UM Rec Services Personal Training

  Many people clean their homes before the cleaner comes. Maybe they don't want the cleaner to waste time on the bigger tidying so that they can focus on the deep clean. Perhaps we don't want the cleaners to see how dirty our homes are on a daily basis.  There is a similar pressure that people put on themselves before seeing an exercise professional. Many people feel they need to get in shape before seeing someone for help and guidance. Why? Are people afraid they won't be able to handle the workout? Are people ashamed of their current level of fitness? Today, we will talk about waiting to see a fitness professional and whether it is beneficial.  Do You Need a Fitness Baseline? So, should you try to improve your fitness before seeing an exercise professional? Do you need a certain fitness baseline to be fit enough to benefit from a training program? No, getting in better shape or extensively working out is unnecessary before seeing an exercise professional. Exercise profe...

Have you ever had a workout buddy who saw bigger, faster gains than you despite doing the same workouts? This can be very frustrating to see someone do the same work (or less) and get quicker results. We are all different, and this includes how we respond to exercise. Awareness of this can lead to realistic expectations and goal setting and hopefully reduce pressure and frustration when you aren’t responding like someone else. There are several factors that can contribute to why people get different results from exercise, including: Genetics Each person's body is unique, and genetics can significantly affect how they respond to exercise. This refers to body types that include our shape and muscle fibre types. For example, some people may be naturally better suited to endurance sports, while others may have a genetic predisposition for strength training. Endurance athletes are typically “ectomorphs,” where they are very thin, and they have more slow twitch muscle fibres. Slow twit...

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, I don’t have a magic secret to success like a special pre-workout drink or exercise plan with specific amounts of bodyweight exercises or high-intensity aerobic exercise. It’s actually much simpler than that. When it comes to achieving your fitness goals, consistency is the secret ingredient that can make all the difference. Consistency in training refers to the regular and ongoing commitment to your fitness routine without frequent interruptions or extended periods of inactivity. The Secret Ingredient to Achieving Your Fitness Goals In this blog post, we'll delve into the importance of consistency in fitness training and explore how it can lead to remarkable results and long-term success. Consistency Creates a Positive Feedback Loop Consistency helps create a positive feedback loop. As you stay committed and see progress over time, it reinforces your motivation, boosts your confidence, and fuels your desire to continue improving. It become...

  Setting fitness goals is an essential aspect of any successful fitness journey. Goals provide direction, motivation, and a sense of achievement when you have accomplished your goals. You should always make sure to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound). However, even if you have set a SMART goal, it might end up doing more harm than good. In this post we'll explore some fitness goals you might want to avoid. These goals, despite good intentions, can sometimes hinder your progress and lead to frustration. By understanding the potential flaws and limitations of your goals, you can set realistic and effective goals that will help you achieve long-term success. 1. Unrealistic Weight Loss Targets One common mistake people make is setting unrealistic goals such as extreme weight loss goals. This can be an excessive amount of weight, a short time to lose a given amount or a combination of excessive weight in an unreasonable amount of time. While sheddin...

The exam period is a stressful time. For many students, it's the culmination of three months into one four-hour session of reading, writing and bubble sheet marking, hoping for the best possible result. We all know one of the best ways to succeed is to study as much as possible, but what if I told you there is another thing you can do to make a big difference, and that thing is exercise! In this post, I'll share with you five ways exercise can help you get a higher score on your exams. But don't just take my word for it; there's actual scientific research to back up these claims. So, let's dive in! 1. Exercise boosts brain power Did you know that exercise can actually make you smarter? According to a study published in the journal "Neuroscience" in 2014, aerobic exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. In other words, exercise can help you remember and retain information better, ...

People often struggle with sticking to a regular fitness routine, despite the numerous benefits of exercise. There are several factors that can make it difficult to go to the gym or maintain a regular exercise routine. However, with a bit of creativity and effort, overcoming these challenges and achieving your fitness goals is possible. In this article, we'll explore three common factors preventing people from going to the gym and provide solutions to help you make your routine stick. Lack of time Many people have busy schedules and struggle to find time to fit in exercise. We understand life tends to get in the way, though there are many reasons to prioritize your health and make fitness a regular part of your routine. Here are some tips to make more time for fitness. Solutions: Wake up earlier: One solution is to wake up earlier in the morning and exercise before you start your day. This way, you get your workout done before other tasks or distractions can interfere. Use...

  by  Andrea Dietrich ,  B.Kin., CSEP-CPT ,  Fitness and Training Coordinator,  Recreation Services  at the University of Manitoba 1. You lack a plan of attack Congratulations, you've made it to the gym, but what do you do now? This conundrum happens to us all, but mainly to those new to the gym. You'll be more successful in your workouts if you have a workout program, and you'll be more productive with your time in the gym. A personal trainer will not only create a program for you, but they will help get you comfortable in the gym and show you how to use our equipment safely. We don't believe in gate-keeping the gym floor and want to ensure you feel confident in our spaces. 2. You want an experienced professional Did you know that CSEP-certified trainers are continuously learning? It's true. It's a requirement for us to stay certified every year. We're all degreed professionals who have demonstrated core competencies through challenging the Canadian Soc...