Sabrena Jo

By Sabrena Jo, Ph.D., ACE Senior Director of Science and Research

In this video series, ACE outlines how to form and stick to healthy habits.

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You lead packed studios full of participants, all with varying fitness levels and abilities, so it’s essential to have effective strategies for monitoring participants’ exercise intensities during class. Learn how to teach class attendees how to effectively monitor their own intensity so that the safety, effectiveness and purpose of the conditioning are not left to chance.

Strong calves are important for everyday activities like walking, running and jumping. Effectively working the calves involves raising the heels against resistance, whether that’s your own body weight or an added load, such as dumbbells or elastic resistance. The following five-exercise workout, which can be performed just about anywhere, is a great way to strengthen and sculpt the calves.

Strong biceps are not just for show—they are responsible for bending the elbow and make it possible for you to lift and carry heavy objects—including your own body weight. This 10-minute biceps workout is a great way to strengthen these essential muscles.

Strong shoulders not only look good, they also make it a lot easier to perform a wide range of everyday activities, especially those involving bringing the arms overhead, like getting an item down from a shelf. This 10-minutes circuit is a fast and efficient way to strengthen all the muscles of the shoulder.

A healthy back is essential for good posture and being able to do all the things required by daily life. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to ensure your back muscles are strong and supportive. This 10-minute back workout focuses on both the upper- and lower-back muscles, and will make everything from carrying groceries to standing in line a whole lot easier.

Strong, toned triceps muscles are a goal for many people—men and women alike. This 10-minute triceps workout, which involves extending the elbows against resistance, will not only help create toned muscles, but also build the strength needed for everyday activities involving pushing and reaching.

A strong core is essential for a healthy back and a body that moves well in both sports and everyday life. This 10-minute workout strengthens the muscles of the torso through the use of static-hold exercises coupled with dynamic movements, all of which will challenge these important muscles and prepare them for life’s daily demands.

Some call the glutes the body’s powerhouse and there’s no question they play a huge role in sports and everyday life. This 10-minute workout for the glutes will help strengthen these essential muscles, while also making a wide range of activities—from making a jump shot in basketball to getting up out of a chair—much easier to do.

Ready to get a whole-body, heart-pumping workout that increases cardio and strength and boosts metabolism—all in the most efficient way possible? Check out this high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuit that will help you burn lots of calories and put your metabolism in high gear well after your workout is over.

If your fitness goals include reducing body fat, high-intensity workouts that feature whole-body movements have been proven to be effective. Check out this mini-circuit workout, which can help you burn tons of calories while building up your strength and endurance as well.

Body-weight workouts, which require minimal equipment and can be done just about anywhere, are both effective and convenient. Try this six-exercise circuit, which challenges all the major muscle groups while promoting mobility and strength.

Stretching is arguably the most frequently overlooked component of a fitness program, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Even a few minutes of stretching can offer big benefits. Try the following short routine at the end of your next workout for a whole-body stretch that will leave you feeling relaxed and ready for whatever your day brings.

While it’s easy to understand why athletes would spend time working on speed and agility, is this type of training important for non-athletes as well? The answer is yes, and it stems from the need to perform daily functions with ease and confidence. These drills, developed by ACE Certified pro Sabrena Merrill, will help your clients develop better balance, coordination and quickness, and bring a sense of fun and playfulness to their workouts.

Does your training regimen include a balance component? Considering that balance training has been shown to reduce the risk of falls (especially in older adults) and improve dynamic balance in both athletes and non-athletes, incorporating this type of training could be a wise choice. ACE Certified pro Sabrena Merrill explains an easy way to test your balance, and presents four great exercises that are sure to keep you steady on your feet.

There is more to a balanced core program than just performing crunches or sit-ups. ACE Certified pro Sabrena Merrill explains why it’s important to challenge the core from a variety of different angles and presents a stability ball routine that addresses the entire functionality of the trunk muscles—flexion, extension, side bending and rotation.

If you’ve noticed a decline in your exercise or sports performance, you could be experiencing overtraining syndrome. Whether you’re an athlete training for a competitive event, or a regular exerciser working out to improve fitness, there is a chance that you may unwittingly sabotage your efforts by training too frequently or too vigorously without adequate rest. Here are three research-based, yet practical, tips for avoiding the negative effects of overtraining syndrome.

Interested in building more muscle? Fortunately, you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to benefit from the evidence-based techniques that bodybuilders have long used to perfect their physiques. Here are some important tips for exactly what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to building muscle.

Circuit workouts are a great option for burning fat and achieving the coveted toned and sculpted look. Try this lower-body circuit workout from ACE Fitness.

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While most of us wouldn’t mind having a flatter belly, what we really should be after is a healthy core and the muscular development that goes along with it. When combined with a balanced diet and a comprehensive fitness plan, the following exercises provide a multi-directional strategy for working the muscles of abdomen and back, which will give you the waist you both want and need.

Ready to firm up those upper arms once and for all? ACE Certified pro Sabrena Merrill offers up a trio of triceps exercises that, along with a comprehensive fitness plan and balanced diet, are sure to improve the shape, tone and strength of the upper arms.

The days are getting warmer, which means it’s time to shed those winter layers. Fitness pro Sabrena Merrill presents three ideal moves that target the muscles of the hips and thighs and will have you rocking your shorts this summer.