• Using Different Types of Muscle Contraction for Strength Training Workouts

    I answer a lot of fitness questions during each session and I glean tremendous value from the conversations I have with clients about fitness.  Conversing with them allows me to develop a better understanding of how different people with different results view exercise and fitness results. One of the questions I was asked by a [...]

  • Chronicles of the Jes/Ron Beach Volleyball Adventure: Intro

    Since my “How I Got Started in Fitness” post was so popular, I decided (under the tutelage of an unnamed website coach) to do a few posts about the sport I am passionate for…volleyball. I play volleyball at least once a week all year round.  I’ve been playing indoor volleyball since 6th grade and I [...]

  • Area Triathlete Transforms More Than Just Her Performance

    In late spring Colleen came to me with one goal in mind: improved triathlon times.  She had started racing last year, fell in love with the sport and decided this year she was going to take it to the next level. With race season still a few months away, her initial program included personal training [...]

  • Lloyd James Teaches You How to Lose 100 Pounds

    Learning how to lose 100 pounds isn’t the same as dieting to lose 10 or 20 pounds, it’s actually a very different journey.  Yes weight loss is the common denominator between these two goals but the numerator (10 vs. 100) requires solving these two equations in very different ways. If you want to lose 100 [...]

  • Strength Training for Sprinting

    If you want to become a better sprinter, you can do so by incorporating various strength training workouts into your training plan.  Particularly, workouts focusing on the posterior chain will help you improve sprint ability.  The posterior chain includes your spinal erectors, glutes, hamstrings, and calf musculature.  These muscles are often referred to as the [...]

  • Healthy Meal Plans »

  • Healthy Meal Plans: Protein Drink Update

    Healthy Meal Plans: Protein Drink Update

    One of the great things about having clients as dedicated (or more) to fitness is that they often send me interesting little tidbits about fitness related media stories and research.  One of my best clients Cliff recently sent me this

    Jun 18, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

  • On The Go Snack Ideas

    On The Go Snack Ideas

    Eating healthy on the go is a challenge requiring good planning and creative ideas and snacks are an important part of  daily healthy meal plans.  Keep these healthy snacks in mind when your at the grocery store then incorporate them

    May 20, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

  • Flexibility & Yoga »

  • This Video Gives Yoga It’s Props

    I suggest a regular flexibility routine or participation in yoga to all my clients but the responses I get aren’t always positive (or compliant).  From what my clients tell me, people don’t make time for yoga or flexibility because they

    May 18, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

  • Improve Hamstring Flexibility and Stay Fit

    Although in some ways it seems counterintuitive, weight lifting injuries, lower back pain, and even the inability to perform certain movements or sports related activities can be caused by limited flexibility of the hamstrings. The hamstrings are comprised of three

    May 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

  • Other Recent Articles

  • How I Got Started In Fitness

    How I Got Started In Fitness

    As most of you know, my name is Jes Reynolds and I’m a personal trainer in the Ann Arbor area.  I started this blog to educate people about health, fitness, and related topics and I also contribute to AnnArbor.com on health and fitness topics.  To have some fun and share some insights into the life [...]

    Aug 10, 2010 | 6 comments | View Post

  • Testimonial: Fred Wherry

    Testimonial: Fred Wherry

    I like to know what I’m doing and why. I also want to see tangible results and to get a sense that I’m being trained to do things well on my own. This made Jess the perfect match. She has put me through intense workouts, helped me gain confidence so that when I walk into [...]

    Aug 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

  • Strength Training Workouts: Chest Workout Push-up Challenge

    Strength Training Workouts: Chest Workout Push-up Challenge

    As you know, effective strength training workouts are an important part of producing fitness results. A favorite component of my chest strength training workouts is push-ups.  It may surprise you to know there are a lot of different ways to perform a push-up.  Most often, push-ups are performed with momentum with little attention given to [...]

    Jun 11, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

  • Testimonial: Colleen Okolski

    Testimonial: Colleen Okolski

    My name is Colleen. I am 24 years old and a newly inspired triathlete. I began racing triathlons in June of 2009, which I became turned onto after being bored with my daily workouts. I wasn’t a swimmer, I enjoyed biking but only on a mountain bike, and I ran only if I had to. [...]

    Jun 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

  • Including Medicine Ball Exercises In Your Strength Training Workouts

    Including Medicine Ball Exercises In Your Strength Training Workouts

    Medicine balls are commonplace at most gyms and workout facilities these days.  They are used for anything from push-ups and overhead throws to functional swings and twists.  For such a simple piece of equipment they are extremely versatile and there are a number of different types of medicine balls to choose from. Most med balls [...]

    Jun 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

  • Core Strength Training and The BOSU Ball

    Core Strength Training and The BOSU Ball

    A bosu ball is one of those half-balls with a flat platform on one side and a dome that looks like half a stability ball on the other side.  The word BOSU is an acronym that stands for “both sides up”.  Both sides up means you can use this piece of core strength training equipment [...]

    Jun 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

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