Yes, you've heard me say it a hundred times… Interval training is the way to go (for most) because it dramatically increases the calories burned and your metabolism, and it dramatically cuts your time doing aerobic exercise.

MSNBC published another story and more evidence on this fact yesterday.  Read the article here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35581793/ns/health-fitness

A couple notes on the article:

The "exercise expert" that they quote says it's "like finding a new pill that works twice as well" and "we should immediately throw out the old way of exercising."

C'mon… really?  Why does the media always have to ONLY print the extreme points??  Sure interval training is great, but should you only do interval training??  "Throw-out everything else???"  Like the "Baby with the Bathwater??"   (to use an old expression)

     No, of course not.

Since you've all been paying attention to Athlon Elite's Newsletter you already know that it's even more optimal for fitness results (based on George Beckham's research review last year) to do one to two longer, slower aerobic training days mixed in with your three to four interval training days each week.

We've proven that over and over at Athlon Elite in our BURN and EDGE systems.

But to use another old expression to describe these kinds of "mass news publications"…

"to the hammer, everything's a nail."

And, unfortunately, to the reporters it's simpler to just quote the extremist than to really look into and report the FULL TRUTH.

Oh well, go get some long, slow cardio in this weekend and then get back into Athlon Elite next week for some good interval training!

Have a great weekend,

Ryan

P.S. Lost of people digging their new found flexibility and pain-free movement from their "corrective exercise prescription."  If you haven't gotten a Functional Movement Screen^TM done yet at Athlon Elite and are interested in how to move better, more efficiently and pain-free, call or email Alicia and get on my schedule for one now.

(805) 440-0215 or alicia@athlonelite.com

Posted by:  John Cortese, YFS, Certified Athlon Elite Trainer

FYI, John's article was published in this month's online journal from:

Great job John!  Here's the article:

Speed training is a very hot topic. Hell, it always has been. In sports such as football, baseball, and soccer, the faster players almost always have the upper hand on their opponents. Speed literally does take the life out of another team. No matter how well you prepare yourself for a given team, if they have a couple more speedsters than you do, they automatically have the upper hand.

Ernie Cooper of Cal Poly Football working on his "go-deep" speed at Athlon Elite!

How often have you been on the other side of being beat deep for a touchdown by a player who just was flat out faster and more explosive than you? How frustrating is it to race for the ball in the middle of an open field during a soccer game and get beat every single time by a player who had a better set of “wheels” than you? These are just some examples, but do you get the point?

I wanted to address this topic because of a comment I heard last night from one of the announcers during a high school football game. It was along the lines of “you can’t teach speed.” I’m sure we’ve all heard this before. I used to believe in this. No matter what I did in high school, it seemed that nothing worked to get me faster and more explosive. I was told I’d probably never break 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. My freshman year of college I ran a 4.66 40-yard dash weighing 176 lbs. A little over a year later (after some hard and smart training), I ran a 4.47 40-yard dash weighing 189 lbs while being significantly stronger.

What is the point of all this? Speed is a skill that can be taught to any athlete. Anyone can get faster than they previously were with some smart planning and hard work as well as just enough work to create an adaptation. Quick tip: Do enough to stimulate, not annihilate.

Alex Turbow, Caitlin Walter and Julie English all have learned to run faster at Athlon Elite!

Click here to read the rest of the blog and find out six reasons you may not be getting faster:

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/arent_getting_faster.htm

What's the greatest gift of love
in all history?

Well the "second greatest" gift of love in all history was the Taj Mahal in India.  It was built by emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 as a memorial to his wife.  It took nearly 22 years and over 20,000 workers to complete!

But, the GREATEST gift of love is ONE WHOLE WEEK FREE IN ATHLON ELITE for our clients' Valentine's… (because we our clients!!)

We can't build you a Taj Mahal, but we can build you a temple!

"Athlon Elite Clients Bring Your Valentine
for FREE all week!"

Friday, February 12th to Friday, February 19th

Call or email Alicia to schedule your "date" at Athlon Elite with your Valentine!!!

Einstein's Brain (really!)

(taken from Mark Sisson's Daily Apple)

Nourish your noggin. Here are 10 excellent foods that enhance hormone production, brain chemistry, memory, mood, and cognition. Think of these foods as brainiac batteries. (Solutions to Sudoku not included.)

