Fitness Spotlight

May is Exercise is Medicine® Month, and people throughout the U.S. will be participating in physical activities to help prevent scores of chronic illnesses.

Physical inactivity is recognized as a fast-growing public health problem, and Exercise is Medicine heralds a critical call to actively promote exercise. As an initiative coordinated by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) since 2008—one concurrent with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month—the ACSM aims to make physical activity part of every single person’s health care plan, and in this way encourage a healthy lifestyle by acting on the proven findings of those researching health and fitness. Continue reading →

Amber Acosta, a busy mother of four, seemed to have no time for fitness. As a result, she was constantly fatigued—made worse by horrible eating habits.

“I felt bad about myself,” she says, “and so I just decided to make a change.”

That change included regular workouts with AZ Pro Physiques and 3x-weekly cardio training on a Cybex Arc Trainer. The results: 30 pounds lost and a stronger, harder body. Continue reading →

Sea Pines Country Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina—named one of the top 20 golf courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Weekly magazines, and designed by Arnold Palmer himself—recently needed to purchase all-new equipment for its fitness center. Seeking to refurbish its training room with high-quality, commercial-grade equipment that would be enjoyed by a multitude of guests and serviced by experts, they turned to Gym Source. Continue reading →

Where are the best cities for strutting your stuff? Based on ratings by walkscore.com and prevention.com, Cambridge, MA, tops the list with a score of 88.8%; NYC is second (85.3%); and Jersey City, NJ, ranks third (85.2%). Not to be outdone are fourth-ranked San Francisco (84.9%) and fifth-placed Berkeley (81.6%), both in sunny California (but you knew that already).

Any walking—whether in the big city or along a country lane—reduces Continue reading →

Regular exercise not only keeps you fit, it also improves your brainpower. Simply put, according to David Atkinson, program director at Cooper Ventures in Dallas, our energy levels increase when we exercise, which in turn increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. The result is “improved mental clarity” for individuals—and more productivity overall in the workplace.

It’s a simple concept—but one with important ramifications, particularly for employers. As employers look to minimize staff sick time, Continue reading →

To industry fanfare, Cybex International has proudly unveiled five new fitness programs that work with the company’s world-class fitness equipment, including Arc Trainer, Eagle and the award-winning Bravo line of functional trainers.

Launched at the recent ’s (IHRSA) trade show in Las Vegas, this new technology-based fitness programming is designed to build strength and confidence, as well as burn calories. The programs were developed by specialized exercise scientists at the Cybex Research Institute, the research and development arm of the company that commits itself to furthering health through disciplined exercise science.

New Cybex training programs include core, interval and weight loss, as well as small group training and a boot camp—and are the latest in a long line of innovations that continue to produce unparalleled fitness results. Continue reading →

For a dynamite derriere, it’s time to shape up. To get your butt in gear, so to speak, check out these hot hints for toning your tush.

1. Work your glutes. These are the three gluteus muscles that give your buttocks their shape, and they need exercise. Climbing, walking and running are all good forms of exercise for glutes, as is strength training and treadmill training.
2. Squat exercises. Great for toning, squats build those glute muscles. Be sure to keep your shoulders apart and feet parallel when you squat. Lower your hips as if you are about to sit down, and then push back to a stand. Keep your back straight and don’t let your knees push in front of your toes.
3. Ball squats. Lean against a large ball (like a Spri or Bosu) pressed against a wall behind the small of your back. Keep your back straight, so it pushes against the wall as you slowly squat up and down.
4. Hip lifts off the ball. Another great glute exercise, this focuses on the body’s largest muscle, the gluteus maximus. With your tummy on the ball and forearms flat on the floor (so they form a 90-degree angle at the elbow), bend your knees to form another 90-degree angle with your feet facing upwards. Keep your feet together and squeeze the glute muscles; slowly lift your thighs off the ball. This should be a small two-inch movement. Take care not to use your back muscles.
5. Work out on cardio equipment. If you love cardio equipment at the gym, the best machines for gorgeous glutes are with stair steppers and elliptical machines. Not only will you work your glutes, but you’ll give your lungs and heart a good workout as well.
6. Challenge yourself on a stationary bike. Like other cardio equipment and the exercises recommended here, a stationary exercise bike is a superb tool for tush-toning. As your fitness levels improve, and your glutes become firmer, dial up the resistance and take the challenge to the next level.

Continue reading →

The versatile V-Express Gym from Hoist is, quite simply, outstanding. Not only are its compact footprint and multifaceted design perfectly suited for total body training in tight spaces—but it also offers tremendous value for the dollar.

With a litany of features—including a unique articulating press arm that allows movement in flat and incline positions, an adjustable back pad that gives optimum support, and extra-wide groove pulleys for a greater range for exercise, you’d be hard-pressed to find a home gym that gives you more for the money. Plus, the integrated accessory rack lets you store whatever V-Express accessories help you reach your goals—like strap handles, padded ankle straps, a chain that helps you adjust the machine by user height.

All that said, however, my favorite part about the V-Express home gym is that it’s easy to use. Hoist makes it even easier by including a comprehensive guide chock-full of workout routines and helpful hints. Continue reading →

What we’ve suspected all along has been proven by science: Not only is fitness more fun with friends—it builds friendships, as well. Plus, when you exercise with people you enjoy, you’re even more likely to reach your fitness goals.

Todd A. Astornio, assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) suggests that Continue reading →

If YOU end up eating most of the leftover Halloween candy, take heart: You can do yourself (and your trick-or-treaters) a favor by choosing healthier alternatives to the usual sugar-laden fare. Consider trying one of these frightfully fun alternatives:

• Pre-packaged snack-packs like cookies, grahams or pretzels
• Kids’ meal toys from popular fast-food restaurants
• Small craft-making kits (typically under $1 each from big-name craft stores)
• Halloween-themed pencils, stickers, tattoos, and erasers

Continue reading →