ForeverStrong® Fitness

Are you ready to get Strong & Sculpted?

Iron Body Armor Ends This Week!

The final week of Iron Body Armor’s foundational strength program is here and you’ve been asking what your next 8-week program cycle holds,

so…

 ForeverStrong is excited to announce the Strong & Sculpted Functional Fitness Program!

Iron Body Armor focused on developing foundational strength. We lifted heavy weights to get stronger because we wanted to lay a solid foundation for other types of fitness improvements. During Strong & Sculpted, we will build from that foundation using “functional” movements. 

This follows the ForeverStrong Method, which cycles through foundational, functional, and enduring strength programs, and uses the exercise science principles of periodization and progressive overload to make sure clients get results year after year.

ForeverStrong’s Current Program Cycle:

Cycle 1: Foundational

Cycle 2: Functional

Cycle 3: Enduring

Based on this formula, Iron Body Armor, which focused on foundational strength, ends Saturday. This Monday kicks off Strong & Sculpted, which will focus on functional movements. I know I can’t wait!

We put the FUN in FUNctional Fitness 😉

Functional movements replicate essential daily activities and help us become more athletic and agile, while developing resilience in our joints that helps us improve balance and coordination. For this reason, highlighted movements of Strong & Sculpted will include band chops and single leg deadlifts. Hooray!

This is what we will do:

  1. Implement a progressive strategy. When we start, you’ll notice you’ll immediately be asked to perform more reps than you were asked to perform during Iron Body Armor, and the reps are only going to increase from there!
  2. Use variable intensity. During the LIFT, 3 of 4 workouts will be an upper / lower combo. Expect your thighs to burn when we kick up the challenge and train a lower body superset once every 4 workouts . Imagine how sculpted your legs are going to feel!
  3. Isolate weak links. Expect lots of “sculpt” with maximum emphasis on isolating the biceps, triceps, and core. This will help fortify your weak links and help your body develop muscle definition by targeting specific, smaller muscle groups. In the end, these techniques will help you break plateaus and set new records!  

Ready for the gun show?

To get the most from your sculpting sessions, we will hit triceps and biceps hard to optimize muscle protein synthesis in the “show” muscles. Muscle protein synthesis is just the rebuilding of muscle tissue after it’s been stressed, but without muscle synthesis, your muscles won’t grow.

As a result, during Strong & Sculpted, we will emphasize building lean, sculpted, and powerful bodies through intense performance, as well as through optimal nutrition.

Did somebody say six pack? 

Build a strong core with movement progressions that began with Iron Body Armour. Clocks and dead bugs will carry over for another 8-weeks, and we will progress the kettlebell getup to the elbow, then eventually to the bridge. Yay! Everybody loves progress!

Speaking of guns…

The Teaching Melt returns! So get ready to pull your guns from your holsters and learn Gunslingers, an advanced two kettlebell swing!

Of course, at ForeverStrong we compliment every session with our high intensity MELT. You can look forward to new and challenging HIIT moves to push your metabolism into overdrive. 😮

Check out this video for a demonstration of gunslingers. 

If you are not already training ForeverStrong, it’s not too late to start!

We’ve helped hundreds of busy parents, grandparents, business owners, and neighbors in Marriottsville, Turf Valley, Waverly Woods, Woodmark, West Friendship, Eldersburg, Sykesville,  Woodstock,  Cooksville, Ellicott City, Mt. Hebron, Clarksville, Fulton, Laurel, Burtonsville, Highland, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, Glen Elg, and Maple Lawn, and we’d love to help you.

Come see why hundreds of men and women train ForeverStrong instead of hiring an ordinary personal trainer. 

The first step is to schedule a complimentary first session. The easiest way to start is to text us at 301-452-5547. We will take it from there!

Core Strength: What are the Benefits of Strong Core Muscles and How Do I Get Them!?

Enhance Your Whole Body Health with Core Strength

Improving Core Strength has so many great benefits for your health! Great abs look good and building your core will contribute to your body’s overall strength and endurance, as well as balance and coordination. Strong core muscles allow your

spine to bear more weight which decrease your chances of injury while participating in sports or doing daily tasks. This leads to less lower back pain, which is something we love! And core strength helps keep other muscle groups from getting weak because of overcompensating for disengaged core muscles.

The Safest Way to Strengthen Your Core

While many exercises will strengthen your core, some are more or less likely to cause injury than others. The safest and most effective types of exercises that strengthen the core muscles are Isometric Exercises. Isometric training lowers the chance of injury which will keep you moving your body and building your overall fitness level. These types of movements also increase your core strength quickly and effectively.

Some examples of Isometric core strength building exercises include the Curl Up, RKC or Hardstyle Plank, Pallof press, Bird-dog or cross-crawl, Dead bug. Check out the videos at the end of this article for a demonstration. 

On the other hand, popular Exercises to Avoid are those that require repeated flexion and extension of the spine – especially with load. Crunches, Russian Twists, Abdominal Side Bend, Decline Sit Ups, Back Extension. There is a high risk of herniation with these exercises*. 

Most small group training, group workouts, fitness classes and group exercise programs don’t spend much time on form. It’s important to be properly educated on the perfect technique for each movement in your core strength training program. Whether you use traditional free weights, or kettlebells be sure to work with a personal trainer who is certified with the tools they are using and is staying current with exercise science research.

8-Week Core Strength Program begins February 4, 2018

Over the next 8 weeks, will be utilizing the isometric core strength movements that have been proven to have the greatest core strength improvement based on the research from the leading back health researcher Dr. Stuart M. McGill*. We invite you to join!

