Blog

Will West from the Sports Animal - 3/7/12

Posted: 03/10/2012

Watch as Will talks about his training for his first 5K race coming up!

Tackling my Fitness by Will West from the Sports Animal 99.1 FM

Posted: 10/08/2011

If you listen to the Sports Animal, by now you know that I’ve been working out with Fitness Together for just over 2 weeks. The results have been awesome. The most accurate description that I can think of for Fitness Together is it’s a healthy lifestyle makeover without affecting your lifestyle.   I’m eating better. I have more energy. I’m losing...

It's never too late!

Posted: 06/15/2011

As we age, it becomes vital to maintain our fitness levels. The last thing
any of us want to do is lose our mobility and independence, and become
a burden to our families. At Fitness Together, we understand the
physiological changes that take place with aging, and we specifically
address the key components of strength, flexibility, balance, endurance,
balance, agility and coordination with these changes in mind.

Through our personalized, one on one approach to fitness, we will customize a
program that is appropriate for your needs and takes into mind any
medical considerations, while having fun doing things that you never
thought you’d be doing!

We also offer complementary sports medicine screenings with Dr. Bert Solomon of Performance Therapeutics to thge public, so if you have a medical concern that you are concerned may limit you, he can help determine whether or not you should start an exercise program and what you should and shouldn't do.   Feel free to contact us with any questions about our programor to set up a time to meet with us and learn more.
our programs or to schedule a complementary consultation and trial
session.

Friday Fact or Fiction - Dead Lifts...Great exercise or back buster?

Posted: 06/01/2011

Are Dead lifts safe?  What is the right way to them and why should I do them?  There is a lot of misinformation out there about this exercise - watch this short video clip to learn the truth!

Cardio before or after strength training?

Posted: 05/20/2011

As trainers, we are often asked, is it better to do cardio before or after I strength train?  The answer really depends on what your goals are.  We believe in prioritizing both your time and your energy resources during exercise.  So if your main goal is to increase your strength, then weight training should come before extended cardio training.  This will allow you to have a full store of muscle glycogen (the primary fuel source for strength training) to use for those presses, squats, and lunges. 

After an intense strength session, it's OK to do light to moderate intensity cardio, as you will be burning a higher percentage of your calories from fat at lower intensive (about 50-65% of your Max Heart rate).  Again, if weight loss is your goal, then the same principles apply - by doing light to moderate cardio after your strength session, you will be able to more quickly convert stored fat into energy, as your muscle glycogen levels have been depleted. 

However, if aerobic endurance is your primary goal (example - you are training for a 1/2 marathon or a long hike), then do your cardio first, while you are your strongest and most focused.  Just remember to refuel with a carbohydrate and electrolyte enhanced beverage if your cardio is lasting more than 1 hour.   

So first, decide what the primary goal of your workouts are (the body does one thing at a time much better than multi-tasking) and prioritize the related activities in your workout accordingly.   Of course, enlisting the help of an experienced personal trainer to help you sort this out is also a great idea that will allow to make the most of your exercise time!

Join us for Train Your Trainer Day - Saturday May 7, 2011

Posted: 05/05/2011

Join us from 2-6 this Saturday as the clients and friends of Fitness Together "turn the tables" and get to train their trainers for our Second Annual Train Your Trainer Day.  All proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association of East Tennessee.  Food will be provided by Moe's and there will be great prizes raffled off as well.  It should be another great day in support...

Mid-day discounts at Fitness Together!

Posted: 04/15/2011

Fitness Together Northshore and Hardin Valley are making it easier than ever to train with the best in your private suite!  We are now offering mid-day discounts, so skip that greasy restaurant food and come get in shape instead!  Contact Melanie at Hardin Valley (865) 229-7630 or Andrew at Northshore (865) 357-8663 to get started today!

Fitness Together BIKE RIDE!

Posted: 02/10/2011

   Join your Trainers and fellow clients as we discover the outdoor trails of TN!  First Ride:    2/19/11  WHERE:  Meet in Oak ridge on Melton Lake Pennisula.(the park beside the Flat Water Grill)  The Ride: Paved trail alongside Melton Hill Lake past the rowing club down to Edgemoor Rd and back.  Time: 3pm  What you need: Snacks/...

Creating Your 2011 New Year’s Resolution Recipe for Success

Posted: 01/04/2011

Creating Your 2011 New Year’s Resolution Recipe for Success It’s that time of year again when many of us make New Year’s resolutions to improve our health and well-being. Unfortunately, we often have a tough time sticking to our goals, and by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, our best-laid plans may have gone by the wayside. That’s why now is...

Tis the Season for Fitness!

Posted: 11/29/2010

Tis the Season to Be Jolly and FIT While the holidays can be a joyous time of the year, they can also be disastrous for our fitness and healthy eating routines. Tis the season for shopping, cookie baking, decorating, and parties—lots of parties with rich food everywhere. Do you ever wonder why some people manage to stay vibrant, happy, and fit over the holidays, appearing...