Email usenergymemphis@gmail.comCall us901-466-6242
   

TonyaTittle

by TonyaTittle
August 1, 2020
Blog

Exercises with Bands..This video from 7 years ago still stands and new ones

Energy Fitness personal training studio in Memphis, TN celebrates 19 years as of last month. As trainers we strive to stay abreast of latest and research driven movement patterns, wearable technology, tracking apps, nutrition, rehab recovery techniques with massage and physical therapy type exercises.

In figuring out on what to do for our next post I came across this video that we recorded and thought it would be a useful video for several of you during so much at home time that seems to be continuing. Please excuse the quality of the video as this was recorded 7 years ago and likely with my lower quality iphone or go pro. The exercises still are a great intro to exercise bands with LIsa doing all the demonstrations. We use exercise bands with our clients onsite and especially virtually training over these past several months. They are a quick and easy item to obtain, travel with and store.

Check it out and a few more more I pulled from our youtube channel.

Movements Reverse fly, tricep push down, squat and squat with shoulder press. With bands a common rep range is 20 reps.

Here’s one with a resistance loop that can also be done with a band with handles as well we just advise you double it around your feet so it doesn’t pop you in the face.

Here’s a chest exercise for you. You can prop the band in a door wedge with a sock on the other side of the door frame or is you wish you can buy one specifically made for this. You can also put around the base of a couch or sturdy chair and sit on the floor.

Not sure what to do or where to start? We can help! Enjoy and be creative or reach out for help. Try twisting movements as well since we find that the ability of people to twist their upper body and keep their lower body stable and vice versa seems to be a common issue in need of work.

You can get an onsite or virtual assessment so we can access the quality of your bodies movement and discuss your goals. We have streamlined our custom take out fitness programs in a way our clients really like and come back for more. How? We assess them, ask what equipment is available if any, write program for them, send via email or text along with a short 5-10 minute video demonstration of the 2 programs. Interested in this? Call or text to see how we can help you 901-466-6242.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

Massage services resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc. All clients onsite must sign Covid form, successfully answer health Covid questions and socially distance.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
July 24, 2020
Blog

5 Amazing Benefits of Licorice..Should You Give It Another Try

For the past at least 10 years every time I turn around I am reading something about the benefits of licorice. I have mentioned to our clients at Energy Fitness personal training, nutrition coaching and massage therapy studio that they may wish to consider trying some licorice tea as an introductory for stress relief. It can also aid in reducing belly fat from too much cortisol production from the stress. There are more than 300 different compounds in licorice, some of which have antiviral and antimicrobial properties.

Did you know Licorice is a legume that grows about 5 feet tall? That means it’s in the bean category. When people think of licorice, they usually imagine the black, chewy candy you can buy in the store. You may be thinking it’s just so strong a taste I can’t bear to eat everyday. It definitely has a very unique taste which stops your taste buds in its tracks. What if you could bypass the tongue and go for a supplement? After reading the benefits you may wanna give it a try. There is a licorice variety that is native to the U.S called Glycyrrhiza lepidota, though it’s much less intense in flavor. Glycyrrhiza uralensis is also known as Chinese licorice. It has a sweet flavor and multiple medicinal uses.

Licorice has a history of use in food and medicine for over a millennium. This tasty root comes packed with potent polyphenol micronutrients that have potent medicinal effects for curing anything from nausea to heartburn, and leaky gut. It’s called mulethi in some parts of Asia. The licorice plant is native to the lands of Asia and Southern Europe, and some call it a weed in some of those areas.  Its most popular uses are candy, sweeteners, and flavoring in tobacco products. This widely-used herb has established health benefits, and folk medicine uses it to treat all types of inflammatory diseases.

Glycyrrhizin is the active polyphenol compound found in licorice, and it’s also responsible for the side-effects of consuming too much licorice, such as high blood pressure. As a result, many food producers and supplement companies now produce licorice extract for use in therapeutic and food applications – but with the glycyrrhizin removed. Consuming too much licorice can cause potassium loss which can raise blood pressure.

Benefits of Licorice

  1. Improve digestive health which may be affected by Gerd (acid reflux), reduce toxic bacteria in the gut

2) Beneficial in a weight loss diet by ramping up the metabolism. Many people that struggle with weight and controlling appetite would benefit from Licorice because consumption affects the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone – thereby reducing appetite. Now don’t go on a mad rush to order or buy licorice because alone it won’t have any significant fat-burning effect. Remember it’s all about finding tweaks in habits and what works for you and combining it with regular exercise and a healthy diet to provide a synergistic effect that helps you burn more body fat. Exercise, eat healthy 80% of the time and then stick of licorice for dessert or try one of the suggested protocols below.

3) Enhance Liver health. Drinking in moderation. Keep in mind everyone has a different idea of what moderation is – 1 glass a few times per week as a trainer is more than necessary if you are trying to have optimal health and always trying to lose weight. Drinking in moderation the liver produces enzymes to help repair the damage but those that drink more the liver can’t repair fast enough and hence fat is stored. Try a few licorice chews on the way to the bar as a preventive test drive to better liver health.

