TAYLZ Fitness (2026)

08/11/2024

Have you ever gone for a short run around the neighborhood and felt like your knees were going to explode only to go for a much longer run on a hiking path and felt fine? You may be getting old, you may have bad knees, but the surface you run on is the most likely culprit. Running on concrete sidewalks or roads is the hardest on your joints. There is no give in concrete so the entire shock from impact is absorbed by your joints. Just about every other running surface will provide some shock absorption, even asphalt. In descending order of absorption, the best running surfaces are: rubberized track, grass, dirt, gravel, sand, and asphalt. Mix it up when you run to give your joints a break and keep your runs fresh. Regardless of surface, you can do your future self a solid by getting the right shoe for your foot type, and if joints and not speed are the priority - the more cushion the better.

At TAYLZ Fitness we look after our clients’ health now and in the future. TRAIN TO LIVE works best when you plan for every season of life, not just bathing suit season.

01/11/2024

Go Deep
For thousands of years, humans used the deep squat as a resting position. Observe toddlers at play and you’ll see the instinctive deep squat when they want to stop and play or check out something on the ground. As adults we’ve become comfortable sitting in a variety of loungey positions, avoiding the deep squat like the plague. ☠️

The deep squat helps to stretch out the glutes and quads, relieves stress on the lower back, aids digestion, and pushes our knees, ankles, and hips through their full range of motion (on one axis.) There is also mounting evidence that it helps strengthen the core and pelvic floor muscles.

Making time during workouts, early morning routines, or just as a break from sitting during those long workdays will be worth it. 3-5 minutes total each day is all it takes to start reaping the rewards of the deep squat posture. (Careful not to split your pants if you do this at work)😳

To get started, go just as deep as you can without pain. Use a bedpost, your desk, or gym equipment to anchor and assist you if you need it. I use my bed frame every morning and the leg press or roman chair depending on my workout, and I feel no shame in my game. Try to keep your feet flat on the ground, but if your heels come up a little don’t sweat it, you have your goal. You’ve hit your stride with this posture when your heels stay in contact with the ground, your hips are below your knees, and you don’t get stuck in the down position cursing me and my ancestors. 😝

If you have current or past injuries to your lower back, the above-mentioned joints or muscles, please talk to your doc before trying to go too deep.👨🏽‍⚕️ With this posture there is also too much of a good thing. Chinese researchers have found that spending more than an hour each day in this posture is bad for the knees and leads to osteoarthritis later in life, so get in, reap the rewards, and get out.

At TAYLZ Fitness we Train to Live by preparing you for every season of life, not just swimsuit season. Our programs are tailored to your goals and needs now, and in the future. Visit taylzfitness.com to schedule your free consult.

28/10/2024

Starting down a new path, or re-starting down a previously considered path, can be scary. Do I have time? Do I have the money? It didn’t work last time, why would it work this time? All of these questions come flooding into your mind when you even start to consider making a change. That’s normal. You’re normal. You haven’t failed until you’ve stopped trying. The fact that you are thinking about starting down a new path shows that you haven’t lost your fire. 🔥

How do I start? Where do I start? What do I do to start? With so much conflicting information out there, the strongest desire to change can be smothered with one quick internet search. Starting comes down to three simple steps: Decide, Commit, and Act. 💪

Decide you’re going to do this. Decide that there is no other course of action. Then commit to it by setting aside time and resources. Act by taking the necessary steps to get started. In the case of getting in shape, though this three-step process works for other pursuits as well, hire a trainer, join a gym, sign up for a spin class, whatever it takes for you to act on your commitment. Then you show up by putting one foot in front of the other until you reach your destination. 🏃‍♂️

At TAYLZ Fitness we love the noobs! Helping people get started on the road to better health and fitness is our specialty. Want to run a marathon but don’t know how to start training? We got you. Trying to get back in shape before the big day? No problem. Haven’t stepped a foot into a gym since 5th grade PE? We love you! At TAYLZ we listen to you and your goals and design a tailor-made program to get you where you want to be. We know how hard that first step can be, and we’re here to tell you, you don’t have to take it alone. Go to taylzfitness.com to sign up for your free consult and Start to Live. 💪🏋️‍♂️

25/10/2024

Tech Neck 💪🏋️‍♂️

Staring at your cell phone or spending hours at a desk can lead to several problems, primarily poor posture. This habit increases stress on your neck and upper back by up to six times, causing pain, tightness, and even headaches. The first step to correcting this is awareness—keeping your head up and shoulders back throughout the day can alleviate strain.

