Contact

Email (ch@chpt.org), call our corporate office (503.546.6392) or visit http://www.chpt.org/ and/or http://www.thefitnessshow.com/ for more info. Thanks for watching!

November 8, 2009: Spot reduction: The King of Myths

Welcome to the official blog for "The Fitness Show" on OPB and "Get Fit with Colin" on KGW Newschannel 8!

+++ "The Fitness Show" on OPB: Wednesdays at 6:00am

+++ "The Fitness Show" on OPB Oregon Channel (10.4 over the air and channel 311 on Comcast): Wednesdays at 10:00am

+++ "Get Fit with Colin" on KGW Newschannel 8: Sunday morning news between 8:00am and 8:30am

This week, I'm going to discuss how spot reduction is a myth while addressing all components of fitness: muscle strength, endurance, body composition and flexibility. To feel and look your best while treating and/or preventing disease, your fitness/rehabilitation program should address all these components regardless of your current health status! Progress slowly to get the amazing benefits of exercise without getting hurt.

TIP OF THE WEEK

If you are seeking to slim down while combatting disease, get professional help from a physical therapist (PT) as it is likely to be covered by insurance. Just make sure your PT is knowledgeable in exercise. Need help finding one in your area? Contact me at ch@chpt.org and I'll try to help!

Books

My books show how to practically apply exercise science nutrition to your daily life. "Lose the Wait" (2007, Premier Press) is for the general public while the "Advanced Training Specialist" textbook (2007, Premier Press) is for health professionals (e.g., PT, MD) and/or students seeking a greater understanding of safe, effective exercise (especially resistance training).

For more information, visit http://www.thefitnessshow.com/ or http://www.chpt.org/ and click on the "Store" link.

Background

In 1990, I started out as a fitness trainer in a health club, not realizing the complexity of recommending safe, effective exercise because I had no formal training. The more I trained people, the more uncomfortable I became because I wondered if there was a better way. Regular workouts were becoming more important to me, so I began competing as a natural bodybuilder. The more I worked out and more people I trained, the more I wanted to further my education. In 1992, I started school at Oregon State University and continued to compete as a natural bodybuilder. While I won a couple competitions (1993 Collegiate Mr. Oregon, 1995 Ironman Natural), I was relentless in my pursuit to improve my mind and body. After graduating from OSU in 1995 with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, I enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Oregon and started competing nationally as a natural bodybuilder, finishing 4th at the 1996 Team Universe Championship in New York City. After graduating in 1997 from U of O with a Master's degree in Exercise Science, I still lacked the needed credibility to work with people who had injury and/or disease. In 1999, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) accepted me for Physical Therapy School, in which I then "retired" from competitive bodybuilding after 8 grueling years. Physical therapy school was a very humbling experience, where I learned that many of my preconceived notions about exercise were wrong and so I started writing a textbook ("The Advanced Training Specialist") for physical therapists to learn from. In 2001, I graduated with a Master's degree in physical therapy and promptly returned to Portland to start a clinic where I wanted to give new meaning to the term "physical therapy" using safe, effective exercise. In September 2002, I opened c.h. Physical Therapy and Personal Training in the Pearl district and also had my own weekly radio show "Smart Fitness" on KOTK. I also started teaching educational courses to physical therapists, and am still amazed at how desperately needed exercise education is in the PT profession and at large. In 2004, I began working towards having my own TV show on OPB, opening additional clinics and the rest is history! Now, I'm just getting warmed up!