This exercise for strengthening your trunk/core requires no equipment; just you and gravity. The picture above demonstrates “plank”. During this time of year when many of you struggle with exercise time; do plank to hit those abs. A strong core is key to wellness. Hold plank for 15 seconds, relax, then work up to 30 seconds, or a minute. You will feel your arms and shoulders too.
More advance moves include raising a leg or an arm; but let’s keep it simple for the start of this New Year on our heels. If you own a Bosu, you can do this as shown below to add difficulty and stability to this move.
More exercise and nutrition tips coming for 2010!
Warm regards,
Margo
Many of you have asked me what this is when you’ve seen it in the background of some photos. I have some funny names for it, but the correct name is Resistance Ring, most commonly used and known in Pilates circles (excuse the pun).
I like it because it’s light, travels well, challenges stability, and is easy to use. It’s comfortable when pressed against your body, and is useful in trunk stability and strengthening, and for targeting inner thighs, and chest as shown below. Resistance can be increased by squeezing, so it works with many strength variables. There you have it! Now when you see it hanging in a photo, you know what it is, although your imagination might be more fun!
Chest Press on Left
Inner Thigh on Right
Warm regards,
Margo
Stuck? Need Gift Ideas?
Many of us experience difficulty in shopping for family and friends. Another thing we all experience? Receiving gifts we will NEVER use. A client of mine suggested I share this with you here. Spare friends and family the expen$e of giving you an unwanted gift. Instead, try what she did and suggest a Gift Certificate from One-on-One Personal Fitness Training! I do them every year for people surprising significant others or friends. They aren’t just for new people to get them started; it makes a great gift for someone already committed to fitness and health, who’d love to get one session, or a week of sessions or more, as a holiday gift. I can mail it or you can pick it up! What better gift to give someone then an investment in their health and well being.
May I also suggest the following gift ideas! A book about the food industry to fascinate and educate, “In Defense of Food” or “The 5 Day Miracle Diet” a book about ending cravings and eating for life long health.
GIVE A BOOK TO YOUR READER FRIENDS!!!!
Another great fitness gift idea is exercise bands! They’re affordable, fun, light, easy to store, and work great for body strengthening and toning, and travel easily! 
Last but not least, for the beginner walker to hard core runner, give them a “Polar” brand heart rate watch and strap for keeping track of their heart rate perpetually, and to track time and exercise intensity!
All these are great gifts that show you care not only about them, but their health and well being too! Hope these ideas help make your shopping easier!
Take care,
Margo
I have a private Personal Training studio in Austin, Texas, in my home. I will also go to my clients homes - and will bring any apparatus if its needed. I believe in a balance of muscle toning/strengthening, flexibility, and cardio/aerobic exercises that are fun and bring results. I also offer expertise and experience in proper and effective nutrition plans for ideal body weight and weight loss, without deprivation. Each clients program and sessions are geared to them personally, to fit into their lifestyle, to be long lasting and effective.