4) Improve Cognitive Health & relieve fatigue (think brain and quick thinking): licorice, namely carbenoxolone, has been shown in reducing stress and slowing brain aging that may lead to the development of dementia. Licorice also contains liquiritigenin, has an anti-inflammatory effect and can have a positive effect on brain cells, showing promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Other reports out there suggest that is could help prevent other brain and cognitive disorders like Parkinson’s and boost memory and aid in treatment of depression. Here’s another component present in licorice, amorphousness which has anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce blood sugar, inhibit the development of insulin resistance, and prevent Type-2 diabetes. Research shows that licorice helps slow the progression of neurological symptoms and provides relief from chronic fatigue.

5) Improve sleep: Who doesn’t want to sleep better? One specific type of licorice root, called Glycyrrhiza glabra, is known to induce sleep and enhance sleep duration. Two other common compounds in licorice root, namely Gabriel and liquiritigenin, also help induce sleep, reducing the time it takes you to fall asleep at night. These compounds increase the length of non-REM sleep without disturbing deep sleep patterns. Sleep deprivation transpires when a person gets less sleep than they need to feel awake and alert, due to the brain not being able to clear toxins from neural pathways during sleep.

Licorice has also been proven to help with eczema, heartburn, and cough. It may also be effective for cankers, dental plaque, bleeding, high cholesterol, high potassium, IBS, and hot flashes. If you have high blood pressure or are pregnant, you may want to talk to your doctor before using licorice medicinally.

WARNING: Even though I am touting the benefits of licorice remember that more isn’t always better. You should never consume excessive amounts of licorice in food or supplement form.

Here are some suggestions from a brand we love that is a science and medical foods based company:

https://efitness.metagenics.com/licorice-plus

https://efitness.metagenics.com/glutagenics

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://efitness.metagenics.com/tran-q

https://efitness.metagenics.com/fem-premenstrual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you just enjoy the taste of licorice then go bold but remember that as with anything dosage and consistency is key.  Try traditional medicinals licorice root tea or the Yogi teas and of course straight licorice chews if you dare, just watch for sugar content from the companies that are trying to make it more appealing by amping up sugar content.

Not sure what to do or where to start? We can help!

You can get an onsite or virtual assessment so we can access the quality of your bodies movement and discuss your goals. We have streamlined our custom take out fitness programs in a way our clients really like and come back for more. How? We assess them, ask what equipment is available if any, write program for them, send via email or text along with a short 5-10 minute video demonstration of the 2 programs. Interested in this? Call or text to see how we can help you 901-466-6242.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

Massage services resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc. All clients onsite must sign Covid form, successfully answer health Covid questions and socially distance.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
July 19, 2020
Blog

Are Your Rest Breaks Too Long? Speed it Up for More Results

How effective are you with your workouts and rest breaks either doing cardio or weight training? Some of you may be thinking “I don’t even workout!”. Many of you may be reading this and haven’t really thought about how long you should rest between exercises or more specifically between sets (example: a set of 10 reps of squats).When it comes to optimizing your training program, there’s a lot of variables that need to be considered. How much time you rest between sets is one of the more important variables yet is often overlooked.

Clients at Energy Fitness are paying for a trainer/coach for a set time slot so many want to be as efficient as possible as they are invested and held accountable. What about when clients or you workout on your own time, are you getting the most out of your efforts? We keep the personal training sessions moving along at a good clip and try to get in as much as possible in the 30 minutes.

When I go out of town and workout at other gyms I am reminded that It can be amusing to both the trainer and other clients to see how some individuals or clients catch more break time between sets.

If you are looking for results and not getting them maybe you should increase your intensity by moving along faster through exercises.

Here’s what we see as stalls for extra time
or as I call them “mini-breaks”

Where do you fit most of the time
and are your results showing? Here’s to a giggle…

  • purposely put your water bottle or coffee further away so you can use that walk to it as a break
  • sipping too much beverage
  • readjust your weight gloves
  • flexing in the mirror
  • weighing yourself
  • deciding what your are going to do next as you don’t have a plan and do whatever comes to mind
  • chat it up or tell a story to a buddy, fellow training client or trainer
  • fein to your trainer that you need another demonstration of the exercise as you weren’t watching the first time
  • explaination from your trainer or workout buddy of why you need to do an exercise you hate
  • take too much time journaling your weight and sets
  • read a magazine
  • check your smart watch for messages
  • check your phone for calls, messages or emails
  • watch TV for news, sport or financials updates
  • at home virtual workouts – pet the dog or cat

Now that you’ve had a good chuckle let’s talk real time between sets so you can get the results you want.

Learn EXACTLY how long to rest between sets to maximize muscle growth and long term strength gains?

Ideally we want our clients warmed up at least 5-15 minutes before with as we age needing more time as you can exert more force upon the muscles when they are warmer.

For weight training:

Longer rest period 3 minutes for full recovery means that you will have enough time to recover and be strong enough to lift when it’s time for successive sets.This is training for power 3-8 reps (typically 3 sets but body builders doing as many as 10 sets) and means heavy weights especially for compound movements like bench press or squats.Trying to build muscle mass then try this for 4-8 weeks although you won’t be able to fit as many exercises in and likely you will have to lift at least 3 days per week and each workout will take longer. Scientifically you are waiting for recovery from a cellular level to happen and that takes time or some additional supplementation. You could however choose to try this for one particular muscle group for a shorter workout say bench press incline and flat then in between sets you could work legs or core.This would be a good use of time and you could mix the shorter rest periods as explained below with this longer rest period.

