that your feet are hip-distance apart. Lean slowly towards one leg until it’s bearing all of your weight. At the same time life your other leg off the ground. Hold for up to 30 seconds, then move to the other side.

In terms of good exercise equipment for balance training, one of the best tools to own is a BOSU (“Both Sides Up”). A BOSU is ultimately a half ball with a flat platform. The name comes from the fact that you are able to exercise on both the ball side as well as the flat side. A BOSU ball provides an unstable surface on which you are able to practise squats, lunges, jumps, planks, and hundreds of other different exercises. If you aren’t able to access to a BOSU ball, it is possible to create a similar effect by loosely rolling a yoga mat or towel to stand on. Any kind of unstable surface will be good.

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If you want to learn more about exercises to improve your balance – as well as exercises to train your body overall – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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Why You Need To Do Resistance Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-you-need-to-do-resistance-training/ Thu, 25 Feb 2021 05:00:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23017 Resistance training (which is also called strength training or weight training) is the utilisation of resistance to muscular contraction so that you can build the strength, anaerobic endurance as well as the size of skeletal muscles. Resistance training is established on the principle that the body’s muscles will work in order to overcome a resistance...

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Resistance training (which is also called strength training or weight training) is the utilisation of resistance to muscular contraction so that you can build the strength, anaerobic endurance as well as the size of skeletal muscles.

Resistance training is established on the principle that the body’s muscles will work in order to overcome a resistance force when they are needed to do so. When you do resistance training repeatedly as well as consistently, your muscles become stronger.

What Does A Well-Rounded Fitness Programme Include?

A well-rounded fitness programme includes:

  • Strength training in order to improve joint function, bone density, muscle, tendon and ligament strength, in addition to
  • Aerobic exercise to enhance your heart and lung fitness, flexibility, and
  • Balance exercises.

It is recommended that adults perform muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days each week.

The thing about strength and resistance training is that you don’t get better during workouts. In actual fact, you get better in between. You should be giving yourself a day in between strength training in order to allow your body to recover as well as rebuild the muscle tissue from the stimulus of lifting or resistance.

What Are The Benefits Of Resistance Training?

There are countless benefits of resistance training. Research shows that these include:

  • Better physical performance
  • Improved ability to control bodily movements
  • Faster walking speeds
  • Reduced belly fat (which is also known as visceral fat)
  • Enhanced brain functioning
  • Higher self-esteem

It is further reported that resistance training offers disease and injury-related benefits also. For instance, it can assist in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Resistance training has also been linked to reducing lower back pain or pain that occurs with arthritis and fibromyalgia.

The Best Way Of Resistance Training

There are several diverse ways in which you can strengthen your muscles, whether it is at home or the gym. The different types of resistance training include the following:

  • Free weights – classic strength training tools, for example dumbbells, barbells as well as kettlebells.
  • Medicine balls or sandbags –balls or, alternatively, bags which are weighted.
  • Weight machines – devices which have adjustable seats with handles that are attached either to weights or hydraulics.
  • Resistance bands – such as giant rubber bands – which provide resistance when stretched. They are portable and may be adapted to most workouts. The bands offer continuous resistance throughout a movement.
  • Suspension equipment – a training tool which uses gravity as well as the user’s body weight in order to complete various exercises.
  • Your own body weight – may be used for squats, push-ups and chin-ups. Making use of your own bodyweight is convenient, especially when travelling or at work.

If you’re looking to add strength and resistance training to your workout routine then you have a lot of options. You absolutely don’t need a gym membership or costly weight machines. Squatting on a chair at home, push-ups, planks, or other exercises which require you to use your own body weight as resistance are very effective.

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If you would like to discover additional information about resistance training – as well as other forms of exercise – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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What Are The Elements Of A Balanced Fitness Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-elements-of-a-balanced-fitness-routine/ Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23003 Whether you’re a novice who is taking the first steps toward living the fitness lifestyle or an exercise fanatic who is hoping to optimise your results, a well-rounded fitness training programme is essential. When you exercise, chances are good that you either run, walk, run/jog, swim, take a yoga class, weight train, or play some...

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Whether you’re a novice who is taking the first steps toward living the fitness lifestyle or an exercise fanatic who is hoping to optimise your results, a well-rounded fitness training programme is essential.

When you exercise, chances are good that you either run, walk, run/jog, swim, take a yoga class, weight train, or play some sort of sport, in and of itself. Just walking, running, or swimming will not meet all the components of fitness and, therefore, is not considered a balanced routine.

Individually speaking, different components of exercise have their own unique purpose. But you combine these you get a powerful and balanced fitness regimen which promotes optimal health.

Aerobic Fitness

Cardio (as aerobic fitness is most usually referred to) is any physical activity which gets your heart rate pumping as well as your pulse rate increasing. This results in oxygenating your blood. All of this increases your overall stamina, which is great for your heart health in addition to holistic wellness. In fact, aerobic exercise should be the basis of every single fitness regimen.

Examples of aerobic fitness activities include:

  • Running,
  • Speed walking,
  • Stair climbing,
  • Cycling,
  • Swimming,
  • Jumping rope, as well as
  • High-intensity interval training.

The recommended frequency of aerobic activity is 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each and every single week. Alternatively, a combination of moderate and vigorous exercise is also OK.

Muscular Fitness

Muscular fitness is another fundamental component of a fitness training programme. Strength training can assist you with increasing bone strength as well as muscular fitness. It can assist you with managing or losing weight as well as improving your ability to do everyday activities.

You should be aiming to include strength training, which is targeted at all of the major muscle groups – into your fitness routine at least twice per week.

Gyms offer various resistance machines, free weights in addition to other tools for strength training. However, the great news is that you don’t need to invest in a gym membership or expensive equipment in order to get the benefits of strength training.

Core

Your core muscles — in other words, the ones in your abdomen, lower back, and pelvis—are vital to protecting your back. They do this by bracing your spine which makes it easier to do many daily activities. This becomes increasingly important as we age.

Examples of core-strengthening exercises are the following:

  • Bridges,
  • Abdominal crunches,
  • Planks,
  • Pilates,
  • Hanging leg raises,
  • Oblique reaches, and
  • Stability ball exercises.

It is recommended that you do these types of exercises at least twice a week.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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What Is Interval Running? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-is-interval-running-learn-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=23007 Run extremely quickly for a short distance and then slow down for a little bit in order to recover. Do it all again. Interval running boils down to this simple formula – and offers runners a route towards continuous improvement. Interval running is going to increase your level of fitness much faster than pretty much...

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Run extremely quickly for a short distance and then slow down for a little bit in order to recover. Do it all again. Interval running boils down to this simple formula – and offers runners a route towards continuous improvement.

Interval running is going to increase your level of fitness much faster than pretty much any other type of running. Giving yourself a breather between segments of fast running gives you the opportunity to handle more of it, delivering a greater stimulus to your heart, lungs and muscles.

Making the assumption that you are in great physical condition and have built up a reasonable aerobic base (in other words, you’re comfortable at sustained running for a period of 30 minutes or more on a regular basis), interval running can be your best choice for improving fitness, establishing running economy as well as getting faster.

It is not necessary for you to be a competitive athlete in order to make effective usage of intervals in your training. With interval training you can improve your running ability whether you run a 10-minute mile or a 20-minute 5K.

How It Works

An interval running plan fluctuates between periods of intense, fast paces that are followed by less-intense recovery periods. During this type of running you push yourself close to your peak heart rate during a brief sprint. After this, you then allow it to go back down as you ease back to an easy jog.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is an enormously popular fitness trend that is promoted by personal trainers and fitness bloggers galore. However, few people actually understand the mechanics behind this form of exercise and why it’s so effective.

Why All Runners Should Do Interval Running

What’s the point of changing up your pace throughout a run? Interval running workouts that consist of short bursts of intense exercise that are followed by lower-intensity recovery periods give you similar benefits as HIIT workouts.

You will burn more calories faster, you challenge your strength and endurance, and it also helps to prepare you for an actual race where you probably won’t maintain the exact same pace for the whole time.

Interval running has the result of improving your performance more than training at moderate intensities. Runners who are newbies to interval training will see:

  • Significant and rapid improvements in VO2 max, which is a marker of cardiovascular health (or how efficiently your body makes use of oxygen);
  • Increased muscle size, strength and power;
  • Increased overall endurance; and
  • Probably improved energy throughout the day.

As you’re switching things up, you’re a lot less likely to get bored.

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Things To Watch Out For

You could very well fall in love with the sensational feeling of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and of putting in your maximum effort. However, don’t overdo it. You should be enjoying the benefits of interval running in moderation, on average three times per week. Warm-ups and cool downs are always necessary. Stretching is something you definitely can’t skimp out on..

As with any manner of run, the right equipment is required. Wear men’s cross training shoes or proper ladies sneakers that will provide your feet with the cushioned support they’ll need during your interval runs. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

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What Is A Drop Set? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-drop-set-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22976 Drop sets are an advanced weight-training technique that are specifically designed for muscle hypertrophy. This basically means that you’re trying to make your muscles grow bigger through this programme. So, with a drop set, the idea is that you start with your heaviest weight load and then perform as many reps as you are able...

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Drop sets are an advanced weight-training technique that are specifically designed for muscle hypertrophy. This basically means that you’re trying to make your muscles grow bigger through this programme. So, with a drop set, the idea is that you start with your heaviest weight load and then perform as many reps as you are able to until failure. Then, immediately reduce your weight load and repeat.

All through a normal, single-set exercise, you are limiting the amount of muscle fibres used however by reducing the weight load and continuing, you engage muscle fibres deep down that wouldn’t usually be reached. This causes muscle growth.

What Are The Benefits Of Using The Drop Set Technique?

Drop sets are highly effective for boosting volume of training while – as the same time –  maintaining good technique for the purpose of muscle growth as well as fat loss. For instance, there are certain exercises which are just better than others. Squats vs. leg extensions, for example. It’s most likely better to just add drop sets of squats as opposed to adding leg extensions but not to do all the squats that you can handle. Same thing for bench press vs. bench fly.

How To Set Up A Drop Set

If you’re doing a bicep curl drop set, you’d stick to the following set-up:

  • Set 1. Do between six and eight reps.
  • Set 2. Drop weight by between 10 and 30% and then do between 10 and 12 reps.
  • Set 3. Drop weight again by between 10 and 30%. Perform between 12 and 15 reps.

You’d begin with a heavy load, one with which you are only able to complete between six and eight reps. Let’s say that’s 9-kilogram dumbbells:

  • You’d do eight reps of bicep curls with 9-kilogram dumbbells,
  • Then 10–12 reps with 7-kilogram dumbbells,
  • Then 12–15 reps with 5.5-kilogram dumbbells.

You’d take little to no rest between each of the sets.

Paying close attention to your form during each rep is always essential, but this is especially key during a drop set when you’re working to fatigue as this can help prevent injuries.

Are You Able To Do Drop Sets At Every Workout?

The short answer is yes however you probably don’t need to. If you’re training only a few times a week with weights, you can do drop sets every time you train as maximising volume of the essential movements is super important in low-frequency training.

However, if you lift weights on most days of the week, you’ll want to steer clear of drop sets on your lighter days. It’s a much better idea to concentrate on recovery and reserve loads of drop sets for more challenging training days.

If you’re going to add drop sets in on lighter days, they should probably be done as a replacement for a working set in order to reduce volume and training stimulus further as opposed to adding to the overall volume.

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How To Build Stronger Bones With Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-stronger-bones-with-exercise/ Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22973 All types of physical activity will assist with keeping your bones fit-for-purpose as well as reducing the risk of falling. Bone is a living tissue. So,  when you apply a load or force to them your bones react by growing stronger. This is why exercise is so essential for keeping your bones strong as well...

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All types of physical activity will assist with keeping your bones fit-for-purpose as well as reducing the risk of falling. Bone is a living tissue. So,  when you apply a load or force to them your bones react by growing stronger. This is why exercise is so essential for keeping your bones strong as well as healthy. Exercise will also reduce your risk of osteoporosis in addition to bone fractures. However, not all exercises are equal when it comes down to building strong, healthy bones. The best exercises to maintain the health of your bones are weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activities.

What Is Muscle-Strengthening Exercise?

A muscle-strengthening exercise is any exercise that makes your muscles work more than usual. This type of exercise increases your muscles’ strength, size, power as well as endurance. The activities involve making use of your body weight or – alternatively – working against a form of resistance.

What Is Weight-Bearing Aerobic Exercise?

Weight-bearing aerobic activities consist of doing aerobic exercise on your feet, with your bones supporting your weight. Examples of weight-bearing aerobic activities include walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, elliptical training machines, stair climbing as well as gardening.

Some weight-bearing workouts – such as jogging, hiking as well as playing tennis – place more stress on your bones and joints as opposed to other types. Fitness experts call them high-impact exercises. If you’ve already had a fracture owing to osteoporosis or you’re at risk for one, you may need to forgo these high-impact workouts.

Other aerobic exercises – such as swimming, water aerobics, using the elliptical machine as well as biking – aren’t as effective at strengthening bones. However, they are great low-impact options for people who aren’t able to do high-impact, weight-bearing activity.

How Much Is Enough?

In order for an activity to be muscle strengthening, it needs to work your muscles to the point where you may need a short rest before continuing. For example, if you’re lifting weights, you’d have to put the weight down after doing a number of lifts before carrying on.

If you suffer from health conditions – such as heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or are obese – or if you are age 40 or older, we recommend that you check with your doctor before you start a regular exercise programme.

Listen to your body. When beginning an exercise routine, you may have some muscle soreness as well as discomfort at the beginning. However, this should not be painful or last more than two days. If it does, you could be working too hard and need to let up. Stop exercising immediately if you experience any chest pain or discomfort and make sure that see your doctor before your next exercise session.

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What Is Hot Pilates? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-is-hot-pilates-learn-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22952 By turning up the heat you can take your workout to an entirely new level. This is absolutely the case for Pilates. Hot Pilates is a full-body workout with a brutal core sequence that is combined with HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) in a room that is heated up to 34 degrees. What Can You...

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By turning up the heat you can take your workout to an entirely new level. This is absolutely the case for Pilates. Hot Pilates is a full-body workout with a brutal core sequence that is combined with HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) in a room that is heated up to 34 degrees.

What Can You Expect In A Hot Pilates Class?

Hot Pilates classes differ from studio to studio (as opposed to hot yoga, which often follows a set routine). But, in a nutshell, you’ll do high-intensity strengthening moves such as squats, lunges, and leg lifts in a heated room with a high humidity.

Hot Pilates is responsible for creating long lean muscle mass, burns fat as well as increasing fitness levels. It creates a stronger core, improves circulation as well as increasing flexibility. It is performed on a yoga mat which makes it zero impact, allows your joints and muscles to be protected from the pounding of other exercises such as running and jumping.

Hot Pilates combines both cardio and muscle toning in a heated room. The HIIT keeps your heart rate up, which assists you to burn fat. The Pilates principles are responsible for sculpting your body to create long lean muscle mass. The heat is responsible for loosening up the muscles quickly. The humidity makes you sweat which elevates your heart rate, boosts metabolism, and promotes detoxification.

The Benefits Of Hot Pilates

Increases Your Metabolism And Helps You With Losing Weight

The heat increases your heart rate, without having to do anything. This small detail turns a regular Pilates class into a cardio-infused workout which is amazing for the entire cardiovascular system. This is because it increases cardiovascular abilities as well as increases the amount of calories burned in and after class. In addition, it speeds up the metabolism.

It Assists With Building Focus And Concentration

A hot room increases intensity. When you’re doing lunges and squats with sweat dripping from your face, all you may want to do is stop the exercise. However, when you home in on your will power, focus as well as determination.

Hot Pilates assists to build self-belief in what you are able to achieve. It creates a positive mindset which you can take out and apply in your daily life.

It Assists With Maintaining Glowing Skin

When you sweat, you are expelling dirt and grime from your pores. And sweat also assists with keeping skin moist and hydrated. This can be very valuable in the winter when we cover up and make use of a lot of artificial heating. The result of this is that your skin is less likely to experience breakouts or dryness and you’ll develop a natural glow only given by healthy and happy skin.

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What Are The Benefits Of Yoga Inversions? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-yoga-inversions-learn-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22949 The suggestion to do yoga inversions has the power to promote a range of emotions from students: bewilderment, fear, anxiety, rejection, aversion, excitement, butterflies — take your pick. Purposely turning ourselves upside-down is against our physical nature. However, the benefits of upending ourselves are numerous. Just as yoga encourages us gently to move beyond any...

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The suggestion to do yoga inversions has the power to promote a range of emotions from students: bewilderment, fear, anxiety, rejection, aversion, excitement, butterflies — take your pick. Purposely turning ourselves upside-down is against our physical nature. However, the benefits of upending ourselves are numerous.

Just as yoga encourages us gently to move beyond any unconscious habitual patterns, the invitation to invert is just another way to shake things up and step out of a rut. However, inversions don’t have to be panic-inducing. While we may think of Headstands and complicated arm balances, there are loads of ways to reap the benefits of inversions without being a circus artist.

What Are Yoga Inversions?

Yoga inversions are most generally categorized as any asanas in which the head is situated below the heart during the moment. And while Headstand, Handstand, Forearm Stand as well as the Shoulder Stand immediately come to mind, there are indeed gentler variations which may be more accessible for students who are early on in their inversion relationship. These are lovely ways in which to get things moving in new directions without jumping into the deep end. Examples are:

  • Downward Dog,
  • Standing Forward Folds,
  • Legs Up the Wall, as well as
  • Happy Baby.

Like with all things in life, the suggestion to get upside-down should not be generally prescribed. There are certain contraindications which should be observed so as not to cause or aggravate previous injuries or illnesses. The following are common issues that should be addressed before inverting:

  • Unmedicated high blood pressure,
  • Some heart conditions,
  • Neck injuries,
  • Recent stroke,
  • Detached retina,
  • Glaucoma, as well as
  • Epilepsy.

3 Great Benefits Of Yoga Inversions

Increased Strength

Yoga inversions – such as the Shoulderstand, Headstand, Handstand and Forearm Balance – strengthen the arms, legs, back as well as the core abdominal muscles. In addition, they teach us the principle of “drawing into the mid-line”. This can be really useful for improving our standing postures, incorporating balances like Hand to Big Toe Pose (Uttitha Hasta Padangustasana).

Improved Circulation

Going against gravity assists with venous return (in other words, the de-oxygenated blood going through your veins and back to the heart). Venous return relies heavily on muscular movement as well as gravity in order to move the blood.

Yoga inversions (as well as aerobics) give venous return a helping hand so improving circulation. At the same time, you are also assisting the flow of oxygenated blood to your brain, sensory organs as well as the face.

Better Lymph flow

Conceptualise the lymphatic system as the sewage system of your body. It works by lymph picking up toxins, excess proteins and bacteria and then carrying them to the lymph nodes in order to be eliminated. As with venous return, our bodies rely on gravity and muscular action in order to move the lymph so inversions can help us to flush the system.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about yoga then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How Strength Training Can Improve Your Golf Swing https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/special-populations-blog/how-strength-training-can-improve-your-golf-swing/ Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22944 Comprehensive strength training programmes for individual sports are “periodised” in order to provide a progressive as well as an interactive training programme. The term ‘periodisation’ means that the programmes are broken up into three or four phases during a 12-month cycle with each phase concentrating on a specific area of fitness development. For professional sports...

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Comprehensive strength training programmes for individual sports are “periodised” in order to provide a progressive as well as an interactive training programme. The term ‘periodisation’ means that the programmes are broken up into three or four phases during a 12-month cycle with each phase concentrating on a specific area of fitness development.

For professional sports that make use of weights in their training (which is just most sports), each phase will have different objectives. In addition, each consecutive phase builds on the previous one. For travelling professionals, golf is a little different from most other sports. If you move from continent to continent in order to try and get ahead of the weather, you could pretty much play all the year round. Wherever you go, a strength training programme is an essential part of your season.

What Is Sports Specialisation?

In the world of strength training, the term “sports specialisation” is thrown around a lot. The only way that you can truly specialise in a sport is to play the sport.

Golf is no different and – owing to the intricacies of the swing – it becomes extremely important for  the strength professional not only understands their golfers’ physical needs, but also the fundamental tenets of the golf swing as well as how those physical improvements will correlate with a more efficient swing.

Enhanced club head speed — which then transfers to ball speed — may mean a massive difference in driving distance. And while some may think that 10-20 yards of driving distance isn’t all that much, this difference can be worth millions to them or, for some professionals, the difference between having a year of status on the PGA or LPGA Tour or battling their way to the top of the numerous other mini tours that exist.

Strength Training’s Benefits For Golfers

Doing whole-body strength training the entire body significantly improves the strength, power as well as endurance of your core, forearms, and grip strength. All of these have been shown to individually lead to notable improvements in distance in golf.

Other studies have found that there are direct correlations between distance and grip strength, maximal and explosive strength, non-dominant arm strength, core strength, and abdominal muscle endurance. Focusing on strength and power training can help you to significantly increases in your swing speed.

Golf is a multi-faceted game that has many different areas of need. With golf courses being lengthened and players hitting the ball further than ever before, it has become very important for young golfers to have the ability to produce force off the tee. Strength – as well as conditioning – is a huge part of players being able to develop the required force while staying healthy through one of the most explosive and complex movements in any sport.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about strength training as well as other aspects of fitness then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Box Without A Punching Bag? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-box-without-a-punching-bag/ Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22924 Any dedicated martial artist and boxer knows the importance of training, whenever, and however they are able to. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to have a full boxing set-up in the comfort of your own home. Some of the best free-standing punching bags can cost a fair chunk of change and then you’ve got to...

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Any dedicated martial artist and boxer knows the importance of training, whenever, and however they are able to. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to have a full boxing set-up in the comfort of your own home. Some of the best free-standing punching bags can cost a fair chunk of change and then you’ve got to find a place to put it.

There is no question about it that boxing is one of the best ways for you to develop your body. However, many individuals think that it is impossible to practise without a heavy punching bag or a speed bag. The good news it that is not true because you can do shadow boxing at home as well as many other exercises which do not require any equipment at all.

You could say that it is not the same as hitting a punching bag but, believe us, if you learn how to do this type of workout correctly and intensively, shadow boxing is a superb way to burn fat as well as to develop your endurance and skills. Shadow boxing is done by the professionals as well to improve their technique.

What Is Shadow Boxing?

Boxing without equipment or an opponent is a training technique that is known as shadow boxing. Essentially, this is punching the air. You’ll need to ensure that you have enough space to move around, though, so you may want to practise in front of a mirror in order to adjust your form.

Experiment with throwing different styles of punches. Create various combinations of moves and incorporate defensive boxing techniques. If you’re just starting out with shadow boxing, and need a little bit more guidance, try an app. These tools walk you through basic boxing skills and even offer shadowboxing classes.

With repeated practice, you’ll learn to correct mistakes on the fly, ultimately making you a much better boxer.

Keep A Constant Eye On Your Form

Shadowboxing is the perfect opportunity for you to focus on your form. There’s no pressure on you to throw out fast punches at the punching bag or an opponent. In addition, there’s nothing coming back at you which means that you can zone in on your form by practising your stance as well as to build up good fighting habits.

It’s a good idea to practise your basic boxing stance when you’re doing your shadowboxing rounds:

  • Keep your feet in the ideal position and have your weight distributed evenly
  • Slightly bend your knees
  • Make sure that your feet are diagonal and a little wider than shoulder-width apart
  • Keep your elbows down and your hands up
  • With your chin slightly down, stare forward

Even for those intermediate and advanced contenders, practising basic boxing stance is essential as it can easily take a backseat when you’re working on new skills.

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Work On Your Technique

Once you have your form down pat, you can start begin to focus on your technique:

  • Where are you battling?
  • Do you have any bad patterns in the ring, such as looking down or poor footwork?
  • Would you like to improve certain skills such as your jab, straight punch, or uppercuts?

Zone in and make sure that you perfect those strikes.

This is a great time for you to work on punching combinations as well. Drill them as much as you are able to and really reinforce the muscle memory until these become second nature.

Remember that because you don’t have the pressure of a bag or an opponent shadowboxing is the perfect workout for boosting your technique, from punches to footwork, to movement and dodges.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to boost your boxing to the next level then you need to become a boxing instructor. Find out more about our Boxing Instructor Course here.

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What Amount Of Exercise Do You Have To Do Better Heart Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-amount-of-exercise-do-you-have-to-do-better-heart-health/ Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22940 Regular exercise helps to fend off high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes as well as a host of other chronic diseases. Despite these well-publicised benefits, many South Africans aren’t physically active on a day-to-day basis. One reason could be people mistakenly believing that exercise requires heart-pounding exertion and profuse sweat. While that level of effort...

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Regular exercise helps to fend off high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes as well as a host of other chronic diseases. Despite these well-publicised benefits, many South Africans aren’t physically active on a day-to-day basis. One reason could be people mistakenly believing that exercise requires heart-pounding exertion and profuse sweat. While that level of effort makes a lot of sense if you’re training for a race or other athletic event, it’s just not necessary if your main concern is staying healthy.

Unfortunately, many individuals have blurred the distinction between exercising to remain healthy and preserve your well-being as opposed to exercising for fitness in an athletic and competitive sense. The actual truth is that if you’re exercising for health, it takes very little effort to see enormous benefit.

Exercise For Better Heart Health

Being physically active is a massive step towards good heart health. It’s definitely one of your most effective tools to help you to:

  • Strengthen the heart muscle,
  • Keep your weight under control, and
  • Ward off the artery damage from high cholesterol, high blood sugar as well as high blood pressure that may result in heart attack or even stroke.

It’s also very true that different types of exercise are required in order to provide complete fitness. Aerobic exercise – as well as resistance training – are the most important for heart health. Although flexibility doesn’t directly contribute to heart health, it’s nevertheless important as it provides a good foundation for performing aerobic and strength exercises more effectively.

So, How Much Is Enough?

Honestly speaking, the jury is still out on a definitive number of hours per week that you need to be exercising in order to ensure good heart health.

A recent large-scale study, which relied on objective data about exercise from more than 90 000 adults, bolsters the increasing body of evidence which states that almost any amount of physical activity seems to be good for cardiovascular health. There is no distinctive upper limit to the benefits.

Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Jeremy Morris – who was a British epidemiologist – famously found that British bus conductors, who spent their days strolling aisles and climbing steps on the double-decker buses, were about half as likely to have a heart attack as the buses’ drivers, who sat all day.

Since then, countless epidemiological studies have uncovered similar links between physical activity and cardiovascular problems. In most, greater amounts of physical activity aligned closely with less risk of heart disease. In other words, people who moved a lot tended also to be people with sound hearts and arteries.

However, there is no definitive proof that walks and other activities directly strengthen people’s hearts, only that the two are linked. It remains conceivable that long-term, intense exercise might, at some point, stop being good for hearts. But in the same breath, for most of us increasing our exercise to much higher levels or more vigorous levels should substantially reduce our chances, later, for heart disease.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Although there is no conclusive word on how much exercise you need to do in order to maintain heart health, the bottom line is that exercising is good for the health of your body – and not just your heart. Check out our fitness courses to learn more about exercise.

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What Is Peloton Training? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-peloton-training-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22933 When it comes down to your workouts, you don’t have a lot of time to waste endlessly scrolling or, worse still, starting then stopping a workout video after you realise your choice wasn’t what you were hoping for. The Peloton bike is a high-quality home exercise bike which offers the convenience of working out at...

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When it comes down to your workouts, you don’t have a lot of time to waste endlessly scrolling or, worse still, starting then stopping a workout video after you realise your choice wasn’t what you were hoping for.

The Peloton bike is a high-quality home exercise bike which offers the convenience of working out at home. However, instead of just pedalling along – and not getting a great workout – Peloton training connects you to live and on-demand workouts, which allows instructors to motivate as well as push you.

The Peloton training also provides you with performance-tracking metrics and a real-time leaderboard in order to keep you hustling hard instead of gently pedalling as you flip through a magazine. There are around 1 million members of the Peloton community (that includes home riders, app subscribers and studio and commercial riders).

What Are The Benefits Of Peloton Training?

The monthly Peloton training subscription gives you unlimited streaming access to all of their workouts.  You could do two workouts per day if your schedule allowed,. There is really no limit.

With Peloton training, you have the choice of live workouts with an instructor or, alternatively, pre-defined on-demand rides.  There are up to 14 live classes every single day. Otherwise, you can call-up another ride with the on-demand function. There is no shortage of rides to choose from.

You are able to be right with your friends.  Perhaps you want to do a ride at the same time as your sibling who lives halfway across the country. With Peloton training, you can!  It can be a great way to virtually ride together.

If you use Peloton training enough, it can really whip you in to shape.

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How Long Is A Peloton Training Session?

While motivation and drive definitely play a role in retaining a consistent daily routine, most Peloton instructors (and avid exercisers) will tell you that habits beat willpower every time.

When just starting out with Peloton training, committing to exercising at all can feel impossible, let alone exercising for 30 or 60 minutes each and every single day. That’s why Peloton Members agree that starting with 15- and 20-minute rides is the best way to form a daily habit.

And the reason for this is simple: It’s much easier to find 15 minutes in your busy day than it is to find 60. Although, once you’re hooked on the high you get from a 15-minute ride you’ll be much more likely to put aside time for a longer one

Here’s how a typical Peloton training will look:

  • Monday: Cardio + Core
  •  45-minute Peloton HIIT and Hills ride
  • 10-minute Peloton Core Strength Class

 

  • Tuesday: Full Body
  •  60-minute Peloton Bootcamp

 

  • Wednesday: Upper Body + Core
  •  20-minute Peloton HIIT ride
  • 20-minute Peloton Arms and Shoulders class
  • 10-minute Peloton Core class

 

  • Thursday: Lower Body
  •  30-minute Peloton Climb Ride
  • 30-minute Lower Body Strength Class

 

  • Friday: Cardio + Core
  •  45-minute Peloton Club Bangers Ride
  • 10-minute Peloton Core Strength Class

 

  • Saturday: Full Body
  •  Bodyweight HIIT workout at the boat
  • Sunday: Rest

 

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to become a personal trainer then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Are The Benefits Of Hiking? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-hiking-find-out-in-this-article/ Thu, 18 Feb 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22915 Inactivity is associated with a number of different health issues. Some of these issues incorporate, but aren’t limited to, the following: Cardiovascular disease, Osteoporosis, Coronary heart disease, Obesity, Diabetes, as well as Certain types of cancer. Regardless of the health issues that are associated with inactivity, the good news is that evidence shows physical activity...

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Inactivity is associated with a number of different health issues. Some of these issues incorporate, but aren’t limited to, the following:

  • Cardiovascular disease,
  • Osteoporosis,
  • Coronary heart disease,
  • Obesity,
  • Diabetes, as well as
  • Certain types of cancer.

Regardless of the health issues that are associated with inactivity, the good news is that evidence shows physical activity assists with preventing chronic disease and premature death. In addition, regular exercise improves health as well as quality of life. One great phenomenal of improving your health and to reduce chances of developing health concerns is to get outside and go hiking!

The Perks Of Hiking Outdoors

Hiking outdoors has a lot of fantastic perks, such as nice views, fresh air as well as the sounds and smells of nature.

It’s good for you, too. Hiking is a super powerful cardio workout which can:

  • Lower your risk of heart disease
  • Enhance your blood pressure and blood sugar levels
  • Boost bone density as walking is a weight-bearing exercise
  • Building strength in your glutes, quads, hamstrings as well as the muscles in your hips and the lower part of your legs
  • Strengthen your core
  • Improve balance
  • Assist with controlling your weight

Improved Sleep

Walking or climbing over uneven terrain makes use of 28% more energy as opposed to walking over flat ground. In addition, you are also removing all the new age stimuli which we often expose ourselves to throughout the day and right prior to bedtime (phones, computers, TVs and the like). The result? Better sleep!

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Boosting Your Mood

Research has shown that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Being in nature is so ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that.

It is suggested that the experience of hiking is unique as it conveys benefits beyond what you receive from the usual form of exercise that you’d do at the gym. Not only does hiking oxygenate your heart, but it helps keep your mind sharper, your body calmer, your creativity more alive as well as your relationships in a happier space.

Evidence also suggests that being around trees may provide extra benefits, perhaps because of certain organic compounds which they exude that boost our mood and our overall psychological well-being.

Hiking Clears The Mind So Reducing Stress

Our lives are more frenetic than they have ever been before. Nine to five jobs, full social calendars as well as everyday life admin is enough to keep us at a constant level of stress below the surface. Going for a hike has the effect of reducing your blood pressure and cortisol levels to produce a calming effect which only nature can offer – over and above the benefits of exercise alone.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Yoga is an ancient exercise form and has long been known for its stress-busting properties. Do our Yoga Instructor Course and see what all the fuss is about.

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Forearm Exercises With Kettlebells. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/forearm-exercises-with-kettlebells-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22899 Whether you realise it or not, your forearm as well as grip strength say a great deal about you. Grip strength is an extremely quick way to evaluate how much full body strength you have. It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious weightlifter or are just serious about carrying every single one of your grocery...

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Whether you realise it or not, your forearm as well as grip strength say a great deal about you. Grip strength is an extremely quick way to evaluate how much full body strength you have.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious weightlifter or are just serious about carrying every single one of your grocery bags (at once) into the house, you probably want to have spectacular grip strength. This is because having a powerful grip is one of the eventual goals of functional fitness, whether you want to add on serious poundage to your deadlift or just be better at carrying your boyfriend’s suitcases at the airport.

As well, because kettlebells are good for just about everything — strength, cardio, looking like an all-around badass — you better believe they’re also going to be great for building incredible grip strength.

Before You Start

The kettlebell moves that we describe in this article are not meant to be a single workout, done right in a row. Fit them into your programme as you see fit: perhaps some will work as finishers after heavy days while other moves will be (very) active rest sets during your light lower-body push days.

If you have any conditioning days, these exercises can also be great add-ins. Just don’t go trying to pre-exhaust your grip with these movements before you step onto the deadlifting platform: your forearms will hate you and your friends will mock you. And no one wants that, really.

Here are some of the must-do exercises for those of you who absolutely love kettlebell training and want to ramp up your hand strength.

Towel Kettlebell Curl

Run the towel through the handle of a kettlebell and fold it in half. Hold both ends in one hand (for kettlebell) and curl, keeping your upper arm stationary.

Farmer’s Walk

Pick up the heaviest kettlebells that you can handle and walk with your chest out, standing tall and have your arms at your sides. Walk between 36 and 45 metres. You can walk in a figure-eight pattern if you don’t have the space. At the end of the distance, stop and continue to hold the weights for as long as possible.

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Hammer Cheat Curl

Grasp a kettlebell in each hand and cheat the weights, as if doing a clean, to the top position of a curl. Use momentum from your hips to get the weights up. Slowly lower the weights back down for five counts.

Wrist Curl

Hold a kettlebell in each hand and sit on a bench, box, or chair. Rest your forearms on your thighs and allow your wrists to bend back over your knees so that the weights hang down. Curl the kettlebells up by just flexing your wrists.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you a personal trainer and want to incorporate kettlebell training into your clients’ sessions? If you do, then you should do our Kettlebell Course. For additional information and to register, please follow this link.

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What Are The Scientific Strength Training Principles Every Athlete Must Know? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-scientific-strength-training-principles-every-athlete-must-know/ Tue, 16 Feb 2021 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22891 In the study of exercise science, there are several universally accepted scientific principles that must be followed in order for athletes to get the most from exercise programmes and improve both physical fitness as well as sports performance. These rules apply to all types of athletes, from beginners to elite competitors. Of course, it’s not...

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In the study of exercise science, there are several universally accepted scientific principles that must be followed in order for athletes to get the most from exercise programmes and improve both physical fitness as well as sports performance.

These rules apply to all types of athletes, from beginners to elite competitors. Of course, it’s not necessary for you to follow every one of them all the time, however, if you want to get in better shape, improve your sports performance, get better at a specific fitness discipline, or avoid stalling and back-slides, these core rules are the hidden force behind your ability in order to change your fitness level.

Every Athlete Has Their Bit To Say

These days, it appears as if every athlete has advice to give on how to train most effectively. Their ideas and philosophies are often a consequence of the athlete’s own experiences with training as well as racing. Quite often, these have some merit but when it comes to athletic training principles, it’s certainly true that we really don’t know what we don’t know.

Personal trainers and sports coaches often get asked to review athletes’ training programmes. While it can be challenging to make a judgment without knowing what both the athlete and their coach are attempting to achieve, sessions and programmes that are so complex that perhaps people have forgotten the fundamental principles of exercise physiology.

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Scientific Training Principles Athletes Should Be Following

Overload

In order for any adaptation to take place, it is necessary for the human body to exert itself beyond the normal stress levels that it experiences during training. Simply put, you need to ‘suffer’ during training in order to progress. This doesn’t mean that during every single session you need to be putting yourself into the ‘pain cave’ however you will need to check in regularly in order to ensure that you are pushing yourself enough in order for the body to reset its current fitness levels.

Progression

Progression is a very close relation of overload. The term ‘overload’ refers to the stress of a single session while progression relates to the short-, medium- and long-term development of an athlete.

In a well-periodised exercise programme, the athlete should be regularly challenged to attain new levels of fitness so that better performance ensured. The higher the calibre of the athlete, the more difficult this becomes to elicit.

Recovery

The adjustment to overload takes place during rest periods. When you are pushing your body’s limits you are breaking down your muscle fibres. During the recovery phase, your body experiences a ‘super-compensation’ which results in the body making adjustment to suit new levels of fitness. Remember that you cannot expect to feel recovered for every exercise session. If you waited to be fully recovered before the next session you would not get very much done. It is OK and normal to train when you are fatigued. So, when proper and planned phases of recovery are prescribed you can expect to feel great.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about personal training and perhaps even become a personal trainer yourself? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this here.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Is Hot Yoga? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-hot-yoga-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 12 Feb 2021 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22859 Hot yoga is a dynamic form of yoga that is performed in a very warm as well as humid studio. There are several different types of hot yoga classes. For the duration of the Bikram form of hot yoga, the room is heated to approximately 40 degrees and has a humidity of 40%. Hot yoga...

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Hot yoga is a dynamic form of yoga that is performed in a very warm as well as humid studio. There are several different types of hot yoga classes. For the duration of the Bikram form of hot yoga, the room is heated to approximately 40 degrees and has a humidity of 40%.

Hot yoga has become a popular exercise in recent times. This is because It offers many of the same benefits as traditional yoga, for example, stress reduction, improved strength as well as flexibility. However, with the heat turned up, hot yoga has the ability to give your heart, lungs, and muscles an even greater, more intense workout.

But is this type of yoga better for you than traditional forms of yoga?

What Are The Benefits Of Hot Yoga?

Those yogis who are devoted to the practice say that hot yoga has all sorts of benefits:

  • The one that’s touted most spoken about is detoxification: heavy sweating is said to assist with flushing toxins from the skin.
  • The heat also gives you the opportunity to go a little more deeply and safely into the postures so that you know you’re really warming up the muscles and you are really approach to the postures from a safe place.

Working in a heated room also elevates your heart rate, as we’ve said before, which makes the body work harder. It’s really for people who want to get a more intense workout and for those who would like to develop strength, flexibility as well as tone along with a cardiovascular workout. Working in heat assists the body with relaxing, improving breathing (which assists with conditions such as asthma) and focuses the mind, which develops better mental concentration.

When To Avoid Hot Yoga

Hot yoga is not suitable for everyone. This is because of the intensity of the workout and the hot temperatures which have the potential of causing heat-related illness. So, before you do decide to take on hot yoga, be sure you check with your doctor. This is particularly if you have any health concerns or if you are pregnant.

It’s probably best to give this type of yoga a skip if you have:

  • Heart disease,
  • Problems with dehydration,
  • Heat intolerance, or, alternatively
  • A history of a heat-related illness (for example, heatstroke)

If you do not have any health concerns, and you want to try a hot yoga class, make sure that you drink a lot of water before, during and after your workout. Stop immediately if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or sick in any way.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

There are so many great types of yoga out there that provide a myriad of benefits. If you want to help others learn about these then you need to become a yoga instructor. Follow this link to learn about our Yoga Instructor Course!

If you’re keen on getting into the fitness industry, but yoga’s not your thing, then we have a whole host of other fitness-related courses for you to choose from. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Is Central Nervous System Fatigue And How Can It Affect Your Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-central-nervous-system-fatigue-and-how-can-it-affect-your-workouts/ Fri, 12 Feb 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22865 Fatigue happens after all difficult exercises. Running a kilometre gets harder after you’ve already run two. Powerlifting becomes more challenging after you’ve done multiple reps. Recognising this fatigue is how we continue to push ourselves to run further distances as well as lift heavier weights so that we can grow faster and stronger with every...

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Fatigue happens after all difficult exercises. Running a kilometre gets harder after you’ve already run two. Powerlifting becomes more challenging after you’ve done multiple reps. Recognising this fatigue is how we continue to push ourselves to run further distances as well as lift heavier weights so that we can grow faster and stronger with every single workout.

However, always overtraining to the point of exhaustion may cause the brain to become chronically tired. Referred to as central nervous system (CNS) fatigue, this condition is marked by lowered functioning in the segment of the brain that is responsible for voluntary movement.

While some individuals debate what causes it (and others deny its presence altogether), many athletes as well as active individuals have struggled with the long-term side effects of CNS fatigue.

Why Does Fatigue Result From Prolonged Endurance Exercises?

Much of the work which has been done on the mechanisms behind CNS fatigue offers reasons as to why fatigue results from prolonged endurance exercise. In addition, there’s also a lot of research into output-related syndromes, for example chronic fatigue syndrome.

When we switch gears and then examine CNS fatigue under a microscope, information to validate the biological theory, which states that it results from high-intensity (speed and power) exercise, becomes far more elusive.

As sports coaches and personal trainers, however, we likely agree that we are not able to plan for successive high-intensity sessions without experiencing negative consequences. Or can we? Perhaps we do not know or it’s highly individual or subject to the logistical and traditional constraints of western sport models and common periodisation schemes.

Understanding CNS Fatigue

The brain as well as the spinal cord are designed in order to give us freedom of movement. However, chronic overtraining may fatigue the central nervous system to the point of where your movement becomes inefficient . In a nutshell, this is what takes place during CNS fatigue.

Extending yourself during workouts is one of the main causes of CNS fatigue although it can also be caused by poor sleep as well as bad nutrition. CNS fatigue is thought to be most commonly seen among weightlifting and strength-training athletes however it can happen to anyone who engages in high-intensity exercise. Plus, everyone has a different work capacity which means that some people may be able to endure more strenuous exercise before suffering from CNS fatigue.

Overtraining and CNS fatigue are often put into the same category however one is more serious than the other. Overtraining is a common side effect of attempting a new and rigorous exercise routine, and it can often be overcome with a few days of adequate rest as well as nutrition. In contrast, CNS fatigue results from chronic fatigue of the muscles and is more challenging to overcome.

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How To Overcome CNS Fatigue

Rest is the first and most essential way for you to overcome CNS fatigue. Sleep assists your body to recover and promotes muscle growth. This ensures that your workouts remain useful. In addition to getting enough sleep each and every single night, you’ll also want to schedule adequate downtime between your workout sessions.

Workouts which require more muscle activation, such as heavy weightlifting or spinning, should be balanced with more rest. In addition, you should have a post-workout recovery plan which includes proper nutrition.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a world-class personal trainer? If you do then you should really think about becoming a personal trainer! Check out our Personal Training Diploma for additional information and to register.

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Our Most Successful Way Of Adding Value To Your Cardiovascular Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/our-most-successful-way-of-adding-value-to-your-cardiovascular-training/ Wed, 10 Feb 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22837 Cardiovascular fitness is the capacity to handle aerobically challenging situations of differing duration. One of the leading causes of death in every part of the world is heart disease. Increasing cardiovascular fitness can lower your risk of developing heart disease by enhancing the efficiency of your heart, lungs as well as blood vessels. The simpler...

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Cardiovascular fitness is the capacity to handle aerobically challenging situations of differing duration. One of the leading causes of death in every part of the world is heart disease. Increasing cardiovascular fitness can lower your risk of developing heart disease by enhancing the efficiency of your heart, lungs as well as blood vessels.

The simpler it is to pump blood throughout your body, the less taxing it is on your heart. The contraction strength of your heart, the elasticity of your blood vessels in addition to the effectiveness of your blood to carry oxygen all increase if cardiovascular training is effectively executed.

Many individuals think that building cardiovascular endurance requires hours of training every single week however it’s surprising how quick and easy it really is to make a positive impact on the health of your heart. As heart rate variability (HRV) decreases when we age, keeping active – as well as maintaining a healthy HRV level – is important to your overall well-being.

Walking – The Start Of Your Cardiovascular Training

Start your cardiovascular training with the easiest of all exercises – walking. You can build walking into your daily life anywhere:

  • Make a regular habit to turn sedentary meetings into walking events,
  • Take a stroll in your lunch or coffee break, or
  • Just taking a long walk during your lunch break.

The best way to make good progress is to up your pace and walk at a brisk speed. Aim to reach 60% of your maximum heart rate each time you exercise. Are you not sure what your heart rate should be? Calculating this rate is easy – just subtract your age from 220, about 60% of this number is what you should be shooting for.

Running – Another Great Addition To Cardiovascular Training

Running is a super effective aerobic exercise which makes your heart beat faster as opposed to most other cardio activities. In addition, t’s a great fat-burner. If running is your thing, you should be aiming to lengthen your sessions every week or increase your speed in order to really push yourself. This will rapidly increase your cardiovascular endurance as well as your overall fitness.

Incorporate Weights Into Your Cardiovascular Training

What’s is that incorporating weightlifting into your cardiovascular routine is the best way to maximise weight loss. Doing both exercises has the effect of increasing your muscle mass, taking off weight and building both endurance and cardiovascular health. Weightlifting, together with cardiovascular training, also increases the number of kilograms you lose from fat, while a cardio-only routine could cause you to lose muscle as well.

Here are a few more of the ways you can add weightlifting to your cardio exercise routine:

  • Warm it up!

Doing cardiovascular training first will give you more energy for your weightlifting session. So begin with a 10-15 minute warm-up on a treadmill, bike or elliptical before you head into your strength-training routine.

  • Add it in

Add in a few minutes of cardio between weight-bearing exercises. For instance, if you’re doing squats, add a couple of minutes of jumping jacks, burpees or step-ups before you go into lunges. Anything which gets you out of breath may act as cardio.

  • Finish strong!

Add 10-15 minutes of weightlifting to the end of your cardio session. Just ensure that you rotate different areas of the body so that you can give your muscles time to recover.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Ever thought of becoming a personal trainer? If you have then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more about it here.

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How To Prevent Swimming Injuries https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/how-to-prevent-swimming-injuries/ Wed, 10 Feb 2021 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22833 Swimmers are intimately familiar with early morning practices, team workouts as well as living healthy lifestyles. What many may not realise is that swimming with poor stroke mechanics or reduced flexibility and strength may result in an overuse injury. By participating in a strength training and stretching programme, swimmers can help to improve their muscular...

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Swimmers are intimately familiar with early morning practices, team workouts as well as living healthy lifestyles. What many may not realise is that swimming with poor stroke mechanics or reduced flexibility and strength may result in an overuse injury. By participating in a strength training and stretching programme, swimmers can help to improve their muscular and cardiovascular endurance. This leads to better and more consistent stroke mechanics.

So, whether you’re a casual hobbyist or a professional swimmer, you know what the importance of keeping yourself healthy is. As with any type of sport, swimming takes strength as well as endurance. This means that your body needs to be in top shape in order to perform the way that you want and need it to. Swimming injury prevention is crucial in order to keeping you in the water and out of pain.

Why Swimming Is Classified As An Endurance Activity

Swimming is classified as an endurance activity, even when training for the sprint events, which means that swimmers are prone to overuse injury. Swimmers, who are at the elite level, may swim up to 14.5 km per day (that’s in excess of 2 500 shoulder revolutions) and six days a week.

Notwithstanding having a killer physique and natural taper (broad shoulders, thin waist), swimmers are arguably some of the most overtrained athletes. However, even those at the recreational or intermediate level (both swimmers and triathletes) may experience aches and pains.

What Are Some Of The Most Often-Seen Swimming Injuries?

Neck – as well as shoulder – injuries are among the most often-seen injuries which swimmers face. Neck and shoulder injuries from swimming include the following:

  • Irritation as well as inflammation in the shoulders
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis or tears
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome, which is a consequence of pressure on the rotator cuff muscles from part of the shoulder blade when the swimmer’s arm is lifted overhead.
  • Tears in the cartilage in the region of the shoulder socket
  • Neck and lower back pain
  • Bicep tendonitis

In addition, swimmers could also experience knee injuries. Stress on the knees could result in pain under or around the kneecap or, alternatively, at the inside of the knee.

Swimmers who experience pain or soreness for a period more than 48 hours should seek medical attention.

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Who Is At Risk For Swimming Injuries?

Your swimming injury risk depends profoundly both on the number of hours that you spend in the pool, ocean, or lake as well as what type of swimming you do. Swimmers who specialise in butterfly or the breaststroke have an increased risk of incurring lower back injuries. Also, breaststroke puts the athlete in danger of knee injury. Those who take part in synchronised swimming, triathlons, or who swim more frequently in natural bodies of water are more prone to concussion.

Your risk of overuse injuries may be decreased by varying your training programme. Incorporate the three basic strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke) into your routine rather than sticking to the same stroke all the time.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If coaching sports, such as swimming, is something that you’d like to do then you should do our Sports Coaching Science Certification. Read more about it here.

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How To Build A Comprehensive Workout Schedule Perfectly Suited For You https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-a-comprehensive-workout-schedule-perfectly-suited-for-you/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22813 If you’re a newbie exerciser, or you’re trying to get back into going to the gym regularly, knowing where to begin is a challenge. The right workout schedule for you will depend on a variety of factors such as your age, fitness levels, goals, in addition to any physical restrictions you may have. There is...

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If you’re a newbie exerciser, or you’re trying to get back into going to the gym regularly, knowing where to begin is a challenge. The right workout schedule for you will depend on a variety of factors such as your age, fitness levels, goals, in addition to any physical restrictions you may have.

There is no single type of exercise which can take care of all your needs. In fact, in order to get the most benefits from your workout routine, you want to include mix of activities during the course of a week. Otherwise, it’s like a diet that consists only of fruit—healthful as far as it goes but lacking a lot of the nutrients which you’ll find in other foods, such as fish, vegetables, nuts in addition to whole grains.

So, if you’re looking to put together the best workout programme, which will suit your needs perfectly, this article is for you!

Steps You’ve Got To Go Through First

Step 1: Flesh Out Your Fitness Goals Are

Whatever your goals are, it’s a great practice to write them down and be aware of what you’re trying to achieve. These fitness goals will shape HOW you construct your workout.

Step 2: How Much Time Are You Able To Dedicate To Fitness?

If you can work out for an hour a day, that’s fantastic. If you’re swamped, a 30-minute workout twice a week is a great way to start. This is fine too! Whatever your time commitment is, putting together the most efficient workout is crucial.

Step 3: Where Do You Want To Work Out?

Where you work out will essentially determine if you are going to exercise with bodyweight, or if you are able to start doing gym strength training.

Exercises To Build Into Your Workout Routine

Unless you’ve been doing strength training for a number of years, and know what you’re doing, we highly recommend that you pick a full-body routine which you can do between two and three times a week.

You want to put together an exercise routine which has at least one exercise for your:

  • Quads (front of your legs).
  • Butt and hamstrings (back of your legs).
  • Chest, shoulders, and triceps: (“push” muscles).
  • Back, biceps, and grip ( “pull” muscles).
  • Core (abdominals and lower back).

When you begin programming your workout routine, be cautious. The curse of the novice is:

  • To try for too much gain far too quickly,
  • Training too often,
  • Layering on too much of a challenge, and
  • Forgetting prudence in favour of excitement.

In order to prevent a quick and painful end to your exercising career, remember that you have your whole life to train so the most crucial thing that you are able to do on any particular day is preserve your ability to exercise tomorrow. If you keep this mindset fresh, you’ll inevitably make progress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover how to programme a routine like the best personal trainers out there, or if you want to become a personal trainer, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to learn more.

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How Pilates Can Benefit Your Cycling? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-pilates-can-benefit-your-cycling-find-out-more/ Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22804 Pilates is the ideal cross-training secret, which will benefit your cycling, that you’ll be wishing you tried sooner. The century-old practice, which was originally named “Contrology”, was created around six key principles: Breath, Concentration, Centring, Control, Precision, as well as Flow These principles help you to connect your mind with your body in addition to...

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Pilates is the ideal cross-training secret, which will benefit your cycling, that you’ll be wishing you tried sooner. The century-old practice, which was originally named “Contrology”, was created around six key principles:

  • Breath,
  • Concentration,
  • Centring,
  • Control,
  • Precision, as well as
  • Flow

These principles help you to connect your mind with your body in addition to focusing on the quality of the exercise over quantity. This is wonderful news if you’re short on time.

As a consequence, Pilates is an effective as well as worthwhile addition to every part of your training routine. Even if you are not actively training for a race and you just cycle or run for the sheer joy of it, Pilates will help your performance in, and enjoyment of, cycling.

Improved Core Strength

Pilates is responsible for targeting the core muscles, particularly the abdominals, hips and glutes. Being stronger in your core makes sure that cycling is much easier as well as more efficient.

Strengthening your core, or stability muscles, by practising Pilates also helps you to balance on your bike by keeping your spine in a stable position while the limbs move.  This is helpful for competitive cyclists in terms of performance improvement, and for the amateur cyclist going to work or the shops and making the ride it safer and more efficient.

Having a strong and stable foundation will help you in being able to generate more power through your legs.  This in turn will make you faster as well as more efficient on your bike.

Improved Alignment

In addition to core stability, your cycling performance will also benefit from the improved limb alignment which Pilates offers. When your legs are aligned well, from the hip joint down to your feet, this will enable you to utilise the strength in your muscles more efficiently so making it easier to cycle.  This equal distribution of your muscle strength will also lessen the risk of injury on your bike. Pilates is all about moving about with ease and which comes with enhancing the alignment of your limbs for optimal functioning of your muscles as well as your body as a whole.

Pilates Exercises To Enhance Core Strength

Oblique Crunch With Step Out

Begin in a forearm plank. Have your elbows under shoulders. Make sure that your core, as well as your glutes, are engaged so that your body forms a dead-straight straight line from your head to your heels. Step right foot out about 8 cm towards the right, then return to your starting position. Bend your left knee and then drive it up towards your left triceps. Return to your starting position. Perform 10 repetitions and then repeat on the opposite side. Complete two sets.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a guru at Pilates? If you do, then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Find out more by following this link.

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How To Improve Muscular Endurance? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-improve-muscular-endurance-learn-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22808 The term ‘muscular endurance’ refers to the ability of any given muscle to exert force, consistently as well as repetitively, over a particular period of time. This plays a massive role in almost every athletic endeavour. A synonym for muscular endurance is ‘stamina’. Long-distance running is a sport which requires muscular endurance. During the course...

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The term ‘muscular endurance’ refers to the ability of any given muscle to exert force, consistently as well as repetitively, over a particular period of time. This plays a massive role in almost every athletic endeavour. A synonym for muscular endurance is ‘stamina’.

Long-distance running is a sport which requires muscular endurance. During the course of a race, a marathon runner’s body carries out the same movement and stride repeatedly. This requires their muscles to possess an advanced level of endurance in order to avoid injury or extreme fatigue.

However, you don’t need to train for a marathon in order to boost your muscular endurance. For the average individual, it can be as simple as doing push-ups until they can’t do any more but while still maintaining good form.

Are There Different Types Of Muscle Endurance?

In strength training, ‘muscular endurance’ refers to the total number of repetitions of a single exercise which you can do without needing to stop and take a break. Examples take into account how many times you can do a full squat, a sit-up, or a bicep curl with a light-to-moderate weight while still maintaining good form.

The specific type of muscular endurance which is used during cardiovascular fitness activities – for example running, swimming, or cycling – is typically called cardiovascular endurance or cardiorespiratory endurance. It is different from the strength training definition.

Endurance training for these kinds of physical activities builds the:

  • Energy systems of the body,
  • Muscle fibres, and
  • Capillaries.

These  can sustain long periods of exercise, such as running a marathon or cycling a 100-mile race.

How To Measure Muscular Endurance

It is recommended that muscular endurance testing – as well as muscular strength testing – is done when you start a strength training program. The results will help your personal trainer set the correct intensity and loads for your exercises.

The push-up test is very often performed as a measure of upper body muscular endurance. During this test, do as many push-ups as you can before you can’t do anymore without good form. There is a modified push-up test for women.

This could also be a timed test in order to see how many you can perform in a minute. You will be able to evaluate how your performance matches up with others in your age and gender category. By tracking this number over a period of time, you will be able to see increases or decreases in upper body muscular endurance.

Exercises To Increase Muscle Endurance

Plank

  • As a start, lie flat on your stomach (with your hips touching the ground). Have your legs flat with upper body propped up by your forearms.
  • Tighten your lower back and shoulder muscles, lift your hips off the ground.
  • Hold for as long as you are able to (aim for intervals of 30 to 45 seconds) and then relax. That completes one repetition.

Tips:

  • Perform five reps of your longest hold possible.
  • At the end of the fifth rep, your arms should be shaking. This is a good indication that you’re pushing your limits.

Contact  Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to find out about more exercises to increase your muscular endurance then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to register.

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Why Resistance Training Will Help To Stop Muscle Loss https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-resistance-training-will-help-to-stop-muscle-loss/ Fri, 05 Feb 2021 06:51:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22798 The human body has a naturally occurring amount of muscle that’s determined by genetics, gender, and age. You can train your body (through resistance training) in order to increase the amount of muscle by performing exercises that stimulate muscle growth. Nevertheless, how much your muscles grow in response to work or resistance training will still...

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The human body has a naturally occurring amount of muscle that’s determined by genetics, gender, and age. You can train your body (through resistance training) in order to increase the amount of muscle by performing exercises that stimulate muscle growth. Nevertheless, how much your muscles grow in response to work or resistance training will still depend on your gender, age, and genes.

Having strong muscles only just make you look as well as feel good. Getting your muscles into great  shape will improve nearly every aspect of your life. This is because building muscle is good for your:

  • Heart,
  • Joints, as well as your
  • Mind.

And it doesn’t take hours of lifting heavy weights or loading up on protein powder to do it.

More About Muscle Mass And Genetics

In bodybuilding and resistance training, people who don’t naturally carry or easily enhance muscle are often termed as “hard gainers”. This may sound a little bit derogatory however it’s more a statement of fact because people with a lean, as opposed to a solid natural build, are scientifically categorised as ectomorphs. The more muscular builds are mesomorphs. Those who naturally carry more fat might be endomorphs.

But don’t panic!

There are many shades in between these definitions. You are not necessarily intended for a life of a skinny ectomorph, although ectomorphs are probably never going to be Mr/Mrs Universe, steroids aside.

Lift Weights Regularly

When it comes to revitalising muscles, resistance training is absolutely key. Although a number of adults exercise, a 2016 survey found that 57% preferred cardio, while only 24% lift weights. Evidence has really shown that doing resistance training exercises can help you maintain your muscle.

Lift weights you can lift between eight and 12 times. Once you are able to lift a weight for more than 12 times for a specific move, increase the amount. Focus on your whole body—think arms, chest, back, legs, and abdominals. Don’t rule out strength-building classes such as yoga and Pilates.

Eat Well

While consuming sufficient amounts of protein is important, heavy trainers (such as athletes) might need a little more protein, eating sufficient amounts of energy is probably even more important.

If you don’t eat (as well as drink) sufficiently in order to maintain your body weight in a manner consistent with how much energy you expend in day-to-day living, plus physical activity, you will lose muscle and probably bone. This is in addition to fat of course. It may be a little tricky losing fat while maintaining muscle however weight training certainly helps you to hang onto that muscle in those circumstances.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

As can be seen from the article above, resistance training is an essential part of a person’s exercise arsenal. Learn more about exercise with our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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How To Work Out With Resistance Bands. Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-work-out-with-resistance-bands-find-out-more/ Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22788 Sometimes it’s quite easy to forget just how simple it can be to become a little fitter. You don’t need all sorts of technological marvels that are strapped to every part of your body or racks straining under heavyweights. All that’s needed is for you just to push your body a little bit further than...

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Sometimes it’s quite easy to forget just how simple it can be to become a little fitter. You don’t need all sorts of technological marvels that are strapped to every part of your body or racks straining under heavyweights. All that’s needed is for you just to push your body a little bit further than it’s used to being pushed. One amazing way to do that is to incorporate resistance bands into your workout.

Resistance bands are a phenomenal addition to any strength training routine or rehabilitation programme. These bands come in a number of different sizes, lengths as well as resistance levels. They’re also portable in addition to being easy to store. This means that they’re perfect for home use, hotel workouts, or even just making the most of a small space at the gym. As is the case with free weights, exercise bands come in a range of resistance levels, from very stretchable to heavy-duty strength.

What Are The Most Popular Types Of Resistance Bands?

The most common types of resistance bands are tube bands with handles, loop bands and therabands. If you’re in doubt, a personal trainer can help you make the choice as to which band is right for you, based on your fitness level and your particular workout routine.

How Much Do Resistance Bands Cost?

Resistance bands are cheap and super effective for a variety of workouts – most likely far more effective than you may think. While those looking to seriously bulk up might not get all they need from resistance bands, these are a great tool for increasing strength and adding some muscle. You are also able  use them for fast-paced HIIT workouts if you would like to improve your cardiovascular fitness in addition to burning tonnes of calories.

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Examples Of Resistance Band Exercises

One-Arm Biceps Curl

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Ensure that both of your feet are on the resistance band. Grab the band with one hand and then hold it with your arm down at your side, with your palm facing forwards. Bend at your elbow and lift your arm toward your shoulder until you are able to get a good biceps contraction. After this slowly lower back to the start. Do all your reps on one arm and then switch.

Reps: 12-15 each side

Triceps Kickback

Stand in a forward lunge. Ensure that you position your right foot to the front. Put it over the centre of the band. Hold each end of the band and place your arms at your sides. Make sure that your palms are facing behind you. Bend at your elbows (keeping them tucked by your sides) until your forearms are parallel to the floor. Next, press down your arms and push the band behind your body until your arms fully extend. Lower back down.

Reps: 8–10

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Resistance bands are a fabulous way to work out. Learn how to exercise properly, and teach others how to do so as well, with our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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Great Yoga Asanas That Children Can Easily Do. Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/great-yoga-asanas-that-children-can-easily-do-find-out-more/ Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22726 Recent studies have found that yoga can help children manage their stress and anxiety to lead healthy, balanced life. Your child doesn’t need to have the experience or skills to start practicing. They simply need to start. Once they’ve started, it will become a part of their life with your help and guidance. Not only...

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Recent studies have found that yoga can help children manage their stress and anxiety to lead healthy, balanced life. Your child doesn’t need to have the experience or skills to start practicing. They simply need to start. Once they’ve started, it will become a part of their life with your help and guidance. Not only does it help them manage their stress, but it also keeps them active and promotes a balanced life.

The Benefits Of Yoga For Kids

Yoga’s philosophy teaches not only children but adults as well, how to bring together all the aspects of their wellbeing – the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of their lives. This helps to encourage mindfulness and inner peace.

Children are super sensitive, highly intelligent beings. They are totally receptive to their environment and are affected by their surroundings in profound ways. They are influenced by so many external factors such as parental pressure, stress, peer pressure, school pressure, competitive sports, TV, videos, game consoles (play station, Wii, and all other technological advancements), chemicals and pesticides in foods, bad eating and the list goes on. Childhood illnesses are also on the increase; ADD, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, obesity, low muscle tone, low levels of self-esteem, lack of self-worth, and fear are prevalent problems in our society.

Modern-day children are born with huge amounts of energy and with much higher levels of intelligence than we have ever seen before. They are often difficult to calm or settle, they get bored easily and need constant attention and stimulation.

Yoga offers children a place to download all this sensory input. Yoga classes are designed to teach children tools to self-calm, de-stress, find inner balance and manage this intense energy so it can be used in effective and constructive ways. It’s a place where children are encouraged to accept and love themselves and others just the way they are.

Teach these skills to your children from a young age as it’s beneficial to their emotional and physical growth, improving their overall wellbeing. This can assist children in managing their stress, developing relationships, and promoting mindfulness. These tools will assist them from childhood right through to adulthood.

Additional health benefits include:

  • Reduces chronic pain
  • Improved strength
  • Improves aerobic capacity
  • Develops balance and coordination
  • Improved quality of sleep
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Promotes emotional balance
  • Improves mood
  • Promotes resiliency

Yoga helps children feel safe

It improves low self-esteem, increases self-worth, and builds confidence. It helps children communicate better and express their emotions. Yoga improves focus and concentration. It improves low muscle tone, increases flexibility, strength and coordination.

Yoga helps alleviate aches and pains and helps with respiratory disorders.

Yoga helps children with sleep disorders.

It helps with depression and anxiety.

Yoga helps develop personal responsibility and self-discipline. It reminds children of their connection to source and their unlimited creative power.

4 Yoga Poses For Children

  1. Bridge Pose

This pose assists in stretching the spine and thighs.

To perform this pose, start by lying on your back with knees slightly bent and feet firmly planted on the floor hip-distance apart. Lay your arms alongside your body. Slowly inhale, lifting your back off of the floor. Keep your butt tight, supporting your body weight with your feet, arms, and shoulders. Interlace your fingers and push your body higher. Hold for a long as possible, breathing slowly and then releasing. If your child experiences any discomfort, don’t force the pose, rather re-evaluate the position and seek professional advice if need be.

  1. Tree Pose

This pose promotes balance and improves concentration.

Standing upright with legs straight and arms alongside the body, slowly lift your left foot, bending the knee. Lift your hands above your head and hold for 30 seconds, switch sides, and repeat. If your child is unsteady, let them press their bank against the wall for support.

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  1. Cobra Pose

This pose promotes back and core strength.

Lie o the ground, arms alongside your body and toes flat on the floor. Pull your shoulders back and keep your abdomen engaged. Lift your chest off of the ground, using your hands for support. Hold for 20 seconds and then release.

  1. Cat Pose

This pose stretches the abdomen, neck, spine, and torso.

Get down onto your mat and begin on your hands and knees with your back in a tabletop position. Make sure that your knees are just below the hips. As you exhale, arch your back towards the ceiling. Inhale and return to tabletop position.

Yoga is a great tool to develop life skills and when put into practice on a daily basis. The poses suggested are easy to perform and are a great starting point for those beginning their yoga journey. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down pat, you will be able to move onto more complex poses. Always remember that if you experience the pose, don’t force the pose, rather stop.

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If you are looking to become a yoga instructor, then you should really consider taking our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to learn more and to register.

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How To Do A Deadlift Correctly? learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-a-deadlift-correctly-learn-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22730 Deadlifting is a classic strength training workout. However, not everyone knows how to deadlift correctly. When done correctly, you can work multiple large muscle groups which make this a great compound exercise. Compound exercises give you the opportunity to train multiple muscle groups in the least time possible. When compared to isolated workouts such as...

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Deadlifting is a classic strength training workout. However, not everyone knows how to deadlift correctly. When done correctly, you can work multiple large muscle groups which make this a great compound exercise.

Compound exercises give you the opportunity to train multiple muscle groups in the least time possible. When compared to isolated workouts such as squats, lunges or bicep curls, these exercises work in isolation and only work one muscle group. When it comes to deadlifting, they work your core, glutes, back and hamstrings. Depending on the type of deadlift you’re doing, it can also promote balance.

Deadlifting In A Nutshell

Deadlifts are a compound exercise that involves multiple muscle groups. The most common way of performing this exercise is by making use of barbells. However, if you’re new to the exercise, we recommend working on your form without weights before adding additional weight into the mix. Once you have got the form correct, you can look into using kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, and resistance bands.

The Benefits Of Deadlifting

In addition to squats and chest presses, deadlifting is also a powerlifting exercise. It also strengthens your core, back, glutes and hamstrings all in one simple movement. As you make progress, you can add more resistance to the move but be sure to listen to your body and don’t take on more than what you can handle.

This workout is also ideal for people with knee injuries that can’t perform a lunge or squats, as you don’t need to bend your knees to deadlift. People with ankle issues can also benefit from performing this exercise.

Something else to consider is that deadlifting can also work your upper back and shoulders. By keeping your core engaged while deadlifting, you’re also able to strengthen your abdominal muscles. This will assist you in being able to lift the weight off the floor.

How To Deadlift

Select a barbell with a manageable weight. Stand behind it with your feet hip-distance apart with a slight bend in the knees. Bend forward from your hips, pushing your butt backwards while engaging your core, ensuring that your back remains straight and flat.

Pick up the barbell while maintaining your form, keeping your hands knee distance apart.

Keep your shoulders pressing down and rotate your elbows so that your shoulders and back can assist you in lifting the weight. Engage your core, push the weight down through your heels and lift the weight off of the ground, slowly straightening your body starting at the knees. Hold for a couple of seconds. After this, slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. You need to keep your back straight. A rounded back can result in serious injury.

There are different variations of deadlifting which means that there’s bound to be an option suitable for you and your fitness/strength level. As you begin to progress, you can begin to take on more complex lifts such as the single-leg deadlift. This option requires balance as well as strength.

Deadlifting is a simple exercise that can provide a quick workout for multiple muscle groups. It’s important to work on your form before you start to add weight to the exercise – this includes making sure that your back remains straight at all times. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, the humble deadlift will more than likely become a staple in your workout programme.

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There are so many exercises – other than deadlifts – which will help you to maintain your fitness. Find out what these are on our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How To Reduce Fatigue With Yoga? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-reduce-fatigue-with-yoga-find-out-more/ Mon, 01 Feb 2021 06:07:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22686 Dealing with fatigue can be difficult to cope with. For some, it’s due to an overly complex and busy life or could be due to medical conditions that can include Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Feeling as if you’re depleted and less energised and make it difficult to get through day to day...

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Dealing with fatigue can be difficult to cope with. For some, it’s due to an overly complex and busy life or could be due to medical conditions that can include Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Feeling as if you’re depleted and less energised and make it difficult to get through day to day activities.

Recent studies have found that yoga can have a positive effect on chronic illnesses. Yoga has been found to assist in managing a wide range of conditions that include pain and depression.

When it comes to deciding to take a yoga class, you need to do your research as there are different versions available with some adding aerobic exercises or gymnastics to the mix which isn’t as gentle. If you are suffering from fatigue, intense classes can worsen your symptoms.

So, to help you on you’re journey, we will be sharing a few yoga asanas, also known as poses, to help reduce feelings of fatigue.

4 Yoga Poses To Reduce Fatigue

  1. Child’s Pose

This pose not only has a calming effect on the body, but it can also release the back and open your hips.

You can perform this pose by sitting on the floor, keeping your feet together and your knees slightly wider than hip-width and your butt resting just above your heels. Slowly lean forward, walking your hands forward and resting your knees on the mat. Rest your forehead on the mat and hold for a few seconds and then work your way back to the starting position.

 

  1. Cat/Cow Pose

This pose can provide relief from back pain, improve digestion, and open the spine.

To perform this pose, get down onto your hands and knees, keeping your knees hip-width apart. Inhale, lifting your hips while lowering your belly and rolling your shoulders back. When you exhale, tuck your hips and round your spine, slowly dropping your head. Repeat five times in line with your breath.

  1. Supine Twist

This pose can assist you in calming your mind, improving digestion, opening the shoulders, and alleviating back pain.

To perform this pose, lie on your back with knees bent and feet planted firmly on the grown. Slowly release your knees to fall on the left side of your body, spreading your arms out to the side, creating a “T”. Hold for a number of seconds and then drop your knees to the right side.

  1. Savasana

This pose helps you to relax, relieve stress and improve concentration.

Start by lying supine with your legs straight out in front of you. Lower your arms alongside your body. Make sure that you close your eyes and then focus on your breathing. Practise deep breathing in the positions for a few minutes.

The benefits of practising yoga speak for themselves. It facilitates a holistic approach to living a healthy lifestyle centred on your wellbeing. Of course, it can promote full-body strength, but it can also help you alleviate stress, leaving you feeling energised and refreshed. However, this won’t magically occur overnight and will require regular practice to reap the benefits.

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If you would like to deepen your yoga practice, you should really consider becoming a yoga instructor with our Yoga Instructor Course. Read more here.

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Can A Calisthenics Workout Build Strength In Your Entire Body? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-a-calisthenics-workout-build-strength-in-your-entire-body/ Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22688 Before diving into too much detail, the simple answer is yes. However, when it comes to building muscle using callisthenics, there’s a lot for things that need to be considered. Building muscle often occurs as a result of exercise and training and getting a combination of things right. If you are able to build an...

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Before diving into too much detail, the simple answer is yes. However, when it comes to building muscle using callisthenics, there’s a lot for things that need to be considered.

Building muscle often occurs as a result of exercise and training and getting a combination of things right. If you are able to build an environment, your weight free journey may prove to be successful.

The Conditions Needed To Build Muscles

Muscle building, also known as hypertrophy, is defined as skeletal muscle fibres enlarging in an attempt to overcome high levels of force and tension. This means that in order to build muscle, you need to provide high enough levels of force and tension that your body needs to overcome to complete the movements in your training programme.

Resistance training is able to build the right environment and conditions for hypertrophy to occur as your muscles are forced to work through the force’s resistance being applied while adapting to the stress you are placing on it.

This resistance can come from machines, free weights, barbells or even your body weight. The weight source doesn’t matter. You simply need to ensure that the resistance from your weight source is able to supply the force and tension needed to build muscle.

Bodyweight Versus Weight Training

When it comes down to building muscle, the amount of force and tension needed will differ from person to person. Low resistance levels will reduce the risk of stimulating muscle hypertrophy.

Weight training makes this easier as you can easily adjust the resistance by changing your weight selection or level to increase the difficulty. However, bodyweight training relies on your body weight which will more than likely remain the same, but this doesn’t mean that the resistance will remain the same. You can make straightforward changes to your environment or modify your workout to increase the resistance. For example, if push-ups become easy, you can shift your angle and try to perform a pike push up. This will put more resistance on your shoulders and chest and increase the intensity of the exercise.

Increasing The Workout Difficulty And Intensity

So, in a similar way to weight training, you need to progressively adjust your weights and workouts to increase the intensity, except with bodyweight training, you will need to adapt the workouts and not the “weights”. This requires a bit more creativity and thinking, but it will help you to understand your body and its limits a whole lot better.

It’s important to remember that we determine the conditions and variables of the exercise that we decide to perform. Variables include the number of reps and sets, resting time and the speed at which we perform the workouts.

The speed at which we exercise plays an important part in the effectiveness of our workouts. Faster isn’t always better. Slower, controlled movements are able to create a lot of tension which is beneficial to building muscle.

Simply put, when training with your body weight, you’re able to create tension throughout your body, which creates body movement that involves multiple body parts. This has proven to be far more helpful as opposed to the isolated movements performed in weight training. In fact, the human body was designed to be able to support itself while making connections with multiple joints and moving seamlessly as one unit.

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Callisthenics is just one of the workouts that you can do in order to get fit and healthy. Learn about other workouts with our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more about it.

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Why Both Men And Women Can Reap The Benefits Of Resistance Training Later In Life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-both-men-and-women-can-reap-the-benefits-of-resistance-training-later-in-life/ Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22665 If the pandemic has taught as anything, it’s that the world can adapt their workout plans to ensure that they’re still able to train – even when the gyms are closed. We’ve seen more and more people turn to regular walks or runs, yoga, Pilates, HIIT or even go as far as to build a...

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If the pandemic has taught as anything, it’s that the world can adapt their workout plans to ensure that they’re still able to train – even when the gyms are closed. We’ve seen more and more people turn to regular walks or runs, yoga, Pilates, HIIT or even go as far as to build a home gym. Another workout option that has grown in popularity is resistance training.

For many years, resistance training has been viewed as a man’s workout, however, in light of needing to work out from home, research has now found that resistance is just as beneficial too women. It also found that older people are also able to reap the benefits of this exercise.

Understanding The Research

A study involving 651 men and 759 women over the age of 50 with no prior experience in resistance training compared the two groups’ strength gains and muscle mass after taking part in regular resistance training workouts.

The reason researchers chose to include women over the age of 50 is to alleviate the risk of menopausal hormone changes that could affect the outcome of the training, and as a result, the study.

The results found no gender-related differences in upper body strength or relative muscle mass. This leads to the hypothesis that women are able to benefit from resistance training as men when it comes to improvements in strength and muscle mass.

In addition to that, the study also found that the structure of the programmes may need to be adjusted to accommodate the different genders as well as their training needs. For example, the men in this age group may need to incorporate high-intensity training to their programme to improve their upper and lower body strength. At the same time, women may benefit from more frequent training when compared to men.

The Benefits Of Resistance Training

When it comes to resistance training, it’s not just an effective form of strength training; it can also prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and arthritis. It can also improve stamina, promote flexibility, increase bone density, and even help promote a better night’s sleep.

Additional health benefits include:

  • Improved muscle tone and strength
  • Promoting balance, flexibility, and mobility
  • Weight management
  • Reduces cognitive decline as you age
  • Pain management
  • Reduces risk of injury
  • Improves posture
  • Improves sense of well being
  • Improved mood, self-confidence, and self-esteem
  • Prevents insomnia
  • Improved overall performance

Regular exercise has proven to be a beneficial part of leading a balanced, healthier life for both men and women. As we age, we need to continue following a regular exercise routine to ensure that our body is healthy and able to perform daily tasks.

Resistance training can be tailored to suit every body type, gender, and fitness level to ensure that you’re able to reap the benefits. We need to escape the mindset that there’s a distinct gender divide when it comes to working out. Both men and women can benefit from following similar workout programmes, however, each person’s capabilities will differ and this needs to be considered. The focus needs to shift from a gender-based approach to an individual approach.

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There are tonnes of resistance training exercises that you can slot into your workout routine. Find out what these are – and so much more – on our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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Why Does Exercise Keep You Mentally Fit? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-does-exercise-keep-you-mentally-fit-find-out-more/ Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22661 Most of us are really clued up about the many fitness and physical benefits of exercise. Among others, these are weight control, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes as well as increased energy, just to name a few. However, are there any psychological benefits? The great news is that there are! From alleviating the...

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Most of us are really clued up about the many fitness and physical benefits of exercise. Among others, these are weight control, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes as well as increased energy, just to name a few.

However, are there any psychological benefits? The great news is that there are! From alleviating the symptoms of depression as well as anxiety to making sure that your memory in kept sharp, there is no lack of mental benefits of exercise. In your brain, exercise stimulates chemicals which improve your mood and the parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Individuals who exercise on a consistent basis tend to do so because it gives them a great sense of well-being. They feel more vigorous throughout the day, enjoy improved sleep at night and have sharper memories. All round, they feel more relaxed as well as positive about themselves and their lives.

Assistance For Depression And Anxiety

As we mentioned previously, exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster. It decreases symptoms of both depression and anxiety.

How this works is that physical activity kicks up endorphin levels, which are the body’s famous “feel-good” chemical that are produced by the brain and spinal cord. These endorphins produce feelings of happiness and euphoria. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week may improve depression and anxiety, so much so that some doctors recommend trying out an exercise programme for these conditions before turning to medication.

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Exercise And The Mind

When you exercise increased levels of blood are pumped to the brain. This can help you to think more clearly. In addition, this increases the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory. It also enhances the connections between the nerve cells in the brain. This improves your memory and helps protect your brain against injury as well as disease.

A Stress Elixir

Ever noticed the way that your body feels when you’re under a lot of stress? Your muscles could be tense – especially in your face, neck, and shoulders. This leaves you with back or neck pain or, alternatively, painful headaches.

You may also feel a tightness in your chest, a pounding pulse or cramps in your muscles. Health problems – such as insomnia, heartburn, stomachache, diarrhoea, or frequent urination – may start plague you. The worry and distress of all these physical symptoms may in turn lead to even more stress, so creating a vicious cycle between your mind and body.

Exercising is an efficient way to break this cycle. As well as circulating endorphins in the brain, physical activity assists with relaxing the muscles and relieving tension in the body. As the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so will your mind as well.

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Exercise is a powerful force, as you can see by the above article. Learn how to exercise properly, and to teach others how to do so as well, by becoming a personal trainer. Sign up for our Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class fitness professional.

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Why You Should Combine Weight Training With Walks https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-you-should-combine-weight-training-with-walks/ Thu, 28 Jan 2021 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22642 Most of us have our favourite method of exercise, whether it’s Pilates, HIIT workouts, strength or weight training, or simply our walk around the block. It can be hard to try a new workout style when your go-to is so effective, but there can be some huge benefits to combining different exercises, in this case,...

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Most of us have our favourite method of exercise, whether it’s Pilates, HIIT workouts, strength or weight training, or simply our walk around the block. It can be hard to try a new workout style when your go-to is so effective, but there can be some huge benefits to combining different exercises, in this case, strength workouts and walking. In this article, we will be having a look at why combining weight training and walking might just be the best way to spice up your workout routine and see results!

The Benefits of Walking

Walking has forever been a great way to stay healthy, offering the additional benefits of lowering your probability of contracting heart disease, high blood pressure as well as diabetes. It is not necessarily the best workout that you can do in terms of burning calories, but making walking a part of your lifestyle can have huge benefits overall for your longevity and health.

The Benefits of Weight Training

Strength or weight training is an increasingly popular form of exercise that can be incredibly beneficial in assisting you with achieving your fitness goals. While cardio was always seen as the way to go if you want to lose weight, more and more studies suggest that weight lifting might be the better way to go. It can help boost your metabolic rate (meaning that you are burning calories more effectively) and extend the length of time you burn calories for (even post-workout your body is burning to repair your muscles).

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Combining The Two

As you can see, both of these workouts can be extremely beneficial on their own, for different reasons, but when you combine the two, you will be able to truly take things up a notch. You can combine strength training and walking in two ways:

  1. Weights and Walking: If you walk often but enjoy other forms of exercise as well, you could begin to incorporate weight-based workouts into your routine two days a week. Start with bodyweight exercises if you are unfamiliar to weight training, and then move to free weights and weight machines.

Benefits: This combination has shown to be very effective in terms of maintaining weight and muscle mass, as well as helping to control other bodily functions such as blood sugar.

  1. Walking With Weights: If you are a regular walker who prefers it to other types of exercise, you can incorporate weights into your walks! You can start by simply walking while holding small weights in your hands, or strapping them to your wrists, but there are many other weighted options such as ankle weights and weighted vests.

Benefits: Walking with weights has shown to be very effective in losing bodyweight, particularly if you gradually increase the weight over time so as not to plateau in your efforts. Placing the extra resistance on your body can always be beneficial for your cardiovascular health, increase your oxygen and energy consumption (and thereby seeing more results), and has been shown to assist in improving muscle and bone strength.

If you are looking for a method of changing up your routine or putting a little more into your workouts, try combining weights and walking – it’s super easy to do and provides great results!

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Why Strength Training Can Improve Your Sleep Quality https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-strength-training-can-improve-your-sleep-quality/ Thu, 28 Jan 2021 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22637 Did you know that poor sleep quality has been linked to low immune system function and a number of other chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes? Getting enough sleep is important, not just for being able to wake up in the morning, but for your overall health and wellness. If you’re struggling to...

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Did you know that poor sleep quality has been linked to low immune system function and a number of other chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes? Getting enough sleep is important, not just for being able to wake up in the morning, but for your overall health and wellness. If you’re struggling to get a great night’s sleep, you are not alone; sleep disorders are incredibly common (for example, about 1 in 4 Americans report experiencing insomnia). However, some studies suggest that strength training may be able to help you to enhance the quality of your sleep, as well as benefit your general health.

The Link Between Sleep And Exercise

Exercise and sleep have a direct link to one another, sometimes referred to as a bidirectional relationship. This means that your sleep quality has a direct link to your ability to perform physical activity; i.e. when you have a bad night’s sleep it will negatively affect your physical activity, and if you reduce your levels of physical activity, it will negatively affect your sleep. Previous studies have shown that regular aerobic activities, such as walking and jogging, improve overall sleep quality.

Strength Training And Sleep: The Research

A study published in Mental Health and Physical Activity had participants perform 30 minute strength training sessions three times every week for nine weeks. At the end of the study, the participants (who all suffered from PTSD; a common symptom being poor sleep quality) reported much better sleep quality overall.

Another study, published in Preventive Medicine Reports, looked at participants relationship between their strength training habits and sleep quality. Those who did regular strength training workouts were less likely to report bad sleeping habits than those who did not.

Why Strength Training?

While, as mentioned earlier, aerobic exercises have already been shown to improve sleep quality, strength training workouts are recommended due to the other physical benefits that they can provide. Strength training helps to build muscle and bone strength, as well as regulating bodily functions such as metabolism, blood pressure, and glucose levels. All of this ensures that your body is functioning as well as it can, which will help you to sleep better and relax. There is also the added bonus of working your body with more intensity, as when you lift weights or perform body-resistance exercises, you cause micro-tears in your muscles. These micro-tears are gradually repaired by your body over several hours, meaning that your body will keep running at a higher rate, increasing metabolism and burning calories. This will help you use energy in the body, helping you feel tired and ready to sleep at the end of the day.

In conclusion, if you are looking to improve your quality of sleep, strength training might be the way to do it – and it will help you to improve your general health and wellbeing at the same time!

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Strength training is just one of the ways in which you can get fit. Find out about the other ways in which you can achieve your fitness goal with our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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What Is Power Yoga? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-power-yoga-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22620 You’ve definitely heard of yoga, but you might be wondering what power yoga is. Yoga is not always just mindful stretching, as some people believe, there are many different types of yoga and they all offer a number of different benefits. Power yoga provides a great physical workout and helps to build physical strength and...

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You’ve definitely heard of yoga, but you might be wondering what power yoga is. Yoga is not always just mindful stretching, as some people believe, there are many different types of yoga and they all offer a number of different benefits. Power yoga provides a great physical workout and helps to build physical strength and endurance. In this blog, we will be having a look at power yoga; what it is and what the benefits are.

What Is It?

Power yoga is a style of yoga that focuses on strength and endurance. It is high intensity and can be a way to burn calories while building strength and focusing on improving your breathing. You might have heard of power yoga being called Vinyasa yoga before, referring to the Vinyasa style of yoga that includes a lot of flowing transitions between moves. Unlike other types of yoga, power yoga moves are not performed separately one after another; instead, you flow between poses so that you are constantly moving. In this yoga, these transitions are fast-paced, making this an intense workout.

What Are The Differences?

Power yoga has a few differences from other types of yoga, all of which make it a unique and powerful workout:

  • While most yoga styles focus on performing moves in a slow and controlled fashion, this yoga is much faster. While this might not make it the calm and relaxing experience that you may associate with yoga, it does mean that you are burning calories and getting a full cardiovascular workout.
  • Power yoga offers a wider variety of movement in a single session in comparison to other forms of yoga. For example, Ashtanga yoga is very precise and will almost always (traditionally) follow the same series of moves in the same or similar order. On the other hand, this type of yoga can be varied, depending on the session, allowing you to do something new every time.
  • As mentioned above, the biggest difference between this yoga and other types is the flow—fast movements and flow between movements, making it a high intensity and dynamic workout.

What Are The Benefits?

There are plenty of benefits of power yoga, aside from the overall general health benefits of any workout:

  1. Cardiovascular Health – the fast-paced nature of this yoga provides a great cardio workout, getting your heart rate up as well as increasing your stamina and fitness.
  2. Building Strength – Thanks to the face pace and body resistance exercises, you will be building your muscle strength and endurance.
  3. Weight Loss – the intense cardio workouts will help you burn calories while building muscle tone, helping you lose weight in a healthy way.

In conclusion, power yoga can be an incredible way to experience yoga differently – helping you build strength, reduce stress, and enjoy a great workout.

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If you would like to deepen your practice of yoga, then you should really consider doing our Yoga Certification Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why People Are Turning To Resistance Bands? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-people-are-turning-to-resistance-bands-learn-more/ Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22624 If you like to exercise and fitness, even a little, you will probably have noticed the rise of resistance bands! It seems that everybody out there has jumped on the bandwagon and the latex bands are everywhere – wide, thin, branded, and colourful, they seem to be the next big thing when it comes to...

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If you like to exercise and fitness, even a little, you will probably have noticed the rise of resistance bands! It seems that everybody out there has jumped on the bandwagon and the latex bands are everywhere – wide, thin, branded, and colourful, they seem to be the next big thing when it comes to fitness. But what is the big deal with these stretchy bands? In this article, we will be breaking down why resistance bands have gained so much popularity and why these are a great addition to your workout routine.

What Are Resistance Bands?

There are three main types of resistance bands: tube bands, flat bands, and loop bands.

Tube Bands (or resistance tubes) are usually thin, flexible tubes with handles on both ends, allowing them to be anchored to objects for a wide range of movements. The handles also allow for easy grip and comfort.

Flat Bands are thin flat pieces of latex that come in various levels of resistance. These are probably the most commonly used as well as least expensive types of resistance bands that are often used for rehabilitation from injury or to aid in stretching.

Loop Bands (or pull up bands) are becoming more and more popular, particularly amongst fitness enthusiasts. These bands are a fixed loop (like a big rubber band) and are useful adding resistance to your workouts.

 

Why Are They So Popular?

  1. Inexpensive And Easy To Get

Resistance bands are very affordable, in comparison to other workout equipment. You can buy flat bands for very little money if you want to give them a try and can buy loop bands or tube bands for relatively cheap if you want to incorporate more band training into your routine.

 

  1. Use Anywhere

They are super easy to pack into a bag or store in a cupboard – so taking them with you to the gym, on a hike, on holiday, to a race or sports match, or just keeping them at home, will be extremely easy and convenient.

 

  1. Stretching And Rehabilitation

One of the major benefits of resistance bands is their ability to assist in stretching. Even if you are not recovering from any particular injury, the added resistance that they provide can help you to increase your range of motion and your general flexibility.

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  1. Full Body Workout And Muscle Tone

Adding resistance into your workout routine is the best way to see results. You can use the resistance bands in so many ways, allowing you to work harder in every part of your body. They can also assist in muscle definition and tone by allowing you to focus on specific muscles.

 

  1. Progress And Adaptation

Possibly one of the greatest pluses is the ability of resistance bands to grow with you as you progress – whether you are regaining strength from an injury or just wanting to improve your fitness. All of the various types of bands come in many variations of resistance – allowing you to up the resistance as you improve, instead of plateauing in your progress.

These are just a few of the reasons why resistance bands are gaining such popularity in the fitness world. If you only take away one thing, keep in mind that resistance bands are for everyone! They are easy to use, affordable to buy. They can be used by anyone for any type of movement, from yoga and Pilates to strength training and stretching – resistance bands will assist you with reaching your goals and improve your overall fitness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn about using resistance bands in other forms of exercise, you absolutely need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course here.

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The Best Workout To Help You Accomplish Your Health Goals https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-workout-to-help-you-accomplish-your-health-goals/ Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22558 When it comes to deciding on goals – any goal for that matter – you need to consider a step-by-step plan to achieve it. You need to know what you’re planning on achieving at the end of it all and what you can do to ensure that you’re successful. More often than none, the intention...

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When it comes to deciding on goals – any goal for that matter – you need to consider a step-by-step plan to achieve it. You need to know what you’re planning on achieving at the end of it all and what you can do to ensure that you’re successful.

More often than none, the intention of the goal may be good, but the execution of the plan leads to premature failure within the first few months.

To assist you on your journey, as well as help you to see success, we’ve found a few common exercise goals as well as the exercise that will help you to achieve the relevant goals. Whatever you’re looking to achieve in 2021, we’re sure to have an exercise that will help you do exactly that.

Looking To Manage Stress And Get A Better Night’s Rest?

Try yoga. Yoga offers a great deal of calmness and inner peace when practised regularly. People have even found that by making time to do you, they’re able to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness brought about by yoga helps to reduce stress and release tension in the body.

Once you’ve managed to get your stress under control, you may find that your quality of sleep begins to improve. In the event that you’ve got racing thoughts and are unable to sleep, try to practice yoga or simple meditation to help you bring your mind to ease.

Want To Add Definition And Toning To Your Body?

Try strength training. When it comes to increasing your strength and adding definition, strength training will help you get there. Examples include weight training, bodyweight workouts or resistance training.

If you choose to utilise weights, make sure that you’re using the weight that’s right for you and if you’re doing bodyweight exercise, make sure that you use proper form to prevent injury. As your strength begins to increase, you can begin to increase the weight or modify the exercises.

If Endurance Is What You Need…

Try a walking plan. If you’re easily out of breath and tired of being left behind, you need to improve your endurance and the easiest way to do so is by walking regularly. Most trainers recommend starting with 30-minute walks at least three times a week.

Walking promotes cardiovascular health and fitness. It also burns calories which means that you can even lose weight in the process. As soon as the regular walks become easier, try to add an extra day to your plan or increase your pace. The more regularly you commit to walking, the quicker your endurance will begin to improve.

Want To Strengthen Your Core?

Try Pilates. A strong core not only assists you in becoming stronger overall, but it also improves your stability, endurance, balance, and posture, and while crunches can help you do so, there are other options. Pilates can also assist you in reducing body pain and can improve flexibility and mobility.

Trying To Lose Weight?

Use all of the above options. Losing weight requires an ongoing commitment to working out regularly. It’s also about more than just focusing on cardio or weight training, it’s about following a well-rounded programme that’s focused on improving your overall health and quality of life.

There’s nothing better than working out and seeing the difference it makes not only to your body but your life as well. By incorporating different exercises, you reduce the risk of becoming bored and unmotivated as a result.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Helping others to achieve their workout goals is something that personal trainers do on a daily basis. If this is something that you would like to make your career, then you need to our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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What Are The Best Workout Routines For Men? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-workout-routines-for-men-find-out-more/ Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22521 Having a regular exercise routine is important for everyone, not just for the benefits of getting to look good and feel good, but for the long term health bonuses, you will gain from keeping your body healthy and fit. There are many workouts that are designed for different reasons, based on body type, fitness goals,...

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Having a regular exercise routine is important for everyone, not just for the benefits of getting to look good and feel good, but for the long term health bonuses, you will gain from keeping your body healthy and fit. There are many workouts that are designed for different reasons, based on body type, fitness goals, or exercise style preference – and it can be hard to figure out what the best options are for you. Men generally have a higher body and muscle mass than women, meaning that the way that they work out will be a little different. This article will look into the best workout routine for men (in general) if you want to boost your fitness and strength.

What Is The Best Routine?

Many fitness experts seem to agree that the best workout routine for men looking to increase their fitness, is a strength training program that works specific areas of the body on different days; thereby working the entire body over a week of the program. We are going to look at two different routines that are designed for different fitness levels, and see why these work.

  1. At Home Routine

This style of routine is for those who do not have time to go to the gym, want a change of scenery, or would prefer to workout in the comfort of their own home. With the availability of online workouts, it is easy to build a varying and challenging program with or without equipment. One workout program suggests that you follow a weekly routine (based on three days of activity) of:

  • Day 1: Legs, Shoulders, and Abs (e.g. squats, shoulder presses, lunges, upright rows, lateral raises, calf raises, and crunches)
  • Day 2: Chest and Back (e.g. floor press, dumbbell fly, dumbbell rows, pushups, and dumbbell pullovers)
  • Day 3: Arms and Arbs (e.g. bicep curls, tricep extensions, bench dips, and planks)

All of these exercises can be done by making use of only bodyweight resistance, with improvised weights, or with proper equipment. It would also be an absolutely great idea to add in some general cardio on other days of the week to ensure that you are getting a well-rounded workout experience.

  1. Area Specific Workout

This workout program style is about focusing on specific body areas on specific days – with a particular emphasis on the upper chest, lower lats, biceps, and calves. These areas are specifically mentioned because, according to some, these areas can be weak points for men. However, when they are focused on and defined, they can really transform a man’s physical look overall. Therefore, this style of workout is definitely more focused on your physical appearance and defining your look, so if this is your goal, then look for these more specified workouts.

One routine suggests that you follow a program of:

  • Day 1: Chest and Shoulders (e.g. bench presses, cable crossovers, wide-grip dips, Arnold presses, and lateral raises)
  • Day 2: Legs (e.g. Lying leg curls, squats, leg press, and deadlifts)
  • Day 3: Rest
  • Day 4: Back (e.g. dumbbell rows, deadlift, pulldowns, and dumbbell pullovers)
  • Day 5: Rest
  • Day 6: Arms and Abs (e.g. Dumbbell curls, v-bar pushdowns, bench dips, tricep extensions, sit-ups, and leg raises)
  • Day 7: Rest

As mentioned above, the second routine is more focused on building definition and tone versus the first’s goal of general overall health and fitness. Overall, the best workout for you is the one that can help you get to the goal that you are aiming for. You can always add more reps, increase your weekly workouts, and increase your weights as you improve, but it is important to start a sustainable and safe point for you now – and that can help carry you towards the person you are hoping to become.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to develop workout routines for men and women, then you should become a personal trainer. Study our Personal Training Diploma and become a world-class fitness professional!

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What To Know About Weight Training With Psoriatic Arthritis https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-to-know-about-weight-training-with-psoriatic-arthritis/ Wed, 20 Jan 2021 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22503 If you have been diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you might be wondering what kind of exercise you can do without aggravating your condition, particularly when it comes to lifting weights. Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that involves both the itchy and scaly patches that come from psoriasis and the swollen joints of arthritis. It...

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If you have been diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you might be wondering what kind of exercise you can do without aggravating your condition, particularly when it comes to lifting weights. Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that involves both the itchy and scaly patches that come from psoriasis and the swollen joints of arthritis. It can be a mild case or more severe and may affect multiple joints throughout the body. While it can be uncomfortable and resting might seem like the best option, some gentle exercise can help you to manage the condition!

What Kind Of Exercises Can Work?

While overdoing, it can be a bad thing, the right kind of exercise can be great for not just alleviating some of your symptoms, but also allowing you to work out and stay healthy. Cardio exercise and stretching can be very beneficial. Still, strength and weight training, in particular, can be extremely useful for sufferers of PsA as it can help to build the muscle around joints. It is incredibly important to work with your doctor and a fitness expert if you are starting out for the first time, to make sure that the workouts you are performing are safe for you.

What Is Weight Training

Weight training involves a variety of exercises that incorporate bodyweight resistance, free weights, and weight machines. The resistance of weights helps to increase the force that you are exerting on your muscles and this process helps to strengthen them.

Is It Safe To Lift Weights With Psa?

Weightlifting is usually safe for people who have PsA. Still, it is dependent on the severity and specificity of your condition, so it is best to check with a doctor before starting a weight training program.

There are also benefits to weight lifting for PsA sufferers if done correctly! Some benefits can include:

  • Increased bone strength
  • Increased muscle strength that will help with joint support
  • Increased strength and flexibility
  • Reduction of stiffness and pain
  • General health and wellness benefits

What To Check

While it can be very safe to weight lift, you should prepare yourself properly before working out to avoid aggravating your condition. It is important to:

  • Warm-up effectively
  • Keep the weights at an appropriate weight for your skillset
  • Stay well hydrated
  • Ensure that you are performing exercises with correct form
  • Not workout during a flare-up or adapt the workout to be less harsh on your joints
  • Take sufficient rest periods between workouts.

In conclusion, just because you have PsA does not mean that you cannot enjoy a weight training regime and build your strength. In fact, you might enjoy some benefits!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to develop into an expert in weight training as well as other forms of fitness training? If you would, then you need to become a personal trainer. Study our Personal Training Diploma and see where a career in fitness will take you!

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Tips for Improving Business Writing Skills. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/tips-for-improving-business-writing-skills/ Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22433 Personal trainers and other fitness professionals not only need to be great in terms of their fitness skills but also need super business writing skills as they will need to compile a lot of business-related documentation such as business plans as well as emails to clients. Here are a number of ways that personal trainers...

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Personal trainers and other fitness professionals not only need to be great in terms of their fitness skills but also need super business writing skills as they will need to compile a lot of business-related documentation such as business plans as well as emails to clients. Here are a number of ways that personal trainers and fitness professionals can improve their business writing skills.

Be Clear And Concise

The first thing which you need to learn is how to be clear and concise in what you say. Everyone who you communicate with is busy and is dealing with overflowing inboxes each and every single day. This means that you need to be explicit in conveying your message otherwise you risk your email finding the trash folder a little too quickly.

A great way of doing this is to put your main point in the first sentence of your message. For example, if you need to arrange a training session, your first sentence could be, “Can we arrange a session on Friday morning?” After this, you can then use the rest of the message to add contextual details your client needs to know.

Identify Your Specific Weaknesses and Strengths

This can be quite challenging if the only feedback you have received is you ‘need to improve’. Where to begin? There are so many entrenched skills in business writing which means that it’s important to understand what is working in addition to what needs improvement.

There are three vital metrics for business writing:

  • Split the information/substance/content of a document from the words which express the information/substance/content. There is the information. In addition, there are the words that express that information. We have to look at these separately in order to identify strengths and weaknesses.
  • Reflect on the information contained in your usual documents. Do your clients have the information that they need? Is it grouped logically? Does it flow logically? This is the information or substance of your document.
  • Reflect on the words that you use to express the information. This is the syntax, or the way you utilise words.

Know Your Audience Well

Many different people, in varying roles across other companies and organisations – as well as your own – require different style of writing. In the same way that you tailor a business pitch differently, depending on who you’re talking to, you must keep your audience in mind when it comes to all business writing.

Edit and Edit Again

When you’ve written a draft of your business communication – be it an email or a WhatsApp – don’t send it off straight away. Come back to the draft, take a look for areas which can be improved – particularly the strength as well as the clarity.

Don’t just edit once, either. Take the time and go over the message a few times. Really pay attention to what can be changed in order to make the message more effective. Try reading out loud – you’ll be amazed what you catch just by vocalising what you’ve written – and ask a third party to lend another pair of eyes.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn the technical skills of what it takes to become a personal trainer then you really need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Is The Best Workout For Calf Muscle Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-workout-for-calf-muscle-training/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:30:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22428 Strong calves don’t only balance out the way that you look. They’re also absolutely fundamental to gaining power as well as explosiveness both in and outside the gym. Your calf muscles assist with propelling you forward and up during explosive movements. This makes them extremely useful for sprinting and plyometrics, and any activity which requires...

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Strong calves don’t only balance out the way that you look. They’re also absolutely fundamental to gaining power as well as explosiveness both in and outside the gym. Your calf muscles assist with propelling you forward and up during explosive movements. This makes them extremely useful for sprinting and plyometrics, and any activity which requires leg propulsion or foot stabilisation upon landing, like running, volleyball, and basketball.

Tight calf muscles may limit your ankle mobility as well as potentially increasing the likelihood of injuries such shin splints or Achilles tendonitis. This means that it’s crucial to train them — and work on ankle mobility — regularly.

During a calf-strengthening workout, you target the two muscles which make up the calf:

  • The gastrocnemius muscle, which lends the calf its round shape.
  • The soleus, which is the flatter, longer muscle that runs underneath the gastrocnemius and lower down your leg.

Standing Calf Raise On Elevated Surface

This is a fantastic exercise to stretch as well as  strengthen the calves (primarily the gastrocnemius) through a full range of motion:

  • With a dumbbell securely in your left hand, stand up tall with the ball of your left foot on an elevated surface and with your heel hanging off. Your right toes must rest on your left ankle.
  • Making sure that you keep your core firm, raise your left heel as high as you possibly can.
  • In a slow fashion, lower your heel down below the raised surface until you feel a stretch in your calf muscle.
  • Repeat and do equal reps on both legs.

Inward Calf Raise

  • Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes facing inward.
  • Draw your abs inward in order to stabilise your body as you lift up onto the balls of your feet. Keep your legs straight. Ensure that your knees are soft.
  • Pause at the top, squeeze your calf muscles and then lower back down to the ground.

That’s one rep. Complete 15.

Seated Calf Raise

This is a great exercise for soleus isolation:

  • Sit tall on a bench or chair. Make sure that your feet are flat on the ground. Hold two heavy dumbbells on the top of your thighs.
  • Keep your core engaged and lift your heels off the ground as high as you possibly can.
  • In a slow fashion, lower your heels back down to the mat. Repeat the movement.

In order to grow your range of motion, as well as work your muscles even more while doing a seated calf raise, elevate the balls of your feet with a block.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Personal trainers make their living from teaching others how to work out properly. If this is something that you want to do as a career then you should become a personal trainer. Have a good look at our Personal Training Diploma to find out how to do this.

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What is a metabolic conditioning workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-metabolic-conditioning-workout/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 07:59:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22424 There are three pathways which fuel the body during exercise. These are the immediate, intermediate as well as long-term energy pathways.  In the immediate as well as intermediate pathways, creatinine phosphate and carbohydrates are utilised for energy. In the long-term pathway, both carbohydrates as well as fats give your body energy. Metabolic conditioning, or metcon...

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There are three pathways which fuel the body during exercise. These are the immediate, intermediate as well as long-term energy pathways.  In the immediate as well as intermediate pathways, creatinine phosphate and carbohydrates are utilised for energy. In the long-term pathway, both carbohydrates as well as fats give your body energy.

Metabolic conditioning, or metcon (which is sometimes also spelled as MetCon), is based on exercise programmes that make use of the immediate, in addition to intermediate, energy pathways. Metabolic conditioning exercises must be performed in a specific time and intensity in order to use these pathways. With metcon, the body can burn fuel more efficiently by using moderate-intensity to high-intensity interval sessions.

A Combination Of Cardio And Strength Workouts

MetCon is a specialised mixture of cardio and strength workouts. It’s not the long, slow cardio that we’ve spent the last two decades doing, nor is it the tedious old straight-set strength training workouts, either. Well-known types of MetCon include P90X, CrossFit, Insanity or – alternatively – high-intensity circuit training,

Metabolic conditioning workouts make use of exercises which burn lots of calories during your workout and make sure that the body keeps burning calories after your workout ends. These workouts usually involve the entire body and short periods of rest. MetCon workouts are designed to push the limits of your body in order to build strength and endurance while becoming toned.

Why A Metabolic Conditioning Workout Works

MetCon, like quite a lot of fitness jargon such as ‘fat-burning zone’ or ‘toning-up’, is a bit of a misnomer. You don’t really have to exercise in order to ‘condition’ your metabolism. Your body is metabolising all the time and, if it ever stops dead in its track, that means you’ve stopped as well.

However, metabolic training is about increasing the storage as well as delivery of energy for any activity. MetCon, as opposed to traditional cardio or strength training, targets each part of the body in a more effective way. What MetCon is really about for the man in the street is one thing: getting results.

If you do metabolic conditioning right, you can:

  • Burn more calories for increased weight loss.
  • Increase the calories which you burn after your workout. (This is also called the afterburn.)

Teach your body how to make use of different energy systems more efficiently. This includes the following:

  • Phosphagen system (immediate energy required),
  • Glycolysis (intermediate energy required), and
  • The aerobic system (extended energy required).

While this isn’t always a priority for the average exerciser, this can be a tremendous boost for athletes.

Build strength, endurance, and fitness for almost any activity— such as competing in races, going into the military or law enforcement, sports or marathon yard work sessions.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Putting together workouts for their clients is what a personal trainer does. If this is something that you’d like to do then you should become a personal trainer with our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Benefits Of Chair Yoga? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-chair-yoga-find-out-more/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:05:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22414 First presented to the fitness world as a adapted version of hatha yoga for people with health implications as well as the elderly, chair yoga has gained many new fans. With the amount of time that people sit at their desks, sit in their cars or travel on long-haul flights, there is a movement to...

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First presented to the fitness world as a adapted version of hatha yoga for people with health implications as well as the elderly, chair yoga has gained many new fans. With the amount of time that people sit at their desks, sit in their cars or travel on long-haul flights, there is a movement to bring increased circulation as well as exercise into our daily routines. Enhancing flexibility, relieving cramps and stiffness, in addition to creating a happy mental state are a few benefits which chair yoga is able to provide for our bodies.

What Is Chair Yoga?

In the same way manner that the body moves through flows of motion as well as increased flexibility during cycles of traditional yoga, chair yoga also implements this practice.

Almost any traditional yoga pose or move may be replicated and altered to in order to accommodate chair yoga. Along with improved ranges of motion through holding poses on a chair, pranayamas (also known as breathing techniques) are a popular practice within chair yoga and can assist in reducing anxiety, introducing or practising meditation, in addition to creating spatial awareness.

Increased Strength

This means that elderly people – as well as other people who practise chair yoga – will be better able to carry on with hobbies and day-to-day activities independently for many more years to come. If they are unfortunate enough to undergo a fall or injury, a strong body will be able to withstand this better and suffer fewer injuries.

Improved Flexibility

The ability to bend, twist, stretch as well as move freely is vital for more than doing yoga. It gives you the opportunity to do the things that you need to do in addition to engaging in the activities that you love. Although some people make the assumption that a loss of flexibility is inevitable as they get older, they’re mistaken. With flexibility, the rule of thumb is ‘use it or lose it’. By gradually challenging your body with chair yoga, you can really increase your flexibility as well as improve your mobility.

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Better Proprioception

Doing yoga usually means shifting effortlessly from one pose to another. Shifting from one pose to another develops your proprioception. What is proprioception? It’s your capability to accurately sense where your body is in space. With improved proprioception, your coordination improves. In addition, your risk of falling lessens.

Reduced Stress And Enhanced Mental Clarity

Chair yoga can minimise the impact of chronic illnesses as well as pain. For elderly people, chair yoga may also help them to cope with feelings of isolation, if this is a challenge. Being calmer as well as more relaxed inevitably leads to a greater feeling of happiness and well-being, which everyone can benefit from.

Better Sleep

Maintaining a regular exercise routine is generally associated with better sleep. Chair yoga is no exception. The force of this exercise can help to ensure that you are ready to rest, and the associated reductions in stress and pain can help to reduce the chance that these disruptive discomforts will interfere with your capacity to get a good night’s sleep.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn how to teach people the ancient exercise form of yoga then you need to do our Yoga Certification Course. For more information about this – as well as our other fitness courses – please follow this link.

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How To Improve Recovery After A Workout? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-improve-recovery-after-a-workout-find-out-more/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22406 Sometimes, the day after a challenging workout can be a struggle. Your muscles are sore and that makes it hard to get in and out of your car (if you can get to your car in the first place). But there are ways to ease the pain from a good workout and speed up your...

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Sometimes, the day after a challenging workout can be a struggle. Your muscles are sore and that makes it hard to get in and out of your car (if you can get to your car in the first place). But there are ways to ease the pain from a good workout and speed up your recovery.

Rest and recovery is an incredibly vital part of any workout routine. Your after-exercise recovery routine has a huge impact on your fitness gains as well as sports performance. In addition, it allows you to train much more effectively. Unfortunately, most individuals don’t have an after-exercise recovery plan.

Recovery after exercise is absolutely essential to muscle and tissue repair as well as strength building. This is even more critical to add into your routine after a heavy weight-training session. A muscle needs somewhere from 24 to 48 hours to repair and rebuild, and working it again too soon just leads to tissue breakdown instead of building. What this means for weight-training routines is that you should never work out the same muscle groups two days consecutively.

There are many methods of recovery. The following are some of the most commonly recommended by fitness experts.

Drink Enough Fluids

Hydrating after a workout is essential to recovery. Without sufficient amounts of water present in your body, you won’t be able to bounce back as well as take benefit of all of the hard work you’ve just done.

Water provides many benefits for your body, including:

  • Carrying nutrients as well as oxygen to your cells, and
  • Regulating body temperature.

Without proper hydration, it’s difficult for your body to normalise blood pressure and stabilise your heartbeat. You’ll reap the rewards of your tough workout when you drink water.

Get More Sleep

With the exact relationship between sleep and exercise still being unclear, research suggests that sleep deprivation can have a very negative effect on exercise performance and recovery.

Sleep affects the whole body in addition to all its systems, including the:

  • Brain,
  • Heart,
  • Lungs,
  • Metabolism,
  • Immune function,
  • Mood, and
  • Disease resistance.

So getting extra sleep after a tough workout might do more than you know to speed your body’s recovery.

Eat Healthy Recovery Foods

After depleting your energy stores with exercise and physical fitness activities, you need to re-fuel if you expect for your body to recover, repair tissues, become stronger as well as be ready for the next challenge that you want to tackle. This is even more essential if you are doing endurance exercise the day after day or trying to build muscle.

The essential thing that you can do, in order to recovery quickly, is to listen to your body. If you are feeling like you’re tired, sore, or notice decreased performance you may require more recovery time or a break from your training routine altogether. If you are feeling like you’re strong the day after a hard workout, you don’t need to force yourself to go slow. In most instances, your body will let you know what it requires when it needs it.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to teach others how to exercise properly? If you are then you should become a personal trainer. Our Personal Training Diploma is the best of the best, in terms of fitness education, and will make you a world-class fitness professional. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Should You Eat Before And After A Run? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-should-you-eat-before-and-after-a-run/ Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:05:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22397 As a runner, your diet and what you eat are important not only for maintaining good health but also to promote peak performance while you’re on the road. Proper nutrition as well as hydration can make or break a workout or race. In addition, it can also affect how you feel, work, and think. Good...

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As a runner, your diet and what you eat are important not only for maintaining good health but also to promote peak performance while you’re on the road. Proper nutrition as well as hydration can make or break a workout or race. In addition, it can also affect how you feel, work, and think. Good nutrition for a runner is more than just loading up on carbs because your body also requires protein and fat.

Our bodies are complex machines. Running is a fantastic way to make sure that you keep yourself fit as well as healthy however there’s more to it than just putting your running shoes on. What you eat before and after a run can make a world of difference in your performance and well-being.

Nutrition throughout the entire day, weeks as well as months has an impact on all your workouts. Thinking about nutrition as an aspect of training will assist you with optimising all your runs and allowing your muscles to recover as well as adapt.

What To Eat Before A Run

When you start a run, you should be feeling neither starved nor stuffed. You don’t want to eat directly before running as this could lead to cramping or annoying side stitches. However, running on an empty stomach could cause you to run out of energy and then leave you feeling extremely fatigued during your time on the track.

Deciding what and when to eat prior to a run takes some time for each runner to figure out. If you are on the road for an hour or less, you typically don’t need to load up on carbs before you start running. Studies have found that, during moderate-intensity running which up to 90 minutes, no substantial quantities of glycogen are depleted from the working muscles.

Your day-to-day carb intake is individual and depends on your body type as well as activity level, however if you’re running to lose weight, remember that you don’t want to increase carbs just for the sake of believing that it will help your run.

Rather than worrying about loading up on carbs, focus on carbs which are easy digesting so they don’t sit in your stomach. Mixing blueberries, a banana, and Greek yogurt into a smoothie is a great pre-run meal that provides you sufficient amounts of carbs, protein, and fat while making sure that you keep your calorie count low.

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What To Eat After A Run

Once you’ve logged the kilometres, have a bite within an hour in order to reap the most rewards. When you’re running, you’re breaking down – as well as stressing – your muscles the time. When you get stronger is during the period of recovery.

After your run, reach for a meal with a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 ratio of carbs to protein. This is dependent  on the length as well as intensity of the run. If you ran for 60 minutes or less a 2-to-1 will do because carbs are more important as these replenish the glycogen stores (which is the go-to energy source) in your muscles.

Already know the power of drinking chocolate milk post-workout? Other choices with the correct ratio include:

  • A berry and banana smoothie that is mixed in with a scoop of protein powder,
  • A protein bar, or
  • A cup of chocolate pea protein milk.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen to learn more about sports nutrition? If you do, then you should consider doing our Sports Nutrition Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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Everything That You Should Know About Health And Wellness Coaches https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/everything-that-you-should-know-about-health-and-wellness-coaches/ Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:05:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22344 Health and wellness coaches believe that a client is already an expert in their own life as well as their own needs. Often clients know what they want however they haven’t found the motivation within themselves in order to get where they want to go. That’s where health and wellness coaches can make a difference....

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Health and wellness coaches believe that a client is already an expert in their own life as well as their own needs. Often clients know what they want however they haven’t found the motivation within themselves in order to get where they want to go. That’s where health and wellness coaches can make a difference.

What Is A Health And Wellness Coach?

Health and wellness coaches assist their clients to find the motivation and tools in order to reach their physical and emotional health goals.

Those physical and mental health goals might include:

  • Losing a few kilograms;
  • Eating better;
  • Quitting smoking; and
  • Lowering stress.

In contrast to a nutritionist or personal trainer, who makes particular diet and exercise suggestions, a health and wellness coach will assist you with making better general choices that fit your lifestyle.

What Can You Expect From A Health And Wellness Coach?

A health and wellness coach assists their clients with the development of workable strategies to bring overall wellness, health, and well-being into their client’s life.

A health and wellness coach will assist an individual to achieve their goals by working with a person’s strengths and values in putting together plans for a long-term wellness strategy. Working with a health and wellness coach should be an inspiring, empowering as well as a motivating experience.

Health and wellness coaching is the collaboration between the coach and the client in order to achieve goals. Health and wellness coaches provide highly personalised assistance. Depending on their specialisation or certification different health wellness coaches will take different approaches, which means that it is important to find one that matches what your current goals are.

What A Health And Wellness Coach is Not

The work of a health and wellness coach shouldn’t be conflated with the type of work that’s done by specialists like nutritionists or personal trainers. While health and wellness coaches should know the subtleties of these topics well, they don’t give clients professional nutritional or fitness advice. This means that health and wellness coaches are not able to provide specific dietary or exercise instructions but rather can offer guidance to assist you with making choices that suit your desired lifestyle.

Depending on their specific area of focus, and the health and wellness coach’s expertise as well as education, a wellness coach may be able to assist with setting goals with clients for improved:

  • Nutrition counselling,
  • Exercise,
  • Mental and emotional health, and
  • Lifestyle changes in behaviour in order to improve a person’s overall well-being

Health and wellness coaches work closely with their clients – usually on a one-on-one basis – in order to give them tools to achieve their personal health and wellness goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you think that you might be interested in becoming a health and wellness coach? If you would be then you should do our Health and Wellness Coach Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Is Hip Mobility Important? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-hip-mobility-important/ Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22328 Hip mobility is extremely important for all athletes. This is particularly true for players who spend a great deal of time sitting when they are not training or competing. Whether athletes are working eight-hour days at a desk, or putting in hours in the classroom, sitting for long periods of time has the effect of...

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Hip mobility is extremely important for all athletes. This is particularly true for players who spend a great deal of time sitting when they are not training or competing. Whether athletes are working eight-hour days at a desk, or putting in hours in the classroom, sitting for long periods of time has the effect of shortening the hip flexors as well as weakening the glute muscles. This negatively impacts hip mobility in addition to player performance. This means that it is vital for coaches and personal trainers to design a strength programme which includes hip mobility exercises and stretches in order to offset tight muscles from hours of sitting.

In addition, hip mobility is vital to the correct full functioning of the hip joint. While the hip joint is intended to be more stable and less flexible than the shoulder joint, it can still be tremendously limiting and even harmful if the hip joint does not have its full mobility.

There are a lot of structures (such as 15 muscles and three major ligaments) which cross the hip joint as well as move it or stabilise it. Thus, it is a complex joint which needs to be operating at its fullest potential in order to create peak athletic performance and prevent injury.

How To Improve Hip Mobility

Taking the time to include a few hip mobility exercises is a simple as well as straightforward way of assisting you to move toward your athletic goals:

  • Firstly, foam rolling your quadriceps and hamstrings is a straightforward and easy way in order to encourage hip flexibility. These large muscle groups begin at the hip bones and thus affect hip flexibility if these are tight.
  • Other stretches which promote hip flexibility include the “Pigeon stretch” where you extend one leg behind you and cross the other in front which helps to release locked-up hips.
  • Also, the scorpion stretch is a fantastic way to release tension in the hips. Stretching your hip-flexor muscles is extremely important and can be done by putting one knee on the ground and having your other leg at 90˚ with your foot on the ground. Gradually push your pelvis forward until you feel a hip-flexor stretch in the leg with the knee on the ground.
  • Lastly, the simple butterfly stretch can help stretch your hips and inner thighs.

Inflexible Hips Can Lead To Other Body Pain

Tight hips can result in a domino effect of other body pain hotspots as well as even injuries. The challenge with sitting for long periods of time is that is can manifest as pain in the back, hip, or knee. The hip flexors actually start in the lower back, so when they get tight, this can place stress on the lumbar spine. Alternatively, you could experience pain in the front of your hip, either from muscle shortening or a pinching sensation from the rim around the hip joint socket. This means that having flexible, mobile hips is so important for overall health and mobility. “Hip mobility is critical for healthy movement and injury prevention.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about gaining hip mobility – in addition to mobility in other areas of your body – then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about this world-class fitness course, please follow this link.

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Why Is Exercise Key In Easing Joint Pain? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-exercise-key-in-easing-joint-pain-find-out-more/ Mon, 11 Jan 2021 05:05:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22308 Even the healthiest of people can find it difficult to stick with an exercise regimen. If you suffer from joint pain, moving your body may be the last thing that you want to think about. If you suffer from joint pain there are undoubtedly some times when all you are desperate to do is lie...

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Even the healthiest of people can find it difficult to stick with an exercise regimen. If you suffer from joint pain, moving your body may be the last thing that you want to think about. If you suffer from joint pain there are undoubtedly some times when all you are desperate to do is lie on your back in bed for hours at a stretch.

It’s very tempting, but it could actually make the problem worse. In days gone by, doctors used to recommend bed rest for back pain and other chronic pain conditions however studies have found that people who exercise and remain flexible manage their pain much better than those who don’t.

This is because regular exercise not only helps maintain joint function but it also relieves stiffness and reduces pain and fatigue. In addition, exercise improves your pain threshold. With chronic pain, your pain threshold drops — in other words, it takes less pain to make you feel more uncomfortable. With cardiovascular, strengthening, and flexibility exercise, you can improve that pain threshold.

What Is Responsible For Joint Pain?

The culprits behind joint pain tend to be:

  • osteoarthritis
  • old injuries
  • repetitive or overly forceful movements during sports or work
  • posture problems
  • aging
  • inactivity

Beginner Exercise Tips For Joint Pain Sufferers

If you do have a chronic joint pain condition – such as back pain or hip, knee, or shoulder problems – you shouldn’t begin an exercise programme without guidance from a fitness professional.

Check with your doctor first and then look for a fitness expert who will be able to help you to develop an individualised exercise programme. “Have a fitness professional – such as a physical therapist or athletic trainer – show you what is suitable to do given your condition/

One thing a good personal trainer will do is something that is called a postural assessment. During this assessment, they look at see how the client:

  • Sits
  • Stands
  • Walks

Over the course of one’s life, we all create these postural imbalances such as carrying a child on one hip or carrying a bag on one shoulder. These imbalances, which arise as a result, may can often trigger pain in the back, hips, knees, and shoulders.

The fantastic news is that there are a number of stretches you can do if you suffer from joint pain. Here is one of them:

  • Lie supine on a carpet or, alternatively, a mat.
  • Put your legs on a couch so that your legs, from the heels until the back of your knees, are completely supported.

You’re in the same position that you would be if you were sitting in a chair however now the pressure on your spine is completely displaced.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

There are so many exercises that personal trainers can teach people, who suffer from joint pain, which will give them some relief. To learn more about studying to become a personal trainer, please follow this link.

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How To Do Strength Training Without Weights? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-strength-training-without-weights-learn-more/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:15:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22286 Working out without weights has become a practice that many of us had never considered up until the pandemic forced us to work out at home. Adapting to a less-intense workout may have been off-putting to some, but those that persevered have found that there’s quite a bit that you can do while at home...

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Working out without weights has become a practice that many of us had never considered up until the pandemic forced us to work out at home. Adapting to a less-intense workout may have been off-putting to some, but those that persevered have found that there’s quite a bit that you can do while at home if you put your mind to it.

Bodyweight Exercises

The easiest way to work out without weights – especially when you’re used to it – is to use your bodyweight. At the start of your strength training road, you may find it challenging enough to keep going, however as time moves on, and your strength improves, you’ll need to increase the reps per set, or even slow them down to challenge the muscle.

Different areas of the body may be stronger than others and that’s perfectly okay – they’ve adapted to your lifestyle and daily tasks. For example, carrying the groceries inside or walking the dog. It will necessitate trial and error to establish what each part of your body is capable of and adapting your exercise accordingly.

This form of compound, functional training helps you to perfect your form without the need to manage resistance caused by extra weight. You’ll be able to work on your daily movement patterns and strengthen the muscles involved, and you’ll use multiple muscles and joints at the same time.

It’s great for full-body workouts, although you can work on targeting smaller muscles groups if need be.

Resistance Band Training

Resistance bands are a versatile alternative to traditional weight training. They’re inexpensive, take up little space and can be adapted to meet any fitness need as they come in three levels, namely light, medium or heavy. As you adjust the slack, you’ll be able to adjust the amount of resistance experienced. By altering your grip or attaching your resistance band to a surface, you will be able to modify the exercises to train the muscles you usually would while at the gym.

Anyone, at whatever fitness level, can benefit from making use of resistance bands. They add an additional challenge to bodyweight exercises; however, don’t put the same type of pressure on your joints that external weights, such as dumbbells and kettlebells, do.

Resistance bands are also great for targeting smaller stabilising muscles that you may not usually work. This is why personal trainers love using them to work the small muscles in the hips, specifically the gluteus medius, which plays the important role of stabilising your quads when you walk and run. Many runners do resistance band bum exercises during their warm-ups for this reason.

Don’t underestimate the power of this rubber band. It’s more powerful than it looks and can provide the ultimate full-body workout.

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Improvising Weight

Okay, we know this piece is about strength training without weights, but there are things around your home that you can use to increase your workout intensity. Water bottles can double as dumbbells or kettlebells, depending on their grip. Bricks and cinderblocks in the garden can also work well, but please be careful when lifting as you never know what has been nesting there while it’s been outside!

Essentially, anything with weight can be used for exercise, assuming it has something for you to hold onto properly without it slipping out of your hand.

Gyming without weights may seem like a lost cause, but you’ll be surprised by what you can achieve with the right mindset – challenge yourself; push yourself further. Don’t let your hard work go to waste simply due to a lack of equipment or gym space. If you find yourself requiring inspiration or motivation, there’s a tonne of mobile apps dedicated to bodyweight workout. You can even follow personal trainers on social media to take a look at what they’ve been up to.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Strength training is something that personal trainers are trained to teach their clients. If you want to find out what else personal trainers do, then check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Create An Attractive Yoga Space At Home https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-create-an-attractive-yoga-space-at-home/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:10:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22281 Everyone who practices yoga will acknowledge the moment when the mind shifts from ‘everyday life’ style into the present. For some, this happens after a few deep breaths and an opening mantra, with other people it begins at the studio door. Whether this is thanks to the quiet surroundings or simply being in a dedicated...

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Everyone who practices yoga will acknowledge the moment when the mind shifts from ‘everyday life’ style into the present. For some, this happens after a few deep breaths and an opening mantra, with other people it begins at the studio door. Whether this is thanks to the quiet surroundings or simply being in a dedicated yoga space, once inside, letting go of life’s everyday stresses becomes a breeze.

Perhaps this is the reason that a growing number of yogis are creating dedicated spaces to practice in at home. In addition to making it simpler to fit in an extra session here and there, a personal yoga area can help to remove outer distractions and make it simpler to focus on your inner self. Plus, without a timetable to worry about you can easily adapt depending on your schedule, energy levels and mood.

Yoga is not just about exercising and building muscle strength. It is also about improving your connection to your body and mental health. To get a complete experience out of yoga practice, you need to be in a space which allows you to feel calm and relaxed, and able to concentrate on your breathing without distraction.

If you do not practise at a gym or a group class, or if you enjoy supplementing those classes with practice at home, you might have had trouble finding a place to practice yoga in your home. It is important to have a safe, relaxing space that you can practise in. Unfortunately, that can be hard to do in your home if you are low on space. However, you can fix this problem! Here are our top tips on how to create an inviting yoga space at home:

Top tips on how to create an inviting yoga space at home

  1. Choose A Space

If you have the room for it, it would be best to have a specific space to practise, whether this is a part of a home gym or a separate room altogether. However, many of us do not have this luxury, but that does not mean that you cannot have a dedicated space.

Choose an area that you will practise in every week, and that has enough space to move around in. Commit to it. By continuing to use the same space, you will begin to associate the space with your practice and this creates a sense of comfort and familiarity each time you begin a new workout.

  1. Minimalism Is Key

Clutter and excess items in your eye line create tension and stress. If during every practice, you are constantly looking at mess and objects that you don’t like, then you will not have the opportunity to relax and engage with your practice fully. Remove objects that you dislike and try to keep only things are functional or that you find visually appealing. Less is more – without unnecessary items, your brain will be less distracted and can focus on your body’s movements instead.

  1. Set The Mood

Whether this is a space that you use only for yoga or one that becomes a yoga studio for short periods, take time to set it up before you start a practice. Colour and lighting play a role in your mood and taking a few minutes to dim the lights and then light several candles can have a large impact on the way that you experience the workout.

  1. Invest As You Go

Don’t spend large amounts of money all at the same time. You don’t need fancy equipment or yoga clothing straight away. Having an expensive mat and special yoga leggings won’t make you better at yoga! See new pieces as an investment over time, that will only serve to enhance your future experience.

Yoga has been a crucial practice for ages, helping with general health and mindfulness. It doesn’t take considerable effort to transform an area of your home into the ideal yoga zone. All you need is a mat and sufficient room to move around 360 degrees. Making your own inviting and intimate yoga space will amplify up your practice and zen state of mind a hundredfold! Having a peaceful space to practise yoga is valuable for your overall health.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are eager to find out more about yoga, then you should do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Burpees Are A Great Full-Body Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-burpees-are-a-great-full-body-exercise/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:05:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22276 The burpee is certainly the exercise many of us love to hate. However, this freakin’ tough, calorie-torching movement is fabulous for one reason: It’s entirely full-body. Burpees put every aspect of your body to work: your shoulders, arms, chest, core, glutes, quads as well as hamstrings. When performed correctly, burpees don’t leave a single muscle...

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The burpee is certainly the exercise many of us love to hate. However, this freakin’ tough, calorie-torching movement is fabulous for one reason: It’s entirely full-body. Burpees put every aspect of your body to work: your shoulders, arms, chest, core, glutes, quads as well as hamstrings. When performed correctly, burpees don’t leave a single muscle group behind.

The first time that you do a burpee, you could be wondering what all the fuss is about. However, it’s famous as being a brutal bodyweight exercise which burns fat as quickly as it builds muscle. The burpee is regularly used as punishment for skipping obstacles in obstacle course races; however, none of that comes close with how you feel after doing one burpee!

But don’t let that deter you. Perform a second burpee, and then a third. Keep on going and 30 seconds later, you’ll be wondering how it might be possible for so many muscles to be aching as well as your lungs to be burning simultaneously.

There Is No Fun Way To Perform Burpees

Whether you take them slowly and hit a certain rep count or attempt to cram in the largest possible number within a set period, burpees tire you out faster than just about any other exercise out there. This is the bad news.

The great news is that all the hard work is worth it. The burpee works the arms, back, chest, core, glutes and legs – you name it, it works it. Also, burpees spike your heart rate as much as sprinting for a bus does. This is one of the motives behind why it’s a strong favourite among the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) crowd. And all of those advantages come without the use of any equipment so that you can perform the burpee anytime and anywhere.

What Are The Benefits Of Burpees?

The burpee is an ultimate full-body exercise. There is a reason why football teams, CrossFit practitioners, and the elite military forces utilise the burpee in their workouts. Just one precise movement tests both your strength as well as aerobic capacities.

Strength

The burpee is a full-body, strength training workout. With every repetition, you’ll work out your chest, arms, front deltoids, thighs, hamstrings as well as abs. Your legs will feel like they’re pushing battery acid after you finish a set of burpees!

Fat burning

As you’re utilising your full body when doing burpees, and because they’re such an intense exercise, the burpee is one of the greatest exercise routines to burn fat. Studies have demonstrated that high-intensity exercises, such as burpees, burn up to 50% more fat as opposed to conventional strength training exercises.

They’ve also been shown to accelerate your metabolism, which helps you to burn more calories throughout the day. If you’re needing to get rid of that spare tyre, get off the elliptical machine and start doing burpees.

Conditioning

Many men and women today spend hours a week in the gym carving out washboard abs and bowling ball biceps. While these muscles look nice, they don’t do a lot for you when you have to split a giant pile of wood or, alternatively, save your own life. Burpees are an efficient exercise for developing the conditioning as well as endurance, the manly ‘vim and vigour’ to be able to tackle any challenge. They’re also a great exercise to include in football conditioning drills.

The Correct Form To Adopt With Burpees

A lot is happening when you do a burpee. This means that there’s the possibility to make the burpee harder as well as reduce the amount you can do. This means that you’re wasting energy and reducing the effectiveness of the exercise.

Mobilise

The burpee can put lots of stress through your ankles, knees and wrists so make sure that you’re thoroughly warmed up.

Break it up

The burpee can be complicated so, to begin with, split the move into two parts:

  • A squat thrust
  • A deep squat jump

Make sure that you are comfortable with each phase of the exercise before merging the two.

Squat thrust

For the squat thrust, ensure that your shoulders are directly over your hands as well as that your legs are extended into a press-up position. When jumping your feet in and out, maintain your shoulders above your hands and don’t let them move backwards or forwards.

Deep squat jump

For the deep squat, ensure that your hips are sitting back and try to maintain your chest in as upright a position as possible. Explode up and make sure that you cushion your landing by bending the knees as you make contact with the floor.

Get some airtime

When you’re happy that you can do both with good form, add the two together. Your arms can play a part here and as you switch from the squat thrust to the squat jump, swing your arms forwards as well as above your head for maximum altitude.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Burpees are just one of the hundreds of exercises that you can do. If you want to learn how to teach other exercises like this, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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The Best Kettlebell Workout To Strengthen Your Upper Body https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-kettlebell-workout-to-strengthen-your-upper-body/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22271 It’s no secret that kettlebells can assist you with getting a great workout. The way in which the weights are shaped makes them perfect for dynamic movements—you are able to grab onto the handle of a kettlebell and effortlessly twist as well as swing it without needing to readjust your grip. In addition, they come...

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It’s no secret that kettlebells can assist you with getting a great workout. The way in which the weights are shaped makes them perfect for dynamic movements—you are able to grab onto the handle of a kettlebell and effortlessly twist as well as swing it without needing to readjust your grip.

In addition, they come in so many different sizes that you are sure to find one that works for any kind of exercise. Kettlebells are extremely useful for building strength and muscle in addition to training power. Depending on how you make use of them, they can also give you a fantastic cardio workout.

Many individuals are involved in sports as well as activities that focus purely on the lower body, such as biking, for instance. Adding a collection of balanced upper body exercises can create a synergy between the upper and lower body.

The Key To Sculpting Muscle

If you would like to sculpt a huge, defined upper-body, you need to lift heavy weights to hammer your muscles. However, barbell exercises – such as the bench press or military press – can be murder on your shoulders and elbows. At the same time, exercises with dumbbells can put a lot of pressure on your unstable wrists.

Instead, switch to kettlebell movements to be able to target your muscles without the pain. Kettlebells allow your arms to move and twist freely and independently. This is unlike with a barbell. In addition, because the weight of a kettlebell is below the handle and resting on your forearm, it’s easier on your wrists.

When you love weightlifting, but you only have the money as well as space for a single kettlebell, it’s very tempting to choose the heavier bell. However, it can make it kind of difficult to get in a high-quality upper body workout. Just because you can easily swing a weight with precision or front rack squat, it doesn’t mean you can press it overhead or curl it.

Are you ready to make a change up your upper-body routine? Try out the kettlebell exercises below!

Kettlebell Overhead Press

Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Take hold of a kettlebell in each of your hands and then rest them at shoulder height, with your palms facing forwards and your elbows bent. The kettlebells should hang back against your forearms. This is the beginning position.

Press the weights over your head, straightening your elbows. Ensure to keep your core engaged as well as your hips tucked to avoid arching your lower back as you raise your arms. Gradually bend your elbows to lower the weights back down to your starting position. This is one rep.

The kettlebell overhead press targets your deltoids, triceps, and traps.

Kettlebell Halo

Start by standing up straight. Your feet must be approximately hip-width apart and keeping a kettlebell up at your chest with both hands clutching the handle.

Raise the weight to eye level and gradually circle it all around your head counterclockwise, creating a halo. As you move the weight all around your head, maintain a tight core, and keep your elbows close up to your body to engage your triceps.

Reverse the movement to return to the starting position. Then do it once again in the opposite direction. This is one rep.

This exercise targets the deltoids, pecs, triceps, and core.

Kettlebell Push Press

Stand up straight with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. Hold a kettlebell in each one of your hands and rest them at your shoulders with your palms looking out and up. The weight must be hanging against the back of your forearms. Your elbows need to be bent as well as pointed.

Bend your knees a bit and then, in one explosive movement, push the weight over your head and straighten both of your legs at the same time. Gradually lower the weights back to shoulder height while bending both of your knees to complete one rep.

This exercise targets the deltoids, triceps, traps, quads, and glutes.

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Why Strength Training Is As Essential As Cardio? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-strength-training-is-as-essential-as-cardio/ Thu, 07 Jan 2021 05:05:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22265 When it comes to exercising for a healthier lifestyle, we often think about running, walking or cycling. In other words, the more cardio-orientated exercises are top of mind. However, research has found that strength training is just as important as cardio. While cardio requires little to no equipment, the perception is that weight training does....

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When it comes to exercising for a healthier lifestyle, we often think about running, walking or cycling. In other words, the more cardio-orientated exercises are top of mind. However, research has found that strength training is just as important as cardio.

While cardio requires little to no equipment, the perception is that weight training does. There are alternative forms of strength training that can be done at home using bodyweight, resistance bands and household weights. If you are looking to make a long-term investment, you can buy home gym equipment or even sign up for a gym contract. The decision is yours, but the most important thing is that you’re putting yourself out there and becoming a healthier you.

The Facts About Strength Training

It is a fact that strength exercises are effective at increasing muscle mass, bone mineral density and, of course, strength. It has also been found that muscle-strengthening exercises can assist our body in processing sugar and fat in our bloodstream. It can also improve overall fitness, which makes climbing stairs and walking uphill a lot easier. Regular exercise has also been found to enhance your mood and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Further medical doctors have states that strength training can also reduce the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even early death. This has been analysed and shown to be true regardless of whether cardio exercise is being done as well as the individual’s personal factors such as age, sex, level of education, body mass index (BMI), mental health and cardiovascular factors.

When compared to cardio, strength training has been proven to be more beneficial in reducing the symptoms of age-related diseases, for example, muscle wasting, cognitive impairment and overall physical function.

The Reality Is That We Should Be Doing Strength Training

Only 10-30% of the adult population meets the minimum requirement of strength training at least two days a week. The reason for this differs vastly, but the consensus is that it’s likely due to the decades worth of research backing cardio exercises as the chosen form of physical activity. At the same time, weight training is perceived to be more bulky and difficult to do. While this perception has changed, it will take a while before strength training and cardio training are seen to be equally as effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The Basics Of Strength Training

To start your strength training journey, home workouts are the easiest way to get to know your body, its limits, as well as work on your confidence while exercising. Bodyweight exercises are a great place to start and there’s a lot of online classes, videos and apps that can be used. It’s important to work on your form before pushing yourself, as improper form can result in serious injury.

Bodyweight exercises can absolutely help you to get fit without a gym. All that’s needed is a little space. Better yet, bodyweight workouts can double as both cardio as well as strength training. They can keep your heart rate up and challenge your muscular system, delivering an all-in-one workout that burns a ton of calories. As bodyweight exercises activate multiple muscle groups at once, you build more muscle and burn more calories, making weight loss easier.

As well as being wildly convenient, bodyweight movements are simple to modify and progress so that you can continue to build muscle and strength — and lose weight — as you get fitter. For example, once you master push-ups from your knees, you can move onto regular push-ups and, ultimately, more tricky variations. In other words, although bodyweight exercises are very beginner-friendly, they can become more advanced, just as you do.

Doing half an hour to three-quarters of an hour of strength training, 2 to 3 times, a week is a brilliant way of building lean muscle mass, burning calories as well as boosting your metabolism. This, in turn, can assist you with burning body fat and make losing weight easier.

