The Fitness Lounge: Recent Episodes
The Fitness Lounge
So you've heard that certain workouts are for men and not for women. Or maybe you've heard the opposite. But is it really true that specific movements are not for a certain gender, or that one gender does better than the other with them? Nick and Ben dive into this marketing myth that plagues the fitness industry.
Crossfit has taken the world by storm and has made a name for itself in the fitness industry. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, participate in Crossfit annually. There are those who swear by it. There are others who are critical of it. Nick and Ben share both their positive and negative opinions on Crossfit
"How should I break up my workout sessions?" This is one of the most common questions for those embarking on a path that includes resistance training for either strength or size. Not all programs are created equal, and without spending the time and money to get a personalized program from an expert trainer it can be difficult to design a program that is right for you. In this episode, Nick and Ben give a general construct of how you should layout your weekly routine in order to maximize your results.
Can there really only be just one component that's holding you back from achieving your fitness goals? Maybe you've read article about the "5 Things..." or "Just do these 7 things..." The truth is, at the core of every "thing" you need to do to achieve success is one common denominator that if you can get it right, everything else falls into place. Nick gets one on one with you about what that One Thing is and how it will change your outcome.
In our third episode of our Pregnancy Series, Nick speaks one on one with Dawn Granger. As a mother of four kids, and a bikini competitor who recently took first place in her first NPC competition, Dawn shares with us her struggles and successes throughout her fitness journey. Dawn shares never-before told stories about her fitness, nutrition and depression throughout her four pregnancies and what it was like pulling through and turning it all into a promising and developing fitness career.
In the second episode of our Pregnancy Series, we speak with Ben's wife, Tracy, about her fitness journey as it pertains to her two pregnancies as well as the aftermath while raising three beautiful girls. This episode is a treat, as Tracy speaks not only from the perspective of a mother but also as a trainer who helps clients maintain their fitness throughout their pregnancy.
So you've done everything you need to do before your workout session, you put all your effort into it and now it's time to head out. But what do you do now to make sure that you get all of the benefit from the time you just put into your fitness? Are there certain things that you even should be doing, or can you just coast for the rest of the day? Nick and Ben have a list of things for you to do so that you can feel confident that you're making sure the juice was worth the squeeze.
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How often have you shown up for your workout and just started right into it? Maybe you had a long day, or an early morning, and simply getting to the gym and finishing on time is all you can think about. Have you felt frustrated after many months of not seeing the results that you expected? Nick and Ben bring you a list of things that you can do prior to showing up for your workout to make sure that you get all the benefit you can from that session.
As the first episode in our Pregnancy Series, Nick and Ben have an in depth conversation with Dr. Charlanne Gasper about the effects that nutrition has on a pregnancy. This is interview is jam packed with helpful information that most mother's may not have heard before.
Growing muscle isn't always rainbows and butterflies. There can be some real challenges that accompany this decision. Nick and Ben take a lighter look at some of these challenges and make fun of what can be rather frustrating realizations of growing muscle.
So, maybe you've heard about macros and that you should "count them". You might have even heard some catchy tagline like "If It Fits In My Macros" while referencing a bowl of ice cream with Oreos and gummy worms sprinkled on top. But what are "macros"? And why should you be concerned with them? Nick and Ben clear the air about what macros are and how they impact your nutrition. Whether you're looking to lose body fat or put on lean muscle, knowing the answers to those questions will help you achieve your goal and stay there.
Have you ever been told that doing cardio exercises causes you to lose muscle? While that can be a true statement, it is also true that there are certain types of cardio that can contribute to muscle growth. Nick and Ben cover the different ways in which doing cardio can help you put on lean muscle mass. It may be time to rethink how you approach cardio in your workouts.
With all the different types of protein powders on the market, which one is right for you? And more importantly, when should you take it to get optimal results? Nick and Ben get gritty with the details you need to supercharge your protein shakes.
We've all been told at one point or another "Carbs are bad!" But are they? Surely that statement can't be all false. Are there such things as good carbs? Can "junk" carbs still have some benefit to them? Nick and Ben get a little gritty with this topic so that you have a better understanding of how and when to use carbs to get to your goal.
Whether you're new to the gym or have been attending for years, there are certain behaviors that are and aren't acceptable. More than likely, you (just like us) have been guilty of at least one of these taboo acts. Relax and enjoy, as Nick and Ben bring you a comical look at what not to do while in the gym.
