Fitness
Fitness
Partner Workouts
Everyone needs a boost of motivation and accountability every now and then when it comes to working out, so why not plan an entire workout around working out with a pal? There are limitless activities you can do together (depending on the season, of course) so call a friend, lace up your shoes and have some fun with […]
Fitness
Ask an Expert: Music While Running
Question: I like listening to music while running. Will this put me at a disadvantage during a race if they do not allow headphones? -Stacey You’re not alone, Stacey. There are a host of runners that love to listen to music while running to their favorite mix, so much so that there are even running music apps for […]
Fitness
Strength Training at Home
As a beginner, getting started on strength training can be overwhelming, especially if you’d like to do it without joining a gym. The good news is strength training at home doesn’t need to take a lot of time or equipment, and can be easily added to your current cardio workouts. Bodyweight strength training uses your own […]
Fitness
Fitness Trackers: 4 Reasons to Start Tracking
It’s an amazing world of health, fitness and technology. Fitness trackers are more than glorified watches. They allow us to tune into our bodies, improve our health and fitness, and connect with an inspiring world of social activity. Simply put: data is power. I remember my first fitness tracker. It was a watch the size of a brick […]
Fitness
Warm Up and Cool Down Basics
Jumping directly into (or out of) a tough workout isn’t the best approach. Abruptly starting your workout can leave your brain and body craving a bit of transition time. Cooler weather and slippery conditions can also make you vulnerable to injury and fatigue immediately after your workout. So what are the smartest ways to start and end your […]
Fitness
Ask an Expert: Running Pace
Question: The whole idea of “running pace” is foreign to me–I’m a new runner! However, I read a lot about it in magazines and hear about it at local races from my friends. Can you help me better understand what it is so I can apply it to my running when I’m ready? — Michele […]
Fitness
Selecting a Resolution That Will Stick
Question: I just invested in my first piece of home fitness equipment and really want to make a healthy start for the new year. Do you have any advice on setting a New Year’s resolution that will actually stick? First of all, congratulations on committing to a healthy new lifestyle–no matter the time of year! Whether […]
Fitness
New to Running
Now is the perfect time to start dipping your toe into the running waters to see if it’s right for you. If you’re not quite ready to commit to a 5K, but are wondering what it takes to get started, here are a few answers to your new to running questions. We also included a […]
Fitness
Staying Active During the Holidays
This time of year can be an intimidating challenge for your fitness routine. You have the potential of hours in the car, travel fatigue, and calorie-laden meals that make physical activity essential. But don’t fret, there are ways of staying active during the holidays while your fitness equipment is back at home. Planning your on-the-road workouts […]
Fitness
Sofa to 5K Challenge Winner
Photo credit: Henrik Olson Photography A huge high five goes out to all of our Sofa to 5K Challenge participants this year — especially to Lisa, the grand prize winner of a Horizon Fitness product! Keep on scrolling to read her inspiring story (that turned out to be a little more extreme than a 5k), […]
Fitness
Getting the Most From Your Treadmill Incline Feature
Let’s make the most of that treadmill workout with Power Incline! You already know that you can increase the intensity of your treadmill workouts by running faster, but what you may not know is the many benefits of changing the treadmill incline setting on this popular piece of home fitness equipment. If you’re working out […]
Fitness
12 Days of Fitness Tracking with ViaFit
ViaFit (exclusive wireless connectivity found on select Horizon Fitness and Vision Fitness products) enables your equipment to share your workout data with your favorite fitness apps and other tracking devices like FitBit, MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and more. With ViaFit, you’ll never have to manually enter your workouts anywhere because your equipment will do it for you. How […]
Fitness
Five Benefits of Using Fitness Trackers
It seems like everywhere you look, people are logging their every step wearing fitness trackers. I remember a time when we used to have to drive the route we ran to see how far it we went, and now we can see it all in real time: pace, time, steps, distance, heart rate and even […]
Fitness
Beat the "Holiday 5" with Coach Jenny's 2014 Holiday Challenge
Need a little motivation to stick with your running and fitness routine? Coach Jenny does! That’s why she created the Holiday Challenge! It’s a simple and easy way to stay fit during the busy holiday season, avoid gaining the “Holiday 5” (pounds), win her favorite Wish-List gifts, and connect with other like-minded runners and walkers. Registering […]
Fitness
Cross Training at Home
Taking the time to create a customized cross training program can help you to avoid injury, increase flexibility and become stronger in your chosen sport. Even better news: developing a program that will help you to meet your goals (whether you’re a competitive athlete or just getting started on a regular fitness program) is actually […]
Fitness
Ask an Expert: Planking Basics
