MY FITNESS APPROACH

From the fundamental importance of cardio to enhance performance, to the transformative power of weight training for building muscle mass and safeguarding overall bodily integrity, my fitness philosophy embraces a diverse range of disciplines.
However, it is the emphasis on functional training that truly defines my approach. Prioritizing the mastery of proper body mechanics before adding unnecessary weight, functional training teaches us to move efficiently and effectively, laying a solid foundation for long-term strength and resilience.
Let's not overlook the significance of stretching, a cornerstone in maintaining healthy ligaments and tendons, fostering flexibility, promoting proper posture, and mitigating the risk of injury.

CROSS TRAINING

Cross training is a fitness approach that combines various types of exercises inspired by weightlifting, cardio training, and functional training. It aims to improve a wide range of athletic qualities, always focusing on functional movements. This typically short and intense workout involves a series of exercises organized in circuit training using body weight or specific equipment such as ropes, dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, pull-up bars, resistance bands, TRX, or steps. The goal of cross training is to challenge the body by varying exercises, methods, and equipment used.

THE BENEFITS OF CROSS TRAINING

Engages all muscle groups: Cross training targets both upper and lower body muscles, helping to address any potential imbalances between the two parts. For this reason, it also serves as excellent physical preparation for other sports disciplines.

Provides quick results: Due to its short and intense format, cross training rapidly improves physical fitness and enhances body shape, typically with just two sessions per week.

Offers rich and enjoyable sessions: The wide variety of exercises makes cross training sessions dynamic and more enjoyable compared to traditional weightlifting workouts.

Facilitates maximum fat burning: Cross training aids in weight loss by rapidly reducing body fat mass. The intense cardio bursts during workouts continue to burn calories for several hours after the training session, leading to effective fat loss.

For me, there's no doubt that the best way to train is by mixing all these disciplines to prepare the body for any situation and to help it evolve in the best possible way over the years:

STRETCHING

Stretching is paramount for several reasons:

Maintenance of muscle and joint health: Stretching helps maintain the flexibility of muscles and joints, reducing the risk of muscle and joint injuries. Flexible muscles are less likely to strain or tear during physical activities.
Improvement of blood circulation: By stretching the muscles, it promotes blood circulation, allowing nutrients and oxygen to flow more efficiently throughout the body. This enhances muscle recovery after exercise and helps prevent muscle soreness.
Enhancement of mobility and posture: Regular stretching contributes to maintaining a full range of motion in the joints, thus improving overall body mobility. Additionally, by working on muscle flexibility, stretching can help correct muscle imbalances and improve posture.
Reduction of stress and tension: Stretching can help relax tense muscles and release accumulated tension in the body, which can have a beneficial effect on relieving stress and anxiety.

Incorporating stretching into your daily routine not only benefits your physical health but also nurtures a sense of well-being and harmony between body and mind.

CARDIO

Cardiovascular exercise, or cardio for short, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. It encompasses activities that elevate your heart rate and increase your breathing rate.

Here's why incorporating cardio into your routine is so crucial :

Heart Health: Cardio workouts strengthen your heart muscle, improving its efficiency and ability to pump blood throughout your body. This reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Weight Management: Engaging in regular cardio helps burn calories and fat, making it an effective tool for weight loss and weight management. It also boosts your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories even at rest.
Improved Endurance: Cardiovascular exercise enhances your stamina and endurance by increasing your lung capacity and oxygen delivery to your muscles. This enables you to perform daily activities with ease and tackle physical challenges more effectively.
Mood Enhancement: Cardio workouts stimulate the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Regular cardio can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, leading to improved mental health and a more positive outlook on life.
Enhanced Brain Function: Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making. It promotes the growth of new brain cells and improves brain connectivity, leading to sharper mental acuity and better overall brain health.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular cardio can lower the risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and osteoporosis. It also improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and enhances cholesterol profiles, contributing to better long-term health outcomes.

WEIGHT LIFT

Lifting weights, also known as resistance training or strength training, offers a multitude of health benefits that extend far beyond simply building muscle mass. Here's a breakdown of why lifting weights is important and the various health benefits it provides:

· Improved Muscle Strength and Tone: One of the most obvious benefits of lifting weights is the improvement in muscle strength and tone. By challenging your muscles with resistance, whether it's through free weights, machines, or bodyweight exercises, you stimulate muscle growth and development. This not only enhances your physical appearance but also increases your ability to perform daily tasks more efficiently. Additionally, stronger muscles can provide better support and stability to your joints, reducing the risk of injuries and promoting overall joint health.

· Enhanced Flexibility and Balance: While lifting weights primarily targets muscle strength, it also plays a crucial role in maintaining flexibility and balance. Many weightlifting exercises engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, requiring coordination and stability to perform them correctly. Over time, this improves your overall balance and coordination, reducing the likelihood of falls and enhancing your ability to move with agility and grace.

· Weight Management and Body Composition: Resistance training is highly effective for managing body weight and improving body composition. As you build lean muscle mass through weightlifting, your body's metabolism increases. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue, meaning that even at rest, your body burns more calories to sustain muscle mass. This can contribute to weight management efforts by increasing your daily energy expenditure and promoting a healthier muscle-to-fat ratio. Additionally, resistance training helps prevent muscle loss that often occurs during weight loss, ensuring that the majority of weight lost comes from fat rather than muscle tissue.

In summary, lifting weights offers a comprehensive approach to improving overall health and fitness. It enhances muscle strength and tone, supports joint health, promotes flexibility and balance, and contributes to weight management efforts by increasing metabolism and preserving lean muscle mass. Incorporating resistance training into your exercise routine can lead to significant improvements in physical performance, functional capacity, and overall well-being

FUNCTIONAL

As the name suggests, functional training aims at the proper functioning of all muscles in the body. The exercises performed in this practice are designed to prepare the body for performing everyday activities. Its precise goal is to seek a general improvement in the body's motor function, rather than training for a specific muscle group or sport.
The main advantage of functional training is the improvement of the body's physical condition. Proper execution of these exercises will strengthen all muscles and joints, putting them in a suitable state to perform basic daily tasks. Functional training also enhances people's stability and balance because with better physical form, you gain better control over every movement.
Another advantage is related to weight loss or achieving the ideal body composition. For individuals aiming to lose fat or even build muscle tone, it can be highly beneficial, especially when accompanied by a good dietary plan.
Functional training also improves respiratory capacity, further enhancing physical condition. The impact is more significant when engaging in more intense functional exercises where the heart rate is elevated.