Fitness
Fitness
Ask and expert: Running through your performance highs and lows
Ask Coach Jenny Q: How come some days I feel like I can run forever and then other days I feel like I can barely make a few miles? ~Andrea A: That’s a great question, Andrea. There are many reasons that contribute to the highs and lows, and one of the most significant is how you […]
Fitness
Move to the rhythm: music and your run
Music has long been used to direct human movement. Ancient Romans would play drums on their ships to synchronize the strokes of their rowers. Our bodies just naturally want to move along with music and this can be a powerful tool when incorporated into your training. Speaking to the American Council on Fitness, Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., […]
Fitness
Using the Training Calendar on the Touch Console
One of the cool training tools you’ll discover on the new Vision Fitness® Touch console is the training calendar. For many, starting a fitness routine is not the difficult part; most often it is maintaining your program that is the challenge. Why? Typically, it has to do with personal motivation (or lack thereof) and not […]
Fitness
Show your treadmill you mean business: The best stretches for runners
Although we all know it’s a good idea to mix flexibility training in with our cardio workouts, many runners are in the dark about how to get the most from their stretching sessions. Physical benefits of a consistent stretching routine include improved performance, reduced injury and muscle soreness and a better transition to post-workout activities. […]
Fitness
8 Ideas to get fit on the cheap
A few years ago, I realized I was spending a good chunk of my income on fitness. Between my gym membership, regular classes at the hippest yoga studio in town, running a few races per month, and the stylish clothes I “needed” to participate in these activities, it was getting out of hand. So I […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Half marathon training questions answered
Ask Coach Jenny Three Great Half Marathon Questions from Heidi: Cross-training, Long Runs and Nutrition Q: I am training for a half marathon and in my training there is one day of cross-training and one day of rest every week. Is it okay to run two days in a row or should I look at […]
Fitness
7 Helpful Tips to Consider When Purchasing Cardio Fitness Equipment
Choosing the right piece of fitness equipment can seem very daunting these days for the average consumer. The Internet is flooded with information, and there are so many choices. The truth is, there are many good options out there. However, there is a lot of misinformation as well. Here are a few tips to help […]
Fitness
Organic food: Health or hype?
Like many consumers, I have a goal when I enter the grocery store: buy healthy foods without breaking the bank. For the most part, choosing nutritious foods is easy. I stock up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and nonfat dairy products. But there is one gray area: organic. Organic foods often cost a […]
Fitness
Put Your iPhone or iPod to Good Use With New Vision Fitness Consoles
Using an iPod or iPhone with your new Vision Fitness® console can open a whole variety of features you wouldn’t expect from a piece of fitness equipment! The new Vision Touch console is able to transfer the audio and video from an iPod or iPhone through the iPod/iPhone cord to the console. This also allows […]
Fitness
What Is an appropriate fitness goal?
It can be extremely difficult to stay motivated over the long haul and stick with an exercise program. In fact, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that over 50 percent of exercisers quit within the first six months of starting a program. Exercising, just like many other long-term endeavors in life, becomes much more […]
Fitness
Ask and expert: Choosing the right running shoes
Ask Coach Jenny Q: How big of a difference do the correct running shoes make as far as brand, fit and arch? ~Jeff A: Hi, Jeff. I love this question because everyone has different needs for running shoes and yes, the fit really does matter. What works for you may not work for me and […]
Fitness
Kettlebells: New life to an old workout
It seems like every week someone in the fitness industry is touting a new magic bullet; some new diet or workout or gizmo that is guaranteed to give you amazing results in no time at all. It’s understandable, then, that people have become skeptical of this sort of claim. But now comes the ancient kettlebell […]
Fitness
Get the Party Started! Tips on Becoming a Runner this Fall.
