What is SPOT TRAINING…?

What is SPOT TRAINING…? And what is FlexEffect's position on it?

The most basic example of Spot Training is doing hundreds of sit ups, in hopes that your Buddha belly will simply go away. We already know from years of repetitive information that you simply WILL not develop a six pack without a proper diet and increasing muscle mass throughout the body, therefore burning fat and exposing those muscles. It’s the TARGET TRAINING of the abs that will SCULPT that six-pack NOT expose it.

Now, from a FlexEffect point of view what does this mean? To quote one of our trainers, Sean, “As you know by now, a sagging jaw line isn’t just caused by the muscles of the jaw line sagging; but it can be by the cheek muscles sagging on top of those, or the masseter, or the mouth and chin muscles losing tone. So, if a person begins working only the jaw line muscles, they are not (necessarily) going to improve the appearance of the jaw line, because the muscles connected to it are still sagging.” It is for that reason that FlexEffect offers a complete and rounded program for the entire face. Generally, we recommend that an individual work the whole face as a NEWBIE. This is done in the same way a personal trainer will offer a new client a complete body workout. Our reasoning is the same, so you don’t create an imbalance in the face. Although, you may have a SPOT of concern on your face, it takes a balanced approach to help smooth things out. The main issue of concern is that a person not choose an area that is bothersome and work it with disregard as to how that area will really be affected. This is where a person just works the SPOT of concern, not necessarily the muscles that will TARGET the area of concern. That is the “no, no” that is heavily preached against by FlexEffect.

However, there is no reason as you can not learn your facial structures and how you personally respond to a workout that you can’t add TARGET TRAINING to your facial program. Isn’t that the very thing you would do in a gym? Surely, after six months to a year of doing the basic training that you were assigned in a gym and learned, you would change things up. Right? In fact, if you were to compete in a body building competition, you would be judged in large part on the symmetry of your body; symmetry created through the knowledge of how exercises hit each muscle, how the growth of that muscle will impact general appearance, and how you apply that knowledge. The brilliant component here is that if you over build you can easily take some time off and get your face exactly to where you like in a rather speedy time frame. Alternatively, as with any area of the body, you might also have an area of the face that takes its sweet time building. This is really where persistence is of importance, as well as working with a trainer to help you hit those muscles in a fashion conducive to your needs.

If you already own a FlexEffect Book you will note in the back of the book a section called TARGET AREAS. You are given a list of general areas of concern, and a list of FE exercises that target those areas. Unless you feel solid in your comprehension of how to apply these exercises to your individual needs, make sure you pop in to FlexEffect’s Private Workshop. You can post cropped pictures if you like, and ask for guidance from one of our online trainers how to address your needs.

Book Update

I know you're wondering... WHEN THE HECK the new book is coming? We've had some crazy set backs... and just plain delays.

We have lots of ideas that we're trying to bring through fruition.

I have Deb Chained to her desk as I write this. She's working overtime. Still not sure when it's going to be finished. But she's working like mad.

We're really excited about new material.

And I won't be giving any hints... you can ask... but the answer is NO!

Common Sense Practices and Facial Massage

Think about the phrase Common Sense . What does it mean to you? It may seem like a bizarre topic for FlexEffect. However, I find it quite appropriate.

Do you exercise your Common Sense?

Today I was perusing another skin care website. I must say, I'm completely baffled by the comments that people leave.

Example: A person wrote on another board (edited for clarification and anonymity), 'I started using a cleanser on my face. It burned really bad. I kept using it for about a month. Now my skin is constantly swollen. If I put anything on it, inclusive of cool water it burns.'

SERIOUSLY???? You put a cleanser on your face, that doesn't contain an acid type of product in it nor is it supposed to give a burning sensation... and you thought HEY? I'll just keep using this. Maybe I'll get used to it.

And it dawns on me. This is why hair dryers have a tag on them that say not to use in the bath.

With regards to cosmetics. You really need to do your research. You need to understand the side effects. The good and the bad. Especially if there is an "it gets worse before it gets better phase." You need to know why you are using the product. Don't use it just because everyone else does. Use it because you have a need that you are working on satisfying. Use it because you understand how it works.

With regards to FE... this thought process also applies. If you EVER experience pain. STOP. If you can not wrap your mind around some of the philosophies for certain areas of the face...do not continue. As you progress with areas that don't worry you, you will begin to understand those philosophies. Your comprehension will be better. Please try to do exercises and massage (especially massage) as instructed in the book.

It's very easy to see a fabulous picture of a long time flexer and decide their routine is right for you. Some flexers are extremely aggressive with regards to their massage. They have learned their face and feel comfy with experimenting. Following in their footsteps prior to your physical readiness could prove disastrous.

Imagine a body builder whose physique you admire. He/She may run 5 miles a day. Lift for 45 minutes and very heavy. You could not possibly start at the same spot. It's the same with FE. Only it's more elusive because it's not physically strenuous to start at an advanced level. It does however, almost immediately show up on your face in the terms of swelling, puffiness and sometimes bruises. And then what happens? You are completely freaked out that you hurt yourself... that you ruined your face. Well. I can understand the fear. A person that dives into a body of water headfirst without checking the depth of the water could easily break their neck... or just plain drown for lack of swimming skills.

The idea behind our massage is to stimulate the muscle beneath the skin. It's a sort of deep tissue massage... And, obviously the skin will receive a massage as well; improving the flow of blood to skin tissues. The idea is not to stress the skin to the nth degree. Have you had a deep tissue massage? When the masseuse is working on your back for example... the pressure is applied deeply and perhaps rather pointedly. However, the masseuse does not pinch the skin on your back to reach the muscles. He or she may manipulate their fingers to perhaps grab the muscle and even lift it a bit... but it's deeper than the skin. This is the same for FE. Our massage is described in more depth in our book. You can always ask questions about anything you don't understand or just does not seem clear as often as necessary until it's clear. We want you to have that "ah-ha" moment so that you may reach your greatest success with your face.

Welcome To FlexEffect!

Why a Blog?

Everyone does a newsletter. This is a little more fun. Our postings may be spread out as we only have a few things to say. Or we just might come at you rapid fire. It depends on all that is going on in our lives and the world today. Plus you manage your subscription. You won't be receiving an e-mail from us...it's up to you to subscribe.

We personally like subscribing through Google. (But there are several ways to subscribe... the choice is yours) You can click the subscribe button, and add our blog to your personal IGoogle web page. If you don't already have an account, it's super easy to get one. You just need an e-mail. Then make your IGoogle web page your opening page when your computer starts (Google will prompt you for that). You will see if we've updated out Blog each time you turn on your computer... and then you can read it at your leisure. No filling up of your inbox!

Things to look for on our Blog:

Postings: Of Course. Often the topics of our Forums generate much conversation among those of us at FE. So you are likely to see articles here about what we really think. Or just some quick thoughts.

Guest Writers: We're not sure about this yet. We might have those more versed on certain topics contribute.

Labels: Labels are over there on your screen to the right. Labels list the topics of each posting. So, if you're looking for something on a particular topic click there! You'll see every posting that discusses said topic.

Links: Also listed over on your right. There are plenty of other sites that we like. We'll list them on here. Generally, we use the products from the listed sites. That's really the extent of our "endorsement".

There are many possibilities with the Blog. As you know Deb is in the process of writing a new book. Wow, has it taken major efforts. Once that is "in the can", you're likely to see more of her here.

Happy Flexing!