With the new year in full swing, January is the perfect month to set goals for a healthier you. Four Toronto fitness experts reveal their favourite health trends, quick healthy snacks for those on-the-go, and tips for starting a new workout class.
Barre3 owner Aimee Ostrander
What is your go-to pump-up song?
Ready by Toby Green.
What are the new trends for 2020 that you love?
Focusing on how a workout makes you feel. I am a huge believer in loving the body you have today, right now, instead of waiting for that imagined ideal.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Have fun! Anything new can be scary and we tend to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to be great at everything. Your first class is the beginning of your journey, not the finish line.
What is your favourite exercise when you’re pressed for time?
A 30-minute barre3 online workout.
Are there any exercises that you recommend doing at your desk?
Push-pull series. Start in a flatback foldover with hands on your desk and feet under your hips. Come up to a plank, press halfway down into a push-up, then reverse back to plank and soften into flatback foldover. Repeat 10 times.
What is your weight loss secret?
Preparation! Having healthy options available at home and on-the-go help fight that urge to grab something unhealthy during that 3pm slump. I also think it’s important to find a balance between the not-so-great foods that you love and healthy whole foods. It’s okay to have a treat every once in a while.
What is you favourite healthy snack?
Sliced apples with nut butter and hemp heart sprinkled on top. It’s simple to prepare and it’s packed with healthy fats, fibre and protein.
1560 Yonge Street + (416) 901-9930
Cornerstone Dizziness Clinic founder Joon Nah
What type of physiotherapy is your specialty?
Vestibular physiotherapy for the treatment of dizziness.
What made you become a physiotherapist?
I’m a patient myself! I’ve had chronic issues with my own dizziness and found few experts that understood how to properly diagnosis these conditions. More importantly, even fewer therapists that were knowledgeable when it came to the treatment of dizziness.
What are some conditions people don’t realize Vestibular Physiotherapy can treat?
Most people have never heard of vestibular therapy. In addition to treating impairments such as vertigo, imbalance, and motion sensitivity, we are excellent at concussion management.
What’s your best tip on reducing dizziness?
Move! Most dizziness disorders show significant improvement simply by moving your head and body regularly. Don’t be afraid to do things that make you “a little dizzy”. Regular walking can be especially effective.
Any advice on diet?
Less salt, caffeine and alcohol. Increase your H2O.
What about patients who are unsure if vestibular physiotherapy can help?
We get this often. Dizziness is not well understood within the medical community and patients can get all kinds of conflicting advice. We offer a free 10 minute phone consultation where we will listen to your concerns and let you know if vestibular therapy is right for you.
2 Carlton St. Suite 1800 + (416) 595-5353
eMbody Fitness personal trainer Lance White
What is your proudest moment as a trainer?
There are many! Giving a client back the ability that they thought had gone forever is a touching moment for all involved. I’ve been working with someone who has grade 3 Osteoarthritis in her right knee. She had been in pain for years, and simple mobility — let alone exercise — suffered as a result. After a recent snowfall, she reported enjoying long walks and even snow shovelling without pain or limitation of activity. Helping people regain control of their muscles so they live freely are my proudest moments.
What are the new trends for 2020 that you love?
There is increased recognition of the importance of exercise combined with medical and fitness strategies. For instance, recent research proves that resistance training can be successfully used as a preventative measure for diseases (e.g. osteoporosis and obesity) and to support orthopaedic health.
What is your weight loss secret?
Everyone is unique, so customize your training to improve the metabolic demands of your tissues. Train what’s needed for you, not what’s trendy or what works for others. After that, commitment is key.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Enlist the help of a qualified advisor to help you decide if a training session or class with help you achieve your objectives. Then commit to the process — self discipline is key!
490 Eglinton Avenue West + 416-481-3000
Miles Nadal JCC onboarding specialist Colin Blayney
What are the new trends for 2020 that you love?
If a fitness trend is successful in getting people excited about exercising, then that’s a great thing. I stick with the basics — strength training, cardiovascular exercise, stretching, and eating healthy — these things don’t change with fitness trends.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Keep moving! I always tell people that are new to my classes that they don’t need to follow every move exactly — as long as they keep their feet moving and their heart rate up, they’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the class.
Who is your fitness idol?
Charles Poliquin — “the Strength Sensei”. The world lost a great strength coach when Mr. Poliquin passed away last year. His accomplishments are legendary, and his teachings are still used widely.
What is your favourite motivational quote?
“Learn and grow” — this is the quote that Charles Poliquin wrote in my copy of The Poliquin Principles when I met him at one of his seminars.
What is your proudest moment as a trainer?
When a client of mine, who had given up a lot of activities because of knee issues, told me that he is living pain-free because of the work that we’ve been doing together.
750 Spadina Ave. at Bloor + 416.924.6211