Dennis Carroll

The swine flu is spreading! The swine flu was formerly only contracted by pigs has caused a reported 150+ human deaths in Mexico, and cases are now being reported here in the U.S. and cases have been confirmed on every continent.

 

 

   The swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza and is normally contained to pigs. Human outbreaks of the swine flu were first reported in March in California and Texas and have since spread to other states. Symptoms are similar to the regular human flu and it is thought to be spread in much the same way such as; coughing and sneezing, doorknobs, and various things that are handled by infectious people. Unfortunately, the first thirty–six hours of infection (the point at which most people are contagious) are often asymptomatic.

 

 

    So, while at the gym, you step up to the next machine in your circuit, grab the handles, push through a couple of hard sets, and then wipe the sweat from the corner of your eye. Could happen ,right? AND… you just contracted the swine flu but don’t know it yet. Then you move over to the dumbbell rack, grab some 20lb dumbbells (25’s if there is a cutie nearby) and do three sets of curls. You, being the conscientious type, make sure to put the dumbbells back on the rack(just in time to see that cutie pick them up for a serious set of walking lunges-whew!). And guess what, you’ve just passed on the flu. Just like that! Now here comes that guy you know from..somewhere. You know the guy who always shakes your hand EVERYTIME you see him. Put your hands in you pockets, quick! ..too late…”good to see you too. Yeah, I’m fine, fine…how you doin?”. Bam, another swine flu victim.

 

 

   So, how do you avoid it? Or can a gym rat like you avoid the swine flu and not seriously disrupt your lifestyle? Of course, but you may have to be willing to try something new.

   Here are the steps to take to avoid the swine flu; 1.wash your hands-before and after your workout.  2.Wipe down each piece of equipment before you use it. (most gyms have disinfecting towelettes available). 3.Bing a clean towel to wipe sweat from your eyes(be sure to keep the towel off of equipment during your workout. 4.Open your water bottle with your teeth, not your hands. 5. Cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough. 6.Eat right and get plenty of rest.

 

 

   If you still don’t feel safe,(here is where you can try something different) take your workout out doors, in the fresh, clean springtime air of Chester County. Go for a hike, take a jog, or join a Fitness Boot camp!

 

 

 

 

Dennis Carroll is the founder of  Premier Personal training, Inc. He is a nationally certified professional fitness coach and contributing writer for  the Fitness Experts Network. He can be reached at 610-429-9002

Posted under Uncategorized

When I first thought about bringing a personal training studio to West Chester I considered several factors; growth of West Chester, economic viability to support personal training in West Chester, and available resources for hiring personal trainers in West Chester. All of these factors seemed favorable at the time, but I remember the ultimate deciding factor on opening a personal training studio in West Chester was that I LIKED West Chester. I liked the people I met in West Chester.

Some 14 plus years later, I feel that I made the right decision. My West Chester personal training studio is growing despite the economy. Many of the clients I have led through weight loss and personal training programs here in West Chester have become close friends. The boro of West Chester continues to grow and as it does, more and more opportunities arise for our West Chester personal training studio to help as many people as possible lose unhealthy weight and to regain their bodies and their health.

West Chester is now my home and personal training is my passion. How lucky am I?

Posted under Uncategorized

Every year the United States Military Academy, located at a high point on the west side of the Hudson river(aka West Point), hosts a competition known as SANCOM.

Of course the military uses acronyms for everything, so allow me to explain. SANCOM is short for the Sandhurst Competition. Sandhurst is England’s version of West point, sans the academic curriculum. It is strictly a military academy.

Each year in April, Sandhurst sends teams of elite soldiers to West Point for the competition. Along with  teams from Canada’s Royal Military Academy, The Naval and Airforce Academies and select ROTC groups from around the country arrive at West Point to partake in the fun.

I have had the great privilige to know some of the participants from the West Point teams and was afforded some insight into the committed level of training it takes to compete in this event.

The event begins at 0600 Saturday. That’s 6 am folks. Since they deploy in teams these conditioned athletes do not know in advance when they are to begin. It could be 6 am or as late as 9 or 10 AM. But they must be ready to go at a moments notice. So if you are called to go at 6, you had better be squared away by 5am.

The competition takes place on a predetermined course that is kept secret until the day of the event. These soldier athletes must negotiate the course using land navigatiuon skills all the while performing amazing tasks. Each task is timed and scored for proficiency.

The competition begins with an inspection of uniformity. All contestants are in full military gear with helmets, canteens and rucksacks. Then it’s time to don the gasmasks and run to the next location(run, not jog). About a mile and a half to two miles later is a boat manuever. After splashing out of the water, they run to the next location(don’t forget, they have to find the next location). This might be a simulated triage of wounded, then carrying the wounded to aid stations while suppressing enemy fire. Or the hand grenade toss, or building and crossing a rope bridge. Then crawl through a drain culvert with about 5 0r 6 inches of cold mountain water and run up the side of a mountain. Next scale a shear wall of about 15 feet in height(try that with all the above mentioned gear, and oh yeah, did I mention the M-16″s over their shoulders?). Can you say awkward?

Next a long run down the side of a mountain, a few more tasks, one usually includes near full immersion in near freezing water while navigating a course(a combat swim-ugh), and on to the last station, The Commandant’s Challenge.

Set directly in front of the Commandant of West Points’ residence is the final obstacle course, known as The Comm’s Challenge. And it is always different and challenging. The cadets are briefed on what they must do to finish, they huddle up, orders are given by the team leaders, and off they go. Maybe they have to push a truck(loaded with personnel), carry armor plated equipment through a very tricky obstacle course, do 20 pullups each while wearing  soaking wet clothes and having a M-16 on your back !I repeat, 20 pullups!  Holy Smokes!

When all is said and done, each team will have faced13 different challenges, navigated as a nine person squad over unknown miles of mountanous terrain, repeatedly being subjected to cold water melting from the mountains tops, subjected to excessive physical AND mental stress. I have personally watched as many of these teams have crossed the finish line, exhausted but smiling.

And I thought I was in shape.  Humbled YES, in shape? No. Not even close when compared to these guys.

This years competition will take place on 04/18/09 on the grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and is open to the public. Visit www.usma.edu/dml/sandhurst_visitors.htm for more information.

Posted under Weight loss