We need to shift our mindsets to accommodate a more holistic approach to exercising. Of course, best results are achieved by combining cardio and strength training, but there’s no harm in focusing on just one. Begin slowly and do what you are comfortable with. You can work your way up to a more strenuous programme as you become stronger and more confident.

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Are you keen on learning more about cardio as well as strength training? If you are, then you’re possibly destined to become a personal trainer! Our Personal Training Diploma is the crème-de-la-crème in fitness education which makes it the best place for you to start your fitness career. Follow this link for more information.

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What Are The Benefits Of Training Like A Professional Football Player? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-training-like-a-professional-football-player/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:05:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22253 When it comes to the world of sport, there’s no denying that football players are in the best possible shape throughout the season. Football is one of the highest-ranking cardiovascular fitness rankings, and with good reason. So how are they able to reach peak physical form – and maintain it? The Benefits Of Training Like...

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When it comes to the world of sport, there’s no denying that football players are in the best possible shape throughout the season. Football is one of the highest-ranking cardiovascular fitness rankings, and with good reason. So how are they able to reach peak physical form – and maintain it?

The Benefits Of Training Like A Footballer

  1. Improved stamina and endurance
  2. It provides a full-body workout
  3. Improved strength and agility
  4. Improved core stability
  5. It can facilitate weight loss

Tips For Training Like A Pro Footballer

  1. Interval training: Footballers need to be able to accelerate their speed and performance at the drop of a hat, which means that players need to have the ability access short term power and long-term stamina in order to perform optimally. Interval training is the best way to ensure that players are able to do so. Alternating speeds, inclines and resistance levels are a few options that can be utilised during interval training.
  2. Lower body workouts: Footballers need to have strong legs to keep up with the game and kick the ball. A strong core is also essential when it comes to football, is it creates a strong foundation to power the body. Planks, twists, crunches, leg raises, and extensions, sit-ups and back extensions can all be utilised to strengthen the lower body.
  3. Work on your balance: to improve flexibility and coordination, try to incorporate balancing exercises in your routine. Something as straightforward as standing on one leg can assist you in strengthening your legs, balance, and coordination. Resistance bands can also assist you in targeting certain areas. This will assist you in reducing the risk of injury when training and playing in a game.
  4. It’s all in the diet: It should come as no surprise that a balanced diet and ensuring you consume enough calories all play a role in your physical performance.

Drills To Improve Your Performance

  1. Running for days: Interval training improves stamina and allows the player to sprint full out before returning to a simple jog – and then repeating this throughout the game. Try to spend four minutes jogging, followed by four minutes of full out sprinting. If you cannot make it through the full four minutes, try starting with two and work your way up.
  2. It’s all about speed: To maximise your ability to sprint in short bursts will help push you ahead. Weighted sled pulls or using bungee cords are a great way to work on this aspect of your training.
  3. More power: Being able to turn and navigate quickly, football players need to exert maximum effort to maintain speed while moving around the field. Plyometric movements, for example, box jumps, will give you the ultimate competitive edge in terms of power, while traditional drills such as shuttle runs can improve your agility.

While all of these tips can keep you in tip-top shape, you cannot underestimate the power of a good rest day. Your body needs time to recover as well as repair itself to reduce the risk of injury and keep you in top form.

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Proper training of football players is something that a football coach needs to know. Keen on becoming a football coach yourself? Follow this link to find out more.

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Jump Rope Vs. Running: Which One Offers A Better Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/jump-rope-vs-running-which-one-offers-a-better-workout/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:05:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22249 As children, jumping rope was a break time staple. So how does this playground favourite equate to a powerful cardio workout? When it comes down to running and jumping rope, the two should go together as part of your cardio routine. So, when it comes to choosing between the two, the answer is simple –...

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As children, jumping rope was a break time staple. So how does this playground favourite equate to a powerful cardio workout?

When it comes down to running and jumping rope, the two should go together as part of your cardio routine. So, when it comes to choosing between the two, the answer is simple – try to take on both.

The Benefits Of Jump Rope And Running

Running and jumping rope have the same benefits that can be aligned with the same fitness goal. Both forms of cardio look to increase the flow of oxygen within the body improves cardiovascular health, beneficial to mental health, ensure a healthy weight, maintain bone density, and improve your longevity.

However, if you had to choose a more superior workout that will give you a more intense workout in a condensed period of time, you may want to invest in a jump rope.

What Makes Jumping Rope Superior To Running?

  1. It’s more efficient: Research has found that 10 minutes of jumping rope equates to 30 minutes of running in terms of caloric expenditure and cardiovascular health.
  2. It’s good for your joints: Jumping rope puts less pressure on your joints compared to running. It can also improve ankle stability and reduce the risk of shin splints.
  3. It strengthens your legs: The activity involved with jumping rope isolates your quad and calf muscles. This makes it a great warmup before exercising.
  4. Improves speed and coordination: The balance, coordination and speed needed to jump rope are beneficial to your overall performance. You can also get in a full-body workout while jumping rope.

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Tips For Jumping Rope

  1. You need to get the rhythm right – when the rope hits the floor, you need to jump. This requires a matching foot and hand rhythm.
  2. Don’t try and jump too much higher than the rope – it exerts unnecessary energy.
  3. Try to make sure that it is kept as simple as possible to develop the correct form. Once you understand the basics as well as how to do them, you can increase the tempo and complexity.
  4. Start with a one-minute time limit per “set” and build it up to three minutes.

Increasing The Intensity Of Your Exercise

  1. Try jumping on one leg per set or round.
  2. Instead of lifting both feet at the same time, try to alternate feet as you jump.
  3. Double jump – try to swing the rope around twice with each jump.

The efficiency of your jump rope routine will, of course, be determined by your overall coordination and balance. At the start, it might be not easy to get the hang of it all, but once you start to grasp the concept, it’ll be easy as pie.

Don’t be disheartened if you can’t jump for a full minute straight, it will take a while to get used to it, but if you persevere and push through it, the benefits will outweigh the initial irritation and difficulties.

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Running and jump rope provide a superb cardiovascular workout. Learn the best way to programme a cardiovascular workout with our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course here.

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Why Supersets Help You To Save Time At The Gym https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-supersets-help-you-to-save-time-at-the-gym/ Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:05:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22225 If you’re looking to spend less time in the gym while still building muscle and strength, you may want to give supersets a shot. This form of strength training involves performing two different exercises, back-to-back with no rest in between. These exercises often target opposite muscle groups, for example, biceps and triceps or quadriceps and...

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If you’re looking to spend less time in the gym while still building muscle and strength, you may want to give supersets a shot.

This form of strength training involves performing two different exercises, back-to-back with no rest in between. These exercises often target opposite muscle groups, for example, biceps and triceps or quadriceps and hamstrings. The idea is to work two opposing muscle groups and not the same or similar ones. Many people become confused by this concept and instead complete two very similar exercises back-to-back with varying weights and intensities.

The Research

When done effectively, supersets can facilitate muscle growth and development in the short term in a time-efficient manner. They’re effective as exercises are done in pairs with little to no rest between them and can be completed in approximately 30 minutes. The body also uses stored energy in the form of carbohydrates and fats to power the exercise, with the effects continuing for an hour after the exercise. This leads to more powerful fat burning while ensuring that your workout is properly fuelled.

Research has also found that supersets force athletes to work harder, which means that their training involves more resistance and burns more calories. It can also increase your overall performance and endurance as you push yourself to complete the workout in a more condensed form, literally giving you more bang for your buck.

Short Term Versus Long Term Effects Of Supersets

The research on this has only focused on the short-term effects of using supersets to train. The people following this training method often use different intensities and weight capacities. The variations in training make it difficult to determine the overall long-term benefits of supersets. Studies often follow a single workout session which leaves the results fairly uncertain and not completely accurate. It ultimately means that the effectiveness of supersets will be determined by you and the workout you choose to follow.

Aspects To Consider When Taking On Supersets

  • What are your goals? If you’re looking to enhance your strength and endurance without spending hours in the gym, supersets will help you achieve this.
  • The order of your workouts. Start with high intensity, energy-consuming exercising to get the most out of your session and leave the less intense options for later in the workout. This will help you reduce the risk of injury while giving you the ability to fit more into your session.
  • Workout intensity. The easiest way to determine the intensity is to let the weights determine your rep count. If you are only able to do five reps with a 20-kilogram weight, then that’s the number of reps that you should perform.

Regardless of the period spent using supersets, the bottom line is that doing supersets fits a whole lot of workout into a short period of time. It also helps to burn more calories and facilitate fat burning long after you’ve finished your session for the day. The benefits speak for themself and it’s up to you to decide if you want to take them on.

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If you are keen to discover more regarding programming workouts correctly, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Use A Peloton Bike? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-a-peloton-bike-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22206 Exercise is all about challenging yourself and finding ways from preventing boredom and an unwelcomed plateau in your training. The same can be said for training on your bike. It shouldn’t be the same thing over and over – and we have the tips to help you shake things up. Your Peloton Is Not Just...

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Exercise is all about challenging yourself and finding ways from preventing boredom and an unwelcomed plateau in your training. The same can be said for training on your bike. It shouldn’t be the same thing over and over – and we have the tips to help you shake things up.

Your Peloton Is Not Just A Bike. It’s More Than That

Did you know that you can incorporate yoga, strength training and even sleep with your Peloton? You can also include other exercises into your session for when your legs get tired or if you want to create a more holistic workout programme. It’s more than just spinning; you just need to unleash the potential – it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.

Don’t Forget To Stretch

As with any workout, stretching beforehand is incredibly important to prevent the risk of stiffness or even injury. It’s also important to check the setup of your bike regularly to ensure that it’s properly configured.

Starting Out

A beginner class is definitely the best way to start your peloton journey. Even when you’re an experienced rider, the instructor will be able to give you additional tips and insight that you may have forgotten or overlooked.

On the topic of instructors, when it comes to your sessions, it’s important that you’re comfortable with the instructor, but there is such a thing as becoming too comfortable. As you progress in your journey, consider attending classes belonging to other instructors to challenge you and prevent a plateau in results.

If your knee is able to touch and turn the resistance dial, you’re sitting too far forward, putting the weight on your arms and thighs instead of your core. Keep weight on the seat by pushing your bum and hips backwards.

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5 Useful Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Ride

  1. Pull up on your pedals as well as pushing down. This will increase your output while working both your glutes and your hamstrings. This will also let you get more out of your session.
  2. Your grip will affect your performance. While you may be inclined to lean on the handlebars for support, their function is actually stability. If you’re using your arms to support your weight reduces the impact of your workout. Flexing your fingers while training will help to prevent this from happening.
  3. Programme the display. You can select what type of information it is that you would like to have displayed on the screen by tapping on the buttons, or you can double-tap the screen to remove everything – the choice is yours.
  4. Choose your playlist. You can connect your Apple Music or Spotify account so that you can listen to your favourite playlists while working out. Another option is downloading the songs played by the instructor to listen to later or during your next workout.
  5. 5-minute workouts get straight to the point and don’t have the one-minute introduction and will help you finish your session and jump straight into the next one.

Pelotons give you the option of choosing your workouts at the frequency you choose. It also allows you to add to your session to ensure that you are able to meet your training requirements. In the same breath, you have access to a world of professionals and peers that are merely a click away.

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The peloton bike is a great tool that a personal trainer can use when training their clients. Learn about other great pieces of equipment there are on offer at the gym with our Gym Instructor Course. Follow this link to learn more about it.

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What Mistakes Do People Make When Lifting Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-mistakes-do-people-make-when-lifting-weights/ Mon, 04 Jan 2021 05:05:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22151 Adding weights to your workout routine can make all the difference when it comes to conditioning your body. Of course, cardio and yoga can all play a part in strengthening your body, and weight training can combine all these elements into one routine. This all will depend on if you’re able to perform the training...

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Adding weights to your workout routine can make all the difference when it comes to conditioning your body. Of course, cardio and yoga can all play a part in strengthening your body, and weight training can combine all these elements into one routine.

This all will depend on if you’re able to perform the training with the right form. If you aren’t lifting correctly, you could develop bad training habits that could lead to poor results and even injury.

9 Common Weightlifting Mistakes

  1. The wrong start: The foundation you lay at the start of your journey will shape the success of your efforts moving forward. The easiest way to ensure that you get it right the first time is to ask a professional for advice and guidance. This will prevent bad habits from forming and ensure that you are training properly.
  2. Trying to do it alone: Even the most experienced weightlifters seek out help and assistance from time to time. This includes researching the correct method as well as finding a gym buddy to help you manage the weights and ensure that you maintain the correct form.
  3. Using a social media influencer to shape your programme: While influencers are often experts in their field, the information that they shared needs to be taken lightly. They may know what they’re talking about, but they’re not trained professionals and they certainly don’t have the experience to assist you in developing a programme.
  4. The gym is life: Contrary to popular belief, the gym isn’t the only space that you can practice weight training. Home exercises are doable and often all you need to invest in is a bench and dumbbells. If that’s not possible, you could also improvise weights using household objects.
  5. It’s all about weights: Weights alone won’t get the job done, sometimes you need to take a break to recover as well as work on other areas of your fitness training. Cardio is important for strengthening your heart and lungs, while yoga and Pilates can assist you with flexibility and mobility.

  1. Trying to keep up with the rest: Being competitive is human nature but forcing yourself to try and keep up with more experienced weightlifters is not advisable. The only person you should be focusing on is yourself and what you’re capable of.
  2. Fearing the weight: While some people do try and push themselves too far too soon, there are people that fear pushing themselves at all. Some people are afraid of hurting themselves, while others are worried about looking bulky. However, you need to make progress which requires moving up in terms of the weights used.
  3. Fear of failure: Some people are frightened of weightlifting because they don’t want to fail or embarrass themselves. However, the only way to determine what you’re capable of is to try until you find the right fit – if something is too heavy, it’s not the end of the world.
  4. Poor eating habits: Everything you consume fuels your workout, which means that everything that you don’t will leave a deficiency which can create a world of problems if you’re not careful.

When it comes to weightlifting, the best advice is to give it a try and take it from there. You need to understand what you’re adept at doing and be open to taking advice from the professionals.

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Would you like to teach people how to lift weights properly as well as other exercises? If you do, then you should become a personal trainer. For more information on how to do this, then you should check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Order Your Resistance Training Exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-order-your-resistance-training-exercises/ Mon, 04 Jan 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22148 Most of us have been raised to know that the order of things matters – socks before shoes, cereal before milk – the list goes on. The same is true for your workout routine – the order in which you train matter and can determine the effectiveness of your routine. It’s recommended that you start...

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Most of us have been raised to know that the order of things matters – socks before shoes, cereal before milk – the list goes on. The same is true for your workout routine – the order in which you train matter and can determine the effectiveness of your routine.

It’s recommended that you start with the harder exercise that covers a larger area of the body and then move onto the smaller exercises. However, there’s no universal framework for structuring your routine; it will vary to meet your needs.

7 Tips For Creating A Programme

  1. Cardio or strength first?

This will depend on your goals. To build muscle, start with low-intensity cardio for about 10 minutes. If you do too much cardio beforehand, you will tire your muscles long before reaching for the weights. Cardio can also act as a great warm-up exercise.

  1. Plyometrics next

Explosive exercises are great for strength training – but only in moderation. On the days that you do plyos, ensure that perform a proper warm-up beforehand and then perform the routine before you take on anything else. This will ensure that you have the energy you need to perform the workout without the risk of injury due to fatigue.

  1. Incorporate compound exercises

Compound, or multi-joint exercises, improve strength, balance, and coordination. It can also help you to improve your endurance while training multiple muscle groups at the same time. Examples of this include deadlifts and squats. The most vital aspect of this exercise is understanding the technique and maintaining the correct form. Compound exercises need to be performed at the beginning of the training session. Single joint and muscle movements work well when you’re tired and should be performed after compound exercises.

  1. High energy exercises

Any form of exercise that requires a sudden burst of energy should be done first to ensure that you’re able to get the most out of your workout. This also assists in reducing the risk of injury, which increases as your body becomes more fatigued.

  1. Circuit exercises

When it comes to completing a circuit, choose workouts that you can safely perform 15 – 20 reps of. This can either be done using your body weight or by using free weights. Ensure that you’re able to perform all reps within the 30-minute workout safely.

  1. Variety keeps it interesting

Challenge your muscles by performing different workouts to reduce the risk of plateauing. Shaking things up will improve the effectiveness of your routine and deliver the results you’re looking for.

  1. Work on your six-pack last

It’s important to remember that compound exercises activate your core and can assist in toning it more than planking or push-ups. If you work on your core before that, your body will be too tired to perform these exercises properly.

While it’s tempting to wing your routine, it can be counter-intuitive. To be able to get the most out of your workout session, structure your session in a way that’s able to best utilise the energy you have available and give you the stamina to push through to the end.

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Are you a person who jumps out of bed at 4 am ready to be the first person in line as the gym opens at 5 am? If you are, then you should probably become a personal trainer. Check out our Personal Training Diploma to find out more about this fantastic career.

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What Newbie Weightlifters Need To Know About Strength Training Programmes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-newbie-weightlifters-need-to-know-about-strength-training-programmes/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:00:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22143 If you are just getting into the world of strength training, you might have realised that it is a lot more complicated than simply lifting weights or performing HIIT workouts. Strength training is an organised exercise routine in which weights (including weights, your own body weight, and other machinery) are used to contract muscles under...

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If you are just getting into the world of strength training, you might have realised that it is a lot more complicated than simply lifting weights or performing HIIT workouts. Strength training is an organised exercise routine in which weights (including weights, your own body weight, and other machinery) are used to contract muscles under tension with the goal to promote growth, strength, and endurance. In this article, we will be having a look at the important things that you need to know when starting a strength training program.

The Basics

There are four main points to remember when it comes to strength training:

  1. Frequency – how often you train
  2. Intensity – how intense you train
  3. Timing – how long your sessions are
  4. Exercises – which exercises and types of exercises you do

All of these elements play a role in your progress and will change as you improve.

The Body

Strength training focuses on your muscles and it is important if you want to take it seriously, to understand how your muscles are being worked as you train.

Your muscles go through two types of contractions:

  • Isometric contractions happen when your muscles do not lengthen during movement. For example, when you are doing bicep curls and you hold the dumbbell in a static position (versus moving it up and down).
  • Isotonic contractions happen when your muscles lengthen and shorten during movement. For example, during active bicep curls, your muscles will shorten as you raise the weight (a concentric contraction) and lengthen as you lower it back down (an eccentric contraction).

The other area of the body that is affected by strength training is your joints, which are influenced by muscle contractions. It is vital to understand the relationship between what your movements during strength training and the effect that they have on your muscles and joints so that you can avoid overextending muscles and causing further injury, as well as improving your form.

Types of Training

Strength training is a versatile type of training, that can be used to target different muscle groups. The advantage of this is that depending on your time availability, what muscles you want to target, and the level of intensity that you are looking for on a particular day, you can adjust your training programme accordingly. There are three main types of workouts in strength training:

  • HIIT Training: involves a series of different exercises that work your entire body.
  • Split Training: involves focusing on a particular area of the body (e.g. focusing on the upper body, lower body, and abdominals individually on different days).
  • Major Lift Training: involves weightlifting (e.g. deadlifts, clean & jerk, bench press) that focuses on large muscle groups.

Building a Strength Program

Building a strength programme depends on the four fundamental elements mentioned earlier. When you are starting a program, it is important to work on building a programme over time, as you become stronger and improve your endurance. As you improve you can increase your frequency and intensity, you will be able to vary your session time based on what type of training you are doing on the day and learn to diversify the types of exercises that you are performing. While a lot of people who are starting off with strength training will want to build big visible muscles, but it is important to build strength in supporting muscles and joints to support those muscles. Equality amongst muscles is key to building all-over strength.

Strength is something that happens over time. By varying your program, focusing on all muscle groups, and taking enough rest, you will be able to improve your endurance and muscle strength.

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Interested in learning more about different types of training? If you are, then you should have a look at our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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What Are The Benefits Of Weighted Ab Workouts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-weighted-ab-workouts/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22140 Having a strong core is exceptionally beneficial for more reasons than having a great six-pack – strong abs can help you with your balance and stability, improve your posture, decrease back pain, and increase your ability to perform during workouts if you are working on your abdominals regularly, whether, for strength or definition, it can...

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Having a strong core is exceptionally beneficial for more reasons than having a great six-pack – strong abs can help you with your balance and stability, improve your posture, decrease back pain, and increase your ability to perform during workouts if you are working on your abdominals regularly, whether, for strength or definition, it can be hard to increase intensity after a while. However, one easy way to add some fire into your ab workout is to include weights into your routine. Here are the benefits of adding weights to your ab workouts:

  1. Add Intensity

The first and most obvious, benefit of weighted ab workouts is the increased intensity that they provide to a workout. Whether you are merely looking to boost your normal ab routine or target a specific area with extra intensity, adding weights will give you the burn that you need.

Try: Weighted Straight-Leg Situps using a barbell lifted over your head as you raise yourself up to a seated position.

  1. Cut Out Laziness

No matter what the workout, if you do it too many times in a row, it is easy to get a little lazy when it comes to performing the moves properly. If you are finding yourself being a little slack on your form or counting the last rep even if you didn’t really finish it, adding weights will make the moves you know so well just that bit harder. The weights will make it feel as though you have never done the move before, and you will need to focus on performing them correctly.

Try: Weighted Sit Ups, using a medicine ball held at chest height.

  1. Define Those Lines

We all know how incredibly tough it is to build ab definition, even with a dedicated ab routine. However, one way to help define muscles with greater intensity is to include weights into your routine as weighted ab workouts will help to add that little bit of intensity to help the muscles pop.

Try: Halos, using a kettlebell to circle your head slowly and define those abs.

  1. Whole Body Intensity

Working with weights will not just add intensity to your ab workout, but will also help to work other areas of your body. For example, if you are using kettlebells and moving them above your head, your core is engaged to keep your balance and other muscles are also being worked. This can mean that your workouts can have higher intensity overall.

Try Dumbbell Swing using a dumbbell or kettlebell.

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If you’re keen on learning more about different workouts like weighted ab workouts, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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The Best Exercises to Fix Your Posture. Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-exercises-to-fix-your-posture-find-out-more/ Wed, 30 Dec 2020 05:05:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22137 We all know how important good posture is, but most of us are not the best at having it. In fact, even when you read the title of this article, you might have found yourself sitting a little bit more upright instead of hunching over your desk! Having good posture will help you to improve...

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We all know how important good posture is, but most of us are not the best at having it. In fact, even when you read the title of this article, you might have found yourself sitting a little bit more upright instead of hunching over your desk! Having good posture will help you to improve flexibility and balance, reduce stress on your muscles, and decrease your risk of injury in the future. By focusing on improving your posture, you will also become more aware of your muscles and any areas of tightness, allowing you to adjust your posture with more ease. Here are a few exercises that will help you to improve your posture:

  1. Reverse Plank Bridge

This exercise is a great way to activate the muscles in your lower back and shoulders while stretching the major muscle groups that are used for good posture.

  • Sit on the mat with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Placing your hands behind you on the floor with your fingers facing towards your feet, press into your palms and raise your hips up until they are in line with your shoulders and knees (so that you are forming a tabletop position, looking towards the sky).
  • Lower yourself back to the floor to complete one rep.
  1. Cat-Cow

Cat-Cow is one of the best moves to stretch your spine, increasing circulation and helping to release tension in your shoulders, neck, and spine.

  • Start on your hands and knees, hands under shoulders, knees under hips, your weight distributed evenly.
  • Inhale deeply and slowly look up towards the sky while as you curve your spine downwards towards the ground. Then exhale, drop your head towards your chest and arch your spine up towards the sky.
  • Repeat this movement with your breathing, keeping it slow and controlled.
  1. High Plank

The high plank will help you to strengthen your shoulders, hamstrings, and glutes, as well as your abdominal and back muscles. This will help you to develop strength in the muscles that support your posture.

  • Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and extend your legs out behind you, lifting your hips from the ground. Your back should form a straight line from your shoulders to your heels. Make sure to engage your core to support this position.
  • Keep your neck soft and chest open as you hold this position for a minute.

  1. Downward-facing Dog

This stretch is great for stretching and strengthening your back. It can also be used as a rest post between other exercises.

  • Lie flat on your stomach. Press your hands into the floor, tuck your toes under, and lift your hips up towards the sky. As much as you can, keep your feet flat on the floor (you can bend your knees slightly if necessary) and your palms flat on the floor. Your neck should be straight, creating an extension of your spine.
  • Hold this position for up to minute before lowering yourself carefully back down to the floor.

By regularly stretching your spine, as well as building strength in the muscles that help to support it, you will be able to improve your posture, increase flexibility and stability, and become more aware of your body.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Exercise has loads more benefits for your health and wellness. To discover what these are, and to learn how to teach others to do them, you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Nutrition Tips for Peak Athletic Performance https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutrition-tips-for-peak-athletic-performance/ Wed, 30 Dec 2020 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22132 While eating healthy is important for everyone, when you are performing intense exercise and trying to maintain peak athletic performance, it is crucial that your nutrition supports your body. For those performing high levels of activity on a very regular basis, you need the energy to maintain your body as it performs and this energy...

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While eating healthy is important for everyone, when you are performing intense exercise and trying to maintain peak athletic performance, it is crucial that your nutrition supports your body. For those performing high levels of activity on a very regular basis, you need the energy to maintain your body as it performs and this energy comes in the form of a healthy diet that provides enough calories. However, there is more to nutrition than food alone. Here are our top tips for athletes looking to improve their nutrition and maintain their performance:

5 Nutrition Tips for Peak Athletic Performance

  1. Avoid Processed Food and Added Sugar

The easiest rule to follow when it comes to nutrition is to focus on eating whole foods that are jam-packed with nutrients as well as vitamins. Avoid overly processed foods and those with unnecessary added sugar, as these only provide empty calories with little nutritional benefit.

  1. Stock Up On Fruit and Veg

Another easy tip is to load up on fruit and veg when it comes to filling your plate. Fruits and veg are usually low in fat, low in calories (meaning that you can fill up on a lot of them), high in fibre, and rich in nutrients and vitamins. As an added benefit, they can also help to reduce your risk of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, strokes, and cancers.

  1. Protein, Protein, Protein

While a balanced diet is important, when it comes to high-intensity activity on a regular basis, you need to be providing enough energy to your body to maintain it. Carbohydrates provide a lot of energy, but most nutritionists agree that protein should be a large part of your diet if you are an athlete. Protein also provides amino acids that are important for muscle strength, maintenance, and strength.

  1. Fill Up That Water Bottle

As mentioned earlier, nutrition is more than just food. Proper hydration is just as important as a healthy diet when it comes to peak athletic performance. While sports drinks and juice (100% fruit juice) can help to provide hydration and will help to diversify your liquid intake, if you get bored of plain water, they do contain a lot of sugar so you should limit your consumption of these replacement drinks. Just plain water should be the main source of hydration in your diet, particularly before and after a workout.

  1. Plan Your Meals

The most important part of nutrition for athletes is to plan your meals, both on an individual meal level and an overarching daily meal plan level. Taking into account the calories you need, the types of meals that you will be eating (e.g. the ratio of proteins, fats, and carbs), and whether you are preparing for a specific event, you should plan out your meals and snacks to stay on track with your nutrition. Having a plan will help you to keep track of your calorie intake and ensure that you are fuelling your body for the level of exercise that you are doing.

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Interested in discovering more about athletic nutrition? If you are, then you should do our Athletic Nutrition Course. Read more about it here.

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All That You Need To Know About Multiple Sclerosis And Diet https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/all-that-you-need-to-know-about-multiple-sclerosis-and-diet/ Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:00:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22115 Multiple sclerosis is categorised as an autoimmune disorder. It destroys the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve fibres. As the disease progresses, it will begin to damage your nerves permanently, impacting the ability of your brain to communicate with your body. It affects over 2.1 million people across the world, making it one of the...

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Multiple sclerosis is categorised as an autoimmune disorder. It destroys the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve fibres. As the disease progresses, it will begin to damage your nerves permanently, impacting the ability of your brain to communicate with your body.

It affects over 2.1 million people across the world, making it one of the more common neurological disorders. It is also probable that women will be diagnosed with the disorder than men. The progression of multiple sclerosis differs from person to person, and researchers are yet to determine what causes it as well as how to cure it. While a diet may not cure the disease, it can help people suffering from the disease better manage their symptoms and improve the quality of their lives.

The Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis can include the following:

  • Tingling and numbness
  • Fatigue
  • Movement difficulties and spasticity
  • Learning and memory difficulties
  • Bladder and bowel dysfunction
  • Impaired vision

Using A Diet To Manage The Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis

When it comes to a diet that’s multiple sclerosis friendly, foods rich in antioxidants, high in fibre and that is packed with calcium and vitamin D are a good place to start. Finding ways to supplement nutritional deficiencies, more specifically, vitamins A, B12, and D3 can also help to reduce symptoms.

Ongoing research has found that ketogenic diets can lessen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although this needs to be further investigated. Another study has also found that following a palaeolithic diet can assist in reducing fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Foods to include in a multiple sclerosis diet are:

  • Fresh vegetables and fruit: They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, fluids, and fibre as well as antioxidants to protect the body’s cells.
  • Rice, oats, and quinoa – although most grains will be beneficial
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Fish, specifically those rich in omega 3 and vitamin D as it can reduce inflammation and help keep bones strong.
  • Eggs
  • Meats
  • Dairy products
  • Healthy fats, for example, olive and avocado oils
  • Foods rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt
  • Water and herbal teas
  • Fresh herbs and spices

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Celiac disease is common in people suffering from multiple sclerosis, so it’s best to avoid gluten whenever possible. If you have multiple sclerosis and begin to experience discomfort when eating bread, pasta, or any other gluten-based products, please notify your doctor.

Other foods to avoid include processed meats, junk food, refined carbs, sugary beverages, fried foods, and alcohol. Essentially, you want to give your body all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to battle the disease, and this means eliminating any unhealthy dietary options.

When it all boils down to it, there’s no real dietary guideline when it comes to living with multiple sclerosis. However, certain dietary changes can assist in reducing fatigue and bridging any nutritional deficiency gaps. In doing so, you will improve your quality of life by making the symptoms a bit more manageable.

If you’re unsure about what foods you should be eating, or if you’re looking to try a new diet, please speak to your doctor.

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Diet has loads of benefits for your health and wellness. Learn about these when you do our Health and Wellness Coach course. Read more here.

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How Yoga May Be Useful For Treating Stress-Related Insomnia https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-yoga-may-be-useful-for-treating-stress-related-insomnia/ Wed, 23 Dec 2020 05:05:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22086 Yoga is an ancient practice that improves flexibility and muscle strength, helps you to connect with your breathing, and can assist in reducing stress. However, it can also have an influence on your sleep. Insomnia is one of the most commonplace sleep disorders nowadays and can have long-lasting effects on sufferers, particularly when it is...

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Yoga is an ancient practice that improves flexibility and muscle strength, helps you to connect with your breathing, and can assist in reducing stress. However, it can also have an influence on your sleep. Insomnia is one of the most commonplace sleep disorders nowadays and can have long-lasting effects on sufferers, particularly when it is induced by stress in your daily life. In this article, we will be exploring how yoga could be an effective treatment for insomnia.

What Is Insomnia?

While a lot of people struggle with falling asleep, particularly as many of us spend large portions of our day on screens that inhibit our ability to sleep peacefully, insomnia is a much more intense disorder. Sleep problems are considered to be insomnia when you struggle to sleep consistently over time. Acute insomnia can affect someone for a single night or for a few weeks, but it is considered chronic when you consistently struggle with sleep for multiple nights in a single week for several months in a row. The problems that arise from insomnia are not limited to having a bad night sleep and feeling a bit tired the following day. It can lead to increased irritability, problems with memory and concentration, fatigue, risks of health problems including obesity and high blood pressure, and anxiety.

Insomnia may be caused by a number of different problems, but stress can often be a trigger. It can be hard to break a cycle of insomnia before it becomes a bigger problem, but one thing that might help is yoga.

How Yoga Can Help

  1. Mindfulness and Breath

Yoga is largely based around breathing and connecting to your body. The practice and art of yoga is all about being mindful of your breath and focusing on providing oxygen to your muscles as you move. Through regular yoga practice, you can begin to regulate your breathing and improve your ability to relax your body. This will assist you with connecting to your physical body and mental stress, and enter a relaxed state that will improve your ability to go to sleep.

  1. Release Tension

Daily yoga workouts will allow you to release the tension that you build up throughout the day. By stretching your spine and neck, where we often hold excess stress, you will go to bed with less stress.

  1. Improving General Health

As mentioned above, insomnia can lead to health problems in the future and, though yoga is often seen as just stretching, it is a workout. By getting your body moving and increasing your activity, you are reducing your risk of health problems. Aside from future health benefits, any kind of exercise will tire your body accordingly and may help to increase your ability to sleep.

In conclusion, while insomnia can be a debilitating problem that can influence not just your ability to fall asleep but your long term health, yoga is an easy way to improve symptoms. Yoga is accessible for all fitness levels and can easily be done in the comfort of your own home, so before you reach for the sleeping pills try a short yoga routine instead for a natural and healthy way to improve your quality of sleep.

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As you are able to see from the above article, yoga has a fortune of benefits which don’t include just having a great physique. If you would to learn more about these – and become a yoga instructor yourself – then you really need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Find out more here.

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Exercise Bike vs Rower vs Elliptical: Which Exercise Machine Is Best? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercise-bike-vs-rower-vs-elliptical-which-exercise-machine-is-best/ Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22062 There are many different exercise machines, and it can be hard to know which one to use for the best workout.  When it comes to cardio training, there are several options, in particular, the exercise bike the rowing machine and the elliptical. While all of these machines can provide a great cardiovascular workout if you...

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There are many different exercise machines, and it can be hard to know which one to use for the best workout.  When it comes to cardio training, there are several options, in particular, the exercise bike the rowing machine and the elliptical. While all of these machines can provide a great cardiovascular workout if you are short on time or are trying to pick one for your home gym, you need to consider which machine is best for you. So, let’s have a look at the distinctions between these machines and the benefits of each of them to help you make your decision!

Stationary Bikes

Stationary bikes are popular exercise machines and it is easy to see why. They mainly target the lower body, particularly your glutes, thighs, calves, and joints (such as the hips, knees, and ankles). The main benefit of stationary bikes is their ability to give you a non-weight-bearing cardiovascular workout, so allowing you to burn a lot of calories without putting too much weight or strain on your joints.

They are also a great option for home gyms particularly with brands like Peloton being so popular and offering a variety of workout programs on the bike. Bikes these days are also quite compact, saving you space while providing the potential for a full-body workout experience.

Lastly, stationary bikes are a great option for people looking to start a new workout routine as they are very easy to use. Also, as they are low impact, they are great for people who are recovering from injury, providing a way to rebuild and improve cardio endurance without risking further injury.

Rowing Machines

Rowing machines are also a staple at most gyms and provide a high-intensity cardio workout. Though you might think of the rowing machine for upper bodywork, they actually target your entire body from legs and glutes, to back, shoulders, and arms. This allows you to build overall muscle strength as well as getting a cardio workout.

You can easily adjust the machine to allow for more resistance and this allows you to change up the intensity of your workouts. Like the stationary bike, rowers also provide a non-weight-bearing exercise that will help you burn calories without placing stress or impact on your joints.

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Ellipticals

Elliptical machines are a fantastic machine for cardio workouts and high-calorie burn. You can use them either as just a lower body workout, or you can use the handles to add in the upper body, thereby getting a full-body workout experience.

Unlike the Stationary Bike and Rowing Machines, the Elliptical is a weight-bearing machine as you are standing on your feet and carrying your body weight as you use it. While this does, therefore, not have the benefits of the others in terms of impact, but it does help you to build strength and flexibility in your joints. Ellipticals are also extremely good for calorie burning and the associated weight loss, which explains their current popularity in gyms.

So, Which One Is Best?

Choosing which machine is the best depends on your specific situation. All three of these machines offer a way to achieve a full-body, cardiovascular workout that will help to improve your heart health, reduce mood swings and stress, and increase your energy. They also provide efficient workouts, as using one of these machines is a quick way to get an intense workout in without moving to different machines or moving through different individual workouts.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to what you are looking for and what your fitness level is. For someone recovering from injury or just starting off on their fitness journey, the stationary bike is a great place to start. For those looking for an all-over, high-intensity experience, the rowing machine is the best option for you. And for those looking for high-fat burn and dynamic movement, the elliptical will provide that in one machine. Whatever your needs are one of these machines will work for you – but remember, they are all great options that will help you to improve your health and fitness goals.

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An integral part of a gym instructor’s job is to advice gym members about what type of cardiovascular machine would be good for them. Keen on learning more about becoming a gym instructor yourself? Read more here.

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5 Seated Core Workouts Which Are Ideal For People With Limited Mobility https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/5-seated-core-workouts-which-are-ideal-for-people-with-limited-mobility/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22052 If you have limited mobility, that does not mean that you cannot exercise and experience the health benefits that come with working out. Regular exercise, no matter how little you do, will help relieve your anxiety and stress, boost your mood, keep your blood flowing, and energise you for the rest of the day. Limited...

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If you have limited mobility, that does not mean that you cannot exercise and experience the health benefits that come with working out. Regular exercise, no matter how little you do, will help relieve your anxiety and stress, boost your mood, keep your blood flowing, and energise you for the rest of the day. Limited mobility can mean different things, whether you have a disability, are recovering from an injury, or are currently overweight. However, in all cases, you can still get in a good seated workout. Of all the workouts that you can do, a core workout is very important for building strength in your core and improving stability and posture. Here are five seated core workouts that are perfect for people with limited mobility:

  1. The Twist

This exercise is a great move for building strength in your core and back, particularly your obliques. This move is simple to perform and is accessible for anyone, regardless of their fitness level.

  • Sitting in a chair, make sure that you keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Keeping your elbows at your sides hold your arms in front of you.
  • Engage your core and slowly turn your body to the right, keeping your arms steady, as far as you can without hurting yourself. Maintain this position for several seconds before slowly moving back to the starting position.
  • Repeat on the left side, remembering to keep your core muscles engaged as much as possible for an intense ab workout! Repeat 10 reps on each side.

 

  1. Oblique Floor Touches

This workout is an easy way to target those oblique muscles (the muscles that run up the sides of your waist) that can be hard to get to.

  • Seated in your chair, place both arms to your sides. Engage your abs and lean your body to the right, reaching your fingers towards the floor (reach as far as you can without forcing or hurting yourself). Make sure that when you lean, you are using your abdominals and not straining your back.
  • Gradually return to an upright position before repeating on the left side. Perform 10 reps on each side.
  1. Chair Sit Ups

Even in a chair, you can get some crunches in!

  • Slide yourself slightly forward in your chair so that there is a small gap between your back and the back of the chair while sitting up straight. Place your hands behind your head, elbows out to the sides, and (while engaging your core) carefully lean back until you touch the back of the chair.
  • Then engage your core and crunch your body up to a straight back position. Repeat this move to work your upper abs.Trifocus Fitness Academy - core workouts
  1. Arm Flows

This exercise is a dynamic movement that will help to engage the entire core and strengthen the back.

  • Move yourself towards the edge of your chair and rest your arms at your side, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Engage your core and arm muscles.
  • Stretch your arms slightly behind you and slightly arch your back down into your chair. Then, using your core muscles straighten your back and stretch your arms forward and up above your head. Repeat the full circuit again.
  1. Crunch Twists

This move is an intense way to target your abdominal muscles while seated.

  • Sit slightly forward in your chair so that there is a small space between the back of your chair and your back. Cross your hands across your chest and engage your abs. Twist your torso to the right and, with control, lean back towards the back of your chair and then (keeping your body twisted) crunch up to the starting position.
  • Repeat 10 times on each side.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Adapting exercises for people with special needs is something that a personal trainer is great at doing. If this sounds like something that you’d be interested in, then you need to become a personal trainer yourself. Read more about our Personal Training Diploma here.

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5 Crucial Yoga Poses for the Time-Poor Runner. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/5-crucial-yoga-poses-for-the-time-poor-runner/ Tue, 15 Dec 2020 05:05:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22035 Runners often struggle to see the importance of anything other than running for exercise. However, if you’re a weekend warrior who pushes your body through long runs and race training, yoga should be an extremely important part of your weekly routine. And that doesn’t automatically mean stretching it out at a yoga studio — just...

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Runners often struggle to see the importance of anything other than running for exercise. However, if you’re a weekend warrior who pushes your body through long runs and race training, yoga should be an extremely important part of your weekly routine. And that doesn’t automatically mean stretching it out at a yoga studio — just adopting a few simple poses as part of your usual pre-run ritual can improve flexibility and strength over time and help prevent injury.

Specifically, yoga can reduce the risk for common running injuries, such as plantar fascia and Achilles tendonitis. This allows the runner more efficient running with less effort, increased flexibility in hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves, and open supple hips to decrease knee strain and injury.

If you are a regular runner, you are probably familiar with the importance of stretching. Yoga is a particularly good way to stretch your body, but also provides many other benefits for runners such as improving your flexibility, range of motion, and your muscular strength. Thereby, it assists in improving your running ability and posture in the long term.

However, some people don’t have time to do a full yoga workout alongside their regular running routine. Luckily, yoga is full of fantastic poses that you can incorporate into your regular stretches to receive the benefits of yoga stretching, while not losing any time.

Here are five poses that are key for runners:

 

  1. Forward Fold

The forward fold stretches the hamstrings, lower back, and glutes – areas often overworked in runners.

Method: Standing feet hip-width apart slowly bend forward at the hips, folding forward. Hold onto your shins. Reach further towards your toes for a deeper stretch. Maintain this position for as long a period that you possibly can, but do not push yourself. If you are in pain, try bending over less (i.e. holding the shins, not the ankles) or holding the position for less time.

  1. Low Lunge

The low lunge stretches your hips and helps to build stretch in your hamstrings as well as your quads.

Method: From a plank position, step your left foot forward to between your hands. Lower your right knee and slide it back, pointing your toes back (the top of your foot should be on the floor). Then carefully lift your body upright and stretch your arms upwards with your face to the sky. Hold and breathe in and out deeply. Repeat on the other side.

  1. Reclining Pigeon

The reclining pigeon is a great move for releasing tightness in your hips.

Method:  Lie on your back and bring your knees up to your chest. Make a cross with your right ankle on your left thigh and then hold your left thigh with both hands. Point your left foot. Press your right leg against your leg to stretch. Repeat on the other side.

  1. Downward Dog

The downward dog or downward-facing face is a great pose for stretching your hamstrings.

Method: On your hands and knees (hands below shoulders and knees below your hips) slowly push your toes under and bring your knees off of the floor. Push your hips towards the sky and flatten your heels down as much as you can without discomfort. You can make sure that your knees remain bent slightly if necessary.

  1. Reclining Spinal Twist

This post is perfect for cooling down as it is a calm relaxing stretch that allows you to stretch you back and glutes.

Method: Lying on your back with your arms stretched out away from your body, lift your right knee up and slowly twist it over the left side of your body until it crosses your left leg and your knee is resting on the floor. Keep your head and chest on the ground and feel the twist stretch your back. Repeat on the other side.

All of these poses can be easily incorporated into a busy runner’s routine, from a quick stretch in the evening to a warmup before a run. If you have any pain while performing the yoga asana, you should stop immediately. It is crucial to comprehend the difference, on the one hand, between feeling a “stretch” and feeling pain on the other hand. Stretches should feel like a position that you can hold comfortably for 30 seconds.

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Are you attracted to learning more about yoga – and possibly even becoming a yoga instructor yourself? If you are, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Read more about this course here.

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5 Effective Yoga Poses for People Who Suffer from Asthma https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/5-effective-yoga-poses-for-people-who-suffer-from-asthma/ Tue, 15 Dec 2020 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22032 Asthma is a chronic disease which causes inflammation of the respiratory tract. It is a surprisingly common disease that affects a large portion of the population, which is around 300 million people. Asthma is often considered to hinder people’s ability to exercise and perform workouts properly, due to consistent shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing...

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Asthma is a chronic disease which causes inflammation of the respiratory tract. It is a surprisingly common disease that affects a large portion of the population, which is around 300 million people. Asthma is often considered to hinder people’s ability to exercise and perform workouts properly, due to consistent shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing that can affect a person’s ability to exercise to their full potential.

 

However, yoga is a fantastic way of exercising and moving your body. It assists in building muscle strength, flexibility and improving your connection to your breathing. Therefore, for those who struggle with regular asthmatic episodes, yoga can be extremely helpful in improving your quality of life in addition to your ability to work with your breath.

Here are five yoga poses for people who have asthma:

 

  1. Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique (Nadi Shodhan Pranayama)

This pose is the perfect way to start a yoga practice and can assist with connecting to your breath and respiratory system.

 

Directions: Sitting comfortably in a crossed-legged position, keep your spine straight and shoulders relaxed. Rest your right hand on your thigh. Fold your middle and index fingers on your left hand and bring them to your face. Utilise your left thumb to close your left nostril. Breathe deeply in through your right nostril and then close that nostril with your right ring and little finger. Open up the left nostril and exhale. Repeat for 10 counts.

  1. Butterfly Pose (Badhakonasa)

This pose helps to improve your blood circulation and stimulates breathing.

Directions: Sit comfortably with your back straight and keep your knees bent outwards, with the soles of your feet pressed together. Clasp both of your ankles and slowly bend your body forward towards your feet. Hold the position for as long as is comfortable for you. (Ensure to keep your abs engaged while holding).

  1. Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Though it looks very simple, this pose is useful for relaxing your muscles and giving you time to connect to your breathing.

Directions: Lie on your back. Your arms and legs must be relaxed and laid out flat on the floor. If necessary, cushion your head or neck for comfort. Keep your eyes closed. Concentrate on your breathing. Use this time to concentrate on areas of your body that are particularly tense and focus on breathing into those areas. Maintain this pose for the amount of time that you wish.

  1. Seated Spinal Twist

This pose focuses on your spine, back, and respiratory muscles that assist in breathing.

Directions: Seated on the floor with your legs crossed, place one hand on the floor behind you. Bring your other hand towards the opposite knee and gently grasp the outside of it. Breathe into your side, twisting your torso. Maintain for a few seconds before repeating on the other side.

  1. Cobra Pose

This pose stretches your back and spine, as well as helping to open your chest and airways.

Directions: Lying on your stomach, with your feet pointed, place your hands underneath your shoulders. Keeping your elbows at your sides, slowly raise your head and torso off the ground keeping your legs and hips grounded on the floor. Breathe deeply and hold for a few breaths before slowly lowering yourself back down.

 In addition to possibly alleviating asthma, yoga offers many health advantages. These include physical and mental benefits, for example:

  • Improved respiration
  • Better cardio and circulatory health
  • Enhanced breathing awareness
  • Increased flexibility
  • Improved range of motion
  • Better balance
  • Enhanced muscle strength
  • Muscles which are toned
  • Stress management
  • Relief of anxiety
  • Increased focus

While you could experience some of these benefits after only one session, it’s best to practise yoga regularly. A routine practice will help you to enjoy these benefits consistently.

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Yoga has so many health benefits for those who practice this ancient exercise form. Find out what these are on our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link to read more.

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How To Choose A Workout That Will Decrease Stress https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-choose-a-workout-that-will-decrease-stress/ Mon, 14 Dec 2020 05:05:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22028 Exercise has to be one of the absolute best ways of reducing stress. When you exercise or are physically active, your body releases endorphins. These are hormones which fight stress. Exercise assists you with getting your mind off your problems and it also helps with clearing your head. You are well aware of the evidence...

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Exercise has to be one of the absolute best ways of reducing stress. When you exercise or are physically active, your body releases endorphins. These are hormones which fight stress. Exercise assists you with getting your mind off your problems and it also helps with clearing your head.

You are well aware of the evidence which shows that exercise does your body good. However, chances are good that you’re too busy and stressed to fit it into your routine. Almost any form of exercise, from aerobics and yoga to everything in between, can act as great a stress reliever. If you’re not a pro athlete, or even if you’re out of shape, it is still possible for you to make a little exercise go a long way towards stress management.

Stress Isn’t Just In Your Head

Chronic tension can be the cause of both long-term conditions (such as depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as high blood pressure) as well as everyday health woes (headaches, back pain, insomnia, upset stomach, anxiety, and anger). Stress isn’t gender-neutral either. Research shows that women experience stress more acutely than men. In addition, women are more susceptible to the physiological effects of chronic stress.

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How To Put Exercise And Stress Relief To Work For You

A successful exercise and workout programme begins with a few simple steps.

Consult With Your Doctor

If you have not exercised for a good number of months or years or, alternatively, you have health concerns that are at the back of your mind then you may want to chat a chat with your doctor or health practitioner before beginning a new exercise routine.

Walk Before You Run

Build up your fitness level gradually. Excitement about a new workout programme can lead to overdoing it as well as possibly even injury.

For most healthy adults, it is recommended getting at least 150 minutes of reasonable aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of energetic aerobic activity, every single week. You may want to get a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Examples of moderate aerobic activity involve brisk walking or swimming. Vigorous aerobic activity may include running or biking. Greater amounts of exercise will offer even greater health benefits. In addition, you should aim to do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at twice a week.

Do What You Love

Almost any form of exercise or movement may increase your fitness level while lowering your stress. The most important thing to do to pick an activity which you enjoy. Examples include walking, stair-climbing, jogging, dancing, bicycling, yoga, tai chi, gardening, weightlifting as well as swimming.

And remember that you don’t need to join a gym to get moving. Have a walk with the dog, attempt body-weight exercises or do a yoga video at home.

Pencil It In

In your schedule, you could need to do a morning workout one day and an evening activity on the next. However, carving out some time to move every day will help you make your exercise programme an ongoing priority. In addition, you should aim to include exercise in your schedule throughout your week.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Exercise and regularly working out has loads of benefits for both your physical and mental health. To learn what other benefits of exercise there are, we suggest doing our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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How To Build Mental Fitness Within Sports Teams https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-mental-fitness-within-sports-teams/ Mon, 14 Dec 2020 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22024 When it comes to sports teams, having mental strength is nearly as vital for players as physical fitness is. Pressure can get to even the best sports stars, which means that mental training is a vital skill to possess. For most athletes, physical training is an incredibly natural part of their weekly schedule. Psychological skills...

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When it comes to sports teams, having mental strength is nearly as vital for players as physical fitness is. Pressure can get to even the best sports stars, which means that mental training is a vital skill to possess. For most athletes, physical training is an incredibly natural part of their weekly schedule. Psychological skills are one of the most common areas that are often overlooked when it comes to training schedules for sports teams.

‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ is one of the ways to say it. Or, as one well-known sports psychologist put it, mental toughness is ‘the ability to perform consistently toward the upper range of your talent as well as skill regardless of competitive circumstances.’ With sports psychology being a growing field of study, more and more athletes are wanting to improve their mental prowess in addition to their physical exercise routines.

What Is Sports Psychology?

With the goal for sporting glory at an all-time high, in addition to increasing media scrutiny, help is thankfully at hand for sports teams who are feeling the pressure. Sports psychology is a developing science which gives competitors in sports teams mental and emotional support in order to deal with aspects of their physical performance.

This support includes including things such as:

  • Self-belief,
  • Concentration, as well as
  • Coping with pressure.

The task of the sports psychologist is to boost an athlete’s confidence in addition to improving their mental endurance for long-term periods of intense concentration.

Interestingly enough, research into penalty shootouts by the Dutch psychologist Geir Jordet has shown that sporting pressure mounts the longer that a contest goes on. Jordet’s research recommends that players are only overcome their fears of failure by rehearsing their entire routine in advance in addition to composing their thoughts before each and every single kick.

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Increasing In Popularity

Sports psychology is a growing trend which aims to get sports teams to fight through the pressure of the game that they are playing and not to bottle it all up by being impacted by the noise of the crowd or even the size of an imposing competitor. The ability to overcome the fear of failing can absolutely be taught through psychology. It just requires a lot of mental strength. Players need to learn to concentrate on their goal, taking each kick or shot at a time and also removing the crowd and tiredness from their thoughts.

Sports will always be popular. Although people are not allowed to support their favourite teams at the moment, the fact that they are still avidly watching at home is testament to the fact that they are still enduring supporters. This means that sports teams will still need to perform at their best and the way that they will be able to do this is through sports psychology.

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If you want to know what it takes to become a sports psychologist then you should really check out our Sports Psychology Course. Follow this link for more information.

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Should Strength Athletes Be On The Keto Diet? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/should-strength-athletes-be-on-the-keto-diet/ Sat, 12 Dec 2020 05:05:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=22006 Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the keto diet and its benefits. This high fat, low carbohydrate diet is said to promote fat burning and suppress appetite – in addition to other health benefits. However, when it comes to fitness and strength training, carbohydrates have always been a go-to fuel...

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the keto diet and its benefits. This high fat, low carbohydrate diet is said to promote fat burning and suppress appetite – in addition to other health benefits.

However, when it comes to fitness and strength training, carbohydrates have always been a go-to fuel source. By cutting this important energy source out of the diet, there are concerns that it could have detrimental effects on athlete health and performance.

So, Should Athletes Follow The Keto Diet?

As to be expected, there will be a decrease in performance as your body adapts to your new diet. The thing that you absolutely need to keep in mind is that strength training requires a calorie surplus, so eating enough protein and training regular should have the same effect.

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, splits your daily macronutrients as follows:

  • Carbohydrates: 5-10%
  • Protein: 30-35%
  • Fat: 55-60%

How Does The Keto Diet Work?

The body utilises glucose as an energy source for muscles as well as the brain. This usually comes from carb-rich foods that store glycogen in the muscles and liver for use when the body needs it. When these sources are not available, the body goes into a fat-burning state. The body then breaks down the fat stores so that it can obtain energy from ketone bodies and triglycerides.

Ketones are acids that can break down fats, but in high levels can actually poison the body. The ketosis state is deemed to be safe as the ketone bodies are only produced in small quantities and have no effect on the body’s pH level.

The number of ketone bodies produced will depend on your metabolic rate, body fat and body weight. Most adults will be able to enter ketosis in three to four days. High-intensity exercises can help you to reach this state faster.

Foods Suitable For The Keto Diet

The keto diet cuts out sweets and carbohydrates and promotes the consumption of high-fat foods such as seeds, nuts, oils, eggs, butter, cheese, Greek yoghurt and meat. Low carb, high fibre vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, bell peppers, brussels sprouts and asparagus are also allowed.

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The Benefits Of The Keto Diet

The most commonly experienced health benefits include weight loss, appetite suppression, brain support and cholesterol management.

When the body enters the ketosis state, your insulin levels drop, which is beneficial to your blood sugar levels and preventing heart disease.

Concerns About The Keto Diet

While research is still underway, keto flu has been widely reported. This implies that common side effects of the keto diet include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and insomnia. During this time, it’s important to stay hydrated. Try to be patient and give your body time to adapt.

If you have a history of yoyo dieting, a history of eating disorders and that suffer from medical conditions should consult a doctor prior to attempting the keto diet.

At the end of the day, more research is needed to support the use of the keto diet amongst athletes. However, preliminary findings indicate that the keto diet can be a sufficient fuel source when it comes to strength training, as long as you have a caloric surplus.

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Nutrition has a profound effect on athletic performance. Find out how this happens by studying our Sports Nutrition Diploma. Read more here.

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Dumbbells Vs Kettlebells – Which Is Best? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/dumbbells-vs-kettlebells-which-is-best-read-this-article/ Thu, 10 Dec 2020 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21987 For a long time, dumbbells have been a fixture in gyms owing to their wide variety of uses. The kettlebell — which is an iron-cast piece of equipment which looks like a ball with a handle — dates back centuries. Whether dumbbells or kettlebells are better for resistance training is a challenging question. While proponents...

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For a long time, dumbbells have been a fixture in gyms owing to their wide variety of uses. The kettlebell — which is an iron-cast piece of equipment which looks like a ball with a handle — dates back centuries. Whether dumbbells or kettlebells are better for resistance training is a challenging question. While proponents of each of these pieces of equipment have strong opinions about this, the truth is that it actually does come down to personal preference.

Why Is The Centre Of Mass Important?

The centre of gravity of the kettlebell and the dumbbell is important to understand as it has the potential to move the stress of the external load being put on the desired muscle and joint with the exercise that you choose to perform.

The reason why centre of mass matters for choosing between kettlebells and dumbbells is based on different exercise’s strength curves. A strength curve involves how an exercise alters in difficulty through different ranges of motion. To take it a step beyond, a strength curve’s difficulty is not constant as the different pieces of exercise equipment will place different demands on the muscles/joints as they move through different ranges of motion.

When To Choose A Kettlebell

When it comes to explosive and physical movements, kettlebells are king. If your fitness goal is powerlifting, plyo improvements or even if you’re competing in a sport which requires explosiveness (such as basketball or CrossFit games), research offers the suggestion that kettlebells lead to greater gains.

Opt for these to use in exercises that recruit several major muscle groups. These exercises also need to involve moving in a big as well as significant way. Some typical kettlebell moves include the following:

  • Snatches,
  • Cleans,
  • Windmills,
  • Turkish get-ups, as well as the
  • Kettlebell swing.

Kettlebell swings are also great as they can spike your heart rate so providing cardiovascular as well as strength benefits. Unlike a straightforward curl or press, the kettlebell swing is responsible for activating your entire posterior chain of muscles — in other words, your glutes, hamstrings, and erector spinae (back muscles).

When To Opt For Using Dumbbells

Dumbbells are phenomenal for a little bit of everything. You can begin with more basic movements such as a chest press, shoulder press, a row, or squats with dumbbells held at your shoulders. The advantage is that you’re not swinging the weight around (as you do in a snatch or swing). This makes making the moves a bit more straightforward.

There are pros as well as cons to any exercise. When crafting your strength training routine, make sure that you choose exercises and equipment which are convenient, safe for you, and that will best assist you with reaching your goals. Learning more about the basics of weight training can help you find your path to a stronger you.

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Want to learn more about the proper format to adopt for strength training? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Build An Exercise Plan? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-an-exercise-plan-read-this-article/ Thu, 10 Dec 2020 04:55:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21983 There is no single type of exercise which can take care of all your needs. In actual fact, to get the most benefits from your workout routine, you want to have a mixture of activities during the course of your week. Otherwise, it’s like a diet that only consists of fruit—healthy as far as it...

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There is no single type of exercise which can take care of all your needs. In actual fact, to get the most benefits from your workout routine, you want to have a mixture of activities during the course of your week. Otherwise, it’s like a diet that only consists of fruit—healthy as far as it goes but which is lacking in a lot of the nutrients that you’ll find in other foods, such as fish, vegetables, nuts in addition to whole grains.

An effective exercise and workout routine is more than a sum of its parts. Its ability to build muscle, burn fat as well as improve performance depends upon everything from its set and rep scheme,  how you order your exercises, and, ultimately, how your exercise routine challenges you week-to-week and month-to-month.

What Are Your Fitness Goals?

  • Are you trying to lose weight?
  • Are you trying to bulk up or, alternatively, build muscle?
  • Are you preparing for your first marathon?

Whatever your fitness goals are, it’s good to write them down and be aware of what you’re trying to accomplish. These goals will shape HOW you build your workout.

Focus On Form And Not Weight

Align your body correctly and then move smoothly through each exercise. Poor form can result in injuries. Many experts make the suggestion of starting with no weight, or very lightweight when you’re learning a strength training routine. Concentrate on slow, smooth lifts as well as equally controlled descents while isolating a muscle group. Isolate muscles by keeping your body in a particular position while consciously contracting and then releasing the targeted muscles.

Tempo

Tempo assists you with staying in control rather than undercutting strength gains through momentum. For instance, count to four while lifting a dumbbell, hold for two, then count to four while dropping it to the starting position.

Breathe

Your blood pressure increases during a workout however it rises even more if you hold your breath while you’re performing strength exercises. To avoid steep increases in blood pressure, breathe out as you lift, push, or pull. Breathe in as you release. To make doubly sure that you’re definitely not holding your breath, count your tempo aloud.

Keep Challenging Muscles

The correct weight differs depending on the exercise. Select a weight which tires the targeted muscle or muscles by the last two repetitions (reps) while still letting you maintain good form. If you are not able to do the minimum number of reps, opt for a lighter weight. When it feels like it’s too easy, as if you could continue doing reps, challenge your muscles again by increasing the weight (roughly 500g to 1 kg for arms, 1 kg to 2 ½ kg for legs) or utilising a stronger resistance band. Alternatively, you can add an additional set of reps to your workout (up to three sets) or work out on additional days per week. If you add weight, remember that you should be able to do the minimum number of reps while still maintain good form, and the targeted muscles should feel tired by the last two reps.

Consistency in training is the primary factor in getting results. You need to train often as well as across a long period of time. This means that you need to create an exercise programme that will keep you in the game. The best exercise routine out there is useless if you don’t actually do it.

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If you want to learn how to REALLY programme the best workout routine then you should do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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CrossFit And HIIT: What’s The Difference? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/crossfit-and-hiit-whats-the-difference/ Wed, 09 Dec 2020 05:05:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21978 If you’ve been paying close attention to fitness trends, you’ve probably heard plenty about CrossFit.  You’ve heard the CrossFit can be difficult, it’s a phenomenal workout and that it’s offered just about everywhere but  what you might not be as clear on is if CrossFit is right for you as well as how it differs...

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If you’ve been paying close attention to fitness trends, you’ve probably heard plenty about CrossFit.  You’ve heard the CrossFit can be difficult, it’s a phenomenal workout and that it’s offered just about everywhere but  what you might not be as clear on is if CrossFit is right for you as well as how it differs from your HIIT workouts.

By definition, CrossFit is designed to assist you be better at what you may or may not encounter on a daily basis.  CrossFit is a core-strengthening programme and strives to make you bigger as well as better in 10 specific fitness domains. These include:

  • Power,
  • Strength,
  • Flexibility,
  • Stamina,
  • Speed,
  • Coordination,
  • Balance, as well as
  • Accuracy.

You should expect to see a few fitness props in CrossFit classes such as kettlebells in addition to battle ropes.

What Is Mixed Modal Training?

CrossFit is an example of mixed modal training. This means that it involves doing different types of activities within one workout. It uses things like gymnastics and Olympic lifting movements.

Many Cross Fitters begin to see muscle definition and weight loss almost immediately – in other words, within a few weeks. The strong community, as well as teamwork culture of CrossFit, is an added motivational bonus.

And while CrossFit is sometimes criticised for causing injuries, that shouldn’t essentially be the case. The CrossFit Games made people [who weren’t essentially ready] want to try it. But keep in mind that those are athletes – not everybody is at this point. However, if done correctly, CrossFit doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You just need to have realistic goals as well as properly trained coaches. If you’re not there yet, they should alter the exercises to suit you.

What’s The Big Deal About HIIT?

HIIT has been in existence for over 40 years. It was made better when Japanese doctor Izumi Tabata, in conjunction with a group of sports fitness researchers, made the finding that this form of training not only ups your aerobic capacity, or stamina, as well as your anaerobic capacity or the ability to create muscle.

HIIT training involves short, intense periods of exercise that are followed by short rest periods. The rationale is that by mixing high-intensity cardio activities (like sprinting) with strength training this allow you get to burn the greatest number of calories in the least amount of time. It’s 20 seconds of intensive activity, then 10 seconds of rest, which is done eight times in order to maximise results. Sample exercises frequently include push-ups, sit-ups, squats or – alternatively – rowing.

HIIT is designed in order to help you see maximum muscle tone as well as weight loss in the shortest amount of time. This is as the spurts of activity burn A LOT of calories, which essentially melts away fat. Results will vary however you should start noticing a difference within a few weeks.

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New Research: How Much Exercise Should We Do Each Day? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/new-research-how-much-exercise-should-we-do-each-day/ Mon, 07 Dec 2020 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21946 New research, which has recently been released by experts, says that approximately four to five million deaths every year could be prevented if the global population was more physically active. Estimations indicate that 27.5% of adults, as well as 81% of adolescents, currently do not meet the 2010 exercise recommendations. In addition, there have been...

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New research, which has recently been released by experts, says that approximately four to five million deaths every year could be prevented if the global population was more physically active. Estimations indicate that 27.5% of adults, as well as 81% of adolescents, currently do not meet the 2010 exercise recommendations. In addition, there have been almost no improvements have been seen during the past decade.

As well, there are inequalities between the genders. Girls and women were found to be less active than boys and men in most of the countries surveyed. There are also vast differences in levels of physical activity between higher and lower economic groups in addition to between countries and regions.

These new recommendations state that children aged between five and 17 should do at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity every single day. This incorporates aerobic activities as well as those which strengthen muscle and bone.

Adults who are aged between 18 and 64 years of age should do at least three to five hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Alternatively, they should be doing at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each and every week. Muscle-strengthening exercises are also strongly recommended on two or more days a week, as they can provide additional health benefits.

What Type Of Exercise Is The Best Exercise?

Moderate aerobic exercise encompasses activities such as:

  • Brisk walking,
  • Swimming, as well as
  • Mowing the lawn.

Vigorous aerobic exercise encompasses activities such as running and aerobic dancing.

Strength training can include making use of weight machines, your own body weight, resistance tubing or resistance paddles in the water. This type of training can include activities such as rock climbing.

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How Much Should I Exercise If I Want To Lose Weight?

As a general goal, aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. It doesn’t need to be vigorous – a moderate workout will do. If you are keen on losing weight, make sure that you sustain weight loss or reach particular fitness goals, you could need to exercise more. If you would like to aim even higher you can attain more health benefits if you increase the time which your exercise to 300 minutes or more each and every week.

Reducing sitting time is also important. The more hours that you sit each day, the higher will be your risk of metabolic problems. Sitting for far too long can negatively influence your health as well as longevity, even if you get the suggested amount of daily physical activity.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Is exercise your passion? Do you want to make it your career? If you answer ‘yes’ to these two questions then you should really become a personal trainer. Our Personal Training Diploma is the crème-de-la-crème of fitness qualifications so when you study with us you can be assured that you’ll become a highly sought-after personal trainer. Follow this link to learn more.

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What Is The Correct Stance For A Squat? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-correct-stance-for-a-squat/ Sun, 06 Dec 2020 05:05:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21943 When you walk into a gym, the odds are that you’ll find several different people squatting – none of them using the same form and each believing that they’re doing it correctly. While it seems like a simple exercise, there’s a lot that goes into it. 3 Tips For Correcting Your Squat The three most...

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When you walk into a gym, the odds are that you’ll find several different people squatting – none of them using the same form and each believing that they’re doing it correctly. While it seems like a simple exercise, there’s a lot that goes into it.

3 Tips For Correcting Your Squat

The three most common issues that arise when squatting relates to your stance width, toe positioning and load positioning.

  1. Working On Your Stance

So, where should you be placing your feet and how wide apart should they be? This will depend on what you’re trying to do.

Let’s start by looking at the neutral, or medium, squat. For this, you’ll need to keep your feet hip-width apart. The wider squat, or sumo squat, will need your feet more than hip-width apart. It’s ideal for deeper squats and promotes glute activation.

Last but not least, we have the narrow squat where your feet are closer and not hip-width apart – this is often seen as the most challenging squat to do.

When it comes to choosing your preferred squat, choose the option that’s comfortable and best matches your exercise goals. A wider squat will help you build strength while the narrower versions assist in athletic performance.

  1. Positioning Your Toes

The age-old question when it comes to squatting; which direction should our toes be pointing? Once again, this will depend on your squat preferences, fitness goals and of course, your comfort.

The first thing that you need to keep in mind is that your hips play the most important part of any squat. This means that you need to look at how your hips rotate. For a more neutral squat, toes pointed parallel is the usual go-to since most people’s hips rotate externally. This is also a more athletic stance. Toes pointed outwards often work best with wider, deeper squats aimed at strengthening the legs.

This all depends on what you’re comfortable with, as you will be more inclined to default to the position when squatting.

  1. Load Positioning

When squatting, most people use weights to push themselves further. Dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells are most commonly used. In order to hold the weights properly, you need to work on your grip.

The goblet hold is either done with a kettlebell or dumbbell that is held out in front of your chest. You will need to counteract the forward momentum and weight by properly balancing yourself on your feet. To add more weight, you can use a barbell, but this will require a different grip depending on the part of your body you are looking to train.

When it comes to squatting, you need to understand your body and what’s comfortable for you. Start simple, for example, with your body weight, and work your way up to using free weights to add to your strength training. If you begin to experience any pain while exercising, stop what you’re doing and re-evaluate your form.

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There are a lot more exercises out there that you can learn which will complement the squat. Learn what these are by studying our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course here.

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How To Coach Adolescents On Nutritional Decisions https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-to-coach-adolescents-on-nutritional-decisions/ Sun, 06 Dec 2020 05:00:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21939 We are in the lucky position of being able to mould and shape the lives of future generations. As the youth of our country gain their independence and start to make their own decisions, it’s up to us to guide them along the way – especially when it comes to nutritional decisions. The habits we...

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We are in the lucky position of being able to mould and shape the lives of future generations. As the youth of our country gain their independence and start to make their own decisions, it’s up to us to guide them along the way – especially when it comes to nutritional decisions.

The habits we teach our children will follow them into adulthood. We need to be careful about how we approach the topic of healthy eating. Too much pressure and they’ll stop following a healthy diet as soon as they’re able to. Education is key to developing a lifelong habit.

Nicole Henderson said it best: “The early years are when you set a foundation for your child in terms of establishing a proper diet. If kids discover the importance of eating healthy early in their lives, they will not have to re-learn as an adult.”

The importance of nutrition coaching

We often overlook the importance of nutrition coaching when it comes to adolescents. This puts them at risk of developing unhealthy eating behaviours as a result of their lack of knowledge. This is where we can assist and make a difference. We need to position ourselves as role models and experts in this area so that adolescents are able to make informed decisions.

The difficulties with adolescent nutrition

Adolescents often have busy and chaotic schedules as they balance schooling with extra-curricular activities and family life. In addition to this, society, media and their peers may be leading them astray and even promote unhealthy behaviours in an attempt to “fit in”.

This becomes problematic as the adolescent body is still developing and nutritional deficiencies can result in developmental delays and difficulties. Their bodies require additional vitamins and minerals to promote growth.

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Supporting growth and development

Adolescents require diets that are rich in:

  • Energy: Adolescents need to consume between 1,600 and 3,000 calories a day to fuel their daily activities as well as growth and development.
  • Vitamin D and calcium: These nutrients play an important role in bone strength and development. The recommended daily allowance is 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily.
  • Iron: This increases blood volume and promotes a lean body mass. Fifteen milligrams are needed for girls, while boys only need 11 milligrams.
  • Fruits and vegetables: This provides dietary fibre and micronutrients essential for growth and development.

Unfortunately, junk foods and fast foods are more appealing and more easily accessible, which could result in unhealthy conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar and irritable bowels. In the same breath, too little calories can also result in health conditions as the body lacks the support and nutrition needed to maintain muscle mass and healthy development.

This is where education comes into play. Adolescents need to know what they should be consuming and in what quantities, as well as what they should be avoiding. The way in which we communicate this needs to be carefully thought out as force or pressure will push them in the opposite direction. It’s up to us to ensure that our youth are able to look forward to a healthy future.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Setting the right nutritional foundation for adolescents is crucial. Learn more about teaching children correct nutritional habits by taking our Nutrition for Children Course. Read more here.

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What Is The Value Of Adding Supersets To Your Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-value-of-adding-supersets-to-your-workout/ Sat, 05 Dec 2020 05:05:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21926 You might have seen the word ‘supersets’ floating around on an influencers Instagram or heard it mentioned by gym trainers, but you might not know what it means. In the simplest terms, a superset is a type of gym technique that is designed to maximise your time during a workout. But what are the benefits...

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You might have seen the word ‘supersets’ floating around on an influencers Instagram or heard it mentioned by gym trainers, but you might not know what it means. In the simplest terms, a superset is a type of gym technique that is designed to maximise your time during a workout. But what are the benefits of adding supersets to your workout?

What Are Supersets?

Supersets are a technique to allow you to get the most out of your workout by keeping the rest time short. Usually, a superset is made up of two exercises (e.g. bicep curls and tricep dips) that are alternated without a rest in between. The idea is to do a set amount of each exercise, take a short rest, and then repeat the set again.

There are three main types of supersets:

  • An Antagonist Superset: these supersets target opposing muscle groups—for example, one exercise that targets the triceps and the other targeting the biceps. The advantage of this kind of superset is that you can maximise your recovery time, as when the one muscle is being worked its opposite is relaxed, and therefore you only need to take shorter breaks between sets.
  • An Agonist Superset: these supersets target the same muscle group with both exercises, for example, the chest. The advantage of this is that you are adding intensity to your workout by really targeting and working one area of your body with maximum intensity.
  • The Unrelated Superset: this kind of superset targets two very separate muscle groups, for example, lunges and pushups. The advantage of this kind of superset is that you are not overworking one area of your body and you, therefore, do not lose strength in one muscle group, allowing you to perform higher quality reps throughout the set.

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What Are The Advantages Of Supersets?

  • One advantage of supersets is their ability to allow you to boost your performance in specific targeted areas. For instance, if you are trying to improve your squat performance, you can superset jump squats and weighted squats to target the muscle groups with explosive movements. Or if you’re looking to improve your upper body strength, you can focus on two exercises that are target those muscle groups and intensely work those areas.
  • Doing supersets of the same muscle groups (the agonist superset style) allows you to target those areas with greater intensity in a shorter period of time.
  • You also have the advantage of keeping your workout simple, but because you are switching between different exercises so that you will not get bored doing the same one exercise over and over.
  • Lastly, the biggest advantage of a superset workout is that you are getting an intense workout in a short period of time. By taking short breaks and performing quick reps, you are maximising your workout time without compromising on intensity.

In conclusion, supersets are a great way to add variety to your workout routine. If you are short on time, you can still get a powerful workout, and if you have the time, you can target specific groups with high intensity.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

A personal trainer will be able to assist you in terms of adding supersets into your routine. Perhaps you want to become a personal trainer yourself and learn all that there is to know about health, fitness and everything in between. Follow this link to learn more about this course.

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How To Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally Through Diet And Exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure-naturally-through-diet-and-exercise/ Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21932 High blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, is called the “silent killer” for a good reason. This condition often has no symptoms but is a major risk for heart disease as well as stroke. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is so widespread these days that almost half all adults have it. While medication may be...

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High blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, is called the “silent killer” for a good reason. This condition often has no symptoms but is a major risk for heart disease as well as stroke.

Unfortunately, high blood pressure is so widespread these days that almost half all adults have it. While medication may be necessary, there are lifestyle habits which could help bring it under control, including eating most or all of your diet from plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains like oats, nuts, seeds and pretty much anything you can find in the produce aisle. You could also want to limit your intake of red meat, dairy and eggs.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you could be worried about taking medication in order to bring your blood pressure numbers down. Lifestyle plays a critically important role in handling your high blood pressure. If you effectively control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you could avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Here are a number of the ways in which diet and exercise help to reduce high blood pressure.

Lose Extra Kilos And Watch Your Waistline

Blood pressure often rises as weight increases. Being overweight may also cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnoea), which further raises your blood pressure.

Weight loss is one of the most efficient lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing just a small amount of weight if you are overweight or obese may assist with reducing your blood pressure. In general, you could reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimetre of mercury (mm Hg) with each kilogram of weight which you lose.

How Exercise Helps To Reduce Blood Pressure

Exercising regularly — such as 150 minutes a week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week — may lower your blood pressure by about between 5 and 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. It is important to be consistent as if you stop exercising, your blood pressure could rise again.

If you have high blood pressure, exercise may help you avoid developing hypertension. If you already do have hypertension, regular physical activity may bring your blood pressure down to safer levels.

Some examples of aerobic exercise which you may try in order to lower blood pressure include:

  • Walking,
  • Jogging,
  • Cycling,
  • Swimming, or
  • Dancing

Alternatively, you could also try high-intensity interval training that involves alternating short bursts of intense activity with recovery periods of lighter activity. Strength training may also help to reduce blood pressure. Have a goal  to include strength training exercises at least two days a week. Talk to your doctor – as well as your personal trainer – about developing an exercise programme.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn how to help people, with health conditions such as high blood pressure, then you should become a personal trainer and study our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to read more.

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A Suspension Training Workout For Runners. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-suspension-training-workout-for-runners/ Thu, 03 Dec 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21914 To get better, most runners just run. However, the best runners know that improving speed as well as endurance isn’t just about logging more kilometres on the road. You also need to log time in the gym. And one of the best ways to build the strength that you need to go faster and longer...

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To get better, most runners just run. However, the best runners know that improving speed as well as endurance isn’t just about logging more kilometres on the road. You also need to log time in the gym. And one of the best ways to build the strength that you need to go faster and longer is with suspension training.

When added to your training routine, exercises using suspension training can assist runners with building strength, boosting power and increasing flexibility. It’s one of the most useful pieces of equipment in any gym and it unlocks countless bodyweight exercises that will help any runner.

Strength training with suspension training is particularly beneficial for runners as this type of training can help to lessen the risk of injury in endurance athletes. This is accomplished through correcting imbalances in your left and right side, which ultimately can lead to an inefficient stride as well as injury over time.

In addition to conquering muscle imbalances with unilateral training, suspension training can help to enhance mobility in your hips as well as ankles. Suspension training will also assist with building strength in your legs while working your entire body. The purpose of this is to improve your overall endurance,  core strength, mobility and running stability.

What Suspension Training Workouts Are Good For Runners?

Suspension Training Hamstring Curl

To run faster as well as prevent injuries, you need to keep your body balanced between the front of your body (anterior) in addition to the back (posterior). Most runners suffer from a weaker posterior chain. Anytime they work the backside is an advantage.

How to do the suspension training hamstring curl:

  • With the straps of the suspension trainer at mid-calf length, lie on supine on a mat facing the anchor point. Put your heels in the foot cradles.
  • Keeping even pressure in your heels, engage your glutes and core. Make sure that your hips are lifted and drag your heels as if they were on train tracks. Do this until your knees are stacked over your hips.
  • Straighten your legs while making sure that your core is kept tight.

Do between three to four sets of eight to 10 reps each.

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Suspension Training Hamstring Runner

With this particular exercise, there’s an added challenge of rotation as well as core work. This is beneficial for runners of any distance. Runners should control rotation if they would like to produce more power in addition to being faster. The goal is to ensure that you keep even pressure on the foot cradles during the entire movement.

How to do the suspension training hamstring runner:

  • With the straps of the suspension trainer at mid-calf length, face the anchor point. Lie on your back and put your heels in the foot cradles.
  • Maintaining an even pressure in your heels, engage your glutes as well as your core. Keep your hips lifted. Pull your right heel as if it was on a train track, while preserving an even pressure in opposite heel. (Think about dragging your heel rather than bending your knee so that the straps remain level.)
  • Straighten your right leg while making sure that your core remains tight. Repeat on the left leg. That’s one rep.

Do between three and four sets of between eight and 10 reps.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Suspension training is a fabulous workout for everyone and not just runners. Find out more about suspension training with our Suspension Training Course. Read more about this here.

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Which Kettlebell Workouts Build Strength And Endurance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/which-kettlebell-workouts-build-strength-and-endurance/ Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:05:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21895 Unlike dumbbells as well as barbells, the weight of a kettlebell is uneven. This means that more muscles are needed to work with this exercise tool. Kettlebell workouts combine strength training and cardiovascular fitness. Given that their centre of gravity is continually changing, kettlebells replicate the forces which you might find in real-life activities. Thus,...

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Unlike dumbbells as well as barbells, the weight of a kettlebell is uneven. This means that more muscles are needed to work with this exercise tool. Kettlebell workouts combine strength training and cardiovascular fitness. Given that their centre of gravity is continually changing, kettlebells replicate the forces which you might find in real-life activities. Thus, kettlebell workouts improve not only your performance but also your daily life.

Since many kettlebell lifts cannot be done slowly, these pieces of exercise equipment bridge the gap between strength training and cardiovascular training. Many kettlebell workouts can be performed in a short period of time and still be perfectly efficient.

As most kettlebell workouts, by nature, use muscle plus momentum, you’re not throwing your body weight around, jumping, or otherwise slamming on joints which go through enough stress with your lifting or running. This stress can be good for your bones however it’s stress nonetheless, and kettlebells are a great way to actively recover from all of this.

Benefits Of Kettlebell Workouts For Strength And Endurance

Doing a kettlebell workout with a high rep amount of kettlebell lifting for only 12 minutes can increase both muscular in addition to cardiovascular endurance. This form of training can be extremely beneficial in improving a lot of the overlooked aspects of physical performance, such as hand grip and even flexibility.

It never hurts to do endurance workouts which increase grip strength, improve your hip hinge and assists with developing solid core strength. If you’re doing your kettlebell workouts right, your breath work is bound to improve. Kettlebell swings, cleans as well as snatches are works of gym-going art: not only does your body need to flow along with the bell, but your breath has to control the movement.

When you’re working in a circuit, you need to concentrate all the more on keeping your breath in sync. The better you are able to control your breath (and the more air you can get in your lungs per inhale), the more time you’ll be able to shave off your long distance runs and the more weight you’ll be able to pile onto your max-effort deadlift.

Why Endurance Athletes Need To Do Kettlebell Workouts

Endurance athletes know that there are a number of areas which are relevant to cover in order to train successfully. While there is a debate that is going on about how to best work on these, the main categories are usually seen to be running economy, VO2 max as well as time to exhaustion.

Running economy is essentially the rate at which the processes in your body are able to convert that energy and oxygen required for running at a submaximal pace. Simply put, running economy is all about how quickly you can get from 0 to 80. Within of the running economy itself, there are a few key factors:

  • Flexibility of your joints,
  • Muscle strength, as well as
  • Cardiovascular ability.

Leg training utilising kettlebells can build on each and every single one of those aspects mentioned above. These reps also don’t cause extreme muscle building, which also is a component in developing your running economy.

VO2 max is the quantity of oxygen that your body can use for the period of a session of intensive exercise. VO2 max may be increased by using through several traditional cardio-focused workouts. The fantastic part about working on this is that it can be fitted into nearly any regimen. You are able to make a kettlebell workout which has a section of time set aside for just boosting your VO2 max.

As you work on all the above factors you will be unintentionally increasing your time to exhaustion. Kettlebell workouts will encourage increased stamina and allow you to train longer while utilising less energy. It is important to monitor yourself and plan enough time for recovery. Understanding when to stop is just as important as starting.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

By using kettlebells, you’ll be able to get the most phenomenal workout. Find out more about how to make use of these dynamic tools with our Kettlebell Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is Lower Crossed Syndrome? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-lower-crossed-syndrome/ Sun, 29 Nov 2020 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21752 Lower crossed syndrome is the secret danger that can cause muscle imbalances, problems with posture, and the potential for further injury. You might not have heard the term lower crossed syndrome, but you need to be aware of what it is, the problems it can pose, and what can you do to prevent and treat...

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Lower crossed syndrome is the secret danger that can cause muscle imbalances, problems with posture, and the potential for further injury. You might not have heard the term lower crossed syndrome, but you need to be aware of what it is, the problems it can pose, and what can you do to prevent and treat it.

Lower Crossed Syndrome (LCS)

LCS is a postural imbalance in the lower back and pelvis muscles, as well as the hip joints. It occurs when you spend long periods of time sitting and can get worse if you have bad posture or are not active enough when not sitting. When you are seated, your muscles are stuck in either a shortened position or a lengthened position, and if you stay seated for prolonged periods of time, your muscles become used to the position. They can become weak, tight, or inhibited.

Which Muscles Are Affected?

When you’re sitting, it might not feel like you are using many muscles, but there are several groups of muscles that can be affected by LCS. The main groups that are affected are:

  • Erector spinae, a group of muscles that hold your spine upright.
  • Hip flexors, the muscles that connect your thighs to the front of your body.
  • Gluteal muscles, the muscles that extend your hip joints.

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How Are The Muscles Affected?

As mentioned above, when your muscles are affected by LCS, they can become tight or weak. This affects the muscles in different ways:

  • Tight (or hypertonic) muscles: this occurs when your muscles (e.g. hip flexors) spend too much time in the shortened position and begin to hold that position as its natural position. The problem that this causes is not just that the muscles have a low resistance to stretching; they will also pull on the bones they are attached to even when you are no longer sitting down.
  • Weak (or inhibited) muscles: this occurs when muscles (such as the gluteal muscles) spend extended periods of time in a lengthened position. This leads to the muscles becoming weak and inhibited.
  • Imbalances in the muscles: overall the tightness and weakness of various muscle groups lead to imbalances in your posture; a forward rotation of the pelvis as well as the overextension of the lumbar spine which can result in back pain and bad posture.

How To Avoid LCS or How To Fix It

Preventing LCS is very simple; make sure to take note of your posture while sitting down and take regular breaks from sitting!

If it is past the point of prevention, then there are many exercises and stretching routines that can help you to neurologically decrease the activity to the muscles that are overactive. This will allow the muscles to relax and move more naturally.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Exercise can assist with overcoming syndromes such as this one as well as so much more. To find out how you can teach sufferers these moves, you need to become a personal trainer. Find out how you can do this by checking out our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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What Do Anaerobic Exercises Mean For Your Training Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-anaerobic-exercises-mean-for-your-training-routine/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 05:05:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21680 Anaerobic exercises — which are a higher-intensity, higher-power version of exercise — are different from aerobic exercise. Although the term may not be one that you’re familiar with, anaerobic exercise is a very common and effective workout. In actual fact, you’ve probably put yourself through an anaerobic workout at some point in your life. The...

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Anaerobic exercises — which are a higher-intensity, higher-power version of exercise — are different from aerobic exercise. Although the term may not be one that you’re familiar with, anaerobic exercise is a very common and effective workout. In actual fact, you’ve probably put yourself through an anaerobic workout at some point in your life.

The Difference Between Anaerobic Exercises And Aerobic Exercises

To break it down in a simple style, activities which require your body’s energy systems to utilise oxygen are considered to be aerobic. This includes pursuits in which you engage in movements for more than just a brief burst of action, such as:

  • Distance running,
  • Swimming, or
  • Cycling

On the other hand, anaerobic activities only require brief expenditures of energy, like lifting weights and even short sprints, and don’t need your body to use oxygen.

When you push your body to an increased intensity, it gets to the point where the aerobic system – which uses oxygen in order to generate energy – just isn’t enough. At this point, your muscles switch to using the anaerobic system for energy.

How The Anaerobic System Works

Anaerobic exercise makes use of glucose, and not oxygen, in order to produce energy. Muscles store a small amount of glucose in order to provide short bursts of energy for intense activities. Glucose is metabolised in a process called glycolysis, which does not need oxygen.

The outcome of glycolysis is the production of lactic acid. It is the build-up of this chemical in muscles which creates fatigue as well as the burning sensation we’re all familiar with when training really hard. This is what limits the time that you are able to engage in anaerobic exercise. However, with proper training, you can better tolerate lactic acid and improve anaerobic endurance.

What Are The Benefits Of Anaerobic Exercise?

While anaerobic exercise used to be something which mainly athletes did in order to increase performance, everyday exercisers may also benefit from this kind of training. When you train at extremely high levels of intensity, you are increasing your anaerobic threshold. This means that you can work harder for longer periods of time, all while you are burning more calories.

Other benefits of anaerobic exercises include the following:

  • Endurance: Perform some anaerobic training and your other training will get easier.
  • Improved VO2 max: Your body gets to grips with how to utilise more oxygen, which it converts into energy in order to allow you to exercise longer.
  • Stronger muscles: Rather than producing energy from oxygen (as it does during aerobic workouts), your body utilises energy that it stores in the muscles during anaerobic exercise. That means it helps to maintain as well as improve muscle mass.
  • Stronger bones: Some anaerobic exercise (for example, intense resistance training) can improve bone density in addition to strength. This, in turn, lessens the risk of osteoporosis.
  • Fat loss: It’s been found that high-intensity intermittent exercise (that is, interval training) can be more effective than aerobic workouts at assisting exercisers burn fat.
  • Improved mood: Just as with aerobic exercise, anaerobic training has been shown to decrease feelings of depression, tension, and anger.

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If you haven’t before, you should really add in anaerobic exercises to your training routine because, as you can see from what we’ve talked about in the above article, they provide a whole host of benefits for you.  If you would like to discover additional information about anaerobic exercises then you should really do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about it here.

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Do Ice Baths Help In Post-Workout Recovery? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-ice-baths-help-in-post-workout-recovery/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21630 Taking a post-workout dip in an ice water bath is a common practice among many athletes. Known as cold water immersion – or alternatively cryotherapy – this practice is favoured among athletes to help them with their post-workout recovery as well as reduce muscle pain and soreness after intense training sessions or competitions. As well as the...

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Taking a post-workout dip in an ice water bath is a common practice among many athletes. Known as cold water immersion – or alternatively cryotherapy – this practice is favoured among athletes to help them with their post-workout recovery as well as reduce muscle pain and soreness after intense training sessions or competitions.

As well as the ice bath, some athletes utilise and contrast water therapy (alternating between cold water and warmer water) in order to get the same effect. From elite runners to many professional rugby as well as football players, the post-workout ice bath is a common practice routine.

The notion of ice baths have been around for a while and, right now, they’re picking up steam and popularity. Although ice baths may soothe sore muscles in a post-workout recovery session, they aren’t for everyone—and could be counterproductive depending on what you want to achieve in terms of your fitness goals.

What Is The Theory Behind An Ice Bath?

The theory behind ice baths is linked to the fact that intensive exercise causes microtrauma, in other words, tiny tears in your muscle fibres. This microscopic muscle damage is really a goal of exercise as it stimulates muscle cell activity in addition to repairing the damage as well as strengthening the muscles (muscle hypertrophy). However, this microtrauma is also linked with delayed onset muscle pain and soreness (DOMS), which happens between 24 and 72 hours after exercise.

The ice bath is believed to:

  • Constricting blood vessels and flush waste products, such as lactic acid, out of the affected tissues
  • Decreasing metabolic activity in addition to slowing down physiological processes
  • Reducing swelling as well as tissue breakdown

Then, with the process of re-warming, the increased blood flow is believed to speed up circulation, and in turn, accelerate the process of healing.

While there is no current protocol about the ideal time and temperature for cold immersion routines, most athletes or trainers who use them for post-workout recovery recommend a water temperature between 12 to 15 degrees Celsius as well as immersion times of five to 10 minutes – sometimes up to 20 minutes.Trifocus Fitness Academy-post-workout recovery

When Should You Have An Ice Bath?

At the moment, there’s no time period which has been shown to be most effective. However the sooner that you can hop in the ice after an intense workout or game, the better you’ll feel. If you work out and then wait for an hour, a lot of those healing processes are already taking place so they’ll have a different effect.

Whether the science is supportive of the ice bath theory or not, many athletes swear that an ice bath after intense training assists them with recovering faster, preventing injury, and just feeling better. You can give this a try to see if it works for you however if you decide you don’t like it, feel free to skip it the next time!

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A personal trainer can advise you of the best possible ways to recover after an intense exercise. Why not become a personal trainer yourself and see what other benefits this great career path brings? Have a look at our accredited Personal Training Diploma for additional information about how you can become a personal trainer.

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How Important Is Being Flexible? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-important-is-being-flexible/ Thu, 26 Nov 2020 05:05:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21619 Stretching your body in order for you to become more supple and flexible offers a lot of physical benefits. Flexibility training allows for easier and deeper movements while building strength and stability. Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility. Flexibility is an incredibly important component...

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Stretching your body in order for you to become more supple and flexible offers a lot of physical benefits. Flexibility training allows for easier and deeper movements while building strength and stability. Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility.

Flexibility is an incredibly important component of physical fitness. In addition, it has many positive effects on the body. For example, it improves mobility, posture, muscle coordination. Being flexible reduces the risk of injuries and muscle soreness. Being flexible even leads to a better overall “shape”.

Being flexible mainly increases your range of motion and makes it easier for you to perform certain exercises. Flexibility can occur not just through stretching but also through foam rolling or daily exercises.

Basically, stretching before working out increases blood flow in the muscles. If you don’t work on your flexibility regularly, muscles shorten with time: the best example is the hip flexor because we’re sitting too much. Limited flexibility feels like “stiffness”, restricts you in your daily life and when you’re exercising.

How Flexible Should You Be?

Not everyone requires the ability to do the splits, fold in half or twist their shoulders. Training for those accomplishments is a waste of time if you only need to go for a run, drop down into a squat or lift weights high above your head. Common exercises do necessitate flexibility but not to the same degree as the splits.

Your level of flexibility should be a reflection of your physical pursuits. Like all else in fitness, flexibility is fluid and can be altered over time in order to reflect new goals.

You can also view this from a day-to-day functionality point of view. Everyone should be flexible enough in order to complete activities of day-to-day living without pain. Putting on your socks, tying your shoes, putting dishes away on high shelves as well as getting into your car all need some level of flexibility. If you’re not flexible enough to be able do these things without feeling any pain, it’s definitely time to start stretching.

Why Are Some People More Flexible Than Other People?

When we compare how a gymnast moves how we move, it’s obvious some people are more flexible than others. This is down to two factors: native physical aspects and how a person trains. For instance, these physical aspects can influence your flexibility:

  • Age – you tend to become less flexible as you get older
  • Bone size and structure – the larger your bone diameter, the less flexible you’re likely to be
  • Connective tissues – degree of elasticity of the tendons and ligaments
  • Body bulk -the bigger your body, the harder it is to get into flexible positions

If you are struggling to touch your toes without bending your legs, while others can easily bend over backwards, don’t worry. The great thing is that it can be worked on.

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Flexibility is indeed something that can be worked on in order to see improvements. Yoga is a discipline which will help you to improve your flexibility. If you want to learn more about this ancient exercise form then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

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How Can Strength Training Help With Lower Back Pain? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-strength-training-help-with-lower-back-pain/ Thu, 26 Nov 2020 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21615 When you’re feeling back pain, your impulse could be to keep your back immobile so that you don’t trigger further pain. This idea could seem like it would be especially true for including resistance into your workout in the format of weight machines, free weights or – alternatively – resistance bands. Movement can assist with...

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When you’re feeling back pain, your impulse could be to keep your back immobile so that you don’t trigger further pain. This idea could seem like it would be especially true for including resistance into your workout in the format of weight machines, free weights or – alternatively – resistance bands.

Movement can assist with relieving back pain however only the right kind. Make sure that you avoid workouts which put too much stress and strain on your back. So which exercises should you choose to do? That partly is dependent on how intense your pain is in addition to what caused it. So, you should always get the approval of your doctor before doing any heavy exertion for lower back pain.

Strength Training Assists With Developing Muscle Health

When you have back pain for a protracted period of time, your back muscles could have less mass, greater fatty content in addition to more stiffness. This can cause them to fatigue more easily which results in increasing pain. Over time, this pain and easy fatiguability could lead to fear of movement, resulting in deconditioning and instability in your back.

Weight training exercises could improve the health of your back by:

  • Enhancing the functioning of the muscles in your back and core
  • Increasing muscle strength
  • Building your lean muscle mass
  • Enhancing the range of motion of your spine
  • Lessening your body fat

Weight training exercises work on the basic principle of progressively increasing the loads, as tolerated, to gradually improve your capacity of performing daily activities.

How Much Pain Is Too Much?

Some slight discomfort and pain can be anticipated anytime you begin a new workout. As you work your way back to improved health – and your muscles strengthen – this pain and discomfort should disappear. However, when a fitness routine causes moderate or severe pain symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes, you should stop the exercise and then check in with your doctor.

One of the tried-and-trusted core-strengthening workouts is the partial stomach crunch. Partial crunches assist with building strength in both your lower back and related stomach muscles. This makes it the perfect exercise for people who suffer from spondylosis.

Here’s how you can get the most out of partial crunches:

  • Lie on your back. Make sure that you keep your feet flat on the ground and have your knees bent.
  • With your hands behind your head, or alternatively with arms crossed around your chest, raise your shoulders off of the floor. Make sure that you keep your stomach muscles tight.
  • Breath out while you raise your shoulders. Don’t lead with your elbows (or yank your neck off the floor with your arms).
  • Hold for a second. Next, lower your body back down to the floor in a controlled manner.
  • Repeat for between eight and 12 repetitions. Remember to always follow proper form, which prevents excessive spine stress. Keep your feet, tailbone, and lower back against the floor throughout the exercise.

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There is so much to learn about strength training. To learn these pearls of wisdom, sign up for our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Why Could Bursts Of Exercise Improve Metabolic Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-could-bursts-of-exercise-improve-metabolic-health/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21589 Short bursts of exercise, which are generally referred to as intervals, can have a noticeable improvement on the amount of energy used during – as well as after – your workouts. Interval training has been shown to enhance the body’s fat-burning capacity while regulating, as well as even increasing, lean muscle mass. In spite of...

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Short bursts of exercise, which are generally referred to as intervals, can have a noticeable improvement on the amount of energy used during – as well as after – your workouts. Interval training has been shown to enhance the body’s fat-burning capacity while regulating, as well as even increasing, lean muscle mass. In spite of taking much less time than traditional steady-state cardio, intervals are far more effective for improving your metabolic performance.

New research has made the finding that short bursts of exercise may significantly improve levels of metabolites that are indicators of key physical health issues.

Why The Study Was Conducted

Although exercise is well-known for helping a person stay healthy, scientists do not fully understand the precise molecular mechanisms which help to explain the link between being physically active and maintaining better health. So, researchers wanted to look at the association between metabolites that are indicators of health and exercise.

A person’s metabolism describes the chemical reactions which take place in their body. Metabolites either enable these reactions or are the outcome of them. Scientists have identified relationships between exercise and certain changes in metabolites.

A lot is known regarding the effects of exercise on the cardiac, vascular as well as inflammatory systems of the body however this study provides a comprehensive look at the metabolic impact of exercise by connecting specific metabolic pathways to exercise response variables in addition to long-term health outcomes.

It was found that a brief bout of exercise can have a significant effect on the circulating levels of metabolites that govern such key bodily functions as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, vascular reactivity, inflammation, and longevity. In general, a short burst of exercise significantly alters 80% of an exercise participant’s metabolites. In particular, metabolites – which are associated with adverse health outcomes when resting – are reduced.

How Are You Able To Get The Most Out Of Interval Training?

The crucial point underlying interval training’s success is in it’s the short amount of time that it takes. You could feel that five to 20 minutes is just not enough to reap any real fat-loss benefits however if you’re doing the intervals correctly, you’ll soon learn that’s not the case.

Medical experts have found that even for beginners or the elderly, interval training is an efficient way to lose body fat, improve cardiovascular performance as well as build strength. To do an interval session correctly, choose an exercise to perform – such as sprinting or skipping – and go as hard as you can for between 15 and 60 seconds. Follow this with between 15 and 30 seconds of rest and repeat this process between eight and 12 times.

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Interval training ranks up there as one of the most effective forms of exercise. This is because it has a whole range of benefits for your physique as well as your physical and mental health. There are tonnes of other exercises available which will have other similar effects. To learn these, enrol in our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Do The Dumbbell High Pull? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-the-dumbbell-high-pull-find-out-more/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21593 Power-building exercises, such as the dumbbell high pull, help to boost energy expenditure, build lean muscle mass as well as activate more fast-twitch muscle fibres that create explosive muscle movements. The dumbbell high pull is a compound exercise which targets not only those hard-to-hit back muscles (such as the rhomboids) but also all three deltoid...

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Power-building exercises, such as the dumbbell high pull, help to boost energy expenditure, build lean muscle mass as well as activate more fast-twitch muscle fibres that create explosive muscle movements.

The dumbbell high pull is a compound exercise which targets not only those hard-to-hit back muscles (such as the rhomboids) but also all three deltoid heads. It’s an essential muscle-building move for weightlifters focusing on carving up their backs and shoulders without doing endless presses in addition to pull-ups. In addition, the explosive extension will help train the posterior chain—hamstrings, glutes, and lower back—and condition your body for other explosive moves like the clean or the snatch.

The dumbbell high pull uses an explosive movement during the extension. Lowering the weights slowly helps to build upper-body strength as well as power. Making use of the strength as well as the power of your core and hips assists with other exercises such as the hang clean and push jerk. You can use the dumbbell high pull as a warm-up before doing these types of exercises. Generating power in your hips also helps to generate force in your upper body as you move through the exercise.

Adopt The Correct Form For The Dumbbell High Pull

Grab a pair of dumbbells in each hand with an overhand grip. Stand up tall with your feet being shoulder-width apart and push your hips back. Slightly bend your knees and let the dumbbells hang just beneath knee height. Make sure that you don’t round your lower back.

In one single movement, explosively stand up by straightening your hips and knees. Thrust your hips forward and pull the dumbbells up to your shoulders. Reverse the movement in order to return to your starting position.

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Variations On The Dumbbell High Pull

One-Arm Dumbbell High Pull

In the course of this exercise, make sure that you keep your hips as well as shoulders facing forward. Don’t rotate your body.

  • Stand up tall with your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Make use of an overhand grip and hold a dumbbell in your left hand.
  • Extend your arm straight out in front of you.
  • Straighten your hips – as well as your knees – as you explosively raise the dumbbell as high as you possibly can.
  • Gradually lower the dumbbell back to your starting position.
  • Do between two and five sets of two to six repetitions.
  • Replicate on the opposite side.

Dumbbell High Pull To Overhead Press

  • Stand up tall with your feet hip-distance away from each other.
  • Make use of an overhand grip and to hold a dumbbell in each hand.
  • Hinge at your hips in order to slightly bend forward.
  • Position the weights just beneath your knees.
  • Straighten your hips and knees as you raise the dumbbells explosively as high as you can.
  • At the same time, raise your heels in order to come onto your tiptoes.
  • From this position, extend your arms directly overhead, making sure that you keep your elbows slightly bent.
  • Gradually lower the weights back down to your starting position.
  • Do between two and five sets of two to six repetitions.

Squat To Dumbbell High Pull

  • Stand up tall with your feet hip-distance away from each other.
  • Make use of an overhand grip and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
  • Hinge at your hips in order to slightly bend forward.
  • Position the weights just beneath your knees.
  • Slowly go down into a squat.
  • From this position, straighten your hips and knees as you explosively raise the dumbbells up as high as you can.
  • At the same time, raise your heels in order to come onto your tiptoes.
  • Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.
  • Do 2 to 5 sets of 2 to 6 repetitions.

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The dumbbell high pull is just one of the many exercises that a personal trainer can teach you. If you are keen to hear more information about these exercises then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Value Of Synchronised Training? Read this article https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-value-of-synchronised-training-read-this-article/ Mon, 23 Nov 2020 05:05:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21533 Synchronised training relates to any form of exercise that follows a specific routine. The most commonly referenced form of synchronised training is synchronised swimming. If you’ve ever watched it, you’ll know that timing and routine are essential to the success of any performance. It makes it look like an understated sport, essentially ballet in water,...

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Synchronised training relates to any form of exercise that follows a specific routine. The most commonly referenced form of synchronised training is synchronised swimming. If you’ve ever watched it, you’ll know that timing and routine are essential to the success of any performance. It makes it look like an understated sport, essentially ballet in water, but if you’ve ever tried to copy one of their actions or movements, you’ll know that it’s not as easy as it looks.

Synchronised training is often done in groups and requires a great deal of coordination to perfect—a really good team relationship to ensure that everyone does their part to ensure the ultimate performance.

Mastering Synchronised Training

The secret behind synchronised training is not the ability to follow a team and work together, but rather the fitness-related elements that allow the athlete to bring it all together.

Consider the synchronised swimming example. You need to be flexible, elegant and have the endurance to power through the entire routine without stopping for a break. There’s not one stand-alone element that translates to its success; it’s the ability of the athlete to work on all three components and merge it together to create a beautiful routine.

It’s A Full-Body Workout

Even if you don’t decide to join a team for synchronised training, you can follow the basics to give your fitness level a boost and even build your skillset in the process. Find a way to work on your fitness and cardio as well as strength training and endurance to create the ideal synchronised training programme.

Exercises that promote flexibility, such as yoga and Pilates, should also be incorporated. Working on your core is also important as your core controls most of your body, which means that if it’s weak, you will find it difficult to perform various exercises. It can even make day to day living a bit more difficult, although you’ll only notice the difference a strong core makes after its been achieved.

You also need to work on your lung capacity – a critical skill for synchronised swimmers and almost just as important for any land athlete. Cardiovascular fitness will help you properly distribute oxygen through the body while exercising while allowing swimmers to hold their breath for longer periods.

Don’t Underestimate It

It’s simple; the value of synchronised training is immeasurable. It provides a full-body approach to exercise and fitness that will give you a competitive edge regardless of which sport you participate in. Not only will it improve your strength and endurance, but it’ll also help to tone your body and boost your confidence in the process.

You may even find that your new training routine reignites your passion for a healthy lifestyle and even puts you back on track. The more you progress in your training, the happier you’ll feel and the more motivated you’ll be to continue.

While it may seem fairly simple and well-coordinated, it takes hard work and dedication to perfect the art of synchronised training.

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Spend your life in the gym and always dread needing to get to the office? If this is you, then you should consider switching careers and becoming a personal trainer. Have a look at our Personal Training Diploma for more information.

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How To Programme An Exercise Routine For People Who’ve Undergone A Knee Replacement https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-programme-an-exercise-routine-for-people-whove-undergone-a-knee-replacement/ Mon, 23 Nov 2020 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21517 Following your surgery, your leg muscles may feel weaker than before due to inactivity while recovering – and even as a result of compensating for the injury before having the surgery. While the surgery may have fixed the initial problem, your knee isn’t immediately ready to take on the world and you will need to...

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Following your surgery, your leg muscles may feel weaker than before due to inactivity while recovering – and even as a result of compensating for the injury before having the surgery. While the surgery may have fixed the initial problem, your knee isn’t immediately ready to take on the world and you will need to find ways to regain your strength and mobility. You’ll also need to find ways to reduce pain and swelling to make the healing process easier.

Types Of Knee Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery:  This surgery involves a small incision made on the knee in which thin instruments are inserted – one of which being a camera – to make the relevant repair. This is often done to remove or repair damaged cartilage and stabilise the joint, reconstructing an anterior cruciate ligament, removing inflamed connective tissue, removing loose bone fragments and treating sepsis.

Knee replacement: This procedure is more invasive as it requires removing the damaged pieces and replacing it with an artificial joint that can be made of plastic, ceramic or metal. This procedure is estimated to last about 15 years before needing to be redone.

Managing Swelling

Tips for alleviating swelling can include:

  • Use painkillers and anti-inflammatories as prescribed
  • Making sure that your legs are kept at the same level as your heart is
  • Using a cold compress or ice pack
  • Practising ankle pumps
  • Getting sufficient rest
  • Clean your wound dressings regularly
  • Wear your brace

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Improving Your Range Of Motion

Following your knee surgery, you will need to work on bending and stretching your legs – slowly though, don’t force it. This will assist you with moving around easier and avoid walking with a limp. You can also try to sit with your knees bent during meals times and avoid resting your knee on a pillow.

A simple exercise to get started is simply walking around your home or garden during the day. Use a cane or walking aid in order to get started to prevent unnecessary strain on your injury. As you make progress, you will be able to increase the distance and slowly ween yourself off of your walking aid.

While you need to try to remain active following your surgery, you need to take it easy and start simple. If you begin to feel additional pain and swelling, rather stop and take a break.

Additional exercises can include:

  • Thigh squeezes
  • Ankle pumps
  • Leg slides – keep your leg straight and move from side to side
  • Leg lifts and raises
  • Seated kicks
  • Swimming – once your wound has healed

As with any serious surgery, recovery will take time and the process will not be the same for any two people. While the incision site may heal within a month or so, the internal recovery may take a lot longer and need a lot more dedication. IT may be painful and disheartening at times, but it’s important to push through if you are to make a speedy recovery and go back to leading your normal lifestyle. If you experience any additional pain, swelling or discomfort while healing, please consult your doctor to ensure that everything is still on track.

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Learn how to programme exercise routines for people with different needs by signing up for our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Why Does Progressive Core Training Work? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-does-progressive-core-training-work/ Sat, 21 Nov 2020 05:05:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21485 A strong core is always a benefit, no matter what your fitness goals are or what fitness level you are at. And even though, as they say, aesthetic Instagram-worthy abs are made in the kitchen, the key to strong abs lies in progressive core training. A core training program needs to help you to build...

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A strong core is always a benefit, no matter what your fitness goals are or what fitness level you are at. And even though, as they say, aesthetic Instagram-worthy abs are made in the kitchen, the key to strong abs lies in progressive core training. A core training program needs to help you to build a strong foundation and then build on that foundation to increase strength and definition. So, why does a progressive core training program work?

Why is core training important?

There are three major benefits to having a strong core; posture and balance, athletic performance, and injury prevention.

Improving your balance and posture is very important, particularly as many of us live very sedentary lives. By strengthening your core, you will have the ability to carry yourself with a better posture throughout your day-to-day life as well as during exercise.

Increasing core strength can also improve your athletic performance. You might have heard before how important core strength is, regardless of what exercise you do, and everyone who says this is correct! Your core connects your upper to your lower body and a weak core weakens your body overall. By building a strong core, you increase your ability to lift heavier weights, move faster and stronger, improve your reaction times, and perform exercises with greater control.

A strong core will also help you to avoid injury. By improving your body’s ability to hold positions and bettering your ability to support your body weight, you are less likely to fall or injure yourself. You are also able to stop the overextension of other muscles in the body, which can occur when your abs are not strong enough to support certain exercises (particularly heavyweights); therefore leaving the other muscles in your body to compensate.

Progressive Core Training

Now that we understand why progressive core training is important, we can look at a few examples of core strengthening exercises that will help you to develop a strong core:

  1. Weighted Forearm Plank

This exercise takes a standard forearm plank and adds another level of strength training. Essentially perform a forearm plant, weighting yourself on your forearms (hands palm-down, elbows under shoulders) and toes. Keep your back straight, forming a line from your neck to your lower spine. Have a partner place a weight (e.g. a circular weight) on your back and hold the position for 30 seconds. You can also start on your knees, placing the weight yourself, before moving to the plank position.

  1. Bird Dog

This exercise involves dynamic movement that forces you to control your core to hold your position stable. Begin on your hands and knees. Your hands must be under shoulders with your knees under your hips. Holding in your core lift your right arm and left leg off the ground, reaching them out until these are parallel to the ground. Controlling your abdominal muscles, retract your limbs back to the starting position before repeating with the other arm and leg.

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Progression is a vital concept that every personal trainer needs to master. Find out what other concepts they need to master on our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

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Is There A Link Between Neuroplasticity And Exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/is-there-a-link-between-neuroplasticity-and-exercise/ Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:05:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21474 You might have heard that exercise and physical activity can help you live longer, but did you know that it can actually help to slow down the brain atrophy that happens as you age and helps to improve neuroplasticity? This can help us to learn and improve on more skills and may help to prevent...

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You might have heard that exercise and physical activity can help you live longer, but did you know that it can actually help to slow down the brain atrophy that happens as you age and helps to improve neuroplasticity? This can help us to learn and improve on more skills and may help to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. So, how does this process work:

What Is Neuroplasticity?

Firstly, let’s take a look at what neuroplasticity is. Neuroplasticity is the ability that neural networks in the brain have that allow for growth and change. Throughout our lives, neurons make new connections in our brain as we learn new things, and as we age, our brain removes connections that are unimportant and strengthens the necessary ones. Basically, as we age, our brains can reorganise the connections and structure of themselves, allowing for improved reactions to situations, the learning of new skills, and constant neurological development. Neuroplasticity is, therefore, very important; as without it we are unable to handle new situations and our brain function may begin to decline with age as the brain is not able to stay on top of neurological changes.

How Does Exercise Help?

When we work out or perform any kind of physical activity, we increase the blood flow to our brains. Studies suggest that when this occurs, biochemical changes are made in the brain that promote neuroplasticity, and subsequently, new connections in the brain, as well as creating more brain cells. It is suggested that with an increase in physical activity, you can improve your cognitive performance and slow the process that normal ageing has on your brain. It may also, as suggested above, help with the prevention (or improvement) of diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease. In one study, just two months of exercise vastly improved the production of brain cells in Parkinson patients – and it is suggested that by remaining active throughout your life you may decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

How Much Exercise And What Kind?

As mentioned above, it is important to be active from a young age to get the best results for your brain health in later life, but any amount of exercise at any age is a positive for your body. However, in terms of specifics for the best results, various studies centring on the topic of brain health, suggest that aerobic exercise (even just walking) is the best option and you should be aiming for at least 30-60 minutes a day, at least three days a week.

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Exercise has so many overall benefits for your life. If you would like to teach others how to reap these benefits for themselves, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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An Anti-Inflammatory Diet: What To Eat & Why It Matters https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/an-anti-inflammatory-diet-what-to-eat-why-it-matters/ Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21447 If you suffer from chronic inflammation, you will know how debilitating it can be and how difficult it can be to handle. And, even if you do not regularly suffer from inflammation, you might have occasionally experienced it and how uncomfortable it can be. While gentle exercise can help to relieve symptoms, one of the...

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If you suffer from chronic inflammation, you will know how debilitating it can be and how difficult it can be to handle. And, even if you do not regularly suffer from inflammation, you might have occasionally experienced it and how uncomfortable it can be. While gentle exercise can help to relieve symptoms, one of the best ways to combat inflammation in the long term is to eat a diet that will reduce the reaction that your body has to what it is eating and therefore reduce your symptoms.

What Is Inflammation?

If you are not aware of what inflammation is, it is a natural response in the body’s immune system that activates in response to illnesses or potential dangers such as viruses or bacteria. Inflammation is important for fighting infections, healing wounds, and helps with the minor damage to muscles after a workout. Inflammation can become a problem when they are responding to something that is not actually a threat to the body, for example, when people have intense allergies, autoimmune diseases, and chronic stress. When the body is busy fighting these supposed dangers, it cannot respond to other injuries or infections, which can lead to many diseases and ongoing health problems.

What Is An Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet is an eating plan which can help to increase your intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to help to reduce tissue damage and inflammation while also reducing the effects of immune response and therefore stopping the inflammation from taking over.

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An Anti-Inflammatory Diet:

Some foods will trigger inflammation more than others, particularly foods that are processed or high in sugar. As a general rule, whole foods, fresh foods, with high levels of nutrients, and cooking foods without excess oil are a good choice for an anti-inflammatory diet. Some foods that are good for this diet include:

  • Fresh fruits, for example as citrus fruits, and berries.
  • Fresh vegetables, particularly leafy greens like spinach and kale.
  • Nuts and seeds, such as almonds and walnuts.
  • Fatty fishes, such as tuna and salmon.
  • Olive oil (versus other oils).
  • Foods that high in fibre, such as beans.
  • Whole grains such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice.

This diet will help to reduce your risk of inflammation, but is also a great diet for general health and fitness, providing a good ratio of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, with high levels of nutrients.

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If you would like to acquire more information about the wonderful health benefits of nutrition, then you definitely need to do our Specialised Nutrition Course. Follow this link for more information as well as to register.

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What Are The Health And Fitness Benefits Of Dancing? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-health-and-fitness-benefits-of-dancing/ Wed, 18 Nov 2020 05:05:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21425 There are many different forms of dance, from ballroom to barn dancing and then disco to Morris dancing. Dance has always remained an integral part of human culture, rituals as well as celebrations. Today, a lot of dancing is about recreation and self-expression, even though it can also be done as a competitive activity. Dancing...

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There are many different forms of dance, from ballroom to barn dancing and then disco to Morris dancing. Dance has always remained an integral part of human culture, rituals as well as celebrations. Today, a lot of dancing is about recreation and self-expression, even though it can also be done as a competitive activity. Dancing is a phenomenal way to be more physically active as well as stay fit. Actually, there are a lot of fitness benefits of dancing!

Whether you are 80 years young or eight years old, taking part in physical activities which involve dance changes you. From better physical as well as mental health to an improvement in emotional and social well-being, moving your body to your favourite tunes can revolutionise your life.

Mental Fitness Benefits

Dancing not only instils grace, but it also helps you with aging gracefully. According to a new study that was printed in a medical journal, dancing may boost your memory in addition to preventing you from developing dementia as you become older. Science shows that aerobic exercise can undo volume loss in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks throughout late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and occasionally dementia.

Dancing challenge your brain. The brainpower which you need to access for dance, particularly, requires you to concentrate on both the constant changing of movement as well as recalling moves and patterns. This is an outstanding form of mental exercise for your mind, irrespective of your age.

Flexibility Benefits Of Dancing

Those pliés and arabesques which ballet dancers practice aren’t just for aesthetics. They also increase flexibility in addition to reducing stiffness. You can skip the ballet shoes and still reap the benefits of ballet by practising some simple stretches at home. Increasing your flexibility will assist with easing joint pain in addition to post-exercise soreness.

Dancing Improves Balance And Strength

One of the greatest reasons why dancing is such a great form of physical fitness is because it combines movements on all planes of motion as well as from all directions. Movements which we typically do in our daily life – such as walking, climbing up the stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and cycling – take place in the sagittal plane.

However, dance works your body from all planes, including lateral and rotational. This turns on and conditions all muscles, which means that no muscle is left behind. This kind of movement not only increases strength but it also improves balance.

Boosts Your Mood

Movement as well as dance are extremely expressive, which can allow you to escape and just let loose.  It’s this ‘letting loose’ which helps to improve your mental and emotional health through the process of reducing stress, decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increasing your self-esteem.

The benefits of dance encompass all areas of health, including physical, mental and emotional. Not only does it give you a way to express yourself and have fun, but it also counts toward your cardiovascular exercise minutes for the week. So, grab a friend, join a beginner or intro class, and get moving!

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If you want to learn about other ways – besides dancing – that you can improve your cardiovascular health then perhaps you need to become a personal trainer. The best way to do this is by studying our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Are The Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-aerobic-exercise-find-out-in-this-article/ Wed, 18 Nov 2020 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21420 Aerobic exercise is any type of activity which gets your blood pumping as well as your large muscle groups working. This kind of exercise is also known as cardiovascular activity. Examples of aerobic exercise include brisk walking, swimming, heavy cleaning or gardening, running, cycling and playing soccer. Experts recommend that you do at least 150...

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Aerobic exercise is any type of activity which gets your blood pumping as well as your large muscle groups working. This kind of exercise is also known as cardiovascular activity. Examples of aerobic exercise include brisk walking, swimming, heavy cleaning or gardening, running, cycling and playing soccer.

Experts recommend that you do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, each and every single week. Brisk walking or swimming are examples of moderate-intensity activity. Running or cycling are examples of vigorous activity.

Aerobic exercises can become anaerobic exercises if is performed at a level of intensity which is too high. Cardiovascular exercise not only improves fitness but it also has known benefits for both physical as well as emotional health.

In addition, aerobic exercise can help to prevent or decrease the chance of developing some types of cancers, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease as well as osteoporosis. An aerobic exercise plan should be straightforward, practical in addition to realistic. Specialised equipment (such as cardio machines) may be utilised but this not necessary for successful aerobic exercise.

How Does Your Body React To Aerobic Exercise?

During the course of aerobic activity, you continually move large muscles in your arms, legs and hips. You’ll notice your body’s responses quickly You’ll breathe faster and more deeply. This action maximises the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your heart will beat faster, which improves blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs.

Your small blood vessels (capillaries) will widen in order to be able to deliver more oxygen to your muscles and also carry away waste products, such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Your body will even release endorphins. These are natural painkillers that promote an increased sense of well-being.

Aerobic Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure

Aerobic exercise may assist you with managing symptoms of high blood pressure. That’s because exercise can assist with lowering blood pressure.

Another medical condition that cardiovascular exercise may help with is asthma. Aerobic exercise can help people who suffer from asthma lessen both the frequency as well as the severity of asthma attacks.

Helps With Regulating Blood Sugar

Regular physical activity assists with regulating insulin levels as well as lower blood sugar, all while keeping body weight in check. In a study on people with type 2 diabetes, researchers made the finding that any form of movement, either aerobic or anaerobic, may have these effects.

Most individuals should aim to get around half an hour of moderate cardiovascular activity at least five days each week. This works out to approximately 150 minutes or 2.5 hours per week. You can mix up intensities and activities in order to keep it interesting. If you’re new to aerobic exercise, start short and slow. You can always build up as your fitness level improves. Remember: Any movement is better than no movement. If you’re pressed for time, consider breaking up your exercise throughout the day into several

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If you want to learn how to teach people the best forms of exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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What Is Tempo Training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-tempo-training/ Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21097 Also referred to as lactate threshold training, tempo training is designed in order to improve energy production from both aerobic as well as anaerobic energy pathways. The intensity is slightly higher than race pace and links to the lactate threshold. The duration of tempo training is usually between 20 and 30 minutes at a steady...

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Also referred to as lactate threshold training, tempo training is designed in order to improve energy production from both aerobic as well as anaerobic energy pathways. The intensity is slightly higher than race pace and links to the lactate threshold. The duration of tempo training is usually between 20 and 30 minutes at a steady pace.

Tempo training can also be performed sporadically or in intervals. The intensity is the same as steady-state tempo/pace training except for the fact that the session consists of a sequence of shorter bouts with brief recovery periods. It is vital to keep the intensity at – or slightly higher than – competition pace for either type of tempo training. Progression should be in the form of an increased duration as opposed to a faster running, cycling, swimming or rowing velocity.

What Is Tempo Training In Weight Training?

Basically, ‘tempo’ in weight training means the speed at which you lift the weight (the concentric phase of movement) as well as how fast you lower the weight (the eccentric phase of movement). Tempo is usually shown as a three- or four-digit number, with each number referring to the speed at which a certain part of the exercise should be performed.

The most recognised as well as most effective way of progressing weight training is just by adding more weigh but as you get more advanced it becomes tougher to keep adding weight. As a result, progression may slow down. Tempo protocols are a fantastic way to vary your regime because you’re making the muscle spend more time under tension.

Why Runners Will Benefit From Tempo Training

Tempo runs boost a runner’s lactate threshold. As you’re running at or near your threshold pace, your body becomes more effective at clearing lactate. Exercise science has shown us that lactate threshold pace is a great indicator of running performance. This is because the faster you can run while still clearing lactate, the faster you’ll be on race day. However, there’s also a significant mental aspect as well: they’re hard, stressful as well as mentally fatiguing. Tempo training teaches you to manage your emotions when running becomes challenging.

What Are The Benefits Of Tempo Training?

Everyone should incorporate tempo training in their exercise routine at some point in their fitness journey. This is even for movements such as the squat or deadlift which require explosiveness as well as power. Slowing down exercises with tempo can certainly promote a better, more seamless lift in the long run.

By including tempo training and movements in your exercise routine, you’ll be able to correct your positional and technique weaknesses for more consistent in addition to well-executed lifts. At the same time, you’ll be encouraging better hypertrophy and strength gains.

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You could read up all that you can about tempo training and implement it yourself in your training regimen. The better way to do this is to hire a personal trainer. An even better way of incorporating tempo training into your exercise routine is to learn how to do this from our Personal Training Diploma. Find out more here.

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The Biomechanical Analysis Of The Elliptical Machine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-biomechanical-analysis-of-the-elliptical-machine/ Sun, 15 Nov 2020 05:00:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21085 If you are on a search for a piece of exercise equipment which will give you a great cardio workout as well as improve your strength and muscle tone, the elliptical machine is your go-to machine. Producing a motion which is best described as ‘like cross-country skiing’, the elliptical machine targets almost every major muscle...

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If you are on a search for a piece of exercise equipment which will give you a great cardio workout as well as improve your strength and muscle tone, the elliptical machine is your go-to machine. Producing a motion which is best described as ‘like cross-country skiing’, the elliptical machine targets almost every major muscle group in your body. This includes your arms, shoulders, back, thighs, calves, abdominals and – of course – your butt.

Unlike running, the elliptical machine doesn’t place anywhere nearly the exact same amount of stress on your joints. And when utilised at a high level of intensity, it can burn up to 38 kilojoules (9 calories) per minute. However, this does not imply you can jump on an elliptical machine and reap the rewards. More than any other exercise machine, you really need to focus on the exercise that you’re doing in order to get the benefits.

Unlike the treadmill – where you can set the speed, incline and allow your mind to wander while your legs keep pace – the elliptical machine requires constant effort on your behalf in order to maintain your speed as well as keep the momentum going.

How Can You Describe The Movement On An Elliptical Machine?

The elliptical is a movement of the whole body that takes place in a sagittal plane about a transverse axis and mainly uses the muscles of the legs while the arms will be your secondary muscles. Your core is the stabiliser. The movements are the same as with running with the only difference being that the involved joints and muscles do not reach their full range of motion.

The actions use multiple joints, namely the hip, knee and ankle. During the upward phase of the leg movement, there is extension that is brought about by the gluteus maximus, medius and iliopsoas muscles. The knee (which is a hinge joint) causes extension.

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At the ankle (which is a hinge joint that is formed by the tibia and calcaneus) there is plantar flexion, brought about principally by the action of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. During the downward phase of the leg swing, at the hip, gluteus maximus and medius and bicep femoris, and iliopsoas muscles cause flexion. At the knee, the bicep femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles cause flexion. At the ankle, there is dorsi flexion that is brought about principally by the action of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle

Aerobic exercise, which is also termed as cardio, is a key part of a balanced exercise routine. When you perform aerobic exercise, your heart and lungs need to work harder in order to provide your muscles with more blood as well as oxygen. The elliptical machine gives you the opportunity to get a good aerobic workout, which can strengthen your heart, lungs as well as muscles. This, in turn, can assist with building your stamina and endurance. With an elliptical, you can perform both high-intensity interval training as well as steady-state cardio workouts.

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Keen on learning more about exercise? Keen on being able to teach people how to exercise properly? If you answered yes to these two questions then you need to become a personal trainer. Check out our Personal Training Diploma and see how you can become a world-class fitness professional with this qualification.

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Why Is Boxercise Such An Intense Workout? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-boxercise-such-an-intense-workout/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21072 In a world with an increasing sense of self-awareness and as well as on personal health and fitness, many individuals are starting to turn to unconventional exercise methodologies. It’s no longer only about hitting the traditional gym where you devote hours on a treadmill or lifting weights. One of the places more and more people...

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In a world with an increasing sense of self-awareness and as well as on personal health and fitness, many individuals are starting to turn to unconventional exercise methodologies. It’s no longer only about hitting the traditional gym where you devote hours on a treadmill or lifting weights. One of the places more and more people are turning to for results is the boxing gym.

Boxercise is an exercise class which is based on the training concepts that boxers utilise in order to keep fit. Classes can take a number of different of formats but a typical boxercise class may involve:

  • Shadow-boxing,
  • Skipping,
  • Hitting pads,
  • Kicking punchbags,
  • Press-ups,
  • Shuttle-runs, as well as
  • Sit-ups.

Most boxercise classes are targeted at men and women of all ages as well as fitness standards. As no class involves the actual hitting of an opponent, boxercise is a fun, challenging and safe workout.

Boxing, as a sport as well as a martial art, has been around for centuries. People throughout history have practised it as a means of self-defence. However, more recently – over the past decade or so – boxing has emerged as an extremely popular workout.

Individuals are drawn to boxing as a workout as it’s fun and enjoyable. In addition, boxing promises drastic improvements to overall health and wellness. For those who are contemplating losing weight and getting fit, boxing is just absolutely incredible.

Boxercise = Intense Cardio Workout

Everyone knows that cardio is the way to go if you want to lose fortunes of weight. However, simply sweating it out on a treadmill can get super repetitive as well as very boring. No person wants to spend hours on end performing exactly the same workout.

While steady-state cardio can absolutely help you to burn calories as well as shave off that excess weight, it’s very difficult to keep up because it can get stale after a while. Enter boxercise, which is the ultimate cardio workout that will engage both your upper and lower body.

Boxercise trains cardiovascular strength and endurance more effectively as opposed to the majority of the workouts that are available currently. It has the ability to condition the human body into an energy-efficient machine. Have a look at the body of a professional boxer and you will see an incredibly lean and cut athlete who is in prime condition.

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Burn Massive Amounts Of Calories With Boxercise

The main physical benefit that beginner boxers will see is cardiovascular. Boxing improves your resting heart rate as well as muscular endurance. This lowered resting heart rate, as well as increased stamina, can afford you the edge in your other workouts.

With a possible burn rate of 13 calories per minute, boxercise goes head-to-head with other types of cardio such as running and cycling. Plan to punch away anywhere between 200 to 400 calories (for a 63.5 kilogram person) per half hour:

  • Thirty minutes of boxing in a ring burns 400 calories.
  • Thirty minutes of punching a bag burns 200 calories, and
  • Thirty minutes of sparring with a partner burns 300 calories.

The intensive – as well as rigorous – pad work exercises in boxing, supported by the constant fast-paced repetition of striking and punching practices, are great in developing enhanced aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Luckily, boxing is responsible for engaging not only the human body but also the mind. Learn the secrets of self-defence and gain a better understanding of the motions and nuances boxercise. Boxing is a mental exercise so much as it’s a physical one. In addition, it should keep you interested and engaged for as long as you practice it.

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If you want to teach others the fabulous benefits of boxercise then you should become a boxing instructor. For more information about our Boxing Instructor Course, please follow this link.

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Why Could Weight Training Help To Ease Anxiety? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/why-could-weight-training-help-to-ease-anxiety/ Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:05:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=21019 As we all know, resistance training (aka strength training or weight training) is responsible for building muscular strength as well as endurance through the process of exercising a muscle or muscle group against external resistance. Free weights, dumbbells, weight machines, resistance bands, medicine balls, or the weight of your own body can be used to...

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As we all know, resistance training (aka strength training or weight training) is responsible for building muscular strength as well as endurance through the process of exercising a muscle or muscle group against external resistance. Free weights, dumbbells, weight machines, resistance bands, medicine balls, or the weight of your own body can be used to challenge your muscles this way.

Weight training could help with easing anxiety. This is according to a timely new study of anxiety and weight training. The study, which included healthy young adults, barbells and lunges, indicates that regular weight training substantially reduces anxiety.

A 2018 review of studies, for instance, also concluded that adults who lift weights are less prone to developing depression as opposed to those who never lift. In another study, women who suffered from clinical anxiety disorders reported fewer symptoms after taking up either aerobic or weight training.

Weight Training Can Assist With Improved Sleep

One way resistance training might be beneficial is by promoting better sleep. In an interesting study, young women with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) were randomly assigned to lower-body weight training (resistance exercise), cycling (aerobic exercise) or – alternatively – a waiting list (the control group). The resistance, as well as aerobic exercise groups each, worked out twice a week for six weeks.

Both types of exercise improved sleep, especially on the weekend. Resistance training was particularly helpful.  Short-term exercise training assists the study participants to fall asleep more quickly and sleep more efficiently. Improvements in sleep were associated with reductions in anxiety.

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Aerobic Exercise’s Proven Assistance With Decreasing Anxiety

Exercise is also considered to be vital for maintaining mental fitness. Studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness as well as concentration, in addition to enhancing general cognitive function. This can be exceptionally useful when stress has exhausted your energy or ability to concentrate.

When stress affects your brain, with its numerous nerve connections, the rest of the body also feels the impact. This means that it stands to reason that if your body feels better, so does your mind.

Exercise – as well as other physical activity – produces endorphins. These are chemicals in the brain which act as natural painkillers. In addition, endorphins also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn minimises stress. Meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy – and even breathing deeply – can cause your body to produce endorphins. And standard wisdom holds that a workout of low-to-moderate intensity makes you feel energised and healthy.

It’s not just yoga which increases your mental health and well-being. Weight training has all kinds of psychological benefits. Your body will be inundated with feel-good endorphins which boosts your mood and decreases anxiety. The yoga technique of mindfulness is also at play when strength training: the intensity as well as focus of functional movements make it impossible to let your mind stray to anywhere but the present moment.

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If you would like to discover more about the benefits of exercise and how to teach these to others then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Important Is Strength Training For Cricketers? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-important-is-strength-training-for-cricketers/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20998 A cricket player’s fitness, as well as stamina on the pitch, is determined in accordance with what they do off the pitch. As a sport that is based on fast, powerful movements it is essential to incorporate strength training into your fitness routine so that you can improve your cricket game. The game of cricket...

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A cricket player’s fitness, as well as stamina on the pitch, is determined in accordance with what they do off the pitch. As a sport that is based on fast, powerful movements it is essential to incorporate strength training into your fitness routine so that you can improve your cricket game.

The game of cricket has historically been referred to as “the gentleman’s game.” Until about three decades ago, cricketers were definitely not the fittest athletes out there. Often it was remarked that physically-speaking, cricket is an easy game which necessitates that one stand on the cricket field for the majority of the day. In addition, it was felt that cricket required little running, jumping or even strength.

However, through the introduction of one-day cricket, the game has gone through significant changes. In addition, the physical demands which are made on a cricketer’s body have also increased dramatically. No longer can a batsman merely continue to defend away for overs as he often has to use his strength in order to hit big sixes.

The intricately developed levels of fielding, in the modern times, necessitate a player to have strong shoulders and arms so that they can make direct hits at the stumps. One look at the photo of a modern-day cricket player – and a player from the 60s – and you will notice the difference in the bodies of the two. The modern player is leaner, stronger as well as far more athletic!

How Fit Does Each Cricket Player Need To Be?

The areas – that require particular fitness attention – at each cricket position include the following:

Bowler

The nature of this position requires that a bowler must have the ability to move explosively in the run-up to delivery. This is because a speedy runup will physically translate into a quicker delivery of the ball. Thus, the arm, shoulder, and core body strength and stamina are vital to delivering the ball repeatedly.

Fielder

The fielder must be ready to react to the ball when it is hit. In addition, the fielder must be prepared to get to a ball, field as well as throw. This is all as a part of a game which may last six hours or more at one time. Speed of movement – in addition to agility – are critical to this position.

Batsman

Brute muscular power is not a liability in this position however reaction time, batting technique, as well as balance at the crease, are of crucial importance. A batsman may be needed to maintain his position for several hours at a stretch. The cricket batting stroke banks on core strength, specifically in the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. The gluteal muscles, the upper arms and shoulders are included.

Thus a cricket strength and training programme will – of necessity – address anaerobic, aerobic, weight training as well as reaction time/coordination agility drills.

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What Is The Relationship Between Nutrition And Teeth? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-the-relationship-between-nutrition-and-teeth/ Sun, 08 Nov 2020 05:05:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20994 We all know that eating healthy foods is good for the body and mind, but did you know that it’s also good for your oral health? It makes perfect sense, if you give it some thought, that everything we eat comes into contact with our mouths and more importantly, our teeth. So how can we...

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We all know that eating healthy foods is good for the body and mind, but did you know that it’s also good for your oral health? It makes perfect sense, if you give it some thought, that everything we eat comes into contact with our mouths and more importantly, our teeth. So how can we avoid damage to our pearly whites? To start with, we need to take a look at what can happen to them if we don’t and put or best foot forward to avoid it at all costs.

Tooth Decay, Cavities And Caries

This is the most common form of oral health issues. The main causes are usually not brushing properly, sugary snacks and drinks and the bacteria present in your mouth. The carbohydrates and sugars that we consume mix with the bacteria to form an acid that eats slowly eats away at your teeth’s enamel, eventually making holes or cavities in your teeth. In turn, the cavities can cause bad breath and even lead to tooth decay.

Oral Friendly Foods

Foods rich in calcium and phosphorous can assist in remineralising and filling any holes in your teeth. This includes meat, milk, cheese and nuts as well as green vegetables. Eating fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables can encourage the production of saliva, which can help to rinse away food particles which may be stuck on your mouth, gums, teeth and even tongue. Following that same train of thought, fruits and vegetables with higher water content can also dilute sugars which are present in the foods that we eat.

When it comes to choosing things to drink, always look for something low in sugar and carbohydrates, ideally with little to no acid. Try to drink water containing fluoride to hydrate your mouth, rinse out particles, neutralise acid and kill bacteria. Milk, which contains calcium, is great for strengthening teeth and also a great beverage option.

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Foods To Avoid

Acidic foods not only cause cavities but can also promote the development of canker sores. The most obvious examples include citrus fruits.

Carbohydrates and sugars combine with the bacteria in your mouth mix and in turn, become acidic. Baked goods such as bread, biscuits and pies are the most common culprits. Dried and preserved fruits also contain high levels of sugar.

Lemonade and cold drinks are should be avoided due to their acid and sugar content. Coffee, tea and cordials are also things to be mindful of.

Regular Check-Up

The best way in order to find out about your oral health and what you should be doing to keep your teeth in tip-top shape is to visit your dentist regularly. A visit will identify any potential issues and give you the insight needed to manage whatever condition you may have and preventing it from worsening.

If you feel any sensitivity or pain while eating or drinking, please contact your dentist as soon as possible. It isn’t one of those things which can be put off; it will become progressively worse and eventually be irreversible.

Contract Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are ready to discover more about nutrition then you should do our Specialised Nutrition Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Best Battle Ropes Workouts to Burn Fat and Build Muscle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/what-are-the-best-battle-ropes-workouts-to-burn-fat-and-build-muscle/ Sat, 07 Nov 2020 05:05:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20986 If you haven’t already seen the battle rope workout videos on social media or seen someone working on them in the gym, you might be missing out on the best workout for building muscle and burning fat. They are easy to learn, give you an intense workout, and help you to exercise muscles you might...

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If you haven’t already seen the battle rope workout videos on social media or seen someone working on them in the gym, you might be missing out on the best workout for building muscle and burning fat. They are easy to learn, give you an intense workout, and help you to exercise muscles you might be overlooked while getting a full cardio experience. So, if you are looking to get started with battle ropes, here are the best moves to try out (to create a full workout, pick 6-7 moves and use them to create a circuit that you can perform a few times):

  1. Jump Slam

This move (and others performed in a squat position) are useful for building strength and core, with a focus on the upper body. Start with 15 seconds at a time, before building up to longer sessions.

  • Stand feet hip-width apart, knees bent, back straight, and engage your core. Hold a rope in each hand.
  • Jump up as high as you conceivably can and lift your arms up as high as possible. As you land, slam the ropes down into the floor. Try and keep the same level of energy as with each rep, jumping at the same height every time.
  1. Wave Squat

As in Jump Squat start at 15 seconds at a time, before going for longer.

  • Stand feet hip-width apart, knees bent, back straight, and engage your core. Hold a rope in each hand.
  • Hold the squat position and begin moving your arms alternately (hands staying within the range of shoulder and hips) to create a wave with the ropes.

(You can also add a squat to the move, slowly squatting and rising up as you keep the wave steady)

  1. Jumping Jacks

Try performing this move for 15 seconds at a time.

  • Stand with feet slightly closer together than hip-width apart and standing straight up. Hold a rope in each hand.
  • Jump, reaching your hands and feet up and out (into a jumping jack) before returning to the starting position.
  1. Lunge Flys

This move challenges you to hold your position as the ropes will be pulling you off balance. Try beginning with 30 seconds at a time before moving up to longer sessions.

  • Start in a left lunge position with your arms stretched out in front of you at shoulder height, in a V shape.
  • Pull your elbows in so that your left forearm crosses your right, before returning to the starting position.
  • After 10 reps switch your lunge to the right side, and continue, crossing your right forearm over your left.
  1. Pushup To Slam

This move allows you to work your entire body and involves more mental focus to perform it while maintaining form. Start with 30 seconds at a time.

  • Commence in a high plank position with the battle ropes placed on the floor in front of you (within reach).
  • Perform a pushup, then jump to your feet (as you would with a burpee) grab the ropes, and then jump slam the ropes into the ground. Then drop the ropes and jump back into plank position to start again.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover the ultimate way to use battle ropes effectively in your workouts then you should really have a look at our Battle Ropes Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Power Of Pilates? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-is-the-power-of-pilates-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:05:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20976 Pilates, in much the same way as yoga, is the art of balance, posture, strength as well as flexibility. It is designed to tone up that core in addition to strengthening that mind-body connection. For some people, it’s a real life-saver, giving them a chance to quiet the mind, stretch out sore spots and ease...

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Pilates, in much the same way as yoga, is the art of balance, posture, strength as well as flexibility. It is designed to tone up that core in addition to strengthening that mind-body connection. For some people, it’s a real life-saver, giving them a chance to quiet the mind, stretch out sore spots and ease away physical – and emotional – tension.

Pilates is a unique system of exercises which are designed to strengthen as well as lengthen the muscles. A series consists of floor exercises (matwork) in addition to exercises on specialised equipment. The rhythmic moves of the Pilates method promote stretched and toned muscles of the core or “powerhouse”, which include the deep abdominals and lower back muscles, as well as muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdles

How Did It All Start?

