Q&A with Fitness Trainer Eraldo Maglara, NSCA-CPT

Have a fitness-related question? Fitness Trainer Eraldo Maglara, NSCA-CPT will be answering questions about fitness and exercise on Thursday, April 25th at 3:30PM during a live Q&A session on the Fitness Training by Eraldo Facebook page and Twitter page. To join the party on Twitter, follow Eraldo Maglara at @EraldoMaglara. Include the party hashtag in your tweet to join the discussion – #AskEraldo. Ask a question and Eraldo will reply back to you with an answer. If you are not on Twitter, he wil be answering questions on Facebook, too. Just leave a comment on the discussion post and Eraldo will answer you ASAP! Sample Questions: How do I get in shape quickly for summer? What home workout equipment is the best and most affordable? What are the best ways to warm up before a workout and cool down...

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Strapped for Time? You Can Still Get Fit

No more excuses, workaholics! It’s time to put the same amount of dedication towards your fitness goals as you put towards your career.  Sure, it’s difficult to make time for a workout when you have to get to work early, stay there late or travel. And there’s only so much time in a day to complete the many other important tasks on your to-do list. But there really is no need to dedicate hours of your time at the gym to get in a good workout. There are ways to integrate fitness into your daily life without drastically altering your schedule. Pack up some fitness equipment and take some time during your lunch break or in between meetings to get in a quick workout. For many exercises that you can do on the go, you won’t even need equipment. As a fitness trainer, I’ve had the opportunity to use many different types of equipment for myself and while training with my clients. I’ve seen some great results with TRX Suspension Training. It’s a wise investment for anyone, no matter what your level of fitness is, and it’s especially beneficial for individuals on the go because it’s easy to transport and store so it can be used just about anywhere. It’s also very effective for those trying to maintain consistency with their workout schedule. I’ve used it in many places, such as my home basement, my gym, hotel rooms, the park, and in the homes and businesses of my clients. I primarily use it for improving my flexibility, range of motion and core strength, and maintaining my overall physicality. I also use it to diversify my routine and add some dynamic to my workout. Sitting at your desk all day has numerous negative effects on your body. As you sit all day, your posture, mobility, flexibility, and joint health are all being affected. By regularly and consistently moving throughout the day, you will eliminate these health effects. Take some time to walk around or even go outside when you get a chance and jog around the block – just be sure to have a pair of sneakers with you! Doing cardiovascular exercises will not only eliminate the health effects mentioned, it can also improve your heart health and help you lose and maintain weight Strengthen your muscles when you’re on the go with these quick exercises. Complete a few sets before you head out the door, when you get home from work or even at the office. Quick Exercises for When You’re Strapped for Time 1. Dips: Put two chairs together a little more than shoulder width apart. Place yourself in an upright position with your hands on the chairs without letting your feet touch the floor. Have your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. Push yourself back to the upright position. 2. Pull-ups: Invest in a workout bar to do pull-ups. Workout bars are portable and easy to use – just find a door frame to place it on and you’re ready to go. 3. Sit-ups and crunches: You can do sit-ups and crunches right on the floor or use a stability ball. While...

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Say “I Do” to In-Home Personal Fitness Training