Training for strength, 10-12 reps typically 2-3 sets means lifting moderate to heavy weights and can fall in the shorter-moderate rest period category.with a rest period of 1 min – 90 seconds. This means that you will create more metabolic stress to your system feeling like you are getting a killer workout as you will feel the fatigue more, but it comes at a price. With a shorter rest period, you’re not going to be able to lift as heavy a weight or perform as many reps as you would be able to after a longer rest period. You may have experienced this first hand especially if you had to go down in weight by the third set. You will be getting lots of different exercises completed with this method. This is the majority of training we do with our clients and how I train myself with a pepper of heavier sets thrown in. This can be performed by choosing 3-4 exercises and rotating through them. You can even throw in a few core moves if you have moved through the exercises faster than 90 seconds. An example of this might squats, lunges, dumbbell row, shoulder push ups. This set would give your body the 90 seconds because the lunges and rows are unilateral training which takes longer. If you did squats, leg curl, outer thigh and leg extension then you would want to have more rest before you went straight back to squats again so you might do some plank or back extensions to rest the legs.

Endurance training for weights is performing 15 reps and above and typically is shorter rest period category because you can go straight from one exercise to another without the worry of dropping a face on your face or foot because it’s lighter. An example would be doing 2 exercises back to back and if you feel like you need more rest throw in a core exercise.

CARDIO REST PERIODS – Setting out to do cardio hit / interval training means periods of work and rest. Since I was a cross country and track collegiate athlete I can relate this best by giving examples and why different rest periods are necessary. Early in the season a base of miles is obtained and speed work like doing quarter mile or half mile repeats need longer rest between sets. As you get more conditioned your body recovers faster and you need to stress if if more, so shorter rest periods are necessary to duplicate the racing stage that will have no breaks. For general hit training in which we highly recommend and has been proven to be effective examples are doing 10 sets of 30 second effort and either 15 or 30 seconds of active recovery or if you are killing it then passive recovery. This type of training can be done 2-3 times per week. For weight training for clients coming to us wanting to run a long race like a half or full marathon they need to lift heavy and phase to lighter and more endurance weight and reps closer to the race. Of course if this is their first time lifting weights then we must go through a moderately heavy phase being cautious with the joints, consider the age of the client and previous or current injuries as well.

So what type of training do you do?

Being in tune with your body may be your biggest clue. Knowing your body type, genetics, trial and error or hiring a trainer can be less frustrating and more motivating when it comes to getting the best from your body.

Remember I said there are lots of variables when it comes to getting results? Steps in personality and lifestyle choices. You may know what you need to do but just don’t do it or aren’t getting the right nutrition or sleep to muster up the energy or brain power to make it happen. Just do it slogan really needs to get in your brain!

Remember, as for rest and muscle building that doesn’t mean that you just sit around and do nothing or watch a timer? Not in my books as a trainer. You can do some other muscle groups or core exercises that don’t involve those muscles and still be pressing on towards your fitness goals.

Not sure what to do or where to start? We can help!

You can get an onsite or virtual assessment so we can access the quality of your body’s movement and discuss your goals. We have streamlined our custom take out fitness programs in a way our clients really like and come back for more. How? We assess them, ask what equipment is available if any, write program for them, send via email or text along with a short 5-10 minute video demonstration of the 2 programs. Interested in this? Call or text to see how we can help you 901-466-6242.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

Massage services resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc. All clients onsite must sign Covid form, successfully answer health Covid questions and socially distance.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
July 10, 2020
Blog

Alcohol: The Weight Gain Antagonist?

When nutrition coaching and personal training our clients at Energy Fitness clients come in with certain goals and habits. Many of these habits are what may be keeping the client from ultimately reaching their weight loss or performance fitness goal. Over and over again we hear clients say “I’m not willing to stop having my drinks!” so then the clients and trainer often can become frustrated as the trainer knows the scientific reason and benefits to stop consuming alcohol.

Let’s look at the science aspect and why alcohol may be a the demon when it comes to a weight loss battle.

Can I drink alcohol if I’m trying to lose weight?

If researchers say that one drink a night is good for your heart, then having more must be even better is the sad (standard american diet…extended into drinks as well) story line that many tell themselves to justify the habit. I get it, a glass or wine or a cool beer at the end of the day to wash away your worries or stress but what about the stress it is causing your body or your chronic weight loss battle going on in your head. Far too many times I have heard spouses say how thin they were when they got married and one or both partners aren’t willing to stop drinking.

To really explain why the struggle is real for you then you must understand calories and nutrients. I did all the hard work of brushing up on the Kreb’s cycle and all those long hard words to pronounce so I will just do my best to give it to you as simple as possible.

To lose one pound per week you must have a deficit of 3500 calories so about 500 less per day. Problem is that most people don’t know the numbers. You likely don’t know how many calories you are taking in and most of you don’t track how many you burn. You may not even know your basal metabolic rate (how many calories you burn even if you were to sit and do nothing all day).

A general idea for what you burn would be to start with how much you weigh and add a zero to it.