The Pilates method was developed after Joseph Pilates – who was a nurse in World War I – developed a conditioning programme which he called “Contrology”.

This method consisted of 34 movements which were performed on the floor and intended to strengthen the body’s core. (These movements now fall under the heading of Pilates matwork.)

Later, Joseph supplemented this work by rigging up the springs on hospital beds as well as assisting patients with rehabilitation. These spring-based exercises led to the creation of his specialised equipment, which would add to his original matwork.

The Anti-Ageing Properties Of Pilates

As we get older, the body has a tendency to lose muscle mass. This phenomenon is called sarcopenia. This means that it’s important to undertake some form of strengthening exercise(s) in order to maintain muscle size and usage.

Ageing also impacts our flexibility as muscles and connective tissue become a lot less elastic. As a consequence of this, joints may stiffen. Arthritis – as well as general wear and tear in joints – may also be common problems. This results in achy knees, backs, elbows – the lot! The good news is that exercise can assist with all of the above – especially Pilates, which focuses on better movement in order to help you feel limber and stronger all round.

The Principles Of Pilates

Pilates is based on six principles. These are:

  • Breath,
  • Concentration,
  • Control,
  • Centring,
  • precision, and
  • flow

While students learn how to move from the body’s core, they also learn to quiet the mind as well as tune in to the specific needs of the body.

Pilates conditions the body as a whole. This is because it trains several muscles at once so that no muscle group is over or under-trained. In Pilates, the focus is on proper breathing, correct body alignment as well as purposeful movement patterns. The result is an increased awareness of how your body moves and feels in space. In addition, many students of Pilates report that they feel calmer and stand taller as a result of the practice.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to deepen your practice, why not study our Pilates Instructor Course. Whether you want to become a Pilates Instructor – or just get the knowledge of a Pilates Instructor – this course will set you up on the path to success! Read more about it here.

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How Olympic Lifts Increase Speed https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-olympic-lifts-increase-speed/ Thu, 05 Nov 2020 05:05:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20966 If you’re looking to improve your speed for running or for other sports, one exercise you might want to look into is the Olympic Lift. Lifting and building muscle strength will help to improve your overall body endurance, which is important for improving your speed as running is a full-body activity. You might be thinking...

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If you’re looking to improve your speed for running or for other sports, one exercise you might want to look into is the Olympic Lift. Lifting and building muscle strength will help to improve your overall body endurance, which is important for improving your speed as running is a full-body activity. You might be thinking that you know about weight lifting and that it can’t be that hard to add Olympic Lifts into your routine. However, it is important to note that Olympic Lifts are not as simple as any other lift.

What You Need To Know About Olympic Lifts

Unlike other lifts, Olympic Lifts require you to know the proper technique to perform them correctly and obtain the results that you want without injuring yourself. An Olympic Lift requires intense amounts of force used for very short periods of time and therefore you need to know what you are doing. While you could be shown how to do another kind of lift, such as a bicep curl, and you would be able to copy it quite easily, the Olympic Lift requires the mastering of the technique before you even begin to add weights.

What Are Olympic Lifts?

Olympic Lifts are lifts that involve lifting heavy weights on a bar in short bursts very quickly. You might have seen Olympic athletes perform these lifts, managing to lift extreme weights over their heads for short periods of time. They require a lot of knowledge, strength, and coordination to pull off safely and therefore, should only be performed after training and with supervision. There are several types of Olympic Lifts, such as the clean-and-jerk (that involves lifting a barbell from the ground and lifting it up onto your shoulders, then squatting briefly before standing up straight) and the barbell snatch (a move in which you raise a barbell from the floor up over your head in one motion).

How Can Olympic Lifts Improve Speed

Obviously, Olympic Lifts require incredible strength, mobility, balance, and practice, but how can they help you to improve your speed:

  • They are a full-body experience, which means that you are engaging with and have to be aware of each and every single part of your body as it moves. This helps to connect your better to your body and its movements (however small), which will carry over into other areas such as running or playing sports.
  • As they require you to shift large amounts of weight in a very specific motion in short moments of time, you are training your body to improve its reaction time while building incredible strength throughout your body.
  • Olympic Lifts connect you to your body’s general centre of mass, which controls your reaction and actions in terms of movement. Becoming aware of and practising how your body reacts to, and how it can act, changes in movement and stability will help to improve your agility when moving quickly at speed.

All of the advantages mentioned above come together to help you act and move when performing an activity that requires speed and agility. From mental awareness and improved reaction time to improved overall strength, Olympic Lifts will help you to improve your speed and your performance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 If you are keen to learn more about Olympic lifting then you should really do our Olympic lifting course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Strong Muscles Could Be Linked To Living Longer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-strong-muscles-could-be-linked-to-living-longer/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 05:05:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20949 Does staying stronger and developing your muscles assist you with living longer? It’s a very valid question that researchers have been exploring. Until recently years, body mass index (BMI) was a measurement that physicians often made use of in order to determine health. However, we now know that BMI isn’t all it’s cracked up to...

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Does staying stronger and developing your muscles assist you with living longer? It’s a very valid question that researchers have been exploring. Until recently years, body mass index (BMI) was a measurement that physicians often made use of in order to determine health. However, we now know that BMI isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Simply put, body mass index gauges your weight as opposed to your height. It doesn’t, however, distinguish fat from muscle. This means that an athletic person – who has significant muscle mass – could earn an unhealthy BMI score in spite of being very fit.

The Importance Of Muscles In Ageing Well

Research shows how important strong muscles are to ageing well. Weight training a few days a week – in order to build or preserve muscle mass – can assist seniors with maintaining core strength and balance. Both are critical in preventing falls, which is a leading cause of disability and even death among older adults.

Strong muscles can actually assist people with living longer and staying active later in their older years. While it’s been recognised that cardio and weightlifting build muscle, new research illustrates the pivotal mechanisms driving this positive dynamic. It turns out that endurance exercise boosts the growth of vital muscle stem cells and fundamentally changes their metabolism. This sets off a cascade of regenerative effects.

Hand grip strength, as you would develop with lifting weights, is a good indicator of health as it’s simple to assess and is a more accurate benchmark of longevity as compared to other common measurements such as muscle mass. This is because if the muscles in your hand and arm are weak, it probably means other muscles – like your heart – are also weak.

What Else Do Strong Muscles Do?

Strong and healthy muscles let you move freely as well as keep your body strong. They assist you with enjoying playing sports, dancing, walking the dog, swimming as well as other physical activities.

Strong muscles also assist with keeping your joints in good shape. If the muscles around your knee, for instance, become weak, you may be more likely to injure that knee. Strong muscles also assist you with keeping your balance so that you are less likely to slip or fall.

Remember that the activities which make your skeletal muscles strong will also help to keep your heart muscle strong.

What Foods Will Help Me Build Muscle?

Both nutrition as well as physical activity are critical if you would like to gain lean muscle.

In order to begin on your road to building muscle, it’s essential to challenge your body with physical activity. However, with no proper nutritional support, your progress will stall. High-protein foods are essential for gaining muscle however carbohydrates as well as fats are also required sources of energy. If your fitness goal is to develop lean muscle, you should concentrate on exercising regularly as well as eating more calories every day from muscle-building foods.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you interested in helping others to develop stronger muscles? If you are then you should absolutely think about becoming a personal trainer with us. Check out our Personal Training Diploma for more information.

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How Yoga Can Help For Stress-Related Insomnia https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-yoga-can-help-for-stress-related-insomnia/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20944 Yoga isn’t just advantageous for improving core strength, flexibility as well as stress levels. This ancient exercise form can also assist you with sleeping better — particularly if you suffer from insomnia. When individuals who suffer from insomnia perform yoga on a daily basis, they sleep for longer periods of time, fall asleep faster and...

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Yoga isn’t just advantageous for improving core strength, flexibility as well as stress levels. This ancient exercise form can also assist you with sleeping better — particularly if you suffer from insomnia.

When individuals who suffer from insomnia perform yoga on a daily basis, they sleep for longer periods of time, fall asleep faster and go back to sleep more quickly if they happen to wake up during the middle of the night. This is also valid for older people who suffer insomnia. Those who are 60 and older experience better sleep quality, sleep for longer periods of time and feel healthier during the day when they perform yoga regularly.

The benefit that yoga brings can be seen in all sorts of situations where individuals have trouble sleeping. For instance, pregnant women who begin a mindful yoga practice in their second trimester sleep better and also wake up less often throughout the night. In addition, cancer patients sleep better if they do yoga as 90% of cancer patients experience insomnia symptoms while receiving treatment.

The Sleep Elixir That Is Yoga

Exercise is frequently cited as one of the most efficient ways of grappling with insomnia, without resorting to medication. Particularly, yoga provides a fantastic holistic way of improving sleep patterns while – at the same time – also carrying many other benefits. This ancient Indian practice is utilised in order to promote both physical as well as mental equilibrium, good health, peace and tranquillity.

Here are some of the yoga poses which promote a good night’s rest.

Corpse Pose

To the uninitiated, this asana may seem simplistic however it is designed in order to promote conscious relaxation. After going through more active poses, Corpse Pose can be utilised in order to give the body time to restore itself. Owing to this fact, it’s great for closing a session. Corpse pose can also act as a bridge to meditation which is something that has also been greatly purported to aid sleep.

Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

Utilise Viparita Karani in order to increase flexibility in the hamstrings as well as the back of the neck. This is especially useful for undoing any strain or tension which has built up in these areas throughout the day. Legs Up The Wall Pose can also assist with relieving pressure on the veins and has the overall benefit of calming the mind. Viparita Karani can be modified by using a folded blanket or bolster to support the back.

Cat Pose

Bidalasana (Cat Pose) is generally utilised as a preparation asana however it is also great for increasing flexibility as well as mobility through the spine and abdominals. As well, Cat Pose can be utilised in order to release tension from the neck and shoulders. As with the Legs up the Wall, this asana can help undo all the strain that’s been building up that day. To appropriately modify this pose, kneel on a folded blanket if the yoga mat proves to be too uncomfortable.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to take your yoga practice one step further, then you should really consider becoming a yoga instructor. Check out our Yoga Instructor Course today!

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What Is A Nutrition Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-a-nutrition-coach/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:05:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20937 Nutrition coaches assist people with building practices that lead to improved health, body composition, and/or performance. They work with the general population in order to facilitate the inclusion of healthy eating behaviours as well as empowering their clients to take responsibility for their own health. Nutrition coaches are mentors and leaders who are responsible for...

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Nutrition coaches assist people with building practices that lead to improved health, body composition, and/or performance. They work with the general population in order to facilitate the inclusion of healthy eating behaviours as well as empowering their clients to take responsibility for their own health.

Nutrition coaches are mentors and leaders who are responsible for guiding their clients towards a healthier lifestyle. In order to be a successful nutrition coach, you need to possess a knowledge of both nutritional science and behavioural change strategies. It is this knowledge of behaviour change that makes personal trainers great candidates to become nutrition coaches.

What Specialised Knowledge Do Nutrition Coaches Need?

Nutrition coaches need to have a deep understanding of nutrition science. This includes:

  • The chemical makeup of macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbohydrates) and the roles they play in the body
  • Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (from plants), myconutrients (from fungi), and zoonutrients (from animals)
  • Calories, metabolism, and energy balance
  • Digestion
  • Water, electrolyte balance, and proper hydration
  • Energy transfer, fat storage, and muscle gain

 What Does A Nutrition Coach Do?

Nutrition coaches serve clients who do not suffer from any known medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, etc.) and want to:

  • Learn more about healthy eating practices
  • Lose or gain weight in a safe as well as effective manner
  • Improve athletic performance through foods which they eat
  • Increase energy by making dietary improvements
  • Discover more about healthy shopping, cooking, or solid dining-out tactics

Nutrition coaching is all about people. How they think, feel and live as well as why they act in the way that they do. As a nutrition coach, you will be working with real people and their real struggles, all within the complexity of their real lives. In other words, successful nutrition coaching has more to do with behaviour change psychology as opposed to nutrition science.

What Are The Benefits Of Working As A Nutrition Coach?

One of the countless benefits of working as a nutrition coach is seeing, firsthand, any or all of these remarkable changes in clients, no matter who they are. A nutrition coach can even choose to specialise with certain populations such as athletes, post-partum mothers, or overweight executives.

Many individuals enlist the services of a nutrition coach in order to help them sift through all the confusing information that’s out there. Between all the debates surrounding gluten, carbs, proteins, etc., there’s a lot to make sure that a nutrition coach is kept busy!

The purpose of a nutrition coach is to:

  • Assist people with building lasting habits which allow “eating better” to become easy, consistent as well as automatic.
  • Give clients support throughout the entire process, not just calculating their daily calorie needs as well as giving them an eating plan.

The best nutrition coaches out there are prepared to work with a range of clients with differing needs, limitations, strengths as well as goals. When you have a super understanding of your clients you will be best able to help them by developing as well as assigning the right tasks.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Is being a nutrition coach something that interests you? If it is then you need to do our Advanced Exercise and Nutrition Coach course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is A Health Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-health-coach/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20933 A health coach is a coach who empowers clients to adopt as well as sustain healthy lifestyle behaviours that can prevent, mitigate as well as even reverse chronic diseases. Rather than programming a workout routine or creating a diet plan, health coaches use the science of behaviour change in order to enhance a client’s strengths...

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A health coach is a coach who empowers clients to adopt as well as sustain healthy lifestyle behaviours that can prevent, mitigate as well as even reverse chronic diseases. Rather than programming a workout routine or creating a diet plan, health coaches use the science of behaviour change in order to enhance a client’s strengths and autonomy. They act as a guide in their quest to achieve self-determined health goals.

What Do Health Coaches Do?

Health coaching isn’t just about one diet or a single way of living. Instead, health coaches focus on bio-individuality. This is the idea that we’re all different and have distinctive dietary, lifestyle, emotional as well as physical needs.

This means that health coaches don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness. Instead, health coaches are responsible for working with clients in order to help them discover how to fuel their bodies as well as become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves through a holistic approach.

Health coaches also concentrate on holistic health beyond the plate as they tackle wellness through primary food. At the heart of the health coaching is the idea that there are areas of your life that impact your long-term health just as much as the food you eat – your relationships, career, spirituality, and physical activity.

What Techniques Do Health Coaches Use?

A key technique which is utilised by health coaches is motivational interviewing. During this process, a coach will ask open-ended questions which are intended to assist their client state his or her own reasons for change. Instead of a doctor saying, “You need to lose weight,” a health coach could ask, “How could your life be different if you lost the weight which you’ve been trying to lose?”

The notion, which has been proven to be highly effective in many research studies, is that individuals who are shifting for their own reasons, on their own terms, are far more likely to thrive as compared to when someone is telling them what to do. The latter is less motivating and is more expected to instil resistance to change.

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Positive Psychology Is A Cornerstone Of Health Coaching

Whereas traditional psychology has concentrated on what is “wrong” with individuals – as well as what needs to be “fixed” –  the health coaching philosophy concentrates on what has, can, and will work better for you. This means that rather than rooting around for problems to dwell on, a health coach will work with you in order to harness your strengths so that you can improve the health behaviours that you want to address.

What Happens During A Health Coaching Session?

Teaming up with a health coach means that you’re partnering with a person who asks powerful questions, actively listens, helps you to strategise so that you can reach your goals.  A health coaching session can take place in person or online. This gives you flexibility within your busy life.

In your first official session, your health coach will take you through a wellness vision. This type of session is an exploratory process of your ideals, best experiences, core values, and strengths.  A compelling vision identifies what people want rather than what they don’t want.

Based on this, together you will form long-term (3-6 months) and short-term (weekly) goals over the course of working together. You’ll work with a health coach for a minimum of three months, ideally six months, so that long-lasting, quality changes are made.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Does becoming a health coach sound like something that you’d be interested in? If it is then you should really do our Health and Wellness Coach Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Should You Include Foam Rolling In Your Pre-Workout Routine? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/should-you-include-foam-rolling-in-your-pre-workout-routine/ Mon, 02 Nov 2020 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20894 If you have not gotten on the foam rolling train, you might just be missing out on the best way to stretch and massage your muscles. Foam rolling has started to become more and more mainstream, used by not just professional athletes or physical therapists, but by all levels of fitness enthusiasts. And, for good...

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If you have not gotten on the foam rolling train, you might just be missing out on the best way to stretch and massage your muscles. Foam rolling has started to become more and more mainstream, used by not just professional athletes or physical therapists, but by all levels of fitness enthusiasts. And, for good reason: foam rolling is incredibly simple to do and, most importantly, it works. However, if you are just starting to dip your toes into the world of foam rolling, you might be a little unsure about when you should be doing it. You might presume that it is just for a post-workout stretch time or to be utilised on rest days, but can it be a useful addition to your pre-workout routine?

What Is Foam Rolling?

For the uninitiated, foam rolling is a method of rolling your muscles with a foam roller (usually a simple cylinder made of foam or soft plastic) to release fascia in your muscles. Fascia is a thin tissue that lies between the muscles and connects them, helping them to function and work together as muscle groups. Usually, it will smoothly move around over your muscles, but sometimes (from an injury, muscle overworking, inactivity, or inflammation) it can become bound up and stiff. Foam rolling can help to release and smooth out the fascia, allowing for increased muscle performance and recovery.

When Should You Foam Roll?

Foam rolling is often advertised as the best way to enhance your recovery after a workout. You can use the roller to work the muscles that you focussed on during the workout and feel out if any areas of your body might be feeling a little stiff, overworked, or in need of attention. Post-workout you will be stimulating and increasing blood flow to the muscles that have just been worked, improving their ability to recover.

However, you do not need to only roll after a workout! It is suggested that by foam rolling before a workout, you can stimulate the muscles that are about to be worked, leading to increased performance in the workout to come. By increasing circulation to those areas and releasing any pent up tension or stiffness, you are less likely to injure yourself during the workout. You are more likely to perform at a higher level. Some suggest that this rolling may prime your body not just physically, but also on a neurological and mental level – as you let your body know what to expect in the workout to come. Though it may not provide a dramatic improvement to your workout ability, foam rolling before a workout can be a great addition to a warm-up routine will stimulate your muscles. It may help to prevent strain or injury.

Therefore, you can use a foam roller before or after a workout and see great results to your performance, muscle strength, and recovery times – and all it takes is a simple foam cylinder.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn additional information about the advantages of foam rolling, then you should do our Foam Rolling course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Many Times a Week Should You Do Olympic Lifts? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-many-times-a-week-should-you-do-olympic-lifts/ Sun, 01 Nov 2020 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20881 If you have joined the fitness movement that is Olympic Lifts, you might be wondering how far you can push yourself. Olympic Lifting is a style of weightlifting that stems from the Olympics Games that involves lifting very heavy weights in short movements. It is an extremely effective way of building muscle strength and also,...

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If you have joined the fitness movement that is Olympic Lifts, you might be wondering how far you can push yourself. Olympic Lifting is a style of weightlifting that stems from the Olympics Games that involves lifting very heavy weights in short movements. It is an extremely effective way of building muscle strength and also, honestly, looks very impressive. However, while it is a great way to inject some variety into your workout routine, it can be hard to tell how often you can (or should) be training Olympic Lifts.

 Before You Get Started Training:

Before we look at how often you should be training, we should quickly discuss the technique of Olympic Lifting. These style of lifts require full-body movements at maximum effort, so it is very important not to be fatigued and to have enough time to workout out properly – with the correct form and technique. As you are working with extreme weights, do not underestimate the effort and technique that is necessary for performing these lifts correctly without injuring yourself.

How Often Should You Be Training?

Unfortunately, like most health and fitness questions, there is no easy answer. Due to the intensity of Olympic Lifting, it depends on your experience, fitness level, time availability, and fatigue level. As you become more experienced with Olympic Lifting, you will be able to work out better and more consistently, but in the beginning, it is important not to push yourself too hard.

 Here is a basic guideline for those wanting to take Olympic Lifting seriously:

Recreational: If you are a general fitness enthusiast or do other kinds of fitness training such as CrossFit (which includes a lot of weightlifting), you might not be looking to train Olympic Lifting too intensely. For recreational training, it is recommended that you start with 2 or 3 days a week for short sessions.

 Beginners: If you have just started Olympic Lifting (and you want to include it as a regular part of your workout routine) it is recommended that you start with three days a week. On those days you should aim to perform about five movements in total consisting of several different moves (e.g. Snatch or Clean-and-Jerk), some squatting and movement work to improve form, and exercises such as push presses to help improve your timing and balance.

 Intermediate: If you have been working on Olympic Lifting for some time and you have developed your form and seen improvement, you might want to increase your training sessions. In this case, you can increase to 3 to 5 days a week for longer sessions. However, some people find it more helpful to train more days a week (6-7) for much shorter sessions. It is all about discovering what works best for you.

 Advanced: If you are looking to increase your lifting strength seriously or are looking to compete competitively, you will need to train around 5 to 6 days a week for at least an hour at a time. If you are training at this level, you must be monitoring your body and its responses, allowing for adequate rest and recovery. It is also recommended that you perform other light exercises to ensure that you are building strength and overall cardio fitness, without overstraining certain areas of your body.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a pro at Olympic Lifting, then you should be doing our Olympic Lifting Course. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

 

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How To Train For Trail Running? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/sports-course-blog/how-to-train-for-trail-running/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 05:05:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20811 Take the road less which is travelled and hit the trails on your next run. You won’t be alone. One of the recent surveys stated that the number of people who participate in trail running increased by 15% between the years of 2007 and 2008. The total number of trail races is also on the...

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Take the road less which is travelled and hit the trails on your next run. You won’t be alone. One of the recent surveys stated that the number of people who participate in trail running increased by 15% between the years of 2007 and 2008. The total number of trail races is also on the rise, especially in the beginner-friendly 5 000 to 10 000 distances.

Trail running offers a fun challenge. In addition, it is a refreshing way to get outdoors as well as explore nature. Although your pace might suffer a little off-road, every step that you take challenges your hips, quadriceps as well as calves. This helps to improve balance, strength in addition to foot turnover. The bonus is that because of the softer terrain, trail running offers a lower risk of injury as opposed to running on hard roads or paved paths.

The Next Logical Step

Once you’ve undertaken a marathon, there are two ways to challenge yourself beyond:

  • Boost your distance into ultramarathon territory, or
  • Make the same distance more challenging by changing up your terrain.

Tackling a distance which is more than 26.2 can be intimidating to some individuals, but running a marathon on trails? That is much more accessible, which is part of the reason trail running participation has increased by 26.4% over the past three years.

However, running a marathon on the trail isn’t precisely the same thing as running one on the road. A trail run allows you to step outside the pace/splits construct of a road race as your kilometre pace is dictated more by the terrain as opposed to anything else.

And while there are pluses (such as less impact on your body versus running on pavement as well as better scenery), a trail marathon also comes with distinctive elevation changes, different strength requirements, and less aid on the course.

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Leave Your Watch at Home                                                        

Pace is the most significant difference between a road as well as a trail race. This is, obviously, besides the terrain. Throw your concept of time out of the window. It’s more about the distance as opposed to the time.

In fact, you should go into your trail running knowing that you could double your time on the trail versus the road. You need to change your expectations and also expect to go slower. If you don’t you’ll end up disappointed.

When you run a trail race, think of it as effort-sensitive versus time-sensitive. You need to be able to equate effort with the terrain that you’re on. On straight and flat terrain, it’s going to be simpler to hold a certain pace. However,  if you’re going up a ski slope and are then trying to maintain a certain pace, you’re going to blow up in the second half of the race.

Think Before You Move

Any type of running can be mindful running. However, while the road running gives you the opportunity to be mindful in a zoning-out sort of way, trail running needs you to be totally present. Trail running is a continuous physics problem. You’re always attempting to see what you can get away with.

One of the best things is for you to do is to get used to not looking down, however at least two or three steps ahead of where you actually are. Trail running can be frightening for runners who are anxious about perhaps tripping over – or rolling an ankle – rocks and roots. This means that it takes practice on the actual terrain which you’ll be racing on to get comfortable. Learn how to react as well as respond to the terrain. This requires a looser body in addition to more agility. And that only comes with practice.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about training people in other sports? If you do then you need to do our Sports Conditioning Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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How To Exercise Your Mind And Body? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-your-mind-and-body-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20807 Exercise is an activity which requires physical effort. It generally makes your muscles work in addition to requiring your body to burn calories. Exercise may also be carried out with an emphasis on sustaining or improving health and fitness. Alternatively, exercise may be used as a means of physical rehabilitation. You may even exercise without...

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Exercise is an activity which requires physical effort. It generally makes your muscles work in addition to requiring your body to burn calories. Exercise may also be carried out with an emphasis on sustaining or improving health and fitness. Alternatively, exercise may be used as a means of physical rehabilitation. You may even exercise without even knowing it. When you walk and household chores are classic examples.

There are lots of other types of exercise, such as running and hiking, to social activities such as dancing and golf, right through to organised team sports like netball and hockey. We all know that there are benefits to regular physical exercise – otherwise, we might just sit on the couch all the time!

The more commonly known benefits of exercise normally revolve around weight management as well as toning up. Along with what you eat, exercise is a vital component of increasing metabolism and losing weight. However, there are many more advantages to exercising than just helping us to slim down.

What Are The Mental Health Advantages Of Exercise?

Exercise is not merely about aerobic capacity as well as muscle size. Sure, exercise can:

  • Improve your physical health as well as your physique,
  • Trim your waistline, in addition to
  • Even adding years to your life.

However, that’s not what motivates most people to stay active.

People who take part in exercise regularly tend to do so as it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They have increased feelings of energy during the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories as well as feel more relaxed and optimistic about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a potent medicine for many common mental health challenges.

Regular exercise can have a deeply positive impact on depression, anxiety in addition to ADHD. It also relieves stress, enhances memory, assists you with sleeping better, and boosts your overall mood.

The great news is that it’s not necessary for you to be a fitness fanatic in order to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise may make a real difference. No matter what your age or fitness level are, you can learn to utilise exercise as a formidable tool to deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook as well as get more out of life.

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Top 3 Exercises For Body And Mind

Here are our top three exercises to give you all the physical as well as mental benefits that regular physical exercise has to offer.

  1. Bushwalking

Body

Bushwalking firms as well as tones the major muscle groups in your thighs, calves and buttocks. The hills and uneven terrain add intensity which hastens kilojoule- and fat burning.

Mind

Spending time in bushlands and national parks – surrounded by trees, water, sunshine and bird life  -can all have a calming effect so assisting with easing stress.

  1. Stand Up Paddling

Body

The paddling motion functions to strengthen the upper body muscles. This is especially good at targeting the core muscles.

Mind

The regular swapping of paddling sides diminishes the physical intensity. This makes it a more relaxing workout. If you are on a lake or the ocean, take in the scenery and feel your anxieties melt away.

  1. Swimming

Body

Swimming improves cardiovascular fitness as well as all-over muscle tone without an impact on the joints. Include fast laps and intervals in order to maximise fat burning.

Mind

The rhythmic movement, as well as focus on breathing, may be quite hypnotic so assisting to drown out stressful thoughts. Exercising in water could also trigger a unique feeling of refreshment and vitality after you’ve finished.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn further information about the benefits that yoga – which is a mind body exercise – has for you then you need to do our Yoga Certification Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Best Post-Partum Fitness Routine For New Moms? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-post-partum-fitness-routine-for-new-moms/ Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:05:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20778 Getting yourself back into shape, after you have a baby, and restarting your fitness routine is not as difficult as you may think. Research shows that beginning a regular exercise programme soon after you give birth is not only good for your overall health but may also assist with reducing the risk of postpartum depression....

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Getting yourself back into shape, after you have a baby, and restarting your fitness routine is not as difficult as you may think. Research shows that beginning a regular exercise programme soon after you give birth is not only good for your overall health but may also assist with reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

Every pregnancy and delivery are different, so check with your doctor before engaging in any workout program after giving birth. If you experience any heavy bleeding, excessive soreness, headaches, or other unusual symptoms during or right after exercising, stop immediately and call your doctor for advice.

To get back into a postpartum fitness routine, new mothers should always be realistic as well as patient. It took approximately 40 weeks in order to form the pregnant body so it could take nearly as long to return fully to your pre-pregnancy self.  No matter if your labour is quick, long, or surgical, the body undergoes a huge transformation to expel a baby.

Postpartum fitness routines will likely be an entirely different ball game than what you anticipated. Even the best-intentioned new moms may find that their fitness takes a backseat when they have a new little one in the house.

Walking

Walking may not conjure up visions a fitness regime however it is one of the simplest ways for you to ease into a fitness routine after you give birth.

Start with a simple stroll. Ultimately you’ll work your way up to a pumped-up power walk however a gentle walk can nonetheless do wonders for you and your body, especially in the early stages. Taking baby along in a front pack will add extra weight which can assist with increasing the benefits.

For a change, try walking backward or walking in a zigzag pattern in order to help keep your muscles guessing. You should not incorporate baby in this activity until you’ve mastered it and you are confident of your balance.

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Deep Belly Breathing With Abdominal Contraction

This exercise is so easy that you can do it an hour after giving birth. It assists with relaxing muscles. In addition, it starts the process of strengthening as well as toning your abs and belly.

Sit upright and then breathe deeply. Draw air from the diaphragm upward. Contract and then hold your abs tight while inhaling. Relax while exhaling. Slowly increase the amount of time you can contract as well as hold your abs.

Kneeling Pelvic Tilts

This exercise assists with toning your tummy. Strengthening your abs can also alleviate back pain.

Begin on all fours Your toes must be touching the floor behind you with your arms straight down from your shoulder line. Your palms must touch the floor. Your back needs to be relaxed and straight, not curved or arched. As you breathe in deeply, pull your buttocks forward. Tilt your pelvis and rotate your pubic bone upward. Hold for a count of three breaths and then release.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to develop other exercise routines such as this one then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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What Are The Most Efficient Quad Exercises? Learn more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-most-efficient-quad-exercises-learn-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20775 If you ask serious athletes about which one of the various muscle groups looks the most impressive on the body, there’s a fairly good chance that they tell you the quadriceps or quads, for short. Only a handful of muscles exemplify power as well as strength over and above a pair of thick, strong quads...

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If you ask serious athletes about which one of the various muscle groups looks the most impressive on the body, there’s a fairly good chance that they tell you the quadriceps or quads, for short. Only a handful of muscles exemplify power as well as strength over and above a pair of thick, strong quads which peak through a pair of shorts or pants. In addition, big legs often help you hit a big one-rep max.

Whether you’re a recreational weight-lifter, strength athlete, or play a sport, strong quads are essential for performance in addition to healthy movement. Building strong quads isn’t a complex process, but it takes adequate time, programming, and planning. You also need to include the right quad exercises in your routine.

Why People Neglect Their Hamstrings

Now, when you have a look at the musculature of the legs, it’s plainly obvious as to why so many people concentrate on the quads and neglect the hamstrings:

  • They contribute a lot more to the general look of your legs and, being the larger muscle group, your quads respond faster as well as more noticeably to training.
  • While the quads are bigger, stronger as well a more visible than their smaller, backside counterparts, ignoring the latter is huge mistake.

Having underdeveloped hamstrings causes a number of things to happen:

  • It creates an imbalance which is particularly noticeable from the side as well as the back.
  • It makes achieving adequate depth in the squat much more challenging.
  • It ups the risk of hamstring and knee injuries.

This means that in addition to your quad exercises, you need to include a good number of hamstring exercises when it comes to leg day.

The Best-Of-The-Best In Terms Of Quad Exercises

Back Squat

The squat is a movement pattern which we engage on a daily basis, such as:

  • When we squat down in order to pick something up, or
  • Get into and out of a chair.

By doing the quat regularly, you’ll become more efficient at this essential movement. Also, the process of squatting with a barbell recruits muscles in your legs — mainly your quads but also your glutes, hamstrings – as well as those in your core and back.

Leg strength has a carryover to more athletic movements such as jumping and sprinting, which are two moves that your quads are directly involved in.

What Are the Benefits That You’ll Get From The Back Squat?

In addition to recruiting the glutes as well as the quads, the back squat also engages your abdominals. The result is that you’ll develop more powerful, explosive legs as you do this functional movement pattern while loaded with weight. As we’ve said before, squatting is something which you do every day, whether you realise it or not. So, practising the move will keep you efficient at doing this movement.

How To Perform The Back Squat

  • Get under a loaded barbell. Set it to about shoulder height in a squat rack, so that the bar is resting over your upper traps.
  • Put each of your hands on the barbell. Tuck your elbows in as well as under your body.
  • Lift the bar clean off of the rack and then walk backward a few steps.
  • Make sure that your feet are approximately shoulder-width apart, or slightly wider.
  • Press your feet into the ground and then actively drive your feet outwards (without actually turning your feet). You should be feeling it in your knees, quads, and glutes as they all fire at once.
  • Take a deep breath in and then expand your stomach to tighten your core. Squat down ’til the bottoms of your thighs are parallel with the ground. Now, drive through your heels in order to stand back up.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn about other incredible exercises such as this one then you need to become a personal trainer with us! Check out our Personal Training Diploma in order to find out how to become a word-class fitness professional.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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The Beginner’s Guide to Olympic Lifting. Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-beginners-guide-to-olympic-lifting-find-out-more/ Mon, 26 Oct 2020 05:05:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20754 If you are looking to build strength but are finding your regular HIIT training and bodyweight training a little repetitive, you might want to give Olympic Lifting a try. You might have seen videos on Instagram or people at the gym performing incredible moves that look amazing but seem too intimidating, but do not be...

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If you are looking to build strength but are finding your regular HIIT training and bodyweight training a little repetitive, you might want to give Olympic Lifting a try. You might have seen videos on Instagram or people at the gym performing incredible moves that look amazing but seem too intimidating, but do not be discouraged – as long as you go about it the right way, Olympic Lifting can be an incredible way to build muscle and increase your strength.

What Is Olympic Lifting?

Olympic Lifting is a form of weightlifting that stems from the lifting performed at the Olympic Games. Moves such as the Snatch and Clean-and-jerk are used to judge strength and form, with the main goal of this style of lifting being moving a very heavy weight off of the ground and above your head in a controlled manner. You might be thinking. I’m not an Olympic athlete, so why would I be doing this? In previous years Olympic Lifting has become more mainstream, with more people including these styles of lifts in their workout routines because of the many benefits!

What Are The Benefits?

Apart from the general benefits of building strength and muscle, Olympic Lifts have a few other added benefits. Due to the extreme weights used in Olympic Lifting these style of lifts are a full-body experience. You are engaging muscle groups all over your body as you perform as therefore, as well as building strength, you are engaging with your body and its movements, which will help you to improve balance, posture, and form.

What Should You Know Before You Start?

One thing that is very important to note before you jump right into Olympic Lifting is that these lifts are not something that you can just start doing. Due to the large amounts of weight you are required to shift, you need to know the exact techniques in order to perform these lifts correctly. It is recommended that you find someone with the knowhow to coach you and watch your form to make sure that you do not injure yourself. Start small and controlled and get to know the movements before you start using weights!

What Kind of Olympic Lifts Are There?

When you get started there are two moves that you will probably get to know quite well, the above mentioned Clean-and-Jerk and the Barbell Snatch.

The Clean-and-Jerk involves lifting a weighted barbell off of the ground, onto your shoulders, and then squatting briefly before standing up straight.

The Barbell Snatch involves raising a weighted barbell up off of the ground and up over your head in one fluid motion.

There are many benefits to Olympic Lifting, from improving muscle tone and strength, increasing speed and agility, and enhancing your balance and reaction times – do not be afraid to give it a try as something to add variety to your workout routine.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Has this article inspired you to find out more about Olympic lifting? If it has, then you should really check out our Olympic Lifting Course. Follow this link to find out more.

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How To Get A Full Body Workout With Suspension Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-get-a-full-body-workout-with-suspension-training/ Mon, 26 Oct 2020 05:00:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20731 If you haven’t tried suspension training before, it is a great way to add some more intensity into your workout and improve your balance. In regular workouts, you are often deliberately stabilising yourself in order to complete exercises. Still, with suspension training, you add elements of instability, such as suspension straps, to make your body...

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If you haven’t tried suspension training before, it is a great way to add some more intensity into your workout and improve your balance. In regular workouts, you are often deliberately stabilising yourself in order to complete exercises. Still, with suspension training, you add elements of instability, such as suspension straps, to make your body work harder. Here is how to get a full-body workout while utilising suspension training:

How Does Suspension Training Work?

Suspension training makes use of straps that are attached to gym machines or sturdy structures such as ceilings, walls, or door frames. By utilising these straps during your workouts, you are engaging more muscle groups throughout your body in order to maintain your balance. This helps to improve your core strength, balance, and stability – using your bodyweight as a counterbalance.

Suspension Training Exercises For The Whole Body

There are many different ways to utilise suspension straps, making the possibilities for working out with them almost endless. Here are a few exercises that you can do to start working out with them:

  1. Single-Leg Lunge

This is a simple exercise that will help to work your lower body as well as improving joint stability in your legs.

  • Stand facing away from the suspension trainer or strap (the handle/grip should be at upper thigh height). Bend your right knee back and slide your foot through the grip.
  • Bend your left knee until it reaches a 90-degree angle, pressing through your heel, and extend your right leg (as though you are performing a lunge) Then bring yourself back upright, drawing your right leg back towards your body.
  • Repeat 10 times on each side.
  1. Pushups

A simple twist on the classic pushup, the resistance of the straps in this exercise will work your upper body and core.

  • Position the grips at a height that is comfortable for you (depending on your strength, you may find it easier to start at chest height and move the grips towards the ground as you become stronger).
  • Standing behind the grips, hold them with both hands and move your arms out straight (depending on the height of the grips you may need to move your feet or extend your arms to create tension in the straps. You should be standing with your arms fully extended, leaning forward with your body in a straight line).
  • Slowly bend your elbows, while keeping your core engaged, and lower your chest towards the grips until your elbows are sitting at a 90-degree angle. Then press against the grips to return to start position.
  • Repeat 8 to 10 times.

  1. Bridge

This exercise will engage your core and work your glutes and hamstrings.

  • Start with the grips positioned at about knee height or a little lower (test what feels right for you).
  • Lie on your back, on a mat below the straps, and rest your arms at your sides. Slide each foot into the handles using the grips as a platform for your heels to utilise as you move – your knees should form a 90-degree angle in this position for this exercise to be successful.
  • Keep your knees bent (and your feet locked in place) and raise your hips towards the ceiling (keeping your core and glutes engaged) until you form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Lower your hips back down to the ground carefully.
  • Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Keen on learning more about suspension training? If so, you need to do our Suspension Training Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Best Way To Enhance Athletic Performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-enhance-athletic-performance/ Sat, 24 Oct 2020 05:05:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20654 When it comes to improving your athletic performance, you’re spoilt for choice – which can leave you with the feeling of being overwhelmed if you are looking for ways to boost your performance. There are options that you would even believe to be possible and the obvious, age-old methods that athletes have been using for...

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When it comes to improving your athletic performance, you’re spoilt for choice – which can leave you with the feeling of being overwhelmed if you are looking for ways to boost your performance. There are options that you would even believe to be possible and the obvious, age-old methods that athletes have been using for decades.

So, how do you choose a method that will meet your demands and give you exactly what you’re looking for?

We’ve made a list of a number of the best methods to up your training game in the simplest way possible.

5 Ways To Improve Your Performance

  1. Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Functional exercise offer variety to help you build strength without the risk of becoming bored by the workouts. The aim of this is to increase strength and response time to build both mental and physical power. This gives you the tools to react to a wide range of situations while also preventing muscle injury. Drills are a great way to stimulate the muscles and push them to adapt to non-specific movements. You can also change your training schedule so that you train different muscles on different days without the risk of reaching a plateau.

  1. Keep Track Of It All

There’s a lot of equipment available to monitor your progress; it’s all about finding the right fit. From a simple piece of paper to the latest wearable technology, there’s an option out there for everyone. By tracking your progress, you can find ways to move forward and push yourself further. Being able to see your progress will be able to motivate you to do more and give you the tools to fine-tune your workouts.

  1. Give Yourself Time To Recover

We don’t always realise this but giving your body time to recover is just as important as the exercise. The biggest reason being that it helps to prevent injury. Your body needs time to repair itself in order to get stronger and build up endurance. The urge to push through will arise, but you need to understand your body’s limits to prevent injury. You also need to use the time to rehydrate and restore your energy levels in preparation for the next workout. Stretching before and after exercising will help your muscles stay pliable and prevent the risk of injury or muscle stiffness. Post-exercise massages can also assist in draining lymphatic fluid and reduce pain and inflammation.

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  1. It’s A Mind Game

The mind is arguably the most powerful muscle in the body. It’s not technically a muscle, but it can contribute a great deal to your performance. Your mental stamina will drive you to excel – the ability to make quick decisions will help a great deal in the middle of a competition or match.

The bottom line is that whatever you’re doing, be dedicated to the cause. You need to have the will power as well as the drive to push yourself further – it’s as simple as that.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you really want to supercharge your athletic performance, then you need a personal trainer. Better yet, why not get the knowledge that a personal trainer has with our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Nutrition Tips For Peak Athletic Performance. Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutrition-tips-for-peak-athletic-performance-find-out-more/ Fri, 23 Oct 2020 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20633 To ensure optimal performance, an athlete’s diet needs to meet their energy demand. Their energy requirements are a lot higher than the average person and as such need to consume more calories. Carbohydrates are the biggest source of energy and a go-to for many people taking part in high-intensity workout sessions. Healthy carb options include...

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To ensure optimal performance, an athlete’s diet needs to meet their energy demand. Their energy requirements are a lot higher than the average person and as such need to consume more calories.

Carbohydrates are the biggest source of energy and a go-to for many people taking part in high-intensity workout sessions. Healthy carb options include bread, pasta, fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods. Protein is essential in repairing muscles and facilitating growth which is something athletes need to improve endurance and performance. Legumes, dairy, meats and eggs can all contain a healthy dose of protein.

Fats also form an essential part of providing energy and keeping hormone levels stable and healthy. Healthy fats can be found in coconut oil, nuts, nut butter and avocado.

5 Nutrition Tips For Peak Performance

  1. Fruits and vegetables are a must

There’s a reason why we need to consume five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and the same goes for athletes. Vegetables are low in fat and calories – depending on how you prepare it, of course. Veggies are also packed with nutrients such as fibre, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.

  1. Stay away from processed foods

Processed foods often lose their nutrients as they are made, which means that you need in order to eat more in an attempt to feel full and energised. They’re also packed with additives and preservatives in an attempt to taste better. Whole foods are a healthier option as they’re packed with nutrients and natural flavour.

  1. Consume more protein

High protein diets are essential for high-performance athletes. Proteins are made up of amino acids, the building blocks of cells. To promote muscle development, regeneration, repair and strength, try adding more protein to your diet. Eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, nut butter and legumes are all rich sources of protein.

  1. Hydration is important

Drops in hydration levels will impact your performance. Drinking water, sports drinks, fruit juice and even milk can help you stay hydrated. Sports drinks should not be mixed up with energy drinks such as Red Bull. Sports drinks are often packed with electrolytes to keep you hydrated throughout your session.

  1. Consume whole grains

For energy, add whole grains to your diet as they’re packed with healthy carbohydrates which will keep your feeling full and energised for longer. It will also assist in weight management and can reduce the risk of heart disease. Whole grains are also packed with fibre, B vitamins and several minerals.

Sports nutrition plays an important part in ensuring peak performance. What you put into your body, and nourish your body with, is what you get out, which is why you have to have a healthy diet that facilitates this. This doesn’t mean that you are never eating unhealthy foods again; it simply means that you need to become more aware of what you consume and how it will affect your training and performance.

If you have any queries or apprehensions, please contact a sports nutritionist or your doctor – particularly if you have various underlying health conditions that involve a specific diet.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Better yet, why don’t you become a sports nutritionist yourself with our Sports Nutrition Diploma? For more information about this – as well as our other fitness and nutrition courses – please follow this link.

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Why It Is Vital That You Are Consistent With Your Fitness Routine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-it-is-vital-that-you-are-consistent-with-your-fitness-routine/ Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:05:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20600 Consistency is perhaps the most important component when working in order to accomplish your fitness goals, in or out of the gym. Without consistency, workout programmes are unorganised and your body has a harder time adapting. In addition, forming habits may be more challenging. Dedicating time and effort to a fitness regimen involves mapping out...

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Consistency is perhaps the most important component when working in order to accomplish your fitness goals, in or out of the gym. Without consistency, workout programmes are unorganised and your body has a harder time adapting. In addition, forming habits may be more challenging.

Dedicating time and effort to a fitness regimen involves mapping out a plan for an activity or a series of activities which can be done with consistency. For some individuals, it is common to become energised about working out and then jump right in. In these instances, unless there is a long-term plan in place – or some thought has gone into the way in which the fitness activity will be sustained – there is often a drop-off in enthusiasm, which results in inconsistency.

A well-thought-out fitness plan will go a long way towards helping you to reach your fitness goals. In order to achieve consistency, you will want to think about the types of exercise that you are able to do on a frequent basis. You will want to exercise – at the absolute minimum – three to four times per week to achieve the best results. Getting a gym membership, buying home exercise equipment, investing in exercise apps or buying a bicycle may be some of the things you would like or require to work out with consistency.

Find Your Fitness Motivation

Finding your motivation to exercise is absolutely essential in making sure that you stick to your exercise routine. Most individuals are able to imprecisely describe why they want to work out (to lose weight, to help prevent heart disease, to look great in clothing), but seldom do people take the time to actually dig deeper into discover why exercise is essential to them.

Take the time in order to find out what your particular motivation is for working out. Write it in bold capital letters on a piece of paper and then think about it every day. Leave a sign on your fridge, put reminders on your phone, have a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. Ensure it is very specific and compelling enough to actually motivate you.

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Consistency Is The Key To Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Whatever your fitness goals may be, they require a consistent level of training in order for you to reach them. One method of ensuring consistency within the scope of your fitness goals is to build a programme. This is because programmes make it so much easier to stay on track as you won’t have to think very hard regarding what you’re going to do at the gym as it’s already written out.

Most workout programmes are designed to be followed for a set amount of time, which is typically about four weeks. Dependent on the desired goal is, the programme will have a different focus—hypertrophy, endurance or strength. Each day is designed with the fitness goal in mind, while ensuring that you are training in a way which minimises imbalances within the body. If you aren’t following the programme consistently, the chance of it working is significantly lessened.

Theoretically, if you have an exercise programme, and you don’t follow it, your body will not have the ability in order to adapt to the programme as there isn’t the chance for progressive overload. This is when the amount of stress on your body is gradually increased over time, which leads to increased strength and performance.

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Consistency is one of the fundamental building blocks of a great exercise programme. If you want to learn how to create exercise programmes for others then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Exercise Can Help With Osteoporosis? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-exercise-can-help-with-osteoporosis-find-out-more/ Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20596 A person suffers from osteoporosis when they lose calcium and other minerals from their bones. This makes the bones susceptible to fracturing (in other words breaking). Around half of all women, as well as one-third of men over 60 years of age, suffer from osteoporosis. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis owing to the...

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A person suffers from osteoporosis when they lose calcium and other minerals from their bones. This makes the bones susceptible to fracturing (in other words breaking). Around half of all women, as well as one-third of men over 60 years of age, suffer from osteoporosis. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis owing to the hormonal changes of menopause which make bone loss worse.

A nutritious diet – inclusive of calcium-rich foods as well as regular exercise throughout a person’s life  (including during childhood and adolescence) – will assist with reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later years. People with existing osteoporosis are also able to benefit from exercise. This is because a sedentary lifestyle (in other words, one with little exercise) encourages the loss of bone mass. Exercising regularly can lessen the rate of bone loss.

The Benefits Of Exercise For Osteoporosis

It’s never too late to begin exercising. For postmenopausal women, regular physical exercise can:

  • Improve your muscle strength
  • Enhance your balance
  • Lessen your risk of bone fracture
  • Preserve or improve your posture
  • Help to alleviate or decrease pain

Exercising, if you suffer from osteoporosis, means finding the safest and most enjoyable activities for you given your overall health as well as amount of bone loss. There’s no one-size-fits-all prescription.

Consult your physician before starting any exercise programme. You might need some tests first, which include:

  • Bone density measurement, as well as
  • Fitness

In the interim, think about what kind of physical activities that you enjoy most. If you choose an exercise you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with it over a longer period of time.

Exercises To Strengthen Your Bones

Although most types of exercise are good for you, not all types of physical activity are good for promoting healthy bones. For instance, weight-bearing exercises can build healthy bones. These exercises include challenging your muscle strength against gravity and then putting pressure on your bones. As a consequence, your bones will signal your body that it needs to produce added tissue in order to develop stronger bones. Exercises such as walking or swimming are useful for your lung and heart health but won’t necessarily assist you in strengthening your bones.

Here are some examples of exercises which could help you if you suffer from osteoporosis.

Bicep Curls

You can do bicep curls with either dumbbell that weigh between ½ a kilo to 2.5 kilograms or a resistance band. These exercises may be performed seated or standing, depending on what you find most comfortable:

  • Take a dumbbell in each of your hands. Alternatively, step on a resistance band while holding an end in each of your hands.
  • Pull the bands or weights in towards your chest while watching the bicep muscles on the front of your upper arms contract.
  • Lower your arms in order to return to your starting position.
  • Repeat between eight and 12 times. Rest and then repeat for another set, if you can.

Shoulder Lifts

You’ll also require weights or a resistance band in order to perform shoulder lifts. You can do this shoulder exercise from a standing or seated position:

  • Take hold of a dumbbell in each of your hands. Alternatively, step on a resistance band while holding an end in each of your hands.
  • Begin with your arms down as well as hands at your sides.
  • Slowly lift your arms out straight in front of you however don’t lock your elbow.
  • Lift to a comfortable height however no higher than shoulder level.
  • Repeat between eight and 12 times. Rest and then repeat for another set, if possible.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Exercise has so many superb benefits for your health. If you want to learn about these then you should definitely become a personal trainer with us! Check out our Personal Training Diploma for more information.

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What Exercises Can Help With Fibromyalgia? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-exercises-can-help-with-fibromyalgia/ Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:05:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20587 Fibromyalgia is a disease which causes chronic body pain. The never-ending muscle and tissue tenderness may also lead to sleep problems. Shooting pain, that may be quite severe, originate from parts of a sufferer’s body that are known as “tender points”. The painful areas may include your: neck back elbows knees Although fibromyalgia may make...

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Fibromyalgia is a disease which causes chronic body pain. The never-ending muscle and tissue tenderness may also lead to sleep problems. Shooting pain, that may be quite severe, originate from parts of a sufferer’s body that are known as “tender points”. The painful areas may include your:

  • neck
  • back
  • elbows
  • knees

Although fibromyalgia may make exercise difficult, it’s vital to be as active as you can. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, regular exercise is one of the most useful treatments for fibromyalgia.

What Exercises Should Be Avoided With Fibromyalgia?

Exercise-related pain is very common with fibromyalgia. It’s not about exercising intensely (which causes significant pain). It’s about exercising appropriately in order to help with improving symptoms.

Exercising intensely (overexertion) leads to the problems that people experience post-exercise, which are called “post-exertional malaise”. This occurs as people with fibromyalgia do not have the energy to condition as others do who can handle the increase in exercise as well as conditioning.

Rather, if the exercise uses more than the limited amount of energy that their body can make, their systems crash. In addition, they will feel like they were hit by a truck for a few days after. Owing to this fact, the key is to find an amount of walking – or any other low-intensity exercises – which you can do and where you feel “good tired” afterwards and even better the next day.

Rather than ramping up in the length or intensity of your workouts, stick with the same amount while working in order to increase energy production. The key to optimal pain relief for people who suffer from fibromyalgia is being consistent with physical activity.

Fibromyalgia-Friendly Exercises

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that regular aerobic exercise improves pain, function as well as overall quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. Many physicians recommend gentle aerobic exercise as the primary treatment protocol for fibromyalgia – this is before any kind of medication is considered. Even if your doctor recommends medication for your condition, it’s incredibly important to be active. If it’s too sore, or you’re too tired to exercise, you can start with walking, moving around in a swimming pool, or other gentle activities. If you do this often, you can build up your strength as well as endurance over time.

Walking

Begin with a short, easy walk and then build up to walking for longer periods of time or ramp up your pace. A good goal is to work up to at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity three times per week.

Stretching

You don’t need to break out into a sweat in order for exercise to be helpful. For instance, try:

  • Quiet stretching
  • Relaxation exercises
  • Keeping a good posture

You need to be wary about overdoing it. The best thing to do is to stretch stiff muscles after you’ve done some light aerobic exercise in order to warm up. This will assist you with avoiding injury. Here are several other hints for healthy stretching:

  • Move softly
  • Never stretch until you feel pain
  • Hold light stretches for up to one minute to get the best benefit.

Most importantly, find exercises which you love, that don’t stress you out and which you look forward to doing most days. This is because when it comes to healing and feeling better, consistency is key.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Exercise can help with improving the lives of people with chronic ailments. If you would like to discover more about the benefits of exercise then you need to become a personal trainer. Follow this link for more information.

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What Are Functional Exercises? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-functional-exercises-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20582 Functional training has been utilised as a buzz term for many years now. The idea behind functional exercises is that each exercise should become more natural and carry over into your everyday life. For instance, improving your squats could help you get up and down from a chair. Lunges would make climbing up stairs easier....

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Functional training has been utilised as a buzz term for many years now. The idea behind functional exercises is that each exercise should become more natural and carry over into your everyday life. For instance, improving your squats could help you get up and down from a chair. Lunges would make climbing up stairs easier. Functional exercises have a tendency to activate more muscles and – as a result – consume more energy. These multidimensional exercises also tend to enhance your natural movement skills and improve your general mobility.

Functional exercises require free weights and not machines. Weight machines require you to move in a very specific as well as rigid way. That doesn’t simulate how your body actually moves in real life. For instance, think of the leg extension machine. You will never just use your quads. They are going to work with the glutes, hamstrings as well as the core. Instead, doing a functional movement like a squat is much more efficient from a strength-training perspective. In addition, this also allows you to train the muscles to work together seamlessly as these never really function alone.

Functional Exercises To Add To Your Workout

Medicine Ball Squats With Overhead Lift

  • Stand up tall and have your feet hip-distance apart. Hold a light medicine ball in front of you with both of your hands.
  • Squat down while moving your bum back. Keep your knees over your ankles and then lower the medicine ball to the floor. While performing this movement, keep your head up and back straight. In other words, don’t hunch.
  • Return to your starting position. Lift the medicine ball over your head.
  • Repeat the squat and then lower ball to the ground.
  • Perform three sets of 10 reps. Use a heavier ball as you get stronger.

Stair Climb With Bicep Curl

  • Stand up straight at the bottom of a flight of stairs, holding a 2- to 3-kilogram dumbbell in each hand.
  • Climb the stairs while doing bicep curls.
  • Walk or run down the stairs while you are holding the weights, however, don’t do curls.
  • Repeat between five and 10 times.
  • Increase the weights of the dumbbells as your arms get stronger. Mix up your climbs by taking two steps at a time for a flight or two.

Isolation Exercises Have Their Place

Isolation exercises have a purpose. If you consult a personal trainer with an acute injury, and they needed to help you to strengthen a particular muscle group, the fitness professional might have them isolate that muscle group. However, wouldn’t be their primary area of focus.

Most people’s workouts—if you’re working out to be in shape and improve overall health—should consist mainly of compound and functional movements, with isolation exercises peppered in as needed to address a weakness or improve stability in a certain joint (like your shoulders).

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re super excited about functional training and want to learn more about what it has to offer then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about this flagship fitness course, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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A HIIT Workout for Walkers. Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-hiit-workout-for-walkers-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Mon, 19 Oct 2020 05:05:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20573 If you think about HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts, you might not think about walking. In fact, walking might be the farthest thing from your mind, when you consider how most HIIT workouts involve moves like burpees, pushups, jump squats, and sprints. However, the idea of a HIIT workout is not based on the moves...

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If you think about HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts, you might not think about walking. In fact, walking might be the farthest thing from your mind, when you consider how most HIIT workouts involve moves like burpees, pushups, jump squats, and sprints. However, the idea of a HIIT workout is not based on the moves that you do but the way in which your workout is structured. As the name implies, HIIT involves short intervals of high-intensity movements and short recovery rest periods in between. Therefore, you can structure a walking workout that can provide some of the same benefits that more traditional HIIT workouts do.

Benefits of HIIT Workouts

The benefits of HIIT workouts is that they are considered to provide an efficient and high-intensity workout that helps you to burn a lot of calories and build strength in a short amount of time. Some champions of HIIT workouts also suggest that it may improve your health and fitness levels at much higher rates than other steady-state workouts.

Benefits of a Walking Workout

Walking is a low impact and easy workout for many people. Regardless of your fitness level, ability, or endurance, walking is a great cardiovascular activity that does not require a gym, equipment, or particular clothing. It is a phenomenal way to get moving and keep your general fitness levels up, even when in recovery from an injury. One thing to remember is that for a HIIT workout to be successful, you need to be performing the activity at maximum effort during the interval. Of course, this can be hard during a walking workout as we are all comfortable in our normal walking pace and maintaining a more intense pace can be difficult.

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A Walking Workout

There are many variations on a walking HIIT workout that you can do, depending on your endurance level and how intense you would like to make it. There are several levels of walk that you should move between for the workout:

  • Recovery walk: this is the level that you walk at in between higher intensity sessions. Keep this walk steady and consistent, but do not push yourself too hard.
  • Conversational pace walk: this is the level of walk where you should be able to hold a conversation, but still be moving at a decent speed.
  • Speed walk: this pace should be when you push yourself hard while walking. You might not be able to maintain a conversation and should be actively pushing yourself to move as much as possible.
  • Fast walk: this is the fastest pace that you can walk at. You will only need to hold this pace for short periods of time, but it should be at maximum intensity.

The program that you choose to follow may vary, but it should involve variation between the different kinds of walks mentioned above. Here are several examples of workouts that you could do:

  1. 10 minutes of conversational walk, 2 minutes recovery walk, 10 minutes conversational walk
  2. 3 minutes speed walk, 1-minute recovery walk (repeat six times)
  3. 1-minute fast walk, 1-minute conversational walk (repeat 10 times)
  4. 5 min conversational walk, 5 min speed walk, 4 min conversational, 4 min speed, 3 min conversational, 3 min speed, 2 min conversational, 2 min speed, 1 min conversational, 1 min speed

As you are able to see from the above, there are a lot of variations on walking HIIT workouts that you can try, depending on your fitness levels, time availability, and endurance. Whatever you elect to do, make sure to put maximum effort into the higher intensity intervals in order to get the most that you can out of every single workout.

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If you would like to discover more about HIIT workouts, then you should really do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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A Guide to Using Battle Ropes in the Gym. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-guide-to-using-battle-ropes-in-the-gym/ Mon, 19 Oct 2020 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20568 Trying new equipment at the gym can always be intimidating, especially if that new equipment is two long ropes. If you haven’t jumped on the battle rope trend, don’t be afraid to give them a try at the gym. They might seem a little strange or hard to get the hang of, but they can...

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Trying new equipment at the gym can always be intimidating, especially if that new equipment is two long ropes. If you haven’t jumped on the battle rope trend, don’t be afraid to give them a try at the gym. They might seem a little strange or hard to get the hang of, but they can offer an amazing full-body high-intensity workout that is strength-building and simple to do. So, if you would like to get started with battle rope workouts in the gym, here are some of our tips:

The Benefits

First of all, let’s go over the benefits of battle ropes. They provide a full-body workout that focusses on your arms, chest, shoulders, and back. It is low impact, so it can help those who are in recovery from lower-body injuries. It is also a superb cardiovascular workout which can help you to burn a lot of calories in a short period of time. It is fantastic for improving your cardiovascular strength as well as your overall fitness and endurance.

Choosing the Right Ropes

Battle ropes come in different lengths, thickness, and material. Depending on the workout that you are trying to do, the space available, and your endurance level, you will want to choose a different rope. For beginners, you may want to pick a smaller rope and raise the thickness and heaviness as you improve. No matter what rope you pick, you will get a great workout.

Body Positioning

Battle rope workouts can be done in a variety of positions; standing, sitting, kneeling or lunging, or even from a plank position. You can also include dynamic movements such as squatting and jumping into your workouts to make them more challenging. Try to vary the movements and positions to add more variety.

Starting Strong

If you haven’t tried them before, battle ropes can be very intense. Make sure to stay calm and try not to stress too much as you begin the workout. Do not grip too tightly on the ropes and try not to tense your body too much because this can lead to you becoming exhausted really quickly or cause injury. Another thing to remember is your breathing. Try to match your rope movements to your breathing and control your breath, to maintain your endurance throughout the workout. Lastly, remember that battle ropes are a full-body workout and therefore, you need to focus on keeping your body strong and stable, remain conscious of your positioning and alignment. Keep your movements dynamic, avoid being too stiff, and move consciously.

Do not be afraid of the battle ropes in the gym. If you have not used them before, maybe try adding one or two exercises on them into your normal routine and see how you feel. They can be an incredible addition to your workout, helping you to build strength, burn fat, and improve your overall fitness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about battle ropes then you need to do our Battle Ropes Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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A Guide to Battle Ropes. Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-guide-to-battle-ropes-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Fri, 16 Oct 2020 05:05:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20560 Have you ever watched someone on your Instagram stories documenting their workout? You might have seen the must-have tool that people are gravitating towards for the ultimate cardio and muscle-sculpting working: the battle ropes. Battle rope training has become a popular workout move in recent years because of its many benefits. So, if you want...

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Have you ever watched someone on your Instagram stories documenting their workout? You might have seen the must-have tool that people are gravitating towards for the ultimate cardio and muscle-sculpting working: the battle ropes. Battle rope training has become a popular workout move in recent years because of its many benefits. So, if you want to get started with battle ropes here’s a guide to what they are, what their benefits are, and how to use them.

What Are They?

If you haven’t seen battle ropes before, they are large and heavy ropes that are anchored to a single point. For most workouts with them, you hold one in each hand and use dynamic movements to exercise different muscles and build strength.

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of battle ropes are multiple! You can work many different muscle groups with various moves: mainly your chest, arms, and shoulders, but also your back as a secondary muscle group, as well as legs and core as you stabilise yourself. They are also a great option for those looking for an intense full-body workout that is low impact, giving you the experience of endurance running or other intense workouts without the same wear and tear. Battle ropes (while working your whole body) are a rare upper body-focused workout that improves cardiorespiratory fitness – which will help to improve your resting heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory endurance. Lastly, they’re fun! It’s a very different kind of workout for a lot of people and the excitement and challenge of something new can add a level of fun to your workout routine.

How To Get Started

The battle ropes might be intimidating to a beginner, and they are not for the fainthearted. Like all other workout techniques, it is important to focus on techniques, learn what you’re doing, and practice – do not go too hard too fast. The battle ropes look easy when you watch someone who knows what they’re doing. It’s just waving a rope around right? In fact, it is much more about technique and specific movements. Here are two basic moves to start off with:

  1. Battle Rope Waves

  • Standing with feet hip-width apart bend your knees slightly, and keep your back straight.
  • Holding a rope in each hand, engage your core, and alternately wave the ropes up and down. Try not to move your body as you do so, only your arms.
  • Try and keep going for at least 30 seconds, to begin with, and slowly work up to longer sessions.
  1. Battle Rope Slams

– Standing with feet hip-width apart bend your knees slightly, and keep your back straight.

  • Holding a rope in each hand, engage your core, and slam the ropes up and down simultaneously.
  • This is an intense move and should be dynamic; allow your body to move along with the movement. Again, try to go for 30 seconds at the start before building up to longer sessions.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

 So many more moves and workouts can be performed with battle ropes, all of which can help to build muscle, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. If you want to learn how to use battle ropes for yourself then you need to do our Battle Ropes Course. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

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A Chest Workout That Combines Burpees and Battle Ropes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-chest-workout-that-combines-burpees-and-battle-ropes/ Fri, 16 Oct 2020 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20556 When you think about chest workouts, burpees might not be the first exercise that comes to mind, and if you are not already on the battle ropes train, you might not think of them either. However, this chest workout might open your mind up to different ways of working out and experimenting with new moves....

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When you think about chest workouts, burpees might not be the first exercise that comes to mind, and if you are not already on the battle ropes train, you might not think of them either. However, this chest workout might open your mind up to different ways of working out and experimenting with new moves.

Why Battle Ropes?

Battle ropes are notorious for a reason. Waving two ropes up and down seems like a simple enough workout, but those heavy ropes provide intense resistance, making them a brutal cardio workout for the entire body. While in other workouts, you may be working your chest, battle rope workouts make use of underused movements that help to work your muscles differently. They also help to build strength in the arms, shoulders, and back – thereby defining your entire upper body, not just your chest.

Why Burpees?

Burpees are a pretty common move, used in a variety of workout programmes, but you might be underestimating their usefulness for chest workouts. While it might seem like you are just jumping and then dropping down to the floor, you should not overlook the impact that lowering and raising yourself from the floor can have for your chest. If you maintain proper form throughout a burpee and control your descent and ascent, your chest muscles will thank you for it.

The Workout

This workout combines battle ropes and burpees for the ultimate chest strengthening exercise. It consists of standard burpees, battle rope chest flys, and battle rope jump slams.

Battle Rope Chest Fly:

  • Stand with feet hip-width apart, with knees bent, back straight, and core engaged.
  • Hold a rope in each hand, bend your arms slightly, and move them in and out horizontally (don’t allow your hands to cross in the middle).

Battle Rope Jump Slam:

  • Stand with feet hip-width apart, with knees bent, back straight, and core engaged.
  • Holding a rope in each hand, raise them and slam them to the ground while performing a controlled jump. Jump up as you raise the ropes and land as you slam them.

 The Workout:

The workout is done in 10 sets, with 1 minute of rest in between each set.

5 seconds battle rope chest flys

Five burpees

5 seconds battle rope chest flys

Five burpees

5 seconds battle rope chest flys

Five battle rope jump slams

This workout will work your chest and arms while proving a high-intensity cardio workout. By approaching a chest workout with a variety of moves, you can ensure that you build strength and uniformly define muscles.

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Were you interested in this workout? Do you want to learn how to put together other workouts such as these? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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Why Combining Pilates And HIIT Training Is A Good Idea https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-combining-pilates-and-hiit-training-is-a-good-idea/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 05:05:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20510 Pilates and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) are two very different exercise modalities. However, they are ones that complement each other well. HIIT is a popular form of exercise that concentrates on providing a cardiovascular workout. The high-intensity intervals are performed in short bursts and are alternated with low-intensity movements. Pilates, on the other hand, concentrates...

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Pilates and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) are two very different exercise modalities. However, they are ones that complement each other well. HIIT is a popular form of exercise that concentrates on providing a cardiovascular workout. The high-intensity intervals are performed in short bursts and are alternated with low-intensity movements. Pilates, on the other hand, concentrates on improving strength and flexibility. In addition, it is generally not counted as a cardiovascular form of exercise.

The fitness world is one which keeps evolving. One thing which many people are realising is the efficacy of combining different modes of exercise together. No longer does it makes sense to stick to only one form of exercise – unless you’re specialising in it. Not only do you restrict yourself but trying to separate everything into separate sessions takes up quite a bit of time. In this day and age, time is definitely money.

Why Pilates And HIIT Work Well Together

What makes interval training a great cross-training choice with Pilates is that interval training offers a great aerobic workout. It also does it quickly — in as little as 20 minutes. Interval training is one of the fastest methods of building aerobic capacity in addition to total endurance. Studies have demonstrated that interval training can be safe for many age groups and levels of fitness.

Pilates and HIIT complement and support each other in terms of their beneficial impact on the body. HIIT concentrates on large, global muscles while Pilates works on the core. So, when they are combined, they work on both large as well as small muscle groups. This ensures a total body focus.

As HIIT provides a quick and effective cardio workout, this is helpful for:

  • Burning tonnes of calories,
  • Slowing down ageing process, and
  • Increasing the metabolism.

How Does It Work?

The one pattern that Pilates instructors notice most among many clients is how many of them love Pilates but hate cardiovascular exercise. The problem with this is that they’d all be incredibly strong, flexible as well as aware of their body movements but they would all confess to not being able to run up the stairs.

The only way to fix this is to put some cardiovascular elements into your sessions. Surprisingly, there are ways to do so without too much complaining. This technique makes sure that you are strong enough from a musculoskeletal and cardiovascular sense. This means that HIIT Pilates makes perfect sense.

Here are a couple of moves to start you off in your Pilates HIIT workout.

Mountain Climbers

  • Start in a full plank. Exhale and pull your right knee in towards your hands.
  • Inhale and then extend the leg back into plank.
  • Repeat on alternating sides and climbing as quickly as you can.

Modification: Bring your knees into your chest at a slower pace or, alternatively, drop to a plank on your knees and then bring them into your chest gradually, one at a time.

Criss-Cross

  • Lie supine with your legs in tabletop and your hands behind the nape of your neck. Your elbows must be in a wide position.
  • Exhale and then lift your right shoulder off the mat and then bring it towards your left knee.
  • Inhale, return to your starting position, and alternate.

Modification: Keep your head, neck as well as shoulders on the mat. Only perform the exercise with your legs.

Wide High Knees

  • Stand up tall, with your feet wider than hip distance from each other.
  • Jump from one foot while you bring your opposite knee up as high as you can.
  • Then, jump with your other foot and then repeat.

Modification: Take out the jump and simply bring one knee up as high as possible while alternating legs.

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As you can see from this article, Pilates and HIIT are a match made in heaven. If you would like to discover the basics of Pilates then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Being Physically Active Can Help With Arthritis Symptoms https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-being-physically-active-can-help-with-arthritis-symptoms/ Wed, 14 Oct 2020 05:05:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20451 If you have arthritis, being physically active and participating in joint-friendly exercise can improve your arthritis pain, function, mood as well as quality of life. Joint-friendly exercises are low-impact which means that these put less stress on the body so reducing the risk of injury. Examples of joint-friendly exercises include walking, biking as well as...

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If you have arthritis, being physically active and participating in joint-friendly exercise can improve your arthritis pain, function, mood as well as quality of life. Joint-friendly exercises are low-impact which means that these put less stress on the body so reducing the risk of injury. Examples of joint-friendly exercises include walking, biking as well as swimming. Being active can also delay the onset of arthritis-related disability and help individuals with arthritis manage other chronic illnesses, for example, diabetes and heart disease as well as obesity.

Exercise is vitally important for people with arthritis. It improves strength and flexibility, decreases joint pain and helps with combatting fatigue. Certainly, when stiff and painful joints have already been getting you down, the thought of walking around the office or swimming a few lengths of the pool might seem like too much to contemplate.

Regular physical exercise can make sure that the muscles around affected joints are kept strong, bone loss is decreased and may assist with controlling joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replaces lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and lowers stiffness and pain. Exercise also assist with enhancing energy and stamina by reducing fatigue and enhancing sleep. Exercise can improve weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.

Recommendations For Arthritis Sufferers To Stay Physically Active

The objectives of an exercise programme for individuals who suffer from arthritis are to:

  • Preserve or restore range of motion as well as flexibility around affected joints,
  • Increase muscle strength and endurance, and
  • Increase aerobic conditioning in order to improve mood and decrease health risks that are associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

How To Exercise Safely With Arthritis

Start Low And Go Slow

When starting or increasing exercise, start slowly and pay attention to how your body withstands it. People who are suffering from arthritis could take more time in order for their body to adapt to a new level of activity. If you are not currently active, start with a small amount of activity. Add activity a little at a time and allow sufficient time for your body to adapt to the new level before adding additional activity.

Modify Activity Should Arthritis Symptoms Increase

Your arthritis symptoms – such as pain, stiffness as well as fatigue – may come and go. You may have good days as well as bad days. Try to change your activity in order to stay as active as possible without creating a situation where your symptoms are worse.

Recognise Safe Places And Ways To Keep Active

Safety is vital in terms of starting as well as maintaining an exercise plan. If you are currently inactive – or you are not sure how to begin your own physical activity programme – a group exercise class may be a good option. If you plan and direct your own routine, find safe places in order for you to exercise.

Talk To A Health Professional Or A Personal Trainer

Your doctor is a great source of information about physical activity. Health-care professionals and personal trainers can answer your questions about how much and what types of activity match your abilities and health goals.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Interested in developing exercise routines for people suffering from conditions such as arthritis? If you are, then you should become a personal trainer. For additional information on how you can do this, please follow this link.

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How To Exercise For Better Sleep? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-for-better-sleep-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Tue, 13 Oct 2020 05:05:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20430 Working out on a regular basis has so many positive benefits for your health. For example, it can reduce stress, boost alertness during the day as well as even improve your quality of sleep. There’s no one perfect exercise which will enhance your sleep as any type of movement is better than none. Morning workouts...

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Working out on a regular basis has so many positive benefits for your health. For example, it can reduce stress, boost alertness during the day as well as even improve your quality of sleep. There’s no one perfect exercise which will enhance your sleep as any type of movement is better than none.

Morning workouts are often the best choice for those who would like to stay consistent because getting exercises done at the crack of dawn will prevent you from pushing them away when you’re hit with the requirements of the day.

Exercising in the early hours has an additional bonus: deeper sleep at night. Actually, people who work out on a treadmill at 7:00am:

  • Sleep for longer periods of time,
  • Experience deeper sleep cycles, and
  • Spend 75% more time in the most restorative stages of slumber as opposed to those who exercise at later times that day.

In addition, if you exercise outdoors in the morning, you’re bound to get a daily dose of sunshine, which can assist with regulating your sleep/wake cycle.

The Advantages Of Working Out In The Afternoon

If an early morning gym appointment is not for you, you are in luck. Working out in the afternoon hours has benefits for both your performance as well as your shut-eye. As your body is one or two degrees warmer in the afternoon as opposed to when you first wake up, your muscles are able to work more efficiently so that you have a reduced risk of injury and will be more proficient at completing complex movements (such as swinging a tennis racquet or mastering those Zumba moves).

In addition, afternoon workouts — specifically aerobic ones — may even assist with overcoming insomnia, which will cause you to fall asleep quicker as well as wake up less frequently during the night. This may be because exercise increases your body’s temperature for about four to five hours. After that, your core temperature decreases, which signals your body to start shifting into sleep mode.

Aerobic Exercise For Better Sleep

Activities which get your heart rate up – such as running, brisk walking, cycling as well as swimming – have been demonstrated to improve sleep as well as keep insomnia at bay. Even small stretches, such as 10 minutes, may help. However, the goal is to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity) aerobic exercise every week.

Strength Training Assist With Deeper Sleep

Building muscle has been demonstrated to improve the quality of sleep. In addition, it can also help you fall asleep faster as well as wake up less frequently throughout the night.  So try doing exercises such as shoulder presses, bicep curls, tricep dips, squats, lunges, calf raises, sit-ups in addition to push-ups which will make you stronger.

Yoga

Yoga’s relaxing poses, stretches and the calming breathing exercises that accompany them may be especially helpful if stress is what’s preventing you from falling asleep. Those who suffer from insomnia and do yoga daily, for a period of eight weeks, are expected to fall asleep faster and boost the amount of time that they spend sleeping.

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Exercises have loads more benefits than just helping you to sleep well. Find out what these are with our Personal Training Diploma. For more information about our premier fitness course, please follow this link.

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Why Should You Have A Regular Exercise Plan In Place Before Menopause? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-should-you-have-a-regular-exercise-plan-in-place-before-menopause/ Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:05:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20417 Before menopause, women have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease as opposed to men. However, the tables are turned after they’ve gone through the transition. Although the reason for this isn’t fully understood, a new study in offers one possibility: Hormonal changes decrease the ability for women to form tiny blood vessels in their muscles....

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Before menopause, women have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease as opposed to men. However, the tables are turned after they’ve gone through the transition. Although the reason for this isn’t fully understood, a new study in offers one possibility: Hormonal changes decrease the ability for women to form tiny blood vessels in their muscles. This increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions and particularly type 2 diabetes. Luckily, researchers suggest, this doesn’t have to be inevitable because having a regular exercise plan before menopause can assist.

The Study

Researchers examined two groups of women:

  • Twelve were between 59 and 70 years old, and
  • Five were between 21 to 28 years old.

Both groups had a muscle biopsy from the thigh before the study began. They then trained over an eight-week period utilising spin bikes at a moderate to high intensity.

The younger group, who had started exercising before they reached menopause, showed a rise in the number of capillaries—or small blood vessels—in skeletal muscle tissue at the end of the study period. This is as opposed to the older group did not. Capillaries, which assist sugar, as well as fat, absorb into the muscles for more effective usage as fuel, also have an impact on insulin resistance. That’s why having less of an ability to develop new ones may raise cardiovascular concerns.

What To Put On Your Exercise Plan

It is recommended that most healthy women do mild aerobic activity for a minimum period of 150 minutes weekly or vigorous aerobic activity for at least 75 minutes on a weekly basis. As well, strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week. Feel free to spread your exercising across your entire week.

Think about your exercise options and their benefits:

Aerobic Activity

Aerobic activity can help you to shed excess kilograms as well as keep to a healthy weight. Try out fast walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or water aerobics. If you’re a newbie, begin with 10 minutes a day and slowly increase the intensity and duration.

Strength Training

Regular strength training can assist you with reducing body fat, strengthening your muscles and burning calories more efficiently. Attempt to weight machines, hand-held weights or resistance tubing. Select a weight or resistance level that is heavy enough to tire your muscles after approximately 12 repetitions. Slowly increase the weight or resistance level as you become stronger.

Stretching

Stretching can assist with improving flexibility. Put aside time to stretch after each exercise session, when your muscles are warm so that they are receptive to stretching.

Stability And Balance

Balance exercises enhance stability and can assist with preventing falls. Try straightforward exercises, for example standing on one leg while you’re brushing your teeth. Exercises such as tai chi also can be useful.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are interested in assisting women over 40 with putting together a great exercise routine, which totally fits their needs, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Benefits Of Strength Training For Women? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-strength-training-for-women/ Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20414 As women, it can be challenging to find useful ways to lose weight. It gets to a point where all the dieting, aerobic exercises, and circuits just don’t seem to be doing the trick. There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you put in the work, yet don’t get the results you desire. Increasing as...

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As women, it can be challenging to find useful ways to lose weight. It gets to a point where all the dieting, aerobic exercises, and circuits just don’t seem to be doing the trick. There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you put in the work, yet don’t get the results you desire.

Increasing as well as maintaining sufficient muscle mass is one of the best ways for keeping body fat at bay as well as improving overall fitness, specifically as you get older. Strength training – such as lifting weights – is the best way of building muscle mass. However, the number of women who actually take part in any formal or consistent weight-training workout is extremely low. Women who exercise are often to be found spending most of their gym time on cardiovascular exercise.

If your workouts at the moment consist of high energy or yoga classes, but you haven’t seen the results which you’ve been aiming for, you should have a look at resistance training and weight training. You could have heard that weight training can make women appear bulky from building muscle, that it is unsafe or even muscle turning into fat if you stop. None of that is true. In fact it is recommended that – in order to stay healthy – adults should take part in two kinds of physical activity each week: aerobic exercise and strength training.

Strength Training Makes You Physically Stronger

Upping your strength will make you far less dependent on others for help in daily living. Chores will be easier. Lifting children, groceries, as well as laundry, will no longer be pushing you to the max. If your maximum strength is improved, daily tasks in addition to regular exercise will be far less fatiguing and far less likely to cause injury.

Strength Training Helps With Losing Fat

Implementing regular strength training in your exercise routine is one of the quickest ways to lose fat. On average, women store about 10% more body fat as opposed to men. Taking into account the fact that women were made to have babies, this makes sense. However, it can be challenging for women to find effective ways to lower their body fat index.

The average woman who strength-trains between two and three times a week for two months will gain nearly a kilogram of muscle and will lose 1.5 kilograms of fat. As your lean muscle increases, so does your resting metabolism. This enables you to burn increased numbers of calories during the day while you’re not doing anything.

Gain strength Without Bulking

In contrast to men, women usually don’t gain size from strength training. This is owing to levels of testosterone that women have as compared to men. Typically, young women have around 10% of the testosterone which men do. Owing of this, women will develop muscle tone and definition without the size.

Strength training not only sheds centimetres where you don’t want them. It also enables you to build in places where you do want these extra curves. Genetics aren’t the sole factor in your body’s appearance. It is possible for you to manage your appearance with regular resistance training. It can help you slim down, tone up as well as create curves in places that you’ve never had curves before.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about strength training then you need to become a personal trainer with our Personal Training Diploma. Alternatively, if you want to supercharge your knowledge, why not go for our Platinum Personal Training Package? Read more about it here.

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Why Yoga And Meditation Can Help With Chronic Pain https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/why-yoga-and-meditation-can-help-with-chronic-pain/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 05:05:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20352 As the number of individuals who are dealing with chronic pain progressively increases, in tandem with the continuing opioid crisis, both doctors, as well as patients, are becoming increasingly more curious about how to handle chronic pain conditions using non-pharmacological treatments. The tools of yoga, mindfulness as well as meditation offer the potential to help...

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As the number of individuals who are dealing with chronic pain progressively increases, in tandem with the continuing opioid crisis, both doctors, as well as patients, are becoming increasingly more curious about how to handle chronic pain conditions using non-pharmacological treatments. The tools of yoga, mindfulness as well as meditation offer the potential to help people effectively cope with these conditions in addition to improving quality of life.

There are few things more frustrating to someone with chronic pain than hearing someone say, “Your pain is all in your mind.” But if you’re one of the numerous individuals who are living with chronic pain, these words may actually be the key to relieving your suffering. Chronic pain is indeed in the mind however this does not mean exactly what you think it means. The experience of pain is indeed real. Pain has a biological foundation. It’s just that the cause of pain isn’t limited to where one feels it or thinks that it is coming from.

Yoga Is A Mind-Body Exercise

Yoga is a mind-body exercise practice which combines breath control, meditation as well as movements in order to stretch and strengthen muscles. What sets yoga apart from nearly all other exercise programmes is that it places as great an emphasis on mental fitness as it does on physical fitness.

People have been practising yoga for thousands of years. Given its history, several types of yoga have developed. The most popular form which is practised in South Africa is hatha yoga — of which there are numerous variations.

Yoga As A Chronic-Pain Reliever

An ever-increasing area of research is showing that yoga can, in fact, be useful for people who are suffering from chronic low-back pain. In particular, studies have shown that yoga can alleviate pain intensity as well as improve overall function and mobility.

One study made the finding that yoga, even more than exercise or education, led to the improvement in terms of significant outcomes, among them the functional disability. This study not only looked at results post-treatment but it also involved a 14-week follow-up. At the 14-week mark, the yoga group was still performing better than the education group and just as well as the exercise group in terms of improving mobility.

Another intervention found that yoga was equal to physical therapy and to education in decreasing pain as well as improving functional disability. This study also made the finding that those who took part in the yoga or physical therapy group reported using less medication post-intervention. This is an extremely positive finding as it demonstrates that yoga has the potential to be just as effective as more traditional interventions.

Owing to the intricacy of many chronic pain conditions, individuals who would attempt yoga or meditation in order to assist with coping with their chronic pain could consider finding a class which would be receptive to their condition or work with a yoga therapist, physician or mental-health professional who is skilled in yoga. This would allow enhanced benefit of the practice while minimising some of the risks which could come with just visiting your local yoga or meditation class.

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Yoga is an incredibly restorative practice. To discover more about the benefits of this ancient practice, we suggest that you do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Men Should Start Taking Pilates? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-men-should-start-taking-pilates-find-out-more/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20347 If you of the opinion that Pilates is just ‘stretching’ for women who have dancer’s bodies, then you’re maybe not alone. However, you’re definitely wrong. While women are attracted to the practice for its all-but-assured results, men can reap the same benefits which include everything from strength as well as coordination to balance and flexibility...

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If you of the opinion that Pilates is just ‘stretching’ for women who have dancer’s bodies, then you’re maybe not alone. However, you’re definitely wrong. While women are attracted to the practice for its all-but-assured results, men can reap the same benefits which include everything from strength as well as coordination to balance and flexibility – not to mention, mental clarity in addition to better posture.

It’s no wonder that the world’s biggest names from the worlds of basketball, football and baseball have been seen on the reformer machines. If you are afflicted by back pain, tight muscles or would like to appear taller or more toned  then Pilates is for you. Still need convincing? It was created by a man. Joseph Pilates created the discipline back in the early part of the 20th century, naming it Contrology as he felt his method uses the mind in order to control the muscles.

The Benefits Of Pilates For The Body

Core Strength

Encouraging greater core strength and stability, enhanced muscle tone and definition, as well as the advanced joint elasticity as well as flexibility, Pilates does a lot of good for the body. However, for some reason, men don’t seem to be taking part. As stated by a 2013 Sports Marketing Survey, an estimated 16 percent of Pilates participants are male. While that number has probably gone up a bit in the past few years, a lot of men are still missing out on the benefits Pilates has to offer.

The focus on core training makes Pilates an extremely effective technique for entire-body fitness. In addition, it builds a rock-solid foundation for cross-training or other types of sports as well as fitness disciplines. You could be a bit wobbly at first as every Pilates exercise focuses on making use of your core in order to power movement throughout your body and limbs. Pilates will often isolate your transverse abdominals, which are the base ab muscle under your burgeoning six-pack.

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Lengthening And Strengthening Muscles

You might have heard the term ‘lean muscle’ bandied about when you look into Pilates. While all muscle is really lean muscle, Pilates will assist you with lengthening your muscles while – at the same time – building strength.

Pilates exercises are a type of dynamic stretching. This means that you will be engaging one muscle group in order to lengthen an opposing muscle group. At first sight, you could see the subtlety of Pilates movements and fail to see that these movements are building strength.

Enhance Performance in Your Other Workouts

With any training or exercise routine, it is essential to cross-train. This will not only guarantee that you have aspects of both cardio and strength training in your week however it helps to prevent injuries and keep your workouts more interesting. And if you are looking for a new cross-training activity, Pilates might be the way to go. In addition, men who practise other activities see great results from cross-training with Pilates. For instance, weightlifters see the amount of weight they can lift increase and marathon runners notice their run times lower when they add Pilates to their routine.

Whichever Pilates class you decide to do keep in mind that you must be patient with yourself. The exercises may possibly not come easily at first however, with practice, these will. What could come easy for someone else may be challenging for you. There are things we all struggle with.

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If you are keen to become a Pilates Instructor then you need to do our Pilates Instructor course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Can I Train With Kettlebells Every Day? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/can-i-train-with-kettlebells-every-day/ Thu, 08 Oct 2020 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20295 Kettlebells come in a number of different weights. It is possible to use them when you are doing lunges, squats, crunches in addition to other moves which work your core muscles. Exercising with kettlebells not only improves your core strength but these workouts also tone the 600 other muscles which are present in your arms,...

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Kettlebells come in a number of different weights. It is possible to use them when you are doing lunges, squats, crunches in addition to other moves which work your core muscles. Exercising with kettlebells not only improves your core strength but these workouts also tone the 600 other muscles which are present in your arms, legs, glutes, and back. It is the perfect workout for those having trouble fitting exercise in to their daily schedule

It is possible to utilise kettlebells every single day but it will be dependent on the intensity of the workouts, your present experience as well as how quickly you are able to recover from the workout. The kettlebell swing is one of the exercises that you may be able to perform on a daily basis.

What Are The Benefits Of Training With Kettlebells?

Improved Core Strength And Stability    

There are a number of incredible reasons why kettlebells are superb for improving core strength as well as stability.

A lot of kettlebell exercises are a kind of ballistic training. This type of training works on explosive power through the process of maximising acceleration and then minimising deceleration. These explosive movements stimulate the abdominal muscles very well.

Kettlebell exercises require core contraction and synchronised breathing as the movements are concentrated. This leads to significant improvement in core strength, even when you are not directly targeting your core as you would with crunches or leg raises.

Kettlebell movements are multiplanar. This means that you will be working your core from all directions. This is essential for building well-rounded core strength.

Some of the best kettlebell motions are offset and unilateral. This is because you will only be utilising one kettlebell. When you are moving the kettlebell around on one side, you will be working your core stability and strength – big time.

Enhanced Body Awareness And Coordination

Kettlebell movements are incredibly dynamic. You will be swinging these pieces of equipment around – above you, to your side, in between your legs as well as side to side.

This will necessitate that you are totally aware of your body. This focus and mind-to-muscle connection will develop so leading you to enhanced proprioception, in other words,  coordination and the sense of movement of your body and its parts.

This is very different than the conventional training with barbells or weight machines because the movements are linear as well as less dynamic.

It’s very important to build your sense of movement (aka proprioception or kinesthetics). This skill will carry over into enhancements in your fitness and life. It’s definitely a very important aspect of athleticism.

These are all incredibly important reasons why athletes train with kettlebells. Athletes require core power to:

  • Explode through opponents,
  • Quickly change or move in a number of different directions without risking injury (twisting, turning, accelerating or decelerating), and
  • Handle loads as well as pressure from one side while staying upright (think a running back suffering a hit on one side throughout a play).

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Kettlebell training offers a dynamic method of accomplishing these important physical capabilities. Want to learn more about kettlebell training? Have a look at what our Kettlebell Course has to offer.

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What Are The Advantages Of Chair Exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-advantages-of-chair-exercises/ Wed, 07 Oct 2020 05:00:14 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20288 Believe it or not, you can get an effective exercise workout from a chair. Whether this is from your office, the comfort of your own home or in a classroom format, chair exercises are a fantastic, low-impact way that you can incorporate movement into your routine. Most individuals can burn between 120 and 250 calories...

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Believe it or not, you can get an effective exercise workout from a chair. Whether this is from your office, the comfort of your own home or in a classroom format, chair exercises are a fantastic, low-impact way that you can incorporate movement into your routine.

Most individuals can burn between 120 and 250 calories in a 32-minute workout session. With weights or (alternatively) resistance bands, the calorie burn is even more. In addition, most adults should get between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity each week. They should be doing strength and flexibility exercises between two and three times a week.

Chair exercises can help you attain this goal. The great thing is that they’re also a tool which you can use in order to alleviate some cramps as well as aches. Busy parents who are struggling in order to find a balance can use chair exercises to get a quick workout in.

Chair exercises have the ability to:

  • Tone muscles,
  • Improve cardiovascular fitness, and
  • Burn calories.

Popular chair exercise programmes are aimed at populations who may not be able to exercise in more traditional ways.

How Can Chair Exercises Help To Improve Health?

Chair exercises offer an exceptional option for seniors – or those with limited ability – to participate in exercise at their own tempo as well as level of exertion. The idea is to begin slowly and then gradually build up the routine as needed.

Increased physical fitness can help with improving:

  • Muscle strength,
  • Coordination, as well as
  • Confidence.

A balanced workout is suggested, which means that it is a good idea to choose at least one exercise which targets each of the major muscle groups.

Muscle groups to concentrate on, include:

  • Legs,
  • Back,
  • Chest,
  • Core,
  • Triceps,
  • Biceps, and
  • Core

By concentrating on each muscle group, it assists with developing good balance and coordination for the entire body.

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Preparations Needed For Chair Exercises

These gentle seated exercises will help with improving your mobility, preventing falls and can even be done at home. Don’t worry if you’ve not done much for a while – these seated exercises are gentle and easy to follow.

For these exercises, select a solid, stable chair that doesn’t have wheels. You should have the ability to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent at right angles. Avoid chairs with arms as these will hamper your movement.

Wear loose and comfortable clothing. In addition, keep some water handy. Build up slowly and then aim to increase the reps of each exercise gradually over time.

 

Chair Exercises Which You Can Do At Home Or At The Office

Leg lift and twist

This exercise works your quadriceps and abdominal muscles.

Sit up straight on the side of your chair with your knees bent. Stretch your right leg out straight with your foot on the floor. Have your arms crossed over your chest. Pull in your abdominal muscles and then rotate your torso to the right as you are lifting your right leg to be level with your left knee. Squeeze your knees together while exhaling. Return to your starting position while inhaling for 20 reps. Repeat the movement on the opposite side.

Seated Bicep Curl

Sit on the edge of a chair. Hold two dumbbells down at your sides and have your palms facing forward. Slowly lift up the dumbbells up just past your chest and then towards your shoulders. At the apex of the exercise, pause for a second in order to squeeze your bicep muscles. Slowly return to your starting position. Repeat for 12 reps.

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If you are super keen to learn more about how exercises can be adapted to suit everyone’s needs then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Fitness Academy- Personal Trainer

 

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How To Overcome Depression With Life Coaching https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-to-overcome-depression-with-life-coaching/ Tue, 06 Oct 2020 05:05:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20275 A lot of us will feel down from time to time. This is a normal part of life. In addition, it’s a part of what is it that makes us human. However, for some, feeling down can turn into something bigger. It can lead to a continuous feeling of despair or inadequacy. This, in turn,...

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A lot of us will feel down from time to time. This is a normal part of life. In addition, it’s a part of what is it that makes us human. However, for some, feeling down can turn into something bigger. It can lead to a continuous feeling of despair or inadequacy. This, in turn, may result in depression.

What Is Depression?

The term ‘depression’ refers to a condition which requires professional assistance (from a psychiatrist or life coach) and/or medication in order to treat. If you are living with depression, you will already know how devastating the symptoms can be. If left untouched, it could become very serious.

It’s essential to seek help from a medical professional or life coach if you think that you’re suffering from depression. If your doctor diagnoses you as suffering from depression, there are a number of treatment options you can try, including psychotherapy, life coaching and antidepressant medication.

What Is Life Coaching?

The term ‘life coaching’ refers to a practice in which a life coach assists their clients to attain their goals in life by making use of the following methods:

  • Regular discussion, and
  • Empowering them to make progress towards their goals.

This is done using a holistic approach which takes all aspects of the client’s lives into account.

During life coaching sessions, coaches will look for ways to empower their clients in order to overcome any obstacle which is standing in the path of their goals. Obstacles can be entrenched in the psychology of the client, for example their self-confidence or these may be related to lifestyle, such as diet.

Personal coaching (which is not to be confused with mentoring) is a continuing, one-on-one training programme in which the life coach works closely together with their client in order to work on implementing strategies which will finally assist the client with transforming their lives and enjoying fulfilment as their reach their personal goals, whether it be in:

  • Seeking out a work-life balance, or
  • Fulfilling their personal strengths, as well as
  • Discovering the possibilities of their life as a whole.

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Turn Negative Thinking To Positive Thinking With Life Coaching

Overgeneralisation

Frequently someone who is depressed will adopt negative thinking patterns which keep them trapped in a bad mood. These negative thinking patterns may be the result of over-generalisation.  For instance, the person thinks that since they have had a single negative experience, they will experience the same thing in the future.

Mental Filter

Another very common pattern of negative thinking is using a mental filter. This is when someone only notices what went wrong but ignores what went right.

Emotional Reasoning

Another negative thinking pattern is emotional reasoning, which is to believe that what you feel is actually the reality without evidence.

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Are you keen to learn more about how to help people turn negative thinking into positive thinking – and help them to overcome the symptoms of depression? If you are then a career as a life coach could be just what the doctor ordered! For more information about how to make yourself into a life coach with us, please follow this link.

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Why Cardio and Strength Training Are Both Equally Important https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-cardio-and-strength-training-are-both-equally-important/ Mon, 05 Oct 2020 05:05:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20259 Attempting to find a workout routine which fits snugly into your already-packed schedule may be challenging. When confronted with this dilemma, many of us try to solve the problem by choosing either cardio or strength training. And not without precedent — even from inside the fitness world, you have individuals who swear by cardio and...

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Attempting to find a workout routine which fits snugly into your already-packed schedule may be challenging. When confronted with this dilemma, many of us try to solve the problem by choosing either cardio or strength training. And not without precedent — even from inside the fitness world, you have individuals who swear by cardio and those who absolutely adore pumping weights. The truth is that fitness is all about balance. You require a balanced diet as well as a balanced workout. This is why both types of training are important. In addition, the best workout programmes include a dose of strength in addition to a dose of cardio.

It’s easy to be attracted to one type of exercise as we find it fun or convenient. And then, when we feel like we’re suitably challenged, there’s no need to look beyond, right? Well, no. There’s a place for cardio and strength training in your workout routine.

When It’s Time For Cardio

The best way in order to evaluate if it’s time for a bit of slow, steady cardio work is when you’re feeling the notorious DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). In addition, your fitness watch can help you to programme your workouts and ensure you fully recover between hard cardio or strength sessions.

Learn the best way of listening to the signals that your body is giving you. Then, check what your fitness watch is suggesting. Then, alter the intensity of your workouts accordingly. There’s no point in leaping into a HIIT exercise session post-weights, or even the day after lifting, if your muscles are feeling sore as well as too fatigued. Instead, why not jump on your treadmill and maintain a pace which doesn’t get your heart rate into the orange-red zone (85-100% maximum intensity)?

Your fitness goals are paramount in determining the best time to perform cardio or strength, and the time-lapse between them is important.

What Strength Training Does For You

Most obviously, strength training makes you stronger. This means that you’re better able to lift weights. However, getting stronger also means building strength resources to do better in other sports. For example, strong legs to help you to run up hills. It also means you’ll be stronger in day-to-day life. Chores – such as carrying groceries or raking up leaves – will feel easier.

Our muscle mass reduces with age however the more muscle that you have to begin with, the better off you will be. There’s no such excuse as “too old” to train. Actually, the older you are the more critical it is.) Loss of muscle, which is called sarcopenia, contributes to the probability of falls and fractures. Exercise slows, and can possibly reverse that loss.

Strength training also assists with bone health and joint flexibility. People who perform strength training also tend to have better balance and may have an easier time controlling their weight.

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To gain a thorough grounding in both strength and cardiovascular training, we strongly suggest that you do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Become More Flexible? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-become-more-flexible/ Mon, 05 Oct 2020 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20255 Stretching might not be the most interesting part of working out and exercising, however, doing flexibility work is equally important for a well-rounded fitness routine as strength as well as cardio work. Including some stretching exercises into your exercise schedule will assist you with improving flexibility, reducing tightness and, eventually, make your workouts more efficient...

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Stretching might not be the most interesting part of working out and exercising, however, doing flexibility work is equally important for a well-rounded fitness routine as strength as well as cardio work. Including some stretching exercises into your exercise schedule will assist you with improving flexibility, reducing tightness and, eventually, make your workouts more efficient as well as safe.

Tight muscles may cause unnecessary strain on the neighbouring joints during normal day-to-day function, or they themselves can become injured. As we become older, our muscles become shorter and less elastic. Shortened muscles make it increasingly more difficult to move your joints through their full range of motion. This means that we need to take an active part in maintaining as well as improving the length of our muscles so we are able to continue to enjoy our abilities without pain.

The Benefits Of Being Flexible

Maintaining flexibility – which simply means how much and with how much ease you can move your joints—can assist with:

  • Improving your balance and stability,
  • Preventing aches and pains, and
  • Reducing your risk of injuries such as sprained ankles and pulled muscles.

As loss of flexibility often takes place gradually, you may not notice it until it’s significant. However, one common sign of decreased flexibility is stiffness. This may be particularly noticeable in the morning:

  • When changing position from sitting or lying down to standing, or
  • While doing movements such as reaching for a glass on a very high shelf or turning your neck to look over your shoulder.

You could also experience a rise in minor injuries, such as pulled muscles, or feel less steady overall.

Luckily, improving your flexibility and mobility isn’t difficult. It just takes a little bit of time. Try adding the stretches for flexibility to assist with relieving muscle tension and increasing mobility so that you are able to move through both the gym and life with increasing ease.

Stretches To Help You Become More Flexible

Standing Hamstring Stretch

Stand up tall and have your feet hip-width apart, your knees slightly bent and your arms by your sides. Exhale deeply as you bend forward at the hips. Lower your head towards the floor while keeping your head, neck and as well as shoulders relaxed.

Wrapping your arms across the backs of your legs, hold somewhere from 45 seconds to two minutes. Bend your knees and then roll up when you’re done. The standing hamstring stretch stretches your neck, back, glutes, hamstrings as well as calves.

Back Stretch

Sit in a high-backed chair with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart. Bend over from your hips, attempting to bend as far forward as you can. As you do this, relax your neck and then slide your hands down your legs towards your ankles. Hold for at least half a minute. Straighten up to a sitting position. Repeat between three and five times.

Quad Stretch

Stretching your quads can assist with back pain, knee pain, all-round posture and not to mention improving your performance while working out. This stretch can be done while lying down or standing up, depending upon your preference as well as where you are.

Take hold of one of your ankles and bend your knee till you feel a stretch in the front of your thigh. Ensure you aren’t arching your back. It helps to hold your ab muscles in deliberately and push your hips forward as this will give you an additional hip flexor stretch as well. Maintain the stretch for between two and three seconds before releasing slightly and doing it again. Repeat between 10 and 12 times and then switch legs.

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Keen on learning more about flexibility training? If you are then you need to become a  personal trainer with us! Follow this link to find out how you can do this.

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How To Use A Medicine Ball Correctly https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-a-medicine-ball-correctly/ Fri, 02 Oct 2020 05:05:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20249 Just like everything else, different kinds of gym equipment come into and out of fashion. However, most of them never cease to be effective tools for improving your fitness. The medicine ball is a great example of something that has been sitting in gyms for more than a century, going between fame and obscurity. However,...

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Just like everything else, different kinds of gym equipment come into and out of fashion. However, most of them never cease to be effective tools for improving your fitness. The medicine ball is a great example of something that has been sitting in gyms for more than a century, going between fame and obscurity.

However, throughout all of this time, it has remained just as useful bit of gym gear. For one, chucking a medicine ball around may lead to stronger joints, particularly the rather injury-prone shoulder joints. In a survey of handball players, which was published in the Journal Of Strength & Conditioning Research, adding six weeks of medicine ball throws to routine training improved isokinetic strength around the rotator cuff in addition to throwing velocity. The players in the study also profited from improved bench-rep scores and upper-body hypertrophy when they incorporated resistance training alongside their throws.

Available in varying sizes as well as weights (some up to 68 kg), these weighted spheres can assist with improving muscular power in addition to sports performance. Medicine balls can be thrown and caught which makes for explosive movements that can improve overall athletic ability.

Most of us know that a stability ball is a phenomenal way to exercise every part of your body, including your:

  • Abs,
  • Hips, as well as
  • Thighs

Utilising a ball – whether you’re doing crunches, push-ups or using it as a weight bench – targets your abs, back and stabiliser muscles for a more dynamic workout. But what about performing these movements with a medicine ball?

How To Use A Medicine Ball

When selecting a weight, pick a ball that’s heavy enough to slow down the motion, slower than if you weren’t utilising any weight at all. Make sure that it’s not so heavy that your control, accuracy, or range of motion (or the person who is exercising next to you!) takes a hit. For each move, aim for between 10 and 15 reps — or as many that you can do with good form.

Like a stability ball, utilising a medicine ball requires a lot of work from your abs and back. This means that you must choose a weight which you can handle, usually between 1 and 4.5kg. The most movements start at the core so without strong muscles, you risk getting injured as well as looking silly in the gym. Making use of a medicine ball can help you train those trunk muscles the way that they work during daily activities and not just at the gym.

The fabulous thing about medicine ball training is that it can be aerobic and anaerobic (tossing the ball backwards and forwards) or you can utilise it as a strength training tool (as in medicine ball crunches).

Often, the most effective way to make sure that things are kept interesting is to change up your workout routine by introducing something different and medicine ball exercises are the ideal way to do this! Just remember that it is so important to balance your training days with rest days in order to ensure that your body recovers properly. This means that if you would like to use medicine balls as a full-body workout, it could mean swapping out one of your scheduled workouts for the week with a medicine ball routine.

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Medicine balls are an amazing addition to any workout. Want to learn more about exercises that you can add to your routine? Have a squiz at our Personal Training Diploma. As the gold standard in fitness education, you’ll know all that you need to know about becoming a world-class personal trainer.

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How Restart Your Workout Routine? Learn more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-restart-your-workout-routine-learn-more/ Fri, 02 Oct 2020 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20244 If you’ve taken some time out from working out – whether it is because of illness or injury or if life just got in the way — you could feel overwhelmed with the prospect of getting back into a fitness routine. After all, it may feel frustrating to get your body and your mind used...

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If you’ve taken some time out from working out – whether it is because of illness or injury or if life just got in the way — you could feel overwhelmed with the prospect of getting back into a fitness routine. After all, it may feel frustrating to get your body and your mind used to the regular workout routine after a long break.

Make sure that you keep at the top of your mind the fact that your level of progression is mainly based on:

  • Your total time off,
  • The cause for the break (surgery, work, children), in addition to
  • Your level of fitness prior to it.

Return to a workout routine in a progressive manner. If you begin by placing too big of a stress on your body, you run the risk of injury and a fast regression backwards. Being so sore the following day, that you are hobbling down the stairs, does not show that you’ve had a great workout.

Start With Flexibility Training

Your initial progressive step forward needs to be incorporating a couple of days of flexibility workouts in order to enhance blood flow as well as circulation while helping with a range of motion in addition to joint mobility.

Flexibility is one of the most neglected protocols of fitness routines. Creating these protocols early on will allow your body to readjust properly to the new demands that you will be placing on it. If you have access to gym or personal trainer, sign up for a flexibility or beginner yoga class.

Take Your Time With Getting Back Into A Workout Routine

Just a short amount of time not training at the gym can undo some of the health gains you’ve made. A study published in 2015 in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine found that taking a break from physical activity for a mere two weeks could result in a rather substantial reduction of muscle strength and mass. In addition, it could take even longer to gain it back.

It’s about taking a metered approach which starts with just a few minutes a day of cardio and then works up to longer workout routines that incorporate weights. Ultimately, a healthy adult should be working their way toward 150 minutes of exercise a week.

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Add Easy Cardio

Depending on your schedule as well as time commitments, try to incorporate light cardiorespiratory workouts after a couple stretching or yoga sessions. If the weather permits, a brisk 20-minute outdoor walk will help invigorate your mind and get your body moving again.

The treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike are great indoor alternatives. If you had a well-established fitness base prior to a month-long break, your first week may include light jogging as opposed to walking.

While some individuals are excited at the prospect of going back into the gym, it’s also OK to feel a little overwhelmed. Remember to start slowly and ease into things with easy workout routines.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

The main thing that will be important when getting back to gym is motivation to do so. This is what a personal trainer can help you with. For more information on how to become a personal trainer yourself, please follow this link.

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How To Make Walking More Of An Intense Workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-make-walking-more-of-an-intense-workout/ Thu, 01 Oct 2020 05:05:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20204 Walking is a great way to exercise. It can assist with getting your heart rate up, keeping you energised as well as even improving your mood. However, sticking with exactly the same walking routine – day after day – can begin to feel monotonous. Worse still, if your body becomes too familiar with your workout,...

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Walking is a great way to exercise. It can assist with getting your heart rate up, keeping you energised as well as even improving your mood. However, sticking with exactly the same walking routine – day after day – can begin to feel monotonous. Worse still, if your body becomes too familiar with your workout, you’ll begin to see fewer results. Altering your workout can not only help you to challenge yourself further, but it can also avoid boredom and keep you energised as well as excited to get walking and stay walking.

To really get the greatest benefit out of your walking workouts, you’ll want to add a lot more movements to this. Extra movements can assist with making walking workouts more powerful. They can get your entire body working. As a result, your fitness will improve more rapidly. Walking workouts have their place. For individuals whose physical fitness does not allow them to run, walking offers a low-impact workout which can be completed virtually anywhere.

Sadly, walking is restricted in its ability to improve other areas of fitness. To work total fitness, a person must engage in mobility work as well as resistance training.

Be Shrewd With Your Warmup

You may not feel that you should warm up before a walk, however, a warm-up is a fantastic time to prepare your body for your walk as well as any other exercises which you add-in. These warm-ups will allow you the opportunity to demand a little bit more from your body.

A phenomenal way to warm up the body before walking is to perform a couple of core exercises which will help to improve your lower back as well as upper-body mobility. Standing core exercises will assist with improving balance and dynamic stability.

Walk Uphill

Walking uphill has to be one of the simplest ways of adding an incline to your walk. By walking on an incline, you can meaningfully increase the calorie expenditure of every single minute of your walking workout. The higher the incline is, the more you challenge the muscles in your core as well as lower body.

Thus, the higher the incline and the more frequently you walk on an incline, the faster you’ll see results. Not only will incline walking assist with speeding up weight loss, but it will also help with toning and tightening your glutes and core.

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Mix In Resistance Training

Adding resistance training such as utilising dumbbells in order to do strength‐training exercises either during your walking workout or immediately before or after – can speed results in a number of ways.

Strength‐training exercises assist with building and strengthening muscle. The more muscle mass which you have, the higher your metabolism will be. This causes you to burn increased numbers of calories throughout the day.

As well, strengthening muscle assists with toning and tightening areas of the body such as the thighs and core. This practice will help you to lose centimetres. And finally, adding resistance training into your workouts increases the intensity of your exercise routine, which means that you burn increased numbers of calories during the duration of your workout so maximising your weight‐loss efforts.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover additional information about how to make exercise work for you then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.

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What Must You Eat To Recover After Cycling? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-must-you-eat-to-recover-after-cycling/ Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:00:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20142 After a long cycle, you need to refuel your body to assist in recovery and replenish the glycogen needed to power your exercise – especially if this is something that you do daily. It would be best if you replenished your glycogen stores using glucose to keep you going. It’s recommended that you refuel on...

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After a long cycle, you need to refuel your body to assist in recovery and replenish the glycogen needed to power your exercise – especially if this is something that you do daily. It would be best if you replenished your glycogen stores using glucose to keep you going. It’s recommended that you refuel on carbohydrates 30 – 60 minutes after your session. This allows the body to transform glucose into glycogen.

Another helpful nutrient to consume after a ride is protein, which is important for repairing, strengthening and facilitating the growth of tissue that may be broken down during the exercise process. We also cannot forget the importance of adequate hydration.

What Should You Be Eating After A Gruelling Ride?

A Sports Recovery Drink

While water is a great source of rehydration, your body also needs to replenish its glycogen stores and refuel the carbohydrates in your system. This is a great option for immediately after your exercise. Fruit and vegetable juices will also be sufficient.

Chocolate Milkshake

Not only is it a tasty treat, but it also provides the perfect carbohydrate to protein ratio. It’s also a convenient and quick way to refuel.

Sports Bars

Another quick and convenient option that can be used during a ride as well as after. They’re high in protein and carbohydrates and can curb any unhealthy cravings after a long ride.

Chicken

Lean protein helps your body recover and repair itself between exercises. One hundred grams of chicken equates to 19 grams of protein. Chicken also contains omega-3 and important amino acids which will help you durn protein into lean muscle. Carb-rich foods act as a great recovery meal.

White Rice

The carbohydrates in rice provide glycogen a lot faster than brown rice and is an essential nutrient after any vigorous activity. It’s a simple carbohydrate with a high glycaemic index.

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Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to reduce muscle inflammation after exercising. It also lowers the presence of prostaglandin in the body, which is responsible for inflammation. The lean protein also contains vitamins D, B6 and B12, which boosts energy and promotes quicker recovery.

Toasty Eggs

The protein on eggs, paired with the carbohydrates from bread, are a great post-workout meal. Opt for scrambled or poached eggs as they’re the healthier option and can be made before your ride to enjoy immediately after.

Sweet Potatoes

This complex carbohydrate restores glycogen levels and is also rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and manganese.

Dry Fruits And Nuts

These quick and easy snacks are great to eat after a ride before making a meal. They’re easily digestible, quickly boost your body’s energy levels and replenish your glycogen levels.

Peanut Butter

You can eat it on just about any carb after a ride, giving you the ideal protein to carb ratio. Natural peanut kinds of butter are a better option as they contain lower levels of cholesterol.

The first step to post-exercise recovery is a proper, nutritional meal. Reloading on protein and carbohydrates will assist your body in recovering and repairing itself while staying hydrated will keep you going for longer.

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To learn more about sports nutrition, then you should do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Health Gains Of Goji Berries? Find out in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-health-gains-of-goji-berries-find-out-in-this-article/ Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20084 These Chinese native berries are superfruits packed with antioxidants and are able to reduce the effects of ageing. Research has found that ingesting these berries can increase brain activity, fight cancer, treat diabetes and promote overall wellness. 10 Benefits Of Eating Goji Berries Treating diabetes: Goji berries have been found to lower blood sugar levels...

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These Chinese native berries are superfruits packed with antioxidants and are able to reduce the effects of ageing. Research has found that ingesting these berries can increase brain activity, fight cancer, treat diabetes and promote overall wellness.

10 Benefits Of Eating Goji Berries

Treating diabetes: Goji berries have been found to lower blood sugar levels as they contain polysaccharides. These berries have also been found to assist in treating type 2 diabetes.

Fighting cancer: Treatment has been found to be more effective when patients consume goji berries as they contain physalin. The polysaccharides present in the fruit are also known to result in cancer cell death., more particularly when it comes to cancer of the prostate, stomach and colon.

Weight loss: The high calorie, high nutrient make up of goji berries can supplement a weight loss plan and diet. Their low glycemic index reduces sugar cravings and promotes weight loss while their fibre content will help keep you fuller for longer and increased energy released throughout the day.

Blood pressure regulation: For centuries, goji berries have been used in Chinese medications to regulate blood pressure levels and prevent disease that may arise as a result of irregular blood pressure levels. The polysaccharides that they contain is said to be anti-hypertensive.

Improve eyesight: Goji berries are rich in the antioxidant zeaxanthin that are beneficial to the eyes as they prevent damage due to UV exposure as well as other forms of oxidative stress. It is also a natural alternative to treating glaucoma.

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Improve lung health: When used for a month, goji berries have been found to reduce lung inflammation and promote white blood cell development and activity. It can also assist in treating asthma.

Promote sexual health: Research has found that consuming goji berries can increase testosterone levels in men and can work as a remedy for erectile dysfunction.

Fight depression: Goji berries contain vitamins C and B as well as fibre and manganese, which have been found to increase energy and improve mood. Traditional Chinese medications have used these berries to treat anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.

Liver detox: When used in conjunction with Ganoderma and liquorice, goji berries can be used to perform liver cleanses. Not only is it beneficial to the liver and kidneys, but it also promotes vitality and strength. In some instances, it can be utilised to treat kidney stones, but you should speak to your doctor before doing so.

Pain management: The anti-inflammatory properties of goji berries can assist in reducing muscle and joint pain.

This is in no way a complete list of the benefits of goji berries, nor does it guarantee that everyone will experience the same success when consuming goji berries. If you are taking goji berries to mitigate symptoms of illnesses and disorders, please consult your doctor to ensure that it will be able to meet your expectations and not interact with any of the medication which you are currently taking. If you suffer from allergies, it is advised that you stay away from goji berries until you are able to get the green light from your doctor.

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Our Specialised Nutrition Course will teach you all that you need to know about the health benefits of different foods. For more information about this nutrition course, please follow this link.

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Pilates Workout Essentials for your Exercise Sessions https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-workout-essentials-for-your-exercise-sessions/ Fri, 25 Sep 2020 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20080 There are many advantages to Pilates, from increased flexibility and strength and better overall balance and stability to improved mental health and a connectedness to the body. However, one of the biggest advantages of this workout is that you can do it anywhere and you do not need any equipment to perform basic workouts. That...

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There are many advantages to Pilates, from increased flexibility and strength and better overall balance and stability to improved mental health and a connectedness to the body. However, one of the biggest advantages of this workout is that you can do it anywhere and you do not need any equipment to perform basic workouts.

That being said, if you are a Pilates enthusiast over time, you might want to up your game and improve your experience and progress. In this case, you might be on the lookout for some equipment that will allow you to perform new moves and change up your normal practice. Whether you are looking for one piece to boost your home workout or wanting to set yourself up with a full home Pilates studio, here are our Pilates workout essentials:

  1. A Good Mat

This is the one piece of equipment that everyone who does Pilates will have, as it cushions your body from the floor and prevents injury. It is definitely worthwhile to invest in a quality mat that is thick enough to cushion and support you. Do your research into how long your mat lasts, how liable it is to shed or break, and how reliable its non-slip abilities are. Your mat plays a large role in your balance, support, and confidence when performing moves – so make sure that you will feel relaxed moving on it regularly.

  1. A Foam Roller

This a great addition for your home, whether you workout there or at a gym. It is the perfect reminder and encouragement to stretch properly throughout the week. The foam roller allows you to stretch muscles more deeply than when unsupported and can give you much improved results in the long run.

  1. A Pilates Magic Ring

If you are looking to boost your Pilates experience to another level, the Pilates magic ring is the best way to do so. Designed for Pilates, it allows you to do the moves with added resistance and therefore helps to improve your strength overall. There are a variety of magic rings available on the market, so make sure to do your research in order to find out which one is right for you.

 

  1. Quality Clothing

Pilates involves a lot of stretching and movement. If you feel uncomfortable or restricted by your clothing, you will find it harder to perform to the best of your ability. Many people also report feeling more inspired to work out when they have workout clothes that are beautiful and confidence-boosting. A properly fitting sports bra or workout top, as well as high waisted leggings, will help you to feel your best to perform at the best of your ability.

There are countless other things which you can add into your routine to boost your workouts, such as resistance bands, exercise balls, or even a reformer Pilates machine! However, the beauty of Pilates lies in its ability to be adjusted as little or as much as you like. You can begin by adding one or two pieces of equipment in and add more later if you want to, or you can keep it simple with just a quality mat and comfortable, supportive clothing.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If Pilates is something that you want to do regularly, then you may want to consider becoming a Pilates Instructor. For more info. about how to achieve this dream and make it a reality, please follow this link.

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How to Strengthen your Knees with Pilates? Read this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-strengthen-your-knees-with-pilates-read-this-article/ Fri, 25 Sep 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20076 Pilates has always been considered a great workout for those with joint pain or problems, not just because it is low impact but because it helps you to build joint strength and balance. Knee problems are a relatively common problem for many people across the globe and it can be difficult to build strength in...

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Pilates has always been considered a great workout for those with joint pain or problems, not just because it is low impact but because it helps you to build joint strength and balance. Knee problems are a relatively common problem for many people across the globe and it can be difficult to build strength in these joints without causing pain.

However, Pilates can be the perfect way to build strength in your knees without causing straining or injury as you do so. When performing the moves below, designed to help you to build knee strength, the most important thing to remember is your alignment.

To prevent potential injury pay attention to the alignment of your hips, knees, and ankle joints – as this will ensure that you are not placing strain on one joint over another. It is also essential to stretch before as well as after a workout, performing a proper warm-up and cool down. All of these moves are easy to perform and the only equipment that you will need is a mat.

Squat

The squat is a movement that will help you to work on your alignment. Focus on keeping your hips equal distance apart, and keeping your knees above your ankles.

  • From standing, feet hip-width apart, bend your knees and lower your pelvis to a seated position. Keep your back long and straight. Engage your thighs to hold yourself in the position for a few seconds before straightening back to standing.

Hip Bridge

This position is useful for building and strengthening the muscles around your knees, as well as other muscle groups throughout your body.

  • Lying supine, your feet on the floor knees bent upwards, hip-width apart. Ensure that your knees are aligned over your ankles. Rest your arms at your sides and keep your head resting comfortably on the floor. Press down on your heels, engage your thighs, and lift your hips upwards to create a line from your knees to your hips. Keep your head as well as your shoulders on the floor. Slowly lower yourself back to the mat.

Straight Leg Raises

This helps to strengthen your leg muscles and those around your knees.

  • Lie on your back, legs outstretched, and rest yourself on your elbows. Bend one leg up and place your foot flat on the floor. Flex the toes on your other foot and lift it slowly upward about 30 degrees, before returning it to the floor. Move slowly and deliberately, focusing on engaging the muscles in your legs. Repeat on the other leg.

The Clamshell

This move is a dynamic way to strengthen your joints and work on alignment.

  • Lying on your right side, stretch out your right arm and rest your head on it. Use your left hand to support your body by placing it firmly on the ground in front of you. Engage your core and bend both knees inwards. Paying attention to the alignment of your hips and knees slowly lift and lower the top knee. Repeat on the other side.

If you are experiencing pain when moving or working out, you should seek medical advice from your doctor prior to taking part in a new exercise regimen.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to start practising Pilates for rehabilitative purposes, then why no bypass the class itself and become a Pilates Instructor? This will give you the tools that you require to perform Pilates safely. For more information about becoming a Pilates Instructor, please follow this link.

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What Pilates Workout will Target your Obliques? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-pilates-workout-will-target-your-obliques/ Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:05:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20065 While you have probably heard many times before that Pilates will help you to create strong abs and an overall strengthened core, you might have struggled to figure out how it (or any other workout) can help to target your obliques. Oblique are the muscles that run along your sides from the bottom of your...

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While you have probably heard many times before that Pilates will help you to create strong abs and an overall strengthened core, you might have struggled to figure out how it (or any other workout) can help to target your obliques. Oblique are the muscles that run along your sides from the bottom of your ribs to the top of your hips.

There are actually two sets of oblique muscles, the internal and the external, that run in opposite diagonals to one another. They are engaged when you twist your body and when you bend sideways. They are also notoriously hard to work out, but when you learn how to engage them and work on them, you will see a huge improvement in the tightness of your core and the shape of your waist. Here are a few Pilates workouts that can help you to target those oblique muscles:

Criss Cross

This is a commonly used move that you might have come across before, but you might not have realised how useful it is for engaging your obliques.

  • Starting on your back place your hands behind your head with your elbows stretched out wide.
  • Raise your legs off the ground while making sure that your knees remain bent in a tabletop position.
  • With your head and chest slightly lifted pull in your right knee towards your left elbow as you twist your upper body to meet it. Keep your elbows wide throughout this. Repeat on the other side.

Side Plank With Hip Dips

This move is fantastic for the obliques, as well as the back and other ab muscles. It also helps to improve stability and can be easily adjusted according to skill or fitness level.

  • Lie down on one side and then prop yourself up onto your elbow, palm flat into the ground.
  • Stack your feet on top of one another (or bend your knees for more support).
  • Lift your hips off the floor and raise your free hand for balance.
  • Gradually lower yourself back to the floor and repeat for 10 reps. Repeat on the other side.

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Curl Ups With Twist

This move is a great core exercise and adding the twist really targets your oblique muscles.

  • Lie supine with your knees bent while your feet are flat on the floor.
  • With your arms on the back of your neck (elbows out the sides) or using a small weight, curl your body up while keeping your lower back pressed into the mat and twist to one side.
  • Maintain for a few seconds before you lower back down. Repeat on the other side.

These exercises will help to target your oblique muscles, helping you to tone and strengthen your waist. This will help to slim your waist and assist in building deeper core strength, that will improve your overall ability to perform in your daily workout routine.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Pilates exercises target far more muscles than just your obliques – it’s a full-body workout! To learn more about this exercise form, you need to become a Pilates Instructor. For more information on how to do this, please follow this link.

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The Upper-Body Pilates Workout Designed to Advance Your Practice https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-upper-body-pilates-workout-designed-to-advance-your-practice/ Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=20060 While you will often read about how Pilates will help you to achieve incredibly strong core muscles, it can also be extremely beneficial to other areas of your body. If you are a regular Pilates enthusiast, you might experience a bit of a plateau in progress after a while, and this might be because you...

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While you will often read about how Pilates will help you to achieve incredibly strong core muscles, it can also be extremely beneficial to other areas of your body. If you are a regular Pilates enthusiast, you might experience a bit of a plateau in progress after a while, and this might be because you are focussing too much on one area of the body or because you have not been pushing yourself into trying new moves.

One area which is commonly forgotten about is the upper body. Having a strong upper body can help to improve your Pilates workouts in a big way, giving you more stability and a greater ability to perform and hold other moves. By paying a little more attention to your upper body, you might be able to take your Pilates practice to a new level. Here are a few moves that Pilates practitioners recommend for building upper body strength:

Upper-Body Pilates Workout

  1. Tricep Push-Ups

This move is designed to strengthen your triceps and back muscles, improving your overall upper body strength.

  • From a plank position, place your hands under your shoulders. Slowly lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your ribcage to engage your triceps. Keep in mind that you must make sure that your abs remain engaged as you lower yourself down, hold for a second, and then slowly raise yourself back up to a plank position. (This move can also be performed on your knees)
  1. Pilates Push Up

The Pilates push up is a bit different to the standard ones you might be used to. It allows for developing more control over your body and building overall strength alongside your upper body.

  • Start standing up at one end of your mat. Slowly roll down and walk your hands forwards into a plank position.
  • Lower yourself into a push-up, keeping your arms in at your sides.
  • Raise yourself back up again to plank, before walking your hands back towards your feet and then slowly roll your body back up to a standing position.
  1. Reverse Plank Tricep Dips

This position helps to strengthen your triceps and back.

  • Sit on the floor. Have your legs pointing straight out in front of you.
  • Keeping your thighs and ankles pressed together and toes pointed, lean back and place your hands behind you, fingers facing inwards.
  • Slowly lift your hips and body upwards into a reverse plank. Keep the rest of your body straight and breathe deeply as you hold your position, before carefully lowering yourself down to starting position.

There are many other Pilates moves work with the upper body, often involving other areas of the body as well – as Pilates is a full-body workout experience. By including some of these moves into your regular workouts, you can begin to improve your upper body strength. A strong upper body will help you to perform moves that involve lifting and holding your body weight much more easily – overall improving your ability to perform a wider range of Pilates moves.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

No matter what fitness level you are at, you can do Pilates and benefit from its therapeutic exercise principles. Keen to deepen your practice and become a Pilates instructor? Follow this link to find out more.

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A 10-Minute Pilates Workout Which Targets Your Legs & Deep Core https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/a-10-minute-pilates-workout-which-targets-your-legs-deep-core/ Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19984 One of the greatest advantages of Pilates is that it provides a full-body workout that can be done almost anywhere. You do not need any equipment for a simple practice, and even a short routine can provide an extensive and effective workout. It is well known for its ability to boost core strength and flexibility,...

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One of the greatest advantages of Pilates is that it provides a full-body workout that can be done almost anywhere. You do not need any equipment for a simple practice, and even a short routine can provide an extensive and effective workout. It is well known for its ability to boost core strength and flexibility, and it can also be very beneficial for those wanting to strengthen and slim your legs. Here is our short and simple Pilates workout that will target your legs and your core:

Workout:

Owing to the short nature of the workout try to push yourself to complete these back to back, without rest between, and focus on your form through the workout. You will not need any equipment other than a mat.

  1. Hundreds

Start by lying your back and raise your knees into a tabletop position (with your knees at a 90-degree angle). Raise your head as well as your shoulders off of the floor and extend your arms out straight towards your feet at your sides. Move your arms up and down rapidly, not letting them touch the floor while keeping your upper body raised. Breathe deeply in for five counts and out for five counts. Repeat for 10 full breaths (in and out).

  1. Leg Circles

Remain on your back and rest your arms at your sides. Place your feet on the floor with your knees bent upwards. Extend your left leg out towards the end of the mat and slowly circle your leg out to the side, down towards the ground, and then up to the sky (keeping it off the ground throughout the circle). Keep your back, head, and arms on the mat throughout the move. Circle your leg for 30 seconds before repeating with the right leg.

  1. Roll-Ups

Begin by supine on a mat, with your legs straight out, toes pointing to the sky. Squeeze your legs together tightly and flex your feet. Stretch your arms up above your head. On a deep inhale roll your body upwards into a seated position, arms stretched forward, and lean forward over your legs. Use your abs to raise your body, not your back, and remain in control of your body throughout the move. Carefully roll your body back down into the starting position. Repeat five to 10 times.

  1. Teaser

Lie on your back and then bring your knees up to your chest. Hold onto your legs under the knee and rock yourself into a sitting position with your legs bent, calves parallel to the mat, engaging your core for stability. Hold this position and carefully extend your legs until they are straight and pointing up towards the sky. Hold for a moment before bending your knees again and rolling back down to the starting position. Repeat between three and five times.

  1. Leg Lifts

Move to your hands and knees, arms under shoulders and knees under hips. Keeping your abs engaged extend your left leg out behind you, with your toes pointed. Lift your leg as high as you easily can, keeping the rest of your body aligned. Lower your leg slowly back down. Repeat between eight and 10 times on each leg.

These moves are easy to work on and can be adjusted to make them more difficult as you improve. This routine, though short, will help to build your core and strengthen your legs, improving your overall strength, balance, and flexibility.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Pilates is a superb low-impact workout that is extremely effective. If you want to deepen your practice then you should really consider becoming a Pilates instructor. For more information on how to do this, please follow this link.

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5 Simple Pilates Exercises for Lower Abs https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/5-simple-pilates-exercises-for-lower-abs/ Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19970 If you have ever tried to achieve the flat and toned abs of the workout gurus of Instagram, you will probably have noticed how difficult it is to target your lower abs. It is easy to do crunches to tone the upper abs, but it is much harder to feel the burn across your lower...

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If you have ever tried to achieve the flat and toned abs of the workout gurus of Instagram, you will probably have noticed how difficult it is to target your lower abs. It is easy to do crunches to tone the upper abs, but it is much harder to feel the burn across your lower abdominals.

However, if there was ever a workout that would be able to do it, it is Pilates. Notorious for its ability to build a stronger core, certain Pilates moves can help to target those elusive lower ab muscles and give you the core strength you have been searching for.

And the advantage of focusing on your lower abs is not just a flat stomach as those muscles are also important for helping you stabilise your back and pelvis as well as overall balance. When working your lower abs, make sure to focus on the muscles you are trying to work and take it slow and steady in order to see the best results.

5 Lower Ab Pilates exercises

  1. 90 Degree Static Press

This move is the perfect way to start off a workout as it will definitely warm up your abdominals!

  • Lying on your back with your knees lifted off the ground at a 90-degree angle keep your feet flexed towards the sky. Keep your head and shoulders pressed into the ground and press your palms onto the top of your thighs. Breathe in deeply. As you exhale engage your core and press your lower back into the floor as you press your thighs back into your hands. Hold for a second before releasing.
  1. U-Boat

This is a deceptively good move for the lower abs – don’t let the tiny movement fool you because this will engage your core intensely.

  • Sitting on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, carefully lean back and rest your body on your elbows, with your hands facing towards your body. Engage your abdominals and slowly lift your legs (keeping the knees bent) up at a 90-degree angle. Holding this position and bring your legs over to the right side. Lower the legs to the middle and then over the right (tracing a ‘u’ shape in the air).
  1. Lift and Switch

This is a fantastic move for not just the lower abs but the entire core. It may take a little practice to get good at it but you can start small and then work your way up (a great way to see the progress that you have made).

  • Start on your back with your arms resting at your sides. Cross your feet at the ankles (or press the ankles together) and, using your core, lift your legs up straight. Hold for a second before bracing your abdominal muscles and lifting your lower body and legs off the ground (keeping your head and shoulders on the ground). Pause for a second before lowering yourself back down.

  1. Jackknife

This move will help you to engage your abs and improve your control over them.

  • Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms stretched back overhead. Press your lower back into the floor. Engage your abs. Pointing your toes and engaging the muscles in your legs and glutes, lift your legs and upper body off the ground to create a ‘V’ shape. Use your core to hold the position and slowly lower yourself back down to the mat.
  1. Plank Jack

This is a dynamic move that will help you to engage your core muscles and build strength in your spine, improving alignment.

– Begin from a plank position with your hands under your shoulders, toes pressed into the floor, and core engaged to support your back. Then jump your feet in and out, like you are performing star jumps or jumping jacks in the floor. Keep in mind that you need to keep your core and glutes engaged as you move.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Pilates is an exercise that works more than just your core. If you want to learn about the other exercises which Pilates offers then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Should You Stretch More Often? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-should-you-stretch-more-often/ Mon, 21 Sep 2020 08:49:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19884 You may be thinking that it’s extremely challenging to carve out time in your schedule for exercise, let alone for stretching. However most cardio and strength-training programmes cause your muscles to tighten. That’s why it’s incredibly important to stretch regularly in order to keep your body functioning well. You may see stretching as something which...

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You may be thinking that it’s extremely challenging to carve out time in your schedule for exercise, let alone for stretching. However most cardio and strength-training programmes cause your muscles to tighten. That’s why it’s incredibly important to stretch regularly in order to keep your body functioning well.

You may see stretching as something which is done only by runners or gymnasts. However, we all need to stretch so that our mobility is protected as is our independence. A lot of individuals don’t understand that stretching has to take place on a regular basis. It should be done daily.

Why Stretching Is Important

Stretching may assist you with:

  • Improving your joint range of motion
  • Improving your athletic performance
  • Decreasing your risk of injury

Stretching makes sure that the muscles remain flexible, strong as well as healthy. We need that flexibility in order to keep a range of motion (ROM) in the joints. Without ROM, the muscles shorten and grow to be tight. And then, when you call on the muscles to be active, they are weak and not able to extend all the way. This puts you in danger for joint pain, strains as well as muscle damage.

For instance, sitting in a chair all-day-long results in tight hamstrings on the back of the thigh. That can make it much more difficult to stretch your leg or straighten out your knee all the way. This inhibits walking. Similarly, when tight muscles are abruptly called on for a vigorous activity that stretches them, such as playing tennis, they may become injured from suddenly being stretched. Injured muscles may not be strong enough in order to support the joints, which could lead to joint injury.

Regular stretching maintains muscles in a long, lean and flexible form. This means that exertion will not put too much force on the muscle itself. Healthy muscles also assist a person with balance problems so that falls are avoided.

Don’t Consider A Stretching Warmup

You could injure yourself if you stretch cold muscles so, before stretching, warm up with a stint of light walking, jogging or biking at low intensity for between five and 10 minutes. Better yet, stretch following your workout when your muscles are warm.

Think about avoiding stretching before an intense activity, for example sprinting or track and field activities. Some research makes the suggestion that pre-event stretching may actually decrease performance. In other research, the suggestion was made that stretching immediately before an event weakens the strength of hamstrings.

Also, try doing a dynamic warm-up. This involves doing movements similar to those in your sport or physical activity at a low level and then slowly increasing the speed as well as intensity as you warm up.

Strive For Symmetry

Everyone’s genetics, in terms of flexibility, are a bit different. As opposed to striving for the flexibility of a dancer or gymnast, concentrate on having equal flexibility side to side (particularly if you have a history of an earlier injury). Flexibility which is not equal on both sides could be a risk factor for injury.

Focus on key muscle groups. Concentrate your stretches on key muscle groups such as your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck as well as shoulders. Ensure that you stretch both sides. In addition, stretch muscles and joints which you routinely use.

If you have a chronic condition or, alternatively an injury, you could need to adapt your stretching techniques. For instance, if you already possess a strained muscle, stretching it may cause additional harm. Speak to your doctor or physical therapist about the most suitable way to stretch if you have any health concerns. Also keep in mind that stretching doesn’t mean you can’t get injured as  stretching, for instance, won’t prevent an overuse injury.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Our Personal Training Diploma will make you a whizz at all types of training – flexibility training included. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Lifting Weights? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-lifting-weights/ Mon, 21 Sep 2020 08:44:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19877 If you want to annihilate fat, get into shape, as well as rock everything that comes your way—both inside and outside of the gym—lifting weights is where it’s at. And experts agree with us: Heavy weightlifting is in! You can’t swing a kettlebell at the moment without hitting some workout guru, exercise programme, or book...

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If you want to annihilate fat, get into shape, as well as rock everything that comes your way—both inside and outside of the gym—lifting weights is where it’s at. And experts agree with us: Heavy weightlifting is in! You can’t swing a kettlebell at the moment without hitting some workout guru, exercise programme, or book advising people not to only lift weights but lift heavier weights.

Gone are the times when lifting weights was only for bodybuilders in addition to pro athletes. In fact, personal training experts make the recommendation that all adults should do at least two full-body strength-training workouts per week.

That’s not as we should all seek to bulging biceps or chiselled abs — despite the fact that weight-lifting can (and will) alter the appearance of your muscles. The recommendation to lift weights comes from the mix of all the benefits, from the physical (as well as very visible) to the emotional and mental (in other words, the not-so-visible).

What Is Strength Training?

Strength training — which is also known as weight or resistance training — is a physical activity that is designed to improve muscular fitness via the process of exercising a specific muscle or muscle group against external resistance. These types of external resistance include:

  • Free-weights,
  • Weight machines, or
  • Your own body weight.

The fundamental principle of strength training is to apply a load and then overload the muscle so that it needs to adapt as well as get stronger. Strength training is an essential part of your overall fitness. In addition, it benefits people of all ages, specifically those with health issues such as obesity, arthritis, or even a heart condition.

It is recommended that children as well as adolescents, who are aged between six and 17 include strength training into their every day 60 minutes of physical activity, three days per week. Adults should aim to do moderate or intense muscle-strengthening workouts that target all muscle groups two days per week.

Lifting Weights Improves Your Balance

Perhaps you would like to finally nail that one-legged yoga pose or climb and descend the stairs without feeling wobbly. No matter your fitness goal is, strength training can function to support your stability.

Many strength-training movements necessitate balance and mobility from your body. As you move in diverse planes of motion – as well as at different angles while strength training – your major muscle groups and the lesser muscles throughout your body become stronger and more stable.

Falls are the primary reason for injury-related death in adults over 65 which means that feeling stable and balanced in your body becomes increasingly important as you age.

Strength Training Is Great For Posture

Being trapped in one position all day — such as sitting at your computer — fatigues the stabiliser muscles in your torso. These play a major role in your posture. Regular strength training will assist you with moving more throughout the week, but it also assists with increasing the endurance of the muscles in your trunk which are responsible for proud posture.

If you have any health challenges, ask your doctor what kind of strength training is best to meet your requirements and abilities. You can also work with a highly skilled personal trainer who will design a strength-training programme that will be safe and efficient for you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a guru at strength training then you need to become a personal trainer with our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Enhance Your Soccer Fitness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/how-to-enhance-your-soccer-fitness/ Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:05:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19801 Few team sports around are as physically demanding as soccer is. The average professional soccer player now covers over 10km in a 90-minute match. At the moment, it’s not just about increasing lung capacity.  The pressures of the game have increased so much that being bigger, more powerful and explosive is more important than ever....

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Few team sports around are as physically demanding as soccer is. The average professional soccer player now covers over 10km in a 90-minute match. At the moment, it’s not just about increasing lung capacity.  The pressures of the game have increased so much that being bigger, more powerful and explosive is more important than ever. So if you aspire to any half-decent level of football, you’ll need to work on your stamina.

Soccer is an intense as well as a demanding sport. To be a great soccer player, it is necessary for you to be in top physical condition. While practising with a team and participating in a competitive play can up your level of fitness, it’s also important to undertake some extra conditioning on the side. By increasing your stamina, enhancing your agility in addition to fine-tuning your footwork, you’ll be able to do better during games and even stay fit during the off-season.

Although natural talent certainly plays a pivotal role in a player’s performance on the soccer field, sufficient personal training is also of the utmost importance. While it is no secret that regular gym and field drills are an absolute necessity for players, home workouts can be equally beneficial.

Up Your Cardio

Get yourself on a treadmill or, alternatively, find any open space which you can run in. Interval training is not a traditional stamina-builder however it is what you’ll find most Premier League players doing in order to help them to improve their VO2 Max, which is the maximum rate at which someone’s body is able to consume oxygen during exercise. Hitting maximum sprinting at high tempo prior to jogging, and then going all out once more, allows them to build the stamina and flourish deep into added time.

Find Your Balance

The game of soccer is really a game of balance. Being able to elude defenders, jump over tackles in addition to just controlling your own body can be a difficult challenge. By creating a strong centre of gravity and building abdominal muscles, you can increase your sense of balance and control over movements. Creating a strong mid-section will also benefit your shot. With strong abdominal muscles your shot will be much harder and travel with a greater velocity.

Don’t Forget About The Plyometrics

As agility is so vital to soccer players, plyometric drills should form a part of each exercise routine. These drills usually consist of a lot of:

  • Hopping,
  • Jumping, as well as bounding exercises.

These are aimed at improving both explosive strength as well as coordination.  Even though plyometric boxes can be purchase from any respectable sporting goods store, anyone with a knack for DIY could easily make them at home. The exercises, which involve jumping onto and over the boxes, can boost a soccer player’s performance significantly. Studies have indeed indicated that regular involvement in plyometrics can decrease ground reaction times substantially, which enables players to react to plays at a much faster rate.

Why You Need To Work On Change Of Direction

It’s all very well and good if you’re fast however if that stops at straight line speed then you’ll be confined to the wings. Every soccer player should have the capacity to change direction at any second and do so quickly, without the danger of injury and making sure that the ball is well under control.

