Advertise on podcast: Rodsquad Women's Fitness

Join our Fall Transformation Program! Go to: https://www.rodsquad.com/fall2025 Episode Title: Designing the Perfect Fitness Program for Women Aged 35–65 Description: If you’ve ever wondered how much you should be working out—or why some programs burn you out while others seem too easy—this episode is for you. Rod and Kate Cortizo, creators of the Rodsquad® Women’s Fitness Program, share the science and strategy behind the perfect training frequency for women ages 35–65. You’ll discover why lifting 3x per week is the sweet spot for long-term results, how strength training improves bone density, aesthetics, and mental health, and why you don’t need endless cardio to achieve cardiovascular benefits. From reversing osteoporosis to boosting metabolism, lifting weights isn’t just about looking strong—it’s about building the ultimate anti-aging foundation for women. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why 3x/week is ideal for women in midlife (and why 2x isn’t enough, 6x is too much).The surprising mental health benefits of lifting—why muscle is a natural antidepressant.How muscle development improves bone density, metabolism, and overall longevity.Why mixing heavy cardio with lifting can actually block your results.The Rodsquad method for building an hourglass figure while protecting your joints and spine.Why muscle is the true fountain of youth—from tighter skin to reversing sagging.Ready to transform your body and health?  Join our Fall Transformation Program, included for free with all Rodsquad® memberships. Go to: https://www.rodsquad.com/fall2025  👉 Become an in-person training member in Boca Raton, or click here to join virtually for just $40/month. Links to learn more:  InstagramWebsiteVirtual Membership📞 Call 561-910-0186 to speak with our team and find out which option is best for you.

Use This Checklist to Select Your Next Gym or Fitness Program!  From classpass to yoga, pilates and pickleball... from personal trainers to gym memberships and group fitness classes... we know you have a lot of options!  Use the points in this episode to help you determine what to look out for when choosing the route you want to go... ⇩ Are you getting the results you signed up for? Have you seen consistent improvements in the last 30, 60, 90 days? Do you feel 100% comfortable in the environment you’re working out in? Are you confident that you know what you’re doing? Are sure you’re not risking injury? Can your workout program be tailored to you, considering any prior injuries you want to avoid, or focusing on trouble areas you want to develop? Are you confident in the skills, training and experience of the professional that’s guiding you? Are you sure the program you’re participating in is strategically designed to get you to YOUR goal? Is it female specific with a proven track record of success for women like you? Does your current fitness plan encompass the whole picture? (I.e. nutrition, cardio, lifestyle, etc) Do you have anyone holding you accountable? Will anyone notice if you skip sessions when you’re feeling tired or unmotivated? If you're ready to build strength and muscle, consider our virtual membership!  https://www.rodsquad.com/membership If you live in Boca Raton, FL or nearby, come train with us in real life! 

In this episode, Kate told the story of how her father's routine shoulder surgery turned into a near death experience. The type of training we promote helps to build the muscles and bones, so you're far less susceptible to falling as we age. Rod says it's actually a MYTH that women fall and break their hip. Instead, they break their hip and then they fall. A lot of girls in their younger years are abusing their joints with such extreme exercise that's totally unnecessary to achieve their desired result. Be sure the type of exercise you're doing will preserve and protect your joints! Come and train with us virtually or in-person in Boca Raton, FL! https://www.rodsquad.com/membership https://www.rodsquad.com/eastboca Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodsquad_boca/

Learn why this type of training can make your back pain disappear! We're talking about the power of a woman’s intuition and intrinsic knowledge of her own body. Muscle contraction releases myokines and fights disease. You start aging because you’re losing muscle. When you start training in the way we describe, no one will be able to tell your age from the back. That's why we say muscle is the organ of youth and longevity.We talked about training for life. Your range of motion and depth should reflect the real motions you need to do in life... putting your suitcase in the overhead compartment on an airplane, getting in and out of the car with one leg, getting up and down from the toilet, carrying all the groceries in from the car by yourself in your 80's.  Contact Kate to learn more about In-Person Training in one of our beautiful studios in Boca Raton, FL: Call/ text 561-410-1452 or email [email protected] Sign up for our virtual program, The Membership, and get access to Rod's training and strategic studio programs for a fraction of the cost: https://www.rodsquad.com/membership

