Are You Doing Too Much Cardio and Not Enough Strength Training?

As a personal trainer I’m always curious to see what people do for their exercise programs.  Most often I see people come into the gym and head straight to the treadmill, or some other piece of cardio equipment for 30 to 45 minutes.  Then they breeze through the strength training equipment in about 10 to 15 minutes, doing lots of repetitions with very light resistance.  And after a period of time doing this type of routine they eventually come to me questioning why they seem to be getting fatter while exercising more and eating less.  To which I reply, "you are doing too much cardio and not enough strength training".  Please click here to see the entire post...

Lat Pulldown and Bent Over Dumbbell Row, Two Exercises to Develop and Strengthen Your Upper-Back

Having a strong upper-back is not only essential for good posture it also aids in stabilizing your shoulder girdle which reduces the chances of developing shoulder weakness and pain.  Lat pulldowns and bent over dumbbell rows are two excellent exercises for developing and strengthening your upper-back muscles.  Please click here to see the complete post...

Leg Strength is the Foundation of a Strong Body

Leg strength is the foundation of a strong body and makes doing the activities of everyday living easier.  Your legs are involved in every step you take, whether it’s on the golf course, the tennis court, or shopping at the grocery store.  Building and maintaining your leg muscles becomes even more important the older you get because they stabilize your knee and hip joints, and reduce the likelihood of developing pain and weakness in these areas.

Here are three of my favorite exercises to strengthen and build your legs.  Do these exercises one or two times each week and see how stronger you feel in about three months.  Click here to read entire article...

Having Muscle is Important to Our Overall Health

Muscles aren’t just for bodybuilders. They’re for everyone. We are physiologically designed to have a fair amount of muscle mass built through regular exercise. Muscle mass that allows us to metabolize carbohydrates efficiently, recover from injury or illness, and maintain our strength, resilience and health into old age.

The importance of muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function in the performance of exercise, as well as the activities of daily living has never been questioned. However, the role our muscles play in whole-body protein metabolism is less recognized.  Click here to see the entire post...

Reverse Wood Chops on a Bosu is Great for Improved Balance and Core Strength

Having a strong core is crucial to having good balance.  Using a BOSU as part of your exercise routine is great for increasing your core strength and improving your balance, and reverse wood chops standing on a BOSU is one of my favorites. Watch as I Click here for entire post...

Getting Enough Protein in Your Diet is Crucial to Staying Strong as You Age

Recently I started working with a new client who is in his early 70s and complained of losing a lot of strength and energy over the past couple of years.  After talking with him about his diet and exercise habits I bought to his attention that he was not eating nearly enough protein to maintain his muscle mass and strength.  I explained to him that a loss in his muscle mass was directly related to a loss of his strength and the importance of getting enough protein in his diet to build and maintain his muscle was crucial to him keeping his strength as he aged.

The loss of muscle with age is a natural process called sarcopenia.  Sarcopenia leads to muscle weakness, fatigue, and frailty associated with old age.  This process can begin in your 30s and it accelerates with time if you don’t do anything about it.  Fortunately, you can slow down, and even reverse this process by strength training 2 to 3 times each week, and getting enough protein in your diet to support muscle growth and repair.  Click here to see the entire post...

Your Health, Strength, and Fitness Doesn't Have to Decline With Age

My name is Darvis Simms, and I am a personal trainer.  Over the last 24 years, I’ve helped hundreds of people get and stay healthy, strong, and fit.   I want to help you realize your fitness potential by sharing some of the things I do and have learned about getting and staying healthy, strong, and fit as I age.

As I mature and my client base matures, I’m beginning to specialize in fitness over age 40.  I'm writing this post to show you that your health, strength, and fitness level does not have to decline as you age.  I’m in my late fifties so I understand the challenges you face as you fight the aging process.  I am stronger, more fit, and feel better than I did in my twenties and you can be too.  Click here to see the entire post...