April 27, 2024

2013 Spring Health and Fitness Product Spotlight

February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

With so many health and fitness products available, how do you know what is effective, legitimate and worthwhile? From head to toe, Health Your Way Online has you covered! Every smart exerciser knows in our multi-faceted world of fitness, caring not only for your body but your mind as well, is key to long-term, sustainable health.

Health Your Way Online proudly presents our Spring 2013 Product Spotlight. No gimmicks or shortcuts, only exceptional quality products.

Allow us to introduce you to ENERGYbits®, Sockwa, FiTMAPPED, “Nutrition for Exam Success – a Parent’s Guide” and B.I.C. Bands!

NUTRITION- Feed Your Body Smart with ENERGYbits®

Simply put, there is nothing else on the market quite like ENERGYbits®. They include one ingredient, algae! Organically grown and dried into small bite size bits that are easy to swallow or chew while on the go.

When asked who benefits most from ENERGYbits®, Founder and CEO Catharine Arnston responds, ” ENERGYbits® are for everyone. That being said, its benefits are most appreciated and most noticed by anyone engaged in high endurance activities.” She continues, “this includes  marathon runners, triathletes, cyclists, Olympians, elite athletes, professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, but also busy executives, moms, teachers, kids, vegans, vegetarians, celiac intolerant, iron deficient, protein deficient or regular folks who want to improve their health, boost their energy and/or improve their diet and nutrition.”

ENERGYbits® algae is Non-GMO and is grown in controlled and daily-monitored water tanks. Their algae is 100% toxin free. While other parts of the world have used algae and enjoyed its health benefits for well over fifty years, ENERGYbits® is honored to bring this super-food to North America in a convenient, time-efficient and fun way to add green-food into our diet.

Why consider adding ENERGYbits® into your healthy living regime? “Our ENERGYbits® have the highest concentration of protein in the world and all this protein is already in amino acid form so it is 100% bio available and absorbed instantly” Ms. Arnston explains. “This is why you experience an immediate lift, mentally and physically from our ENERGYbits®. It’s not a rush of energy like you experience with sugar, caffeine or other artificial stimulants. There isn’t any sugar, caffeine or chemicals in our algae. They contain nothing but 100% algae whose green, natural nutrients deliver a steady and constant supply of energy and nutrients to your body and brain” she adds.

Discover for yourself the ENERGYbits® difference at www.energybits.com. Join their Facebook community at www.facebook.com/energybits to learn about discounts and special opportunities. For more information, please email Jeff at jwhite@energybits.com. And be sure to check out their additional brands of algae: www.recoverybits.com, www.skinnybits.com, www.vitalitybits.com, www.bitsofhealth.com.

FOOTWEAR- Go Green and Go Pain-Free with Sockwa

Say goodbye to the days of aching feet after every run and sore leg muscles after every hike! Enter Sockwa. Sockwa is your ultra-light, high-performance, minimalist shoe solution. They offer shoes with the thinnest sole of 1.2mm, with “premium, sustainable, decomposable, readily recyclable, hypo-allergenic, anti-odor uppers along with rubber-free soles” says Founder David Zasloff. So go ahead, save your feet and your planet at the same time!

Mr. Zasloff originally began the company with beach soccer socks. However, due to his loyal customer base’ popular request for a shoe that could be worn off the beach as well, Sockwa’s minimalist shoe was born. “Although we found that our first customer’s wore their Sockwa for niche activities like yoga, pilates, beach sports, cross-fit, back-packing, paddle boarding, martial arts, etc, we found that many customers started also wearing them for leisure wear, around town and while traveling” explains Mr. Zasloff.

Sockwa is for anyone who wants to allow their feet to move how they were designed to move, freely; sans constraints of traditional shoes. You’ll feel as if you’re barefoot, but with the added comfort of a durable sole. You’ll enjoy a more tactile, natural feeling shoe without feeling heavy with limited range of motion. In fact, these comfort fit shoes are becoming popular as day to day shoes, in addition to being used as athletic shoes. They are portable, flexible and easy to pack in your backpack, gym bag or even your bike pack. Sockwa makes an ideal everyday shoe for everyone.

Sockwa now offers 4 different models ranging from $20.00 to just under $75.00. Be sure to place your order at www.sockwa.com and join the minimalist movement! Need convincing- when was the last time you said your feet feel great?