You’ve booked your venue, found your vendors, and most importantly, said yes to the perfect guy AND dress. Now, you’ll just need to make sure that dream dress fits exactly the way you want it to on the big day! It’s easy to make the decision to stay in and skip the gym when you finally get the chance to sit down and relax after a hard day of work or running errands. For bride-to-be Michelle Segal, whose schedule can be quite hectic at times, it’s been easier to find time and motivation to get in shape for her wedding ever since she began training with me in the comfort of her own home. “I’ve found that if you’re trying to get in shape for your wedding, having a personal trainer can be one of the most beneficial ways to help you reach your fitness goals,” Segal says. “Eraldo has created a fitness program based on my goals to improve flexibility and lose weight, while sculpting muscle to get that slim, toned look.” Segal’s workout includes weight training with fast paced cardio in between to raise her heart rate and increase endurance. Some of the exercises we have been focusing on are squats, lunges, and a variety of chest, shoulder, back, core, tricep and bicep exercises. The individualized attention you get with a personal trainer in your own home will have you looking exactly how you want so you can strut down the aisle with confidence. I began training with Michelle in January and will be training with her for six months. I have no doubt that she will look stunning for her wedding in July. Because Michelle and I are still at the early stages of training, exercise technique is still the main objective. Being able to build a safe and solid foundation is a critical component in any training program. The right personal trainer will have you feeling your absolute best by motivating and encouraging you every step of your way during the journey to achieving your health and fitness goals. Before you say “I do” to your personal trainer, make sure he or she is right for you. You’ve already found Mr. Right, now find the right trainer! 5 Tips for Finding the Right Personal Trainer Before Walking Down the Aisle  1. Think about your fitness goals.  I offer my clients a free consultation when I meet with them to go over their goals and expectations, health history, nutritional guidance, and training methodology, so I advise them to give some thought to what they expect to achieve from training before we meet. You might already be slim and not looking to lose weight but want to get your arms tone for that strapless wedding dress. Maybe your main goal is to lose weight and spend less time working on building muscle. Knowing what your goals are will help you find a trainer that’s right for you. 2. Find a certified trainer.  Your personal trainer’s certification should be current and from an NCAA-accredited organization, such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports...

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Get A Great Workout in Less Time

As hard as it may be to believe, spending too much time at the gym is not the answer to a better you. Training is about quality, not quantity. You can actually achieve your goals faster and more efficiently in less time. Generally speaking, the length of a workout session for the average person (not including your warm up or stretching) should vary somewhere between 30 to 40 minutes. Research has found that testosterone and the growth hormone, the hormones responsible for building muscle and burning fat, continue to rise until about the 30-45 minutes mark. After that, cortisol, which is released in response to stress, begins to suppress the immune system, decrease bone formation and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. In other words, it becomes counter productive. Make the most of your training time by focusing on your objectives. Exercise with more intensity, proper technique and progress accordingly. Even professional athletes follow these principles! This is your health we’re talking about, so make every second...

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Stepping on the Scale : How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?

As a certified personal trainer, I am always asked many different questions pertaining to fitness and health. One question I am frequently asked is, “Should I weigh myself on the scale every morning?” My answer is no, because you will only be disappointed the majority of the times you step on the scale. As we continue with our new year resolutions, it is important to keep in mind that even small changes happen over time. Because we usually have high expectations for the results, we tend to get discouraged when we see very little progress at first. By doing this, we’re only bringing down our self esteem. My recommendation would be to put the scale away at least for a month. If you follow a sensible diet and exercise regularly you should see a noticeable change in about a month. By simply eliminating 500 calories a day for 7 days your total fat loss for the week is 1 lb, which is 3,500 calories. Try not to fixate on figuring out how much weight you are loosing every day.  You will be more satisfied with your results if you weigh yourself once a month, rather than every...

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Why We Make Fitness New Year’s Resolutions

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It almost feels like we’re on a treadmill just trying to keep up with time! We make resolutions for the new year and by the time we know it, the year has passed and we may have only committed to just a few of them. One of the most popular resolutions is to start exercising to get in shape. Why is this such a common resolution? A new year means a new you. People are always looking for some type of spiritual re-birth when the new calendar year begins. In other words, it is more mental than physical. Feeling guilty. Human nature can be difficult to handle at times, and too much of anything is never a good thing. Moderation is the key. If we learn to control our urges, we might not feel so guilty. The influence of society. Americans seem to have an obsession with weight and physical appearance. Everywhere you look, whether it’s on TV, the internet or in magazines, health issues are always at the trending. You just cannot avoid it. Family pressure. Believe it or not, family plays a big part in this scenario. We look to them for comfort and direction. Sometimes they encourage us to do the right thing, sometimes they don’t. Always trust yourself. New year resolutions are pointless if you don’t follow through with them, so try to stay committed. A person who makes health and fitness a priority everyday shouldn’t have to wait until the end of the year to change their lifestyle. Make it a part of your life each and every day of the...

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