We wanted to warmly introduce Emma Hanson!

 Emma grew up in Winona, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Emma grew up playing all types of sports but focused on basketball and swimming in high school. In college she held a position working sporting events where her love of sports and exercise grew. After college, she worked as a strength and conditioning coordinator as well as swim coach for different high schools.  

In her free time, she says, "I enjoy crocheting, cooking, outdoor activities (hiking, camping, sunsets), and traveling."

Emma says, "I am passionate about empowering individuals in their exercise and nutrition path. By dedicated myself to educating others on exercise and nutrition to help them build healthier lifestyles through informed choices and sustainable habits."

Northstar Fitness has a core team of Fitness Professionals that work with each client on their...

We are proud to announce the newest member of our growing team.  Welcome Quinn Steckbauer!  Quinn Joins us from UW-Oshkosh, where he played basketball for the Titans while he completed his bachelors degree in Strength and Conditioning with a minor in psychology from UW-Oshkosh.

Quinn grew up in Merrill, WI, and he recently received his Certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  In his free time, he enjoys anything outdoors including camping, biking, and hiking.   He enjoys basketball, golf, tennis, and volleyball, and playing with his cat Dudley, and is a fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Quinn says, "I have enjoyed sports and exercise my entire life.  They improve my health and overall well-being.  I want other people to feel that same improvement and be able to achieve their goals!  There's nothing more rewarding than helping someone do something they thought wasn't possible!"

His fiance,...

The first step of the fitness journey is the hardest.   We have a desire but no momentum.  And there are other barriers to getting started… 

We say we’ll start tomorrow.  The next day, we again say we’ll start tomorrow, and years later, we still haven’t made progress.  

Some of the most common reasons one fails to get started on their fitness journey:

• I’ve tried everything and it hasn’t worked. 
• I have nagging or chronic pain or I am worried about getting injured.
• I don’t like working out, don’t like to sweat, or don’t like feeling sore.
• I don’t know if anything will help
• I’m confused – there are so many options out there.
• I’m busy

Everyone has been there at some point.  Which one most resonates with you?  Is there one not listed here that has prevented you from starting?

Regardless of the reason, these become real roadblocks preventing us from taking that...

 Which type of exercise endurance training vs. strength training best decreases the risk for coronary disease?

We've been taught to exercise daily through endurance training to best decreases the risk for coronary disease.   But when look at all the components of energy metabolism we see that strength training in fact is superior in decreasing the risk for coronary disease (McGuff & Little, 2009). 

When exercising at a low-intensity steady-state an individual is not able to achieve complete glucose depletion which results in a reduced ability of these muscles to store glucose.  Glucose storing capacity is reduced when glucose elimination is incomplete and leads to extra glucose in the bloodstream.  This extra glucose in the bloodstream will be diverted to fat cells which in turn increases the risk of developing coronary disease.  Endurance training such as running, for example, does not facilitate complete glucose depletion and thus decreases...

Obesity related illnesses are set to surpass smoking as the number one cause of death in the United States.  The impact to individuals, families is heartbreaking, and medical costs and the financial burden associated with it are skyrocketing.

One of those Obesity related illnesses that you might be familiar with is diabetes.   Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes mainly from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. (https://www.niddk.nih.gov › diabetes › overview › what-is-diabetes › type-2)

You may know someone who has died or has had to amputate a toe, a foot, a knee, a leg, or even an arm due to the effects of diabetes.    People with diabetes are prone to nerve damage and circulation issues that...