---
title: Health & Fitness Blog - NASM (21)
description: For health and fitness topics, backed by the latest research in the field, browse our blog for industry-leading findings.  (21)
---

 

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- [NASM.org](https://www.nasm.org)
- [Fitness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/fitness)
- [CPT](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt)
- [Nutrition](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/nutrition)
- [CES](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/ces)
- [Sports Performance](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/sports-performance)
- [Workout Plans](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/workout-plans)
- [Wellness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness)

[![A women being stressed](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/causes-of-stress.jpg?width=723&name=causes-of-stress.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/the-causes-of-stress)

[wellness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness)

## [How Stress Affects The Body: A Helpful Guide](http://blog.nasm.org/the-causes-of-stress)

![Fabio Comana](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Fabio-Comana_avatar_1431619940-110x110.jpg) 

[Fabio Comana](http://blog.nasm.org/author/fabio-comana) |  February 9, 2022

 Stress stimulates appetite, it increases abdominal fat, it increases risks for disease and it can even play a role in our intimate relationships. The list could keep going, but what exactly is stress and how is it connected to all these consequences?

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/the-causes-of-stress)

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[American Fitness Magazine](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/american-fitness-magazine) [Recovery](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/recovery)

## [Exploring the Science of Recovery](http://blog.nasm.org/the-science-of-recovery)

![Fabio Comana](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Fabio-Comana_avatar_1431619940-110x110.jpg) 

[Fabio Comana](http://blog.nasm.org/author/fabio-comana) |  February 8, 2022

 Recovery from training is becoming recognized as one of the most important aspects of physical activity and overall wellness. As we sort through the myriad recovery strategies and their varied levels of scientific support, it’s important to remember that ...

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/the-science-of-recovery)

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[![a man doing a drop set in the gym](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/drop-sets.jpg?width=723&name=drop-sets.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/drop-sets-for-gains-why-this-lifting-format-works)

[CPT](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) [spotlight](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/spotlight)

## [Drop Sets for Gains: Why This Lifting Format Works](http://blog.nasm.org/drop-sets-for-gains-why-this-lifting-format-works)

![Kinsey Cave](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Kinsey_Headshot.jpg) 

[Kinsey Cave](http://blog.nasm.org/author/kinsey-mahaffey) |  February 7, 2022

 Strength training research points to the importance of training to muscle failure to maximize exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy (Willardson 2007). Many gym-goers use a standard horizontal load system, also known as a straight-set, to reach this goal.

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/drop-sets-for-gains-why-this-lifting-format-works)

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[![4 athletes running outside along water](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Using%20Stage%20Training%20to%20Impove%20Cardiorespiratory%20Endurance.jpg?width=723&name=Using%20Stage%20Training%20to%20Impove%20Cardiorespiratory%20Endurance.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/uncategorized/using-stage-training-to-improve-cardiorespiratory-endurance-3)

[Cardio](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cardio)

## [Using Stage Training to Improve Cardiorespiratory Endurance](http://blog.nasm.org/uncategorized/using-stage-training-to-improve-cardiorespiratory-endurance-3)

![Brian Sutton, MA, MS, CSCS, NASM-CPT, CNC, CES, PES](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Brian-Sutton_avatar_1495139813-110x110.jpg) 

[Brian Sutton, MA, MS, CSCS, NASM-CPT, CNC, CES, PES](http://blog.nasm.org/author/brian-sutton-ma-ms-cscs-nasm-cpt-cnc-ces-pes) |  February 3, 2022

 Of the various components that comprise a client’s total physical fitness program, cardiorespiratory endurance is probably the most misunderstood and underrated. In order to understand how to perform cardiorespiratory training in the most effective and ...

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/uncategorized/using-stage-training-to-improve-cardiorespiratory-endurance-3)

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[CPT](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) [Fitness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/fitness) [Workout Plans](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/workout-plans) [Cardio](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cardio)

## [Peripheral Heart Action Training](http://blog.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/peripheral-heart-action-training)

![National Academy of Sports Medicine](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/13442383_10154150083743950_8553850781724889232_n.png) 

[National Academy of Sports Medicine](http://blog.nasm.org/author/national-academy-of-sports-medicine) |  February 2, 2022

 We know that weight loss or body fat reduction is largely based on a numbers game. And “working out” is a way of controlling the numbers (less calories in, more calories out and weight loss can be achieved).

