Selecting the right pair of running shoes

Finding the right running shoes.
Finding the right running shoes.

Whether you have a membership to a local fitness center, spend your time exercising on a variety of home gym equipment of prefer to simply hit the open road to get your physical activity in, you’re probably already aware that a good pair of running shoes are one of the most integral investments you can make in your personal fitness. Of course, arriving at this knowledge presents an entire host of questions regarding how to select the pair of shoes that is perfect for you. The reality of the situation may be that there are a vast variety of shoes out there that suit your needs, but the odds are decent that there’s an even broader grouping of shoes that won’t aid in your fitness and could even lead to increased risk of injury. If you’re starting a new exercise routine or are simply in the market for a new pair of shoes, take a look at these few tips for determining which pair is right for you: Continue reading “Selecting the right pair of running shoes”

Best workouts for stationary bikes

The best workouts for stationary bikes.
The best workouts for stationary bikes.

If you’ve recently made the decision to add some new cardio fitness equipment to your home gym setup, then the odds are strong that you’ve considered investing in one or more stationary bikes. First and foremost, congratulations, as these machines make a wonderful investment for anyone concerned with their cardiovascular fitness or general health. Admittedly, it can be hard to know exactly how to use them once they’re out of the box and set up. By this we mean that simply getting on the bike and pedaling for an hour may not be the most pragmatic use of your workout time. Not to worry though, with these creative ideas and tips for the best stationary bike workouts, you’ll never have a dull moment while exercising on your new machine: Continue reading “Best workouts for stationary bikes”

Benefits of a high protein diet

Benefits of high protein diets.
Benefits of high protein diets.

Whether you are all about the weight room when you work out or you spend the vast majority of your time at the gym on cardio fitness equipment, there’s a decent chance that you subscribe to a high protein diet. While there are certainly many different forms and styles of nutrition that all come with a host of varying bodily benefits, it’s worth noting that the benefits of a high protein diet are particularly beneficial for people across a wide variety of stages of fitness. If you’re looking for a way to alter your diet that can increase your ability to build lean muscle and recover from your workouts more quickly, you may want to consider moving to a high protein option. Take a look at a few of the specific benefits of this dietary regimen: Continue reading “Benefits of a high protein diet”

Avoiding injury when starting a fitness routine

Avoiding injury when starting a fitness routine.
Avoiding injury when starting a fitness routine.

Obviously, leading a fit and healthy lifestyle is a far superior option to the alternative of gradually declining in physical shape. That said, there are important considerations to be had if you’re thinking about getting back into shape after a period of significant inactivity. While these concerns range from dealing with finding an appropriate workout regimen to making the time for physical activity to adjusting your diet accordingly, few are quite as important as doing everything in your power to avoid injury. Getting hurt not only has the power to derail your fitness regimen and any progress that you’ve made, but it can also limit your ability to get back in shape later on. There is good news regarding this, though, and that is that it’s entirely possible to avoid injury without going out of your way. In fact, implementing a few simple steps and tricks into your normal workout routine can make a world of difference in your ability to gain heightened levels of fitness while recovering fully between exercise and avoiding injury. Take a look at some of our best pieces of advice for those starting a new fitness routine: Continue reading “Avoiding injury when starting a fitness routine”

Work Off Unhealthy Meals with Equal Calorie Burning Workouts

iStock_000013214632_MediumIn order to lose weight and be healthy, you do not have to completely cut out all of your favorite foods; you just have to increase your workouts in order to compensate! Next time you’re in the mood for something not-so-healthy, don’t sweat it (till later)! Remember that it is okay and you can make up for it later at the gym…just make sure you actually do. Courtesy of AllRecipes.com, below is a recipe for the “World’s Best Lasagna,” along with all of the nutritional information and the workout it will take to burn off those pesky calories right off! Continue reading “Work Off Unhealthy Meals with Equal Calorie Burning Workouts”

5 Ways to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season

iStock_000015051942_DoubleThe Holiday season is upon us, and that means Holiday cooking! Along with the food comes the annual holiday weight-gain. It’s come to a point where we all have accepted the fact that we tend to put on a few extra pounds around this time of year. We tell ourselves it’s okay to live a little during the holiday’s and chuck our diets and exercise programs out the window. Put a stop to the holiday weight gain and try these simple tips as to how to keep the weight off! Continue reading “5 Ways to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season”

The Best Time to Buy a Gym Membership

iStock_000025206593_DoubleThere is no definitive period of time that is best for everyone as a whole to sign up for a gym membership. Each person is different and has different wants/needs when it comes to working out. However, even though no two people are the exact same, the criteria that will help you decide when is best to purchase a gym membership can be useful for everyone. Each of these factors will ultimately help you determine the right time to purchase a gym membership. Continue reading “The Best Time to Buy a Gym Membership”

A basic introduction to common workout supplements

Workout supplements, an introduction.
Workout supplements, an introduction.

It doesn’t matter if you spend every waking moment in the gym, already have a personal trainer or are just trying to get as much as possible out of the time you spend using your home fitness equipment; there are always ways to make your workout more efficient. One of the most common methods people employ to ensure that they’re getting the most out of their exercise is the use of pre and post workout supplements. These formulated supplements can aid in muscle recovery, build new muscle, increase energy and stamina, help you gain strength, and streamline your diet through the use of antioxidants, proteins, and other chemicals. Still, for people just beginning to enter the world of supplement use, understanding the different purposes behind these varying powders, gels and drinks can seem like an arduous undertaking. No need to worry, though; take a look at this introduction to common workout supplements and supercharge your fitness regiment today! Continue reading “A basic introduction to common workout supplements”

How to Tone Without Bulking Up

iStock_000019965756_XXXLargeNot everyone hits the gym with the intent of bulking up and getting ripped. For those of you who are looking to simply tone while keeping your slender figures, this post is for you! Steering clear of weights all together is not the way to achieve toning results, and it definitely does not mean you will be packing on the “bulk” if you do use weights. The key is a happy medium, Strengthening your muscles is imperative in order to achieve those nice toned muscles. Here are a few ways to tone up without bulking up: Continue reading “How to Tone Without Bulking Up”