Search Results for: blog fitness test

Improving Fitness with a Heart Rate Monitor

When it comes to fitness devices, most of us are probably more familiar with the benefits of a pedometer than a heart rate monitor.  But you might want to consider investing in one, if you want to improve your fitness even more. Exercise is about more than just how often you do it and for how long.  The level (or intensity) of the exercise is just as important. A heart rate monitor can keep track of your heartbeats, allowing you to stay in the appropriate heart rate zone.  In other words, you don’t want the intensity of your exercise to … Continue reading →

Fitness Trends Predicted for 2012

There are already predictions out for what the top 20 fitness trends for 2012 will be. This is according to a survey conducted by the “American College of Sports Medicine.” One of the fitness programs that is said will make this list is (no surprise) Zumba, something I recently blogged about, as it is coming out on Kinect for Xbox 360 in February, 2012. Not only Zumba but other dance workouts will likely be a fitness trend for 2012. The dance wave is hitting fitness centers, classes and video game systems worldwide. Another trend that is predicted is the increase … Continue reading →

Fitness Can Be Fun

When you think of the word “fitness,” what adjectives come to mind? Boring? Tedious? What about fun? Is that a word you link to fitness? Not many people do but the truth is that fitness really can be fun. The problem is that we put fitness in a box. We look at it in one way, nothing more than exercise. But exercise doesn’t have to be a daily regiment that becomes drudgery. There are so many ways to exercise and not even realize you are doing it because it’s so much fun. Think of all the new fitness classes that … Continue reading →

Family Fitness with Your Preteens and Teens

In this blog I am going to be talking about family fitness with your preteens and teens. This is definitely a whole new ball game, since engaging with this age group can be more of a challenge. The reality is that preteens and teens would rather be hanging out with their friends, but don’t take it personally. We just have to really instill in our children the importance of maintaining good family relations and spending time together. What better way to do this than bringing in some type of exercise? You don’t even have to tell your children that this … Continue reading →

Latest Hollywood Craze: Drumstick Smashing

I’m always amazed by the power behind a drummer. They bang at those drums with every ounce of strength they have, sometimes for hours at a time. It not only produces a cool sound but it looks like a great workout. Well what do you know? Banging drums has become one of the latest crazes to hit Hollywood. First it was pole dancing, then it was Zumba and now it is drumstick-smashing. The drumsticks are either wood or weighted and participants in the class will repeatedly hit the ground to fast-paced music such as rock or hip-hop. It works up … Continue reading →

Fitness Programs for Pets

Just like with humans, one half of the key to pets losing weight is for them to receive more exercise. Did you know that many veterinary centers and other groups across the country actually offer pet fitness programs? If you’re not sure how to help your pets lose weight, if everything you’re doing just doesn’t seem to work, or maybe you just don’t have the extra time to spend to help your pet shed those pounds, check to see if you have any such programs in your area. Public pet fitness programs have the added benefit of being extra social … Continue reading →

Midlife Fitness Level May Predict Future Heart Health

What if there was a way to predict what your future heart health might look like? Well there just may be and it’s done by measuring your fitness level mid-life, starting in your 40’s. Two studies were done…one by the Cooper Institute in Dallas and another by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. The results of both indicated that potential heart problems could be predicted by determining your level of fitness. We already know that certain risk factors can also indicate whether or not you are more likely to have future heart problems, such as smoking and obesity. But … Continue reading →

Fitness Myths

While it’s great to hear ideas and tips on fitness, I think it’s also important we debunk fitness myths. Otherwise you are left chasing a rabbit trail. One myth that has caused some to shirk the idea of weight lifting is that you will end up looking “bulky.” The real key to increasing your muscle size has to do with testosterone. That’s why when you see some of those “bulked-up” lady weight lifters; you can know they didn’t get that way just by lifting weights. Believe me, they had a little help and it requires being injected. Weight training is … Continue reading →

Do Interactive Fitness Video Games Really Work?

When I first started using Wii Fit Plus, my oldest son asked if “that thing” really works. He thought it was kind of funny and not a true way to get healthy. I was convinced only because a good friend of mine had lost weight using it (along with changing her eating habits). Since I have been using it for several months now, I can definitely say that it works. How else do you explain the weight loss and inches I have taken off…or the increased energy and flexibility I have? I have been using it during the winter months … Continue reading →

Spirituality and Fitness

Faith and fitness has been on my radar screen the past few days and now it has become a news story in the army. Recently a concern amongst atheists was raised with regard to a mandatory spiritual fitness test given to recruits. The point of the spiritual fitness test is to determine how well soldiers can handle not only the physical challenges before them but the psychological challenges as well. It was created to help curb a common result of combat, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now I have always believed that the body and mind go together when it comes … Continue reading →