What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from investing in Express Fitness?
There’s no doubt that investing in a fitness coach is more than gym membership alone but really they are very different. I worked out in the gym for a year but seen better results in one to two months with Express Fitness. This made me realize the value received is very high, it then becomes a no brainer. I could’ve continued investing in only a gym membership for the rest of my life, but I now know that coaching has taken me to a level I could not get to on my own.
Testimonial 90lb pull up
What have your results been?
Since beginning Express Fitness camps (8 months ago), I’ve lost about 10lbs of fat and have gained a considerable amount of strength and, more importantly, power. To date, I’m most impressed with my ability to do a 270lb. weighted pull-up. Prior to joining Express Fitness, I would have been lucky to push out 5 bodyweight pull-ups. The power gain achieved from being able to do a 270lb. weighted pull-up translates into being able to do about 20 bodyweight pull-ups.
What specific feature do like the best?
You really can’t beat a 20-30 minute workout that produces the results I’ve seen with Express Fitness. Prior to joining, I would’ve laughed at the claim to produce these type of results when working out for such a short duration.
What are some other benefits?
One, being introduced to a much wider range of workouts/exercises. Two, discovering a type of workout (bands w/ intervals) that can easily be done while traveling for business. Three, realizing the importance of nutrition. A consistent workout routine with proper nutrition has been extremely beneficial.
Would you recommend Express Fitness?
Absolutely. Enough said.
Anything else you would like to add?
I think there’s a stigma that these types of classes are targeted more towards females. I would argue that these classes are also hugely beneficial to males. It amazes me that a class focusing largely around band exercises has produced such incredible gains in strength, power, and a reduction in fat while increasing muscle mass. When I go into the gym on off days, I’m amazed at how much my strength has gone up.
I understand the dilemma but this leads me to a story.
I have trained all types of people in my career.
One person in particular always stuck out.
She said she was so busy but when I asked her about her day it was not busy.
Without going into details and ruining confidentiality it really was not busy at all but she thought it was.
Basically our lives are busy but if you can carve out just an hour a week it can make all the difference.
This leads to the first solution.
1. Workout Time that is best for you is when you will workout and it should be a priority.
I would not worry so much about night time versus morning…. instead know yourself. Know your patterns and when you are most apt to get in a workout no matter what time of day that is.
2. Workout more effeciently but with shorts amount of time.
A good 10-20 minute workout can trump many longer workouts for a variety of reasons. The ten to 20 minutes will be worth it.
3. Finally and most importantly get it in the schedule.
The more discipline a schedule is the more likely you are to not make excuses. In fact I think that a good fitness program has huge value based on the accountability of a group time slot. If you want to save time for your workout check out http://www.Siide.com. Siide.com is a marketplace for micro jobs and transactions built on trust and reputation, learn more about this Milwaukee startup at: www.siide.com. So you can delegate those things you do not want to do so you can have more time to workout.
Mike is one of the best when it comes to corrective exercise but he has a ton of useful information for the fitness professional and the fitness enthusiast.
I am excited to bring you fitness truths with my friend Jason Yun.
Jason is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Below is the interview but to sum it up
1. We talk about the difference between intervals and steady state cardio and how to transition into intense intervals. Many people that say the workouts are not intense are unable to push because of how they have trained.
Example 30/30 advanced interval training
2. The myth is that dieting well means not eating or eating very little. The truth is your body needs lots of healthy nutrition to lose fat and decrease body fat percentage.
3. The myth is that sit-ups and crunches are the best for ab strength. Sit-ups and crunches may not be the best for strength. On the other hand, anti rotation band exercises and other isometrics are great for core strength. Different planks with varying degree of intensity depending on the person is always a great way to strengthen the core.
1. Many people will pay less for gyms but many will still not go to the gym. However they will still pay for it!
2. Many gyms will compete on price versus value essentially ruining their ability to compete.
3. People will still look for the easy way out. It is human nature to do so and in most areas of life being lazy can help us. The airplane, the car, the internet, email, social media, and any other device that makes our life easier is a good thing. But when it comes to fitness, basically the rule of thumb is this…. the better you get the better your body looks!
4. Metabolic training is going to be the words describing short intense workouts that will increase the metabolism over the long haul.
5. Fitness Professionals are going to train regular people more like beginner athletes or advanced athletes. There will be a focus on recovery and lifestyle techniques for better fitness results.
6. Infomercials will sell like always:(
7. Diets will pop up and people will say they work but will put weight back on. Hopefully this will lead to an understanding of the difference between weight loss and fat loss.
9. Express Fitness Powered by Fitness Revolution will be Waukesha Counties secret society for long term lifestyle fitness changes not just a quick fix (shameless plug)!
10. More people will want 10-30 minute workouts that improve them versus the long boring cardio people do with no success.
Do you agree or disagree? Comment below your thoughts!
The audio is below but if you just want the main points here they are!
1. Use corrective exercise and focus on proper movement
2. Focus on recovery techniques to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury
3. Progression in exercise movements is the most important thing in any exercise program…. not just feeling tired. In fact feeling tired might be an indication of a poor workout.
