Grab a Buddy & Get Moving!

Throughout my 30 years experience, as a Group X and personal trainer, I have witnessed hundreds of success stories in the fitness business. Most of these successes can be attributed to the camaraderie community and support systems we establish upon embarking on our fitness journeys. Unfortunately, the flip side of those successes is the 1000's of enthusiasts who simply quit before they reach the rewards of a sustained and long-term exercise program.

The reasons people “drop out” are numerous. There are time constraints; we live in a time-starved society. Also, the type of program we implement may not suit our lifestyle or personality. For instance, some young hunk of a personal trainer has you lifting heavy duty weights and makes the workout seem laborious and boring. Sometimes in the case of weight loss, the psychology behind holding on to our excess weight carries a bigger reward than losing it. So we just hold on to it and give up our Group X class.

In order to overcome these antagonistic forces, we must embrace the power of socialization and the buddy system. They will become our anchors and will help us stay the course. Teaming with a spouse, friend is great and having a work buddy is great especially if you share a similar schedule and presumably the same lifestyle.

Group X has been known as the great socialization system within the health club industry. Here we can meet our friends after work; work buddies can carpool and save on gas and parking, a great bonus these days. Together you can have fun dancing, pumping and stretching like we do every day in Mambo Mania. We tend to encourage each other in this environment. We high five each other after executing a great cardio combination with great moves and exciting music. We recognize the changes in our bodies as we see how these workouts help melt away the pounds. We get to wear the latest, hippest fitness clothes that show off our new bodies, and we are constantly complimenting each other. Whether it’s Group X or working out with a buddy in the weight room – take it from me if you want guarantees on your results and your goals then grab a friend/buddy and get moving!

More Americans are Turning to Latin Dancing for Exercise

The American Council of Exercise (ACE) recently identified new trends in fitness for 2008. You know Mambo Mania is exhilarating and sexy, and you know it makes you feel great, but did you know that Mambo Mania is also TRENDY?

According to ACE, more Americans will be taking up spicy Latin Dancing as a way of exercise, thanks in part to the success of ABC’s "Dancing with the Stars." This is music to my Cubana ears! If you have not tried Mambo Mania yet, here’s a way to try it for FREE. Please visit MamboMania.net and check out the preview of Flex’n, Stretch’n, Pump’n Mambo Mania. This five-minute video will give you a taste of how sexy and fun Mambo Mania really is. I promise you’ll be wanting more!

Are you ready to sizzle off those extra pounds and feel sexy too? You will learn Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Mambo and more! Come on, it’s fun and according to ACE, everyone’s doing it!

Sexy & Fit

The great thing about Mambo Mania is that it allows you to "unzip" yourself! What a great, sexy feeling!

To Stretch or Not to Stretch!

Stretching prior to exercise helps prevent muscular injury, right? That is not what the current trends in scientific data indicate. On the contrary, studies show an increase in injury with pre-exercise flexibility training.

First, let’s differentiate stretching from a warm-up. It’s crucially important to do a warm-up before a workout. A warm-up starts out slowly and gradually and systematically recruits muscles which will be used later on in the workout. A proper warm-up increases blood flow to the muscles and increases the body’s temperature. It prepares the ligaments, tendons, nervous and cardio vascular systems for the upcoming exercises.

Stretching increases range of motion, reduces stress, provides relaxation, and increases muscle function. But, the conclusive evidence from the research is: benefits from stretching are best derived after your warm-up and again after your entire workout session.

There are several types of stretching techniques but the most common are– static, dynamic, ballistic, active and, passive.

A static stretch is a muscle extension taken to its fullest length and held for an elongated period of time; minimum 20 to 30 seconds.

Dynamic stretches are controlled movements done through a full range of motion, like big arm circles.

Ballistic stretching uses momentum and bouncing to extend the length of muscle beyond its normal range of motion. This type of stretching can be damaging to the muscles and connective tissue and potentially cause injury.

