Mike Furci Columns
Furci ArchiveDid you know? (04/28/2008)
If you need more proof that excess weight is bad for your health, Mike says increased BMI may lead to certain kinds of cancer. He also digs up gems on the danger of soy formula and the benefits of raw milk, and insight into how food is marketed and sold in supermarkets.
Q&A with Mike Furci (04/17/2008)
Mike knows all the angles, and unloads the answers on how to best position your body for workouts. He also gives advice on proper dieting (to avoid yo-yo weight gain) and gets into a give-and-take with a reader on the relative merits of a vegetarian diet (hint: Mike doesn't like it).
Fitness myth busters (04/04/2008)
Mythology is great for fans of Greek literature, but not for those looking to build muscle mass and improve their health. Mike debunks common fitness myths about healthy eating and exercise physiology, and challenges you to start with a clean slate.
Did you know? (03/27/2008)
Do you get enough Omega-3 in your diet? Probably not, if you're like most Americans. In his latest "Did You Know" column, Mike discusses why these essential fatty acids are so important while also discussing a new all-natural sweetner and a disturbing heart disease trend.
9 Weeks to Bigger Arms Part II: Triceps (03/13/2008)
After updating part 1 of his Nine Weeks to Bigger Arms series in January, Mike turns his attention to part 2 this week. While many people focus solely on their biceps at the gym, Mike says that's only part of the equation, offering up an improved nine-week program that targets your triceps.
Q&A with Mike Furci (02/28/2008)
It's important to not only know what to do in the gym, but when to do it. In his latest Q&A, Mike discusses the order of muscles to train and how to ice the cake with cardio. He also reveals the importance of balancing both protein and carb intake to maximize weight loss and muscle gain.
Did you know? (02/12/2008)
Did you know that saturated fats in butter have strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties? Mike lists 20 ways butter consumption benefits your health while also offering up tips to help you deal with stress in his latest Did You Know column.
Nine weeks to bigger arms, part 1: Biceps (01/30/2008)
In September of 2000, Mike released his "Nine weeks to bigger arms" series, highlighting 10 different types of curls to help build your biceps. Mike recently updated the article with some new info, so take a look and remember: check your ego at the door.
More About Mike
Mike Furci graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1988 with a Bachelors of Science in Health Education. His curriculum included extensive training in anatomy and physiology, laying the foundation for his future in fitness and sports specific training. He owned and operated Club Olympia Fitness Center in Westlake, Ohio for more than 10 years.
Mike is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as recognized by the highly acclaimed National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). This certification requires continuing education and a four-year degree in a related field. Mike has used his education and knowledge to train athletes in a variety of sports, including golf, football and baseball. He also works with clients participating in triathlons and marathons. His education and expertise allow him to train his clients in accordance with their specific sports or activities as well as for increased fitness and wellness.
Mike is also a competitive bodybuilder and has won several overall titles, including the 1999 Mr. Ohio. He has been bodybuilding for more than 20 years. This experience has also allowed him to train and consult with many aspiring bodybuilders as well as people interested in getting into shape and looking their best.
Mike has appeared on many news stations as a fitness consultant. Mike's qualifications allow him to offer expert information on all aspects of health, fitness and sports specific training.
Send any questions you have to mike@bullz-eye.com.
Mike's Fitness Blog
Courtesy of Bottom Line Fitness
Baked Potatoes vs. Sweet Potatoes: How do baked potatoes stack up against their brothers, the sweet potatoes? Cooking light.com pits them head to head.
Calories
6 oz. Baked: 189
6 oz. Sweet: 214
Fat Grams
6 oz. Baked: .17 grams
6 oz. Sweet: .19 grams
Fiber
6 oz. Baked: 4.2 grams
6 oz. Sweet: 7.1 grams
As the article notes, while baked potatoes have less ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
It’s not enough just to have a spotter…: …make sure you have a competent one, too. Here’s a video clip to help encourage your ass to have a partner or spotter who knows what the hell they’re doing. (Thanks to one of our readers, Build Muscle Fast, for sharing the clip).
The kid who breaks the fish tank and ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Hair Triggers: In the Feburary issue of Men’s Health, the mag offers advice to fix four hidden causes of shedding:
1. Sudden Hair Loss
The trigger is emotional or physical trauma. The shock can cause telogen effluvium, a condition that makes hair stop growing and fall out. “Imagine going bald overnight,” says Jessie Cheung, ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Breakfast Pita: Here’s an interesting recipe from Men’s Health for a breakfast pita:
4 white mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp chopped onion
1 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper
Pinch of ground black pepper
1 egg
1 egg whites
½ small tomato, seeded and chopped
3 Tbsp water or 1% milk
1 whole-wheat pita, halved and toasted
½ avocado, sliced
Coat a skillet with ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Weight Lifting Gone Wrong: Just a small reminder that safety comes first when lifting heavier weights:
[Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Getting to the bottom of high protein intake: In the October issue of Men’s Health, the mag debunks five nutrition myths concerning (among other things) protein intake, potatoes and salt. Among the five, the most interesting was Myth #1: “High protein intake is harmful to your kidneys.”
The mag reads:
The origin: back in 1983, researchers first discovered that eating ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Muscle layoff: There was an interesting question asked in the “Malegrams” section of the August 2007 issue of Men’s Health:
Q: How long can I go without lifting weights before my muscles disappear?
Answer (provided by trainer Mike Mejia): Contrary to popular belief, your muscles don’t turn to mush as soon as you stop ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Lift. Heavy. Weights.: One of my closest friends – and amateur bodybuilder – often stresses that it doesn’t get any more complicated than just lifting heavy. He always says, “ Like Dave Draper always says, “Train hard, eat clean, and be happy”.
You can sugar coat it any way you like, but ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Carb substitutes: Despite what most fat-loss commercials try to tell us, carbohydrates aren’t the devil – not the good ones at least. Carbs require less water to digest than proteins or fats, are the most common source of energy and also balance out our diets.
However, most of us fill our carb ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]
Oil up: Many people that know olive is the best type of oil to use while cooking. Olive oil mostly contains monounsaturated fat, is rich in antioxidants, as well as may limit your risk for cancer and other diseases. But what other oils are beneficial to your health?
Dr. Andrew Weil highlighted ... [Continued at Bottom Line Fitness. Comments?]