Stephen Allison founded Fit, a private personal training studio in Boston’s South End, after more than 20 years of coaching clients one-on-one. He trains runners, lifters and everyday athletes, and writes the Fit blog on running, strength, mobility, recovery and nutrition.
Spot reduction, i.e. the belief that certain exercises burn fat in specific places on the body, is a myth. It is demonstrably false and offensive. I’m insulted by this headline. I take it personally. You should too
But if you live a fit lifestyle, i.e. you work out consistently, sleep well, and don’t over stress yourself sometimes you can get away with drunken tomfoolery.
That’s kinda the whole point isn’t it: getting away with dumb shit and telling a cool story.
This is the power of Z health. Her back pain went from a 9 to a 2 after tracing the alphabet with her finger. It took :30 seconds.
He couldn’t lift his arm past shoulder level for years, then whacked his head with his bicep after doing a vision drill. :20 seconds.
He couldn’t move his neck following a medical emergency, but restored full range of motion by holding his breath and doing squats. :60 seconds.
What exactly are you training for? Distance runners shouldn’t train like body builders, and Hockey players shouldn’t practice like pole vaulters. These are obvious extreme examples, but your training specificity will affect your results. So what target are you aiming at? Max strength? Endurance? Let’s make sure you’re training for the correct result.
‘Dear Running Man, You know…I am NOT a runner!! But I need to get in better shape, and your recent post has me thinking maybe it would help me. Do you have any pointers on how to begin running (starting from a bad place).’
You want to make this more complicated than it is; to believe you need months of running splits at 80% max heart rate; that eating certain food will aid oxygen metabolization; that your training has to be perfect.
Scientists measured the VO2max of 122,000 53 year old subjects and then tracked their mortality. The participants were categorized into four groups based on their baseline VO2 max: “Low,” “Below Average,” “Above Average,” and “High.” During the study researchers found:
Meet with us for a complimentary consultation where we learn about your goals, your schedule, and what motivates you. No pressure, no sales pitch—just a chance to talk about what you want from your training experience.
