Fitness: Where to Find It

With the increasing popularity in preventative healthcare, we are beginning to see an emerging, roaring lion in the fitness and wellness industry. We are starting to see a mainstream shift in the way which people train. For so long, we have been dominated by the bodybuilders and the body-split training modalities, that we have forgotten how to "function" in the fitness realm. Now, don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for bodybuilders and figure competitors (and being one who has competed in a few shows myself, I can attest to the amount of dedication one must have to compete). But one thing is certain, ask most bodybuilders and figure competitors how they FEEL after training this way for a prolonged period of time. Most will say they are suffering from chronic pain, injuries, and tendonitis....single joint movement can only get you so far...

But as for this emerging lion: we should closely examine what comprises the fitness and wellness market these days. Everyday we are inundated with advertisements of new fitness devices, dvd's, training programs and private studios coming out into this market. We are embracing new ideas, new technologies and sometimes the ability to "think outside of the box." And let's be honest, without some of these creative entrepreneurs such as Josh Henkin, creator of the ultimate sandbag and Valerie Waters, creator of the ValSlide, we would be a little more limited in our fitness applications. 

The purpose of this blog is to create a little more knowledge about what is out there, available to all of us who wish to find it. Its much easier to make judgements about something we have never before tried, like the shake-weight, for example. What I do know is the science behind the shake-weight is limited and therefore, degrades its value in my book. But, I will tell you this: the marketing behind the shake-weight generated enough chatter to sell millions and counting. MILLIONS. But why? Is this the only tool and best way to generate the kind of "arms" it claims to build? No. And that's what I'm here to debunk.

Please follow me on my investigative journey as I try new fitness products, attend certification courses and shop around Southern California's boutique gyms and studios to find what out is shaping the fitness market. I am here to be your eyes and ears, to taste the trends and be trained by the trainers. We have food critics, movie critics, fashion critics....it's about time we have a fitness critic.