Archive for September 2024
Dietary variety boosts mental health
If you want to perform well ‘up top’ for years to come, research suggests that you don’t cut out healthy foods. Its long been said that variety is the spice of life. When it comes to diet, it also appears to be a recipe for better mental functioning as we age. An investigation involving 182,000…
Read MoreMenopause and Fitness: Expert Guidance from Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Menopause is a significant phase that affects roughly half of the global population. Despite its widespread occurrence, menopause remains a topic often misunderstood and inadequately addressed, especially within the realm of fitness. To provide clarity on this important subject, we are joined by Dr. Haver, a distinguished expert in women’s health and menopause. Dr. Haver’s…
Read MorePhysical Fitness and Teen Attention Span
New research shows more fit teens have better attention span and concentration abilities. Teenagers between 15 and 18 years of age with higher overall fitness show better performance on concentration, error and speed tests that measure attention levels, when compared with those with lower fitness levels. University of Vienna researchers in Austria assessed the 5…
Read MoreResistance Training During Pregnancy Benefits the Unborn Child
Review study shows that pre-natal strength training is good for mother and child. Aerobic exercise during pregnancy is often recommended, while strength training benefits are overlooked. A new review study finds that appropriate resistance training during the pre-natal period may help an expectant mother with fatigue, back pain, mental health, and glucose control, while also…
Read MoreHeavy Resistance Training Provides Dividends in Older Age
Study finds resistance training near retirement age provides long lasting benefits. Motivate retirement-age adults to do a heavy resistance training program to reap more strength and functional benefits in later life, according to results published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine . University of Copenhagen researchers in Denmark followed 369 male and female participants…
Read MoreFocus on Education
There’s no debating the importance of continual learning and staying abreast on recent health and fitness research. Additionally, nationally accredited fitness certifications require continuing education in order to renew certifications. IDEA’s educational database provides the courses needed to meet renewal requirements as well as specialized courses to further your career. Two popular courses, detailing the…
Read MoreBrain’s Food Smell Circuitry Might Cause Overeating
A miscommunication between brain regions may lead some people to eat too much. No doubt, the smell of fresh-baked bread is appetizing when you’re hungry. At the same time, it can be less alluring if you’re already feeling stuffed. That’s due to the interaction between two different parts of the brain involving sense of smell…
Read MoreRecreation Centers Can Improve Inclusion and Accessibility
Australian study reveals practical strategies for improvement. Specific strategies for improving diversity and inclusion in recreation centers for people with disabilities, older adults, people of color and LGBTQIA+ people can include: Deakin University researchers in Geelong, Australia, identified these strategies through a study of 18 adult recreation center users in Melbourne, Australia. Study participants offered…
Read MoreElite Sports Directors’ Perceptions of Mental Health
Study highlights need to improve understanding of an athlete’s mental health issues among sports directors. Interviews with elite sports directors reveal over-simplified perceptions of mental health and recovery along with beliefs that mental health concerns are an athlete’s individual problem, as reported in Psychology of Sport and Exercise Loughborough University researchers in Loughborough, UK, conducted…
Read MorePeople Are Talking About . . .
A high-intensity, eight-week ‘Pickleballers’ class is being offered at Crunch Fitness gyms in NY, NY and LA this summer to capitalize on the surge in pickleball popularity; … The finding by University of Basel researchers that physical exercises can prevent nerve damage from chemotherapy that cannot be treated with medication; … Equinox offers a new…
Read MoreMuscle Hypertrophy: Hormonal Responses and Physiological Mechanisms
Introduction: Hypertrophy Matters! Personal trainers and fitness professionals often need to discuss the importance of muscle hypertrophy (i.e., diameter size increase of muscle) with clients. All too often, clients become preoccupied with the singular aspect of hypertrophy commonly observed with exercise enthusiasts who are attempting to enhance their body’s muscular development, as in the sport…
Read MoreRevolutionizing Fitness and Rehabilitation: The Science and Benefits of BFR Bands
In the ever-evolving world of fitness and rehabilitation, innovative technologies constantly emerge, promising to enhance performance, accelerate recovery, and optimize health outcomes. Among these groundbreaking advancements, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training stands out as a transformative approach. In my 8 years of BFR experience, including researching hundreds of studies and helping approximately 50,000 people, I…
Read MoreGenerating More Leads: Essential Strategies for Personal Trainers
Being a personal trainer is one of the most rewarding careers out there. I’ve worn many hats in the fitness industry; from group exercise instructor, manager, sales, club owner, and operator to consultant. But there’s nothing quite like being a personal trainer. Helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals brings an unparalleled sense of…
Read MoreFood as Medicine: Meals for Mental Health
Ever eat your feelings? Or feel low after a few too many nutrition-poor meals? A newer area of practice called nutritional psychology looks at this intersection of nutrition and mental health. Read on for more on nutrition and mental health, nutrition strategies to optimize mental health, and practical tips to share with clients. Why We…
Read MoreYoga for Diabetes
Prologue – From the moment she was diagnosed with diabetes, Alyssa’s life revolved around regular checkups, timely medication and rigorous dietary restrictions. As a person with a chronic metabolic condition, constantly worrying about her blood sugar levels took a toll on her mental health as well. Before seeing the exciting result of Alyssa’s journey, let’s…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: 2024 Issue 3
Lanie Todman If you’ve ever engaged with Lanie Todman, you’ve felt her dynamic enthusiasm and unwavering positivity, leaving a lasting impression of her vibrant and motivating energy. Whether in person or through her fitness social media profile (@thighsandfrenchfries on Instagram), her fearless, positive vibes inspire, encourage, and make you feel accepted. “Fit pros are incredibly…
Read MoreMeet an IDEA Team Member – Allyssa Ertz
Meet Allyssa Ertz, our Marketing and Sales Coordinator, who makes IDEA look good! Whether she is designing attention-worthy Instagram posts or engaging reels, she helps communicate IDEA Health & Fitness’ messages and keeps our members and the industry informed. “Allyssa is driven and determined. Nothing will stop her from learning something new or seeking answers…
Read MorePersonal Training Institute Virtual
Get ready to elevate your skills at IDEA® Personal Trainer Institute Virtual where learning meets real-time excitement! Join us for an interactive experience like no other. Engage directly with industry-leading experts in live Q&A sessions, connect with fellow fitness professionals, and be part of a vibrant community that will inspire and motivate you—all while earning…
Read MoreConcurrent Strength and Endurance Training: Gender Differences?
Systematic review shows need to include more female athletes in studies. Some sports require maximal strength and endurance, but simultaneous training for improved endurance and maximal strength (aka concurrent training) can create suboptimal results in both categories. Researchers from two institutions in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, found that gender-based differences from concurrent training can occur; lower-body…
Read MoreEvening Training Improves Glucose Metabolism
Recent research shows time of day makes a difference for cardiometabolic benefits. For those coping with type 2 diabetes, training at the end of the day improves glucose metabolism, according to a study described in Obesity (2024; doi: 10.1002/oby.24063). Researchers from the University of Granada, Spain, recruited 186 overweight or obese men and women with…
Read More