Example: I weigh 125 lbs so 1250 calories would be baseline. I am very active and I have a lot of muscle so this number increases to account for that. I have had my BMR tested often and it’s around 1750 calories. That’s 500 calories more than the simple add a zero. That’s actually close to the amount of calories I consume daily or spread across a week my daily average to maintain my current weight. Men trying to lose weight would likely not want to go below 1500 calories and women not below 1200 calories.

Now is a calorie a calorie? not when it comes to alcohol

Alcohol can cause issues for your weight-loss and metabolism-balancing efforts because it is high in calories (second only to fat), and, like fats and carbs, is metabolized to acetyl CoA. When acetyl CoA is around in high amounts, the body sees no reason to burn other fuels. Pay attention to the above mentioned acetyl CoA in this paragraph. This means that if you are trying to lose weight and you consume more than your body can burn immediately that it can be stored as fat the same way excess carbs can be stored. To lose fat you will have to burn up all the alcohol calories and the carb calories then finally force your body to convert stored fat into glucose.

In college during my board of review for my Master’s Degree in Exercise Science one particular phrase stood out to me that I had to recite.

FAT BURNS ON A CARBOHYDRATE FLAME!!!!!!

Your body burns calories in this order:
alcohol 7 calories per 1 gram
carbs 4 calories per 1 gram
fats 9 calories per 1 gram
(protein 4 calories per 1 gram. Protein leads to little energy contribution in terms of fuel as it is not stored in the body and need to consume every 3-4 hours if you wish to maintain a healthy muscle mass)

Let’s do some math!

If a 10 minute jog burns about 100 calories and you can only last for 30 minutes at best and you hate running, so you do the bike which is half the calorie burn then you have only burned 150 calories. Well, one beer or glass of wine is about 100 calories and most people don’t have just one or when they drink.Most people also like to snack that spells disaster for weight loss goals.

Does that Mean I should Avoid Alcohol Completely?
You may need to avoid alcohol when you’re trying to lose weight, but we have also seen people have wine almost nightly and be able to attain and maintain a lean, healthy body.

The trick is to know what does and does not work for you.

If you want a glass of wine with dinner, here’s a tip…Don’t eat starch and fat with your meal and drink alcohol together. Make an effort to never combine the three.

For instance, have a piece of fish, a plate of veggies and either a glass of wine or half a sweet potato, but not both.

The truth is, small amounts of alcohol, (note: we said small) can certainly be apart of some people’s fat-loss formula and whether it is for you or not will take some detective work.

During your detective work think of abstaining as a way of treating your body like a race horse and keeping it free from things that could be holding back the reigns to see what your mid-section could really look like.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
July 4, 2020
Blog

Consider Color Therapy for Weight Control

At Energy Fitness personal training and nutrition coaching studio downtown Memphis and virtually online training folks we want to give our clients every edge possible for success. Have you have read any of our posts where I mention chakra’s or color before for health?

This article aims to bring color therapy into your realm of awareness. Of course after this article you may be noticing all kinds of colors everywhere including magazine ads, billboards, tv ads to window banners and colors of restaurants. If you want to avoid hunger stimulating colors, don’t paint your kitchen to look like a fast food restaurant. There’s a reason burger joints use reds, yellows and oranges in their color schemes all the time. These colors are stimulating and may even stimulate appetite. I’d say this can even translate to the color of your dishes.

Think about it people choose cars and clothing by their color all the time.Some people just don’t want to think about it and have lots of grey, white and black in their closet then accessorize to match their mood with a pop of color for a tie, scarf, jewelry or purse. Who hasn’t pored over dozens of options when picking just the right shade to paint a room? Color makes an impact. Nobody has to tell you that if you walk into a room painted all white it’s much different than if it’s painted pitch black.Marketing experts know that color makes a big difference in how customers react. For example, on websites, a red “BUY NOW” button usually works better than a green one.

Multiple sources point out that in Egypt, Greece, China, India and other countries colors have been used in various ways to promote healing. Color therapy has been used to treat inflammation, muscle pain, nosebleeds, infertility (in animals), injuries, burns, sciatica, meningitis, nervous instability, headache, irritability, sunstroke and more.

So why not integrate color into your weight control success. I’ve known for many years that eating off of blue plates a user tends to eat smaller portions as well as if you eat on smaller plates.

Have you heard of Blue Light Therapy?

Typically this is a type of treatment used for SAD (seasonal affective disorder) which is a form of depression that some call the “winter blues.” Symptoms typically appear in the fall and continue during winter months.Some symptoms of SAD are depressed mood, lack of interest in activities, tiredness and fatigue, trouble concentrating, feelings guilt or low self-worth, thoughts of death and suicide, irritability, sleep issues, experience changes in appetite or weight.

Those who suffer from SAD have weight gain and a craving for foods high in carbohydrates. Scientists believe that the cause of SAD may have to do with serotonin and melatonin levels.

Light therapy boxes can be found online for less than $60 and some have timers. While we are on the subject of blue light recall that televisions and smart devices omit blue rays which stimulate your brain. This is why you might have trouble sleeping if you watch these right before bed. Blue light therapy might be best done in the morning to stimulate your wakening cycle. Some people (I’ve been guilty of this) try and override this by wearing yellow shades to block the blue light.

