By now, those of you who come to me for training have noticed a rhythm and consistency in your workouts, even though I try to change things up with every visit. What is not always discussed, however, is how some muscle groups work with others during the same workout as well as the science behind what I do.
For instance, a leg workout can also include muscles that strengthen the lower back, as well as important aspects of balance and flexibility as you age. Upper body takes all kind of smaller muscles into account. And some exercises, like planking, work abs, arms, and legs all at once. Here is a brief rundown:
· Your muscles vary in size from large groups such as your chest and back to smaller groups such as your shoulders and arms, which assist many of the larger groups during your exercises.
· Your chest, shoulders, and triceps as well as the back of your upper arms gain strength when you push a weight away from your body. For example, your shoulders contract when you press a weight overhead, but your shoulders and triceps assist during chest exercises.
· The back, biceps, the front of the upper arm, and forearms are strengthened when you perform pulling movements. For example, a pull-up in which you hang by your hands and pull your body weight toward the sky uses your back, biceps and forearms. Your biceps and forearms assist in most of your back strengthening movements and these three muscles combine to offer resistance training.
· You’ll notice that I often train your chest, back, shoulders and arms on one day and your legs and core on another day. This allows your upper body a day of rest while you strengthen the lower body and the vice versa.
We often chitchat about all manner of topics while I work you out, but there is one very important thing I want you to know: there is NEVER a question I can’t answer or find an answer to when it comes to fitness. Muscle groups and how they work are part of the beauty and wonder that inspired me to become a trainer, so no question is too simple! I love it when a client questions what is happening as she works out – or why certain body parts on her are changing and how they will continue to change as she gets more fit. Want to know why your midsection isn’t getting any smaller even though the rest of you is appearing more toned? I can answer that one -- just ask! Sometimes it has nothing to do with exercise and everything to do with the food you eat and how much (if any) alcohol you imbibe.
So use your hour with me wisely and pick my brain at any time. I live and breathe what I do with a passion and I adore offering you all the information you could possibly handle (and some you may not want to hear) as your trainer. Let’s make 2017 the year you make those goals!