Resource Center Articles

Are you ready for a high-energy, small group training program that will have your training staff and members raving?

We all know that we should be drinking more water for optimal health. The health benefits of incorporating more water into our diets are proven and include everything from boosting energy, weight loss and the immune system to preventing fatigue, constipation, cramps and sprains.

Following a healthy and active lifestyle involves making dozens of small, smart choices every day. It might mean sticking to a specific meal plan, waking up 30 minutes early to fit in exercise or taking an alternate route home from work to bypass the line of tempting fast food restaurants. When you do get hungry, eating protein is a smart move.

There is more to leading personal training sessions than simply compiling a list of exercises for your clients to perform. As a personal trainer, you want to make sure your clients are getting the most out of their sessions with you. Use the following techniques to ensure your clients reach their fitness goals.

When you first begin strength training, nearly any effort will be rewarded with results. After those initial gains, you'll need to think a little more strategically and begin introducing training schedules and splits.

Gym owners, managers and personal trainers exist in a whirlwind of industry information, so it's easy to forget that most gym-goers aren't getting the same bombardment of exercise science and workout facts. Or if they are, they might not have the background to really make full use of that information, or to parse the good science from the bad.

A crunchy salad can be a great post-workout meal, such as this turkey enchilada salad with creamy lime dressing.

In fact, that lime dressing might just be the kick you need to regain some energy after your time at the gym. And while this recipe may come in a little over 500 calories, the taste won't have you regretting those extra 28 calories. Check out the recipe below and don't forget to see all of our other low-calorie post-workout recipes.

Valentine’s Day is usually associated with chocolate, champagne and praying that you won’t forget either one. But Cupid’s favorite holiday can also provide an excellent opportunity to work out with the one you love before enjoying those luscious spoils.

To that end, we’ve developed a list of seven partner exercises that are high energy and -- dare we say it? -- romantic.

Last year's fitness Valentines were such a big hit that this time around we decided to shoot Cupid's arrow at Precor employees.

Before you start worrying, rest assured that no one was hurt in the making of these Valentines! However, several Precor employees did contribute so you can send a not-so-subtle signal to that special someone at the gym.

Need motivation to get your home in tip-top shape? Look no further than your own body!

It's important to utilize several workouts to attain and sustain positive results through physical activity. Here are three types of workouts that can help you improve your overall health and fitness levels.

It's no surprise that a happy mom or dad can often beget having a happy child.

Tax season is officially underway, and if you’re wondering whether your gym membership is tax deductible, you’re not the only uncertain one.

It’s a simple enough question, but one that can definitely add some stress to an already taxing (pun intended) time of year. We’ve done the research for you to get to the bottom of this worthwhile question.

It's perfectly normal to feel mild to moderate muscle soreness in the days following a hard workout, especially if you've been doing workouts that emphasize the negative or eccentric part of a muscle contraction. Activities such as hiking downhill, step aerobics, jumping workouts, and doing negatives in the weight room force your muscles to act as brakes against gravity.

But you don't have to take that soreness sitting down. Try these five remedies to soothe the soreness away.

Pull-ups have a reputation as an elite exercise: only the muscle-bound exerciser with five percent body fat can do them, right? Wrong!

Anybody can start doing modified pull-ups. Work your way through progressively harder versions of modified pull-ups and you'll be doing the real thing sooner than you expect. Even if you're not focused on mastering pull-ups, the following exercises are all great for developing your back muscles.

Motivating people to do things like cut salt from their diets or start exercising on a daily basis can be a challenge. Some clients come to personal trainers after they've already been hyped up by a television show, a close friend, or a therapist. Other clients arrive with no more motivation than it takes to get them through the fitness center doors.

Stamina is one of the foundations of a fulfilling and healthy life.

Whether climbing the corporate ladder, running after active toddlers or building lean muscle at the gym, your stamina level determines how much you can do and how quickly you can recover.

Having certified trainers and other employees on your gym's floor to answer exerciser questions is a great way to boost your gym's credibility. It's also has great selling power and the ability to help drum-up new clients.

But before these employees are out on the floor, make sure they know these six important things.

Will you be attending the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon or Half Marathon Expo? Do you enjoy helping others? If so, we’ve got a really cool opportunity for you!

As you’re meandering the booths after picking up your race packet at the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Health & Fitness Expo (happening on January 23 and 24), be sure to stop by the Precor booth.

Stretching has received lots of bad press recently. New research has created a glut of new and old information that can be bewildering. You might be tempted to throw up your hands and forgo stretching entirely.

New year, new you, right?

As true as that saying can be when it comes to starting afresh with your personal goals as a new year dawns, it’s important to understand that creating a truly new you requires a strong commitment and perseverance that will need to last a lifetime. Nourish your body, mind, and soul by following these tips, and you’ll be on your way to living the long, healthy life you desire.