In this episode, Rod explains the key differences in the attitudes of two clients, who we called "Resentment Sara" and "Proactive Sara." Train with us in Boca Raton, FL: https://www.rodsquad.com/eastboca Join us virtually with The Membership: https://www.rodsquad.com/membership

Mental and physical health go hand in hand, but new research on myokines, also known as hope molecules, show that training for MUSCLE GROWTH specifically comes with another layer of benefits.  When your muscles contract during weight lifting, they secrete chemicals into the bloodstream. One of these chemicals is myokines, which are small proteins that travel to the brain and act as antidepressants.  Myokines, also referred to as HOPE MOLECULES, cross the blood-brain barrier, and improve your overall health by... Improving your moodReducing symptoms of depression or traumaIncreasing your resilience to stressImproving your ability to learn, and...PROTECTING THE BRAIN FROM THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF AGING! According to this study available on PubMed, "Endocrine functions attributed to myokines are involved in body weight regulation, low-grade inflammation, insulin sensitivity, suppression of tumor growth, and improvement of cognitive function." The benefits are massive! Hope molecules are not to be confused with some of the other chemicals released during exercise including endorphins, serotonin, noradrenaline or dopamine. Hope molecules (myokines) are specifically associated with MUSCLE, and it's important to note that the very best way to develop muscle isn't running, yoga, cycling, or pilates...  The best way to develop muscle, thereby increasing your ability to produce hope molecules, is by LIFTING WEIGHTS.  This is your reminder that mental and physical health go hand in hand, and... All women of all ages need to prioritize weight lifting.  Here at Rodsquad, we are happily dishing out hope molecules every day! 

If you'd like to train with us in South Florida, visit our website to request a free consultation: https://www.rodsquad.com/ Stay tuned for the details on our new virtual program, THE MEMBERSHIP, coming soon. In this episode, Rod and Kate explain why you should stop worrying about your abs. Rod answers the question, "Are abs made in the kitchen?" Important reminder: You cannot spot burn fat! We gain and lose fat systemically. Whatever fat you lose in your belly, you're losing or gaining fat at the same rate in your face, arms, all the way down to your toes. Pay attention to your waist line to measure your progress and success. If you're trying to lose body fat, you will lose inches and dress sizes. Rod suggests putting aside an outfit that doesn't stretch. As Rod says, "Lululemon lies!" Those stretchy pants will not help you discover the truth about your weight loss or gain. A body with more muscle burns more calories at rest. Don't forget that girth comes from fat, not muscle. Pound per pound, fat is the weight as muscle but it's bigger than muscle. If you're worried about getting bulky legs from strength training, you need to lose fat first. Your upper body is about 30% of your metabolism. What is metabolism? MUSCLE. Muscle is metabolism. If you feel your metabolism is slowing down, that simply equates to muscle loss. As a woman, female specific training is important. You want to lift in a way that will develop muscles in a feminine way. You don't way a thicker neck, thicker traps, bigger arms. You want curvy, feminine muscles with nice lats, tapering down to a smaller waist. There's a whole science behind muscle development for women. If you're doing a lot of work on your core, it will not help you develop an hourglass shape. If you're working abdominal muscles, you're asking them to grow, which will make your midsection thicker and wider. In most cases, your girth is not coming from too much muscle, it's coming from fat. Anyone can get a flat stomach, but not everyone can develop visible abdominal muscles. It depends on your genetics. The Rock is a perfect example of this. Abs are being worked as supporters in exercises like back squats. You don't need to lay on the ground and do situps. Why Rod suggests moving more/ increasing activity before tackling nutrition/ diet/ changing your food? It's healthier! The blood flow and the mental health benefits can help you when it comes time to improve the other part. "If you are sitting, you're getting fat." You need a higher volume of food, which works as an appetite suppressant. Abs CAN BE made in the kitchen, but that's not what Rod suggests for you to focus on first. Stop worrying about your abs, because there's so many other things you could focus on first, like fat loss, muscle development, and moving more. Moving more is healthier for your brain and heart. The more you sit around, the more depression sets in. Mental and physical health go hand in hand. 

