About – Better Shape Training

Getting in shape is among the least understood and most attempted endeavors in our society. Everyone wants to get into shape. It’s impossible to avoid the wide variety of new fitness programs, gym memberships, diets, and home workouts that emerge every year. Some people select a program and dive in with little understanding of what works, why, or how best to approach fitness as a lifestyle. If that works, great, but in most cases, those programs don’t offer a comprehensive approach and lack key information. Jumping in without doing some research is understandable, as we’re all excited to get in better shape. However, as the amount of advertising, articles, and social media promoting fitness options grows, it all becomes somewhat overwhelming.

I created this site to offer practical information and analysis of fitness-related information and techniques. I designed it to summarize content from many sources and offer sound recommendations for how to engage and develop fitness routines. In some cases, I’ve shared specific concepts and practices that have worked for colleagues or for me over the years. Influences from the martial arts, competitive running, yoga, and bodybuilding were used to develop a balanced, eclectic, and comprehensive approach to improving physical condition (getting into better shape). It is from that perspective that I write articles and offer related contact. Where possible, I also include references and links to allow you to further investigate the content. Additionally, I share a great deal of research about diet and supplements. I hope you find the content helpful and inspiring.

Tom Meers

I have been a fitness enthusiast, instructor, and fitness contributor since the 1980s, when I received a second-degree brown belt in Kenpo karate and participated as a private and group karate instructor. In college, I joined the weightlifting club, where I met and trained alongside competitive powerlifters and bodybuilders. During that time, I studied kinesiology and strength training techniques. I also offered fitness consulting services to colleagues and friends. Years later, I discovered running and found that by balancing my exercise routine among strength, flexibility, and cardio work, my overall fitness improved dramatically and consistently, even as I got older. In recent years, I began practicing yoga too.

I have enjoyed a long and successful career running a company specializing in data analytics, during which I taught hundreds of technology classes and published several books. In recent years, I have re-engaged with my passion for helping people improve their lives through fitness. I am an avid reader of fitness and health publications and enjoy applying my data analysis skills to summarize and clarify how the growing body of health and fitness information can improve people’s lives through more effective exercise. I am working toward fitness industry certifications and plan to engage in fitness consulting and related services, with a focus on adults and older clients. I’ll continue to share my research here by updating this and publishing articles and related information.

Here are a few of my Fitness Accomplishments:

2026 Arnold Sports Festival Pump and Run Competition – Top 25% out of 1,032
2022 Arnold Sports Festival Pump and Run Competition – Top 51% out of 1,352
2019 Kauai Half Marathon – 2:19:02, Top 24%
2016 Kauai Half Marathon – 2:20:26, Top 29%
2016 Capital City Quarter Marathon – 58:58, Top 12%
1986 Kenpo Karate, Second Degree Brown Belt
1984 Kenpo Karate, Private Instructor
1984 Kenpo Karate, Group Instructor

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This site and its content for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for, and does not offer, professional medical or dietary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Use of this site, its resources, and its content is at your own risk. You should review any exercise, fitness, or diet routine with your physician before engaging in it. The authors, owners, and contributors for this site are not offering medical advice and do not accept liability, in any form, for outcomes or effects that occur from the review or use of the site content.

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