Gyms have their positive points: they are convenient, house lots of equipment, and often have childcare available to parents who need to tote their tots to the gym (this includes yours truly). Gyms also can offer a range of fitness classes and most have personal trainers on staff. If you're not a huge fan of going to the gym however, and would like to try something different, check out these fun alternatives... Stroller Fit® SF targets the “mommy muscles” – those muscles used during labor and delivery, and post-partum, and basically every day thereafter. Moms have a chance to get ......
Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
Because I love yoga, and Pilates, but am by no means a guru of either practice, I felt compelled to pass along some helpful resources so that you can learn more. Yoga is one of those activities that evolves as you evolve. The yoga you do today will not be the same yoga you do a year from now, and your body won't likely be the same body either (note: this is a good thing - Yoga evens 'things' out, balances muscles, massages the joints, just all-around good stuff ;0). I've learned through my own yoga/Pilates journey that there is always something new to learn. That said, here are some fabulous......
Even though I have addressed this topic before (a-hem, at least twice before), I'm circling back because A) I keep getting asked, "I did strength training today, what should I do tomorrow?" and B) I keep getting asked, "Is it okay to do both strength training and cardio on the same day?" If you want to cut to the chase, check out: "Cardiovascular or Weight Training: Which should come first?" Otherwise, stay right here, 'cause I'm about to WOW you with...pretty much the same thing I said before. ;0) Here's the thing - you need to know what it is you want to get out of your workouts. Are you try......
You have probably heard about Pilates, or possibly know someone who talks of "reformers, chairs, straps, pulleys" (and other contraptions), and silently wonder, "what the heck is Pilates anyway?" The Pilates Method (or simply Pilates) was developed in Germany in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. The core-strengthening and posture-improving benefits of regular practice have helped the Pilates Method develop a loyal following of faithful participants in recent years. The aesthetic benefits of regular practice can be seen on the physiques of famous devotees, such as Madonna and Gwyneth Pa......
The dedicated souls who exercise because they love it are a rare lot. The rest, well, exercise because it is an important step on the road to weight loss. And we all know that weight loss really means, “fat loss.” Am I right? Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about the “fat burning zone,” which leads us to believe that exercising at a particular intensity, above a minimum amount of time, is the optimal “fat burning” place. Not so (and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing). And here’s why…
you burn more carbs than fat for fuel. However, the more total calories you burn, the more fat calories you’ll burn. Here’s a simple example of interval training: add intervals of 3-5 minutes that are at a higher intensity, then spend roughly equal that time recovering, then repeat. Thirty- to forty minutes is sufficient. Shorter intervals of even higher intensity are fine too – just check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing health conditions.
those calories would come from fat. However, if you ran at a 7 mph pace instead, you’d burn roughly 400 calories (depending on your height/weight), and 160 of those would be fat calories!
The mysterious “fat burning zone” continues to confuse many gym-goers. The theory goes something like this: working out in a “zone” of intensity that is less intense for at least 20 minutes will burn more fat calories than calories from carbohydrate. Is this true? Yes and no, but mostly no. You actually burn more calories from fat right now, sitting still, reading this post, than you do on the treadmill. That is because in the resting state, the body burns a higher percentage of fat calories. As you crank up the exercise intensity, you burn a little less fat per calorie. However, it really comes down to the total number of calories you burn per exercise session — if you want to lose weight.
