February 17, 2017

Peak Fitness in 20 NYC Minutes

 

Adam Zickerman of 

 

Inform Fitness  recommends going to the gym once a week. It’s the best way, he’s found and studies have confirmed, to achieve the maximum fitness results while reducing the possibility of injury by overuse.

 

 

So, for any adrenaline junkie out there, surely that one visit a week will be jam-packed with all kinds of intensive, cardio-heavy workouts that you leave you covered in sweat and with your head pounding, right?

 

Nope. Instead, Zickerman and his team of personal trainers throughout the US will lead you through achingly slow weight lifting reps. But you won’t be doing the usual three reps of ten that has been prescribed for every exercise by everyone. Instead, Zickerman has pioneered the “lift to failure” technique that maxes out your body’s capacity in just four to five reps.

 

With the entire body reaching muscle failure in one 20 minute session, it’s no wonder that Inform Fitness has been covered by everyone from the New York Times to Vogue, with even Barbara Walters giving the workout a go on The View.

 

“People usually go to the gym three to five  times a week for an hour each time,” Zickerman said. “But working out with the Inform Fitness technique allows them to get those hours back -- they are getting a better workout and saving time. It’s a win-win.”

 

For over 20 years, Zickerman has been obsessed with finding the perfect ratio of how much exercise is needed to how much rest is needed in between workouts. For most people, he’s found that it’s achieving muscle failure once per week -- with some folks going in two times a week.

 

And while there are other ways to get exercise, Zickerman encourages would-be fitness hounds to build up their muscular strength through muscle failure, and then enjoy other physical pursuits, like soccer or jujitsu, for fun.

 

“Sometimes people get upset when I suggest that they don’t play a sport for exercise -- but that’s not how you want to get into shape. Sports ebb and flow; with a concentrated routine, you’re going to get the best results and ensure that you don’t get hurt when you’re with your buddies playing a game,” he said.

 

As for other workout regimens, like CrossFit? Zickerman suggests skipping them. From decades of working in the field, he’s seen first-hand how the body is exposed to the risk of injury through excessive exercise. Finding the perfect balance between exercise and rest became his passion and Inform Fitness is the manifestation of that zeal.

 

So why workout once a week? It comes down to nature, Zickerman explained. After maxing out your muscles to exhaustion, letting them rest for the remainder of the week will give your body time to heal and grow new muscle, giving you the lean, defined body that everyone wants.

 

 

With a  New York Times best-selling book  and  studios throughout the US  that are decked out with specialty equipment which ensure the slowest possible lifts, Zickerman has a devoted following of those who swear by his techniques. With a new year just under way and a sculpted body only 20 minutes a week away, checking out Inform Fitness may be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. We’ll see you there!

 

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