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Shop from our Merlino Fitness equipment and apparel store or our new Advocare nutritional supplement store.
 
Houston
Metabolic Testing
RMR, VO2 Max &
Anaerobic Threshold
Whether you are looking to loose weight or increase peformance, metabolic testing can help you reach your goals. Our resting metabolic rate tests rates your metabolism and gives you a gauge of how many calories per day that you need to maintain or lose weight. Our VO2 - anaerobic threshold tests let you know your true heart rate zones to get the most out of your fat burning ability while you do your cardio workouts. Runners and cyclists can also take their sport and racing to the next level by getting heart rate zones to help with realistic heart rate training goals. Check out the links below for more info about both tests and call us at 713-523-2577 if you have questions about testing and how it can benefit your fitness goals.

More Info
Book Testing Online
Purchase Testing Online

Harbinger
Workout Gloves Clearance Sale

Save up to 50% on select Harbinger men's and women's weight training and workout gloves.

Inflatable Fitness Balls

Inflatable fitness balls from Harbinger, Theraband and TKO. Great for abdominal and core body strengthening.

Weighted Fitness Balls
A great alternative to traditional weights, these water-filled rubber balls are great for training core body.
Foam Rollers
Rehab Equipment
Foam rollers are hot and a great way to apply your own myofacial massage. They can also be used for balance, stability and core body training. Check our our full line of foam roller and rehab equipment.
Workout Belts
Stabilize low back and trunk while performing those heavier lifts. We offer a wide selection from Harbinger Fitness.

Harbinger Big Grip
Workout Gloves
Heavy duty gloves for the serious lifter. Available in wrist wrap and non wrist wrap styles.
Outdoor Strength
Classes
Boot camps are hot but Michael has been busy designing his own version of outdoor exercise. No army fatigues and screaming in your face while wallowing in the mud here. Just challenging and safe workouts for all fitness levels that will make you fall in love with playing outside again. Each workout involves resistance training and cardio conditioning to get you in shape quick and wondering why you haven't done this stuff since you were 8 years old.

More Info & Registration
Weight Training
Wrist Straps
Increase wrist support with our wide selection of weight lifting straps from Harbinger and Grizzly.
Nip Guards
Abrasion Prevention
For Runners
Protect from painful nipple abrasion. A must have product for male runners. Don't run your next long run or race without them.

Run Fast by
Hal Higdon
Whether you are a beginner road racer or shooting for a new personal best, this book does a great job of breaking down training schedules and drills to run smarter and prepare for race day.
More book reviews

 
Harbinger Training Balls

What We Do & How It Can Benefit You!
Summer is approaching. Houston Personal Fitness Trainer, Michael Merlino, is ready to help you get started today with fitness programs and services that get results. We have a variety of training programs and services to fit your budget and busy schedule. Call us at 713-523-2577 Ext 1 or check out our most popular programs below.



Fitness & Nutrition Consultation
Your Plan For Success

Rome wasn't built in a day and without a plan. You certainly can't expect to get results without your own blueprint for success. Fill out our fitness and nutrition questionnaire below and we put a plan together for you and present it during this 1 1/2 hour session. We cover the basics of weight training, cardio and nutritional recommendations. At the end of the session we review the training programs and services we offer. Then you choose a program that best fits your budget and schedule.
More Info
Fill Out & Submit Our Client Questionnaire With This Service



Body Composition
Body Fat Percent & Total Inches Measurements
It is always smart to get your baseline measurements completed before starting a new exercise program so you can measure results down the road and make the necessary adjustments along the way to get results. Michael does a 9 site body fat with calipers and 16 site circumference measurements with a measuring tape. Then he loads it all in a spreadsheet and spends some time reviewing your results and setting goals.
More Info
Purchase On-line



Metabolic Testing
VO2 Max - Anaerobic Threshold - Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

These medical grade tests determine each individual's daily caloric needs and unique heart rate training zones to work out more efficiently, burn fat, build muscle and improve performance. From the couch potato to the elite athlete this test gives you a true picture of what needs to be done in the gym and at the dinner table every day to lose, maintain or gain weight.
More Info
Book On-line
Purchase On-line

Train One On One

Personalized & Individual Coaching
Work one on one with Michael at his private studio or the Houston Downtown YMCA. Both one hour and half hour sessions are available. Each session is both a workout and instructional in nature as Michael teaches proper form and technique of all the exercises on your personalized workout plan.
More Info
Fill Out & Submit Our Client Questionnaire With This Service
Purchase On-line



