Tag Archives: aerobics

Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off and 1988 Aerobics Championship is the Best Music-Workout Video Ever Made

Thank you to whomever is responsible for this incredible video mash-up because it’s basically the only thing we want to watch or listen to right now!

You guys, this is a real thing that happened: the 1988 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship Opening. It’s fabulous. It’s everything we tried to block out about the 80s and yet it’s everything we wish could still exist.

1988-Crystal-Light-National-Aerobic-Championship-Opening

Over that video that someone salvaged from a dark, cold place where old aerobics go to die — Taylor Swift. That sick beat from her explosive new hit Shake It Off was seemingly written precisely for this aerobics routine nearly 30 years late.

It’s some Back to the Future time warp stuff we’re trying to wrap our heads around. (more…)

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Natalie K

4 Minute Fitness with the Tabata Method

Would you believe it if someone told you that in just four minutes you would not only improve your fitness level, you would also burn more calories per minute than running ten miles an hour, plus increase your metabolism 30 minutes post workout? According to researcher Dr. Michele Olson, aka, the Exercise Doctor, it’s true! It’s been backed up by numerous research studies, and it’s called the Tabata Training Method.

“This particular style of interval training has profound effects even on short-term, post-exercise metabolism,” has explained Olson. “It would take five times the amount of typical cardio exercise, like a twenty-minute brisk walk, to shed the same number of calories that result from a four-minute Tabata.”

kettlebells

Tabata is an interval training workout designed to push you to your anaerobic threshold for 20 seconds, with a 10 second recovery break, for a total of four minutes. Designed by Izumi Tabata, a Japanese trainer of athletes, the Tabata method seems to be a major breakthrough in fitness training programs. However, it should be practiced with caution. (more…)

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Jill

4 out of 5 Americans Aren’t Getting Enough Exercise

exercise

  • A new report report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that roughly 20 percent of U.S. adults are getting the recommended amount of exercise.
  • According to MedicalNewsToday.com, most Americans are falling short in the area of strength training. Research revealed only one in five U.S. adults is meeting the requirements for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening components of the physical activity guideline issued by the federal government.
  • Research was based on a phone survey of adults aged 18 and older issued by state health departments. (more…)
Posted on May 3, 2023 by Dana

Small Goals Keep Jennifer’s True Weight Loss Story on Track

The most recent goal Jennifer had in her weight loss journey was to get down to the weight printed on her driver’s license. In the past month, she accomplished that. She’s now three pounds under her license weight and says “I really need to go get a new driver’s license.”

She’s doing a lot of things right in her weight loss, which we’ve been following since summer. For one, she’s not on a diet. She’s establishing healthy habits that are helping her achieve one goal at a time (which is one of the healthiest habits of all when losing weight). Setting small, manageable goals helps you enjoy achievement all along the way, rather than feeling like you’re pursuing something that, for many, will takes months and even years to achieve.

Since the start of her journey in February of this year, Jennifer is down a total of 44 pounds, currently weighing in at 257 pounds. She’s down from a size 26 to a size 22 and has bought a few new clothes. She admits to still ordering things online, but is pleased with how they definitely fit when they arrive.

She’s also celebrating what she called a breakthrough this past month. “I did spiderman planks!,” Jennifer bragged. “It’s a big deal to me!” She talked about not being able to do them at all before and now she can hold one for 20 seconds. (more…)

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Natalie K

Stay in Shape While Recovering From an Injury

By Elizabeth Magill

Dealing with an injury that requires rest–no matter for how long–can seem like an eternity.  If you’re fitness-conscious as well, you’ll be concerned about staying in shape during your recovery. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations you can do it by focusing on strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance during your downtime.

Here are 10 tips to help you stay fit while recovering.

1. Start with R.I.C.E.

If your injury is sports-related, a sprain, strain, knee injury, fracture, dislocation, or an injury of the Achilles tendon, treatment should begin with the R.I.C.E. method, an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. R.I.C.E helps to reduce swelling and relieve pain, especially during the early phase of the injury. The R.I.C.E. treatment also helps your injury heal faster, enabling you to get back to your previous fitness regime more quickly.

2. Communicate with your doctor

Whatever exercise you do, do it under your doctor’s supervision. Your physician will keep you apprised of what you’re ready for, and what you need to hold off on, so that you don’t re-injure yourself.