They also welcome phone calls via 213.995.5004.

WHERE FITNESS AND TECH MEET- FiTMAPPED

Do you know where to find a dance studio on your lunch break? Or when you’re traveling, do you know a health club that will allow you to log your laps in the pool? The answer is here and it’s the only one of its kind; the answer is FiTMAPPED! FiTMAPPED leads fitness enthusiasts to their exercise options. Touted as your all-inclusive and searchable fitness directory, it’s easy, clear and it’s free to users!

“We saw a growing trend of new fitness establishments opening up all over the city and there was no real way to keep track of the variety of options. So, we decided to aggregate them and create a comprehensive database” explains Michelle Velasquez, Co-Founder of FiTMAPPED. Currently FiTMAPPED includes Los Angeles and New York City. “We wanted to make it easy for someone to find that third floor yoga studio around the corner or the new bootcamp a block from their office” she adds.

The FiTMAPPED database includes everything from large-scale health club facilities, to family focused gyms, to smaller, exclusive personal training studios. Simply log on to www.FiTMAPPED.com and search by your desired category. Search for example by price, amenities or location. And viola, your choices appear! There really are no excuses for missing a workout anymore.

Ms. Velasquez outlines their vision for the future, “as we grow, we hope to not only connect studios to our users, but we plan to connect users with each other. We hope to be the center of the local fitness community by creating a social platform for fitness experts and neophytes alike to exchange thoughts about their favorite workouts, plan fitness activities in groups, and share their healthy experiences.” Consider FitMAPPED your personal fitness finder!

Check out their Mobile app link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fitmapped/id550392329.  To add your fitness facility to their database, please email them directly at inquiry@fitmapped.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT- A Parent’s Guide

“Nutrition for Exam Success – a Parent’s Guide” is a book that has been written for all parents. Let’s face it, kids and especially teenagers, are a hard crowd to please when it comes to preparing meals! As parents, we are inundated with nutrition information regularly, eat this or don’t ever eat this; so how do we know what’s best for our growing children? We rely on science and research.

Here’s what we do know; we do know that there is a link between what we eat and how our brain functions. The author, Maggie Ayre, has done the ground work for you. As the UK’s leading coach for young people, she shares her years of expertise and experience. Ms. Ayres book offers the details why food intake is important for healthy learning for our children. Her book also offers over 30 simple recipes that are sure to please your kids of every age, and improve how their brain functions and absorbs information.

Ms. Ayres explains, “having worked as a Fitness Coach for Teens for five years I am dismayed at the foods many teens are eating.” She shares, “I feel that there is a lack of knowledge of just how important our diet is in all aspects of our lives and particularly the working of our brains, our powers of concentration and our energy levels.” All parents should consider this book a must-have manual full of guidance and resources!

Find her book via Amazon, as well as via Amazon in the UK.

Ms. Ayre’s mission is simple; she says “if we can get young children eating foods that will help them study, we will reap the benefits of better grades throughout their schooling.” Check out all of Maggie’s books on her website at www.maggieayre.com or email her directly at maggieayre@mail.com.

ACCESSORIZE…With a Purpose! Meet B.I.C. Bands

If you’re looking for a great gift idea, look no further! B.I.C. Bands is a business that gives back. They offer non-slip headbands that donate back to local charities with every sale! For example, in February their beneficiary was the American Heart Association, and the Go Red for Women campaign. In March, B.I.C. Bands is supporting the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

Founder of B.I.C. Bands, Sandy Pearson, explains the origin of her business, “these amazing headbands started all as a fundraiser for my run with Team in Training.” She continues, “I was looking for a way to raise the necessary funds to run my first half marathon. I had started to make headbands that didn’t slip because I was cheap and crafty~ friends said they’d buy them, so I decided to try my hand at making and selling them.” She adds, “my small little venture began and I started sewing. I donated the profits to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. OVER $1000 was raised through the sale of B.I.C. Bands!”

With over 250 styles available online, there really is a color and design for everyone; print, patterns, sparkles, you name it they’ve got it! Even offering four different widths, all with an absorbent lining that stays on your hair like velcro, without pulling or snagging your hair as with silicone-lined headbands.