10. Omelet

Eggs contain choline, one of the superstar brain nutrients. Choline is necessary to produce acetylcholine, which plays a critical role in memory. (Studies have linked acetylcholine deficiences to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.)

9. Smart Oils: Olive, Walnut, Avocado, Flax

A no-brainer! Er, wait…

These oils are far superior to canola, corn and soy oils, which contain Omega-6 fats rather than the brainy Omega-3’s. Dunk and drench everything (edible) in sight.

8. Tempeh

Tempeh is a smart protein that helps stabilize your blood sugar. And because it’s fermented, you get an extra health boost!  Meatatarians can get a brain boost from grass-fed beef, which provides plenty of energizing and balancing B vitamins.

7. Flax Seeds

So they aren’t exactly truffles, but flax seeds are a true super food.  Use them sparingly until you adjust to the taste.  It’s worth it to cultivate your taste buds because flax seeds are literally made of nothing but fiber, vitamins, and Omega-3’s. (Flax seeds are a must for vegetarians!)

6. Beans

Beans contain B vitamins, “slow” carbohydrates, and plenty of fiber.  Fiber has been shown to improve cognition. Get some in that stomach!

5. Greek Yogurt

Yogurt – the really fattening kind – contains tyrosine. Tyrosine perks you up and improves mental alertness.  But avoid those sugary yogurts!  Can’t find Greek yogurt?  Look for “European style” yogurts (essentially the same thing).

4. Vegetable-Packed Salad

A big, flavorful salad is full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.  Your brain really loves antioxidants C and E, so pack that puppy with nuts, seeds, olive oil, bell peppers, broccoli and fruit, too.

3. Strawberries and Blueberries

These fruits contain antioxidants that help boost cognition, coordination, and memory.  Eat some berries daily if you can!  They go great with that yogurt I know you’re already eating from above.  Yes?

2. Nuts

Almonds make a perfect smart snack. Not only will the sensible mix of fiber, protein, and fat stabilize flagging blood sugar, but the vitamins and minerals in nuts (B, E, magnesium, and more) are excellent for your grey matter!

1. Oily fish

This is probably the single most important element required for optimal brain health. The brain is 60% fat, but it doesn’t like processed fats, trans fat, or Omega-6 fats. Your brain needs those Omega-3’s! Oily fish like wild Alaskan salmon, mackerel, and tuna contain DHA (docosahexanoic acid), the best form of Omega-3.  Increased Omega-3 intake has been linked to alleviation of a spectrum of mental health concerns, from anxiety and irritability to depression and even schizophrenia.  Go fish!

From the Brain Food Pyramid: “Essentially, fats build your brain, and proteins unite it. Carbohydrates fuel your brain, and micronutrients defend it.”

Remember: the best source of carbohydrates is produce, not refined starches, sweets, and grains.

How often do you eat these smart foods?  If you're looking for more nutrition and exercise/fitness help give us a call:  (805) 440-0215 or email us at info@athlonelite.com.  We're here to help!

I didn't.

Want to be inspired?  Then watch what Will Smith has to say about life and getting what you want.  Training others to be really fit may not be his area of expertise but this is one inspirational dude!  Watch what he says about the treadmill… I got fired up!

For those of you in your second week of the Athlon Challenge, heed his advice…

Just KNOW that you're going to succeed and achieve your goals.  Don't even think about having a Plan B.  That will only distract you from Plan A: having the body, fitness and performance of your dreams.

Now go get it!  Create yourself an amazing day!

And for those of you not training with us here at Athlon yet… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!  We'll help you get the body, fitness and performance of your dreams!

Click here:

www.SLOPersonalTraining.com/consult

Be inspired,

Ryan

The Athlon "Biggest Winner" Fitness Challenge started this week.  For all you procrastinators (like me) you still have a shot.  You can join in on one of the teams up until Tuesday of next week.

Get more details on the program here:

www.AthlonElite.com/AthlonChallenge

Call or email us today to get started:

(805) 440-0215

or

info@athlonelite.com

or

fill-out the form on the website above.

Tonight's the night of the big show…

"How to Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever!"

If you haven't checked it out or signed-up yet, what are you waiting for!!!  Do it now!  You'll thank me later!

www.SLOBestYearEver.com

Got to the above website and learn more and sign up.  We'll see you there!

Ryan