What is Multi-Dimensional Training? Most people workout in the traditional, single-dimension of “exercise only,” without even thinking about environmental dimensions. When you add dimensions to your workout, you will force your body to adapt to perform and you can expose your body to elements that will increase your physical effectiveness. If you could accelerate your results and decrease the amount of time that is necessary for the workout, then wouldn’t that be important for clients as well as fitness center owners? For the client, it would mean greater results in less time. For the fitness entrepreneur, it would mean more happy clients and more facility capacity, due to less time needed per workout. WIN, WIN!
An example of this type of training would be the method that involves these three elements: 1-heat, 2-infrared energy, and 3-exercise. When these three elements or “dimensions” are combined, fitness magic takes place.
Dimension 1- Heat
When your core body temperature rises, your metabolism speeds up. For every 1 degree Celsius (approximately 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) increase in core temperature, your metabolism goes up 10-13 percent. Another workout advantage is that warm ups take less time in a heated studio. Champion athletes practice heat acclimation to reach higher levels of conditioning. When your body acclimates to heat there is an anabolic effect. Take a look at this research:
“According to Rhonda Perciavalle Patrick, Ph.D., increasing your core temperature for short periods, as is done by using a sauna, may offer dramatic improvements to your athletic performance. She calls this concept ‘hyperthermic conditioning,’ which emerging research suggests has multiple positive effects on your body, from increased endurance to the growth of new brain cells.”
Dimension 2- Infrared
Infrared is not just an option for creating heat, Infrared is energy. Infrared energy has the effect of strengthening and activating the regenerative processes in the human body. This is why workouts in an infrared energy environment can help to accelerate workout recovery.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Thermal radiation (or infrared) is a band of energy in the complete electromagnetic spectrum and it [heat therapy from the sun] has been used effectively for millennia to treat/ease certain maladies and discomforts.” In one study, as cited by their website, “After constant exposure to FIR, wound healing was significantly quickened and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 expressing myofibroblasts and collagen content were increased.”
Dimension 3- Exercise
Two forms of exercise work very well inside of an infrared sauna, for example, Isometrics and HIIT. With isometrics, various different methods can be used such as yoga and Pilates. With HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), a short 15-minute routine with a cycle or row will provide just the right amount of workout results when combined with heat and infrared energy.
As a fitness facility owner or operator, you can add dimensions to your workout offerings and get more done in less time for your members!
Stephen P. Smith, MA is the CEO and Creator of HOTWORX, a former NPC National Bodybuilding Competitor and Former Arena Football Player. For more information visit http://hotworx.net/.