Traditional cone drills are a simple way in order to improve a player’s agility, including slalom runs as well as shuttle runs. Don’t forget the ball, either, because the real gamechanger is being able to run as well as turn at full tilt, but still keep the ball under control.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn the ins and outs of soccer coaching? If you do, then you need to study our Soccer Coaching Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How To Do The Perfect Pull-Up https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-the-perfect-pull-up/ Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19796 One of the most baffling components about the pull-up might be explaining why—why are we caring so much about doing a pull-up in the first place? Why not just concentrate on the lat pull-down? The actual difference between these two exercises isn’t which muscles are worked — as both of these exercises focus on the...

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One of the most baffling components about the pull-up might be explaining why—why are we caring so much about doing a pull-up in the first place? Why not just concentrate on the lat pull-down? The actual difference between these two exercises isn’t which muscles are worked — as both of these exercises focus on the same muscle groups (mainly the upper back, chest, shoulders as well as biceps) — but rather how, in addition to how well, they are worked.

Simply put, a pull-down trains maximal strength (in other words, how much weight you can pull down) while the pull-up enhances relative strength (the ability to shift one’s bodyweight through a plane of motion).

What’s more, the thought of sitting at the lat pull-down machine isn’t nearly as enthralling as achieving cliff-hanger status. (Master ‘pull-uppers’ will not have anything to fear if they find themselves dangling from a ledge!)

Heroic feats aside, one study found that swimmers were able to complete more reps of the pull-down. Pull-ups as well as lat-pulls are not highly related and should not be substituted for one another in a personal training regimen.

The Challenge Of Learning The Pull-Up

Learning this move is a challenge that is worth undertaking, no matter what your fitness goals are. This is because it’s:

  • One of the basic building block exercises that can be found in the gym,
  • Beneficial for CrossFitters, bodybuilders as well as general fitness enthusiasts alike.

This is an exercise which you can do anywhere, from your gym’s pull-up bar to city construction scaffolding, to the solid tree branch in your backyard. It’s also a move which focuses in on a part of your body which you want to train aggressively: Your back. This is because strong back muscles assist with protecting your shoulders from injury. In addition, they help position your body in order to get more out of other exercises (everything from bench presses to biceps curls).

Thing is that pull-ups aren’t easy to learn, for a number of reasons:

  • First, there’s shoulder mobility, which is an area that’s a struggle for many individuals.
  • Second? You’re lifting a significant percentage of your bodyweight, and that’s just not easy.

The move also has a number of schools of thought these days, which makes  it that much more puzzling to understand from the ground up.

Pull-Up Form

Establish Your Grip

Stand under the bar and then grab it with both of your hands. Your palms need to be facing away from you with your hands shoulder-width apart. If you aren’t able to reach the bar, find a boost from a bench, stool or box. Make use of a standard overhand grip. Wrap your thumbs around the bar so that they nearly meet the tips of your fingers.

A True Pull-Up Starts In A Dead Hang                          

At the time you are hanging from the bar, your arms need to be completely extended with your core engaged as well as shoulders back. Build your strength by keeping form in mind as you pull. This will  help you to avoid swinging, kicking, and jumping. As a result, you’ll be using your muscles, not momentum, in order to master the move.

Pull (Up)

Start the actual pull by grasping the bar with your hands while at the same time engaging the muscles of your upper body as well as core. Imagine that you’re pulling your elbows down to your sides as your whole body goes toward the bar. Resist the temptation to strain your neck in an attempt to break the plane of the bar using your chin. Proceed to pull until your chin clears the bar easily. At this point, the upward stage of the pull-up is complete.

Get Down

The technique is to return to the dead-hang gradually. Keep a firm grip on the bar while at the same time letting your arms to straighten as you lower. When you return to the dead-hang, you are able to count your first rep.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover more about the correct form of exercising then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information please follow this link.

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What Are The Best Exercises To Manage Diabetes And Lower Blood Sugar? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-best-exercises-to-manage-diabetes-and-lower-blood-sugar/ Thu, 17 Sep 2020 11:31:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19778 Exercise and physical activity are highly beneficial for overall health and wellness. In addition, if you suffer type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or maybe at risk for these conditions, the benefits are even more beneficial. Regular exercise is particularly important for those living with diabetes. It’s also critically important to have a healthy meal...

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Exercise and physical activity are highly beneficial for overall health and wellness. In addition, if you suffer type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or maybe at risk for these conditions, the benefits are even more beneficial. Regular exercise is particularly important for those living with diabetes. It’s also critically important to have a healthy meal plan as well as keep your blood glucose level through the use of medications or insulin if required.

If you remain fit and active across your entire life, you can control your diabetes better and guarantee that your blood glucose level is kept in the right range. Managing your blood glucose level is essential to preventing long-term complications, such as nerve pain and kidney disease.

As well as this, exercise may assist your body with fending off illnesses by increasing immune system activity. Individuals with a chronic disease are at greater risk for developing problems should they develop illnesses. Improving your immunity with exercise, as well as managing your blood sugar, can help you stay healthy.

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

Individuals with diabetes, just like all other American adults, should aim at getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. If you’re not exercising now, don’t let this number frighten you. Any exercise outdoes no exercise at all. In addition, you can begin more slowly and ramp-up.

People with type 2 diabetes, or those who are at risk for the condition, should exercise daily. As well, they should never let more than two days go by without physical activity. Most kinds of physical activity can count as exercise, even those low-impact ones such as gardening or – alternatively – walking.

If you are walking, this means that you should walk briskly enough in order to start breaking a sweat or you begin to feel like you need to breathe more rapidly.

If you don’t have an exercise routine already in place, begin with walking because this type of physical activity is easy for people to do. All you require is a good pair of shoes as well as somewhere to go.

Walking is perhaps one of the most recommended activities for people with type 2 diabetes. Brisk walking, which is done at a pace that raises the heart rate, is considered to be a moderate-intensity exercise. Walking at a quicker pace, 30 minutes per day, five days per week will assist you with reaching the recommended goal of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.

Other types of moderate exercise include:

  • Mowing the lawn
  • Swimming
  • Playing tennis
  • Casual bike riding

For people who have diabetes — or almost any other type of disease, for that matter — the benefits of exercise cannot be overstated. Exercise assists with controlling weight, lowering blood pressure as well as harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, raising healthy HDL cholesterol, strengthening muscles and bones, reducing anxiety and improving your overall well-being. There are added advantages for people with diabetes, for example, exercise lowers blood glucose levels and boosts your body’s sensitivity to insulin, which counters insulin resistance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Are you passionate about exercise? If so, you may want to become a personal trainer. If you do, then the best way for you to do this is to do a personal training course such as the ones we offer. Read more about these here.

 

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What is the PACER fitness test? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/what-is-the-pacer-fitness-test/ Thu, 17 Sep 2020 11:22:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19777 The PACER (which stands for Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) test is a variation of the Beep Test. The PACER is part of the FitnessGram and Brockport test families. The FitnessGram PACER Test is a multistage aerobic capacity test which gradually gets more difficult as it goes on. This fitness test is a maximal aerobic...

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The PACER (which stands for Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) test is a variation of the Beep Test. The PACER is part of the FitnessGram and Brockport test families. The FitnessGram PACER Test is a multistage aerobic capacity test which gradually gets more difficult as it goes on.

This fitness test is a maximal aerobic fitness test, where those being tested run 20m shuttles at increasing speeds. The speeds as well as levels of the 20-m PACER fitness test are based on the original details of the shuttle run test which was developed by Leger. There is also a 15m PACER fitness test for use where space is limited.

The PACER fitness text is seen as being a particular effective test for younger children as it’s seen as an enjoyable activity for them. It also assists them with building up their self-esteem as the kids who finish last, or are in the least shape, essentially finish the PACER fitness test first. This helps the kids stay in shape, too, but doesn’t force them to run laps or sprint around the gym or field in order to do so.

What Equipment Is Needed For the PACER Fitness Test?

You will require the following equipment to conduct the PACER test properly:

  • Flat non-slip surface,
  • Marking cones,
  • Up to a 20m measuring tape,
  • PACER test CD,
  • CD player, as well as
  • Recording sheets.

Before the text, explain the procedures to the participants. Screen of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare the forms and record basic information such as:

  • Age,
  • Height,
  • Body weight,
  • Gender, and
  • Test conditions (indoors/outdoors, weather, running surface).

Measure and mark out the course. In addition, perform a standard warm-up.

How The PACER Fitness Test Works

To complete the PACER fitness test, you’ll be required to follow a few fundamental steps. It’s important that you follow these carefully in order to avoid putting anyone, who is completing the PACER fitness test, at risk:

  • Mark off a 20-m course which allows enough room for each participant to have sufficient space to run. Utilise the set of cones in order to distinguish a clear path for each runner.
  • Play the PACER fitness test CD for the participants. This allows them to get used to it. The CD is intended to play for one-minute as well as to keep each runner on pace.
  • Position the runners at the starting line and then press play on the CD. Each runner must then run the full 20 metres, touch the line at the end of the 20 metres with their foot and wait for the CD to beep.
  • When it does, they are able to then pace themselves and run back to the starting place. Runners then wait for the following beep before repeating the run. They keep doing this until they are unable to get to the next line before the CD beeps.
  • The beeps will start off slow, so make sure to tell them to pace themselves before attempting the PACER fitness test. Once they are unable to reach the other end before a beep twice, they are finished.
  • Every 20-metre run counts as one lap. As a runner runs, have a partner at hand to mark down each lap that he runs. Once he does not make the run before the beep, they are finished. Their total laps completed amounts to their total score. The CD contains 21 minutes or 21 levels. The highest score wins at the PACER fitness test.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

In our Personal Training Diploma, we teach students how to measure other aspects of fitness using different fitness tests. To learn more about this diploma, please follow this link.

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What Do Pilates Teachers Mean When They Say “Stretching While Strengthening”? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-do-pilates-teachers-mean-when-they-say-stretching-while-strengthening/ Wed, 16 Sep 2020 05:41:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19687 “Notice here how you’re stretching while strengthening” is a phrase that many Pilates instructors use but many students are often shy to ask what this means. What Pilates instructors mean is that rather than simply pulling a muscle longer, or making use of static leverage to stretch, we can utilise our muscles in order to...

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“Notice here how you’re stretching while strengthening” is a phrase that many Pilates instructors use but many students are often shy to ask what this means. What Pilates instructors mean is that rather than simply pulling a muscle longer, or making use of static leverage to stretch, we can utilise our muscles in order to increase range of motion and encourage balanced muscle development.

It’s incredibly important to remember that if we merely stretch a muscle, all that you get is a longer muscle. And even then, it’s often only temporary. If the muscle is pulled, it could end up less flexible. Instead, if we strengthen and stretch, we have:

  • Less painful joints,
  • Smoother muscle tone,
  • Increased strength, and
  • More range of motion.

What Is The Practical Application Of Pilates?

Improper posture can have catastrophic effects on your body, particularly when the muscle strain is extended and not addressed. Bad posture can affect ligaments tendons as well as the muscles in your back and shoulders. In some cases, this can result in discomfort due to compensatory as well as improper movement patterns and ultimately injury.

Pilates tackles this issue, which is often seen in people who work lengthy hours sitting behind a computer or those who have developed scoliosis or spinal degenerative disease over the years. By strengthening your core as well as back muscles, Pilates allows you to align your spine and shoulders properly in order to achieve an ideal posture as well as alleviate some of the stress it places on your spine.

Pilates Teaches Proper Rehabilitative Techniques

Many times, physical therapy entails having patients do exercises that they are not prepared to do, either because these are too painful or because they do not know how to execute them correctly.

Pilates fights this issue by making it a priority to teach how essential muscle alignment as well as proper body positioning are when it comes to doing exercises for rehabilitative purposes. Not understanding how to align the body in order to achieve maximum results can not only slow down the healing process but can also lead to further injury.

A Pilates class will also provide you with the mental tools that you need to become cognisant of your posture and your movements, teaching you how to recognise properly when your spine is not aligned. People who suffer from scoliosis or spinal diseases can really benefit from this sort of mental awareness.

Pilates Helps In Rehab After Knee Surgery

One of the most important advantages of Pilates is its improvement of joint mobility. This is owing to the fact that the muscles surrounding these joints are being strengthened as well as elongated with every class, which increases your range of motion in a safe manner.

Increased joint mobility lessens how stiff your joints feel. When Pilates is performed regularly and for extended periods of time, it can also help lower the risk of arthritis. In addition, this can be a great treatment or alternative for those who have undergone hip or knee-replacement surgery, allowing them to regain full control in the post surgically

Although Pilates is often linked with dancers, athletes, and younger people who are generally interested in improving their physical strength as well as flexibility, a basic version of some Pilates exercises is also being utilised in order to lower the risk of hospital-related deconditioning in older adults. A Canadian study of hospitalised patients over the age of 70 found that those who were provided with a set of Pilates exercises that could be done in bed recovered more rapidly as opposed to a control group given a set of passive range-of-motion exercises.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

As you can see, Pilates’ strengthening while stretching principle has superb benefits in rehab, amongst many other things. If you want to know how to leverage these benefits for others then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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9 Exercise Tips For Desk – Bound Workers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/general-articles/9-exercise-tips-for-desk-bound-workers/ Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19667 Working in an office for around 40 hours a week – or more when things get busy – can take its toll on your body. Between zooming between the office and home and doing household tasks – in addition to working 9 – 5 – there’s very little time to fit a workout in. You...

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Working in an office for around 40 hours a week – or more when things get busy – can take its toll on your body. Between zooming between the office and home and doing household tasks – in addition to working 9 – 5 – there’s very little time to fit a workout in.

You could, of course, wake up at crack of dawn and fit a workout in before the day begins. But that’s more than likely going to cut into your sleeping schedule, and we all know how important sleep is.

You’re Not Alone

Exercise not only boosts your fitness levels but also relieves stress and releases endorphins. While we all want to make the time for it, it’s hard to. According to research which was done recently, only one in three adults gets the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week. A study by fitness.gov also found that, in the United States, 28% of the population older than 60 years old are inactive.

Desk Exercises, Are They Even Beneficial?

Sitting behind your computer for hours upon hours at a time can take its toll on your health. In addition to this, it can impact your work performance. A research study conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Journal of Workplace Health Management reported that 60% of office-bound employees felt an improvement in their problem-solving skills, time management and ability to meet deadlines following an exercise session.

In addition to this, on exercise days 27% were able to better cope with stress while 47% felt more motivated about working.

By including exercise in your workday, it allows you to take regular breaks to improve your productivity. In addition, you could take it a step further and ask your boss to dedicate a 15-minute slot during the day for exercise. This way you’re working in a healthier environment alongside people with similar goals.

Let’s take it upon ourselves to find ways to remain active wherever we may be – no excuses. To get started, let’s take a look at nine exercises that you can do at your desk.

 

9 Desk-Friendly Exercises

Neck stretches: Sitting at your desk, slowly lower your chin and roll your head and shoulders. Slowly straighten your arms out straight in front of you, hold for a few seconds and then release. Repeat if necessary.

Wrist stretches: Extend your arms out in front of you with your palms facing upwards. Slowly turn your palms towards one another and press them together.

Leg raises: Sitting at your desk. Maintain your right foot in a flat on the floor and bring your left leg up so that it moves parallel to the ground. Lower and repeat on the other side.

Chair dips: Sitting on the edge of your seat, put your legs out in front of you. Place your arms alongside your hips and grab the edges of the seat. Slowly lift your body off of the chair and then slowly lower it back down. Repeat a few times.

Calf raises: Standing with arms by your side, slowly lift the balls of your feet and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat a few times.

Shadowboxing: This one is not so discreet but will do a great job at getting rid of frustrations. It is pretty self-explanatory. Just punch the air in front of you – be sure to have a safe distance between you and your computer!

Dumbbell curls: Using water bottles of the same weight, or any office supplies of the same weight, you can perform dumbbell curls and lateral raises – to name but a few. It’s as simple as that.

Planking: Wherever you may be standing around, the potential for performing a leaning plank is there. Take a step back from the table or counter and then lean against it. Hold for as long as you can.

Chest opener: Perch on the edge of your seat. Put both hands on the base of your neck and slowly round your shoulders and roll them in a circle. Repeat a few times.

Finding time to exercise is important in more ways than one. Our tips for exercising at your desk can be used anywhere with a chair or table, which means that it’s not limited to the office. You can also supplement your office exercise with a quick walk around the building to get in your daily dose of cardio. There’s really no excuse to lead an inactive lifestyle!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Would you like to discover additional information about exercise? If you do, then the Personal Training Diploma that we offer may interest you. For more information, please follow this link.

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The Best Kettlebell Exercises to Strengthen Your Lower Body https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-kettlebell-exercises-to-strengthen-your-lower-body/ Mon, 14 Sep 2020 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19644 When you walk into the weight room at the gym to crush your legs, do you instantly feel a feeling of dread when you see a barbell or dumbbell? If you do, you might be suffering from a severe case of training monotony. However, this is not a reason to overlook your lower body. At...

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When you walk into the weight room at the gym to crush your legs, do you instantly feel a feeling of dread when you see a barbell or dumbbell? If you do, you might be suffering from a severe case of training monotony.

However, this is not a reason to overlook your lower body. At the end of the day, lower-body strength is a huge part of your athleticism. It may be time to differ your routine by combining lower-body kettlebell movements.

You can swing and move the kettlebell in ways that are difficult, or even impossible, to replicate with dumbbells and barbells. Their unique characteristics open up a wide range of new exercises that can provide the boost you need in order to increase your strength, size and power. Kettlebell exercises can make your workouts fun as well as exciting again.

What Are Your Fitness Goals?

If your overall fitness goals are fat loss, increasing strength, toning your lower body or increasing your ability to move faster or more effectively then kettlebell leg exercises are incredibly important.

Research shows that exercises which are focused on the lower body have more of a carryover to the upper body as opposed to that which upper body exercises do to the lower body.

So, if you have the option, working on your lower body will have a more significant impact on your health in general as opposed to upper body exercises.

Adding Kettlebells To Your Exercise Routine

If you’re eager to add kettlebells to your workout routine, these lower-body kettlebell exercises are a great place to start. While they specifically focus on muscles in your lower half — such as the glutes, hamstrings, and quads — these also recruit other muscle groups across your entire body. In particular, your core has to engage throughout in order to keep your body stable as you perform these compound exercises.

As you do these lower-body kettlebell exercises, constantly keep form top of mind and listen to your body. Prioritise quality over quantity  and only train with weights which enable you to use safe form and technique. If you have a rep which is noticeably slower as opposed to the previous reps – or that doesn’t feel as engaged – end the set. There isn’t a rep or a weight out there which is worth injuring yourself over.

What’s The Correct Form For Kettlebell Squats?

Before you dive into the biomechanics of the fundamental squat, know that your form will look a bit different depending upon the exact type of kettlebell squat that you’re performing. But no matter how you’re squatting, it’s vital to have a solid foundation before you calmly pick up a weight and try a complicated or heavy-loaded exercise.

For a basic kettlebell squat, begin by standing with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. Note that the precise distance from foot to foot, as well as the angle at which your toes are pointed out, will be different depending on your individual biomechanics.

Once your feet are in their correct place, stand tall in a vertical plank position. Draw your shoulders down as well as away from your ears. Brace your abs and glutes. Tighten your quads and lift your kneecaps.  As you sit down into your squat, stimulating your core will assist with stabilising your spine so that you can efficiently drive into the floor and pop back up to standing. Keeping this “straight spine — or when your lower back has its normal, minor inward curve (the lumbar curve) and the upper back has its natural, minor outward curve (the thoracic curve) — is an essential safety step. “

At the lower end of your range of motion, check in on your knees and ensure that they’re not pushing outward or carving in, which could harm your knees. And then, push through the centre of your foot. Stand straight back up into that vertical plank position.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Kettlebells are a great addition to your workouts. If you want to learn more ways about how to use them, you need to do our Kettlebells Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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What Are The Advantages Of Getting A Life Coach? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/what-are-the-advantages-of-getting-a-life-coach/ Fri, 11 Sep 2020 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19629 The Dalai Lama is known for saying that the aim of our lives is to be happy. For us, this is the real benefit of life coaching. What ‘happiness’ really means is unique for each and every one of us. In addition, more and more individuals are turning to a life coach to assist them...

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The Dalai Lama is known for saying that the aim of our lives is to be happy. For us, this is the real benefit of life coaching. What ‘happiness’ really means is unique for each and every one of us. In addition, more and more individuals are turning to a life coach to assist them with discovering a great deal more happiness in their life.

Life coaching is a booming field. It is a popular profession worldwide and shows no signs of decreasing. Unlike individuals who are trained as psychologists or counsellors who are licensed, life coaches are not therapists.

People need support in order to be able to thrive at life. A life coach can help and encourage you, without passing judgement or faking interest. They can assist you with performing at your fullest potential professionally, personally as well as financially – such as assisting you with your relationships, career, health goals, communication skills, debt in addition to spirituality.

A Life Coach Can Assist You With Gaining Greater Clarity Around Your Purpose And Passions In Life

Some of us know just what we want from life, why we want it, and just how we can go about finding it but, unfortunately, many of us don’t! To be clear on these issues you need a better idea of:

  • Who you are,
  • What makes life meaningful for you, and
  • What gives you a certain sense of purpose.

Working with a life coach could be a great way to gain a better sense of who you are, discover your skills, talents and gifts, as well as find out what gives your life meaning.

There may frequently be blind spots below the surface that you battle to uncover yourself. However, with the assistance of a life coach and their use of open, catalytic questions as well as deep listening, you can get clearer on what you really want and – in turn – the direction and steps that you need to take to get there.

A Life Coach Can Help You With Goal Setting

Setting personal goals is not always straightforward. In addition, long-term goals can be especially difficult to visualise. You may be used to setting objectives in the near term, however setting up goals – as well as understanding where you want to be in the future – is extremely valuable. For some individuals, this can be a daunting and anxiety-inducing task.

A life coach can take you through the process of setting goals by assisting you with understand your immediate – as well as future – wants and needs:

  • They are able to provide you with leading questions which can assist you with discovering something profound about yourself in addition to what you want out of life.
  • They can also help you stay organised and come up with a plan in order to get results.

Sometimes the most difficult part of achieving goals is to make a plan that is reasonable. If your plan is too bold, you might get disappointed and sideswiped from your journey. A great life coach will make sure each step in your plan is achievable and specific enough so that you are absolutely clear on what you are required to do and by when you need to do it.

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If you’re looking for a life coaching course that will make you the envy of all, then you should definitely look at our Life Coaching Certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Benefits Of Water Aerobics? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-water-aerobics/ Wed, 09 Sep 2020 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19565 If you’re on the hunt for low-impact, varying in intensity, fun fitness pool workouts then water aerobics is for you! Aerobic exercises are a phenomenal way to get in shape, while enjoying the social aspect of working out in a class. Aqua aerobics classes are a fabulous way to mix up traditional gym workouts with...

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If you’re on the hunt for low-impact, varying in intensity, fun fitness pool workouts then water aerobics is for you! Aerobic exercises are a phenomenal way to get in shape, while enjoying the social aspect of working out in a class.

Aqua aerobics classes are a fabulous way to mix up traditional gym workouts with the wondrous advantages of water. It only takes a few aqua aerobics workouts and you’ll see a big difference in your overall fitness levels. Also known as water aerobics – or sometimes even waterobics – typical classes will include all the exercises that you would expect in a ‘dry’ class. However, there are added bonuses when you exercise in water.

Water Aerobics Enhances Your Balance and Coordination

As you grow older, you could experience reduced coordination as well as balance. Water exercises go a long way towards assisting you to build stability as well as expand your muscle strength for better coordination. Also, the water is a safe environment whereby you’re in control of all physical exercises as opposed to exercising on dry land.

Aqua Aerobics Is A Low-Impact Exercise

Unlike other types of exercises, water exercises offer you a flexible environment for your workouts. You don’t need to worry about falling and hurting yourself when you are in the pool. In addition to this, the water’s buoyancy reduces the impact that exercises have on your joints and muscles.

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Water Aerobics Helps To Build Endurance

Unlike traditional weights exercises, which require the human body to push and pull against the weight – in addition to gravity – water resistance is a more natural resistance which needs the body to strain through the water as opposed to against it.

The more your muscles are challenged, the bigger they get. In addition, the stronger they become. As your muscles get bigger as well as stronger, they can also work out for longer, or in other words, stronger and well-trained muscles directly lead to increased endurance.

Aqua Aerobics Increases Flexibility

As the body is dependent on water resistance during water aerobics exercises – which requires movement in various directions while adapting to the push and pull of water – the joints effortlessly increase their range of motion. A study which was conducted in 2013 found there to be a substantial increase in flexibility after exposing a group of older adults to water aerobics exercises.

The water adds plenty of resistance to any movement which you make as it really pushes and pulls your joints as well as body parts around in directions that they aren’t used to moving. Slowly, over time, they will actually get used to those movements.

Moreover, this resistance also forces you to push back to adjust to the pushing and pulling motions of that are exerted by the water. This continual pulling, pushing, and overall movement causes your joints to grow to be flexible. The water also is keeping your joints in constant motion, thus keeping you mobile and stopping you from getting ‘rusty’. Being moved in directions which you aren’t used to going in increases flexibility. It is almost like a light form of stretching or even yoga.

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Does learning more about aerobics take your fancy? If it does then you should absolutely check out our Aerobics Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Functional Fitness Helps You In Everyday Life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-functional-fitness-helps-you-in-everyday-life/ Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19545 Most of us exercise with a particular motivation in mind. Perhaps you want to get back in shape, build increased levels of muscle or become an improved runner. From aesthetics to disease prevention, there’s always a reason behind breaking a sweat. One of the most practical, but often secondary, reasons to exercise is to improve...

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Most of us exercise with a particular motivation in mind. Perhaps you want to get back in shape, build increased levels of muscle or become an improved runner. From aesthetics to disease prevention, there’s always a reason behind breaking a sweat. One of the most practical, but often secondary, reasons to exercise is to improve your functional fitness level. Upgrading your overall fitness is often just a nice by-product.

Improving your functional fitness is frequently secondary because it tends to develop as a by-product of overall fitness. People may not necessarily set out with the goal of functional fitness improvements however they find that as they continue to exercise activities of daily life become easier and lead to fewer injuries.

What Do Functional Fitness Exercises Do?

Functional fitness exercises are responsible for training your muscles to work together in addition to preparing them for daily tasks. This is achieved through the process of simulating common movements which you might do at home, at work or in sports. While making use of various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasise core stability.

Functional fitness exists on a range. Almost all exercise can be functional depending on the situation because, in reality, increasing strength will essentially assist you with becoming more functional in daily life.

While boosting your total strength will help you move better, adding strength training to exercises that mirror the movements of daily activities can provide an even more efficient training regimen. It can also encourage better balance, endurance as well as flexibility.

Ideas for Your Functional Fitness Workouts

There are more fitness programmes out there than you could ever possibly try. Most workout plans skip the primary phase of getting from bedridden or housebound to being able to operate normally. Far too much progress is expected too soon to be realistic as well as viable for people with serious health problems.

So first, have a close-up look at your physical condition at the moment. Is leaving your home a challenge owing to the fact that you have challenges walking or standing? Or are you sufficiently fit to lead a ‘normal’ life but you still have to catch your breath each time you climb the stairs?

Ask yourself which small improvement would make everyday life better. Identify your biggest problem and begin where you are now, even if that means just doing a one-minute ‘workout’ a day.

Include The Squat In Your Functional Fitness Workout

Squatting is a movement which is similar to sitting in a chair, so it’s a must-include in any functional fitness workout. Ensure that you’re moving slowly and in a controlled manner throughout the movement. If you need more of a challenge, take hold of a light dumbbell in each hand.

  • Stand up straight with your feet being shoulder-width apart in addition to your arms hanging down at your sides.
  • Bend your knees and begin to squat down. Push back into your hips, almost like you’re about to sit in a chair. Lift your arms up before you as you go.
  • When your thighs are parallel to the floor, pause and push through your heels, extending your legs and returning to the starting position.
  • Do two sets of 15 reps.

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Do you want to learn about more types of training? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Are The Benefits Of CrossFit? Find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-crossfit/ Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19551 No new fitness programme has had quite the effect that CrossFit has had. Chances are good that you’ve heard about it as well as all the stuff that goes with it. You’ll have heard about the odd vocabulary such as ‘Boxes’ (CrossFit gyms), ‘WODs’ (‘workouts of the day’) and a lot more. You could have...

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No new fitness programme has had quite the effect that CrossFit has had. Chances are good that you’ve heard about it as well as all the stuff that goes with it. You’ll have heard about the odd vocabulary such as ‘Boxes’ (CrossFit gyms), ‘WODs’ (‘workouts of the day’) and a lot more.

You could have friends or colleagues who have taken up CrossFit and even tried new diets or, alternatively, fitness challenges that are run through their ‘Box’. It might sound kind of daunting, or you might think it’s just another fitness fad, however, it has plenty going for it and is certainly here to stay.

CrossFit continues to be one of the world’s most popular fitness trends. It concentrates on varying functional movements in a high-intensity setting. HIIT challenges people to enhance their fitness through the process of building their strength as well as enhancing their conditioning for the duration of an hour-long class. Ever since 2001, men and women around the world have been joining CrossFit gyms in an effort to get, or remain, strong and fit.

CrossFit Build Community

As well as fitness, CrossFit is famous for its focus on constructing a community inside the gym. These gyms are areas where people meet, socialise, build friendship, and support each other along the road to fitness. CrossFit says that its gyms are about the community as well as fitness.

CrossFit is that all-essential “third place.” Just like the libraries and barbershops of old, a third-place is a location away from home and work where folks know your name. It is an accessible as well as accommodating place with community-inclined “regulars” who hold a positive space. In addition, they support and listen to each other.

In the true spirit of CrossFit, camaraderie, as well as competition, are all components of the fun. You’ll never exercise alone, huffing and puffing on a treadmill with a pair of headphones blasting the latest tunes. Although the intensity of your session is your own, it’s typically done as a group.

CrossFit Helps To Build Strength

The high-intensity, multi-joint exercises in CrossFit assists you with gaining muscle strength and stamina. Adding extra weight to your workouts can further boost your muscle gain by increasing the stress on your muscles.

You can also constantly challenge your muscles by taking part in the workout of the day, which will provide your muscles with some variation. The WOD (workout of the day) is a unique element of the CrossFit programme. Every day, a new collection of exercises is posted. The objective is then to finish as many repetitions of each exercise as possible in a set period of time.

CrossFit Helps With Balance

CrossFit workouts often involve functional exercises or exercises which mimic movements that you do in everyday life. Functional movements – such as squats, kettlebell swings, or overhead presses – can help improve agility, balance as well as flexibility. These movements also can reduce your risk for injury and enhance your quality of life as you age.

CrossFit Assists With Improving Cardiovascular Fitness

CrossFit is classified as high-intensity power training (HIPT). This kind of training may assist with increasing VO2 max or the maximum amount of oxygen you can utilise during exercise. More research is required in order to comprehend how it enhances one’s aerobic fitness compared to other formats of exercise.

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If you’re interested in becoming a well-rounded fitness professional then you should really check out our comprehensive course catalogue. With the range that we have available, you’ll certainly find something that suits you!

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What Are The Benefits Of Battle Ropes? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-battle-ropes/ Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19522 Battle ropes are rapidly becoming one of the biggest fitness trends. For those who are not acquainted with this piece of equipment, they are thick ropes which are either looped around a pole or anchored with a strap. You can utilise these ropes for individual exercises, as a finisher, or complete an entire battle rope...

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Battle ropes are rapidly becoming one of the biggest fitness trends. For those who are not acquainted with this piece of equipment, they are thick ropes which are either looped around a pole or anchored with a strap. You can utilise these ropes for individual exercises, as a finisher, or complete an entire battle rope training routine.

This method of training was invented by John Brookfield, who is a multiple world record holder in various strength and endurance activities. Brookfield tested battle ropes with professional athletes as well as NFL players, who really struggled to maintain a steady pace after several minutes. He claimed that this was due to them missing a specific kind of endurance that only battle ropes are able to train.

Jumping as well as skipping are classic calorie-burners however they’re not the only exercises that you can perform with a rope. The secret weapon – in terms of torching fat, improving your metabolism and sculpting muscles – is amping up the weight-factor with a battle rope.

Often eyed-up anxiously at the other end of the gym, this thick, heavy length of rope can be incorporated into your training routine with confidence. Utilise them correctly and the benefits of battle ropes are anything but basic.

Get A Full Body Workout With Battle Ropes

One of the most apparent, yet important, benefit of battle ropes is that using them will provide you with a full body workout. Getting a full body workout is something that we could all do within this day and age, where getting to the gym for an hour or two is often difficult.

Some people believe that battle ropes are purely for arm and shoulder workouts, however, that’s not the case. These ropes can be used to target the body as a whole in spite of literally being a piece of rope.  With a range of movements as well as exercises being used in a short space of time, you may attack every part of your body with battle ropes just as well as you can during other full body techniques of training.

Battle Ropes Are Great For Burning Fat

One of the best battle ropes advantages, for those looking to lose weight and get lean, is that they are an amazing method of burning fat. Tired of sweating away on the treadmill for 45 minutes in vain? Battle ropes to the rescue! If you consider it, fat is burned via the process of building muscle. You won’t build a lot of muscle running on the treadmill for extended periods of time. In fact, you might even lose some.

As battle ropes is a strength-centred exercise, as well as being cardiovascular, you’ll burn twice the amount of fat as you would slugging away at long-duration cardio. You’ll also burn this fat in half the time!  The best approach to burning fat would likely be battle ropes HIIT, but that’s not to say that a low-impact exercise won’t assist you to achieve your goals.

If your normal workout routine is becoming increasingly stale, you need to consider using battle ropes. They are fun to use and provide an efficient workout for developing lean muscle mass, burning fat as well as improving your fitness levels.

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If you want to learn more about how to incorporate battle ropes into a workout then you need to do our Battle Ropes Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why HIIT Should Be On The Road To Recovery For Patients With Heart Disease https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-hiit-should-be-on-the-road-to-recovery-for-patients-with-heart-disease/ Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19517 Everyone knows that working out is good for you. For many people, just getting into the gym or going for a brisk walk is a major accomplishment in itself. However, if you look at the latest studies, it seems less exercise may actually be better for your health if done correctly. High-intensity interval training is...

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Everyone knows that working out is good for you. For many people, just getting into the gym or going for a brisk walk is a major accomplishment in itself. However, if you look at the latest studies, it seems less exercise may actually be better for your health if done correctly.

High-intensity interval training is nothing new to athletes. Often shortened to “HIIT,” this training method helps to build endurance as well as strengthen muscles while delivering a heart-friendly cardio workout in a fraction of the time of traditional training methods.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help heart patients with their recovery and is more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training in the short term. For the past few decades, cardiologists, as well as exercise physiologists, have suggested regular aerobic exercise for anyone with cardiovascular disease in order to improve cardiac function and lower disease risk factors. In more recent times, the recommendation has also included HIIT, which is an approach that includes short periods of intensive anaerobic exercise with less-intense recovery periods.

Why People Can’t Stick To Exercise Routines

The number one reason why individuals say that they are unable to stay with an exercise routine is that they’re far too busy. Here’s where high-intensity interval training, or HIIT for short, comes in. An ever-increasing body of research is demonstrating that bursts of high-intensity activity can get your heart and lungs just as fit, if not fitter, in less time as opposed to the conventional prescription of 30 minutes a day of mild-intensity exercise five days a week.

This sounds great for younger athletes however many older adults worry that this type of intense exercise will result in more health problems than it resolves, by putting their hearts at risk. But research on high-intensity interval training, particularly in older adults, including those who have age-related illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, is positive.

HIIT Training And Cardiac Recovery

Some cardiac rehabilitation programmes are now utilising HIIT training for many of their patients. HIIT training involves brief bursts of high intensity exercise, often more than 90% of a person’s maximum exercise ability. This is broken up by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise.

Some research has shown that HIIT has superior benefits over the more traditional, moderate-intensity continuous exercise. For instance, a study show that exercise intensity is an important factor for:

  • Reversing left ventricular remodelling
  • Increasing aerobic capacity, endothelial function – as well as quality of life – in patients with post-infarction heart failure.

Many individuals have seen vast improvements in their cardiac health when sticking to a HIIT-based exercise programme. While it may depend on your specific health concerns, most people should be able to start a HIIT-based programme. Your doctor can give you tips about the intensity or duration of intervals that you should start with.

If you are undergoing any of these during or after your HIIT exercise, you should stop your HIIT programme and call your doctor:

  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath which does not disappear
  • Nausea
  • Abnormal heartbeats
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Swollen legs
  • Trouble walking

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If you want to discover more about HIIT, then you should do our HIIT and Functional Trainer Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Role Of Protein In Sports Nutrition? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-the-role-of-protein-in-sports-nutrition/ Wed, 02 Sep 2020 05:05:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19407 One hears a lot about sports nutrition and protein. And although it is true that a number of athletes – who participate in strenuous exercise – may have a somewhat heightened need to get some quality protein in their diet, it may not be so much as you may think. No matter if you’re running...

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One hears a lot about sports nutrition and protein. And although it is true that a number of athletes – who participate in strenuous exercise – may have a somewhat heightened need to get some quality protein in their diet, it may not be so much as you may think.

No matter if you’re running sprints, swimming long distances or lifting weights, athletes consume more energy than the average person. This means that their bodies need additional nutrients in order to recover from intensive physical activity. Protein plays an essential role in an athlete’s eating plan as it assists with repairing and strengthening muscle tissue. High-protein diets are popular among athletes and especially those who are seeking a leaner, more defined physique.

Technical expertise, as well as training, are the cornerstones of improving athletic performance, however, good sports nutrition is equally crucial for athletic success. Over the 20 years or so, our knowledge of the important role that dietary protein plays in building muscle and recovery has grown vastly. We now know that it is not merely the quantity of protein consumed, but also the quality of that protein and when we consume it that dictates muscle health and function.

Where Does Energy Come From?

All the energy that we need in order to maintain our body and mind, in addition to the fuel to help us exercise, comes from the:

  • Foods we eat, and
  • Fluids we drink.

To determine the correct amount of calories, and nutrients to consume, it’s useful to contemplate how we utilise our energy stores on a daily basis and broken replace energy accordingly. It’s also useful to understand the main groupings of nutrients in the typical diet.

The macronutrients our bodies need the most are broken down into three main categories:

  • Protein
  • Carbohydrates
  • Fats

Each of these categories of food is important for health. In addition, everyone needs to consume foods from each food group. The ratios in which we have to consume these foods, however, is often the topic of debate, especially when it comes to athletes.

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Endurance Athletes Need Protein

Endurance athletes tend to concentrate on carbohydrate intake and pay little, if any, attention to protein. As a consequence, protein shortage appears often among endurance athletes with its unavoidable negative effects on performance and health. Serious endurance athletes do require substantial amounts of protein which is far above the normal adult RDA. This is because maintenance, repair, and growth of lean muscle mass all rely on it as well as optimum immune system functioning.

Low dietary protein prolongs recovery time, triggers muscle weakness, and inhibits the immune system. Chronic protein shortage will cancel the positive effects of your workouts. Instead, you will become prone to fatigue, lethargy, anaemia, and possibly even more severe disorders. Athletes with over training syndrome typically have a protein deficiency.

Athletes fall into a somewhat different category than the characteristic non-exerciser. An athlete uses protein mainly to repair and rebuild muscle that is broken down during exercise and to help optimise carbohydrate storage in the form of glycogen. Protein isn’t an ideal supplier of fuel for exercise but can be utilised when the diet lacks sufficient carbohydrates. This is detrimental, though, because if used for fuel, there isn’t sufficient available to repair and rebuild body tissues, among them muscle.

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Keen on learning more about sports nutrition? If you are then our Sports Nutrition Diploma is for you! For more information, please follow this link.

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The Ultimate Nutrition Guide For Cyclists https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/the-ultimate-nutrition-guide-for-cyclists/ Wed, 02 Sep 2020 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19400 When you exercise, it is necessary for you to fuel your body correctly in order to support the activity. However, there’s so much info out there about sports nutrition that it’s easy to get confused. Knowing what your body loves to consume while cycling is an important basic to learn – some can survive completely...

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When you exercise, it is necessary for you to fuel your body correctly in order to support the activity. However, there’s so much info out there about sports nutrition that it’s easy to get confused. Knowing what your body loves to consume while cycling is an important basic to learn – some can survive completely on energy gels and drinks, while others can only stomach actual food such as biscuits, sandwiches or fruit.

Good sports nutrition could be the difference between a strong day in the saddle or seeing others fly by you. This part of nutrition really is subjective and characteristically follows a method of trial and error, or at the very least having thoughts about how you normally fuel yourself in order to perform at your best.

The Risk Of Bad Sports Nutrition

Turning up to a cycling event second-guessing what you can and cannot endure is a risk that could leave you suffering from regrets and a long slow bike ride to the finish. However, it’s not just on the bike that you should take note of your eating habits.

The significance of keeping up a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with your fitness routine is key to ensuring that you’re benefitting from the exercise you’re doing and the body needs a combination of all nutrients to be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Your body needs a certain amount of carbohydrates, fat and protein just to remain alive. The body stores energy from foods and then converts it in a number of different ways. Certain types of fuel give your muscles an instant increase in the amount of energy that you are feeling when you start cycling and your adrenaline kicks in. Other types are stored for use when your body truly needs them.

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Why Carbohydrates Are Necessary For Cyclists

Carbohydrates are vital for giving cyclists energy. Sugars and starches rapidly break down into glucose. Your body may almost instantly utilise this glucose for energy, or it may be stored as glycogen and transformed back to glucose as your body requires it.

Your muscles store up glycogen and turn it into energy as it’s required. However, there’s just so much that your muscles are able to keep at a time. Research has revealed that the more glycogen you have stored within your muscles, the more time you can exercise ahead of you hitting a wall.

After you’ve burned off the glycogen that is present in your muscles, your body uses the glucose that’s flowing through your bloodstream. If you proceed to work out without refuelling, you can experience a dip in blood sugar levels. This can leave you utterly exhausted and weak. It’s just as important to replace your glycogen stores after working out as it is to keep them level while you cycle.

Keeping weight down is a key objective for every serious road cyclist however that doesn’t mean you have to not eat – or make yourself unhappy. In fact, the biggest mistake a cyclist can make is to go out on a fasted ride for hours where they have had nothing to eat. Not only will you lose fat, but then you’ll also lose muscle, too. And that’s the worst scenario when you’re trying to increase your power to weight ratio.

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Are you keen to learn what optimal sports nutrition looks like? If you are, then you should really do our Sports Nutrition Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to use kettlebells for strength and cardio https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-kettlebells-for-strength-and-cardio/ Mon, 31 Aug 2020 05:05:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19295 Workout creativity is responsible for keeping people engaged with their programme. A dull workout, or one that you don’t enjoy, quickly reduces motivation and progress. And cardio frequently falls under this category of boring and unpopular workouts. How much fun could it be to walk or run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at a...

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Workout creativity is responsible for keeping people engaged with their programme. A dull workout, or one that you don’t enjoy, quickly reduces motivation and progress. And cardio frequently falls under this category of boring and unpopular workouts. How much fun could it be to walk or run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at a time?

When you’re a newbie to working out, or to strength training as well as cardio in general, there’s something really intimidating about confronting a weight room or even a set of dumbbells (if you can even succeed in finding them right now).

Enter the kettlebell, which is a type of dumbbell that’s round (like a bell) and has a handle. This makes it easy to lift and take around. Because they are straightforward, yet versatile, they are great for beginners and workout veterans alike. And, as an added bonus, they’re comparatively inexpensive and you only need one to get a great, complete-body workout. Kettlebell workouts can even supplant an extra cardio session towards the end of a workout. They provide a way to integrate strength training and cardio training into one.

Getting creative in designing your exercise regimens can help you to keep with your workout. There are several alternative ways to integrate cardio into an exercise programme. Yes, this is possible without using a treadmill, bike or an elliptical machine.

Start slowly

As with any new workout routine, it’s essential to take things slow. Be sure to take a while to comprehend the proper form prior to doing each move. In addition, you have to make doubly sure that you warm up properly before you work out.

One of the greatest mistakes that we see people make is leaping right into more advanced moves – such as swings and snatches – before they’re ready. Make sure that you have the movement patterns mastered before you do anything explosive or with heavy loads.

The ideal blend of strength and cardio training

Hyped as the perfect exercise, kettlebell swings give a full-body workout while burning a massive number of calories. This explosive movement engages almost every muscle, including the glutes, hamstrings, adductors, quads as well as the calves.

At the same time, the kettlebell swing builds core strength and enhances spine stability. Owing to its explosive nature, the kettlebell swing is perfect for both cardio and resistance training. The key is to use the correct form and to avoid common mistakes, such as bending your knees too much.

This exercise targets the posterior-chain muscles, for example your hamstrings and gluteus maximus. It also engages your quads, pecs, traps as well as your delts. In the long run, the kettlebell swing strengthens the muscles around your spine. This leads to a better posture. Your core muscles work hard in order to maintain your balance which means that you get stronger overall.

A kettlebell looks as though it is a cast-iron cannonball with a handle on the top. They come in different weights. You’ll make use of them as you do things like lunges, lifts in addition to shoulder presses.

This type of exercise ensures that you get your heart pumping and utilises up to 20 calories per minute. This is about as much as running a six-minute mile. Kettlebell workouts provide a lot of flexibility. You can also add a few of the moves in your own workout or do a devoted kettlebell workout a number of times a week.

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To learn the best way to do the moves safely, do our Kettlebells Course. It won’t take you a very long period of time to understand why celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Biel, and Katherine Heigl are huge fans of kettlebell workouts.

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How to exercise at home with kettlebells https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-at-home-with-kettlebells/ Mon, 31 Aug 2020 05:00:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=19270 The kettlebell is an incredibly handy piece of training equipment for you to have at home. Kettlebells offer unique training benefits over dumbbells—the uneven weight distribution will challenge you to control the weight as you swing, press, or pull. Plus, kettlebells will add extra challenges when it comes to grip and core stability. It’s a...

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The kettlebell is an incredibly handy piece of training equipment for you to have at home. Kettlebells offer unique training benefits over dumbbells—the uneven weight distribution will challenge you to control the weight as you swing, press, or pull. Plus, kettlebells will add extra challenges when it comes to grip and core stability. It’s a great idea to have your home equipped with a nice set of kettlebells.

You can get a phenomenal workout with a single kettlebell

This is great for any person who has a small space to work out in or isn’t into the concept of stocking their home with a lot of fitness equipment. Once you have a kettlebell and get used to it, you may just want it around long after your normal exercise routine simply as they’re just so useful.

For instance, although – in many exercises – dumbbells and kettlebells are fairly interchangeable, the handle and ball of the kettlebells allow for a swinging motion that dumbbells just can’t beat. When you grip the kettlebell with the ball facing upwards, there’s also a stability as the ball likes to fall one way or the other, and your body needs to work to avoid that movement.

Kettlebells are useful, portable, and taxing on the entire body during most movements and movement patterns. Just the action of holding a heavy bell at the chest is an effective way to strengthen the core, back, arms, and shoulders.

Below you’ll find some of the best kettlebell exercises as well as instructions about how to turn them into a full-body kettlebell workout. These moves are excellent for a beginner kettlebell workouts when done with lighter weights at a slower rate. While intermediate or advanced levels of fitness can turn them into a more challenging training session by choosing to lift a heavier load and picking up the pace.

Curl to Squat and Press

Begin in a squat stance with a kettlebell in each of your hands. Extend your arms toward floor between your feet. Have your palms facing away from your body. Bend your elbows and curl the weights to shoulder level. Then, in one single motion, press through your heels to stand up, lifting the kettlebells overhead, turning the palms to face inward and halting when biceps are by the ears. Reverse the movement to return to your starting position. That’s one rep and complete 15 reps.

Goblet Squat

Begin in a standing position with the heels of your feet shoulder-width away from each other holding a kettlebell with the two of your hands in front of your chest and close to your body (elbows bent). Push your hips back and bend knees to lower into a squat. Reverse the movement to return to start.

Halo

Begin with an upright stance with your feet hip-width apart and holding the handle of a kettlebell with each of your hands in front of your face. Your elbows must be bent and wide at your sides. Maintaining both elbows in a bent position, and the rest of your body still, gradually circle the kettlebell around your head once, maintaining the weight at eye level. That’s one rep. Complete 15 reps in one direction and then 15 in the opposite.

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Why yoga could be a lifesaver for people with heart conditions https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/why-yoga-could-be-a-lifesaver-for-people-with-heart-conditions/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 05:05:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=18145 It’s no secret that Yoga offers many physical as well as emotional benefits. It has been practised for thousands of years. It has been thoroughly documented to enhance flexibility and strength, ease stress as well as calm the body and mind. Yoga has even turned into a popular prescription given out by medical practitioners for...

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It’s no secret that Yoga offers many physical as well as emotional benefits. It has been practised for thousands of years. It has been thoroughly documented to enhance flexibility and strength, ease stress as well as calm the body and mind. Yoga has even turned into a popular prescription given out by medical practitioners for a wide range of conditions. And certain poses (or asanas, as they are called in Sanskrit) and practices can have a direct effect on your heart’s health in a positive way.

With more and more individuals taking on yoga as a way of life, the ancient Indian practice of physical exercise is becoming increasingly popular across the globe. It not only operates to stretch your muscles but also enhances mental health as well as the proper functioning of the heart, stomach and other internal organs.

Yoga’s positive effect for heart patients

According to a study done by Harvard experts, yoga can be just as efficient as cycling or brisk walking in reducing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. It has been found to be useful in managing and mitigating the risk factors which are associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, it can be a ‘potentially effective therapy’ for cardiovascular health.

This ancient practice can minimise your risk of developing heart disease as it:

  • Improves the blood flow
  • Decreases cortisol levels (stress is a known risk factor for heart disease)
  • Been shown to reduce the levels of LDL (the “Bad” cholesterol)

Improving all of these things factors will assist with minimising your risk of developing heart disease.

Yoga asanas for improving heart health

Trikonasana

Trikonasana, as the name indicates, is a triangle-shaped asana, assists with stretching the spine so stimulating spinal nerves and blood circulation.

Dhanurasana

Dhanurasana, which is also known by the term ‘bow pose’, is a yoga exercise which is credited for expanding the chest, improving blood circulation and relieving stress and anxiety.

Looking like an archer’s bow, this posture encourages a powerful stretch along the front of the practitioner’s body and a deep opening at the heart centre. This assists with cultivating an attitude of fearlessness and grace.

Bridge Pose or Setu Bandhasana

This yoga asana is known for increasing blood flow to the chest region. In this way, it boosts heart health. It is responsible for regulating the flow of blood and prana (energy) to the heart, the glands in the neck and the head, and releases tension.

Yoga is a superb activity for those who haven’t exercised in years or people who aren’t very strong. A small but encouraging body of research suggests that yoga’s combination of stretching, gentle activity, breathing, and mindfulness may have unique benefits for people suffering from cardiovascular disease.

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If you want to learn about more benefits that yoga has to offer then you should have a look at our Yoga Teacher Certification Course. To learn more and to register, please follow this link.

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How to increase circulation with Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-increase-circulation-with-pilates/ Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=18130 Unlike an aerobic activity (for example, running)  where you can feel that your heart is being strengthened with every noticeable beat, the direct health effects of Pilates can be a bit less obvious—though this doesn’t imply that your body isn’t loving you for putting it through its Pilates paces just the same. Some people think...

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Unlike an aerobic activity (for example, running)  where you can feel that your heart is being strengthened with every noticeable beat, the direct health effects of Pilates can be a bit less obvious—though this doesn’t imply that your body isn’t loving you for putting it through its Pilates paces just the same.

Some people think Pilates is only for the young and limber, but don’t let that discourage you from trying it and experiencing the health benefits that can bring. Several of the exercises that you’ll do in a Pilates session are done in a reclining or sitting position. Most are low impact and just partially weight-bearing. This makes it a safe activity for most individuals. Moreover, Pilates is so gentle that it is utilised in physical therapy facilities in order to rehabilitate injuries.

The nature of the Pilates workout

Pilates is thought to be a low-impact, big result workout routine. It was originally intended to be a workout for dancers who were suffering from injuries. Knowing what it was meant for it should not come as a surprise that the series of movements work out the entire body but also tends to focus more on the core muscles as well as balance.

Pilates is comprised of a series of movements that are slow, disciplined, require a lot of concentration and precision coupled with controlled breathing. As it is not considered cardio, yet it is considered exercise, and as it is so adjustable, Pilates is perfect for those just starting out in the exercise world or those returning from an injury.

Pilates is located in the same exercise family as yoga (mind-body), but is definitely not the same. Pilates is about:

  • More balance
  • Greater muscle toning
  • More stretching
  • Increased flexibility
  • More mind/body connection

Pilates can be performed as a stand-alone exercise if it is challenging enough in itself however a lot of people do Pilates on their “day off” from a rigorous workout routine.

Pilates helps to increase blood circulation

Increasing blood circulation is one of those important things when starting a good workout routine. All nutrients in your blood can then reach all organs and these will start to work so much better.

Poor blood circulation can lead to several negative symptoms such as flaky skin, hair loss, water retention, headaches, memory loss, bad vision, and much more. There is nothing like a good Pilates workout with apparatus – such as the reformer, Cadillac or barrel to improve your blood circulation without straining your heart.

As you move into and out of Pilates exercises, breathing in deeply through your nose and exhaling completely through your mouth, you also move a large amount of air from the lungs. This improves the blood flow to all working muscles, as well as the other organs in your body.

Pilates is a great choice to improve blood circulation and Joseph Pilates had the importance of this subject in mind when he created his exercise method. Long before heart disease was a common everyday term Joseph Pilates was talking about the advantages of his technique of exercise (which he called Contrology) regarding heart and the health of the entire body.  In his book Return to Life, Joseph Pilates states the following, “Contrology exercises purify the blood in the bloodstream and whip it into immediate action with the result that the organs of the body get the benefit of clean fresh blood carried to them by the rejuvenated bloodstream.”

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Everything you want to know about Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/everything-you-want-to-know-about-pilates/ Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=18127 Pilates is a type of low-impact exercise which aims to strengthen muscles while – at the same time – improving postural alignment as well as flexibility. Pilates moves have a tendency to target the core, although these exercises work other regions of your body as well. You can perform Pilates moves with or without equipment....

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Pilates is a type of low-impact exercise which aims to strengthen muscles while – at the same time – improving postural alignment as well as flexibility. Pilates moves have a tendency to target the core, although these exercises work other regions of your body as well. You can perform Pilates moves with or without equipment. However, no matter what, expect the moves to include slow, precise movements and breath control.

Pilates is a full-body exercise methodology which will help you do it all better. This exercise methodology strengthens and stabilises the core of your body, which is your foundation. This means that you can move more efficiently while improving your posture, flexibility, and mobility. A typical Pilates workout is 45 minutes to an hour-long.

What is your core powerhouse?

While most individuals may consider only your abdomen to be the core powerhouse of your body, , it extends far beyond that. Everything in your body is attached to each other. Your body’s muscles are all connected by way of those core muscles. With the core, in addition to the stomach area, you’re also speaking about your sides, your back as well as your hips. This is why what happens in your core affects the rest of your body.

There’s a therapeutic and precautionary benefit to Pilates. Owing to the fact that the exercise isolates and relaxes muscle groups, it strengthens them using control and breath. This can also give you additional resilience and assist with your alignment in a manner that also improves your posture, that will lead you to walk straighter and sturdier.

Something as simple as Pilates, which improved posture, can have significant,  positive consequences. Relaxing as well as strengthening the muscles is a big help for your body. It makes sure that you’re not bent against the back of a chair as when you are slumped against the back of a chair, you’re shrunk down. This puts pressure on your lower back. In addition, you can’t digest or breathe as well.

Can anyone do Pilates?

As Pilates may be modified to provide either a gentle strength training programme or a challenging workout, most individuals will have no problem with this form of exercise. It is appropriate both for beginners and for individuals who are already exercising regularly.

If you’re a beginner to Pilates you can start with fundamental exercises and then when you’ve mastered those, you can go to work on the more advanced moves. It’s a great idea when you’re just getting started in Pilates, to go to Pilates exercise classes or to engage a private instructor. In this way, the instructor can make sure that you are doing the exercises correctly in order to avoid any injury.

It is advised to check in with your health professional if you:

  • Haven’t exercised for a period of time,
  • Are older or pregnant, or
  • Have health problems.

If you’ve been searching for a new workout routine which can give you a great balance of flexibility, strength, muscle tone as well as assistance for a few aches and pains, there could be an answer that’s simpler to get into than you think.

While Pilates has been around for almost 100 years, it’s still getting traction among new converts, picking up new followers all the time. And there is a good reason why it remains to be a popular mode of exercise: it works.

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How to pick the correct dumbbells for strength training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-pick-the-correct-dumbbells-for-strength-training/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 05:05:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17981 When it comes to weightlifting, the options are endless and can be quite overwhelming. It’s sort of like being a child in a candy store, where do you even start? Strength training is a fabulous way to reduce fat, build lean muscle and boost your self-confidence. As a newbie, it’s important to know where to...

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When it comes to weightlifting, the options are endless and can be quite overwhelming. It’s sort of like being a child in a candy store, where do you even start?

Strength training is a fabulous way to reduce fat, build lean muscle and boost your self-confidence. As a newbie, it’s important to know where to start and how to choose the right weight. We’re here to make the process a whole lot easier.

Tips for choosing your ideal weight

Start simple

Before you grab a set of dumbbells, you need to work on your lifting technique and form to prevent injury. Bodyweight movements are a great way for you to start working out and getting to know your body. It might sound simple, but bodyweight exercises can be quite challenging. For example, ever tried yoga? Well, that’s a bodyweight exercise and it works your entire body.

It’s also important to determine your ideal number of reps. Lower reps increase strength while a high number of reps build muscle and endurance. From here, you’ll determine the number of sets for each exercise. It should be varied to make it challenging.

If you’ve made a move to weights, start light. You can step up the number of reps and sets to increase the difficulty level but never push your body too far.

Go slow

When lifting weights, it’s important to remain mindful of your form and movements. Avoid trying to use a swinging or bouncing motion to lift your weight as this can lead to muscle tears. If you use too much weight, you may end up relying on additional muscle groups to support the movement, reducing the effectiveness of the workout.

It’s trial and error

You won’t know unless you try. Your stronger than you think, so pick a moderate weight that will best support your exercise. If it’s too heavy, pick something lighter and vice versa. You are also not forced to stick to the same weight throughout your routine, feel free to make changes as you deem necessary.

Don’t underestimate yourself

Every day you carry around objects that all have their own weight, which means you already have some muscle built up. Try to lift the weight equivalent of an item that you know forms an important part of your day and work your way up from there. The only difference between daily activities and the gym is the location, so don’t let it overwhelm you. The fact that you’re looking into strength training is already a step in the right direction.

The key takeaway of this piece is to know your body and what it is capable of. There’s no specific starting point to strength training. It differs from individual to individual. Listen to your body throughout your routine and make the necessary adjustments where possible. As you become more experienced, it will become second nature.

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7 Different Types of Strength Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/7-different-types-of-strength-training/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 05:00:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17978 Not all strength training is the same, did you know that? Finding the right strength training programme will depend on what you are looking to achieve on focus on meeting that goal. What type of strength is needed to achieve your goal? This is the strength that you will work on developing. So, what kind...

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Not all strength training is the same, did you know that? Finding the right strength training programme will depend on what you are looking to achieve on focus on meeting that goal. What type of strength is needed to achieve your goal? This is the strength that you will work on developing.

So, what kind of strength training will work for you?

7 Types of strength training

Agile strength

This relates to your ability to manoeuvre and control your strength based on your current environment. It’s a multi-directional approach to weightlifting, for example picking up a child or carrying groceries. Building on this strength will help to reduce your risk of injury while improving day to day performance.

Strength endurance

In case the name didn’t give away, this relates to your ability to power through training activities. This usually relates to exercise that requires continuous muscle movement, for example, running. It relies on your body’s ability to transport oxygen and nutrients to the muscles while eliminating metabolic waste. And as an additional bonus, it also improves posture.

Explosive strength

This involves sudden bursts of movement as implied by the name. This movement relies on rapid expansion and contraction of your muscles in order to move through the desired range of motion, for example, jumping or throwing a ball. Working on this strength will improve your reaction time and improve your muscles resiliency.

Maximum strength

If you’re a bodybuilder, you’ll make use of this strength as it involves the maximum level of force your muscles can produce. Often, it’s a group of muscles working together to bring about the desired motion. Squatting or lifting deadlifts are a great example of this strength. An additional bonus of this is that it improves bone density and facilities the release of muscle building hormones.

Starting strength

This relates to your bod’s ability to build up strength or force at any given moment, for instance, at the start of a sprint. This instant reaction comes in handy during dangerous situations or even in motion as simple as quickly sitting down.

Speed strength

Similar to starting strength in that you need to exert a lot of force in a short space of time, for example, hitting a tennis ball. This strength is great for athletes and professional sportspeople.

Relative strength

This strength has to do with your body weight-to-force ratio. This means that even though you’re getting stronger, your bodyweight won’t change, which means that your building on your strength.

The choice is yours. While an all-rounded approach is recommended, your core focus should be on the type of strength exercise that best fits your lifestyle and daily activities. Research your chosen strength group and don’t be afraid to ask a professional for advice on how to achieve your desired goal best. There isn’t a specific workout for building strength because it has to do with your abilities. Try shaking it up to get the best results.

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5 Strength Training Mistakes To Avoid https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/5-strength-training-mistakes-to-avoid/ Fri, 21 Aug 2020 05:05:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17972 If you’re a fitness junkie, the odds are that strength training forms an important part of your workout routine. If you’re doing it right, you will reap the benefits, but do it wrong and you could be finding yourself in a world of pain. The lucky few will have a personal trainer to guide them...

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If you’re a fitness junkie, the odds are that strength training forms an important part of your workout routine. If you’re doing it right, you will reap the benefits, but do it wrong and you could be finding yourself in a world of pain. The lucky few will have a personal trainer to guide them along the way, but unfortunately, we can’t always afford that luxury and are left to our own devices.

When it comes to strength training, don’t be afraid to seek out advice from a reputable source. Sure, family and friends may be able to help you out, but one wrong move and you’ll end up regretting that. Most often, poor form is the reason for gym-related injuries which could have been avoided.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common strength training mistakes.

Five common strength training mistakes

Know your weight

If you lift weights which too heavy, too soon, you will find yourself overcompensating for the heavy weight. Avoid the temptation to push yourself too far; instead, slowly work your way up to your goal weight. Research recommends that lower weights with higher rep counts are more effective in building endurance and strength in the long term. As soon as your exercises begin to feel too easy, move up a weight class or increase the number of reps.

Poor form

The form is the backbone of any strength exercise and needs to be perfected before taking on any weights. It may sound goofy but practice your form in the mirror. This will help you properly activate your muscles and ensure a fruitful workout. Once your form is correct, you can add weight to your routine to take it up a level. Don’t push yourself too far in the pursuit of gains. For example, squatting with a weight that you cannot properly manage will result in your back curving and can cause injury.

Control your weights

When lifting weights, with it be freestanding or using a machine, you need to control the motion. Avoid jerky, irregular movements. Instead, keep it controlled and fluid. Dropping your weight mid exercise is also not advised as it can result in muscle injury following an unexpected contraction.

Switch it up

Following the same workout routine will not result in the change you’re looking for. Your muscles need to adapt to various changes in the workout to facilitate constant change and improvement. Try changing your weights, reps or even modify existing workouts to get the results you’re looking for.

To rest, or not to rest…

This one is tricky. Resting between sets is advised as it gives your body time to clear lactic acid. However, rest longer than two minutes and you can find all your hard work going down the drain. Not resting at all is just as bad for your workout as your body has no time to recover. It’s all about finding the right balance.

When it comes to avoiding these common mistakes, the best advice is to plan your workouts and know your limits. Properly structuring your workout will give your body the time it needs to adapt to the movements and make the necessary recoveries. Please check with a fitness professional if you are not sure about your current workout routine or if you’re exploring tips to improve your set.

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Strength training tips for runners https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/strength-training-tips-for-runners/ Fri, 21 Aug 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17969 Contrary to popular belief, runners do a lot more than simply running when training. Supplementing training with strength exercises has a wide array of benefits. However, runners need to perform strength exercise that will best assist them in improving their overall performance. These exercises are often centred around balance as this forms an important part...

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Contrary to popular belief, runners do a lot more than simply running when training. Supplementing training with strength exercises has a wide array of benefits. However, runners need to perform strength exercise that will best assist them in improving their overall performance. These exercises are often centred around balance as this forms an important part in maintaining your stride.

Dean Karnazes said it best: “I run because if I didn’t, I’d be lethargic and depressed and spend far too much time sitting on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run…to savour the journey along the way. Life becomes a little more lively, a little more intense. I like that.”

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can train to boost your run.

Seven strength exercises for runners

Planking: Lying face down on the ground, slowly prop yourself onto your elbows. Keep the rest of your body straight and properly aligned – don’t hunch! Hold for 45 seconds and then release. Repeat three times. You can increase this time as you progress.

The Scorpion: In a push-up position, lift your left knee towards your right shoulder, rotating your hips as far right as possible. Release and repeat using your right knee on your left side. Repeat this for 30 seconds.

Lower-Body Russian Twist: Lie with your back on the floor and knees bent 90 degrees. Keeping your legs in this bent position, slowly lower your legs to the side of your body, starting with the left and then moving to the right. Your shoulders need to remain on the floor at all times. Repeat 5 – 10 ties.

Kettlebell Squats: Stand with feet hip-width apart and a kettlebell held out in front of your chest with both hands. Gradually lower your body into a squat stance, as if you were sitting on an invisible chair. At the same time, lift the kettlebell above your head, hold for a few seconds and then release, returning to a standing position.

Stability Ball Jack-knife: Begin in a push-up position, but with your feet resting on a stability ball instead of the floor. Gently roll the ball towards your chest by rounding your back and lifting your hips. Release by rolling the ball back into the starting position. Repeat eight times.

Rotational Shoulder Press: Take a pair of dumbbells and hold them on either side of your shoulders with your palms facing inward. Slowly rotate to the left, pushing the dumbbells overhead. Lower the dumbbells and return to the starting position. Repeat on the left side.

Stability Ball Leg Curl: Start by lying on your back. Place your hands alongside your sides and put your feet on a stability ball. Use your arms to keep you balanced. Slowly push you hips upwards so that your body forms a straight line. Roll your ball towards your hips – as close as possible without letting your hips sag. Repeat eight times.

These are just several exercises that can be used to improve your running performance. When getting ready for a race, or even to improve your overall running, strength training can be used to build endurance and assist you in explosive work. This means that you can conquer up-hills and navigate trick terrains and navigate speed intervals with ease.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about strength training? If you do, then you should consider becoming a personal trainer. For additional information about how to make your fitness dreams a reality, please follow this link.

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How To Change Your Life With Strength Training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-change-your-life-with-strength-training/ Thu, 20 Aug 2020 05:05:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17961 It’s no secret that strength training has the ability to change your life. Implementing strength training into your routine has the power to tone and shape your body while increasing your fitness levels and overall self-confidence. It is more than that. While the obvious perks are visible to anyone that sees you, there are some...

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It’s no secret that strength training has the ability to change your life. Implementing strength training into your routine has the power to tone and shape your body while increasing your fitness levels and overall self-confidence. It is more than that. While the obvious perks are visible to anyone that sees you, there are some hidden benefits that occur beneath the surface. Let’s look at a number of the ways strength training can change your life.

Eight ways strength training will transform your life

You will become less of a health risk

Lifting weights has been found to improve your overall immunity, giving your body the tools needed to beat colds and flu. In addition to this, you can also lower your risk of developing diabetes, cancer and various heart diseases.

Improved self-confidence

Your new, toned physique will have you feeling like a million bucks, and why not? You work hard to reach this point. All those hours in the gym, pushing yourself to reach new goals has paid off.

Improve your stamina

As you lift weights, you begin to build stronger, more powerful muscles. In turn, this will keep you feeling energised throughout the day. It’s important to note that this doesn’t happen overnight; it comes after training long enough for your muscles to develop.

Boost your sex drive

By training, you increase the blood flow throughout your body, which forms an important part of your sexual experience. You’ll also find that your improved body image also helps you in the bedroom.

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Stay focused

The improved blood flow in your body also plays a part in stimulating your brain to function optimally and even promote cell growth. This improves alertness and the ability to focus on the task at hand.

Turn that frown upside down

Exercise has been found to enhance your mood and alleviate stress as it facilitates the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormone in your body.

Become fearless

Let’s face it. The gym can be quite intimidating. But by pushing through that fear, you will open the doors to a whole new world of exercise. And as you challenge yourself to increase your weight capacity, you will find yourself becoming more daring in other aspects of life too.

Live in the moment

Everyday stressors can get in the way of living a happy life. When it comes to weightlifting, you need to focus on the task at hand, which means that at that moment, you are stress-free – unless you’re trying to increase your weight limit of course.

It is simple to tell why so many individuals – not only athletes – turn to strength training. Every exercise brings you closer to a new and improved self. Even though the gyms are still closed, there are a ton of online workouts designed specifically for at-home routines. You can also download fitness apps if you would like to track your journey and access workouts that best suit your individual needs. There’s never been a better moment to set a new goal for yourself and strive to exceed your own expectations.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about strength training? If you do, then you should become a personal trainer. For additional information about our Personal Training Diploma, please follow this link.

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How to build strength at home without buying bulky equipment https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-strength-at-home-without-buying-bulky-equipment/ Thu, 20 Aug 2020 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17958 Summer is fast approaching, and although the gyms are still closed, you can still workout and create the ultimate summer body. Home workouts have become a necessity for every gym-goer in the last few weeks. Home gym equipment sold out in the blink of an eye, leaving many fitness enthusiasts to come up with creatives...

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Summer is fast approaching, and although the gyms are still closed, you can still workout and create the ultimate summer body. Home workouts have become a necessity for every gym-goer in the last few weeks. Home gym equipment sold out in the blink of an eye, leaving many fitness enthusiasts to come up with creatives ways to get their workout in.

The lack of bulky gym equipment in the home may seem like a deal-breaker, but there are so many creative methods to help you get the most out of your at-home workout routine.

Four ways to build your strength at home

Running/Walking

Okay, we’ll admit that this one isn’t that creative. Since lockdown, we have seen many athletes take it upon themselves to train, regardless of being stuck at home. Countless laps around the garden and home have all contributed to them maintaining their training schedule. With lockdown restrictions becoming more lenient, we can now venture outside to get a run in, so why not give it a try?

Bodyweight training

When you’re training at home, you need to use what you have, so why not utilise your body weight? Research has found that bodyweight exercise is effective when it comes to building strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. They’re also a terrific way to strengthen your body to prevent workout-related injuries. Push-ups are a great example of this.

Yoga

Think about it. When you practice yoga, you are lifting your body in various positions. This means that you need to be able to hold your own weight for extended periods of time. Yoga has been found to be a phenomenal all-rounder when it comes to exercise as it improves flexibility, builds endurance and strengthens your muscles.

Improvised weights

As much as the above options are great ways to build strength, we can’t help but long for the feeling of lifting weights and feeling all the more powerful. Luckily, there are a ton of household items that can be used to supplement your workout. For example, need a sandbag? Why not try using a dog food bag? You can also create dumbbells out of empty water bottles. Simply fill them until they’re your desired weight. Anything that you can pick up has the potential to be a weight. A word of caution, please choose objects that are safe to use and of a weight that you are able to carry without buckling. You may be at home, but the same safety measures need to be in place to prevent injury.

So, what makes bodyweight exercises effective? The answer is simple: consistency. You need to put in the effort to reap the rewards. While the incredible benefits have been widely recorded, it’s important to note that these changes do not happen overnight or after one killer session. You need to build onto your workout as you progress. Mastered 20 push-ups? Why not go for 30. You determine your success.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about exercise and keeping fit, why not do a Personal Training Diploma with us at Trifocus Fitness Academy? For more information about this – as well as the other fabulous courses that it comes with – please follow this link.

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How To Eat To Build Muscle https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/how-to-eat-to-build-muscle/ Mon, 17 Aug 2020 05:00:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17911 There are so many advantages to developing muscle, from strengthening your bones and improving your joint health, to just looking good and feeling strong. But if you are serious about building muscle it is going to take more than a good strength training exercise routine – you need to pay attention to your nutrition. It...

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There are so many advantages to developing muscle, from strengthening your bones and improving your joint health, to just looking good and feeling strong. But if you are serious about building muscle it is going to take more than a good strength training exercise routine – you need to pay attention to your nutrition. It would help if you ate enough to fuel your body through your workout as well as eating the right food to allow you to recover from workouts and build muscle. So, here are our tips for how to eat right in order to build muscle.

  1. Eat Enough

One of the most crucial activities to do is to make sure that you are eating enough total calories every day. The major error that people make when attempting to build muscle is not to eat enough to fuel their workouts. When you do not eat enough calories, then during a workout, your body will run out of calories to burn and will start to break down muscle instead. Therefore, you should ensure that you are eating a little more calories than you would need to maintain your body if you want to see results.

  1. Hydration is Key

Your muscles are made up of almost 80% water, so staying hydrated is incredibly important for maintaining and building muscle. Make sure to remain hydrated before and during your workouts to avoid muscle fatigue that will stop you from reaching your goals.

  1. Protein, Protein, Protein

You have perhaps heard this one before, but do not underestimate the importance of protein for building muscle. Your body is breaking down protein into amino acids, which are very important for building and repairing muscle tissue. Finding a good balance of protein sources is important, and do not overlook plant-based options as they often contain fibre as an added bonus. However, please do not overdo it. There is no proof to show that eating extra protein will build more muscles – try to stick to a balanced diet that will support your exercise journey.

  1. Pre and Post Workout Nutrition

Eating a balanced diet is important and balance does not just refer to the food groups – it is also about eating throughout the day in balanced portions. Fuelling your body with enough carbohydrates and protein to complete a workout is just as important as eating another balanced meal of carbs and protein after you have finished working out. It is about making sure that your body has enough fuel and has the time to break it down properly. This is particularly important in terms of protein, and it is suggested that you spread your protein intake out over the whole day, instead of having it all in one meal, as this allows your body to break it down better.

In conclusion, to build muscle, you need to be eating for that process. Ensure that you are eating enough to maintain your body throughout a workout as well as during recovery. Drink sufficient water to stay hydrated and don’t skip meals, and you will be able to see the results of your hard work.

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What are the Effects of Exercise on Resilience and Mental Health? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-effects-of-exercise-on-resilience-and-mental-health/ Tue, 11 Aug 2020 05:05:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17858 Regular exercise and activity are great for your body and physical health. However, in addition, did you know that it could assist you in dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health strains? If you are someone who struggles to find the motivation to exercise, perhaps the knowledge of a mental pick me up...

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Regular exercise and activity are great for your body and physical health. However, in addition, did you know that it could assist you in dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health strains? If you are someone who struggles to find the motivation to exercise, perhaps the knowledge of a mental pick me up might help you to be more active. Physical activity is good for your aerobic fitness, balance and stability, muscle strength, and can even help you to live longer! This will definitely make you feel better in general, but it goes further than that as studies show that it can have a definitive and long-lasting effect on your mental health. So how does it work?

Deeper Sleep

Regular exercise helps you to sleep better, while also helping you to have more energy throughout the day. Getting a good night’s sleep has more impact than you might think, and exercise can help you to sleep deeper with fewer interruptions. This means that during the day, you will be less likely to feel tired and uncomfortable, allowing you to feel better in your daily life generally.

Fighting Depression

Studies have shown that general exercise can reduce the risk of depression and can help to reduce symptoms. One such study, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, showed that regular physical activity (e.g. a 15-minute daily run or 1-hour daily walk) could reduce your risk of depression by up to 26%.

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Chemical Reaction

Exercise promotes brain activity, which allows for neural growth and the development of new patterns that can help to increase feelings of success, well being, and happiness. It will also encourage the release of endorphins that boost your mood as well as helping to reduce pain and stress. Exercise will also release neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which affect your mood. Over time you will begin to associate exercise with the post-exercise feelings of happiness and delight and this will positively affect your mental health!

Stress Reduction

Stress is one of the biggest causes of prolonged mental health problems, and regular exercise can help to reduce the baseline levels of hormones associated with stress in the body. This means that over time you can change your body’s reaction to moments of stress that would normally result in large surges in stress hormone production. With less general stress and a better ability to deal with it, you can avoid the mental strain that stress can have on your daily life.

Aside from the obvious physical health benefits that come with regular exercise, the positive effect that it can have on your mental health is undeniable. Over time you can retrain your brain to react differently to stress and boost your happiness – improving your daily life and mental resistance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to learn more about becoming a personal trainer? If you are, then you definitely need to have a look at our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is a hinge joint? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-hinge-joint/ Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:05:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17819 A hinge joint is a kind of synovial joint which exists in the body and helps to allow motion primarily in one plane. The hinge joint is constituted of two or more bones with articular surfaces which are covered by hyaline cartilage as well as being lubricated by synovial fluid. Stabilisation of each hinge joint...

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A hinge joint is a kind of synovial joint which exists in the body and helps to allow motion primarily in one plane. The hinge joint is constituted of two or more bones with articular surfaces which are covered by hyaline cartilage as well as being lubricated by synovial fluid. Stabilisation of each hinge joint is by muscles, ligaments in addition to other connective tissues, such as the joint capsule.

The hinge joints of the body comprise the following:

  • Elbow
  • Knee
  • Interphalangeal (IP) joints of the hand and foot
  • Tibiotalar joint of the ankle.

What is the movement displayed by the hinge joint?

The hinge joint allows for flexion/extension. In addition, it offers ease of movement but only provides movement in one plane (no twisting no side to side). The hinge joint is an essential component of the complex biomechanics of the human body. The knee, elbow and ankle are able to support large amounts of force and help in the performance of work. Interphalangeal joints are smaller and contribute mainly to dexterity. A hinge joint is more stable than a ball and socket joint but offers less mobility.

A great example of a hinge joint is at your elbow. There are two bones in your forearm which interact at the elbow joint. Only the Ulna forms a hinge joint. When you are in an anatomical position, and you bend your elbow as if taking in your palm to your shoulder, this is the movement of the hinge joint.

Exercises involving the hinge joint

The following exercises are great examples of movements which recruit the hinge joint.

Swimming

With the elbow and/or the arm, flexion is moving your forearm and hand toward your body by bending the elbow joint, while elbow extension moves in the opposite direction.

Push-Ups and Pull-Ups

These two exercises involve elbow flexion and extension.

For push-ups, put your hands on the ground about shoulder-width apart and your feet slightly apart on your toes. Tighten your buttocks as you lower your body toward the ground until your chest and hips almost touch the ground. Keep your elbows close to your body. Exhale and push yourself off the ground, keeping your head in alignment with your spine and hip.

While push-ups aren’t difficult, they do need strength and engagement from many different parts of your body. These exercises challenge our pecs, our triceps, the back of the shoulders and also require a good understanding of core and hip stability. A push-up is, after, a moving plank, o your core plays a huge role.

For pull-ups, grab both hands on a pull-up bar or similar apparatus about shoulder-width apart. Exhale, and pull yourself up until your chin clears over the bar. Lower yourself down until your arms are fully extended. For each of the exercises, perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

The pull-up is an upper-body as well as a compound exercise. Your back, as well as your arms, pull your body up while your abs stop your lower back from arching. You can emphasise your arms by holding the bar with your palms facing up. These are chin-ups and they’re effective for building bigger arms.

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If you would like to follow a career in personal training and would like to learn more about exercise, then have a look at our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is sports kinetics? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-sports-kinetics/ Tue, 04 Aug 2020 05:00:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17800 Generating speed as well as power with accuracy and consistency is key to success in any sport.  Whether this is throwing, kicking, jumping, running, swinging performing at a high level of constantly requires well-tuned coordination in addition to strength. Elite athletes are able to harness an incredible amount of power to execute their respective skills...

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Generating speed as well as power with accuracy and consistency is key to success in any sport.  Whether this is throwing, kicking, jumping, running, swinging performing at a high level of constantly requires well-tuned coordination in addition to strength.

Elite athletes are able to harness an incredible amount of power to execute their respective skills almost the same way every time.  So how are these athletes able to do this while others of comparable size and strength cannot?  The answer: kinetic and kinematic sequence.

Probably the most vital aspect of sports kinetics is stretching as this activity prepares the muscles to better handle as well as facilitate all the types of motion which athletic activity and competitive sports will need.

Stretching is important because it prevents injury in addition to helping the muscles better recuperate from vigorous and demanding activity. When anyone is taking part in an athletic activity, his or her muscles are going to shorten naturally because of the intensity of the activity. If the muscles are allowed to stay that way, movement will be restricted and it will be painful to move.

This is one reason why many individuals have restricted motion after hard workouts: their muscles are tight. Gently stretching after any activity will assist with preventing this from occurring and enable you to not only enjoy a less painful next day but also to continue your activity without problems.

What are linear kinetics?

Kinetics is focused on what causes a body to move. This is momentum, inertia, mass, weight and force:

  • Momentum is calculated as mass times velocity
  • Inertia is the hesitancy of a body to alter whatever it is doing
  • Mass is the amount of matter which a body consists of – not affected by gravity – measured in kilograms (kg)
  • Weight is the force due to gravity -9.81m/s²
  • Force is a pushing or pulling action which causes a change of state (rest/motion) of a body. It is proportional to mass x acceleration and is measured in Newtons (N) where 1N is the force which will generate an acceleration of 1 m/s² in a body of 1 kg

The classification of external or internal forces is dependent on the definition of the ‘system’. In biomechanics, a body is seen as the ‘system’ thus any force which is employed by one part of the system on an alternative part of the ‘system’ is known as an internal force. All other forces are external.

All about kinetic energy and power

The term ‘kinetic energy’ refers to the mechanical energy that is possessed by a moving object. The equation for kinetic energy is ½ x mass x velocity² (joules).

On the other hand, the term ‘power’ is defined as the rate at which energy is utilised or created from other forms. There are a number of equations which can be used for power:

  • energy used ÷ time taken
  • (force x distance) ÷ time taken
  • force x velocity

What is angular kinetics?

The term ‘angular kinetics’ refers to a force that acts through the centre of a body resulting in movement (translation).

An eccentric force’s line of action does not pass through the body’s centre of gravity and it results in movement and rotation. For example, if you push through the centre of an object it will move towards the direction of the force. If you push on one aspect of the object it will move forward and rotate.

Each skill on the sporting field demands a unique kinetic and kinematic sequence.  The thing is that you are notable to see it with the naked eye.  Many sports coaches utilise 2D video analysis and understand the kinematic patterns which lead to a successful execution.

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Theraband Exercises To Work Your Lower Body https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/theraband-exercises-to-work-your-lower-body/ Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17684 If you would like to build muscle, as well as improve power and endurance, therabands are one of the best strength training tools that you can use. Unlike dumbbells and kettlebells, therabands put less pressure on the joints and can target small as well as large muscle groups at once. Varying from light to heavy,...

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If you would like to build muscle, as well as improve power and endurance, therabands are one of the best strength training tools that you can use. Unlike dumbbells and kettlebells, therabands put less pressure on the joints and can target small as well as large muscle groups at once. Varying from light to heavy, there are different levels of resistance that you are able to work with.

Therabands are especially useful for working your lower body, together with the legs and glutes, as they compel you to move with better form as well as produce power from the correct muscles. If you are suffering from knee pain, therabands are exceptionally handy for strengthening the muscles around the joint so that they can stand up to a stronger load.

Here are some exercises that you can do with a theraband to work out your lower body.

Bent Knee Forward Walk – Ankles

  • Knot your theraband and place it around both ankles. Make sure that the band is taught when you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Keep your knees bent and walk forward.
  • Place your forward foot entirely on the ground before lifting your other leg.
  • Repeat your forward walk for between 10 and 12 steps.

Bent Knee Backward Walk – Ankles

  • Knot your theraband and place it around both ankles. Make sure that the band is taught when you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Keep your knees bent and walk backwards.
  • Place your back foot completely on the ground before lifting your other leg.
  • Repeat the backward walk for between 10 and 12 steps.

Bent Knee Forward Walk – Knees

  • Knot your theraband and place it just above your knees. Make sure that the band is taught when you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Keep your knees bent and walk forward.
  • Place your forward foot totally on the ground before lifting your other leg.
  • Repeat your forward walk for between 10 and 12 steps.

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Bent Forward Walk Lateral Walk – Knees

  • Knot your theraband and place just above your knees. Make sure that the band is taught when you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Move to the right, pushing with your left foot while stepping laterally with your right leg.
  • Bring your left foot back to your starting position and continue.
  • Repeat as you move to the left.

Therabands work by adding an external resistance force which can be applied without having to hold extra weight per se. They are flat, sometimes looped bands that vary from thin sizes to thick. Therabands provide resistance at varying degrees of difficulty (light, medium, heavy, extra heavy) when providing the opposite force with your own body weight. When they are fastened in place, it is possible for you to push, pull, curl, etc. against the rubber resistance.

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How to do Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-do-urdhva-prasarita-ekapadasana/ Wed, 29 Jul 2020 05:05:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17624 When you practise Standing Splits (Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana), focus on the stretch in your quad and hamstrings, not how high you can lift your leg. This asana is an Intermediate to Advanced Level pose which is practised for the deeper opening of the hips, and therefore forms part of the Hip Opening Yoga Sequences. The...

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When you practise Standing Splits (Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana), focus on the stretch in your quad and hamstrings, not how high you can lift your leg. This asana is an Intermediate to Advanced Level pose which is practised for the deeper opening of the hips, and therefore forms part of the Hip Opening Yoga Sequences.

The upward (urdhva) lengthening (prasarita) of one leg (eka pada) in this pose is considered to be an inversion. At the same time, the stretching of the adductors of hips (inner thighs) – together with the hamstrings – is the main focus.

The practise of Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana also teaches students to make an effort to understand their body, its effects, and limitations. With this understanding, Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana helps to maintain a healthy body since – in this posture – the stretching of both sides (right and left) should be done consciously.

Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana technique

Begin in Tadasana. Exhale and fold your body forwards. Place your hands on the floor on either side of your right foot. If your hands don’t rest comfortably on the floor, support each one on a block. For extra stability, walk your hands slightly ahead of you and shift your weight onto the right foot. Then, inhale and lift your left leg as high as you can.

Keep the hips square. Tighten your standing leg and pull in your knee cap. Rotate the thigh outwards and turn the knee so that the kneecap faces straight ahead. Don’t focus on how high your raise leg goes. Instead, work towards directing equal energy into both legs. Hold between 30 seconds and one minute.

Then, lower your raised leg with an exhale and repeat on the other side for the same length of time. Finish in Tadasana.

If you’re a beginner, and you can’t reach the floor, then use a block. You can also support the lifted leg by pressing the lifted foot against a wall or hooking its front ankle over the top edge of a stable chair.

If you’re an advanced student, extend the leg higher or press the raised legs against a wall to intensify the stretch. If you’re flexible and have the right balance, you can grasp the back of the standing-leg ankle with the opposite-side hand.

Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana effects

  • Stretches the hamstrings, calves as well as thighs.
  • Strengthens the thighs, knees as well as ankles.
  • Stretches the back of the leg, the front of the thigh and the groin.
  • Stimulates the liver and the kidneys.
  • Calms the brain.

Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana deferrals and cautions:

  • If you suffer from lower back, ankle or knee injuries be cautious
  • Avoid this pose if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition

Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana preparatory pose

  • Uttanasana
  • Padangusthasana
  • Prasarita Padottanasana
  • Adho Muka Svanasana
  • Janu Sirasasana
  • Paschimottanasana
  • Supta Padangustasana

Follow-up pose:

  • Cobra Pose

Counter pose:

  • Mountain Pose
  • Side leg forward bend
  • Resting forward bend

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How to do arm circles using the Pilates barrel https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-arm-circles-using-the-pilates-barrel/ Wed, 29 Jul 2020 05:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17620 The Pilates barrel is a barrel-shaped workout device. A common addition to many Pilates studios as well as home gyms, the Pilates barrel is offered in three distinct styles and sizes: The biggest style is the Pilates ladder barrel, which sits about 9 meters off the ground. The step barrel is slightly smaller and is...

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The Pilates barrel is a barrel-shaped workout device. A common addition to many Pilates studios as well as home gyms, the Pilates barrel is offered in three distinct styles and sizes:

  • The biggest style is the Pilates ladder barrel, which sits about 9 meters off the ground.
  • The step barrel is slightly smaller and is also called the spine corrector.
  • The smallest is the Pilates barrel arc, which has a half-moon shape and sits directly on the floor.

Developed by Joseph Pilates, each one plays a unique role and gives people additional ways to exercise using Pilates techniques. The Pilates barrel arc – which is used in this exercise – features a gentle curve which assists with decompressing and lengthening the spine. It can be utilised during mat work to increase the challenge or offer support during exercises. In addition, it’s a great tool to assist rehab clients.

The arm circles barrel exercise is a wonderful choice for opening as well as stretching the front of the chest. It is beneficial for clients with kyphosis or tight upper chest muscles. It also develops shoulder stabilisation.

What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is an amplified, forward rounding of the back. This disease can happen at every age; however, it is most widespread in older women. Age-related kyphosis is often because of weakness in the spinal bones, which causes them to compress or crack. Other kids of kyphosis can appear in infants or teens owing to malformation of the spine or, alternatively, wedging of the spinal bones over time.

Mild kyphosis causes a few problems. Severe kyphosis can be a cause of pain and be mutilating. Treatment for kyphosis depends upon your age, the cause as well as effects of the curvature.

When a Pilates client presents with hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine (upper as well as middle back) to an instructor, there is no doubt that Pilates can treat thoracic hyperkyphosis. Furthermore, there are a number of approaches that a Pilates instructor can utilise to assist with improving the client’s condition.

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Starting position

Lie supine with your upper back against the barrel. Extend your legs in front of you. Your knees can be bent if it’s more comfortable for your back. Make sure that your arms are relaxed next to your sides.

Inhale and lift your arms straight up towards the ceiling.

Exhale and reach your arms back with three gentle pulses increasing the stretch as you go back.

Inhale and lift your arms back up to the ceiling.

Exhale and return your arms to the starting position. The next step is instead of reaching up and down. You can extend the movement into small circles. Perform a circle three times in one direction and then reverse.

Perform between three and five reps per set.

Muscles worked

  • Deltoids
  • Pectorals

Modifications

  • Place a small ball under your head to support the neck.
  • Use the roll-down bar and omit the circles.
  • Use light hand weights.

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Why nutrition is the best medicine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/why-nutrition-is-the-best-medicine/ Tue, 28 Jul 2020 05:05:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17616 The significance of good nutrition can never be overemphasised, especially now. A balanced diet aids in developing a healthy immune system to fight off infections. There is no quick cure, special food, supplement or immune booster that can prevent you from contracting an infection– not even vitamin cocktails, drips or injections. However, the consistent intake...

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The significance of good nutrition can never be overemphasised, especially now. A balanced diet aids in developing a healthy immune system to fight off infections.

There is no quick cure, special food, supplement or immune booster that can prevent you from contracting an infection– not even vitamin cocktails, drips or injections. However, the consistent intake of a balanced diet will strengthen and support your immune system. The minerals and vitamins that are especially important for good health are copper; folic acid; iron; selenium; zinc; pyridoxine, vitamins B12, A, C and D.

What you need to include in your day-to-day diet

Remember that there are six food groups we need to include in our daily diet: starches; fruits; vegetables; dairy; protein; and healthy fats. It is essential to change the kinds of foods from each group daily. Try to limit take away meals to once or twice monthly.

Make starchy foods the foundation of most meals. Take a fist-sized amount of cooked starch per meal and opt for whole wheat options. Aim for three to five portions of vegetables daily and two to four fruits. These are packed with vitamin A, C and folic acid, as well as phytochemicals that support the immune system. Choose those that stay fresh longer like apples; pineapples; citrus fruits; carrots; turnips; onions; garlic and ginger.

Good sources of vitamin B12 and iron

Most nutritional products derived from animals are good sources of vitamin B12 and iron. Long-life milk, maas and yoghurt stay fresh longer than fresh milk. Skim milk powder or evaporated milk are also good options. Try to eat fish at least thrice a week like tinned tuna, pilchards or sardines. Include the bones – a good source of calcium. Eggs contain all the amino acids your body needs for repairing itself when injured or attacked. Boiled or scrambled eggs are best.

Beans, peas, lentils, peanuts and soy are good, economical sources of low-fat protein and fibre. Try to have a vegetarian meal at least once a week.

Water intake is essential, especially if you are fighting a cold or the flu. Aim for two litres daily and keep your water bottle nearby to remind you. Salt dehydrates you – use it sparingly.

Use fat and oil sparingly

Limit using fat and oil when cooking. Use healthier options in small amounts, e.g. olives, avocado, nuts.

Your liver detoxifies your body and drinking alcohol puts unnecessary strain on it. Choose healthy snacks (e.g. fruit, yoghurt) and drinks (e.g. sugar-free beverages, fat-free milk), rather than sugary foods. Choose a teaspoon of honey in hot water with some lemon juice for a sore throat.

Remember, health is wealth. Look after yourself so that it will also be possible for you to help others when necessary. Avoid smoking and exercise regularly. Have a healthy sleep cycle and minimise your exposure to stress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about nutrition? If you do, then you should be having a look at our Specialised Nutrition Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to do the Seal Pilates exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-the-seal-pilates-exercise/ Mon, 27 Jul 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17606 The Seal is a fun as well as challenging Pilates exercise which is done on a mat. This full spinal rolling exercise requires that you to control your body in addition to avoiding momentum while – at the same time – moving back and forth. You must also work your body symmetrically in both directions...

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The Seal is a fun as well as challenging Pilates exercise which is done on a mat. This full spinal rolling exercise requires that you to control your body in addition to avoiding momentum while – at the same time – moving back and forth. You must also work your body symmetrically in both directions while relying only on abdominal strength. The Seal is a phenomenal way to test your core strength in addition to your control.

The Seal is a similar movement to rolling like a ball which is done in the basic section, except that the Seal challenges coordination and balance more. The spine will still remain in a ‘c’ curve flexion during the entire exercise.

Starting position

Sit balancing on your sit bones with your back flexed in a ‘c’ curve position. You legs will be bent at the knees and your feet will be elevated off the floor. Your hands are placed on the inside of your legs and hold onto your ankles.

Inhale and carefully roll your flexed body backwards into the mat, one vertebra at a time. Clap your feet together, three times, and do not let your cervical spine or head touch the mat.

Exhale and keeping the abdominals contracted, roll back articulating your vertebrae onto the mat and return to your starting position. Clap your feet together three times when you have returned to your seated position.

Perform between five and 10 reps per set.

Muscles worked:

  • Abdominals
  • Hamstring group
  • Hip adductors and abductors

Watchpoints:

  • Keep flexion in your spine during the entire exercise
  • Do not let your cervical spine or head touch the mat
  • Keep your abdominals connected during the entire exercise
  • Do not allow your feet to come into contact with the floor

Modifications:

  • Do not roll all the way back (practise rocking on your sit bones)

Benefits of the Seal

The Seal will task you with maintaining your C-curve and abdominal contraction. You will develop the ability to regulate your movements in addition to finding your balance point. Like other rolling Pilates exercises, it helps to massage your spine and make it more flexible. This helps with posture and possibly even injury-prevention.

Common mistakes made with the Seal

Losing Your C-Curve

Ensure that you remain curved during the whole time that you’re doing the Seal. Never throw your head or shoulders back.

Utilising Momentum

Go backwards by deepening the lower abs. Return up by working the abs and the breath, not by tossing your legs or pulling up with your back.

Too Much Padding

You will want to use a mat that offers you adequate padding for your spine, but not so very much that it throws you off your line.

Steer clear of this exercise if you have back or neck problems, or are suffering from osteoporosis. When performing this routine, make sure that you are rolling onto your shoulder blades and not onto your neck, head, or – alternatively – your shoulders.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If it’s your life’s ambition to become a Pilates Instructor, then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information regarding this learning programme and our other fitness courses, please follow this link.

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How to do Parsvottanasana https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-do-parsvottanasana/ Mon, 27 Jul 2020 05:00:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17602 Stretch your outer hips and hamstrings, lengthen your spine and encourage quietude as well as self-reflection in Intense Side Stretch (Parsvottanasana). Being partially a forward bend and partially a balancing pose, this pose is a mid-way pose between Parivrtta Trikonasana and Utthita Trikonasana. This asana is also popularly called the Pyramid Pose because it looks...

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Stretch your outer hips and hamstrings, lengthen your spine and encourage quietude as well as self-reflection in Intense Side Stretch (Parsvottanasana). Being partially a forward bend and partially a balancing pose, this pose is a mid-way pose between Parivrtta Trikonasana and Utthita Trikonasana. This asana is also popularly called the Pyramid Pose because it looks like a pyramid.

Parsvottanasana technique

Begin in Tadasana. Inhale deeply and jump your feet one metre apart. Keep your hands on your hips and exhale while stretching your body forward. Keep your leg muscles stretch and breathe as you extend into the crown of your head.

Inhale and extend your arms forward. Then exhale and bring your palms together behind you into namaste. Inhale and bring your torso upright. Inhale and then turn your chest to the right. Turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right and rotate your left foot about 70 degrees to the right.

Exhale and move the torso forward slowly, pausing parallel to the ground for a breath. Then exhale all the way down so that your forehead rests on your knees.

Extend into your crown, stretching your back and try to get your note, then lips and then chin onto your knee and your chest onto your thigh.

Tighten your knee caps and hold. Breathe deeply. Inhale and slowly move your torso to stop parallel to the ground. Swing round to face the front and adjust your feet so that your toes point forward. Keep your gaze to the floor and breathe.

Inhale and slowly move your torso to stop parallel to the ground and swing round to face the front. Change up the position of your feet so that your toes are pointing forward and keep your gaze to the floor. Breathe. Inhale and then turn your torso to the left to repeat on the other side.

After holding for between 30 seconds and one minute, with deep breathing, slowly move your torso to stop parallel to the ground and swing round to face the front. Bring your body into an upright position and jump your feet back into Tadasana.

What does Parsvottanasana do?

Parsvottanasana has the following benefits:

  • Relieves stiffness in, and strengthens the legs and hips
  • Stretches the spine and shoulders
  • Abdominal organs are contracted and toned
  • Digestion improves
  • Stiffness in the wrists is removed
  • Corrects rounded and droopy shoulders
  • Improves posture and sense of balance
  • Calms the brain

For Parsvottanasana beginners

If you can’t do a backward namaste, then hold your elbows with your forearms parallel to the floor. When the right leg is in the front, bring the left arm first. If your arms get tired is namaste then rest them on the hips when in the centre before doing the second side.

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For Parsvottanasana advanced students

With your nose to your chin and your chest on your thigh, release namaste, interlace your fingers and stretch your arms out behind you. Use blocks if you can’t reach. If your back heel is lifting as you bend into this pose, practise with your back heel pressed to a wall as the heel’s contact with the wall will help you to keep it grounded.

If you’re fighting against high blood pressure or have a back injury, avoid the full forward bend.

Preparatory poses include:

  • Adho Mukha Svanasana
  • Anjali Mudra
  • Baddha Konasana
  • Gomukhasana
  • Prasarita Padottanasana
  • Supta Baddha Konasana
  • Uttanasana
  • Utthta Parsvakonasana
  • Utthita Trikonasana
  • Vrksasana

Parsvottanasana is an excellent standing pose to prepare for seated forward bends and twists.

Counter pose:

  • Mountain Pose
  • Supported Bridge

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How to perform Padahastasana and other basic yoga forward bends https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-perform-padahastasana-and-other-basic-yoga-forward-bends/ Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:05:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17597 Padahastasana is a stretching pose in yoga which utilises the strength of the body in order to stretch. The yoga practitioner makes use of his or her upper body strength in order to pull the body and then put it in a stretch. The term ‘Padahastasana’ is derived from the Sanskrit names pada – which...

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Padahastasana is a stretching pose in yoga which utilises the strength of the body in order to stretch. The yoga practitioner makes use of his or her upper body strength in order to pull the body and then put it in a stretch. The term ‘Padahastasana’ is derived from the Sanskrit names pada – which means foot, ‘hasta’ which means hand and ‘asana’ meaning pose. Therefore, ‘Padahastasana’ translates into hand to feet pose in English.

What are the effects of Padahastasana?

The following are the effects of this pose:

  • Strengthens the thighs
  • Abdominal organs are toned and digestion improves
  • Liver and spleen are activated

This asana helps with bloatedness, menopause, headaches and insomnia. In addition, it calms the brain and helps to relieve stress as well as anxiety.

To find out how to do Padahastasana, follow this link.

One-Legged Downward Facing Dog

One of the most vital alignment cues for standing yoga poses is if the hips are closed (squared) or, alternatively, open. For example, they will be squared in Warrior I, however, open in Warrior II. Beginners often have a challenging time knowing what this means as well as feeling it in their bodies. One-legged downward-facing dog illustrates it very nicely. This asana also provides you with a full-body stretch and can be a transitional pose in a Vinyasa yoga practice.

How to do One-Legged Downward Facing Dog

Start by kneeling on all fours and have your hands slightly forward of your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Spread your finger out with your middle finger facing forward—Tuck your toes under themselves.

Exhale and raise your knees away from the mat. At first, keep the knees bent slightly and the heels lifted a distance from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone a distance from the back of your pelvis and press it lightly toward the pubis. Counter to this resistance, lift the sitting bones toward the ceiling.

Exhale and push your top thighs back. Stretch your heels onto, or toward, the floor. Straighten your knees but don’t block them. Firm the outer thigs and roll the upper thigs inward slightly. Draw your chest towards your thighs.

Firm your other arms and press the bases of your index fingers actively into the floor. From these two points, lift along your inner arms from the wrists to the tops of the shoulders. Your inner elbows should face each other.

Firm your shoulder blades against your back and then widen them and draw them toward your tailbone. Keep the head between the upper arms. Hold for between half a minute to one minute.

Inhale and raise your right leg parallel to the line of your torso and hold for about 30 seconds. Maintain your hips at a level position and press through the heel. Exhale, release and repeat on the left side. To come out, bend your knees to the floor with an exhalation and rest in Child’s Pose.

If you’re new to yoga, and you have difficulty release and opening your shoulders in this pose. Raise your hands off the floor on a pair of blocks or the seat of a metal folding chair.

What to be careful of in One-Legged Downward Facing Dog

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, be cautious with this position. Avoid it entirely if you’re suffering from diarrhoea or are in the late stages of pregnancy.

If you are suffering from elevated blood pressure, or headaches, support your head on a block with your ears level between your arms.

Preparatory poses are either plank pose or Uttanasana. Follow-up poses to One-Legged Downward Facing Dog can be any one of the standing poses or, again, Uttanasana. The counter pose is Child’s Pose.

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How to do the Open Leg Rocker https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-the-open-leg-rocker/ Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17590 The Pilates Open Leg Rocker is a phenomenal abdominal workout, which benefits trunk stabilisation as well as spinal articulation. It is a Pilates exercise which requires balance and control. This Pilates exercise provides an opportunity to practice using consecutive control between the upper and lower abdominal muscles. You will need to maintain your abdominals in...

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The Pilates Open Leg Rocker is a phenomenal abdominal workout, which benefits trunk stabilisation as well as spinal articulation. It is a Pilates exercise which requires balance and control. This Pilates exercise provides an opportunity to practice using consecutive control between the upper and lower abdominal muscles.

You will need to maintain your abdominals in an engaged state and a deep scoop for the Open Leg Rocker. Use your breath to keep this rolling exercise flowing and controlled. The Open Leg Rocker should only be attempted once rolling like a ball and the teaser have been perfected. This exercise requires a considerable amount of flexibility.

Starting position for the Open Leg Rocker

Sit on your sitting bones holding onto your shins. Maintain a straight back and posteriorly tilt your pelvis slightly and straighten one leg at a time. Both legs need to be straight and not abducted wider than your shoulders.

Inhale and maintain the hold of the shins. Rollback and lift your hips up. Exhale and return to your starting position. Perform between six and eight reps per set.

Muscles worked:

Watchpoints:

  • Avoid rolling further than your shoulder blades
  • Do not use momentum
  • Do not lose abdominal control

Modifications:

  • Hold on behind the knees or the heels depending on your level of flexibility.
  • Bend your knees slightly to accommodate shorter hamstrings.
  • Use a prop such as a small ball or magic circle
  • To make the exercise more challenging, hold onto your ankles or toes

What are the benefits of the Open Leg Rocker?

Make use of the Open Leg Rocker in order to massage as well as stretch your back. This exercise also helps you to train your core muscles to remain engaged. The Open Leg Rocker helps to cleanse the lungs and, as a result, helps you to sleep restfully. It is a move that also permits you to practise the control that is central to Pilates.

Common mistakes in the Open Leg Rocker

Not Doing Preparatory Exercises

Don’t try to do the Open Leg Rocker until you can perform the Open Leg Balance while maintaining your back in a straight angle as well as your legs completely extended.

Throwing Yourself Back 

Rolling exercises are never completed by throwing yourself back from the shoulders as well as the head. Remain in the C-curve, until you come up, to maintain your balance. Your roll is started and regulated by the deepening of the abdominals, the breath in addition to the extension of the back in relation to the breath.

Coming Too Far Forward

After you roll back, don’t bring the legs too far back in the air. They should go no farther than just over your shoulders.

Sloppy Line

Prevent the pelvis from rocking or tipping when going back to the starting position. Focus on your midline.

If you are being troubled by back or neck issues, or tight hamstrings, make use of this routine as an open leg balance exercise and do not perform the rolling. You might also avoid it if you have a sensitive tailbone.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about Pilates, or if you want to become a Pilates instructor, then you should have a look at our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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7 Exercises You Can Do with Just One Single Kettlebell https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/7-exercises-you-can-do-with-just-one-single-kettlebell/ Thu, 23 Jul 2020 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17579 Kettlebells are the most underrated, versatile powerhouse when it comes to weight training, and while no weight type is better than another, kettlebells put up quite the fight. From HIIT workouts to low-rep, heavyweight movements, they’re sure to get the job done. Designed to meet the need of any fitness level, kettlebells offer a more...

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Kettlebells are the most underrated, versatile powerhouse when it comes to weight training, and while no weight type is better than another, kettlebells put up quite the fight. From HIIT workouts to low-rep, heavyweight movements, they’re sure to get the job done.

Designed to meet the need of any fitness level, kettlebells offer a more holistic approach to workouts. Here are a number of the more simple kettlebell workouts to get you started.

Seven exercises you can do using only one kettlebell

Single-arm kettlebell row:Start in a high plank position. Place a kettlebell next to your left hand, keeping your shoulder blades drawn back to prevent hunching over. Keep your core engaged so that your body forms a straight line. Maintaining this form, take the kettlebell and lift it to your side. Slowly release. Repeat on the right side.

Kettlebell windmill:This exercise is perfect for strengthening your shoulders and core as well as mobility. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the kettlebell with your left hand. Lift the kettlebell straight up overhead. Looking upwards, shift your hips to the left as you bend towards your right side until you touch your foot. Return to an upright standing position and then repeat on the right side.

Figure 8:Holding a kettlebell out in front of you in your left hand. Position yourself into a half squat. Keep your back straight and core engaged. Pass the kettlebell in between your legs in a figure-eight motion. Repeat on the other side.

Single-arm kettlebell floor press: Lying on the ground, hold the kettlebell above your chest with the weight resting on the palm of your left hand. Push the weight upwards and rotate your wrist so that you end with your palm facing your feet. Repeat using the other hand.

Turkish get-up: Lie on you back and hold a kettlebell in your left hand. Push your arm forward and overhead. Bend your left knee and use your foot to ground you. Twist your left shoulder so that your right elbow is holding the weight. Puah yourself up and raise your bum off of the floor. You should be able to stand up. Return to your starting position. Repeat on the right side.

Plank drag:  In a high plank position, place a kettlebell just outside of your left hand. Move under your body with your right arm and pull the kettlebell to the right side. Repeat on the other side. It’s essential to keep your pelvis square to the ground the entire time.

Goblet squat:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Holding the kettlebell by the “horns”, tuck your elbows in so that your forearms are vertical. Position your feet shoulder-width apart and then lower yourself to a squatting position.

It’s easy to see why the kettlebell is a popular choice when it comes to free-weight training. The workouts are customisable and versatile to suit the needs of anyone performing them. It is possible to increase the intensity as you see fit and take on a full-body workout.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you a personal trainer and want to add kettlebell training into the services you can offer your clients? If you do, then you should do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Could medicine balls and kettlebells improve your game? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/could-medicine-balls-and-kettlebells-improve-your-game/ Thu, 23 Jul 2020 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17583 We’re always searching for ways to up our game and take our workout to the next level. So could two of the most underrated pieces of equipment be the answer to your needs? Medicine balls and kettlebells are a staple in any gym and are readily available for purchase at any sports-related store, but can...

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We’re always searching for ways to up our game and take our workout to the next level. So could two of the most underrated pieces of equipment be the answer to your needs? Medicine balls and kettlebells are a staple in any gym and are readily available for purchase at any sports-related store, but can they assist you in improving your game?

Reasons to start using a kettlebell

These versatile fitness balls come in a variety of weight options and can result in some rather exciting workout options. They also come in different options that can include handles as well as the option of being filled with sand or air.

So, what are the benefits?

First off, don’t let its looks deceive you. This bad boy is a bodybuilder’s ally as using it in exercising can help you to strengthen and train all muscle groups. Start with a weight level that is comfortable for the exercise you are performing and slowly work your way up.

They’re also great at sculpting killer abs, in addition to strengthening your lower body, as most of the exercises require an engaged core in order to be performed appropriately.

In a more adrenaline-pumping line of workout, these balls can also prepare you for physical blows associated with your sport. From rugby to boxing, these balls can help prepare the body for dangerous strikes in an attempt to reduce the risk of injury. Following the same train of thought, by working on throwing the ball, you can work on gaining power through plyometrics.

And last, but certainly not least, medicine balls can help to improve your coordination and balance. By utilising the medicine ball to throw you off balance, you are able to work deeper muscles and improve your posture.

So, why should you use a kettlebell?

As with any form of weight training, kettlebells are great at building strength and power. You can efficiently complete full-body exercises by using only a kettlebell, which is excellent if you are short on time.

These full-body exercises require core engagement and stability to be correctly executed, which means that you don’t need to focus on ab-specific exercises to get a toned tummy – although they will help you attain your goal a whole lot faster. Tying in with a strong core is good posture, which is vital for keeping form as well as preventing back injuries.

Movements, for example, kettlebell swings, are an excellent way to improve your range of motion while still building strength and endurance. As you become stronger, you will begin to notice increased flexibility and mobility. Don’t force this flexibility as this will result in injury.

It’s easy to see why you should look to incorporating kettlebells and medicine balls into your workout routine. The low maintenance, simple exercises that are associated with these weighted beauties are very underrated as they can target multiple muscle groups without the need to shift between equipment.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about how to integrate other pieces of equipment into your workout routine? Do you love teaching others how to exercise? If you do, then you should definitely become a personal trainer. Have a look at Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Training Diploma for additional information on how to achieve your fitness career dreams!

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3 Underrated Kettlebell Exercises for Core Strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/3-underrated-kettlebell-exercises-for-core-strength/ Wed, 22 Jul 2020 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17565 We may be “chilling” in the middle of winter, but summer is fast approaching and the need for the ultimate summer body is once again going to pop up. So why not make it a habit now and surprise everyone with your incredibly toned physique with these kettlebell exercises? Summer bodies are made in winter...

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We may be “chilling” in the middle of winter, but summer is fast approaching and the need for the ultimate summer body is once again going to pop up. So why not make it a habit now and surprise everyone with your incredibly toned physique with these kettlebell exercises?

Summer bodies are made in winter

Heard this expression before? Well, it’s 100% true. Research has found that exercise habits formed during the colder months are more likely to stick. So if you are able to stay on track and avoid the temptation of hearty comfort foods and binging on junk food, then this behaviour will translate into the summer months where sundowners after work and weekend braais tend to take their toll.

Studies have also found that exercising when it is cold jumpstarts your metabolism as your body works harder to stay warm while powering through a workout. This means that you burn more calories, which is part of the ultimate end goal.

The epitome of being in shape

While toned arms and legs are an essential part of any workout, there is one area of the body which is notorious for being indicative of your fitness level – your tummy area. Nothing screams fitness freak quite like a toned set of abs. And no, we are by no means saying that you should only focus on this area. On the contrary, most exercises when performed correctly will assist in demolishing that unwanted belly fat.

Three kettlebell exercises for increased core strength and a toned stomach

Single-arm kettlebell row: Starting in a high plank position with a kettlebell placed next to your left hand. Keep your shoulder blades drawn back to prevent hunching over. Engage your core so that your body forms a straight line. Maintaining this form, take the kettlebell and lift it to your side. Slowly release. Repeat on the right side.

Kettlebell push press: Stand with feet hip-width apart and kettlebell resting on your right shoulder, extend your left arm out in a straight line in front of you for counterbalance. Bend your knees slightly and as you extend them, push the kettlebell overhead. Use the “jump” momentum to help lift the weight. Repeat on the left side.

Kettlebell swing: Start by standing with feet hip-width apart and with a kettlebell positioned in between them. Grab hold of the kettlebell with both of your hands. Slowly bend your knees and hinge your hips. Lift the kettlebell upwards and, as you straighten your body, in an explosive motion, let the kettlebell to swing out in front of your body. Remember to keep a strong core while doing so complete 10 reps.

In addition to looking aesthetically pleasing, our core muscles are also essential in bearing excess weight without straining the spine. They also assist in transferring forces between the upper and lower parts of the body. Through the process of strengthening your core, you are able to reduce the risk of back injuries and can improve your overall performance.

These underrated kettlebell exercises will do wonders for your core strength and assist you in preventing unwanted injuries.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about kettlebell exercises? If you do, then you should become a kettlebell instructor. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to work with a life coach to accelerate your personal growth https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-to-work-with-a-life-coach-to-accelerate-your-personal-growth/ Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:05:40 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17457 At some point in time, we have all experienced that “what am I doing with my life?” moment. Sometimes it comes about during a confusing and challenging time, while other times we can be feeling perfectly content – almost too content. Almost as if we have become stagnant. Whatever has gotten you to the point...

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At some point in time, we have all experienced that “what am I doing with my life?” moment. Sometimes it comes about during a confusing and challenging time, while other times we can be feeling perfectly content – almost too content. Almost as if we have become stagnant.

Whatever has gotten you to the point of searching for something more is a blessing in disguise, although it may not seem like it at the time. Your journey to personal growth and development is about to begin, and you may find that you require a helping hand in getting started.

What is a life coach?

Newsweek describes a life coach as “Part consultant, part motivational speaker, part therapist and part rent-a-friend, coaches work with managers, entrepreneurs, and just plain folks, helping them define and achieve their goals — career, personal, or most often, both”.

A life coach is someone who joins you on your journey to self-discovery. They give you the tools you need to not only understand yourself but the world around you as well. The relationship between a life coach and their clients is unique and can become more personal than you could ever imagine. By providing unbiased guidance based on their interaction with you and the goals set, you are given the tools needed to succeed – it’s up to you to utilise them.

How can a life coach accelerate personal growth?

As mentioned above, a life coach is an unbiased third party focused on unleashing your true potential. A life coach helps you become the person you have always wanted to be and allows you to rediscover the parts of yourself that you have long forgotten.

So, why use a life coach? Why not just do it yourself?

The answer is simple. A life coach will continuously push you to do better. They won’t let you give up or quit when it becomes too difficult. Instead, they will motivate you and be your cheerleader. It’s very easy to fall into the mindset of “nothing will change so what’s the point” and having someone to show you that it’s not the case is essential.

The International Coaching Federation conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of life coaching and the results were impressive. A total of 99 per cent of the people interviewed said that they found the experience to be rewarding, with 96 per cent of them saying that they would do it again if necessary. A further total of 80 per cent found that their confidence improved and 65 per cent reported that their performance at work increased significantly.

It’s clear to see that working with a life coach provides a lot of benefits and can give you the ability to fast-track your personal development and growth. During these confusing times, it is more important than ever to stay level-headed and continue on the path to self-improvement. It’s the ideal time to team up with your very own life coach to ensure that you stay on track and keep yourself motivated.

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If you want to become a life coach, then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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3 Pilates Pro Tips That’ll Keep You Injury-Free at Home https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/3-pilates-pro-tips-thatll-keep-you-injury-free-at-home/ Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17453 As with most forms of exercise, Pilates does come with its own set of risks and potential for injury. Luckily, serious injuries are uncommon and minor injuries are prevented by exercising with caution. The golden rule is that you need to listen to your body and not push it further than it can go. Overcompensating...

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As with most forms of exercise, Pilates does come with its own set of risks and potential for injury. Luckily, serious injuries are uncommon and minor injuries are prevented by exercising with caution. The golden rule is that you need to listen to your body and not push it further than it can go.

Overcompensating for lower rep counts with increased weights is not advised. It’s good to challenge yourself, but don’t go beyond your ideal range of motion as it can affect your posture and placement, which will result in injury.

Three pro tips for practising Pilates at home

Know your limits and don’t push yourself

Pilates has been created to work with your body while catering to the individual needs of everyone exercising. By using your body’s resistance, you can tone and strengthen your it. By collectively using core strength, body weight and flexibility, you can tailor your approach to work with your fitness level and not against it.

As you progress, you will learn to incorporate more parts of your body and continuously improve on your fitness level.

Healthy habits and variety

When it comes down to leading a healthy lifestyle, it’s about more than just exercising. Healthy eating patterns and making safe choices when it comes to your body is key to staying in the best shape possible.

Always remember to consult a professional when trying something new, especially if you have any underlying conditions or previous injuries.

Another aspect to consider is trying different variations of the exercises to keep on strengthening your body without getting bored.

Ensure proper form and alignment

The back is one of the areas most prone to exercise-related injury and it’s often as a result of improper form. When doing Pilates, the back is generally flat on the ground and, unless you’re exercising your back, it should stay there. If you are unsure about whether or not you are doing the exercise correctly, please consult a professional.

Another thing to remember is to take it slow. Do not force yourself into a position if your body does not allow it. Instead, work towards achieving it. Overtraining can also result in injury, so take it easy – especially in the beginning.

Although it may seem difficult at times, power through, more so when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, find ways to shake up your exercise programme and set new fitness goals for yourself. Once again, it is essential to know your limits to ensure your safety while exercising.

By choosing to try Pilates in the comfort of your own home, you have the opportunity to safeguard yourself from harm. It also means that you have the chance to adapt your current lifestyle to a healthier version. Be sure to be sensible with your approach to exercise and making lifestyle changes. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your fitness journey isn’t either. Hard work and dedication will be critical to initiating this positive change.

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Want to become a Pilates Instructor? If you do, then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Try These Mat Pilates Moves If You Miss Your Studio’s Reformer https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/try-these-mat-pilates-moves-if-you-miss-your-studios-reformer/ Mon, 13 Jul 2020 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17441 When it comes down to it, Pilates is about finding balance while strengthening, toning and lengthening oneself. So what does it involve when people talk about reformer Pilates or mat Pilates? What is reformer Pilates? Reformer Pilates takes place on a bed-like frame. Different weighted spring combinations create resistance when moving the frame forwards and...

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When it comes down to it, Pilates is about finding balance while strengthening, toning and lengthening oneself. So what does it involve when people talk about reformer Pilates or mat Pilates?

What is reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates takes place on a bed-like frame. Different weighted spring combinations create resistance when moving the frame forwards and backwards. A reformer bed also allows you to target specific muscle groups to form long, lean muscles. It provides a broader range of exercise movements than the mat derivative, but you can achieve the same results with both forms – the time it takes will differ though.

As the name implies, mat Pilates is performed using a mat and your body weight for resistance.

5 Pilates mat exercises to get you started

This list is not extensive but acts as a great starting point. There are a lot of online Pilates instructors available in addition to mobile apps, so there’s really no excuse.

Core plank series

Move into Plank Pose and engage your abs. Slowly draw your right knee inwards towards your chest and then extend your leg back towards the ceiling – this will engage your hamstrings and glutes. Repeat 10 times before switching to the left knee.

Kneeling sidekick

While kneeling, lower your left hand to the ground and extend your right leg backwards – keeping your right hand positioned behind your head. Lift and lower your leg for 10 reps before switching to leg rotations for another 10 reps. Repeat on the opposite side.

Scissors

Lying on your back, slowly lift your neck and head to lift your shoulders off of the ground. Lift your right leg slightly and point your toes. Continue lifting your leg until it’s pointed towards the ceiling. Grab your ankles and pull your leg inwards towards your head. Release and repeat for 10 reps before switching legs.

Side teaser

Lying on your side while supporting your body with the hand closest to the mat – for example, if you’re on your right side, you will use your right hand. While engaging your core, rotate your hips and lift your legs off of the floor as high as possible and then release. Repeat for five reps before switching sides.

The hundred

Lying on your back with your arms by your sides, lift your neck, head and shoulders upwards while extending your legs. Find the position where your abs are engaged while your back remains flat on the floor. Start pumping your arms up and down for 10 breath cycles. Repeat for 100 reps.

The choice of mat versus reformer is based purely on personal preference and equipment availability. With Pilate studios remaining closed for the foreseeable future, mat Pilates is a great way that you can stay in shape in the comfort of your own home. It also requires minimal equipment and is cost-effective to do as you only need a mat and an online Pilates instructor. You simply need to take the decision to start and the rest will fall into place.

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6 reasons to do Pilates and what results you can expect https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/6-reasons-to-do-pilates-and-what-results-you-can-expect/ Mon, 13 Jul 2020 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17438 If you are a fitness fanatic or merely starting, Pilates offers a wide range of benefits which will be discussed in the points below, but first… What is Pilates? Pilates is a low-impact exercise aimed at strengthening muscles while improving your overall posture and flexibility. While this exercise can cater to the whole body, it...

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If you are a fitness fanatic or merely starting, Pilates offers a wide range of benefits which will be discussed in the points below, but first…

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact exercise aimed at strengthening muscles while improving your overall posture and flexibility. While this exercise can cater to the whole body, it predominately focuses on strengthening your core muscles.

Six reasons to do Pilates

  1. Pilates can decrease your stress levels and give your energy levels a boost. This is because Pilates stimulates your blood flow and works on controlled breathing methods which have been seen to have a calming outcome on the body. Another added benefit is helping you sleep due to decreased stress levels.
  2. It can assist with injury recovery as it is easy on your joints and the movements are low impact. As a result, this is a safe way to work on staying fit while recovering.
  3. Posture is improved as a result of focusing on your core strength. Plus it will make you look a bit taller.
  4. Improves muscle tone and flexibility through bodyweight exercises that assist in natural toning. In turn, your metabolism will also increase, which will help in burning off those extra calories.
  5. Pilates also provides a platform for social interaction if you are participating in a group setting. You can socialise with people who already have something in common with you and, as such, have a great starting point for socialising.
  6. Above all, Pilates is an easy way to exercise. It doesn’t need expensive equipment and can be performed anywhere. The exercises are done at your discretion which means that you have the freedom to increase the intensity at any time.

It doesn’t matter what age you are or the level of fitness you are at – Pilates is for everyone! The way it is set up makes it accessible for everyone and the different exercises can be tailored around individual needs.

What to expect when trying Pilates for the first time

For your first class in a studio, you will only need to bring a bottle of water and a sweat towel and most places will have equipment available for you to use. If you are starting at home, you will need to invest in an exercise mat. Regardless of where your class is, you will need to wear comfortable exercise attire.

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Why Exercise and Staying Fit will Benefit You in all Aspects of Life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/why-exercise-and-staying-fit-will-benefit-you-in-all-aspects-of-life/ Fri, 10 Jul 2020 05:00:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17404 We are all aware that exercise is important for being fit and keeping your body healthy, but the benefits of staying active do not stop there. ‘Regular’ exercise is usually considered to be about 150 minutes of activity per week. While this could sound like a lot, it works out at a very manageable 30...

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We are all aware that exercise is important for being fit and keeping your body healthy, but the benefits of staying active do not stop there. ‘Regular’ exercise is usually considered to be about 150 minutes of activity per week. While this could sound like a lot, it works out at a very manageable 30 minutes a day, five days a week! Here are several ways that regular exercise can help you in all aspects of your life:

Improve Mental Health and Memory

Regular physical activity has been linked to the improvement of mental health. If you have ever had a good workout and felt uplifted afterwards, you have experienced the magic of endorphins! By staying active throughout the week, you can reduce your stress and feel happier. Exercise has also been suggested to help with anxiety and depression.

Strengthen Muscles and Bones

Habitual exercise will ensure that your bones and muscles stay strong as you grow older. By keeping your muscles strong, you can reduce your risk of back pain, maintain your joints, and will assist with improving your balance and coordination. Exercise will also benefit your bone strength and prevent ­­bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.

Prevent Future Illnesses

Staying active can also help you to avoid the problems that can arise from a sedentary lifestyle. For example, regular activity can help you to:

  • avoid heart disease
  • strokes
  • lower blood pressure
  • improve circulation
  • And maintain a healthy weight.

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Improve Your Sleep

People who are active in their daily lives tend to sleep better at night. Using energy and moving your body will make you ready for a good rest and will help you to feel more relaxed.

Boost Your Confidence

Regular exercise can help to boost your self-confidence. While staying active can help you to lose weight and define your muscles, the confidence that exercise can bring is not just about the physical changes you can achieve. Seeing yourself improve your running time, master a yoga position that you could not do before, or just feel a little stronger will help to improve your view of yourself.

As you can see, staying active can benefit many areas of your life. Just 30 minutes of activity a day will help you to have a better quality of life, improve your mental health, and prevent injuries and disease later in life. Make sure to consult your doctor if you are trying a new exercise routine for the first time, particularly if you have any preexisting medical conditions.

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If you want to learn more about the benefits of exercise, then you should really consider becoming a personal trainer. For more information about how you can do this, please follow this link.

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How to exercise to boost your immune system https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-exercise-to-boost-your-immune-system/ Thu, 09 Jul 2020 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17374 We are all aware that exercise is fantastic for you because it helps you to stay fit, lose weight, and build muscle. However, what we often do not think about is how regular exercise can affect our general health and well-being. Aerobic exercises and cardiovascular workouts may help to improve blood flow and heart health...

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We are all aware that exercise is fantastic for you because it helps you to stay fit, lose weight, and build muscle. However, what we often do not think about is how regular exercise can affect our general health and well-being. Aerobic exercises and cardiovascular workouts may help to improve blood flow and heart health as well as prevent other illnesses, however, can exercise really boost your immune system?

Is there any truth to the idea?

Studies show that being overweight and living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle can contribute to a low-functioning immune system. On the other hand, exercise and a generally active lifestyle showed an improvement in the body’s immune system, particularly in surveillance activity – which is when the immune system actively searches the body for infection. This suggests that those who lead a more active lifestyle are more likely to have a high-functioning immune system that will be more prepared for infections.

So, what kind of exercises should you be doing?

The general consensus on what kind of exercise would improve your immune system seems to be anything that will keep you active. In essence, running, skipping, yoga, or whatever feels right for you. It is all about staying active regularly and performing exercises that your body can handle while increasing your strength and bodily health. In fact, the above-mentioned study showed that even just a 30-minute walk every day could make a difference to your immune system’s function – so do not feel as though you need to push yourself to be extremely active.

In fact, that might be the worst thing that you could do!

Yes, too much exercise might actually be more damaging to your immune system than too little!

Overtraining and overworking your body can actually be detrimental to your health. By straining your body, working out for prolonged periods of time, and not giving yourself adequate time to rest between workouts you could see a decline in your performance and may experience chronic fatigue.

You may also see more injuries and changes to your mood, all of which can affect your immune system’s function. The reason for this is that when you push your body too hard for long periods of time your body can interpret these extended periods of activity as stress. Stress hormones can suppress the immune system, to your detriment, in order for you to escape the apparent threat.

Therefore, it is very important to listen to your body, speak to your doctor, and consult professional fitness specialists about your fitness routine. Too much exercise may be detrimental, but a moderate amount of activity designed for your fitness level could help to boost your immune system and prevent illness in the future!

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 If you want to learn how to teach people the best possible way of exercising then you – without a doubt – need to check out our Personal Training Diploma! For more information, read more here.

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Why skipping needs to be part of your daily workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-skipping-needs-to-be-part-of-your-daily-workout/ Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:05:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17364 If you are searching for an easy and affordable workout that will give you effective results, the answer is simple – rope skipping. Many people might overlook this simple workout for other more popular routines, but skipping can be one of the easiest ways to get a full-body workout! Here are a few reasons why...

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If you are searching for an easy and affordable workout that will give you effective results, the answer is simple – rope skipping. Many people might overlook this simple workout for other more popular routines, but skipping can be one of the easiest ways to get a full-body workout!

Here are a few reasons why skipping should be a part of your daily workouts:

  1. Kind to Your Joints

While not entirely low impact skipping is better for your joints than running as it is less jolting.

  1. Once-Off Cost

Once you have bought a skipping rope, which is usually inexpensive to begin with, skipping costs you nothing, making it extremely affordable to take up.

  1. Full-Body Workout

Skipping uses your legs to jump, your shoulders and arms to move the jump rope, and your abdominal muscles to stabilise yourself – making it a great and easy full-body workout.

  1. Heart Healthy

As a cardio aerobic exercise, skipping is great for your heart health as it helps to improve your blood pressure, boost your immune system, and improve your heart rate.

  1. Anyone Can Do It

Skipping is accessible for almost anybody looking for a good workout. You can easily adapt it to suit your fitness level by gradually increasing your reps, changing up your footing and increasing the length of time that you skip for.

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  1. Easy Add On

Skipping is one of the easiest workouts to add onto your existing workouts if you are looking for a way to change up your cardio or add something new into your daily routine.

  1. Tone and Enhance

Skipping is a great way to tone the muscles in your lower body, such as your calves, thighs, and glutes. This also makes it a great warm-up for days when you are focusing on your lower body.

  1. Prevent Don’t Fix

You might have seen a lot of professional athletes using skipping as part of their workout routine and there is a good reason why. Doing it regularly improves your coordination and strengthens your ankles and feet (areas that are easily injured), which will help to prevent injury in the long run.

  1. Burn, Burn, Burn

Lastly, like many great workouts, skipping is fantastic for helping you to burn calories and lose weight. It is thought that, on average, one hour can burn up to 1600 calories, and just ten minutes of skipping can burn about as many calories as you would on a 30-minute run.

As you can see it is an easy exercise with so many benefits – from burning calories and toning muscle, to preventing injury and improving your heart health. So try it today and see how it can benefit you!

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5 Affordable Exercise Machines For Your Home Gym https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/5-affordable-exercise-machines-for-your-home-gym/ Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17360 As working out at home becomes more and more popular, building a home gym is becoming a reality for a lot of people. Nowadays it is easy to find a variety of gym equipment online or at your local store. However, if you are beginning from scratch you might find all the options a little...

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As working out at home becomes more and more popular, building a home gym is becoming a reality for a lot of people. Nowadays it is easy to find a variety of gym equipment online or at your local store. However, if you are beginning from scratch you might find all the options a little daunting. Here is our guide to the five exercise machines that you should have in your home gym that won’t break the bank.

What To Consider When Buying Gym Equipment

When constructing a home gym you should consider the three types of equipment that are necessary for a balanced workout: weight equipment, bodyweight resistance equipment and cardio equipment.

Bodyweight equipment is usually very affordable and is not usually a ‘machine’. We would recommend using these types of equipment, for example resistance bands, to round out your gym and enhance your workouts. For the other two, you will want to consider a few machines that can help you to enhance your exercise routine.

What Machines Should You Look For

  1.  Rowing Machine

A rowing machine is a great machine for any home gym as they can be quite compact, therefore taking up little space. While this machine might be often overlooked, it actually provides a full body workout. Properly performing reps on this machine will target muscle all over your body requiring activation of the core, legs, arms, and back.

  1. Air Bike

A fantastic machine for cardio, the air bike is a great investment piece for any home gym. Unlike other stationary bikes, the air bike’s handles move as you pedal, giving you an upper body workout while you work your legs. The fan also provides resistance, which means that you can get more out of your workout.

  1. Treadmill

This classic piece of gym equipment is an obvious choice for those looking for a machine that will allow them to get a good cardio aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise helps to improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Treadmills are available in many different sizes and types, allowing you to choose what features you want or need.

  1. Elliptical Machine

The Elliptical is another great machine for cardio workouts and aerobic exercise. However, the advantage of this machine over the treadmill is that it places significantly less stress on the joints, which allows you to perform a low-impact workout and avoid the strain that can come from higher-impact cardio exercise such as running.

  1. Pull-Up Bar Machine

The pull-up machine is always a good choice for a home workout space, whether in full machine form or those that can be attached to door frames. Pull-ups are often underestimated as an exercise but can have surprisingly great results. You can use this piece of equipment to work your entire upper body, building strength in the arms, shoulders and back.

Be Flexible

Obviously everyone has different goals when it comes to going to the gym, so this guide may not work specifically for you. Have a look and see how much space you have, how much money you realistically want to spend, and what you need from your equipment. For example, you might not have much space or might own weights already. Therefore, it might make more sense to prioritise a machine that offers a cardio workout over more weight equipment.

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What are the different stages in the periodisation cycle? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-different-stages-in-the-periodisation-cycle/ Fri, 03 Jul 2020 05:05:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17298 The different stages in the periodisation cycle are determined by the age of the athlete. They are specifically aimed at developing talent to ensure a high level of performance and results. These three stages are: Training to Train: This is general preparation which consists of general fitness work. Train to Compete: This is specific preparation...

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The different stages in the periodisation cycle are determined by the age of the athlete. They are specifically aimed at developing talent to ensure a high level of performance and results. These three stages are:

  • Training to Train: This is general preparation which consists of general fitness work.
  • Train to Compete: This is specific preparation which is specific fitness work, for example, speed, strength, skills, technique and increased intensity training.
  • Train to Win: This is the pre-competition, competition and peak stage. The Train to Win stage begins at the beginning of the season, goes through to the competition and nationals or championships.

What happens in the Training to Train stage?

During the Training to Train stage, physical changes take place faster in the trainee and training programmes need to be designed to account for these rapid changes as well as the various advantages and disadvantages that they present in trainee development.

During this stage, girls between the ages of 11 and 15, and boys of the ages 12 – 16, reach the onset and completion of the adolescent growth spurt. It is seen as the significant fitness development stage where specifically the aerobic base is built. There is also emphasis placed on the development and consolidation of sport-specific drills during this stage.

As the name implies, more time and effort is dedicated to training the required skills and physical capabilities of the child athlete rather than focusing too much on competition and results—it is geared towards the development of long-term participants and top performers. Towards the end of the stage, emphasis shifts from building an aerobic base to increasing strength and the alactic anaerobic energy system.

What happens during the Train to Compete stage?

This is the sage where competition becomes serious. Formal competition becomes more prominent in annual periodised training, competition and recovery plans and includes major national and international events.

The Train to Compete stage is generally for girls aged between seven and 21 and for boys aged between 16 and 23. It is often seen as the dress rehearsal for the next stage, being the Train to Win stage. In this stage, the athlete should choose one sport to excel in.

The training emphasises the solidifying of sport-specific/position-specific skills and physical attributes. In this stage, the trainee aims to compete in national or international evens where the focus shifts to the outcome and the need to excel in competition.

The volume and intensity increase in order to get the athlete to a higher level of performance. Other factors – like nutrition, sports psychology, recover and injury prevention – become more important to assist in keeping the trainee fit and performing at their best. It is also essential that the formal competitions are scheduled into the training cycles.

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What happens in the Train to Win stage?

This stage is directed towards females over the age of 18 and males over the age of 19. This is the final stage of the trainee’s career cycle and the entire focus is on winning and medals. It is usually professionals or full-time trainees that reach this stage of development. The two previous stages have developed and optimised the skills, tactics and capacities of each trainee and they are now at or near their full genetic potential.

The trainee must now maximise and maintain their performance at the highest level. This requires the use of world-class techniques, the latest innovations in techniques, equipment and facilities to meet this demand. Due to the intense nature of the training, there may be a need for a double, triple or even multiple periodisations to allow for enough training and rest time.

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What are the nutritional needs of a soccer player? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/what-are-the-nutritional-needs-of-a-soccer-player/ Fri, 03 Jul 2020 05:05:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17300 The game of soccer is a typical acyclic sport. This is because the intensity during the match changes all the time. The loading has an interval character with frequent breaks and short rests. During a game, phosphate and glycogen supply most of the energy through anaerobic (without oxygen) production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Soccer is...

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The game of soccer is a typical acyclic sport. This is because the intensity during the match changes all the time. The loading has an interval character with frequent breaks and short rests. During a game, phosphate and glycogen supply most of the energy through anaerobic (without oxygen) production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Soccer is a different game and so are the requirements it places on the player’s body. Long-lasting workouts develop endurance as well as strength and agility since the players are running plenty of sprints at high speed.

The neuropsychological load is considered as the matches are emotional and the situation is ever-changing. So, during the execution of these max and sub-max efforts lactate builds up in the person and, as a result of the accelerated metabolism, waste products are eliminated by athletes during pauses and at the break at half-time.

What does a soccer player eat?

The characteristic of a player’s nutrition determines the biochemical changes in their bodies. The foods that they consume have to cover the energetic deficit which is around 627 – 646 kJ (149 – 154 cal) per kilogram of body weight in order to obtain the essential substances to aid the development of the soccer-specific physical characteristics. It is imperative to follow an appropriate diet as well as maintain an adequate liquid intake.

The diet of the players has to be well balanced and include a broad range of food at all times. This is especially during the pre-season period. It has to contain:

  • Enough complete proteins which are necessary for the development of the strength and the speed
  • Optimal quantity carbohydrates which are essential for the increase of glycogen reserves in the body of the soccer player.
  • Fewer fatty foods.
  • Sufficient quantities of vitamins, minerals, microelements and other biologically active elements.

The ingredients of the food have to vary, considering the character of the loading and the physical qualities which are being mostly developed at that particular period.

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Hydration requirement of a soccer player

As a result of the sweating during a match, the soccer players can lose from about two up to 7kg from their body weight. Dehydration may occur, which could lead to poor thermoregulation and prevent adequate oxygen and energy supply to the muscle tissue. That’s why it is recommended, during the hot months of the year, to increase the liquid intake. However, more than the required amount of liquids doesn’t improve performance or progress.

The food distribution during the day is influenced by time, more specifically, when the significant physical effort occurs. If the initial training is in the afternoon breakfast should be more substantial and higher in calories. Lunch should be lighter. If the practice is in the morning, breakfast should be lighter and the lunch richer and more restorative. It is recommended to eat between four and five times a day if the players’ workout twice a day. In such cases, the meals should be evenly distributed.

Soccer is a very energy‐intensive sport for which players need to be in superb physical condition. Proper conditioning techniques are an essential part of coaches’ and players’ soccer training.   So too must be the knowledge of proper nutrition and hydration.

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How to use resistance equipment safely https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-resistance-equipment-safely/ Thu, 02 Jul 2020 05:05:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17290 Using resistance equipment can be dangerous if your technique is not correct. Before beginning any resistance training, make absolutely sure that you have an assessment as well as an exercise programme that is written, by a personal trainer, for your specific needs. Ensure that you follow any medical advice and are shown the exercises by...

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Using resistance equipment can be dangerous if your technique is not correct. Before beginning any resistance training, make absolutely sure that you have an assessment as well as an exercise programme that is written, by a personal trainer, for your specific needs. Ensure that you follow any medical advice and are shown the exercises by a physiotherapist, exercise rehabilitation professional or registered fitness professional.

Here are some useful tips for you to follow that will help you to use resistance equipment safely.

Read the labels

Resistance equipment usually includes a label illustrating what muscles are targeted. A common error is to duplicate or, alternatively, overlap training within the same session. For example, if you make use of the leg press machine working the gluteus maximus, quadriceps and hamstrings, and the gastrocnemius and the soleus of your calves, it is not a requirement to utilise the leg curl machine that targets the hamstrings – and sometimes the calf muscles – or the leg extension machine, which targets the quads, in the same session.

