Finding a Personal Trainer that is right for you is like finding the right pair of jeans that look good on you and are comfortable.   It takes time trying them on and then wearing a few different pairs to determine the best one for you.  What is best for you and what fits should be synonymous.

Regarding a personal trainer first you must determine what your primary goal is. If your goal is to lose weight, our personal trainers will be able to help you but you discuss their experience (routines, exercises, nutrition) in this realm including the type of cleints (age, condition, activity level, etc.) they have worked with. If your goal is more related to health because you have a bad back or need to rehab a shoulder, you want to pick a Personal Trainer who has knowledge of postural anatomy (studied) and has done this type of training before. Always make sure you ask for and get what you want. Remember at the  store buying jeans, you eill buy the pair that actually fits you, not the one that doesn't. 

  Answeris Fitness has a staff of full time Personal Trainers. You can speak with our Fitness Director or any of our trainers (counselors) in order to find the one that fits your needs and wants. In addition, you can get client testimonials if needed and can speak directly with one of them. All in all, take the time to  search until you find a Personal Trainer that fits what you are looking for and you feel comfortable with.  This will go along towards getting the most benefit from personal training.

There are many great benefits to jumping rope when it comes to your cardiorespiratory system. Jumping rope is hard work which is good for you.  The longer you can do it the better your stamina.  We know when we were younger we could do things like running around longer because we had better stamina. Jumping rope is not easy and requires some getting use to.

Jumping Rope in a forward motion is the most comfortable and natural.   Once you are able to do 40-50 in a row without stopping, change it up and do it on one foot at a time to make it more challenging on your leg muscles (especially good for your calves). The only problem that could occur with Jumping Rope forward all of the time, which puts all the pushing motion on the anterior (front part of your) deltoids, is rounded shoulders. Want more balanced shoulder muscles?  Then jump rope  backwards as well.

Not only is Jumping Rope backwards harder, but it puts more of the motion onto your posterior (back part of your) deltoids. When jumping rope backwards becomes too easy, perform it one foot at a time backwards. This is another challenging thing you can do for your cardio routine.

Cardiovascular or cardio exercise refers to exercise that strengthens the cardiovascular system. The term Aerobic just means in the presence of oxygen, and aerobic exercise refers to exercise that you perform long enough to require oxygen. The same types of exercise satisfy both definitions, and the terms cardio and aerobic exercise are used interchangeably. Aerobic/cardio exercise uses large muscle groups (usually legs) in a rhythmic and/or repetitive fashion. Examples are running, walking, bicycling, spinning, swimming, cross-country skiing, rowing, skating, and cardio machines such as stair steppers, treadmills, and elliptical trainers.

In general while running, you should not always be pushing yourself to the absolute maximum of your fitness/cardio-respiratory capability. If you're running to lose weight or even to stay in good shape (heart heath), a good test is called the "Talk Test".

If while running you can still talk and carry on a conversation with a little difficulty (breathing), you are running at a good pace for you. If you are running so hard that you have great difficulty speaking, you should probably slow  down a little bit.  On the flip side, if carrying on a conversation is really easy, push yourself and pick up the pace a little bit more.

To lose weight or stay in good shape, you should be exercising at a pace where you are pushing yourself.  The Talk Test is a good way to check if you're giving yourself an appropriate aerobic workout. Try it the next time you go on a run with a friend, while on a treadmill, or even during an aerobics class workout.

Contrary to what some believe muscle stretching should not be the first thing you do prior to starting your workout. Do a light cardio warm up instead - Warm up first with a 5-10 minutes of walking, cycling, etc., and then stretch. You can also do stretching exercises at the end of your full cardio workout.

Stretching cold muscles (not warmed up) can cause or lead to injuries. There is also some research indicating that a lot of excess stretching can cause a short-term reduction in muscle strength. Therefore those doing weight (strength) training should save the serious stretching for after the workout is over. Remember, be smart about making sure you are warmed up.