Athletic Performance and Wellness
Maine Sports Academy
The Premiere Sports Conditioning Program in Maine
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The MSA Info Blog: Fitness Answers
What are you taking!?
As a personal trainer, that was one of the most important questions I had for my clients. Most often they would give me a list of items, confidently defending their health products like religion. Then I would ask them why they are taking them and where did they get their information. Almost everyone had no idea what the products were for and the answers varied widely:
"I read that vitamin E was good for my skin"
"I thought chromium was supposed to help me lose weight"
"If 2 of these are good, I decided that 10 would work much better!"
Shouldn't you know? Shouldn't you know FOR SURE what those things are going to do? I think so. Here's a true story that I hope helps you to understand the importance of this issue:
A good friend of mine was interested in taking his workouts to the next level. I gave him some nutrition recommendations to supplement his diet. Armed with this information, he went confidently to the "nutrition" store. When he got to the store he made the mistake of asking the kid at the counter what he should take.
He called me 3 weeks later because he was having some major health issues. He was fatigued, had trouble sleeping, had low endurance and some serious digestive problems (use your imagination). After a short discussion, I determined that the kid at the store had recommended zinc and claimed it was good for muscle growth. Unfortunately, my friend had purchased 3 different products that had zinc and had been taking almost 15 times the highest recommended amount for an adult male. This was creating a toxic level of zinc in his blood. He threw away all of the products and luckily, quickly recovered.
You should know what to take or you could be putting your health at serious risk. Do some research. If the product has no science or research supporting the claims, DON'T BUY IT! Even then you must be wary. Remember, there was a time when "research" supported the fact that cigarettes weren't unhealthy. If the research is not from a reputable source, that's another big, red flag. In my years of researching supplements, I sometimes found that the "research lab" listed as a reference on the product bottle was in the same building as the company that put out the product!
Another thing to think about is that your kids are probably taking something to get an edge. A large number of teens have admitted to using steroids. But there are supplements out there that can also be very harmful to your budding athlete. I often see kids chugging away on "energy drinks" while they're playing sports. I don't know if the coaches and parents just aren't educated (likely) or are just apathetic but those drinks have caused serious reactions in some kids including death.
Now don't get me wrong, there are some great products out there. But there are a couple of issues to consider even if you purchase good products from a reputable company. First, everybody is different. Men and women. Adults and kids. What are your medical conditions? There is no point taking a bunch of things that you don't need (or might be dangerous to you). Know what you need! Second: if you're on a budget, how should you prioritize your purchases for optimal health and/or performance?
The best tool I have found for myself and my clients to answer both of those questions is the 
on-line questionnaire.
The Nutri-Physical is an analytical tool that recommends a customized nutritional supplementation program based on your answers to a series of lifestyle and behavioral questions. These questions center around current, major health-related conditions and various lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, medical history, current supplementation, and related contributing factors.
The Nutri-Physical Nutritional Analysis was developed by a team of experts who designed a series of questions around major health-related conditions currently plaguing our nation. Algorithms were developed that calculated the point system given to individual responses that enabled various product categories to be ranked. Products were then recommended based on an individual's area of highest need and overall best fit across all categories. A daily nutrition supplement regimen is then suggested to the individual based on his or her responses and this computation.
If you are new to supplementation, the Nutri-Physical is an excellent resource for identifying areas of need in your current lifestyle that would benefit from nutritional supplementation. If you are already taking nutritional supplements, the Nutri-Physical can serve to reinforce the use of those products or make recommended adjustments that would further optimize your efforts and maximize your desired results.
Take charge of your health and use tools like the to educate yourself for better wellbeing.
To your Health!
Sincerely,
Jamie Graham
Maine Sports Academy Director
Here are some of the products that we recommend at the Maine Sports Academy:
Check out the Preferred Customer Program!
Email MSADirector@yahoo.com
or call 282-4005 ext 402 for details
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The mission of the Maine Sports Academy is to provide the training, skills, education and attitude to maximize potential for you or your child.
The Maine Sports Academy is Southern Maine’s premier training facility located in the Saco Howard Sports complex, one of the largest indoor facilities in New England. The Maine Sports Academy features a private athletic lab with field turf (found in many professional stadiums), climate control, equipment for weight management and athletic conditioning at any level of ability and a functional strength and balance training area overlooking the largest field in the facility! With access to indoor fields and basketball courts, improving your athletic performance or managing your weight has never been so fun!
Personal Training
The Maine Sports Academy at Howard Sports gives you a unique opportunity to have a customized athletic performance or weight management program designed specifically for you or your child. We accommodate the needs of everyone age 12 and up with our personal training programs and specialized equipment. Call or email for details.
The Maine Sports Academy, Maine's premiere speed, power and agility program is offering complimentary sessions for a limited time. We will make you a stronger, faster, more explosive and mentally prepared athlete or help you with a sensible weight management program with an emphasis on fun.
To reserve a free, private consultation for you or your child, contact the MSA Director.
Maine Sports Academy
at Howard Sports
Jamie Graham
Maine Sports Academy Director
400 North St. Saco, Maine 04072
(207) 282-4005 x402
MSADirector@yahoo.com
Also, check out our on-line store for all of your nutrition needs!
*All Personal Trainers of the Maine Sports Academy are nationally certified and/or degreed in a sports related field. Free, private sessions are limited and will be awarded at the discretion of the Maine Sports Academy.