Fitness
Fitness
Get the Most from Your Fitness Equipment
The US Department of Agriculture has recommended 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days or 150 minutes per week since 2008, but research is beginning to show that this may not be enough. A March study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that staving off middle aged weight gain for […]
Fitness
Exercise plus Diet Leads to Big Gains in Fitness
You knew it had to be true, but here’s proof positive. Your Horizon Fitness equipment really can help you lose your winter weight! A recent study from the University of Wyoming demonstrates that when losing weight, moderate exercise plus calorie restriction is healthier than reducing calories alone. In the six month study, participants lost the […]
Fitness
Prevent Spring Running Pain
You know that running is good for your heart and your waistline, but did you know that it may actually be good for your knees? A handful of studies have found that people who exercise vigorously, including runners, have healthier and thicker knee cartilage than the general population, possibly reducing their risk of osteoarthritis in […]
Fitness
Too much sitting? Exercise to Beat the Health Risks
Have you started your exercise routine, only to find yourself frustrated as you reach a weight loss or fitness plateau? Your sedentary job may be a bigger culprit than you realize. Recent research from the U.K. shows that sitting for hours at a time is bad for your health, even if you exercise at the […]
Fitness
Active Enough? Make Sure your Workouts Count
Ever wonder how long you need to workout to really be effective? The American College of Sports Medicine in collaboration with the American Heart Association provides public health guidelines on the amount of physical activity needed to maintain and lose weight. In order to maintain bodyweight and to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and […]
Fitness
Beyond the Elliptical – Set your Goals for Success in the New Year
New Year’s fitness resolutions are often established and abandoned well before Valentine’s Day. Many resolutions fail because they are set in general terms, such as “live healthier” or “get fitter”, ideas that sound good but are hard to recognize. If you already own a piece of fitness equipment, you may be resolving to use your […]
Fitness
Use your Fitness Equipment at Home for a Convenient Christmas Workout
We all know that the few short weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years can derail even the most dedicated athlete. While having access to fitness equipment in your home makes workouts accessible and convenient, you still need to plan your strategy. If you’re determined to maintain your fitness over the holiday season, consider the tips […]
Fitness
Great Expectations: Keys to Enjoying a Fit Pregnancy
Expecting our first baby at the end of November, I’ve been reflecting on similarities between supporting a healthy pregnancy and endurance training. Maintaining your fitness during pregnancy has enormous benefits for both mother and baby, but comes with its share of potential pitfalls. Here are a few challenges I’ve encountered over the past eight months […]
Fitness
Using Fitness Equipment to Enhance Sports Performance
It’s easy to see how using a treadmill can make running more accessible or how a stationary bike can help get a cyclist through the winter, but fitness equipment can also help athletes of all types prepare for and recover from the demands of their sport. You can use a variety of fitness equipment to […]
Fitness
Make your workout fun!
A good fitness program is more than using your exercise equipment every day. Finding ways to add variety and fun to your workouts will keep you motivated and getting fitter. The tips below are a few ways you can use your Horizon treadmill or elliptical to bring fun back into your workout routine. Keep the […]
Fitness
A Good Workout is More Than the Right Equipment. It's All About Your Fitness Form.
Strength training veterans know that an effective workout requires good form, but how do you know if you’re maintaining your form, especially if most of your training is done at home? Thinking about form from head to toe by considering key alignment checkpoints will help keep you stable, injury free and working out effectively. So […]
Fitness
Measuring Up
Working out on your home elliptical or treadmill can’t be beat for the convenience it offers, but independent fitness routines can leave you wondering how much you’ve really gained. Remember the Presidential Fitness Challenge? This widely used test of physical fitness has been revamped for adults. Fitness assessments can provide a way for both experienced […]
Fitness
Fueling for Fitness
With the range of exercise equipment and activities available, making fitness a priority has never been easier or more enjoyable. Once you’ve committed to a regular training schedule, timing nutrition can make a huge difference in both your performance and the effectiveness of your workouts. Whether your day involves intervals on the elliptical or a […]
Fitness
Mind your Manners
The New Year always brings big crowds to health clubs and fitness studios. I get a lot of questions at this time of year about the proper etiquette for use of fitness facilities. Some guidelines should be obvious, such as turning off your cell phone before joining the yoga class. Others aren’t as clear. For […]
Fitness
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Fitness equipment and treadmills are great for letting us stay fit in any weather, but it’s hard to beat an outdoor run both for the emotional lift and the physical challenge. There’s just something rewarding about heading out for a run when the snow is blowing. If you’re thinking of mixing some outdoor workouts in […]
Fitness
Healthy New Year!
