30th birthday cakeWell, it’s hard to believe, 30 years ago I was born.

I’ve been blessed with health, education and awesome family and friends.

I thought it would be fitting that since I’m 30, it would be a good idea to share with you my top 30 health and fitness tips that will help you live an awesome healthy life.

Currently, I’m on a plane to Toronto for the inaugural Personal Trainer Development Center seminar. I’m really looking forward to meeting big names in the fitness industry and learning a thing or two.

Let’s get to the goods! Here’s part I of the 3-part series.

Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or dietician. I do not design meal plans but I do give recommendations based on my experience and education to my clients. Below are several nutrition-related recommendations based on my current understanding of nutrition and health. Please consult with a doctor before making drastic changes to your nutritional habits.

JK’s Top 30 Health and Fitness Tips Part 1

 
1. Every single person will benefit from getting stronger. Lift weights that are challenging for sets of 5 or less.

2. On that note, females should not be scared of getting “bulky” when heavy resistance training, also referred to as strength training. Woman want to build “toned” muscle, but what most don’t understand, strength training plus a real food diet will get them the body they want.

3. Fill your diet with real food and there won’t be room for crap. If you eat a traditional North American diet, you’re filling up on industrial food or fake food: low in nutrients, high in sugar, preservatives, stuff you can’t pronounce and PUFAs (poly unsaturated fatty acids). Almost everyone on this diet has a super high omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratio, which has been shown to be hazardous to your health. Read The Perfect Health Diet for more info.

4. Yeah, high intensity interval training is more effective at burning calories compared to a lower intensity session of the same duration. BUT, lower intensity cardio sessions are important for those unfit enough to handle the high intensity of sprinting and pushing their bodies beyond red-line. Cardio sessions at 60-ish percent of max heart rate are not only important for many physiological acclimations, but this type of training builds a strong base for higher intensity training later in your training program. Elite endurance athletes periodize their programs like this year after year.

5. Lactate should not be held under a negative light as it traditionally has been since its discovery. Lactate is actually a very important signaling molecule and energy substrate. It has been shown to serve as fuel for exercising muscle cells, the heart and even the brain. Lactate is produced at all exercise intensities, not just in the absence of oxygen, as was once believed. Other metabolites such as H+ ions are responsible for local muscular fatigue, although, high concentrations of lactate have been shown to provide feedback for enzymes higher in the glycolytic pathway, which slows the production of ATP and more lactate.

6. If you don’t have time for core exercises, using correct form for all major exercises (squats, deadlifts, rows, pulls, presses, etc) will suffice. Filling your program with sit-ups and crunches won’t do you much help as your posture is probably like most: rounded upper back with a chicken-poked head. If you have time, you can add in core exercises that challenge you ability to maintain neutral spine such as anti- rotation presses and jackknifes (but if you really want to crank out some crunches, it’s not going to kill you…maybe).

7. The fitness industry isn’t black and white. They are probably better ways of achieving a particular goal but bashing a certain training method over another is just plain stupid.

8. Drinking a Greens powder does not give you a free pass to skip salads. Have at least one colorful salad everyday. Don’t eat that iceberg lettuce crap – fill your salads with spinach and kale and all things green.7. There are no contraindicated exercises, only contraindicated people. There is no one person fits all program out there, so choose your exercises wisely based on your anatomy, injury history and pain.

9. Don’t eat pre made salad dressings – they are filled with seed and vegetable oils, which are high in PUFAs. Refer back to the point above about the Perfect Health Diet.

10. There is nothing wrong with biceps curls or triceps extensions. They are considered functional training if your goal is to increase your arm size.

That’s all for part I.

Thanks for reading.

-JK

I’m 29 and I just had my 3rd Liftiversary 🥳 at JKC. I chose to train here because of the great word on the street and the fact that at lululemon, we’re encouraged to support our local community. My day-to-day routine is very busy, and I love showing up and having to think very little about my workout. The vibes are always good, my music choice is usually accommodated, and the bys are incredibly supportive and compassionate, helping me reach my goals (even when I had a broken hand). I also get to be my weird self, and am embraced fully.

I am 62 years young and I started training with Jon in 2013. I originally came to join JKC as a recommendation from other family members that were onboard with Jon. Their enthusiasm for the gym experience was quite evident.  I was not to be outdone, so I decided to join as well. JKC, in my mind, certainly stands out from the crowd. I feel it’s a combination of the skill and passion the coaches have for their job and their clients. Each client is treated with the upmost respect and given time to explore their fitness journey without any pressure. JKC is certainly not a cookie cutter gym.The coaches customize your fitness program to suit your needs and your fitness level. This certainly makes sense because no two clients are alike.  This is where JKC excels! Jon, Thomas, and Craig keep the atmosphere at the gym light, but productive. A great combination that obviously works and makes the clients want to come back. Lastly, the camaraderie at the gym is everything. Meeting likeminded people who make you feel you are not alone in your fitness journey is everything.

I am the oldest client at JKC at 79 years, soon to be 80. I started training at JKC July 2021. I started at JKC because two of my three sons Justin and Michael and their partners Andrea and Keir and one of my doctors recommended JKC. They all train at JKC Now my wife Linda trains at JKC too. My third son Jonathan lives in Kingston. There is a congenial community atmosphere at JKC. People are introduced to each other. There is effective personal training at JKC.

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I started training at JKC in 2016 because I had built up a number of muscle imbalances from old injuries and activities like rock climbing which had led to some really bad posture and mobility issues. On top of that some friends had convinced me to sign up for a half-ironman. Working with Jon and Thomas was a way to pull my body back into alignment and make sure it wouldn’t fall apart during my race. The staff at JKC pride themselves on continuously advancing their knowledge, which leads to new and inventive way to address problems, old and new. I got my Dad to start training here and recommended JKC to all looking to improve their strength and fitness.

I was looking for something to augment my 20+ year yoga practice with a focus on strength conditioning. I am friend’s with Jon’s sister in-law and over the years always heard great things about JKC, especially with respect to the top quality trainers they have and programs they run. After talking to Jon about my goals, and hearing his thoughts on a training plan, I knew that this was going to be an awesome experience … and it sure has been. JKC stands out from other gyms because of the attention to detail, the high quality of the staff and the facilities. Also, the amazing people that train there. And no one posing and taking selfies. I’m 41 years old and I started in Dec 2021.

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