Through their customer-service oriented wholesale program, they also offer custom bands for groups or teams. Email them directly at info@bicbands.com for additional details. When asked about the motivation behind her business, Ms. Pearson replies “because B.I.C. Bands were such a hit after my race, I decided to keep making and selling the bands to continue giving back to organizations in need.”

Check them out at www.BICbands.com. And be sure to follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bicbands, on Twitter @bicbands, and on Pinterest: BICBands. You’ll be sure to find the perfect headband for you, as well as some inspiration along the way knowing your purchase is making a difference in the lives of others.

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Beans Offer Big Benefits by Heather Mangieri, MS, RD, CSSD

February 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If you’re not eating beans you’re missing out.  While they’ve long been known as a healthy food, they’re receiving more recognition recently.  Research has shown that including beans as part of a healthy eating plan may slow the progression of certain chronic diseases, as well as help satisfy hunger levels while eating fewer calories.

How can one food offer all of these benefits?

 

Beans are a nutrient rich food.  

Nutrient density is all about getting the biggest nutrient bang for your calorie buck.  And beans have it.  They’re a beautiful balance of high quality complex carbohydrates and protein, all while providing a great source of fiber, folate, iron, magnesium and potassium. Research in both children and adults has shown that people who eat beans get more of these key nutrients in their diets than people who do not eat beans.

Beans are warriors when it comes to weight management.

Their high fiber and water content help us feel full faster and help maintain that satiety between meals. Including beans in a weight loss plan can help prevent hunger even when calories are cut.

Beans work to combat chronic disease.

Everyone’s eating plan should include foods that help slow the progression of chronic disease.  And you guessed it- beans are a winner here too.  Unlike meat-based proteins, beans are naturally low in fat, are free of saturated fat and trans-fat, and are a cholesterol-free source of protein.

Research shows that a diet including beans may reduce blood cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease.  In addition, studies have linked beans to lower risk of hypertension and some types of cancers.  And all of the soluble fiber in beans works to slow the rise in blood sugar after we eat, making them a perfect food for those with diabetes.

All of those health benefits are great but there’s more. Beans are also cost-effective and convenient.  Anyone who claims it’s expensive to eat healthy surely hasn’t been cooked with beans.  One can of beans (even organic varieties) provides 3 ½ servings and can often be found for just over a buck.  That’s only about $0.40 per serving.  You can pump up the protein content of any dish by adding beans.  Because they are so versatile, they go great in soups, stews, salads and chili but also mix well with greens and a variety of grains.  Homemade hummus or bean dips taste great paired with raw vegetables.  Just one Tbsp. of hummus adds flavor to wraps and sandwiches or works great as a flavor topping for fish, chicken or other protein picks too.

Try this super easy, turkey and bean chili:

Ingredients

1 Ib. lean white meat turkey
3 tomatoes, diced
1 green pepper, diced
½ onion, diced
1 can kidney beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 pkg chili season mix
1 Tbsp oil

Directions

1.)    Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onions, peppers and turkey until the meat is well browned and the onions are tender.
2.)    Mix in the diced tomatoes, beans, seasoning mix and tomato sauce and bring to a boil.  Cover. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve.

Optional: omit the canned tomato sauce and use an additional diced tomato.

Heather Mangieri is a national media spokesperson, registered dietitian and owner of Nutrition CheckUp in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information visit www.nutritioncheckup.com. You can follow Heather on Twitter @nutritioncheck and join her facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/NutritionCheckUp

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Three Must-Try Outdoor Workouts by Gen Levrant

February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Do not underestimate the power of fresh air!
The majority of the working population spend their days cooped up indoors – is it any wonder stress levels, work-related absence and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months are at their highest?
The solution?  GET OUTSIDE!

Walk/Run for Function
It may sound cliché (or you’ve heard it before) but getting out the office and briskly walking round the block even for 10-20 minutes can make the baddest of days better.
Your mind will clear and re-focus from physically removing yourself from the environment, your mood lifted from the natural light and oxygen.
Try this 15 minute fat blast workout:
Brisk walk warm up
2 minute jog
30 second sprint
Repeat x5 before cooling down with a slow walk. Finish with stretching.

