[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Ogie Shaw has quite a resume and most of it involves fitness. He’s a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in speech and P.E. He played baseball in college and earned a second degree Black Belt in Karate. He served four years in the Army and later became the Brigade Fitness Director for the Oregon National Guard. He has lectured at over a dozen Northwest colleges and universities and given over 4,000 presentations on fitness motivation. He is currently the president of Ogie Shaw Fitness and Ogie Shaw Wellness in Beaverton.
To say that he’s an advocate of exercise is an understatement. His presentation got right to the point: we are out of shape.
Fifty years ago research showed that 57% of American school kids were failing physical fitness tests. Contrast this with a 7% failure rate in Europe, 5% in Australia, and 3% in New Zealand. Now, most American kids are still failing in the fitness department. In addition, an increasing number of men can’t pass the fitness part of the military’s Basic Training. Only about 10% of Americans are actually fit. Oregon has the highest rate of obesity in the western Rockies. The upcoming generation is the first one that probably won’t live longer than their parents and grandparents did.
Why are Americans out of shape? The number one objection to exercising is “I’m too busy.” To address this, Ogie Shaw has devoted much of his life to making exercise part of people’s daily lives. “If you’re having fun,” said Ogie, then you’re not doing it right.” What is necessary is a total body workout for all the muscle groups. Using controlled resistance machines–isokinetics–reduces workout time and improves results.
The benefits of exercise go beyond the physical. People who exercise regularly (at least 5 days per week) have higher morale and a better self-image. Exercise combats the three biggest fitness-related health problems: heart disease (American men have the highest rate in the world), lower back pain, and “computer neck.” People who have strong abdomens have less lower-back pain.
Ogie maintained that the recipe for success includes working out first thing in the morning, working against resistance, and working out every day. His three-step program includes defining the current fitness level (both cardio and strength), measuring fitness (resting heart rate, number of pounds of abdomen strength, step test), and rewarding progress (using weekly fitness tests) with recognition.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]