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Sleek Physique: Understanding the Method

Sleek Physique is a total body workout incorporating movements based on the Pilates method, weight training, dance and yoga. Classes are designed to methodically train each muscle group to exhaustion followed by intervals of deep stretching. Each class consists of five high intensity, no impact segments driven by upbeat playlists:

Warm up:

A good warm up is a key component to an effective and safe workout.  A proper warm up consists of elevating the heart rate and activating the muscle groups that will be challenged.

Upper body work:

The upper body work focuses on not only on the arms (biceps and triceps), but also on the upper back, chest and shoulders. The Sleek Physique method incorporates body weight exercises such as planks, push ups and tricep dips, traditional weight training exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses, Pilates style arm work with light weights and a challenging unweighted arm series with a dance inspired feel.

Leg work:

The majority of leg work is done at the barre for balance and targets the front of the legs (the quadriceps), the back of the legs (hamstrings), the inner thighs (adductors) and the hips (abductors). Slow and precise movement in demi point is combined with traditional lunges and squats. The inclusion of traditional barre work keeps the heart rate up and the sequences at a challenging pace.

Glute work:

The glute work is performed both at the barre and on the mat. Various positions and exercises will help strengthen the muscles of the hips, rear and the back of the legs. Strengthening these muscles will not only reshape the body but will also help prevent common injuries.

Ab work:

While the entire class is core focused, the last segment consists of targeted, Pilates style abdominal work.  Precise form coupled with stabilization of the spine and pelvis creates long, lean muscles through the torso and a strong core.

“After studying a variety of methods over the past 10 years, including Pilates and Lotte Berk, I created a format that incorporates the principles of Pilates, strength training and yoga. Classical barre work, elements of dance, and great music keep the energy up. There is no “miracle method” but these exercises helped me get my body back after two pregnancies in which I gained 55+ pounds. I try to create a fun and motivating atmosphere to go along with the science behind the method.”

-Kim Wallis, Director of Group Fitness/Private Pilates and certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer

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BBQ Bliss

With the weather getting warmer, more often than not the patio grills are getting fired up once again. BBQs are a fun part of summer months to enjoy time with friends and family, especially with a few tips to keep your diet in check.

Fewer fatty foods.

  • Pick out lean cuts of meat (sirloins, rounds, fish, chicken)
  • Use avocado, olives, or oils versus creamy Mayo & Ranch

Remember that sides add up!

  • Look for fruit and veggie trays
  • Try salsas and bean dips vs ranch and mayo
  • Everything in moderation! Watch your portion size.

Spot the sodium.

  • Make your own marinades, BBQ sauce and salsas
  • Dip grilled vegetables into your marinade

Substitute whole grains.

  • Swap hot dog rolls, burger buns, pasta, and rice for choices higher in fiber
  • Keep you full faster, longer, and aid in digestion

Make dessert guiltless.

  • Try fresh fruits with yogurt or whipped topping
  • Puddings with berries/bananas
  • Enjoy unfamiliar items in small portions
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Concession Stand Crunch

Concession stands are a convenient food source for many fun summertime events. However, many of these food options include high fat, high sugar, high salt and low fiber foods.  You should be able to enjoy those baseball games, concerts, and amusement parks without too much worrying about nutrition.

Nutrition Tips to keep in mind:

-     Watch the condiments. Try mustard, vinegar, or oil-based dressings to add flavor.

-     “Fat-free” and “low-fat” don’t always equal low sugar or low calorie

-     Ask about lean meat options such as turkey brats, veggie/turkey burgers, or low-fat beef

-     Quench your thirst with some water- thirst can be misconstrued for hunger many times. 

Sporting events and concerts are good times to stand up, walk around, and cheer/socialize at the same time! If you’re afraid of missing something, walk at half time, in between innings, or intermission.

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Nutrient Packed Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Salad doesn’t always mean lettuce.  Try this nutritious, twist on the traditional Broccoli, Cauliflower salad and take to your next outdoor picnic or BBQ.  Then you know you will have a healthy option to keep your intake balanced.

Ingredients

1 bunch broccoli, florets trimmed

1 bunch cauliflower, florets trimmed

2c shredded carrots

1 medium red onion (optional)

1/2c shelled sunflower seeds (optional)

Dressing

1c Greek yogurt

1T Dijon mustard

1/3c vinegar

1/2c sugar

Directions:

Whisk together in medium bowl yogurt, mustard, vinegar and sugar. Set aside.

In Large bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onion and sunflower seeds.

Mix together dressing with broccoli mixture.

Chill 1 hour and serve.  (If you prefer the vegetables to stay crisp, keep dressing and broccoli mixture separate until serve.)

Nutrition content: 1/2c

Calories: 102

Fat: 3g

Carb: 15.8g

Fiber: 3g

Protein: 5g

Sodium: 58mg

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REMINDER: Closing at 2pm on Sunday, May 5th

We will be closing early this Sunday, May 5th for required electrical work being done by Ameren. This affects the entire building. We apologize for any inconvenience!

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Congrats to Our Eads Bridge Duathlon Training Team

NF Endurance coaches Amy Strahan, Heidi Frey, Libby Fennewald and Kourtney Thomas led a 9 week training clinic that resulted in some amazing finishes! Congrats to all the participants and their proud coaches!

Cindy Haines
Monica Newsam
Mariela Tapia-Alpaslan
Nilsa Scott
Sandra Rodriguez
Lynn Harmon
Michelle Horton
Kelsey Webster
Terry Mort
Jill Indovino

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Make Short Term Goals Last a Lifetime

Over the years we have met many clients with specific goal achievement dates in their heads- whether it was a wedding, 20 year class reunion, a doctor’s appointment or an athletic event such as a 10K.  While it is great to set these short term goals, we really strive to get clients to explore how we are going to make these healthy changes last a lifetime.

