Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts

Friday, May 24, 2019

Cardio Exercises Paired With Strength Training Lead to Better Health


A long-time contractor serving New Jersey and its surrounding regions, Ralph Serpe is the president of Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company. Aside from his professional responsibilities, Ralph Serpe enjoys playing golf in New Jersey and Florida. He also maintains a regular cycling and strength training schedule.

With the development of fitness trackers and a growing awareness of the importance of heart health, aerobic activity tends to receive the most attention from advocates for health and wellness. Most fitness experts agree, however, that it is important to pair cardiovascular exercise such as cycling and running with a strength training regimen.

Regular strength training routines help individuals maintain the strength and technique they need to support their cardio activities. They also help rebuild the lean muscle mass that naturally diminishes with age. Engaging in strength activities also helps to burn calories and improve weight loss. 

Cardio machines, with their bright displays estimating calories burnt, can make one think that strength exercises don’t contribute as much toward weight loss. But research shows that one burns a significant number of calories during a strength session. In fact, as lean muscle mass is built, one burns calories at an increased rate, even while resting. 

Fitness experts agree that incorporating both strength and cardio exercises into one’s workout routine is helpful to maintaining overall good health.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Escaping the Golf Course Bunker


New Jersey businessman Ralph Serpe has been in the construction industry for more than three decades. A passionate golfer, Ralph Serpe has a few favorite New Jersey golf spots, including Essex Fells Country Club.

Sand traps and bunkers are fixtures on nearly every golf course. For many golfers, the art of getting out of a bunker plays no small role in the success of their game.

To get out of a bunker, choose the right club. If you have little green to work with, your best choice is usually a lob wedge. If you have enough green, however, choose a lower-lofted wedge, such as a sand wedge or gap wedge, which will encourage a greater flight distance.

Your setup and swing are also key. Twisting your feet into the sand provides a stable base for the shot, and playing off your front foot with an open stance and open clubface gives a high trajectory and soft flight. The swing itself should be outside-in, ensuring good control and a high flight path.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Strength Training Tips


Based in Newark, New Jersey, Ralph Serpe founded Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company in 1982 and has built it into a thriving business with annual revenue in excess of $70 million. In his free time, Ralph Serpe enjoys staying in shape and has recently begun strength training. 

Strength training is a great addition to a cardio routine with its own benefits, including muscle development and toning. Here are some tips from Harvard Health for strength training workouts. 

1. Be sure to warm up and cool down before and after each workout. 

2. Use proper form. Correct form is necessary in order to avoid injuries, and it's usually best to work with a trained professional or through a class, especially when just starting out. 

3. Be sure to breathe out during the lifting or pushing and breathe in while releasing the load or weight.

4. Don’t lock the joints. Be sure to always keep a slight bend in the knees and elbows. 

5. Stop immediately if the work becomes painful. Strength training should never cause pain, and physical challenges should be increased in intensity slowly over time.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Four Safety Tips for Strength Training


Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company president Ralph Serpe utilizes a hands-on approach to management of the New Jersey-based firm and maintains involvement with all aspects of company operation, client relations, and work estimation. Ralph engages in strength training in his spare time and meets with his trainer twice a week. The following tips can improve your safety during strength training

1. Always do warmups and cool downs. A warmup prepares your body for the activity, while a cool down promotes recovery and relieves muscle soreness. Warmups and cool downs can consist of light activities, such as stretches or jogging. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for each warmup and cool down.

2. Maintain proper form. Proper form can help prevent injury and is required for maintaining your progress. Keep your body aligned and focus on performing slow, smooth movements. Consider using no or very light weights when learning a new strength training routine and acquire a full understanding of it before adding weights. Decrease weights if cannot keep good form.

3. Avoid overexertion. Take caution not to overexert yourself and pay attention to your body’s needs. Do not force yourself to finish if you feel faint or weak and give your body at least 48 hours to heal between sessions. You may also want to take a few days off after recovering from an illness. 

4. Work with an instructor or trainer. A trainer or instructor can help you maintain proper form, set realistic goals, and offer advice for your training regimen. They can also offer assistance if an accident occurs.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Three Strength-Training Tips for Beginners


Ralph Serpe is the founder and president of Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company in Newark, New Jersey. He is responsible for all aspects of the company, including new work estimates, client relationship management, and company resources and operations. At the request of his family, Ralph Serpe has recently started strength training with a personal trainer. 

Whether you have a personal trainer or not, getting started in strength training does not have to be an intimidating and painful process. Follow these three tips to transition smoothly into this new activity. 

1. Warm up with some light cardio to get your heart rate up and your blood flowing. In addition, stretch out your muscles so that they are loose and limber, which will help prevent injury and pain during your workout.

2. Start with simple workouts, using your body’s own weight. One setback for many beginners is that they think they need access to a gym and expensive equipment just to do strength training. Exercises like push-ups, squats, and sit-ups are an ideal way for beginners to start, without the need for weights or other equipment.

3. Remember to evolve your routine as you gain experience and familiarity. Changing the sequence and kind of exercises you do, as well as the number of reps, will not only ensure that you continually challenge yourself and get the most from your strength training, but will help prevent the boredom that comes with repeating the same routine over and over.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Three Tips to Find the Right Personal Trainer


In 1982, Ralph Serpe founded the Newark, New Jersey-based Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company, which he grew into a successful business that earns more than $70 million in annual revenue. When he is not working, Ralph Serpe enjoys strength training with a personal trainer

While a good personal trainer can make all the difference in a workout, a bad trainer can set you back and waste your money. Consider these tips when you’re looking for a personal trainer: 

1. Figure out exactly what you want from your exercise routine and look for a trainer who specializes in that area. If you are strength training to bulk up, a trainer who coaches runners might not be your best fit. 

2. Find a trainer who will personalize your plan of action. Bad trainers often prescribe the same routine for every client. Look for a trainer with the knowledge and patience to create a plan of action specific to your goals and current fitness level. 

3. Try a trainer before committing. Think of the experience as an audition or trial run to determine whether the trainer is a good fit for you. Even if the trainer looks good on paper, you will not know for sure until you have a training session with the person. Hold off on signing a contract until you are sure you have found the right trainer for you.