I’ve been hearing a lot about the benefits of planking lately, but it intimidates me. Can you share some tips on how to ease my way into the exercise and different variations to get started? –Nicole Challenging most of the major muscle groups and requiring no equipment, planking is one exercise that can benefit nearly any […]
Fitness
Training with Kettlebells and Sandbags
Functional athletic training with little or no equipment has been making serious leaps in popularity recently. Whether you’re training with your own bodyweight, hefting around a heavy sandbag, or swinging a kettlebell, these workouts combine strength training with flexibility and cardio for killer core workouts that improve your power and performance. They let you train […]
Fitness
Travel the world during your next workout
Are your workouts lacking a sense of adventure? Select treadmills and elliptical machines come equipped with the Passport media player featuring Visual Active technology. High-definition destination footage paired with ambient sounds allow you to experience journeys through stunning worldwide destinations—all without leaving your living room. To learn more, visit the Horizon Fitness website.
Fitness
Success story: Kari Sweeney gets fit with co-workers
Kari Sweeney, 30, of Sun Prairie, WI, works for a fitness company and had lots of opportunities to get healthy, but she struggled for years to get motivated. Last year, with the help of co-workers and MyFitnessPal, Kari broke through her barriers and lost 17.4% of her body weight! Read her story in her own words below: Every year, the place […]
Fitness
Ramen and bok choy salad
Instant ramen makes a surprise appearance in this delicious, hearty salad. Salad: 1 bunch bok choy, roughly chopped 1 bunch romaine lettuce, roughly chopped 3 stalks green onions, chopped A couple handfuls of bean sprouts 1 cup protein of choice (tofu, shrimp, chicken or Beyond Meat Beyond Chicken Strips work well) cooked and chilled 1 package instant ramen […]
Fitness
Pickled ginger, tahini and cucumber sandwich
This sandwich is the perfect mix of sweet and spice. Creamy tahini is the perfect match for fresh, crisp cucumbers. 1/4 cup tahini 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. red miso 4 slices sprouted grain bread, lightly toasted 2 tsp. sriracha (adjust based on desired heat level) 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced A couple spoonfuls of […]
Fitness
Carmelized brussels sprouts with grapes
Everyone knows that brussels sprouts are nutritious, but not everyone loves to eat them. This dish is bound to help picky eaters enjoy getting their leafy greens. It’s also a delicious side dish for a holiday meal. 2 cups brussels sprouts, halved 1 cup grapes (red or green) 1/2 purple onion, roughly chopped 1/4 cup […]
Fitness
Healthy chocolate-chip cherry smoothie
This smoothie takes about five minutes to whip up and will soothe that sweet tooth, guilt-free. 1 1/4 almond milk 6 ice cubes 1/4 cup cashews, soaked in water for 30 min (or 1/2 avocado) 1 cup frozen cherries 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder 1 Tbsp. carob powder 1 Tbsp. hemp protein powder or protein powder of choice […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Barefoot running
Is the barefoot running trend over–or are there real benefits to minimalist running? – Kevin It’s been an interesting few decades in the running shoe industry. We started with a lower heel-to-toe drop (the difference between the height of the heel versus the toe in a shoe) in the 1970s where you could pretty much […]
Fitness
5 Ways to improve your elliptical training sessions
You already know that your elliptical trainer strengthens your cardiovascular system without stressing your joints. What you may not know is that there are a lot of ways you can use your elliptical to strengthen your body and train for other activities. Here are 5 ways you can improve your elliptical training sessions: 1. Take […]
Fitness
Join the Sofa to 5K Challenge
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Have you ever wanted to run a 5K race? Well now is your chance! In just 10 short weeks, Coach Jenny will have you up and running — and well on your way to completing your first 5K. The easy-to-follow, 10-week Sofa-to-5K training program begins Monday, September 15, 2014 and ends with running a […]
Fitness
Ask An Expert: Running vs. Cycling
Question: Is Riding My Stationary Bike As Effective As Jogging? Natalie wonders, if spending an hour on her stationary bike at a medium level has the same cardio benefits as jogging for 4 miles at 12-minute miles? Answer: The Truth About Running vs. Cycling Is … Yes and no. Cycling offers the same benefits as running […]
Fitness
Fitness myths: The science behind 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
Ask an expert: Incorporating exercise into a busy schedule
Q: I always seem to find an excuse not to exercise. What are some easy exercises I can do to incorporate fitness into my busy schedule? — Sherry Great question – and one that almost everyone can relate to. The big thing to remember is that scrimping on time doesn’t mean sacrificing quality in your workouts. […]
Fitness
Benefits of a recumbent bike
Whether you’re a committed athlete looking for a no-impact form of cross-training, or you need a simple way to get started on your fitness goals, there are a lot of reasons to choose a recumbent bike. Here are just a few of the benefits: Comfort. The recumbent bike offers a natural seated position that makes your […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: When should I strength train?
