After being part of The Studio family since 2004, we are sad to say goodbye to our wonderful trainer and friend, Sue Rutledge.  Sue and her husband Allen will be relocating to Southern California to be closer to their son, grandson and daughter-in-law. 

Sue's passion for her work never goes unnoticed.  She gives 200% everyday to her clients and The Studio.  As I sit here typing this, I realize no simple newsletter article could ever express our love and appreciation for all Sue has done for us and The Studio.  So I will just say this. . .

DEBUNKING EXERCISE MYTHS
 Here are 3 common exercise myths, as well as the not-so-common facts based on current exercise research. Stay tuned to future newsletters as we inform you about the FACTS of exercise.

Exercise Myth 1. If You want a 6-Pack You Need to Focus on Core Exercises. While strengthening the core is an essential part of any exercise program, it is not going to give you the 6-pack you've been longing for.  Core training involves training the muscles located in the center of the body (everything but our limbs) in order to create balance and decrease the risk of injury.  Core training should provide the basis for any strength training routine.  Without a strong core, we are more likely to create injury and muscle imbalances.  It's important to remember that we cannot spot reduce!  We can target specific muscles in our bodies when exercising, but we cannot target fat.  In order to lose weight and have a visible 6-pack, you must do both cardiovascular and abdominal training.

Exercise Myth 2. If You Exercise Longer at Lower Intensities You Will Burn More Fat. The most important focus in exercise and fat weight control is the total energy cost, or how many calories are burned during the activity, not the percentage of exercise energy coming from fat.  The faster you walk, step or run, for example, the more calories you use per minute; therefore, the more calories you will burn.  For a beginner, it may be difficult to sustain  high-intensity exercise, so you may not exercise very long at this level. It is safer, and more practical, to start out at a lower intensity and work your way up gradually.

Exercise Myth 3. If You're Not Going to Work Out Hard and Often, Exercise Is a Waste of Time. It is this mindset that keeps a lot of people from maintaining or even starting an exercise program. Research continues to show that any exercise is better than none. Small to moderate amounts of exercise, such as walking or light gardening have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.