Flexibility & Stretching

Hamilton Personal  Trainers at Phoenix Fitness Hamilton believe that flexibility refers to the range of motion of a joint or a set of joints.  Despite the importance of flexibility, many active people neglect to stretch.  Flexibility is joint dependent.  It is different for each joint in your body.  The range of motion around any joint is limited or controlled by a number of anatomical factors, including structure, pliability of the connective tissue, and the tension of the muscles which surround the joint.  Hamilton Personal Trainers will tell you that the muscular limit to flexibility accounts for approximately two fifths, or 40%; of the flexibility of the joint.  Obviously, it is this 40% that we are trying to improve by stretching.

Flexibility usually decreases with age and lack of physical exercise.  But this doesn’t have to happen!  Through a regular stretching program of about 10 to 20 minutes three time a week, you can maintain soft tissue (i.e. muscle, tendon and ligament) elasticity.  Women tend to be more flexible than men, which is partially because men generally develop more muscle strength and bulk.  This means that those who develop stronger and larger muscles should work hard to develop and retain their flexibility.

Stretching may enhance physical performance by increasing the range of motion of the joints.  Depending on your goals, stretching can vastly improve athletic performance.  But stretching is not just for track athletes, gymnasts and dancers.  As much as anyone, moderately active people need the relief from muscle tension and stiffness that stretching provides.  In addition, when done correctly, stretching feels good.  Hamilton Personal Trainers will also tell you that improper or excessive stretching may actually increase the potential for injury.  Obviously, then the idea is to stretch correctly and in moderation.

Hamilton Personal Trainers at Phoenix Fitness West Hamilton recommend,  NEVER STRETCH A COLD MUSCLE!!  One should stretch after a short cardiovascular activity such as jogging, walking, cycling or stair climbing.   At the very least stretching should be preceded by a less vigorous rehearsal of the sport or activity you’re about to do. The warm up gradually increases your heart rate, and raises the temperature in your muscles while increasing their blood supply, which helps prepare them for exercise and/or stretching to follow.  Stretching a muscle before it is properly warmed up may strain or tear it.

The greatest gains in flexibility are achieved when stretching is done after a workout.  This is because the muscles are very warm and are at their most pliable  state.  Ideally, stretching should be done both before and after your workout, but if you only have time to do it once, stretching after your workout is most beneficial (but make sure you do include a warmup of moderately intense cardiovascular exercise before engaging in strenuous physical exercise).

Fall Back Into Fitness – Phoenix Fitness Hamilton Style

Summer’s gone, no more barbecues, no more out door parties with all kinds of salads and whatnot, no more fun in the sun, all the outdoor activities… GONE!!!!!

The time has come, the time is here.  Come on back to the place that made those summer fun times worth it.   The place that helped/improved your energy, endurance, metabolism and everything else that went into an action packed summer.  Fall back into Phoenix Fitness West Hamilton.

If you need some help getting back into the swing of things around here, just ask.  You can start with a complimentary consultation with Leslie or get kick started with a Hamilton Personal Trainer.

Let us help you get ready for the upcoming Holiday season that’s just around the corner.  You know what I mean…????  Baked goods, drinks, Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy… oh did mention Baked goods??!!!

WELCOME BACK TO ALL!!

The Right Decision For You

Tons  of people are involved with some kind of fitness center.  Picking the right one can be tough.  Here are some tips on deciding which one best suits you.  Committing yourself to good health is or at least should be a life time goal.

There are a lot of obstacles in the way to prevent you from reaching that goal and a super tough one is finding the right gym for you.  The gym that best fits your personal workout needs, is the best way to reach your health and fitness goals.

Suggestion one… location, the closer the better.  There is a higher probability of you sticking with it.  Being close to home or close to work will help you to stick with your program, even if you lead a busy lifestyle.

Suggestion two… decide what type of facility you’re looking for.  Here at Phoenix Fitness West Hamilton, our memberships are month to month, not a yearly contract.  There is no signing up or time limits to use the cardio equipment, the comfort of television is available while you’re working out, orientations are included in your membership and Hamilton Personal Training is also available.

Some people want more than just weights, cardio and classes though, for instance some may be looking for family oriented activities, such as the YMCA, where they offer swimming lessons, free swims and other family programs, besides fitness.

Most gyms offer a day/week pass for you to try it out and decide if it works for you;  however finding  the perfect gym won’t do you any good if you don’t have a plan.  If you have a plan you’re probaby going to follow through and reach your health and fitness goals.  If you go into this venture without a plan and don’t know exactly what you want to accomplish, more often than not… you’ll just give up!

Why A Hamilton Personal Trainer?

It is important to keep the best interest of the client top priority at all times: ; thereby earning the client’s trust with genuine interest and care.

Here at Phoenix Fitness Hamilton, the baseline data obtained from our consultation and your goals, determine the personal training options meticulously designed for the individuals training program

Our Hamilton Personal Trainers goals are to meet the individual needs of each client; which equates to satisfaction of their goals and development of lifestyle changes for improved quality of life.  While achieving the above mentioned our Hamilton Personal Trainers will do many other things for you such as, keeping you motivated, ensuring you’re using proper technique  and form and maximizing your time efficiently.

Some might ask, “Why should I have a Hamilton Personal Trainer???” To improve your overall fitness through a customized program designed to meet your individual needs.  I’d say that’s it, in a nutshell.

If you have never experienced Personal Training, Call Leslie at (905) 577-0626, and receive a complimentary consultation today!!!!