Injury Prevention- Nielsen Fitness Virtual Personal Training

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

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 Core Strength Exercise

Your Guide to Proper Core Engagement

Core engagement is a fundamental aspect of fitness, heavily influencing your posture and movement efficiency. Whether you’re lifting weights, running, or simply sitting at a desk, a properly engaged core stabilizes your body while enhancing your daily performance. However, as in-home and virtual personal trainers, we know many people struggle to activate their core effectively. Read on to learn why […]

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 […]

Balance Exercise Fitness

Everything you need to know about quadriceps

Your quadriceps (quads) are one of your most powerful and essential muscle groups. “Whether you’re new to exercise or you’re a professional athlete, your quads are an important muscle group to pay attention to. Everything from getting out of a chair to walking or running requires these muscles to work” (Healthline, 2023). As in-home and virtual personal trainers, we help […]

Exercise Fitness Fitness Tips

The Importance of Building and Maintaining Strong Hips

Having strong hips is essential for fitness as well as general mobility. As in-home and virtual personal trainers, we play an important role in helping clients build and maintain strong hips through tailored exercise programming. Read on to learn why hip strength matters, how the team at Nielsen Fitness can assist, and a few examples of our favourite hip-strengthening exercises. […]

Exercise Fitness Injury Prevention

Workout Rest Intervals: What you need to know

Rest is a critical part of any effective workout, allowing your body to recover and perform at its best. However, it is possible to overdo rest, which can hinder your progress and derail your fitness goals. Let’s explore how rest intervals impact your strength workouts, the signs you’re resting too much, and how our in-home and virtual personal trainers at […]