We’ve all been on the wrong side of a New Year’s resolution. Faced with the guilt of too many holiday goodies or laziness induced by dark days, the turning of the calendar can be a powerful marker to turn over a new leaf. Taking the time to make your resolutions meaningful ensures that by the […]
Fitness
Play it cool
Winter’s short days, falling temperatures and a busy social calendar can upset even the most established fitness routine. If you’re struggling to show up for your workouts, it might be time to consider what makes a successful winter fitness program. A good winter program is more than just pulling out the treadmill or picking up […]
Fitness
Wanna Race?
When confronted with a fitness rut, it can be difficult to regain momentum. Choosing an event or a race can really focus your workouts and reenergize your efforts. With so many races available, it can be difficult to narrow it down. Here are few tips to help you choose the best fit for you. Training […]
Fitness
Using STRESS to Avoid Injury
Increasing the intensity of your exercise program or beginning a new activity may leave you wondering about how to avoid injury and excessive soreness. New exercisers may be unsure of when to work through soreness and when pain indicates injury. For performance gains, seasoned athletes may expose themselves to excessive wear and injury related to […]
Fitness
Horizon Success Story- Kari Smith
It’s no surprise that health & fitness continue to top the charts of people’s concerns in the U.S. While we at Horizon Fitness want to provide you the opportunity to achieve a higher quality of life we, as individuals, also consider our own personal fitness levels. Some employees join Horizon Fitness with an already active […]
Fitness
Strength Training 101
Beginning exercisers can be overwhelmed by the addition of strength training to their routine. The expected frequency and duration of the workouts may be unclear and learning to use new equipment can also be both expensive and intimidating. Most exercisers also struggle with wondering if they are performing the exercises correctly. In reality, by concentrating […]
Fitness
Rounding Out Your Workout
It’s a natural fit to start your workout routine with activities that feel approachable and familiar. Cardiovascular activities appeal to many new exercisers and can offer the benefits of weight loss and improved overall fitness. So why would you consider changing things? The biggest reason to round out your workouts is to make them more […]
Fitness
Just Getting Started
Are you just getting started on your exercise program? How do you know what is going to be effective? How much exercise is enough? How much is too much? These are some of the questions that new exercisers often ask. Frequency and Duration When starting an exercise program, you really need to just that…get started. […]
Fitness
It's All in the Goal
Have you really sat down and identified the goals of your exercise program? Whenever I meet with a new client for the first time, we talk extensively about their fitness goals. I’m guessing that you can probably relate to some of their desired outcomes – losing weight, toning up, or building muscle mass. Maybe you’ve […]
Fitness
Target Heart Rate Zone
Training by using your targeted heart rate (THR) is a method that is growing in popularity. It’s a dependable way to ensure that you’re working out at the right intensity to reach your goals. If you work out at a level below your THR, you’re not working hard enough to achieve lasting results. However, if […]
Fitness
Summer Sports Camp
Getting Started Here are a couple of programs that integrate the key movements and demands of your favorite sport. Complete each workout 2-3 times per week with at least one day between of rest between workouts. Warm up for 5-10 minutes. Workout 1: Tennis Strength Lunge Step forward onto right foot bending both knees, lifting […]
Fitness
Label Conscious
You have heard the phrase, “Think outside of the box.” When it comes to eating better, it is wise to take this advice literally. Think about the nutrition label that is on the side of each and every box and package in the grocery store. “For someone who is just starting to eat healthfully, reading […]
Fitness
Family function: Staying fit on vacation is easier than you think.
Summer is here. Long days and great weather make being active easy. Your fitness program is also paying off. After finding your rhythm, you feel stronger, more energetic and maybe even a few pounds lighter. Next challenge? Family vacation. With travel, new surroundings, and no equipment, how can you possibly stick with your fitness program? […]
Fitness
Going Organic
Whether you’re shopping for vegetables or cereal, it’s important to know what’s behind the “organic” label. Organic food has become big business. Overall sales in the U.S. are seeing double-digit annual growth. Even Wal-Mart and Costco are offering up organic fare. But for the consumergoing organic can carry a price. You’ll pay an average of […]
Fitness
Make Fitness Fun
Horizon Introduces New Treadmill and Elliptical Featuring Seamless iPod® Integration Talk to most people who exercise and they’ll tell you there’s nothing more invigorating than working out while listening to a favorite play list. This is now easier than ever with Horizon Fitness’ introduction of an in home treadmill and elliptical trainer with seamless iPod® […]