So what if we took this same principle of color therapy for weight control to our closet and our environments in which we control like kitchen, common room that you may feel compelled to snack or office space. Avoid Red, Yellow & Orange. Listed below are the colors listed backwards in order of most decreasing the appetite to most increasing it.

Colors That Decrease Appetite:

10) Grey  9) Black  8) Brown  7) Purple  6) Blue

Colors That May Increase Appetite:

5) Turquoise: (It’s the color of tropical waters and used a lot on dessert plates. Even if you think you are full after dinner, seeing a piece of cake on a turquoise colored plate is likely to make you want to eat the dessert anyway.)

4) Green: Many people are attracted to the color green and associated it with abundance.

3) Yellow: makes most people happy. When people are happy, they are more likely to eat than when they are feeling sad or overly calm.

2) Orange: stimulates the brain, which increases mental activity and often stirs up a sensation of hunger.

1) Red: raises a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and causes hunger to be more prevalent.

Try adding more color in your life and look at what colors may not be present that might need to be to balance out your moods and life. I remember when Mae, LMT did massage on me when she first started at Energy Fitness. She also does energy work and could see lots of red in my energy field when she closed her eyes. That stands for fire so it made sense that I didn’t have a need very many clothing items that were red in which I did not. I have sense made a shift more in the past few years for more neutral colors. I think back to when my husband and I first bought our first house. We had lots of energy which is probably why we chose a red kitchen, yellow or green walls and an orange spare bedroom and then later changed to off white for all the walls.

There is a song by Expose that has the lyrics seasons change feelings change and the Bible says there is a season for reaping and a season for sowing. Life is flowing and so should be your diet and energy levels. Try not to get in a bad habit rut or just grab for whatever is convenient.

Plan your meals with love and color!

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
June 26, 2020
Blog

Wrist Issues During Core Work or Push Ups? Try this…

With all the electronic smart devices and keeping our hands in the same position or wonky sleeping positions you may find it can wreak havoc on those wrists. I use to think years ago when I saw people doing the alternative hand positions pictured below as opposed to normal position of extending the wrist with palm on the floor that they were trying to be a bad ass.

As a fitness professional for over 26 years and athlete for over 32 years I have found that more people since the invention of email and smart phones have wrist issues than ever before. I find myself during certain exercises and teaching other how to get around the pesky wrist issue.  Not all of you will find this method comfortable but sometimes getting to your goal is worth getting over the uncomfortable feeling of a new way of doing things to get results.

There are three example exercises that I can think of for this new way of thinking for getting the job done.

  1. Push ups
  2. Plank or versions of the plank in this article I call the exercise up up down down
  3. Tricep Dips

See below pics for hand positions that may just be the solution you need to ‘just do it!”

Pictured top left below is normal plank/push up position. This position causes pain for many people because of lack of flexibility in wrist extensor muscles.

Top right is one I use when needed and I guess I would call it half knuckles position. I personally find this most comfortable and my go to for my body mechanics.

Bottom right and left are full knuckles with thumb tucked under and varying angle depending on exercise performed. The bottom right is often used for tricep dips on a bench as keeping the palms in toward the body helps to keep the elbows tucked in more as to target the triceps more and keep upper shoulders from rounding so much.

Here’s an few example demo exercises in which these hand positions might be an option.

 

This one is more challenging than it looks at it also works on balance.

This one is great and if you need a break you can get into this downward facing dog as a 5 second or less break then continue on. I like to think of the up up down down as helping your upper body dissociate from your lower body. If you don’t feel your hips rotating in a spiral motion much like a swimmer’s lower body should do during flutter kick then you will need to work on this.

Having one hand on a handle or yoga block can also be an alternative to normal wrist extension or the knuckles positions.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
June 20, 2020
Blog

Peloton Bikes…Is it a fad? Are There Less Expensive Options?

As an athlete for over 33 years and a fitness professional in the field of personal training and nutrition coaching for over 28 years I am often asked for my professional opinion. This ranges from the latest or trendy new fitness equipment, diets, supplements and all to do with health and wellness.

The questions I have been peppered with most often lately are about
Peloton Bikes, Intermittent fasting and Online Training.

No one is really reinventing the wheel or the knife, they are just sharpening the tool and making it more efficient and user friendly. Aside from electric cars like the Tesla and the invention of computers and smart phones really big ideas don’t come around that often. Think how fashion goes in cycles.

The online training question makes me think of the late and great Jack Lalane aka “The Godfather of Modern Fitness” for introducing weight training and nutrition to the masses. He was the first in America to have follow along fitness classes on….remember it was black and white television. I would call that a version of online fitness classes and he was ahead of his time. He wasn’t able to customize each persons workout considering their range of motion but it was a great start to getting people moving and holding them accountable for their health and fitness goals or even talk to them about setting some goals.

CAUTION…SELF PROMOTING…Energy Fitness does onsite personal training as well as virtual personal training. Lately lots of clients love the virtual training and actually want to continue as many clients have said “I like this online training because I can just roll out of bed and get the workout done without having to waste drive time.” This doesn’t work for everyone as some people like machines that are available in the studios and gyms and they like the social component.