Key postural issues include forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and excessive thoracic kyphosis (an overly rounded upper spine). To relieve pain and correct these issues, try the following stretches and exercises:

Bench Press with Pause: Lower the weight and hold for a minute, ensuring your shoulder blades are down and back.

Pec Stretch: In a doorway, place your hands on the wall and lean forward. Repeat 2-3 times daily for a week for noticeable results.

Seated Row: Using a machine or cables, sit up straight and pull your arms to your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.

Two-Handed Hang: Hang from a bar for 20-30 seconds, 2-3 times a week, to loosen shoulders and upper back.

Cobra Stretch: From a prone position, raise your upper body while keeping your pelvis on the ground. Ease into it if your lower back is tight.

Watch TV Like a 5-Year-Old: Lie on your back at the edge of your bed or couch with your head hanging off for 20-30 seconds a few times weekly. 📺

To check your posture, stand in front of a mirror with your hands at your sides. Turn your palms out as far as possible. If your shoulders move and you appear taller, it’s time to address your posture! 🧍‍♂️

24/10/2024

We’re kicking off our Ruggedly Boujie Giveaway, and you won’t want to miss the chance to win these amazing prizes! 🙌🏽 🎉

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

✨ Ruggedly Boujie T-Shirt of YOUR choice
✨ $25 gift card to TAYLZapparel.com
✨ TAYLZ Stickers

Whether you're embracing the Ruggedly Boujie vibe or repping TAYLZ gear, these prizes will have you standing out and feeling unstoppable! 💪🏽

Here’s how to enter: 1️⃣ Like this post 2️⃣ Make sure you’re FOLLOWING us 3️⃣ Tag a friend in the comments—the more people you tag, the more entries you'll get!

For EXTRA entries: 🔁 Repost this to your story 👍🏽 Like any three posts 💥 BONUS: Make a purchase at TAYLZapparel.com for 100 extra entries!

Open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be chosen on 10/24 and contacted ONLY by this account. Good luck!! 🎊

22/10/2024

Ruggedly Boujie ⛰️

It will mean something different for everyone, but at it’s core it’s all about getting the best out of life. For me, that means hiking 2 hours into the mountains for a charcuterie picnic, or making sure that pinky stays up while drinking French roast around a campfire. Boujiness is best enjoyed after working to achieve it. Killin it in the gym before mimosas at brunch, biking 150 miles one way to enjoy the sunset. It’s Bruichladdich Scotch in the mountain air. It’s leather furniture in the cabin and All Clad in the kitchen. Boujie can’t be bought. Ruggedly Boujie has to be earned. 💪

Ruggedly Boujie apparel available at TAYLZapparel.com 🤠

19/10/2024

Don’t wait to start down a journey you know you need to take. Whether it’s education, a change in employment, or taking control of your health, don’t put it off. Make the decision. Do your research. Ask for help. Commit to starting. Then it’s just one foot in front of the other. 🏃‍♂️

Everyone who’s ever been great at anything, once started knowing nothing. Time, practice, and determination work their magic for everyone. It also doesn’t hurt if you have a little fun doing it.

Life will direct you where to go, or you can direct your life. Make the decision or the decision will be made for you. Decide what Living means to you, and then Start to Live. Set dates. Make plans. Save for it. Earn for it. Yearn for it. But Start to Live for your It, your Why. Find your Why, find your Way, then Start down that road and don’t look back. Time waits for no one. Life waits for no one. This is your sign to start “that thing” you’ve been putting off. Go get it! All of it! 💪🏆

18/10/2024

This Sunday, October 20th, marks World Osteoporosis Day.

The time to take care of your bones is when you’re young. But the key to good bones in your twilight years is to never stop. Build dense, strong bones with weight training and any sort of impact training. Weight training helps bones in two very important ways: bigger thicker muscles require bigger, denser bones to carry it, and the muscle will also cushion and shield bones from trauma (falling.) Impact training can be any activity that causes micro fractures or repeated stress in your bones that your body then repairs by making the bone denser. Running, jumping rope, box jumps, and lower body weight training are great ways to protect your legs. Boxing (or just hitting the bag) and upper body weight training are great ways to protect your arms. 💪

Two Australian studies by Amy Harding, Benjamin Weeks, et al in 2018 and 2020 confirmed that in both men and women high impact training coupled with consistent compound resistance training (squats, deadlifts, and overhead press) helped increase bone density and muscle mass with very few detrimental side effects, those mostly being soreness (duh!) There is a company called Osteostrong (https://osteostrong.me) with locations around the country that use specialized equipment to place just the right amount of stress on your bones to increase density and skeletal strength. Look them up and give them a try if you can.

