What is Pilates and Why Should You Try It?

what is pilates

Are you curious about trying a new type of exercise? Have you considered the magic of Pilates yet? Since it first broke out on the scene, it has become one of the most popular activities in the world. So, why not try it out? Let’s answer the question “what is Pilates” and figure out if trying it out might work for you.

What Is Pilates?

It is a type of exercise where you perform repetitive movements in order to improve your flexibility and strength.

It was named for its inventor, Joseph Pilates, who developed the plan in the 1920s. It’s become extremely popular in recent years, because of its many benefits.

You can do it using certain machinery, or with resistance bands and other less costly or burdensome equipment. Pilates incorporates breathing into its exercises, which can make it easier to scale up over time.

Some people may feel intimidated by it since so many people do it and the classes can be popular, but it’s actually much easier to get into than you might think.

Pilates is a lower impact form of exercise, which means it’s well-suited to people with joint issues or other physical problems that prevent them from putting too much pressure on certain parts of their body.

Pilates is a form of exercise that helps you work out your whole body, rather than a targeted workout.

What Are the Benefits of Pilates?

Are you wondering why you should consider trying Pilates over other forms of exercise?

Well, Pilates has a wide range of specific physical and mental health benefits that you’ll certainly appreciate, which gives it an advantage over similar exercise routines such as Yoga.

If you’re worried about flexibility, Pilates can help you improve. And, if you think you might be becoming a bit of a hunchback, pilates is a great move. Pilates can help improve your posture over time. If you’re feeling tired, pilates is a great way to boost your energy levels.

Like other forms of exercise, Pilates can improve your mental health, lessen anxiety, and help fight sleeping issues like insomnia. Pilates can help you reduce both physical and emotional stress, which can further help contribute to better mental health.

If you’re looking specifically to gain core strength, Pilates is the perfect exercise for your needs. For people who actively play sports or do other fitness activities,

It can boost your performance and make it easier to play for longer periods of time. It can also help reduce some forms of chronic pain, including back pain, which makes it much easier for you to live your everyday life.

How Do I Start Pilates?

You may be nervous about starting your new fitness journey. But, you can always try out an introductory class to ease you into the process. Dipping your toe in and taking things slowly is a great way to find out what works for you in terms of exercise. Plus, it will stop you from over-extending yourself.

When you’re beginning a program, you may want to practice your moves at home. That’s a good way to make sure that you’re performing the moves properly, and can keep your stamina up between classes.

Like with any other exercise program, it’s important to stay positive and be patient when starting out. It can be hard to get in the swing of things at first, so keeping a regular schedule that fits into your other responsibilities can help you make sure that you don’t burn yourself out too early.

Make sure that you know what to expect when beginning a new class. A class usually lasts around 60 minutes. You can sign up for group lessons, private lessons, or semi-private lessons.

Some classes will use equipment such as reformers, barrels, Pilates balls, resistance bands, foam rollers, and more. So, make sure you’re prepared to use a lot of different equipment when you join a class.

Ideally, you should start out with basic mat classes before getting into the more complicated equipment-based classes, since those can feel overwhelming for beginners.

You may want to try out different Pilates classes until you find one that works for you. Some instructors or styles may be a better fit for you than others. That’s okay! It’s all about finding the right fitness path for your needs.

Different Positions

Knowing the basics of some positions can help you get off on the right foot, and answer the question, “should I take a Pilates class?”

Here are a few different positions that you can try out at home to look into:

  • Leg circles
  • Abdominal and pelvic curls
  • Kneeling side plank
  • Double and single leg kicks
  • Donkey kick
  • Single and double leg stretches
  • Mountain climbers
  • Lying leg or back extensions
  • Scissor kicks
  • Side bends
  • Side twists
  • Rollovers

These are all positions you can do with a mat, rather than requiring major equipment, so they should give you a good idea of what you’re getting into and help you decide whether or not Pilates classes are for you.

Try Out Pilates Today

It is a great form of exercise that has a lot of different benefits for many people. If you think Pilates might be a good fit for your lifestyle needs, make sure you look into a fitness center in your area to get started.

Are you curious about trying out Pilates or other forms of exercise? Do you have more questions? Contact us today for more information.

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5 of the Best Fitness Classes To Try in 2021

best fitness classes

It is 2021 and time for people to start their New Year’s resolutions. In fact, half of all Americans said that exercising more was their main New Year’s resolution. Since people are still working at home, there is a lot more time than there used to be to incorporate a great exercise routine into their schedules.

While it fills up time, joining a fitness class doesn’t have to be for the sake of losing weight. For many people, they find that exercise classes have many benefits.

Here are the best fitness classes that you can take advantage of in 2021.

1. CrossFit

This particular fitness routine has grown more and more popular over the last couple of years and it isn’t hard to see why. For those who don’t know, CrossFit is a functional fitness class that combines cardio with strength training. This helps you in real life by building muscle strength over multiple areas in your body.