In today's episode, we shared several things we wish more women knew in their quest for better health and fitness.  Here are some of the points we covered:  A workout that mixes cardio and strength training together will yield limited results in terms of toning, metabolism and muscle development.Random workouts are better than nothing, but for best results, you should follow a strategic program designed for womenLifting weights in a group setting can actually be dangerous, because the trainer cannot provide adequate supervision and corrections to your form. This is how people get hurt.Pilates, yoga and cycling will not give you the muscle-centric workout you need to tone your physique, stop sarcopenia and rebuild your metabolism. An inexpensive trainer is inexpensive for a reason (usually lack of experience, strategy and expertise), so proceed with caution. A high intensity workout that leaves you feeling sore and depleted might give the impression that you’re “getting a good workout” but this type of beatdown can create a hormonal rollercoaster and produce slower results over time.Rod said, "99% of the population that works out more than 3 days a week are fluffernutters." 🤣 Find out what he meant by listening to this episode!  Why all women should focus on muscle development instead of cutting carbsWhy you should see a podiatrist for a foot issue instead of a general practitioner, in the same way you can find a trainer focused on muscle instead of a full body workout that mixes in cardioWhy you should follow a strategic program designed to combat the muscle loss that comes naturally with agingThe difference between moving weight around vs. safely focusing on muscle contractionHow most fitness professionals ignore the fact that resistance training should focus on resisting gravityThe type of weight training that leads to injury, and how to avoid it!Why lifting weights should be "borderline meditative"Why pilates, yoga, and cycling will not give you the muscle-centric workout you need to stop sarcopenia, rebuild metabolism and change your body compositionVisit rodsquad.com to request a Free Consultation if you live in South Florida and you're interested in training with us. You can also get on our email list to be notified as soon as registration for our new virtual program "The Membership" becomes available. 💗

True or false? Muscle forms the foundation of your metabolism and acts as your body's protective shield. FALSE! It’s not the foundation, it’s everything. (So this one is actually true).  You have to gain muscle to reverse muscle loss.  Rod explained, "Where does fat actually go when we lose weight?" Why is muscle critical for fat loss?  Muscle is the physical location of fat burning. The more muscle you have, the more fat you can burn!  Do I need to cut out red meat to help with fitness and fat loss? No!  It's important to note - Just because you look healthy, doesn’t mean you are.  As Rod always says, some of the most overweight people are simply malnourished. They're overconsuming calories because they're hungry for nutrition, and the most popular foods in the American diet lack nutrition. Should you eat Kellogg’s for dinner? Food companies hire dietitians and doctors to say it’s healthy. It is absolutely not!  Should you take an ice bath after working out to improve recovery? NO. Rod explained why inflammation is not always a bad thing! Inflammation is actually healthy as you recover from workouts and grow healthy strong muscles.  Processed foods are the enemy. https://www.rodsquad.com/

