Teaneck–“Exercise with heavy weights increases bone density and strength,” said Wesley Powell, owner of Express Fit personal trainers on Cedar Lane.
Powell said his program offers a 12-minute workout program of slow, heavy weight lifting that is more effective than cardiovascular exercise, and is intended for use only once a week. “You move the weight until you can’t move it any more. You experience momentary muscle failure, through a combination of heat and muscle fiber. At that point, you have fully stimulated the muscle. You have used everything and completely exhausted the energy store. It takes seven days to recover, but you get stronger faster,” he said. “You will be very sore initially,” he added.
With five workout machines at Express Fit, the client uses each machine only for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, thus completing the entire circuit in a snap. People who “don’t have time to work out at a gym,” are Powell’s target clientele. Clients use an identifying key that keeps resistance settings and other types of health data, so that the workout is tailored to the person, while simultaneously providing real-time results and analysis.
Powell said his fitness business is based on studies first done at the University of Gainsville. “Initially, the research study tested this exercise program for older women to increase bone density and decrease osteoarthritis-related issues. Then it was tested on college students, then everyone. It was found to be the most effective form of exercise,” he said.
A former IT security consultant, Powell explained that he had an epiphany when he threw his back out several years ago. His chiropractor handed him a book called “Body by Science,” by Doug McGuff, Md, and John Little. “Regular cardio exercise is meaningless. If you’re not doing it to exhaustion all the time, then the muscle isn’t growing,” he said.
He has since become a follower of the Paleo diet (mainly meats and vegetables), and has become an entrepreneur, spreading the gospel of this exercise program. The Cedar Lane location of Express Fit, open since April of 2013, is the first to open of three planned locations in the metropolitan area: The others are in Long Island City and Manhattan. Express Fit provides dietary recommendations to clients, essentially to eat only meat and vegetables, tree nuts and some cooking oils, and completely remove all grains, fruit, alcohol and dairy from the diet. Powell also partners with a company called Paleo Cuisine to provide complete meals to clients (the company does not serve kosher food).
Powell hands out copies of “Body by Science” to his clients, which he says number approximately 200, aged 18 to 87. Several kinesiologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists are among his clientele. Powell himself is not a personal trainer, but he hires them to work with clients one on one. The business times of the day are 4:30 to 7pm on weeknights. Appointments are required.
“We are aiming for the 95% of people who don’t go to the gym regularly. If you don’t have 12 minutes, you have a life management problem. You don’t even have to change [your clothes]. You are not generating so much heat that you start to sweat,” he said.
ExpressFit is located at 409 Cedar Lane in Teaneck. For more information, visit http://www.expressfit.net/, or call 201-357-5935.
By Elizabeth Kratz