Let’s fast forward from black and white television fitness workouts to fitness gyms or studios with this blog post sharing options with you for stationary bikes. Let’s be honest, most people don’t love waking up in the early hours to travel to the gym, may not have early morning childcare or find it frustrating trying to find a spin class that has room for them. Enter the at-home spin bike. Several big names in the fitness world have gym-quality spin bikes that can fit perfectly into your spare bedroom, basement, or other workout-friendly room of the house. You can opt for an entry-level model and save a ton of cash, or splurge and get access to streaming workouts and other great features.

Let’s put the cost of the Peloton in perspective with a backstory.

I first arrived in Memphis as the Physical Director at the Downtown Memphis YMCA just out of Graduate School in 1997. Within 6 months they had purchased spin bikes.The Keiser bikes were $700 each I recall and they chose to buy 11 of them to see how popular the classes would be. Purchasing those 11 bikes was an investment of about $9,000 (including tax & shipping) that 10 members and 1 instructor would utilize. The idea with a spin bike for group classes is that the instructor is your motivation, other participants may be inspiration and just being in a group feeling the collective energy of everyone wanted to get a good burn can help hold you accountable and mixing up your workouts which is the idea of the newest bikes on market giving you the ability to be called out by instructor in live classes or your bike personal trainer on demand.

When you think of the Peloton craze of late, think back to weight watchers and beach body workouts with their big support groups and nutrition coaching as well. People love being part of a group and bragging about their results. Beach body company even had contests to keep people engaged and it stroked the competitive edge for lots of people.

Accountability is the one of the biggest reasons for people getting results and not just doing the same old tired workouts over and over again as you don’t know any different or just get into mundane habits.

If you are someone that needs the stats, calories, motivation, competition, ease of use, and convenience of having a bike at home then you have options that suits your personality depending on your budget. Every dollar has a job. What do you want those dollars help you achieve.

Having a workout buddy or a personal trainer or coach has been
proven to be 7 x more effective than working out alone or without a support group.

Let’s talk investment in yourself. 

If you went to spin classes 3 x per week onsite at average across the country of let’s say $28 per session that’s $336 per month. Calculate your time to book the class you want, the fuel and time to get to and from the class and that’s the true value of is it worth it to you.

Have a bike and will just ride outside? What about when it’s windy, wet, too cold, too hot or you don’t have time to go for a ride with possibility of having a flat and not making it back on time for a much needed task or call. What if you have kids and need to get it in when they are napping?

That said here’s the numbers of some popular spin bikes with the electronic console people are getting excited about on the market at the time of this article.

KEEP IN MIND… that people hire marketing companies to get their product out there. How many times have you been suckered with marketing and the product didn’t deliver or that you bought an off brand that was actually as good or better than the marketing hype from the popular brand.

$$-$$$$

  • $3k+ budget: Peleton Bike is advertised on their website as a financing “starting at” $58 per month for 39 months. That’s $2262 and that probably doesn’t included initial tax or shipping. You will also need shoes to clip in for more efficiency and likely you will want the membership option which is over $250 annually. So expect to pay close to $3k if you actually get the options you want. It has a user friendly console with lots of options and you can easily geek on out on your performance stats like cadence, calories and take live classes or do terrains from all around the world I believe.You can even hook up with your friend while riding which can give you that social component to keep you motivated and more accountable.
  • $2k+ budget: Nordic Track Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is $1,999 plus $468 ifit membership included for 1st year). On their website financing is $78 per month. You can access thousands of on demand studio cycle workouts with elite ifit trainers who LIVE control your cycles incline, decline and resistance. You can cycle around the world with great scenery and the instructors can still control your workouts as well in this mode. Plus, with cross-training options like yoga or strength training, you have everything you need right at your fingertips.
  • $1,299-$1,499 budget: Nordic Track Grand Tour series.
  • $700-$1500 anything from the Schwinn IC4 to Sole B900 or Zwift recommended wahoo trainer and lots in between for a spin bike with the capacity to connect via bluetooth.
  • www.Zwift.com is an app with a $14.99 monthly subscription fee and has the ability to work with your current indoor trainer as well. You can race, train or just ride or get the pod for you running shoes and get those stats and visual stimulation as well. I likely am not doing this app that best justice it deserves so you should just check out the website. One of our clients that cycles a lot recommended it to me.

Want a less expensive version?

  • Bike Indoor Trainer (I am self motivated so just do this to music or watch something on smart device). Set up pic below. Most trainers set up your back tire to the resistance device and you use your gears to change resistance. You can get a fluid or magnetic one. A fluid trainer produces less noise which may be important if you live with someone below you. I opted for the less expensive route as I didn’t know any better at the time that the fluid one would have only been $100 more. I bought a Cycle Ops one 14 years ago for only $150 on ebay brand new and I still have it and use frequently. In doing a little research for this post I discovered I can upgrade my CycleOps trainer to include speed and cadence sensors for only $60 if I choose.Here’s the link for that: CycleOps upgrade just so you can see.

  • Below is what you need for basic set up if you just choose to do the zwift app and use your road or other hybrid bike. I believe you could even use a mountain bike for an indoor trainer. I have the $30 front bike tire climbing riser instead of a book and love it because I do a lot of faux climbing hills. The fan in the garage is a must in the south for those hot days if you are set up in a garage. If you have tri bars you can put ipad on them.

