DOWDELL FITNESS SYSTEMS : BLOG
Dowdell Fitness Systems – The Story
By Joe Dowdell |
Back in April of 2016, I closed my gym, Peak Performance, due to some unfortunate circumstances with a contractor while building out a new 25,000 square foot facility where I was planning on relocating and expanding the Peak brand. So after a successful 19 year run in NYC (which was not easy) and being on the […]
Beginner’s Guide to Movement Preparation
By Joe Dowdell |
How does it work? Movement Preparation (or Movement Prep, for short) is not the conventional warm-up that you are probably familiar with. On the contrary, it makes you stronger, more stable and enables you to yield long-term flexibility gains. In a movement prep routine, each exercise has approximately 5-10 reps (per side where applicable) designed to prepare […]
An Introduction to Strength Training
By Joe Dowdell |
Strength training is one of the most popular forms of training around; professional athletes who are looking to perform better in their sport and to avoid injury use it. Regular gym goers, who want to live a life free of injury, and perform simple tasks such as carrying their shopping bags with ease, use it. […]
An Introduction to Medicine Ball Training
By Joe Dowdell |
You have probably seen a medicine ball in the gym before, perhaps a gym member was using it to perform weighted crunches, or maybe they were throwing it at a wall. Many long-term gym goers will either love them or completely underrate them. However, the medicine ball, just like any tool is only as effective […]
What Are Plyometrics? And How To Use Them
By Joe Dowdell |
Plyometrics, otherwise known as jump training is a form of training that has been around since the 1960s. Originally utilized by Soviet coaches to great effect, the technique was eventually integrated into the training programs of most athletes, and today elements of plyometrics training have been integrated into gyms. For example, the box jump in […]
“What is Power? And how do you increase it?”
By Joe Dowdell |
Power has been an industry buzzword for a very long time, “build powerful arms” or “follow this program to increase your leg power” are standard phrases used by the fitness industry to sell supplements or training programs. However, while most people would say that being powerful is a good thing, you would probably struggle to […]
Energy Systems: Your Complete Guide to Cardio Training
By Joe Dowdell |
When it comes to Energy Systems Development (or Cardio Training), there are three energy systems that you use while exercising. They are split into two categories: With oxygen and without oxygen. Aerobic exercise uses oxygen as a catalyst for energy production. Anaerobic exercise creates energy without oxygen. All three energy systems are necessary for almost […]
Heart Rate Monitor Benefits: The Best Training Tool You Aren’t Using
By Joe Dowdell |
Can you tell me how hard you’re actually working in the gym? How about your method for measuring your progress over the past few weeks (or months) of training? And your strategy for using the perfect rest and work periods to reach your goals?No? Well, no wonder you’re not seeing the results you desire … […]
Recovery From Training: The Most Underappreciated Variable
By Joe Dowdell |
If you have recently started exercising after a long layoff or you have a good enough memory to recall when you did, then you are probably aware of the need for recovery from training. Performing a handful of light barbell squats on a Monday and then being unable to walk up stairs from Tuesday to […]
Functional Training: Re-examining the Unstable Surface Training Debate
By Joe Dowdell |
The fitness industry never does things by halves, does it? Everything becomes black or white, and very few people pay attention to the shades of grey in between. Before the 90s, unstable surface training was used exclusively by physiotherapists and the occasional sports coach. Then it got picked up by personal trainers and really blossomed […]
The Real Truth About How Hollywood Stars Transform Their Bodies
By Joe Dowdell |
Believe it or not, the most famous celebrity transformations are often filled with fluff… Or as I like to call it, “Hollywood Hype.” But before I reveal the truth behind Hollywood’s hottest bodies (from experience, of course), allow me to introduce myself. My name is Joe Dowdell. For more than 20 years, I have been training […]