My Blog
I’m James Burns
Jim has always understood the benefits of exercise and is an advocate of helping schools build more activity time into student schedules to keep our children active and above all healthy. Jim is certified by the National Academy Of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a personal trainer and believes that exercise is the first step in reducing stress and becoming balanced mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. As an educator Jim believes that knowledge is power and that everyone should understand the benefits of exercise. “I Trained For A Quadruple Bypass” (contained as part of this newsletter) explains his journey from the understanding one’s own health and how one can ready themselves physical, mentally, and spiritually and do so without fear. Having a history of heart disease and stroke in his family Jim has learned that we are not determined by our genetics we are only influenced, and we can change our response to the influence at any time.
You Can’t Take Planet Fitness With You: The Importance of Instrumental Support
One of the most overlooked benefits of working with a personal trainer is something called instrumental support. While many people understand emotional support and encouragement, instrumental support is different. It is the practical, hands-on guidance that teaches...
The Benefits of Integrated Medicine: Taking an Active Role in Your Health
Healthcare is evolving, and more people are seeking approaches that look beyond simply treating symptoms. Integrated medicine combines conventional medical care with evidence-based complementary therapies to support the whole person. Rather than focusing only on...
The Inside Trumps the Outside: Why Seniors Must Be Careful Not to Overtrain
As a personal trainer, I love working with seniors who are enthusiastic about exercise. In fact, one of the greatest challenges I face is not convincing people to exercise—it is convincing some people to slow down. Many active seniors become highly motivated once they...
Strength Makes Everything Better
Why Resistance Training Helps You Enjoy the Activities You Love Most people think of resistance training as something done by bodybuilders or athletes who want bigger muscles. The truth is far different. Resistance training is one of the most important things you can...
Five Minutes Can Change Your Day
One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is the belief that you need an hour in the gym for it to matter. The truth is, sometimes the hardest part of exercise is simply getting started. Many people feel tired, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or physically sluggish...
Returning to Exercise After Illness or Surgery: Why Slow and Steady Always Wins
For many people, exercise becomes part of their identity. When illness or surgery forces someone to stop exercising for weeks or even months, frustration quickly sets in. The body feels weaker, endurance drops, muscles shrink, and weight may increase. The natural...
Heavy Lifting, Muscle, and Weight Loss: Why Strength Matters More Than You Think
For many years people believed that endless cardio was the best path to weight loss. While walking, cycling, and aerobic exercise certainly have tremendous health benefits, there is another form of exercise that may have an even greater long-term impact on body...
Why Stretching Matters More As We Age
As a personal trainer who works with many adults over the age of 55, I have developed a very practical philosophy about stretching. I believe stretching is extremely important, but I also believe it should be done primarily after exercise, not before it. Before...
Growing Old Is a Privilege, Not a Burden
In a culture that often worships youth, many people begin to fear aging. Wrinkles become something to hide. Gray hair becomes something to color. Slower movement becomes something to apologize for. Yet the truth is simple and powerful: growing old is a privilege...
Cardiac Recovery: What It Is, How to Measure It, and Why It Matters
Cardiac Recovery: What It Is, How to Measure It, and Why It Matters As a trainer who has spent years helping adults and seniors improve their health, I believe one of the most overlooked indicators of cardiovascular fitness is not how high your heart rate goes during...