Tag: personal trainer

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Featured Health Lifestyle NYC Wellness

VT Dogpound’s Head of Training and Development

Dogpound trainers run individualized Virtual Personal Training (VPT) via FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangout, and more.

 

With the recent pandemic closures, our routines have switched from in-person to virtual. Without our NYC average of 8800 steps per day, our fitness needs to go virtual, too. We reached out to Dogpound’s Head of Training and Development Lala Duncan to get the scoop on their virtual training program.

Downtown Magazine: We see a lot of gyms selling pre-recorded VPT, what is the difference? Lala Duncan: Many gyms and fitness professionals started selling pre-recorded workout programs before the pandemic, given the low cost and ease of access of these programs. That market has grown with COVID.

 

Clients get to have access to a DP trainer with them whether they are at home, on vacation

 

Pre-recorded programs are great for people to stay active during uncertain times, but these are workout programs designed to appeal to a wide range of people. They are not designed for any one individual and, after a period of time, clients can become unmotivated and bored because of the lack of accountability or personal attention. Most people who purchase pre-recorded programs end up paying for programs they don’t use.

That is why Dogpound offers individualized VPT based on your goals and available equipment. Clients get to have access to a DP trainer with them whether they are at home, on vacation, or at a quarantine destination (Hawaii and St. Bart’s).

 

DTM: What does one need to prepare for VPT?

LD: Whether you are a current or new client, we ask each client to answer a short questionnaire about their fitness goals, time commitment and expectations as well as what type of equipment, if any, you have to train with at home. Once we have that information, the trainer can devise a long-term plan to keep their training and on track.

 

Clients with mild to moderate depression, sleep deprivation, and anxiety

DTM: Are clients staying motivated?

LD: In the beginning, there was the fear of “losing my gains.” People were rushing to buy dumbbells and weights or whatever they could get their hands on just to stay fit, not really knowing how long this would last. After a couple of months, I noticed that there was a slump in motivation with a lot of my clients. I had clients that were suffering from mild to moderate depression, sleep deprivation, and anxiety all brought on by the uncertainty of the pandemic. Some days my sessions would consist of talking and light stretching. Especially for New Yorkers, we were in the thick of it. For some of my clients, our VPT session would be the only interaction they had with anyone all day or week. Our amazing staff of trainers takes this responsibility very seriously. It’s not just about working out; it’s about health, longevity, and ultimately happiness.

“I now see clients more than I did in the actual gym”

DTM: Are clients getting the same results from virtual training?

LD: More, actually. Originally the goal was just to keep people moving and motivated. Now the goal is to keep progressing people forward in their long-term fitness goals. About 3/4 of my clients have set up some kind of home gym, whether it be some dumbbells and kettlebells or full gyms with squat racks and weights. Since we have started the VPT at Dogpound, I now see clients more than I did in the actual gym.

DTM: Do you think VPT here to stay?

LD: Absolutely! As the saying goes, it takes 30 days to create a habit, 60 days to make progress, and 90 days to see results. It’s not going anywhere; Virtual training is truly the new virtual reality.

If you are interested in signing up for virtual sessions with Lala Duncan or other Dogpound trainers, you can contact their NYC location at info@thedogpound.com or their LA location at lainfo@thedogpound.com

Categories
Art Fitness Health Nutrition NYC Wellness

Performing Artists

Performing Artists
By Nigel Barker

I sit here with sun rays beaming through my window, and I look out over the vast new luxury high-rises and newly present nooks and crannies that weren’t visible as recently as this time last year.

With every change of a season, as cliché as it may be, I’m always struck by how quickly time flies.

Then again, living in New York City, I’m also impressed with how much we can accomplish in such a short amount of time when we put our minds to it whether it’s calling for action from our political leaders, adding new architecture to our iconic skyline, or transforming an entire floor from a raw space into an artistic wonderland.

 

Performing Artists
Cover Fall 2017 By Nigel Barker

 

And then there’s the change you can make in yourself with hard work, dedication, and passion.

 

Read about our cover talent, shot by the incredible Nigel Barker, and learn how this man from a small American town was able to do what he loves with talent, a strong mind, and an even stronger physique.

 

The 2017 Art issue cover came about because of my long term relationship with the founder of DogPound Kirk Myers. First, he was my personal trainer, then he became Downtown’s first fitness editor and quickly turned into a dear friend, who had dreams of his own.

Preforming Artists
DogPound New York IG

We discussed how we could showcase artists, but artists and art come in many different shapes, sizes and forms, not just ones with a brush or camera but athletes.