Adjust the machine properly

Some resistance equipment allows you to adjust the back or the height of the seat. Some machines have a pad which goes across the top of your knees. Machines which involve joint flexion may have a pivot point to match with the moving joint. Proper adjustment is vital to avoiding injury. If you aren’t sure about what to do then ask your personal trainer to explain.

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Choose a weight that is right for you

Select a weight at which you can do – at the very least – eight repetitions, but not more than 12, without finding it too difficult. Try to do a minimum of two sets on each and every single piece of equipment and when 12 repetitions become too easy increase the weight or attempt another exercise. Don’t work out on exactly the same machine for more than two weeks, for six consecutive sessions because your muscles will become accustomed to the same moves and it will lose its effect.

Slow and steady

Make use of a slow and controlled motion when working on resistance equipment and go through the full range of motion unless otherwise advised by your physician or personal trainer. Make sure that you control your return and maintain tension by stopping when the weights just barely touch. Don’t let then clank together.

Steering your way through aisles of heavy gym equipment that is marked with knobs, handles, pulleys as well as cables can feel more than a bit intimidating. Those who are “in the know” make strength training on this equipment look effortless. To compound the challenge is that every gym manufacturer and resistance equipment brand makes their equipment a bit different. Chest press machines will function in more or less the same way, however, the knobs handles as well as adjustments won’t be identical. This can put newbie gym-goers at a slight disadvantage. But if you follow the tips which we’ve outlined above, you’ll be sure to work out safely.

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What is a training session plan? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-training-session-plan/ Thu, 02 Jul 2020 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17282 It is always wise to plan a training session with a client so that you can create a coherent and beneficial exercise experience. The goal of a personal trainer is to help his or her client meet their physical fitness goals. These goals could include losing weight, building muscle mass, toning or improving endurance and...

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It is always wise to plan a training session with a client so that you can create a coherent and beneficial exercise experience. The goal of a personal trainer is to help his or her client meet their physical fitness goals. These goals could include losing weight, building muscle mass, toning or improving endurance and stamina. The best way to be successful is to customise exercises that will benefit them the most. There are a number of steps which are involved in developing a customised personal training session for a client.

A training session plan is an organised description of the activities and resources you’ll use to guide a personal training client towards a specific fitness or exercise objective. It details the exercises that you’ll teach, the methods of instruction for each exercise covered and the measures that you’ll use to guide the participants through the various exercises that you need them to complete.

Why use a training session plan

As you plan you visualise each step and timing of the exercise class. This helps you to ensure that you’ve thought about everything that you may need to do and that you present the exercises in a logical order. This will also allow you to prepare for points that people might find difficult to do and make a list of exercises that can be substituted for the beginner or more advanced participant.

After your session, you can utilise your plan in order to work out what went well and what didn’t so that you can adapt it for future lessons.

What must be taken into consideration when planning an exercise programme?

There are several aspects which you need to take into consideration when planning or designing an exercise programme as each participant will have different needs and it is the job of the personal trainer to meet their requirements by providing them with safe and effective exercise programmes and sessions.

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What are the objectives of completing an exercise programme with a client?

  • Define exactly what will be accomplished in a given time period, in other words, the overall outcomes of the plan. The usual time period that an exercise plan lasts is between four and six weeks.
  • Define targets that must be achieved every week (process goals) which will ensure that it is possible to achieve the overall outcome. These might be as straightforward as ‘attend all defined sessions’ or ‘add five minutes to cardio exercises’.
  • Schedule the sessions on days and times that suit the client.
  • Define the FITTT of each workout, in other words, weights or cardio, 30 minutes or 45 minutes, high intensity or low intensity, etc.
  • Define the most likely barriers to completing the exercise plan and what the client would like you to do if the plan is not working, for example, call them and discuss the problem or adapt the programme to suit.
  • Define the tasks that the personal trainer will undertake in order to train, monitor and support the client.
  • Agree to a start date.

Training sessions may seem second nature to the personal trainer but need to be insightful, meaningful and effective for the client as well. Start your planning by thinking about what your clients need to learn in order to be more successful at their fitness goals.  That will ensure that your training session will be practical and applicable.

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If you want to become a personal trainer, then the only way to do this is by studying our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What are body conditioning exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-body-conditioning-exercises/ Wed, 01 Jul 2020 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17204 Body conditioning workouts combine high-intensity exercises with minimal rest. If you want to improve your performance in an activity or sport, or if you’d just like to gain the benefits of physical exercise, then body conditioning exercises are the perfect way to go. Body conditioning exercises can be any exercise that enhances your body and...

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Body conditioning workouts combine high-intensity exercises with minimal rest. If you want to improve your performance in an activity or sport, or if you’d just like to gain the benefits of physical exercise, then body conditioning exercises are the perfect way to go.

Body conditioning exercises can be any exercise that enhances your body and performance. For example, it could increase your speed, strength and endurance. These exercises include cardio exercise which burns fat and resistance training in order to tone your muscles.

Aerobic Conditioning

It is advised that adults do at least between150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

The cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body are strengthened by aerobic conditioning. This decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and depression, to name a few. Aerobic conditioning is a very important part of weight loss and being able to maintain a healthy weight.

When you engage in a sport or activity, such as soccer or long-distance running, these activities require that you have a higher level of aerobic fitness. The main purpose of aerobic exercise is to make use of large muscle groups, for prolonged periods of time, in order to increase your cardiovascular endurance to help prepare you for your activity or sport you participate in. The time and intensity of your workouts should gradually increase.

Aerobic conditioning activities include running, climbing stairs, swimming or cycling. It can trim your waist line, strengthen your heart and increase stamina.

Anaerobic Conditioning

Anaerobic exercise, sometimes referred to as metabolic conditioning, is about short intense workouts. These workouts use fast-twitch muscle and include activities such as burpees, squat thrusts, jumping jacks and jump rope. Anaerobic exercise can help to increase your muscular endurance.

Strength Conditioning

Strength conditioning exercises strengthen the musculoskeletal system. This can be accomplished by doing bodyweight resistance training or weighted exercise. Lifting weights or doing push-ups, squats, sit-ups and other bodyweight exercises cause minor damage to your muscles. This makes them rebuild stronger than they were previously. Strength conditioning is a form of anaerobic conditioning. Strength workouts just don’t involve fast and intense intervals the way that metabolic training does.

Flexibility

Stretching exercises will help you to improve your range of motion and flexibility. Yoga classes are a great way to improve your flexibility but you can also perform stretching exercises on your own.

Why body conditioning is good for you

Body conditioning exercises work out your whole body. They are a high-energy and high-impact workout session.

These body conditioning workouts can tone your body, improve your physical level of fitness and cardiovascular function. They can also help with relieving of stress and symptoms depression all while burning calories and losing weight.

When deciding to get into any kind of conditioning you need to assess your own personal fitness goals, your current level of fitness and any physical injuries or limitations you might have that could bother you during conditioning workouts. Alternating between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, day by day, is one way to get the best out of body conditioning exercises.

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How to do Pilates abdominal exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-pilates-abdominal-exercises/ Tue, 30 Jun 2020 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17183 Pilates is a phenomenal exercise modality to strengthen your core, which consists of your rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, lower back muscles and obliques. A strong core will help to keep your body well balanced and stable. In addition, it will improve your posture and exercise form, help you to move in a more controlled and...

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Pilates is a phenomenal exercise modality to strengthen your core, which consists of your rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, lower back muscles and obliques. A strong core will help to keep your body well balanced and stable. In addition, it will improve your posture and exercise form, help you to move in a more controlled and efficient way and keep your spine stable.

There are many ways to work your core and Pilates focuses on engaging your core muscles in a highly concentrated way. With every exercise you do in Pilates you target your core muscles. Even moves that aren’t core focused and target other muscle groups will still engage your core. Pilates strengthens all the different areas of your core.

Here are a few Pilates exercises that focus on your core and don’t require equipment.

Criss-cross

Lie down on your back and bring both of your knees in towards your chest. Put your hands on the back of your head while keeping your elbows wide. Curl up your head and bring the opposite shoulder towards the opposite knee in turn. Extend the other leg. Continue doing this by alternating each side.

Teaser

Once again, lie down on your back. Keep your legs together and bend them up over your hips at an angle just past ninety degrees and lift your feet off the ground. Then extend your legs while reaching your arms toward your feet. Make sure your head and shoulders lift off the mat. This move should create something resembling a V shape with your torso and legs. Hold this position for five breaths then return to the bent knees position.

Leg circle

Lie down on your back and keep your arms by your side with your palms facing downwards. Bend one knee and then place that foot flat on the floor while extending the opposite leg up so that it forms a ninety-degree angle to the floor.

Circle this leg out to the side, down to the ground and return it to the starting position. Reverse the circle. Complete between eight and 12 reps on one leg and then repeat with the other leg. Make sure to keep your lower back touching the floor at all times while performing this exercise.

Scissor kick

Lie on your back and extend one of your legs until it is perpendicular to the floor. Hold onto the calf and pull it in towards your chest. Curl your head up. Lift the other leg a few centimetres off the floor. Repeat this a few times while switching legs.

Single leg stretch

Lie down on your back and look at the ceiling. Curl both knees up towards your chest and place your hands on the shin of one leg while raising your head up off the floor.

Extend the leg you are not holding and then bring it back to your chest. Switch sides, holding onto the returning leg and extending the other one. Alternate extending each leg. Keep your lower back on the floor during this exercise in order to keep your core engaged.

You can pick a few of these moves and do them as a warm-up before engaging in an intense workout. You can then incorporate the rest of the exercises during your workout so you can keep targeting and working on your core.

These moves can also be used as a standalone core routine by picking a couple you like and doing them a few times. Try doing these moves for 30 seconds and then steadily working your way up to a minute and then two and so forth if you’re new to Pilates.

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How to build muscle without any gym equipment https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-build-muscle-without-any-gym-equipment/ Mon, 29 Jun 2020 05:05:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17171 For some people, going to the gym might be way too expensive or they may struggle with getting there. There are several explanations why some people are not able to get to a gym. Luckily, there are hundreds of ways to build muscle without needing to go to the gym or buy any sort of...

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For some people, going to the gym might be way too expensive or they may struggle with getting there. There are several explanations why some people are not able to get to a gym. Luckily, there are hundreds of ways to build muscle without needing to go to the gym or buy any sort of gym equipment. Here are some of them.

Bodyweight exercises

This is a great way to exercise. By using an individual’s own weight to provide resistance against gravity, these types of exercises can enhance muscle gain, strength, endurance and flexibility. These are very easy home exercises you can do either inside or outside in the garden.

A few of these kinds of exercises include squats, push-ups, lunges, plank and many more. These exercises are great to make use of when you are in need of a strategy that does not involve gym equipment.

Running

One of the most important exercises known to mankind (and womankind!) is having a run in the morning or even a little jog is great for your muscles and your respiratory system. Running also targets most of the muscles in your body which leads to a more lean and ripped muscle look as opposed to just a massive increase in muscle size.

Pull-ups

An absolute must-do workout for super muscle gain and endurance, pull-ups are difficult in the beginning. This is because it can be challenging to get used to the pull-up method of training so be careful to not overwork yourself at the start.

Grab a high bar or even a strong branch of a tree to lift yourself up from the ground using your arms and upper body strength. This works your biceps, triceps, lats, chest and upper back muscles.

No equipment? No problem

There are various things laying around the house just asking to be used as a weight, for example using a backpack and putting in some clothes, shoes, rocks etc. Then you may use it to perform arm curls or even holding it in your hands when doing lunges.

Another great example is using a step around the house to work your calves. Stand with your feet next to each other with only the front part of your feet on the edge of the step. Raise and lower your heels. This process lets you work your calf muscles.

After you’ve done this exercise, grab a chair and place yourself with your back against the front of the chair. Put your hands on both sides of the chair and stretch your legs out as far as possible and bend at your waist. Push yourself up to work your arm muscles, mainly the triceps. Do this repeatedly.

Training with gym equipment allows you to strengthen various muscles and you will feel the difference a lot sooner than without it. However, it’s not impossible to gain muscle strength without equipment. Pure determination to train without equipment will give you great results as long as you stay motivated and do these exercises regularly.

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 If you want to learn more about correct exercise methods, and even become a personal trainer, check out our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Five simple ways you can strengthen your abdominal muscles https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/five-simple-ways-you-can-strengthen-your-abdominal-muscles/ Mon, 29 Jun 2020 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17167 Every single one of us has a six pack just waiting to show off under their belly fat. It is unfortunately impossible to gain a six pack overnight but some regular exercise and a good diet can help you reach that six pack dream. Bicycle Crunches Lie down on your back with your fingers behind...

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Every single one of us has a six pack just waiting to show off under their belly fat. It is unfortunately impossible to gain a six pack overnight but some regular exercise and a good diet can help you reach that six pack dream.

Bicycle Crunches

Lie down on your back with your fingers behind your ears. Pull your upper body up and your legs into table top. Your legs then need to follow the same movement as you would do when pedaling a bicycle but just in the air. Turn your upper body away from your knee when it comes into your chest. Touch your elbow to your opposite knee in order to feel the maximum work in your abdominal muscles.

Hanging knee-ups 

Hang from a pull-up bar and bend your knees keeping them next to each other. Raise your legs towards the ceiling. This will be difficult for a newbie but if you put in lots of effort the results will be fantastic and soon enough you will be able to do multiple reps and sets without any hesitation!

Staying hydrated is key

Regularly drinking water is crucial for your health. Most of our body is made up of water so if you are dehydrated it won’t work the way that it should. Staying hydrated helps your metabolism to work faster and cleans out all the toxins inside your body.

Cardio exercises 

Add some cardio exercises to your daily routine as cardio, or aerobic exercise, is very effective when it comes to burning belly fat. This method of training will not just benefit your abdominal muscles but your entire body as well.

Try your best to get in at least 20-30 min of moderate cardio activity a few days a week or everyday if you can squeeze in the time for it.

Focus on your diet

Quit eating unhealthy processed foods. Increasing your everyday protein intake helps to form the basis of muscle tissue in the body. Following the right diet and consuming the right nutrients can make your workouts so much easier and help you to reach your goal even quicker. Eat healthy fats such as raw nuts, fish oils and even olive oil – obviously not too much but the correct amount will do loads of good for your physique.

A well-defined six pack is all thanks to well-developed abdominal muscles and low percentage of body fat. It takes a lot of discipline as well as dedication to get this but the rewards are well worth it! Regular core and cardio exercise is a must for a good-looking six pack and always remember to stay hydrated at all times. You can’t underestimate the importance of this – ever!

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If you think that you have what it takes to help others get the six pack of their dreams then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. As the gold standard in fitness education, you can’t go wrong with this. To learn more and to sign up, please follow this link.

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Can yoga ease symptoms of depression? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/can-yoga-ease-symptoms-of-depression/ Fri, 26 Jun 2020 05:00:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17151 Yoga utilises various poses, meditation and breathing techniques that can assist in relaxing the body and mind. This holistic approach to exercise takes a look at strengthening your body while developing greater self-awareness. According to Harvard University, yoga can reduce the impact of stress and decreases feelings of anxiety and depression through the use of...

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Yoga utilises various poses, meditation and breathing techniques that can assist in relaxing the body and mind. This holistic approach to exercise takes a look at strengthening your body while developing greater self-awareness.

According to Harvard University, yoga can reduce the impact of stress and decreases feelings of anxiety and depression through the use of self-soothing techniques that can be utilised as coping mechanisms by persons suffering from depression.

How can yoga help people suffering from depression and anxiety?

Exercise is known to stimulate the production of serotonin which has been found to play an important role in treating depression as it is responsible for creating a sense of happiness when present in the body.

The gentle, soothing and calming nature of yoga further creates a sense of happiness and reduces stress levels throughout the body. By focusing on your breathing and concentrating on your movements, you are able to calm your body and mind.

Yoga has also been found to increase heart rate variability by promoting relaxation. A high heart rate variability means that your body is better at managing its stress levels.

Yoga for depression

  • Meditation:

Benefits – Calms the mind and reduces stress.

Find a quiet place free of distraction. You can either sit or lie down – whichever is more comfortable for you. Start by focusing on deep breathing. As you breathe in, count to five, hold it and then exhale. Repeat until your mind becomes still. You can download a guided meditation if you are unsure of what you need to do.

  • Downward facing dog:

Benefits – Reduces anxiety and energises.

Start with lying on your stomach, place your hands next to your chest. As you inhale, lift yourself onto your hands as well as knees. Place your knees immediately below your hips and your hands below your shoulders. As you exhale, lift your bum into the air. Hold for five breaths and then release.

  • Wide-angle forward bend:

Benefits – Beats fatigue and calms nerves.

Standing with your feet hip-width apart, inhale. As you exhale, bend forward, placing your hands on the floor in front of you. Lift your hips upward, arching your back slightly. Hold for five breaths and then release.

  • Child’s pose:

Benefits – Calms nerves and releases tense spinal muscles.

While kneeling on the floor, slowly bend forward and stretch your arms out in front of you. Rest your head on your mat and hold for five breaths.

  • Plow pose:

Benefits – Reduces irritability.

Start by lying on your back, lift your legs and hips off of the ground. Use your hands to support your hips. Slowly lower your legs until your toes touch the floor. Stay for five breaths and then slowly roll yourself back onto the floor.

These are not the only poses that can assist in treating depression and anxiety, but they are a great starting point and are suitable for beginners. If you need extra support or something to prop yourself up on to, you can fold blankets and use them as you would a yoga brick or pillow. Remember to listen to your body and try not to force yourself into difficult poses. When in doubt, please consult a professional yoga instructor.

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Yoga Myths You Should Stop Believing https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-myths-you-should-stop-believing/ Thu, 25 Jun 2020 05:05:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17132 When it comes down to almost everything in life, myths and stereotypes tend to flare up due to a lack of knowledge and perceptions of what it appears to be. Yoga is no different. Many people put off trying yoga because of preconceived notions that have come about from rumours. We are looking into some...

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When it comes down to almost everything in life, myths and stereotypes tend to flare up due to a lack of knowledge and perceptions of what it appears to be. Yoga is no different. Many people put off trying yoga because of preconceived notions that have come about from rumours. We are looking into some of the most common myths and setting the record straight.

Most common myths

Yoga is only for women

Yoga is a practice which is enjoyed by men and women all over the world – and not just women as many individuals have been led to believe. In actual fact, yoga was first created as well as practised by men before it was restructured in the western world.

Personally, we are of the belief that gender misconception has been born out of women being seen as more flexible and, in addition, being more in tune with their inner self. This certainly plays a role in it all however is in fact not the case. Yoga was developed for all body types as well as fitness levels. This ancient discipline was created to allow individuals to discover the undiscovered within themselves.

Yes, it does sound a bit clichéd but it is the honest truth.

Is yoga a cult or religion?

Many believe that it is a religion – it is not. It is a way of life, a way of being. It’s about living in the present minute and living more consciously. It’s about being aware of not only yourself but the world around you.

It sounds intense, we know. But in order for you to fully utilise the benefits of yoga, you need to be dedicated to it. It’s not as simple as the occasional class at the gym – it’s a lot more than that.

There is a certain mindset shift that happens when you start practising yoga – you become more in tune with your body, your mind and your emotions – and when you are practising this regularly, you will be able to see and notice the changes taking place within yourself.

Yoga is a journey that never ends – there is always more to discover and more that you can set out to achieve, which is what makes it such great experience and lifestyle.

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You need to be flexible

While being flexible is a benefit, you do not need to be flexible when starting out. As you go through your yoga journey, you will find yourself becoming more and more flexible. As you get to be familiar with your body, you will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses – and work on them. Don’t push yourself to do difficult poses until you are able to do so, it will do more harm than good.

As with everything that happens in life, practice makes perfect. So don’t be disheartened if you can’t perform a pose. Use the opportunity to work your way up to it.

Yoga is glorified stretching

This has got to be one of the most annoying myths to date. While yoga incorporates stretching, it is more than that. Each yoga pose is focused on a specific area of the body and as such works on strengthening the associated muscles. By holding poses for a period of time, you are working the muscles involved and strengthening your body in the process.

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When combined with strength training, yoga can assist in muscle development and endurance. Keen on learning more and becoming a yoga instructor? If you are, then follow this link.

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What is rhythmic yoga? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-rhythmic-yoga/ Thu, 25 Jun 2020 05:00:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17127 This form of yoga involves practising asanas (poses) with music. The movements become synchronised with the music to become a fluid-like dance. Not only does this become a fun way to practise yoga, but it can also be a source of entertainment. Dancing and yoga: what is the link? Sometimes learning new asanas can be...

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This form of yoga involves practising asanas (poses) with music. The movements become synchronised with the music to become a fluid-like dance. Not only does this become a fun way to practise yoga, but it can also be a source of entertainment.

Dancing and yoga: what is the link?

Sometimes learning new asanas can be challenging and finding a way to make it less threatening can help ease the transition into your yoga journey. Yoga and dance are both a form of self-discovery, self-expression and self-awareness.

Another similarity between the two is that poses and dance moves are performed in a sequence that is often count-based. By coordinating movement with breathing, we can easily make the transition from pose to pose a lot easier by synchronising it with music.

If you had to stop and take a minute to compare the two, you can see a correlation between the two, especially when you slow down the dancing aspect. If you were to speed up the yoga side, it would look almost like a dance.

Benefits of rhythmic yoga

Music has been proven to relax a person’s mind and enlighten your senses. By pairing yoga and dance, you are also able to burn more calories and it can act as a gateway between the two art forms. Rhythmic yoga also offers all the same benefits as “normal” yoga, for example, stress relief, improved flexibility and open-mindedness.

Recommended asanas for rhythmic yoga

  • Eka Padasana

This asana focuses on strengthening the joints and further developing muscle coordination. It has also been found to improve concentration as well.

  • Sarvangasana

By practising this asana, you will strengthen your back and shoulders. It has also been found to reduce back pain and tension. This is largely due to the fact that promotes blood circulation throughout the body.

  • Dwipadasana

If you are looking to enhance your muscle tone and upper body strength, this asana is definitely worth trying out.

  • Bhoonmanasana

Improved muscle strength and flexibility are brought about as a result of practising this asana.

  • Dimbasana

Not only does this asana strengthen your upper body – arms, wrists and hands – but it also stimulates your thyroid. It also improves lung capacity.

  • Garbhasana

This asana can assist with mood imbalances and is great for toning your stomach area. It also assists in stimulating the digestive organs and promotes a healthy appetite.

  • Shirshasana

If you are looking to further develop and improve your strength and endurance – as well as flexibility – give this asana a try.

  • Chakrasana

This asana targets the heart and lungs and works towards improving the capacity thereof. This is also beneficial for building up the strength of your arms and legs.

  • Karna peedasana

This asana can be described as a full-body workout as it targets every aspect of your body.

  • Kukkutasana

This is a great tool for strengthening your arms and shoulders – as well as improving the flexibility.

As you can see, the benefits of practising yoga are immense and, when paired with a cardiovascular exercise such as dancing, it can be incredibly efficient in improving your overall fitness level.

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To learn more about becoming a yoga instructor, follow this link.

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The Benefits of Yoga for Runners https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-benefits-of-yoga-for-runners/ Wed, 24 Jun 2020 05:05:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17086 While runners are incredibly fit, with toned physiques to match, there is one thing that they cannot get away from – muscle stiffness. Muscle stiffness or tightness can result in injury if not properly addressed – and the fact that we sit most of the day does not help in terms of decreasing the risk...

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While runners are incredibly fit, with toned physiques to match, there is one thing that they cannot get away from – muscle stiffness. Muscle stiffness or tightness can result in injury if not properly addressed – and the fact that we sit most of the day does not help in terms of decreasing the risk of injury as a result of this.

Yoga is an excellent method of improving flexibility and, when practised before training or a race, can help to reduce the risk of muscle stiffness and potential injury. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits for runners that come with practising yoga.

Benefits of yoga for runners

Improvement in strength

When practising yoga, you often hold poses for extended periods of time. These poses strengthen your quads, hamstrings and core while increasing hip flexibility. By strengthening your hamstrings, you reduce your risk of injury that comes with frontal loading – the phenomenon whereby your quads are stronger than your hamstrings.

Improved flexibility

With most of the yoga poses including bending, you are able to improve flexibility in your lower back as well as your hamstrings. Tight hamstrings are notorious for causing injury, so by stretching them out and loosening the muscle, you can reduce the risk of hamstring tears. By stretching out your lower body, you also help relieve tension and improve flexibility in your hips as well.

Assists with breathing control

Holding yoga poses for extended periods forces yogis to manage their breathing in a way that supports their movement. By learning to breathe under pressure, you are giving your lungs the ability to cope with strain and this allows for the delivery of oxygen to your muscles which improve your performance. It also helps to improve your lung capacity which is great for endurance training.

Increased bodily awareness

Through yoga, you are able to understand your body a whole lot better. It gives you the ability to listen to your body and respond accordingly.

Pain management

Yoga also acts as a great pain management tool as a result of the endorphins released during practice. These hormones are not only responsible for letting you feel good but also acts as a natural painkiller.

Reaffirms dedication

Just as you need to be dedicated to your training schedule, you also need to be dedicated to practising yoga in order to utilise its full benefits and reap the rewards. Once-off sessions will not help you in the long term. You need to commit to at least three yoga sessions a week and make it part of your training routine.

Improved posture

Running with the correct form will help in minimising your risk of injury. The posture alignment practised in yoga will transfer to your running style – back straight, shoulders relaxed and core activated.

Assists with recovery

Yoga relieves tension and stiffness while improving your range of motion. By incorporating yoga into your running routine, you can assist your body in recovering after strenuous workouts. When starting out, try not to push your body too far. Listen to your body and know your limits.

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With all of the benefits of yoga, are you keen to start teaching others this ancient art? If you are then why not become a yoga instructor with us? Check out our Yoga Instructor Course for more information.

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Why Pilates is the Secret Weapon for Athletes https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-pilates-is-the-secret-weapon-for-athletes/ Mon, 22 Jun 2020 05:05:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17031 Pilates is often not taken seriously by athletes as it appears to be nothing more than simple stretching and deep breathing. However, whether you are a professional athlete, an aspiring one, or simply someone who really enjoys regular workouts, adding Pilates to your routine can be surprisingly beneficial. Here are six reasons why Pilates can...

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Pilates is often not taken seriously by athletes as it appears to be nothing more than simple stretching and deep breathing. However, whether you are a professional athlete, an aspiring one, or simply someone who really enjoys regular workouts, adding Pilates to your routine can be surprisingly beneficial. Here are six reasons why Pilates can be your secret weapon:

  1. Full Body and Low Impact

Pilates is a low-impact workout that works your entire body. This makes it a great secondary workout for athletes who usually perform workouts or sports of higher intensity, such as running, basketball, or netball. It is also a good workout for athletes recovering from injuries as it does not put too much strain on the body but allows you to regain strength.

 

  1. Core Focus

A strong core is beneficial to any athlete as it aids in balance and better posture in both your daily routine and workouts. Though there are many ways to build core strength Pilates uses repetitive moves that are specifically designed to lengthen and strengthen muscles. These moves do more than strengthen the muscles worked in moves like sit-ups or crunches and instead target all of the muscles involved in your core as well as the supporting muscles of your back. Therefore, you are more likely to see quicker results and experience more overall strength over time.

  1. Alignment and Correction

Many popular sports – such as tennis, golf, or cricket – are one-sided. This means that you work one side of your body more than the other and this can cause injury and discomfort in the long run.

Pilates workouts are designed to improve body alignment and muscular symmetry, and therefore – by adding Pilates to your workout routine – you can prevent further injuries while improving your overall strength.

  1. Flexibility and Mobility

For any athlete who spends a lot of time on their chosen sport Pilates will be a challenge, and this is a positive thing. If you play a particular sport and perform the same types of workouts over and over again you are making use of the same muscles every time. Pilates forces you to make use of and become aware of new muscle groups and will aid in your flexibility.

  1. Improved Breathing

Though many athletes will know that correct breathing is a crucial part of improving your workout results and performance, it can be easy to become too comfortable in a familiar sport and forget to breath properly or with awareness. Pilates uses a method of breathing, known as diaphragmatic breathing, which places focus on being aware of breath and focusing that breath into the muscles that you are working.

  1. Body connection

Lastly, Pilates can offer a unique insight into your personal fitness journey and mental connection with your body. During other workouts, you are not necessarily focused on the exact muscles and tiny movements of your body, but during Pilates movements, you are encouraged to do just that. Building this connection with your body can help in a lot of ways in your preferred sport or other workouts, including being more aware of the way that you move and allowing you to make small adjustments to your movements that can improve your game.

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If you would like to become a Pilates Instructor then the ONLY way to make this happen is if you study our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why Pilates is One of the Best Anti-Ageing Exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-pilates-is-one-of-the-best-anti-ageing-exercises/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 05:05:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17017 We see it all the time, people trying to find a way to stop ageing, reverse ageing, or in some way cheating the burden of time. An exercise to reverse ageing might seem like a fairy tale and seems way too good to be true but there is something close. You have probably heard about...

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We see it all the time, people trying to find a way to stop ageing, reverse ageing, or in some way cheating the burden of time. An exercise to reverse ageing might seem like a fairy tale and seems way too good to be true but there is something close. You have probably heard about Pilates and seen the strange-looking reformer machines circulating on Instagram, but what you might not know is the benefits of this workout routine for your body and your mind.

In general, any kind of workout or fitness regime is a way to feel better and reduce the signs of ageing. Pilates is a great choice because it is accessible for everyone, regardless of your fitness level, flexibility, or age.

Standing Up Straighter

When we think of the implication of ageing on the body we usually think about going grey and gaining wrinkles, but what we often forget is what a difference bad posture can make to appearance. Not only does poor posture give the illusion of age physically, it can mentally make you feel uncomfortable and older than you are. Pilates focuses on improving your bodily alignment and posture, strengthening your muscles and allowing you to stand taller and feel better about yourself.

Strengthen and Lengthen

Pilates is also a good way to combat another thing that happens to us when we age: muscle deterioration. While that sounds scary, it is a natural part of ageing and happens gradually over time. However, if you do not stay active you stand a chance of developing further injuries and problems such as osteoporosis. Pilates is a nice, easy way to keep your body moving, retain flexibility, and improve your muscle tone.

Prevent Instead of Fix

Another problem that comes with age is that injuries can become more frequent and can have longer-lasting impacts on your body. While, as mentioned above, any kind of exercise can help to keep you feeling younger, Pilates is particularly good because it is a low-impact workout that exercises the body as a whole. Other workouts can place focus on one specific body area during a workout, and this can lead to imbalance in muscle groups and a higher likelihood of pain following workouts. Pilates allows you to work all of your muscles every workout, ensuring that you are not putting too much stress on your body in specific areas. All of this means that you are working to prevent further injuries and remain as strong and flexible as possible.

 Mental Age is More Important

Lastly, and possibly the most important anti-ageing thing that Pilates can give you, is better mental strength. Pilates workouts focus on building a connection with your body and understanding the way that the moves which you perform help to strengthen your muscles. Building awareness of your body and connecting with yourself with guided breathing can improve your ability to move and be active in your daily life. Exercise routines like Pilates also help to keep your mind sharp and focused, while reducing your risk of mental illness and depression.

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Does this sound interesting to you? If it does then you may be interested in becoming a Pilates instructor. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is the Difference between Barre and Pilates? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-barre-and-pilates/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=17013 You have probably heard about Pilates and the benefits of it by now – it has been around for a very long time. In addition, everyone seems to have tried it. However, the new workout craze that seems to have taken Instagram by storm might not be as familiar to you. Barre has become the...

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You have probably heard about Pilates and the benefits of it by now – it has been around for a very long time. In addition, everyone seems to have tried it.

However, the new workout craze that seems to have taken Instagram by storm might not be as familiar to you. Barre has become the workout routine of choice for many, but you might be wondering what exactly it is all about.

 Barre and Pilates are Similar

 Pilates and barre share a lot of similar elements, which is why you will often see classes that are a hybrid of the two, like Pilates-barre classes, or even those that include principles of yoga as well, like barre-yoga and yoga-lates. But, as they are seen as being so similar it can be hard to determine what makes these workouts distinct. We are here to break down what these two workouts are and how they can benefit you.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a full-body, low-impact workout that can be performed on a mat or using equipment. These workouts usually consist of moves designed to help you build strength, flexibility, and balance. Mindfulness and breathwork also play a large role in Pilates as the practice is designed to assist you with becoming more in tune with your body as it moves.

The benefits of Pilates include:

  • Builds core strength,
  • Improves joint alignment and posture,
  • Full-body workout and focuses on muscle toning,
  • Great recovery or second workout for athletes,
  • And it is accessible for everyone, regardless of your fitness level.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - barre

What is Barre?

Barre workouts incorporate moves from ballet, yoga, and Pilates. It usually requires (as the name suggests) the participant to be supported by a barre, although mat work also plays a large role in barre workouts. Unlike Pilates, barre workouts are designed to include segments of higher intensity cardio that raise your heart rate, although there is still an emphasis on low-impact moves like Pilates and yoga. While Pilates movements are usually slow, intentional, and based around a large range of motion, barre movements are often smaller, deliberate, pulsing movements.

The benefits of barre include:

  • Increased balance and core strength,
  • A full-body workout which increases flexibility and posture,
  • Micro-movements work to tone as well as define muscles
  • Cardio portions can help to burn calories
  • Accessible to everyone, regardless of dance experience or fitness level.

What is the Difference?

As you can see the two are slightly different although both share a lot of the same benefits. Barre workouts are more cardio intense and often include music and choreography, while Pilates tends to be a quieter more introspective experience. Therefore, choosing between the two is more a matter of workout preference than picking the ‘better workout’. Both Pilates and barre are great workouts, with fantastic physical and mental benefits – so no matter which one you choose, it will undoubtedly benefit you in the long run.

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Want to find out more about becoming a Mind Body Specialist, which will make you into an all-round yoga and Pilates specialist? If you do, then follow this link.

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What Food Should You Include in your Diet as you Age? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-food-should-you-include-in-your-diet-as-you-age/ Thu, 18 Jun 2020 05:05:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16976 As we get older, many of us turn to various ‘anti-ageing’ creams, supplements, and pills but there is not much, if any, evidence that any of these can truly make a difference in stopping the signs of ageing. In truth, the best way to feel better about getting older is to take care of your...

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As we get older, many of us turn to various ‘anti-ageing’ creams, supplements, and pills but there is not much, if any, evidence that any of these can truly make a difference in stopping the signs of ageing. In truth, the best way to feel better about getting older is to take care of your body throughout your life by staying active, taking care of your mental health, and eating healthily. However, while eating well sounds simple there is often contention about what exactly it means to be healthy and which foods are actually good for you. Therefore, it can be hard to know what you should be eating and what might help you feel better as you age.

The Unavoidable Consequences of Ageing

When it comes to getting older the one thing that we cannot control is natural bodily changes. These include such things as:

  • Gradual muscle deterioration, and
  • A decline in metabolic rate.

When your metabolic rate decreases it can put you at risk of chronic diseases and weight gain as you need fewer calories to maintain your body weight. This can hinder you in other areas of your life. Other problems can include softer teeth, which can inhibit your ability to eat certain foods, a change in taste and smell, chronic digestive issues, and a lessened ability to absorb nutrients.

Therefore, as you age you will need to look at your diet and make sure that you are getting the correct nutrients in order to support your body and avoid problems in the future.

So, what foods are helpful to eat as you age?

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish (e.g. salmon, tuna) and nuts (e.g. walnuts, chia seeds) can help with improving focus and may help with decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

  1. Fruit and Vegetables

Try to mix up your usual vegetable choices and choose a variety of fresh foods. In particular dark, leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli, and kale are rich in antioxidants and vitamin K. This can help with bone strength and helps with reducing inflammation. Other foods that are rich in antioxidants include almonds, blueberries, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

  1. Lots of Protein

Due to the slow deterioration of muscles and other pressures of ageing, getting adequate protein in your diet is very important for maintaining and repairing muscle. As with fruit and vegetables, it can be great for both your physical and mental health to include a variety of protein sources. Choose from high-quality sources of protein such as chicken, lentils and other legumes, eggs, or low-fat dairy products.

  1. Water

Staying hydrated is very important and is a part of the diet that is often overlooked. Make sure that you keep your fluid intake high and ensure that a large percentage of your hydration comes from water or other non-diuretics such as non-caffeinated drinks.

In conclusion, the best foods to include in your diet as you age are those that will support you and keep your body as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Eating fresh and varied foods that provide you with antioxidants and vitamins, while staying hydrated is the best thing which you can do to maintain your body as you get older.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re keen to learn more about nutrition then you should really consider becoming a nutritionist with us! Our Specialised Nutrition Course is the gold standard when it comes to nutritionist courses. For more information about this, please follow this link.

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The Beginner’s Guide to Doing Pilates at Home https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-beginners-guide-to-doing-pilates-at-home/ Thu, 18 Jun 2020 05:00:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16973 Pilates is increasingly becoming the workout of choice for many people around the world. The appeal of Pilates is obvious – it is a low impact, full-body workout that does not require any equipment, but shows impressive results. One of the biggest advantages of Pilates is that it can be done easily from the comfort...

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Pilates is increasingly becoming the workout of choice for many people around the world. The appeal of Pilates is obvious – it is a low impact, full-body workout that does not require any equipment, but shows impressive results.

One of the biggest advantages of Pilates is that it can be done easily from the comfort of your own home, so you are not restricted by gym memberships or bad weather conditions! However, like any new workout routine, it can be daunting to start something that you don’t know anything about. So, here are four easy steps to get started doing Pilates at home:

Four easy steps to get started 

  1. Setting Up Your Space

Most Pilates workouts only need a space the size of a yoga mat so as long as you have enough space to comfortably move your body, you can start to practise. Luckily, Pilates does not require a lot of space or expensive equipment (though you can start to build a collection as your progress if you wish to), but usually a good yoga mat or cushioning for your knees and elbows will help you to be comfortable during your workout.

 

  1. Find A Workout

Thanks to the Internet, there are multitudes of Pilates workouts available for free online. From YouTube and fitness apps to online articles and Instagram live classes, there are plenty of choices when it comes to selecting a workout for the first time. Make sure to try a few different options until you come across an instructor that you enjoy listening to and whose classes are appropriate for your fitness level.

  1. Get Mentally Ready

A large component of Pilates is breathing and mindfulness, so make sure to get in the right mood before you begin your workout. Dress comfortably, stretch before the workout, and practise your Pilates breathing. Pilates may look like a calm stretching workout (and it is relaxing), but it is also a full-body experience so prepare yourself for a good workout!

  1. Slow and Steady

Like any new workout routine, Pilates is going to be difficult at the beginning so start with beginner’s workouts and look out for modifications. All Pilates moves can be adapted to be easier or harder, depending on what level of fitness you are and what you are seeking to gain from the particular workout. Don’t stress too much if some moves are too difficult at the beginning. It will only be more satisfying when you finally master them!

Pilates is a great way to improve flexibility, strength, and posture, and it is possibly one of the most simple ways to exercise at home! And, the best part about Pilates is that it is easily adjustable for your fitness level, meaning that as you get stronger, you can progress with more challenging workouts and see even better results.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a Pilates instructor, then the best way to do this is by doing our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link. If, however, you would like to become a Pilates Instructor as well as a Yoga teacher, then you should really check out our Mind Body Specialist Certification. More information can be found here.

 

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How to stop low motivation in its tracks https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-stop-low-motivation-in-its-tracks/ Wed, 17 Jun 2020 05:05:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16962 In training, there is a time when you arrive at a stage at which working out is no longer fun. This can be called a  ‘grind’ or ‘inconvenience’. This normally happens when you feel too lazy to attend training. In addition, you feel tired and the programme is tedious as well as boring. The important...

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In training, there is a time when you arrive at a stage at which working out is no longer fun. This can be called a  ‘grind’ or ‘inconvenience’. This normally happens when you feel too lazy to attend training. In addition, you feel tired and the programme is tedious as well as boring.

The important thing to realise is that the grind is actually the point which really counts. It separates the successful participant from the one who will not achieve their goal. Truly motivated participants reach the grind and just continue to keep going. Remember that effort equals achieving goals.

It’s always good to have goals but it’s very difficult to actually achieve those goals. You have two options: you can lower the goal to match your effort or you can raise your effort to meet your goal.

What are the signs of low motivation

There are several signs of low motivation:

  • A lack of desire to practise as much as you should
  • Less than 100% effort in training
  • Skipping or shortening training
  • Effort that is inconsistent with your goals

The Three Ds of motivation

Motivation means putting 100% of your time, effort, energy and focus into all aspects of your fitness training. It involves doing everything possible to become the best you can be.

Prime motivation begins with the three Ds:

  • The first D stands for direction. Before you can attain prime motivation, you must first consider the different directions that you can go to fitness. You have three choices: stop participating completely, continue at your current level or strive to be the best that you can be.
  • The second D represents the decision. With these three choices of direction you need to select one direction in which to go. None of these directions are necessarily right or wrong, better or worse. They’re simply your options. Your selection will dictate the amount of time and effort you will put into your training in addition to how good you will ultimately become.
  • The third D represents dedication. As soon as you’ve made your decision you must dedicate yourself to it. If your decision is to become the best you can be, then this last step, dedication, will determine whether you have prime motivation. Your decision to be your best and your dedication to your training must be a top priority. Only by being totally dedicated to your direction and decision will you ensure that you have prime motivation.

What are the components of motivation?

There are three major components to motivation:

  • Activation
  • Persistence
  • Intensity

Activation includes the decision to initiate a behaviour, such as enrolling in a fitness class. Persistence is the ongoing effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist, such as taking more fitness classes in order to achieve the end goal of entering a competition although it necessitates a significant investment of time, energy and resources.

Whether your personal training clients are trying to lose weight or prepare for an athletic event you can use a few basic techniques to help them stay motivated. Many of these motivational techniques work well for exercisers who are working out on their own as well.

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A look at Yoga forward bends https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/a-look-at-yoga-forward-bends/ Mon, 15 Jun 2020 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16932 When correctly performed, forward bends benefit the spine. Physiologically, the entire spine is stretched while the fronts of the thighs are kept tight. They create space in the waist, groin, abdomen and lower back. Emotionally, forward bends are calming. They create a safe, enclosed space to relax and let go. They may also bring up...

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When correctly performed, forward bends benefit the spine. Physiologically, the entire spine is stretched while the fronts of the thighs are kept tight. They create space in the waist, groin, abdomen and lower back.

Emotionally, forward bends are calming. They create a safe, enclosed space to relax and let go. They may also bring up emotions which creates an impulse to pull out of them quite quickly. Forward bends in yoga are also associated with looking into the past. Treating yourself with respect, being sensitive to your body and monitoring your breathing helps to overcome this resistance and leads to pure feelings of relaxation.

An example of a forward bend

Once the mind is balanced as well as calm that state of inner calm is shown through the body in ease and flow throughout the movement.

In the balancing asanas, the physical limits of your muscular capacity, as well as the mental limits of your sense of balance, are tested. The only way to really find balance is to stay calm, focus on your breath and orient your mind totally into the present moment.

How to do Pandangusthasana (Hand to Big Toe Pose)

Pandangusthasana is a beautiful pose which almost everyone hates as it challenges both beginners in addition to experienced yogis. Not to be confused with the pandangusthasana displayed in the Ashtanga tradition, this toe stand is an imaginative examination of a tip-toe urdhva namaskarasana! You require so many tools in order to maintain balance in toe stand for long time periods:

  • Hip and foot flexibility,
  • Hip and foot strength,
  • Excellent posture,
  • Incredibly strong legs, as well as
  • Focus and a steady gaze.

No matter what the degree of expertise you have, this pose is going to show you where you need to work. It will show you the muscles that are strong, where you’re not strong, where you’re supple in addition to where you’re holding tension.

The effects of this forward bend are:

  • Strengthens the thighs
  • Abdominal organs are toned and digestion improves
  • Liver and spleen are activated
  • Calms the brain and assists with relieving stress and anxiety

The Hand to Big Toe Pose helps with bloatedness, menopause, headaches and insomnia. Slipped spinal discs can only be adjusted while performing the concave postures.

Technique

  • Begin in Tadasana.
  • Step your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Exhale, bend forward and hold your big toes with your index finger and thumb. Make sure that your palms are facing each other.
  • Keep your head up, press your diaphragm towards your chest and make your back as concave as possible with your chest parallel to the floor.
  • Bend forward from the pelvic area to get a concave shape from the coccyx.
  • Keep your legs tight. Grip fast and stretch your shoulder blades back and down.
  • Hold and take two deep breaths.
  • Now exhale and bring your head in between your knees by bending your elbows and pulling on your toes without lifting them.
  • Maintain for 30 seconds to two minutes and breathe normally.
  • Inhale and come back to the concave position. Release your toes and stand up.

If you’re a beginner and you can’t reach the floor, loop a yoga strap around each artch for a handhold instead of bending your knees.

Deferrals and cautions

If you suffer from low blood pressure, come up slowly.

Preparatory poses

  • Supta Padangusthasana
  • Adho Muka Svanasana
  • Uttanasana
  • Pashchimottanasana

Follow-up poses

  • Standing poses
  • Inversions
  • Seated forward bends

Counter pose

Mountain pose

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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Trifocus Yoga registration

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What is the make-up of the triceps? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-make-up-of-the-triceps/ Thu, 11 Jun 2020 05:05:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16912 The triceps are made out of three small muscles: the long head of the triceps, the lateral head of the triceps and the short head of the triceps. The triceps brachii muscle (which is Latin for “three-headed arm muscle”) is the large muscle on the back of the upper limb of several vertebrates. It is...

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The triceps are made out of three small muscles: the long head of the triceps, the lateral head of the triceps and the short head of the triceps.

The triceps brachii muscle (which is Latin for “three-headed arm muscle”) is the large muscle on the back of the upper limb of several vertebrates. It is the muscle principally responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm).

The medial head appears proximally in the humerus and inferior to the indentation of the radial nerve:

  • From the dorsal (back) side of the humerus.
  • From the medial intermuscular septum; as well as
  • Its distal part also develops from the lateral intermuscular septum.

The medial head is mainly protected by the lateral as well as long heads and is just visible distally on the humerus. The lateral head comes from the dorsal surface of the humerus, lateral as well as proximal to the indentation of the radial nerve, from the larger tubercle down to the area of the lateral intermuscular septum.

The important of the triceps

Working out your triceps assists with building upper body strength. These types of exercises are a crucial part of any strength training routine. This is because strong triceps are responsible for stabilising your shoulder joint and are essential for daily activities and sports for example tennis, volleyball as well as basketball.

Exercises to work the triceps

French press

Start by lying prone on a flat bench with the feet placed firmly on the floor, hip-width apart. Hold the barbell at full extension over the chest area.

Movement

Keeping the upper arms stationary, flex the elbows to lower the bar towards the forehead. Pause for a second and then return the barbell up to the starting position. Perform how many reps necessary for the desired results:

  • The exercise can be performed with dumbbells.
  • The exercise can be performed on a decline bench with a barbell or dumbbells.

Trainer safety tips

  • Monitor elbows
  • Keep the abdominals engaged
  • Keep the elbows at the sides
  • Spot at the bar
  • Keep the lower back flush on the bench

Kickbacks with dumbbells

Place the left knee and palm on a flat bench so that the torso is parallel to the floor. While holding onto a dumbbell in the right hand, and keeping the right foot flat on the floor, press the right arm tight against the side of the torso with the upper arm parallel to the floor.

Movement

Extend the elbow until the arm is fully extended behind the body. Flex the triceps for a second at the top of the movement and then return to the starting position. Perform how many reps necessary for the desired results:

  • The same exercise can be performed standing with the knees flexed and the tailbone extended.
  • The same exercise can also be performed on a cable pulley machine.

Trainer safety tips

  • Monitor scapula and elbows
  • Keep abdominals engaged
  • Keep the elbows at the sides
  • Spot at the dumbbell

Improving upper body strength is incredibly important as you age however it’s a good idea to keep your body strong from the time that you’re young. Building muscle strength assists with supporting bone health and strength, which is extremely useful in treating in addition to preventing osteoporosis. It can also help with managing arthritis pain by minimising swelling, pain and bone loss while strengthening and lubricating joints.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to become a personal trainer and learn more about exercises such as the above? If you do, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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How to work out your abdominals https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-work-out-your-abdominals/ Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:05:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16884 The abdominals consist of several muscles: the rectus abdominus, the transverse abdominus as well as the external and internal obliques. This group of muscles sits on the front as well as sides of the lower half of the torso. The abdominals originate along the rib cage and attach along the pelvis. The rectus abdominus muscle...

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The abdominals consist of several muscles: the rectus abdominus, the transverse abdominus as well as the external and internal obliques. This group of muscles sits on the front as well as sides of the lower half of the torso. The abdominals originate along the rib cage and attach along the pelvis.

The rectus abdominus muscle is often known as the six-pack muscle of the abdominals. Thin bands of connective tissue lend it that appearance. The transverse abdominus (which is also known as the transversus) is the abdominal area. The fibres of the external, as well as internal obliques, run diagonally on the body, allowing for angled movement.

Athletes need a strong core foundation for powerful movements and abdominal exercises can be a large component of the exercise programme. Here are some of the most valuable exercises for strengthening and firming your abdominal muscles and building core stability.

V-up

Position yourself in the middle of a flat bench with the hands holding onto the edges of the bench or behind the body. Lean backwards until the body is almost straight and parallel to the floor.

Movement

Start with your legs extended and then bring the knees towards the chest while simultaneously bringing the upper body towards your knees to form a ‘V’ shape at the waist. Return the legs back to your starting position. Perform how many reps necessary for the desired results.

The exercise can also be done by holding onto a weight disk at the chest. A BOSU ball can be utilised for increased difficulty.

What to watch out for:

  • Monitor spine and head positioning
  • Cue abdominals
  • Spot mid-back or under the neck
  • Do not strain the neck
  • Keep legs moving in one direction

Reverse crunch

Lie supine on the floor with the hands extended at the sides. Legs and feet must be perpendicular to the floor. Your hips and knees should make a 90-degree angle.

Movement

In a slow and controlled fashion, bring the knees towards the chest. At the same time, lift the hips and glutes off the floor. Attempt to maintain the flexion of the knees throughout the exercise. Go back to your starting position in a controlled fashion. Perform how many reps necessary for the results that you want.

The exercise can be done on a decline bench to increase the challenge. A large ball can be held in between your legs to increase difficulty.

Watchpoints:

  • Monitor spine and head positioning
  • Cue abdominals
  • Do not strain the neck
  • Do not drop leg too far forward
  • Spot the hips

Hip thrust

Lie supine on the floor with the hands extended at the sides and the legs fully extended to the ceiling.

Movement

Raise the hips as well as glutes straight up off the floor by making use of the abdominals. Maintain the position for a second before lowering the hips down to the starting position. Perform as many reps as are necessary for the results that you want.

The exercise can be done on a decline bench in order to increase the level of difficulty. A large ball can also be held in between your legs to increase difficulty.

What to watch out for:

  • Cue abdominals
  • Do not strain the neck
  • Do not drop the legs too far forward
  • Spot the hips
  • Monitor the pelvis and spine

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you love exercising and want to learn how to teach others the correct exercise technique? If you do then you should really check out our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

 

 

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3 Stretches to do after your workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/3-stretches-to-do-after-your-workout/ Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16880 To prevent injury and increase flexibility, are you supposed to stretch before or after your workout? That is a very good question! The answer is both. Before running or working out, it is important to warm up muscles and get more oxygen to them. A great warm-up is jumping jacks for a few minutes and...

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To prevent injury and increase flexibility, are you supposed to stretch before or after your workout? That is a very good question! The answer is both. Before running or working out, it is important to warm up muscles and get more oxygen to them. A great warm-up is jumping jacks for a few minutes and then a brief stretch of each of the major muscles.

After running or working out, a good stretching routine will help to remove lactic acid from the muscle. This, in turn, reduces muscle soreness, which promotes better flexibility. You can also perform your stretching exercises while resting between lifts during your strength training.

How to design a flexibility programme

A well-rounded flexibility programme includes at least one exercise for each of the major muscle groups. It is especially important to select exercises that are problem areas. The workout should take roughly 10 – 15 minutes depending on the number of stretches performed.

The stretch should be held for a maximum of 30 seconds without pain and repeated anywhere from three to four times. Flexibility exercises should be performed after a moderate or vigorous physical activity session and are an important part of the warm-up or cool-down phase in an exercise programme or routine.

Here are a number of stretches that you can add in your flexibility programme.

Cross body stretch

This stretch stretches the outside of the deltoid and arm. Repeat three to four times at regular intervals.

Movement

Place the left arm across the chest and with the right hand on the left elbow gently pull it across the body. Maintain the position for 10 seconds. After this, repeat on the other side. Do not stretch until you feel pain.

Overhead shoulder stretch

Repeat this stretch three to five times to get a good stretch around the shoulders and upper back.

Movement

Hold the hands together with the arms elevated above the head, pushing the arms upwards and backwards. When the arms are fully extended, hold the position for 10 seconds. Do not stretch until you feel pain.

Swimmer’s shoulder stretch

This is a stretch to test and challenge shoulder flexibility. Repeat between three and five times for a good stretch. You can also perform this stretch against a wall.

Movement

Lie on the floor on your side and place the arm flush against the floor above the head. Press as close to the floor as possible. Hold for 10 seconds and then release. As with the other stretches, don’t stretch until you feel pain.

Forward neck stretch

The forward neck stretch will help in increasing the flexibility of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. This is a great warm-up stretch before performing back exercises.

Movement

Keeping the back straight, slowly lower the chin towards the chest and hold the position for 10 seconds. Then slowly bring the head up to a neutral position. Stop stretching if you feel any pain.

Sideways neck stretch

The sideways neck stretch is a great warm-up or cool-down stretch to perform before or after a workout. Take four to five seconds for each direction of the movement and repeat in each direction five to ten times.

Movement

Stand up straight with the arms relaxed at the sides of the body. Slowly lean the head over to one side and then hold for 10 seconds before bringing the head up to your starting position.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to learn more about exercise? If you are, then you should really check out our Personal Training Diploma. For more information please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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How to improve your balance with theraband exercises https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-improve-your-balance-with-theraband-exercises/ Tue, 09 Jun 2020 05:05:21 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16872 Finding balance in all aspects of your life is, without a doubt, the way forward. This takes into account creating balance in your body.  Enhancing balance improves coordination as well as strength, which allows you to move freely as well as steadily. Increasing stability, mobility as well as flexibility makes it simpler for you to...

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Finding balance in all aspects of your life is, without a doubt, the way forward. This takes into account creating balance in your body.  Enhancing balance improves coordination as well as strength, which allows you to move freely as well as steadily. Increasing stability, mobility as well as flexibility makes it simpler for you to perform your day-to-day tasks. It also ups your athletic performance. Concentrating on your balance may also assist you with focusing and clearing your mind.

There are a number of exercises that you can do, with a theraband, in order to increase your balance. Here are some of them.

Exercise 1

Knot the theraband. Put both your feet into it but not through it. In other words, you need to be standing on the theraband. Make sure that the knot which you’ve made in the band it ontop of your feet.

While keeping one of your feet parallel to the flo0r, raise the band until your leg is at a 90-degree angle. Perform 10 – 15 reps and repeat on the other side. If you find that you’re having trouble with balancing, rest your fingers lightly on the back of the chair for support.

Exercise 2

Put your feet in the theraband, just the same way as you did for exercise one. While keeping your foot parallel to the floor, raise your leg to a 90-degree angle.

Keeping your foot parallel, turn your leg out and to the side. Return to your starting position and do between 10 to 15 reps. Repeat on the otherside. Again, if you’re struggling with keeping your balance you’re more than welcome to balance yourself on a wall or something similar. But make sure that you just use this object to balance yourself and don’t use it to support your bodyweight.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - theraband

Exercise 3

Put your knotted theraband over both ankles. Balancing on one foot, push your other leg in a backward motion and hold for between one and two seconds. Release and repeat. Perform between 10 and 15 reps and repeat on the otherside. If you need to, use a chair or wall to help you balance.

What muscles to balance exercises work?

Balancing exercises work the muscles in your core, lower back as well as legs. Lower-body, strength-training exercises can also assist with improving your balance.

While balancing exercises may be challenging at times, the constant effort will make these exercises simpler. Increase the number of repetitions incrementally as the exercises become easier. You may ask someone, like a personal trainer, to supervise or assist you. This is especially true when you’re first getting started.

It is possible for you to modify the exercises in order to increase or decrease the difficulty or, alternatively, to adjust for your needs. Begin on your non-dominant side so that the second side is simpler. You can do the exercises on your non-dominant side twice if you would like to balance out your body between each side. Once you become comfortable with the exercises, try doing them with one or both of your eyes closed.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about exercise and how to teach people to exercise properly? If you do, then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

 

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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A Pilates exercise to test your muscle-isolation skills https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/a-pilates-exercise-to-test-your-muscle-isolation-skills/ Tue, 09 Jun 2020 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16859 At first glance, the Pilates chest lift with leg float looks a lot like your typical abdominal crunch. However, there are a number of fundamental discrepancies between the two exercises. Whether chest lifts with leg float are a part of your Pilates routine or, alternatively, your basic workout, the move strengthens your core. In addition,...

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At first glance, the Pilates chest lift with leg float looks a lot like your typical abdominal crunch. However, there are a number of fundamental discrepancies between the two exercises. Whether chest lifts with leg float are a part of your Pilates routine or, alternatively, your basic workout, the move strengthens your core. In addition, it helps to increase flexibility. The chest lift with leg float can also adapt to the location as well as intensity of your workout. This because it is possible for you to perform it at the gym or in your living room, or try variations to the classic move for a more advanced workout.

How to do the chest lift with leg float

Lie on your back with your left hand behind your head and your right hand on the edge of your sitting bone. Bend both legs with your feet relaxed and placed a comfortable distance from your body.

Exhale and contract forward, engaging your stabilisers and lifting your head and chest off the floor. Simultaneously fold your right knee as your fingers monitor your gluteal function, which should remain prominent throughout.

Inhale to lower your leg to the starting position.

Repeat eight times on your right leg before reversing the movement for another eight repetitions. With the right leg held in the raised position, the leg lowers as you exhale. It contracts and then rises as you inhale and your head and chest return to the starting position.

Repeat this exercise with the left leg, eight times in each direction.

If you would like to intensify the exercise, after floating your knee off the floor extend your leg and lower it to the floor while maintaining a chest lift. This exercise requires a longer exhale and will load your abdomen much more, so strong core stabilisation, glute and pelvic floor activation is required to keep your back long and relaxed.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - pilates

What are the benefits of the chest lift with leg float?

Pilates chest lifts with leg float provide a fantastic core workout. The tone as well as sculpt your abdominal muscles and. In addition, these exercises are responsible for strengthening the supportive muscles of your chest and upper area of your back.

Chest lifts with a leg float can also help to improve your posture and make sure that your neck muscles remain strong. An exceptional benefit of this exercise is that,  in order to perform the move correctly, it is necessary for you to learn how to isolate muscles in your chest and back. You may not realise that these muscles provide a key support for your spine so by strengthening your spine’s support you can reduce muscle tension which can lead to back and neck pain in addition to even headaches.

A strong, stable, core also buoys the rest of your body, including your pelvic girdle as you move during your day. As you get older, exercises which strengthen these muscles groups and make sure that they are maintained as flexible can help improve coordination as well as balance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about Pilates and even become a Pilates Instructor? If you do then follow this link to find out more information.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

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EMS Trainer Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/courses/ems-course/ Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:45:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?post_type=product&p=16847 EMS training is a highly effective total- body training program that can work your entire body in less than 30 min at a time.

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More and more, EMS training is becoming a popular workout method – and it’s not hard to see why! With the growing demand for this type of training, so too will jobs for EMS trainers. So, if you’re a personal trainer or someone who wants to break into the fitness industry, doing an EMS trainer course is a very good idea.

What Is Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)?

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training is a kind of training that utilises a wearable device that attaches to the body and stimulates your muscles via tiny electrodes that accelerate your workout and enhance your body-toning results. EMS training is a good way to improve a person’s overall fitness, tone their body, and strengthen their muscles in less time than regular exercise.

There are many benefits of EMS training. Some of these are:

  • Weight loss and fat reduction
  • Muscle building (hypertrophy)
  • Better posture, stronger back

The amazing benefits of EMS training mean that there will be many clients who are keen on taking this type of training up. The fact that they will be able to see tangible results in 20 minutes will mean that this form of exercise will be very popular among busy executives.

This means that studying EMS training, particularly in South Africa, is a great idea. The best EMS trainer course on offer is the one offered at Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Who Can Do The EMS Training Course?

The training course is intended for personal trainers – or people who want to break into the fitness industry – who want to conduct safe and effective EMS training with their clients

What Does The EMS Trainer Course Include?

The EMS personal trainer course consists of the following modules:

  • Introduction to EMS
  • Contraindications
  • Nutritional Guide
  • Guidelines for EMS
  • Ethics for EMS
  • EMS Strength exercises
  • EMS Cardiovascular exercises
  • EMS Relaxation exercises

Where Can I Work With The Electrical Muscle Stimulation Qualification?

With an EMS qualification you can work at a specialised EMS studio.

How To Register For The EMS Trainer Course?

To register for Trifocus Fitness Academy’s EMS trainer course, fill in the registration form to the right of this page.

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Battle Ropes Course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/courses/battle-ropes/ Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:37:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?post_type=product&p=16838 Battle ropes course teaches you how battle ropes provide an excellent full-body workout, and also assist powerlifters and olympic weightlifters. Register today!

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Battle ropes are used for a broad variety of functional exercises. Featuring comfortable grips, various lengths, and weights, these ropes are perfect for you. Add in a bit of variety to your workout with these high-quality battle ropes.

Battle ropes focus on most of the muscles in the body, including those in your abdominals, shoulders, arms, upper and lower back as well as lower body. While battle rope workouts target many of your body’s muscles in order to help build strength and endurance, they’re also effective in cardio workouts and can even enhance your mental stamina.

To get the best results from battle ropes exercises, consider the following tips:

  • Perfect your form first of all. Prior to increasing the rope weight or your speed, ensure that you’re performing the moves correctly.
  • Try out different movements. Battle ropes are very versatile, which means that you can move them in many different directions. Play around with various movements in order to target different muscle groups.
  • Increase the rope length. If you’re wanting a greater challenge, try utilising a longer rope. The farther that you are from the anchor (where the rope is tethered), the more difficult it will be to move the ropes.
  • Add battle ropes exercises as a finisher to other workouts. If you don’t want to use battle ropes for your entire workout, use them as a finisher at the end. Try to go as long as you are able to before needing to stop.

If you want to become a battle ropes instructor, or if you’re a personal trainer who wants to add battle ropes to the list of services that you can offer your clients, then this Battle Ropes Course is for you.

Who Can Do The Battle Ropes Course?

We recommend that these people would do the Battle Ropes Course:

  • Lifters looking for novelty
  • Individuals looking to save time
  • Those looking for home equipment on a budget
  • Lifters with muscular endurance goals
  • Those with general fitness goals

What Does the Battle Rope Course Include?

The Battle Ropes Online Fitness Course includes the following modules:

  • Battle ropes set-up and exercise execution
  • Battle ropes set-up
  • Battle ropes exercise execution
  • Best practice for battle ropes exercises

Where Can I Work With a Battle Rope Qualification?

A Battle Ropes Course is perfect for personal trainers, sports performance coaches, MMA coaches, group fitness instructors as well as HIIT classes and boot camp instructors.

How To Register For An Online Battle Ropes Course?

If you would like to register for an Online Battle Ropes Course then you need to fill in the registration form on the right-hand side of this page.

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How to do the Kettlebell Press https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-the-kettlebell-press/ Fri, 05 Jun 2020 05:05:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16782 The Kettlebell Press, along with the Get Up, is pivotal in teaching core stability and the lockout position for the Snatch. The Press is started by performing a Clean to bring the kettlebell into the racked position. A path/flight line of the centre of the kettlebell should form a slight arc or crescent moon shape....

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The Kettlebell Press, along with the Get Up, is pivotal in teaching core stability and the lockout position for the Snatch. The Press is started by performing a Clean to bring the kettlebell into the racked position. A path/flight line of the centre of the kettlebell should form a slight arc or crescent moon shape.

The Kettlebell Press is a widespread workout technique which is utilised in order to strengthen as well as build muscle in the following areas of your body:

  • Deltoids
  • Upper pectorals
  • Triceps

Every training programme which is well balanced should incorporate an overhead press in some shape or form, and kettlebells are a fantastic piece of equipment to utilise in your workout. The kettlebell allows for single-arm or, alternatively, dual-arm lifts and is much gentler on the wrists as well as elbows. This is as opposed to the standard dumbbells and barbells. When it comes to the correct use of the kettlebell, however, many individuals struggle to find the correct form which allows for maximum strength training as well as safety.

How is the Kettlebell Press biomechanically analysed?

The Kettlebell Press uses the full shoulder girdle to move the kettlebell from the track position to lockout overhead. The Press is a grind movement and can be done with one or two kettlebells.

How to do the Kettlebell Press

Clean the kettlebell into the rack position. Inhale sharply to create tension in the core. It is important to breathe deeply into the chest and not just into the upper chest.

In one motion, drive the hand towards the ceiling keeping the forearm perpendicular to the ground. Don’t try and go straight up but rather externally rotate the arm in a similar motion to that of the Arnold Press. There must be minimal bend in the back to assist the Kettlebell Press.

They should still be in an ‘acked’ position without rising due to the use of the traps. The upper arm should be directly next to the ear or slightly behind. As you lower the kettlebell, actively use the lats to pull the weight back into position. This will help ensure that you are set up properly for the next rep.

Don’t immediately start with the next rep. Make sure that there is a slight pause to reset body tension.

Things to watch out for

Many people experience a ‘sticking point’. Most commonly, this occurs at the point where the upper arm passes its horizontal alignment and is usually caused by a lack of tension, particularly in the lats.

A good drill to improve this is to do the movement from the top down. This trains the mind and muscles how to behave in the opposite direction. It starts the movement with the muscles already loaded so the tension is automatically applied to prevent the weight from falling.

Instead of merely letting gravity do the work it is best to pull the weight down. Imagine a strong elastic was attached between the roof and the kettlebell and you are pulling it down against that force. This will help to increase tension which in turn makes the movement easier.

To increase tension still further, crush the handle of the kettlebell and make a while knuckle fit with the opposite hand.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to increase your knowledge of how to exercise with kettlebells? If you do, then you should really check out our Online Kettlebell Course. For more information as well as to register, please follow this link.

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How to do Extended Side Angle Pose in Yoga https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-do-extended-side-angle-pose-in-yoga/ Fri, 05 Jun 2020 05:00:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16778 Utthita Parsvakonasana  (which translates as Extended Side Angle pose) is a phenomenal standing pose to perform at or near the start of your standing pose sequence. This pose is also excellent preparation for wide-open groin poses, such as Baddha Konasana, Malasana as well as Bakasana. The benefits of this asana are the following: Strengthens legs,...

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Utthita Parsvakonasana  (which translates as Extended Side Angle pose) is a phenomenal standing pose to perform at or near the start of your standing pose sequence. This pose is also excellent preparation for wide-open groin poses, such as Baddha Konasana, Malasana as well as Bakasana.

The benefits of this asana are the following:

  • Strengthens legs, ankles and knees.
  • Stretches groin, spine, waist, chest, lungs and shoulders.
  • Opens hips and reduces fat around the hips. Stimulates abdominal organs and helps to improve digestion.
  • Alleviates sciatica, backache, menstrual discomfort, osteoporosis, constipation and arthritic pain. In addition, the Extended Side Angle Pose increases stamina.

Extended Side Angle Pose Technique

Begin in Tadasana. Inhale deeply and jump your feet apart between one and 1.3 metres. Raise your arms sideways in line with your shoulders and your palms facing down.

Turn your left foot in a bit to the right and then your right foot out to the right at 90 degrees. Align the right heel with your left. Tighten your thigh muscles and then turn your right thigh outwards so that the centre of the kneecap is in a line with the centre of the right ankle. Roll your left hip slightly forward toward the right but rotate your upper torso back to the left.

Exhale and then bend your right knee so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor and attempt to get the right thigh parallel to the floor. Draw your shoulders back and down. Stretch your left arm straight up to the sky and then turn your left palm to fact towards your head. With an inhalation reach the arm over the back of your left ear with the palm facing the floor. Lengthen from your left heel through your left fingertips, extending the whole left side of your body.

Turn your head to gaze at the left arm. Release your right shoulder a distance from the ear. Attempt to create as much length along the right side of your torso as you do along the left. Exhale and then bring the right side of your torso as close as you can to the top of the right thigh.

Press your right fingertips or palm onto the floor on the outer aspect of your right foot. Actively push your right knee back and against your inner arm. Counter this by nestling your tailbone into the back of your pelvis toward the pubis.

Breathe deeply and then hold the pose for about 30 seconds to one minute. Inhale to come up. Extend your left arm forcefully toward the ceiling to lighten the upward movement. Reverse the feet and repeat to the left. After this come up and return to Tadasana.

If you are a beginner and can’t reach the floor, then place your hand on the inside of your foot or use a block under your hand. You can also balance your elbow on your bent kneel.  If balance is a problem, then work up against a wall and keep the back heel firmly anchored to the floor.

Variations to Extended Side Angle Pose

You can also do this pose with the lower arm in front of the bent-knee thigh. This will help to create more of a stretch in your front groin.

As you bring your torso to your side, bring the back of your right shoulder against your inner knee and press your fingertips to the floor. Push your shoulder firmly into the knee and then lean your torso back and against your inner thigh. Extend your side ribs along your inner top thigh.

If you need a wider space between your legs, move your left foot out.

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What is metabolic strength training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-metabolic-strength-training/ Thu, 04 Jun 2020 05:00:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16767 The benefits of metabolic strength training, also known as metabolic conditioning, are endless. Metabolic exercise is a good way to really challenge yourself and lose weight quickly. The effects of metabolic strength training last beyond the gym. It maximises muscle gain and gets rid of excess fat. Metabolic strength training is when you put in...

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The benefits of metabolic strength training, also known as metabolic conditioning, are endless. Metabolic exercise is a good way to really challenge yourself and lose weight quickly. The effects of metabolic strength training last beyond the gym. It maximises muscle gain and gets rid of excess fat.

Metabolic strength training is when you put in the maximum amount of physical effort to accelerate the efficiency of your metabolism. This will help you to lose body fat while you build and keep muscle. It does this by working as much of the muscles as possible during an exercise and by you pushing yourself to maximum effort in a short period of time. This helps your body to burn more calories and fat during your rest periods and after your workout. The term used for this occurrence is scientifically referred to as EPOC or post-exercise oxygen consumption. It is also generally called the “afterburn” effect.

Benefits of metabolic strength training

Metabolic strength training maximises calorie-burn and increases the metabolic work rate. It builds muscle a lot faster than you would when using normal training routines. This includes a great deal of benefits for your cardiovascular system as well.

Lots of professional and non-professional athletes push themselves to do a lot of metabolic training on a regular basis during the week depending on the sport they are invested in.

Types of metabolic training

 Metabolic training is no walk in the park! Jump squats, burpees, planks, pull-ups, sprints, zig-zag runs and push-ups are all metabolic strength training exercises. It is important to work out a large number of muscles during these workouts.

Start by building your circuit. For example, you can first do ten reps of push-ups to work your upper body (remember to expend the maximum amount of effort). Get up soon after and do three 15-metre sprints to get a workout in the lower half of your body. Right after this drop down and do a 30-second plank, take a short rest, repeat again.

As you are making more progress, building more stamina, strength and a greater metabolic endurance you will be able to add new exercises into your routine. More reps, more sets and soon your 10-minute workout will keep you busy for 20 minutes. Keep in mind that there’s always room for you to improve.

 Metabolic strength training is considered to be one of the best training methods you can follow to keep yourself healthy and in shape.  Train as many of your muscles during a session as possible and on a regular basis. It is recommended that you do a metabolic strength training session, two to four times a week and for no less than ten minutes, to be able to complete all your sets.

Don’t overwork your body or certain muscles. Remember that it is important to rest and recover from time to time. Resting is very important for your muscles to repair themselves. Rather avoid the possibility of an injury or an intense sore muscle and take a day off or do a lighter workout on some days.

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What does ‘reps to failure’ mean? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-does-reps-to-failure-mean/ Wed, 03 Jun 2020 05:05:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16752 ‘Reps to failure’ means pushing yourself to your physical strength limit. Lots of body builders and trained fitness professionals use this method of training to gain physical strength and muscle. Explanation of what failure means when it comes to exercise  Failure during exercise is actually a really good thing in some way. When you have...

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‘Reps to failure’ means pushing yourself to your physical strength limit. Lots of body builders and trained fitness professionals use this method of training to gain physical strength and muscle.

Explanation of what failure means when it comes to exercise

 Failure during exercise is actually a really good thing in some way. When you have failed with your last rep it shows that you have pushed your physical strength to its limit. You have worked your muscles extremely hard and simply cannot complete your last rep. Only you would know when your mind and body tells you that you cannot complete another rep of the same exact exercise.

What is ‘reps to failure’?

 Imagine yourself doing an arm curl at the maximum amount of weight that you are comfortable with. If you are pushing your arm and bicep strength to its peak amount of repetitive movements as you are doing more reps, your arm muscles and the weights start to feel a lot heavier until you reach your last rep where you absolutely fail to complete. You have drilled your muscle fibres to its final bit of power putting an immense amount of pressure on that resulting in feeling a little fatigued.

Risks involved when using ‘’reps to failure’’

Stay aware of the risks that involve any exercise so you may protect yourself against any sort of possible damage.

Pushing yourself to the limit could be dangerous especially when you are performing an exercise like the bench press. For example, you may not be capable of placing the bar back on the safe stands of the bench and this is why you need a spotter. A spotter will be anybody who cares about your well-being when training. You could use a friend, family member or a personal trainer.

You may also find yourself in the case of dopamine depletion. Adrenaline requires dopamine to be produced so if you fire yourself with a load of adrenaline you might risk depleting your dopamine levels.

Getting more done in less time

 Many trainers and athletes believe using this method of training is the right way to go to experience a great increase in muscle development in a shorter time. Lots of athletes also become addicted to this type of burn when training because it causes a feeling of success even though you failed the last rep.

Reps to failure means that you will be concentrating all of your energy and strength towards the exercises you are about to perform, not holding back, giving it no less than 100% and transforming yourself into a machine!

Importance of recovery

Remember that you need to give your body time to relax in between sets. You have just pushed yourself to your body’s max limit. To avoid any injuries a good amount of rest is important. After the workout make sure to relax your muscles and take a rest period so your body can regain its energy and heal your muscles.

Reps to failure is pretty useful when you are looking for results sooner rather than later and if you are really looking forward to building your physical strength.

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How regularly should you do cardio to create endurance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-regularly-should-you-do-cardio-to-create-endurance/ Wed, 03 Jun 2020 05:00:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16749 Cardiovascular exercise is a vital aspect of any workout routine and overall health. Endurance means different things to different people. In sports and exercise, it can refer to the ability to endure extended physical activity for long amounts of time. To build endurance you need to combine cardio and strength training. If you build your...

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Cardiovascular exercise is a vital aspect of any workout routine and overall health. Endurance means different things to different people. In sports and exercise, it can refer to the ability to endure extended physical activity for long amounts of time.

To build endurance you need to combine cardio and strength training. If you build your leg muscles you will be able to propel yourself farther forward with each step you take when running. You will also be able to better absorb the impact when placing added stress on your joints.

How often to do cardio

 Gaining benefits from cardio is easy. A ten-minute run once a week can improve your mood greatly. But in order to experience the full benefits and increase endurance, you should do 150 to 300 minutes of cardio exercise, at moderate intensity, every week.

Combine strength training and cardio exercises

 The increased number of muscles you work at the same time, the more it challenges your heart and cardiovascular system. Cardio-only workouts will prevent you from building endurance. Introduce a few strength training days into your workout to build up your endurance.

More effectively, you can combine your strength training with your cardio exercises to get the best results. You can do a bench press, then jump rope for a minute followed by overhead press and then a few sprints.

Decrease your rest time between sets

 If you are aiming to build up greater endurance your rest times should be much shorter. You should only take a break when you physically feel like you can’t do more. Select a series of exercises to repeat one after the other for at least three rounds. For example, you can do ten squats, ten pushups, ten sit-ups and then jump rope. Repeat this circuit three times.

Fast-moving and high-intensity strength training

When using weights an extremely fast pace will improve your strength and endurance at the same time. This practice can really speed up your metabolism. Only doing endurance training slows down your metabolism so it doesn’t eat away at your muscle tissue.

Focus on more than one joint

 Compound movements are moves which demand that you use more than one joint at a time. A few compound moves are step-ups, pull-ups, squats and push-ups. These moves will increase your endurance levels more than exercises that only focus on one joint at a time. These exercises don’t stimulate a person enough to increase their stamina.

Switch up your workout routine

You need to change your workout to build endurance and stamina. After about two weeks your body gets used to a workout, which results in it not working as well as it used to anymore.

Explosive movements build endurance and stamina

 Explosive movements are moves that use a lot of energy and strength. These moves also use an abundance of endurance and stamina at the same time. You will notice that you can move faster with time as you do more explosive workouts. Explosive exercises include burpees, box jumps and short sprints.

Cardio and strength training should be combined to experience an impressive improvement in your endurance and stamina levels.  Want to learn more about exercise – the same as personal trainers do?

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5 things to know about cardio exercise https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/5-things-to-know-about-cardio-exercise/ Thu, 28 May 2020 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16498 Health experts advise around 150 minutes of cardio workouts in a week to decrease serious health risks. Exercise mainly benefits your health and heart, in other words, your cardiovascular system. This system is one of the most important organs in your body and it is your responsibility to take care of it. Improving your cardio...

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Health experts advise around 150 minutes of cardio workouts in a week to decrease serious health risks. Exercise mainly benefits your health and heart, in other words, your cardiovascular system. This system is one of the most important organs in your body and it is your responsibility to take care of it.

Improving your cardio work rate when running or jogging

When taking your early morning jog, concentrate on how your body is moving in order to engage in a more strenuous cardio workout. Keep your back straight and lean your shoulders backwards. This movement causes the chest to open up and gives your lungs more space to breathe by stretching out. Any form of running is a great work out for the heart and uses lots of other muscles in your body, which is always a plus!

Benefits of regular cardio exercise

 There are many different methods you can use to increase your heart rate. Some benefits include an increase in lung capacity. This helps you to burn fat and calories and in turn, it results in weight loss. Cardiovascular exercise makes your heart stronger over time so there is less strain on it when pumping blood. Regularly doing some cardio exercise may also reduce anxiety, stress and depression. It will also assist you with sleeping better at night.

Doing a little bit of cardio exercise can really go a long way. It will greatly benefit your physical as well as mental health. You don’t have to do cardio for hours. A quick 15-minute jog will be just as good for your health.

Beginner exercises for your cardio

 Push yourself to get started with very familiar exercises, for example getting on your bicycle, taking a jog, swimming a few laps or contacting a friend to kick around a ball with you at the park and making sure to chase the ball quite a few times. No problem in having some fun at the same time! Try these exciting exercises in the region of 10 – 20 minutes and your cardiovascular system will be very grateful.

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Motivation for cardio exercises

Try to find an exercise you enjoy that will increase your heart rate. This motivates you simply because you’ll find a bit of pleasure in this exercise or something you can tolerate. As you are doing more cardio on a regular basis you will start to build endurance and stamina seeing results along with it.

One of the greatest methods of motivation would be to take along a friend or family members. Staying motivated and taking part in regular exercise can influence your psychological health in the most positive way.

Staying safe during cardio exercise

 It’s very easy to overexert yourself when it comes to training and this may lead to an injury. Try and get to know your limits as soon as possible and with time you will be able to boost your goal to higher levels. It’s not worth pushing yourself very hard in the beginning. Just try to get to know your endurance level, strengths and limits. Give yourself a warm-up session before entering your cardio workout. These tips will help you avoid any unnecessary injuries.

Cardio exercises have so many positive end results which simply cannot be ignored, from physique, mental health and simply trying to have fun when doing this exercise. Jumping into action as soon as possible is the best thing you can do for yourself.

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Why Pilates is a Great Home Workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/why-pilates-is-a-great-home-workout/ Wed, 27 May 2020 05:05:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16456 Pilates is a great workout for anyone, regardless of their fitness, and one of the biggest advantages of taking on Pilates is that it can be done in the comfort of your own home. Though in a gym or class environment you will have access to reformer machines and other equipment, these are not necessary...

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Pilates is a great workout for anyone, regardless of their fitness, and one of the biggest advantages of taking on Pilates is that it can be done in the comfort of your own home. Though in a gym or class environment you will have access to reformer machines and other equipment, these are not necessary to achieve a successful workout.

Why Pilates?

If you have not tried Pilates before, you might not be sold on the idea. However, Pilates is a fantastic workout for everyone as it has a variety of benefits. It is a full-body workout that does not overly focus on one area over another, though many people find that it is extremely helpful for building core strength.

Pilates is beneficial as both a supplementary workout for runners (or other cardio-based workouts) and as an exercise routine in itself. It helps to build muscle strength, improve flexibility, build body awareness, and can help to improve the alignment of your joints – and that does not even begin to touch on the benefits of Pilates!

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Pilates At Home

If you are looking to get more workouts done at home, Pilates might be one of the best choices. Here are five reasons why:

  1. You do not need any equipment! Although a yoga mat would be very helpful if you are just starting out you can easily use a towel or something else to cushion your back or knees (over time you can start to include equipment if you choose to).
  2. You do not need a large space to work out. Most Pilates routines only require space the size of a yoga mat to complete, so it is perfect for those in small apartments.
  3. No need to worry about angering your neighbours as most Pilates workouts do not require a lot of jumping or heavy-impact movements.
  4. Pilates workouts are easy to find. There are plenty of workouts online and on YouTube that you can access at home. This means that you can work out whenever you want (no restrictions based on class times!) and you can search for an instructor that you like to listen to.
  5. Pilates is for anyone – as an introduction to fitness, a pre- or post-workout flexibility routine, for post-injury strength-building, or a great daily workout to increase your connection to your body.

In conclusion, Pilates makes for the perfect at-home workout. If you are looking around for a new workout routine, Pilates is a good place to start, no matter what your skill level.

Remember to chat with your doctor before starting a new fitness programme, particularly if you have any existing injuries or medical conditions.

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What Are the Advantages of Pilates for Runners? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-the-advantages-of-pilates-for-runners/ Wed, 27 May 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16447 While a lot of runners might not see the slowness and control of Pilates as appealing, there are plenty of benefits to introducing Pilates into your workout routine in the long run. In a study published in 2018 by PLOS ONE, professional runners who engage in Pilates twice a week showed a significant increase in...

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While a lot of runners might not see the slowness and control of Pilates as appealing, there are plenty of benefits to introducing Pilates into your workout routine in the long run. In a study published in 2018 by PLOS ONE, professional runners who engage in Pilates twice a week showed a significant increase in their running times and improvement in their running ability. Here are just a few reasons why Pilates training can benefit runners:

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact exercise that often makes use of various pieces of equipment to aid in movements, such as exercise balls, foam rollers, and Pilates Reformer machines, but can be done without any equipment. The main principles of Pilates are alignment, breathing, and core.

What Are the Benefits?

Full body workout

Pilates is, in the most simple sense, a full body, low-impact workout. This is greatly beneficial to many athletes, not just runners, who wish to vary their exercise routines. Each exercise is designed to improve the alignment of the body, which in the long run helps to refine your posture. And, though it is a full-body workout, many of the movements greatly improve core strength and stability.

Mindfulness

When running we tend to allow our minds to drift as we are performing a repetitive motion with the body that does not require much attention. In the long term, this repetitive motion and our lack of connection with the body can lead to injury or bodily imbalance. Pilates requires you to slow down and connect with each part of the body as your exercise, which greatly improves your body awareness. This awareness will carry over into your running, helping you to avoid injury in the long term.

Breathing

Pilates workouts require you to connect to your breath as proper breathing is integral to this exercise modality. A good instructor will help you to learn proper diaphragmatic breathing, which is a deeply aware method of breathing that focuses on oxygenising each muscle as it is used. This method of breathing can be very helpful for runners by helping you to properly oxygenate your body while running and improve your endurance.

Alignment and balance

Lastly, Pilates can help with improving your stability, posture, and alignment. As mentioned above, runners often develop imbalances in the body due to the repetitive motion of running. Pilates works to help correct misalignment in the hip, knees, and ankles as well as stabilising leg muscles and core. Even small adjustments to your posture can make a huge difference to your running ability over time.

Pilates is a simple way to improve your running ability, so whether you are doing matwork at home or making use of the equipment that a class environment can provide, consider adding Pilates to your workout routine.

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Why resistance training programmes should be broken down into performance cycles https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-resistance-training-programmes-should-be-broken-down-into-performance-cycles/ Tue, 26 May 2020 05:05:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16429 A resistance training programme should always be broken down into performance cycles that are separated into long- to short-term blocks. Breaking a programme down into cycles is helpful for prioritising your training goals and requirements. The performance cycles can vary greatly in the amount of time that they span. They are designed in order to...

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A resistance training programme should always be broken down into performance cycles that are separated into long- to short-term blocks. Breaking a programme down into cycles is helpful for prioritising your training goals and requirements.

The performance cycles can vary greatly in the amount of time that they span. They are designed in order to apply more focus on certain goals and requirement while placing less attention on others based on established priorities.

What are macrocycles in resistance training?

Macrocycles are long-term performance cycles that may take several months to a year and help to set the priorities and timelines to attain training goals or address specific needs. It is a requirement that macrocycles are broken down into more manageable segments which are termed mesocycles.

What would a mesocycle enable?

Mesocycles would enable an individual to better track their progress, reconsider their goals, design brand-new routines as well as make any needed adjustments (to training, diet, sleep or rest) in order to stay within the timelines of the macrocycle.

Mesocycles can differ widely in length, usually ranging from between three and 12 weeks. A normal six to eight-week mesocycle works well for most people. This enough time to experience significant and measurable results yet not become bored with the recent routines.

This timeframe is also short enough to permit a person to identify as well as correct controllable problems. In addition, this period of time allows for the adjusting of uncontrollable variables that may have surfaced before they can retard further progress. People should reassess and gather as much relevant data as possible between mesocycles in order to assist with designing the new routines appropriately for continued success.

Performance programme phases

The mesocycles are planned in order to focus on certain training priorities however other goals should not be entirely ignored in the process. Competitive athletes usually need to focus on specific training phases such as:

  • Strength,
  • Endurance, and
  • Speed.

However, most benefit from improvements in a number  – if not all – of these areas. If an individual spends six to eight weeks in a mesocycle, only striving for strength, that individual may lose endurance or mobility if training for these aspects is not also reinforced to some degree. Balancing priorities within a mesocycle is just what training phases are intended to do.

Many investigations have shown that it is ineffective to attempt to improve on every bio-motor ability simultaneously during each training routine because there is not enough time in a training session to apply that and adapt to that much diverse muscle stimulus. Therefore, a mesocycle can be split up into training phases, which last between one and three weeks, which focus primarily just a number of neuro-metabolic adaptations. These reduced time periods allow for progress in one aspect without incurring losses in others.

However, training phases must be planned properly throughout the mesocycle in order to ensure that all priorities are addressed. For example, an eight-week mesocycle, focusing primarily on strength, could include a one-week phase of endurance training and a one- or two-week phase of endurance training and a one- or two-week phase of hypertrophy work in order to preserve the conditioning goals as well as body composition that the person may also desire.

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The correct breathing technique to adopt while exercising https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-correct-breathing-technique-to-adopt-while-exercising/ Tue, 26 May 2020 05:00:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16422 Breathing is a vital mechanical function requiring the integrated and coordinated action of several muscle groups if you are consciously aware of it or not. Proper breathing, while exercising, is a crucial component of healthy and effective fitness. A mindful effort is needed to ensure that breathing is in rhythm with the movements of the...

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Breathing is a vital mechanical function requiring the integrated and coordinated action of several muscle groups if you are consciously aware of it or not. Proper breathing, while exercising, is a crucial component of healthy and effective fitness. A mindful effort is needed to ensure that breathing is in rhythm with the movements of the body. Proper breathing technique when exercising ensures that you get the most out of your performance in addition to remaining safe.

Breathing while running

Give your breathing a chance to fall into a steady rhythm which corresponds with your strides. Doing so has the effect of optimising the amount of oxygen your body takes in as well as the amount of carbon dioxide it expels.

Try to inhale always on one set of strides while exhaling on another set. An excellent method for tracking your breathing is the 3:2 inhale-to-exhale ratio:

  • Inhale completely on a set of left-right-left strides.
  • Exhale fully on the next set of right-left strides.

For your body to become comfortable with this type of breathing, run first at a pace that comfortably allows you to undertake this breathing exercise.

Breathing while strength training

Breathing correctly during strength training exercises is vital. Any exercise that necessitates lifting, pushing or pulling is very taxing on the body as well as heart rate. Always exhale in the exertion.

A good example is the bench press. As you push the weight up, exhale slowly during the motion. Inhale as you start to bring the weight back down towards your chest. Remember to exhale fully in order to expel all of the carbon dioxide from your lungs.

Continuous breathing

During any exercise, it’s essential that you focus on always moving air in and out of your body efficiently. Some exercises, especially heaving lifting exercises, may seem to be completed more easily if holding the great.

Holding your breath in during exertion can cause your blood pressure to rise. This can also result in decreased flow of blood to the brain. Both can have adverse effects on the body. Constant airflow through your lungs is crucial for healthy, effective exercise. If you can’t perform a strength training exercise without breathing properly, there is a fair chance you’re using too much weight.

Breathing through the nose

When you run at a slow to moderate pace, or when you perform an easy aerobic exercise, attempt inhale through your nose. Slow inhaling through your nose assist with getting you into a rhythm and stabilises the heart rate. This is not possible once you reach certain intensity in an exercise however make a mindful effort to inhale fully through your nose for as long as it’s comfortable to do so and does not affect your performance. Exhale fully through your mouth.

Focus on breathing

Focusing on breathing may be an understandable part of any exercise however it’s very common for runners to engage in the conversation when running with a partner or group. Although many can normally run while talking the breathing rhythm is affected and can be harmful. Talking while exercising can also cause loss of focus as well as concentration, which takes away from the effectiveness of the exercise.

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Is Pilates A Good Medicine for High Blood Pressure? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/is-pilates-a-good-medicine-for-high-blood-pressure/ Mon, 25 May 2020 05:05:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16345 Pilates is known to be a full-body workout programme that improves muscle tone, strength, body alignment, and posture, but some studies are now suggesting that it might be also be a way to reduce your blood pressure. What Is High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood pressure measures higher than what...

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Pilates is known to be a full-body workout programme that improves muscle tone, strength, body alignment, and posture, but some studies are now suggesting that it might be also be a way to reduce your blood pressure.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood pressure measures higher than what is considered to be a normal range. High blood pressure can occur for a variety of reasons including high-cholesterol diets, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, and family history. It can be dangerous in the long term and usually, a large lifestyle change is necessary to lower your blood pressure, such as avoiding smoking and alcoholic drinks as well as reducing stress.

How Could Pilates Help?

While exercise in general is good for your health and especially good for your heart, Pilates has been suggested as the best option for those who want to reduce their blood pressure. As it focuses on controlling your breathing and heart rate, as well as strength building moves, it might just be the exercise for making a significant change (alongside other changes to your lifestyle).

In a study published in April this year by the American Journal of Hypertension, Alexei Wong and his team had 14 overweight women with high blood pressure take part in one hour Pilates classes, 3 times weekly for a period of twelve weeks.

During this time their blood pressure dropped significantly in comparison to the 14-person control group who had not exercised. The study also showed that the women’s artery stiffness had also reduced, and they had lost weight and gained muscle tone.

Why Pilates?

Pilates puts a lot of emphasis on keeping things slow and controlled, while also giving us a full-body workout experience. A good Pilates workout will target your entire body, exercising the muscles that we engage with on an everyday basis and improving our ability to do normal things.

Pilates also helps to engage the core muscles and improves balance and posture, again helping us to carry ourselves better in daily life. While it is a full body experience most Pilates workouts are of a moderate intensity, allowing you to perform without overexerting yourself, and the rhythmical and aerobic nature of the exercise modality helps to calm us and reduce stress.

There is also, as mentioned above, a big focus on breathing which is crucial to Pilates and this will also help to improve your physical strength and ability to work out in a more successful way. Lastly, and possibly most important of all, Pilates is a programme that can be adapted to anyone regardless of age, fitness level or physical ability.

While Pilates alone might not fix everything, alongside a heart-healthy diet it can be a great way to help you to reduce your high blood pressure and lead a healthier life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to find out more about the best way to become a Pilates Instructor? If you do, please follow this link.

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How to use a Pilates Magic Ring https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-use-a-pilates-magic-ring/ Mon, 25 May 2020 05:00:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16341 While most of us know Pilates as the exercise routine that uses the large and intimidating reformers machines, one of the great benefits of this type of routine is that you do not need any of that equipment and you can easily work up a sweat in the comfort of your own home. While beginners...

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While most of us know Pilates as the exercise routine that uses the large and intimidating reformers machines, one of the great benefits of this type of routine is that you do not need any of that equipment and you can easily work up a sweat in the comfort of your own home. While beginners might start off using just body weight exercises and a yoga mat, adding in some small pieces of equipment is an easy way to increase difficultly as time goes on. As for what equipment to buy, the Pilates Magic Ring (also known as a fitness circle, exercise ring, or Pilates ring) seems to be an obvious choice.

What is the Pilates Magic Ring?

While the name might seem rather whimsical, this piece of equipment was actually introduced by the creator of Pilates himself, Joseph Pilates, to provide a way of increasing resistance during routines in this exercise format. The Magic Ring is a padded circle usually made from rubber that has two small pads that serve to cushion your hands or feet and give them a better grip on the ring. It is relatively flexible but still firm in order to provide you with resistance when squeezing it during a workout.

Why Use the Pilates Magic Ring?

  1. The Pilates Magic Ring acts as resistance for your muscles. Adding this into your Pilates routines will allow you to have a much more intensive workout.
  2. One of the chief benefits is that it can assist with improving body alignment, as when using the ring you must apply pressure equally on both sides. By using this ring on a regular basis you will improve your balance, posture, and stability.

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How to Use the Magic Ring

The Pilates Magic Ring is a great piece of equipment to gradually include in your routines. It does not need to be used in an aggressive way, even mindful and gentle squeezing will greatly improve your strength and the quality of your workout. You only need to perform small movements with the inclusion of the ring but it will help you to activate new muscles. Here is just one easy way to include it into your routine:

Hundreds with the Magic Ring

If you have experimented with Pilates before, you are probably familiar with the ‘hundreds’, as it is a staple of any routine. It is a great move for engaging the core! You can add in the Magic Ring in order to increase resistance and add some burn to your legs during this move:

  1. Sit down on your mat. Make sure that your legs are outstretched (with the Magic Ring placed between your ankles).
  2. Raise your legs up a few inches off the ground and lean your body backwards slightly until you feel your core engage.
  3. Hold yourself in this position (being careful to use your core to hold yourself up and not straining your back) and stretch your arms out at your sides towards your feet.
  4. Keeping control of your body, and in time with your breath, slowly pump your arm up and down for one hundred counts.

There are so many ways to include the Magic Ring into your Pilates routine so if you are searching for a way to improve your workouts make sure to give this simple piece of equipment a try.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a Pilates instructor? If you do, then follow this link.

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Is Yoga Effective for Weight Loss? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/is-yoga-effective-for-weight-loss/ Fri, 22 May 2020 05:05:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16308 While yoga is not considered an intense cardio or aerobic exercise, there are ways in which you can utilise it in order to lose weight. As with most forms of exercise, you need to practise yoga in order to lose weight. You need to be dedicated to getting your session in and turn it into...

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While yoga is not considered an intense cardio or aerobic exercise, there are ways in which you can utilise it in order to lose weight. As with most forms of exercise, you need to practise yoga in order to lose weight. You need to be dedicated to getting your session in and turn it into a daily habit. So, in a nutshell, yoga is indeed effective for weight loss.

If you are a yoga newbie, start with a 20-minute session and gradually work your way up to an hour. This will assist you in building up the strength and flexibility needed to perform the relevant poses. It is also helpful to participate in other exercise activities in order to promote your weight loss. Walking, swimming and cycling are a few really good options.

We do advise that you not weigh yourself directly after class as it will not provide a reliable figure. Instead, choose to weigh yourself at a specific time each day – preferably before your session.

Increasing mindfulness – useful in assisting weight loss

Yoga can enhance one’s mindfulness in addition to the way a person relates to their body. So, people will become more cognisant of what they are eating and, as a result, make better choices when it comes to food. People may avoid foods which make them feel sluggish and lethargic (which takes into account most processed foods). Instead, people will look for foods that are healthier, which then may result in weight loss.

Types of yoga to assist weight loss

  • Ashtanga yoga – By using quick, forceful motions, your body is able to burn off those pesky calories.
  • Vinyasa and power yoga – These forms of yoga utilise constant movement in order to burn off calories.
  • Restorative yoga – While this form is not as intense as the rest, it has proven to be great at getting rid of abdominal fat.

Four yoga poses that assist with weight loss

  1. Chair Pose – Standing with your feet apart, inhale and as you do, raise your arms upright. As you exhale, bend the knees and then lower your bum to the floor as if you are sitting on a chair. It is important to keep your shoulders back while doing this. Do this for five deep breaths and then slowly release.
  2. Downward Facing Dog – Start by kneeling on the floor – knees hip-width apart while your hands are placed directly under your shoulders. Breathe in deeply and, as you exhale, tuck in your toes, and push your knees off the floor. Slowly straighten your legs. Maintain this pose for five deep breaths. Slowly release.
  3. Superman Pose – Start by lying face down with your arms and legs stretched out. Engage your core and bum, and then slowly lift your arms and legs off of the floor. Maintain this position for five deep breaths and then release it.

While we do mention holding each pose for five breaths, you can hold it for longer if you are able to. You can also repeat each pose until you decide to move on to the next one.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to deepen your knowledge and practise of yoga? If you do, then you’ll want to do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to Master Pilates Leg Kicks https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-master-pilates-leg-kicks/ Fri, 22 May 2020 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16304 Pilates focuses on the entire body and therefore it will come as no surprise that there are plenty of different moves that make up such a workout. One move that you will see show up over and over again is the Pilates leg kick. This is a staple move in this type of exercise and...

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Pilates focuses on the entire body and therefore it will come as no surprise that there are plenty of different moves that make up such a workout. One move that you will see show up over and over again is the Pilates leg kick. This is a staple move in this type of exercise and is one that is definitely worth putting in the time to perfect it so that you can get the most of this simple move.

The Benefits of the Leg Kick

There are two kinds of Pilates leg kicks, the single leg kick and the double leg kick. This move may look simple, but when done correctly it works the hamstrings, glutes, and core, while also strengthening the back and stretching your quads!

How To Perform the Leg Kick

Starting Position

This is a body-weight exercise so you will only need yourself and a mat. Lie on your stomach with your legs extended behind you, feet together. Raise your torso, resting on your forearms. Make sure to keep your elbows directly under your shoulders, and keep your hands either flat on the map or clasped together (whichever feels comfortable for you).

Performing the Move

  1. Hold your head comfortably, either looking forward or slightly down, as to not strain your spine.
  2. Hold in your abdominal muscles, as though you are trying to pull them up and away from the mat while pressing your pelvis into the mat.
  3. Breathe in and point your toes, and then bend your right knee to a 90-degree angle.
  4. As you exhale, pulse your leg twice sending your heels towards your glutes.
  5. Inhale again and slowly lower your leg back to the floor.
  6. Repeat this move with your left leg.

Mastering the Move

While this move is simple it is important to perform it correctly. Like most Pilates moves it is the little details that make the biggest difference – and when you have mastered it you will really see and feel the improvement. Here are a few tips for mastering this move.

  1. Engage your abdominal muscles throughout the workout. Not only will this improve your stability during the exercise but it will also help to strengthen your core muscles.
  2. When you pulse your leg backwards work on exhaling sharply with each pulse. Therefore you should inhale as you lift, exhale twice as you pulse and then inhale again as you return your leg to the floor. Breathwork is a very important part of Pilates and can make the biggest difference in the long run if you pay attention to your breathing.
  3. In the same vein as your breath control, Pilates places a lot of focus on intention and focus on the body. Connecting with your body during every move can really help you to improve your form. Be aware of the muscles being used as you perform the leg kick and make sure that you are not straining other areas of the body unintentionally.

The Pilates leg kick is a move that you will come across many times and it is worth taking the time to master it properly. As you improve you can move on to master the double leg kick as well as other variations!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to increase your knowledge of Pilates and perhaps even become a Pilates Instructor? If so, check out our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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The Best Yoga Apps for a Great Home Practice https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-best-yoga-apps-for-a-great-home-practice/ Wed, 20 May 2020 05:05:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16269 We are living in a digital age, more so now given the current global pandemic. Gone are the times (at least for now) when you were able to a packed studio to practise yoga. People are now looking to practise from the comfort – and safety – of their own homes but are in need...

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We are living in a digital age, more so now given the current global pandemic. Gone are the times (at least for now) when you were able to a packed studio to practise yoga. People are now looking to practise from the comfort – and safety – of their own homes but are in need of some assistance to do so.

To assist future yogi’s in their search for the perfect digital instructor, we have compiled a list of a few of the best mobile apps to get you started. All of the apps listed below are available on Google Play and the App Store. Please check the information on the relevant app store to confirm availability and pricing.

Yoga apps to get you started

Daily Yoga

The Daily Yoga app gives users access to hundreds of asanas and class plans to get you started. With step-by-step instructions, you can safely master difficult poses and become yoga-fit. The app also includes 50 workout routines to help improve your fitness while practising yoga.

Yoga Studio

Offering carefully curated content, you are able to access over 130 videos and meditations and select the right class for you. With is yoga app you are also able to build your own classes – pose by pose – and gradually build on the intensity and difficulty.

Down Dog

This app offers a three-day introduction to yoga practice that is focused on strengthening and stretching your back. Afterwards, you will be able to access over 30 000 configurations which means that you will experience a new practice every time you open the Down Dog app. There is also a paid feature within the app that allows you to choose the part of your body that you would like to target.

Glo

Whether you are a beginner or someone familiar with yoga practice, this top-rated app is sure to take your journey further. With more than 4 000 classes available, you are spoilt for choice – and you can even filter the classes according to the time of day, difficulty level, duration, and style. You can also input your yoga goals and the app will generate a workout plan for you.

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5-Minute Yoga

If you are pressed for time, this app makes it possible to get a decent session in. Each session consists of five poses, each to be practised for one minute before moving onto the next.

Gaia

If your focus is more on becoming zen through meditation, this app is perfect for you. This app pairs mindfulness with your yoga practice through their library of over 8 000 workouts.

Pocket Yoga

If you are in search of downloadable content, this app is for you. This means that you do not need a constant Internet connection to practise. You simply need your phone to have access to one of the 27 available sessions. You can search for sessions based on your needs and can even track your progress.

Simply Yoga

Taking the first step into the world of yoga may be terrifying, but it does not have to be. Simply Yoga features over 30 poses perfect for beginners – and it is free. This means that you can try yoga without having to pay a subscription fee until you have a bit more clarity about what it is that you are looking to achieve.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to get a more in-depth view of Yoga and become a master at it? If you do, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Yoga registration

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How to combine yoga and strength training to attain any fitness goals https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-combine-yoga-and-strength-training-to-attain-any-fitness-goals/ Wed, 20 May 2020 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16264 The term ‘’yoga’’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘’yuj’’ which means to bind or join. This pretty much sums up what yoga is: It is the process of bringing about harmony within oneself as well as your environment. It is about finding balance and bringing everything together as one. While yoga is about finding...

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The term ‘’yoga’’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘’yuj’’ which means to bind or join. This pretty much sums up what yoga is: It is the process of bringing about harmony within oneself as well as your environment. It is about finding balance and bringing everything together as one.

While yoga is about finding balance in your day to day life, it is also about finding balance in your workout routine and using this balance to reach your goals.

At first glance, yoga appears to be a bunch of poses put together to help you become more zen. This perspective will quickly change once you have taken your first yoga class.

So, how can you pair yoga with your strength training?

Flexibility and exercise

Research has found that hot yoga can be very beneficial for runners, cyclists, weightlifters and Crossfitters. The heat assists in expediting flexibility and counteracting the muscle resistance brought on by other workouts.

Improve your posture

Forms of yoga that have a strong emphasis on alignment and precision, such as Iyengar yoga, work great for runners and cyclists as it focuses on your posture as well as improving cardiovascular activity. It is also good for helping with balance – making it ideal for golfers as well.

Joint health

High-energy workouts such as running, cycling and CrossFit can damage your joints owing to the high impact from exercising. Yin yoga is great for helping connective tissues, fascia, and joints as it is done sitting or lying down and requires very little muscular effort.

Improve your endurance

Get your heart pumping with a rhythmic, cardio-intensive Vinyasa yoga class. This is great for people doing weightlifting workouts as the added cardio is beneficial to improving lung capacity and overall endurance and stamina.

Build muscle

Yoga is a bodyweight exercise, and this means that you need to be able to hold your own bodyweight – this will improve your arm and core strength. Ashtanga yoga is a great addition to any workout routine. Research has found that this form of yoga improves not only the upper body and core strength but also the strength in your lower body – the legs.

Wind down

After an intense HIIT training session, it is important to slow down and relax. Restorative yoga allows the body and muscles to relax and expand. It allows your body to recover and acts as a great stretching exercise.

How to amplify your strength training with yoga

  • Hold the poses for longer to get more out of your workout.
  • Repeat your poses to get more strength training in.
  • Add weight to your workout – ankle and wrist weights will help you develop more strength.
  • Modify your poses to increase the difficulty level.

Yoga may not be sufficient enough for all in terms of strength training but is still a great addition to any workout. By including yoga in your training programme, you can build strength and flexibility without putting a damper on your progress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To find out how to become a Yoga instructor, please follow this link.

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How to do Garudasana https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-do-garudasana/ Mon, 18 May 2020 05:05:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16225 The term ‘Garuda’ means the mythic “king of the birds.” Another meaning is the vehicle of Vishnu. This Sanskrit word is usually translated into English as “eagle”, though as stated by one dictionary, the name literally means “devourer”. The reason for this is because Garuda was originally identified with the “all-consuming fire of the sun’s...

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The term ‘Garuda’ means the mythic “king of the birds.” Another meaning is the vehicle of Vishnu. This Sanskrit word is usually translated into English as “eagle”, though as stated by one dictionary, the name literally means “devourer”. The reason for this is because Garuda was originally identified with the “all-consuming fire of the sun’s rays”.

To do Garudasana (or Eagle Pose) you need strength, flexibility, endurance, and unwavering concentration. This pose has the following benefits:

  • Strengthening the legs, buttocks, ankles and calves.
  • Stretching the shoulders.
  • Improving flexibility in the arms and legs.
  • Improving concentration.
  • Helping with lower backache, asthma and sciatica.

Garudasana technique

  • Begin in Tadasana.
  • Find support on your standing leg.
  • Inhale, lift your left leg and cross it over your right thigh. Hook the top of your foot behind your lower right calk. Balance on the right foot.
  • Raise your knee as much as it is possible for you to do and twist your shin behind the calf of your standing leg.
  • Straighten your arms directly forward, parallel to the floor and cross your arms in front of your chest so that the right arm is above the left. Then bend your elbows. Tuck the right elbow into the crook of the left. After this, raise your forearms at right angles to the ground. The backs of the hands should be facing one other.
  • Move your hands apart slightly and then move the thumb of the right past the front of the little finger on the left hand.
  • The next step is to press the palms together (as much as is possible for you), lift your elbows and stretch the fingers toward the ceiling.
  • Hold between 30 seconds and one minute.
  • Exhale and unwind the legs and arm. Stand in Tadasana again.
  • Repeat on the other side.

For beginners, if you can’t wrap your bent leg around the supporting one, then cross your legs and press the big toe of the raised-leg foot against the floor to help maintain your balance if you can’t bring the palms of your hands together, place them underneath each other or stretch your arms straight forward, parallel to the floor and hold onto the ends of a strap.

Advanced can try this modification of Garudasana:

  • From full eagle, exhale and lean your torso into a forward bend pressing the forearms against the log-leg thigh. Hold for a number 9f breaths and then come up with an inhalation. Repeat on the second side.
  • Practise crossing arms and legs at the same time.

Deferrals and cautions relating to Garudasana

  • Varicose veins and circulatory disorders. If you have any of these conditions, please follow the beginners guide.
  • Avoid Garudasana after a long-distance flight.
  • People living with Osteoporosis should avoid Garudasana as it puts too much pressure on the joints.
  • Knee or ankle injuries. If you suffer from either of these, avoid this pose or follow the beginners guide.

Preparatory poses are the following:

  • Adho Mukha Svanasana
  • Gomukhasana
  • Prasarita Padottanasana
  • Supt Virasana
  • Supta Baddha Konasana
  • Upavistha Konasana
  • Vrksasana

Follow-up poses to Garudasana

Eagle Pose is normally sequenced near the end of the standing pose sequence. The arm position in the pose is quite useful in teaching how to widen the back torso in inverted poses such as Adho Mukha Vrksasana and Sirsasana.

Other follow-up poses mich include the following:

  • Gomukhasana
  • Utkatasana
  • Vrksasana

The counter pose is the Wide Leg Forward Bend.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a yoga instructor and learn more about poses such as the above? If you do, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to gain hip flexor mobility in Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-gain-hip-flexor-mobility-in-pilates/ Fri, 15 May 2020 06:42:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16210 Do you ever wonder why we perform all of that side-lying leg work for your hip flexor mobility in Pilates? Why do these movements feel so tight as well as burn so much? This is some of the most vital work that you can do for strengthening your hips as well as supporting your hips,...

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Do you ever wonder why we perform all of that side-lying leg work for your hip flexor mobility in Pilates? Why do these movements feel so tight as well as burn so much? This is some of the most vital work that you can do for strengthening your hips as well as supporting your hips, pelvis, lower back as well as knees.

If you’ve ever undergone physical therapy, the therapists make you do these exercises as well. In addition, they may even tell you that you should never stop doing them. That’s why we practise Pilates. Lengthening your hip flexors is one of the fastest ways to transform your thigh and pelvic region. Released hip flexors improve your Pilates technique and your overall physical performance.

The following exercise is deceptively challenging. It requires coordination of muscle patterning, brath and balance to achieve abdominal control and pelvic stability. Practise this exercise daily until you can intensify the movement with ease.

Gain hip flexor mobility with the leg float

  • Lie supine with your legs bent as well as your feet positioned on the floor, hip-width apart, place your fingertips on the crease of your hips.
  • As you exhale, engage your stabilisers and make sure that your spine remains long.
  • Fold one leg to your chest with your leg bent at 90-degrees.
  • Inhale to return to your starting position.
  • Repeat 10 times on each side.

Ensure that the front of your thighs relax throughout the movement to counter the tendency for your hip flexors to dominate by engaging your gluteals and hamstrings. Pelvic stability is achieved by maintaining pelvic floor connection throughout the exercise.

If you want to simplify the leg float exercise, start from an assisted position with your feet resting on a stack of pillars, book or a chair. This reduces the range of movement requires to perfect the muscle patterning. Gradually reduce the height of the assisted position.

As you get stronger, you’ll want to intensify the exercise by suspending one leg and bringing your second leg into a leg float. Your belly must stay low throughout the movement with your back relaxed and pelvic stability maintained on the exchange. Place your first leg down and then gently lower your second leg. Repeat on alternating sides.

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The imagery to keep in mind

Visualise a marble balancing on your pubic bone. As you lift your leg, you roll the marble to your navel. The marble should stay in this position throughout the exercise as your body appears completely still.

The gluteal, pelvic floor and transverse abdominal connections practised here should be performed with each exercise in a programme. For simplicity’s sake, these muscles will be referred to as the stabilisers. Make a concerted effort to perform these multiple connections with each movement and each time you are instructed to engage your stabilisers.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If this article has started your creative juices flowing then you may want to become a Pilates instructor. If you do want to follow this line of work then you need to study our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to do the Pilates Double Leg Stretch https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-the-pilates-double-leg-stretch/ Wed, 13 May 2020 05:05:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16186 As the second exercise in the Stomach Series, the Pilates Double Leg Stretch continues to challenge your coordination, work the powerhouse and stretch your body. This exercise challenges coordination of breathing patterns and challenges the abdominal muscles isometrically. In addition, it creates mobility of the shoulders and hips. The exercise depends on the abdominal endurance...

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As the second exercise in the Stomach Series, the Pilates Double Leg Stretch continues to challenge your coordination, work the powerhouse and stretch your body. This exercise challenges coordination of breathing patterns and challenges the abdominal muscles isometrically. In addition, it creates mobility of the shoulders and hips.

The exercise depends on the abdominal endurance in order to maintain the thoracic spine inflexion as you take your arms as well as your legs away from the centre of the body. As this is a challenging exercise, ensure you only attempt it if you have suitably developed strength in addition to body awareness so that you can practise this exercise in a safe manner. If you suffer from osteoporosis, thoracic disc pathologies or, alternatively, if you’re pregnant this exercise will not be suitable for you. If this exercise is appropriate for you, ask your Pilates instructor to teach it to you so that you can add it into your home exercise programme and strengthen your core powerhouse.

Starting position

  • Lie supine on the mat with your legs adducted in a 90-degree, table-top position. Rest your hands on either side of your knees as you lift your head off the floor and not higher than your breast bone.
  • Inhale to prepare.
  • Exhale and contract your abdominals. Extend both legs outwards and keep them above the mat. Make sure that your feet are plantar-flexed and that your legs stay adducted. Sweep your hands past your ears and extend your arms behind your head.
  • Inhale and while keeping your abdominals contracted return to your starting position.

What will you feel?

  • Enhanced tension in your abdominal muscles, especially the lower ones as they work hard to stabilise your torso in addition to supporting your legs through the movements.
  • No tension in your neck as your abdominals strengthen and do the work of supporting you in the chest lift position.
  • The controlled contraction and extension in your body in the same way as a Reformer spring.

What muscles does the Pilates Double Leg Stretch work?

  • Hip flexors
  • Abdominals
  • Deltoids
  • Upper back muscles

Watch points:

  • Do not strain your neck. If you feel tension here while performing the exercise, support your neck using one hand or support your head by resting it on a small ball.
  • Keep your abdominals strongly contracted and connected throughout the exercise.

How can you modify the Pilates Double Leg Stretch?

  • A spine supporter can be used if you have a weak lower back
  • Keep your feet on the mat
  • Abbreviate the arm movement if you have a delicate shoulder.

Do between 10 and 12 repetitions

What are the benefits of the Double Leg Stretch?

  • Improved lumbar-pelvic stability in addition to core control
  • Deep abdominal strength as well as endurance
  • Dissociation and coordination of the shoulders in addition to the hips
  • Improved neck as well as head control

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If you want to discover more about Pilates, and perhaps even become a Pilates Instructor yourself, then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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The best way to do Utkatasana https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-best-way-to-do-utkatasana/ Wed, 13 May 2020 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16182 Chair Pose – or Utkatasana – clearly works the muscles of the arms and legs. However, it also stimulates the diaphragm as well as the heart. The best part of the chair yoga pose is that anyone can practise it and any person who is able to sit will be able to benefit from chair...

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Chair Pose – or Utkatasana – clearly works the muscles of the arms and legs. However, it also stimulates the diaphragm as well as the heart. The best part of the chair yoga pose is that anyone can practise it and any person who is able to sit will be able to benefit from chair yoga asana.

Utkatasana is not merely for weight loss. It is a practice which influences as well as empowers your attitude towards life. However, the standing yoga balance postures are difficult as they require you to balance your body weight on your legs. However, once you know how to do them correctly you will be able to enjoy its benefits for a long time to come.

Utkatasana Technique

  • Begin in Tadasana
  • Breathe in and then raise your arms above your head until they are straight and at 90 degrees to the floor. You may join your hands or, alternatively, keep them parallel to each other.
  • Exhale and then begin bending your knees as if you are sitting down on a chair. Try to get your knees to bend so that your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  • As you move slowly into the pose, allow your knees to project slightly over your feet and your upper body to lean forward slightly but keep your ankles and knees together.
  • Square your shoulders and tilt your pelvis forward slightly lengthening the lower back. Make sure that you keep your inner thighs parallel to each other.
  • Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes and breathe normally then slowly straighten back to the Mountain Pose.

For beginners, don’t bend your knees so low that you feel the strain. Try this asana out with your back a few inches from a wall. When you bend your knees, lower your back towards the cair pose and rest your tailbone on the wall. This will take a little pressure off your thighs.

Advanced students can lift onto the balls of their feelings while lowering themselves into the chair position. They can then bend further resting their buttocks on their heels and extending their arms forward and parallel to the floor.

A variation of Utkatasana

  • Interlace your fingers behind your back. After you do this straighten your arms way and up.
  • Place a block between your knees and then hold it there while performing the chair pose. This works the thigh muscles.

Deferrals and cautions

Headaches, insomnia, heart problems, pregnancy and high blood pressure. If you are experiencing any of these, avoid this pose or keep your hands in prayer position.

Preparatory poses

  • Virasana
  • Bhujangasana
  • Adho Mukha Svanasana

Follow-up poses

  • Tadasana
  • Uttanasana

The benefits of Utkatasana

  • Strengthens the leg muscles, ankles and stretches the calves.
  • Helps to correct flat feet.
  • Opens the chest and strengthens the shoulders. Stimulates the abdominal organs, diaphragm and heart.

Utkatasana strengthens the thighs as well as your ankles. Another great benefit of this asana is that it also tone the shoulders, butt, hips in addition to your back. The chair pose stretches the Achilles tendons and shins. It is known to be a therapeutic treatment for flat feet.

In addition to the above, Utkatasana also stretches the shoulders as well as opening up the chest. The pose tones your digestive organs in addition to your heart. Maintaining this pose for several breaths stimulates the heart rate in addition to enhancing the circulatory and metabolic systems. It quickly builds a lot of heat in the body.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about teaching people how to practise Yoga poses? If you do, then you need to study our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to do the one-arm dumbbell row https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-the-one-arm-dumbbell-row/ Tue, 12 May 2020 05:00:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16160 The one-arm dumbbell row is a fantastic exercise for your back as utilising one arm at a time let you really focus on your lats, traps as well as other back muscles which are targeted by the exercise. Making use of dumbbells – as opposed to a barbell – also stops you from depending only...

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The one-arm dumbbell row is a fantastic exercise for your back as utilising one arm at a time let you really focus on your lats, traps as well as other back muscles which are targeted by the exercise. Making use of dumbbells – as opposed to a barbell – also stops you from depending only on one side of your body to do the majority of the work. In addition, it can highlight any strength imbalances that you need to work on. The one-arm row also has a wider range of motion than the bent-over row as you can row the weight higher as opposed to when using a barbell.

The technique for the one-arm dumbbell row

Place one knee on a flat bench. Keep the other leg extended behind with the foot flat on the floor for balance. Hold the dumbbell in one hand and rest the other hand on the same side of the bent leg on the bench. Keep the chest slightly elevated and extend the arm with the dumbbell towards the floor. Keep the back in an extension by extending the tailbone and keeping the core strong.

Movement

Keeping the torso stable throughout the movement, pull the dumbbell up towards the side, extending the elbows as much as possible. Keeping the torso stable, slowly lower the dumbbell to your starting position. Perform how many reps necessary for the desired results.

Safety tips for the one-arm dumbbell row

  • Monitor your spine, pelvic positioning, scapular and elbow motion.
  • Cue your scapular retractors as well as your posterior deltoids.
  • Make sure that your abdominals are engaged.

Biomechanical analysis of the one-arm dumbbell row

The one-arm dumbbell row is a movement of the upper body that takes place in a sagittal/medial plan and mainly uses the muscles of the upper back. The actions are concerned with three joints:

  • Shoulders
  • Scapula
  • Elbow (multi-joint)

This exercise will work the muscles bilaterally. During the upward phase of the row, the shoulder (a ball and socket joint) is formed by the humerus and shoulder girdle. There is an extension, brought about by the Latissimus Dorsi muscles.

At the scapula, there is retraction caused by the Posterior Deltoid muscles. At the elbow (a hinge joint which is formed by the humerus, ulna and radius) there is flexion brought about principally by the action of the Trapezius, Rhomboids and Biceps Brachii muscles. The upward movement is a concentric muscle contraction.

During the downward phase, at the shoulder, the Latissimus Dorsi and Posterior Deltoid muscles cause flexion. At the scapula, protraction is caused by the Trapezius and Rhomboid muscles. At the elbow, the Biceps Brachii causes extension. The downward movement is an eccentric muscle contraction.

Try to do this exercise in front of a mirror so that you can monitor any change in your back or shoulder position. In addition, doing this exercise in front of a mission will allow you to check for trunk rotation.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you passionate about teaching others to exercise? If you are, then you should really consider doing our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to do the Kettlebell Clean https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-the-kettlebell-clean/ Fri, 08 May 2020 05:00:49 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16112 The Kettlebell Clean is considered to be a set-up move. It is a pre-cursor to the Press & Jerk. Generally, one would do a Clean & Press or a Clean & Jerk as opposed to just doing a clean on their own. However, the Kettlebell Clean itself is a very powerful movement and teaches many...

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The Kettlebell Clean is considered to be a set-up move. It is a pre-cursor to the Press & Jerk. Generally, one would do a Clean & Press or a Clean & Jerk as opposed to just doing a clean on their own.

However, the Kettlebell Clean itself is a very powerful movement and teaches many tension items that are needed in other kettlebell training. In the Swing, there is no rest or stop position. The kettlebell is continuously in motion. In the clean, the kettlebell ends at shoulder level, resting on the forearm with the wrist kept straight. This is called the racked position.

Biomechanical analysis of the Kettlebell Clean

The Kettlebell Clean starts as a single-arm swing, the biomechanics being identical to the Swing up until the point where the kettlebell reaches hip height. Once the kettlebell passes the hip, the path that it is travelling changes with a slight shrug of the shoulders and flex in the elbows. The kettlebell should then be caught in the rack position resting on the forearm, bicep and chest. The Kettlebell Clean can be performed with either one or two kettlebells.

Steps to performing the Kettlebell Clean

The first step is finding the correct rack position

Pick up the kettlebell and curl it up not the forearm, bicep and chest. The wrist needs to be in a neutral position with the knuckles of the first facing directly to the ceiling and the thumb pointed towards you. The elbow should be pointed straight down and tucked in close to the body. The lats work to stabilise and hold the arms close to the body.

The V created between the forearm and the upper arm serves as a shelf for the bell to rest on. At this point, the kettlebell should be on the forearm, bicep and slightly on the chest. It is essential to keep the bell as close to the centre line of the body without rounding the upper back.

Return the kettlebell to the bottom position by ‘dropping’ it. There should be minimal tension on the arm and the elbow should lockout at the bottom. The shock is then absorbed by the Hip Hinge movement.

The movement has now become a single-arm swing. Allow the kettlebell to pass between the legs and initiate the Swing with a powerful hip thrust.

As the kettlebell passes hip height, curl it towards your body. You should be able to catch it in the rack position. It is important to remember that the curl action is minimal. You only want to slightly alter the path the bell is travelling on, not drastically change the direction. If you use too much force, the kettlebell will land with a heavy impact and throw you off balance.

The kettlebell should land in the rack position with as little impact as possible. As the kettlebell gets more substantial, you must brace your core to absorb the impact in a very similar way to the manner in which a boxer will brace himself to take a punch.

The styles of kettlebell training

If you’re looking to build strength, you’ll probably prefer Hard-Style Kettlebell Training. This is because you’ll be working harder to complete the repetition and your body is loaded to the extreme. If you’re looking to build endurance, perform five reps in the Hard-style will not do the trick. In this case, the Fluid style is for you.

Both of these styles of kettlebell training have a place and a purpose so get the benefit of both worlds. Your training will change from time to time. Even the best, luckiest athletes occasionally fall prey to injuries. If you’re injured and you persist with heavy loads, you are unlikely to health. Switching to lighter, longer rep sets might just keep the muscles working and assist in provided healing.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to discover additional information about kettlebell training and even, possibly, become a kettlebell instructor yourself? If you do, then follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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How to perform Utthita Trikonasana https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-perform-utthita-trikonasana/ Wed, 06 May 2020 05:05:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16081 Utthita Trikonasana – or Extended Triangle Pose – is the quintessential standing pose in many styles of yoga. You will almost inevitably encounter it within your first couple of yoga classes in addition to many years to come. Extended Triangle Pose’s relatively simple set-up contradicts its strength as a stretch for the hamstrings. Creating the...

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Utthita Trikonasana – or Extended Triangle Pose – is the quintessential standing pose in many styles of yoga. You will almost inevitably encounter it within your first couple of yoga classes in addition to many years to come. Extended Triangle Pose’s relatively simple set-up contradicts its strength as a stretch for the hamstrings. Creating the foundation of the pose with feet which are grounded and strong legs allows the chest to twist in a deep fashion and to open.

What are the effects of Utthita Trikonasana?

The following list looks at what the effects of Utthita Trikonasana are:

  • Strengthens thighs, knees and ankles.
  • Stretches hips, groin, hamstrings and leg muscles.
  • Removes stiffness in legs and corrects minor deformities.
  • Stimulate internal organs.
  • Relieves backache and neck sprains.
  • Relieves stress.
  • Improves digestion.
  • Helps to relieve menopausal symptoms and backache, especially in the second trimester of pregnancy.
  • Helps with flat feet, sciatica, osteoporosis and anxiety.

The best technique to adopt with var

  • Begin in Tadasana. Inhale deeply and jump your feet apart by between one and 1.3 m. Raise your arms sideways in line with your shoulders and your palms facing downwards.
  • Turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right and turn your left foot in slightly to the right. Tighten your knees and keep your legs straight.
  • Exhales and glide your body over to your right side. Bend your torso and not your waist.
  • Place your hand near your right ankle. Strengthen your left leg and press your outer heel firmly to the floor.
  • Stretch your left arm towards the ceiling in line with the tops of your shoulders. Continue with your head in a neutral position or, alternatively, turn it to the left with your eyes gazing softly at your left thumb.
  • Extend your trunk and pull the top hip back. Keep the back of your hips and chest in a straight line. Keep your knees locked and your right knee in line with your toes.
  • Breathe deeply while holding the position between 30 seconds and one minute.
  • Lift your palm from the floor, inhale and return to the front with your arms at shoulder height with your feet facing forward.
  • Repeat on the other side.

If you are a beginner and you can’t reach the group, place your hand on the ankle or calf. Alternatively, you can also use a block. If you feel unsteady, practise with your back heel, or the back of your torso, against a wall.

Advanced students can place the palm of their hands on the floor behind the leg. If you suffer from a neck problem, we advise that instead of looking up, you look at your bottom foot.

Variation on Utthita Trikonasana

A variation on this asana is Parivrtta Trikonasana (or revolved triangle). To perform this pose:

  • Exhale and rotate your trunk, together with your left leg, in the opposite direction to the right. Place your left palm on the floor near the outside of your right foot. Extend your arm in line with your shoulders and gaze at your top hand.

Beginners can use a block under the bottom hand place their top hands-on their wait.

If you have the following conditions, it’s best not to practise this pose:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Headaches
  • Low blood pressure

If you suffer from a heart condition, practise Parivrtta Trikonasana against a wall and keep your top arm on your hip. If you suffer from high blood pressure, turn your head to gaze downward in the final pose.

Preparatory poses are Tadasana and Vrksasana. Follow-up poses are standing poses, seated forward bends or twists. Counter poses are mountain pose and gentle forward standing bend.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to get a richer understanding of yoga poses, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to perform the scissors exercise in Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-perform-the-scissors-exercise-in-pilates/ Tue, 05 May 2020 05:05:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16061 The scissors exercise in Pilates is a very challenging exercise that aids in the stability of the abdominals as well as the mobilisation and flexibility of the hamstrings and calves. It is the third exercise in the Ab Series of Five. The breathwork is coordinated with the movement and so helps with basic coordination. It...

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The scissors exercise in Pilates is a very challenging exercise that aids in the stability of the abdominals as well as the mobilisation and flexibility of the hamstrings and calves. It is the third exercise in the Ab Series of Five. The breathwork is coordinated with the movement and so helps with basic coordination. It also strengthens the thoracic back section as the movement is done with the head elevated.

With the scissors exercise, you also require the ability to wrap your mind around really lengthening through your core powerhouse while you are in an upside-down position. If this sounds like it’s too advanced, instead try side scissors. In the traditional Pilates mat series, the scissors exercise is to be found in the midpoint of the routine. It comes after the neck pull and is followed by the bicycle.

The benefits of the scissors exercise

The scissors exercise targets, among others, the upper as well as the lower abs. These muscles also need to enlist the obliques in order to maintain stability. This makes the scissors exercise an excellent challenge for your abs. It provides a stretch to your hamstrings (back of the thighs) and the iliopsoas (hip muscle) which opens up the front of your hips.

Starting position

  • Lie supine on the mat with your head and shoulders elevated. Both legs must be elevated towards the ceiling with your feet plantar-flexed.
  • Inhale to prepare.
  • Exhale and double-pulse the right leg in the air towards the body. While you do this, hold gently onto the leg and keep your abdominals well connected.
  • Inhale and switch legs.
  • Exhale and repeat the movement with your left leg.

Muscles worked

  • Abdominals
  • Upper back muscles
  • Hamstrings
  • Hip flexors

Watchpoints

  • Keep your scapulae stabilised.
  • Do not strain your neck.
  • Keep your abdominals connected. As you’re requesting the core muscles to ‘kick it into high gear’, ensure that you adequately warm-up before doing scissor kicks.
  • Keep your arms still throughout the entire movement. Your arms serve as stability which means that you shouldn’t use them as a momentum.
  • Keep the motion rhythmic in addition to control.

The scissor kick is an isolation exercise. This means that it’s often more effective when it is included in an overall fitness routine. It is possible to find the scissor kick in a line-up of Pilates exercises as well as other styles of exercise modalities.

Modifications

  • Hold your legs lower to the mat as this can assist with taking the pressure off your lower back. If you’re feeling that your lower back is arching up away from the mat while you’re performing the scissors exercise, begin with your feet just hovering off the floor. As you become stronger, expand the distance between the floor and your legs. Ensure that your back is not arching.
  • Replace a bicycle crunch for the scissor kick as it follows a similar movement pattern to the scissor kick.
  • Keep your head on the mat or a small barrel if you’re straining your neck.
  • Keep your hands supporting your head.
  • This exercise can be performed on a small arc barrel for lower back stability

Perform between five and 10 reps on each side.

By focusing on the leg muscles with the “scissoring” move, you immediately recruit your core muscles. In addition, proper spine alignment via a solid core is what assists your lower body do the “scissoring” movement. As the focus of this move is on recruiting your core, you don’t want to be in a rush to finish the reps. Slow down and ensure that you follow the steps as well as maintain your form throughout all of the sets in addition to reps.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Want to find out more about becoming a Pilates Instructor? If you do, please follow this link.

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How to do the yogic Push-Up Pose https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-to-do-the-yogic-push-up-pose/ Tue, 05 May 2020 05:00:25 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=16055 The yogic push-up pose (or Chaturanga Dandasana as it’s called in Sanskrit) requires a great deal of energy and body tension. If the participants do not have sufficient strength to perform it properly, it can lead to problems. This is why we advise that you practise alternatives to this pose first before you attempt it....

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The yogic push-up pose (or Chaturanga Dandasana as it’s called in Sanskrit) requires a great deal of energy and body tension. If the participants do not have sufficient strength to perform it properly, it can lead to problems. This is why we advise that you practise alternatives to this pose first before you attempt it.

Effects

This asana strengthens the entire body from the writs through to the arms, abdomen, back muscles and legs. It also expands the rib cage and instils a feeling of strength and freshness as well as assisting to rid the body and mind of lethargy.

Technique

  • From downward dog, move into plank pose. Tense your leg muscles and push your heels down. Pull your shoulders back and your tailbone towards your pubis.
  • Straighten your arms, spread your fingers apart and shift your weight evenly into your hands.
  • Ensure that your shoulders are directly over your wrists, with your middle fingers facing forward and turn your upper arms out slightly.
  • Inhale and lengthen our spine. Keep your neck straight. Your body should form a straight line.
  • Exhale and slowly lower your body towards the ground, tensing your Abdominals, so your body does not sage. Keep your tailbone firmly in place and your legs very active as well as turned slightly inward. Draw your pubis toward your navel.
  • Press your arms into your ribcage and keep your upper and lower arms at 90 degrees to each other. Pull your shoulders back, so they form a straight line with your elbow and direct your gaze to the floor.
  • Hold for between 15 and 30 seconds while breathing normally or deeply.
  • Exhale and release lightly down onto the floor or push actively back to Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward dog) lifting through the top thighs and the tailbone.

For beginners

If your arms are not yet strong enough, place a cushion lengthways under your chest to support your weight. This will help with correct alignment. In addition, to assist with building upper body strength and warming up, from plank, first lower your knees, then exhale your chest and after this place your chine on the floor. Push your pelvis up and press firmly into the ground with your fingers. Look forward.

Advanced students

Try rolling slowly over the balls of your feet onto the tops of your feet and shift the torso slightly forward. This will bring the hands back beside your waist and increase the change of the position.

Deferrals and cautions

  • If you suffer from neck injuries and headaches, avoid this pose.
  • If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, be cautious or avoid it.
  • Avoid performing this pose is you are pregnant.

Preparatory poses

  • Plank pose
  • Bhujangasana
  • Urdhava Mukha Svanasana

Follow-up poses

  • Adho Mukha Svanasana
  • Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Counter pose

Lie on your stomach and then place your hands one on top of the other. Rest your cheek on your hands.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn how to teach other people, similar Yoga poses, or just want to attain a deeper understanding of this ancient exercise form, then you need to do our Yoga Certification Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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13 Facts about Strength Training that You Didn’t Know https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/13-facts-about-strength-training-that-you-didnt-know/ Thu, 30 Apr 2020 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15947 You’ve heard about all the benefits of strength training, but let’s be honest. There are a few things that may have made you wonder whether or not strength training is the right workout for you. Maybe the cost of a gym membership or hiring a personal trainer has put you off or you have a...

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You’ve heard about all the benefits of strength training, but let’s be honest. There are a few things that may have made you wonder whether or not strength training is the right workout for you. Maybe the cost of a gym membership or hiring a personal trainer has put you off or you have a pre-existing condition that might be aggravated by the extra pressure that strength training can put on your body.

Here are a few facts about weight training that very few people are aware of. Some of them might change your mind, motivate you to incorporate it into your fitness routine and help you to improve your overall health.

1. Women’s muscles recover much faster than men’s after weightlifting

That’s because they replenish their Adenosine Triphosphate levels faster than men do. Adenosine Trisphosphate (or ATP)  is a molecule that is responsible for energy metabolism. It is present in every muscle. When you deplete your ATP levels and continue to work out, your body then breaks down glycogen to obtain more of it. During this process, your body secretes lactic and hydrogen acid which causes muscle cramps. This is why muscle recovery is so important.

Women have a higher fat percentage, and this allows them to use fat as an energy source during exercise and to store it more efficiently than men during rest periods.

2. You don’t need expensive equipment to do strength training

You can use your own body weight by doing exercises such as burpees and push-ups to get the same benefits.

3. It can make you more flexible

Strong muscles support your joints. Some weight lifters struggle with flexibility, but certain weight-lifting exercises include multi-joint movements such as squats and lunges. However, it’s important to make sure that you use your full range of motion when you’re training each muscle section.

4. It helps to alleviate and prevent arthritis

It eases joint pain and stiffness. A Finnish study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients who did strength training twice a week experienced reductions in inflammation, pain and disease progression than those who only did range-of-motion exercises.

5. It helps to improve your balance, coordination and posture

You need strong muscles for good balance. One study showed that older people who did strength training reduced their risk of falling by 40%.

6. It prolongs your life

According to a 2014 UCLA study, the more muscle mass we have, the longer we live.

7. You don’t need to lift weights for hours

A period of between 30 to 60 minutes of strength training per week is all you need to reap the benefits of strength training.

8. It enhances athletic performance

This is why many athletes have incorporated it into their training routines.

9. Mental focus is equally important as the actual weight lifting

The more focussed you are during your weight training, the more muscle fibres you use.

10. Weight lifting is especially beneficial for women

Women are especially susceptible to osteoporosis. This is because their bones are thinner and their oestrogen levels decline during menopause. It’s also because of unhealthy diets and the impact of eating disorders. The constant contracting and extending movements pull on our bones, which enables them to build new cells and so increases bone density.

11. It reduces your risk of injuries

Weight training also strengthens your bones, tendons and ligaments. It increases the production of collagen, which is the most important protein that is involved in building your bones.

12. Stress limits the results of weight lifting, including muscle gains

When your body is under stress, it produces excess cortisol, which breaks down muscle.

13. Heat can help muscle growth.

This is because the shock proteins in your muscles increase when you’re exposed to heat.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about exercise and how to teach others best exercise practice? If you do then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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5 Common Misconceptions about Fitness https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/5-common-misconceptions-about-fitness/ Wed, 29 Apr 2020 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15926 There is a burgeoning interest in healthy living and a wealth of information about the many ways in which we can achieve our fitness goals. However, there are myths and misconceptions about most things in life, and fitness is no exception. They are very misleading and can even be dangerous. Some of them have been...

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There is a burgeoning interest in healthy living and a wealth of information about the many ways in which we can achieve our fitness goals. However, there are myths and misconceptions about most things in life, and fitness is no exception. They are very misleading and can even be dangerous. Some of them have been held for so long that they might really surprise you.

1. Women need different exercises to men

Men and women are built in the same way. They both have the same muscle composition. The only difference is in their hormone chemistry. Men have more testosterone than women. This doesn’t mean that they should train differently.

2. You should always stretch before a workout

We’ve been taught that this helps to prevent injuries, but stretching before a workout actually weakens muscles. It’s much better to warm up your muscles by doing light cardio for a few minutes before you start your training session and to stretch afterwards instead to prevent muscle soreness and stiffness.

3. Weight training turns fat into muscle

Fat and muscle are two very different kinds of tissue. What weight training really does is build muscle in and around fat tissue, which is why your fat percentage decreases as you build more muscle. However, you certainly can’t turn fat into muscle.

4. It is better to work out in the morning on an empty stomach

This is supposedly to create a calorie deficit and accelerate fat loss while your body is in what is called a “fasted state”. However, it’s risky to work out when you haven’t consumed enough nutrients. You could lower your blood sugar levels, which could make you feel dizzy and shaky.

It is also counterproductive in terms of fat burning. When you don’t consume enough calories, your body uses protein for fuel, which leads to muscle loss. This is pointless when you should be doing the opposite by building your muscles to burn fat instead. The best time to work out is when it best suits your schedule.

5. Weight training will make women bulky

Women often confuse weight training with bodybuilding, which is why so many of them are reluctant to incorporate it into their workout plans. The first picture that comes to their minds when somebody mentions weight training to them are photos of tanned and oiled competitive bodybuilders. Weight training and bodybuilding are two different disciplines although they share certain similarities. Their objectives are different:

  • Bodybuilders use weight training to increase their muscle size, shape and symmetry, whereas
  • Weight trainers aim to burn fat and improve their muscle strength.

Secondly, women simply do not have enough testosterone to build up that kind of muscle mass without the help of specific supplements.

Thirdly, bodybuilders also follow a very strict diet that is extremely high in calories to achieve their physique. Women would have to consume around 10 000 calories a day to bulk up to that point.

If you want to tone up, slim down or just boost your mood, you’ve likely taken a stab at modifying your fitness routine. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of workout information out there that won’t help you to meet your goals and could, in actual fact, do more harm than good. Take the above five points into account and you’ll be well on your way to designing a fitness regime that works!

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Why does a life coach need assessment skills? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/why-does-a-life-coach-need-assessment-skills/ Tue, 28 Apr 2020 05:05:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15888 Assessment is an important tool in ensuring that something is working. When you meet your life coach for the first time, they will be assessing you based on what you are looking to achieve. Once this has been done, they will implement a strategy that will allow you to achieve your goal. Throughout your journey...