If you are interested in learning more about our 8-Week Core Cure Program or ForeverStrong, call us at 301-452-5547 or email kelly@trainforeverstrong.com.

ForeverStrong Personal Trainers have helped hundreds of people in Howard County and the surrounding areas lose weight, tone up, and get real core strength. Our neighbors in Highland, Clarksville, Columbia, Burtonsville, Olney, Ashton and Silver Spring love their personalized training program. Unlike group fitness classes, each client receives a personal training program here.

We’d love to help you too!

Dr. Wiji Jones of Morrison Chiropractic in Clarksville, MD demonstrates proper form for the following Isometric Core Strength Training Exercises:

Hard Style Plank, Bird Dog, and Side Plank

Torsional Buttress

Suitcase Hold, Stir the Pot, Inverted Row, Rack Walk, and Palloff Press

*Research References:

Effect of Long-Term Isometric Training on Core/Torso Stiffness; Lee, McGill,
2015.

Intervertebral disc herniation: studies on a porcine model exposed to highly repetitive flexion/extension motion with compressive force; Callahan, McGill 2001

Strength Training Is Great, But So Is Injury Prevention

We’re not sure who originally said it, but good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and they’re a lot more rewarding, too. Naturally, exercise is a prime example when it comes to a positive habit with a high potential for reward. At Train Forever Strong, our strength training gym in Maryland is dedicated to providing you with personalized training and group training services that will progressively help work your way to achieving and mastering your fitness goals.

While exercise is a healthy habit, it is crucially important to train safely and prevent any injuries from occurring. That’s why our strength training gym wants to make sure that you know some of the basic ins and outs of exercise and strength training, and how they relate to injury prevention. Check it out!

Two Classes of Injuries

Essentially, there are two basic classes of injuries that we’re concerned about: traumatic injuries and cumulative injuries. Traumatic injuries are freak accidents that occur through sports activities, fitness, or even general daily life, like twisting your ankle getting off the bus or getting into a car wreck.

Cumulative injuries, as the name suggests, occur over time. Cumulative injuries are related to tissue damage that occurs as a result of repetitive strain over a given period of time, such as through running, biking, or other activities that repetitively use the same muscle groups over and over again. Cumulative injuries can creep up without you noticing them, and also may be related to poor posture, faulty movement patterns, improper training, improper gear, and so forth.

General Physical Preparedness

To successfully prevent or at least mitigate any chances of physical or sports-related injury, maintaining general physical preparedness is necessary. What this refers to is maintaining a baseline level of fitness so that you can respond to physical challenges without any harm. Let’s take a quick look at some parts of general physical preparedness.

Flexibility

Seriously, don’t run or exercise without stretching before and after! To avoid any injuries, you’ll want to make sure that all major joints, including your spine, have a full range of motion and sufficient muscle length.

Proper Form

If you’re unsure about how to use a piece of equipment or execute a certain technique correctly, please don’t be bashful. Improperly exercising is what commonly leads to traumatic or cumulative injuries for many people. Sure, you might feel a little embarrassed asking, but we guarantee that it’s much better than hurting yourself.

Use The Right Intended Equipment

This might sound silly, but make sure that the things you’re using to work out with are actually intended for what you’re using them for. Save your stylish shoes for a nice occasion or for work, and use cushioned, high-impact athletic shoes for those cardio activities.

Pushing and Exceeding Your Limits

Exercise is addictive for many people, and sometimes that addiction leads to over ambition. Don’t continue running or putting weight on muscles that clearly already hurt. While it’s good to hurt and and be sore to a healthy extent, putting excess stress on hurting muscles can lead to deep bruises and breaks that may or may not heal.

Do It Right at Our Strength Training Gym

With Train Forever Strong’s team of seasoned, knowledgeable fitness professionals, we’re here to make sure that you’re on a safe, incremental fitness path. We know that increasing your cardiovascular endurance, core strength and overall strength takes time and should not be rushed to allow your body to rest and recover. Why risk any chance of sports or fitness-related injury? Contact the strength workout experts at Train Forever Strong today!

Does running prevent age-related muscle loss?

Is running enough to prevent age-related muscle loss? A new study reveals, it
Is running enough to prevent age-related muscle loss? A new study reveals, it’s not.

A study published in the February 2014 issue of the Journal of Strength & Conditioning research, examined the decline of leg strength in active older adults. 59 men and 35 women, between the ages of 48 and 66, who used endurance running as their primary form of exercise, were examined over the course of 5 years.

A significant decrease in isometric knee extension and knee flexion strength, in both men and women, was observed during the study. This data suggests that running alone is not sufficient in preventing age related loss of muscle strength and that a well rounded approach, that includes resistance training, would more greatly benefit aging seniors.

Our ForeverStrong program have been proven to increase both the cardiovascular fitness and strength of our clients, without the knee jarring impact of high mileage endurance running.

To find out how you can benefit from a progressive strength training program, call us for your free fitness consultation 301-200-2223.

Improve Bone Density with Progressive Strength Training

Attention Women Over 55

“My kettlebell workout is the highlight of my day! I Love how strong I feel now.

I no longer worry about Osteoporosis or my bone density. Now, I have more energy and stamina then when I was younger.

Thanks to Kelly and the ForeverStrong System, I stand taller and move better. This is the best investment I have ever made in myself. I am a client for life!”

 

Don’t take our word for it, in a recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research by the National Strength & Conditioning Association, maximal strength training can be implemented as a simple and effective training method for postmenopausal women with reduced bone mass.

That’s just what we do at ForeverStrong!

What is progressive strength training and how can you learn it? Sign up for your free consultation and find out how you can begin your journey to getting the strong body you always wanted.