9/06/2020

Workout at Home with Little or No Equipment:

Still not ready to return to the gym? Good news, you can ​ Improve your mental and physical state Overcome the effects of sitting and isolation And get a good workout that won’t break you! ​ The Shelter At Home Workout will show you exercise examples and explain how to adapt them to the equipment that you have available, and the level of difficulty that you need. ​ I'm available for remote training by video if you need online help getting started or personal training in the Brooklyn area, contact me cary@trainercary.com or 917-603-3813 Or try it on your own - learn more by following the links to ShelterAtHomeWorkout.com where you will find: The Shelter At Home Workout Chest Press with Litttle or No Weight Cary quoted on Livestrong.com '5 Ways to Make an Exercise Harder Without Buying Heavier Dumbbells'

3/30/2020

Introducing ShelterAtHomeWorkout.com

Good news, you can workout at home with little or no equipment
  • Improve your mental and physical state
  • Overcome the effects of sitting and isolation
  • And get a good workout that won’t break you
ShelterAtHomeWorkout.com has examples to help you get started.  
If you need help, I am training clients online, in home and gym, contact me to schedule your time or visit TrainerCary.com.

9/29/2018

Strength Training and Type 2 Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association recommends two to three sessions of resistance exercise per week, on nonconsecutive days, in addition to other types of physical activity. Learn more in this article from Idea Health & Fitness Association, which includes exercise tips from me.  Contact me  if you have any questions or want to set up some sessions to develop your personalized program, or visit TrainerCary.com for more information.

1/08/2018

Your "Go To" Workout



It’s that one essential workout that you’ll commit to memory, keep in your back pocket or save on your cell phone. You’ll know the exercises you need to do, the order of exercises; and you’ll easily adapt it to your changing fitness level and goals using the chart below. You’ll get better results too, because you’ll waste less time st the gym - you’ve got a plan and you’re sticking to it.

The program is designed as a circuit of compound or super sets. You work opposing body parts, with continual flow from one exercise to the next, rest only as needed. This maximizes your time and can also help burn more calories each time you Workout.

Beginners focus on building endurance, and do 1-2 sets of 15 repetitions; if you’re doing 2 sets, repeat the super set before going onto the next exercises. If you’re working out on your own, weight selection is trial and error: if you can only do 12 reps, it’s too much weight, if you can do 20 reps it’s not enough weight.

Goal
Sets
Reps
Weight (% 1 Rep Max) Rest*
Endurance/Beginner
1-2
12-20
Low-Moderate (60-70%)
0-:90
Increase Size
3-4
8-12
Moderate - High (70-85%)
0-:60
Maximum Strength
3-6
1-10
High - Maximal (80-100%)
3:00
*when trading with compound sets, the second exercise is considered an active rest periods
Get Your "Go To" Workout" and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.






3/02/2016

Stretching is Not Enough

If you feel like you've been stretching a tight muscle forever and not making progress, you're not alone.  Most people do static stretches and some myofascial release (foam rolling), either on their own or in stretching or yoga classes.  These are valuable techniques but they may not be enough to get the results you want and may not target you individualized needs.

Muscles become tight from extended periods of sitting and repetitive motion.  Remember isometric exercises?  Exercises where you hold a muscle in a contracted position to strengthen it?

Sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time and you're doing isometrics.  Literally strengthening and shortening the hip flexors, upper trapezius, chest lats, and anterior shoulder muscles.  At the same time, you're stretching and lengthening the glutes, middle trapezius and rhomboids and shoulder external rotators.


If a muscle is tight and short, the antagonist or opposite muscle is extended and relatively weaker.  That's why static stretching and myofascial release is not enough.  A flexibility programs needs to include active stretches and eccentric (negative phase) strengthening of the tight muscles and strengthening of the antagonist muscles .

The charts below show some examples of complete flexibility programs for common complaints.  Additional illustrated programs are available on my website at programs.caryraffle.com.

Unlike classes which take a one-size-fits-all approach, when we work together, we can personalize a program to your specific problem muscles, needs and goals.  We also will ensure proper form and exercise selection.

Contact me  if you have any questions or want to set up some sessions to develop your personalized program, or visit TrainerCary.com for more information.

Tight Calves - Plantar Fascitis - Achilles Tendinitis
Myofascial Release
  • Calf with foam roller, medicine ball, barbell, other implements
  • Bottom of foot with lacrosse ball or frozen water bottle
Static Stretch
  • Calf
Active Stretch - Eccentric Strengthening
  • “Reverse calf raises” or heel drops - emphasize the “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction
Reciprocal - Antagonist Strengthening
  • Heel raises to strengthen the anterior tibialis (opposite or antagonist muscle to the calf)

Tight Hip Flexors - Often with Arched Back and Knee Pain
Myofascial Release
  • Quads and hip flexors foam roller and medicine ball especially at the inguinal crease (hip)
Static Stretch
  • Quadriceps and Psoas, kneel with raised arm to lengthen Psoas
Active Stretch - Eccentric Strengthening
  • “Butt Raises” on floor or stability ball -  emphasize the “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction
Reciprocal - Antagonist Strengthening
  • “Butt Raises”
  • Glute strengthening exercises including single leg press and squats, hip extension, lunges

Rounded Shoulders - Often with Shoulder or Neck Pain
Myofascial Release
  • Chest/pectorals, anterior (front) of shoulders and lats with foam roller or medicine ball
Static Stretch
  • Chest stretches
Active Stretch - Eccentric Strengthening
  • Unweighted reverse fly, weighted reverse fly -  emphasize  “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction
Reciprocal - Antagonist Strengthening
  • Scaption and Reverse fly - ensure shoulders are retracted, on reverse fly emphasize the negative phase when retracted
  • Shoulder external rotation
  • Close grip row, emphasize the “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction when retracted
  • At least a 3:2 ratio of back to chest exercises

Elevated Shoulders - Often with Shoulder or Neck Pain
Myofascial Release
  • Upper Trapezius, Lats, Rhomboids with Roller or medicine ball
Static Stretch
  • Neck Stretch - Sternocleidomastoid, Levator Scapula
Active Stretch - Eccentric Strengthening
  • Scapular Depression - “Reverse Shrugs” on a seated dip machine or dip bar.  Keep elbows straight, raise and slowly lower the shoulder carriage.  emphasize the “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction at the bottom
Reciprocal - Antagonist Strengthening

Tight Low Back - Often with Arched Back
Myofascial Release
  • Hip flexors, quadriceps, lower back, lats, piriformis
Static Stretch
  • Lats, cobra for abdominals, piriformis
Active Stretch - Eccentric Strengthening
  • “Butt Raises” on floor or stability ball -  emphasize the “eccentric” or negative phase and isometric contraction
Reciprocal - Antagonist Strengthening
  • “Butt Raises”
  • Glute strengthening exercises including single leg press and squats, hip extension, lunges
  • Reduce “Crunches” instead incorporate planks, single leg exercises and other deep core strengthening exercises


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