Complimenting your training with good bone nutrition will go a long way to ensure you're fracture free well into your golden years. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements are a great start, but don’t forget to include quality protein like fish, chicken, and lean red meat. Pair those with a salad of mixed leafy greens 3-4 times per week and most people will be all set. 🥗

Taking care of your bones now is the very definition of Train to Live. 🏋️‍♂️

17/10/2024

Oktoberfest 2024

What a great way to bid farewell to summer and embrace the fall! In the TAYLZ Fitness philosophy of Train to Live, this falls into the “Live” side of things. I celebrate by breaking out my Big Bird Bombas, getting out of the Tucson heat, and heading up to Mount Lemmon.There they have a great celebration of German music, food, and yes…BEER!🍺

My gorgeous girlfriend and I knock back a couple of brats with sauerkraut (good probiotic!), wash them down with good German beer, and dance the Chicken Dance to a great Polka band. We hike the mountain trails (Pro Tip: Boots make a great cupholder for picnics 🥾), we take a ride on the ski lift to enjoy some fall colors (yes there are more colors to Arizona than brown and red), and just enjoy life for a couple days. This is one of those things that remind me why I train in the first place.

Happy Oktober everyone!🍁🍂🍻

11/10/2024

Make a Splash Fitness Tip 🏋️‍♂️

The next time you’re in the pool rotate through five strokes: front, back, breast, side, and a kickboard. It helps to keep track of how many laps you’ve done, it works more muscles, and it keeps your mind engaged.

Nobody likes endless laps whether you’re swimming, running, or riding. But! There are ways to keep it interesting. The next time you’re in the pool rotate through five strokes: front, back, breast, side, and a kickboard. It helps to keep track of how many laps you’ve done, it works more muscles, and it keeps your mind engaged.

Swimming should be an integral part of every training program, especially for those over 40. It increases mobility, has both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, and the water pressure and decreased pull of gravity relieves sore, stiff joints.

At TAYLZ we recommend getting into the water, whether for a swim or a soak, at least once every week…yes a long soak in the tub counts (but doesn’t burn nearly as many calories.) If someone asks why, just tell them you’re TRAINING TO LIVE.

07/10/2024

🏈 Penn State pride is on full display! 🏆 Get ready for game day and represent undefeated Penn State football with this exclusive TAYLZ shirt!

💥 Show off your love for Penn State college football in style—whether you’re cheering from the stands, hitting the gym, or just repping that unbeatable Penn State spirit! 💙🦁

Gear up and make every day feel like a victory! Let's go, Lions! 🏟️

04/10/2024

A One-Sided Argument

There is nothing better for mind-muscle connection than unilateral work. While working a single side you are more in tune with which muscles are contracting and how much. Whether it’s lower or upper body work, during your next lift go unilateral on every exercise and see what a difference it makes. Unilateral work is especially good for big, compound exercises where multiple muscle groups are working in conjunction. Leg press, Lat pull downs, seated rows, and bench press all take on a new level of connection when done unilaterally, not to mention the stabilization muscles that must be engaged to keep you from falling over. Other isolation exercises also benefit from going unilateral such as leg extensions and curls, overhead press with a dumbbell or smith machine, and front or lateral shoulder raises. Aside from mind-muscle connection, this also highlights and helps to correct imbalances and deficiencies after injury. Plan for a little more time with a little less weight to compensate for the additional sets. Cables, dumbbells, kettle bells, and resistance bands are all great for doing your unilateral work.

At TAYLZ Fitness we focus on the entire body as a whole but recognize that the whole is a sum of parts. We use unilateral work in many of our programs to help correct muscle imbalances and postural issues making symmetry and balance enjoyable side effects of a well-rounded program. Visit us at taylzfitness.com to schedule your free consult. TRAIN TO LIVE.

TAYLZ Fitness

08/11/2024

01/11/2024

28/10/2024

25/10/2024

24/10/2024

22/10/2024

19/10/2024

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17/10/2024

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