TRAINER TUESDAYS

TRAINER TUESDAYS

Hey All, thanks for checking in! Welcome back to our brand new weekly post on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check back to our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff. We have been very fortunate to keep the same training staff that you have come to know and love together for a while now, and it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.

Where Should I Start if I've Never Exercised?

Justin Traft:

The answer to your question is simple: First, you want to make sure that you get a physical from your doctor to ensure you can safely start a fitness regimen. After the doc gives you the okay, determine what your fitness goals are; in eg: What is your personal reasoning for you to start exercising?  Then, set the table. The best way to do that is by setting a s.m.a.r.t. goal. This acronym stands for specific , measurable , attainable, realistic and timely. This gives you the best chance of accomplishing your goals to come.  Finally, find what works for you. The best programs for success always involve a combination of strength training, cardiovascular and stretching.

When starting to exercise, you want to begin with bodyweight exercises. Ease into it the basics with movements like regular or modified pushup, Body weight triceps dips, resistance band bicep curl or chest press. For the lower body, you can try bodyweight squats, lunges, and go through the motions without weights for deadlifts to get those muscle stretched. Cardiovascular wise, try some step ups with half of the blocks or mountain climbers leaning on a bench. Those are just some of the exercises you can use. It may not seem like much, but you are building a foundation. This will get you ready for the next stage, strength training. You always want to start slow, especially since your body is not used to all the physical activity. The worst move you could make is to do too much too soon and end up hurting yourself or setting yourself back.

Adam May:

You should start with small attainable goals in your diet. You should always start with diet because no matter how much you exercise, you can never out train a bad diet. There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. This means in order to lose one pound you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume. If you set a goal of losing one pound a week than you need to set a smaller goal of having a 500 calorie deficit per day. If every day you burn 500 more calories than you consume by the end of the week you will have achieved the 3,500 calories you need to lose one pound of fat. A good place to go to find out how many calories a day you should consume to lose weight is www.myfitnesspal.com or you can schedule a Nutrition Together appointment at your nearest FT Studio.

Adam Teplitz:

If you have never exercised before, it is important to visit your doctor first and get a physical so you can safely begin.  It is important to start slow with simple activities such as walking and light resistance training.  Another important step to take is to determine why you want to start exercising and to set certain fitness goals.  These goals could be as simple as wanting to become more active or something as specific as wanting to lose a certain amount of weight in a certain time frame.