Cary Raffle Certified Personal Trainer - NYC

The truth is, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Free weights advantages: - incorporate the stabilizing muscles - tend to more closely match the movement patterns you're likely to need - are more versatile. Free weights disadvantages: - you must learn to balance the weight ... this can be potentially dangerous - to target the muscle you want, you must use very precise technique - free weights can be swung for momentum rather than lifted slowly and steadily, which works the muscles better - training alone can lead to injury Machine advantages: - generally safer and easier to use, an advantage for beginners - some machines are more efficient than free weights at isolating - machines ensure correct movements for a lift which helps prevent cheating when muscle fatigue sets in Machine disadvantages: - Most machines involve moving a weight along a predetermined path, making it difficult to strengthen the stabilizer muscles - Most machines are geared to the average- sized person E...

by Liz Neporent, M.A., for iVillage Your New Year's resolution will be a bust if ... - You base your goal on a fleeting thought.- Your goals are vague or general.- You have no plans to make it happen. Your New Year's resolution will be a success if ... - You have a strong initial commitment.- You have a way to cope when the going gets rough. - You keep track of your progress To read the full story and details, click here for MSN health and fitness.

Tips on assessment, fitness myths and how to begin a program at any level...NYSC Pro Trainer Ashley Miller and I recently presented a 45 minute seminar at NYSC Wall Street with insights from NYSC and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Please contact me to host our powerpoint presentation at your location, and help your co-workers, employees or members meet their fitness goals.

Join me for a demonstration of this state of the art functional training system, RSVP 917.603.3813 . As beautiful as it is functional, KINESIS moves freely from any position as in everyday life, allowing us to train for balance, stabilization, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. On Kinesis, you can train to maintain good posture through a full range of motion, and to generate power while moving --- improving your performance on the slopes, tennis court as well as in everyday life. Kinesis systems are available at only 12 locations in North America and can only be used under the supervision of a trained professional. I am pleased to be among the initial group of NYSC trainers to have completed the Functional Training Progression course necessary to use Kinesis. Contact me if you are interested in experiencing KINESIS.

Small gains can be big problem all year NEW YORK (CNN) -- "The good news is it's not as bad as we thought," said Dr. Jack Yanovski, the study's principal investigator and head of NICHD's Unit on Growth and Obesity. "The bad news is that it's hard to take off that weight the rest of the year." Although it's not easy to shed holiday weight gain, experts say there are ways to keep the pounds from piling on in the first place. Figuring out a game plan is the first and most important step, said Judith Stern, co-founder and vice president of the American Obesity Association (AOA). Small changes can make a big difference, Stifler said. Switching from regular to diet soda can result in losing 6 to 8 pounds in a year's time, he said. Using mustard instead of mayonnaise or walking even 20 minutes a day also can help. Using smaller plates (thus, having smaller portions) and getting rid of leftovers after grand holiday meals also help the cause, added St...

Lately, no matter how hard or how often you work out; you just can't seem to progress any further. You’re stuck on a plateau. It turns out that the exercise you've been doing has worked so well that your body has adapted to it. You need to ''shock'' or ''surprise'' your body a bit. You need to give it a new challenge periodically if you’re going to continue to make gains. That goes for both strength and cardiovascular training. ''Periodizing'' your training is the key. Instead of doing the same routine month after month, you change your training program at regular intervals or ''periods'' to keep your body working harder, while still giving it adequate rest. For example, you can alter your strength-training program by adjusting the following variables: - The number of repetitions per set, or number of sets of each exercise - The amount of resistance used - The rest period between sets, exercises or training session...

from the Mayo Clinic "A well-balanced core exercise routine focuses on more than your abs. Did you know that your core is where all movement in your body originates? Core exercises are an important part of overall fitness training that, except for the occasional sit-up or crunch, are often neglected. Core strengthening requires the regular and proper exercise of your body's 29 core muscles. Body position and alignment are crucial when performing core exercises. When you get started it is a good idea to have a fitness trainer or physical therapist help you perfect your techinique. For the full story click here .