It Depends…

Written By Denise Rising

Hi Friends! 👋

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Denise, and I’m a certified personal trainer. I offer online and in person training. I’m kicking off my first blog post to share helpful tips, highlight what I’m seeing on the gym floor and fitness industry to keep you motivated on your fitness journey. With a little bit of luck this will become a consistent part of my site. It all just depends…

Whether you're here to lift heavy, move better, or just escape real life for a bit, I’ve got your back.

This month, I’m diving into three quick but powerful topics that have been coming up a lot lately:

1. Are You Actually Warming Up… or Just Killing Time on the Treadmill?

While warming up on the treadmill is great to get the blood pumping there are more ideal ways to start your workout. 

Matching your warm-up to your work out. A good warm-up preps your body for the movement patterns you are about to do. While this may sound like a daunting thing to add to your workout, just 1-2 mobility/activation exercises per muscle group is enough to get you started. Here are a few that I recommend and do with my clients on a regular basis: 

Lower Body: Glute Bridges, Waiter Bows, Kneeling Runner with Rotation

Upper Body: Wall Slides, Shoulder Dislocates with a Row, Band Pull-Aparts

2. Machines vs. Free Weights: What Should You Be Using?

No one, is necessarily better than the other. Like everything else in fitness, it DEPENDS! It depends on your experience, comfort, and the goals you are working toward. 

  • New to lifting or working around an injury? Machines offer safety and support. 

  • Want more stability, core activation, or functional strength? Free weights are where it's at. 

  • Been using one or the other exclusively? Try changing it up and see how your body responds. 

  • My advice: Use both! Machines for building strength in a controlled setting. Free weights for recruiting more muscles and perfecting your form, balance, and coordination. 

3. Stop Chasing Sweat: The Myth that the 'Harder Workout is the Better Workout'

It’s tempting to judge a workout by how sweaty or sore you are, but effective training is not always about going as hard as you can. 

Remember: Progress comes from consistency, good form, rest, and small improvements over time, not just high intensity. Try thinking about doing the least amount of work to elicit change. More does not equal better. 

Trainer Truth: Soreness should not be the barometer for how effective your workout is. 

High five for making it to the end of my first trainer blog! 🙌

If there's something you’d love to see covered in the future, just reply via email or social media DM! I want this to feel helpful, real, and worth your read every time. 

Until next time, train smart, stay consistent, and keep showing up. You’re doing AWESOME! 

Denise Rising https://uprisingfitnessco.com