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Assessment is an important tool in ensuring that something is working. When you meet your life coach for the first time, they will be assessing you based on what you are looking to achieve. Once this has been done, they will implement a strategy that will allow you to achieve your goal.

Throughout your journey with your life coach, they will continuously be assessing you to determine your progress as well as the effectiveness of the chosen strategy. This will give them the opportunity to make any changes that they deem necessary in order to facilitate your progress. In essence, it’s a journey of continuous assessment.

Assessments are not onerous

This may seem overwhelming, but assessment does not refer to written tests or completing assignments. Your life coach will be assessing your progress and how you manage your development strategy. If anything, they do all the heavy lifting so it’s really not something to stress yourself out about.

A life coach needs to have impeccable assessment skills in order to truly assist you in achieving your goal. Without this skill set, it’s basically the blind leading the blind. You can’t assess someone’s progress when you don’t have the tools to do so, and you cannot report back on your findings if you don’t know what you are looking for or how to identify it.

How to choose the right life coach

When it comes to the selection of a life coach, it’s vital to choose someone with the knowledge to back their claims. Reputable coaches may list references and it’s definitely recommended that you contact them.

It is necessary for you to have a clear idea of who you are working with and whether or not their working style and experience will be of benefit to you. You are choosing someone who will shape your development and future, which means that you need to be able to trust them as well as rely on them to act in your best interest throughout the process.

No short-cuts to personal development

It’s important to note that your personal development should not be a once-off exercise, but rather a lifelong process. Your life coach is merely there to coach you through the initial stages and give you the tools that you need to further assess yourself as time goes by. These tools will enable you to analyse where you are at that point in life, what strengths you have – as well as weaknesses – and where you can improve. It will empower and inspire you on your journey to success and prove beyond a doubt that you are in the driving seat of your future.

It isn’t even a question. A life coach needs to have assessment skills in order to do their job and to have your best interest as a number one priority.  Their ability to assess your progress will determine the way in you will assess your progress in the future. Essentially, their assessment acts as the building block for your personal development, and without the right foundation, your personal development may take a rather rocky road while trying to make progress.

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Does life coaching look like a profession that you want to join? If it is then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification! For more information, please follow this link.

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What is the value of chromium in the human body? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-value-of-chromium-in-the-human-body/ Thu, 23 Apr 2020 05:00:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15852 Have you ever seen those old-fashioned cars that have shiny rims and bumpers that are chrome-plated? Did you know that the human body contains a similar element called chromium that plays a very important role in the correct functioning of your bodily organs and systems? What is chromium? Chromium is an element that works together...

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Have you ever seen those old-fashioned cars that have shiny rims and bumpers that are chrome-plated? Did you know that the human body contains a similar element called chromium that plays a very important role in the correct functioning of your bodily organs and systems?

What is chromium?

Chromium is an element that works together with insulin in the body. It plays a huge role in the control of your blood sugar. It is important that your body keeps your blood sugar nice and controlled because if it drops you will feel pretty bad. Some of the things that you may feel are:

  • Sweaty,
  • Dizzy, and
  • Tired

You may even feel like vomiting. Your body will tell you that you are hungry and that you need to eat as soon as possible. When you have eaten, you will almost instantaneously feel better. Chromium did all of this for you.

When you exercise very hard or experience injuries, your body will lose more chromium. The same thing happens if you take in a lot of sugary-foods (like sweets and fizzy cold drinks) instead of starchy or complex foods (like rice, pasta, or bread).

How can I get chromium in my diet?

Food sources that are high in chromium include brewer’s yeast, oysters, liver and potatoes. One cup of cooked broccoli contains 22 μg of chromium! That is why your mom always nagged you to eat your vegetables… Seafood, whole grains, cheese, chicken, meat and bran contain OK levels of chromium.

From what you see above, it makes sense that chromium plays an even bigger role in the diet for people who have diabetes mellitus since it will assist with their blood sugar control.

Most people are unlikely to develop a deficiency in chromium if they follow a balanced diet.  However, supplementation of chromium may be helpful in athletes that perform endurance training, since chromium gets lost during exercise. Some research has shown that taking chromium picolinate can increase characteristics of physical fitness, for example, strength, body composition and endurance however this is a controversial topic and needs more research.

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Who is susceptible to chromium deficiencies?

People who use antacids, cortisone, beta blockers or proton pump inhibitors may be more susceptible to chromium deficiency since these medications affect the absorption of chromium in the body.

Chromium supplementation may be useful to decrease carbohydrate cravings in people struggling with depression. It is recommended that if you are looking at a multivitamin-mineral supplement try getting one that contains about 21 to 35 μg of chromium and look for a supplement that contains chromium picolinate, which absorbs better.

Try not to exceed intake of more than 120μg a day in supplements, since a continuous high intake of chromium can cause skin lesions. Do not use dichromate or chromic acid, since these are toxic and can cause kidney or liver failure, and even death.

As you’ll find with many things in life, balance is important. This means that you should aim for a varied diet which includes food sources of chromium and avoid over-supplementing with one isolated substance. Add in foods from all food groups in your diet, including starches, dairy, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and meats. Limit intake of refined sugar and fatty food, as well as alcohol.

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Want to learn more about nutrition? If you do then you need to do our Specialised Nutrition Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What Is The Pec Deck Machine at the Gym? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-pec-deck-machine-at-the-gym/ Wed, 22 Apr 2020 05:21:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15832 If you are wanting to build up your chest muscles there is no better piece of equipment to look for than the Pec Deck machine at the gym. However, if you are a bit of novice in the gym, machines can be intimidating to try out if you are not sure how to use them....

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If you are wanting to build up your chest muscles there is no better piece of equipment to look for than the Pec Deck machine at the gym. However, if you are a bit of novice in the gym, machines can be intimidating to try out if you are not sure how to use them.

Oftentimes the pec deck machine is overlooked because there are many other ways to exercise the chest, but it can be a great way to change things up and add variety to your routines. In this article, we will be breaking down what exactly the pec deck machine is and how to use it.

What are the benefits of a Pec Deck Machine?

The pec deck machine is designed to help you strengthen your chest muscles, mainly the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and the serratus anterior. Working on these muscles using this machine will also help to balance your shoulders and engage your core, amongst other supporting muscles. Because you stay seated for the duration of the exercise it is a suitable machine for beginners that does not put too much stress on your body. You can also gradually increase the weights over time as your fitness levels increase.

How to correctly use the Pec Deck Machine.

  1. Firstly, adjust the equipment to make sure that it will be comfortable and safe for you to use. Your feet should be comfortably on the floor with your back straight but not strained. When you extend your arms to the handles your elbows should be in line with your shoulders.
  2. Next, adjust the weights to your preference. If you’re just starting out make sure not to being with too heavy a weight. Rather start off lighter and then work your way up.
  3. Sit in the seat comfortably, relaxing your neck and shoulders. Make sure that your back is firmly against the seat and your feet are flat on the floor. Hold onto the handles with your arms at a 90-degree angle, with your elbows level with your chest.
  4. Pull your arms towards you, bringing the handles in front of your chest. Maintain this position for a number of seconds before carefully returning the handles to the original position.

What mistakes are you making?

As with most exercises and exercises machines, it is easy to do more damage than good if you do not know what you are doing. Here a few common mistakes that people make when using the pec deck machine so that you can try to avoid them.

Incorrect Breathing

Most of the time our breathing is involuntary and when using this machine, it can be easy to hold your breath the whole time. To avoid injury, make sure to release your breath with each repetition.

 Body Position

As you are sitting down it can be tempting to use your feet to brace yourself during the exercise in order to have more control. You might also find yourself arching your back to complete the exercise. To avoid injury, try to maintain good posture and reduce the weights if you find yourself straining yourself.

 Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

There are loads more exercises to learn about how to exercise your chest. For a thorough grounding in these and other exercises, you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why is it important to regularly exercise ? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-it-important-to-regularly-exercise/ Wed, 22 Apr 2020 05:00:58 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15835 Any activity that makes the muscles move and burns calories is defined as exercise. Our bodies are made to move and be active. We can develop problems if we sit in front of the TV or our desks most of the day. That is why exercise is important in our daily lives. Benefits of regular...

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Any activity that makes the muscles move and burns calories is defined as exercise. Our bodies are made to move and be active. We can develop problems if we sit in front of the TV or our desks most of the day. That is why exercise is important in our daily lives.

Benefits of regular exercise

There are numerous physical and mental benefits to be gained from exercise.

Improves mental health

It has been proven that exercise helps to improve your mood. Exercise causes the brain to release serotonin and norepinephrine which regulates and decreases feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.

Exercise also increases the brain’s production of endorphins. This reduces the feeling of pain and helps to produce positive emotions.

Your mental health benefits from exercise regardless of the intensity.

Helps with weight loss

Exercise helps you to control and manage your weight. It burns calories, which helps you to lose weight. Strict and constant exercise will burn more calories. Simple exercises will burn less but still impact your weight loss positively. Combining aerobic exercises and resistance training maximises fat loss.

Increase in energy levels 

Exercising regularly is a great energy booster. It helps oxygen flow better through your body giving you a rush of energy. It also helps your stay energised by increasing your stamina levels and decreasing feelings of fatigue.

Brain health and memory 

Exercise increases heart rate, which improves blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This helps increase brain function, memory and thinking ability.

The growth of brain cells can also be enhanced by the production of hormones which exercise helps create.

It is important for older adults to exercise regularly to prevent chronic diseases that can affect the brain and its functioning.

Exercise reduces changes in the brain that can cause Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

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Helps build and maintain strong muscles and bones

Paired with sufficient protein absorption, exercise – such as weight-lifting – can encourage muscle-building.

Exercise promotes the release of hormones that helps muscles to absorb amino acids which assist muscles grow and keeps them from breaking down.

To reduce the loss of muscle and maintain strength as you get older it is important to exercise regularly. Ageing causes muscles to lose mass and function. This can lead to disabilities and injuries.

At a younger age exercise helps to build bone density and helps to counter osteoporosis when you get older.

Physical Fitness

Exercise doesn’t just assist you with weight loss, it helps to keep you healthy. Your overall level of fitness increases with regular exercise. An increased level of fitness helps to boost your immune system and helps you with fighting off illnesses such as the common cold or flu.

There are many benefits to reap from regular exercise. It can enhance a number of aspects of your life. Besides the immediate benefits that are gained, over the long term, it can help to prevent diseases such as heart disease as well as diabetes. Any activity which gets your heart rate up and sweating a bit will be good for your health!

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If you love teaching people how to exercise and want to become a personal trainer, you need to do our Personal Training Diploma! For more information, please follow this link.

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What is the Correct Form to Adopt for Lateral Raises with Dumbbells? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-correct-form-to-adopt-for-lateral-raises-with-dumbbells/ Tue, 21 Apr 2020 05:58:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15806 Lateral raises are an isolation movement that are a great way to build strength in your shoulders. It is also an easy one to add into an existing workout routine as it is a very simple exercise in itself that is suitable for all, no matter your fitness level. However, though it seems like just...

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Lateral raises are an isolation movement that are a great way to build strength in your shoulders. It is also an easy one to add into an existing workout routine as it is a very simple exercise in itself that is suitable for all, no matter your fitness level. However, though it seems like just lifting your arms up and down, the lateral raise requires technique and form in order to achieve the best results. They are also deceiving in their ability to make your muscles burn with only a few reps.

How to Do Dumbbell Lateral Raises

  1. Stand firmly with your hips shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and dumbbells held comfortably at your sides. Make sure that your palms are facing inwards (this exercise can also be performed seated).
  2. Raise your arms up and straight out until they are level with your shoulders. Do not bend your arms too much while you complete the movement. You should try to keep a small bend in the elbow but not more.
  3. In a slow fashion, lower the dumbbells back down again to your sides.

Correcting Your Form

As with most exercises, it is the details that take lateral raises from a simple exercise to a shoulder burner:

  • Remember to engage your core as you lift the dumbbells.
  • Do not raise your arms higher than your shoulders, or ‘throw’ the dumbbells too quickly up and down.
  • Instead of dropping your arms back down to your sides, lower the dumbbells slowly and with control.
  • Before lowering your arms pause with the dumbbells for a second or two, as this will help with muscle enhancement.
  • Engage your core and your glutes in order to stabilise your body and avoid slouching or injury.

Lateral raises are a very simple exercises that are easy to add into your workout routine. There are several variations that you can employ as well, but even the simple lateral raise alone will help in defining your arms and growing your shoulder muscles. Try adding them into your routine as a shoulder workout after you have warmed up properly, and you will soon see the results that this exercise has to offer.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Want to learn more about exercise? If you do, then you need to study our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is the Proper Way to do a Chin Up? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-proper-way-to-do-a-chin-up/ Tue, 21 Apr 2020 05:44:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15811 Chin ups are a great exercise to add into your workout routine for a variety of reasons. They engage all of your upper body muscles, from your back and abs to your core when done correctly. Chin ups are also a good exercise for improving your overall posture and building up your grip strength. Also,...

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Chin ups are a great exercise to add into your workout routine for a variety of reasons. They engage all of your upper body muscles, from your back and abs to your core when done correctly. Chin ups are also a good exercise for improving your overall posture and building up your grip strength. Also, in terms in practicality chin ups can be performed in a small space with little equipment. However, much like every exercise, it is important to perform these movements correctly in order to achieve optimal results and avoid injury.

What is a Chin Up?

You may have heard the terms ‘chin up’ and ‘pull up’ being used before, often interchangeably, but the two are quite different. Both exercises use the same muscle groups but the two use different grips and this changes the way in which the muscles are affected:

  • Pull ups involve gripping the pull up bar with the palms facing downwards (hands facing away from you) and engages both your back and your biceps.
  • Chin ups differ in that your palms face upwards (hands facing towards you) and, though your back muscles will be engaged, there is more emphasis on the biceps.

Therefore, chin ups are often used by those who wish to grow their arms as you are using your arms to lift your entire body weight.

How to Do a Chin Up

  1. First, grab hold of the pull up bar and grip it firmly. Your grip should be shoulder-width apart and comfortable.
  2. Carefully lift your feet from the floor and hang from the bar with your arms held straight.
  3. Pull yourself up until your chin is past the bar, by pulling your elbows towards the ground.
  4. Slowly lower yourself towards the ground again, until your arms are once again straight.

Maintaining Proper Form

In order to get the most out of your chin ups, it is important to maintain the correct form throughout every rep. Make sure to remember these three important rules:

  1. Always perform a full rep. Many people do not pull themselves high enough or do not allow themselves to drop low enough. For the best results make sure to make every rep a full one.
  2. Fully engage your shoulders at the beginning of the exercise to avoid straining your joints.
  3. Do not put yourself at risk of injury by overworking yourself. Though there are many variations of pull ups and chin ups, involving different grip widths, weights, and more, you do not need to do them all if you are not ready for them. Focus on form rather than looking impressive!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

The chin up is just one of the exercises that personal trainers use with their clients. To learn more about these movements, and possibly even become a personal trainer yourself, you need to do our Personal Training Diploma! For more information, please follow this link.

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How Do You Do A Flat Fly with Dumbbell https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-you-do-a-flat-fly-with-dumbbell/ Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15772 If you are looking to strengthen and build your chest and shoulders, look no further than an exercise known as the Dumbbell Flat Fly. Sometimes referred to as a Dumbbell Fly or Dumbbell Chest Fly, this simple exercise targets your pectoral muscles and the fibres attached to your sternum, which can help you to create...

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If you are looking to strengthen and build your chest and shoulders, look no further than an exercise known as the Dumbbell Flat Fly. Sometimes referred to as a Dumbbell Fly or Dumbbell Chest Fly, this simple exercise targets your pectoral muscles and the fibres attached to your sternum, which can help you to create a more defined chest.

There are also many advantages to adding dumbbell-assisted workouts into your routine, as they are versatile objects that allow for a variety of moves that target many muscle groups. The Flat Fly is just one way to use these workout accessories in your routine. In this piece, we will be dissecting the best way to properly and safely execute this exercise.

Equipment

Two dumbbells (weight dependent on your current fitness level)

Flat bench (optional)

Execution

  1. Begin by lying flat on your back or on a flat bench. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your head and shoulders firmly supported by the floor or bench.

 

  1. Hold the dumbbells firmly, but comfortably, above you with your palms facing inwards and your elbows slightly bent. Do not lock your elbows.

 

  1. Keep the slight bend in your elbows and slowly lower your arms out to the sides, until you feel a slight stretch in your chest. Do not lower the dumbbells below the level of your shoulders as this can result in hyperextension or other injury.

 

  1. Use your pectoral muscles to assist in lifting the dumbbells back to the original position. Be careful not to arch your back, concentrating on keeping it flat along the floor or bench.

Variations

There are several variations on the Dumbbell Flat Fly that can be used to target more specific areas of the pectoral and shoulder muscles, depending on what level of fitness you are at or what your personal fitness goals are.

Incline Bench Dumbbell Fly

This variation targets the top of the pectoral muscles more than the classic version. It involves adjusting your flat bench to a slight incline (approximately 30º).

Gym Ball Dumbbell Fly

You can also replace the bench with a gym ball if you would like to add another level to this exercise. By supporting yourself on a gym ball you will be improving your balance and engaging your core in addition to getting a chest and shoulder workout.

Takeaway

The Dumbbell Flat Fly is a simple exercise that can be utilised in a variety of ways to build up strength in the chest and shoulder muscles. It can be easily incorporated into a workout routine, alongside other chest exercises such as chest presses and pushups. Lastly, this exercise is very versatile and allows for you to build on it as you improve, by increasing the weight of the dumbbells as your strength increases and incorporating variations.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn about other exercises that you can teach others? If you do then you should really study our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is cardiovascular disease and how can exercise help to prevent it? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-cardiovascular-disease-and-how-can-exercise-help-to-prevent-it/ Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:05:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15748 The term ‘cardiovascular disease’ refers to many different conditions that could affect an individual’s heart. These conditions include heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia and heart valve problems.  Many of these can be treated with medication and surgery, but if you really want to get better there are lifestyle changes that you can...

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The term ‘cardiovascular disease’ refers to many different conditions that could affect an individual’s heart. These conditions include heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia and heart valve problems.  Many of these can be treated with medication and surgery, but if you really want to get better there are lifestyle changes that you can make.

Ways that exercise can help reduce your risk of contracting cardiovascular disease

Exercise is good for the heart. A lack of exercise is one of the leading risk factors for developing heart disease. Others include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and family history.

In some individual, high blood pressure can be reduced or even prevented by doing a simple bit of exercise. Being active and doing some exercise often motivates people to make positive and healthier lifestyle choices. This is why people who exercise usually follow a healthier diet.

Cardiovascular exercise can help to reduce an individual’s risk of developing blockages in the arteries or blood clots because it improves blood circulation.

The negative effects of stress

Stress can really damage the whole body, but it is especially strenuous on the heart. Exercise helps to manage stress better and it has been proven that people who exercise regularly are less depressed as well as have a more positive outlook on life.

The heart is a muscle and just like any other in our body it requires consistent exercise to keep it fit and strong. A stronger heart will lower your heart rate. It will be able to pump the same amount of blood required with fewer pumps because it is stronger.

It has been confirmed that smokers who are fit are less at risk of getting heart disease than non-smokers who are unfit. As a smoker exercise is definitely still beneficial for your health and people who exercise tend not to smoke because they become very aware of their health and lifestyle.

Exercise and good cholesterol 

Exercise can raise the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. Higher levels of HDL have been associated with a lower risk of contracting heart disease.

A huge risk factor for heart disease is diabetes. Exercise can help you lose weight and reduce the chance of developing this affliction.

Combine exercise with a healthy diet and it can significantly help with weight control. Obesity has been connected with many diseases, for example diabetes. Regularly burning calories through exercise helps people to maintain a good and healthy weight.

Strengthening your muscles and improving your body’s mobility by exercising will make these activities become easier over time. The easier the activities get, the more likely you are to keep going. This just means that it will get simpler to stay healthy.

Exercise and a good and healthy diet could quite literally save lives. It is important to be active and keep healthy throughout your life to avoid the very serious possibilities of heart disease later in life.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you love exercising and want to teach others how to perform exercises correctly then you need to seriously consider becoming a personal trainer. For more information on how to do this, please follow this link.

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What are 5 benefits of flexibility? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-5-benefits-of-flexibility/ Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:05:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15719 Flexibility is defined as the ability your joints and limbs have to complete their full range of motion. You lose flexibility with age, so it is important to include flexibility activities in your workout regimen. The benefits of flexibility Flexibility is an important aspect of health. Tight muscles can cause problems all over your body....

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Flexibility is defined as the ability your joints and limbs have to complete their full range of motion. You lose flexibility with age, so it is important to include flexibility activities in your workout regimen.

The benefits of flexibility

Flexibility is an important aspect of health. Tight muscles can cause problems all over your body. As you become older your muscles will lose strength and size and become stiff and less agile. Stretching at least two to three days per week will help you become more flexible.

There are many physical benefits to be gained from becoming more flexible and agile.

Prevents injuries

Well-developed strength and flexibility will make you capable of withstanding more physical stress. You will be more susceptible to injuries to your tendons, muscles and ligaments if you are less flexible. Not stretching as well as keeping your muscles flexible will cause the tendons around your muscles to stiffen. This causes a reduced range of motion, which makes it easier to go past what you can comfortably do. This could cause strains, sprains or possibly even ruptures. Increased flexibility will reduce the risk of injuring your muscles, ligaments and tendons because of the increase in your range of movement.

Less pain 

Performing some flexibility exercises will lengthen and open your muscles. This will already make you feel better. You will experience fewer pains and aches because your muscles are looser and more relaxed. This will also cause your body to have fewer muscle cramps.

You can experience pain in your back due to tight muscles in the back and lower body. If you improve your flexibility it will help treat and prevent that pain. Tight hamstrings can cause back pain because they pull down the pelvis and this creates pressure for the lower back.

If you find it hard to twist your upper body from side to side, it is probably time to stretch your lower body muscles.

Increased range of motion improves posture and balance

Increasing your muscles’ flexibility will most likely improve your posture. It will also allow for you to be properly aligned and correct imbalances that you might have. An increased range of motion will make it easier to sit as well as stand in particular ways.

Improved posture and a wider range of motion are not the only benefits that flexibility offers. It can make everyday tasks easier such as reaching over heading for something or bending to pick something. It will also make exercising easier.

Increased strength 

Improving your strength when you become more flexible is important. Your muscles should be able to sustain a reasonable amount of strain to be strong and stable enough to support your body and its movements. This allows you to physically be more fit.

Greater physical performance

You will perform better physically when your flexibility has increased and allows for a larger range of motion. This is because your muscles will be working more effectively due to the flexibility training.

Flexibility training is a key part of any workout regime in addition to daily life. It has many benefits that will simply make doing daily tasks much more comfortable.

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A look at standing poses in yoga https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/a-look-at-standing-poses-in-yoga/ Tue, 14 Apr 2020 05:05:31 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15698 Standing poses are usually practised after sun salutations. They warm up the body for more complicated postures and they generate heat as well as building up energy. Physiologically, standing poses strengthen the feet, leg muscles and joints as well as the abdominal muscles. In addition, they stimulate blood flow, increase breathing space in addition to...

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Standing poses are usually practised after sun salutations. They warm up the body for more complicated postures and they generate heat as well as building up energy.

Physiologically, standing poses strengthen the feet, leg muscles and joints as well as the abdominal muscles. In addition, they stimulate blood flow, increase breathing space in addition to breathing volume.

Emotionally, standing postures promote a sense of stability, feeling grounded, stamina, staying power, self-awareness and inner security.

Standing postures are often combined with forward bends, twists and balancing postures.

An example of a standing pose in yoga is Warrior 2.  This is a pose of strength and stamina. Gentler than Warrior 1, Warrior 2 requires slightly less hip mobility and flexibility.

Effects

  • Strengthens the legs, arms, back, ankles and knees
  • Stretches the groin, chest and shoulders
  • It opens the hips and chest as well as increases breathing volume
  • Stimulates abdominal organs
  • Relieves backaches, especially through the second trimester of pregnancy
  • Increases stamina
  • Assists with carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis as well as sciatica

Technique

  • Stand in Tadasana
  • Exhale and then step or lightly jump your feet between 1 and 1.3m apart. Bring your arms up to be parallel to the floor and stretch them out to the sides, shoulder blades wide and with the palms facing down.
  • Turn your right foot in somewhat to the right. Turn your left foot out, to the left, at 90 degrees. Align the left heel with your right heel. Firm your thighs and then turn your left thigh outward so that the centre of the left kneecap is in a line with the centre of your left ankle.
  • Exhale and bend your left knee in line with our left ankle so that the shin is perpendicular to the mat. If it is possible bring your left thigh parallel to the floor. Anchor this movement of your left knee by strengthening the right leg and then pressing the outer right heel firmly to the floor.
  • Stretch your arm away from the space between the shoulder blades parallel to the floor. Keep the torso directly over the pelvis. Press the tailbone slightly toward the pubis. Turn the head to the left and look out over the fingers.
  • Hold for between one and three minutes and breathe deeply.
  • Inhale to come up. Reverse the feet and repeat to the left.

For beginners, straighten the bent leg slightly it is too difficult to hold or place a chair under your thigh and rest it. As a variation when in full Warrior 2 pose turn your head to look over the opposite shoulder.

To increase the length and strength of the arms in this pose, advanced students should turn the palms and inner elbow creases to face the ceiling while you draw the shoulder blades down the back. Then maintaining the rotation of the arms turn the palms from the wrists to face the floor again.

Modify Warrior 2 if you suffer from high blood pressure and if you have neck problems. If you suffer from neck problems look straight ahead with both sides of the neck lengthened evenly.

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How to do the Pilates shoulder bridge https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-the-pilates-shoulder-bridge/ Tue, 14 Apr 2020 05:00:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15694 The Pilates shoulder bridge is a staple in any class as it improves posture, works your abdominal muscles and glutes. In addition, the shoulder bridge teaches you the best method for stabilising your shoulders. The shoulder bridge has a number of variations however but they all begin with the fundamental stance: Lying supine on your...

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The Pilates shoulder bridge is a staple in any class as it improves posture, works your abdominal muscles and glutes. In addition, the shoulder bridge teaches you the best method for stabilising your shoulders.

The shoulder bridge has a number of variations however but they all begin with the fundamental stance:

  • Lying supine on your back with the soles of your feet placed firmly on the mat
  • Bent knees
  • Pelvis lifted.

Similar in form to the normal gymnastics bridge, this mid-level Pilates exercise focuses on stability in addition to steady breathing. It is a beautiful exercise that challenges strength and stability in the back and pelvis to stay neutral without rocking or tilting. The shoulder bridge challenges coordination and breath work when initiating leg movement. the exercise allows an individual to stretch and strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps. Strong abdominals allow one to perform the exercise correctly and with ease.

Starting position

Lie supine on the mat with your legs bent and slightly abducted. Make sure that your feet are facing forward and your arms are extended with your palms resting on either side of your body.

Inhale to prepare.

Exhale and keeping your abdominals strong and stable lift up your pelvis, articulating your spine gently off the mat a single vertebra at a time until you’re resting on your thoracic spine. Ensure that your scapulae are stabilised and depressed.

Inhale and keeping your abdominals strong and stable for balance extend one leg up towards the ceiling with a plantar-flexed foot.

Exhale and, while still keeping your abdominals contracted, dorsi flex your foot and lower it to the height of your opposite knee.

Inhale. Keep your abdominals strong and stable for balance extend one leg up towards the ceiling with a plantar-flexed foot. Repeat between five and 10 times for each leg.

As we said earlier in this article, the muscles worked by this exercise are:

  • Abdominals
  • Back muscles
  • Hamstring group
  • Gluteus group
  • Calves

What are the benefits of the shoulder bridge?

If you’re searching for a move to incorporate into your routine which works your core as well as your butt, the basic bridge is a fantastic place to start.

For this exercise, the target muscle is the erector spinae. This muscle runs the length of your back from your neck towards your tailbone. A basic bridge stretches the stabilisers of the posterior chain, plus your hip abductors, gluteus maximus hamstrings.

As antagonist stabilisers for the shoulder bridge exercise, the rectus abdominis, obliques as well as quadriceps get a workout as they are responsible for maintaining stability. Your holistic strength will improve as these muscle groups become stronger. A core which is strong will also improve your posture and can assist with easing lower back pain. In fact, as long as you maintain good form, bridge exercises are usually safe for people who suffer from chronic back problems. The shoulder can even aid in pain management.

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Nutrition tips for stronger bones https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutrition-tips-for-stronger-bones/ Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:05:27 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15662 A healthy, as well as balanced diet, will go a long way towards helping you to build strong bones from the time that you are young and maintain them throughout your life. Building bones which are healthy is vitally important. Minerals are absorbed into your bones during childhood, adolescence in addition to early adulthood. When...

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A healthy, as well as balanced diet, will go a long way towards helping you to build strong bones from the time that you are young and maintain them throughout your life. Building bones which are healthy is vitally important. Minerals are absorbed into your bones during childhood, adolescence in addition to early adulthood. When you reach 30 years of age, you have reached peak bone mass. If insufficient bone mass is formed during this time, or bone loss occurs takes place, you have a heightened risk of developing fragile bones that break easily. Luckily, there are many nutrition habits can help you to build strong bones and maintain them as you get older.

Calcium

Amongst its many functions in the body, calcium helps to build and maintain your teeth and bones. In fact, 99% of all the calcium in your body is stored in your teeth and bones.

One way your body gets calcium is through calcium-rich foods and calcium supplements. Your body also gets calcium by drawing it from your bones. This generally happens when you haven’t been getting enough calcium from meals. Although your body ideally replaces the borrowed calcium it isn’t a guarantee.

A major source of calcium can be found in dairy foods such as low-fat milk, cheese and yoghurt. If you are lactose intolerant you may be able to get your calcium through lactose-free dairy products, eating yoghurt that contains live and active cultures and taking a lactose enzyme supplement before you have dairy. Non-dairy sources of calcium are, among others, leafy green vegetables such as collard greens and kale as well as canned salmon and sardines with bones.

Vitamin D

When your blood calcium levels start dropping, vitamin D converts into its active form. It travels into your intestines to help you absorb more calcium and goes to your kidneys to reduce the amount of calcium that your body loses through urine.

Vitamin D is in sources such as sardines, egg yolks, tuna and fortified foods. However, most individuals get enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure.

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Vitamin K

Vitamin K, which is found in foods such as leafy greens, is another important nutrient for you bones because it helps your body to regulate calcium and form bones. Low levels of vitamin K circulating in the body have been linked to low bone density and vitamin K supplementation helps to support bone health.

Some research shows that eating at least two cups of vegetable and 1 ½ cups of fruit per day and increase your bone health. This may be owing to the existence of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. In addition, while your body also needs some protein to build strong and healthy bones, the Harvard School of Public Health warns that eating a high-protein diet for an extended period may weaken your bones.

Bones support our organs. In addition, they facilitate freedom of movement. This is why keeping them strong as well as healthy is incredibly important. Weight-bearing exercises; a sensible, healthy diet and – in some instances – calcium supplementation can all assist to keep our bones healthy and strong. We are fortunate that it is never too late to begin strengthening as well as caring for our bones. The earlier you start, the better.

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The best exercises to improve balance https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-exercises-to-improve-balance/ Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15658 Balance disorders are amongst the most common reasons why people over the age of 65 consult their health-care professionals. A loss of balance also increases the risk of falls. This is a serious and even life-threatening complications. Falls are the leading cause of injuries – including fatal injuries – for people who are older than...

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Balance disorders are amongst the most common reasons why people over the age of 65 consult their health-care professionals. A loss of balance also increases the risk of falls. This is a serious and even life-threatening complications. Falls are the leading cause of injuries – including fatal injuries – for people who are older than 65.

Balance disorders are severe owing to the risk of falls. However, occasionally balance problems may warn of another health condition such as a heart disorder or a problem in the brain or, alternatively, other parts of the nervous system.

As a result of all the possible causes as well as overlapping symptoms, balance problems can be quite tricky to diagnose. For these reasons, it is important to see a health-care professional so that the source of your balance problem can be properly and promptly identified. Treatments, when needed, are usually simple and effective.

The most common types of balance problems

The most common symptoms of balance problems are:

  • Vertigo which is a sensation that everything around you is spinning or moving or that you yourself are spinning around.
  • Light headedness or ‘near-fainting’ (presyncope). This is a feeling of weakness or dizziness.
  • This presents as a feeling of imbalance and disorientation. Occasionally, a loss of your feeling of time or place may be felt.

Balance problems may be related to:

  • Inner ear problems (which are the most common sources of vertigo)
  • Headache (as well as migraines)
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Allergies or, alternatively, infections
  • Getting up quickly from sitting lying position
  • A growth on the auditory nerve (such as an acoustic neuroma)
  • Problems with the nerves in your legs and feet
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dehydration

Exercises for balance

A programme that includes exercises for balance should contain movements that:

  • Increase flexibility in the neck and torso,
  • Strengthen the lower body, ankle complex, quadriceps, arms, back and abdominals,
  • Force you to weight-shift,
  • Gradually decrease your base of support and go from a table surface to an unstable surface.

These balance exercises should be adjusted to suit each specific population group.

A balance programme should progress from a two-legged stance that minimally challenges stability to a more complex stance. The progression evolves in this manner:

  • Two-legged exercise with minimal challenge to stability
  • Staggered stance
  • Single-leg base of support
  • Two-legged exercise, unstable surface
  • Single-leg exercise, unstable surface

The arm progression goes as follows:

  • Two arms
  • Alternate arms
  • One arm
  • One arm with movement

After a client assessment and medial clearance, a programme might contain some of the following exercises and stances:

  • Warm-up
  • Walking forward and backward
  • Side to side/carioca
  • Walking forward and backward on heels/toes
  • Squats to single-leg balance
  • Step-ups, front/side

Head turns and warm movements can be added when the client is ready.

During the resistance work the client should begin with easy exercises and gradually progress to more challenging ones. Here, the easiest exercises are listed first followed by more challenging ones:

  • Standing on one leg, eyes open; standing on one leg, eyes closed
  • Two-legged wall ball squat; single-leg squat with reach
  • Prone dumbbell row on stability ball; single-leg cable row
  • Seated PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) on stability ball; seated PNF on ball with side reach
  • Cable triceps extension on stability ball, single-leg triceps kickback

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What is the impact of diet and bodyweight on arthritis? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-impact-of-diet-and-bodyweight-on-arthritis/ Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:05:12 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15641 Experts say that consuming a well-balanced diet is incredibly important when you suffer from arthritis. You will be receiving critical nutrients and you will also be maintaining or arriving more quickly at a healthy bodyweight. If you weigh more than you should you will be adding extra pressure on weight-bearing joints. Many arthritis patients have...

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Experts say that consuming a well-balanced diet is incredibly important when you suffer from arthritis. You will be receiving critical nutrients and you will also be maintaining or arriving more quickly at a healthy bodyweight. If you weigh more than you should you will be adding extra pressure on weight-bearing joints. Many arthritis patients have found that losing just a few kilograms makes a substantial change to their quality of life.

Doctors, as well as nutritionists, are more frequently advising arthritis patients to keep sugar and/or fatty foods – such as red meat, cream and cheese – to a minimum. You should make sure that you are eating plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as whole-grains. It is thought that omega-3 essential fatty acids relieve, to some extent, the symptoms of arthritis. A very common source of Omega-3 fatty acids is oily fish, for example, sardines, herring, trout and salmon.

Many of us tend to put large portions on our plate. If you decrease the size of the portions you may lose weight more effectively. Ensure that the vegetables and fruit that you eat make up a large part of your portion.

How to exercise when you have arthritis

People with arthritis should choose the type of exercise, which they do, carefully. Be guided by your doctor or a health professional such as a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist. An exercise physiologist is someone who is an allied health professional who helps people with their physical activity and lifestyle habits to prevent as well as manage injuries or conditions which are chronic.

An inflamed, hot or painful joint requires rest however too little exercise may lead to muscle weakness, pain in addition to stiffness. People who suffer from arthritis should do some form of physical activity each and every single day.

The exercise that you choose should ideally help with the following:

  • Mobility: To stretch and maintain or improve the joint’s range of motion and flexibility.
  • Strength: To build muscle strength, provide stability to the joint as well as improve your ability to perform day-to-day tasks.
  • Cardiovascular fitness: To improve the condition of your heart, lungs as well as circulation, to provide your body with blood and to improve the ability of your muscles to use the oxygen.

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Many types of exercise can help with mobility, strength and cardiovascular fitness at the same time, including:

  • Swimming or water exercise classes
  • Tai chi
  • Walking or Nordic walking *walking with Nordic poles)
  • Chair exercises
  • Low-impact aerobics
  • Strength training
  • Dance.

In accordance with a statement released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 72% of Americans are overweight or, alternatively, obese. The agency also is reporting that almost 23% of overweight – and 31% of obese – Americans suffer from doctor-diagnosed arthritis. This number adds up to a lot of individuals whose joints could feel better by shedding extra kilograms.

Weight loss is a tricky endeavor, but if you are overweight, no particular action can provide as many positive effects on the body. Not only does losing weight lower your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea as well as certain types of cancer, but it helps your arthritis as well.

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What exercise to do if you have high blood pressure https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-exercise-to-do-if-you-have-high-blood-pressure/ Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:00:30 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15634 Regular physical activity results in your heart being stronger. A heart which is stronger is able to pump more blood with reduced effort. If your heart can work less in order to pump, the force on your arteries decreases so reducing your blood pressure. Developing more active routines can lower your systolic blood pressure, which is...

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Regular physical activity results in your heart being stronger. A heart which is stronger is able to pump more blood with reduced effort. If your heart can work less in order to pump, the force on your arteries decreases so reducing your blood pressure.

Developing more active routines can lower your systolic blood pressure, which is the top figure in a blood pressure reading, on average by of 4 to 9 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). That is as good as a number of blood pressure medicines. For some people, getting some physical activity is enough to lessen the requirement for blood pressure medication.

If your blood pressure is at the desired level – less than 120/88 mm Hg – exercise can help keep it from rising as you age. Regular exercise also helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which is another important way to regulate blood pressure.

However, to keep your blood pressure at a low level, you need to keep exercising. It takes about one-three months for regular exercise to have an effect on your blood pressure. The benefits last just as long as you continue to exercise.

How much exercise to do

Flexibility and strengthening exercises – such as lifting weights – are an important part of an overall fitness plan. However, it takes aerobic activity to control high blood pressure. And you don’t need to spend hours in the gym every day to benefit. Just adding normal physical activities to your day-to-day routine will assist.

Any physical activity that increases your heart as well as breathing rates is considered to be aerobic exercise. Examples are:

  • Household chose, such as mowing the lawn, raking up leaves or (alternatively) scrubbing the floor,
  • Active sports such as basketball or tennis
  • Climbing stairs
  • Walking
  • Jogging
  • Bicycling
  • Swimming

The American Heart Association has published the recommendation that you get at least 150 minutes of modest exercise, 75 minutes of intense exercise or a combination of both each week. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity for most of the days of the week.

If you are not able to set aside that much time at once, remember that shorter bursts of activity also count. It is possible for you to split up your training into three 10-minute session of aerobic exercise. With this routine, you’ll get the same benefit as one 30-minute session.

Keep your exercise safe

In order to lessen the risk of injury while exercising, begin slowly. Don’t forget to warm up ahead of you exercise and cool down afterwards. Increase the intensity of your workouts gradually. Stop exercising and then seek immediate medical care if you experience any warning signs during exercise, including:

  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Dizziness or faintness
  • Pain in an arm or your jaw
  • Severe shortness of breath
  • An irregular heartbeat
  • Excessive fatigue

The only way to notice high blood pressure is to monitor your blood pressure readings. Have your blood pressure verified at each doctor’s visit or make use of a home blood pressure monitor.

Whether you already suffer from high blood pressure, monitoring at home can let you know if your fitness routine is assisting to lower your blood pressure and may make it so you don’t need to visit the doctor to have your blood pressure checked as often. If you choose to check your blood pressure at home you’ll get the most exact readings if you monitor your blood pressure before you exercise or at least one hour after exercising.

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What are the effects of anabolic steroid use? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-effects-of-anabolic-steroid-use/ Tue, 07 Apr 2020 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15610 Most serious-minded athletes will inform you that the drive to win is intense. In addition to the pride of personal accomplishment, athletes frequently chase the dream of winning a medal for their country or getting a spot on a professional team. In such an environment, the usage of performance-enhancing drugs has become more and more...

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Most serious-minded athletes will inform you that the drive to win is intense. In addition to the pride of personal accomplishment, athletes frequently chase the dream of winning a medal for their country or getting a spot on a professional team. In such an environment, the usage of performance-enhancing drugs has become more and more common.

However, making use of performance-enhancing drugs has its risks. This means that you need to take the time to learn about the possible benefits, the health risks as well as the many unknowns regarding so-called performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids.

How do anabolic steroids work?

Anabolic steroids function by mimicking the characteristics of naturally occurring hormones:

  • Receptors which are present on muscle cells respond to a number of different types of hormones. Anabolic steroids possess a similar chemical composition to testosterone and are thus able to activate testosterone receptors.
  • As soon as the receptors are stimulated, a domino reaction of metabolic responses takes place as the drug directs the body to increase the production of muscle

Most steroid users inject amounts of anabolic steroids which are safe in the short term. This means that there is an extremely small risk of overdose. However, in the short term, there are still some significant side effects of steroid use. As anabolic steroids are a synthetic version of testosterone, adding them to a workout regime leads to many of the same symptoms as adding more dangerous testosterone injections. For example:

  • Men who take anabolic steroids may turn out to be bald.
  • Women who take anabolic steroids may end up growing facial hair. In addition, their voice may develop deeper tones.

These effects are usually ignored or downplayed by steroid users who are more likely to be focused on improving their physical performance as well as appearance.

What are the long-term dangers of anabolic steroid use?

There are a number of long-term dangers of anabolic steroids that exceed the immediate dangers of using these drugs. People who use anabolic steroids often can eventually succumb to liver failure. In addition, higher rates of cancer have also been seen in steroid users.

The psychological effects of steroids are being researched and there are also some indications that regular steroid use can cause a series of mental health problems. Suicide is a major problem among steroid users as is belligerence and violence. Steroid users may also be more prone to experiment with other drugs, particularly stimulants such as cocaine. This can lead to heath, coma, stroke or heart attack.  Depending on the type and among of steroids which are taken, other long-term effects may be possible.

What are catabolic steroids?

Catabolic steroids, which are also called glucocorticoids, are part of the body’s reaction to stress. The term ‘catabolic’ comes from the Greek word which means to “throw down” so these steroids help to break down larger chemicals into smaller ones. For instance, cortisol assists glycogen (a large molecule which is stored in the liver) to metabolise into glucose. This is a small molecule that can be utilised for energy by the body.

The adrenal glands make cortisol naturally and this is required for many of the basic functions of the body, including:

  • Glucose metabolism,
  • The immune reaction to infection, as well as
  • Protein, fat in addition to carbohydrate metabolism.

Prescription medications, for example, prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred), hydrocortisone (Westcort) as well as dexamethasone (Decadron [discontinued], DexPak) are examples of steroids which are utilised to reduce inflammation as well as treat a variety of illnesses from asthma as well as COPD to rheumatoid arthritis in addition to allergic reactions. Small doses of hydrocortisone are the active ingredient in creams which help to treat the inflammation from insect bites, poison ivy, eczema as well as additional local skin irritations.

Knowing about the effects of anabolic steroid use is one of the things that a personal trainer needs to know.

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What is Hatha yoga? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/what-is-hatha-yoga/ Mon, 06 Apr 2020 05:05:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15584 Hatha yoga became known sometime around the 9th century and is a form of yoga that focuses on the body. In Hatha yoga the physical body is seen as the first step on the path to attaining the fundamental knowledge of yoga. Hatha is rooted in Tantric movement. Tantrism is a religious movement and the...

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Hatha yoga became known sometime around the 9th century and is a form of yoga that focuses on the body. In Hatha yoga the physical body is seen as the first step on the path to attaining the fundamental knowledge of yoga.

Hatha is rooted in Tantric movement. Tantrism is a religious movement and the Tantric texts describe the difference between the microcosm and the macrocosm, the universal and the individual soul, man and woman. It sees them existing not in duality but in undivided unity.

Tantrics regard the body as holy and physical rituals and practices are used spiritually:

  • To unify cosmic consciousness (Shiva) with cosmic energy (Shakti) within the body,
  • To unify Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) in order to attain the highest level of happiness.

Hatha yoga is often translated as the yoga that brings union ‘of the pairs of opposites’. With ‘ha’ meaning ‘sun’ (male energy, warmth, motivation, drive) and ‘tha’ meaning ‘moon’ (female energy, coolness, passivity, emotion).

The science of yoga aims at the ultimate union of the soul with God or the merging of the individual soul into the universal soul.

What are the aims of Hatha yoga?

Hatha yoga concentrates on the practice of the third and fourth steps of the eight-fold path of Ashtanga yoga:

  • Postures (asanas),
  • Breath control (pranayama),
  • Locks (bandhas),
  • Seals (mudras), and cleansing rituals.

The above are concentrated on in order to energise the subtle channels (nadis).

Exercising asanas in Hatha yoga brings health and energy to the body and mind by opening the nadis. When such exercises are regularly performed the path of Hatha yoga is opened automatically although one still has to follow it further.

Hatha yoga teaches sitting postures in which it is possible to sit perfectly comfortably for longer periods of time. This is essential when practising meditation techniques. The sitting postures of Hatha Yoga are vital as ideal postures for the correct practice of Pranayama as well as meditation.  Sitting postures also warm up legs and hips, strengthen the back in addition to improving your posture. They are the most effective postures of the body to permit psychophysical energy to circulate freely with maximum relief of tension.

Exercising Pranayama in Hatha yoga is essential in mastering our breathing patters. If we can master breath then the mastery of the mind is within reach. Through breathing exercises, the flow of prana – or vital life force through the body – is regulated. Pranayama in Hatha yoga also triggers the Kundalini energy.

Hatha yoga also incorporates Shakti Karma (cleansing methods). Prior to Kundalini awakening, you must have purification of:

  • Body,
  • Nadis,
  • Mind, and
  • Intellect.

The aim of Hatha yoga is to eliminate obstacles (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) so that we can attain Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and ultimately Samadhi (inner freedom).

We start by practising asanas and pranayama and in doing so become more connected to ourselves and the influence we have on the world around us. So our practice moves forward to include the first two links of the yoga sutras – yama and niyama. As our lives become more joyful and peaceful we then go on to include the regular practice of Samyama (the last three limbs).

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How to do the Pilates roll up https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-do-the-pilates-roll-up/ Mon, 06 Apr 2020 05:00:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15580 The Pilates roll-up is 30% more effective, as opposed to the standard crunch when it comes to targeting the rectus abdominis. Colloquially speaking this is often called the “six-pack” muscle. As the move challenges your abs through a broader range of motion, it recruits more muscle fibres. This exercise aims to promote stability and strength...

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The Pilates roll-up is 30% more effective, as opposed to the standard crunch when it comes to targeting the rectus abdominis. Colloquially speaking this is often called the “six-pack” muscle. As the move challenges your abs through a broader range of motion, it recruits more muscle fibres. This exercise aims to promote stability and strength to the entire abdominal region. It also promotes mobility and strength to the spine and back muscles.

Starting position for the roll-up

Lie supine on the mat. Make sure that your legs are parallel, extended and adducted. Your arms must be above your shoulders and over your head. In addition, your palms should be facing upwards towards the ceiling.

Inhale and lift your arms towards your ears. Keep your scapulae stabilised and well connected.

Exhale and start rolling your entire body up, articulating vertebra by vertebra. This motion starts with your cervical vertebra (which are those closest to your head) through all the regions of your spine. Remember to articulate one vertebra at a time. Keep your abdominals stabilised and connected as you flex your spine forwards over your legs.

Inhale and hold your position.

Exhale and slowly lower your body down to your starting position. Remember to articulate your spine into the mat while still keeping your abdominals well connected.

Watch points for the roll-up

While you do this exercise keep your scapulae depressed and stable. Make sure that you keep your feet on the mat and your abdominals contracted throughout the exercise. Work through your entire spinal region when lifting and lowering your body.

Like most of the Pilates exercises, to do the roll-up properly you need a good amount of ab strength. More precisely, you need your rectus abdominis muscles and obliques to start the exercise.  Once you peel the upper portion of your back off the mat, it is necessary for you to begin bending at the hips so to do this, you need your hip flexors as well as even more abs.

Why people struggle with the roll-up

An incredibly common problem that people run into when they begin their spinal articulation is having their legs lifting off the ground. You may have extremely powerful abs and hip flexors however if you are unable to ground your heels into the mat, it is impossible to do a proper roll-up. For you to do a proper roll-up you need hamstring strength to anchor the lower part of your body as you roll up the rest of the way.

All Pilates exercises need you to have some level of flexibility as strength without mobility just isn’t practical. In order to execute a good roll up, you’ll need flexibility in your spine as well as the back of your legs.  The more you have the ability to curve your spine, the easier it will be for you to roll up. Curving your spine gets your weight forward and moves you in the direction that you need to go.

Leg flexibility is just as important, and not just so that your roll-up looks nice when you complete the movement. Maintaining straight legs ensures that weight is kept in your heels and assists with anchoring them. When you have tight hamstrings and are required to bend your knees, your heels get nearer to your body and much more difficult to anchor.

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If you want to learn how to teach others fundamentals Pilates moves such as this one then you need to take our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to perform single leg circles in Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-perform-single-leg-circles-in-pilates/ Fri, 03 Apr 2020 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15565 The single-leg circle is a classical Pilates mat exercise. In addition, it is one of the best moves for challenging your core strength as well as pelvic stability. Your abdominal muscles must work hard in order to keep the entire torso under control in spite of the circular motion of the leg in the hip...

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The single-leg circle is a classical Pilates mat exercise. In addition, it is one of the best moves for challenging your core strength as well as pelvic stability. Your abdominal muscles must work hard in order to keep the entire torso under control in spite of the circular motion of the leg in the hip socket.

Along with the core, single-leg circle strengthens the quadriceps as well as hamstrings. This exercise also promotes a healthy hip joint and is a great opportunity to work the abdominals while maintaining the Pilates principles of centring, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow in mind. Like most Pilates moves, this exercise combines stretching and strengthening of major muscle groups on both sides of the body and promotes balance and improved overall function in your hips.

The emphasis of the single-leg circle is to learn to stabilise the lumbar-pelvic region while moving the legs. It also aids in loosening up the hip flexors and promoting flexibility of the hip muscles and hip flexors.

Starting position

Lie supine on the mat and extend your arms down by your sides with your palms facing down. Your next and shoulders must be in a neutral position.

Inhale and bend one single leg and then gently extend it straight up towards the ceiling.

Exhale and circle one leg over the centre of the body. Make sure that the hips do not rock and the abdominal contraction is evident. Circle five times in one direction and then five times in the opposite direction.

Inhale and bend your leg in order to return to the starting position.

As you perform the exercise you should feel that your ribs are pulling into the mat and you’re your shoulders are pulling on your back. If you have a mat where it is possible for you to press into poles above your head this will help you feel as if you are “reaching” from your mid-back.

This exercise has some rhythm to it as you need to “circle around and up!” The “up” does not imply over your face however it does mean to the ceiling. Watch that you are not hiking up your hip in order to do it. If your hips flexors aren’t flexible, this will be difficult so your “up” may be lower than to the ceiling for a while.

Challenge yourself to maintain your flow and scissor-switch your legs while maintaining the pressure of your body into the mat. This exercise has a minor variation to it. You won’t see it from a birds-eye view however the muscles in your body are creating a small twist and getting you ready for the twists of the lower body which are to come.

Muscles worked

As we mentioned previously in this article, the muscles that the single-leg circles’ work are your:

  • Abdominals
  • Muscles surrounding your hip joint/hip stabilisers
  • Hamstring group.

Watchpoints

Keep the next points in mind when performing this exercise:

  • Maintain your pelvis in a level position
  • Avoid rocking your hips
  • Make sure that your abdominals remain engaged throughout the exercise

If you would like to modify this exercise, place a small arc barrel under your lower back or bend your knees. Beginners should place their hands on their hipbones and remember to keep the pelvis stable as they circle out thigh. Continue with a small movement small. Attempt to tighten up your abs while keeping your hips loose.

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Want to learn about more incredible Pilates exercises? If you do then you should do our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information please follow this link.

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How to put together an endurance programme https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-put-together-an-endurance-programme/ Thu, 02 Apr 2020 05:05:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15550 If you’re an endurance athlete, should the over-all-strengthening period of your training really come prior to special and specific strengthening? Should you be working on your VO2 max first and then your lactate tolerance – or the other way round? Is it best to follow best practice and build up an enormous reservoir of distance...

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If you’re an endurance athlete, should the over-all-strengthening period of your training really come prior to special and specific strengthening? Should you be working on your VO2 max first and then your lactate tolerance – or the other way round? Is it best to follow best practice and build up an enormous reservoir of distance work before undertaking speed training, or is it better to develop strength as well as speed first and then begin increasing the volume?

These are the types of questions which must be answered correctly if you want to put together the best possible training programme. However, there is little scientific research to guide you to the correct answers. The quite lengthy scientific investigations needed to respond adequately to these queries would need to include quite large numbers of endurance athletes who could closely follow the guidelines of the research (in other words train precisely as the researchers specified, without throwing in their own favoured workouts) for protracted periods of time – while remaining injury-free.

The application of endurance training differs from sport to sport depending on the demands of the sport or exercise. However, the main principles remain the same as the need to increase the mental and physical strength of the participant.

How to apply endurance training

Determine limiting factors

The personal trainer or coach must first determine what the limiting factors are that are based around the causes of fatigue. Fatigue is caused by both physical and psychological factors. These two factors can be overcome by applying an endurance programme that is worked out and adapted to fit the needs of the participant.

Work the programme out

The coach or personal trainer must then work out an endurance training programme that is suitable for the participant, taking into account the need to build strength as well as improve psychological outlook by motivating and encouraging the participants.

Decide on the type of endurance training

The personal trainer or coach must decide which is the most suitable form of endurance training. For example, aerobic, anaerobic, speed or strength endurance training.

Agree of goals and review progress

The coach or personal trainer and the participant must agree on an attainable goal and how they are going to reach it. A plan must be put in place which sets out how the physical and mental goals will be worked on. The end goal must be reviewed from time to time and adjusted accordingly. Following suitable training, the body becomes better able to produce ATP via aerobic metabolism. The adaptations that occur improve oxygen delivery and oxygen utilisation, increase the rate of aerobic energy and the utilisation of fat fuel and reduce disturbances in the acid-base balance.

Whether you’re training for a Warrior Race, marathon, local 5km run, or if you’ve started with a league sport, running or else cycling, there are some essential nutrients as well as fitness components that you should be paying attention to if you want to achieve success. Preparation is key!  So in order to optimise your performance, proper hydration, nutrition, strength training as well as warm-ups all need to be taken into account. Top that off with the correct supplementation and you’re ready to start your endurance training programme off correctly.

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How to apply flexibility exercises in a training programme https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-to-apply-flexibility-exercises-in-a-training-programme/ Thu, 02 Apr 2020 05:00:17 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15546 Flexibility exercises help you to get ready for your fitness programme. They have a direct impact on the effectiveness of your workout. These flexibility exercises help to prepare you for your fitness activities and help your body to recover and cool down. In addition, staying loose and flexible can prevent you from injuring yourself during...

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Flexibility exercises help you to get ready for your fitness programme. They have a direct impact on the effectiveness of your workout. These flexibility exercises help to prepare you for your fitness activities and help your body to recover and cool down. In addition, staying loose and flexible can prevent you from injuring yourself during exercises.

When and how should you perform flexibility exercises?

Warm-up before you stretch

Do not stretch cold muscles. The best way in order to warm up before flexibility exercises is to do some aerobic activity at an effortless pace for five to 10 minutes. Blood is then channelled to the exercising muscles, the muscles come to be hydrated and fed, and then flexibility exercises can be performed on warm, correctly conditioned muscle.

Stretch those muscles

Flexibility exercises should be performed gradually and gently. Learn exercises which target all your major muscles in addition to tendons. You should be stretching until you can feel it but not to the point of being painful. Flexibility training should be performed for at least two-three days per week.

Focus and breathe

Concentrate on breathing efficiently to avoid tensing  up. Try not to move additional parts of your body while stretching. In addition, don’t bouncing the muscles being stretched. You should hold each stretch for 10 seconds and repeat each stretch between three and five times. As you get into an improved shape you can work up to maintaining your stretches for 30 seconds.

Cool down

Warming up readies your body for flexibility exercises. A cool-down period allows your body time to recover. Once you are cooled down in addition to breathing easily it’s a good time to perform more stretching exercises during this period because your muscles are still loose as well as warm.

What tools can you use for flexibility exercises?

Incorporate flexibility fitness training devices – such as therabands or a stability ball. These types of balls provide a low-tech, inexpensive way in order to improve flexibility. You can learn the best method of stretching by lying over the ball or sitting on a ball and then reaching forward to stretch out your hamstrings. Other classes you could try to improve flexibility are yoga, Pilates and tai chi.

Consult with your doctor if you are suffering from any health issues. Seek out instructions from an exercise specialist prior to starting a stretching routine. Once you learn the basics, flexibility exercises performed, along with aerobics and strength training, will provide a complete workout.

Activities which lengthen and stretch your muscles can help you prevent injuries, back pain as well as balance problems. A muscle that is well stretched more easily achieves its full range of motion. This enhances athletic performance and functional abilities, for example reaching, bending or stooping during day-to-day tasks. Stretching can also be a superb way to get you moving in the morning or a way for you to relax at the end of a long day at the office. Exercises such as yoga combine stretching with relaxation and also increase balance, which is a wonderful combination.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about Pilates and yoga – which are the disciplines that demand a lot of flexibility – then you should really do our Pilates Instructor Course or, alternatively, our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is a good beginner’s weight for kettlebells? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-good-beginners-weight-for-kettlebells/ Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:05:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15365 When it comes to picking a kettlebell size a few factors have to be taken into account. Kettlebell movements fall into one of two categories: Ballistic lifts: These are explosive lifts like swings, juggling, snatches, cleans and tossing. The grinds category involves windmills, Turkish get-ups, bent and overhead presses. When kettlebell workouts are performed properly...

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When it comes to picking a kettlebell size a few factors have to be taken into account. Kettlebell movements fall into one of two categories:

  • Ballistic lifts: These are explosive lifts like swings, juggling, snatches, cleans and tossing.
  • The grinds category involves windmills, Turkish get-ups, bent and overhead presses.

When kettlebell workouts are performed properly these will give you functional results, improve your body control and shorten your workout time. Kettlebell exercises are generally full-body motions. This means you use more muscle which leads to burning more calories.

Guidelines on Choosing the Best Kettlebell Starter Weight

Use a heavier kettlebell weight for ballistic lifts. Grinds are usually slower movements so for these you will require a smaller kettlebell. Windmills and get-ups and movements must be carefully executed throughout the whole range of motion. Therefore they require a lighter bell. Two different sizes of kettlebells are going to be needed when learning how to use kettlebells and training with them.

Other factors to consider are age, fitness level, weight and previous experience with lifting weights and strength training.

Kettlebell sizes for women

For ballistic movements like snatches, kettlebell swings and cleans it is recommended that inactive women who are out of shape should start with a weight between six to eight kilograms. A kettlebell weight between eight and twelve kilograms for ballistic movements is the recommended starting weight for an average active woman. An athletic woman should start with a weight between twelve to sixteen kilograms.

Choose a kettlebell which you can almost effortlessly press overhead about 8 to ten times for controlled grinding movements like windmills and Turkish get-ups. It is recommended that an inactive woman starts with a bell between four and six kilograms. For an average active woman, the weight should be between six to eight kilograms. An athletic woman can start with a kettlebell weighing between eight and twelve kilograms.

Kettlebell sizes for men 

Many men tend to start out with a kettlebell that is too big and heavy for them. It is important to choose a kettlebell size that is reasonable to start working out with because kettlebell lifting is technical and requires attention to detail.

For ballistic movements like snatches, kettlebell swings and cleans it is recommended that an average active man starts with a sixteen-kilogram kettlebell or a twenty-kilogram one. An athletic man can start with a weight between sixteen and twenty-four kilograms. If you do not feel like you are in good enough shape you can start with a twelve-kilogram kettlebell.

Choose a kettlebell which you can almost effortlessly press overhead about eight to ten times for controlled grinding movements like windmills and Turkish get-ups.  It is recommended that an inactive, out-of-shape man starts with a bell between that is eight kilograms. For an average active man, the weight should be between eight and twelve kilograms. An athletic woman can start with a kettlebell weighing between twelve and twenty kilograms.

You are going to need two kettlebells that are different weights for ballistic lifts and grinds. Kettlebell workouts can be extremely beneficial when used right. They can create inconceivable power output, incredible strength and stamina when used to its full capacity.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To find out more about kettlebell training, you need to do our Kettlebell Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What do kettlebells do for your body? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-kettlebells-do-for-your-body/ Wed, 25 Mar 2020 05:00:05 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15344 Kettlebell training offers many benefits. It is an all-round tool that can replace most of the equipment used for a workout. Dynamic kettlebell workouts combine both strength and cardio training aspects. The unique shape of the kettlebell allows the body to perform many different ballistic and grind exercises in a natural, liquid motion. Owing to...

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Kettlebell training offers many benefits. It is an all-round tool that can replace most of the equipment used for a workout. Dynamic kettlebell workouts combine both strength and cardio training aspects.

The unique shape of the kettlebell allows the body to perform many different ballistic and grind exercises in a natural, liquid motion.

Owing to the handle, the kettlebell becomes a kind of like an extension of the arm. The handle allows for it to be held loosely. This allows it to float and swing outward owing to hip thrust. This provides more momentum for upward and downward swings.

The kettlebell handle also makes it easy to pass between hands. This keeps an exercise set going for longer periods of time and provides an intense cardio workout. Muscles are forced to stabilise owing to the offset weight of the ball. This makes it possible for the body to take each exercise through a longer range of motion. Increased range of motion improves flexibility and improves the strength of deeper stabilising muscles.

Full-body movements that use more muscles 

Kettlebell training targets full-body movement patterns that use about 600 muscles at once.

The kettlebell swing targets nearly every muscle in a person’s body in one fluid motion.

If you condition more muscles at once the number of calories you burn is increased. This means your workouts can be shorter. Quicker workouts lead to more attention that you can focus on skill, strategy, recovery and rest. A quick and effective workout is ideal considering how busy people get.

Bridging the gap between strength training and cardio 

Kettlebells allow the person using them to easily flow from one movement into the next. This makes it easy to go from one exercise to the next.

Most kettlebell workouts easily progress from one exercise to the next without needing to put down the kettlebell or change the weight of it.

Huge amounts of energy are used to do flowing circuits like these which requires the heart and lungs to work hard. This results in a strength-based workout with a cardio workout included.

Amplifies power output and develops explosive movement skills

Power endurance is the ability to sustain fast muscular contractions over an extended period of time. It is a great way of training to lose fat and do some conditioning.

Kettlebell exercise will also help build your explosive movement skills. Many kettlebell exercises use the hips to create the movement of the kettlebell. This is where the majority of power is generated for many sports.

Never miss a workout

There is a large variety of exercises that can be performed with a single kettlebell. This makes a kettlebell workout extremely affordable.

It eliminates the need for large training facilities. They don’t take up much floor space and don’t need to be placed on racks that will also add to costs. They can be stored underneath other equipment, under a bed or in a corner. You also don’t need much space to work out with a kettlebell considering you don’t tend to move more than one step forward or back.

Once you can effortlessly flow from one movement to the next and understand the basic movements flowing from one exercise to another working out with kettlebells becomes natural and fun.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to become a kettlebell instructor? If you do then you should check out our Kettlebell Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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The ins and outs of developing a fitness business https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-ins-and-outs-of-developing-a-fitness-business/ Mon, 23 Mar 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15319 Fitness entrepreneurship is more than just training clients and reaping the rewards. Successfully owning and funning a fitness business is about identifying, valuing and capturing opportunities. An entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for all organisations, be they small or large, new or old, for-profit or not-for-profit. Understanding and formulating a business plan for your very own...

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Fitness entrepreneurship is more than just training clients and reaping the rewards. Successfully owning and funning a fitness business is about identifying, valuing and capturing opportunities. An entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for all organisations, be they small or large, new or old, for-profit or not-for-profit.

Understanding and formulating a business plan for your very own fitness business is essential because it helps you to focus, plan and decide on how each aspect of your business will operate. More specifically, this type of plan can help you to decide on, for example:

  • Goals and objectives
  • What makes your business special
  • How to finance your business and start-up expenses
  • A legal form of ownership
  • Your target market
  • A marketing plan
  • A sales forecast for the first year of business
  • An operational plan
  • A financial plan

There are so many other items that can be added to your fitness business plan. Every business plan is unique and is formulated according to the specifications of your business.

The definition of a fitness business plan

A business plan is a formal declaration of a set of business goals, the reasons they are believed to be achievable as well as the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organisation or team which is attempting to reach those goals.

Most potential investors and stakeholders will want to see a business plan before they consider backing your fitness business. Although many businesses are drawn to use their business plans just for this purpose a good plan should make provision for long-term goals.

A business plan helps you to make decisions. There is no fixed content for such a plan. The content, as well as the format of the business plan, is determined by the goals and stakeholders. The roadmap for a business incorporates all the phases and facets of the business, the planning process, stating a vision and strategy along with plans to cover marketing, finance, operations, HR as well as a legal plan when needed.

What is are the functions of a business plan?

A business plan describes the fitness business that you intend to start up. It has three main uses:

  1. Action plan

A business plan is a plan of action. Your ideas are formulated into a plan that will help you to put together all the pieces of beginning a business and examine each piece individually. So rather than one large problem you have a sequence of smaller questions which you can solve one by one. A business plan breaks the difficult task of starting a business up into many smaller, less daunting tasks.

  1. Road map

A business plan operates as a road map. It is a valuable tool to help keep you on track, focused and moving in the direction that you want to go. It is very easy to forget things or get distracted and lose sight of your objectives and a business plan can also serve to help others to understand your vision, including suppliers, customers, employees, friends and family.

  1. Sales tool

A business plan can assist as a sales tool should you need outside financing to start your business. The plan is the tool you need in order to convince investors to help finance your business. You may want to negotiate deals with suppliers and a business plan can help you to do this.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to start your own fitness business but haven’t a clue on how to do this? Check out our Entrepreneurship Course where you’ll learn everything that you need to know! For more information, please follow this link.

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Why athletes need to engage in strength training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-athletes-need-to-engage-in-strength-training/ Thu, 19 Mar 2020 05:05:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15300 It is an athlete’s goal to be the best that they can be at their particular sporting discipline. In order to achieve this endpoint they need to make sure that their bodies are at their peak condition. This means that they need to eat right and do the correct forms of exercise both on and...

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It is an athlete’s goal to be the best that they can be at their particular sporting discipline. In order to achieve this endpoint they need to make sure that their bodies are at their peak condition. This means that they need to eat right and do the correct forms of exercise both on and off the field. Strength training is in an athlete’s best interest because it prevents injuries and increases performance greatly.

How does strength training prevent injury?

Strength training helps to reduce the chance of getting injured as well as the severity of it. An injured athlete cannot perform at their best. If an athlete falls prey to injuries less, the longer their career can last.

In sporting competitions and workouts, injuries cannot be avoided. The constant training eventually stacks up and takes its toll on an athlete’s body. A good strength training programme that is well structured, comprehensive and properly provided all-year-round results in muscle-tendon units. These are stronger and can better manage the constant stress and forces athletic activities and training puts them through

Strength training increases muscle and connective tissue strength and flexibility. This means muscles and connective tissue will mend better and faster when injuries occur.

The role of strength training in flexibility

Full-range strength training focuses on movements that complete the raising and lowering phases of the select area. This will have an enhanced effect on flexibility and mobility of that structure. When one compartment of a joint is contracted, the opposite compartment is lengthened because muscles work in pairs. Strength training will have a positive effect on improving your long-term flexibility.

Athletes will find that they exhibit more speed, power, agility and athleticism due to strength training. This type of training will not make you clumsy or stiff.

What is ‘power’ in terms of exercise?

Muscle force and movement speed equals power. Combining strength training as well as other physical activity related to the sport you are training for has a positive impact on both movement speed and muscle force.

Muscle force has a higher rate and level of production when muscle fibres are larger and stronger. When combining strength training and the physical activity related to the sport, the result can be a highly efficient, explosive athlete.

Increased resting metabolism

Muscle is an active tissue. Between 30 and 40 calories a day are burnt for every kilogram of new muscle while your body rests. This benefits you because it burns more calories even when you are resting and not working out with weights. This helps keep your body fat in check and assist you with achieving your goal weight.

Increased bone mineral density

When properly administered the type of stress placed on the body by strength training can be extremely beneficial. Progressive strength training increases protein and mineral content in the bone material. After a few months of this type of workout routine, there can be significant improvements to bone density. This means stronger bones that are not as prone to injury.

Improved glucose metabolism

Diabetes is associated with poor glucose metabolism which can effectively be improved by performing strength training. Glucose uptake can increase up to 25% after a few months of regular exercise.

The goal of strength training is to prevent injuries and improve performance. A strength training program has to be specially designed for you. If not there may be adaptations that could be detrimental to your sports performance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about other types of exercise and what their benefits are then you should really do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What does ‘sequence’ mean in terms of exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-does-sequence-mean-in-terms-of-exercise/ Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:05:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15283 The sequence in which you perform your workout is one of the main factors that will determine how effective it will be. In this article, we’ll discuss what the sequence you should perform your exercises in during your workout regimens. Strength or Cardio first? This depends on what your goal is. For strength training it is...

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The sequence in which you perform your workout is one of the main factors that will determine how effective it will be. In this article, we’ll discuss what the sequence you should perform your exercises in during your workout regimens.

Strength or Cardio first?

This depends on what your goal is. For strength training it is not recommended to do more than five to 12 minutes of low- or moderate-intensity cardio just to warm up. More than that may tire your muscles too much before you’ve even started.

If you do want to incorporate cardio into your workout do it last. First warm-up, do your strength training and end with some cardio.

When training for a marathon or if you want to build up your cardio endurance, you should start with cardio and then be careful with weight training after or do weight training on days when you aren’t doing cardio or want to do cardio last.

Plyometrics

It is recommended that you do plyometric movements only once or twice a week. Do them directly after warming up and before any other activity.

Plyometrics is a definitive way to accomplish getting firmer and faster, but they should not be performed when you are tired. They should be done with good form and effort. Performing them at the end of a workout will make them ineffective because they won’t be as explosive as when they are done at the beginning of your exercise session.

If you seriously want to finish your workout with a cardiovascular activity consider squat jumps, burpees or something similar and stop when you can no longer maintain good form. Plyometric activities that are single-legged should not be considered because you could get seriously injured if you are already tired from your training.

Multi-joint before single-joint

If strength training is priority multi-joint exercises should be prioritised over single-joint exercises. Multi-joint exercises, which are also known as compound exercises, are motions that work multiple joints and muscle groups all at the same time, for example, the deadlift, push press and back squat. These exercises improve coordination, balance and full body strength as well as increase the heart rate quickly.

When doing compound exercises you want to be as fresh as possible because they require more technique than an exercise that only works one muscle group.

Do high-energy bodyweight moves first

Bodyweight movements also need to be done in order when working out as the risk of injury can be high for a newbie at the gym.

For an experienced exerciser, the risk of injury when doing bodyweight movements is low, therefore the order of exercise doesn’t matter that much. If you are just learning to do full-body exercises – like air-squats and push-ups – it is best to do them at the start of a workout so you can maintain your form and gain all of the muscle-building benefits.

Circuits

A circuit allows you to perform a variety of moves in succession. If you are able to perform up to 15 – 20 reps safely, then order doesn’t matter. Some circuits include free weights, such as in HIIT classes, so if you need to perform up to 15-20 reps, pick a weight you can safely perform that many reps with.

Alternate

Muscle groups should be mixed up during each workout. The different movement patterns help to increase muscle growth and reduce the risk of injury. More reps of the first exercise can be performed during a workout, therefore alternate what you do first at each workout.

End with abs

Core exercise should be saved for the end of a workout. Compound and full-body movements already work your core, therefore save abs for last or you will get exhausted when doing those compound movements.

Spend some extra time planning your workout routine to get the most out of your time at the gym. This additional thought will go a long way towards ensuring that you meet your fitness goals!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re the person who your friends go to for exercise advice, because you spend all of your time in the gym, perhaps you would like to turn your passion for fitness into a career and become a personal trainer? If you do, then you should really consider studying our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is VO2 max and how can personal trainers use it? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-vo2-max-and-how-can-personal-trainers-use-it/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 05:05:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15268 VO2 max testing measures your athletic abilities. If you want to burn fat or improve your fitness VO2 max is something you should be considering. How do you carry out VO2 Max testing? VO2 Max testing can also be referred to as: Maximal oxygen intake, Peak oxygen uptake, or Maximum aerobic capacity. VO2 max testing...

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VO2 max testing measures your athletic abilities. If you want to burn fat or improve your fitness VO2 max is something you should be considering.

How do you carry out VO2 Max testing?

VO2 Max testing can also be referred to as:

  • Maximal oxygen intake,
  • Peak oxygen uptake, or
  • Maximum aerobic capacity.

VO2 max testing measures your cardiovascular systems capability to perform under stress by measuring how much oxygen your body utilises when you are exercising. This capability is the body’s maximum capability to inhale, transport and use oxygen during exercise. The more oxygen the body consumes the better the athletic performance will be.

How does VO2 Max testing work?

VO2 max should only be performed in a laboratory or fitness centre under the guidance of a personal trainer. You will be on a stationary bike or treadmill with a mask on your face. The mask will measure how much oxygen you’re inhaling and the amount of carbon dioxide that you’re exhaling while you work out. This allows the personal trainer to measure your cardiovascular capacities.

Your cardiovascular system has to be worked to its max. What this means is that you should be completely exhausted by the end. As a result, the exercise you’re doing will increase in intensity at specific periods of time or, in fitness speak, intervals. The heart rate is also monitored during this test.

To give you an idea of your overall fitness level, your VO2 max will be combined with your heart rate. VO2 max is measured in millilitres of O2 per minute per kg of your bodyweight. The highest rate of oxygen consumed is your VO2 max.

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How personal trainers can use VO2 Max

A personal trainer needs to know more or less what your baseline strength is before developing a workout regimen for you. This helps the trainer to set realistic goals and a workout plan based on your immediate capabilities. If you take part in a programme in which your athletic performance is required to increase constantly it is important to do a VO2 max test.

Knowing your VO2 max allows your personal trainer to create training programmes that can increase your VO2 max. This will lead to increased athletic abilities and fitness.

How to increase your VO2 max

  • HIIT exercises combine aerobic and bodyweight exercises that will work out your body and cardiovascular system.
  • Repetition-based HIIT consists of a few short exercises that are repeated several times, or for a certain amount of time.
  • Time-based HIIT is about performing certain exercises for a specific amount of time and then moving on to the next one.

All of these methods can increase your VO2 max. If one method isn’t working try the other on your client. Other ways to increase your VO2 max is by doing sprints on a regular basis, biking and running. Mix different cardiovascular exercises to increase your VO2 max efficiently.

VO2 max is an interesting way to measure your physical fitness but it is not something you need to focus on improving. Just engage in some good workouts to keep you healthy.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If it’s your heart’s desire to become a personal trainer then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma – it’s the best in the business! For more information, please follow this link.

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Why rest and recovery after exercise is important https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-rest-and-recovery-after-exercise-is-important/ Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15256 Most athletes know that getting sufficient rest after exercise is essential to high-level performance. However many still over train and feel guilty when they’ve taken a day off. The body repairs, as well as bolster itself in the time between workouts so continuous training, can effectively weaken the strongest athletes. Rest days are crucial to...

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Most athletes know that getting sufficient rest after exercise is essential to high-level performance. However many still over train and feel guilty when they’ve taken a day off. The body repairs, as well as bolster itself in the time between workouts so continuous training, can effectively weaken the strongest athletes.

Rest days are crucial to sports performance for a number of reasons. Some are physiological while some are psychological. Rest is physically necessary for muscles to repair, rebuild and strengthen. For recreational athletes, building in rest cards can help keep a better balance between home, work and fitness goals. In the worst-case scenario is too little rest and recovery days can be leading to overtraining syndrome which is a challenging condition to recover from.

What happens during recovery?

Building recovery time into any training programme is essential because this is the time that the body takes to adapt to the stress of exercise. It is here that the real training effect takes place.

Recovery also enables the body to replenish energy stores as well as repair damaged tissues. Exercise, or any other physical work, causes alterations in the body such as muscle tissue breakdown, exhaustion of energy stores (muscle glycogen) and fluid loss.

Recovery time enables these stores to be replenished and allows tissue repair to take place. Without enough time to repair and replenish the body will continue to breakdown from intensive exercise. Symptoms of overtraining frequently occur from a lack of recovery time. Signs of overtraining include a feeling of overall malaise, staleness, depression, decreased sports performance as well as increase risk of injury among others.

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Short- and Long-Term Recovery

Remember that there are two categories of recovery:

  • There is immediate, or short term, recovery from a particularly intense training session or event.
  • There is long-term recover that needs to be built into a year-round training schedule. Both are important for optimal sports performance.

Short-term recovery, which is sometimes called active recovery, occurs in the hours immediately after intense exercise. Active recover refers to taking part in low-intensity exercise after workouts both during the cool-down phase immediately following a hard effort or workout as well as during the days following the workouts.

These two types of active recovery are connected to performance benefits.

Another major highlight of recovery immediately after exercise has to do with topping up energy stores and fluids which are lost during exercise and optimising protein synthesis which is the process of increasing the protein content of the muscles cells in order to prevent muscle breakdown and increasing muscle size. Protein synthesis is facilitated by eating the right foods in a post-exercise meal. This is also a time for soft tissue (in other words muscles, tendons and ligaments) to repair and remove chemicals that build up as a result of cell activity during the exercise.

Long-term recovery techniques are those that are built into a seasonal training programme. Most well-designed training schedules will incorporate recovery days and/or weeks that are built into an annual training schedule. This is also the reason why athletes and coaches change their training programmes throughout the year, add cross-training, modify workout types and make changes in intensity, time, distance and all other types of training variables.

It is this change of adaptation and recovery that takes the athlete to a new level of fitness. High-level athletes need to realise that the higher the training intensity and effort are, the greater is the need for planned recovery. Keeping tabs on your workouts with a training log, as well as paying attention to how your body feels in addition to how motivated you are, is extremely helpful in determining your recovery needs as well as modifying your workout programmes.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn how to teach other people about health and fitness? If you do then you should really consider becoming a personal trainer! If you want to follow this career path then you should really do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What is correct kettlebell swing technique? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-correct-kettlebell-swing-technique/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 05:05:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=15229 Improving your timing in addition to your technique allows for safe, high-repetition kettlebell swing sets that will increase work capacity, functional explosiveness as well as muscular endurance. The kettlebell swing is also a gateway into a number of other ballistic kettlebell exercises. These movements have even more benefits for your strength, conditioning as well as...

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Improving your timing in addition to your technique allows for safe, high-repetition kettlebell swing sets that will increase work capacity, functional explosiveness as well as muscular endurance. The kettlebell swing is also a gateway into a number of other ballistic kettlebell exercises. These movements have even more benefits for your strength, conditioning as well as agility.

The benefits of the kettlebell swing

You can make use of Kettlebell Swings in order to train towards several different goals such as increasing your vertical jump, getting faster and burning fat. However, this exercise is more complicated than just swinging a kettlebell up and down.

There are a number of key points to this deceptively technical exercise which will assist with performing it using the proper form. Even if you’ve been taught by a kettlebell instructor who knows what they’re doing, it’s still very easy to stray from the path when you’ve been doing kettlebell swings for a while.

The first steps towards a kettlebell swing

If you want to know a how to add information about how to do a kettlebell swing properly, the primary thing that you need to know is that you probably shouldn’t emulate the people you see doing this exercise in the gym.

Why?

This is because most individuals are doing the kettlebell swing poorly. As a result, they could injure themselves. In every gym that we’ve been to, the kettlebell swing technique seems to be different. It is possible for you to see some dreadful demonstrations.

The most common mistake that you will see is excessive knee bend in addition to no hip drive. You also see far too much arm involvement. If this happens, it becomes a front raise. Preferably, your forearm should remain connected to your body until you drive your hips.

Perfect kettlebell swing form

Here’s how to adopt the perfect kettlebell swing form:

Step 1: Stand up tall and have your feet shoulder-width apart. Ensure that the kettlebell is approximately a foot in front of you and is on the ground. Bend at your waist. Grasp the kettlebell handle with both of your hands. At this point, your palms should be facing your body. In addition, your torso should be almost parallel to the floor.

Step 2: Pull your shoulders down as well as back. Brace your core before beginning the exercise. Ensure that you maintain these form cues during the entire set.

Step 3: Lift the kettlebell off the floor. Allow it to swing in the space between your legs. Your knees should be bending slightly during this movement. Maintain your back in a flat position. Keep your neck straight.

Step 4: In a forceful manner, drive your hips forward so that you propel the kettlebell into the air. Regulate the kettlebell with your arms however, don’t pull it up. The kettlebell should not travel beyond your shoulders.

Step 5: Let the kettlebell swing down as well as back through your legs. Regulate the descent by maintaining your core engaged. As the kettlebell drops, move directly as well as fluidly into the next rep.

Step 6: On your last rep, allow the kettlebell to swing back through your legs. After this, place it a foot in front of you on the floor.

As you practise, incorporate these key points to ensure that you maintain good form. These may seem strange at first however as soon as you begin performing reps, you’ll see how relevant they are in terms of maintaining proper form.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Does what we’ve listed in this article sound appealing – and make you want to become a kettlebell instructor? If it does then you should really check out our kettlebell course! For more information and to register, please follow this link.

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What do ‘workload’ and ‘variation’ mean in terms of exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-do-workload-and-variation-mean-in-terms-of-exercise/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 05:05:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14970 Exercise variation is precisely what it sounds like. It means you do a lot of different kinds of exercises. Exercise variation can be in reference to a single workout, or your week of workouts, or your entire training programme. If you constantly do a different exercise, then you have a lot of exercise variation in...

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Exercise variation is precisely what it sounds like. It means you do a lot of different kinds of exercises. Exercise variation can be in reference to a single workout, or your week of workouts, or your entire training programme. If you constantly do a different exercise, then you have a lot of exercise variation in your workouts.

Exercise scientists refer to the blend of volume as well as the intensity in training as “workload”. Most runners track volume only in their training logs. However, it’s a great idea to monitor your workload as well because it gives you a more accurate picture of how hard you’re really training.

Generally, if the intensity of an exercise is ramped up, duration, frequency or both may be required to decrease. In a similar fashion, if frequency or duration increases intensity may need to decrease as well. For most individuals who take part in weight training, the amount of weight lifted should persist in increasing as they get stronger whereas duration and frequency typically remain constant once a certain level is reached.

What happens if the exercise workload is too low

Exercise which involves too low a workload offers fewer rewards, although exercising harder (increased exercise intensity) with a lighter load can be as useful as exercising with less intensity as well as a heavier load.

Physical exercise that involves too high a workload is responsible for increasing the risk of improper technique and thus injury. Additionally, people should vary the way that they train their muscles over time as the body becomes used to the routine so that doing the same exercise in the same way over time becomes less efficient in building strength, muscle in addition to cardiovascular fitness. Therefore, people who take part in resistance exercises should alter their routines every few weeks and aerobic exercises should alternate among the different forms of aerobic exercise available

Exercising at very high intensities

People who exercise at very high-intensity levels should consider incorporating breaks from training into their fitness planning to allow for sufficient recovery. One example would be one week off every three months perhaps coordinate with holidays or vacations. Signs that suggest a prolonged rest period (between one and two weeks) is needed include:

  • Muscles feel heavy when not exercising
  • Exercise performance is reduced
  • Development of joint and tendon pains
  • Increased heart rate while at rest
  • Less desire to exercise

Exercising without proper safety precautions in place often leads to injury. Muscle overuse, as well as repetitive strain injuries, may be avoided by:

  • Scheduling strength training workouts 48 hours apart to allow muscles the opportunity to recover
  • Keeping workouts diverse in regard to exercise method as well as equipment selections

People should refrain from exercising immediately if they feel pain other than the usual mid burning sensation in the muscle that is caused by lactate-build-up.

Muscle discomfort felt after exercise

There are two types of muscle discomfort which may be felt after exercise. The desirable or expected type, which is called delayed-onset muscle soreness, does not begin until several hours after exercising intensely. It usually peaks within 48 hours and goes away within 72 hours. It feels better after the warm-up for the next workout. The undesirable type, in which pain indicates an injury, is usually felt soon after the injury occurs. It may not disappear within 72 hours and may become much more severe over time if a person continues to exercise.

Variation is all-important for constant gains, both owing to physiological and psychological reasons. Nothing works forever os without enough variety the body will get to the plateau sooner or later. During plateau, your body is so used to the current training load that necessary adaptation won’t take place. The weight in the bar stays the same just as your muscle mass does. You may even train like a maniac, but that just makes matters worse. So there might be a lot of pain, however no gain.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about work routines and other forms of physical exercise? If you do, then you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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6 types of weight machines https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/6-types-of-weight-machines/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 05:00:56 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14966 Weight machines are normally safer than free weights and, in addition, are easier to utilise. This makes them advantageous for beginners who are learning a specific movement. Some of the weight machines are more efficient as opposed to free weights at isolating a particular muscle or muscle group. This is essential when you’re strengthening a...

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Weight machines are normally safer than free weights and, in addition, are easier to utilise. This makes them advantageous for beginners who are learning a specific movement. Some of the weight machines are more efficient as opposed to free weights at isolating a particular muscle or muscle group. This is essential when you’re strengthening a specific body part or rehabilitating an injury.

Weight machines guarantee the correct movements for a lift, assists with preventing cheating when muscle fatigue sets in. In addition, weight machine workouts can take less time because you can move easily from machine to machine and changing the resistance is easy.

So with the numerous benefits of weight machines, let’s learn a bit more about them.

Types of weight machines

There are two main types of weight machines. These are:

  • Plate loaded, as well as
  • Pin loaded.

The machines which are pin-loaded (or stack machines) have stacks of rectangular weights with a hole in them for the pin. The lower down you insert the on the more weights which are lifted. The advantage of these types of machines is that you do not need to load weights on and off between sets.

With plate-loaded machines, there are no weights attached to the machine. You need to put the weight plates on the machine yourself. May plate-loaded machines offer a higher range of motion than stack-loaded machines.

Cable machines

These machines come in a number of different shapes and sizes. However, almost always these are stack loaded. Cable machines will have a handle that is attached to the end of a cable and this is then pushed or pulled in various directions depending on the particular exercise. These can be great for assistance exercise to your barbell or dumbbell lifts as unlike other weight machines these still allow free range of movement.

Pull-Up Bar

You would be surprised how many gyms do not have a good pull-up bar. There are several places to look if you don’t see a freestanding pull-up bar right away: at the top of the cable machine, power rack or (alternatively) the smith machine. Some offer a number of grip options without offering a straight bar. The two primary grip options, which are the most useful, are a straight bar and a neutral grip. The latter is where your palms are facing each other.

Dip station

At times dip stations are freestanding while others are affixed to the cable machine or power rack. Handles which are adjustable are nice for those of us who are smaller while a wider dip station puts our bodies in a poor position.

Assisted pull-up station

This is a stack-loaded machine. You select a weight and then stand on a platform that offers a specific amount of help on your pull-up or dip. These can be helpful if you can’t do a pull-up or dip yet though we recommend the use of bands instead.

Bench

There are a number of types of benches:

  • Standard flat benches, and
  • Adjustable ones.

The adjustable benches allow you to exercise at an incline or decline. These are one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment in the weight room. This means that it’s always good if there are at least three or four.

Bench press

Some gyms (especially smaller gyms and CrossFits) just use a squat stand or squat racks for the bench press. Most commercial gyms have benches that are specially made for the bench press (with a stand attached).

There are several other types of resistance training equipment such as collars and clips. The purpose of this equipment is simply to hold the weight securely on the bar.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about weight training in addition to other forms of exercises? If you do, then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to perform the push-up fitness assessment https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-perform-the-push-up-fitness-assessment/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 05:05:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14958 The push-up fitness assessment (which is also called the press-up test) is a basic fitness test which is used by coaches, personal trainers, and athletes in order to assess upper body fitness as well as to monitor progress during the course of strength and fitness training. This simple fitness assessment helps you to compare your...

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The push-up fitness assessment (which is also called the press-up test) is a basic fitness test which is used by coaches, personal trainers, and athletes in order to assess upper body fitness as well as to monitor progress during the course of strength and fitness training. This simple fitness assessment helps you to compare your own upper body muscular endurance to others of your age and gender. In addition, the push-up fitness assessment assists you with tracking your fitness programme over time.

There are several variations of the push-up test, with differences being seen in:

  • The placement of the hands,
  • How far to dip,
  • The duration of the test, as well as
  • The method of counting the number of completed push-ups.

The possible equipment required during the push-up test include a:

  • Floor mat,
  • Metronome (or audio recording, clapping, drums),
  • Stopwatch,
  • Wall, and
  • Chairs

The equipment that you use will depend on the test protocol that you use.

The procedure for a push-up test

A standard push-up beings with the hands and toes touching the floor. The fitness participant’s body and legs must be in a straight line with their feet slightly apart and their arms shoulder-width apart. The shoulders must be extended and at right angles to the body.

Keeping the back and knees straight, the fitness participant will lower his or her body to:

  • A predetermined point,
  • Touch some other object, or
  • A point where there is a 90-degree angle at the elbows.

The next movement will be returning back to the starting point with the arms extended.

This action continues. The test is repeated until exhaustion or until the fitness participant can do no more in rhythm or has reached the target number of push-ups.

How to do a modified push-up test

The fitness participant needs to begin by getting down on their hands and knees with their hands just outside shoulder width as well as slightly forward of their shoulders. The fitness participant’s knees should be directly aligned with their hips. They need to keep their abdomen tight and their spine in a neutral position.

Inhale and bend the elbows. Lower the chest to 90 degrees at the elbows. Exhale and push up so that the arms are straight. Make sure that the elbows aren’t completely locked. Attempt doing two sets of between 10 and 12 repetitions.

If the fitness participant can’t go to 90 degrees at the elbow, tell them that they need to just go to a comfortable position until they can work up to 90 degrees.

The push-up works the chest, triceps and shoulders.

Here is a list of other variations:

  • The Hand Release Push-up is a new USA army push-up fitness assessment. During this test, the hands are lifted up off the ground while the fitness participant is in the down position.
  • The Cadence Push-Up Test is used in the President’s Challenge.
  • The Beep Push-Up Test also falls under the umbrella of cadence fitness tests but it is performed at a faster rate.
  • The Chair Push-Up test is an easier version for the young or unfit.
  • Home Push-Up is a simple fitness assessment that can be done at home.
  • During the Isometric Push-Up, the starting ‘up’ position is held for as long as possible.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about fitness and exercise? If you do and want to make this your career, then you should really become a personal trainer. To find out the best method of doing this, you need to check out our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link to find out more.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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How to perform youth fitness tests and screening https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-perform-youth-fitness-tests-and-screening/ Thu, 27 Feb 2020 05:00:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14938 For most children and youth, physical activity provides an opportunity to have fun. In addition, exercise promotes the basis for good health and an enhanced quality of life for the future. However, there are a small number of children and youth who may be at risk when participating in an exercise programme. It is therefore...

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For most children and youth, physical activity provides an opportunity to have fun. In addition, exercise promotes the basis for good health and an enhanced quality of life for the future. However, there are a small number of children and youth who may be at risk when participating in an exercise programme. It is therefore important for the personal trainer to do fitness tests and get the youth, guardian or parent to complete a screening form as part of a fitness test.

Children and youth fitness assessments provide a wealth of information for personal trainers. With the objective data which is collected from these assessments, you can identify young clients’ strengths and weaknesses and set realistic, attainable goals. It makes it easier to create appropriate and individualised exercise programme which are based on actual results. Youth fitness assessments also serve to regulate the level of risk prior to exercise participation. It focuses on establishing a baseline against which to compare the child’s progress.

The data can be used to educate the youth about their present fitness status as compared with well-known norms for others of the same age as well as gender. Physical education teachers and school personnel can use the data to evaluate and design their own physical education programmes. On Occasion, test results can even be used to motivate kids to embrace a physically active lifestyle in order to improve their fitness and health as adults.

The nitty-gritty of fitness testing for children

Fitness testing for children focuses on establishing a baseline on which to start the training.

Tools which personal trainers will require for fitness testing include:

  • Scale
  • Stadiometer
  • Skinfold calliper or other body composition tool
  • Spring-loaded Gulick (anthropometric) tape
  • Stethoscope and blood pressure cuff
  • Stopwatch
  • Metronome
  • Cones or a marked course
  • Treadmill track
  • Step or cycle ergometer
  • Sit-and-reach box or yardstick or roll of tape
  • Exercise mats

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Regarding your studio space, it is vital to consider the overall testing environment, particularly when it comes to minimising anxiety. To help children relax, try hanging up posters or pictures of cartoon characters or athletes who are exercising in a comparable setting. If time permits, show your young charges each piece of equipment in advance as well as demonstrate how they will utilise it.

During the proper assessment, it is best to take all measurements while standing at the child’s side as opposed to bending down to the child’s level because measurement error may occur when the tester is cramped or crouched.

An alternative is asking the child to stand on a steady platform or box so that he or she is at your level. Have a parent or co-worker present in the room when taking measurements on a child in order to avoid any situation which could be considered as being inappropriate. Having a parent nearby can also reduce the child’s apprehension during testing which will improve the validity of the test results.

Once the child or youth’s fitness levels have been ascertained then the appropriate exercise programme can be worked out for the participant. The programme must appeal to the participant on many levels, in other words exciting, easy to do, offer achievable goals, challenge different ability levels and most importantly it needs to be fun.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re a qualified personal trainer and want to diversify your business to start training children, then we really recommend that you do our Exercise and Children Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to design an exercise programme for children https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-design-an-exercise-programme-for-children/ Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14921 The goal of a children’s fitness and exercise programme is to promote the idea that exercise and physical fitness is not only fun but important to their health and well-being as well as to instil a lifelong love of physical activity. Research has shown that children and the youth who incorporate physical activity into their...

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The goal of a children’s fitness and exercise programme is to promote the idea that exercise and physical fitness is not only fun but important to their health and well-being as well as to instil a lifelong love of physical activity.

Research has shown that children and the youth who incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle are more inclined to adopt other behaviours to complement their healthy lifestyle. Fitness professional and personal trainers working with children should know the differences in their cardiovascular, respiratory as well as musculoskeletal systems in order to develop safe and effective programmes.

Children’s cardiovascular system

Children have a lower and submaximal cardiac output, stroke volume, blood pressure, blood volume and haemoglobin owing to their smaller body size and heart volume.

A child’s heart is only about 30% of the size of an adult heart. Thus in order to compensate children have increased average heart rates. The average resting heart rates in beats per minute are as follows:

  • 6 – 10 years: 96 BPM
  • 10 – 14 years: 85 BPM
  • 14 – 18 years: 82 BPM

A child’s phosphagen energy system is similar to that of an adult and they are well suited to intermittent activity with sort rest periods. Activities which necessitate short, intense bursts of energy (and are followed by a brief rest, for example, games and relay races) are well suited to children. A child’s ability to work in the glycogen system is somewhat compromised due to a lower contraction and utilisation of glucose and glycogen.

The respiratory system of a child

Children have smaller, immature lungs. In children aged between five and eight, the lungs are just 20% developed. This results in an enhanced ventilation oxygen cost owing to the increased rate of breathing.

Children have a decreased absolute VO2 Max as opposed to adults. They also have an elevated submaximal oxygen demand in activities such as walking and running due to the increased oxygen cost of breathing. Owing to their immature lungs,  improvements to the aerobic system are somewhat limited because of their immature cardiovascular system. Prior to puberty, boys and girls are both capable of performing and often girls outperform boys. This changes after puberty, however.

Musculoskeletal system

The bones of children are smaller in addition to more fragile Epipheses or growth plates are active as well as susceptible to injury. The growth plates which are located at the distal radius and ulna – as well as at the femur, tibia and fibula – do not close for males until they are between 18 and 20. For females, this age is between 17 and 19. Fains in muscle strength are possible in children however strength training is ineffective at producing hypertrophy as until adolescence there is not enough muscle.

For more children, physical activity provides an opportunity to have fun and promote the basis for good health as well as an enhanced quality of life for the future. However, there are a small number of children or youth who may be at risk when participating in any exercise or physical activity programme. It is therefore important for the personal trainer to do fitness tests and get the young person, guardian or parent to complete a screening form.

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How to do a bench press correctly https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-do-a-bench-press-correctly/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:05:35 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14880 The bench press is one of the more popular upper body exercises at the gym but also one of the most dangerous. If you don’t bench press properly you could risk hurting yourself and not only that if your form is wrong you won’t see results as fast as you should. Variations of the bench...

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The bench press is one of the more popular upper body exercises at the gym but also one of the most dangerous. If you don’t bench press properly you could risk hurting yourself and not only that if your form is wrong you won’t see results as fast as you should.

Variations of the bench press

There are a few distinct variations of the bench press but these are the three major ones that are regulated by the angle of the bench:

  • Incline Bench Press which attacks your shoulders as well as your upper chest muscles
  • Flat bench press which is done in a neutral position
  • Decline bench press which lets you to lift more weight as opposed to the other two positions.

What you must keep in mind to do when performing the bench press?

Safety is very important when doing the bench press because of the weight of the bar in addition to its position directly over your chest. Keep these pointers in mind and you’ll lower your risk of injury.

  1. Use a spotter

The bench press is an exercise that you always want to use a spotter for. In your later reps you might stall the weights on your chest and need help to get it up to the rack.

  1. Keep your thumbs wrapped about the bar

If you grip the barbell using a thumb-less grip you run the risk of the bar slipping while you are pressing the weight. If you do these chances are it will fall onto your chest which will cause you injury.

  1. Stay at a comfortable weight

Start with a reasonable weight until you get comfortable with your form. Then increase it in small increments.

The perfect form for the bench press

Keeping the proper form is key to any exercise but it’s paramount during the bench press:

  • Tight upper back, big chest:

Squeeze your shoulder blades together while keeping them down. This will make a stable platform for your shoulders on the bench. Push your chest up as much as possible and keep it that way throughout the set. If you lose your upper back tightness and your chest goes flat then lower the weight.

  • Proper bench press grip

Get a handle on the bar so that your forearms are at right angles to the floor when the bar reaches your chest. Keep the bar close to your wrist and in the palm of your hand.

  • Feet

Keep your feet planted on the ground.

  • Head position

Don’t push your head into the bench. Try to keep it less than an inch off the bench.

Bench presses are an exercise which can be used to tone the muscles of your upper body. These include the pectorals, arms and shoulders. Depending on your fitness goals, as we’ve seen earlier in this article there are a number of different variations of bench presses that work slightly different muscles such as a narrower grip bench press which also works the triceps as well as forearms.

Other plus factors of including bench presses in your weight-training regimen include enhancing upper body strength, increasing muscular endurance, and even training your upper body to do movements like push-ups. With so many benefits of doing the bench press, there’s never been a better time to start!

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How to develop strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-develop-strength/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14876 There are many ways to develop strength. The trick is to exercise your muscles effectively for strength, endurance and/or size while avoiding injury. The following can be used as guidelines for achieving these goals. Selection It is important that a person has at least one strength exercise for each major muscle group to ensure balance...

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There are many ways to develop strength. The trick is to exercise your muscles effectively for strength, endurance and/or size while avoiding injury. The following can be used as guidelines for achieving these goals.

Selection

It is important that a person has at least one strength exercise for each major muscle group to ensure balance in strength gains and decrease the change of injury. The major muscle groups include the following:

  • Quadriceps (thighs or the front of the upper leg)
  • Hamstrings (back of the upper leg)
  • Hip adductors (inner thighs)
  • Hip abductors (outer hips and thighs)
  • Lower back
  • Abdominals
  • Pectoralis major (chest)
  • Latissimus dorsi (upper back)
  • Deltoids (shoulders),
  • Biceps (front of the upper arm),
  • Triceps (back of the upper arm),
  • Neck flexors, and
  • Extensors (neck).

Other groups of muscles which should be trained regularly include:

  • Gluteus (butt),
  • Obliques (side of the stomach),
  • Gastrocnemius (calves),
  • Anterior tibialis (front lower leg),
  • Forearm flexors, and
  • Extensors (forearm).

Sequence

When performing strength-training exercises a person should always work from the larger muscles of the legs to the smaller muscles. This allows a person to perform the most demanding exercise of the large muscles when fatigue is at its lowest point.

Speed

Speed plays a major part in strength training. Performing each exercise movement in a slow and rhythmical movement is important. A person should not jerk or go at a fast pace when exercising. Concentrate on slowing and completing each movement correctly. Slower movements put more stress on the muscle which gives more resistance and force throughout a full range of motion. Controlled movements translate into greater strength and size gains. Always emphasise the lowering movement called the negative or eccentric phase of the exercise. For example, when lowering a barbell during a biceps curl go slower. A pace of about three seconds is recommended.

Sets

A set is defined as a number of successive repetitions performed without resting. The number of sets performed is a personal preference although beginners should try to stick to one or two sets of lighter resistance in the beginning.

A person should do a set until there is momentary muscle failure which is lifting to the point where a person cannot lift anymore without failing, jerking or doing the exercise incorrectly. Those who do multiple set training should rest or recover for between one to three minutes between sets.

Resistance and repetitions

When a person is exercising for strength purposes the trick is to exercise to the point of momentary muscle failure. Most people can complete about six repetitions at 85%  maximum resistance, eight repetitions at about 80%, 10 repetitions at about 75% and 12 repetitions at about 70% before reaching momentary muscle failure. This is a general guideline because everyone is different. Maximum resistance is measured by how much resistance a person can lift in one repetition. Beginners should not ensure maximum one repetition resistance as this can be dangerous and lead to injury. A professional personal trainer helps a person to find their maximum resistance.

Because training at 85% or above increases the risk of injury it is recommended that a person training at eight to 12 repetitions which beginners working with higher repetitions at a lower weight. This makes strength training safe and effective. Some people who are advanced may benefit from using higher weights at lower than eight reps but keep in mind that this kind of training requires more recovery time before exercising the same muscle group again.

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Strength Differences Between Men and Women: Explained https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/strength-differences-between-men-and-women-explained/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 05:05:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14866 Women naturally have less muscle mass than found in men which accounts for a lot of strength differences. They also tend to be physically small than men. In addition, women usually have high levels of oestrogen in their bodies which is a hormone that limits the capacity to build lots of new muscle tissue. Conversely,...

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Women naturally have less muscle mass than found in men which accounts for a lot of strength differences. They also tend to be physically small than men. In addition, women usually have high levels of oestrogen in their bodies which is a hormone that limits the capacity to build lots of new muscle tissue.

Conversely, men usually have high levels of testosterone in their bodies which is a hormone that stimulates muscle growth and protein production. When men perform strength training exercises, testosterone also stimulates the release of a substance called growth hormone which helps the body burn fat and create sufficient energy for muscle growth.

Genetic differences between men and women

Despite their general tendencies for limited muscle growth, not all women respond to muscle-building exercises the same way. A main underlying reason for this fact is the natural variation in female body types.

Mesomorphic women, who are usually muscular, tend to build muscle mass relatively quickly when they work out and can experience marked exercise-related changed in their physical appearance.

Endomorphic women, who usually have higher amounts of body fat typically need to shed some of that fat before they can build muscle mass or shape.

Ectomorphic women, who are lean and thin, usually have trouble building muscle size but can easily make gains in muscle strength. Most women are endomorphs.

Relative improvements can be made

Like men, most women who regularly perform strength-training exercises for a few months will improve their muscular strength by between 20 and 40%. In addition, women who don’t gain muscle size while working out can see significant improvements in the muscle tone and their ability to use their muscles repeatedly during everyday events and activities. Additional known benefits of strength training for women, as well as men, include improvements in bone strength, balance, circulation and coordination.

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Things that need to be considered

Both men and women can typically improve their short-term muscle strength by performing their workouts with low repetitions and heavyweights. Conversely, they can build their longer-term muscle endurance by performing their workouts with higher repetitions and light weights. Women seeking to gain muscle size or strength will usually benefit from an exercise routine that fits their specific body type.

Muscular strength differences in women as compared to men

It is widely known that, on average, men are stronger than women. A big part of the difference lies in the amounts of muscle that each gender has in their bodies. That is, mean are stronger simply because they are typically larger. Much of the reason for greater strength is larger muscles. Kilogram for kilogram, there is a much smaller difference between men and women than most would assume.

Women usually produce about two-thirds the amount of total strength and applied force which men produce. Men are also physically built so that they generally carry two-thirds as much muscle mass as women. This provides that there is, in fact, a difference in strength that men are typically stronger and that most of the difference is based on body size and muscle cross-sectional area alone.

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How To Help Clients Deal With Stress https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/life-coaching-blog/how-to-help-clients-deal-with-stress/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 05:00:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14861 Stress is a feeling which is created when we react to specific events. It’s the body’s way of meeting a challenge in addition to preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina as well as heightened alertness. It is often the life coach’s job to help their clients deal with stressful situations that...

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Stress is a feeling which is created when we react to specific events. It’s the body’s way of meeting a challenge in addition to preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina as well as heightened alertness.

It is often the life coach’s job to help their clients deal with stressful situations that they find themselves in. However, before we look at coping mechanisms that life coaching professionals can teach clients, we’ll have a look at what happens biologically when people become stressed.

Stress-provoking stimuli

The events which provoke stress are called stressors. These cover a wide range of situations – everything from outright physical danger to making a presentation to a large audience or preparing for and writing an exam.

The human body responds to stressors by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus signals to the adrenal glands that these must produce more of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol and releases these into the bloodstream.

These hormones speed up the following things:

  • Heart rate,
  • Breathing rate,
  • Blood pressure, as well as
  • Metabolism

Blood vessels open wider in order to allow more blood flow to large muscle groups which puts our muscles on alert. Pupils dilate so that vision can be enhanced. The liver releases some of its glucose which has been stored to increase the body’s energy. Sweat is produced so that the body is cooled. All of these physical changes allow a person to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment.

This natural reaction is known as the stress response. Working properly, the body’s stress response enhances a person’s ability to perform properly under pressure. However, the stress response can also lead to problems when it overacts or fails to turn off and reset itself properly.

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Good stress and bad stress

The stress response is critical during emergy situations It can also be activated in a milder form at the time when the pressure’s on but there’s no actual danger such as sitting down to write an exam.

Long-term stressful situations can lead to lasting, low-level stress that are hard on people. The nervous system detects continued pressure and may remain slightly activated. The system will continue to pump out extra stress hormones over a protracted period. This can wear out the body’s reserves, leave a person feeling exhausted or overwhelmed weaken the body’s immune system and cause other problems.

Consuming too much sugar or caffeine can cause physical symptoms which are similar to anxiety. These include heart palpitations and feeling dizzy. In addition, these may exacerbate stress. If you’re having quite a stressful day, try to steer clear of coffee and sugar.

Use relaxation techniques to combat stress

Meditation, mindfulness in addition to deep breathing exercises can all assist you with managing stress when it arises. There are plenty of apps which are available to help you learn these techniques.

Get active and into the gym

If you don’t do any exercise at the moment, increasing activity levels can be a good idea to decrease stress. Exercise assists in reducing stress and improving overall health and well-being. The key to remaining consistent is to pick an activity that you really enjoy.

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What is cross-training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-cross-training/ Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:05:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14830 ‘Cross-training’ is typically defined as an exercise regimen that uses several modes of training to develop a specific component of fitness. Instead of jogging three days a week to get an aerobic workout, you alternate jogging with swimming, biking as well as tennis. Rather than using the same weight machines every time you go to...

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‘Cross-training’ is typically defined as an exercise regimen that uses several modes of training to develop a specific component of fitness. Instead of jogging three days a week to get an aerobic workout, you alternate jogging with swimming, biking as well as tennis. Rather than using the same weight machines every time you go to the gym, you vary it with some free weight exercises or attending a class where you work on strength conditioning.

Cross-training is a great way to put together a balanced fitness programme. Varying your workout routines engages different muscle groups. This not only enhances your overall fitness but it helps to prevent overuse injuries that are more common in single-sport activities.

Benefits of Cross-training

The following are loads of benefits which cross-training offers:

  • Reduced risk of injury. By spreading the growing level of orthopaedic stress over additional muscles and joints, individuals can exercise more frequently as well as for longer durations without excessively overloading particularly vulnerable areas of the body such as knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows in addition to feet. People who are particularly susceptible to lower-leg problems from running long distances should consider incorporating low-impact activities such as the elliptical machine.
  • Enhanced weight loss. People who want to lose weight and body fat should engage in an exercise programme that enables them to burn a significant number of calories safely. Research has indicated that such a goal, in most instances, is best accomplished when individuals exercise for relatively long durations, in other worlds more than 30 minutes at a moderate level of intensity, in other words, 60% to 85% of maximal heart rate. People who are overweight can effectively achieve a reduction in body weight as well as fat stores by putting together two or more physical activities in a cross-training exercise plan. They can, for instance, exercise on an elliptical trainer for between 20 and 30 minutes, and then cycle for an extra 20 to 30 minutes.

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  • Improved total fitness. Cross-training can include activities that develop muscular fitness as well as aerobic conditioning while a person’s muscular fitness gains will usually be less than if he or she concentrates only on strength training the additional benefits of improving muscular strength as well as endurance can allow the person to reap substantial dividends. For example, research has indicated that resistance training can help individuals prevent injury, regulate body weight as well as increase functional capacity.
  • Enhanced exercise adherence. Research regarding exercise adherence indicates that many individuals drop out of exercise programmes because they come bored or, alternatively, injured. Cross-training is a safe and relatively easy way to add variety to an exercise programme. In the process, it can be a positive role in promoting long-term exercise adherence through the process of reducing the incidence of injury as well as eliminating or diminishing the potential for boredom.

Before beginning a new exercise programme, talk to your doctor and make sure that it is safe for you to participate in. Some activities are not suitable for people with certain physical limitations.

Effective fitness programme

All effective fitness programmes have three components:

  • Aerobic exercises (for example, stair climbing, walking, skating) which improve cardiovascular capabilities.
  • Strength training (for example weight lifting, push-ups)helps to develop muscle strength and tone
  • Flexibility exercises (such as stretches and Yoga) help to keep muscles limber.

To reap the most benefit from physical activity, you should do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days. You can split the 30 minutes of activity into shorter periods as long as it adds up during the course of the day.

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What are the different types of Olympic lifting? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-olympic-lifting/ Mon, 17 Feb 2020 05:05:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14809 Olympic lifting has become a lot more than a sport. Many people are starting to incorporate Olympic lifts into their workout routine for the strength, stability and power it improves. This is especially helpful for athletes who play sports, like rugby. There are six different types of Olympic weightlifting techniques that you can incorporate into...

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Olympic lifting has become a lot more than a sport. Many people are starting to incorporate Olympic lifts into their workout routine for the strength, stability and power it improves. This is especially helpful for athletes who play sports, like rugby.

There are six different types of Olympic weightlifting techniques that you can incorporate into your workout:

  1. Power Clean

Standing over the barbell with your feet hip-width apart, squat down and grip the bar just outside your feet. Your shoulders should be over the bar.

Keeping the bar as close to your body as possible, drive it up with your legs. Once the bar passes your knees, extend your hips in an explosive movement and use the momentum to carry the bar up.

When your hips are fully extended, quickly drive your body under and catch the bar in the front rack position (with your elbows as high as possible). You should be in a partial quarter squat at this point.

Then, slowly lower the bar to your hips. Absorb the bar with your bent knees and hips and lower to the ground.

  1. Front Squat

Starting with the bar in the front rack position, place your feet hip-width apart. Then slowly sit back into a squat, ensuring not to fold your knees in.

Squat until you can’t maintain an upright posture, keeping your elbows high and chest pressed forward.

Then press through your glutes and drive back up to a standing position.

  1. Squat Clean

Start the same as you would for Power Clean. Once you have fully extended your hips like with a Power Clean, immediately drive the bar above your waist. Drive under the bar into a full squat.

In an explosive movement, drive the bar up to your shoulders. Then slowly lower it back down, absorbing with your knees bent and hips.

  1. Push Jerk

Holding the bar over your shoulder while standing with feet hip-width apart, slightly dip and drive the barbell up off your shoulders with your legs in an explosive movement. Keep your posture upright and elbows under the bar.

Before it reaches the full height and slows down, quickly dip under the bar and catch it with your arms extended in an overhead position. Your arms should be locked out and your hips and knees should be extended to stabilise the barbell.

Slowly lower the barbell back to your shoulders.

  1. Power Snatch

Standing over the barbell with your feet hip-width apart, squat down and grip the bar in a very wide overhead grip. Your shoulder should be over the bar.

Drive the bar up with your legs, keeping it close to your body. Once it passes your knees, extend your hips in an explosive movement and use the momentum to carry the bar up.

Once your hips are fully extended, quickly drive your body under the barbell and catch it in an overhead position.

Slowly lower it back to your hips while absorbing it with your knees bent and hips before lowering to the ground.

  1. Squat Snatch

Starting in the same position as you would for Power Snatch, however, after extending your hips and driving the barbell above your waist, immediately drive under the barbell into a full squat.

Drive it up over your head with your arms extended.

Then slowly lower the barbell to your hips and absorb with your knees bent and hips before lowering to the ground.

These six Olympic lifts are a great way to add strength, endurance, speed and power to your performance. By combining them with your workouts, you get the benefits of Olympic weightlifting without the competition.

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What are the basics of athletic nutrition? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-basics-of-athletic-nutrition/ Mon, 17 Feb 2020 05:00:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14806 It’s not news that nutrition plays a very important role in any athlete’s professional life and performance. Whether they are just beginning in their chosen sport or have been an athlete for years, a good nutrition plan can be the key to unlocking their goals and breaking records. But what is nutrition actually? Let’s look...

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It’s not news that nutrition plays a very important role in any athlete’s professional life and performance. Whether they are just beginning in their chosen sport or have been an athlete for years, a good nutrition plan can be the key to unlocking their goals and breaking records. But what is nutrition actually? Let’s look at the basics:

What is athletic nutrition?

Athletic nutrition is a well-designed nutrition plan that allows athletes to perform at their best by providing the right macro- and micro-nutrients – vitamins, minerals, energy, nutrients and fluids – that they need. These nutrients help improve the body and organ functions when exercising or taking part in sports.

Macro-nutrients

Macro-nutrients provide the energy that an athlete needs during exercise and sports. These include:

  • Carbohydrates: which is the most important energy source for an athlete and contains natural sugars which are to be found in fruits, vegetables and milk, as well as whole-grain found in bread, potatoes, most vegetables and oats. Carbohydrates are divided by the body into glucose or blood sugar, which gets fed to cells, muscles and organs as energy.
  • Proteins: made up of a chain of amino acids which aren’t naturally produced by the body and can only be supplied through foods. You can get these amino acids from meat, fish, poultry and milk, as well as certain plant foods. Protein helps an athlete’s muscles recover and grow.
  • Fats: healthy fats, which are also known as unsaturated fats, help the body develop, protect our organs and maintain cell membranes. These fats come from plant foods like olive oil and nuts. Saturated fats in meats and dairy can increase the risks of diseases.

Micro-nutrients

Micro-nutrients are mostly made up of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for energy production, immune function, blood clotting and more. These include:

  • Water-soluble vitamins: these vitamins are easily absorbed into your body and get flushed out with urine when athletes consume too much. They include vitamins B1 to B12, as well as vitamin C.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins: these vitamins need to be consumed with fat and are stored in your liver. They include vitamins A, D, E and K.
  • Macro-minerals: these minerals are needed in more significant amounts and include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium and sulfur.
  • Trace minerals: these minerals are only necessary in smaller amounts and include iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, fluoride and selenium.

When combined right, these macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients help athletes improve their endurance, strength, speed and recovery when exercising or doing sports. By balancing these minerals, vitamins, fats, fluids and other nutrients, athletes make sure their bodies perform at their best. This, in turn, assures that their athletic performance is also at its best.

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Why it’s never too late to start with Olympic lifting https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-its-never-too-late-to-start-with-olympic-lifting/ Fri, 14 Feb 2020 05:05:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14796 Olympic weightlifting takes years of training and practice to master. Even if you are in your 30s, 40s or even older, it’s not too late to start Olympic lifting. It does, however, mean that you need to start from a different point than younger lifters. No matter how old you are, though, the benefits of...

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Olympic weightlifting takes years of training and practice to master. Even if you are in your 30s, 40s or even older, it’s not too late to start Olympic lifting. It does, however, mean that you need to start from a different point than younger lifters.

No matter how old you are, though, the benefits of Olympic weightlifting still apply.

Strength

When you reach your middle ages, your physiological system starts to decline. Your muscle gains also slow down. In men, it also means that your testosterone starts to decrease.

Olympic weightlifting builds muscle and increases the density of your bone tissue. It can also help to remedy years of poor posture and immobility. For men, it also stimulates the production of testosterone and growth hormones.

Its anaerobic quality requires very short durations of energy. It engages more muscles and enables you to recruit muscles for stability rapidly.

This is beneficial because, as you get older without exercising, your body becomes week and prone to falling.

Speed

As you get older, along with other muscle mass, your ‘fast-twitch’ muscle fibres also disappear more rapidly. This makes it more challenging to train reactive speed.

You can still develop these ‘fast-twitch’ muscle fibres at an older age. You will, however, need to start light and with partial movements.

Experts recommend starting with building mobility and strength and then working into reactive speed training. This can be done by placing the bar at the top of your thighs in power positions and starting clean pulls from there as you progress toward the floor.

If you can’t catch the weight from there, options like an explosive pull onto the balls of your feet with a strong shrug can also work.

Lifting heavy

It will be a lot harder to get to the point of lifting heavy weights as you get older. The risk of injury will also increase, as your bones become too frail to support the weights it would have at a younger age. However, you don’t have to exceed 75% or 85% of your max with Olympic lifting. There are categories where you can lift at a comfortable weight and still get recognition.

Flexibility

As you grow older, your joints and body become a lot less agile and flexible. But flexibility can be improved at any age. The trick is to stretch frequently, regularly and consistently. You can do this by adding overhead squats, behind the neck presses, push presses and front squats to your workout programme.

It is no secret that as you get older, your body becomes a lot less reliable, especially when you want to get into Olympic weightlifting. You often think it’s too late because of the weakness age brings but it isn’t. With the right exercises, caution and training you can build back your body’s strength, speed in addition flexibility over time until you can start lifting heavier weights.

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Why does ergogenic nutrition improve athletic performance? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/why-does-ergogenic-nutrition-improve-athletic-performance/ Fri, 14 Feb 2020 05:00:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14792 Ergogenic nutrition is nutritional supplements that enhance exercise performance like strength, endurance, speed, force and energy levels. It also improves recovery after exercise. Athletes use different ergogenic nutrition aids to improve their athletic performance. Why do they do it? For millennia, people have been using substances to improve their physical performance and appearance. Descriptions of...

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Ergogenic nutrition is nutritional supplements that enhance exercise performance like strength, endurance, speed, force and energy levels. It also improves recovery after exercise. Athletes use different ergogenic nutrition aids to improve their athletic performance. Why do they do it?

For millennia, people have been using substances to improve their physical performance and appearance. Descriptions of athletes ingesting special foods to enhance their performance date back to ancient Greece. Recently, the use of creatine and androstenedione in professional sports has been heavily publicised. Substances that are used to improve physical performance are collectively known as ergogenics, which is a term that is derived from a Greek phrase meaning ‘work production’. In relation to athletic performance, the term refers to any means used to enhance energy production, control or efficiency.

Caffeine

Caffeine can improve your endurance during athletic performance by giving you an extra bout of energy. It can also improve your speed and help to reduce soreness after exercise.

You don’t need more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. In fact, you probably shouldn’t drink more than that, as it can cause headaches, irritability, an upset stomach, dehydration and trouble sleeping.

Creatine

Creatine helps to improve performance during short bouts of intense exercise. It also helps to improve recovery after reps.

While your body produces its own creatine, when you do a lot of reps, you can use up your natural creatine store. Creatine supplements boost the amount of creatine, which increases the amounts of rep you can do.

You can also naturally boost your creatine levels by eating beef and pork.

Beta-Alanine

When you do short bouts of exercise with the maximum effort, your muscles make a lot of lactic acids. This is what creates the burning sensation from exercise. Athletes take beta-alanine supplements to ease the burning sensation so they can push through their workout.

Branched Chain Amino Acids

Branched-chain amino acid supplements can help to reduce muscle breakdown, which occurs during exercise. This means that you don’t need to lose a lot of muscle before you start gaining it back.

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Whey Protein

Like branched-chain amino acids, athletes take whey protein after workouts to try to curb muscle damage and boost growth. It works best after resistance exercises.

Anabolic steroids

Athletes can only get anabolic steroids with a doctor’s prescription, although some manage to get them without it 0 which is illegal.

They use anabolic steroids to enhance muscle strength and size.

It is essential to know the side effects of anabolic steroids, as it can stunt growth in children and can cause long-term heart, skin and other organ problems.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve the recovery process. The two essential fatty acids that are found in fish oil is EPA and DHA which support a healthy inflammation response after exercise. This helps to reduce soreness after exercise.

Athletes often use ergogenic nutrition to improve their athletic performance. This additional nutrition boost helps to improve their strength, endurance, speed and the recovery process. Some supplements also help to reduce muscle damage during exercise. While most ergogenic nutrition can be found in natural foods, some athletes use supplement drugs. They need to know the benefits and side effects of each supplement.

Multivitamins

Eat a healthy diet that is varied to get your vitamins. Make sure that you eat vegetables and/or fruits with every meal in addition to meat, fish and eggs. Here are some of the benefits of multivitamins:

  • Better sleep: Zinc helps you to get good-quality sleep.
  • Less illness: Vitamin C strengthens your immune system.
  • Faster recovery: Calcium and iron help you to recover from strength training.

When taking ergogenic aids, make sure that you don’t go overboard and stick to the recommended doses. If you take too many of these, you could end up reversing the benefits that these will give you!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To find out how to become an expert in sports nutrition, please follow this link.

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Why you need to stop avoiding kettlebell workouts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-you-need-to-stop-avoiding-kettlebell-workouts/ Wed, 12 Feb 2020 05:05:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14766 Many people avoid kettlebell workouts because of the awkwardness of the cast iron ball with a handle. They tend to stick to the more traditional weights, which are a lot easier to use. As experts have shown though, the harder the exercise, the more effective. So why should you stop avoiding kettlebell workouts? All-in-one conditioning...

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Many people avoid kettlebell workouts because of the awkwardness of the cast iron ball with a handle. They tend to stick to the more traditional weights, which are a lot easier to use. As experts have shown though, the harder the exercise, the more effective.

So why should you stop avoiding kettlebell workouts?

All-in-one conditioning

Kettlebells can improve your strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. The convenience of being able to improve all four aspects of training with one piece of equipment also saves you a significant workout time.

More power output

With normal weights, your movements are slow and methodical. But with kettlebells, the exercises often require you to jerk the kettlebells in a quick, decisive movement. This develops power-endurance, which is your ability to produce movements over an extended period of time. It also enables fast muscular contractions over an extended period of time.

This means that you are able to put out more power when performing activities.

Improves balance

Kettlebell exercises force your body to contend with a constantly changing centre of gravity. As you throw the kettlebell around, your weight is displaced accordingly. This improves your balance.

The constant movement of kettlebells in a workout requires you to control the movement path, which improves your stabiliser muscles. When you pair this with a strong core, your balance increases.

Strong forearms and grip

Kettlebells have a thicker handle which makes it more taxing to hold onto. This improves the strength of your grip and forearms. And since the kettlebell’s centre of gravity is constantly moving, the muscles you use to grip it become more agile.

Improves cardio

Any form of exercise improves your cardio health. Kettlebell workouts are no different. Since they take place with your arms of over your head, your respiratory muscles are engaged. When the respiratory muscles are engaged, they are unable to focus on your breathing. This forces other respiratory muscles to play an even larger role in your cardiovascular fitness.

Improves core strength and stability

Many kettlebell exercises are a form of ballistic training. This improves your explosive power by increasing your acceleration and decreasing your deceleration. These explosive movements stimulate your core.

Kettlebell exercises also work your abs from all directions. This builds well-rounded core strength.

With some exercises, you will only be using one kettlebell on one side. This improves your core’s stability and strength at the same time.

Improves coordination

Because of the dynamic movements that come with kettlebell workouts, you will constantly be aware of your body. This is because, as the kettlebell comes over your head, and moves from side to side and swings in between your legs, you need to avoid losing control and getting hurt. This focus will improve your mind to muscle connection, which will, in turn, improve your coordination.

Kettlebells can be very awkward and unconventional, but they are very beneficial for your overall body health. Not only do they provide all four aspects of a workout – strength, endurance, flexibility and balance – in a single session, they also improve your power output. This should be reason enough to stop avoiding kettlebell workouts.

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To find out how to become a kettlebell instructor, please follow this link.

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Why kettlebells are the ultimate for calorie-burning https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-kettlebells-are-the-ultimate-for-calorie-burning/ Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:05:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14745 When you are looking to lose weight however, strength, endurance, balance and flexibility exercises are not necessarily things you are focusing on. You want to burn calories. Kettlebell workouts are great for all of the above! One of the great things about kettlebell workouts is that it only takes half an hour to exercise your...

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When you are looking to lose weight however, strength, endurance, balance and flexibility exercises are not necessarily things you are focusing on. You want to burn calories. Kettlebell workouts are great for all of the above!

One of the great things about kettlebell workouts is that it only takes half an hour to exercise your entire body. This improves calorie burning.

Experts have shown that in just 20 minutes you can burn more than 400 calories with a kettlebell workout. This means that you burn more than 20 calories per minute and is equivalent to running 9km in six minutes.

Resistance

Kettlebells, like other weights, add resistance to your workout. This added resistance enables your body to burn more calories.

Different planes of movement

Instead of just moving up and down as you would with traditional weights, kettlebell workouts make you move from side to side, as well as in and out. It’s a lot more functional and realistic.

Because of this, you use more stabilising muscles, which increases the number of calories you burn.

Different weight, different calorie-burning

If you lift a kettlebell like you would traditional weights, you will burn the same calories. However, if you use the kettlebells to exercise into all the different planes of movement, you will burn more calories. This is because you are recruiting a lot more muscles than you would with traditional weight lifting exercises.

Recruits more muscles

Because kettlebell workouts are based around movement patterns rather than focusing on exercising a specific muscle, you use your entire body to perform the workout. When your entire body is engaged, it uses a lot more muscles to complete the movements. This means you use more energy and, in turn, burn more calories.

Improved Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption

Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) is your body’s ability to keep burning calories even after you have stopped exercising.

Kettlebell workouts create a large imbalance in homeostasis throughout your body. After your workout, your body needs to restore this imbalance, which burns more calories.

More weight

When you are starting out it is recommended to use a lighter kettlebell. As you get used to the exercises, you can increase the weight of the kettlebell. As you increase the weight of the kettlebell, you increase the number of calories you are burning.

Fluency

Kettlebell workouts are generally a series of movements if you perform these movements fluently and all at once, you will burn more calories than when you spread them out.

Intensity

The intensity of the kettlebell workout can also have an influence on the number of calories you are burning. The more intense, the more calories you burn.

Because of the explosive, dynamic movements required with kettlebells, your workout is more likely to be intense.

Kettlebell workouts require your entire body to support the change of gravity when you are shifting from one movement to the other. This increased engagement from your body, requires more muscles to work, which burns more calories. The resistance that the weight of the kettlebell provides also acts as a means to burn calories.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To find out more about exercising with kettlebells, you really need to do our kettlebell course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What benefits will you get from TRX suspension training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-benefits-will-you-get-from-trx-suspension-training/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 05:05:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14729 Suspension training looks a lot more daunting than it actually is. If performed correctly, it can actually improve your workout. Part of what makes suspension training so daunting is the TRX system, which stands for ‘total body resistance exercise’. This equipment uses to use gravity as resistance to your body weight. How does it work?...

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Suspension training looks a lot more daunting than it actually is. If performed correctly, it can actually improve your workout.

Part of what makes suspension training so daunting is the TRX system, which stands for ‘total body resistance exercise’. This equipment uses to use gravity as resistance to your body weight.

How does it work?

Suspension training challenges your body in unstable conditions. This forces you to consistently engage your core in order to be able to perform the exercises. In this case, gravity acts as resistance. This method helps you to build strength.

People are often wary about trying suspension training. Why add confusing equipment to normal exercises you can just do at home? Here is why:

Suitable for all levels

Whether you are just beginning to exercise or a veteran, suspension training is equally as beneficial and accessible. By simply changing your body position you can increase or decrease the intensity of the exercise. Making it suitable for anyone’s capabilities.

A fast, full-body workout

By using your body weight, TRX suspension training allows you to perform various exercises, that engage your entire body, in order to stabilise yourself. And because you are using your own body weight and one training tool, you are able to adjust your weight and position to increase the intensity of your workout and decrease the time of your exercise.

Builds a strong core

The TRX suspension trainer requires that you brace and stabilise your body with your abs, obliques and lower back. This makes leveraging your body weight as resistance easier and more effective. This constant engagement of your core strengthens it.

Strong posture

By engaging your core and relying on your arms a lot, suspension training can improve your posture. Controlling your stability and suspension with your arms works on your shoulders. Together with a strong core that supports your back and spine, strong shoulders can improve and strengthen your posture.

Strong joints

The pivoting motions that come with suspension training, along with the suspension itself, can improve the mobility of your joints. It also improves the strength of the muscles around and in your joints, which makes them more durable and increases their range of motion.

Portable

One of the concerns people have about TRX suspension training is that it’s easier to just do a simple workout from home. But what they don’t know is that the TRX suspension trainer is portable. You can hook it onto an elevated beam or door in order to use it.

Versatile

TRX suspension training also enables you to do more than 300 variations of exercises you didn’t even know could be performed in different ways. You can easily change your body’s position to change the exercise without putting yourself at too much risk.

Changeable

When you are using TRX suspension training as a way to improve a sport or specific part of your body, it is easy to change the point of instability on the trainer to focus the exercise on a specific place. When you are a tennis player, your body is moving but the ground isn’t, so the instability is coming from the top. If you are an ice hockey player, the instability is coming from the ground. You can change this point of instability by placing your hands or feet in the bars or straps.

The benefits of TRX suspension training are great! It is accessible to any calibre of trainees, the range of exercises you are able to do with it is very versatile, it is portable and it is changeable. All these things allow for a very personalised and effective workout that builds strength, flexibility and stability.

Applied to exercises

When you take normal exercises and compare them with their suspension training version, you can clearly see the strength benefits:

  • Press-ups (inclined): The work your chest, triceps as well as the front of your shoulders, but the instability of holding rings forces your core muscles and your shoulders’ stabilising muscles to be fully engaged to keep your body stable. This means you’ll be able to lift heavier weights.
  • Triceps dip: The instability of the rings forces you to focus on your form and slow, good-quality reps. This forces your triceps muscles to work harder and more efficiently. It also engages your abs, lower back and glutes to keep your torso upright and prevent your legs from swinging.
  • Abs roll-out: Using rings recruits more muscles to keep you balanced when doing abs roll-out.

Suspension training can be just as, if not more, effective as traditional strength training. By forcing your entire body, especially your abs, to engage during the workout in order to keep you balanced and stable, suspension training helps you to build more strength.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about suspension training, we recommend that you do our suspension training course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to train for fat loss using kettlebells https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-train-for-fat-loss-using-kettlebells/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 05:00:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14721 Experts have shown that kettlebell exercises are a lot more effective than cardio for calorie burning. And everyone knows that the more calories you burn, the more fat you lose. In addition, the more lean muscle you develop, through strength training, the more fat you’ll burn. Kettlebell exercises recruit more muscles over your entire body...

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Experts have shown that kettlebell exercises are a lot more effective than cardio for calorie burning. And everyone knows that the more calories you burn, the more fat you lose. In addition, the more lean muscle you develop, through strength training, the more fat you’ll burn. Kettlebell exercises recruit more muscles over your entire body than your usual cardio workouts.

Kettlebell exercises also take up a lot less time than traditional cardio workouts. You also burn a lot more calories after the workout. For these reasons, it is beneficial to include kettlebell exercises into your fat loss workout.

Swings

Standing with your feet marginally wider than shoulder-width apart and having your knees bent, lean forward and grab the kettlebell with both hands.

Keeping your back flat, swing the weight between your legs. Then drive your hips forward and, with an explosive movement, pull the kettlebell up to shoulder level. Your arms should be extended straight in front of you.

Return the kettlebell between your legs and repeat the movement without pausing.

Goblet Squat

Standing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, clasp a kettlebell in each hand in front of your chest and have your palms facing each other.

Bend your knees and lower yourself into a squat. Keeping your back straight, return to a standing position and repeat.

Renegade Row

In a push-up position, place two kettlebells below your shoulders and hold onto their handles with your hands. Widen your legs for more support, keep your arms straight and maintain your body in a straight line.

Retracting your shoulder blade, pull your arm up to your side with the kettlebell in your hand. Lower it back down to the ground. Repeat while alternating sides.

Deadlift

Stand with your feet being hip-width apart. Place the kettlebell on the mat between your feet. Bend your knees slightly while you hinge forward at your hips to pick up the kettlebell. Keep your spine neutral and your hips pushed back.

Grab the handle of the kettlebell and stand up using your glutes. Make sure you keep your core engaged and the kettlebell close to your body.

Return the kettlebell to the floor with an equal amount of control and repeat.

Russian Twist

Sit on the floor with bending your knees. Hold a kettlebell with both hands in front of your chest. Raise your feet off the floor so your lower legs are parallel to the floor.

Making sure that your core is kept engaged and your spine is straight, rotate your upper body to the side. Reverse the movement to the centre and rotate to the other side. Repeat.

Lunge and Press

Standing up with a kettlebell in one hand, pull the kettlebell into your shoulder. Step the opposite leg forward into a lunge, ensuring your legs are at a 90-degree angle. Keep your back straight as straight as possible and push back up into a standing position. At the same time, push your arm with the kettlebell above your head. Alternate and repeat.

These exercises work your entire body, especially your core. They recruit almost all the muscles in your body, which improves the number of calories you burn during and after the workout. The more calories you burn, especially after the workout, the more weight you lose. This is why kettlebell workouts are great for losing weight.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about exercising with kettlebells? If you do then you need to do our kettlebell course. Follow this link for more information.

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How to increase athletic performance with Olympic lifting https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-increase-athletic-performance-with-olympic-lifting/ Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:05:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14710 Some athletes incorporate Olympic lifts into their strength training routines in order to boost their athletic performance. This is because it offers benefits such as increased strength, speed and power, which athletes need to play sports. Improved power Power is a vital aspect of performance for many sports. An athlete’s strength, high-load speed-strength, low-load speed...

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Some athletes incorporate Olympic lifts into their strength training routines in order to boost their athletic performance. This is because it offers benefits such as increased strength, speed and power, which athletes need to play sports.

Improved power

Power is a vital aspect of performance for many sports. An athlete’s strength, high-load speed-strength, low-load speed strength, rate of force development, reactive strength, power endurance and skill performance all have an effect on their power output.

Olympic lifts build strength with fast, precise movements. These movements improve all seven aspects of power output.

Whole-body compound movements

The term ‘compound exercises’ refers to multi-joint movements that involve several muscles. Olympic lifts involve the entire kinetic chain of movements as they require a variety of actions.

Power clean lifts develop your leg, hip, core strength and stability. During the upward movement of the lift, back and shoulder strength is developed. During the catch phase of the lift, the ability to absorb load is developed.

This improves an athlete’s power output during performance.

Replicate movement patterns

During athletic training, exercises that replicate sports performance help to prepare athletes.

Olympic lifts make use of the same natural movements as running, jumping, diving, tackling and throwing. This is because the ankle, knee and hip all extend at the same time during lower limb movements like running and jumping. It also replicates the core strength an athlete’s body needs to stabilise itself when catching something.

High motor recruitment

During sports, the faster athletes can recruit several motor groups at once. This means that their sped will be greater.

Olympic lifts develop quick neuromuscular recruitment to coordinate the sequence of movements during lifts. This explosive feature helps athletes to react quicker.

Improved posture and range of motion

Bad posture can cause an athlete’s force transfer to become inefficient. An athlete who has a limited range of motion can’t reach the position that will maximise their power and speed.

Olympic lifts improve posture by strengthening postural muscles that support the spine and pelvis. It also improves range of motion in an athlete’s hips.

Improves back strength

In sports, neck and spinal injuries are very common. Jolting tackles or falling incorrectly can be fatal for an athlete’s sports career when it injures the neck or spine.

Olympic lifts build muscles like the traps and lumbar muscles that support the neck and spine. They place a lot of strain on these muscles and help them develop. This makes them more capable of protecting your neck and spine.

Olympic lifting and athletic sports can be combined to increase athletic performance. Athletes can use Olympic lifting to develop their power output, strength, high motor recruitment, posture and range of motion. All these aspects are crucial when doing sports and can benefit the athlete’s performance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about Olympic lifting, you need to do our Olympic lifting course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to incorporate kettlebells into your workout routine https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-incorporate-kettlebells-into-your-workout-routine/ Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:00:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14704 Kettlebells can add enormous value to your workout. Not only do these improve your strength, endurance, balance and flexibility, working out with this equipment also burns a lot more calories during a workout. Kettlebells are also portable, which means you aren’t confined to the gym to do your workouts. This makes it easy to include...

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Kettlebells can add enormous value to your workout. Not only do these improve your strength, endurance, balance and flexibility, working out with this equipment also burns a lot more calories during a workout.

Kettlebells are also portable, which means you aren’t confined to the gym to do your workouts. This makes it easy to include them into your workout routine wherever you go.

Here’s how you can effectively incorporate kettlebells into your workout routine:

Replace exercises from your current routine

If you are already using traditional weights such as barbells or dumbbells in your routine, you can easily replace these with kettlebells.

There are different ways you can go about this:

  • Replace similar movements: If you are doing a dumbbell overhead press, simply replace it with a kettlebell overhead press.
  • Upper body: You can replace upper body exercises with kettlebell exercises, like presses and rows, and keep using barbells for lower body exercises.
  • High rep exercises: Try using kettlebells for high rep exercises like snatches and swings, and use barbells for the low rep heavy exercises.
  • Single leg exercises: Replace exercises where you use one leg and weights, like pistol squats, with kettlebells.

Warm-ups

If you are not ready to incorporate kettlebells into your entire workout, try replacing warm-up exercises with kettlebell exercises.

Some exercises:

  • Turkish Get-Ups
  • Windmills
  • Halos
  • Slingshots
  • Good Mornings
  • Single-Leg Deadlifts
  • Bottoms Up Clean

Conditionings

Kettlebell workouts include many ballistic exercises which are great for conditioning. These exercises can challenge your cardio both aerobically and anaerobically.

These conditioning exercises usually come at the end of your workout as a way to improve your cardio or burn additional fat.

Some exercises are:

  • Swings
  • Snatches
  • Thrusters
  • High Pulls
  • Clean and Presses

Two days a week

If you have a very strict sport, running or martial arts regime then it can be difficult to include kettlebells in your workout. However, you can add two days of kettlebell training to your week.

You can adjust these workouts to your goals and as a way to enhance your performance in existing workout regimes.

Try replacing these with a kettlebell exercise

  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press with Kettlebell Military Press
  • One-Arm Dumbbell Row with One-Arm Kettlebell Row
  • Seated Cable Row with Double Bent-Over Kettlebell Row
  • Standing Barbell Press with Kettlebell Clean and Press
  • Barbell Front Squat with Kettlebell Front Squat
  • Incline Bench Press with Incline Kettlebell Press on Stability Ball
  • Dumbbell Alternating Curl with Kettlebell Alternating Curl
  • Barbell Stiff-Legged Deadlift with Kettlebell One-Legged Stiff-Legged Deadlift

If you want to incorporate kettlebell workouts into your normal workout routine, try switching out exercises you normally perform with dumbbells and barbells with kettlebell exercises. You can gradually integrate them into your workout routine by including them in your warm-ups, as conditioning after an exercise, or even twice a week.

