Oscar G.’s (44) personal training results
By training hard and systematically at PEAK PHYSIQUE & PERFORMANCE, Oscar was able to transform from an average middle-aged guy into one athletic-looking 44-year old! Great job!
Another great review – thank you!
“After 4 years of procrastination, I have finally decided to find support to achieve my fitness goal, which is to compete in a bikini modeling competition. Within 3 months, I’ve lost 10 pounds and 3% body fat. I feel more confident with my body now and the knowledge and support of the team at Peak Physique & Performance is invaluable. I look forward to continuing this journey together with them all the way to winning the bikini modeling competition… stay tuned 😉”
R.D., Miami Beach, FL
Read More »New client result pictures!
Our client has graciously given us permission to use her before-and-after pictures and measurements but wants to remain anonymous. No problem, her results are impressive as-is!
Awesome, huh? But she’s just halfway there as her goal is to participate in a bikini competition soon. Way to go, girl!
Read More »
The importance of posture in your workout
Each January, people flock to gyms and training programs, determined to get in shape, return to fitness and lose weight. Then: ouch! A hurt, an ache, an injury. Or, alas, no results. Often, that is due to bad alignment and bad posture.
Q: What does proper body alignment mean in terms of working out?
Proper body alignment means maintaining good posture and core stability, no matter what movement or exercise you are performing.
Q: Why is proper posture important when you’re in the gym?
Good posture has been proven to improve all levels of human performance. Studies show that when you are aligned, your body moves with less effort and mobility, stability and strength improves — and you become more efficient at transferring energy and strength up and down the kinetic chain (foot-to-ankle-to-knee-to-hips-to-spine-to-scapula-to-shoulders-to-arms). Therefore, stress of training stays within the muscles of your body and reduces joint stress and injury.
Q: Any advice to people headed to the gym about body alignment that can help them avoid injury?
Be aware that your body will mold to the posture you are in at the end of a rep. Ask yourself…is that what I want to look like? Compare how closed and slumped forward you look finishing a front fly to how open and tall you look at the end range of a reverse fly.
Also, one of the most important moves to master in fitness is a proper hip hinge. Most movements in core and posture training (squat, lunge, etc) involve moving properly from the hips, instead of rounding forward and using your back, which is the cause of many low back injuries in training and sports.
Read More »Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! We hope that you’re spending a great time with family and friends. May all your plans become reality in 2013!
Article: Effects of rapid weight loss on your body
Magazines and websites everywhere want to tell you how shed weight quickly or, even better, “melt” your fat off either through diet or exercise. But they leave out the negative effect that quick weight loss has on your body. We all want to lose weight in a hurry but we hate to break it to you: the only ‘quick’ solutions to weight loss are usually unhealthy. Are you aware of the effects of rapid weight loss on your body? Let’s find out.
- Cellulite – The term cellulite refers to the appearance of dimpled skin on your abdomen, thighs, buttocks and hips. Weight gain and loss are one of the reasons for cellulite.
- Weight gain – We may lose weight quickly with intense ‘dieting’, but your body tries to accumulate calories when it lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals. The practice of not eating only does more harm than good.
- Malnutrition – This is common sense, lack of a balanced diet will lead to malnutrition.
- Makes you hungry – If you haven’t eaten after a long time, do you feel like eating fried and oily food? That’s exactly what happens if you starve yourself.
- Lack of energy – fainting – Lack of nutritious food equals lack of energy. Feeling tired? Eat a healthy meal.
- Hair loss – Lack of protein and nutrients can lead to hair loss. Your body needs food to regenerate cells.
- Depression, lack of sex drive and irritation are some emotions you will face.
Bottom line: Don’t be fooled with quick weight loss diets. Effective weight loss is a combination of exercise and diet, the healthy way. Weight loss is not a piece of cake!
Read More »Video: Watch Natasha’s sports performance training
Natasha came to PEAK PHYSIQUE & PERFORMANCE for sports performance training to help her with her upcoming dance tryouts.