Will the Peleton or other smart bike with a console be the magic bullet you need to reach your goals? Maybe…You still have to do the work and actually get on the bike and start moving. Don’t get it and let it be an expensive clothes hanger like a lot of equipment many clients have told me these home fitness options have become.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below resumed June 1, 2020 and we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
June 13, 2020
Blog

Easy & Inexpensive DIY Cellulite Reduction Therapy/Cupping

The long awaited video I have been promising our female clients, friends, health nuts and athletes for a while is finally here. Mae, Licensed Massage Therapist and I teamed up to bring this educational 10 minute do it yourself video.

Energy Fitness has been helping clients since 2002 with our personal training and nutrition coaching and with our healing arts/massage services since 2015.

For many years I felt like other than exercise and nutrition coaching that that stubborn cellulite or dimple appearance on our clients just wouldn’t budge. There are certain supplements and massage therapy treatments that can help but I mean we really wanted to find something that made a huge difference and didn’t take forever to see results. Why didn’t I know about this years ago? They have been doing this type of treatment in Brazil for years.

Take a look at the video and listen to the introduction so you can get all the important information so you can start getting these results yourself. Listen to the part about who can and who should not do this type of therapy.

Mae mentions a Cellulite Oil Recipe in the video. It’s super easy, just order the ingredients online or purchase at a health food store. Click here to get the recipe via PDF.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below are resumed June 1, 2020 but with when the lock down on social distancing has lifted but we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
June 6, 2020
Blog

DIY Cupping Pods Therapy Doesn’t Have to Leave Marks. Almost Anyone Can Do It.

Energy Fitness loves helping our clients and anyone interested in getting more fit, healthier, reduce or eliminate pain, increase range of motion, work around injuries, decrease muscle imbalances and in general feel better and more youthful. Anyway, all this to be said we know how to use complimentary methods other than just our personal training and massage therapy services to help clients feel and look their best and we want to teach you DIY methods as well.

Let’s face it, if you can’t move well then you have increased your chance of future injury or decrease your chances of recovering from nagging injuries or pesky aches and pains.

Think of massage as compression therapy helping to glide the skin with some friction to help “unstick the fascia” and help increase blood flow, etc. Cupping therapy is decompression therapy as the skin is a handle and the suction aids to pull the skin and muscle away from the fascia still “unsticking the fascia” but as a different modality. People with underlying health conditions, diabetes, swelling or open wounds, inflamed skin, a high fever or convulsions, people taking blood thinners or pregnant women should not have a cupping procedure.

To facilitate wellness we have to be detectives and ask the right questions as well as watch our clients move their bodies. We need to teach and provide tools that may help in helping you feel your best. If the modalities are new to you then we must bring into your awareness this method and the science behind it. Last year Energy Fitness hosted and a few staff members including myself attended Rock Tape classes ranging from Functional Movement Basic & Advanced, Rock Tape (Kinesiology tape), Rock Pods (this is the cupping certification), Rock Floss, Rock Blades & Blades Advanced. I have all of these expect for the Rock Floss but got an intro to it in one of the other classes in which the same principles apply as the Rock Tape.

What are Rock Pods or Cupping Therapy?

This is only a teaser introduction as there’s a lot to it. This post is only discussing the stationary cupping method with some additional movement of parts of the body to help improve results.

I’ll create a video me doing other types of therapy on my oldest son as an upcoming blog post as well as how to use other methods of cupping like the silicone larger cups and cupping gun for dramatic reduction of cellulite appearance that has worked on several clients. Mae Jensen, our LMT is certified in using the cupping gun as well as other various certifications so we may have her in the video demonstrating or teaching as well. Of course you may contact us to schedule an appointment virtually or onsite to teach you how to DIY yourself for this treatment as well 901-466-6242.

Rock pods are simply the trademarked name from Rock Tape for the silicone plunger looking pods/cups they use. Regardless of what type of cupping you do just know that there is more than one method to get results you need.These same pods are available under a different name as well at a much lower price point as I have purchased a few for resale in our small pro shop.

3 different levels of intensity
exist with the pods

  1. flash cupping: this is where you just quickly press the pod on the area of skin and suction back up so as it won’t stay suctioned on the skin for more than a second
  2. plunger: this is where you put the pod on the skin and with the plunger type handle gripped with your fingers push down until the pod is suctioned to you skin.
  3. inverted: this is the most intense and where you turn the pod inside out then place on the skin. This one really gets you and the on I use most often unless it’s a very sensitive area and I’m not quite ready to be so aggressive with. I say it feels like it’s biting you.

In hard to plunger areas you can squeeze the sides of the pod in as to get a suction to skin. I did this on a cousin last year near her ankle scar from surgery as she still had pain and limited range of motion. I placed the pods on her dry skin (AND HERE’S THE METHOD SO  LISTEN UP) and grabbed the handle to gently and gradually more aggressive twisted the pod to the left and right with the doorknob method. I also pulled at the pod attempting to pull the skin away from the muscle thus helping to also unstick the fascia. Next I had her point her toe as I placed pod on her achilles and soleus muscle. Then I asked her to stand and walk or do a few squats as to have the pods be more intense with the muscles going through the range of motion. She was so appreciative of this therapy and said she felt more movement. Full disclosure, we found one spot that the pods were really struggling to get but stayed with it and wow she felt that bite of the inverted method but the pods left no marks.

