Centerworks Blog » American Council on Exercise

Benefits of Using Kettlebells for Your Exercise Program

Aliesa George — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:21:42 +0000

Have you tried using Kettlebells for your workout program? According to the American Council on Exercise, Kettlebells are a fantastic way to build strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance quickly and effectively.

Enjoy a cardio and strength conditioning workout in a short 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes on a treadmill and another 30 minutes lifting weights. The time savings alone for those days when you’re wondering how you’re going to get a workout in is great inspiration to give Kettlebell training a try!

Plus, the calorie burn for working out with Kettlebells is huge! Approximately 20.2 calories a minute. Which is equivalent to running at a 6-minute a mile pace or cross-country skiing uphill at a speedy pace!

Read the ACE research study and checkout the exercises in this 6-week Kettlebell training program developed by ACE exercise physiologist Fabio Comana, and consider using Kettlebells to keep your body healthy and fit.

Are You Getting Fit the Wii Way?

Aliesa George — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:26:33 +0000

It’s not difficult to believe that the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has named technology-based fitness as one of it’s top trends for 2009. And that ACE has commissioned several studies over the past three years to evaluate the benefits of using video games for an exercise program. I posted an article about my Wii Fit experience awhile back, and it appears that this trend towards TV Wii fitness just might be here to stay! Is it really effective? Read more about how to Get fit, the Wii way, and see the controversy over the effectiveness of using things like the Wii as an option for fun and fitness. If you are doing ANYTHING, it’s better than nothing! Definitely your results are going to vary based on your conditioning level. I’m sure that there are lots of folks out there like Sherry Bridson in this Wii Fit article who have seen amazing results getting fit with her home video exercise program. But I have to wonder…is it the actual Wii Fit program, or her dedication and consistency to spend 90 minutes a day playing interactive health related video games? What would her results have been if she’s walked, jogged, lifted weights, done Pilates, rode a bike, or any other combination of fitness programs for a consistent 90 minutes a day??? Find things you enjoy doing for health and exercise and DO THEM REGULARLY! Whether it’s Wii or enjoying the wonders of the great outdoors!

Pilates and Pregnancy: Exercise Guidelines – Resources for More Information

Aliesa George — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:52:50 +0000

Darlene Asks about Pilates and Pregnancy…

Dear Aliesa,

I am teaching a Pilates class and one of the participants has
told me that she is pregnant. She has been doing Pilates for
a while and is strong and knows her limits, but I am looking
for a resource where I can research the limitations and
contraindications for a pregnant participant.

Can you recommend some reading or a website I can rely on
to give me correct information? This is a mat class only.

Thanks very much for your help,

Darlene

Great Question Darlene!!!

You’ll find a few guidelines for Pilates & pregnancy in the PMA Pilates Certification Study Guide. If I remember correctly, Dawn-Marie Ikes did a session or two on this topic at the PMA conference in 2005 & 2006, it was great information. If you have access to a copy of the course outlines for either of those years, I think you’ll have the info you’re looking for. You might check on the PMA website for Dawn-Marie’s contact information www.PilatesMethodAlliance.org and request info directly from her.

The other thing I would recommend is checking with your OB/GYN for the official guidelines for exercise during pregnancy. I believe it’s the American College of OB/GYN’s that publish this info. (ACOG).

You should also be able to find some information through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

If you haven’t had your participant give you a written release to continue participation during pregnancy, that is something you should request. I’ve had pre-natal participants participate almost full-term, and a few who because they were high risk, as soon as they got pregnant their physician advised NO Pilates. So please have her bring you a release ASAP!

Hope this info is helpful. Have a Great Day!

Peace & Blessings,
Aliesa George

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