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/peripheral-heart-action-training)

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[![a senior fitness trainer training a client](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why-train-seniors.jpg?width=723&name=why-train-seniors.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/why-train-seniors-as-a-personal-trainer)

[Senior Fitness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/senior-fitness) [spotlight](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/spotlight)

## [Why Become a Senior Fitness Trainer? Career Outlook, Salary, and More](http://blog.nasm.org/why-train-seniors-as-a-personal-trainer)

![Nicole Golden](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/nicoleprofessionalpic.jpg) 

[Nicole Golden](http://blog.nasm.org/author/nicole-golden) |  January 28, 2022

 "The gym is mostly for grandma; she belongs there more than the rest of us do. We are doing this for recreation, she is doing this to sustain her independent way of life." (Isratel, 2021)

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/why-train-seniors-as-a-personal-trainer)

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[![a woman exercising outside](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mental-health-and-exercise-benefits.jpg?width=723&name=mental-health-and-exercise-benefits.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/exercise-and-mental-health-benefits)

[wellness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness)

## [The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise](http://blog.nasm.org/exercise-and-mental-health-benefits)

![Dana Bender](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Dana-Bender_avatar_1564156866-110x110.jpg) 

[Dana Bender](http://blog.nasm.org/author/dana-bender) |  January 27, 2022

 Consistently exercising over time has an array of health benefits. It’s easy for individuals to emphasize the physical benefits of exercise more, but there are a variety of mental health benefits that are just as important to note.

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/exercise-and-mental-health-benefits)

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[wellness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness) [spotlight](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/spotlight)

## [Reasons Why You Should Become a Wellness Coach](http://blog.nasm.org/why-become-a-wellness-coach)

![Nicole Golden](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/nicoleprofessionalpic.jpg) 

[Nicole Golden](http://blog.nasm.org/author/nicole-golden) |  January 25, 2022

 It is somewhat shocking to look at statistics on death and chronic illnesses in the United States only to realize that many of these diseases are entirely preventable by lifestyle choices. Metabolic disorders (i.e., dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes), ...

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/why-become-a-wellness-coach)

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[spotlight](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/spotlight) [Personal Trainer Marketing](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/personal-trainer-marketing)

## [How to Make a Personal Trainer Business Plan](http://blog.nasm.org/personal-trainer-business-plan)

![Brad Dieter](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Brad-Dieter_avatar_1562022887-110x110.png) 

[Brad Dieter](http://blog.nasm.org/author/brad-dieter) |  January 20, 2022

 Personal training can be one of the most rewarding careers an individual can pursue. You get to connect with people on a meaningful level, you positively impact their lives, and you can work in a field that you are passionate about.

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/personal-trainer-business-plan)

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[Nutrition](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/nutrition) [spotlight](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/spotlight)

## [Do You Need to Take Protein Powder If You Are Serious About Fitness?](http://blog.nasm.org/do-you-need-to-take-protein-powder)

![Jacqueline Kaminski](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/kaminsky.jpg) 

[Jacqueline Kaminski](http://blog.nasm.org/author/jacqueline-kaminski) |  January 19, 2022

 Protein, Protein, Protein. By this point, most of us are aware of protein's muscle-enhancing benefits — especially regarding exercise. But does attaining the highest levels of fitness require the addition of protein powders to your diet?

[Read More](http://blog.nasm.org/do-you-need-to-take-protein-powder)

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### [Protein and Weight Loss: How Much Protein Do You Need to Eat Per Day?](http://blog.nasm.org/nutrition/how-much-protein-should-you-eat-per-day-for-weight-loss)

By Brad Dieter

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### [Body Types: Mesomorph, Ectomorph, & Endomorph Explained](http://blog.nasm.org/body-types-mesomorph-ectomorphs-endomorphs-explained)

By Kinsey Cave

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### [Sagittal, Frontal and Transverse Body Planes: Exercises & Movements](http://blog.nasm.org/exercise-programming/sagittal-frontal-traverse-planes-explained-with-exercises)

By Andrew Payne

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### [Banded Clamshell Workout](http://blog.nasm.org/banded-clamshell-workout)

By Kinsey Cave

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### [Periodization Training Simplified: Your Guide to the Cycles and Phases](http://blog.nasm.org/periodization-training-simplified)

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### [Augie Nieto: 2024 Don Wildman Commitment to Excellence Award Winner](http://blog.nasm.org/augie-nieto-2024-don-wildman-commitment-to-excellence-award-winner)

By Bill Apablasa

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### [Discussing Alcohol & Nutrition: Making Mindful Choices](http://blog.nasm.org/alcohol-and-nutrition-making-mindful-choices)

By Darlene Marshall

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### [Global Wellness Institute: Highlighting The Fitness & Wellness Evolution](http://blog.nasm.org/a-fitness-and-wellness-evolution-look-back-ancient-civilizations-to-now)

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### [Mindfulness & Drinking: Knowing How Much Alcohol is Too Much](http://blog.nasm.org/how-to-drink-more-mindfully)

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### [Here's How to Calculate & Improve Your RMR](http://blog.nasm.org/how-to-calculate-and-improve-rmr-resting-metabolic-rate)

By Dana Bender

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