Read More »How to choose the right Personal Trainer for your needs
1) Look for an NCCA-accredited professional
A personal trainer should hold a current NCCA-accredited certification. This will give you the assurance that you are working with a professional who has the knowledge and skills to provide you with a safe and effective workout.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has decades of experience accrediting health professions such as registered dietitians, nurses, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists. A fitness industry initiative launched in 2003 called for organizations offering personal trainer certifications to seek NCCA-accreditation of their certification exams in order to raise the standard of personal training and better serve and protect consumers. Currently, only 10 of nearly 70 certification agencies have achieved this recognition. For a complete list of the NCCA-accredited certification agencies, visit the ICE webiste  and select “Fitness and Wellness”. Never be afraid to ask to see a copy of a personal trainer’s certification to ensure that it is current. You can always contact a certification agency to verify a trainer’s status. Most certification renewal periods run between 2-4 years and require that personal trainers take continuing education designed to keep them up-to-date on the latest information and training techniques.
2) Consider experience and specialization
Ask how many years of experience a personal trainer has working with clients, particularly those with your needs or limitations. Does he/she have expertise in a certain area of fitness or prefer to work with certain types of clients, for example sports conditioning, pre-natal fitness or post-rehabilitation? If you have a medical condition or a past injury, a personal trainer should design a session that accounts for this. If you are receiving care for a medical or orthopedic condition, a personal trainer should obtain your consent to discuss exercise guidelines and contraindications with your healthcare provider. Your personal trainer should also ask the doctor for medical clearance.
3) Choose the right training environment
Some personal trainers are one man/women shows that come to you and train you at your building and/or outdoors, others are employed by large gyms or work for specialized personal training only studios. You should consider what kind of environment you want to train at and if you will have the right equipment available to reach your objectives. Working out at your home gym, the gym room at your building or outdoors may not provide you with the professional equipment you need to best results. Large gyms are usually well equipped but you have to share the space with many other members, especially at crowded peak hours. Specialized personal training studios usually provide a focused training environment and the right equipment. Just make sure that the place you choose is conveniently located so that you can comfortably built your training schedule into your day.
4) Do your research
Do a search online and find out if other clients have reviewed the personal trainer you’re looking at. Also, ask the trainer for names, phone numbers and testimonials of other clients he/she has worked with, particularly those who share similar traits and goals. Trainers may be more likely to empathize and understand your unique challenges and needs if they’ve worked with similar clients. If available, call previous clients to see if they were satisfied with their training experience and results. Inquire whether the personal trainer was professional, punctual and prepared, and whether the client’s individual needs were addressed.
 5) Consider the rates
Personal training fees vary based on a trainer’s experience and reputation, facility prices and geographic area, but they are well worth the investment. Although you may meet with your trainer more frequently at first, your financial investment should decrease as you become more independent, knowledgeable and fit.
 6) Check for professional liability insurance and business policies
Find out if the trainer you want to hire carries professional liability insurance. A reputable personal trainer should make sure you understand the cancellation policy and billing procedures. The best way to avoid confusion and to protect your rights is to have those policies in writing.
 7) Trust your instincts
Developing a personal, yet professional relationship with your trainer is very important. Ask yourself if you think you could get along well with the trainer and whether you think the trainer is genuinely interested in helping you. The personal trainer you select should motivate you using positive, not negative, reinforcement. Importantly, that trainer should be someone you like.
8) Decide if this is someone you can work with
Some people like to exercise in the morning, some in the evening. Can a personal trainer accommodate your schedule? What about the trainer’s gender? Some people do better working with a trainer of the same sex; others prefer the opposite sex. The knowledgeable and experienced personal trainer who fits your style is the one to hire – because that is the professional who will help you achieve the best results.
Read More »Video: Melissa’s TRX Workout
Personal trainer Lyen Wong working with our client Melissa using TRX and FLEXI-BAR.
Read More »Check out the new and awesome virtual tour of the studio!
Check out the brand-new Google StreetView virtual tour of PEAK PHYSIQUE & PERFORMANCE! Way cool! http://goo.gl/maps/0oh6g