Head for the Hills
Hill walks/sprints are a great way of exercising the heart and lungs. Try your local park, woods or venture a little further, making a day of it at the beach or a national park. Vary the terrain: grass, gravel, sand all make a difference and keep it interesting. Running uphill (or some outdoor steps,) walking down and repeating is a great interval training workout of exertion and recovery at your own pace. You can track your progress by recording how many you can do – and see if you can beat it next time. Great fun for all the family so make a game of it!

DIY Bootcamp
Try making your own bootcamp either in your garden or a local playground. Look at what you can use for exercises, even as simple as throwing and catching a ball against a wall. Press ups, step-ups and tricep dips can be done on a bench. Pull ups, mountain climbers and knee tucks can be done using a climbing frame ladder.

Whatever your age and fitness level, you now have three variations of outdoor workouts, all with phenomenal effects. So if it rains, be your own sunshine!

Gen Levrant is an Advanced Personal Trainer and fat-loss specialist operating out of a private functional training studio in Southampton UK. For fitness tips, updates and further info: http://www.fasterpt.com/personal-trainer-southampton/or email Gen via gen@fasterpt.com. Follow her on Twitter @PTGen, https://www.facebook.com/FasterPersonalTrainingSouthamptonorvia Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Jii13lkNY

 

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On-The-Go Snacks by Rachael Roehmholdt

February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

5 Convenient On-The-Go Snack Ideas

With a busy schedule, snacks are inevitably an important part of the day. What is chosen as a snack can easily make or break any healthy eater’s plans, which is why sticking to whole foods is your best option between meals.

Whether you regularly snack on the go or use them as an afternoon pick-me-up only when you need them, try one of these five healthy and convenient on-the-go snack ideas.

Nuts & Seeds

Choose from a variety of healthy nuts and seeds like cashews, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to snack on for an energy boost that’s also packed with protein and essential vitamins and minerals. You can also get creative by mixing up a batch of your favorite nuts and seeds, portioning them out, and carrying them along with you in your car or your bag.

Baby Carrots (Or Other Veggies) With Hummus

When you’re looking for a crunch factor at snack time, choose carrots or other veggie sticks to dip in hummus. You’ll be loading up on fiber, which will help to keep your hunger level in check for a while.

Stuffed Dates

For a sweet snack during the day, stuff a few dates with your favorite nut butter and  sprinkle with cinnamon. These can be made in a big batch at the beginning of the week and portioned out to keep on hand all week long. Dates give your body an energy boost from the natural sugars and vitamins A and B.

Salted Edamame Pods

When you’re after a salty bite, choose convenient edamame pods sprinkled with a little bit of sea salt. These young soybeans are loaded with fiber, protein, and omega 3’s – a fantastic combination to satiate your stomach until your next meal!

Popcorn

Plain unsalted popcorn is a fantastic option on-the-go, as you can pop it up quickly in the microwave in a brown paper bag and bring it along with you. Another option is carrying unpopped popcorn and a paper bag with you until you’re ready for your snack, then pop it in the microwave once your snack pang hits. It’s another fiber-filled food, and it gets extra points for being a whole grain!

Snack foods don’t all have to come from the convenience store. Load up on healthy whole food options like these and you’ll be sure to keep your healthy eating on the right track!

Rachael Roehmholdt is a certified holistic health coach and founder of Be More Healthful. With a passion for good food and living a healthful and balanced life, she believes that small changes to our everyday lives can set us up for a lifetime of health and happiness.

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Music and Motivation by Zachary Fiorido

February 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Music and Exercise Motivation: 5 Reasons to Crank Up the Tunes!

 

Music is a great way to stay motivated and accountable to your workouts. It is one of the easiest forms of exercise motivation.  Here are 5 reasons why you should crank up the tunes.

 

1)    Getting up in the am is a struggle, especially with your annoying alarm clock blaring. Change that to a happy go lucky song that makes you want to dance and you are on your way to waking up excited. Gone are the days of snoozing.

2)    Feeling sad and blue?  Studies have shown that people who listen to music have reduced depression and feelings of pain. Don’t worry, be happy!

3)    When you are feeling tired and unmotivated to exercise, create a special playlist with songs that immediately pick you up. This playlist should only be played once every 2 weeks, that way all songs have a special meaning that makes you want to crush your fitness goals!

4)    Cardio Junkie? Playing upbeat music can actually make you go faster. Select songs with BPM (Beats Per Minute) around 130 to 150 BPM. The faster the song the faster you go! Check out a great app on Itunes called “Tempo Magic Pro” This app allows you to adjust any song to go faster or slower.