3. Listen to your body

In addition to listening to your doctor, listen to your body. It will let you know when you’re exercising too much or pushing too hard. Overdoing it can hinder your ability to stay in shape while recovering from an injury. (more…)

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Health Buzz

Drums Alive: Burn Calories to the Beat

When former professional dancer Carrie Ekins’ body was sidelined to due hip surgery and a wheel chair, her creativity kept flowing. Being restricted to arm and hand exercises only, Ekins randomly began hitting boxes in her basement. This odd development has lead to a new workout trend, Drums Alive.

Eventually Ekins grew strong enough to stand once more and moved from basement boxes to exercise balls, drum sticks, and a variety of upbeat music. Drums Alive was created and found to be more than just a a workout for fitness. Hitting the exercise balls produces immediate stress relief for starters. However, the seemingly primitive routines can also improve coordination. As drumming engages both the left and the right hemispheres of the brain, coordination can be boosted. And finally, current studies have noted that drumming can contribute to increased immune functions along with improved moods and creativity. That’s a lot of punch for one workout session.

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Posted on October 27, 2023 by Lacy

Fitness Benefits of Tennis

Historically known as the “sport for a lifetime,” tennis can be played by just about anyone, at any stage of their fitness journey. It’s a sport that can be both fiercely competitive and completely relaxing. But what are some of the benefits to the player?

  • Tennis is a highly aerobic sport that burns more calories per hour than aerobic classes, cycling or skating. Men can burn over 500 calories in an hour of game play and women more than 400.
  • Because it requires alertness and tactical reasoning, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain. This, according to scientists at the University of Illinois, will promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain. We all know that brain development is a very good thing!

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Posted on July 7, 2023 by Carmen

Kangoo Jumps: Give Your Workout a Lift

Kangoo Jumps are a new and improved way to add a different and exciting twist to your current fitness routine. Kangoo Jumps are designed to offer a trampoline-like weightlessness sensation that decreases joint stress. They are being used for jogging, home fitness, athletic training (rehab), physical education in schools, and pleasure.

Kangoo Jumps are a type of workout that is extremely low impact due to the Kangoo boots and offers endless health benefits. The boots used for Kangoo are designed with an Impact Protection System (IPS) which absorbs 80 percent of the impact and provides the best protection for the ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and spine. This type of training is ideal for the gym, home, park, beach, or even gravel roads. You can also use these throughout your normal exercise routine or indulge in one of the Kangoo Jumps fitness classes below.

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Posted on May 6, 2023 by Matt

Top 10 Benefits of Water Aerobics

Water, water, water! How nice is it that water can offer such intense and enjoyable workouts. To me, water aerobics is defined as a non-weight bearing (easy on the joints) resistance and aerobic exercise performed in shallow water. It has since evolved from just walking or jogging forward and backward in the water to jumping jacks and popular cross-country skiing movements.

Water equipment has also become more popular. Water weights, floating belts, and other useful equipment are used to increase water resistance as well as help with flotation and balance. Water aerobics can be performed just about anywhere; from health and fitness clubs to public or private swimming pools to even shallow lakes. All you really need is the motivation and dedication to splash around a little bit (warm weather wouldn’t hurt either). (more…)

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Matt

A Beginner’s Guide to Swimming Workouts

swimming workoutSwimming is one of the best non-weight bearing activities out there and I totally recommend implementing a swim routine into your workout. It’s a great way to burn an enormous amount of calories all while having a blast in the water. Non-weight bearing refers to no weight or pressure being forced onto the joints, thus great for those with injuries, arthritis, or pain.

Although indoor pools are somewhat hard to come by, they are definitely worth the small cost to use. You may find indoor pools at your local health or fitness club, university, YMCA, or hotel. Before starting your swimming workouts, here are a few things you should know: (more…)

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Matt

Most Popular Fitness Classes

Fitness classes are becoming more popular these days, and not only do they offer an intense workout, but enjoyment as well. Fitness classes are a great way to exercise with friends without getting bored and are usually offered for free at your local health club. Most fitness classes are designed to target the cardiovascular aspect (getting the heart rate up) while only a few integrate the entire body into the workout. Below is a list of the most popular fitness classes.spinning

Spinning:

Spinning is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a stationary bike. The class is designed to target the heart rate as well as the lower body (quads, hamstrings, and glutes). Each class typically consists of loud motivating music combined with varying speed and resistance levels to maximize the workout. Spinning is an intense workout that burns around 600-1000 calories per hour (depending on the person). This is a great class for those with knee/ankle problems and varying fitness levels due to the fact that you can exercise at your own pace. Give it a shot! (more…)

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Matt