Lose weight, improve your health, prevent illness, boost confidence, relieve stress and decrease depression. The benefits of running can’t be beat, but making the leap from walking to running can be intimidating. Where do you begin? How do you know if you’re “doing it right”? How do you handle obstacles in your training? There are […]
Fitness
Recipe for easy, make-ahead breakfast bars
Recently, we’ve made many moms happy by providing the scientific facts backing up their ongoing claim that eating a healthy breakfast is important. We’ve also discussed some of the guidelines that make up this elusive “healthy” breakfast. But one of the chief obstacles remain: We’re busy people, particularly in the morning. There’s not always the […]
Fitness
How to Continue Running Throughout Your Pregnancy
Ask Coach Jenny Q: How can I continue to run safely through my pregnancy? ~Elisabeth A: Best wishes to you, Elisabeth, on your pregnancy. It sounds as if you’ve been running regularly, which is great because most doctors encourage women to continue their exercise routines through the pregnancy with modifications to effort levels along the […]
Fitness
Breakfast: Really the Most Important Meal of the Day?
How many times has someone reminded you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? It’s one of those health bromides that most everyone knows — and ignores. We’re usually in just too much of a rush in the mornings to do anything more than grab a pre-packaged or frozen something and call […]
Fitness
How to Chose a Multivitamin
In a recent post, we discussed the research surrounding multivitamins and their potential health benefits. Although some of the studies contradict each other, and some researchers still insist that there are dangers associated with these common supplements, they are widely used. If you do decide to take a multivitamin, how should you chose one from […]
Fitness
Program Overview: Glute Burn
The Glute Burn program is found on the state-of-the-art Vision Fitness® Suspension Elliptical™ Trainers S7100, S7200 and S70. This interval-based, muscle-targeting program is made possible by the adjustable incline feature, which is not available from every elliptical manufacturer. The program automatically varies incline settings in ranges that target the glutes and hamstrings throughout the pedaling […]
Fitness
How to Return to Running after Illness
Ask Coach Jenny Q: I have been unable to run for several months due to illness and injury. What are your recommendations for getting back into running? ~Linda A: Hi, Linda. I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better. Although it can be tempting to jump back in to your running program where you left off before the […]
Fitness
Go for a Spin
If you’re in the market for a challenging workout, or a cyclist looking for a way to escape Mother Nature’s bad days, indoor cycling may be for you. Group indoor cycling, or “spinning,” is a fast-paced workout on a stationary bike led by a fitness instructor. This popular fitness trend has stood the test of […]
Fitness
Why napping is good for you
I grew up in a family of nappers. In fact, my dad used to joke that his second job was mattress testing since he spent much of his leisure time resting on one. Turns out he was onto something. And so are the Spanish and other cultures who believe in the siesta, a little afternoon respite to […]
Fitness
Should You Take a Multivitamin?
In 2011, Consumer Reports reported that Americans were spending about $5 billion per year on multivitamins. This means that roughly one third of the country’s population regularly takes multivitamins (which also generally contain minerals), making them the most commonly taken supplement in the U.S.A. That level of popularity isn’t necessarily proof of a supplement’s safety or effectiveness, however — after […]
Fitness
How to Switch to a Standing Desk
The benefits of stand-up or standing desks have been well-documented, and many offices are slowly making the transition from traditional sitting desks. Standing desks, as their name suggests, allow the user to stand while working, raising the desk surface to a comfortable level. Numerous studies show that this style of workstation can make you more productive, decrease […]
Fitness
How to Train for Your First 5K
Ask Coach Jenny: Training For Your First 5K Q: My friend started running last year and has really inspired me to start. I want to train for a 5K race but I have no idea where to get started. Running has always been such an impossible challenge that I typically throw in the towel after […]
Fitness
Working It In. Simple Ways to Squeeze Fitness into your Workday
Daily workouts on your home fitness equipment are a great way to establish your fitness and move you toward your goals, but changing your habits during the rest of your day can really push you to the next level. Here are a few workday strategies to help you toward weight loss and better fitness. 6:00 […]
Fitness
Family Friendly Exercise
It’s no big secret that parents are kept extraordinarily busy, and often find little to no time for exercise. Similarly, time constraints can make prepackaged food a much more appealing option than preparing something fresh. A 2011 study published in the Official Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics found that mothers of young children […]