Be careful though: because of its intensity, it can be very easy to injure yourself when you overdo the exercises. But if you want a more comprehensive routine, check it out.

2. Spinning

Spinning, or indoor cycling, is an indoor biking exercise that simulates you biking up and down a mountain. The main difference is that you do your biking inside to the beat of energetic music that your instructor provides. While biking, you are instructed to twist a knob on your machine to add some resistance and weight.

Because of the amount of high-energy biking you do during a class, you will burn a lot of calories, leading to weight loss. This can be a great high-intensity exercise class to do for a couple of days a week.

3. Cardio Boxing

If you are a beginner, are just beginning to exercise regularly, or want to have some fun while exercising, doing cardio boxing may be a great option for you.

Boxing in a class can be done either with punching bags and full-fledged gloves or in front of an instructor where you only copy their punching moves. Because of its simple concept, it can be easy for students to get a handle of. It can also be a great method to release any physical or emotional tension or stress and lose weight.

Punch a bag and fit it into your new year’s routine!

4. Pilates

While you may think that only middle-aged or older people do Pilates, you may be surprised to learn that pilates can have many benefits for you no matter your age.

Pilates can be done with a few methods, but the most common ones are either with a mat or a machine called a Reformer. Mat Pilates is when you do all of your pilates exercises on the floor and work on core strength. When using the Reformer, you work on your entire body’s strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination. 

Pilates can be great to do if you want to relieve any pain or lose some weight.

5. Hot Yoga

Yoga can be great to do in the comfort of your home or at the gym, but what if you also added some heat into the mix? That happens when you participate in hot yoga. In hot yoga, the temperature is adjusted to 105 degrees, and the humidity increases between thirty and fifty degrees. 

Because of the heat and yoga stretches done, you can get the heart pumping. Also, the sweat will release any toxins in your body and relieve any stress you have. When doing this, it is essential to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water to offset the amount of sweat you may procure during the class. 

How to Choose a Fitness Class

It can be easy to look over a list of available exercise classes, be overwhelmed, and ask yourself “Which fitness class is best for me?” The types of classes listed above can either strengthen and condition your muscles or be geared towards high-intensity cardio and increasing your endurance.

Some of the questions you should ask yourself include:

  • Does it fit my current fitness level?
  • What are the fitness goals I want to achieve?
  • Are there any injuries that could affect my participation?
  • What kind of setting do I want my classes to be?
  • How does the instructor teach?

A class can make it easier to meet other people that match your levels, care about their health, and are into improving their personal health and life. In addition, if you don’t want to create your own routine at home, participating in a class can ease that burden.

The truth is that not every exercise class will be the right one for you to participate in, and that is perfectly okay. When choosing one of the best fitness classes in 2021, you need to know yourself and your limits first before getting started in a new routine.

Start Your 2021 Exercise Journey with the Best Fitness Classes

It’s a new year and the time has come to take advantage of the best fitness classes that will keep you in shape, build muscle tone, or even lose weight. Any of the online fitness classes listed above can be guaranteed to give you a fresh start in your exercise routine.

Why not take that time when you’re done working from home to start something new, beginning with joining a group class?

We offer a variety of online fitness classes that can work around your schedule. Take a look at the many classes we have available at our gym. 

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10 Wildly Effective Kettlebell Core Exercises

kettlebell core exercises

So long 2020 and hello 2021!

Quarantine has been a boom for home delivery services. A boom that is unfortunately reflecting on our waistlines.

Trending hashtags like #quarantineweight have made our love for food and lounging obvious. It’s all fun and games until we need to go in for a job interview and realize nothing fits.

With the darkness that 2020 has brought, 2021 seems like the glimmer of hope we all need.

So, why not be the best version of yourself? Read on to find out how these 10 kettlebell core exercises can help you to be the best you can be.

1. The Resurrected Dead Bug

The resurrected dead bug is a twist on the traditional Dead Bug. Both are designed to protect your lower back. As an anti-rotation and anti-extension exercise, the Resurrected Dead Bug is a great choice for those looking for core exercise with the aid of kettlebells.

The key to completing this exercise is to make sure your back stays on the floor.

While on your back, your arms will be extended upwards hoisting the kettlebell above your chest thru the duration of this exercise. Your legs will also be raised but will be lowered slowly until they are inches off the ground. Slowly raise your legs back up and repeat.

2. Romanian Deadlift

The Romanian Deadlift will target the core, butt, hamstrings, and quads. You will definitely end up feeling this on your lower half.

Your starting position will be standing with your legs in line with your shoulders and a kettlebell in each hand. Lean forward with your knees slightly bent. Continue this motion until you complete your desired amount of reps.

3. Kettlebell Swing

No routine is complete without core exercises, especially this one. The kettlebell swing is considered a staple that targets the butt and your lower back. Keeping your core tight is the key to this exercise. 