5)    Not a music lover? No worries. Try audiobooks and podcasts. You can get motivated and inspired just as much as music through spoken words.

Having troubles finding new music? Check out my Youtube Channel for Workout Music Playlists at: www.Youtube.com/ZacharyFiorido

 

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Finding Time for Fitness by Tera Busker

February 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We are all busy and often have a hard time for finding time for fitness. Try these 7 tips to find time in your day to get in a great workout and make a positive step in the healthy direction.

Make it a PRIORITY! It’s easy to let excuses and every day activities get in the way of your fitness schedule. Too tired, too busy, too much to do – we have all been there. But if you want to make fitness a part of your life, you have to find time to make it a part of your life.  Schedule your workouts just like you would any other important appointment like going to the dentist or getting your hair done. Write it in your calendar and block out time in your day to get it done.

Be sneaky! Sneak fitness into your everyday chores and activities. Make small changes in your day like taking the stairs at work, walking to your co-workers office instead of emailing them,  squatting while you fold laundry or cleaning the house at a brisk pace.

PLAY! If you have kids or pets, be active with them! Kid and pet free? Join a sport league. Working out doesn’t have to mean spending time in a gym. Taking Fido for a hike, playing tag with the kids or joining a backyard game of flag football counts too! Having fun with your fitness makes it seem like a less daunting task.

Wake up early. Getting your workout completed first thing in the morning means you will be less likely to be distracted by other responsibilities later in the day.  Also, working out in the morning starts out your day with a sense of accomplishment and puts a little extra pep in your step.

Be prepared! If you know that you have limited time between getting up in the morning and heading out to the gym before you have to get to work, get in a routine of making sure your gym bag is packed every night before you go to bed.  That way in the morning you will not be rushed or have to skip your workout because you aren’t ready.

Get into a routine. If working out during your lunch hour works best for you, try to stick to that schedule. Life does have a way of throwing a wrench in your plan every now and again, but changing  up your routine too much leaves room for excuses to sneak in.

Instead of finding ways you CAN’T, try to find ways you CAN! Don’t “can’t” yourself to death. Anyone can find a million reasons why they can’t find time for fitness, but try to change up your thinking and try to find ways you can. Can’t workout for an hour every day? Then make the most of the time you can. Can’t afford a gym membership? Go for a jog or walk outside and do bodyweight strength exercises! Focus on the positive of what you can do and try to eliminate the negative of what you can’t.

Tera Busker is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and owner of Fitness To Go, an exclusive In Home & Private Studio Personal Training Service based out of Roberts, WI. www.fitnesstogo.net

 

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Boost Energy Naturally by Rachael Roehmholdt

February 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If you’re anything like me, you are no stranger to the mid-day energy slump. While it can seem easy and convenient to swig down coffee, soda, energy drinks, and excess amounts of sugar to give us an uptick during the day, there are better and more natural ways to even out your energy levels.

 

Here are five gentle ways to boost energy the natural way:

 

1. Reduce caffeine.

It might seem counter-intuitive to reduce the amount of caffeine when you want to gain more energy. By reducing your consumption of coffee, sodas, and energy drinks, you’ll avoid the ups and downs that come with blood sugar and mood swings and overall feel a lot more even keel.

2. Eat dark leafy green vegetables.

Dark leafy green vegetables are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, which are essential to giving you that boost in energy that you’re looking for. Enjoy broccoli, collard greens, bok choy, kale, mustard greens, arugula, and dandelion greens throughout the day or incorporate them into your snacks to get that natural feel-good energy boost.

3. Drink water.

Before you grab that candy bar or reach for that can of soda, grab a glass of water and wait a few minutes. Our bodies send off the signal that we need energy, but for most of us, that signal is telling us that we’re dehydrated. Start with drinking a glass of water, then if that doesn’t help, you can start troubleshooting with other ways to get that natural boost.

4. Use gentle sweets.

Instead of choosing candy or other sugar-loaded treats or drinks, opt for natural sweets that are gentler on the body. Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners as these have a funny way of tricking our bodies into more of those sugar swings and the desire for more of them. Instead opt for natural sweeteners and aim to get sweet vegetables into your diet to satiate that sweet craving once in a while.