 

Performing Artists
By Nigel Barker

 

Looking at him now, you wouldn’t think that Kirk Myers used to be overweight.

 

 

Performing Artists
Kirk Myers then and now

 

“I was uneducated about healthy eating,” he begins.

“I drank ‘skim’ chocolate milk and thought it was healthy,” he adds with a smile.

Now, knowing much better, he’s come a long way. He credits much of it to education and preparation. And that’s exactly why he’s taken on a more educational approach to fitness.

As the owner of the popular NYC and LA gym the Dogpound, Kirk Myers’ body is one of his most important tools. To work the hours he does training his clients and running a business in NYC endurance and strength are key.

“I think most people who have their own business understand that it doesn’t come overnight. It takes years and years of grinding and learning from your mistakes,” he says.

Performing Artists
DogPound IG Victoria Models

 

“You must also be open to change, open to feedback, and eager to improve your craft at all times, in every aspect. If your business is not growing, you are dying.”

And even though his business is growing, he keeps a focus on the individual.

For Kirk, it all comes down to training and making a difference for other people.

 

Performing Artists
DogPound LA IG

“You can really change people’s lives and the way they feel day to day,” he says. “That’s something that I can’t get enough of, it really is priceless.” Kirk Myers DogPound 

This article ran Art Issue Downtown 2017

Special thanks to for this shoot location to The Silverstein Organization; our incredible Board Chairman Dara McQuillan, Chief Marketing Officer at Silverstein, his guidance and belief in what we do here at Downtown each and every day is so vitally important to who we are as a brand.

 

Categories
Featured Fitness Health

Why LIFT Should Be Your Favorite Four-letter Word

Why LIFT Should Be Your Favorite Four-letter Word
Lalaina Lee Duncan Processed with VSCO with 3 preset

By Lala Duncan, a personal trainer at THe DOGPOUND

Photo credits Wilfred Gachau @wilfred.gachau

We all know that, when it comes to being healthy, fit, and strong, there is no better way to achieve this than to lift weights. Yet still, with all the science-backed information available to us today on the subject and why it is good for us, especially as we approach the age of forty, we are hesitant to do it despite knowing that it is necessary.

Before I go on repeating more boring information on why lifting weights is good for us, I want to stop and think about what the word LIFT actually means. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word (v) LIFT means: to raise to a higher position or level, to elevate.  

When we elevate something, we raise it to a higher level; we LIFT it. Doesn’t this sound appealing? Now, why wouldn’t you want to allow yourself the opportunity to elevate the quality of your life through having a strong body and mindset?

Our physical strength is the most important thing in life. As we progress through time, physical strength has become less critical to our daily existence, but it’s no less critical to our daily lives. Our strength, more than any other thing in our possession, is what determines how long we live on this earth in our bodies and the quality in which we live it.

We do not have a choice! We possess potentially strong muscles and bones and are doing them a disservice by not paying more attention to them. If we ignore them, we are putting ourselves and our lives at risk by not allowing the opportunity to be able to live and operate at our utmost potential. The basis of our existence depends on our ability to provide them with the stimuli they need to stay in a condition that is necessary.  

And what is that stimulus? You guessed it — strength Training.  

What does strength training mean? Lifting heavy weights!

LIFT
Processed with VSCO with 1 preset

Why are people scared to lift weights? We’ve all heard that lifting weights can be bad for you: one might get hurt. Although possible, if done incorrectly, how badly will it hurt when you break a hip at 70 because the bones are frail and brittle. Our bones support our weight. Bone is living, stress-responsive tissue, just like muscle. It adapts to stress just like any other tissue and becomes more dense in response to heavier weight. This aspect of training is very important as we age and especially for us women whose bone density is a major factor for a long, healthy life.

As a trainer, I hear all types of fears from accomplished, educated women and men. But why? I’ll be the first to admit that lifting isn’t as exciting as spinning your heart out to loud EDM music. Lifting requires focus, the ability to be coachable, and, most importantly, patience. However, with an experienced, passionate, and skilled trainer, strength training should be the thing that elevates your life on a daily basis. After all, when we build strength, we build confidence, and we all know confidence is attractive.

We are the strongest creatures on the planet. 

We build homes

We build communities

We build careers

We build families

Yet we are afraid to build our own bodies.

Let’s figure out how to change the dialogue, fix the misconceptions, and end the miseducation of what it means to be fit, healthy, and strong. 