I know I should incorporate more strength training into my exercise routine. Is it better to do it before or after my cardio activity? -Stacey You’re right, it is important to include strength training into your regular exercise routine. It will aid in balancing the strength and mobility in your muscles and joints, improve metabolism by […]
Fitness
Elliptical vs Treadmill
Walk into almost any gym or specialty fitness retailer and you will be confronted with row after row of treadmills and ellipticals. Although these machines are both classified as “cardiovascular equipment,” both have individual qualities that will suit some exercisers better than others. There’s a lot to consider when you’re faced with an “elliptical vs treadmill” scenario. […]
Fitness
Interval workout basics
Interval training is one of the most effective ways to get fitter and burn more calories. The concept is simple and works for any piece of home fitness equipment. Constantly varying the intensity and anticipating your next recovery or push makes these workouts fly by. Increasing post workout demands for recovery, burns calories even after […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: How often should I replace my running shoes?
I’m a relatively new runner (I only run about 10 miles per week). How often should I be changing out my running shoes? -Jared Welcome to the wonderful world of running! Ten miles per week is a great running regimen and at that rate, the average running shoe will last about 40-50 weeks or close […]
Fitness
Get More From Your Heart Rate Monitor
After running shoes and an MP3 player, a heart rate monitor is usually the first piece of equipment runners add to their workouts. If you aren’t using one now, you’ve most likely at least played with them in the past, calculating whether you’re working too hard or not hard enough, estimating your total calories burned, […]
Fitness
Choosing the right fitness equipment
Choosing the right piece of home fitness equipment—whether that’s a treadmill, elliptical, or exercise bike—depends on what you wish to accomplish from your home training sessions. As you set up your training plan, here are a few things you might want to consider: Treadmill: Providing a natural workout (as simple as heading out for a walk!), […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Healthy roadtrip snacks
I’m going to be traveling a lot with the family this summer. What are some healthy foods and snacks I can pack during our family road trips? – Jennifer Whether it’s an afternoon at the beach or the All-American Road Trip, there’s nothing better than hitting the road for some summertime fun. While enjoying the local […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Best running surfaces
I typically run on the sidewalks around my neighborhood – is this bad for my joints? Is there any benefit to switching it up and running on different surfaces like the road, grass, loose gravel, etc.? -Sarah Running on a variety of surfaces is a great way to mix up your routine, boost your motivation and […]
Fitness
Ask an expert: Workout nutrition
It never fails, halfway through my workout I end up lacking energy. I know I should have protein immediately following my workouts, but do you have any advice on what I should be doing and eating before my workouts to sustain my energy? –Alec Your awareness during your workouts is a great first step in […]
Fitness
Rest stop fitness: Easy workouts while traveling
Travel is a mainstay in my personal and professional life so if I want to practice what I preach, I have to find creative ways to get in exercise when I’m on the road. I’ll admit, at first, it seemed overwhelming because I wasn’t able to duplicate my home routine. The secret to my on […]