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When you walk into to a modern fitness center, you will undoubtedly encounter rows of cardio equipment with TVs plastered in front of them. Over the past decade, treadmills and ellipticals have become machines that would make any tech junkie proud. They now come loaded with iPod docks, HD radio tuners, TVs, and even internet access. Gym goers are eating this stuff up. Why? Because cardio can get boring in a hurry and all the lights and sounds distract from the fact that you have been running in place for the past 30min. It is all too easy to just set the machine to manual and watch TV, and as … [Read more...] about Break the Boredom……..try a cardio circuit

Did you know that cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of illness and death in the United States? Yet many americans continue to smoke. One million a year new adults and children start smoking and the number is increasing exponentially. It is a well-known fact that smokers die faster than those who don't. Smoking increases your health risks if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. The cost of a pack of cigarettes is right around five dollars a pack and yet people in a recessed economy are still buying them left and right. Not only is the cost per pack high … [Read more...] about Smoking: Killing one person at a time

Many Americans take over the counter supplements on a daily basis for everything from calcium to multi-vitamins. The problem is do they work? Is your body absorbing the actual pill or tablet that you are taking? Is it the correct dosage for you? Are you taking to many supplements and they have interactions with one another? These are all legitimate questions that deserve to have answers. Most individuals who take supplements tend to eat healthier on average as well.  A new study from the National Institutes of Health found that vitamin users may be overloading on minerals like magnesium, zinc, … [Read more...] about Supplements: Are they worth taking?

The latest trend in the world of running and training is going barefoot. The benefit of going barefoot some experts claim is that it improves foot biomechanics and reduces injury risk. Some studies suggest that running barefoot can increase running efficiency by 4%. However there is no well-outlined study done that shows it reduces the risk of injuries. There are two sides to this story. Some experts agree that running with shoes causes the small muscles in our feet to weaken, thus causing the tendons, ligaments, and arches to stop performing their funtional job. These experts believe that … [Read more...] about Barefoot Training: Should you be doing it?

  Do you have arthritis? You’re not alone. Approximately 42.7 million Americans have arthritis, as well as millions of people around the world. Doctors now commonly prescribe exercise to alleviate arthritis symptoms. However, it can be confusing to know what type of exercise to do and how much is helpful. Recent research has demonstrated that a regular program of cardiovascular exercise and progressive strength training can lead to improvements in strength, function and joint symptoms in people with arthritis. Fitness-related problems common to arthritis—such as flexibility loss, muscle … [Read more...] about Exercising with Arthritis

  With all the artificial sweeteners available, you may find it challenging to separate fact from fiction. In fact, so many new sweeteners have made their way to market that the American Dietetic Association (ADA) released a Position Paper in 2004 to help nutrition experts educate consumers on the health implications of these products! With all this sweet talk, it’s no wonder that you may be confused about which sweeteners to use. Below are responses to health and safety concerns about sweeteners from Jenna A. Bell-Wilson, PhD, RD, LD, assistant professor in medical dietetics at Ohio … [Read more...] about Artificial Sweetner vs. Sugar

  Lots of people have been injured doing their favorite aerobic activity. Whether it's a sprained ankle, damage to the knee joint, broken toes, etc., it is important that you give your body proper time to heal. Always (obviously if it's serious) talk to your doctor and trust him/her about when to continue exercise. Be encouraged though, because generally when I take a break (1-3 weeks) from aerobic exercise or weight bearing exercise, I see more results after starting up again. Even if it is longer than that, think of it as a new challenge to dominate! For lots of people aerobic … [Read more...] about Injury Recovery and Prevention of New ones

Yoga is probably not the first thing you think about when it comes to losing weight. There are numerous high intensity exercise formats that can help with weightloss,  however the effectiveness and benefits of yoga can affect weight loss and here is why: 1. Yoga calms and clears your mind - If you are someone who eats due to high levels of stress and tension, yoga can help reduce those levels and get you to relax. The deep breathing and slow stretching movements will help aid in resuming a very clear and calm mind.  The balance poses require you to forget about your day and focus on the task … [Read more...] about Yoga for weightloss?? Really?