Happy Muscles
One of the first things we do with clients/campers at EXL is take them through a self-myofascial release (SMR) session. In short this is a self massage routine that helps reduce connective tissue adhesions within muscles commonly known as knots or trigger points. It also helps increase blood flow to targeted muscles which increases oxygen delivery to the cells which promotes healing and aids in flushing out cell waste. These effects can be felt almost immediately. Tighter “knots” may take several sessions in which to see/feel progress. It is suggested to perform a SMR...
read moreProtein Powders, Meal Replacement and Workout/Recovery Shakes…What’s the Difference?
Protein powder, meal replacement powder (MRP), workout/recovery shake…these are all supplements that I recommend, but there is a lot of confusion surrounding them. Most people think they are all the same, “I just buy a big bag/jug of protein powder from Costco/Gold’s Gym/GNC and use it for everything.” This maybe a step in the right direction, however, they each have their unique purpose. All these supplements contain protein, but they vary in type of protein, absorption rate, carb content as well as fiber content and vitamins and minerals additives. There is...
read moreSupplements are they just a bunch of crap?
I get hit up all the time to attend a meeting to check out “some new, miracle juice company…with an ‘optional’ business opportunity.” The self-proclaimed “nutrition experts” rhapsodize about how the secret ingredient cured their aunt’s incurable cancer, helped Little Timmy grow back his severed leg and that it could even help me file my taxes. Or, I get clients bringing in bottles of pills and powders they bought from a local vitamin store asking me if they are any good. My point is, is that supplements are a huge part of my industry...
read moreI’m Sooo Sore!!
“I’m sooo sore!” This is a common comment I get when I ask a new client/camper how they are feeling a day or two after their first workout, or even a veteran client/camper a day or two after a new workout routine. This soreness is called “delayed onset muscle soreness” or DOMS. Science can not tell you what causes DOMS. Though science has now decided that it is NOT caused by lactic acid, which was a common belief. It seems DOMS takes about 24-48 hours to really set in. This soreness is commonly referred to as “stiffness” a day or two after...
read moreHow’s Your Return On Investment For Your Workout?
In a previous post (The 5th Fitness Tip) I discussed nutrient timing, and more specifically the workout/recovery shake. A workout/recovery shake assists in maintaining adequate blood sugar to ensure high intensity workouts and also assists in getting a jumpstart on recovery to aid in muscle maintenance/gain and energy recovery for your next workout. During this time of economic distress the acronym ROI (return on investment) gets thrown around like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition gets thrown around in a high school boys locker room. Whether we are talking about our wallets or our...
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