Happy New Year! This episode is all about your success mindset as it relates to all areas of your life including fitness, career, relationships, finances and more.  Quotes discussed:  "The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus." - Bruce Lee  As Rod says, pick your battles and focus on the low hanging fruits that will be realistic for you to implement. In business, it's wise to focus on what you really enjoy and you're good at, and delegate the rest. As we always hear, "jack of all trades, master of none." If you try to do too much, you won't do anything at an exceptional level. And EXCEPTIONAL is what we're striving for! We talked about how we're living in the most distracted culture in history. Focus is often the one thing that separates some of the most successful people in the world from the rest of the population. "You just can't beat the person who never gives up." - Babe Ruth Unfortunately we're in a culture of quitting, but if you never give up, you'll eventually accomplish your goal. Beware that your brain is trying to keep you safe in your familiar comfort zone. No matter how badly you might think you want to accomplish something, if it's not aligned with your identity, you might sabotage your own progress along the way. Make sure by the end of this year that you've accomplished your biggest goals instead of having to put them on the list again. Be careful with your identity. If you've been overweight since childhood, being overweight is your identity. Stepping outside of that identity will be very challenging and you'll be susceptible to self sabotage. "We have way more opportunities than we need or deserve." -Rod  "Obsessed is what lazy people call focused people."  "Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." - George Halas "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Your body can stand almost anything. It's your mind that you have to convince."

In this new podcast episode titled "What To Look For In A New Fitness Program in 2024," Rod and Kate give out some major pointers to help you in your quest for better health and fitness in the new year!  Momentum is so powerful! If you've already been working out, don't stop. Try not to take breaks, if at all possible. Look for a program that is female specific, so you don’t have to worry about getting bulky. It's ideal to choose a program with a one on one level of service, or a very small group environment, to reduce your chance of injury. Beware of red flags! You don’t want to lose weight quickly because that means you’re losing muscle and water (not just fat), and damaging your metabolism. This is a warning sign that you’ll gain all the weight back and more.  When choosing any diet or fitness program, you want to be sure that it won't require you to do anything unrealistic or unsustainable in the long term. If it does, your results will not last when you go back to your normal life. It's a big red flag if a program requires you to cut out any food groups (i.e. stop eating meat, carbs, fats, etc) Choose a trainer that’s already where you want to be, or an expert at working with the type of woman you are or want to be.  Choose a program that encompasses the full picture - nutrition and exercise.  But at the same time, something is better than nothing. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress.  Be honest with yourself about your starting point. The ideal exercise program at 50 years of age is very different from what you could tolerate at 25.  "Weight lifting is a relationship that you’re building with your muscles! It's a communication. Don't yell at them, because they’ll hurt back." -Rod If you’re not planning to become a body builder or physique competitor, that’s not who you want to take advice from.  Select a fitness program that is focused on muscle development, since more muscle equates to a significantly lower risk of disease and death. The very best fitness programs come with nutrition included, and some form of accountability. 

In this episode, Rod and Kate Cortizo talk about the lies we tell ourselves in the form of excuses as to why we can't accomplish whatever we want in life. In this episode we covered some of the most common excuses we hear, why they are not correct and how to overcome them.  “I don’t eat enough.” “I don’t have enough time.” “My metabolism is damaged or slow.”“I have bad genetics.” “My hormones are too messed up/ crazy.” Rod detailed a few easy changes you could make to lose weight without noticing in the next year. As a reminder, you have choices. Contrary to what you might tell yourself or what society may lead you to believe (the victim mentality is all too prevalent), YOU are in control of the results you get, regardless of the challenges that truly arise.  Rod used the example of eating 2 apples vs 1 tablespoon of oil. Regardless of the type of oil, they’re all the same in calories. Which one will make you more full and therefore end up consuming less calories? The higher the volume the fewer the calories vs the higher the calories the lower volume.. Rod explained this concept which is the premise behind his nutrition methodology. Don't cheat on yourself! We explained why cheat days don’t work. And finally, a brief reminder about the importance of advocating for your own health. Never leave it up to your doctor or any "professional" to figure out. Click here to ask a question on Instagram: @rodsquad_boca

