Top Video Games That Will Keep You Active

Have you been thinking about ways the whole family can stay active this season? Dust off your gaming platform and get moving with these action-packed video games. Aerobic Games Aerobic Games bring popular cardio classes right to your living room. They are a fun way to add in extra activity when you are short on time or space. Zumba Fitness Zumba has been a heart-pumping cardio option for years, and now you can bring the popular dance class to your living room. ESRB Rating: Everyone Platforms: Nintendo Wii (with Remote), PlayStation 3 (using PlayStation Move), Xbox 360 (with Kinect)             Just Dance 2022 Just Dance consists of choreographed workout dances to the latest chart-topping hits. You don’t need any extra controllers for your gaming console because you can use your smartphone as the controller. You [...]

Top Fitness Gifts for Every Exerciser

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the fitness fanatic in your life? We have got you covered! Keep your workout buddy on track with these trendy ideas for every type of exerciser. The Gym Goer A Functional Gym Bag Keeping up with a workout routine in a busy schedule usually means packing a change of clothes and gym shoes so you can be ready to go in a flash. A functional bag like Focus Gear’s Ultimate Gym Bag has a compartment for all the necessities, including water-resistant pouches and a specific compartment for shoes. It can keep all your gear in one spot for those quick on-the-go workouts. The Gift of Fitness Classes Know someone who loves fitness classes and is always eager to try out a new one? The ClassPass Gift Card is a great way to give [...]

Tips for Cold Weather Running

Calling all Turkey Trotters and Jingle Runners! The races are ramping up, but the temperatures are starting to plummet. Even though the weather is getting colder, your running season doesn’t have to stop. With the proper planning, you can continue your training and enjoy race day. Proper Preparation Training. Preparing yourself for a successful event starts well before race day.  Pay attention to the forecast, temperature, and wind-chill and, then plan each run accordingly. Try out your cold-weather gear and layers before race day, so you’re familiar with them. Be mindful to include cross-training and adequate rest and recovery days to help lower the risk of injury. Since weather can be so unpredictable, you might find that winter is best for maintenance mileage rather than trying to PR. Fuel. Fueling up for your exercise is just as important on a [...]

Exercise for Disease Management

  Regular exercise has a multitude of benefits, from weight management to stress relief. But did you know that exercise can be one of the best ways to manage chronic disease and conditions? According to the extensive 2018 report by Exercise is Medicine, any bout of activity, including light activity, has health benefits. However, over 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for weekly aerobic and strength training exercise, and only 1 in 3 children are physically active each day (RxResource). A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way Consistent exercise can help prevent the occurrence of disease and health conditions, especially when a habit begins at a young age. Regular physical activity has been proven to lower the risk of developing cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, and heart disease. It has also been found to help with mental health by [...]

Eye Yoga

Eye Yoga You’re most likely familiar with the term Yoga, which encompasses exercises focusing on breath, flexibility, mindfulness, and strength in various postures or poses. So, what exactly is Eye Yoga, and how can it be a beneficial part of our exercise routine? Let’s take a deeper look. What Is It? Eye Yoga consists of exercises or movements that focus specifically on the muscles supporting the eye. These exercises are designed to help with better eye focus and give you a break from something you have been looking at for an extended time, such as a computer screen, phone, etc. Some common Eye Yoga exercises include palming, eye-rolling, focus shifting, and distance gazing. Yoga International has an informative guide for performing these exercises. What Are the Benefits? There has been mixed research on Eye Yoga and its specific benefits. Some [...]

Maintaining Exercise Habits While Traveling

Keeping a consistent exercise routine can be difficult when your schedule includes traveling for work or vacation. Being in a new space with a different schedule can easily throw us off track. However, it’s still possible to continue an exercise habit while traveling, even if that routine looks a little different than usual. Use the steps below to help maintain your workouts while on the go. Plan for Exercise Continuing your exercise habit while on vacation starts with planning. If we fail to plan ahead of time, chances are exercise will fall to the bottom of the priority list in a hurry. Before your trip, think about what your daily itinerary might look like and choose a time that would work best for exercise. Research to find out if the place you're staying has a workout facility or equipment. If [...]

Exercise for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among US women. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 1 in 8 chance for a woman in the United States to develop breast cancer. However, there are currently more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US. Exercise is known to have many benefits, including a lower risk for certain cancers. It can also be beneficial for cancer patients and survivors to incorporate regularly. Benefits of Exercise The most recent exercise recommendations for cancer patients and survivors were put together by a panel of experts from organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute. The experts saw that exercise can improve survival rates after diagnosis. They also noted that many quality of life factors during and after treatment [...]

Fall Family Fitness

  Is your autumn schedule changing as quickly as the leaves? Between back-to-school, sports schedules, and a never-ending to-do list, this time of year can get a little hectic. Motivation for regular exercise can fall to the bottom of our priority list in a hurry. However, continuing movement and activity during seasonal transition is necessary for maintaining a consistent habit. Include the whole family and keep your habit going all year long. Make a List Write down a list of activities that the entire family can participate in. Make sure your list consists of a variety of types, durations, and indoor/outdoor choices. Include quick options like jumping jacks during a commercial break and prolonged options like a day of hiking in a nearby park. When you get a few moments, refer to the list and pick something that fits into [...]

Fitting Exercise into a Busy Schedule

  Cue giggle and eye-roll. This is after your doctor says, “just exercise a few days a week”. It’s an uphill battle finding time to exercise consistently when our schedules are jam-packed and constantly changing. It’s not uncommon to feel like we are short on time, don’t have enough equipment, or are simply struggling to keep-up. First and foremost, we need to commit to making exercise a priority. Then, we can work on ways of creatively squeezing exercise into our busy schedules. Short on Time Often, we have an idea in our head that we need to set aside a large chunk of our day for exercise. On busy days, and with an ever-changing schedule, it can be difficult to carve out even 30 minutes regularly. Luckily, exercise sessions don’t all need to be this long. Studies have shown that [...]

Green Spaces to De-Stress

We live in a constantly stimulating world, so it’s important to remember and always consider the reactions that occur naturally when we are in green spaces. Being outdoors promotes emotional and social wellbeing, as well as improving physical fitness and balance. Numerous studies bear this out. Provided you are fit enough to walk comfortably, the health benefits of regular outdoor activity reign supreme. Being outdoors allows us to take our mind off stressors and return feeling more in control and recharged. Find a park nearby and take a nature walk today! See the list below for ideas of outdoor fun. Continue reading July 2021 Newsletter: Shake Up Your Exercise with a HIIT Workout