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Lisa Abramson BW

Lisa Abramson has been an ACE-Certified personal trainer for over 20 years. She is also a Mad-Dogg-certified spin instructor since 2017. She has taught a variety of group exercise classes over the past two decades. She is a medical fitness liaison, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Ochsner Fitness Center.

She has a bachelor's in theater arts, and a master's in speech communication.

Lisa has been a triathlete for the past 20 years, returning to competition in 2020.

She believes that motivation begins within, finding the desire to be better today: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." -- Mark Twain

Woman training in gym

Jun 14, 2024

5 Best Tips to Help You Train Like an Olympic Athlete

If you’re getting fired up for the competition, maybe it’s time for you to train like an Olympian, and not just watch from the sidelines.

By Lisa Abramson

Man lying on floor using a fitness app

May 17, 2024

12 Top Fitness Apps for 2024 to Keep Your Health on Track

An Ochsner Fitness Center expert weighs in on her favorite fitness apps for 2024.

By Lisa Abramson

man working out his back

Jun 12, 2025

Back Workout: 4 Exercises for Staying Strong and Healthy

Your back muscles are involved in just about everything you do. It’s important for your back muscles to be strong so that you can do the activities that you want to do.

By Lisa Abramson

Walking and running on a treadmill

Mar 23, 2023

Does the 12-3-30 Workout Work? 5 Steps to Success

Seasoned folk could perform the 12-3-30 workout three days a week if they feel no issues with back, calf or hamstring muscles.

By Lisa Abramson

Woman at gym with head down pinching nose looking like she is not feeling well

Nov 11, 2022

Should I Work Out When I'm Sick?

Working out while you’re sick can be OK, but with certain symptoms it could make you feel worse.

By Lisa Abramson

Woman doing lunges with weight push day workout

Sep 20, 2022

The Best Push-Day Workout

An Ochsner Fitness Center trainer shares her favorite push-day workouts for chest, shoulders, triceps, quadriceps and calves.

By Lisa Abramson

Running Marathon

Aug 5, 2022

5-Point Marathon Training Plan

Two things that are critical to a successful marathon training routine are consistency and listening to your body.

By Lisa Abramson

Exercises to burn belly fat

Jan 21, 2023

4 Great Exercises to Burn Belly Fat

Most of us know that you cannot spot reduce or do 100 crunches to lessen the fat. In fact, if you do a variety of exercises, you are more likely to tackle belly fat.

By Lisa Abramson

Yoga class pain management man

Aug 5, 2022

8 of the Top Reasons to Do Yoga

One study found that a consistent yoga practice improved depression and an increase in serotonin levels.

By Lisa Abramson

Side planks

Aug 5, 2022

8 Exercises for the Obliques

Working the obliques can be fun and varied. You'll feel stronger and be able to "go with the punches" after you've integrated them into your weekly workouts.

By Lisa Abramson

Happy woman exercising

Dec 27, 2022

Exercises to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Whatever you find, discover what is fun and playful for you to do; this will make you want to continue doing it and even master it! Even gardening or dancing will help reduce anxiety and depression.

By Lisa Abramson

Woman working out in park

Aug 5, 2022

How Many Times a Week Should I Work Out?

The key is to build slowly and keep at it. Rest days are just as important as your exercise days, however.

By Lisa Abramson

Men stretching and exercising

Aug 5, 2022

Work Out at Home Without Equipment

You do not need fancy equipment to work out at home, just a commitment to work out regularly and be creative.

By Lisa Abramson

Resistance band training

Aug 5, 2022

What is Resistance Training with Bands?

Because of their simplicity, resistance bands are underrated but are equal to or even better than other standard weight-lifting equipment.

By Lisa Abramson

Reduce injury exercise new years resolutions 1

Aug 5, 2022

Gym Etiquette and Manners

Here are some gym etiquette tips to keep you in line and avoid getting the stink eye from that stranger next to you.

By Lisa Abramson

Man lifting weights

Aug 5, 2022

How to Train Like a Weightlifter

weightlifting can boost our metabolism, strengthen and encourage bone density, increase our functional strength as we age, and burn fat at rest.

By Lisa Abramson

Woman walking

Aug 5, 2022

Body Composition: Do You Know Yours?

Learning your body fat percentage is very useful and is a better indicator of your health than the old BMI standard.

By Lisa Abramson

Male athletic trainer sitting with student athlete on bleachers outdoors

Aug 5, 2022

10 Reasons to Hire a Personal Trainer

Consistent training sessions will make coming to the gym and getting fit seem like second nature! That’s the goal of a trainer: help you help yourself to be healthy and fit, making a lifetime commitment!

By Lisa Abramson

Man doing lunges

Aug 5, 2022

5 Top Lower-Body Exercises

These are trainer Lisa Abramson's five favorite lower-body exercises for making you stronger and functionally fit. Perform three sets of 10-15 repetitions each. Increase your weight when these become easier.

By Lisa Abramson

Women exercising

Aug 5, 2022

Exercise: Is It Ever Too Much

If you are sore from your last day (or more) of exercise, should you still exercise the next day?

By Lisa Abramson

woman checking fitness watch at gym

Aug 5, 2022

How Often Should I Work Out?

Yes, you can work out too much. If you start having nagging aches and pains, and your sleep is not as deep as it used to be, this may be a sign of over-training.

By Lisa Abramson

Getty Images 1056357980

Aug 9, 2022

4 Reasons to Choose a Kid-Friendly Gym

With services like child care, youth fitness programs and summer and holiday camps, gyms are making it easier than ever to get the whole family involved in fitness.

By Lisa Abramson

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