Ask a Personal trainer

Here at Slim Jims we know our members are often away on business or simply too busy to get along to the Club. To that end if you have any questions relating to your Health or Fitness needs, please use this page. All responses will be answered by one of our Personal Training team. For your interest those of a non-personal nature will also be posted on this page.

To ask a trainer a question please click here.

 

250x250_fitbox-dave_photo.jpgThis months fitness tip - Prepare to bare!

A pot belly....love handles....the spare tyre...call it what you will. It seems to be the area of your body that you'd really like to do something about....

Not only is a firm, flat stomach the ultimate symbol of sex appeal, researchers have found that losing abdominal fat is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy for life.

Most people realize that excess fat is unhealthy, but the key is where the fat is distributed. People with apple-shaped bodies (fattest in the abdomen) have a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes than those with pear shapes (fattest in the hips, buttocks and thighs).

There are two main types of fat in the stomach area. Visceral fat is stored deep inside your body. It surrounds and protects your internal organs. Subcutaneous fat, on the other hand , is stored just under your skin. It's the stuff that wobbles when you jump up and down.

So what do you do to get rid of it?

It's not all about doing abdominal crunches, it's about a combination of resistance and cardiovascular training to increase your metabolism which will help you burn more calories and fat.

It's not just about exercise either, it's about what you eat. Sugar is more readily taken up into fat in your stomach than the rest of your body so a high sugar diet encourages fat to build up around the stomach. This means alcohol and sweet foods should be avoided.

As you get older, do you lose muscle and gain fat, no matter what you do?

Some physiological studies show that with regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise. weight training and a low-fat diet, you can increase lean body mass and decrease fat mass. Even at age 90, people can experience renewed strength, increased mobility, stronger bones and greater flexibility by exercising.

Does exercising with weights make women bulky?

First of all nobody gets bulky overnight. It takes professional body builders many years of hard training to with very heavy weights to bulk up. Light to moderate weights and many repetitions are most effective for toning and strengthening and won't make you look like a professional weight lifter. Besides, most women lack the testosterone levels necessary to make "Incredible Hulk" like muscles.