Contact Trifocus FitnessAcademy

To learn more about kettlebells and how you can incorporate them into your workout, or into the workouts of your clients, we really recommend that you do our kettlebell course. For more information, please follow this link.

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How to develop upper body mass using kettlebells https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-develop-upper-body-mass-using-kettlebells/ Thu, 06 Feb 2020 05:00:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14694 People who cycle, run and use their legs for sports are often looking for a way to balance the strength in their legs with their upper body strength. A very efficient way to do this is to incorporate workouts using kettlebells into their routine to build their upper-body mass. Because of their shape, kettlebells are...

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People who cycle, run and use their legs for sports are often looking for a way to balance the strength in their legs with their upper body strength. A very efficient way to do this is to incorporate workouts using kettlebells into their routine to build their upper-body mass.

Because of their shape, kettlebells are a great way to work your arms, shoulders, back and core. Here are some exercises which you can include in your workout in order to reap the benefits of kettlebells:

Warming up – Slingshot

Kettlebell slingshots warm up your shoulders, forearms and upper body. It also helps you get used to the kettlebell weight before going into a more intense workout.

Keeping your chest up and hips still, rotate the kettlebell around your body. Your arms should be kept straight to avoid overloading your biceps.

Change direction every 10 reps and do about 50 reps in each direction.

Windmill

Kettlebell windmills challenge your shoulder stability and work your core muscles.

With a kettlebell firmly gripped in your right hand, raise your right arm over your head. Keep your arm locked and your wrist straight.

Make sure that you take a step, with your left foot, out to the side of your body so that it is slightly ahead of your right foot. Your rear leg should be straight and take most of the weight.

Reach down with your left hand towards the front foot, while keeping it straight.

Alternate sides and repeat about 15 reps on each side.

Regular Row

Kettlebell regular rows build muscle and strength in your back and core.

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent, lean your upper body forward.

Make sure you lean far enough forward so that you are not rowing upwards and not too far forward that you place too much strain on your lower back. Keep your mid-back muscles activated and your weight back on your heels so you feel the tension in your hamstrings and glutes. Ensure that your shoulders stay away from your ears and down towards your hips.

With a kettlebell in hand and your arms hanging straight down, pull your arm back and up as if your elbow is being pulled towards the ceiling. The kettlebell should end up tucked in between your thigh and hip.

Return the kettlebell to your starting position and repeat 15 times. Alternate and do another 15 reps.

Half-Kneeling Press

The kettlebell half-kneeling press exercise develop your shoulders, triceps and core muscles.

In a half-kneeling position with your butt tight, upper body upright and abs engaged, bring your right hand with the kettlebell to shoulder level. Keep your elbow close to your body. Then push the kettlebell overhead.

Lower the kettlebell back to your starting position and repeat 15 reps. Alternate and do another 15 reps.

These four kettlebell exercises are guaranteed to assist with building your upper body strength by engaging your arms, shoulders, back and core. Work them into your normal routine to balance the strength of your upper and lower body. This will help stabilise your entire body.

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To find out more about exercising with kettlebells, you really need to do our kettlebell course. For more information, please follow this link.

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What does a low-impact bootcamp workout look like? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-does-a-low-impact-bootcamp-workout-look-like/ Wed, 05 Feb 2020 05:37:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14672 When you think of bootcamp exercises, you tend to think about the high-intensity, military-style training. This can scare anyone off. However, there are a series of bootcamp exercises you can do to create a low-impact workout. Low-impact bootcamp workouts usually combine cardio with strength training in a way that doesn’t place too much stress on...

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When you think of bootcamp exercises, you tend to think about the high-intensity, military-style training. This can scare anyone off. However, there are a series of bootcamp exercises you can do to create a low-impact workout.

Low-impact bootcamp workouts usually combine cardio with strength training in a way that doesn’t place too much stress on your joints.

Here are a number of examples of exercises which you can find in a low-impact bootcamp workout:

 Alternating Knee Tuck Plank

The Alternating Knee Tuck Plank works your shoulders, back, legs, glutes, core and obliques.

Beginning in a plank position and with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, engage your core, glutes and quads and keep your elbows under your shoulders.

Lift your right leg while bending at the knee. Rotate your core in order to drive your knee in towards your left elbow.

Bring the knee back and return to the starting position.

Do the same with your left knee and keep alternating for about 45 seconds.

Jogging in Place

Standing up straight, place your feet hip-width apart and jog in place. Engage your core and pump your arms as you move.

You can make it even more low-impact by simply marching in place.

Do this for about 45 seconds.

Back Flye

The Back Flye helps to improve your posture by pulling your shoulders back, lifting your chest and working on the upper back muscles.

Standing with your feet hip-width apart. Enure that your knees are bent slightly. Grab a lightweight in each hand and bend your elbows to 90 degrees. Hinge forward at your hips while, at the same time, keeping your back flat.

Lift your arms up as well as out to your sides while keeping your elbows slightly bent. Squeeze your shoulder blades together.

Slowly lower your back down to where you started and repeat.

Do this for about 45 seconds.

Sumo Squat with Alternating Cross Punch

The Sumo Squat with Alternating Cross Punch works your shoulders, upper arms, legs, core and obliques. It also raises your heart rate.

Stand up tall and have your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes turned out 45 degrees. Lower your butt and hips into a squat. Stop halfway. Ball your fists and bring them to chin level.

Without breaking your squat, punch your right arm out across your body. Return it to chin level and do the same with your left arm.

Keep alternating for about 45 seconds.

Cross Torso Knee Repeat

The Cross Torso Knee Repeat helps to improve your balance and stability. It also works your obliques.

Standing up tall and have your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms above your head, angling them slightly to the right.

Lift your left leg up, bending at the knee, and kick it out across your body. Simultaneously bring your arms down and across your body to meet it.

Return to starting position and alternate between legs for about 45 seconds on each side.

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It can be challenging in order to get into the high-intensity exercises as you start working out or if you have a heart condition. This is why low-impact workouts are a good way to get your muscles used to regular exercise. It also makes it easier to transition into higher-impact workouts that are normally associated with bootcamps.

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What are the types of suspension training equipment? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-types-of-suspension-training-equipment/ Wed, 05 Feb 2020 05:30:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14667 You’d be forgiven if you thought that suspension training equipment looks like a medieval torture device. But in actual fact, suspension training is a great way to use your own bodyweight with a combination of straps, cords, rings, ropes, or chains to exercise your muscles. Understanding the different types of suspension training equipment can make...

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You’d be forgiven if you thought that suspension training equipment looks like a medieval torture device. But in actual fact, suspension training is a great way to use your own bodyweight with a combination of straps, cords, rings, ropes, or chains to exercise your muscles. Understanding the different types of suspension training equipment can make the process a lot less daunting.

Swings

Yes, just like the ones which you find in playgrounds! While they are not as effective as some of the other suspension training equipment, swings are more accessible. Swings are also a great way to get into suspension training if you are unsure about it.

Swings can promote knee and hip hinge movements during exercise. They can be used for standing exercises, where you grab onto the chains, or you can place your legs on the seat of the swing to perform elevated exercises.

Yoke Bar

The Yoke Bar has a single overhead attachment joint that is affixed to a horizontal bar. Two separate chains hang vertically from this bar. This provides a three-axis rotation that can twist, move forward and backwards, as well as move side to side.

This adds instability, which engages more muscle groups such as your hips, abdominals, back and shoulders.

The Yoke Bar increases muscle stamina, improves strength and flexibility and enhances your core stability.

Gymnastics Rings

Gymnastics Rings have two separate attachment joints. This allows your joints to work independently. It is also possible for you to adjust the distance and height of the rings. This enables you to do different variations of exercises – with your feet on or off the ground, with your hands through the rings or even with your feet through the rings (although a lot more difficult).

Gymnastic Rings can improve your stability, upper body strength muscles and mobility. They are also mobile, but it does require a lot of effort and takes up a lot of space.

Suspension Straps

Suspension Straps have a single anchor point. They are very lightweight and portable. You can hang it from doors, jungle gyms, trees or any other suspended beams.

They are very limiting due to their single anchor points but can be just as beneficial and a lot less daunting than some of the other suspension training equipment.

Resistance Bands

While it doesn’t seem like they are part of the suspension training regime, they do require you to use your own body weight in order to achieve the result that you want for your body. Owing to the fact they come in various resistances and are extremely portable, these bands are a phenomenal way for you to keep up with your exercise routine when you’re on the road.

Once you understand the different components that makeup suspension training equipment you can choose one that seems the least scary for you. Suspension training equipment is not only good for building muscle and strength, but it also improves your balance, stability and flexibility. It is a fantastic way to engage your entire body.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

At Trifocus Fitness Academy, we focus on developing fitness instructors who will train you in the exercise modality that you prefer. From our suite of accredited personal training qualifications to suspension training courses, Yoga and Pilates training courses, if you want to become a fitness guru, you need to talk to us! Check out this link to find out more about our fitness courses.

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The best ab exercises as suggested by bootcamp trainers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/the-best-ab-exercises-as-suggested-by-bootcamp-trainers/ Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:05:36 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14652 Have you ever seen bootcamp training on TV and wondered if you could do that without actually having to venture into the outdoors with a bunch of strangers? And no, we don’t mean military bootcamps! We mean the group physical training programmes that are designed to build strength and fitness through various types of exercises....

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Have you ever seen bootcamp training on TV and wondered if you could do that without actually having to venture into the outdoors with a bunch of strangers? And no, we don’t mean military bootcamps!

We mean the group physical training programmes that are designed to build strength and fitness through various types of exercises.

Here are a number of ab exercises which you can do at home that have been suggested by bootcamp trainers:

Side Bend Slide

The Side Bend Slide is great for improving your posture and targets your obliques.

Standing up, hold a lightweight above your head. Then, looking up at the weight, slide your body down towards the opposite foot. Try to do this without twisting your torso.

Return to the starting position and repeat.

Side Plank to Elbow Touch

The Side Plank to Elbow Touch targets your upper and lower abs, as well as your obliques.

Start in a side plank position (on your hand or on your elbow) with your feet stacked on top of each other. Your body must be in a straight line from the top of your head to your heels. Your hips should be elevated. Place your free hand behind your head with your elbow bent.

Bend your top leg and bring the knee toward your elbow on the same side. Lower it back to the side plank position and repeat.

Oblique Twist

The Oblique Twist improves your balance and targets your obliques and lower abs.

Stand up tall with your feet hip-width apart and squat while holding a medicine ball or heavyweight in front of your chest. Make sure that your elbows are out to your sides as well as lifted in line with the ball.

Standing up, twist your elbow to the opposite knee, bringing the knee up to your chest. Alternate between elbows and knees and repeat.

Knee to Opposite Elbow

The Knee to Opposite Elbow targets your upper and lower abs, as well as your obliques.

Starting in high plank position, bring your right knee to your left elbow while dropping your right hip. Keep your hip and leg off the ground. Hold the position for a few seconds, switch sides and repeat.

Bear Crawl Mountain Climber

The Bear Crawl Mountain Climber targets your lower abs.

Starting on all fours and ensure that your back is flat, lift your knees off the mat so that you come into the position where you are balancing on your hands and toes.

Bring your right knee to your right elbow and quickly switch to the other side. Keep alternating as if jogging on all fours.

Moving Boat Pose

The Moving Boat Pose, which is a combination of the V Hold and Toe Touch, targets your lower abs.

Balancing on your tailbone, extend your legs straight out in front of you. Lift your arms out so that they are at your sides in a “V” shape. Lift your legs the same way. Hold for a few seconds.

Then touch your arm to the opposite toes and continue to alternate sides.

The Moving Boat Pose, Bear Crawl Mountain Climber and many more bootcamp-like exercises give you the intense workout that a bootcamp normally offers in the comfort of your own home. These exercises are a great way to get those killer abs you desire!

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If you like the sound of these types of exercises, and you enjoy exercising with your friends outdoors, then you should really consider becoming a bootcamp instructor. For more information, please follow this link.

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How Yogis can benefit from suspension training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/how-yogis-can-benefit-from-suspension-training/ Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:00:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14648 When you start doing Yoga, you may often be worried about falling. This will limit your practice to a certain set of “safe” moves. By combining Yoga with suspension training, you make advanced poses easier to do. Not only does it eliminate the fear of falling by adding extra support, but it also engages your...

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When you start doing Yoga, you may often be worried about falling. This will limit your practice to a certain set of “safe” moves. By combining Yoga with suspension training, you make advanced poses easier to do. Not only does it eliminate the fear of falling by adding extra support, but it also engages your core in order to gain optimal alignment.

Beginner? No problem

Suspension training is accessible and beneficial for all levels of Yogis. Just by altering your body position slightly, you can increase or decrease the load on your muscles.

If you are a beginner Yogi, it is possible for you to shift your body position in a way that decreases the load on your muscles to make the poses easier. If you are an expert Yogi, you can shift your position in a way that increases the load on your muscles to make the asanas more intense.

It’s versatile

By incorporating suspension straps into your Yoga poses, you allow every muscle in your body to be exercised.

These suspension straps are portable and can be set up on any elevated beam. This makes it easy for you to practise your poses on the go.

You can also incorporate suspension equipment into almost every pose.

Improves cardio and strength

The most obvious benefit of combining suspension training with Yoga is that, by engaging your entire body, you are improving your muscle strength. By enhancing your muscular strength you are able to improve your cardiovascular endurance as because your muscles are stronger, you’ll be able to continue with your workout for longer.

Low-impact

Suspension training is very low-impact. This means that your joints aren’t tasked with as much strain as with normal exercises. This reduces the risk of injury and enables you to train as hard as you wish. This is especially beneficial for Yogis with pre-existing injuries such as knee, neck or back injuries.

Try this!

By combining suspension training with these poses, you can unlock more benefits from the workout:

  • Chaturanga: tones your abdomen and strengthens your arms and wrists, as well as the muscles around your spine. It also helps to improve your posture.
  • Crow Pose: strengthens your arms, wrists and abdominal muscles while stretching your upper back and groin. It also improves balance and full-body coordination.
  • Headstand: strengthens your arms, legs, spine and lungs, as well as toning your abdominal organs. It also improves circulation.
  • Crescent Lunge: strengthens your lower body and stretches your chest, lungs and back muscles.
  • Side Plank: strengthens your arms, core and legs. It also improves your balance.

Suspension training can be beneficial for both beginner and expert Yogis. This is because you can change the intensity of your workout by simply changing positions. It gives you leverage against gravity and improves the strength and flexibility you need to be able to do some poses. Owing to its low-impact nature, it also reduces the risk of injury significantly.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

We, at Trifocus Fitness Academy, are in the unique position of having a Yoga teacher-training course in addition to a course that you can learn about suspension training in our stable. For more information, please visit our course landing page.

 

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Nutrition and health benefits of pineapples https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/nutrition-and-health-benefits-of-pineapples/ Fri, 24 Jan 2020 05:05:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14527 Pineapples are the tropical fruits that look like tiny, spiky palm trees. You can eat them in salads, smoothies, cocktails and yes, even on pizza. They are rich in vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and fibre, along with many other nutrition and health benefits. High in nutrients This low-in-calorie fruit contains natural fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fibres, vitamin...

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Pineapples are the tropical fruits that look like tiny, spiky palm trees. You can eat them in salads, smoothies, cocktails and yes, even on pizza. They are rich in vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and fibre, along with many other nutrition and health benefits.

High in nutrients

This low-in-calorie fruit contains natural fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fibres, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B6, copper, thiamine, folate, potassium, magnesium, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and iron.

They also contain trace amounts of vitamins A and K, phosphorus, zinc and calcium.

Fights disease

Pineapples also contain a lot of healthy antioxidants that help your body combat oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is when there are too many free radicals in the body that can cause damage linked to chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system and other harmful diseases.

The antioxidants in pineapples are bound, allowing them to survive harsher conditions in your body and produce longer-lasting effects.

The high amount of vitamin C in pineapples fights cell damage. This helps fight against heart disease and macular degeneration, which is a disease that affects your eyes as you age.

Eases digestion

Pineapples also contain bromelain, a group of digestive enzymes which act like proteases. Proteases break down protein molecules into amino acids and small peptides. When they are broken down, your small intestine is able to absorb them more easily. This helps your small intestines function better.

Boosts immunity

The vitamins, minerals and enzymes in pineapple collectively boost your immunity and suppress inflammation.

These nutrients can lower the risk of both viral and bacterial infections by producing more disease-fighting white blood cells.

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Speeds up recovery

The bromelain enzyme found in pineapples has certain anti-inflammatory properties that can help you recover faster from an injury.

It reduces inflammation, swelling, bruising and pain that occurs after sustaining an injury. The reduced inflammation can also help speed up the recovery of internal tissue damage.

Strengthens bones

Pineapples contain manganese, which helps develop strong bones and connective tissue. It can also help to prevent osteoporosis.

Remedies sinus infections and allergies

The vitamin C and bromelain in pineapples reduce mucus in your throat and nose. These can clear up sinus issues and seasonal allergies.

Relieves stress

Pineapples also contain several B-vitamins. It not only helps your brain function better but allows your brain to deal with stress more efficiently.

Strengthens gums

Astringent agents in pineapples help tighten up gum tissues. It also helps to fix loose teeth and the retraction of your gums.

This is why it is so beneficial for sailors with scurvy.

Reduces blood pressure

Pineapples also contain potassium, a natural vasodilator that eases the tension of blood vessels. It also helps to improve blood circulation to various parts of your body.

When your blood vessels relax, your blood pressure reduces and the flow of blood is less restricted. This can help prevent strokes and atherosclerosis.

Pineapples are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes that promote circulatory, digestive, immune system, bone development and recovery processes. It also fights off diseases, stress sinuses and allergies. It is important to include pineapple in your regular diet as it is so high in nutrients and anti-oxidants.

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To learn more about nutrition, have a look at our Specialised Nutrition Course.

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Food and supplements to speed up recovery https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/food-and-supplements-to-speed-up-recovery/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 05:57:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14512 Sitting around waiting patiently for an injury to heal can often be more painful than the injury itself. However, it is necessary. Before you can do any strenuous activity again, you need to wait for your body to fully recover. Fortunately, there are foods and supplements you can take that will make the recovery process...

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Sitting around waiting patiently for an injury to heal can often be more painful than the injury itself. However, it is necessary. Before you can do any strenuous activity again, you need to wait for your body to fully recover. Fortunately, there are foods and supplements you can take that will make the recovery process much faster.

Proteins

The tissues in your body rely heavily on protein to do what it’s supposed to, especially your muscles.

After sustaining an injury, your body can start losing strength and muscle mass due to inactivity. When you maintain a protein-rich diet, however, you can minimise this loss.

Protein also help prevents inflammation in the injury from getting too bad or worse.

Fibres

When an injury leaves you or a specific body part inactive, you can gain unwanted body fat. In order to prevent this from taking place, you need to reduce your calorie intake by eating fibre-rich foods.

This will help you eat less without feeling hungry.

Some fibre-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables contain vitamin C, magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals can also help to speed up recovery.

Don’t restrict your calories too much as these help the wound to heal.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to rebuild damaged tissue after an injury. It produces collagen, which helps to maintain the integrity of your bones, muscles, skin and tendons.

It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Omega-3 fatty acids

The first step for a wound to heal involves inflammation. If the inflammation remains too high for too long, however, it can slow down the recovery process.

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. They can also increase the creation of muscle protein and reduce the loss of muscle.

Be sure to stay away from omega-6 fats as these can promote inflammation.

Zinc

The enzymes and proteins needed for your wound to heal, and your tissue to repair and grow contain zinc.

Calcium

As we all know by now, calcium helps your bones and teeth to grow stronger.

Together with vitamin D, which helps your body absorb the calcium, this mineral can help you recover from bone injuries.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is naturally found in the fluid around your joints and supplements.  It helps to create tendons, ligaments and cartilage. In effect, it can also help repair tendons, ligaments and cartilage after an injury and helps to reduce joint deterioration. It also reduces the pain you feel after joint and bone injuries.

It is crucial to wait for an injury to recover before you try to put strain on it again. You can, however, speed up the recovery with vitamins C and D, calcium, glucosamine, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fibre. It is better to make sure you get these via a healthy diet than taking supplements, as your body only needs a certain amount and you risk taking too much with supplements. Taking too much of these could have negative effects on your body.

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To learn more about nutrition, why don’t you do our Specialised Nutrition Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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7 benefits of eating walnuts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/7-benefits-of-eating-walnuts/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 05:47:29 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14506 Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fats as well as contain higher amounts of antioxidants than most other foods. You can put them in salads, pasta, cereals, soups, baked goods or even eat them on their own. They are also used to make oil. Why are walnuts used in so many dishes? Here are seven benefits...

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Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fats as well as contain higher amounts of antioxidants than most other foods. You can put them in salads, pasta, cereals, soups, baked goods or even eat them on their own. They are also used to make oil.

Why are walnuts used in so many dishes? Here are seven benefits of eating walnuts:

  1. Healthy heart

Walnuts contain a high level of omega-3 fatty acids which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and provides more benefits for endothelial function, which is the lining of the inside of our blood and lymphatic vessels. Omega 3s reduces high blood pressure and bad cholesterol in your body. These also produced good cholesterol and reduce the risk of inflammation in the heart.

  1. Improved immunity

The high amounts of antioxidants in walnuts keep your immune system healthy and prevent diseases.

  1. Healthy mind

The omega-3 fatty acids which are found in walnuts are also good for your brain. It improves the function of your nervous system and your memory. They can also help with depression and age-related decline in brain function.

The nutrients in walnuts – such as polyunsaturated fat, polyphenols and vitamin E – may assist with reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in your brain.

  1. Healthy bones

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid which strengthens your bones.

Together with omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid helps prevent inflammatory diseases like arthritis, which keep your bones stronger for longer.

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  1. More sleep, less stress

The melatonin and omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts improve your sleeping patterns and relieve stress by keeping your blood pressure low.

  1. Better digestion

Walnuts are high in fibre, which improves the functionality of your digestive system and bowel movements.

They also clean the digestive system of uncountable parasites and candida growth, as well as other fungal infections on the skin.

Walnuts also enrich the gut microbiome and increase the good bacteria strains in your gut.

  1. Prevents cancer

Walnuts contain beneficial plant compounds that can help to prevent cancer. These compounds contain several bioactive components that may have properties which could prevent cancer. Examples of these are phytosterols, gamma-tocopherol, omega-3 fatty acids, ellagic acid and antioxidant polyphenols.

Experts have shown that regularly eating walnuts your risk of getting colon and prostate cancer. It can also suppress cancer growth in your breasts, prostate, colon and kidney tissues.

The ellagitannins in walnuts are converted in the gut into urolithins, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Urolithins also have hormone-like properties, which may block hormone receptors. This reduces the risk of hormone-related cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers.

By regularly eating walnuts you improve your brain, heart, bone and digestive health. You also increase your immunity and improve your sleeping schedules. Minerals in walnuts relieve depression and reduce your risks of certain types of cancer.

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To learn more about nutrition, we recommend that you do our Specialised Nutrition Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Yoga poses to incinerate lower-belly fat https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-poses-to-incinerate-lower-belly-fat/ Wed, 22 Jan 2020 05:05:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14499 If there’s one thing we often find ourselves insecure about, it’s lower-belly fat. That tummy just above your pants line that you can’t quite get the button around. And while “dad-bod” might be a thing for some people, most end up feeling very insecure because of it. Here are some yoga poses you can do...

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If there’s one thing we often find ourselves insecure about, it’s lower-belly fat. That tummy just above your pants line that you can’t quite get the button around. And while “dad-bod” might be a thing for some people, most end up feeling very insecure because of it.

Here are some yoga poses you can do to get rid of the unwanted lower-belly fat:

  1. Navasana

Also known as the Boat Pose, the Navasana tones your core by strengthening your hip flexors.

Sit on the mat with your legs pointing straight out in front of you. Place your hands slightly behind your hips with your fingers pointing to your feet.

Lift through your chest and lean back slightly until you are balancing on your tailbone.

Lift your legs until your thighs are at a 45-50 degree angle to the floor. Pressing your tailbone down into the floor, pull your pelvis into your stomach. Your toes should be slightly above eye-level.

Stretch your arms out in front of you until they are parallel to your legs.

Stay in the pose for about 20 seconds.

  1. Kumbhakasana

Most commonly known as the Plank Pose, the Kumbhakasana engages your abdominal muscles to stimulate calorie-burning.

Start on your hands and knees. Your wrists should be under your shoulders and your fingers spread wide. Your head and neck should be aligned with your spine.

On your toes, step your feet back so that your legs are also aligned with your spine. Engage your core and thighs.

Stay in the pose for about 30 seconds.

  1. Dhanurasana

Also known as the Bow Pose, the Dhanurasana counters fat around your waist. It tones your core, while also stretching your back, thighs, arms and chest. It also helps to improve your posture.

Lie on your stomach. Your arms should be by your sides with your palms facing up. Your knees should be hip-width apart for the entire pose.

Bend your knees and bring your heels toward your butt. Reach your hands back and take hold of your ankles.

Lift your heels upwards, away from your butt. Lift your thighs off the floor in the same motion. Your head and upper body will also lift off the floor.

Draw your shoulders away from your ears towards your back and engage your core.

Stay in the pose for up to 30 seconds.

  1. Bhujangasana

Known as the Cobra Pose, the Bhujangasana stretches your core and strengthens your back muscles.

Lie down on your stomach. Your legs should be spaced slightly apart with the tops of your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands below your shoulders, palms down.

Lift your chest and head off the floor until your arms are straightened. Pull your pelvis into your stomach and keep your butt firm.

Stay in the pose for up to 30 seconds.

 

These asanas, or poses, will help improve the rate at which your body burns calories. By engaging your core muscles, it will help to reduce the fat in your lower belly. If you practise these poses regularly, you can turn that self-conscious blob on your belly into a toned belly that you are proud of.

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Want to learn more about Yoga? Keen on becoming a Yoga Instructor? If you are then you should really check out our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Yoga registration

 

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A super lower-body workout with Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/a-super-lower-body-workout-with-pilates/ Fri, 17 Jan 2020 05:05:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14436 While a strong focus of Pilates is training your core with controlled movement, it also exercises your lower body. If done correctly, you can get a fantastic lower-body workout with this exercise modality. The low-impact nature of this type of exercise routine is great for strengthening, tightening as well as toning your muscles. It forces...

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While a strong focus of Pilates is training your core with controlled movement, it also exercises your lower body. If done correctly, you can get a fantastic lower-body workout with this exercise modality.

The low-impact nature of this type of exercise routine is great for strengthening, tightening as well as toning your muscles. It forces your body to stay slightly contracted throughout the workout, which firms your muscles.

This results in strong, lean legs. It also helps to tighten your butt.

Here are some Pilates exercises you can try for a super lower-body workout:

Thigh-high Lift

The Thigh-High Lift focuses on your triceps, hips, butt in addition to your inner thighs.

You start by sitting on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat and your palms on the floor behind your hips. Place a ball between your inner thighs and squeeze it slightly. Then lift your hips so that your core is parallel to the floor in a tabletop position. Lower your hips back to the starting position. Squeeze the ball again and repeat.

Experts recommend doing three sets of 10 to 15 reps each.

Butt Burnout

The Butt Burnout focuses on your butt and outer thighs.

You start on all fours. Lower your right hip to the floor. Your hips, knees and ankles should be stacked in this position. Place a ball behind your left knee, squeezing it between your calf and thigh. Lift your leg slightly. Then raise your left leg behind you as high as you can. Lower it back to the slightly lifted position. Switch sides and repeat.

Experts recommend doing three sets on each side that consist of between 10 and 15 reps.

Window Washer

The Window Washer focuses on your core, hips, butt and thighs.

You start in full plank position on the floor. Your feet should be together with your hands directly below your shoulders. Keeping your hips parallel to the floor, lift one of your feet slightly. Tap it out to the side as far as you can. Return to the starting position and repeat with your other foot.

Experts recommend doing three sets with each foot of 10 reps.

Quad Squad

The Quad Squad focuses on your core, butt and legs.

You start in a standing position with both arms reaching over your head. Bend your knee and raise it to hip level in front of you. Kick the leg forward then bend your knee again. At the same time, bend your elbows into your ribs. Then kick the leg out behind you, hinging forward on your hips. At the same time, reach your arms down. Return to a standing position with your arms overhead and your knee bent at hip-level. Repeat and alternate legs.

Experts recommend doing three sets with each leg of 10 reps.

Repeating these exercises daily can help strengthen your legs and improves your balance. By lengthening the muscles in your lower body, your body becomes toned and lean. This can improve your legs endurance when performing other exercises, walking and supporting heavy objects.

As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, Pilates is not just a lower-body workout. It is superb for targeting your entire physique.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are keen to discover additional information more regarding this graceful exercise form, and perhaps even assist others with their own Pilates technique, then you should become a Pilates Instructor. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

 

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Reasons why everyone should try Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/reasons-why-everyone-should-try-pilates/ Thu, 16 Jan 2020 05:00:55 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14414 Pilates is an exercise modality which involved controlled movements that concentrate on strengthening your entire body, in particular, your core. It focuses on posture, balance in addition to flexibility – in a similar fashion to Yoga. It also works on your mind-body connection. When doing Pilates exercises, you need to constantly be aware of your...

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Pilates is an exercise modality which involved controlled movements that concentrate on strengthening your entire body, in particular, your core. It focuses on posture, balance in addition to flexibility – in a similar fashion to Yoga.

It also works on your mind-body connection. When doing Pilates exercises, you need to constantly be aware of your breathing and the way in which your body moves.

This makes Pilates a lot safer than other forms of exercise because you are less prone to injury when you are aware of your body.

Why should you be doing Pilates? Here are some benefits that could persuade you to try it.

Builds core and muscle strength

Your core is the centre of your body. This means that most of our strength, if not all, originates in our core.

Because it concentrates mostly on the core, exercises during Pilates engage your abs and back. Pushing and pulling motions are used to work both sides of muscles simultaneously. This allows the muscles to lengthen and tone.

Increases flexibility, coordination and balance

Your core is also the centre of your balance and coordination. By strengthening your core, the muscles that are responsible for your balance and coordination have more control.

By lengthening your muscles, you also increase your flexibility. They become more pliable, making it easier for them to bend and stretch further than normal.

Reduces the risk of injury

Strengthening and lengthening your core and back muscles through Pilates exercises can reduce your chances of getting injured.

When your core is weak, your muscles can’t support the strain placed on them every day. This can lead to back and other injuries. By exercising them, you increase the muscles’ durability.

It is low impact

Low impact exercises are great for people who are suffering from an injury. It is also a safer workout option for pregnant women.

This is because the slow, controlled movements enable you to still exercise muscles while being aware of your body’s limitations.

It perfects posture

Like with your balance, Pilates can improve your posture by strengthening your core and back muscles.

This is particularly beneficial for people who have to carry around heavy loads daily or even individuals who sit at a desk, behind a computer, for eight hours a day.

When you strengthen your muscles, your core and back are better able to support the stress of hunching over a laptop or carrying heavy things.

Increases weight loss

One of the main reasons most people exercise is to either maintain their weight or lose weight. While Pilates focuses mostly on your core, it also exercises your entire body as we’ve said previously.

Any exercise helps you burn calories, which results in weight-loss. Pilates is no different. However, when you do Pilates regularly, not only does it help you lose weight, it also helps change the shape of your body. It tones your body by creating longer, leaner and stronger muscles.

Pilates is a great way to engage your entire body in low impact, controlled exercises. This means that it not only helps you lose weight and tone your body, but it also improves your balance, flexibility and coordination. By activating the muscles in your core and back, it makes your entire body stronger and more durable, and reduces the chances of you getting injured.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about Pilates and perhaps even become a Pilates instructor yourself? If you do then you should really check out our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

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5 Pilates moves to get rid of back fat https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/5-pilates-moves-to-get-rid-of-back-fat/ Tue, 14 Jan 2020 06:42:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14382 There’s nothing more annoying than putting on a tight-fitting top only to notice that shapeless bra fat that pokes out like a sore thumb. Back fat comes from underdeveloped muscles as well as too much total body fat. Unless you’re accustomed to performing regular activities such as boxing or rowing, you’re going to need to...

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There’s nothing more annoying than putting on a tight-fitting top only to notice that shapeless bra fat that pokes out like a sore thumb. Back fat comes from underdeveloped muscles as well as too much total body fat.

Unless you’re accustomed to performing regular activities such as boxing or rowing, you’re going to need to add exercises which target that area in order to annihilate back fat. Just as with any other body part, we also have to lose fat overall in order to see results. It is not possible to control fat loss in one specific area. This means that a healthy nutritional intake, as well as cardio, are very important along with strengthening those muscles with a set of specific Pilates moves.

So we tapped into the collective knowledge and experience of the graduates of our Pilates instructor Course for the absolute best exercises to hone in on for getting rid of fat in the back area, which seems impossible to tone no matter how many arm exercises we try.

Tripod Twister

  • Start in a plank position. Hold a weight, which is approximately 1 – 2 kg. Make sure that your feet and arms are hip-distance apart.
  • Turn one fist so that it faces the other arm. Twist your body into a side plank and use one arm for support. Extend the other arm up towards sky. Maintain this position for a number of breaths while lifting your bottom ribs and squeezing your abs.
  • Lower and lift your Come back to centre plank. That’s one rep. Repeat on the other side.

Sets: 10

Reps: 3 per side

Big Reveal Plank

  • Start in a side plank. Have one forearm on the mat as well as the other hand behind your head.
  • Lift your hips up a few inches towards the sky all while opening your chest and engaging your core.
  • Twist your upper body down towards your bottom armpit while keeping your hips as squared-off and front-facing as possible. Open back up to side plank. That’s one rep.

Sets: 3

Reps: 15 per side

Pulling Weights

  • Lie on your stomach while holding the weights with your arms extended straight out to your sides. Imagine that you are punching as well as elongating your arms out to your sides in order to achieve the maximum length as well as engagement.
  • Engage your abdominals and then reach your arms back towards your legs. Lift your head and chest. Extend your arms out again while lowering your body back down.

Sets: 1

Reps: 8

Swan

  • Lie on your stomach and have your hands flat on the mat directly below your armpits.
  • Engage your abdominals in order to support lower back. Keep your elbows wide, lift your body up a centimetres inches using with your core as well as upper back muscles. Lower back down. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 8

Swimming

  • Lie on your stomach with your arms as well as legs outstretched.
  • Start fluttering arms in addition to your legs up and down while taking deep, full breaths. Ensure that you keep your abs engaged in order to support lower back. Focus on length, reaching your fingers and toes out long.

Sets: 1

Reps: Perform the movement for 30 seconds

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more Pilates fat-burning techniques? If so then you really need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Read more here.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

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Yoga poses to help with relieving sciatica https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/yoga-poses-to-help-with-relieving-sciatica/ Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14385 The term ‘sciatica’ refers to pain which radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve. (This nerve the branches off from your lower back and goes through your hips as well as buttocks. It then goes down each of your legs.) Usually, sciatica affects just one side of your body. Sciatica most regularly occurs if...

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The term ‘sciatica’ refers to pain which radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve. (This nerve the branches off from your lower back and goes through your hips as well as buttocks. It then goes down each of your legs.) Usually, sciatica affects just one side of your body.

Sciatica most regularly occurs if a herniated disc, bone spur on your spine or reduction of the spine (spinal stenosis) squeezes part of the nerve. This results in inflammation, pain as well as often some numbness in the leg which is affected.

Sciatica has a long (as well as painful!) history. Back in the 5th century BCE, doctors, as well as sciatica sufferers alike, have attempted a host of inventive remedies, from leeches in addition to hot coals in Roman times to the 20th-century use of creams in addition to injections.

The principal causes of sciatic pain are less mysterious than its heritage suggests, as we’ve talked about in the opening paragraph, yet there are still millions who suffer from this debilitating condition. In 2005, the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine make the statement that over a lifetime, an individual has a 40% chance of experiencing sciatica. But the good news is that in many cases, a mindful, targeted yoga practise can help you overcome the pain.

Yoga to the rescue!

If the cause of your sciatica is a herniated or, alternatively, a bulging disc, a yoga practice which goes from gentle poses to basic foundational asanas such as standing poses, as well as downward-facing dog, will result in the alignment, lengthening, and strengthening your lower back.

A herniated disk does not always necessitate surgery and, luckily, yoga can assist you with managing and reducing the problems caused by the herniation. Sometimes, well-thought-out Yoga poses can sometimes even reduce the herniation itself. This being said, it’s important to check in with your doctor regarding the severity of the herniation because in some cases surgery may be needed.

If the origin of your sciatica is pressure on the nerve owing to a short, tight piriformis, concentrate on stretching this muscle. Your approach should be gentle as well as progressive because overworking the piriformis may lead to spasms in addition to deep buttock pain, which may or may not be accompanied by sciatic pain.

Here is a simple Yoga asana which will help to relieve sciatica pain.

Simple Seated Twist

In the full version of the simple seated twist, your upper body will be turning toward your upright knee. In order to assist your upper body to turn fully, put your left hand on the mat behind you. Continue holding your left knee using your right hand.

Keep your heart up straight and maintain the natural inward curve of your lower back. Make use of your inhalation in order to lift, lengthen as well as expand. Utilise your exhalation in order to twist with no rounding of your back.

Now it is possible to deepen the action on the piriformis through boosting the resisted abduction of the thigh while releasing any tightness you may be experiencing in the groin. As you perform the twist, make use of your hand on your left knee in order to gently draw or hug that knee towards your chest.

Let your inner thigh or groin relax and allow it to soften and melt downward towards your sit bone. As you draw the knee in towards your chest with resistance, your thigh bone releases laterally out at the hip and presses against the piriformis so encouraging it to release.

The twist deepens as you take your knee into your elbow or, alternatively, draw your upper arm to the outer aspect of your knee. At this point, while you press your knee against your arm in order to get a deeper twist, the pose becomes more active in the hip in addition to less effective as a piriformis release. If you’re a sufferer of piriformis syndrome, you definitely don’t want to further tighten this muscle thus it’s best not to attempt to go so deeply into the twist.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a Yoga Instructor and get a deeper understanding of Yoga asanas, then why don’t you do our Yoga Instructor Course? Read more here.

Trifocus Yoga registration

 

 

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What are the health benefits of Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-pilates/ Mon, 13 Jan 2020 05:05:33 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14364 Pilates (which is also called the Pilates method) is a sequence of approximately 500 exercises which was inspired by callisthenics, yoga as well as ballet. The discipline of Pilates is responsible for lengthening and stretching all the major groups of muscle in the body in a balanced manner. It improves flexibility, strength, balance as well...

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Pilates (which is also called the Pilates method) is a sequence of approximately 500 exercises which was inspired by callisthenics, yoga as well as ballet. The discipline of Pilates is responsible for lengthening and stretching all the major groups of muscle in the body in a balanced manner. It improves flexibility, strength, balance as well as body awareness.

The exercise form, which we know as Pilates, was developed by Joseph Pilates. He dedicated his entire life to enhancing physical as well as mental health during the early part of the 20th century. Today, Pilates is a well-known exercise in addition to lifestyle across the globe. It’s a popular choice of exercise for hundreds of thousands of individuals.

What type of exercise is Pilates?

Pilates can be defined as an aerobic and non-aerobic method of exercising It necessitates concentration, in addition, to focus as you move your body through specific ranges of motion. As we said in the first paragraph, Pilates lengthens as well as stretches all the major groups of muscle in your body in a balanced manner. It is necessary for you to concentrate to find a centre point to control your body through exercise. Each movement has a prescribed placement, rhythm in addition to breathing pattern.

In the Pilates method, your muscles are not ever worked to exhaustion. This means that there is no sweating or, alternatively, straining. There is just intense concentration. A Pilates workout consists of a number of exercise sequences which are done in low repetitions, typically five to ten times, over a session of between 45 and 90 minutes. Mat work, in addition to particular equipment for resistance, are used.

Pilates method is instructed to suit each person. The exercises are re-evaluated regularly to ensure that they are appropriate for that person. Owing to the individualised attention, this method can suit anyone from elite athletes to people who have limited mobility, pregnant women in addition to people with low fitness levels.

The health benefits of Pilates

There are a number of health benefits of Pilates. These include the following:

  • Improved flexibility
  • Enhanced muscle strength as well as tone, specifically in your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (which are called the ‘core muscles’ of your body)
  • Balanced muscular strength on either side of your body
  • Enhanced muscular control of your back as well as limbs
  • Improved stabilisation of your spine
  • Improved posture
  • Rehabilitation or, alternatively, prevention of injuries related to muscle imbalances
  • Improved physical coordination as well as balance
  • Relaxation of your shoulders, neck in addition to the upper back
  • Safe rehabilitation of joint and spinal injuries
  • Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries
  • Increased lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing
  • Improved concentration
  • Increased body awareness
  • Stress management and relaxation.

Builds core and muscle strength

Your core is the centre of your body. This means that most of our strength, if not all, originates in our core.

Because it concentrates mostly on the core, exercises during Pilates engage your abs and back. Pushing and pulling motions are used to work both sides of muscles simultaneously. This allows the muscles to lengthen and tone.

Increases flexibility, coordination and balance

Your core is also the centre of your balance and coordination. By strengthening your core, the muscles that are responsible for your balance and coordination have more control.

By lengthening your muscles, you also increase your flexibility. They become more pliable, making it easier for them to bend and stretch further than normal.

Reduces the risk of injury

Strengthening and lengthening your core and back muscles through Pilates exercises can reduce your chances of getting injured.

When your core is weak, your muscles can’t support the strain placed on them every day. This can lead to back and other injuries. By exercising them, you increase the muscles’ durability.

It is low impact

Low impact exercises are great for people who are suffering from an injury. It is also a safer workout option for pregnant women.

This is because the slow, controlled movements enable you to still exercise muscles while being aware of your body’s limitations.

It perfects posture

Like with your balance, Pilates can improve your posture by strengthening your core and back muscles.

This is particularly beneficial for people who have to carry around heavy loads daily or even individuals who sit at a desk, behind a computer, for eight hours a day.

When you strengthen your muscles, your core and back are better able to support the stress of hunching over a laptop or carrying heavy things.

Increases weight loss

One of the main reasons most people exercise is to either maintain their weight or lose weight. While Pilates focuses mostly on your core, it also exercises your entire body as we’ve said previously.

Any exercise helps you burn calories, which results in weight-loss. Pilates is no different. However, when you do Pilates regularly, not only does it help you lose weight, it also helps change the shape of your body. It tones your body by creating longer, leaner and stronger muscles.

The definition of ‘core stability’ is the ability to sustain correct spine alignment/shoulder girdle position as well as pelvic position while moving the limbs. Core muscles can approximately be split into two groups: local and global. As a general rule, surface muscles are solely responsible for large powerful movements. These muscles are referred to as global muscles.

Muscles which are deeper in the body and are closer to the vertebral column often have more subtle functions in terms of stabilising the body. These are referred to as local or stabiliser muscles and are responsible for making small adjustments to the alignment of the spine.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If it’s your dream to become a Pilates instructor, our Pilates Instructor Course at Trifocus Fitness Academy will teach you to become a sought-after Pilates teacher. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

 

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Pilates moves that burn major calories https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/pilates-moves-that-burn-major-calories/ Fri, 10 Jan 2020 05:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14337 When you envision a Pilates workout, the chances are that words such as ‘core’ and ‘abdominals’ will sooner come to mind as opposed to ‘calorie-burner’ or something similar. Granted, traditional Pilates moves may not burn as many calories as, for example, power walking or going to a spinning class. This being said, there are many...

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When you envision a Pilates workout, the chances are that words such as ‘core’ and ‘abdominals’ will sooner come to mind as opposed to ‘calorie-burner’ or something similar. Granted, traditional Pilates moves may not burn as many calories as, for example, power walking or going to a spinning class.

This being said, there are many Pilates-inspired moves that will pleasantly surprise you in terms of the number of calories that they burn. When it comes down to burning calories, you want to do exercises which target several muscle groups at the same time. The moves also make use of small muscle groups which most of us don’t access on a routine basis. This prompts the body to work harder and the heart rate to rise, which burns increased numbers of calories as a result.

Pilates is all about slow, controlled movements as we said in the beginning. However, its fitness and health rewards are supercharged. Whether you go for a class on a mat, using gravity for resistance, one on a reformer (a flat, bed-like machine with muscle-strengthening springs), or a more contemporary variation with equipment like spring-loaded chairs and larger Megaformers, you’ll walk away with feel-better benefits on day one.

4 Pilates moves that incinerate calories

We’ve put together a list of four Pilates moves which will help you in terms of calorie burning. Here they are!

Lunge Warm-Up

Grab some weights between 1 and 1.5 kg and stand tall. Make a “Y” shape with your feet and stand with one heel into the other arch. Lunge out onto a bent leg raising your arms briskly overhead. Your back leg stays straight. Drag your front leg back to its starting position as you lower your arms. Repeat 8 to 10 times and change sides.

Muscles targeted: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Deltoids

Pilates Push-Ups

Stand tall and reach overhead before rounding over and walking your hands out to a push-up or plank position. Perform between three and five push-ups then walk your hands back into your feet and roll up to standing. Do between three and four sets.

Muscles targeted: Back, Core, Shoulders

Standing Footwork

Stand with your feet a bit narrower than your hips in parallel. Cross your arms crossed genie-style. Squat halfway down bending your hips and knees but keeping your spine upright. Hold at the lowest point for three counts. Then stand back up. Repeat between eight and 12 times for one set. Perform two sets total.

Muscles targeted: Gluteals, Hamstrings

Leg Pull Up

The muscles on the anterior aspect of your body are large and dense. Increasing their strength and volume will impact your metabolism. Sit tall. Ensure that your legs are together in front of you and your hands behind your hips. Face your fingers forward. Press your hips up in the air making a straight line with your body. Hold for five breaths. Lower and repeat between five and eight times. As you progress you can add a kicking motion, raising one leg at a time.

Muscles targeted: Gluteals, Hamstrings, Triceps, Latissimus Dorsi

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about Pilates and perhaps even become a Pilates instructor yourself? If so, then you need to check out our Pilates Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus Pilates course registration button

 

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Personal training moves you can do behind your desk https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/personal-training-moves-you-can-do-behind-your-desk/ Thu, 09 Jan 2020 06:00:19 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14322 With the economy as it is today, we’re all working harder and harder. No longer do we work eight hours a day – we’re working over weekends, in the evenings and on public holidays just so that we can make ends meet. The detrimental effect of this is that we don’t get a lot of...

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With the economy as it is today, we’re all working harder and harder. No longer do we work eight hours a day – we’re working over weekends, in the evenings and on public holidays just so that we can make ends meet.

The detrimental effect of this is that we don’t get a lot of time to exercise. This lack of physical activity doesn’t just affect your health and physical appearance; it can have a direct impact on your work performance and employee engagement:

  • 60% of employees said their time management skills, mental performance, and ability to meet deadlines improved on days they exercised
  • 27% of employees reported higher levels of “dealing calmly with stress” on days they exercised
  • 41% of employees reported higher rates of “feeling motivated to work” on exercise days

The benefits of regular exercise are clear. However, with us being chained to a computer more often than not, how do we balance needing to work long and arduous hours with still remaining fit and healthy?

Office workouts decoded

If you are experiencing trouble with remaining fit as well as healthy at work, there are office exercises which you can do that are a great way to help you keep your body moving while you’re at your desk. These exercises involve stretching as well as strengthening your body. The best part about these moves is that you can do them from the comfort of your office chair. The series of exercises doesn’t replace traditional strength training, but it offers you a way to assist you with keeping your body moving if you are unable to get away from your desk.

Short bursts of aerobics, strength exercises as well as stretching in between conference calls or whatever else you’re doing can assist you with improving your fitness levels in addition to the health of your heart. These types of exercises may just improve strength and – best of all – burn a few extra calories to boot.

So, what we’ve done is put together a list of personal training moves that you can do from behind your desk. Let’s get desk exercising!

Neck opener

The neck opener stretch may assist with counteracting the tension that frequently comes with being seated in front of a computer screen all-day-long.

To do this stretch, sit on your desk chair. Make sure that your spine is straight as well as that your feet are flat on the floor. Tilt your right ear in the direction of your right shoulder. Reach your left fingers toward the floor and then look down towards your right shoulder. Keep the tilt of your head and hold for one second. After this, turn to look up at the high left diagonal. Repeat five times and then do this on the other side.

Side sparkler

If you’re sitting for the majority of your workday, the chances are very good that your intercostals (the muscles which help your ribs expand as well as  contract when you’re breathing) in addition to your obliques may need a dynamic.

To perform the side sparkler, stand up tall with your feet hip-distance apart. Have a gentle bend in your knees and make fists with both of your hands. Bend your elbows into your waist and lean your torso to your right as you reach your left arm overhead and your right arm towards the floor.

As you reach, open your fists and spread your fingers wide. Close your fists and bend your elbows as you come upright to pass through centre. Reverse and repeat. Breathe into your ribs and palms for about 20 reps.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more personal training moves? If so then you really need to do our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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Exercises to increase your elbow strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-increase-your-elbow-strength/ Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:00:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14257 Your elbows are responsible for making your lower arms move. They also take on a lot of weight when you are lifting something. This is why your elbows need to be strong enough to handle your day to day activities. Your elbow joint uses flexion and extension, and pronation and supination movements to be able...

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Your elbows are responsible for making your lower arms move. They also take on a lot of weight when you are lifting something. This is why your elbows need to be strong enough to handle your day to day activities.

Your elbow joint uses flexion and extension, and pronation and supination movements to be able to move. Flexion and extension enable your elbows to bend and straighten. Pronation and supination enable you to turn your palms up and down.

To make your elbows stronger, you need to work the joint through its full range of motion using the different equipment when exercising.

Exercise bands

Exercise bands provide resistance when exercising. It can be especially helpful when you have limited range of motion in your elbow. Some exercises include:

  1. Elbow curls

Standing up, step out with one foot in front of the other. Place one end of the exercise band under the back foot and hold the other end with your hand. Pull the band up with your hand, curling your arm toward your shoulder.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells engage both the supporting and stabilising muscles of your elbow. Using dumbbells to exercise increases your elbows’ ability to carry handle more weight. Some exercises include:

  1. Supination

Sitting in a chair, hold a dumbbell vertically in your hand. Rest your elbow on your knee. Turning your palm up, let the weight of the dumbbell help rotate your arm outward. Using the same technique, turn your palm down. Try to keep your upper arm and elbow still.

Barbells

Barbells also engage the supporting and stabilising muscles of your elbow in order to build strength. However, it doesn’t recruit as much work from these muscles as the dumbbells. Some exercises include:

  1. Triceps extensions

Standing up, hold the barbell in such a manner that your palms face forward. Your hands should be a little closer than shoulder-distance apart and your feet should be shoulder-distance apart. After this, lift the barbell above your head until your arms are completely extended. Keep your elbows in and your upper arms close to your head. Lower the resistance by allowing your forearms to bend down, to your biceps, behind your head. Your upper arms should stay still while your forearms move. Bring the barbell back to above your head.

Body-weight

Using your own body-weight can also work as a means to strengthen your elbows. Some body-weight exercises target your gripping muscles in your forearms and your elbow flexing muscles. These exercises include:

  1. Push-ups

Starting in a planking position, place your hands under your shoulders. Bend your elbows at a 45-degree angle starting from your ribs. Lower your chest to the floor. Stop just before you touch the floor. Extend your arms again into the high plank position.

You can make your elbows stronger by including exercise bands, dumbbells, barbells and your own body-weight into your workout. These exercises work different parts of your arms that work together with your elbows to pick up weight.

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What is aerobic exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-aerobic-exercise/ Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:05:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14252 The term ‘aerobic exercise’ involves low-to-moderate intensity rhythmic movement of large muscle groups for an extended period of time. This type of exercise includes walking, cycling and swimming. This is the best form of exercise to do if you want to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. This form of exercise should be encouraged on most days of...

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The term ‘aerobic exercise’ involves low-to-moderate intensity rhythmic movement of large muscle groups for an extended period of time. This type of exercise includes walking, cycling and swimming. This is the best form of exercise to do if you want to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.

This form of exercise should be encouraged on most days of the week. When choosing to do this manner of exercising, consider the following:

  • If you are likely to suffer from ischaemia, reduce the intensity and duration of exercise or reduce the physiological demand, which is the muscle mass utilised at any given time. Your exercise heart rate should be at least between five and 10 beats per minute below the ischaemic threshold.
  • The symptoms which may limit your tolerance for aerobic exercise may vary according to the modality of exercise. For example, a rowing machine, which employs a large volume of muscle mass simultaneously, is likely to cause dyspnoea as the limiting symptoms. A stationary bicycle, which isolates the lower limb musculature, is more likely to include localised muscle fatigue

What is dyspnoea?

The expression ‘dyspnoea’ refers to a sudden as well as:

  • A dire shortness of breath, or
  • Difficulty experienced in breathing.

It is one of the widespread causes of visits to the emergency room. Breathlessness may be typical after exercise or, alternatively, exertion. Nevertheless, this typically resolves after rest and is not severe.

Breathlessness which comes on suddenly as well as unexpectedly may be a signal of an underlying medical condition. The problem may be in the heart or in the lungs.

Tailor the exercise to the individual

As a personal trainer, you should always tailor any type of exercise to the individual doing it. Orthopaedic limitations may dictate the type, frequency and duration of the aerobic exercise in order to prevent exacerbating the symptoms related to this type of injury.

Chose a mode of aerobic exercise that you enjoy and tolerate without pain or residual fatigue. The regularity of physical activity is a significant part of attaining cardiovascular benefits.

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How often should you do aerobic exercise?

Evidence-based guidelines promote regular, moderate aerobic exercise for approximately 30 minutes at least five days a week. Begin with exercise between three and four days a week (in order words ever second day) and progress to most days of the week.

If you’re a personal trainer, you should encourage your clients to exercise on the days that they don’t see you. This is so that they have a mix of supervised and unsupervised sessions.

The frequency of aerobic exercise will be guided by how well your client is, how motivated they are as well as how committed they are to exercising and improving their health and wellness. People with a very limited tolerance for exercise may require multiple bouts of exercise – which are of short duration – in order to build themselves up.

What are the benefits of aerobic exercise?

There are several benefits of regularly doing aerobic exercise. Here are some of them:

  • Increasing your stamina and endurance
  • Reducing stress as it activates endorphins which causes a natural high and sense of well-being
  • Reducing your risk of heart disease as well as stroke
  • Strengthening your immune system
  • Strengthening your bones and joints
  • Increasing the number of calories you burn
  • Strengthening your heart as well as your lungs so that they will work more efficiently
  • Decreasing a woman’s risk of breast cancer
  • Decreasing your blood pressure and cholesterol

Aerobic exercise is chock-full of benefits, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time doing it to reap the rewards. There is no time such as the present to get started with aerobic exercise. Go ahead and set that weekly plan right now, and then get down to it!

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Best strength training exercises from personal trainers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/best-strength-training-exercises-from-personal-trainers/ Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:00:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14248 Regardless of your motivation happens to be for revising weight-room as well as strength-training basics, this is a phenomenal decision. No matter what your experience (or levels of inexperience) is or, alternatively, how strong (or, not so strong) you are, no exercise regimen should be lacking in specific time-honoured foundational exercises which function to optimise...

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Regardless of your motivation happens to be for revising weight-room as well as strength-training basics, this is a phenomenal decision. No matter what your experience (or levels of inexperience) is or, alternatively, how strong (or, not so strong) you are, no exercise regimen should be lacking in specific time-honoured foundational exercises which function to optimise the movements of your body.

The greatest strength-training exercises are responsible for working your more overlooked muscles. In addition, these exercises also compel your body to work in unison. The result is that you’ll become stronger in a way which you’ll find helpful in your daily life.

Strength training essentially comes down to two aspects:

  • “Movement of any weight as opposed to the “resistance”(that includes your body weight). Put another way, strength training involves performing ANY exercise that is responsible for pushing your muscles beyond their comfort zone. In addition, these muscles must be forced to rebuild stronger in preparation for another challenge.
  • Progressive overload involves doing a bit extra than last time. In other words, lifting weights which are a bit heavier or performing one more rep. It is necessary that you apply the principle of progression consistently as your muscles will need to repetitively adapt as well as rebuild themselves in a stronger fashion.

Strength training hacks from the professionals

Personal trainers are jam-packed with tips regarding strength training. Here are five of them.

  1. As was stated in the paragraph above, the most important aspect to strength training is how intensive the load is. This means that the goal is to safely move the maximum amount of weight that you can.
  2. Aim to take breaks which are between three and five minutes long. This break will allow for satisfactory recovery of the phosphagen system (which is the main energy pathway that is used in strength training) without resulting in the workouts being unbearably long.
  3. In each of the strength phases, what should be happening is that you should be resisting the urge to add too much variety. Only do a limited number of lifts in each strength training set. Save the variety for assistance movements or, alternatively, subsequent training phases.
  4. In terms of your primary movement(s) think about adding more sets with less reps.
  5. Strength, as well as resistance training, can be very tough on the central nervous system (CNS). This means that it can take up to five times longer in order to recover. This is as opposed to the skeletal-muscular system. Allow for proper rest as well as recovery between sessions.

Strength training exercises recommended by personal trainers

We asked around among our expert personal trainers to find out what strength training exercises they recommend that their clients do. Here are some of the best.

Squat

The squat utilises all the major muscles in the following areas of the body:

  • Lower leg,
  • Thighs, and
  • Hips

When performed correctly the squat uses a number of muscles in the upper body in order to assist with protecting the spine when a load is rested on the upper back or shoulders.  Owing to the fact that this exercise uses lots of muscle it is great as a calorie burner in order to assist with weight loss as well as toning.

Lunges

Utilising the exact same muscles as the squat does, the lunge imitates a primary movement pattern. This movement can be seen whenever you:

  • Walk up and down stairs,
  • Up and down hills, or
  • Simply walk.

There is a version of the lunge which is suitable for most clients. For example, there is one with limited depth supported lunges for beginners as well as full-depth lunges loaded with dumbbells or barbells for more clients who are more advanced.  Lunges can be utilised in order to help with burning calories as well as firming or toning muscles. Lunges are also a great exercise to build strength as well as size in the lower body.

Deadlifts

The deadlift, in fact, combines two primary movement patterns:

  • The squat, and
  • The pull.

This is because a weight is pulled into the body and lowered at the same time.

When properly loaded, the deadlift makes use of more muscles as opposed to any other resistance exercise.  As such, it is a great movement for burning calories, firming, toning and developing muscles, building strength and size as well as losing weight.

The deadlift is definitely more complex as opposed to the squat. Given this, it may make it not suitable for beginners. However, nevertheless, the deadlift can be modified in order to suit different clients.

Don’t be scared of doing anything incorrectly. There are always personal trainers and fitness consultants on the gym floor who are more than happy to help you and put you on the right path.

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What is anaerobic exercise? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-anaerobic-exercise/ Thu, 02 Jan 2020 05:05:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14239 The term ‘anaerobic’ literally means ‘without air’. This means that anaerobic exercise is an intense exercise and requires the body to use other sources of energy, other than oxygen, to fuel the muscles. Some circumstances require the body to produce energy quicker than oxygen delivery can happen. In these circumstances, other energy sources must be...

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The term ‘anaerobic’ literally means ‘without air’. This means that anaerobic exercise is an intense exercise and requires the body to use other sources of energy, other than oxygen, to fuel the muscles. Some circumstances require the body to produce energy quicker than oxygen delivery can happen. In these circumstances, other energy sources must be made use of.

Anaerobic exercise is used by energy who compete in short duration, yet high intensity, sports such as sprints or weight lifting. It promotes strength, speed, as well as and muscle mass. This type of exercise leads to enhanced performance for a short duration. It is suitable for extremely intense activities that only last between fractions of a second to two minutes. After this time, oxygen tends to take over as the primary source of fuel.

Anaerobic exercise won’t suit everyone

If you take part in activities or sports which require pacing as well as endurance then anaerobic exercise is not suitable for you. However, if you need training for a sport which necessitates you to have a short burst of intense energy for a very short period training using anaerobic exercise will be beneficial

Sports such as these include the 500- or 100-metre dash or clean-and-jerk weight lifting. It also may be suitable for sports such as football, soccer, hockey as well as basketball. While these sports general requires endurance and aerobic fitness conditioning, these also require short bursts of intense energy at times. This makes anaerobic conditioning appropriate.

Types of anaerobic exercise

Examples of anaerobic exercise include sprinting short distances; doing sit-ups, push-ups or chin-ups in very rapid succession for a short time; or engaging in intense weight lifting.

Benefits of anaerobic exercise

Helps to prevent health problems

Strength training – which is a form of anaerobic exercise – helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and lower back pain. Even if you are already afflicted with one of these illnesses, strength training can help to alleviate the ailment. Besides strength training strengthens your immune system.

Builds as well as maintains lean muscle mass

Losing lean muscle mass can start as early as your mid-20s. This causes a loss of strength, a slower metabolism as well as decreased functional fitness. Losing lean muscle mass is not the typical result of ageing – it’s mainly the result of a lifestyle which is sedentary. If you don’t make use of your muscles, they become weaker. Strength training is the most efficient way to build as well as maintain lean muscle mass. This type of training allows you to stay healthy as well as functionally fit.

Increases bone strength as well as density

Millions of people globally have osteoporosis. Eating dairy products as well as taking calcium supplements to improve bone strength and mass is not enough. Bones need to be challenged by weight-bearing exercises, or they will become soft and brittle. Strength training will increase the strength and density of your bone s more than any exercise

Increases metabolism

The slower that your metabolism is, the easier it is to gain body fat and the harder it is to lose it. Strength training boosts metabolism because it builds and maintains lean muscle mass. This type of muscle mass is metabolically active tissue so the more lean muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism will be.

Reshapes the body as well as improving the appearance

No other type of exercise can reshape your body and improve your appearance like strength training can. This type of training will give you a healthy, toned and athletic-looking body.

Anaerobic exercises push your body and lungs to rely on energy sources which are stored in your muscles. Individuals may avoid anaerobic training as it is difficult. However, by practising simple anaerobic exercises, you can reap the benefits of this powerful workout.

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A personal trainer clarifies why you SHOULD always prioritise weight training over cardio https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/a-personal-trainer-clarifies-why-you-should-always-prioritise-weight-training-over-cardio/ Thu, 02 Jan 2020 05:00:54 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14234 You’ll probably see many gym-goers out there who, before they head off for their weight-training sessions,  hop onto the elliptical or stationary bike before they start with their strength training. It makes sense as it assists you with getting your muscles warmed up. In addition to this, cardio boosts your heart rate, thus burning fat,...

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You’ll probably see many gym-goers out there who, before they head off for their weight-training sessions,  hop onto the elliptical or stationary bike before they start with their strength training. It makes sense as it assists you with getting your muscles warmed up. In addition to this, cardio boosts your heart rate, thus burning fat, before you go over to several of the more muscle-toning weight exercises. However, according to an expert personal trainer, this is not necessary.

And don’t think that this is just one lone voice in the world of fitness and personal training who’s saying this. Other, well-established trainers are reporting this as well. They say that it’s a massive mistake to do your cardio first, and exhaust yourself before you do your weight-training. Also, they say that if you want the weight session to be ultimately productive, it is vital that you remain fresh.

Depletion of glycogen stores

Cardiovascular exercise will reduce the amount of glycogen that is stored in your muscles. This compound is essentially your energy that is stored and which you use for explosive activity. This means that if you do your cardio before your strength and weight training, these will be far less effective. When it comes to weight lifting and resistance training, the form that you adopt is the most critical aspect that you need to master. So, if you’re tired even before you even start a weight session, you’ll feel your workout routine in all the wrong places. This makes injury more likely.

Personal trainers who are pro cardio warm-ups

Those personal trainers who are pro-cardio warm-ups say that warming up your muscles by doing a cardiovascular exercise stint before you work out to assist your muscles with adjusting to the physical movements which you’ll be doing, and it’s a great way to increase your heart rate slowly.

A cardiovascular warm-up could include activities such as:

  • Taking a brisk walk,
  • Going on a bike ride,
  • Marching or jogging on the spot, or
  • Doing some jumping jacks for between one and three minutes.

A proper total body warm-up for a period of between 5 and 10 minutes before doing any exercising is vital to prevent injuries as well as getting the body prepared for the workout.

A total-body warm-up can assist by increasing your body elasticity by 20% in addition to getting your synovial fluid going in your joints.  A good indication of when you’re adequately warmed up, as well as ready for stretching and exercising, is when you see sweat appearing on your forehead, at the back of your hands or under your nose.

100% cardio: good or bad?

The personal trainers who advocate switching your cardio and weight training say that long, steady-state cardio is one of the most terrible ways in which to transform your physique. Cardio – in order words, aerobic exercise – is fantastic for health reasons. This is because you will burn calories while you’re performing this action. However, your biggest concern when you’re attempting to lose weight is losing muscle.

If you lose fat – as well as muscle along with it – it becomes more challenging to ensure that you keep the weight off in the long run. This is because the more lean muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate is.

Fat-loss efforts that give results

If you want to get tangible results in the way that you look, it’s put forward that training with weights is the only way ahead as this activity is a far more effective way to sculpt your body. Anaerobic exercises, for example, weight training, as well as sprinting, are most efficient at building lean muscle mass. This will increase your metabolism and lessen your fat stores.

So, are you pro cardio first or pro weights first during your workouts? Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it’s in keeping with what your body can handle and that you take it slowly because the faster that you perform an exercise, the easier it will be to cause yourself serious injury.

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What physiological responses are there to endurance training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-physiological-responses-are-there-to-endurance-training/ Mon, 30 Dec 2019 05:05:52 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14184 Endurance training is when you exercise to increase the amount of time your cardiovascular system and muscles can work without getting tired. Endurance exercises, or aerobic exercises, are meant to increase your breathing and heart rate. This includes activities like walking, jogging, swimming and cycling. There are two types of endurance training: Cardiovascular training Cardiovascular...

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Endurance training is when you exercise to increase the amount of time your cardiovascular system and muscles can work without getting tired.

Endurance exercises, or aerobic exercises, are meant to increase your breathing and heart rate. This includes activities like walking, jogging, swimming and cycling.

There are two types of endurance training:

  1. Cardiovascular training

Cardiovascular training is when you do aerobic exercises for a long period of time at a specific level. This improves your lung capacity.

  1. Strength training

Strength training is when you do resistance exercises with higher reps. This trains your slow-twitch muscles. These fibres in your muscles allow them to perform higher amounts of physical exertion for longer periods of time.

These types of endurance exercises can evoke different physiological responses:

Cardiac output

The central cardiovascular responses during endurance training include a lower heart rate and an increased stroke volume of the heart. It also increases blood plasma, which is responsible for carrying cells and proteins through your body, without rapidly changing your red blood cell count. This reduces the measure of your blood’s resistance to deformation, which increases your cardio output.

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Mitochondrial volume

Endurance training also increases total mitochondrial volume in your muscle fibres. The mitochondria increase both in number and size.

Capillarisation

Capillarisation is an increase in the surface area of your capillaries. This helps increase heat dissipation when you are performing endurance exercises.

Oxygen uptake

During endurance training, your oxygen uptake is increased. This improves the mass of your exercising muscle, metabolic efficiency and exercise intensity.

Blood circulation

The blood flow to your active muscles is increased when you are doing endurance exercises. It also improves the blood flow to your other organ systems, making them work more efficiently.

Catabolism

During endurance training, your metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units to be oxidised or broken down for other anabolic reactions, are improved. These are called your catabolism.

This improves your body’s ability to revert fat and glycogen into energy.

Blood pressure

During endurance training, systolic blood pressure is increased. This type of blood pressure measures the pressure exerted against the arterial walls as the blood is forcefully pumped through the veins as they contract.

Your diastolic blood pressure is also decreased. This measures the pressure exerted against the arterial walls when no blood is being pumped through the veins.

During endurance training, your cardiovascular system and muscles are exercised to work harder for longer. This is achieved through strength and cardiovascular training methods. It improves your blood pressure, blood circulation, catabolism, oxygen uptake, cardiac output, capillarisation and mitochondrial volume.

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Exercises to increase your neck strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-increase-your-neck-strength/ Mon, 30 Dec 2019 05:05:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14181 Your neck is responsible for keeping your head upright on your shoulders. It is an extension of your back, with vertebrae making up the skeleton. Like your back, your neck is made up of muscles to support these vertebrae. Your neck is very vulnerable. From something as simple as turning your head to whiplash can...

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Your neck is responsible for keeping your head upright on your shoulders. It is an extension of your back, with vertebrae making up the skeleton. Like your back, your neck is made up of muscles to support these vertebrae.

Your neck is very vulnerable. From something as simple as turning your head to whiplash can cause serious injury to your neck. You can, however, exercise the muscles and neck to be stronger and less vulnerable to injury.

Chin tuck

When trying this exercise for the first time, it is recommended that you stand with your spine against a door jamb and place your feet about seven centimetres from it. Keeping your spine against the door jamb, pull your upper back and head back until it touches this part of the door. Keep your chin down so that your head is pulled straight back. Hold your head against the door jamb for a few seconds and return to starting position.

Once you are comfortable doing the exercise with the door jamb, you can try to do the chin tuck without the door jamb for support.

Prone cobra

Lie face down on the floor. Put your forehead on a rolled-up hand towel. Put your arms at your side with your palms on the floor. Putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth will help to stabilise the muscles in the front of your neck. Pinch your shoulder blades together and lift your hands off the floor. Roll your elbows in, palms out and your thumbs up. Lift your forehead off the towel, keeping your head straight to the floor. Hold the position for a few seconds and return to the starting position.

Back burn

Stand with your back against a flat wall. Place your feet about eight centimetres out from the wall. Put your head against the wall as you would with the chin tuck and try to flatten your lower back against the wall. Put your elbows, forearms and the back of your hands on the wall with your wrists at shoulder level. Keeping the rest of your body in position, bring your hands up above your head and down again.

Rotational resistance

Put one hand on the side of your head. Try to rotate your head towards your shoulder. Press your head with your hand to resist the move. Try to bring your shoulder in line with your chin. When you have reached your shoulder with your chin, hold the position for a few seconds while still providing resistance. Return to your beginning position and, after you’ve done this, repeat the exercise on the other side.

You can try different exercises to make your neck stronger. A stronger neck not only means that your head is supported better, but reduces the risks of injuring your neck. You can try something as simple as turning your head from side to side to start with and build up to more complicated exercises.

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Exercises to increase your hip and pelvis strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-increase-your-hip-and-pelvis-strength/ Fri, 27 Dec 2019 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14171 The primary role of your pelvis is to support the weight of your upper body when you are sitting. It needs to transfer this weight to your lower limbs when you are standing. Sitting and standing can place a lot of stress on your pelvis and hips. This strain can also put a lot of...

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The primary role of your pelvis is to support the weight of your upper body when you are sitting. It needs to transfer this weight to your lower limbs when you are standing. Sitting and standing can place a lot of stress on your pelvis and hips. This strain can also put a lot of stress on your lower back and upper thighs.

It is important to exercise your pelvis and hips so that it is able to sustain weight for a longer period of time. It also helps to reduce the stress that is transferred to your lower back and thighs.  Here are some exercises to help you to increase hip and pelvic strength.

Half-kneeling hip flexor stretch

Place one leg out in front of your body and bend down into a lunge until the knee is at a 90-degree angle. The opposite knee is resting on the ground. Tighten your glutes and abdominal muscles, and bring your pelvis forward. Lean forward from the leg with its knee on the ground. Maintain this position for a number of seconds and repeat. Then switch legs and repeat.

Bridge

Lie down flat on your back. Bend your legs and place your arms by your side. Place your feet flat on the floor about hip-distance apart. Drive your heels into the floor and, after this, lift your pelvis into the air until your upper body and thighs are aligned. Maintain for a few seconds and, after this, return to starting position.

Kneeling leg lift with back stretch

Get onto your hands and knees on a mat. Place your hands shoulder-distance apart and align your knees with your hips. Check that your back is parallel to the floor so your pelvis is in a neutral position. Pull your stomach in to your spine and arch your back. Hold the position for a few seconds and return to the starting position. Then, extend one leg back. Lift the leg until it is in line with your body. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat, alternating between legs.

Squat

Stand up tall with your feet shoulder-distance apart and your toes pointing forward. Lower yourself to a sitting position until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Make sure your knees don’t go over your toes. Drive yourself back to a standing position and then push your pelvis slightly forward. It is important not to flatten or arch your back too much.

Double-banded pull through

Tie a long resistance band close to the ground behind you. Stand at the front of the band with your back facing where you tied it. Place your feet shoulder-distance apart. Loop another small resistance band just above your knees.

Push your legs apart slightly. Lean forward at your hips and push your butt back. Bend your knees to reach down and take the long band between your legs. Keeping your chest lifted and your back flat, stand up again.

Exercising to make your hips and pelvis stronger will make it easier for you to sit, stand, walk and run. It can also make lifting heavy objects easier. Having a strong pelvis also improves your posture.

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What impact does gymnastics have on your joints and bones? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-impact-does-gymnastics-have-on-your-joints-and-bones/ Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:05:43 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14166 Gymnastic exercises develop your physical agility and coordination. These can improve your bone, muscle and cognitive health. In addition, these types of exercises target all muscle groups for total-body strength and flexibility. Gymnastics also fights metabolic and immune disorders by lowering blood pressure and releasing antioxidant enzymes in your body. Gymnasts perform acrobatic leaps, flips,...

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Gymnastic exercises develop your physical agility and coordination. These can improve your bone, muscle and cognitive health. In addition, these types of exercises target all muscle groups for total-body strength and flexibility. Gymnastics also fights metabolic and immune disorders by lowering blood pressure and releasing antioxidant enzymes in your body.

Gymnasts perform acrobatic leaps, flips, turns, balances and more on a special piece of equipment.

The equipment usually includes uneven bars, balancing beams, horizontal and parallel bars, rings, and vaulting or pommel horses.

Gymnastics can be very beneficial for your overall fitness and health.

Improved flexibility

Gymnasts are more flexible than your average person. Their ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints are stronger. This is because the bends and twists they do alleviate muscle and joint stiffness.

Improved bone health

Gymnastic exercises can improve your bone health and strength. Gymnasts have increased lumbar support, bone mineral density and tissue mass because of the intense physical training gymnastics requires.

While gymnastics can improve your bone health and the flexibility of your joints, it also comes with a lot of risks of getting injured. Some injuries include:

Wrist Sprains

Your wrists are subjected to extreme forces when doing gymnastics. This is why it is easy for your wrists to get injured. It can be because of too much weight, or when your form is incorrect when landing on your wrists.

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury

While tumbling, dismounting or vaulting during gymnastic exercises, landing without the right form can result in ACL injuries. When landing, you hear or feel a “pop” of your knee. This is usually because the knee joint has dislocated out of its socket. It is usually followed by severe pain and swelling.

Knee injuries can be the make or break any gymnast’s career. You often hear of athletes having to retire because of knee injuries. So it’s very important that, once you’ve dislocated your knee, you take the correct amount of time to recover.

Achilles tendon injury

Your Achilles is one of the most vulnerable tendons in your body. It is responsible for your body’s propulsion and power when jumping and running. It also has to support your entire body’s weight while protecting your ankles.

Jumping activities during gymnastics can place a lot of stress on your Achilles tendon. Whether it is too much stress or simply landing wrong after a jump, your Achilles can be easily injured.

Foot and ankle injuries

Your ankles are one of the smallest joints in your body, yet it is responsible for supporting your entire body’s weight. Landing wrong after a jump can cause you to sprain your ankles.

Serious sprains can cause swelling, bruising and tenderness. Minor sprains usually include tenderness and a little bit of swelling.

Like your knee, it is very important to give your ankle the right amount of time to recover after an injury.

While gymnastic exercises can be beneficial for your joints’ flexibility and your bones’ health, the high-impact exercises that make up gymnastics can place a lot of stress on your joints and bones. It only takes one wrong landing to dislocate or sprain joints as well as one wrong fall to instantly break a bone.

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Exercises to maintain good posture https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-maintain-good-posture/ Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:00:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14163 While a good posture can shave off a few kilos and make you look confident, it also helps to improve your body’s strength and balance. Bad posture often means that some joints, muscles and bones take on a lot more stress because they have to compensate for your imbalance. Not only are you left looking...

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While a good posture can shave off a few kilos and make you look confident, it also helps to improve your body’s strength and balance. Bad posture often means that some joints, muscles and bones take on a lot more stress because they have to compensate for your imbalance. Not only are you left looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, but you will experience severe pains and possible injuries.

Here are a number of exercises which you can try in order to fix bad posture or to maintain a good one.

Child’s pose

The child’s pose is usually included in a stretching or yoga workout programme. It stretches and lengthens your spine, glutes and hamstring. It also releases tension in your lower back and neck.

To do the child’s pose, start by sitting on your shinbones with your knees together. Your big toes should be in contact with one another and your heels should fall to the side.

Bend forward from your hips and walk your hands out in front of you. Then sink your hips back down toward your feet.

Put your forehead on the floor while keeping your arms extended. Hold for a few seconds while breathing into the back of your ribs and waist.

Rowing

Sit with your spine extended and your legs stretched out in front of you. Bring your elbows into your sides and make blades with your hands.

Reach your arms upward diagonally while inhaling. Then press your palms down toward the floor while exhaling and further extending your spine.

Inhale again and lift your arms up to your ears. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your chest wide. Then exhale and open your arms to the side, further extending your spine.

Return to the starting position and repeat.

Forward fold

Another stretching or yoga exercise is the forward fold. This exercise releases tension in your spine, hamstrings and glutes. It also stretches your hips and legs.

Stand with your big toes touching as well as your heels slightly apart. Bring your hands to your hips. Bend forward from your hips in addition to bringing your hands toward the floor.

If your hands don’t touch the ground, you can use an object to rest them on. Reduce the size of the object once you’re getting comfortable until you can reach the floor with your hands.

Bend your knees slightly while softening your hip joints. Allow your spine to extend and stretch.

Bring your chin into your chest and let your head fall to the floor. Hold this pose for a few seconds and return to the standing position.

Leg pull-up

Sitting with your spine extended and legs together, bring your palms into the mat next to you. Roll your shoulders back and down. Keep your chest open, arms straight and your toes pointing down to the mat.

Slowly lift your hips up. Kick one of your legs up as high as you are able however keep your waist still. Bring the leg back to the floor and kick up the other leg.

It can be hard to maintain a good posture when you are sitting at a desk for most of the day. However, including spine-stretching exercises into your workout programme can help to improve your posture.

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Exercises to increase back strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/exercises-to-increase-back-strength/ Mon, 23 Dec 2019 05:00:08 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14150 Your spine is responsible for supporting your entire body. Whenever you lift something, your back needs to make sure you don’t fall over from the weight. To support your spine, there are about 140 muscles. These muscles can be trained to make sure your spine doesn’t get hurt. Here are some examples of exercises you...

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Your spine is responsible for supporting your entire body. Whenever you lift something, your back needs to make sure you don’t fall over from the weight. To support your spine, there are about 140 muscles. These muscles can be trained to make sure your spine doesn’t get hurt.

Here are some examples of exercises you can try to strengthen your spine.

Renegade rows

Position yourself in a high plank with your hands shoulder-distance apart. Keep your hips square and your core engaged. Then lift your right hand off the ground with your right elbow tucked close to your ribs. Bring it back to the starting position and repeat with your left arm.

Bent-over reverse flys

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hinge forward at your hips. Place your arms at your sides with your palms facing in. Engage your back and shoulder muscles. Keep your chest up. Raise your arms so they are parallel to the floor with your elbows slightly bent. Bring your arms back to the starting position and repeat.

Scapular push-ups

Position yourself in a high plank with your hands shoulder-distance apart. Keep your body in a straight line with your head in a neutral position. Pinch your shoulder blades together and slowly lower your body halfway to the floor. Raise your body back up and repeat.

Superman

Lie with your face down on an exercise mat and your forehead on the floor. Keep your toes pointed down. Bring your arms straight out in front of you with your palms on the floor. Engage your back, glutes and hamstrings, and lift your hands and feet a few centimetres off the ground. Bring it back to the floor and repeat.

Swimmers

You start this exercise the same as the superman exercise. Instead of lifting your arms and legs together, though, you will be lifting your right arm and left leg off the ground at the same time. Bring them back to the starting position and do the same with your left arm and right leg. Keep alternating.

Kneeling extension

Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Tightening your core muscles, lift your right arm and extend it forward. Then lift your left leg and extend it straight back. Keep your toes pointed down. Hold the position for about 10 seconds and return to starting position. Repeat with your left arm and right leg.

Exercising your back muscles will reduce the stress placed on your spine. When your muscles are strengthened, they are able to provide better support to your spine. You can also exercise your core muscles, which also supports your spine. By regularly exercising, you also increase the density of the vertebrae in your spine. This makes the bones less fragile and reduces the chances of getting injured.

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How to use cardio equipment safely https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-cardio-equipment-safely/ Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:05:53 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14125 If you’re part of a gym or fitness club or, alternatively make use of home gym equipment, it’s important you know how to use these properly so that you won’t sustain any injuries. Overuse and misuse of cardio equipment are the causes of a high percentage of injuries that happen in the gym. So here...

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If you’re part of a gym or fitness club or, alternatively make use of home gym equipment, it’s important you know how to use these properly so that you won’t sustain any injuries. Overuse and misuse of cardio equipment are the causes of a high percentage of injuries that happen in the gym. So here are some tips on what to look for and how to use the equipment safely.

Step #1 with cardio equipment

Begin with a warm-up. If you prefer to do your entire cardio workout as soon as you arrive at the gym, after your strength-training, or a little before in addition to a little, after it’s advised that you always warm up for at least five minutes prior to performing any resistance training. Treadmills in addition to stationary bikes are great for a quick warm-up because you don’t need to really increase your heart rate at this stage.

Step #2 with cardio equipment

Jump on and start. With the exclusion of the treadmill, most cardio machines need you to start peddling or stepping before a read-out comes up which tells you that you’re the steps to get started.

When looking at the treadmill, start it up while you have your feet on the runners on both sides. Start the machine at a slow speed and hold the handle when you first start walking even if you are experienced. Increase the speed as well as incline as your progress.

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Step #3 with cardio equipment

Always make sure that you maintain proper form. In the case of the treadmill, that means standing upright with your abdominals muscles contracted. Make sure that your shoulders remain neutral and don’t let them round. Don’t allow your head to just flop forward. Your neck, back as well as pelvis should be aligned. Make use of the hand rails for support if you need to but don’t lean your weight on them. Warm up as well as cool down for about five minutes each. A lot of the cardio machines will go into these modes automatically.

The truth is that when it comes down to cardiovascular machines, it is not a matter of which one is best, which will burn the most number of calories, which offers the most comfort, which gives a good total workout, which mimics real activity, or which is less tiring. What matters is finding the best match for each unique individual and finding the perfect exercise which will keep people coming back.

Cardiovascular exercise is essential when it comes to maintaining general health and wellness. If you’re then a person who all your friends turn to for exercise advice and if you really enjoy interacting with others about exercise then you DEFINITELY need to become a personal trainer.

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How many reps do I need to do in weight training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-many-reps-do-i-need-to-do-in-weight-training/ Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:00:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14120 As muscles can be developed, strengthened and toned for a variety of different purposes, there are a number of different ways to exercise when you train with weights. usually, you’ll want to choose from the following three choices for each and every weight training exercise which you use in your workout routine. Muscle size and...

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As muscles can be developed, strengthened and toned for a variety of different purposes, there are a number of different ways to exercise when you train with weights. usually, you’ll want to choose from the following three choices for each and every weight training exercise which you use in your workout routine.

Muscle size and power

As the term implies, the muscle power goal objective can be pursued if you feel that you want to achieve the maximum size in your muscles or, alternatively, if you want them to be explosively strong. (What this means is that you want in other words very powerful for short burst at a time.

In order to grow muscles in this way, you’ll want to make use of no more than three sets in which no more than eight reps are used. Muscle size, as well as power, is often used for muscles that are prominently displayed on the human figure such as pectorals or the biceps and triceps.

Muscle strength

The muscle strength objective is followed when you want your muscles to be effective when you do a high number of repetitions or, in other words, when you want your muscles to be strong for a prolonged time period.

You’ll want to use approximately four sets from which between 10 and 12 reps are done. The muscle strength goal is often used for muscles that are located in your back and your abdominals.

Muscle endurance

The muscle endurance objective is followed when you want your muscles to be able to do the same motions over a prolonged period of time or, in other words, if you want your muscles to be strong and not tire rapidly.

You’ll want to use at least four sets from which at least 16 reps are done. The muscle endurance goal is often used for muscles in your lower body such as those which are located in your legs or buttocks.

With time, you’ll come to an understanding of your personal strength curve as well as the relationship of weight to reps for every exercise that you perform. Writing your numbers down in a logbook will assist you with keeping a note of your reps and weights used. This is important as once you get stronger, you’ll want to lift increased weight in the exact same rep range. When building muscle, once you are able to do more than approximately 12 reps on a core lift, it’s time that you increase the resistance by about between 5 and 10 percent.

The weight you select along your strength curve should be in keeping with the number of reps you want to do. This will match your training goals. This means that your workouts should never be random and just decide to work out with any old weight. There is the best weight as well as an optimal number of reps that you should be doing. It is just dependent on which goal you want to prioritise!

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What is the benefit of flexibility training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-benefit-of-flexibility-training/ Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:26:48 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14082 Flexibility training is when you work to increase your body and joints’ range of motion. Flexibility exercises can range from stretching before and after workouts to more intense stretches and poses (like with Yoga). It makes movement easier while building strength and stability at the same time. It also increases your range of motion and...

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Flexibility training is when you work to increase your body and joints’ range of motion.

Flexibility exercises can range from stretching before and after workouts to more intense stretches and poses (like with Yoga).

It makes movement easier while building strength and stability at the same time. It also increases your range of motion and improves your balance.

There are many more benefits to becoming flexible through flexibility training:

Prevent injury

Flexibility training improves your body’s ability to withstand stress from other exercises and daily activities. It can also get rid of muscle imbalances and tightness. This reduces the risk of falling and muscle tears.

It also improves your range of motion. This means that your body requires less energy to make some movements.

By improving the flexibility of your joints you are less likely to injure them during exercise from overextension and stress from too much weight.

Less pain

Flexibility training lengthens and opens your muscles. By loosening your muscles, they are less tense when performing exercises, which reduces the risk of muscle cramps and pain.

Loosening your muscles can also enable them to train for longer without becoming stiff or fatigued.

Improves posture and balance

Flexibility training corrects muscle imbalances. It does this by using muscles with the flexibility to compensate for muscles with poor flexibility.

By correcting these muscle imbalances, flexibility training works to properly align your body. This means improved posture and balance.

Reduces lower back pain

Flexibility training helps your muscles relax. This can reduce back pain.

Your lower back muscles take a lot of strain throughout the day as they NEVER stop working. They become stressed.

By improving the flexibility of your hamstrings, hip flexors and quadriceps, you take away some of the stress on your lower back.

When you have muscle imbalances, your back also takes up a lot more stress to compensate for where other muscles are lacking. By correcting these muscle imbalances, flexibility training reduces the stress on your lower back.

Increases blood flow

Flexibility training increases the blood supply to muscle tissues. Your body uses blood to deliver water, oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. This not only improves muscle performance but increases synovial fluid in the joints, which lubricates them. This improves your range of motion, lessens joint pain and reduces the risks of joint degeneration.

Improves muscle coordination

Flexibility training increases neuromuscular coordination. Nerve-impulse velocity, which is the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back) is improved with flexibility. This helps opposing muscle groups work in a more coordinated function.

Flexibility training is one of the key components of your body’s mobility and functionality. It can improve your blood flow, enhance muscle mobility and coordination, reduce back pain and significantly decrease the risks of getting injured because of things like overextension.

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What is the aerobic energy system? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-is-the-aerobic-energy-system/ Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:07:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14073 Aerobic means that the energy system needs oxygen to function. This means that the aerobic energy system relies on the circulatory system (breathing in oxygen) in order to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy use. It also uses fats, glucose, carbohydrates, and proteins. ATP is a multifaceted organic chemical that provides energy in order to...

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Aerobic means that the energy system needs oxygen to function. This means that the aerobic energy system relies on the circulatory system (breathing in oxygen) in order to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy use. It also uses fats, glucose, carbohydrates, and proteins.

ATP is a multifaceted organic chemical that provides energy in order to drive many processes in living cells.

While the aerobic energy system can’t produce ATP at a very quick rate, it can store a lot more than other energy systems. This enables athletes to exercise for longer instead of harder.

The aerobic system can be divided into three processes:

  1. Aerobic glycolysis (slow glycolysis)
  2. Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle)
  3. Electron transport chain

Aerobic Glycolysis

During aerobic (slow) glycolysis, glycogen is converted to glucose.

A series of enzymes then break down the glucose to create Pyruvate.

Pyruvate then gets converted into acetyl coenzyme A as oxygen becomes present.

Krebs Cycle

During the Krebs cycle, acetyl coenzyme A is broken down even more to create carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Hydrogen combines with two enzymes and is transported to the electron transport chain where the acidity levels are controlled.

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Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain is responsible for producing 34 ATP molecules for every molecule of glucose that is used.

Hydrogen ions are carried to the electron transport chain by carrier molecules. They are then transferred to carrier molecules embedded in the electron transport chain where they undergo a series of chemical reactions.

A hydrogen ion gradient is created. As these ions move across this gradient, ATPase phosphorylates ADP is formed to create ATP.

How to Apply Aerobic System Knowledge?

When you apply this knowledge of how the aerobic energy system works to an athlete, you see that as they use energy, the body keeps breathing in oxygen to fuel its energy system.

The system is activated when an athlete starts exercising and becomes the main system after one minute.

The aerobic energy system’s ability to store more ATP molecules than other energy systems allows an athlete to draw on this system to gain energy for a much longer period of time. Other systems, however, might allow the athlete to exercise much harder for a shorter period of time.

Training the Aerobic System

You can develop your aerobic system so that it is able to store more ATP molecules at a time. Athletes often do this so that they can exercise for longer periods of time.

The best ways to train your aerobic system are:

  1. Interval training – this is when the work periods of the workout exceeds several minutes and the rest periods are active, but at a lower intensity than could be sustained
  2. Continuous training – this is when the exercise maintains a constant intensity and lasts for a longer time
  3. ‘Fartlek’ training – the exercise’s speed and effort varies throughout the session according to how they feel, without resting

Your aerobic energy system uses oxygen to produce energy. This energy is then stored and used for longer periods of exercise at a low intensity. The system converts glycogen into glucose. The glucose is then broken down during multiple stages to produce hydrogen ions, which get converted into ATP.

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How can you create a successful strength training programme? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-can-you-create-a-successful-strength-training-programme/ Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:00:24 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14043 If you want to create a successful strength training programme, you need to know what makes a good programme of this sort. Based on these criteria, you then have to choose which strength training programme works best for you or if you need to create a programme that is right for you which ticks all...

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If you want to create a successful strength training programme, you need to know what makes a good programme of this sort. Based on these criteria, you then have to choose which strength training programme works best for you or if you need to create a programme that is right for you which ticks all the boxes.

What makes a good strength training programme?

Progressive tension overload

Progressive overload is the most powerful stimulus for muscle growth and to gain strength. It is an essential factor in any good strength training programme. Without it, you might as well be doing a normal workout routine.

Progressive overload is when you add weight to your workouts over time. If you have been using exactly the same weight for a period of three months, the chances that you are gaining muscle and strength are slim to none.

Volume control

Instead of focusing on gaining as much strength as possible on lifts that you’re good at, try to include equal amounts of volume in order to grow all your muscles.

If you just stick to building volume in one place, you might look like you’ve “missed a leg day”. By spreading your focus to other parts of your body, you will get a well-rounded physique.

Getting the right frequency and enough rest

Once you have your volume split equally, you can work on getting the right frequency.

Because progressive overload is so essential, your recovery time is also important! A good strength training programme gives your muscles enough time to rest and repair their strength.

Try training each muscle group at least twice a week, and include at least one day of rest between training each muscle group.

Studies have shown that people who rest longer between sets are able to gain more strength and muscle as opposed to those who rest less. This is because when taking short breaks you tend to use lighter weights or lower your frequency of sets. This will stunt your progress over time.

How long is enough? As long as you need.

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It’s not a prison sentence – have fun!

Just because you choose one training programme doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. If you aren’t having fun while doing it, try something different.

It is more likely that you will follow through with the training programme if you are enjoying it as opposed to when you dread doing it.

What is the best strength training programme for you?

Now that you know what makes up a good strength training programme, you have to decide which one will work best for you.

Try sticking with one programme for at least three months before deciding that you want to try something else. This way, you are able to see the results of the programme.

To create a successful strength training programme, you need to ensure you have the right balance of progressive overload, volume, frequency and fun. You need to build different muscle groups equally so make sure you get enough rests between sets. In addition, ensure that you enjoy what you are doing.

Strength training is an integral part of maintaining overall health and fitness.

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What are the types of endurance training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-types-of-endurance-training/ Fri, 06 Dec 2019 06:25:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14017 Endurance is the ability to do physical activity that increases your heart rate by 50% for as long as you can without getting tired. There are two types of endurance: Specific endurance Specific endurance is when you fight against fatigue in sport-specific conditions. For example, if you run 1 500m you would use a specific...

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Endurance is the ability to do physical activity that increases your heart rate by 50% for as long as you can without getting tired.

There are two types of endurance:

  1. Specific endurance

Specific endurance is when you fight against fatigue in sport-specific conditions. For example, if you run 1 500m you would use a specific combination of endurance training to excel in your 1 500m race. You might not be able to push yourself to do a 10 000m race if you have specifically focused on 1 500m.

  1. General endurance

General endurance is when you fight against fatigue when doing different kinds of exercises. For example, if you run 1 500m, you can also run a 10 000m race without becoming fatigued. But if you compete against 10 000m runners who have done specific training for that distance, they would be able to outperform you.

Endurance training is a combination of different training methods.

Basic endurance

Basic endurance is when you increase your heart rate by between 60 and 70%. This means that when you run, for example, you would still be able to talk with your fellow runner.

Basic endurance trains your cardiac output and heart muscle. It strengthens your immune system and reduces your cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure. It also improves your metabolism and, in turn, fat-burning abilities.

Tempo endurance

Tempo endurance is when you increase your heart rate by 75 – 85%. This means that when you run, for example, you would still be able to talk with your fellow runner, one sentence at a time.

Tempo endurance improves your workload or speed at the anaerobic threshold. It burns carbohydrates and body fat for energy.

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Maximal endurance

Maximal endurance is when you increase your heart rate by between 90 and 95%. This means that you can only speak, one word at a time, with your companion when running.

Maximal endurance usually has three- to six-minute breaks between sets.  It helps to develop your oxygen consumption. It burns mostly carbohydrates for energy and very little body fat.

Lactic speed endurance

Lactic speed endurance is when you increase your heart rate to its complete maximum. This means that you are unable to talk with your companion.

Lactic speed endurance usually has six- to 10-minute breaks between sets.  It improves your ability to continue with high-intensity training when your muscles are already stiff. It also means you can increase your speed during long, high-intensity sets.

Alactic speed endurance

Alactic speed endurance improves your ability to sprint shorter distances. You need more time to recover before doing your next set.

Endurance training is when you exercise your heart and muscles’ ability to last longer during exercises without becoming fatigued. There are two main types of endurance training: specific endurance and general endurance. Specific endurance means that you focus on improving one particular exercise whereas general endurance means that you improve your overall performance with different types of exercises. In order to achieve these two endurance types, you need to combine different endurance exercises.

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What is muscle hypertrophy? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-muscle-hypertrophy/ Thu, 05 Dec 2019 05:00:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=14003 Hypertrophy is when the cells in an organ or tissue enlarge in size. Both cardiac and skeletal muscles can adapt to a regular, increasing workload that exceeds their capacity. With cardiac muscles, the heart pumps blood more effectively. Skeletal muscles become more efficient at transmitting forces through tendinous attachments to bones. How does hypertrophy happen?...

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Hypertrophy is when the cells in an organ or tissue enlarge in size.

Both cardiac and skeletal muscles can adapt to a regular, increasing workload that exceeds their capacity. With cardiac muscles, the heart pumps blood more effectively. Skeletal muscles become more efficient at transmitting forces through tendinous attachments to bones.

How does hypertrophy happen?

When you start exercising a muscle, there is an increase in the nerve impulses that cause muscle contractions. These contractions alone can place enough stress on the muscle for it to gain strength without any noticeable changes in the size of the muscle.

As you continue to exercise these nerve impulses become more complex. This can result in an increase in protein synthesis over months and the muscle cells begin to grow noticeably bigger and stronger.

In order for hypertrophy to happen, there are two essential things that need to take place:

  1. Stimulation

Stimulation occurs when you are exercising the muscle. Each time the muscle is exercised, contraction occurs and muscle fibres are broken down.

  1. Repair

Once the muscle fibres have been broken down, dormant satellite cells are activated. Your immune system then responds with inflammation.

A hormonal response is also triggered, which causes the release of growth factor. This is made up of cortisol and testosterone. These hormones help regulate cell activity. Growth factors help to stimulate muscle hypertrophy while testosterone increases protein synthesis.

In response, the satellite cells multiply and their daughter cells move to the damaged muscle. They fuse with the muscle and donate nuclei, which helps the muscle thicken and grow.

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Types of hypertrophy

There are three types of hypertrophy:

  1. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy

Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy concentrates on increasing the amount of the non-contractile fluid found in your muscle (sarcoplasm). This helps build the overall size of the muscle.

  1. Myofibril hypertrophy

Myofibril hypertrophy focuses on strengthening the contractile part of the muscle (myofibril). This strengthens the muscle fibre and makes the muscle very dense and strong.

  1. Transient hypertrophy

Transient hypertrophy is a temporary increase in muscle size that happens during, and immediately after, weight training owing to fluid accumulation in the space inside the cells.

Hypertrophy is different for everyone

Even though the process of hypertrophy is the same for everyone, the results may differ depending on the genetic make-up of your muscles. For some people, it happens faster and to a much larger degree. For others, it can test patience and resilience.

Sometimes, your muscle’s appearance may vary because of something as simple as the length of your tendon. People with shorter muscle tendons tend to develop bigger muscles, whereas someone with longer muscle tendons may see less growth and shaping even if they are doing the same exercises.

Hypertrophy is most commonly found when doing weight training exercise programmes. Through the stimulation and repair process that muscles endure, muscle fibres are broken down and multiply in order to repair the damage. This makes the muscle grow bigger and stronger. This is known as hypertrophy.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn about other processes that happen during exercise which can have a serious effect on the way that your body looks as well as functions? If so, then you really need to consider doing our Personal Training Diploma. For more information, follow this link.

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What are the effects of strength training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-effects-of-strength-training/ Wed, 04 Dec 2019 05:05:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13995 Strength training is designed to improve your muscular fitness by exercising specific muscles against external resistance. It is also known as weight or resistance training. This type of training is usually performed with some kind of weight. The goal is for your muscles to adapt and get stronger to counter the load of the weight....

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Strength training is designed to improve your muscular fitness by exercising specific muscles against external resistance. It is also known as weight or resistance training.

This type of training is usually performed with some kind of weight. The goal is for your muscles to adapt and get stronger to counter the load of the weight. Through the stimulation and repair process of breaking down and healing muscle fibres, your muscles grow stronger and bigger over time.

While bodybuilders might use strength training to gain muscle mass quickly, regular strength training helps prevent natural lean muscle mass loss that comes with ageing. This type of training also plays a very significant role in your overall fitness.

Besides the benefits of adding muscle strength, toning and definition to your muscles, strength training can improve your overall health.

Help keep the weight off

Strength training helps increase the rate at which your body burns calories when you’re not exercising (resting metabolism). The faster your resting metabolism rate is, the more weight you lose and the less likely it is for the weight to come back.

Better body mechanics

Strength training helps to improve your balance, coordination and posture. This is because your balance and posture depend on the strength of your muscles. The stronger that these muscles are, the better the control is that you have over your body.

Helps manage chronic diseases

Studies have shown that strength training helps people with arthritis. The stronger your muscles are, the more control you have over your body. People with arthritis who do regular strength training exercises make their muscles and joints stronger. This gives them better functionality.

Strength training also improves the lifestyles of people with these chronic diseases:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Parkinson’s
  • Down Syndrome
  • Lymphedema
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Clinical depression

It can also help people who have recently had a stroke or a spinal cord injury. Strength training is also effective for cancer survivors who want to regain their strength after chemotherapy.

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More endorphins

Strength training elevates your level of endorphins. These are natural opiates produced by the brain which improves your energy levels and mood.

Cardiovascular health benefits

Strength training improves blood pressure. This helps to reduce hypertension and lowers the risk of heart diseases.

Controls blood sugar levels

In your muscles, there are transporters that take glucose from the blood to the muscle cells. Strength training improves their function so they can transport a lot more glucose. This decreases your blood sugar levels.

Increases bone density

Strength training improves your bone mineral density, which reflects the strength of your bones. If you have a low bone mineral density, your bones have a greater risk of being fractured or broken.

Strength training improves your life significantly! This is because it builds a stronger heart, reduces blood pressure, improves blood flow, stops muscle loss, lowers cholesterol levels and improves your balance and coordination. The immediate and long-term effects of strength training are endless!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you keen to learn more about the benefits of strength training, and perhaps even become a fitness professional yourself? If so, then we really recommend that you do our Gym Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.

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Do you know what the long-term benefits of muscular strength and endurance are? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/do-you-know-what-the-long-term-benefits-of-muscular-strength-and-endurance-are/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:05:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13934 Muscular strength and endurance are two important parts of your body’s ability to move, lift things and do day-to-day activities. When you do resistance exercises in order to build strength as well as endurance, you’ll find that your health will improve. In addition, you may even assist with fending off some dangerous illnesses. Increasing the...

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Muscular strength and endurance are two important parts of your body’s ability to move, lift things and do day-to-day activities. When you do resistance exercises in order to build strength as well as endurance, you’ll find that your health will improve. In addition, you may even assist with fending off some dangerous illnesses. Increasing the amount of lean muscle mass in your body will also help you perform better in your favourite sports as well as exercise activities. In addition this will help you age better without injury.

What is muscular endurance?

Muscular endurance is your body’s ability to work for an extended period of time.

Endurance training usually means exercising a muscle for a long time without breaks. During these exercises, you improve the slow-twitch fibres in your muscles, which are responsible for endurance. It improves your muscles’ ability to use oxygen, which makes it perform longer.

When you have muscular endurance, you are able to go about your daily life and workouts without fatigue setting in as quickly. In addition, you will be able to withstand more while using less energy.

What, exactly, is muscular strength?

While muscular endurance is all about how the length of time that a muscle can perform, muscle strength is how hard it can perform. It is the measure of the greatest amount of force that muscles produce during a single maximal effort.

What is the difference?

When training your muscle endurance, you will opt for lighter weights and try to do more reps without a break. Whereas muscle strength training requires you try and lift the heaviest weight you can for much fewer reps.

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Benefits of muscular strength and endurance

Muscle strength and endurance help you perform daily tasks without using too much energy and getting tired too quickly. It is also beneficial for your physical and mental health.

Reduces the risk of injury

With strong muscles that are able to endure continuous strain, you are less likely to get injured when performing strenuous tasks. Strong muscles also support your body and reduce back pain.

The support strong muscles provide also helps with balance. This means that older people are less prone to falling and fracturing their knees or hips.

Strong muscles also support the integrity of your joints. This reduces the chances of dislocating your shoulders and knees.

Increase your capability

With strength comes self-sufficiency. Strong muscles enable you to lift heavier things, which makes it easier for you to perform your daily tasks without having to ask for help.

This is especially effective for older people. As you get older, you lose muscular strength. With regular muscle strength training, older people can remain independent for a much longer period of time.

Healthier body

When you increase your muscle mass, you lower your percentage of body fat. Less body fat reduces the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides and cholesterol and increases in blood sugar levels.

Muscular strength and endurance also protect your bone health. As you train your muscles during exercise, your bones also become stronger. This makes it less likely for you to break or fracture bones. It also wards off age-related diseases that affect your bones, like arthritis and osteoporosis.

A healthy balance of muscle strength and endurance is essential for our daily lives and health. It provides the support your body needs to avoid injury while enabling you to perform hard tasks for longer periods of time. It also helps ward off diseases associated with weak bones.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about the benefits of exercise, read more here about our Personal Training Diploma.

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What are isotonic exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-isotonic-exercises/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:05:00 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13930 What are isotonic exercises? Isotonic exercise are exercises that you’ll do when you are looking to condition a muscle group by lifting weighted objects. Unlike isometric exercises, which is a means of strength training with a focus on a specific muscle group, isotonic exercises improve your overall fitness and help you lose weight. Isotonic exercises...

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What are isotonic exercises?

Isotonic exercise are exercises that you’ll do when you are looking to condition a muscle group by lifting weighted objects. Unlike isometric exercises, which is a means of strength training with a focus on a specific muscle group, isotonic exercises improve your overall fitness and help you lose weight.

Isotonic exercises have two types of contractions:

  1. Concentric: when your muscle shortens as you overcome the force of a weight
  2. Eccentric: when your muscle lengthens while being opposed by the force of a weight

For instance, when you are performing a bicep curl as you lift the weight up towards your shoulder your biceps perform a concentric contraction. When your bring the weight down, the contraction becomes eccentric. Your muscles are resisting the load of the weight throughout the whole range of motion.

The benefits of isotonic exercises

Isotonic exercises are not meant to make you bulk up like a bodybuilder. Instead, they help you to get into shape and to maintain a level of fitness. It is, however, possible to gain mass from constant isotonic exercises over a longer period of time.

Other benefits include:

  • Enhanced muscle strength as well as size
  • Improving strength throughout the full range of motion (ROM)
  • Enhanced muscle endurance
  • Increasing mass by making use of heavy weights as well as increasing resistance over time
  • Enhanced range of motion in functional movements
  • Training your body in movements need for daily activities
  • Improved bone density
  • Increasing cardiovascular health
  • Lowering body fat
  • Increasing fat-free mass
  • Assisting with maintaining your metabolism as you age

Examples of isotonic exercises

  1. Squats

Stand up tall with a dumbbell in each of your hands. Stick your bum out behind you while bending your knees. Lower yourself down as far as you can while, at the same time, keeping your chest at the same angle as your shins. Push up through your heels as well as squeeze your glutes to come back up.

  1. Straight-leg deadlifts

Stand straight while you hold a dumbbell in each of your hands in front of your thighs. Lean forward, stick your butt out behind you and contract your core in order to keep your back flat. Lower yourself down as far as possible. Don’t bend your knees. Squeeze your glutes to come back up.

  1. Push-ups

Starting on your hands and knees (or toes) in a plank position, slowly lower down as far as you can go. Bend your elbows out to the sides. Push back up at the same pace. You can put a weight plate on your back to increase the intensity.

Isotonic exercises are great for maintaining your overall fitness. These usually performed using weights and is the action of your muscles resisting the load of the weight which makes these exercise so effective. The benefits of isotonic exercises include reduced body fat and enhanced muscle endurance.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to know more about exercise? If so, then you should really do one of the accredited personal training courses that we offer. For more information, please follow this link.

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What are isometric exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-isometric-exercises/ Mon, 02 Dec 2019 05:00:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13843 When you are performing isometric exercises, the length of the muscle you are exercising and the angle of the affected joint does not change. Because isometric exercises are done in one fixed position, they’ll only improve strength in that particular position. If you want to improve your entire body’s strength, you would have to do...

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When you are performing isometric exercises, the length of the muscle you are exercising and the angle of the affected joint does not change.

Because isometric exercises are done in one fixed position, they’ll only improve strength in that particular position. If you want to improve your entire body’s strength, you would have to do various different isometric exercises. They also don’t improve speed or athletic performance.

There are three types of isometric exercises:

  1. Presses
  2. Pulls
  3. Holds

When are isometric exercises efficient?

Some people might think that going to the gym would be a more efficient use of their exercise time because you can do exercises that work out various different muscles at the same time. But, in some cases, isometric exercises are the better option.

Here’s why.

  1. Injury

When you have an injury, say for instance your rotator cuff is injured, isometric exercises can be recommended to help you stabilise your shoulder to maintain strength while you are recovering.

  1. Arthritis

Someone who has arthritis might also turn to isometric training. Using their muscles to move a joint through its full range of motion can aggravate arthritis. As they perform isometric exercises, however, their strength can improve and they can move on to try other types of strength training. This could help reduce pain and improve their physical functioning.

  1. Blood pressure

Isometric exercises can also help lower your blood pressure. It is important to exercise at a lower level of intensity, though, as high levels of intensity can cause dramatic increases in your blood pressure.

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The benefits of isometric exercises

Health problems or not, isometric exercises can still contribute to your health. Here’s how:

  1. Age-related muscle loss

As you grow older, you will lose muscle mass as well as mobility and flexibility. Your body isn’t able to digest amino acids as quickly as it used to, which can also slow down the time it takes for your muscles to recover. This makes physical exercises much more difficult.

Because isometric exercises build muscle strength and endurance it is a great way to keep or regain your muscle strength, endurance and mobility as you age.

  1. Muscle activation

Isometric exercises provide you with the highest amount of muscle activation. This is when your muscle recruits motor units. The more motor units you can recruit, the stronger your muscles will be.

Studies have shown that intense isometric exercises utilise about 95% of your muscles. Over time, your muscle will permanently used as much of its mass as possible when engaged in physical activity.

  1. Muscle rehab

Isometric exercises can drastically reduce the recovery time of muscles. For your muscles to grow back bigger and stronger you need to train them back to health after injury. It is a great way to rehabilitate your muscles without placing too much strain on them.

Isometric exercises improve your body’s ability to apply power from a static position to maintain a position for a period of time and to prepare your body to perform immediately after power movements.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

If you want to learn more about exercises, we really recommend that you do an accredited personal training course such as the ones that we offer. For more information, please follow this link.

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Why recovery days are so important in your training programme https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-recovery-days-are-so-important-in-your-training-programme/ Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:05:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13692 In quite a lot of training and exercise programmes, one of the most important components is often left out or neglected. This component is rest and recovery. It is important to plan or schedule recovery days in between training. This is because not planning recovery days in between your workout routine you can actually limit...

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In quite a lot of training and exercise programmes, one of the most important components is often left out or neglected. This component is rest and recovery. It is important to plan or schedule recovery days in between training. This is because not planning recovery days in between your workout routine you can actually limit your ability to train. As your body becomes stronger after the stress of exercise stress so you need to allow downtime for rebuilding muscle tissue.

Protein for rebuilding muscle

Protein is a vital macronutrient which assists in building muscle, repairing tissue as well as making enzymes in addition to hormones. Protein powder is a nutritional supplement which many people do take. Making use of protein powder may also help with weight loss and assist people with toning their muscles. There are a lot of different types of protein powder. These include dairy-based and plant-based powders. Health benefits of protein powder

Why an effective training programme has regular periods of rest

An effective training programme will have regular periods of rest and recovery. This also allows adaptions to the exercise. When you come back to the exercise you will return bigger, stronger as well as faster. Rest also allows you to recover mentally and emotionally as well as to avoid exercise burnout.

The body repairs as well as strengthens itself during in the time between workouts. Unfortunately, continuous training can actually result in the strongest fitness participants being weakened.

Rest days are critical to fitness performance for a number of reasons. Some are physiological and, in addition, some are psychological in nature. Rest is physically required  so that the muscles can repair, rebuild and strengthen. For recreational fitness participants, building in rest days can help to keep a better balance between home, work as well as fitness goals.

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The consequence of training too much

In the worst-case circumstance, too few rest as well as recovery days may lead to overtraining syndrome. This is a difficult condition to recover from. Overtraining syndrome occurs in fitness participants who are training for a specific goal and train beyond the body’s ability to recover. When training harder and longer to reach a goal, without adequate rest in order recover the training programme backfires and actually decreases performance.

Conditioning necessitates a balance between overload as well as recovery. Too much overload, in addition to too little recovery, can result in both physiological and psychological symptoms of overtraining.

The necessity to balance exercise with rest and recovery

It is this alternation of adaptation and recovery that takes the fitness participant to a higher level of fitness. High-level fitness participants need to realise that the greater the training intensity as well as effort, the greater the need for planned recovery. Monitoring your workouts with a training log or, better yet with the help of a personal trainer, paying attention  to how your body feels as well as how motivated you are is extremely helpful in determining your recovery needs and modifying your training programme accordingly.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about the principles of exercise and possibly even become a personal trainer yourself? If you do, then you need to become a personal trainer. For more information on how to do this, please follow this link.

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The beauty of doing a Pilates instructor course https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-beauty-of-doing-a-pilates-instructor-course/ Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:00:22 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13687 When most people hear the word ‘Pilates’ they think about the many Hollywood starlets who swear by this exercise modality and mention, in every single magazine interview that they go on, how their Pilates instructor helps them with maintaining their gorgeous physiques. Yes, Pilates is a great way to develop a super set of abs...

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When most people hear the word ‘Pilates’ they think about the many Hollywood starlets who swear by this exercise modality and mention, in every single magazine interview that they go on, how their Pilates instructor helps them with maintaining their gorgeous physiques.

Yes, Pilates is a great way to develop a super set of abs and many people flock to the gym and sign up for a class with the hopes that they will get that sexy bikini body that they’ve always wanted. Many instructors of this discipline often hear their students say that the only reason why they’re coming to class is to get a svelte midsection.

A fulfilling career choice

However, there’s so much more to a career choice in Pilates than just helping class participants to tone up their abs.

What many people don’t realise is that the core is not just made up of the muscles on the front of your abdomen. It actually also consists of the muscles that wrap about your lower back as well. Scientifically speaking, the core is made up of the following muscles: stabiliser and movers:

The stabilisers are:

  • Transverse abdominis
  • Internal obliques
  • Lumbar multifidus
  • Pelvic floor muscles
  • Diaphragm
  • Transverspinalis

The muscles which are classified as the movers are:

  • Rectus abdominis
  • External obliques
  • Erector spinae
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Hamstrings
  • Hip adductors
  • Hip abductors

Many people who suffer from chronic lower back pain, or who have had back surgery, turn to Pilates as a form of pain management. By strengthening their core muscles they find that their back pain is alleviated. The greatest thing this is that the results aren’t fleeting as would be the case when taking muscle relaxants. The relief that Pilates gives clients is sustainable.

A holistic look at Pilates

As we’ve said in many of our earlier articles, you can’t expect to get the results that you want from any fitness regime  – be it resistance training, cardiovascular training or Pilates – if you don’t take in the right food that will fuel you and help you to achieve what you want to.

This is why we’ve designed the Pilates instructor course package so that it includes our Specialised Nutrition Course.  On it, you’ll learn everything that you need to about nutrition, from what a healthy eating plan consists of to what specific people – such as athletes and young children – need to be eating for the particular stage of life that they are in.

The marketing tools that you need

Today, there are a lot of Pilates instructors out there. This means that people have a choice of who to go to. This makes it a lot more challenging – but not impossible – for you to find work.

Luckily, with digital marketing and social media marketing you’re able to market your skills and services to a broader audience base. You have the opportunity to tap into the market that you never knew existed and that you didn’t know were even interested in Pilates classes.

This means that, in our Pilates package, we’ve also included our renowned Social Media Marketing for Fitness Professionals Course. When studying this, you’ll learn what it takes to make a success of your Pilates business and set up yourself as a go-to expert for world-class Pilates instruction.

What are the basic skills that a successful group Pilates Instructor needs to have?

  • Extremely motivating as well as energetic,
  • Understands pace in addition to rhythm,
  • Keeps the workout balanced as well as safe,
  • Able to deliver modifications for all levels and includes all participants in the class environment,
  • Demonstrates a contagious passion for Pilates, and
  • Knows how to feed off the group vigour.

What are the basic skills that a successful individual Pilates Instructor needs to have?

  • Assist clients to establish, achieve and manage their particular goals,
  • Assesses clients’ needs and designs appropriate programmes to meet them,
  • Listens well and is patient,
  • Demonstrates compassion,
  • Encourages perseverance in clients and holds them accountable, and
  • Remains self-motivated and is good at establishing fitness goals.

What communication skills does a Pilates instructor need?

For a Pilates instructor to carry out what they have learned in their studies they will have to communicate clearly and correctly to the individual or the group that they are teaching:

  • They need to divide the class into a beginning, middle and an ending phase.
  • Pilates instructors should encourage and teach correct body alignment at ALL times.
  • It will be necessary for them to adapt sessions quickly, safely and efficiently.
  • Good Pilates instructors need to verbalise the steps of the exercise for participants.
  • They need to be able to correctly demonstrate the exercises and make sure that the individual or group is aware of the Pilates principles.
  • A Pilates instructor should correct a participant gently and in a non-offensive manner. In addition, they need to be complimentary towards a client or group.
  • Pilates instructors need to keep their focus on participants at all times and encourage feedback from the individual or group after a Pilates session. They also need to encourage feedback during a private session with a client.

The best offer for a Pilates Instructor Course

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

This Black Friday week, we’re making more accessible than ever for you to become a Pilates Instructor. When you purchase one of our Pilates packages and pay upfront, you’ll receive a 50% discount. For additional information on how this works, please follow this link.

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What is Tabata? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-tabata/ Wed, 27 Nov 2019 05:00:32 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13651 If you’re up to speed about all things fitness (as we know you are!) you’ll have heard the word ‘Tabata’ bandied about. Although it’s quite popular in the States, not much is known about it in South Africa. So, in this article, we thought that we’d take a look at what Tabata training is and...

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If you’re up to speed about all things fitness (as we know you are!) you’ll have heard the word ‘Tabata’ bandied about. Although it’s quite popular in the States, not much is known about it in South Africa. So, in this article, we thought that we’d take a look at what Tabata training is and how this can help you in your workouts.

The Tabata style of training is probably one of the more popular forms of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This type of training is made up of eight rounds of ultra-high-intensity exercises. These moves are conducted in a particular 20-seconds-on, 10-seconds-off interval. It is possible for a Tabata workout to take four minutes however, those four minutes may well be responsible for pushing your body to its absolute limit.

Tabata is nothing new

The Tabata style of exercising was actually designed decades ago by the now world-famous scientist, professor Izumi Tabata. It was originally designed as a method of training for Olympic speed skaters.

Today, you are probably familiar with a version of this type of training method, in other words HIIT. Tabata takes HIIT one step further. Intervals with Tabata are shorter (which means shorter rests, as well) in addition to more intense workouts than the ones which you’re used to.

Tabata is intense in order to deliver results. Over the past 20 years, study after study have confirmed that this type of exercise has the ability to improve cardiovascular fitness, boost metabolism (research shows that Tabata burns over 13 calories per minute) as well as change body composition.

Is HIIT or Tabata better for maintain fitness?

Both choices are great for fat-burning in addition to building muscle. Your results are shaped according to the exercises which are mixed into your circuits as well as the effort which you put in. So, for example, if your fitness goal is to build and develop arm muscle, add in strengthening moves such as tricep dips. However, if you’re attempting to lose weight, increase your  cardio. What’s very important is to build in recovery days is crucial. Don’t HIIT as well as Tabata workouts on consecutive days.

Tabata is a great stepping stone. If you’re don’t have enough time, or maybe are just getting into an exercise routine, four minutes is all you need to get a great workout. Then as you get stronger, you can advance to lengthier HIITs as well as do more rounds with more complex moves in order to really challenge yourself.

What would a Tabata workout look like?

You can do almost any exercise you that you want in a Tabata workout. For example, you can perform squats, push-ups, burpees or, alternatively, any other exercise which works your large muscle groups. Kettlebell exercises are great as well.

One example of a Tabata workout would look like this:

  • Push-ups (four minutes),
  • Bodyweight Squats (four minutes),
  • Burpees (four minutes), and
  • Mountain Climbers (four minutes).

Begin with push-ups. Do these for 20 seconds at a high-intensity. Take a rest for 10 seconds and then return to doing push-ups for 20 seconds. As soon as you complete eight sets of push-ups, take a break for one minute.

Next, go on to squats. Repeat sequences of 20 seconds on, with 10 seconds off. As soon as you complete eight sets of squats, take a break for one minute. Then move onto burpees. After you’re done with burpees, complete the workout with mountain climbers.

Tabata is fantastic in order to get in a quick workout if you’re in a hurry. Alternatively, use this exercise modality if you need to change up your routine or, alternatively, if you want improve endurance as well as speed. Include this type of workout into your fitness routine to produce results.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more regarding the different types of exercise? If so, then you need to become a personal trainer.  For more information, please follow this link.

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Resistance training equipment to supercharge your workout https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/resistance-training-equipment-to-supercharge-your-workout/ Mon, 25 Nov 2019 05:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13538 There are a myriad of benefits to resistance training. Some of these are, for example, improved muscle strength and tone which protect your joints from injury; maintaining flexibility and balance, which can help you remain independent as you age; and weight management as well as increased muscle-to-fat ratio  as you gain muscle, your body burns...

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There are a myriad of benefits to resistance training. Some of these are, for example, improved muscle strength and tone which protect your joints from injury; maintaining flexibility and balance, which can help you remain independent as you age; and weight management as well as increased muscle-to-fat ratio  as you gain muscle, your body burns more kilojoules when at rest.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

So, with so many benefits of performing resistance training you’ll need to know what the various pieces of equipment are, in the gym, which can help you to perform this extremely valuable exercise modality.

Olympic bar

This is the standard training barbell (Olympic men’s barbell). This bar is 2.2 m long and will weigh 20 kg. The Olympic bar has bearings that make it spin nicely to help with assisting the Olympic lifts such as the snatch as well as the clean and jerk.

Fixed weight bars

These are shorter bars with weights already attached. They are usually located all together near the dumbbells and are used primarily for assistance exercises.

Dumbbells

Most gyms will have dumbbells even if these don’t have barbells. While there are a few different styles, you can still use all of these for the purposes that you want.

EZ Curl bars

These are the most common speciality bars which are shorter and in a bent ‘w’ shape. Unfortunately, the only thing that these bars are really good for is curls and other accessory movements.

Trap bar

Also known as the ‘hex bar’ because this bar is hexagonal which allows the user to stand in the middle and pick up the bar using a neutral grip. It is primarily used for deadlifts as well as shrugs but definitely not necessary. (An Olympic bar is standard.)

Squat stands

These are two pieces that stand next to each other to hold up your barbell. These are great for portable workouts but for inside a gym they don’t hold as much weights, aren’t as sturdy and lack safety features.

Squat racks

Squat racks come in many shapes and sizes. However, most typically they are two vertical uprights connected with a horizontal pole. Some have safeties build in and some do not. The ones that don’t aren’t much better than the individual squat stands although these are a little more stable. If you have the choice, a swat rack with adjustable safeties is your best bet.

Power rack

One step above the squat rack is the power rack. These look like big metal rectangles with holes every two inches or so up and down each vertical side. Power racks have safety pins across each side and J-hooks to hold the barbell. One of the great things about your gym having a power rack is that it’s versatile. You can use it to bench press overhead press and squat.

Smith machine

The smith machine is a type of plate-loaded machine that looks a lot like a squat rack. The only difference is that there are rod that guide the path of the bar.

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If you want to learn more about the exercises that you can do on this equipment, you should really consider doing a personal trainer course. Or, if you want to become a personal trainer yourself, you DEFINITELY need to check out our Personal Training Diploma.

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Stabilisation and positioning in weight training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/stabilisation-and-positioning-in-weight-training/ Fri, 22 Nov 2019 05:00:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13528 Weight training builds muscle but it may also assist with preventing disease, improving mood and aiding in losing weight. Other benefits of this type of training include increased overall strength, managing weight, building up bone density, helping the heart and better sleeping. However, to completely reap these benefits you need to adopt the correct form....

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Weight training builds muscle but it may also assist with preventing disease, improving mood and aiding in losing weight. Other benefits of this type of training include increased overall strength, managing weight, building up bone density, helping the heart and better sleeping. However, to completely reap these benefits you need to adopt the correct form. Part of this looks at stabilisation as well as positioning.

Stabilisation in weight training

Stabilisation of any joint can be described as a static (still) demand or dynamic (moving) demand to control all movements of the body in the response to the environment and changes of the centre of gravity.

Balance relies on the activation of specialised reflex actions that vary from a small shifting demand or a large multipoint, and demand to stabilise and balance the body for optimal functioning. Although certain life or exercise movements may require combinations of both types of reflexes, most movements are dominated by one reflex type over another.

Without stabilisation all segments of technique would be compromised. Stabilisation requires an integration of all three systems involved in movement:

  • Passive (skeletal) system relies on the active (muscular) system for holding positions.
  • The active system is reliant on the independent relationship with the control (sensorimotor) system for the reflex actions.

Stabilisation begins with the spine and is first initiated with local spinal stabilisation known as the core. Core muscles are essential for optimal stabilisation and are stimulated at any time stability and balance are challenged. Core and trunk muscles involvement in stabilisation in an exercise is dependent on use of overall technique and specific breathing methods.

Positioning in weight training

When performing resistance exercises it is important to consider every joint of the body from the ground up. The most critical segments are the pelvis and the spine.

The spine is the most primary component of the axial skeleton and, along with the attached ribcage, the pelvis, provides the main support of the central nervous system and is the key communication line from the brain to the rest of the body, including the organs and the glands.

The spine provides not only support but also mobility through all planes of motion. These combined roles make the spine an important consideration in resistance training exercises.

What is the optimal posture in resistance training?

Other than exercises for targeting the outer trunk musculature and movements designed specifically for improving spinal motion, all other resistance training exercises will position the spine in what is called optimal posture.

When the spine is positioned in optimal posture, it appears to be straight, but actually, it maintains all degrees of its natural curvatures. Optimal posture provides for optimal structural and functional efficiency of the entire kinetic chain.

As the spine moves, length-tension relationships between agonists and antagonists change, which further reduce their ability to stabilise or produce force. All loaded spinal movements also decrease the vertebral space and increases disk compression.

This does not mean that all movement or disc compression is bad because, in reality, compression of the vertebral discs and movement of the spine provide nutrients. However, it is important to remember that spinal movement – particularly passive movement under load or at high speeds – often results in exponentially increased degrees of compressive forces on the affected discs, which can dramatically increase the level of risk of the exercise and should be evaluated and compared to the relative benefits of the training exercise in relation to the training goals. Spinal positioning must also be accompanied by pelvic positioning.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Want to learn more about exercise and fitness, and possibly even become a personal trainer yourself? If you, we recommend that you have a look at our personal training diploma. For more information, please follow this link.

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What are the basic principles of resistance training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-basic-principles-of-resistance-training/ Thu, 21 Nov 2019 05:55:39 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13519 The term strength training often used interchangeably with resistance training and weight training. But, they are not synonymous: Resistance training – any form of exercise that causes the muscle to contract against an external resistance. Weights are just one tool but, there are many different methods of resistance you can use. Strength training – any...

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The term strength training often used interchangeably with resistance training and weight training. But, they are not synonymous:

  • Resistance training – any form of exercise that causes the muscle to contract against an external resistance. Weights are just one tool but, there are many different methods of resistance you can use.
  • Strength training – any form of resistance training engaged in to enhance muscle strength.
  • Weight training – any form of resistance training where weights are used to provide resistance and challenge strength.

The difference between bodybuilding and strength training

Bodybuilding differs from strength training in that the primary goals are the maximise muscle mass (promote hypertrophy) while reducing body fat, so sculpting the physique. It is a cosmetic activity where any strength gain is an after-thought.

On the positive side, bodybuilding has no doubt inspired a good number of people to get involved in strength training as well as to think about improving their fitness levels. The sport provides some spectacular visuals especially at the highest competitive levels.

Resistance training for life

The average person wants to look better increase small amounts of muscle mass and reduce body fat levels. Most people want to train to help them cope better with the increased demands of daily life and to continue to do this into their later years.  Resistance training can help achieve these goals.

Strength training for sport

Athletes need to engage in strength training to enhance their sport performance. Sport-specific conditioning may include aspects of general training (including those with a biomechanical-specific slant), weight training, powerlifting, and even bodybuilding where it would enhance their specific sport.

The development of resistance exercises

Many resistance exercise techniques today were developed in the gym through simple trial and error. These were approached through predetermined goals, such as the desire to gain more strength or muscle mass. Little study of the functional anatomy and biomechanics were taken into consideration.

Today, resistance training is far more functional and stress is put on correcting biomechanical techniques when training. The human body is composed of highly integrated systems. The body is not constructed simply for aesthetic appeal or merely strength. It is designed to produce a highly variability of movement, specifically movement within the environment of this planet. Technique is the key for receiving the greatest amount of benefit while also reducing the risk associated with any resistance exercise selected.

Establishing fitness goals

When you’re establishing goals with one of personal training clients, you will first establish whether the goal is an aesthetic based goal or a performance-based goal, as you would use an entirely different thought process when selecting exercises and allocating technique options for the different goals:

  • Performance-based goals – the focus is on increasing neuromuscular control and you would logically select movements according to their movement pattern it produces. Isolated joint exercises selected are done to address specific muscle weakness or correct imbalances. Most exercises are performed in asymmetrical positions as it increases proprioception activity and requires more neural demand.
  • Aesthetic-based goals – the focus is on muscle hypertrophy and balancing the body parts aesthetically. These types of exercises offer high amounts of external support and use bilateral movement patterns. So, with less demand on the neural system for providing stability, there is a greater ability to provide for maximal motor recruitment of the working muscles. This is ideal for isolating specific muscles for loading and achieving higher amounts of volume in order to gain hypertrophy.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Do you want to learn more about exercise and fitness? Perhaps, are you keen to learn how to teach others how to exercise correctly? If you do, then you’ll almost certainly want to become a personal trainer and do a personal training course. For more information about our world-class personal training diploma, follow this link.

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How is running biomechanically analysed? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-is-running-biomechanically-analysed/ Thu, 21 Nov 2019 05:54:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13515 Running is one of the top forms of cardiovascular activity as it doesn’t require any expensive equipment. In addition, you can run almost anywhere. People have different reasons for running. Some run for weight loss and others run as a sport to take part in races. It is imperative to have a good running technique...

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Running is one of the top forms of cardiovascular activity as it doesn’t require any expensive equipment. In addition, you can run almost anywhere. People have different reasons for running. Some run for weight loss and others run as a sport to take part in races.

It is imperative to have a good running technique to avoid injuries:

  • As your foot hits the ground it should be in line with your hips.
  • Your knees should have some flexion to combat the impact.
  • Your hips and abdominals should be stable and strong to support your trunk.

The biomechanical analysis of running

After your foot hits the ground let your leg stretch fully behind you and, at the same time, your front leg must drive forward to make contact with the ground. Throughout the process of running your arms must be flexed at a 90-degree angle at your elbow.

Stride length and stride speed are both important. Generally, stride length will make you faster, but this is not always the best way to gain speed. Do not try to lengthen your stride until your pace is sufficient.

Most people make the mistake of overstriding. The most efficient stride is approximately 90 strides per minute. When running uphill try keeping your stride rate high. Shorten your stride to avoid injury and early fatigue. Use your arms more.

When running downhill try to keep your stride short and fast to avoid injury. This is because a greater stride length creates more impact. To complete the technique correct breathing is essential.

There are a number of ways to breathe when running. Most runners use a 2:2 technique, that is, two strides on every leg (a total of four strides) to every time you breathe in, and two strides for every breath you breathe out. You can use a 3:3 or even a 4:4.

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Warm-up technique for runners

You may be eager to get on with actual running exercise routine but it is vital that you combine running with a correct warm-up combining of walking as well as flexibility training in order to minimise any injuries.

Here’s a sample warm-up routine that you should do before your next run:

  • Two minutes walking,
  • Five minutes of jogging, or
  • Five minutes fast walking.

Pair this with some flexibility exercises.

For a number of years coaches and athletes have performed an old-style warm-up before all sporting events. This warm-up has involved light aerobic activity followed up by static stretching. However, in recent years, research has been provided stating that this type of old-style warm-up is not effective.

A warm-up is necessary to prepare athletes for training or competition both physically and mentally. An old-style warm-up would comprise 5-15 minutes of steady cardiovascular work such as jogging followed by stretching.

The stretching component means that athletes would be sitting around stretching and usually conversing so by the time the session would start they are cold both physically and mentally. Using the old-style warm-up technique athletes are nowhere near prepared for the dynamic exercise that they are about to undertake.

The notion of the “new” warm-up is that this activity should be a much more dynamic and focused routine which is particular to your sport. The many drills employed need to warm up your muscles specifically for the movements that will be needed of them in the exercises to follow.  Thus, this allows nerves as well as muscles to be switched on in addition to the functional range of movement being developed.

It will be a challenge to get athletes and sports coaches alike to buy into the concept of dynamic warm-ups.  However, it will make the athlete’s performance more streamlined and powerful.

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If you are keen to learn more about sports coaching, and perhaps even want to become a sports coach yourself, have a look at our sports coaching science certification. For more information, please follow this link.

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What are the basic elements of exercise programme design? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-the-basic-elements-of-exercise-programme-design/ Mon, 18 Nov 2019 08:00:46 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13472 Although exercise programmes are individualised for each client, there are basic and fundamental elements to all exercise programme design. These fundamental elements include mode, intensity, duration, frequency and progression. Mode To encourage physiological changes in the body – such as body composition and bone strength – many expert personal trainers recommend using more than one...

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Although exercise programmes are individualised for each client, there are basic and fundamental elements to all exercise programme design. These fundamental elements include mode, intensity, duration, frequency and progression.

Mode

To encourage physiological changes in the body – such as body composition and bone strength – many expert personal trainers recommend using more than one type of exercise as a training mode. For body composition, one should prescribe a combination of aerobic and resistance training as both of these training modalities are effective for building bone mass.

 Intensity

Like exercise mode, exercise intensity encourages specific physiological and metabolic changes in the body during training. The initial exercise intensity in the exercise programme depends on the client’s goals, age, capabilities, preferences and fitness level.

Duration

Duration and intensity during exercise are closely related. The higher the intensity, the shorter in duration a routine will be. Exercise duration depends not only on the client’s health status or initial fitness level and functional capabilities but also on the programme goals.

As a client adapts to their training, the duration of a programme may slowly be increased about every two or three weeks. For most clients the duration of an aerobic, resistance or flexibility exercise workout should not exceed more than 60 minutes. This will lessen the chance of injury or “burn out” in a client.

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Frequency

‘Frequency’ refers to the total number of exercise sessions performed on a weekly basis. Research shows that exercising three times per week on alternate days is sufficient to improve various components of physical fitness.

However, fitness is related to duration and intensity of exercise and varies based on the clients, needs, abilities and goals. It is critical to vary the mode of exercise in a programme to minimise the risk of injury and overuse of the bones and joints.

Progression of the exercise

Throughout the exercise programme, physiological and metabolic changes allow the individual to perform more work. For continued improvements, the heart, muscles and skeletal system must be progressively overloaded though subtle changes in frequency, intensity and duration of the exercise.

When applying the principle of progression to exercise programmes you should increase the frequency, intensity, and duration gradually and one element at a time. Increasing elements together may over lax the individuals physiological system thereby increasing the risk of injury and “burnout”. For older and less fit clients, it is better to increase the exercise duration instead of the intensity, especially during the initial stages of the exercise programme.

Once you hit on a comprehensive fitness programme which you like, ensure that you change it up periodically in order to prevent boredom as well as encourage progress. Explore a variety of modalities in order to determine which activities you like the most. If you actually enjoy the activity that you are doing, it is more probable that you will commit to, and remain consistent in, a regular exercise programme. Irrespective of your current fitness level, each program can be adapted to your current wants and needs. If you are not of where to begin, hire a certified personal trainer. This will ensure that you learn proper form and technique.

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Want to find out how to become a personal trainer yourself? If so, then we recommend that you do a personal training course such as the ones that we offer. Follow this link for more information.

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Why is it vital to stay fit for longevity? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-is-it-vital-to-stay-fit-for-longevity/ Fri, 15 Nov 2019 06:28:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13461 Have you ever heard the saying “You are what you eat”? In other words, if you don’t eat healthily and cleanly you won’t end up being healthy. The same holds true for exercise as well as fitness. The more you do exercises, the fitter it is that you’ll end up being. Staying fit as you...

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Have you ever heard the saying “You are what you eat”? In other words, if you don’t eat healthily and cleanly you won’t end up being healthy. The same holds true for exercise as well as fitness. The more you do exercises, the fitter it is that you’ll end up being.

Staying fit as you get older assist you with your longevity as fitness ultimately helps you to live a healthier life for a longer period of time. Before you think that we’ve discovered the fountain of youth, there are scientifically-backed studies that show maintaining your fitness levels as you get older will contribute, in a positive manner, towards your longevity. Here’s why we say this.

Remaining fit helps to keep your organs functioning well

It is a proven fact that if you remain fit as well as healthy, your internal organs will work well. This will make sure that you keep healthy well into your golden years.

Take, for example, performing regular cardiovascular exercise for example running on the treadmill or – alternatively – taking part in a spin class. This kind of exercise ensure that your heart as well as lungs, among other parts of your body, function as they are supposed to.

As a consequence, these two body organs will become fitter. This means that doing regular cardio exercise will make you less susceptible to heart diseases such as coronary artery disease or – alternatively – congestive heart failure. Thus, ensuring that you maintain your levels of cardio fitness will certainly help to make sure that you have increased longevity!

 Maintaining fitness levels enhances muscle tone

Regularly doing strength as well as resistance training helps to maintain your muscle tone. This kind of training doesn’t just include lifting weights or, alternatively, working out using weight machines. Exercise formats – such as Pilates – also fall in the category of resistance training because you make use of your own body weight to resist against. This is as opposed to weight training where you use the weights as a type of resistance.

The more muscle tone that you have – especially as you get older – the younger-looking you will be. This is because your skin will be firmer as well as more supple. Although your birth certificate says that you’re getting older, you won’t look like it!

Resistance training assists with maintaining bone density

Performing resistance training will assist you with maintaining your levels of bone density. This means that if you have high bone density levels you will be less likely to suffer from crippling diseases when you get older. An example of such a disease is osteoporosis. Thus doing resistance training – as well as maintaining your fitness levels – most definitely helps to promote your longevity!

Exercise assists with reducing stress

 Today, we are all susceptible to stress – whether it be at work, at home or in our communities that we live in. The impacts of stress can be completely debilitating. These impact can also cause us to suffer, more often, from diseases such as the common cold to – at the other end of the spectrum – a heart attack.

When we go through our exercise routine, endorphins are discharged. These assist us with calming down and relaxing – and so doing away with the negative effects of stress. These could ultimately end up causing you to die. Thankfully, exercise’s stress-busting properties could literally help you to live longer.

 Exercise will assist you to sleep better

 It’s been proven that exercise will help you to sleep better. This means that you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed as well as better able to undertake the challenges that the day has for you.

You can easily identify people who don’t sleep properly. They have deep black rings under their eyes, their skin appears puffy and, in addition, their concentration wanders constantly. As they don’t get a good night’s sleep, it is more likely that they’ll move throughout the day not being focused. This lack of focus as well as concentration could eventually lead to them being the cause of a fatal car accident and being killed as a consequence.

How much exercise should I perform in order to improve my longevity?

 It is not required that you become a professional athlete or, alternatively, a bodybuilder in order to reap the longevity consequences of being fit. A very modest amount of physical activity – such as a placid walk around the grounds of your office park at lunchtime or using the stairs as opposed to  the lift – will assist you with maintaining your fitness levels. The trick is to keep to a steady level of exercise as if you don’t work out for a while and then begin to exercise vigorously, it is more likely that you’ll do serious harm to your body.

Keeping up your fitness levels will assist you with living a longer and more productive life. Choosing a form of exercise which you enjoy will assist you with sticking with it. Want to learn more about the benefits of being fit and healthy?

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If so, then you need to become a personal trainer. Follow this link for more information on how to do this.

 Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

 

 

 

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What is the mind-muscle connection? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-mind-muscle-connection/ Wed, 13 Nov 2019 06:40:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13427 While weight-lifting is seen by many individuals to be strictly physical training, there are many important psychological aspects to it.  In years gone by, many bodybuilders supported the value of implementing a “mind-muscle connection” while performing strength and resistance training. Remaining focused in the gym isn’t always easy as some may make it look. This...

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While weight-lifting is seen by many individuals to be strictly physical training, there are many important psychological aspects to it.  In years gone by, many bodybuilders supported the value of implementing a “mind-muscle connection” while performing strength and resistance training.

Remaining focused in the gym isn’t always easy as some may make it look. This is especially if you’re pulling a late-night workout just before your health club closes or, alternatively, if you’ve had a stressful day at the office.

Have you ever felt like you’re merely going through the motions of your workout? Perhaps your mind starts to wander and your thoughts float to your work or an item that you’ve read in the news. You probably don’t realise it but while your mind is elsewhere you’re missing out on one of the most important secrets to success with your training routine: the mind-muscle connection.

The mind-muscle connection: defined

Making use of a mind-muscle connection refers to concentrating on the muscle that is working throughout a set of strength-training exercises. The mind-muscle connection is the distinction between just going through the movements as opposed to creating a connection with your muscles. Legendary bodybuilder, Arnold Schwartzenegger, brought the concept into the limelight in the classic documentary entitled ‘Pumping Iron’.

Practically speaking, while performing an exercise you need to have a laser focus on your working muscle. Having a terrific mind-muscle connection will assist you with getting an incredible pump and shredding your muscles.

While this area of personal training may not seem like an apparent area for researchers to investigate, the impact of where we focus our attention during the course of physical activities has held great importance for scientists.

This wider body of literature, in addition to some recent studies into attentional focus during strength training, allows us the opportunity in order to assess if  making use of the mind-muscle connection could help or hamper us on our quest to achieve greater muscle growth.

Ways to improve your mind-muscle connection

As you can gather from the above-mentioned points, developing a good mind-muscle connection during your strength-training workouts will put you in good stead in terms of increasing your muscle mass. Here are some ideas of how you can improve this connection

Apply the Brakes to the movement

Many weight lifters make the terrible mistake of speeding through their reps. Getting through the motions just for the sake of it isn’t going to provide you any benefit. It is possible for you to significantly improve your mind-muscle connection by reducing the speed at which you do the reps.

Warm-up before you train

Some individuals jump into their workouts as soon as they get to the gym. Give your body sufficient time to warm up and become ready for the exercises. One of the greatest ways to warm up before resistance training is to stretch out your muscles as well as warm up the joints.

Make use of isolation exercises

It can be more difficult to establish a mind-muscle connection when you’re doing compound movements as opposed to isolation exercises. If you don’t feel a pump when you’re doing a compound (multi-joint) movement, try to do isolation (single joint) lifts. For example, rather than performing the barbell bench press, do the hammer strength press or a chest press machine.

Training hard is crucial and, of course, every single weight lifter out there wants to lift heavy weights. Leaving your ego at the door of the gym can be a difficult thing to do. However, if you want to make serious gains it’s something that you definitely have to do. There’s no point in working yourself to exhaustion if you’re not working your muscles efficiently.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about personal training and perhaps even become a personal trainer yourself? If you do then you should unquestionably consider doing a personal training course. Follow this link to get more information about the ones that we offer.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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Proper squat techniques as taught by personal trainers https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/proper-squat-techniques-as-taught-by-personal-trainers/ Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:56:04 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13416 One of the greatest exercises for you, whether you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight (or both) HAS to be the squat. However, it’s also an exercise which we see nearly EVERYBODY does incorrectly. Squats are one of the staple exercises that everyone out there should be able to perform. Nevertheless, even though squats...

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One of the greatest exercises for you, whether you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight (or both) HAS to be the squat. However, it’s also an exercise which we see nearly EVERYBODY does incorrectly. Squats are one of the staple exercises that everyone out there should be able to perform.

Nevertheless, even though squats may seem simple enough at times even the most basic movements are the trickiest to execute with perfect technique. From the outside a squat, it looks very easy. However, performing a squat correctly and – ensuring that you’re engaging the correct muscles as well as moving your body as you should – is in fact exceptionally complex.

What some people don’t get quite right with squats

There are several things which people don’t get quite right when it comes to squatting. We chatted to an expert personal trainer who gave us the low-down:

Letting Your Knees Fall In

A mixture of wide hips as well as weak inner and outer thighs makes this squat mistake pretty common among women. Unfortunately, if your knees move in towards each other for the duration of a squat, this can put too much pressure on your knees and result in injury.

However, correcting this mistake isn’t as easy as willing your knees to remain in place. It is necessary to strengthen your inner and (particularly) your outer thighs. Lateral theraband walks are a great way to do just that.  Here’s how to perform this exercise:

  1. Put a theraband around your lower legs. The resistance can be used closer to your knees if you want to make the movement easier. Alternatively, you can put the theraband around your ankles or feet if you want to carry out a more advanced movement.
  2. With the theraband in place, stand in an athletic standing position. Have your knees and hips slightly bent with your feet shoulder-width apart as well as the head and chest up. This will be the position in which you begin.
  3. Remaining low, take a slow, lateral step. Make sure that your toes point forward and remain low. After finishing the step, follow with your opposite leg. Step slowly and resist the band. Keep the feet at least shoulder-width apart so as to maintain band tension.
  4. Continue to laterally step in this manner in order to complete the set for the desired number of repetitions before you switch to walk in the opposite direction.

Not Lowering Your Body to 90 Degrees

If you don’t finish the exercise through its full range of motion – in other words, all the way down until the point that your thighbone is parallel to the floor – you won’t engage your glutes and the upper part of your hamstrings fully.

With the squat, you want to get a shapely butt and if you don’t lower your body to 90 degrees you won’t achieve this aim. To train your body in order to complete the entire move, try practising some squats facing a knee-high box or, alternatively, a step. Lower your body until your bum just barely touches the box, and then push back up.

Arching Your Back

Your back naturally has a slight “S” to it. However, if you don’t have enough lower back strength —and many people don’t have this –  it’s easy to add some extra arch when you perform your squats. The problem is that this movement dumps the weight into your lower back and means you risk injury. To increase your lower-back strength, try performing the dumbbell straight-leg deadlift:

  • Take hold of a pair of dumbbells. Make sure that you do this with an overhand grip and hold them at arm’s length at the front part of your thighs.
  • Stand with your feet being hip-width apart as well as your knees slightly bent.
  • Brace your core throughout the movement.
  • Without altering the bend of your knees, bend at your hips until your torso is almost parallel to the floor.
  • Pause and then shoot your hips forward. Squeeze your glutes tightly to return to the starting position.

A squat is a compound, full-body exercise. This exercise works mainly the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads, hamstrings in addition to strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons in the lower body.

The fabulous thing about squats is that these movements are more than just a way to exercise. These are a foundation for your overall strength and are fundamental to your ability to function well in daily life.  Make sure that you maintain proper form when performing a squat and listen to your body because if you feel any pain, do not proceed.

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What a personal trainer can explain about plyometric training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-a-personal-trainer-can-explain-about-plyometric-training/ Mon, 11 Nov 2019 06:39:59 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13399 The term ‘plyometric movements’ refers to movements that are quick and explosive. These exercises start with a muscle-lengthening (eccentric) act which is immediately followed up with a muscle-shortening (concentric) act. Plyometric training includes the usage of these plyometric movements in order to increase your speed and strength, in other words power. Personal trainers use these...

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The term ‘plyometric movements’ refers to movements that are quick and explosive. These exercises start with a muscle-lengthening (eccentric) act which is immediately followed up with a muscle-shortening (concentric) act. Plyometric training includes the usage of these plyometric movements in order to increase your speed and strength, in other words power. Personal trainers use these movements quite regularly in their training with clients.

The history of plyometric training

Plyometrics first came onto the fitness scene in the early 1980s. This type of training was introduced by a Russian scientist with the name of Yuri Verkhoshansky.

In its early form, plyometrics involved athletes dropping down from a height and then directly jumping upwards. The shock of the landing would compel an eccentric, muscle-lengthening action on the athlete’s body. The jump upwards introduced the immediate muscle-shortening action. The blend of stretching and contracting their muscles fine-tuned them. Modern-day plyometric exercises have evolved this ‘shock training’ into a much less intense ‘jump training’ with a greater variety in height as well as execution time.

Examples of plyometric training

If you are fit and looking to supercharge your workouts, then you may enjoy the challenge of performing plyometric training. It’s a fantastic way to train if you are involved in high-impact sports that require a lot of running or jumping, such as tennis, skiing or – alternatively – basketball.

Here are a couple of plyometric exercises that you can include in your workout routines.

Lateral Skater Jumps

The majority of the movements that you perform in the gym are linear. This means that you move straight forward and backwards. Movements such as running, squatting as well as lunging are examples of linear movements.

Lateral movements are vital to make use of in your routine as these build a set of muscles you’re probably ignoring. To work on your side-to-side dexterity, try out lateral skater jumps. As you make improvements, it will become easier for you to jump further. In addition, with these types of movements you can also focus on jumping higher in order to make it more difficult.

As lateral skater jumps are lateral and performed off one leg, it is not possible to jump very high, which minimising any potential harmful impact. It’s also easy to regulate how far you go in each jump.

Movement:

  • Make use of a small hurdle to jump over or lines on the ground which are 2-or 3-feet apart.
  • Raise your leg which is inside and push off the outside leg.
  • Jump up and over. Land on the opposite leg.
  • As you land, remember that you need to bend your knee and stick your hips back as this will soften the blow.

Skipping

While it’s not a super-complicated manoeuvre, skipping is an excellent plyometric exercise for developing foot speed as well as calf-muscle strength.

Movement:

  • Start by skipping with your feet together.
  • Then, go on to hopping on one foot as this places more stress on your ankle and calf muscle.
  • As soon as you’re comfortable with that, alternate feet on each skip. Essentially, you’ll be jogging in one spot.

Precautions to take in plyometric exercises

There are several of precautions that you need to take during plyometric training. Here are some of them.

Not for beginner exercisers

If you’re just getting started with exercising, or you haven’t done this kind of training before, it’s important to ease into plyometrics. A personal trainer is a phenomenal resource for helping you set up a plyometric training programme that fits your fitness level and goals.

It can lead to overtraining

Plyometrics isn’t something you want to do on a daily basis unless you’re a professional athlete. Attempting some plyometric training in two or three workouts per week, with rest days in between, is probably enough for the average exerciser. More than that and you risk burnout. When you’re getting started, work with an experienced personal trainer who can show you how to safely jump and land.

Start slow and low. Mix a few plyometric moves into your regular workout, for instance. Because plyometrics is high-impact and intense exercise, check with your doctor or personal trainer first if you aren’t active now or have any health problems.

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Want to discover more about personal training or even become a personal trainer yourself? If so, then you should really consider doing a personal training course such as the ones we offer. Follow this link for more information.

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What are the best nutritional choices that long-distance runners should make? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/what-are-the-best-nutritional-choices-that-long-distance-runners-should-make/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 06:07:34 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13389 A good race hinges on a lot more than just your training that you do to prepare. To improve your speed as well as your performance, it is necessary for you also to consider what you are putting into your body and if you’re adhering to proper nutrition principles. The correct foods at the right...

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A good race hinges on a lot more than just your training that you do to prepare. To improve your speed as well as your performance, it is necessary for you also to consider what you are putting into your body and if you’re adhering to proper nutrition principles. The correct foods at the right time can help to boost your running performance enormously. In addition to this, you will decrease your risk of sustaining injury and illness.

Most commercial supermarkets sell more than 30 000 items, however, every time we mission up and down the aisles of the grocery store, we usually put the same 10 to 15 foods into our shopping carts. This isn’t such a terrible thing, as long as you’re buying the right foods, in other words, the ones that will keep you healthy, fuel peak performance, and easily makeup lots of delicious meals. However, for runners food is about more than just pure nutrition principles. Food is considered to be fuel:

  • You need to plan carefully in terms of what you should eat before, during and after your runs.
  • When you are training for a long race you will have to decide how you will change how you eat.

What should be in every long-distance runner’s pantry

  1. Bananas

If require need a high-carb energy booster prior to your afternoon run, choose a banana. This fruit also holds a healthy dose of potassium (about 400 mg). The energy boost that you will be getting is especially vital for long-distance runs or marathons in hot temperatures when you are likely to sweat a lot and – as a result – lose valuable minerals. Potassium (in addition to other minerals such as sodium, magnesium and chloride) compensates for this deficiency and reduces your blood pressure simultaneously.

  1. Oats

Oatmeal is the best breakfast when you want to go running afterwards because it provides you with plenty of carbohydrates (one serving has about 25 g). In addition, oatmeal is high in fibre. Plus, oats have a low glycaemic index which means that they cause your blood sugar levels to rise slowly, provide you with energy over a more extended period and keep you having the sensation of feeling fuller for longer.

  1. Peanut butter

When we refer to ‘peanut butter’, we are talking about pure peanut butter that does not have additives such as sugar, salt or oil. This type of peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, which is probably the most effective antioxidant among all of the vitamins.

Peanuts do contain a lot of fat and are, as a consequence, high in calories, these nuts consist of monounsaturated as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids which can help lower cholesterol levels in your blood. Plus, peanuts are essential for:

  • Strengthening your immune system,
  • Speeding up your post-run recovery, as well as
  • Preventing injuries.

Peanut butter also has a good deal of protein which makes it an ideal aid for assisting your muscles grow. Try putting peanut butter on whole-grain toast with banana slices and is also suitable as a snack together with a few slices of apple.

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  1. Broccoli

This green vegetable is jam-packed with vitamin C, which can help reduce the risk of – or even prevent – sore muscles following an intense workout. Broccoli is also a fabulous source of calcium, folic acid as well as vitamin K, which strengthens our bones.

  1. Plain yoghurt

Yoghurt is the best combination of carbohydrates and protein. It has a biological value of nearly 85 %, meaning that it has a high percentage of essential amino acids. (These substances cannot be synthesised by the body, which means that you need to get these from food).

If you eat yoghurt directly after a run, it can speed up your recovery and so protect your muscles. The calcium contained in it also strengthens your bones. An additional benefit of yoghurt is that it contains live lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) which stimulate your gut flora and thus boost your immune system. Having these bacteria in your system is vital for everybody and not just runners.

  1. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate (that has at least 70% cacao) is the perfect treat because you don’t have to feel guilty afterwards. It can assist with lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, the flavanols (secondary metabolites) contained in this type of chocolate can help with reducing inflammation. What is the best thing about dark chocolate (other than the taste)? It puts you in a good mood. But here, as usual, it always comes down to portion size. Two or three squares are plenty. When combined with a handful of nuts, they can help you beat the mid-afternoon slump.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about nutrition? If so, then you should absolutely consider doing a nutrition course. Follow this link to find out more.

 

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How personal trainers teach proper lunge form https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-personal-trainers-teach-proper-lunge-form/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 06:02:02 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13385 Lunges are a classic exercise. It is possible to do lunges anywhere and the positive effects of these exercises can be seen quickly in the form of shapely, toned legs and backside. If you’re planning on incorporating lunges into your fitness routine ensure that you’re not doing more harm than good. The world of fitness...

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Lunges are a classic exercise. It is possible to do lunges anywhere and the positive effects of these exercises can be seen quickly in the form of shapely, toned legs and backside. If you’re planning on incorporating lunges into your fitness routine ensure that you’re not doing more harm than good.

The world of fitness and exercise has long been peppered with fitness myths, misconceptions, misperceptions as well as biased information. While much data is sound and well-intentioned, some of these fitness misnomers is designed to attract us to buying things, whether these are good for us or not. Together, sound information blends with the “fluff” to result in a convoluted mass of confusion as well as contradictions. Alternatively it turns into a believable viewpoint, which is responsible for grossly oversimplifying a complex subject.

As if that’s not enough, in the world of fitness a version of the “telephone game” is often thrown into the mix. Information about health and wellness passes from person to person, often changing along the way. The original intent and rationale become lost in translation. Owing to this, a person may blindly follow what they hear without ever inquiring about objective reasoning.

We are taught fitness and health guidelines. These are interpreted as rules. Whatever or whomever we learned them from first is often perceived as “right”. We have the tendency to listen to and follow the masses because “if everyone is doing it this way, it must be right….Right?” The same principle is often followed with lunges which leads to many people injuring themselves as they adopt the incorrect form.

The proper method for performing a forward lunge

The forward lunge is one of the extremely common variations of the squats. Here is how to do this:

  1. Stand up tall and make sure that your feet are hip-width apart. Engage your core.
  2. Take a wide step forward with your right leg. Start to move your weight forward so that your heel hits the floor first.
  3. Lower your body until the point where your right thigh is parallel to the floor and your right shin is vertical. It’s fine if your knee shifts forward a little so long as it doesn’t go past your right toe. If you are able to lightly tap your left knee to the floor while keeping your weight in your right heel.
  4. Put your weights into your right heel in order to drive back up to your starting position.
  5. Repeat on the other side.

There are a number of distinctions to the lunge. Here are some of them:

Wall sits

Wall sits can be done almost anywhere with the only equipment needed is a wall. Ideally, you will do a wall sit in a position where your whole spine is flat on the surface of the wall. Your knees must be in a direct line with your hips as well as in line over your ankles. Ensure that your knees don’t go past your toes. If you have knee discomfort, begin higher up so that your knees are not forming a 90-degree angle from the hips until they work up to this particular level.

Lunges while holding a bar or suspension training bands

Another lunge variation that uses minimal equipment is making use of a stable surface such as a bar or suspension straps. You will minimise your range of motion (ROM) and difficulty regarding the degree of balance while working on static lunges.

Hold the bar and line your front knee up over the ankle and make sure that your back foot follows the width of your hip as you move into the lunge. The spine should be straight with your shoulders lined up over the hips.

The lunge is a resistance exercise which can be used in order to assist with strengthening your lower body. Muscles worked include:

  • quadriceps
  • hamstrings
  • glutes
  • calves

When practised from different angles, lunges are also a functional movement. Functional movements can help you work muscles in ways that benefit everyday movements you do outside of exercising. For example, side lunges help strengthen the muscles your body uses to move and change direction.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about exercise, you should really consider becoming a personal trainer. To find out more how to do this, please follow this link.

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Why are processed foods so unhealthy for your nutrition? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/nutrition-blog/why-are-processed-foods-so-unhealthy-for-your-nutrition/ Thu, 07 Nov 2019 07:30:03 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13367 Processed foods aren’t just microwave meals or other ready-made meals. The term ‘processed food’ refers to any foods which have been altered in some way during the process of their preparation. Processed foods can refer to foods which are: Frozen, Canned, Baked, or Dried Not all foods which are processed are unhealthy. This being said,...

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Processed foods aren’t just microwave meals or other ready-made meals. The term ‘processed food’ refers to any foods which have been altered in some way during the process of their preparation. Processed foods can refer to foods which are:

  • Frozen,
  • Canned,
  • Baked, or
  • Dried

Not all foods which are processed are unhealthy. This being said, some processed foods may contain high levels of salt, sugar as well as fat in order to preserve them. Not all food, which is processed, is a bad choice. Some foodstuffs require processing in order to make them safe for consumption, such as milk, which needs to be pasteurised in order to remove bacteria which is harmful.

Other foods require processing to make them suitable for use, such as pressing seeds to make oil.

Common examples of foods which are processed include:

  • Breakfast cereals,
  • Cheese,
  • Tinned vegetables,
  • Bread,
  • Savoury snacks, for example as crisps, sausage rolls, pies as well as pasties,
  • Meat products, which include bacon, sausage, ham, salami as well as pâté,
  • “Convenience foods”, such as microwave meals or other ready-made meals,
  • Cakes and biscuits, as well as
  • Drinks, such as milk or soft drinks.

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Processed foods often contain high levels of refined carbohydrates

There is a lot of debate regarding carbohydrates in a person’s the diet. Some individuals feel that the majority of our energy intake should be from carbohydrates, while others feel that carbs should be avoided at all costs.

Processed foods are often high in carbohydrates however they are usually loaded with refined carbs. One of the biggest problems is that refined, “simple” carbohydrates are quickly broken down in the digestive tract. This causes rapid spikes in blood sugar as well as insulin levels. This process can lead to carbohydrate cravings a few hours later when blood sugar levels drop again. This is also called the “blood sugar roller coaster,” and many people who have been on a high-carb diet can relate to these feelings.

If you’re going to eat carbohydrates, get these from whole, single-ingredient foods and not from processed junk foods. The carbohydrates you will find in processed foods are normally refined and “simple” carbohydrates. These result in rapid spikes in blood sugar as well as insulin levels and – ultimately – cause negative health effects.

Processed foods are known for being low in nutrients

Processed foods are awfully low in essential nutrients when you look at this in relation to whole, unprocessed foods. In a number of cases, synthetic vitamins as well as minerals are added to the foods in order to compensate for what was lost when the food was processed. Even though this is the case, synthetic nutrients are not a good replacement for the nutrients which are found in whole foods.

Real foods have much more in them than just the standard vitamins and minerals. Real foods – such as plants and animals – contain thousands of other trace nutrients the impact of which science is just starting to grasp.

The more processed foods that you eat, the less get vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and various trace nutrients you will get. There are many nutrients to be found in whole foods that are not found in processed foods. This has the result that the more processed foods you eat, the less you will get of these nutrients. When you replace real foods – such as fish, meat, fruit as well as vegetables – with processed and junk foods, you increase your risk of illness and poor health.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about nutrition, and possibly even become a nutritionist yourself, you need to seriously consider doing a specialised nutrition course such as the one we offer. For more information, please follow this link.

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What a personal trainer can explain about pain management https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-a-personal-trainer-can-explain-about-pain-management/ Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:13:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13355 In days gone by, medical experts used to prescribe bed rest for back pain in addition to other chronic pain conditions. However, studies have made the finding that people who exercise and stay flexible are able to manage their pain much better as opposed to those who don’t. Exercise is responsible for improving your pain...

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In days gone by, medical experts used to prescribe bed rest for back pain in addition to other chronic pain conditions. However, studies have made the finding that people who exercise and stay flexible are able to manage their pain much better as opposed to those who don’t.

Exercise is responsible for improving your pain threshold. With pain that you experience on a chronic basis, your pain threshold drops. This means that it takes less pain in order to make you feel more uncomfortable. With cardiovascular, strengthening as well as flexibility exercise, it is possible to improve that pain threshold.

The personal trainer’s wisdom about pain management

Lower back pain is one of these chronic types of pain. Unfortunately, it is a type of chronic pain that is experienced by all kinds of people – and it’s more common than you think. People such as athletes and fitness fanatics to people who don’t do any physical activity – whatsoever – are all prone to lower-back pain.

Most adults will have to deal with this kind of pain at some point in their lives. So, this begs the question: when you experience this type of pain, when should you head on off to the gym and when should you rather skip the gym and go straight to the physio or medical specialist?

Exercises for lower back pain, stretches, foam rolling as well as a few other simple strategies may be all you need to do in order to have less pain. Get your personal trainer to teach you how to do the following exercises – with good form – so that you can manage chronic pain.

Exercises to help alleviate lower back pain

Pelvic tilts

The pelvic tilt exercise can relieve tight back muscles and make sure that these remain flexible. Here’s how to perform this lower back exercise which enhances flexibility in this part of your body:

  • Lie with your back on the floor. Bend your knees bent and keep your feet flat. Make sure that your arms remain by your sides.
  • Gently arch your lower back and push your stomach out.
  • Hold for five seconds and then relax.
  • Flatten your back and pull in your belly button towards the floor.
  • Hold for five seconds and then relax.
  • Increase the number of repetitions daily and build up to 30.

Lying lateral leg lifts

These exercises work your hip abductors which support your pelvis. In addition, these muscles can help to reduce strain on your back. Making sure that these muscles are kept strong is essential as these help you to maintain your balance. If these muscles are weak, this can affect mobility.

To do lying lateral leg lifts:

  • Lie on one of your sides with your legs together.
  • Keep your lower leg slightly bent.
  • Draw your belly button into your spine in order to engage your core muscles.
  • Raise your top leg about 18 inches off your lower leg. Keep it straight as well as extended.
  • Hold the position for two seconds.
  • Perform this exercise 10 times.
  • Turn onto your other side and repeat by lifting your other leg.
  • Perform three sets on each side.

Superman

A person requires back extensors which are strong in order to maintain good posture. These muscles are along either side of your spine. If you back extensors are weak, this can reduce spinal and pelvic support. However, performing an exercise called a “Superman” can assist.

To perform a Superman:

  • Lie face down on the floor. Extend both of your arms to the front of your body. Keep your legs stretched as well as flat on the floor.
  • Lift both of your hands as well as your feet. Aim to create a gap of about six inches between them as well as the floor.
  • Attempt to pull in your belly button. Lift it off the floor to engage your core muscles.
  • Keep the head straight and look at the floor to avoid neck injury.
  • Extend your hands and feet outward as far as you can.
  • Maintain the position for two seconds.
  • Return to your starting position.
  • Repeat a total of 10 times.

Executing these exercises in order to work the core muscles can assist with preventing injury, increasing stability as well as improving flexibility. People who suffer from lower back pain should also pay attention to their general posture as well as the manner in which they carry heavy objects in order to identify movements that may be responsible. Anyone who experiences severe lower back pain or if this discomfort does not go away with gentle stretches and exercise should make an appointment with a physio.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to discover more about combatting pain – like a personal trainer – you really need to do a personal training course like the ones on offer at our fitness college. Follow this link for more information.

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Variations on the deadlift for you to try https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/variations-on-the-deadlift-for-you-to-try/ Tue, 05 Nov 2019 11:33:47 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13345 The deadlift is a weight-training exercise. During this movement, a loaded barbell or – alternatively – a bar is lifted off the floor to alongside the hips and torso. When the bar or barbell is level with the chest, it is perpendicular to the floor. After this, it is placed back on the floor. The...

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The deadlift is a weight-training exercise. During this movement, a loaded barbell or – alternatively – a bar is lifted off the floor to alongside the hips and torso. When the bar or barbell is level with the chest, it is perpendicular to the floor. After this, it is placed back on the floor. The deadlift is one of the three powerlifting exercises. Others include the squat as well as the bench press.

The term ‘deadlift’ refers to the lifting of dead weight – in other words, weight without momentum – such as weights lying on the floor. Deadlifts are one of the few regular weight-training exercises where all repetitions start with dead weight.

With most other lifts that you’ll do in your weight-training routine either by yourself or with your personal trainer, there is an eccentric (which refers to the lowering of the weight) phase. This phase is followed by the concentric phase, which refers to the lifting of the load. Throughout these exercises, a tiny amount of energy is stored in the muscles which are stretched in addition to the tendons in the eccentric phase if the weight-lifter is not flexible beyond his or her specific range of motion.

Benefits of the deadlift

The deadlift works the following muscles in your body:

  • Glutes,
  • Hamstrings,
  • Quadriceps,
  • Abdominal muscles, in addition to your
  • Lower back muscles.

Deadlifts also make use of back muscles such as the latissimus dorsi, which are commonly known as the lats. This exercise is also responsible for engaging your forearm muscles as you have to hold onto the bar in order to prevent it from slipping out of your hands and falling on your feet.

There are a number of joints as well as muscles that work simultaneously during the deadlift. This is why it’s called a compound movement. As there are a lot of muscles that are incorporated in the deadlift, it is possible for you to lift more weight as opposed to many other exercises. This characteristic makes the deadlift ideal for building muscle in addition to strength.

Compound movements, such as the deadlift, can result in your workout being more efficient. As opposed to doing a separate exercise for your legs and back, you can do the deadlift and it is possible to work them all at the same time. This gives you extra time in your workout to train other muscles.

Deadlift variations to include in your workout routine

If you’re bored with doing traditional deadlifts, don’t worry! There are a number of alternatives that you can practise so you can still get the benefit of this great exercise.

  1. Sumo Deadlift

As with the sumo squat, the sumo deadlift requires you to place your feet in a wider stance. Your hands must be on the inside of the feet. The sumo deadlift can be done with an emphasis on the quads or, alternatively, your hips. This variation of the deadlift offers a range of motion which permits you to lift heavier loads. However, remember to practise your technique in order to get this perfect. To help you in your practice, start with lower weights.

  1. Hex or Trap Bar Deadlifts

A hex or trap bar deadlift is done using a specialised bar which is called a hex or trap bar. With the hex bar, it is possible for you to alter the mechanics behind the deadlift and lift while distributing your weight in an even fashion.

  1. Snatch Grip Deadlift

In this type of deadlift, your hands adopt a wider grip. The snatch deadlift is an Olympic lifting technique which mainly works out the hamstrings. The snatch deadlift acts in order to strengthen the pull of the snatch.

  1. Romanian Deadlift

The Romanian deadlift – which is also called the straight-legged deadlift – focuses on making use of the hamstrings. This is in contrast to other deadlift techniques which focus on your lower back. When performing the straight-legged deadlift, your back should remain straight. All your bending should be coming from the torso. This means that instead of bending your knees your legs should be stiff throughout the lowering and lifting phases of the movement.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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What is the correct technique to adopt during endurance training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-correct-technique-to-adopt-during-endurance-training/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:02:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13188 The term ‘endurance training’ refers to a particular manner of exercising, the goal of which is to improve endurance. The expression ‘endurance training’ usually refers to the training of the aerobic system as opposed to the anaerobic system of the human body. The requirement for endurance in sports is often based on the need for...

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The term ‘endurance training’ refers to a particular manner of exercising, the goal of which is to improve endurance. The expression ‘endurance training’ usually refers to the training of the aerobic system as opposed to the anaerobic system of the human body. The requirement for endurance in sports is often based on the need for cardiovascular as well as pure muscular endurance. However, the issue of endurance is far more complicated than what is popularly thought.

The two categories of endurance training

Endurance exercises can be divided into two categories:

  • General endurance, as well as
  • Specific endurance.

‘General endurance’ characterises the ability of your entire body to withstand endurance exercises while fatigue is being diminished. The better your general endurance is, the better you can stand longer efforts at various sporting disciplines. For example, if you are one 500m runner and have high level of general endurance, you can perform at a relatively high level at 10 000 m as well, but you can’t compete against 10 000 m runners who have been developing their distance-specific endurance.

The term ‘specific endurance’ refers to the ability of an athlete to stand against fatigue in sport-specific conditions. The better your sport-specific endurance, the better you can perform at this specific sport. Specific endurance can be characterised as a combination of various types of endurance that you need to maximise your ability to achieve success in your discipline. In other words, everybody aims to achieve specific endurance in their sports. For example, if you’re one 500m runner, you make use of a combination of endurance training methods to perform better at your specific distance.

The correct endurance training technique

Warm-up

The warm-up should function to up your heart rate and blood pressure, increase your oxygen consumption, dilate the blood vessels, improve elasticity of the active muscles as well as increase the heat produced by the muscle groups to be used during exercise.

A proper warm-up consists of two phases:

  1. A graduated aerobic warm-up activity: This is a warm-up to get the blood flowing into the muscles and to heat the muscles to make them less prone to injury. Any aerobic exercise done at very low intensities can serve to warm up the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
  2. Stretching or flexibility: This is to be applied to the muscle groups you would be exercising during your cardiovascular activity. An example would be a quadriceps stretch before bicycling.

The warm-up phase should last anywhere from between five and 10 minutes. For most activities, five minutes may be good enough. Stretching should always follow the low-intensity aerobic warm-up exercise as it is easier to stretch the muscle groups when they are warm. An example of a proper warm-up will be five minutes of walking followed by three minutes of light stretching. Attempt to hold your stretch for at least 20 seconds during the warm-up.

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Cool down

The aim of a cool down is to decrease the cardiovascular work and overall metabolism slowly, which were elevated during the cardiovascular exercise. A cool down is made up of slowing down the intensity level of the cardiovascular activity that you are performing slowly. Stopping exercise suddenly can be dangerous. A cool down is crucial for people who are in the beginning stages of an exercise programme.

A proper cool-down should last about between five and 10 minutes for every 30 minutes of exercise. If the cardiovascular activity is performed for more extended periods or is of a higher intensity the cool down phase should last for longer.

Knowing how to perform endurance training correctly is not just a case of performing the exercises. You need to know how to carry out the workout routine in its entirety. If you are still unsure of how to do endurance training properly, you should think about hiring a personal trainer. Even better, why not do a personal training course such as the ones that we offer.

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Exercises to build glute and hamstring strength https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/exercises-to-build-glute-and-hamstring-strength/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 11:41:18 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13186 Strong glutes, as well as hamstrings, are about more than only nice-looking legs and a well-rounded bottom. The glutes, in addition to the hamstrings, are the strongest muscles that are present in our skeletal muscular system. Once we make these muscles stronger, it is possible to prevent strain as well as injury. When your hamstrings...

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Strong glutes, as well as hamstrings, are about more than only nice-looking legs and a well-rounded bottom. The glutes, in addition to the hamstrings, are the strongest muscles that are present in our skeletal muscular system. Once we make these muscles stronger, it is possible to prevent strain as well as injury. When your hamstrings and glutes are stronger, you’ll enjoy an enhanced ability to squat deeper, lunge without pain, push heavy objects, run faster as well as jump higher.

To best train those hamstrings and glutes, you’ll want to emphasise both leg curling (knee bending) in addition to hip extension (or straightening) actions to achieve balanced training. One of the best exercises which accomplish this is the glute-ham raise (GHR).

How to perform the glute-ham raise

For this exercise, you need to make use of a glute-ham developer (GHD). Adjust this machine so that, at the time when your feet are secured, your quads rest on the middle of the GHD. You must be able to lower your torso over the end.

Begin with bent knees at 90° so that your body is straight and is perpendicular to the lower part of your legs. Fold your arms across your chest. Brace your core and then, in a slow manner, lower your torso forward over the side of the GHD until you are in a horizontal position. In the next movement, return explosively to the position in which you started by contracting your hamstrings.

If there is no GHD to work with, it is possible for you to do the exercise by kneeling on a mat and getting a gym buddy to secure your feet in place as you lean forward

Glute-Ham Raise Variations: Pull-down glute-ham raise

The lat pull-down machine provides the same benefits as a glute-ham raise. However, holding onto a double-rope cable which is attached to the weight stack, counterbalances your bodyweight. This makes it a perfect beginner move for gradually building up your hamstring strength:

  • Being by setting the weight stack to the correct level of resistance.
  • Kneel and face away from the machine. Make sure that the backs of your calves are against the pad.
  • Take hold of the double-cable rope attachment with both hands just behind your head. Ensure that your elbows are pointing up.
  • Gradually, lower your upper body towards the floor. While you’re doing this, keep your core braced.
  • After you’ve performed this movement, quickly return to your starting position by contracting your hamstrings.

Not many exercises can isolate the hamstrings as well as glutes without top-loading additional weight on your spine or, alternatively, testing your grip strength with a loaded barbell. Even though you may think that this exercise looks easy in comparison to a Barbell Romanian Deadlift or Hip Thrust, it is just as challenging (if not even more so) when performed correctly.

The bridge with toe raise is another move that does well in terms of strengthening your hamstrings and glutes. Over-relying on your quadriceps in order to generate power when you run or walk can cause strain in your quads. Also, it could cause IT band syndrome, knee pain as well as other problems. Likewise, if your glutes don’t fire as well as contract during each stride, your hamstrings will take over this role, which can lead to overuse injury. This particular exercise combats both sites of injury.

The muscles that these exercise work are:

  • The back of your thighs (hamstrings),
  • Your bottom (glutes),
  • Transverse abdominis, and
  • Calves (gastrocnemius).

Exercise technique:

  • Lie supine on a mat, on the floor.
  • Put your feet flat on the floor. Make sure that your heels are close to your bottom.
  • Lift your hips off the mat until these form a straight line between your knees, hips as well as shoulders.
  • Squeeze your bottom. Pull in your tummy tight and maintain this position.
  • Lift onto your toes.
  • Gradually lower your heels. Then lower your bottom until you touch the mat. However, don’t rest completely.

If you feel a cramp in your muscles, rest for a few seconds. Reduce the number of repetitions. Build up until you can do the full set. Want to learn about exercising like a personal trainer?

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How To Take Your Hiking to the Next Level With These Workouts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-take-your-hiking-to-the-next-level-with-these-workouts/ Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:45:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13145 Hiking isn’t just walking in the Drakensberg or a similar setting. It necessitates strength as well as balance. If you think that you can get off the couch after a long period of inactivity, put on your hiking boots, and hit the trail, you’ve got another thing coming. You’ll find that most trails are uneven...

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Hiking isn’t just walking in the Drakensberg or a similar setting. It necessitates strength as well as balance. If you think that you can get off the couch after a long period of inactivity, put on your hiking boots, and hit the trail, you’ve got another thing coming. You’ll find that most trails are uneven and go up at some sort of angle. This means that even the simplest hiking requires balance as well as strength in order to avoid getting injured. However, the good news is that getting back into the swing of things isn’t as difficult as you may think.

In the same breath, you might be asking yourself the question, “Don’t you just get fit for hiking by going on several hikes?” This is definitely something that you should be doing, however if you’re just getting into hiking – or you want to do longer hikes – then doing some training beforehand can be a huge help.

A cheat sheet to developing hiking fitness

Getting fit so that you can embark on your dreamed-of long-distance hike is within your reach! Here’s an overview of how you can do this:

  • Increase strength in the major muscles that hikers rely upon. Stronger legs as well as core muscles will better support the load in your backpack and assist you with hiking harder, longer.
  • Build up endurance in those self-same muscle groups in addition to the shoulders and lower back. This is as hiking can be an all-day activity.
  • Improve your balance. This is so you can have a more stable base that will allow you to take uneven terrain in your stride.
  • Don’t forget about your cardio. Complement this exercise routine with activities such as trail running, mountain biking or another aerobic exercise that you enjoy.

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Walking is a fantastic way to exercise

Walking can assist with getting your heart rate up and making sure that you keep energised. The action can even improve your mood, as is the case with all exercise as the activity of exercising increases the release of serotonin which is the feel-good hormone in the body.

However, to make the most of your walking workouts, you’ll want to add a little additional variety to make these workouts more challenging. Other movements can assist with intensifying walking workouts. These can get your whole body working as well as improve your fitness in a quicker fashion.

Walking workouts definitely have their place in an individual’s overall fitness regimen. For those whose physical fitness does not permit them to run, the action of walking offers them a low-impact workout that can be completed virtually anywhere. Unfortunately, walking is limited in its ability to improve other areas of fitness. To work overall fitness, a person must engage in mobility work and resistance training.

Improve your balance for optimal hiking performance

As hiking trails are often very rocky, you’ll need to have a superb sense of balance in order to make sure that you don’t fall and injure yourself or – worse – slip and fall off a cliff face. Here are several tips that we got from expert hikers, to assist you with improving your balance before you hit the trails.

  • Practise a flamingo stance on stable ground (aim for 30 seconds) before progressing to a more dynamic surface like a Bosu ball. Begin with your lifted leg bent at 45 degrees (picture the Karate Kid). To up the difficulty levels, straighten it out to the front, back, or side of the weight-bearing leg.
  • After four weeks of stabilisation training, vary your balance workout by stepping out of a lunge by straightening your front leg and bringing your back leg forward to 90 degrees. Ensure that your foot is off the ground, make your thigh level with your hips. Add a weighted pack or try more powerful movements, like single-leg squats, to increase levels of difficulty.

Hiking is a super form of exercise that will increase your cardiorespiratory fitness among others.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to really supercharge your knowledge of exercise, you need to do a personal training course such as our Personal Training Diploma. Follow this link for more information.

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How to Use Watts to Keep Yourself Motivated and Engaged https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-use-watts-to-keep-yourself-motivated-and-engaged/ Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:42:07 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13141 Watts are responsible for measuring the rate at which energy is converted. The watt measurement is defined as one joule per second. In the case of cardio workouts, watts are defined as the power that you are producing when you’re doing your cardio workouts. The more energy that you are creating, the tougher the rate...

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Watts are responsible for measuring the rate at which energy is converted. The watt measurement is defined as one joule per second. In the case of cardio workouts, watts are defined as the power that you are producing when you’re doing your cardio workouts. The more energy that you are creating, the tougher the rate is at which you are exercising.

The greatest way to describe this power is in calories:

  • When you are generating power, you are consuming more calories. This is an essential way to design your exercise programme as well as progressions if you are trying to shed a few extra calories.
  • Much like strength training, it is necessary for you to slowly overload your muscles and have a recovery period before overloading them again. Over a period of time, you will produce increased levels of power.

For athletes, watts are a vital cog in their efforts to become better at their sports. This is because the more power that you can generate, the faster you can accelerate in a play. Also, the more weight you can push for in a rugby tackle or scrum or, alternatively, the higher you can jump in lineup. Training your cardiovascular energy system to create this power is very important in achieving your results throughout the game.

How to keep yourself motivated in your cardio workouts

Cardio can be incredibly dull however it’s a fundamental necessity for maintaining your cardiorespiratory health and wellness. Here are several ways to help keep you motivated during your cardio workouts.

  1. Have a Reason for Doing Cardio

Have a goal in mind for why you want to do cardio in the first place and get your heart rate pumping. Give yourself a chance to be able to stick to your cardio regimen by deciding why you want to get – as well as remain – active.

  1. Schedule a Workout Prior to You Having to be Somewhere

Are you in a hurry to be somewhere? This could be optimal time to fit in a cardio workout. Plan a workout in the half-an-hour before you have to be somewhere because you know you’ll have to get it in quickly and be done with it.

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  1. Listen to Music to Keep Your Momentum Going

Music motivates us to get up and keep moving during our cardio workouts. If you’re seriously not a fan of cardio workouts, music can help to distract you from thinking that you want to throw in the towel and press the emergency stop on the treadmill. You’ll be so busy enjoying your tunes that you’ll forget where you are!

Another way to motivate yourself during your cardio workouts is by using watts. For example, if you are using an indoor bike, you will most probably ride the bike for a certain amount of time as well as focus on little more than the distance that you cover or the time it takes you to complete the workout.

A more innovative approach would be to give yourself a target wattage to obtain and/or maintain for a specific amount of time. For example, your workouts might look like the following:

  • Three minutes at 100 watts,
  • Three minutes at 125 watts,
  • Three minutes at 150 watts,
  • Three minutes at 170+ watts, and
  • Three minutes at 125 watts.

Here’s an example of a treadmill workout which makes use of this formula:

  • After a suitable warm-up, run at what you consider a fast pace for two minutes. Determine the wattage and utilise that as a baseline.
  • Based on wattage, walk or run:
  • Three minutes at 50% of baseline,
  • Three minutes at 60% of baseline,
  • Two minutes at 70% of baseline,
  • One minute at 80% of baseline,
  • One minute at 60% of baseline,
  • One minute at 90% of baseline,
  • Two minutes at 70% of baseline,
  • One minute at 90% of baseline, and
  • Three minutes at 60% of baseline.

These types of workouts create a higher level of engagement and demonstrate a higher value for you. They also motivate you to push harder than you usually would, which helps you to burn more calories, work harder and achieve a higher level of overall fitness.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To learn more about fitness and exercise, consider doing a personal training course. Have a look at our wide variety of options here.

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How to choose the Profession that Suits you Best https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-choose-the-profession-that-suits-you-best/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 10:00:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13133 Not everyone has a highly satisfying job and it’s usually the result of not understanding what motivates you. Choosing the wrong profession will frustrate you and ruin your personal life too. Make sure you seek advice and guidance before making this lifelong decision. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses and what you are...

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Not everyone has a highly satisfying job and it’s usually the result of not understanding what motivates you. Choosing the wrong profession will frustrate you and ruin your personal life too.

Make sure you seek advice and guidance before making this lifelong decision.

You need to know your strengths and weaknesses and what you are really good at.

Do you find it easy to be involved in fitness or do you prefer office work? Look for the things you are passionate about and good at doing.

List your skills and choose the one you feel is your strongest. Friends and family may also be able to assist.

Taking a personality test will aid confirming whether you are introvert or extrovert and this will help to know what type of environment will suit you best.

A job test which can be found on the net will probably be able to give you two or three options to consider. Job paths are easier to pursue once you recognize which industry suits your skills, passions and dreams.

The experience of working part-time at your chosen profession is an excellent opportunity to decide whether you are making the right choice of environment and type of people.

Furthermore, gaining experience for your resume is great, whether paid or unpaid.

Once you are certain that Personal Training is for you

Very often young people realize that being fit is part of who they really want to be so a job involving daily health routines is a perfect fit.

The fitness world is vast and offers myriad different positions for all tastes. From sales and management to the physical teaching and coaching, your choices are endless.

There is a definite increased interest in the health and fitness industry and it’s still one of the fastest growing industries around, even during economic downturns.

Education and opportunities in this industry are improving daily with specialized training, life coaching and personal trainer courses available online at cost effective prices.

The earning potential, flexible hours and international opportunities make this industry highly sought after. This profession could be the best career decision of your life.

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Choosing the perfect work environment

Once you’ve decided on your profession it’s time to choose the setting that suits you best. Internationally, cruise liners are offering health and wellness with hi-tech facilities and sports facilities for their guests.

These include excellent workouts, jogging tacks, aqua parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, yoga and more. This will guarantee you fun and excitement along with great earning potential.

Meet hundreds of new people and see the world.

Whilst travelling you could become a health blogger, generating and extra income.

Combine your travels with your passion for fitness. Once you have the credentials, many opportunities await you.

Train with a reputable academic institution that is trusted in the industry

Now you are inspired with all the options in health and fitness, it’s time to decide on an institution that will carry you through to your goal.

The personal trainer courses and packages offered by the Trifocus Fitness Academy will set you well on your way to dream job.

They have three packages to get you started depending on how long you wish to study and how many extra courses you choose to add.

So why wait another moment

If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer or fitness professional, you can get the best head start to your career by completing a specialised, fully accredited course with us.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy or read through the courses listed in detail on our website, to find out what they have to offer online, so that you can start your exciting new career right now, by learning everything you can about the fitness industry.

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So, you have Decided to Become a Health and Fitness Trainer… https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/so-you-have-decided-to-become-a-health-and-fitness-trainer/ Mon, 28 Oct 2019 12:20:45 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13109 It can be very difficult to know where to start once you have decided on a profession. You have a passion for health and fitness and would love to coach others but what do you need to consider before applying for a position? Have you chosen a direction from the variety of jobs on offer?...

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It can be very difficult to know where to start once you have decided on a profession. You have a passion for health and fitness and would love to coach others but what do you need to consider before applying for a position?

Have you chosen a direction from the variety of jobs on offer? The excitement of inspiring others and making them happier and healthier whilst working in an environment you enjoy.

Firstly, you need Goals

Perhaps you would like to transform your healthy lifestyle into a career or you really enjoy motivating others to embrace a healthier way of life. Clients will look to you for guidance and encouragement to push the limits, physically and mentally. Furthermore, you may want to travel and teach internationally so choose a course that allows you to work throughout the world.

A great idea would be to attend a gym and watch the training techniques to understand what you need to advance your skills or ask the advice of the staff on which jobs are more interesting in the industry and what they feel may suit your personality.

Educational Requirements for the Industry

Once you have decided on the best path to follow, you need some sort of Certification. Depending on how much time you have to dedicate to your studies and how skilled you want become, there are wonderful online courses on offer.

There are many options for you to look at to allow you to get ahead quickly in the industry. You can start your fitness career with a few quick courses or choose from the number of packages on offer that include some very interesting extras. This part of the process is exciting and very simple to do. Online courses are definitely the convenient way to study.

In no time you will have completed a course that allows you opportunities locally and internationally, and teaches you everything you need to know about becoming a world class fitness professional.

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Marketing Yourself is Important

Once you have your certificate, go ahead and market yourself. Prepare a resume and consider all the different ways you can market your name or brand name. It is most important that you highlight your skills and objectives.

Local gyms are a good place to start when you need the experience so impress them with your enthusiasm and let them know you can be a positive addition to their team.

Working in a gym enables you to network and engage with future clients and develop friendships with co-workers.

You can decide whether to do more courses and become a Personal Trainer or choose from other opportunities on offer. You may prefer to specialize as a strength trainer, a sports specialist, children’s specialist, or group exercises and sports management.

Friendships and Networking

Once you are part of the industry it is necessary to build relationships with your clients and expand your clientele. As they recognize your enthusiasm, you will gradually grow to become an experienced expert. Your clients will very often provide your best referrals so always consider them first and encourage healthy habits and a good routine.

Your clients will expect the best exercises to assist them achieving their goals. A happy client will further your career making it be both personally and financially rewarding.

No Need to Delay the Start of Your New Career

If you would love to teach others to enjoy and appreciate good health as much as you do, start your new profession today.

Make a living by showing others how to change and improve their lives and enjoy the results with them.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Trifocus Fitness Academy has online courses to start you off with all the knowledge your will need and more, should you choose further studies. Take a look at their online courses and find one that suites you.

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Core Moves To Improve Your Running Form https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/core-moves-to-improve-your-running-form/ Fri, 25 Oct 2019 06:23:13 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13074 Lots of things — such as poor running mechanics, muscle imbalances as well as niggling injuries —can appear owing to a weak core. That’s because a powerful base is one of the most fundamental parts of a solid “kinetic chain”. This chain is the interconnection of muscles as well as joints from your lower legs...

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Lots of things — such as poor running mechanics, muscle imbalances as well as niggling injuries —can appear owing to a weak core. That’s because a powerful base is one of the most fundamental parts of a solid “kinetic chain”. This chain is the interconnection of muscles as well as joints from your lower legs right up through your core and up to your shoulders. When one part of that chain is faulty or weak while you’re running, the rest will crumble.

However, if you focus on keeping that foundation in your core strong, you’re setting yourself up for great benefits in your running, such as  staying upright when fatigue sets in (or form falters) and staying injury-free over the long haul.

Poor posture = poor running form

Much of the population has the tendency to slump our heads forward as well as round our shoulders. When we stand — and run—we have even more challenges:

  • People who run often have strong quadriceps as well as weaker hamstrings and glutes. This imbalance can have the result of pulling the pelvis forward which creates a “butt-out” look.

If your posture is incorrect, your running style suffers. Healthy posture, whether you’re standing or running a marathon, maximises the power in large muscle groups such as the gluteals and obliques. As a consequence, this allows your organs to function better. This includes your lungs as being more upright opens your diaphragm and facilitates breathing.

One reason why people have  a bad posture is that they have a lack of core strength. Just targeting just your abs — or even only your abs, hips, and glutes — isn’t sufficient. All the muscles in your trunk make up your core. By addressing the muscles in your lower body — such as weak hamstrings as well as tight hip flexors, for instance — and upper-body muscles, like a tight chest and weak midback, it is possible for you to train to have better posture.

Glute Exercises for Runners

The glute muscles produce the force that makes it possible for  you to run. If they are not working correctly, other muscles help out. However, those muscles which are compensating can become overloaded, exhausted and, at the end of the day, injured.

Before you start running:

  • Lift one of your legs out to the side.
  • ‘Draw’ circles, which are football sized, with that leg. Make sure that you feel your glutes work.
  • Perform 10 circles in either direction with each of your legs.

When you finish running:

To release the tension in your glutes, cross one ankle over the opposite knee. Sit your hips back and down until you feel a release occurring. Hold this for 10 seconds and after this switch sides. When you sink into this glute stretch you are promoting balance, but hold on to something if you’re feeling shaky or if your balance is not 100%.

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Hips

Good running posture is less about a spine which is straight and more about the position of your pelvis. When you engage in the activity of running, your pelvis should be in a neutral position – in other words, not tilted – so that it doesn’t interfere with the functionality of the muscles which are attached to it.

Before you start to run:

Switch between lifting your chest and tailbone as well as rounding your back and dropping your pelvis. A neutral point between these is the pelvis position you want.

When you finish running:

A strong core assists with maintaining a neutral pelvis. Lie supine on your back and lift your legs. Lower these towards the ground in line with your pelvis. Bring your legs back up. Repeat 10 times.

Many athletes are involved in the sport of running. To be the best that they can be, they will need a sports coach who can guide them in perfecting their form and make them into the best possible runner than they can be. They will also need a personal trainer to assist them with making sure that their muscles are honed so that they are able to carry out their activities.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

For more information about becoming a personal trainer or sports coach, please visit our website.

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Reap the Benefits of Rowing With Fast and Efficient Workouts https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/reap-the-benefits-of-rowing-with-fast-and-efficient-workouts/ Fri, 25 Oct 2019 06:22:15 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13070 Owing to the fact that rowing recruits multiple muscle groups and – in addition – can provide a total-body cardiovascular and muscle-building workout you should consider adding this type of exercise to your weekly exercise routine. Rowing is also free of impact on your joins and is non-weight-bearing. This makes it even more appealing because...

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Owing to the fact that rowing recruits multiple muscle groups and – in addition – can provide a total-body cardiovascular and muscle-building workout you should consider adding this type of exercise to your weekly exercise routine. Rowing is also free of impact on your joins and is non-weight-bearing. This makes it even more appealing because you can work intensely without putting added stress on your joints.

Rowing will necessitate a fair amount of time in order to tone your body when your muscles are not in good shape. This means you need to slowly increase your strength as well as endurance before upping the intensity of your rowing machine workouts. The exact time to achieve the tone that you desire will vary greatly from one person to another.

Beginning the quest for greater tone as well as muscle definition – with a good baseline from regular workouts before incorporating the rowing machine – can accelerate the results. Having the muscle mass as well as the flexibility to jump right into rowing will certainly assist you with pushing harder in workouts as soon as you start.

Beginner rowers, particularly those without prior conditioning in other strength training programmes, must start off slowly. This is because this type of exercise places strain on the lower back which means that proper form is critical.

Beginner rowing workouts

Start off with short, light rowing workouts. Focus on back posture and flexing in your upper back to build the necessary back, leg and abdomen strength that is necessary in order to row properly.

After your muscles gain strength as well as stamina on the rowing machine, it is possible for you to gradually increase the intensity of your exercise and tone your body in a rapid manner. That initial building period will also assist with tone and definition as your muscles gain new strength and fat is rapidly burned.

The benefits of rowing

The best way to get fitter as well as healthier is to work on particular weaknesses in your body. For most people this means that you need to spend more time on the rowing machine once you’ve mastered the correct form of the exercise.

There are tremendous cross-over benefits with other fitness activities. To improve with weightlifting, for example, it is necessary for you to have a good triple extension of the ankle, knee as well as hip joints. You’ll gain this in every single stroke when you use the rowing machine.

Using the rowing machine can also means a massive improvement to your aerobic fitness and will help you to build endurance in addition to your anaerobic fitness for increased levels of speed. Owing to the fact that up to 85% of your muscles are recruited when rowing, it is also possible for you to build muscle size, strength as well as power with this activity.

Our preferred thing about the rowing machine is the constant performance feedback you receive with every stroke. The rowing machine’s display shows all the data that you require in order to ensure that your planned session is getting you to where you want to go. In this way, you know that you’re constantly moving closer to your fitness objective.

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Rowing workout to increase speed

The following rowing workout is designed to increase your speed. These are sprint intervals which means that your split times need to be around 1:50 or lower. Your stroke rate should be between 28 to 32 however not over 32. If it is, your form starts to break down.

  • 100m row, 30 seconds of rest, repeat five times
  • 150m row, 45 seconds of rest, repeat five times
  • 200m row, 60 seconds of rest, repeat five times
  • 2 minutes of rest
  • 200m row, 60 seconds of rest, repeat five times
  • 150m row, 45 seconds of rest, repeat five times
  • 100m row, 30 seconds of rest, repeat five times

 

Rowing workout for increased endurance

For this type of workout, your stroke rate should be between 25 and 28. You should be pushing hard but not very fast. Your split time should hover around two minutes and should become lower towards the end of each push:

  • One-minute row, 30-second rest: Hold drive position (a.k.a. seat at back of machine with legs straight) and do arm strokes while resting
  • Two-minute row, 60-second rest (30 seconds true rest; 30 seconds holding drive position at back of machine doing arm strokes while resting)
  • Three-minute row, 90-second rest (30 seconds true rest; 30 seconds holding drive position at back of machine doing arm strokes while resting; 30 seconds of just leg strokes: arms stay straight, straighten and bend legs)
  • Four-minute row, 2-minute rest (60 seconds true rest; 30 seconds holding drive position at back of machine doing arm strokes while resting; 30 seconds of just leg strokes: arms stay straight, straighten and bend legs)
  • Five-minute row

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Deep breathing exercises to supercharge your life https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/deep-breathing-exercises-to-supercharge-your-life/ Wed, 23 Oct 2019 06:16:38 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13029 The post Deep breathing exercises to supercharge your life appeared first on Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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With all the dialogue happening these days around superfoods, maybe the most powerful of these energising elixirs all is clearly missing: deep breathing. You can take all the supplements in the world, however these will do little good if you don’t have the catalyst of richly oxygenated blood.

With your breath, it is possible for you to tap into all the systems in the body and open these up, energise, detoxify and strengthen. There is scientific documentation which states that there are people who can subsist on sunlight only. There are even individuals whose breathwork techniques allow them to hold their breath for a period of over 20 minutes underwater. Monks from Tibet can sit naked in the snow, and dry ice-cold wet robes on their bodies by boosting their skin temperature through specialised breathing as well as meditation techniques.

The physiology behind deep breathing

“Studies of the physiological effects of slow breathing,” says Lisa Schneider: managing director of Trifocus Fitness Academy, “have uncovered important effects of this practice on the respiratory, cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and autonomic nervous systems.”

Key findings of these studies include positive effects on:

  • Respiratory muscle activity,
  • Ventilation efficiency,
  • Chemoreflex and baroreflex sensitivity,
  • Heart rate variability,
  • Blood flow dynamics,
  • Respiratory sinus arrhythmia,
  • Cardiorespiratory coupling, and
  • Sympathovagal balance.

There appears to be potential for use of controlled slow breathing techniques as a means of optimising physiological parameters that appear to be associated with health and longevity, and that may extend to disease states; however, there is a dire need for further research into the area.

Deep-breathing techniques

The American Institute of Stress recommends these three deep breathing techniques:

  1. The Quieting Response uses visualisation and deep breathing (which is a powerful combination) in order to halt acute stress responses in its tracks. The great thing about this exercise is that it only takes six seconds:
  • First “smile inwardly” with your eyes as well as your mouth. Release the tension which has built up in your shoulders. This action is a powerful muscle release as most people carry tension in their trapezius muscles.
  • After this, imagine holes in the soles of your feet. Take a deep breath in and while you do this visualise hot air flowing through these holes. Imagine this air moving slowly up your legs, through your abdomen and finally filling your lungs.
  • Relax your muscles one by one as the hot air moves through them up and up your body.
  • When you exhale reverse the visualisation so that you “see” hot air coming out the same holes in your feet.

Repeat this exercise during the day whenever you need to feel calm and relaxed.

 

  1. Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath that harmonise the body, mind as well as your emotions. This unique breathing technique removes stress, fatigue as well as negative emotions such as anger, frustration and depression. It leaves you calm yet energised, focused yet relaxed. There are a series of exercises which you can practise in order to find relief.

 

  1. Teddy Bear Breathing is one for the children:
  • Lie supine and on your back.
  • Put one hand on your chest and the other on your favourite teddy bear which is on your belly button.
  • Close your eyes and relax your whole body.
  • Breath in slowly through your nose. Your teddy bear should slowly rise, but your chest should not.
  • When you have taken a full deep breath, hold it, count to three then slowly breathe out. Repeat a few times, until your feel relaxed.

 

Deep abdominal breathing is responsible for stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system or relaxation response in the body. This response counteracts the stress mechanism (flight or flight – sympathetic nervous system). The result is that our whole body relaxes – heart rate, blood pressure lower, capillaries dilate, eyes relax and the sense of paranoia decreases. This type of breathing is an integral part of Yoga practice.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To find out how you can become a Yoga instructor, follow this link.

Trifocus Yoga registration

 

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Movements to Improve Bone and Joint Health https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/movements-to-improve-bone-and-joint-health/ Tue, 22 Oct 2019 07:20:09 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=13017 Exercise is helpful to more than just your heart, lungs and muscles. Physical activity is one of the best ways to keep your bones healthy, no matter what age you are. Just as muscle is, bone is living tissue which responds to exercise by developing strength. Young women as well as men who make regular...

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Exercise is helpful to more than just your heart, lungs and muscles. Physical activity is one of the best ways to keep your bones healthy, no matter what age you are. Just as muscle is, bone is living tissue which responds to exercise by developing strength. Young women as well as men who make regular exercise a habit generally attain greater peak bone mass (in other words, maximum bone density and strength) as opposed to those who do not.

Why do you want peak bone mass?

“The amount of bone tissue which is found in the skeleton,” says Marc Schneider: chief operations officer at Trifocus Fitness Academy, “is known as bone mass. It can keep growing until a person is in their the late 20s. At this point in time, bones have reached their maximum strength as well as density. This is known as ‘peak bone mass’.”

Women have a tendency to experience a slight change in total bone mass between 30 and menopause. However, in the first couple of years after menopause many women go through quick bone loss which is a “withdrawal” from the bone bank account. This withdrawal then slows however it continues throughout the postmenopausal years which could lead to osteoporosis.

For a lot of people, bone mass spikes during the third decade of life – in other words, during their 30s. After this point, as mentioned previously, it is possible that we can begin to lose bone. Women, as well as men who are older than 20, can help avoid bone loss with regularly exercising as this can also help people maintain muscle strength, coordination as well as balance. This, in turn, helps to prevent falls in addition to related fractures. Preventing this from occurring is especially important for older adults and individuals who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Exercises to improve bone health

Weight-bearing exercises can help to improve bone health. These types of exercises include actions that make you push against gravity while remaining upright. Weight-bearing exercises can be classified as ‘high-impact’ or ‘low-impact”:

High-impact weight-bearing exercises assist with building bones and keeping them strong.

Examples of high-impact weight-bearing exercises are the following:

  • Dancing,
  • High-impact aerobics,
  • Hiking,
  • Jogging/running,
  • Tennis,
  • Skipping, and
  • Climbing stairs.

Trifocus Fitness Academy - movements

Low-impact weight-bearing exercises can also assist you with keeping your bones strong. In addition, they are a safe alternative if you are not able to do high-impact exercises.

Examples of low-impact weight-bearing exercises are the following:

  • Utilising elliptical training machines,
  • Low-impact aerobics,
  • Making use of stair-step machines, and
  • Walking quickly on a treadmill or outside.

Muscle-strengthening exercises can also help you to increase bone density. These exercises include movements where you move your body, a weight or – alternatively – some other resistance against gravity. They are also known by the name ‘resistance exercises’.

Examples include:

  • Weight-lifting,
  • Using therabands,
  • Weight machines,
  • Lifting your own body weight, and
  • Functional movements, such as standing as well as rising up on your toes

Yoga, as well as Pilates, can also improve strength, balance in addition to flexibility. However, certain postures may not be safe for people with osteoporosis or those who have an increased risk of broken bones. For example, movements which have you bending forward may increase the chance of breaking a bone in the spine.

Movements to improve joint health

Range of motion (R.O.M) exercises are particularly useful for improving joint health. Active R.O.M exercises assist with improving joint function and help keep your joints flexible, reduce pain, and improve balance as well as strength.

Here are some R.O.M exercise that work your neck. Begin seated or standing. Face forward and make sure that your shoulders are straight as well as relaxed.

  • Forward and backwards head tilts: Gently bow your head and attempt to touch your chin to your chest. Raise your chin back to your starting position. Tilt your head back, as far as you can, so that you are looking up at the ceiling. Return your head to your starting position.
  • Side-to-side head tilts: Tilt your head to the side and bring your ear toward your shoulder. Do not raise your shoulder to your ear. Keep your shoulder still. Return your head to the starting position.
  • Head turns: Turn your head to look over your shoulder. Tilt your chin down and try to touch it to your shoulder. Do not raise your shoulder to your chin. Face forward again.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

To discover how you can learn more about other exercises to improve joint and bone health, please follow this link.

 

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What shoes should you wear to gym? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-shoes-should-you-wear-to-gym/ Fri, 18 Oct 2019 06:12:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12981 There are A LOT of types of gym shoes out there. In fact, walking into your nearest Totalsports – or a similar sporting goods shop – can be quite intimidating because of all the different types of shoes on offer. It can be quite challenging to know where to start! If you’ve ever done some...

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There are A LOT of types of gym shoes out there. In fact, walking into your nearest Totalsports – or a similar sporting goods shop – can be quite intimidating because of all the different types of shoes on offer. It can be quite challenging to know where to start!

If you’ve ever done some hectic training  miles on the treadmill and been in pain or developed shin splints, you might’ve wondered if  your shoes were cut out for the job. Reliable shoes are definitely better than others for various types of exercises such as weight-lifting, plyometrics and machine cardio. There are three main types of shoes gym-goers should be aware of and consider wearing. These are:

  • Cross-training shoes,
  • Weight-lifting shoes, and
  • Running shoes.

What are cross training shoes?

Cross training shoes are an amalgamation of a number of different types of athletic footwear. These types of shoes may have the:

  • Heel cushioning of a running shoe,
  • Lateral stability of a tennis shoe or a shoe used for basketball, and
  • Forefoot cushioning of a shoe used for volleyball.

These shoes may be made of all leather-type materials. Alternatively, they be made of flexible materials – like a running shoe – around the toe or sides. The plus factors of a cross-training shoe is that the shoe is versatile enough to be used for various activities and by those who participate in different activities but do not specialise in one.

What are weight-lifting shoes?

Weight-lifting shoes provide the competitive weight-lifter, at any competition level, with added performance in order to assist them be the best they can be.

Weight lifting shoes offer key benefits over running shoes or cross-trainers. As ensuring your footing is stable – and will not slip – is one of the most important things that a weight lifter can do in order to raise the bar.

Weight lifting shoes are made with stability in mind. Usually they use a weight-distribution plate to ensure you keep your balance. Weight lifting shoes should offer secure lock down that keeps the shoe tightly against your foot. A design with increased heel support is ideal when it comes to choosing weight-lifting shoes.

In addition to traditional weight lifting shoes, the minimalist, or barefoot, design training shoes are another option for weight lifters looking to maximise the effects of using the body’s natural ability to support itself.

The sock-like fit of natural weight lifting shoes helps to strengthen feet and legs by using the natural movement from heel to toe by allowing your muscles to move naturally. As with any performance shoe, choosing a design with breathability and moisture management materials is a good choice when it comes to weight-lifting shoes.

What are running shoes?

Running shoes are made to copy with the shock of 2.5 times your body weight which is created by the impact every time your foot strikes the road. While you’re running, you need to have excellent cushioning in both the heel and forefoot of the shoe to handle this impact.

As each runner is different in how much they train, as well as what their running style is, there is no “perfect” running shoe across the board. The best running shoe for you is dependent entirely on:

  • The shape of your foot,
  • Your bio-mechanics, and
  • The amount of running you do.

Running shoes are made in order to protect your feet from the road, provide traction on different surfaces, cushion the landing shock as well as support your feet. If you experiment with picking the right running shoe, you’re not alone. Selecting the correct shoes for running is more of an art as opposed to a science. Many runners experiment with various brands as well as models of shoes until they find just the right fit, feel in addition to functionality.

Whatever you do at gym – be it weight-lifting, running on the treadmill or spinning – you need to wear a closed shoe as this will protect your feet. Don’t be afraid of shelling out a bit of money on getting the right shoes for you as you’re going to be putting these shoes through their paces so they need to last and be of good quality. Getting the right shoes for your chosen exercise is the first step. The next to get to the gym and start practising it!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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What are prime mover exercises? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-prime-mover-exercises/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:03:06 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12955 In relation to health and fitness, the term ‘prime mover’ refers to a muscle, or group of muscles, that is most in charge of a particular motion of a joint. For a number of joints, there are just a pair of prime mover muscles. However, other joints can have several prime movers and this depends...

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In relation to health and fitness, the term ‘prime mover’ refers to a muscle, or group of muscles, that is most in charge of a particular motion of a joint. For a number of joints, there are just a pair of prime mover muscles. However, other joints can have several prime movers and this depends on the motion. In fitness, the concept of prime mover muscles is important as, when performing an exercise, it is vital to know what the prime mover muscle of that exercise are. This is  as it will be the one getting the most powerful workout.

Which joints have the most prime mover muscles?

Joints that include rotation as part of their capabilities tend to have a greater number of prime mover muscles as opposed to those with a lot less forms of articulation. For instance:

  • In the knee, which bends in one direction, there are only two prime movers. The quadriceps function as the prime mover of the knee extension while the hamstring is responsible for knee flexion.
  • Exercises – in which the motion depends mainly on the bending of the knee – will make use of one of these two muscle groups as its primary mover muscle group. That muscle group will therefore benefit the greatest from these exercise.

What does ‘agonist’ mean in terms of exercising?

‘Agonist’, in relation to muscles, refers to a movement in which the muscle(s) provides the major force to complete the movement.  In the bicep curl, which produces flexion at the elbow, the biceps muscle is the agonist.  In every exercise, the agonist is not the muscle that is shortening (contracting concentrically).  In a bicep curl the bicep is the agonist on the way up when it contracts concentrically as well as on the way down when it contracts eccentrically.  This is because it is the prime mover in both cases.

The converse of agonist, ‘antagonist’ refers to a movement in which the muscles oppose the agonist.  During elbow flexion, where the bicep takes the role of the agonist, the tricep muscle is the antagonist.  While the agonist contracts and causes the movement to occur, the antagonist typically relaxes in order not to impede the agonist.

The antagonist doesn’t always relax and another function of this muscle type can be to slow down or stop a movement.  This could be seen if the weight used in the bicep curl was very heavy. In this instance, when the weight was being lowered from the top position the antagonist tricep muscle would produce a sufficient amount of tension to assist with controlling the movement as the weight is lowered down. This assist with ensuring that gravity doesn’t accelerate the movement so causing damage to the elbow joint at the bottom of the movement.  The tricep becomes the agonist and the bicep the antagonist when the elbow extends against gravity for example in a push up, a bench press or a tricep pushdown.

The correct form for prime mover exercises

There are a number of prime mover exercises that we do every time we hit the gym. To help you get the most of your workout, we thought that we’d give you some hints and tips about how to do the tricep pulldown correctly.

  • Fasten a rope attachment to a high pulley. Grip the ropes with a neutral grip and your palms facing each other.
  • Stand upright with your torso straight lean slightly forward. Bring your upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the ground. Your forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley while your hold the rope with your palms facing each other.
  • Utilising your triceps, bring the rope downwards as you bring each section of the rope to the side of your thighs. At the end of the movement, your arms will be fully extended and perpendicular to the ground. Your upper arms should always remain stationary on either side of your torso. Only your forearms should move. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
  • After maintaining the contracted position for a second, bring the rope slowly up to your starting point. Inhale as you perform this step.
  • Repeat for as many repetitions as indicated.

There are several variations to this exercise such as using an E-Z bar attachment as well as a V-angled bar or straight bar.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

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How spinning will assist you to keep fit https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-spinning-will-assist-you-to-keep-fit/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 07:09:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12918 Established by South African-born Johnny G, spinning (or indoor cycling) has been going since the 80s. Nevertheless, as opposed to other fitness fads it has remained in existence for the last 30-odd years.  The biggest explanation for this is its incredible capability to keep you cardiovascularly fit. What are the forms of fitness? Despite what...

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Established by South African-born Johnny G, spinning (or indoor cycling) has been going since the 80s. Nevertheless, as opposed to other fitness fads it has remained in existence for the last 30-odd years.  The biggest explanation for this is its incredible capability to keep you cardiovascularly fit.

What are the forms of fitness?

Despite what you may think, being ‘fit’ doesn’t only mean that you aren’t out of breath when you run up the stairs. There are four types of fitness. It is possible for your to be physically fit in one areas however extremely unfit in another. The fitness types are:

  • Cardiovascular fitness,
  • Anaerobic fitness,
  • Flexibility, and
  • Muscle strength and endurance

Spinning works on enhancing your cardiovascular (or cardiorespiratory) fitness.  When your cardiovascular system is fit, your heart come to be more efficient at delivering oxygen to your muscles. As a result, this permits you to expend increased amounts of energy during your spinning session.

If you happen to be anaerobically fit, you can put out short bursts of energy – in one sitting – during your favoured sport or exercise. For example, sprinters need to be extremely anaerobically fit as they need to cover a particular distance in the shortest time possible.

If a person is flexible they can exercise a wide range of motion with their joints. For example, flexible person will be more likely to be able to touch their toes. A person who isn’t flexible will likely not get very far. Exercise modalities – for example Yoga and Pilates – allow one to enhance flexibility.

Muscular strength and endurance are developed with strength (resistance) activities. The greater the weight that is made use of, a muscle has to exert increased amounts of energy in order to lift it. As a result of this, the more well-defined it becomes. Weight training can be carried out using free weights as well as weight machines. Pilates is also a method of resistance training as, instead of using external weights as a form of resistance, the person uses their own body weight. Plyometric exercises, such as push-ups, work on the same principle.

It’s not only men who will profit from gaining muscular strength as well as endurance. Women will also benefits as training with weights helps to build lean muscle mass (which is responsible for burning fat and calories even while you’re at rest). In addition, lean muscle mass improves bone health as well as density.

It’s inaccurate that women will develop bulky muscles when doing weight training. There is the potential for women to bulk up in the same manner that men do, however they will have to work steadily at this. However, with moderate weight training, this won’t happen.

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Spinning is good for developing abdominal strength

People often have the impression that spinning is just about sitting on a stationary bike and pedalling furiously when the instructor issues the ‘command’ and slowing down when he lets you have a rest. However, when you stand up when you are pedalling, what assists with keeping your posture are your abdominal muscles. By the same token, this will help to keep your back flat as well as relieve any pressure that may be caused.

When you do a standing climb on your bike you’ll be developing a lot of strength in your upper body as you’ll be using your arms to balance you. However, ensure that you don’t apply more pressure than you should on your upper body. This is because if you do, your trapezius muscles (in other words, those muscles that you find rising up to your ears when you get stressed!) will take the brunt of it. As a result, you’ll find yourself going to the physio to relieve the tension.

Spinning is a fantastic and very effective exercise for you to develop cardiovascular fitness. However, don’t neglect other exercises because these will assist you with developing other aspects of fitness in your lifestyle. There are so many exercises that you can select from so if you don’t enjoy one type of exercise, don’t worry. There are many others out there to choose from.

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To learn more about these exercises , have a look at our wide range of accredited personal training courses.

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Why it is crucial to have the correct form during weight training https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/why-it-is-crucial-to-have-the-correct-form-during-weight-training/ Mon, 14 Oct 2019 08:34:42 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12808 Weight training has lots of benefits. For example, this activity can assist with strengthening bones and, in so doing, help you ward off age-related diseases such as osteoporosis. However, if you don’t implement the correct form when doing weight training exercises you could do a lot of damage to yourself and could also slow down...

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Weight training has lots of benefits. For example, this activity can assist with strengthening bones and, in so doing, help you ward off age-related diseases such as osteoporosis. However, if you don’t implement the correct form when doing weight training exercises you could do a lot of damage to yourself and could also slow down your fitness regime immensely.

What is ‘correct form’?

When personal trainers speak of ‘correct form’ they’re talking about the correct way in which exercises must be done. Exercises are designed to work a specific set of muscles and if one does not do the movements in the way in which these are supposed to be done, you could end up exercising a part of your body that you weren’t supposed to and may end up harming it.

A good example of a movement that many people do incorrectly is the kettlebell swing. Here’s the correct form you should be adopting when performing this exercise:

  • Stand up straight and keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Have the kettlebell approximately 20cm in front of you.
  • Hinge down – at your hips – towards the kettlebell and take hold of it with both hands.
  • Start the movement by quickly pulling the kettlebell between your legs. Load tension onto your glutes, hamstrings as well as your lower back.
  • With a strong contraction of your glutes, thrust your hips forward to force the kettlebell to swing forwards on a natural pendulum which you create with your arms.
  • Once the kettlebell has reached the height of your shoulders, let gravity to pull it back down. The kettlebell should go between your legs at or above the height of your knees.
  • Let the downward swing of the kettlebell load tension on your posterior chain and repeat the exercise.

What many individuals do is that when they swing the kettlebell forward, rather than contracting their glutes they put all the tension onto their lower back. The result of this is that when they swing the kettlebell up they place a lot of pressure on their lower backs and, as such, hurt the muscles in this area of their bodies.

Another cause of lower back strain during this particular exercise is people using kettlebells that are too heavy for them. If they do this, they are concentrating on merely getting the kettlebell up – with any muscles that they can – versus using the right muscles to get the kettlebell up to shoulder height.

How do you make sure that you maintain correct form?

You’ve seen from the above that adopting the correct form when exercising – particularly when working out with weights – is incredibly important.  However, how do you make sure that you always maintain the correct form so that you don’t risk injury?

The simple response to this is to hire a personal trainer. Owing to the fact that they are highly trained as well as skilled fitness professionals, they are the best people to scrutinise their clients’ form while training and to ensure that they always maintain the proper posture as well as technique. They monitor their clients with eagle-like eyes so that zero gets by them.

They also ensure that the weights which they get their clients to utilise are appropriate for their strength and fitness levels. Although a new client may come to them and say that their goal is to develop muscle bulk, a trainer won’t start them off on an exceptionally heavy weight. They’ll being the training routine with a moderate weight and will build them up to heavier ones once their fitness and strength levels improve.

Adopting the correct form when weight lifting is essential as it helps to prevent injury from doing the exercises incorrectly. It’s not worth it to sacrifice good form as you’ll end up paying a dear price for this: you’ll end up putting a halt to your training or, even worse, you could end up under the surgeon’s knife. So make sure that you always lift weights according to best practices.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re unsure about how to start a weight training programme, Trifocus Fitness Academy has a variety of personal training courses that can help to set you on the right track. For more information, visit our website.

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What is the Best Form of Fitness for You? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-the-best-form-of-fitness-for-you/ Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:46:10 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12794 While there are a number of excellent approaches to improving your fitness, there is no single approach that can be called the best. The route you take will depend on a number of factors that are unique to you; starting with your goals and abilities, how you prefer to exercise, the type of environment you...

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While there are a number of excellent approaches to improving your fitness, there is no single approach that can be called the best.

The route you take will depend on a number of factors that are unique to you; starting with your goals and abilities, how you prefer to exercise, the type of environment you are working out in, and your schedule. To name a few.

Here we will work through a few of the things that you should consider when looking for your ideal workout plan, to ensure that you find the approach that best suits you.

Determine Your Workout Goals

Before you get started, you first need to envision what you want the end-result of your hard work to be. The fitness goal you work towards will have a huge impact on the type of plan you go for, and of course the intensity at which you work on it.

Building Mass

If you are looking for a routine that will ensure that you bulk, you will take on a routine that is mainly made up of resistance training exercises, since these are the ones that increase muscle mass.

You won’t necessarily concentrate solely on resistance routines such as weight-lifting and will likely see improved results if you mix resistance with anaerobic exercises as well. – it is always advisable to employ the use of a qualified personal trainer if you are just starting out on a weight training routine.

Weight Loss

If weight loss is your primary fitness goal, then you will focus on exercises that keep your heart-rate elevated.

Aerobic exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming would be your best bet in such a case, especially if combined with a healthy diet.

Improved Endurance

If your goal is to improve endurance, one of the most effective approaches to doing so is through HIIT workouts.

High intensity interval training includes exercises that require bursts of high-level activity with very short rest intervals in between.

These offer a combination of both fat-burning and improving muscle capacity through highly targeted workouts.

Range of Motion

If your goal is to improve range of motion, then exercises such as Yoga are excellent. Pilates is also effective at improving range of motion with the added benefit of offering aerobic fitness, improved balance and core-group muscle strength.

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How Do You Prefer to Exercise?

The next thing to figure out is how you prefer to exercise. Each way has its own benefits and drawbacks, and the way you choose to do it will rely on your own preference:

Alone

Some people prefer to workout alone because it can be done with fewer arrangements and more quickly. It can be difficult to continuously hold yourself accountable to your goals when doing a solo act, however; so, if you aren’t the type to challenge yourself, doing it by yourself may not be the way to go.

With a Friend

Most people prefer to work out with a friend for the obvious benefit of making it more enjoyable. Aside from that, having a workout buddy makes it easier to push yourself to your limits, and adds a competitive edge to your routine that holds you accountable to your goals.

In a Group

Working out in groups is also an excellent way to foster a competitive fitness environment by taking a communal approach to working out. This is also great for accountability, and also opens up a space for your to enter competitions.

Consider Your Schedule

Your schedule, it should go without saying, will have a lot to do with how dedicated you stay to your routine. So, it is important to first take a look at your time-constraints when designing a workout schedule.

Not having enough time is often an excuse for missing training sessions, but often we have more time than we actually think we do. Still, if you are trying to fit an unrealistic number of weekly hours in, your routine will likely not be sustainable.

So be sure to pick a routine that works with your calendar.

Contact the Trifocus Fitness Academy 

If you would like to know more about our specialised, online fitness courses, be sure to get in touch with a representative from the Trifocus Fitness Academy today, or visit our website for details on our offers.

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How you know that you’re overtraining https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-you-know-that-youre-overtraining/ Fri, 11 Oct 2019 07:20:01 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12784 When it comes to volume of exercise, there is a “dose-response relationship”. This means that the more time you spend training, the increased benefits you will achieve. However, there is a tipping point outside which the amount of physical activity which performs can do more harm as opposed to good. This point can be gotten...

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When it comes to volume of exercise, there is a “dose-response relationship”. This means that the more time you spend training, the increased benefits you will achieve. However, there is a tipping point outside which the amount of physical activity which performs can do more harm as opposed to good. This point can be gotten to by one or both of the following two ways:

  • Too much exercise without enough recovery, or
  • Chronic under fuelling.

This tipping point is known as overtraining syndrome (OTS) and, in short, leads to a decrease in fitness level and possibly injury. Whether you happen to be a man or a woman, you are equally at risk for OTS. This means that recognising the early signs and combating these can prevent harmful fitness and health outcomes.

What is ‘overtraining syndrome’?

Burnout, or overtraining syndrome (OTS), is a condition in which an athlete suffers from fatigue as well as sports performance that is declining. This is despite continuing or increased training. OTS can cause mood alterations, decreased levels of motivation, numerous injuries and even infections.  Burnout is seen to be as a result of the physical in addition to emotional stress of training.

OTS occurs when an athlete does not recover properly from training as well as competition. The symptoms of this syndrome are owing to a combination of alterations in hormones, suppression of the immune system (which causes a decrease in the athlete’s ability to fight infection), physical fatigue as well as psychological changes. Risk factors for the athlete include specialising in a single sport, sudden surges in training, involvement in endurance sports, low self-esteem in addition to parental and coaching pressure to perform.

Warning Signs of OTS

Warning signs of OTS and burnout include:

  • The young athlete is no longer enjoying performing in the sport.
  • The sport is dominating the life of the family.
  • The only topic of conversation is the sport being performed by the child.
  • Rewards are founded on performance in the sport.
  • The young athlete has missed 10% of season but has not consulted a doctor.
  • The female athlete is older than 16 years of age and still not menstruating. Alternative, she is dieting just to become a better athlete.

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Symptoms of OTS

Symptoms of burnout and OTS include:

  • Chronic muscle and joint pain
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Increased heart rate at rest
  • Decreased sports performance
  • Fatigue
  • Prolonged recovery time
  • Lack of enthusiasm
  • Frequent illnesses
  • Difficulty completing usual routines
  • Reduced school performance
  • Personality or mood changes
  • Increased anger or irritability
  • Sleep disturbances (trouble sleeping or sleeping without feeling refreshed)

What can you do to prevent OTS?

There are loads of methods that you can adopt to safeguard yourself against overdoing it at the gym. This process starts by putting together a training program that works in recovery days. Everyone should have one day completely off from exercise. If you want to exercise, you can go for a light walk. What’s more important than pumping iron seven days a week is to remember that we get our results from our recovery.

If your schedule compels you to train intensively on consecutive days, ideally there should never be more than two hard workout days in a row. Every four to six weeks of exercise should be followed up by a “de-loading phase”. During this phase you should lift half what you usually do or slow your pace and pointedly decrease your typical mileage. These de-loading phases are active recovery weeks in your overall training.

What is active recovery time?

The term ‘active recovery’ refers to the performance of low-intensity exercise after you complete a heavy workout or athletic event. As absurd as it may seem, the best way to recuperate from a marathon or other sporting competition is to exercise at a lower intensity as opposed to remaining still.

Out of the structure of your training, it’s vital to get the most out of your recovery time in between tough workouts. This means stretching, foam rolling, icing, eating protein-rich meals to rebuild muscle tissue, and even meditating to reduce stress.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to learn more about avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining and also become a personal trainer yourself, you should consider going on a personal trainer course. Follow this link for more information.

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How to train an ectomorph body type https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-to-train-an-ectomorph-body-type/ Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:54:16 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12780 Models who are on the covers – and in pages – of most fashion magazine incline towards having an ectomorph body type. As well as being tall, ectomorph individuals have a thin build, long limbs, small joints as well as fragile bones. Many ectomorphs are flat-chested and, although they appear to be skinny, they can...

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Models who are on the covers – and in pages – of most fashion magazine incline towards having an ectomorph body type. As well as being tall, ectomorph individuals have a thin build, long limbs, small joints as well as fragile bones. Many ectomorphs are flat-chested and, although they appear to be skinny, they can have higher body fat percentage than one might believe.

Ectomorphs have a challenging time of putting on muscle mass as their metabolism is inclined to run at a higher rate than that of other body types. In the world of health and fitness, we would refer to ectomorphs them as “hard gainers.” Celebrity female ectomorphs include Kate Moss, Natalie Portman, Taylor Swift, Kate Middleton as well as Cameron Diaz. Celebrity male ectomorphs include Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper as well as Toby McGuire.

The best type of training for an ectomorph

The basis of an ectomorph’s training should aim to increase testosterone (which is your muscle-building hormone) production. This is because this is likely to assist you with maximising your gains made from each workout that you do. Research in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research made the finding that making us of compound multi-jointed exercises (for example squats, deadlifts and bench presses) in a workout – which lasts no more than 55 minutes – is the best strategy for maximising testosterone and muscle-building.

The proper deadlift form

The “dead” in ‘deadlift’ stands for ‘dead weight’. This means that every rep must start on the floor, from a dead stop. You don’t perform deadlifts from the top-down such as in a Squat or Bench Press. Start at the bottom, pull the weight up and then return it to the floor. Here are the five steps to performing deadlifts with the proper form:

  • Walk up to the bar. Stand and have your mid-foot under the bar and your shins shouldn’t touch the bar as yet. Place your heels hip-width apart, in a narrower stance than if you were doing squats. Point your toes out at 15°.
  • Grab hold of the bar. Bend over and don’t bend your legs. Take hold of the bar in a narrow grip, about shoulder-width apart as if you were doing an overhead press. Ensure that your arms are vertical when looking at it from the front.
  • Bend your knees. Drop into position through the process of bending your knees until your shins are touching the bar. Whatever you do, do NOT let the bar move away from your mid-foot. If this happens, start from scratch with step one.
  • Lift your chest. Straighten your back and raise your torso. Do not alter your position. Keep the bar over your mid-foot with your shins against the bar and keep your hips where they are.
  • Take a big breath and hold it. Stand up straight with the weight. Make sure that the bar remains in contact with your legs as you pull. Don’t shrug or lean back when you’re at the top. Lock your hips as well as your knees.
  • Return the weight to the floor through the process of first unlocking your hips and knees. At this point, lower the bar by moving your hips back. Keep your legs almost straight. At the point when the bar is past your knees, bend your legs further. When you do this the bar will land over your mid-foot and will be ready for your next rep.
  • Rest a for a second between reps. Remain in the set-up position with your hands on the bar. Take a big breath, prepare, and pull again. Each rep must begin from a dead stop. Don’t bounce the weight off the floor. If you do this, you’ll pull with bad form.

The best diet for an ectomorph

Ectomorphs have a metabolism which works exceptionally quickly. A high metabolism renders it easier to get lean and, as such, it can seem as if ectomorphs can eat anything that they want and not gain weight. However, as they get older their metabolisms will slow down. This is because they don’t have much muscle mass which can cause an unhealthy gain in body fat.

The best eating plan for an ectomorph is higher in carbohydrates as well as calories. Roughly between 50 and 60% of the calories that they consume should come from carbs. A total of 25% should come from protein and 25% from fat.

Here are some other nutrition tips for ectomorphs:

  • Eat between two and four hours.
  • Complement your eating plan with at least 500 calories if you want to gain weight or muscle.
  • Select warm foods as opposed cold foods as this is better for digestion.
  • Best starchy carbohydrates which you can eat include oats, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes as well as potatoes.
  • The best fruit choices for ectomorphs include bananas, mangoes, pineapple, papaya, avocado as well as peaches.
  • Ectomorphs should choose between these vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, beetroot and carrots
  • Nutrient-dense snacks include nuts and seeds, as well as nut butters.

The key is to consume a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in nutrients. Because you have an ectomorph body type, this doesn’t mean you should use that as an excuse to eat everything, including junk food.

Contact Trifocus fitness Academy

Want to go on a personal trainer course and learn how to train all body types – including ectomorphs? Follow this link to read more.

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What exactly is strength and conditioning training? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-exactly-is-strength-and-conditioning-training/ Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:26:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12744 The term ‘strength and conditioning training’ refers to the format of exercise which highlights building the strength, size as well as endurance of skeletal muscles. To undertake strength and conditioning training, you need to utilise resistance to muscular contraction so that you can achieve the desired results. There are several different ways of doing these...

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The term ‘strength and conditioning training’ refers to the format of exercise which highlights building the strength, size as well as endurance of skeletal muscles. To undertake strength and conditioning training, you need to utilise resistance to muscular contraction so that you can achieve the desired results. There are several different ways of doing these particular exercises, the most well-known of which is using elastic or hydraulic forces to counter opposing muscular contractions.

Benefits of strength and conditioning training

Also, strength and conditioning training is hugely beneficial as it helps in enhancing the overall health and well-being of an individual. This type of training improves the strength and toughness of bones, tendons, muscles as well as ligaments.

With this type of training, the joints of the body function better and there are decreased chances of one becoming injured. Strength and conditioning offer improved cardiac functioning, enhanced bone density, and elevated levels of HDL cholesterol which is good cholesterol. Therefore, with so many benefits, strength and conditioning training finds many takers, especially those involved in sports like powerlifting, bodybuilding, and weightlifting.

What are the benefits of increased bone density?

Your bones are changing continuously. New bone is made while old bone is broken down. When you’re at a younger age, your body builds new bone quicker than it breaks down old bone. This means that your bone mass improves. Most individuals reach their pinnacle bone mass around the time that they are 30. After that, bone remodelling continues; however, you lose a little more bone mass than you get.

How probable it is that you are to develop osteoporosis — which is a condition that triggers bones into becoming weak and brittle — differs depending on how much bone mass you amass by the time get to 30 as well as how rapidly you lose it subsequently. The higher your peak bone mass is measured at, the more bone you will have “in the bank”. This means that it is less probable that you will develop osteoporosis as you age.

Why are elevated levels of HDL cholesterol proper?

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is recognised as the “good” cholesterol. This is because it helps to remove other forms of bad cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

What are examples of strength and conditioning training?

If you talk about a ‘strength exercise’, you’re speaking about any activity that makes your muscles work harder than they usually do. Strength training increases your muscles’ strength, size, power as well as endurance and involves making use of your body weight or working against a resistance.

You should try to do two sessions or more of muscle-strengthening exercises a week which target all major muscle groups so that you don’t develop a weakness in one particular muscle group.

Here are a couple of examples of muscle-strengthening activities:

  • Lifting weights,
  • Working with resistance bands (which are also called therabands),
  • Heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling,
  • Climbing stairs,
  • Hillwalking,
  • Cycling,
  • Dance,
  • Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, and
  • Yoga.

Here is the correct way to do a push-up:

  • Position your body with your arms straight under your shoulders. Ensure that your abs are tight and hold your body in a plank position.
  • Position your hands and arms slightly below your shoulders. Ensure that your fingers are pointed forwards. Push your shoulders away from your ears.
  • Lower your body till your chest is centimetre or two above the floor. Pull your elbows back at approximately a 45-degree angle.
  • Drove your torso away from the ground until your arms lock. Repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to attain your desired results.

What are conditioning workouts?

If you are looking to enhance your performance in a sport or activity, or want to get the benefits of physical activity, body conditioning exercises strengthen as well as improve your body and performance. Body conditioning usually includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching as well as flexibility exercises. Aerobic conditioning improves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body and assists in reducing the risk of ailments such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression. Aerobic conditioning is also a critical component in achieving weight loss as well as maintaining a healthy weight.

If you don’t have time to figure out what strength and conditioning exercises are right for you, then you should hire a personal trainer to help you.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you want to become a trainer yourself, there are loads of personal trainer courses out there to help you achieve this dream. Follow this link for more information.

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What is fitness boxing? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/fitness-sport-management-blog/what-is-fitness-boxing/ Tue, 08 Oct 2019 08:24:20 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12700 When you’re short on time in your fitness routine, fitness boxing may offer a solution. This heart-pumping workout routine not only burns a lot of calories but also helps you to achieve the recommended two and a half hours of aerobic exercise that you should be doing on a weekly basis. With fitness boxing, you’ll...

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When you’re short on time in your fitness routine, fitness boxing may offer a solution. This heart-pumping workout routine not only burns a lot of calories but also helps you to achieve the recommended two and a half hours of aerobic exercise that you should be doing on a weekly basis. With fitness boxing, you’ll also reap strength-training however this is dependent on the specific routine that you perform.

Fitness boxing workouts can be done with or without a bag. In addition, they can also incorporate free weights as well as other equipment. Fitness Boxing routines are more than what you see on a televised match. While still based on martial arts-inspired movements, the variations in this exercise can offer challenges for all fitness levels – from beginning to advanced.

Unlike traditional boxing, which requires you to spar with an opponent, fitness boxing has no risk of  head trauma or massive blows to other parts of your body as this aerobic activity only involves throwing punches on  the air or the punching bag – usually in a class where ‘boxers’ follow the leader.

What are the health benefits of fitness boxing?

Fitness boxing has many health benefits. One of these is strength because as you’re swinging your arms around, as well as moving the muscles of your arms and shoulders, you’re increasing your upper-body strength. When you’re in the boxer crouch, having adopted a wide stance and have  your knees slightly bent, you’re strengthening your core muscles as well as those in your back and legs.

Boxing is one of the sports that is most demanding on your lungs and heart. This is including your muscles.  If you can survive this challenging and strenuous workout, you’ll gain health benefits such as a longer life expectancy, decreased stress and more muscle definition.

Aerobic Exercise

Boxing is an incredibly demanding sport. It is especially taxing on the heart and lungs. The 60-second-long rest period in between boxing match rounds is hardly enough time for the opponents to recover for the next onslaught.

However, the better the shape that your heart and lungs are in, the healthier you are – and the longer life expectancy you will have.

You feel the beneficial effects in your daily life when your lungs and heart are stronger and better at sending blood around your body. Your makes a quicker recovery from stress and physical exertion. Walking up stairs seems to feel more manageable. Another great benefit is that you can also sleep better and are less at risk for heart attacks in addition to a stroke.

Fitness boxing is also a fantastic aerobic exercise. This type of exercise gets your heart pumping. In addition, this type of exercise assists with lowering the risk of:

  • High blood pressure,
  • Heart disease,
  • Stroke, and
  • Diabetes

Aerobic exercise can also help to strengthen bones as well as muscles, burn increased number of calories, as well as lift mood. Aerobic activities can also elevate your endurance, which assists you to climb a flight of stairs or, alternative, walk increased distances.

A big plus factor is that aerobic exercise is related to certain brain functions being improved. Boxing, in particular, is famed for improving eye-hand coordination. This is especially true if you’re sparring on a bag, hitting targets which are padded or just “shadow” boxing. Studies show attempting to hit a target with your hands helps with improving eye-hand coordination. This action possibly makes you feel more alert and attentive. Improved hand-eye coordination may also translate into an easier time picking up a pill or a pen.

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Fat Loss

Boxers are always athletes without much fat on them. This is because boxing is a weight-class sport (which is a sport in which you are required to fight people who are approximately the same weight as you). Thus the goal for boxers is to be in the lightest weight class that they possibly can be.

Even if they weren’t required to be in a particular weight class, boxers would be naturally lean. This is because boxing training can burn 30 calories per minute.  Thirty minutes of intense boxing could help you to burn up to 900 calories.

Losing fat ensures that you are healthier. In addition, you’ll be less likely to suffer from diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even joint pain.

Muscle Gains

It’s challenging to keep off muscle when you box. This is because when you quickly snap out a punch you used all the muscles of your lower and upper body. You’ll then retract your arm and move around your opponent. In this way, you’re continually pushing your muscles to their maximum.

Stress Relief

Training like a boxer can help you decrease stress. Generally speaking, exercise has a stress-relieving effect because it triggers feel-good hormones to be released. Relieving stress can lower blood pressure and increase feelings of happiness.

How do you get started with fitness boxing?

The first thing that you need to know, when you get started with fitness boxing, is the basic boxing stance.

The basic boxing stance is an easy position for beginners to attack from and defend easily. You’re well covered in this position with both hands ready to easily attack. Fitness boxers who are more advanced will use different boxing stances for more complex body movements as well as counter-punching opportunities. Here’s a ‘blow-by-blow’ on how to get into this stance:

  • Make sure that your front toe and back heel are on the centre line. Your dominant hand must be at the back. If you are right-handed, put the right hand at the back.
  • Your weight must be evenly distributed across both legs and your knees must be slightly bent.
  • Ensure that your feet are diagonal, little wider than shoulder-width apart. Your back heel must be raised.
  • Keep your elbows down and your hands up.
  • Maintain your head behind your gloves, your chin slightly down so that your eyes see over the gloves.

Now that you can see the fantastic benefits of fitness boxing in terms of maintaining your health, the time is ripe for you to get on down to your nearest gym and check out the timetable for the next fitness boxing class.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Trifocus Fitness Academy has workshops on boxing for fitness fanatics – just like you. Please contact Trifocus for more information.

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What is a bootcamp class? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-a-bootcamp-class/ Tue, 08 Oct 2019 05:56:44 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12650 A bootcamp class is a group exercise programme that may be conducted by gyms, personal trainers, gym instructors or, alternatively, other organisations. Bootcamp classes are planned with the aim of building strength and fitness with the use of a variety of types of exercise. The activities in a bootcamp class may be loosely modelled on...

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A bootcamp class is a group exercise programme that may be conducted by gyms, personal trainers, gym instructors or, alternatively, other organisations. Bootcamp classes are planned with the aim of building strength and fitness with the use of a variety of types of exercise. The activities in a bootcamp class may be loosely modelled on aspects of fitness training which are used in the military. In some cases, the personal trainers themselves may have been part of the military previously.

Indoor as well as outdoor bootcamp workouts became common, in the United States, in the latter half of the 1990s. (Although, in South Africa, it is more common to see bootcamp classes being done outdoors.) As the popularity of outdoor group fitness classes grew, so did bootcamp classes. This happened in the 2000s in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom as well as Canada.

Bootcamp classes link strength training with cardio exercises in order to achieve a full-body workout. These types of workouts get your heart pumping, make you sweat, and challenge your muscles. Bootcamp workouts can vary based on where you do them and who takes the class. These types of sessions generally include quite an intense mixture of the following types of workouts:

  • Aerobic,
  • Strength training, as well as
  • Speed elements.

One bootcamp training session may focus on plyometrics while another emphasises military-style drills.

In many of the bootcamp classes, you can anticipate doing:

  • Plyometrics, such as pull-ups, push-ups, lunges and crunches, as well as
  • Drills and sprints.

A bootcamp class is basically a kind of interval training. This is as it unites bursts of intense activity alternated with lighter activity.

The benefits of a bootcamp workout?

Bootcamp weight-loss classes offer a dynamic as well as efficient workout. As we mentioned previously, these classes make use of a wide range of exercise types that help you to develop both muscular and cardiovascular fitness. As well, these exercise types promote safe as well as effective weight-loss.

People who take part in a bootcamp weight-loss classes find that the atmosphere as well as the variety of exercise types help them to become more motivated  and combat boredom. Bootcamp classes permit participants to become more mentally, physically as well as energetically involved in their workouts. Bootcamp classes increase the probability of them continuing with their workouts in the long haul.

The mix of a team atmosphere, intense full-body cardiovascular in addition to strength workouts and fitness education make bootcamp weight-loss classes very effective for helping people lose weight, improving cardiovascular endurance, adding to lean muscle mass as well as improving coordination and balance.

Is bootcamp for you?

Before you think that you won’t possibly manage to get through an entire bootcamp class, you’ll be pleased to know that these types of workouts are suitable for newbie exercisers and fitness enthusiasts as people taking part in a bootcamp class can work at the level and intensity that suits them. Some sessions are also explicitly designed to introduce people to the bootcamp concept.

If you really like extreme styles of exercising, then the form and passion that a bootcamp class offers will attract to you. However, ensure that you pay watchful attention to the skill level of the instructor as well as the amount of time they commit to assisting each individual member of their group as instructors who tend to have a hands-off approach won’t be good for newbies and help them with their form.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Are you a personal trainer and want to start offering bootcamp classes? Check out Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Online Bootcamp Course for more information.

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How do I get fit? Read this article to find out more. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-do-i-get-fit-read-this-article-to-find-out-more/ Mon, 07 Oct 2019 08:24:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12619 Sadly, there’s no single response to this. There are various types of fitness – cardiovascular, muscle strength and endurance in addition to flexibility – and you get to develop fitness in these three areas by doing different forms of exercises. In this article, we’ll give you some suggestions about how you can get fit. Get...

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Sadly, there’s no single response to this. There are various types of fitness – cardiovascular, muscle strength and endurance in addition to flexibility – and you get to develop fitness in these three areas by doing different forms of exercises. In this article, we’ll give you some suggestions about how you can get fit.

Get your running shoes on!

The phrase ‘cardiovascular fitness’ refers to a situation where your heart is able to cope with pumping more oxygenated blood around your body. The more fit that you are, the more able you will be perform increased levels of cardiovascular exercise without getting tired quickly. If you are not fit it is probable that you’ll not be able to exercise for a very long period of time.

Common examples of cardiovascular exercise are:

  • Swimming,
  • Cycling, as well as
  • Running

Lift ‘em weights!

Weightlifting permits you to increase your levels of muscular strength and endurance. The stronger that your muscles are, the more able you will be to endure extended bouts of weightlifting exercises. Examples of weightlifting exercises include:

  • Bicep curls,
  • Leg extensions,
  • Pull-downs.

We often hear women saying that they refuse to lift weights because they think that they will bulk up and look like bodybuilders. Yes, it is possible for women to get ripped muscles and develop large shoulders and biceps. However, they have to work consistently on this and take various sports nutrition supplements.

Weightlifting in the ‘usual’ ranges won’t make women bulky at all. In fact, it will help them to tone up and look sleeker. This is because lifting weights results in the development of lean muscle mass. This type  of muscle is responsible for burning more fat, when a person is at rest, than if they didn’t have any lean muscle mass. In addition, weightlifting is also responsible for improving bone density. This helps in the prevention of diseases such as osteoporosis.

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Let me see you do that Yoga!

If you are flexible, your joints have increased range of motion than someone who is not flexible at all. Being flexible helps you later in life with assisting with preventing age-related diseases such as arthritis.

Yoga is an ancient exercise form that was developed by monks to ease their cramping limbs after they had spent hours and hours, in one position, in meditation. The physical practice of Yoga is based on certain positions called asanas. During a class, the instructor will take you through various sequences of the poses. If you are not able to perform them as indicated, tell the instructor and they will give you a work-around so that you can develop your familiarity with the pose.

The other main component of Yoga is meditation. This practice calms a person’s mind, frees them from the worries that plague them on a daily basis and allows the practitioner to focus on what their bodies are saying. Meditation is a well-known practice for eliminating stress because this practice eliminates anxiety-provoking thoughts. As such, it eliminates the source of stress.

You don’t have to spend hours and hours, sitting cross legged with your eyes closed, in order to reap the benefits of meditation. You can even meditate when you’re walking or sitting and staring at the ocean. The main thing is to empty your mind.

Contact Trifocus fitness Academy

There are so many ways to get fit. What you should to is aim at attaining all-round fitness. If you’re unsure of how to do this, speak to a personal trainer – who has a Personal Training Diploma from Trifocus Fitness Academy – and they’ll be able to assist.

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Do You Know What Pilates Is? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/do-you-know-what-pilates-is/ Fri, 04 Oct 2019 07:06:28 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12570 Pilates aims to strengthen the human body in a way that is even. There is a particular emphasis on core strength in the process of improving general fitness and well-being. Pilates exercises are done on a mat. Alternatively, they use special equipment, for example the Reformer, Cadillac as well as the Wunda Chair. With its...

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Pilates aims to strengthen the human body in a way that is even. There is a particular emphasis on core strength in the process of improving general fitness and well-being.

Pilates exercises are done on a mat. Alternatively, they use special equipment, for example the Reformer, Cadillac as well as the Wunda Chair. With its arrangement of pulleys and springs in addition to  handles and straps, these pieces of apparatus can provide resistance or support. This depends on the client’s needs.

Who invented Pilates?

What we know today as ‘Pilates’ was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. He believed that mental and physical health were closely connected.

The method that Joseph Pilates developed was influenced by western forms of exercise. These included gymnastics, boxing and Greco-Roman wrestling.

Joseph Pilates immigrated to the United States of America in the 1920s. He opened a studio in New York and taught his method there for several decades.

Why was Pilates first called ‘Contrology’?

Joseph Pilates based his life’s work on three main principles: Breath, whole-body health and whole-body commitment. The term ‘whole-body’ means encompassing mind, body as well as spirit.

It is in the valuing of the Principles laid down by Joseph Pilates that the depth of the work is achieved. These Principles are traditionally seen as:

Breath

In Pilates, you will learn several techniques for breathing. However, lateral breathing is emphasised above all other techniques.

In this technique, draw your breath upward and out of your lower belly. Focus on redirecting your breath into the back of your body and the sides of your ribcage.

Breath is a basis of all movement in Pilates. Coordinate the exercises with inhalation and exhalation pattern. Use your breath to begin and support movement.

Keep your abdominal muscles pulled inward and upward. Taking a big inhale at the same time will help in exercise coordination.

Concentration

Concentration can be seen as the conscious control of a movement or exercise. At the same time this enhances body awareness. Proper concentration permits you to do as many repetitions of a Pilates movement as you can. At the same time, concentration allows you to focus on other variables such as being in the right position, having your shoulders in the right place or making sure your back feels OK.

Centring

Breathing is the key part of centring. This is because breathing in causes our thoracic cavity to rise. The rise of the cavity pressure results in stable surrounding structures.

However, during exhalation the effect of the diaphragm relaxing diminishes our stability. That’s when it is necessary to activate our centre in order to control and support our stability as well as our movement.

Centring is vital for alignment, flow of movement as well as control over the movement. In addition, it lowers the risk of injuries. Centring also improves our range of movement. Don’t be alarmed if it takes time to understand how much centre you need in different exercises. However, it’s well worth  it to focus on it and understand it well.

Control

Control as well as precision are direct by-products of the  powerful mind-body connection which is developed by proper breathing and concentration in Pilates.

When using precision as well as in a Pilates exercise, it become less about the intensity or multiple “reps” that you are doing. It becomes more about using proper form to achieve results that are safe and effective. It really allows you to stay within your body during an exercise and to move with better biomechanics.

Flow

Pilates routines are completed with an air of a gentle flow. Grace, ease and fluidity are the  purpose of exercise that Joseph Pilates applied. Continuous, smooth, and elegant movement – as you transition from one pose to another – will bring you strength and stamina according to this principle.

To reap the benefits of Pilates for yourself, we recommend that you head off to the gym and try out a Pilates class for yourself!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Alternatively, check out Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Comprehensive Pilates Certification Course and see how you can become a Pilates Instructor yourself.

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What a personal trainer needs to understand about athletic nutrition https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-a-personal-trainer-needs-to-understand-about-athletic-nutrition/ Fri, 04 Oct 2019 06:37:41 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12557 Athletic prowess on the sports field involves a lot of facets. Not only do athletic and fit people have to be the best at their game, they need to spend hours upon hours at the gym to make sure that their muscles are balanced so that they can deliver the best sporting performance out. To...

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Athletic prowess on the sports field involves a lot of facets. Not only do athletic and fit people have to be the best at their game, they need to spend hours upon hours at the gym to make sure that their muscles are balanced so that they can deliver the best sporting performance out.

To help them along their fitness journey, an athlete will turn to a personal trainer. As the trainer is functions as an expert to guide people along the path of fitness and health, they are the perfect person to help the athlete achieve their fitness goals.

As an athlete performs a lot more physical activity than your usual office worker, they will need to have a vastly different eating plan. In the article which follows on from this, we look at what a personal trainer needs to understand about athletic nutrition and why this is.

What is athletic nutrition?

‘Athletic nutrition’ – or ‘sports nutrition’ as the discipline is called in various parts of the world – is the study as well as practice of nutrition and diet in relation to improving any athlete’s performance.

Having the correct nutrition is a significant part of many sports training regimes. Athletic nutrition is prevalent in:

  • Strength sports (such as weightlifting and bodybuilding), and
  • Endurance sports (for example cycling, running, swimming and rowing).

Athletic nutrition focuses on the type, as well as the quantity, of fluids and food that is consumed by an athlete. In addition, athletic nutrition deals with the consumption of healthy nutrients such as vitamins, a variety of minerals, supplements and organic substances such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Athletes have different nutritional needs from the rest of us as their physical activity level is that much greater than a person who sits and works behind a desk all day.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in anyone’s diet. It’s been stated that carbohydrates should make up the majority of your diet, however, as athletes need more energy than most they will need to consume more carbohydrates than your average human being.

Protein’s main function is in building and repairing muscles. So, athletes such as bodybuilders and weightlifters will need to consume more protein as their sports require them to have a higher muscle mass than others.

A sports conditioning coach’s main job is to ensure that his/her athlete performs at the best of their ability. Part of this includes keeping a close eye on what they eat so that their eating does not negatively affect their performance and only enhances it.

Important nutrients for athletes

The five food groups

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates give us energy, calcium and B vitamins. Wholegrain carbohydrates – such as whole-wheat bread and bran cereal – help to keep our digestive systems healthy.

Protein

Protein is known for its ability to help repair muscles. Colloquially, they are known as the building blocks of the human body.

Milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products keep our bones and teeth healthy. They are responsible for providing us with – among others – essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin A and vitamin D

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are responsible for giving us umpteen minerals such as antioxidants which keep our bodies healthy. These foods keep your digestive system functioning well and studies have shown that the minerals in fruit and vegetables may even function in helping to prevent certain cancers.

Fats and sugars

All fasts are not bad for you. Good fats – such as Omega 3s found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel – have a lot of benefits.

What are sports supplements?

Sports supplements are a multi-million dollar industry. Active adults and athletes are often tempted by efficient supplement marketing. The assurances of improved performance, among other claims, are factors which motivate them to purchase these supplements in order to achieve results. Every day, professional athletes are exposed to intensive physical strain. In order to deliver on the energy demands, the athletes take in various food supplements.

As athletes exercise regularly, they need a bit more protein than those of us who are sedentary. There are many excellent sources of protein with each of these sources having their own specific pros and cons.

One of the most wide-spread sources of protein is whey protein. Athletes and bodybuilders use whey protein for building muscle, losing weight and increasing immunity:

  • Whey makes up 20% of the protein in milk.
  • This substance consists of several complex peptides.
  • It contains all the essential amino acids.
  • Whey is especially rich in essential amino acids, BCAAs, leucine and cysteine.

Whey protein is rapidly digested owing to the fact that protein is water soluble at a low pH. If you do decide to take this protein, consume between 10 and 30 g at least 30 minutes before your workout. Take another 10 – 30 g at least 30 minutes after your workout. However, as whey is a by-product of milk this type of protein isn’t suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.

Another type of protein powder on the market is casein protein which is considered to be a protein which is long lasting.  What many people don’t realise is that casein is the principal protein which is found in cow’s milk. Casein contains all the essential amino acids. In addition, it is especially rich in tyrosine and proline.

It is digested at a very slow rate owing to the formation of micelles (which are clusters of casein molecules) in the stomach at a low pH. We don’t advise that you take casein before a workout as it stays in the stomach for longer. Take casein one hour after a workout (10 – 30g).

Nutrition is important for athletes as it provides a source of energy that is required to perform the activity. Not only is the type of food important for sports nutrition but the times that they eat throughout the day also have an impact on their performance levels and their bodies’ ability to recover after exercising.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are interested in knowing more about nutrition or becoming a Personal Trainer, consider enrolling yourself for Trifocus Fitness Academy Personal Trainer Course. – Contact us for more information.

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How Many Times Per Week Should I Practise Yoga? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-many-times-per-week-should-i-practise-yoga/ Fri, 04 Oct 2019 06:33:11 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12563 Many new yogis have asked us how often they should practise yoga. There is actually no short answer to this query. This is because if you’re interested in becoming stronger, gaining increased flexibility or losing a couple of kilograms, there isn’t a quick yoga fix. Yoga is not just another workout This is according to...

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Many new yogis have asked us how often they should practise yoga. There is actually no short answer to this query. This is because if you’re interested in becoming stronger, gaining increased flexibility or losing a couple of kilograms, there isn’t a quick yoga fix.

Yoga is not just another workout

This is according to many yogis. There are reams upon reams of ancient texts that explore yoga’s many aspects. The physical elements make up a relatively minute part of the discussion. In addition to this, scientific studies have increasingly shown yoga’s positive role in keeping a person’s mental and physical health in tip top shape.

Yoga is a practice which is all-encompassing

It cultivates a connection between the body and mind. It’s not easy to break Yoga into limited fitness objectives and goals. Rather, there’s some fine print to accompany the prescription of how many times, per week, you should be practising Yoga, should you be interested in doing so.

So how many times a week should you practise yoga?

When people begin their practice of yoga, there’s often a phase – at the beginning – where they’re practising between three and five times per week. This is because they are in love with the newness of yoga as well as the new feeling of lightness in their body. In addition, maybe they are even experiencing some weight loss.

Unfortunately, after a period of time, they may shift into a new routine where they are practising yoga less. So this leads to the question: How often should one practise yoga for it to have a beneficial impact on your mental as well as physical well-being?

It depends on what your goals are, the style of yoga that you’re practising, your diet, other types of exercise that you might be doing and any history of injury:

  • What are your goals for your practice of yoga? Goals could be desirable outcomes such as increasing flexibility, enhancing posture, improving strength, decreasing stress, losing weight or any combination of these items.
  • Improving flexibility is a direct function of how often you attend Yoga class as well as what you do when you’re off the mat. You could go to yoga every day you’re re sitting behind a desk for eight hours a day, running five times a week as well as weight training, it’s really difficult to remain flexible. This means that to increase flexibility, more Yoga practice is usually better.
  • Losing weight is a function of not just how often you practise Yoga but also what you’re eating and how cardiovascular your practice is. (Another option is to supplement your practice with another activity that’s purely cardiovascular, such as running). While all yoga styles emphasise deep breathing and have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, practising meditation and regular restorative yoga classes is a wonderful way to focus on minimising stress.

Should You Perform Yoga Every Day?

Many yoga teachers tell you that you must practise every single day. However, you shouldn’t perform the same set of poses every single day. This is because anything that you do repeatedly, over long periods of time, can lead to a repetitive stress injury (RSI). This is not just the case with running or cycling. You can suffer from an RSI even with yoga.

The most common culprits for RSIs in Yoga are some of the common poses in a typical vinyasa class. We’re not saying that you should avoid these poses altogether but doing dozens of them every day is bad. To strive for balance in your body, it is necessary to perform a variety of movements that target all your major muscle groups.

So the ultimate answer to how many times per week you should be practising yoga depends on your body. Remember that the ultimate goal of this mind-body exercise form is for you to find peace within your mind and to translate this sense of peace to your body. If your body is not comfortable with what it’s doing, your mind won’t be easy. This means that you need to choose a yoga practice that suits both your mind and body.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy 

Want to learn more about Yoga? Check out Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Yoga Certification Course here.

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The Real Power of Pilates https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/the-real-power-of-pilates/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 08:15:23 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12528 When people hear the word “Pilates”, the first thing that they think about is a gorgeous set of ab muscles. This is thanks to the many Hollywood stars who credit this exercise modality with giving them their shapely mid sections. Yes, Pilates is indeed responsible for helping a person shape and tone their abdominal muscles....

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When people hear the word “Pilates”, the first thing that they think about is a gorgeous set of ab muscles. This is thanks to the many Hollywood stars who credit this exercise modality with giving them their shapely mid sections. Yes, Pilates is indeed responsible for helping a person shape and tone their abdominal muscles. However, there is one misconceptions that needs to be cleared up first.

Pilates is about your core, not just your abdominals

If you’ve ever had to undergo physical therapy to treat lower back pain, you’re probably familiar with the concept of strengthening the core. Core muscles are found in the:

  • Abdomen,
  • Lower back, and
  • Pelvis

These muscles lie roughly between the rib cage and the hips. Within the core (which is called the core powerhouse) the muscles are divided into two types: the stabilisers and the movers. The stabilisers are:

  • Transverse abdominis
  • Internal obliques
  • Lumbar multifidus
  • Pelvic floor muscles
  • Diaphragm
  • Transversospinalis

The muscles that fall into the movers category are:

  • Rectus abdominis
  • External obliques
  • Erector spinae
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Hamstrings
  • Hip adductors
  • Hip abductors

The strength as well as the coordination of these muscles is vital for sports and fitness routines as well for daily life activities such as reaching up to a shelf or lifting your child.

Pilates is a full-body workout

Despite what people may think about Pilates only working out your core, this type of exercise does focus on the entire body and has various sequences to help you do this.

Here is a no-nonsense Pilates sequence that hits every major muscle group of your body. You’ll be able to get the workout down pat in less than 30 minutes. Once you master each move, you can challenge yourself by picking up the pace, adding a light set of dumbbells, attempting this routine after a 20-minute cardio session.

Mountain Climber

  • Start in a high plank. Ensure that your hands are right under your shoulders.
  • Bring one knee into your chest at a time.
  • Keep your core, buttocks and quads engaged. This is so that you avoid rocking your hips.

Leg Circle

  • Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Ensure that your palms are face down.
  • Bend your left knee. Put your left foot on the ground. Extend your right leg straight up so that it’s right angles to the floor.
  • Move your right leg out to the side in a circular motion. Move it down towards the ground. Go back to your starting position. Ensure that the circle is as big as you can make it while still keeping the lower part of your back flat on the floor.
  • Reverse the motion.
  • Complete all reps one on leg. Repeat on the other.

The One Hundred

  • Lie on your back.
  • Lift both of your legs. Lower them halfway so that they’re at 45 degree
  • Curl your head up. Reach your arms long alongside your body. Ensure that your palms are facing down.
  • Move your arms up and then down, in a very slight motion, as you inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts.
  • Repeat this pattern of breathing10 times while holding the position.

Criss Cross

  • Lie on your back and bring both knees in towards your chest
  • Put your hands on the back of your head. Keep your elbows wide. Curl your head upwards.
  • Bring your left shoulder in towards your right knee as you extend your left leg. After this, bring your right shoulder toward your left knee as you extend your right leg.
  • Continue alternating sides

Pilates exercises help you get healthier and fitter and, eventually, make you a happier person. Pilates challenges your physical abilities with a focus on making you healthier. With Pilates, you get well balanced body in a perfect shape to support your daily activities for many years ahead.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you are interested in finding out more about Pilates or becoming a Pilates instructor – contact Trifocus Fitness Academy.

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What is fitness? Find out more in this article. https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-is-fitness-find-out-more-in-this-article/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 07:15:50 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12508 Former US President, John F Kennedy, believed the following about fitness: “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” Fitness is so much more than having a body in pique physical condition. It’s also about ensuring that your...

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Former US President, John F Kennedy, believed the following about fitness: “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” Fitness is so much more than having a body in pique physical condition. It’s also about ensuring that your mind is healthy and strong.

Physical fitness

When people speak about ‘fitness’, the first thing that comes to mind is outward appearances. A person who is perceived as being physically fit is seen to have a lean and toned body or, otherwise, well-defined muscles.

However, what happens if these aspects can’t be seen? What if the person is carrying slightly more fat than they should? Should you discount that person as being unhealthy and not caring about their fitness levels?

Before we delve into what physical appearance is, we need to highlight that there are a number of types of physical fitness. These are:

  • Aerobic
  • Anaerobic
  • Flexibility
  • Muscular endurance and strength.

You can perform fantastically well in one area of fitness but perform dismally in one area. For example, if you’re a cyclist you’ll be incredibly aerobically fit. However, if you don’t train with weights regularly or you aren’t a personal training client you won’t have much strength or muscular endurance.

By the same token, if you’re an avid weight lifter, you’ll be incredibly fit from a muscular endurance and strength point of view. But if you don’t regularly do cardiovascular exercise – such as rowing, running on the treadmill or cycling – your cardiovascular fitness levels won’t be good.

Mental fitness

When we speak of ‘mental fitness’ we’re talking about your mind being in top condition. Your brain is a muscle and needs to be exercised just as muscles in other parts of your body do. The more that your exercise your brain, the fitter it will get.

As you can’t send your brain to go and work up a sweat on the treadmill, there are several ways that you can remain mentally fit.

Take up Yoga

In today’s world of the Internet of Things and Big Data, where we are being bombarded constantly with data that we need to draw useful information from, our minds are constantly flitting from one thought to another.

We never take the time to check in with ourselves and to listen to our bodies. Are we feeling tired and stressed out? Do we feel a cold coming on? Do we need to take a break to rejuvenate? We’re always pushing ourselves because of outside stimuli – pressures, deadlines and the like. We ignore our bodies trying to tell us that  it needs some attention as well. And because we ignore these signs, we become less mentally fit and become less able to think creatively and out of the box.

Classified as a mind-body exercise, Yoga centres us. It focuses our minds on the hear and now and forces us to listen to our bodies. It does this by requiring us to focus on its slow and steady positions because if we don’t concentrate on what we’re doing, we could very easily lose our balance and hurt ourselves.

Start exercising outdoors

Exercising in the gym is great. However, being outdoors and in nature when you are exercising provides you an extra added benefit for your mental health and fitness. When you’re outdoors, you can feel the wind and sun on your face. You can breathe in fresh air. You’re not distracted by the music playing in the gym or the television screens. The natural elements help to focus your attention on what’s going on within you and allow you the headspace to come up with answers to questions that you’ve been grappling with and, in so doing, allows you the mental freedom to start tackling other things.

Fitness has a lot of different meanings. Many people interpret the notion of being fit very differently. However, at the end of the day,  you need to be happy with how you look and how you feel fitness wise. People can tell you exactly what they think that you should be doing in terms of fitness, but this is what they feel. It’s not you. You need to decide how you want to approach your fitness journey because, if it comes from you, you’ll stick to it.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you’re want to learn more about fitness, or want to become a personal trainer, Trifocus Fitness Academy has a wide range of personal training courses that will suit where you want to go. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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What are Realistic Personal Training Goals? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/what-are-realistic-personal-training-goals/ Wed, 02 Oct 2019 06:32:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12490 With so much super-specific advice out there on the different styles of personal training and areas of fitness, it’s so easy for the bigger picture to get a bit blurry. Everyone has different fitness goals. These range from generally trying to stay active to viewing fitness as a lifestyle. It seems today well-intended people are...

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With so much super-specific advice out there on the different styles of personal training and areas of fitness, it’s so easy for the bigger picture to get a bit blurry. Everyone has different fitness goals. These range from generally trying to stay active to viewing fitness as a lifestyle.

It seems today well-intended people are going down the wrong path to achieving their fitness goals. They fall prey to exceptional marketing techniques that have a proven ‘scientific’ base that is actually a load of rubbish.

In this article, we’ll let you know what realistic personal training goals are and how you can achieve these.

Try one new workout per month

Luckily there are a lot of different kinds of workouts that are available. These include modalities such as boxing, Yoga, rock climbing and trampoline classes. So why not vary it a little? Set yourself the goal of trying one new, different type of exercise per month. This is to keep your fitness regimen fresh. Challenge your body in unique ways. You may even make the discovery that you have a passion for something new and different.

Work out for 30 minutes between three and five times a week

Find a way of fitting in any type of workout more regularly than usual. It’s so easy to say you don’t have time to exercise. However, ultimately you can even wake up 30 minutes earlier if that is what you need to do. It’s much easier to think about working out for 20 minutes more times per week. Spread the time out over more days if that helps you find the time.

Do Yoga at least once a week

Stretching or doing yoga after you exercise, even if it’s just for five to 10 minutes, is so beneficial for you in the long run. Doing Yoga is one of the most incredibly important things you can slot into your workout routine. This is because it keeps the muscles, spine, and joints open and flexible. In addition, it prevents injury, releases stress and tension in addition to leading to a more balanced body as well as mind.

Trifocus Fitness Academy -personal training goals

Hold the plank position for three minutes

Three minutes seems like a lifetime when you’re holding a plank. However, starting slowly is the trick. Begin with a 20- to 30-second plank each day. Every week increase the time period by 20 to 30 seconds. This means that by week six, you should be able to hold a three-minute plank.

Build your strength

Becoming stronger doesn’t have to mean just going to gym and doing weight training. It can be as easy as:

  • Carrying your shopping in a bag instead of using the shopping trolley,
  • Playing with your children by lifting them, or
  • Riding your bicycle instead of driving to work.

Watch out for ways to become stronger. You may find interesting ideas in fitness magazines. Opt for those options as often as you can and integrate them into your daily life.

Setting personal training goals can help you to achieve a great deal of things. It can be a way to drive yourself towards a certain end-point. It is only natural to want to draw up a list of things you want to change about yourself . The key to setting goals that are realistic is to set ones which are practical, measurable and achievable. This applies to all goals – fitness ones included.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

Want to learn more about fitness and health – and perhaps even become a personal trainer? Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Training Diploma is the perfect qualification to help you to do this. For more information, please follow this link.

Trifocus fitness academy personal training course registration

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How is Pilates Going To Benefit Me? https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/pilates-blog/how-is-pilates-going-to-benefit-me/ Wed, 02 Oct 2019 06:31:37 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12485 Pilates has become synonymous with bodies which are lean and toned. However, the benefits of Pilates go much further than simple core powerhouse strength and flexibility. As well as the aesthetic benefits, regularly practising this total-body workout can ease back pain, improve bone density and boost your heart rate. These surprising benefits of Pilates make...

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Pilates has become synonymous with bodies which are lean and toned. However, the benefits of Pilates go much further than simple core powerhouse strength and flexibility.

As well as the aesthetic benefits, regularly practising this total-body workout can ease back pain, improve bone density and boost your heart rate. These surprising benefits of Pilates make it an effective cross-training workout. And if you reach a plateau in your weight-loss efforts Pilates can be a great change to your regular strength-training and cardio fitness routine.

The Most Well-Known Benefit of Pilates: A great set of abs

Pilates gives your core powerhouse a workout unlike any other. “Believe it or now,” says Lisa Schneider: expert Pilates trainer and managing director of Trifocus Fitness Academy, “after finishing 36 weeks of training in Pilates, women reported that they had strengthened their rectus abdominis (which is the muscle responsible for six-packs) by an average of 21%. This is while eliminating muscle imbalances between the right and left sides of their core.”

Pilates is a Whole-Body Fitness Workout

Unlike some exercise formats, Pilates does not over-develop some parts of the body while neglecting others. Although Pilates training focuses on strengthening a person’s core, it trains the body as an integrated entity.

Pilates exercise routines are responsible for promoting strength and balanced muscle development. This is in addition to flexibility and increased the range of motion for a person’s joints.

The attention that is paid to the core support and full-body fitness, including the breath and the mind, provides a level of integrative fitness that is difficult to find elsewhere. This level of fitness is also the reason why Pilates is so popular in rehabilitation as well as with athletes who see that Pilates is a fantastic base for any kind of movement they do. ​

If you older and are just beginning to exercise, an elite professional athlete or somewhere in between, the foundational principles of Pilates movement apply to you. Pilates is accessible to all as it builds from core strength, focuses on proper alignment and proposes a body/mind integrative approach.

Pilates Alleviates Back Pain

A study which appeared in the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy shows that subjects with lower-back pain reported significant pain relief after a four-week Pilates programme. This programme was maintained over a period of 12 months.

Pilates functions to strengthen the core in order to support the back. It teaches proper alignment and, in addition, it provides gentle stretching for tight back muscles owing to misalignment and overuse. In addition, Pilates approaches the underlying imbalances which often are responsible for poor posture and back pain. Specific Pilates exercises that strengthen the spine include the roll up and swan prep.

Pilates can Build Cardiovascular Endurance

The aerobic benefits of Pilates are different depending on intensity with which it is performed. (This is the same for all types of workouts.)

Advanced Pilates moves – such as the jack-knife and side lift – are responsible for increasing your heart rate within the target zone that it can reach. However, prone or seated exercises – such as the seated twist and leg circles – are responsible for dropping your heart rate.

“Most advanced classes will be responsible for raising your heart rate to, on average, between 120 to 130 beats per minute,” says Schneider. “The quick transition between exercises – and decreasing resting time – works best for raising your heart rate.’

Pilates Helps to Prevent Injuries

As Pilates assists with improving flexibility, increasing strength and improving balance this exercise format reduces your risk of injury.

If you’re able to increase your hamstring flexibility by 10 degrees, it will be less likely that you will hurt your back when you bend over to pick up something from the floor. If you improve your strength here this has direct links to improved dynamic control of movement. At the end of the day, this reduces the risk of injury.

Unilateral one-legged or one-sided Pilates enhances balance and reduces the risk of falls. Pilates provides body awareness to create efficient movement patterns. In so doing it reduces stress on joints, tendons, muscles and ligaments.

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The destressing elixir that is Yoga https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/yoga-blog/the-destressing-elixir-that-is-yoga/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 05:13:51 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12411 It’s no secret that, in today’s world, things are happening at a rapid pace – that’s getting quicker and quicker as the weeks and months move on. In fact, we’re so busy that one day it’s Monday and, before we realise it, it’s Friday and we haven’t noticed Tuesday through Thursday slipping by. We’re not...

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It’s no secret that, in today’s world, things are happening at a rapid pace – that’s getting quicker and quicker as the weeks and months move on. In fact, we’re so busy that one day it’s Monday and, before we realise it, it’s Friday and we haven’t noticed Tuesday through Thursday slipping by.

We’re not being mindful of our day-to-day lives. And, truth be told, we actually don’t have time to do this because we’re so busy jam packing everything that we need to do into the short number of working hours that we have available to us.

The unfortunate result of this is that we stop listening to what our bodies are saying to us. If we hear them saying that they’re tired and need a break, we quash this and carry on going to the point of exhaustion. If we notice a tickle in our throats or think that we feel a fever coming on, we go to the doctor – as them to give us a shot to make us feel better – and carry on as normal. We don’t allow ourselves the time that is necessary to sleep and allow our bodies to recuperate the natural way.

So, what is the solution? If we carry on ignoring the signs that our bodies are giving us that we need to take it easy, we’ll ultimately be digging ourselves an early grave as we’ll be making ourselves more susceptible to ailments such as heart disease, cancers and the like.

Luckily, there is an answer that has been around to centuries upon centuries. It’s been tried and trusted and doesn’t cost the earth. It’s called Yoga.

Why is Yoga Famous for Decreasing Stress?

Many, many people think of  the practice of yoga as just  stretching or twisting the body into various impossible-looking shapes. Yoga poses are famed as being a great exercise. They can help you to loosen up the tense muscles in your body. This being said, yoga is about so much more than only physical exercise. The key to getting the best out of each pose is to focus not only on your body, but also on your mind and breathing.

Yoga can be very powerful in treating depression. Even if you feel that you can’t do yoga, the combination of meditation as well as physical movement offer two important elements for relieving depression:

  • Meditation helps to bring a person into the present moment. It allows them to clear their minds. The controlled, focused movements that yoga entails also help strengthen the body-mind connection.

Breathing exercises are successful in reducing depressive symptoms. You may find yoga helpful as the exercise focuses on deep, controlled breathing.

Yoga and relaxation

Conscious relaxation is about intentionally relaxing your mind by consciously relaxing your ‘attention’ through the process of letting go of thoughts. This process trains your muscles to release their grip when you don’t use them. Conscious relaxation maintains the muscles as being responsive to the signals from your brain telling them to contract so that you can perform all the countless tasks of a busy day. However, it’s not keeping them in a constant state of tension.

Relaxation is a conscious practice which lies somewhere between effort and non-effort. To truly relax, you have to get to grips with, and practise, the skill. To truly get the benefits of relaxation, try the following techniques:

  • Practise relaxation in a quiet environment where it is not likely that you’ll be disturbed by others or the telephone.
  • Try putting a small pillow under your head as well as a larger one under your knees for support and comfort when you’re lying down.
  • Make sure that your body remains warm. If required, heat the room first. Alternatively, cover yourself with a blanket. Specifically, avoid lying on a cold floor because this isn’t good for your kidneys.

Stress is ever present in every aspects of our lives. Fortunately for us, we’ve got yoga and it is proven to help reduce stress and the negative effects on our health that stress causes. So what are you waiting for? Get your yoga mat and head on down to your nearest gym!

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

We would love to educate you in the art of Yoga. Please contact Trifocus Fitness Academy to enquire about the Yoga courses we have on offer.

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How a personal trainer can benefit from Olympic lifting https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-a-personal-trainer-can-benefit-from-olympic-lifting/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 05:08:26 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12401 Not so long ago, it was unusual to see cleans, clean and jerks, and snatches being done at the average gym. However, with the rise of CrossFit and sports performance-focused training, more and more people are now performing these Olympic lifts. Perhaps your personal training clients have begun to ask you about these Olympic lifting...

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Not so long ago, it was unusual to see cleans, clean and jerks, and snatches being done at the average gym. However, with the rise of CrossFit and sports performance-focused training, more and more people are now performing these Olympic lifts.

Perhaps your personal training clients have begun to ask you about these Olympic lifting moves. Maybe they want to learn some Olympic lifting for themselves. While it’s a good thing that your personal training client is showing interest in these powerful movements are cleans, snatches, and clean and jerks actually a good idea for your clients, especially if they don’t have ambitions to compete in Olympic lifting competitions and just want to be fit and healthy?

Benefits of Olympic lifting

There are a number of benefits that your personal training clients can reap from Olympic lifting. Here are some of them:

  1. Increases Power

Power is scientifically clearly as:

  • The quantity of force, which is applied,
  • Multiplied by the distance travelled,
  • Divided by the time it takes.

This equation is simply broken down as power being the capability to display strength in conjunction with speed.

The Olympic-style exercises are great for enhancing this power. Compound movements such as, for example, squats and deadlifts are important foundational exercises that can assist with building towards a person’s power output. The reason why you want to build power as this force makes you more efficient and strengthen fast-twitch muscle fibres.

  1. Increased Jumping Ability

Jumping strengthens fast-twitch muscle fibres that help you perform explosive movements. If you perform a jump slowly it is unlikely that you will leave the ground. Olympic lifts assist by mimicking the fast contractions that our bodies need to make in order to rapidly move ourselves and other weight against gravity.

  1. Increased Speed

Increased jumping ability as well as increased power are referred to as starting strength which enables us to make use our muscles and bodies in order to create enough force or power to push off a surface so propelling our bodies quickly and effectively.  As people get older, they see an age-related decline in lean muscle mass and also quickly see a reduction in power production. Therefore they see a reduction in starting strength. So if you want to be able to get out of a chair in your later life without using your hands and arms for help it’s time to consider exercises for power and speed to increase your starting strength.

  1. Improved Body Composition

Olympic lifts are becoming extremely important exercises in many high-intensity workouts. This is because the exercises are really effective at assisting the exercisers to burn fat and build lean muscle simultaneously. Olympic lifts involve using a variety of different muscle groups. This type of exercise also engages a lot of large muscle groups in a short space of time. It thus assisting with yielding the best caloric expenditure.

  1. Improves Core Strength/Stability

Just as with the more basic compound movements, Olympic-style movements consist of a lot of core stability as well as strength. It is well known that the core powerhouse is the foundation that all of the strength – in the entire human body – is built on. In addition, the core helps to keep the body upright and assists with keeping the body balanced.

Strength and balance are both are tested and trained when you perform Olympic lifts. The reason for this is the complex, powerful movements that this sport requires in addition to the angles and placement of the bar (weight). Your core powerhouse is so much more than just the strength in your abdominals. Your glutes, lower back, and obliques all are sources of core strength and stability. Olympic lifts engage your entire body because these require strict form and sequence in order to optimise power production.

Don’t feel pressured to get into Olympic lifting. If you are on the fence when it comes to this type of exercise modality find an exercise that truly tickles your fancy because if you enjoy doing it you’ll stick to it.

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How a personal trainer can benefit from foam rolling https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/personal-fitness-training-blog/how-a-personal-trainer-can-benefit-from-foam-rolling/ Mon, 30 Sep 2019 09:48:57 +0000 https://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/?p=12329 Are you a personal trainer who is great at assisting your clients with bulking up through increasing the intensity of their training? Are you seeing many of your clients returning to you with complaints and persistent pains in places where these shouldn’t be?  Are these cramps and pains being meddlesome with your personal training client’s...

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Are you a personal trainer who is great at assisting your clients with bulking up through increasing the intensity of their training? Are you seeing many of your clients returning to you with complaints and persistent pains in places where these shouldn’t be?  Are these cramps and pains being meddlesome with your personal training client’s ability to squat just a bit deeper or, alternatively, run just a bit longer and faster?

A smart personal trainer doesn’t just work to improve the stamina and strength of their client.  Proper personal training goes far beyond watching clients perform repetitions, or bench pressing until they can’t do it anymore.  Personal trainers should also want to increase client’s range of motion while also minimising, or eliminating, any pain while they’re doing so.

What is foam rolling, exactly?

Foam rolling, which is also called self-myofascial release, has changed from a once-mysterious technique that was used only by professional athletes, coaches as well as therapists to a common-place practice for people at all fitness levels. Recent data, technology and products which are affordable have introduced an increasing array of personal training and recovery methodologies to the average person.

Foam rolling is a way that people can release muscle tightness or trigger points. This methodology can be done with a foam roller, lacrosse ball, Theracane or your hands. By putting pressure on particular points on your body you are able to aid in muscle recovery help to return them to normal functioning, in other words that your bodies muscles are subtle, healthy, and ready to perform at a moment’s notice.

How do you use a foam roller?

There are several body parts which you can use a foam roller on in order to relieve tension. These are the following:

  1. Thighs (front)

For a fabulous release for your quadriceps, lie on your stomach and position the foam roller under your thighs and make sure that your toes are on the floor. Press your hands into the floor. Shift your body forward and backward. Let the foam roller massage your quads.

  1. Thighs and Calves (back)

Position the foam roller under your thighs or calves while you’re lying on your back. Straighten your legs but keep your heels off the floor. Force your hands into the floor and slightly raise your glutes. Shift your body forwards and backwards while you let the foam roller massage the backs of your thighs or calves.

  1. Thigh (side)

If you need to release tension on the sides of your thighs, position the foam roller under the outside of one of your thighs. Straighten your leg and point your toes. Drive your hands into the floor and shift your body forwards and backwards. Do this while you’re rolling the roller along the side of your upper leg. Feel the release and then switch sides.

  1. Upper Back

Position the foam roller under the upper part of your back. Bend your legs and straighten your arms. Force your feet and hands into the ground. Lift your glutes off the floor and come up into a Bridge Pose. Move your body forwards and backwards while the roller massages the upper portion of your back.

  1. Lower Back

Put the foam roller under the lower portion of your back. Bend your arms and legs. Drive your feet and elbows into the ground. Raise your buttocks off the ground. Move your body forwards and backwards while you roll the roller along your lower back.

  1. Buttocks

To release any tension felt in your glutes, put the foam roller under your buttocks. Bend your legs. Put your feet flat on the floor. Shift your body forwards and backwards while you roll the roller across your buttocks.

It appears that foam rolling makes muscles more receptive to stretching as well as moving. It’s the best thing that we’ve found to make people feel better immediately after a tough workout at the gym.

Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy

If you would like to learn more about foam rolling or perhaps become a Personal Trainer. Look no further than Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Trainer Course.

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