Are You Training For A Weight ... or a Look?

So one of the changes I've made in how clients submit biweekly progress reports is to have them fill in all the commentary BEFORE taking any measurements or checking bodyweight. I've found, and I'm sure this'll come as no surprise, that the numbers dramatically affect the subjective commentary of progress, so I figured I'd try to remove that influence by suggesting one making their comments on perceived progress and what not, prior to any numerical assessments.

And you know what? It sure has made a difference in the comments that are associated with certain numbers. For example, I just reviewed a biweekly in which the comments are fantastic – perception of progress includes being more muscular, leaner, dropping... read more 11 comments

Is Empty Stomach Cardio Better For Fat Loss?

Does it matter if you do cardio in the am on an empty stomach? I get up at 4am and do my cardio at 6:30am so i've been eating my first meal of the day at 4am. Am i defeating the purpose of burning fat?

No, it does not have to be done fasted. Can it be if it's more convenient for you? Sure. But it's not something that must be done. That said, intervals and other high intensity modes should not be done fasted.

What matters isn't so much where the energy is coming from (ie. fat vs glycogen), but rather, how much you're burning (overall caloric expenditure). 300 calories is still 300 calories at the end... read more 4 comments

Fat Burners - Yes or No?

Do your clients use fat burners/thermos? If so, which do you recommend? Do you think we should cycle on and off of them so that our bodies don't get too used to one product? Thanks!

Not as a rule, no. In fact, I never make the recommendation myself. Clients might use them though if they ask my opinion on it first though, but they broach that subject, not me.

Are you talking OTC stuff or 'other'?

Most of the 'fat burners' on the market, do not burn fat - they just don't. They might provide you with ...

Click here to read the rest of the answer.

What fat-loss supplements have you guys... read more 1 comments

Corsets? Contest Prep? V-Taper? What?

If you've read my blog when I'm in rant mode about the practices of some, or rather, apparently many, contest prep coaches, you already know that it's not just that I'm not impressed; it's also that some of these recommended program practices are just ... out to lunch.

I've ranted and raved about the insane amounts of cardio so common in contest prep circles today more than once ... and there's another one coming, but not today. We've all seen and heard that kind of thing already. No, today, I'm going to talk about something I've never heard before ... until a recent conversation with a client of mine. And I bet many of you haven't either read more 20 comments