Ask a Providence Fitness Expert

Once a month, Ask an Expert selects a health question sent in by a reader and responds to it on the Providence Web site. Our experts include Mike Boggs, BS, MBA, CSCS (certified strength-conditioning specialist), a fitness specialist with Providence Fitness Services, who answers questions about fitness.

Do you have a question for Mike? First, browse through the questions he has already answered to see if your topic has been addressed:

Previously answered questions:

• How much strength training should I do?
• Balancing cardio workouts with active recovery
• Cardio workouts you can do at home
• Losing the love handles
• Which is better in a workout: Intensity or duration?
• Can supplements substitute for strength-training?
• Exercise and the holidays
• Training for bicycling events
• Finding time for fitness
• Losing that beer belly 
• Teen strength training 
• Heel pain 
• Bouncing back after time off from exercise 
• Exercise to increase metabolism 
• Super-slow weight training 
• Exercising at the right intensity 
• Aerobic exercise vs. strength training 
• The benefits of aerobic exercise 
• Beginning an exercise program
• Browse our experts' answers to reader questions on other health topics.

Ask an Expert is a public education forum only.
Questions are selected for the Web site based on their general interest to a wide audience. Send a question to our experts.

Ask an Expert does not respond directly to your questions or provide personal medical advice, diagnoses, treatment recommendations or second opinions through our Web site or by e-mail. Please talk with your health care provider about any questions specific to your medical care.

For faster answers to your questions:

• Contact your physician, especially if your question is urgent.
• Search our Healthwise Library for specific health information.
• Call the Providence Resource Line at 503-574-6595 or 800-562-8964 if you need help choosing a Providence physician or connecting with other Providence services.
• If you are a Providence Health Plan member, you may call Providence RN for medical advice, using the phone number on the back of your membership card.