UM Personal Training

by  Adam Toffan , M.Sc, NSCA-CSCS,  CSEP-CPT  Assistant Fitness Training and Assessment Coordinator,  Recreation Services  at the University of Manitoba There's a lot of fitness information out there, and it's easier than ever to access. Some of it is good and some of it, not so much. So, today I'd like to set the record straight on a handful of fitness topics that are often misunderstood or misrepresented in our first edition of Fitness Myth Busters! Myth #1: Doing crunches gives you a six-pack/burns belly fat As people gain unwanted weight, it usually ends up around the waist which is an area many people fixate on when trying to burn fat. In response to this, many sources promote short core workouts. This is one of the biggest myths in the industry. You cannot target fat loss. Using a specific muscle group does not burn fat from that area. To burn fat around the waist, you need a change in overall body composition. This is achieved through a combinati...

By  Michelle , M.Sc, B.Sc. HNS, Registered Dietitian,   Recreation Services  at the University of Manitoba Health Canada recently released the newest version of Canada’s food guide which has not been updated since 2007. The previous edition was heavily scrutinized as it was unclear and hard to follow, while many believed it was strongly influenced by industry. Despite the long wait for a much-needed update, there are many positive changes to the newest edition which will hopefully be a useful resource for Canadian’s to develop, improve, or maintain healthy eating behaviours. Here are a few of the fundamental changes: A simplified take on balancing food with an emphasis on less processed foods The previous food guide had four food groups displayed in a rainbow with a focus on serving sizes and suggested daily intake. We now see a much simpler picture and message: a plate indicating how to balance our food. We no longer see serving size amounts and recommendatio...

by  Adam Toffan , M.Sc, NSCA-CSCS,  CSEP-CPT  Assistant Fitness Training and Assessment Coordinator,  Recreation Services  at the University of Manitoba The most common excuse for not exercising is time. We all know the benefits of exercise, but when life gets busy our workouts can suffer. These five tips will help you maximize your time in the gym and help you stay on track even when you need to shorten your workout. 1. Lifting heavy for muscle building and fat loss Many people think lifting weights is strictly for building strength, but it also contributes to fat loss. Building lean muscle helps burn more calories through the day. An analogy I like to use is that a car with a bigger engine burns more fuel. The best way to utilize this strategy is to incorporate compound movements such as squats, bench press, deadlifts, and pull-ups. These exercises use multiple muscle groups, so you get the most work done in the least amount of time. Isolated exercises...