An active stretch is a held position which uses no outside force or assistance to maintain the posture, one simply uses the body’s own force from opposing muscles. Many Yoga poses require active stretching.

A passive stretch allows the muscles to relax into position by the assistance of a partner or apparatus. An example of a passive stretch would be a straight leg pull while you lie on your back, reach the leg toward the ceiling and clasp the hands behind the leg for increased lengthening of the muscle.

Clarita and all our teachers at Personal Best practice proper stretching techniques for all types of training modalities. Our goal is to help you maximize the elasticity of your muscles and ultimately improve their functionality. But most of all, we want you to have a fun workout within the confines of safety.

As you ladies (and gentlemen) prepare your bodies for the long arduous Avon Walk for Women’s Breast Cancer always keep in mind the need for a proper warm-up followed by stretches for your calves, legs, and hips. Those are the muscles you’ll be using throughout the walk. Good luck and be safe!

Join Me This Saturday for the Los Angeles Avon Mock Walk

This Saturday, April 26th come join me for the Los Angeles Avon "mock" walk in Long Beach beginning at 8:00 am. This is the kick-off for those who will be training for the Avon Walk in September. The "mock" walk will begin at the Belmont Olympic Pool in Long Beach. Star 98.7 will be there to pump up the crowd with music and I will be leading the stretching with some of my Mambo Mania moves! Plan on coming down and joining us, I would love to meet you and walk with you. Maybe then you can stop by my Personal Best studio in San Pedro for some relaxing body treatments.

Participants in the Avon Walk raise funds for breast-cancer awareness and research. For more information how you can participate please visit the Avon Walk website, and visit my blog on Monday to hear about my experience at the mock walk!

SPECIAL WORKSHOP APRIL 18 IN LOS ANGELES AREA:

"The Entrepreneur's Quest for their Personal Best Workshop"
Friday, April 18
8:00 am to 11:00 am

Did you know that physical fitness is directly related to business success?
Physical exercise has been proven to improve focus and decision making, decrease mental fog and fatigue, improve the energy needed to meet the challenges of running a business, generate focus, increase productivity, and provide resistance to stress and anxiety.
Creating a balance between your personal and business health is not as difficult as you may think. We'll show you how.

The Entrepreneur's Quest for Their Personal Best workshop will provide you with practical ways to integrate exercise and better eating habits into your busy work schedule, giving you the tools you need to improve your physical, mental, and business fitness.

Location: Personal Best Whole Life Warehouse
Address: 643 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Date: April 18, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $129.00/person
Register NOW

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. The Entrepreneurial Warm-up
As an entrepreneur you're very busy, but not too busy to get fit! Meet your fellow entrepreneurs, enjoy energy-packed snacks, and learn how physical fitness has been demonstrated to increase sales and productivity.

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Mambo Mania!
It's time to get fit! Sizzle away the pounds with fun, hot, Latin moves led by renowned fitness expert Clarita Bassett.

9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Refuel, Refresh, & Rejuvenate
Eating healthier is easier than you think! Refuel your body with healthy refreshments while Clarita leads a discussion on making better food choices to keep your brain cells snapping throughout the day. See which "grab and go" snacks are perfect for increasing your energy and keeping you focused.

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. The Entrepreneurial Mindset
It's time to jog your mind! Jackie Nagel, Entrepreneurial Strategist and author, will discuss the unique characteristics of the entrepreneurial mindset and the role physical fitness plays in achieving the mindset entrepreneur's need to succeed. Jackie will provide insight into the core strategies needed to help you maneuver smoothly through the stages of business growth and development. You'll receive a workbook and an assessment to identify the key areas you need to focus on to build and strengthen your business.

10:45 - 11:00 a.m. The Entrepreneurial Cool-down What's next?!
Jackie and Clarita will help you develop a plan of action for incorporating everything you've learned into your daily schedule. You're ready to attack the rest of the day!

Register NOW
Personal Best Enterprises, Inc.
643 West 6th StreetSan Pedro, California 90731
310-548-5984