Having served in a variety of roles within the fitness industry for the past 20 years, I've seen an incredible increase in exercisers' options. It's hard to say how this occurred, except to acknowledge that the industry has matured a great deal.
Where once a city had one facility that offered one group class at one set time -- take it or leave it -- now exercisers can choose exactly the type of activity they want to perform at exactly the time they want to perform it.
This week, I'll present a few tips for sifting through all the choices to hone in on your ideal workout. Plus, I'll introduce an abdominal exercise variation that combines concepts from the past with today's knowledge.
The right program for you is out there somewhere, under the haystack of today's Information Age. You might be able to find it on your own, but you'll get there a lot faster with a little help. Hour after hour spent researching fitness websites and literature can leave people more confused than when they started. A professional can help.
But finding a fitness professional who is certified and qualified can also be a challenging task. A four-year degree is a must, and you want someone who carries a certification from one of the agencies accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (see the directory at credentialingexcellence.org. That is important.
Beyond those two factors, I recommend looking for experience, personality and proximity -- someone you can meet face to face.
In almost all cases, hiring a pro will dramatically reduce the time you have to spend researching fitness information and allow you to work through your goals, personal history, health issues and other key exercise prescription factors with an actual human who is an expert in the field.
I can't stress this enough: People spend years and even decades floundering through low-quality fitness programs they found online. Instead of taking that risk, let's get to work.
This week's exercise is a hybrid version of abdominal exercises developed long ago. The Alternate Jackknife includes trunk flexion and rotation, which will increase the involvement of the abdominal obliques along with the primary abdominal section, the rectus abdominus.
1. Lie on your back on an exercise mat with your arms outstretched overhead and legs fully extended.
2. From this position, lift the left foot straight up while raising your torso off the floor.
3. Reach out and touch the left foot with the right hand. (If you need more support to get there, try sliding your left arm down to the side, perpendicular to your trunk.)
4. Slowly lower back down to the floor and then repeat the motion on the opposite side.
5. This time, you'll raise the right foot and touch it with the left hand.
6. Continue alternating this motion for 12 repetitions, two sets.
Like many abdominal exercises, this one produces a nice "burn" when performed correctly. It's a great way to keep your midsection in mind during all the holiday meals and parties, that's for sure. Enjoy!
Matt Parrott has a doctorate in education (sport studies) and a master's in kinesiology and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.
vballtop@aol.com
ActiveStyle on 12/11/2017