Elevate your life. Go out there and LIFT.

See More

Learning to Love your Body: 3 Simple Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic

Fighting Addiction With a Brazilian Life Lift

Take Control of Your Health With Personalized Nutrition

The Truth About Strength Training

Categories
Featured Fitness Health

Learning to Love your Body: 3 Simple Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic

Inner Critic
Olivia, a DOGPOUND LA trainer

by Olivia Poling, a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND‘s Los Angeles location

Photo Credit Bryan Espino

Ladies, tell me if this sounds familiar: you walk into your favorite department store wallet in-hand, ready to buy the PERFECT pair of jeans. You confidently stride over to the rack and sift through the piles until you find “your” size. Then it’s off to the dressing room – you know, that weird-smelling, slightly-disgusting little box with bad lighting – but no matter, with all the optimism in the universe you step into that “perfect pair” of jeans, pull them up, and start to button them.

But wait a minute… something’s not right…
“Are these tighter than last time?” 
Your heart begins to race. Panic sets in. 
“Oh my god. No, no, no… somethings wrong.  These have to fit.” 

But alas…after zipping and buttoning them closed it’s clear that on this day, at this moment, these “perfect” jeans are far from perfect…and a healthy dose of that confident optimism you had just a moment ago disappears in the blink of an eye.

But even worse… now you have to make the walk of shame.  You have to walk back out onto the floor and find the next number that accusingly reminds you of how “not perfect” you are. 

All the while your inner critic tosses out snarky little barbs from the sidelines of your mind. 
“How could I let this happen?” 
“What’s wrong with me? Am I’m not beautiful anymore?” 

This inner critic we all have living inside of us is an insidious monster that constantly nitpicks everything we do. 

UGH! No wonder this drives us half nuts. 

And this isn’t an isolated case either, according to dosomething.org approximately 91% of women report being unhappy with their bodies. 91%!

This problem is epidemic, but how do we inspire body positivity alongside a healthy lifestyle. 

Here are 3 small ways you can begin to silence your inner critic and learn to love YOUR body.

Inner Critic

1. Understand your body is part of who you are, it’s not ALL of who you are.

Your body is part of you, but it doesn’t define who you are. Don’t lose sight of the fact that our lives are rich and dynamic with a multitude of passions, relationships, talents, likes, dislikes, and values. 

Focusing on your whole self–not just listening to your inner critic tear you down–will help build your confidence, and confidence is always in style and it’s always sexy. No matter what you’re wearing or your size.

2. It’s OK to want to make changes, just make them for the right reasons.

On any journey in life, fitness, health, or learning a new skill, everyone travels at their own pace.  No one is better than you, some people are just further down the line on the journey. That doesn’t mean that you won’t get there someday.  So, stop comparing yourself to people who have been at this for a long time.  

Focus on YOUR journey.  Start with small steps and take a minute to reward yourself for each successive milestone – maybe start by adding more veggies to your diet, exercise a little harder or a few more times per week, drink more water, get more high-quality rest.  

Trust me: small, consistent changes pile up quickly and, over time, you’ll achieve (and even smash through) your wildest expectations.  

This won’t just help you physically–your mental health will thank you for this more rational approach as well.

3. Embrace the journey, while learning to love who you are.

Despite what our modern society tries to convince you of nothing ever happens overnight, the best things in life are worth the time and the effort you put in.  So, learn to enjoy the process. Be kind to your body and your mind. It not only will make you stronger on the outside but on the inside as well.

I promise you, if you’re consistent and remind yourself of these 3 simple things every day, you’ll notice changes in your body as well as your attitude towards yourself in all aspects of your life. 

And, it might just be enough to silence your inner critic once and for all.

See More

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The Business of Sport at The DOGPOUND

Monday Motivation: Walter Savage Talks Training

Take Control of Your Health With Personalized Nutrition

Categories
Featured Fitness Health

Monday Motivation: Walter Savage Talks Training

Monday Motivation: Walter Savage Talks Training

Photo Credits Walter Savage @savagelens 

Walter Savage is a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND.

DT: What is your goal as a trainer?

WS: The overall goal with my clients is to get them stronger, to lose body fat, and to move more efficiently in a holistic and pain-free manner while gaining better postural patterns in their everyday life. Becoming the best version of ourselves is all within our spirit, but some need a little time and faith to find that light inside.

DT: What excites you about working at The DOGPOUND? 

My job as a personal trainer is everything I’ve ever wanted and more because of the people that I’ve worked with along the way, and because I love to give back. Due to their hard work and trust in my principles, we both, as a team, have been successful.

