Wear it and wear it right!!

Feb 15, 2021 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Here’s a message to anyone going gyms currently about mask wearing.

Please make sure to wear a mask and wear it correctly as well as applying a little common sense. What to I mean by this, please let me explain.

First and foremost when wearing a mask make sure it fits and make sure it is covering your nose 100% of the time.

Let me explain further for those who may not understand…

You don’t just wear a mask when NOT doing a set, or just keep it above your nose when NOT doing a set. No almost covering the nose, there is covering or there is not…not a hard concept. The most important time is during your set. You avoid this situation by wearing you mask at all times in the proper manner.

You don’t wear your mask so low that it falls off every time you do a set (yes we’re wise to that trick and yes people see you doing it).

If you’re using a smart phone don’t pull your mask down every two seconds for facial recognition, just use your passcode.

When drinking water just pull down you mask down when ready, not before unscrewing the cap or getting your water out of your bag etc. And please no sidebar conversation before it goes back up. Pull it down, drink and pull it back up, very simple.

A quick note on masks themselves, as mentioned before make sure they fit, and please do understand a face shield goes on top of a mask. Just wearing a face shield is utterly useless.

None of this should be news to anyone, but it sure as heck may be a reminder to some. If you’re not taking these safety precautions you are either willfully ignorant, stupid or an asshole and possibly all three.

We have vaccines coming steadily but we are not out of the woods yet, please be safe and courteous to others by wearing your mask properly and again using some common sense. It’s really not that big of an ask.

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

What are your must haves for your exercise routines?!

Oct 22, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Everyone has their kit, gym bag, equipment etc. that they need and use regularly. Personally if don’t have just what I need or am used to using I am ornery.

If I’m lifting I will always have my belt, straps, elbow compression sleeves, knee wraps, bar clips and flat soled shoes. I may not use all of them for every workout but they are just must haves.

If I’m practicing martial arts I like wearing wrestling shoes and knee braces. If I am practicing sticking and kicking, I of course need one or more heavy bags. By far my favorite heavy bags are the long Century Wave bags.

When doing cardio, which after all my knee surgeries is mainly the elliptical or the bike, I need my iWatch, iPad, iPhone, and AirPods or some combination of them.

I am also usually always listening to music, AirPods make it possible to not have your iPhone close to your person (I’m sure there are Android options as well – I just happen to be all in with Apple products). 

And maybe most important items (especially these days), my water bottle and a mask if at the gym. I like the hidrate spark 3 water bottle and I am currently using the Under Armour mask.

I’m curious what does your kit look like?

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

JETT

It’s not worth it, be safe!!

Aug 26, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Hello fitness community! I hope everyone is safe and well.  I am writing today with few thoughts on gym safety during Covid-19 for the personal training community.

Is your gym doing enough?! To me enough is requiring social distancing, wearing a mask at all times, and cleaning regularly and often. All three of these safety steps are critical.  

Let’s talk about mask wearing while working out.  Let me first define what I mean when I say wearing a mask – wear it correctly! Not under your nose. And definitely not under your chin.

Unfortunately I have watched first hand as gym owners get lax on the rules, and members, for all intents and purposes, end up with their masks becoming necklaces.  The result, in my humble opinion, is a potentially very dangerous environment. 

Obviously, heavy breathing comes with exercise, which makes it all the more necessary to make sure your mask is covering your face. Is it uncomfortable at times?  Quite frankly, yes, but as human beings we are quite adaptable and if you ease into it you should be ok. I liked this article’s (https://about.underarmour.com/news/2020/06/expert-advice-wearing-face-mask-while-working-out) explanation of “getting used” to wearing a mask.  

So let’s be clear – it is safe and possible to workout (even intensely) while wearing a mask! As personal trainers, we need to dispel the myths that this is dangerous and ensure our clients are following all of the CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.  We are after all promoting a healthy lifestyle.   

I unfortunately had to leave a gym recently because it was not following recommended guidelines. Everyone has their level of comfort, but remember if you catch Covid-19, you could spread it to your clients, your family, and who knows who else. We should all be taking every precaution possible. If you’re in an environment that isn’t being safe then just leave, it’s not worth it. Your clients will respect you for your decision and if you have taken the path that most trainers have these days you probably are seeing most of your clients virtually anyway.

I hope this helps…train hard, train safe!!

What is in your gym kit?

Jun 12, 2017 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

I’m curious what is in your gym kit? I’ll go first…

Ok so of course I have weight belt, it’s a wide back valeo belt. I have a set up straps for heavy pull days, knee wraps for heavy squats and leg presses and I also keep a pair of minimalist shoes in my bag for squat days. I have chalk but rarely use it, it’s just too messy.

Another necessity is music, I have an arm band for my iPhone and a set of wireless earphones.

This has been my standard kit for years and it has carried through many a workout.

So I ask you…

What do you bring to the gym to get your lift on?!

My New Shoes – Hoka Vanquish Two

Apr 29, 2016 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

I just had to take a moment and talk about how much I love this shoe. I have have arthritis in my right big toe from an old martial arts injury that I incurred thirty years ago. It has significantly effected my running. I chose not to run the Cherry Blossom ten-miler this year because last year my toe hurt for months after the race.

I had all but given up running, when I decided to try out my first pair of Hokas. I recently purchased the Hoka Vanquish Two. Maximum cushioning to say the least and a rocker sole. I decided to give running one more try. My distance has only been up to five kilometers but I have had no pain at all!!

I can only guess that it is due to the maximum cushioning and the rocker sole that causes me to bend my big toe less than I would normally. Whatever it is, I am elated to be able to run pain free again. I hoping to up my mileage soon and will keep you posted.

Overall this is a super comfortable, stylish shoe and I think I have become a fan for life.

Thanks Hoka!!