I began exercising very early after years of watching my father get up very early before work and exercise before heading off to McDonnell Douglas.  It just sort of stuck and became a part of my life.  We want to make you the same sort of role model for your children- but it can’t be all-or- nothing; black and white; eat this but never eat that; or succeed or fail.  It is finding a balance, a fit for you that is comfortable, enjoyable and non-interfering of all of life’s many responsibilities.  In fact, I would say that fitness (nutrition, exercise and bodywork) should ignite your life and make your more productive and happier every day.

This is why we offer many different modalities of fitness.  Our philosophy is really about finding what works for each individual and creating a blended program that helps them succeed.

We hope to help you find your success in 2013!

Sincerely, Dale

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“More Than the Main Event” Workout

It’s wedding season, graduation, summertime….There will always be something to “get in shape” for. At NutriFormance, we encourage you to develop healthy eating habits and find a workout routine that will help you reach your goals. For your big event, and for a lifetime! This month’s workout is another metabolic circuit that can be done in less than 30 mins ANYWHERE! No equipment needed. This month we get a little help from our friends at Lululemon Plaza Frontenac and we hope that following our quick workout along with us will keep you motivated and on track when you can’t get to the gym!

Follow the entire workout or view the quick demo video and exercise list below to do it on your own. As always, make the modifications necessary. You can do fewer sets if you’re crunched for time or add some weights for a greater challenge. Enjoy! And stay tuned for more nutrition tips and workouts…

Part I

Part II

Quick view demos

The workout:

Begin with a Dynamic warm up. 4 mini circuits of 3 exercises each. Do 10 reps of each exercise 3 times through, followed by 1 min rest before starting the next round.

  • Squat to calf raise
  • Pike push ups
  • Rev lunge hops (10 each side)
  • Triangle push ups
  • Rev lunge twist (alt sides – 10 total)
  • Lateral burpee (alt sides – 10 total)
  • Lunge to push up (5 each side)
  • Single leg bridges (10 each side)
  • Forward squat jump
  • Plank reach (alt sides – 10 total)
  • Lateral lunge/rev kick (10 each side)
  • Crossover lunge hop (alt sides – 10 total)

See our cool down and stretch video to complete your workout

Follow us on twitter @fitnessnfuel for daily motivation, nutrition tips and more!

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The Importance of an Athlete’s Warm Up

Many of the athletes I see have some sort of warm up they do before a game. Less of those athletes do a similar warm up before a workout. And some don’t even have their own warm up routine. An effective warm up should include exercises to activate the muscle groups necessary for the work to follow. A personalized warm up that targets the “weaker” muscles can greatly increase speed, agility and power as well as ward off fatigue and injury. Incorporating a warm up specific to individual needs, will enhance performance and can help prevent overuse injuries.  For example, if an athlete is dominant in their quadriceps, an effective warm up should include exercises such as hip bridges, single leg squats and toe reaches to “wake up” the hamstrings and gluteus medius.

Foam rolling is a self myofascial release technique that has been used for some time in professional sports and is now becoming more main stream. There is some debate about when it’s most effective – before the warm up or after the workout. Foam rolling has benefits either way. Prior to the warm up, longer strokes increases blood flow to the muscles and directed pressure can release knots. Rolling after the workout may help muscles recover or at least provide some relief from soreness.

A trained professional can help identify muscle imbalances and recruitment deficiencies to design a personalized warm up routine for enhanced performance and injury prevention. To schedule a consultation with a trainer, physical therapist or Pilates instructor, please contact Kim Wallis at kimw@nutriformance.com

Kim Wallis is a certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer working with professional athletes for over 10 years. She designs customized programs for pre/post season and promotes flexibility in season by creating effective warm ups and stretching routines. She has worked with a variety of athletes including NHL, NFL, MLB players.

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Fueling with Carbs

What are carbs?

Carbohydrates are compounds in food that are THE main source of energy. Your body needs energy to move the best it possibly can. Carbs can be found in many foods. They can be found in:

-      Grains: pasta, rice, oats, etc

-      Vegetables: potatoes, corn, peas

-      Dairy: milk, yogurt

-      Fruit: berries, melon, oranges, etc

-      Sweets: cake, candy, cookies, sugar

Why Do I Need to Know?

Carbohydrates are your body’s main energy source. They are highly important for exercise! Without them, you get tired, can’t complete your work outs, and the brain and nerve functions can only work right with carb as fuel. Carb also helps your muscles use protein for repair. There are two types of carb: simple and complex. One gives you energy quickly and the other fuels you longer. A combo of the two is important to get the benefits of both. Your body, the sport you play, and how long you exercise all dictate how much and what types you need! Eating before work outs and within 30 minutes after gives your body the best chance to succeed. Your body can perform at its max when you eat carb in the right amounts and at the right times.

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Avocado Bruschetta Dip

  • 2 tomatoes, medium chopped
  • 2 avocados, medium chopped
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.
  • Mix together gently making sure the avocado is well coated in the lime juice.
  • May serve with whole wheat crackers or toasted bread (400*F for 3 minutes each side) rubbed with garlic.

Makes 16 servings.


Nutrition Facts:

Calories                                 47                                Sodium                      91 mg

Total Fat                                 4.2 g                           Potassium                 136 mg

Monounsaturated Fat         2.7 g                           Total Carbohydrate 2.6 g

Polyunsaturated Fat            0.5 g                           Dietary Fiber             1.6 g

Saturated Fat                        0.6g                            Protein                       0.5 g

Cholesterol                           0 mg

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