Train With A Buddy
Share Sessions With A Friend & Save
The buddy system works in life and in fitness. Train with a buddy, co-worker our significant other during these more affordable one hour workouts. Great, free wheeling workouts that coach you on how to get the most out of each exercise, set and rep. Sessions are available at our private studio or the Houston Downtown YMCA.
More Info
Fill Out & Submit Our Client Questionnaire With This Service
Purchase On-line

Train With A Group Indoors
Learn All The Right Moves For Efficient Workouts
Saturday Weight Training Workshops - Houston Downtown YMCA
An quick and affordable way for self starters to learn proper form and technique from a certified trainer. This 4 hour hands on workshop includes a 45 minute classroom presentation that reviews the nuts and bolts of proper weight training and reviewing Michael's recommended workout plan. The group then hits the gym floor for the remaining 3 hours as Michael demonstrates the proper form and technique of each exercise. Towards the end of the workshop participants are paired up in groups of 2 so they can practice each move and recieve additional feedback from Michael. This is a great opportunity to learn all the right moves and then put them to use at home or your own gym.
More Info
Purchase On-line



Train With A Group Outdoors
For Those That Are Bored With The Gym But Crave Results!
Something about group dynamics that really gets people going and dramatically increased their chances of sticking to a fitness program. Michael has coached marathoners for almost 10 years now so he can vouch for the fact that group coaching works. Feel like a kid again, get outside and get results quick with one of his group outdoor classes or run coaching programs.

New "Out Fit Houston" - Outdoor Fitness Classes
Start Training 4/15 For Prorated April Classes
Boot camps are hot but Michael has been busy designed his own version of outdoor exercise. No army fatigues and screaming in your face while wallowing in the mud here. Just challenging and safe workouts for all fitness levels that will make you fall in love with playing outside again. Each workout involves resistance training and cardio conditioning to get you in shape quick and wondering why you haven't done this stuff since you were 8 years old.
More Info & Purchase On-Line

Off Season Running Program - In Flight Running
Next Session Starts - May 1st - May 30th
Michael's loves the sport of running and has been coaching runners and marathoners for about 10 years now. This year his run coaching business, In Flight Running, is offering a new off season training program for Houston runners. This program will include Tuesday and Thursday 6AM & 6PM one hour workouts involving hill training and track to improve your running and get ready for Houston's annual marathon training season (June - Janauary). Join In Flight Running coach, Duval Ruiz, for these fun and free wheeling running workouts.
More Info
Fill Out & Submit Our Runner Questionnaire With This Service
Purchase On-line

Marathon & Half Marathon Program - In Flight Running
June 2009 - January 2010

Don't train alone! Take your running to new heights with group coaching from In Flight Running. Get great coaching from head coaches Michael Merlino and Duval Ruiz who live and breath the sport of running. In Flight Running has been coaching running for 5 years now and has had great success getting runners of all skill levels ready for completing a marathon or half marathon. In Flight Running trains and prepares local Houston runners for the Houston Marathon & Half Marathon and other fall and winter races nation-wide.
More Info
Fill Out & Submit Our Runner Questionnaire With This Service
Purchase On-line



Want To Learn More About Houston Trainer Michael Merlino?

We know you have many fitness programs to choose from in the Greater Houston area. We offer a wide variety of training and programs that fit your budget and busy life. Michael's training style is fun, professional, goal based and results driven. References are always available from those who have benefitted from our programs over the past 10 years. Here are a few reasons why Michael may be a good "fit" for you.

Michael's fitness philosophy
Why hire us? A few reasons why we may be a good fit
Start your program today with these simple steps
Browse our fitness e-store and purchase training on-line


Fitness Latte FaceBook Group
Discuss Fitness & Nutrition Issues On-line

Add Michael's "Fitness Latte" group to your Facebook profile and tune in for the latest discussions on fitness and nutrition. Chime in and ask your own fitness and nutrition questions from a certified trainer and marathon coach with 10 years of experience training clients and coaching runners and marathoners.

