Frequently Asked Questions

Q. "No Pain, No Gain"
A. This has to be the most absurd statement in weight lifting training. It is "old school." Of course we feel discomfort when we strength train. Our muscles are getting tired, our bodies are perspiring, our hearts are beating, and we want to push just a little longer. It is not the most comfortable feeling in the world, but we wouldn't really consider this discomfort to be painful. Pain is when we push ourselves past discomfort by using too heavy a weight, improper form, or too many reps & sets. When we do this, we end up with either over-training or injury to muscle tissue, ligaments,and joints. You can't let your ego get in the way of your better judgment. Progress in weight training is made by slowly improving your resistance, repetition, and workout intensity.

Q. "More training is better"
A. In America, we have been programmed to work harder, study longer, and do more than our opponents in order to win and excel. So, some of us believe that unless we exercise ourselves to exhaustion, we have not done enough. The truth is with 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week; a person can show great progress. The utopia workout with cardio and strength training should average 1 to 1.5 hours 3 to 4 times a week. Strength training too hard and too long leads to O.T.S. (over training syndrome). The biggest mistake in the gym is overtraining. Are you working out with no GAINS, feeling fatigued, and feeling more vulnerable to colds? Your body repairs and grows on your off days. Too little rest doesn't allow your body the proper time to recover. Research shows it takes 72 hours just to over-come trauma from a major muscle workout for legs, back and chest! Great bodies don't happen overnight. It's the quality of the weight training workout - not the length. MORE IS NOT BETTER.

Q. When is the best time for an aerobic work out?
A. The best time is when you can fit it into your schedule. Consistency is the #1 rule for results. The duration for burning fat and cardio fitness runs from 30 to 45 minutes per session. Research shows the best time is first thing in the morning before eating anything. This is the optimal time because this is when the testosterone levels are at their peak and your insulin levels are at their lowest. High testosterone levels preserve muscle while exercising and are more focused on burning fat. Insulin is a fat storage hormone, so low levels help your body burn more fat efficiently. If your schedule prohibits a morning session, do your aerobic work out after your weight training workout. Remember, aerobics should always come after weight training - never before.

Q. I am going to fit in my workout during my lunch hour. Would it be better for me to do weight training or cardio?
A. There's no question that weight training in hands down the winner. Put a little iron in your lunch. It has a larger impact on the body. Building lean muscle is the only thing that makes someone look firm and hard. Muscle exerts the greatest effort on your metabolism and helps you burn fat. Strength training has a much greater impact on your longevity and quality of life. Combined with a sensible diet, it will produce a lean body. You have over 700 muscles in your body. "Use them or Lose them!"

Q. I am 50 years old and in the worst shape of my life. Is it too late to start weight training?
A. It is never too late. I have a workout partner who is now 67 years old; he started working out on The Wisdom System program 4 years ago. His progression has been wonderful. He has now become a competitive bodybuilder in the master division and has won numerous master state titles. Currently, he is training for the Masters National Championship, an elite athlete at 67 years old. The difference between my training partner and a 30-year old is recovery time. Workouts are similar - correct form, constant progression, and a clean diet. You should never over-train! It's about quality not quantity. Young people recover quicker, so they can train more frequently. With a well-planned workout program, correct diet and adequate rest & recovery periods, a 50-year old male or female can radically improve their physique, self-esteem, and health. They can become the best they can be. What I have found out is the only limits you can achieve are the ones you set for yourself.