With the pods stationary method you will be able to see if the area really is stuck because the plunger handle might not come all the way up or the pod is squeezed sideways.

TIP**The fascia is more pliable when warm from exercise, hot bath or shower or warm towels. We do not recommend this stationary cupping on wet or slightly wet skin. If you want the cupping to leave marks then of course this is the fastest way to make that happen as blood will pool to the skin which is not necessarily a bad thing but can take a week or more to go away.

One client came in complaining of shoulder pain and I when I cupped his bicep he thought I was crazy. Tight biceps can cause shoulder pain. He soon became addicted to it and asked for more each time he came in. We taught him how to do on himself so he can always have this in his DIY toolbox. Of course it’s always better to be pampered and just have someone else do it if you won’t make yourself do it. Accountability!

These are what are for sale starting next week onsite and the PDF that accompanies the set.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below are to resume June 1, 2020 but with when the lock down on social distancing has lifted but we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services

 

 

CONTINUE READING
by TonyaTittle
May 30, 2020
BlogUncategorized

Stretches & Exercises to Fix Rounded Shoulders & Improve Posture

Let’s be honest it’s hard to make yourself do posture exercises that an exercise professional says you should try if you don’t feel like you will get immediate benefits. With this in mind I chose and recorded the ones that I have found have the quickest and most reliable results and with minimal to no equipment. You just really have to just make it happen and give it a try. Choose just a few or try all of them.

Energy Fitness has been helping people rehab with our personal training services from pesky injuries along with general weight loss, fitness and nutrition goals for over 18 years. We wanted to pass along information to help you and others as well. Many occupations seem to enforce this rounded shoulder effect. A few occupations I can think of are dentists, dental hygienists, tattoo artists, massage therapists, desk workers, truck drivers, people that drive long distances as well as some sports such as runners, cyclists, paddlers as well as some others I may have left out.

The first half of the video I show you stretches that can be done daily and I give you detailed instructions on how to keep your body aligned during the exercises. I also give you suggestions on reps and sets. The second half of the video I show you exercises that are strengthening and can help retract your shoulder blades and help keep them “in their pockets” to help you hold better posture. People often think that just stretching the chest muscles will alone help you have better posture and as it’s certainly helpful to not have tight pectoral muscles this alone is not the key.

Many of these movements are designed to stretch your body in a lateral pattern with will stretch out your lats. Keeping the biceps stretched out can help relieve tension in the neck and shoulders and can be performed randomly during the day as well.

One client said recently “I haven’t been able to sleep on my right side for many years and I was able to several nights in a row for at least 10 minutes with no numbness. I’m 58 years old and your program makes me move my body in ways that helps keep my joints and muscles flexible. All the bending and stretching is good for me as I feel more flexible” Maureen Holland, 58, Lawyer

Check it out for yourself and follow along for a few reps. Think long and lean muscles and dynamic (non-boring/non holding stretches). It’s less than 10 minutes and very informative.

Stretches: Try taking a breath when going into the stretch and pulsing as it can expand your rib cage and give you a more efficient stretch.

  • Shoulders up wall slides (kneeling or standing)
  • Triangle dynamic stretch (kneeling or standing)
  • Bicep circles (seated or standing)
  • C-bend in seated splits

Strengthening exercises:

  • Plank slides with elbows or Band slides with resistance band up wall
  • All fours front raises
  • Kneeling Leg to elbow lateral movement
  • Scapular push ups
  • Travolta shoulders

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT A VIRTUAL FREE FITNESS CONSULT OR IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET ONSITE FOR OUR PERSONAL TRAINING OR NUTRITION or GIVE US A TEXT OR CALL AT 901-466-6242

Call, text or email us to get started today!
901-466-6242 or energymemphis@gmail.com

Tonya Tittle, M.S., ACSM
Owner/Dir. of Training, Energy Fitness (established 2002)
ACSM, TPI Level 1 Certified, Rock Tape, Rock Pods (cupping therapy), Rock Tape Blades & Blades Advanced
FMT Basic, Metagenics FLT

The services below are to resume June 1, 2020 but with when the lock down on social distancing has lifted but we have new guidelines that will be followed such as staff will be wearing face coverings as well as clients for massage. You will have to sign a Covid19 release form, wash your hands upon arrival, etc.

Click  here for information on our Healing Arts Services (Massage, Body Wraps, Reiki, Chakra Alignment, Crystal Therapy
We also have facials & KT/Rock Tape taping, Rock Pods (myofascial release). 

 

CONTINUE READING

Older Posts

We customize your workouts based on science, fitness assessments, functional movement testing, injuries & your personal goals. Our boutique personal training & nutrition coaching studio have served in Memphis for over 18 years in the downtown, south main area.

ABOUT

SERVICES

CONTACT US

ENERGY FITNESS

552 S. Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103

CALL US NOW

901-466-6242

© Copyright 2020 | Energy Fitness | All rights reserved.