Question: I am a single mother and desperately want to work with a trainer but can't afford it. What are my options?

        Answer: Your best option is to go to a few fitness facilities near your home, ask around for quality personal trainers and get their names and contact information. Call these trainers and ask if they do group or buddy training.

        Group training is popular because it allows the trainer to make a good per-session fee while significantly reducing costs for the clients. Group sessions are fun and the atmosphere of support, friendly competition and teamwork is very conducive to everybody reaching his or her goals. The bonus is knowing that you are saving money by splitting the cost.

        Q: I am a 53-year-old woman who is trying to fight off gravity in the chest area. What can I do to stop my chest from sagging?

        A: Be sure to strength train with all major body parts — legs, chest, back, shoulders and arms — do cardiovascular training, such as walking, cycling, etc., (20-60 minutes at least four days per week), and be sure to eat a nutritious diet without processed high fat/sugar/salt foods.

        This will ensure a very lean physique that will effectively sustain a youthful, firm appearance.

        With regard to a particular exercise, many women perform the incline bench press or chest press movement because it works the upper chest muscles. There are conflicting theories on whether this movement helps keep the breasts from sagging by keeping the upper chest muscles developed.

        My advice is to work the whole body as a system and eat like a champion. Nevertheless, have a fitness professional show you the incline movement and you be the judge if it works. Everybody is different, so go on your own journey and try it out!

       Contact certified personal trainer Dave Patania at davpatania@aol.com.

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