Frequently Asked Questions
How much does personal training cost?
The base rate starts at $85/hour. I also offer volume discounts, as well as group rates and class formats.
Home Gym Consulting
Assisting clients in selecting fitness equipment to purchase, as well as helping them with in-home workout space design
What other services do you provide?
Brain Gym
A system of educational kinesiology. I apply this system by incorporating exercises where limbs cross over horizontal and vertical mid-lines to integrate brain and body. . .
Nutritional Counseling
Information available about healthy food choices and portions; grocery shopping and cooking assistance when needed. Attention to nutrition is important because your body is fashioned from earth, and from the earth's harvest it draws well-being.
Yoga
Yoga is helpful in assisting with pain management. Kinesthetic activity, such as yoga, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, and stretching teaches you how to move gracefully and breathe properly.
How long will it take to get in shape?
It takes 8-10 weeks to train the central nervous system, and 8-12 weeks to establish a habit. Your body adapts to whatever habits you provide. Initially, I think you need to think about a three month commitment.
How quickly will I learn new techniques?
Human beings are only able to retain five to seven bits of information in their short term memory. It is ill-advised for me to try to give clients too much, or for them to try to get too much information at once. When a person learns a new skill, it takes some time to internalize it into their "motor memory." If too many skills are entered, little or nothing will be remembered. People should have a goal when they start, but need to concentrate on the process.
Are there techniques to define, add bulk to or sculpt particular muscles?
The shape of the muscle is genetic. Definition is losing body fat, which is a metabolic function. Performing too many reps, or lifting weights that are too heavy will predispose you to injury. The right equation will be a little different for each individual, and it will change as you age. Always doing your best is different on different days.
What is the best overall exercise for the body?
The best exercise for for overall strength and development is the squat, due to the large number of muscles that must coordinate together to perform it. Technique is key, so do not lock the knees at the top of the squat, and at the bottom be sure to bend the knees far enough. In competition, the top of your thighs need to break parallel, but not much more than 90 degrees. Going beyond 90 degrees flexion at the knees with heavy weight creates a leverage disadvantage.
Caution: Avoid the Smith machine, which voids your balance and coordination. The bar you're lifting is on sliders that are angled slightly forward or backward, depending on the way you're facing. This can cause injury, as the weight gets too far in front or behind your center of gravity as you perform the movement.
What is more important — cardiovascular training or strength training?
Both! Strength training keeps your joints strong and develops your inner power. Appropriate strength and skill training unify breath, posture and focus. As a bonus, building muscle burns fat. Cardiovascular activities empower your heart and lungs.
Which is better — free weights or weight machines?
Free weights are far superior, as most life circumstances require you to control your center of gravity in order to take advantage of strength. Compound or multi-joint movements are more appropriate with free weights.
Exception: Certain machines can be used for specific exercises, for specific reasons. For example, runners usually have over developed hamstring muscles, and should develop their quadriceps as a shock absorber. They would use the leg extension machine and concentrate the most effort on the last 15 to 20 degrees of extension, close to lockout. It would not be advisable to get this close to lockout in the squat.
What books and products do you recommend?
Books
To Squat or Not To Squat: That Is The Question by Rickey Dale Crain
Inside Powerllifting by Terry Todd
Anatomy: A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Carmine D. Clemente
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gilles McClain, Gary R. Adamson and Eve Van Grasdorff
The Four Agreements: Toltec Wisdom for Spiritual Warriors by Don Miguel Ruiz
The base rate starts at $85/hour. I also offer volume discounts, as well as group rates and class formats.
Home Gym Consulting
Assisting clients in selecting fitness equipment to purchase, as well as helping them with in-home workout space design
What other services do you provide?
Brain Gym
A system of educational kinesiology. I apply this system by incorporating exercises where limbs cross over horizontal and vertical mid-lines to integrate brain and body. . .
Nutritional Counseling
Information available about healthy food choices and portions; grocery shopping and cooking assistance when needed. Attention to nutrition is important because your body is fashioned from earth, and from the earth's harvest it draws well-being.
Yoga
Yoga is helpful in assisting with pain management. Kinesthetic activity, such as yoga, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, and stretching teaches you how to move gracefully and breathe properly.
How long will it take to get in shape?
It takes 8-10 weeks to train the central nervous system, and 8-12 weeks to establish a habit. Your body adapts to whatever habits you provide. Initially, I think you need to think about a three month commitment.
How quickly will I learn new techniques?
Human beings are only able to retain five to seven bits of information in their short term memory. It is ill-advised for me to try to give clients too much, or for them to try to get too much information at once. When a person learns a new skill, it takes some time to internalize it into their "motor memory." If too many skills are entered, little or nothing will be remembered. People should have a goal when they start, but need to concentrate on the process.
Are there techniques to define, add bulk to or sculpt particular muscles?
The shape of the muscle is genetic. Definition is losing body fat, which is a metabolic function. Performing too many reps, or lifting weights that are too heavy will predispose you to injury. The right equation will be a little different for each individual, and it will change as you age. Always doing your best is different on different days.
What is the best overall exercise for the body?
The best exercise for for overall strength and development is the squat, due to the large number of muscles that must coordinate together to perform it. Technique is key, so do not lock the knees at the top of the squat, and at the bottom be sure to bend the knees far enough. In competition, the top of your thighs need to break parallel, but not much more than 90 degrees. Going beyond 90 degrees flexion at the knees with heavy weight creates a leverage disadvantage.
Caution: Avoid the Smith machine, which voids your balance and coordination. The bar you're lifting is on sliders that are angled slightly forward or backward, depending on the way you're facing. This can cause injury, as the weight gets too far in front or behind your center of gravity as you perform the movement.
What is more important — cardiovascular training or strength training?
Both! Strength training keeps your joints strong and develops your inner power. Appropriate strength and skill training unify breath, posture and focus. As a bonus, building muscle burns fat. Cardiovascular activities empower your heart and lungs.
Which is better — free weights or weight machines?
Free weights are far superior, as most life circumstances require you to control your center of gravity in order to take advantage of strength. Compound or multi-joint movements are more appropriate with free weights.
Exception: Certain machines can be used for specific exercises, for specific reasons. For example, runners usually have over developed hamstring muscles, and should develop their quadriceps as a shock absorber. They would use the leg extension machine and concentrate the most effort on the last 15 to 20 degrees of extension, close to lockout. It would not be advisable to get this close to lockout in the squat.
What books and products do you recommend?
Books
To Squat or Not To Squat: That Is The Question by Rickey Dale Crain
Inside Powerllifting by Terry Todd
Anatomy: A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Carmine D. Clemente
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gilles McClain, Gary R. Adamson and Eve Van Grasdorff
The Four Agreements: Toltec Wisdom for Spiritual Warriors by Don Miguel Ruiz