Monday Motivation: Walter Savage Talks Training

DT: How did you first get involved with personal training?

WS: I became so involved with working out because of what I’ve been through in my life. Working out has always been my escape. When I’m training, I enter into another world and almost disassociate. I’ve had a bit of a journey managing my emotions from my adolescent years to this very day.  I was never one to argue so I would fight to end disagreements. The gym, along with martial arts, became my sanctuary; it calmed me down and set my mind straight. I fell in love with the result that I was seeing, and let’s face it, being strong is sexy. It’s funny to see the man I am today compared to the immature hot-headed prick that I used to be.

Monday Motivation: Walter Savage Talks Training

DT: What has your career in fitness taught you about yourself? 

WS:  My job as a personal trainer is everything I’ve ever wanted and more because of the people that I’ve worked with along the way, and because I love to give back. Due to their hard work and trust in my principles, we both, as a team, have been successful.

DT: Have you tried any diets that have worked for you?

WS: Learning is such an essential tool and when it comes to diet, I’ve experienced just about everyone imaginable. I was manipulated to lose 45 pounds to model; something that I accomplished for 1 year but it wasn’t until I realized how harmful this particular diet was for me that I learned how to gain it all back through proper training and consistent eating. In the end, there is a way to obtain a strong, healthy, natural physique, but you’re not going to get there without a little bit of sacrifice and feeling actual pain. Forget the facade, and see the truth of training. Limit your processed food intake, don’t be a zealot, and enjoy some cookies with ice cream every once in a while, but not every single day. Find your BALANCE.  

Categories
Featured Health Nutrition

Fuel Your Body With These Treats Without Meat

Fuel Your Body With These Treats Without Meat

By Samantha Robinson, a trainer at The DOGPOUND

There’s no way around it. If you’re going to ask me about nutrition, 10 out of 10 times I will tell you that your body will thrive the most off a plant-based diet. As long as you consume enough calories from whole plant foods for your body weight, you will never have to seek out any extra nutrients. Not sugar, not carbs, not even protein! I find plants to be so remarkable because they obtain everything you need to survive. Also… let’s not forget that they are incredibly tasty!

There are many ways to tailor a plant-based diet in order to help individuals with specific goals, just like any other diet. For example, if you’re looking to gain more muscle mass, you are definitely going to have to increase your food intake. Although if you are like me and are more interested in staying lean, maintaining an “average” caloric intake (for my body) of plant-based foods helps keep me exactly where I want to be. Below I’ve given you a very standard example of what I eat in a day. By no means is this what I eat every day, as I love to eat a wide variety of plant-based foods. Feel free to make the recipes below for yourself and loved ones! And don’t forget to make them your own.

Plant-based
Chocolate Banana Smoothie. Photo credit Lisa Photios, via Pexels.com

CHOCOLATE BANANA SMOOTHIE:

Ingredients:

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 cup water (or aloe juice if you have a bad stomach in the morning)
  • 2 heaping tbsp. cacao
  • 2 tbsp. hemp seeds
  • 1 tbsp. maca root powder
  • 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
  • A tiny bit of cinnamon & vanilla extract (if you’re feeling extra)

Directions:

  • Blend it up and enjoy it! (Don’t forget to use your reusable straw)
Plant-based
Winter Kale Salad. Photo credit Elle Hughes from Pexels.com

WINTER KALE SALAD

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa 
  • 1/2 cup sautéed portabella mushrooms 
  • 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash
  • 1/4 cup pepitas 
  • lemon, olive oil, salt 

Directions:

  • It’s a salad… you know what to do!
Plant-based
https://www.freshnlean.com/recipes/
Burrito Bowl. Photo credit Ella Olsson 

BURRITO BOWL: (Typical… I know, but I love them)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice 
  • 1/2 cup cooked black beans
  • 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 sliced avocado
  • hot sauce (if you’re feeling extra again) 

Directions:

  • Throw it all together in a bowl and eat it up!

We all want a diet that allows us to eat without guilt and find peace with our bodies. My goal is to help spread information on how a plant-based diet can be your missing puzzle piece. To some, the thought of loving your body may seem foreign and impossible. It is not unusual to feel uncomfortable and frustrated with your body, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok. By taking control over what you allow your body to consume, you will reach your aesthetic goals and most importantly, achieve a genuine, healthy body. When you are truly healthy on the inside, there is no doubt that you will look your best on the outside.