Muscle Ventures Podcasts

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 31MB; Google streaming flash video), I (Bud) report some unfortunate news. Due to professional conflicts, Nancy Arnold has had to move on from Muscle Ventures. I have agreed with Nancy not to publicly go into the details of her decision beyond what I have just related. Instead, I'd like to spend the post chronicling Nancy's contribution to this site that she helped me start 14 months ago.

Nancy and I started Muscle Ventures in February 2006 after we had been training together for a bit over a year. She was in the midst of dieting and preparing for a bodybuilding competition, and we were doing exercise analyses. We had started on my now suspended Michigan Muscle Boy blog and wanted to share the credit.

We didn't really kick into high gear though until April when we chronicled the last month of her competition preparation. If you look in that month, you'll see some things that are similar and some that are different from what had become our recent posting pattern. There was an intense focus on bodybuilding and many interviews with different players. It was a fun, focused, intense time. You might have thought the site was dedicated to bodybuilding competition. Since, we kept up the interviews but diversified the focus covering things like the gym business and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association.

Nancy's recent trip to Northern Kentucky was a continuation of that diversification. Unfortunately, we won't be able to continue that series at this time but may be able to complete it in the future. The last episode, which we won't show now, goes into her indecision on whether or not to compete in Kentucky. She liked the venue, but the show was long.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how close Nancy and I became personally. All of this fitness blogging business started around the time of my mother's death, and Nancy was a tremendous support. I enjoyed working out with her immensely. She will be missed from this site and from our gym sessions together.

As I mention in the podcast, the site will continue. I have several ideas planned at Gold's Gym, Ann Arbor as well as other gyms in the Southeast Michigan area.

Additional Links

• We started the exercise analysis series on Michigan Muscle Boy with this gem.
• Here, I reviewed Nancy's hometown gym, the Outback, in Dexter.
• Nancy continues at NCAFitness, her business that we discussed in this series.

In this final installment on NCA Fitness (Quicktime ipod compatible, 24MB; Google streaming flash video), Bud finishes talking to  Jim and me (Nancy) about how the building came into existence and how Jim completed the inside.

The conversation begins with Bud asking why we wanted to build a pole barn in the first place.  Jim  responds by explaining that  he has always been interested in building things, restoring his 1931 Model A and woodworking.  He never had a place that was dedicated to his hobbies but always wanted one.  When the opportunity to build the pole barn surfaced we decided to take it.  In August 2003 we began to build the barn.  After many hot days and long hours we finished the building.  Jim then divided the barn into two rooms and we decided to make the smaller area a fitness center for me.  

Bud next asks about how Jim knew how to finish the inside of the barn.  Jim says that he learned alot from his father.  His dad was a carpenter and taught Jim quite a bit about the trade.  He learned everything from the initial  steps of "roughing in" a room to the finising steps of drywall, trim and paint.  Jim also points out that he enjoys working with his hands so this is really not "work" to him.

Bud then asks what work is left to complete in the fitness room.  Jim states that we are thinking of installing a suspended ceiling to decrease the echo in the room.  We are also contemplating adding a bit more lighting to make the room a little brighter.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Not sure what a pole barn is?  Find out here.
• Read more about NCA Fitness

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 42MB; Google streaming flash video), Bud Gibson and I (Nancy) discuss how I have equipped NCA Fitness, my personal fitness studio.

In designing my studio I thought about my training philosophy and how that translates into an effective workout.  In addition to traditional strength training I truly believe that functional training should be included into every workout.  Functional training can improve neuromuscular coordination and efficiency. Working multiple muscle groups simultaneously makes the body a more efficient machine.

The first piece of equipment that Bud and I discuss is the Tower made by Free Motion.  This piece is specifically made for full body functional training.  The  cable column adjusts from top to bottom or anywhere in between.  There are four different attachments that provide the ability to work many different positions and muscle groups together or individually.  The weight stack increases in increments of 2.5 pounds and goes up to 50 pounds.

The dumbbells can be used for traditional strength training moves such as a chest press, shoulder press or a bicep curl.  For some clients dumbbells may be more beneficial than machines because they don't lock the user into a specific joint angle.  This may be an advantage for some due to injury or other joint issue that  should be addressed.

The cardiovascular equipment in my studio includes an Airdyne bike, treadmill and an elliptical machine.   One piece is not necessarily better than the other.  It's more a matter of what you enjoy.  The elliptical machine is non-impact and therefore may be a better choice for those with ankle, knee, hip or low back issues.

I also have a traditional cable cross machine.  Another resistance piece that can work muscles in a variety of ways.  Different attachments (or handles) allows me to change the angle of the muscle group therefore making the workout more complete.  In addition to the equipment mentioned above I also have various balance tools (like the BOSU and dyna discs) and resistance tubing, steps and foam rollers.  These are all designed to make the workout more complete and effective based on each individuals needs.  

Additional Links

• An interesting view on functional training.
• More information on the Free Motion equipment.