"Fitness Latte" Facebook Page



Fitness Latte
Michael's New Fitness & Nutrition Blog

Houston Personal Fitness Trainer, Michael Merlino, offers a fresh brew of fitness and nutrition thoughts at his new fitness blog, "Fitness Latte". Tune in for his takes on the latest in fitness and feel free to reply to his posts to get some on-line discussion going. Michael is always looking for some new new material to write or comment about so stop by, check out some posts and let us know what is on your mind.

View Fitness Latte Blog



In Flight Running
Michael's New Running Blog

Houston Marathon Coach, Michael Merlino, shares and discusses the sport of running, road racing, half marathon and marathon training. Every runner is welcome here as he offer training tips, discusses and review local and national races and provides other resources to help improve your running. In Flight Running is also the name of Michael's Houston based marathon and half marathon coaching program.

View In Flight Running Blog


VO2 Max, Anaerobic Threshold and Resting Metabolic Rate Testing (RMR)
Call us at 713.523.2577 for more information
You can call to book your appointment or book on-line below

With two simple tests, which last 30-40 minutes combined, we can determine your unique metabolic profile. These tests are routinely done on Olympic and professional athletes although everyday people can benefit greatly from them also. Using the results from your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test and your VO2/Anaerobic Threshold test, you can train scientifically, knowing exactly how many calories per day and how intense you need to work to achieve the goal you want. Whether you are looking to lose weight, improve your cardio fitness, decrease your body fat, or run or cycle faster, these tests can help take you to the next level. Training without your true numbers is like training in the dark, regardless of your fitness goals. These tests are appropriate for all levels of fitness enthusiasts, from the beginning exerciser, to the marathoner, or cyclist.

More info on RMR testing

More info on AT (Anaerobic Threshold) and VO2 Max testing
Book Metabolic Testing On-line
Purchase Metabolic Testing On-line


 

Hypothyroid Disorder and Exercise
Merlino Fitness Health & Wellness Director and RN, Christina Merlino, discussions hypothyroid disorder and how exercise can counter-act many of the risk factors that are caused by this common ailment.
more
Osteoporosis
Merlino Fitness Health & Wellness Director and RN, Christina Merlino, discussions Osteoperosis; What it is and how you can prevent it.
more
Build Your Own Weight Training Workout
Certified professional fitness trainer, Michael Merlino, shows you how to design your own weight training program by muscle group.
more
Article Archives
Classics from our fitness and nutrition vault.
more

Weight Training
Lat Pulldowns
Pulldowns are a great exercise for the back muscles but avoid pulling the bar behind the head. Pull the bar down in front of the body toward the collar bone and with the bar just below your chin. Pulling the bar behind the head puts undue stress on the shoulders and rotator cuff.
Running
Avoiding Shin Splints
Do you have lower leg pain or shin splints from running? Running on hard surfaces, worn out running shoes and weak calf muscles could be the culprit. Try running on soft trails, buying a new pair of running shoes or adding calf exercises to your weight training routine.
Walking
The Talk Test
A great way to make sure you are staying in your aerobic fat-burning range is the talk test. If you cannot comfortably carry on a conversation with your walking partner you probably need to bring down the intensity to assure yourself that you are burning fat.
Fat Burning
Your Anaerobic Threshold
A great way to make sure you are burning fat during cardio sessions is knowing your anaerobic threshold or where your heart rate zone needs to be to burn fat stores. Find a gym or fitness center that offers anaerobic/VO2 testing. Merlino Fitness offers anaerobic threshold testing every month. Check out the link below for more details.
Merlino Fitness Metabolic Testing
Nutrition
Keys to Weight Loss
If you are trying to drop weight make sure you incorporate the following to get you on your way. Drink lots of water, don't skip meals (especially breakfast), do not eat late night meals or snacks after 7 or 8 pm and build as much activity into your everyday life as you can. Michael also recommends joining weight watchers to anyone trying to lose weight and keep it off long term.
Nutritional Supplements
Good Idea If
Researched Based
For busy lifestyles nutritional supplements may be a good idea to fill the gaps that most of us have in our diet. Many Americians are not even getting the recomended daily allowances of important nutrients through the food they eat. Merlino Fitness highly recommends nutritional supplementation to improve health and performance as long as products are safe and research-based.
Quick Tip Archives
Our archived collection of fitness and nutrition tips to help you stay focused and fit.
Tip Archives





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Merlino Fitness • PMB 267 • 1302 Waugh Drive • Houston TX 77019 • 713.523.2577