Exercise before Bedtime

  A consistent exercise routine is great for getting better quality sleep. However, can the time of day you exercise negatively impact it? We’re going to take a closer look at the research around sleep and exercise, the best time for activity, and tips for creating healthy routines. How Does Exercise Affect Sleep? For years many have believed that evening and late-night exercise would disrupt sleep. Recently, more studies have explored this notion to figure out how physical activity affects sleep quality. Exercise raises heart rate, body temperature, and adrenaline levels which can impact the body’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. However, the Sleep Foundation’s findings from a compilation of studies indicate that those who exercise after 8 pm fall asleep quickly and have similar amounts of deep sleep as those who exercise between the hours of 4 [...]

Keeping Exercise Fun for Kids

  An alarming 76% of children ages 6-17 do not meet the daily physical activity recommendations given by the Department of Health (CDC). Highlighting the importance of physical activity at an early age will encourage continued participation as an adult. As we know all too well, it’s hard to make a habit out of something you don’t like doing. This emphasizes why it is so pivotal for kids to engage in physical activity that they find fun and enjoyable.  Exercise for Healthy Hearts Heart disease is often thought of as an adult’s issue. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) has been found in children as young as 10. This shows how a heart-healthy future starts with the habits formed in childhood. Regular physical activity plays a large role in improved cardiovascular function and will [...]

5 Heart-Healthy Reasons to Exercise

  The benefits that exercise has for physical and mental health are numerous. Countless studies have shown physical activity to be a top component in preventing and managing diseases and promoting a longer, healthier life. Let’s explore five heart-healthy reasons to make exercise a habit today. Regulate Blood Pressure Exercise causes blood vessels to dilate, which means they open wider and allow better circulation. Because of this the heart does not have to work as hard thereby more efficiently getting blood to the body. Less stress on the arteries means lower blood pressure in return (Mayo Clinic). Since bouts of exercise directly affect heart function, consistent physical activity is necessary for keeping blood pressure under control long-term. Boost Good Cholesterol High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered the “good” cholesterol, and it is an important part of heart health. According to the [...]

Top Fitness Apps for 2022

Welcome to the New Year, a great time to re-establish fitness goals! Countless apps make it easier than ever to have exercise resources right at your fingertips. How do you choose the best one for you? We’ve tested and highlighted some of the year’s top fitness apps below.  MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal has been around since 2005, but its capabilities continue to increase. This is a website and app for tracking daily diet and exercise to help reach fitness, nutrition, and weight management goals. You can log food and water intake, exercise, and weight progress each day. MyFitnessPal makes tracking easy by allowing you to input food from scanning barcodes or choosing from a large database of options. It even lets you set tracking reminders to help keep your goals at the forefront of your day. Most capabilities are free; however, you [...]

Exercise and Thyroid Health

  The thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that help our bodies regulate things like body temperature, weight, energy levels, and more. If the hormone production gets out of balance, it can affect all these areas.  Hypothyroidism occurs when not enough thyroid hormone is produced. Hyperthyroidism refers to when there is too much. Exercise can help manage symptoms that come with an over or under-active thyroid. However, it is important to engage in the proper frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT Principle) of exercise as recommended by your doctor. Benefits Exercise has a long list of health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease, which thyroid conditions typically increase. The right exercise routine can also help relieve various symptoms of thyroid disease. Exercise can improve mood, metabolism, and energy for those managing hypothyroidism. Regular activity can help those battling hyperthyroidism by [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]