Fitness
10 Quick, Healthy Meal Ideas
These days, it’s normal to work long hours and feel constantly strapped for time. So it’s no wonder so many of us hit the drive-thru for dinner. However, most fast food meals are lacking in the nutrition department. With proper planning, it is possible serve healthy, satisfying meals at home in a matter of minutes. Healthy […]
Fitness
Warding Off the Dangers of a Desk Job
There are certain things that we accept as being unhealthy, like smoking and drinking too much. We rarely put sitting in that same category. It’s surprising, then, that a quickly growing body of research suggests that sitting for long periods of time is not just unhealthy,but could even cause irreversible damage — damage that can’t be undone by […]
Fitness
Your Shape: Understanding Body Types
You’ve probably heard countless times about the importance of setting proper goals when it comes to fitness and weight loss. But what is a proper goal? Essentially, you want to set your sights on something that is both challenging and attainable. Trying to do something extremely difficult like losing eight pounds of fat in a week […]
Fitness
Fitness Myths: Spot Training
One of the most common fitness myths is spot training, sometimes called spot reduction. Spot training is the idea that you can cause weight loss or muscle definition in one area without affecting other parts of the body. This myth is particularly persistent because everyone wants it to be true. Everything would be so much […]
Fitness
Seven Fitness Myths Busted
If I had a dollar for each time someone told me “running is bad for your knees”, I’d have enough money for a pretty nice vacation. Luckily for me and all of the other runners out there, this information is outdated and inaccurate. It turns out that running may actually protect your knees from health […]
Fitness
Working Out for Weight Loss? The Right Diet Makes a Difference!
We’ve come a long way from the days of carb-heavy, low fat diets touting “all calories are created equal.” Recent findings demonstrate that your success in dieting may be about more than calories in/calories out. A side by side comparison of low fat, low carb and low glycemic index diets shows that our bodies respond very […]
Fitness
10 Ways to Act Like a Kid That Are Good for the Mind, Body and Soul
Kids have fun. They run, skip, hop, jump and twirl freely. They play tag. They dance, even if they don’t know the right moves — who cares, as long as it feels good? As we get older, we forget what it’s like to be a kid. Kids let their hair down almost all the time (except […]
Fitness
Rest Periods – A Vital Part of any Fitness Routine
When designing their fitness routine — or even just talking about it — most people will discuss their strength training, cardio training, flexibility and diet. Few, however, will even mention their rest periods. Most exercisers figure that if some exercise is good for you, then more is even better, but this practice can be counterproductive and […]
Fitness
Born To Run
Not many people would say that they’re natural born runners. In fact, over 90 percent of people who train for 26.2-mile marathons suffer injuries in the process. But modern biological and archeological evidence both suggest that the human body is actually uniquely suited for distance running, in a way no other animal can compete with. The […]
Fitness
Fun Ways to Eat Less – Try Chopsticks (or Get Naked!)
Who doesn’t like to play with their food? It’s something your mother probably told you not to do, but now that you’re an adult, give it a try. Especially since it can help you eat healthy. That’s the message preached by Bill Wurtzel, a jazz guitarist turned healthy food guru, in his book Funny Food: 365 Fun, Healthy, Silly, Creative […]
Fitness
Barefoot Running Basics
One reason running appeals to so many people is its simplicity. No advanced skill is required, it can be done anywhere and at any time, and you only need one piece of equipment: a good pair of running shoes. Some people, though, believe running can be even simpler than that. Just leave the running shoes at […]
Fitness
What You Should Know About Cleanses
Our bodies are steeped in toxins and chemicals on a daily basis, and these substances may have an impact on the body that modern science has yet to fully comprehend. It’s understandable, then, that the most searched-for diet fads online are juice cleanses which promise to rid us of these harmful substances. But do these […]
Fitness
10 Ways to Stay Cool in July and Feel Like a Kid Again
Remember being a grade school kid and how much you looked forward to summer vacation? Don’t let that carefree feeling on soaking up the summer days escape you. Celebrate summer while feeling like a kid again. Here are 10 ways to stay cool and feel young. 1. Set up the sprinkler. Or the Slip’n Slide. […]
Fitness
After Baby: Can your Home Fitness Workouts Survive the Fourth Trimester?
I am writing this in the thick of the post partum period. Seven weeks ago we welcomed our beautiful little girl to join her big two-and-a-half-year-old brother in our family. Although I’m motivated to work out and regain my fitness, I’m also reminded that babies are a classic example of ideals meeting reality. While some […]