BUILT

Q: We’ve seen a recent trend toward shorter but more intense workouts (P90X to Insanity, 10-minute abs to 8-minute abs). Is this a marketing gimmick, or does the concept of “short but sweet” hold water when it comes to training?

Obviously, these types of training systems are going to be geared towards mass consumers as opposed to seasoned athletes; when people see things such as “8-minute abs” it’s attractive, because it implies fast results. That being said, many of these programs contain condensed exercises where instructors describe the precise techniques and duration necessary to achieve great, high intensity exercise. In the right context, 8 minutes of precise exercise through a video system could equate to the same value as 15, 30, or even 45 minutes of a person wandering the gym doing occasional exercise. What it really comes down to for me is focus and consistency.

Q: Should I blend my protein sources during a meal? For example, is it a good idea to eat fish and chicken as my protein sources during one meal?

Combining protein sources isn’t really an issue for me. As long as you’re getting full-spectrum protein nourishment, your body is still going to function optimally. Beans and rice are a good example of a vegetarian meal that requires protein sources to be combined in order to get nourishment that is fortified with all of the amino acids your body needs to function optimally.

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