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.
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...
The Scan That Can Save Your Life: Why a Coronary Artery Calcium Scan Matters
As a personal trainer, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, and someone who has dedicated much of his life to helping others improve their health, I believed I understood fitness and heart health very well. I exercised consistently, stayed active, watched my weight,...
“Understanding the Cardiac Stress Test: A Safe, Proactive Step Toward a Stronger Heart”
A cardiac stress test is one of the most valuable tools your doctor has to evaluate how well your heart is functioning—especially when it’s working, not just when you’re sitting still. For many people, the idea of a “stress test” can sound intimidating, but...
Stronger Heart, Better Intimacy: The Hidden Benefits of VO₂ Max
Improving your VO₂ max is often framed as a performance goal for athletes, but its benefits reach much further. VO₂ max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. In simple terms, it measures how efficiently your heart, lungs,...
Longest Living Bypass Patient
A quadruple bypass surgery can sound like the end of the road for many people—but in reality, it can become the beginning of a long and meaningful second chapter. The story of Ray Hildridge proves exactly that. Ray underwent a quadruple coronary bypass in 1982 at just...
It’s Not About Moving Weight — It’s About Moving Well
Walk into any gym and you’ll see people focused on one thing—moving weight. Heavier dumbbells, bigger plates, more resistance. And while strength matters, the real purpose of lifting weights often gets lost. It’s not about the weight itself. It’s about what that...
The Power of Olive Oil: A Daily Habit for Lifelong Health
After returning from Greece, it’s hard not to come away changed—especially after experiencing authentic olive oil tastings. There is something different about it. The flavor is richer, the aroma more vibrant, and the cultural appreciation for olive oil runs deep. In...
Strength and Power: Why They Matter More Than Ever After 55
When we talk about fitness, most people think of strength—lifting weights, carrying groceries, or simply being able to get up from a chair. But there is another component that is just as important, especially as we age, and that is power. While these two qualities are...
Why People Don’t Exercise — And Why That Needs to Change
We all know the truth: exercise improves health, increases longevity, strengthens the heart, builds muscle, supports joint health, enhances mood, and even sharpens the mind. The science is clear and overwhelming. Yet, despite this knowledge, many people still don’t...
The LIFTMORE Study Big Picture Takeaway
This summary explains how the LIFTMOR study changed how experts think about exercise for osteoporosis—showing that heavy resistance training + impact exercises can safely improve bone density in older women when done correctly and supervised. What the LIFTMOR Study...