Functional Strength - Nielsen Fitness Personal Training

Our favourite moves for a strong upper body

Your upper body plays a huge role in how you move, lift, carry, and even sit throughout the day. Upper body strength is more than just nice-looking arms; it’s about being able to do life’s tasks with ease, preventing injuries, and feeling confident in your own movement. Whether you work with a virtual personal trainer or one of our in-home personal trainers […]

Functional Strength Injury Prevention

Ankle Mobility: Why it matters and how to achieve it

Ankle mobility and stability are two of the most important elements when it comes to exercise that supports overall health and longevity. Many of our older adult clients begin working with an in-home or virtual personal trainer because they’re beginning to feel the consequences of aging without proper attention to the health of their body, especially in regards to their […]

Equipment Exercise Fitness

Why we love band pulls (aka scapular retractions)

If you want to improve your posture, alleviate upper-back discomfort, and further enhance your foundation for total-body strength, scapular retractions should be on your radar. Using a resistance band to perform scapular retractions is a fantastic way to target key postural muscles, enhance shoulder mobility, and prevent injury. It’s a versatile exercise that fits into any routine, making it a […]

Exercise Fitness Functional Strength

Exercising with chronic pain: What you need to know

Living with chronic pain can feel like a constant battle. “An estimated 7.63 million, or one in four Canadians aged 15 or older, live with chronic pain” (Canadian Pain Task Force Report: September 2020). Whether it’s caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, or past injuries, persistent pain often limits movement, reduces quality of life, and makes even simple tasks feel daunting. Understandably, many people […]

Balance Core Strength Fitness

Why we love downward dog

Whether you’re new to mobility work or have been practicing for years, the downward dog should be a regular part of your routine. “The downward dog pose—also known as downward-facing dog, down dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit—is perhaps one of the most recognizable in yoga practices. Although it’s often associated with flexibility, the benefits go far beyond that” (Well […]

Exercise Fitness Fitness Tips

Why calf strength matters and how to achieve it

When it comes to building lower body strength, it’s easy to focus on your quads, glutes, and hamstrings: they’re large, major muscle groups. However, there’s another key muscle group that deserves equal attention: your calf muscles. These hard-working structures power everyday movements and athletic performance, yet they’re easy to neglect in training routines. Whether you’re working with one of our […]

Exercise Functional Strength Injury Prevention

Joints make noise when you move? This one’s for you.

Have you ever noticed a popping sound in your joints when you move? This phenomenon is known as crepitus, and it’s common for many of our in-home personal training clients in Toronto, Collingwood, and Hamilton, (and virtual personal training clients everywhere). While it can sometimes be alarming, crepitus is usually nothing to worry about. That said, in some cases, it can […]

Balance Core Strength Exercise

Leg Swings: Why We Love Them

If you’ve ever seen someone at the gym or in the park swinging their leg back and forth like a human pendulum, you’ve likely witnessed one of the most underrated warm-up exercises: leg swings. This simple, dynamic movement can play a powerful role in prepping your body for action and preventing injury. Whether you’re working with a virtual personal trainer […]

Balance Core Strength Exercise

Why We Love Side Planks

If you’re looking for a simple yet highly effective exercise to strengthen your core, improve stability, reduce lower back discomfort, and enhance overall fitness, then side planks are for you. Nielsen Fitness trainers use this staple movement in almost every client program – and for good reason. Read on to learn the benefits of the side plank, how to perform […]

Balance Exercise Fitness

Multi-planar exercises: What, why & how

You’re likely familiar with staple exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups — which are all great options for building strength. But here’s the thing: real life doesn’t happen in straight lines. Whether you’re reaching to grab something off a shelf, twisting to check your blind spot while driving, or chasing after kids or pets, you’re moving in all directions. That’s […]