When it comes to muscle and body fat, your body has a specific way of handling them. The 3 body types are designed as a means to help you understand how each one fares in those two areas of tissue growth and loss. Understanding which body type you are is like having a road map for your journey: without it you may never arrive at your destination. Nick and Ben dive into each body type so that you can have clarity as to how you should approach muscle growth and fat management.
How in the world can negative be positive? When it comes to lifting weights, the "negative" is your greatest opportunity for muscle growth. Nick and Ben dive into the reasons why this is, and why you should emphasize more time in this portion of the lift. We don't pay to watch a movie and leave halfway through. So why go to the gym only to get half the benefits of your time spent their?
Is there a difference between training strictly for strength and training strictly for size? How do you know if your training routine is the correct path to your desired destination? Nick and Ben break down the fundamental differences between resistance training to increase strength and training to see muscle growth.
So you've been told you should be taking supplements. Cool. But which ones? Many aren't cheap and there are so many out there that it can be daunting to figure out what you should take. Nick and Ben lay out the supplements they recommend and which ones they put less emphasis on.
Have you ever considered using a personal trainer? Not sure if it's the right time? Is it worth the cost? How do you select the right one for you? Nick and Ben bring you their own trainer, Jay Manley. Jay lays out some insights as to how and when you should approach the implementation of a trainer in your fitness journey.
The fitness industry is riddled with "bro science" and "my uncle said..." stories that can create confusion around what's true and what's false. Oftentimes when we begin our journey's, we listen to people that we look up to because of their results but don't fully vet the information they give us. Nick and Ben want to lay a few things straight for you, and confirm a few things you might have already known.
Most of us have run into a period of time in our journey where we cannot seem to grow a specific muscle or group of muscles. This stall can be frustrating and bothersome. Nick and Ben take a look at a few techniques that you can implement immediately to start seeing movement in your stubborn muscle groups.
In our premiere episode of Down in the Lounge, we speak with Bo Corley about his weight loss journey. Bo's incredible story is sure to inspire anyone who is looking to lose body fat, even if it's just a little bit.
One of the most difficult components of leading a healthy lifestyle is maintaining proper nutrition. Throw in the fact that most people lead very time-demanding lives and you have a recipe for under eating, eating junk foods, or sometimes not eating at all. Nick and Ben bring you some insights on how to navigate these rough waters so that you can reach your health and fitness goals.
Are you struggling to get rid of body fat? Maybe it's a little, maybe it's a lot, but most of us want to look and feel better. Getting your body fat under control is not only vital to your health, but plays a major part in how we look aesthetically. Nick and Ben do a deep dive to help you understand some of the science behind losing body fat so you can get that body you've always dreamed of.
Has it been a while since you've been able to put effort into your fitness? Getting back into the swing of things can be tough, especially if you feel like you've lost ground that you worked so hard to gain. No worries. Nick and Ben go in detail about how you should approach getting back in the game. Apply what they discuss, and you'll be back to where you were (and beyond) in no time.
Ever asked yourself "Can I be healthy and not fit?" Or vice versa? I mean sure, we all know we can be unhealthy and unfit, or healthy and fit. But are they one in the same? Nick and Ben tackle this head on providing examples of how you can determine what is considered healthy and what is considered fit.
Most everyone knows the obvious benefits of living a fit life: look & feel better. Right? What about other benefits that you can enjoy from living a fit life? Nick and Ben share some of their personal experiences with you in how fitness has improved many aspects of their life.
So you're looking to shed off some extra body fat. But what's the fastest and most effective way to do it? Nick and Ben dive right into the middle of this question in order to shed some light on which will be the best method for you.
Nick and Ben want to help you save your money. In this episode they call out some of the fitness industries biggest money scams. Take a little bit of time to listen as it could save you lots down the road.
In this episode, Nick and Ben discuss how you can manage to lead a fit, healthy life even on the most demanding of schedules. From juggling work, family and other obligations, they discuss how they and others have managed to carve out the time necessary to achieve and maintain their fitness goals. If your biggest obstacle is time: then this episode is for you.
Nick and Ben lay out the expectations for anyone looking to begin their fitness journey. Avoid pitfalls and false expectations by listening to what they share from their own journeys. From how often you should workout to what is a realistic timeframe to hit your goals, this episode covers the basic road map for anyone new to, or struggling with fitness.