5. Get physical.

Even if you start small, you can boost your energy just by getting out of your chair and moving a little bit. You don’t have to put in a hard core sweat session, but even some designated time for physical movement can get your blood moving and give you that energy that your body craves.

Increasing your energy doesn’t have to be done with a quick-fix. Over time, these small changes can add up to overall increased energy levels. Enjoy!

Rachael Roehmholdt is a certified holistic health coach and founder of Be More Healthful. With a passion for good food and living a healthful and balanced life, she believes that small changes to our everyday lives can set us up for a lifetime of health and happiness.

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5 Steps to a Healthy Living Space! By Coach Juli Shulem

February 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

A healthy living space is part of wellness! An efficient household means less stress for everyone. Here are your five expert tips how to create a healthy, organized and functional living space:

1.    Make a plan!
Before organizing, know what it is or where it is that you will be focusing. To just begin willy-nilly often ends up leaving a bigger mess than which you started. Go through the entire house and list areas room-by-room. Be specific: kitchen counter, dining room table, under table, pantry, cutlery drawer, etc. Break the project into small, doable tasks that you can check off your list.

2.    Schedule specific time.
If you find you have been saying, “I need to organize this” and yet you never get around to it, chances are without scheduling it as an appointment with yourself, it won’t happen. Just like exercising: you need to plan and schedule this for it to become part of your regular day. If you have a very long list of organizing tasks, then you would be best off scheduling time daily to address it. I encourage clients to schedule 30-45 minutes each day.

3.    Start with “stuffed spaces.”
It is impossible to put things away where there is no space for anything to go. It only makes sense to begin by clearing space in existing cabinets and cupboards. There is usually so much packed into these and much of the things in the back are no longer useful. Start here and be ready to toss items that cause you to say, “Oh my, I still have this?”

4.    Get rid of unworn clothes.
It’s probably time to do a wardrobe assessment. Try items on and see what still fits, looks good, makes you feel good and is in style. Be realistic about how many different sizes of clothes you need to hold onto. Chances are if you have been a size for a few years, you won’t be changing drastically anytime soon, and if you do, you will probably want new clothes anyway. Let go of the ones you aren’t wearing.

5.    Schedule a donation pick-up within 48 hours of organizing.
So many times, a client gets things bagged or boxed only to have the stuff sit around in corners for days or weeks. Plan for your give-aways to be removed promptly. Afraid you will go back through your bags and boxes? Use opaque trash bags.

Contributed by Coach Juli, CPC: Efficiency & ADHD Coach. Efficiency Expert since 1984, and author of the eBook, Order! A Logical Approach to an Organized Way of Life, www.getordernow.com. Contact at jshulem@gmail.com, 805-964-2389 or www.julishulem.com

 

 

 

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Attention Gym Members! By Brett Klika

February 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If the public exercise forum of the gym is something new to you, it can be intimidating.  All that equipment, all those people, and “where can I put my keys?”  Have no fear, it’s pretty simple to get in and get out with a smile (and a good amount of sweat) on your face without a hitch.

Just like in any organization, the gym has both spoken and unspoken rules or “codes of conduct.”  Familiarize yourself with these simple etiquette guidelines to guarantee that you’ll have a positive and productive workout experience, while empowering others to do the same.

Below are some basic gym tips to help you navigate the world of working out!

Lock away cell phones.
Spending your (and others) workout time walking around talking on your phone takes away from not only yours, but everyone else’s workout. Leave the cell phone in your locker or keep it with you in silent or vibrate-mode for absolute emergencies.

Don’t leave a sweat “autograph.”
A good lather of sweat is great, and means you’re working hard to forge a new body of steel. However, a sweaty machine is not a pleasant welcome for the next exerciser. After you’re done with a piece of equipment, wipe it off for the next person.

Choose the right gym.
There are now many different types of gyms offering many different types of exercise experiences.  Make sure when you go to a gym to sign up, you feel comfortable and welcome.

If you like to lift heavy weights with loud music, the local mom and pop “Fun Fit” might not be a place for you.  If you’re just getting started going to a gym, the local bodybuilding/powerlifting mecca might not  provide the experience for which you are looking.

Luckily, there are now options for everyone to find a place they feel at home!