How to reset if you've fallen off the wagon this summer... It's easy to get off track when the kids are out of school, there's lots of travel, etc. What is Rod's #1 nutrition tip? Eat more lean protein, fruits and vegetables. This one tip - increasing your protein intake - can be the catalyst to help you lose countless pounds, improve appetite control and increase lean muscle tone. Don't try to cut things out of your diet! Instead, ADD more nutrition. Eat more natural foods - lean protein, fruits and vegetables. You will easily become more full, satisfied and in control. Just because you're thin, doesn't mean you're healthy. Lack of muscle is the biggest indicator of aging. Muscle is also the biggest indicator of longevity (or lack thereof). Muscle loss is one of the biggest indicators of all cause mortality. Muscle loss also leads to sarcopenia, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Building muscle is the best way to defy gravity! The answer to everything health related is muscle. Muscle is the organ of youth. By the age of 80, you will have lost 50% of your muscle mass to aging. Consistency trumps intensity. Look for gradual results and enjoy the process. If you think about it, the same things that will give you ideal body composition are the same things that will give you better health. Eat more fruits and vegetables and lean protein so you can eat less of the garbage. Lifting is good for your bones, hormones, blood sugar, brain, confidence. "Beware of the woman who keeps making progress on the back squat. She's gonna take over the world." -Rod Cortizo, owner/ founder of Rodsquad Women's Fitness Everything you do to improve your body composition will also improve your health. Sleep is important because when you workout, you create the healthy damage to the muscle cells but when you're sleeping, that's when the cells rebuild and the muscle actually grows. Lifting weight is the key to bone mass. The media and social media attempts to confuse us because then we're easy prey. You have to be your own doctor/ your own health advocate. We all have to be very proactive about your own health! You cannot blindly trust your healthcare providers. The doctors are so focused on treating symptoms, not causes. You need to adapt a healthy lifestyle as preventative medicine. To summarize, here's the formula to get healthy and fit this fall: 1. Eat more lean protein, fruits and vegetables. 2. Build muscle. 3. Be your own health advocate. 4. Adopt a long term mindset. You cannot lose more than 1% of your body fat per week. You can lose a lot more weight, but then you're losing water and muscle. Muscle is the organ of youth! Please send us a message on Instagram with any questions: @rodsquad_boca And please share this episode with a friend! 

As a follow up to episode 60, where we discussed the truth about erythritol, which is contrary to popular media headlines, we wanted to explain exactly how misinformation spreads like wildfire across the internet. Kate gives a brief overview on how search engines like google work, where social influencers get their information and who is really writing the articles you're consuming and accepting as fact. Remember, YOU are responsible for your own health. YOU have to be your own advocate. Click here to check us out in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodsquad_boca/ If you found this helpful, please share it with a friend! 

Countless recent headlines have said, "Zero Calorie Sweeteners Linked to Heart Attack and Stroke." We immediately called BULLSH*T and dug into the data. Unfortunately, this is another example of the media misleading our population. You have to do your own research. Your health is at stake! Here's what these articles failed to mention:  #1. The participants in the recent study from Nature Medicine which was cited in these articles ALL had pre-existing conditions! In the U.S. cohort alone, 75% had coronary heart disease, 70% had hypertension and the youngest participant was 55 years old. #2. The sweetener they're attacking is erythritol. It's a sugar alcohol, naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it's produced during the act of digestion when you've eaten sugar. So OF COURSE, it's detected in the blood streams of people who've eaten sugar, and the SUGAR is more likely to blame for any adverse events. #3. Several studies have found very positive results from the consumption of erythritol in humans. It has been proven to improve endothelial function! In another study, diabetics were given 36 grams of erythritol/day and over the course of a month, their blood pressure went down, the aortic stiffness went down and the lining of arteries functioned better. We say - SHAME ON YOU to the social media influencers and media outlets who are promoting the spread of this misinformation without thoroughly researching and therefore, harming public health. We will continue using our favorite zero-calorie sweeteners which contain erythritol, and we will continue giving them to our children. This is because we understand that consuming regular sugar with its high calories, insulin spikes, GMOs, etc etc etc... poses a much higher risk than consuming erythritol. Always do your own research! Click here to follow us on Instagram. Click here to visit the Rodsquad website.Thanks for listening! -Rod and Kate