4. Shoot for the “90/10” rule until you reach your goals.
5. High Intensity training is great but low intensity should be implemented as well.
Such as walking, band stretching, yoga, swimming, foam rolling and other recover things.
The interview is below but if you just want the main points here they are.
1. Rest and recovery is so important and you should be getting better in any lifestyle fitness program.
2. People cannot exercise out of a poor lifestyle. If they try to you must over exercise which always leads to burn out.
3. Eating the Paleo philosophy seems to be best for healthy fat loss. The easiest way to learn how to eat is the meal movement. We both support the meal movement program.
4. Train to be more athletic, stronger, faster, and more conditioned.
5. We did not talk about it exactly but I think Jim would agree:) Help from professionals is best!
Remember your mom said to share so please share:) below
When it comes to fitness there is a never ending supply of new inventions and gifts you could buy.
Here is one not on my list!:)
Ok now the real ones that are good gifts:)
1. Resistance Bands
Band training is great especially to increase power and power endurance. They are also great for stretching and becoming more mobile. Trust me bands can do things that weights cannot do but weights can do what bands cannot:)
2. The Grid Foam Roller
I started doing foam rolling just a few years ago and it has been amazing. No matter if you are an intense athlete or someone who never works out you can benefit from this. One person said it did not work. Remember the grid is not to roll fat off the body:) but instead it is like a massage.
3. Kettlebells are a great tool
I love the kettlebell but it takes knowledge and practice to be great at it. Kettlebells are not new and they should not be a fan. Stuff that you might see on tv is usually not what you are looking for in a kettlebell workout.
4. Eischens Yoga
This is the best yoga ever and for those that do not like the spiritual side of yoga he just takes you through the movements with no added fluff. And this one is best for athletes and beginners.
5. The Power Wheel
This is one of the best tools for core work
6. The Meal Movement
No more dieting and if you are on a meal plan I challenge you to switch to this one.
7. Last but NOT least sign up for http://www.expressfitnesscamps.com or at least get the free newsletter to the right. Ok this is a shameless plug but its free!
What is the funniest fitness gift you have gotten?
When it comes to performance and fat loss there is contradictary advice all over the place.
What I have learned I believe are seven tips that the best fitness professionals know.
1. Dieting sucks but healthy nutrition rocks
Even my clients will come to me with diets they have done, are doing, or will do in the future. There are some nutrition plans that work but being on a diet sucks. However learning how to eat is key. In my opinion, the meal movement is the best program out there for simplicity and price!
2. Less is usually more especially when done properly.
Intensity and recovery on are on a reverse spectrum. So if I do a super intense workout I need more recovery. And the more fit I get I still need the same recovery. In fact I might need more because I can push harder in the same amount of time. This is why athletes do periods of deloading and active recovery.
3. Some form of resistance training is needed
Steady state moderate cardio is not fun and it really does not help. I believe in doing something that is going to speed up metabolism or improve recovery. Or just plain make me more fit and athletic. So this means metabolic training mixed in with foam rolling, band stretching, yoga or core work on off days.
4. Nobody can get too strong (without steroids). Steroids can make a person too big.
I hope that one day everyone realizes that strength does not lead to being bulky. In fact strength and power per pound of body weight is one of the most important aspects of fitness. If I squat 300lbs and weigh 100lbs that is impressive. If I way 200 and squat 400 that is still very good but it is only double my body weight. Being strong in all areas is impressive. And when people think light weights with high reps is the answer I ask this. Who can do more DB presses with 20lbs the lady who can lift 30lbs once or the lady who can lift 50lbs once. I hope that answer is clear.
5. Exercise cannot make up for good nutrition and good nutrition alone cannot make anyone fit.
This debate will be on forever but when it comes to healthy and fit it takes both. So many people try to manipulate weight with nutrition because it is easy to do but that does not mean it is correct.
6. Gradual improvements always beats any “quick fix”
If I train super intense for one month five days a week and you train with progression two times a week for a year. You will kick my butt.
7. 20-30 minutes of metabolic training is going to be the wave of the future. Can I point out that I have not done an hour session in years?:)
Increasing metabolism is key to long term fat loss!
Please comment on what you think or which one you like best!
Here are the top things I learned at this years perform better.
1. People are learning that being educated is more important then ever. I have went to perform better for several years. The number of attendees is increasing. When it comes to fitness education, Perform Better Seminars are the best or at least one of the best in the business!
2. Our glutes are weak.
3. Anything worthwhile is going to usually take effort.
4. Dropping a kettlebell on a hard floor might break the kettlebell:) It wasn’t me.
5. We need good fitness professionals more than ever. People do not know how to lose fat, get their bodies moving properly, and want some help to be able to function throughout life.
6. FMS – Functional Movement Screen is a great system.
7. Al Vermeil is genius and a super cool guy.
8. Barefoot training and the weird shoes are no longer a fad but this needs to be introduced slowly especially untrained individuals.
9. That I need to become the absolute best fitness coach I can be. This will help me become more successful.
10. That most people will not keep weight off without continual support, lifestyle nutrition habit changes, and gradual progressions in exercise intensity!