You may be a better door than a window.
Narcissistic or not, gyms are surrounded with mirrors for a reason.  Gym-goers not only like to see their progress, but mirrors provide feedback on form and technique.

If someone is looking in the mirror while doing an exercise, it’s rude to walk in between him or her and the mirror.  It can be distracting and take away from their focus.  Either walk around them, or wait until they are done with their exercise.

Put away weights, plates, or any other equipment when finished.
This is the cardinal rule of using a public gym, yet it is probably the most frequently broken one.  It’s a concept we are introduced to in kindergarten. When you’re done, put it away.

Make sure to put everything you use back where it came from. That way,someone else doesn’t have to spend half their workout time cleaning up a mess they didn’t make.

Brett Klika C.S.C.S., author of “The Underground Workout Manual- Exercise and Fat Loss in the Real World” (www.undergroundworkoutmanual.com is a world- renowned human performance specialist, motivational speaker, author, and educator. In his 15-year career, Brett has accrued more than 20,000 hours of training with youth, athletes, executives, and everyday people. He uses this knowledge and experience to motivate individuals and audiences around the world through his writing, speaking and DVD’s. For his free blog or to try the Underground Workout Manual for FREE, visit www.brettklika.com.

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Total Body Workout! By Tera Busker

February 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

30 x 3 Workout

This workout is fast, effective and FUN!!!!
30 seconds WORK, 30 Seconds REST, 30 Minutes (thus the 30 x 3) and you’re done. Complete this circuit 6 times for a great, full body workout. Be sure to consult your physician before beginning this or any exercise program.

 

30 Seconds: Squat/Shoulder Press
30 seconds: Rest
30 Seconds: Renegade Row Pushup
30 seconds: Rest
30 Seconds: Alternating Reverse Lunge with Rotation and Bicep Curl
30 seconds: Rest
30 Seconds: Tricep Extension with Hip Bridge
30 seconds: Rest
30 Seconds: Plank with Walkout
30 seconds: Rest
Repeat for a total of 6 circuits

Squat with Shoulder Press: Holding weights in both hands at shoulder height, lower your body into a squat. As you stand back up, raise weights straight over head in one smooth motion. As you lower back into a squat, lower weights back to shoulder height.

Renegade Row Pushup: Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor and set yourself up in pushup position, grasping the handles with each hand. Lower your body to the floor, pause, then push yourself back up. Once you’re back in the starting position, row the dumbbell in your right hand to the side of your chest, keeping your elbow close to your ribs. Pause, then lower the dumbbell back down and repeat with your left arm. Try to keep your hips from rotating while performing this exercise.

Alternating Reverse Lunge with Rotation and Bicep Curl: Hold dumbbells at your sides and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Step back with your left foot, and bend both knees to lower your body until your right knee is bent at least 90 degrees. At the same time, rotate your upper body toward your right leg and curl the dumbbells to your chest. Reverse the movement by lowering the weights and rotating your chest to face front, then return to standing. Repeat on opposite side.

Tricep Extension with Hip Bridge: Lying on your back with arms extended straight above your shoulders, lift hips off of the ground. As you lower the hips back to the mat, bend arms from the elbows only and lower weights down towards the ears. (Imagine putting earmuffs on and then taking them back off.) Repeat the motion by lifting the hips back up as you raise the weights.

Plank with Walkout: Set yourself up in a plank position on the elbows. Pull the navel in tight and keep the back and hips flat, step out to the side a few inches with your right foot, step out to the side a few inches with your left foot, step back in with your right foot and step back in with your left foot. Repeat. Try not to rock the hips as you perform this exercise.

Are you an advanced exerciser and want to take the workout to the next level? Here is a calorie torching version:
30 Seconds: Squat/Shoulder Press
30 seconds: Mountain Climbers
30 Seconds: Renegade Row Pushup
30 seconds: Jumping Jacks
30 Seconds: Alternating Reverse Lunge with Rotation and Bicep Curl
30 seconds: Mountain Climbers
30 Seconds: Tricep Extension with Hip Bridge
30 seconds: Jumping Jacks
30 Seconds: Plank with Walkout
30 seconds: Rest
Repeat for a total of 6 circuits

Tera Busker is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and owner of Fitness To Go, an exclusive In Home & Private Studio Personal Training Service based out of Roberts, WI. www.fitnesstogo.net

 

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