loading...
Fit Club
Recently I’ve done a couple training sessions with Jon from Fitness on the Go.
Fitness on the Go is a group of trainers that visits you right at home, on your schedule, and helps you work out right there. It’s pretty convenient.
And having a trainer right there pushing you to do your best, how can you not get a great workout? Jon was full of information and answered my questions about fitness, strength training and nutrition.
Jon’s goal is to not only have me doing exercises that are challenging, but also a program that keeps your heart rate elevated for most of the workout–that’s a great calorie burner.
I just have to clear out a spot in my livingroom, but exercising at home does prove its negative points.
The first day Jon came, our old Newfie-Shepherd wandered in with his dinner bowl. Glancing curiously at our visitor, he groaned as he lowered his old body to the floor looking forward to sharing his dinner with a new friend. I felt guilty chasing him out of the exercise space.
Later, my two cats decided they’d like to get in on the action. Watching me working on the bosu ball and doing squats and lunges, they tried to find opportunities to rub up against me and get underfoot. The alpha male of the duo complained loudly when we moved him out of the way. Stubborn as a mule, he would come right back and try to get involved in the exercise program. It added some comedic relief during a tough workout.
Watch Kelowna.com Saturdays for Ask a Trainer, where Jon answers readers’ questions. If you have a question for Jon and his crew about fitness or nutrition, e-mail it to us.
News about the knees
I met Dr. Marc Nimchuk at my running club. I didn’t know he was a doctor, but I complained to him about my knee pain regardless when he asked how my run was.
Later he e-mailed me and suggested I come see him at his IQuest office to see just what was wrong with my knees. I didn’t realize he was a chiropractor until I actually got there. I felt a slight panic, as my only knowledge of chiropractors was horror stories heard from sources like daytime talk shows and friends of friends.
Marc took an extensive look at my knees, bending, pulling, stretching and watching me run. The strength, range of motion and ortho tests helped him determine what exactly was causing my pain.
He showed me a knee joint and explained that I had Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome, which is a common problem for runners.
He suggested he try a few active release therapy techniques on me, and I hesitantly agreed. Active release is a soft tissue treatment that is mainly used for repetitive strain and sports injuries and cumulative trauma disorders.
Basically, according to the active release website, the doctor uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
It was so painful. It was like the worst buildup of lactic acid I had ever felt. But I didn’t die. While I didn’t feel any immediate effects, I have noticed my knee not bothering me as much. I guess the active release is supposed to help avoid a buildup of scar tissue of a damaged muscle, ligament or tendon.
entertainment@kelowna.com
Tags: active release, dr. marc nimchuk, fitness on the go, iquest, jonathan campbell