Place the kettlebell before you,  and bend your body forward. Grab the kettlebell and swing it in front of you until your arms are parallel to the ground. Swing the kettlebell back while your knees are bent.

4. Kayak

Another one of the many core exercises with a kettlebell, the Kayak is sure to make your mid-section feel the burn. 

Assume a seated position with your knees raised and bent. While balancing on your tail bonne rotate your torso to the opposite side of where your arms will be placing the kettlebell. Alternate side, if your torso goes right the kettlebell goes left, and so on.

5. Single-leg Deadlift

The Single-leg Deadlift is a bit more than the traditional Deadlift, but a lot easier to execute than its Romanian cousin. This exercise will target your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core.

Your starting position will be you standing with a kettlebell in each hand. You will balance on one leg, as you move down with the kettlebells towards the floor your other leg will rise and push back. Return to starting position and switch legs.

6. Sumo Squat

A more lenient squat variant, the Sumo Squat has a wide stance benefitting those that may need the extra inches for balance. Your adductors and glutes will be benefiting from this squat.

With your feet placed wider than your shoulders, you will be grabbing the kettlebell with both hands. You will be going from a standing position to squatting until the kettlebell is centimeters off the ground.

7. Heart Pump

This squat will work your entire body but will pay extra attention to your core and legs. Bikini season can be year-round with this exercise.

Assume the standard squat position and hold the kettlebell with both hands. While maintaining the squat position and push the kettlebell away from your chest and back. Repeat a few times and then stand, that is one rep.

8. Halo

The Halo will have you begin in a lunge position in case squats aren’t for you. This exercise will work your shoulders and core.

Assume the lunge position with one foot forward and the other with your knee resting behind you. Place both hands on the kettlebell and rotate the kettlebell around your head in a clockwise pattern. Once set is complete switch legs and move kettlebell counterclockwise.

9. Rack Carry

Looking for more of an upper-body workout? The rack carry will go as far south as your glutes. Targeting the deltoids, biceps, triceps, back, and core your arms may feel a bit like overcooked noodles the next morning.

With kettlebells placed near each foot, you will be going from a standing position to a squat. Once you squat you will grab a kettlebell and stand back up carrying one in each hand. The handles of the kettlebell should face inward, squat back down to place kettlebells back on the floor.

10. Windmill

With all this talk about kettlebells you may begin to ask; do I know how to use a kettlebell? Worry not, there are plenty of gyms that offer class sessions or personal training sessions.

Considered a whole-body workout, the Windmill targets muscle groups like hamstrings, quads, glutes, deltoids, and core. This exercise should be a great addition to a routine where you need to make each minute count.

Stand with your feet spread out a little past your shoulders. With the kettlebell in the right hand, raise it directly over your shoulder while at the same time slowly moving your left hand towards the ground. You should form a straight line, return to the starting position, and switch arms.

Try These Kettlebell Core Exercises

Whether we exercise for stress relief, to look better, or to socialize, all these reasons have one common benefit; better health.

Kettlebell core exercises can fit into any routine and be tailored to the individual and their fitness level. Try out all the exercises and see which you like the best and use them. After all, if you don’t like your routine you probably won’t stick to it long enough to see results. 

Interested in learning more about kettlebell exercises? Reach out to us to find out more about health and fitness.

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Connecting Your Body and Mind: 9 Reasons Why You Should Be Practicing Yoga

yoga

Yoga is an exercise that connects your body and mind through breathing techniques, meditation and physical poses. You may already know about the spiritual benefits of yoga but do you know that it is one of the best exercises for keeping fit? 

Yoga is older than 5000 years and generations of yogis have found it to be the best form of exercise for physical, mental and spiritual health. Most people that want to lose weight or maintain their fitness levels don’t realize that practicing yoga could be the key to their success. 

Keep reading for more information on these 9 health benefits of yoga and why you should join a class. 

1. Increase Your Physical Fitness

One of the main benefits of yoga is its positive effect on your fitness and weight loss goals. In a lot of the poses, you must shift your body weight using strength, poise, coordination and power. This can lead to toned arms, shapely legs and chiseled abs. 

Some intense versions of the practice such as Bikram Yoga can help you burn 300-400 calories per hour. The good thing about yoga is that it is a low impact exercise so it’s a great exercise for those nursing muscle injuries. Consider trying a group fitness class for yoga if you’re just beginning and need extra support.

2. Improve Your Focus and Concentration

The ability to focus is one of the main markers of excellence. Andrew Carnegie is quoted as crediting his ability to focus on a task for more than five minutes as the reason why he was able to become the richest man of his time. The modern world has so many challenges and distractions that an average person can only focus on one thing for a few minutes.

Improve your focus ability by taking up a yoga practice. Yoga trains you to be mindful of the present moment and focus on your body and breathe. This mindfulness translates to other areas of your life as after a few days of the practice you will find your thinking becoming clearer. 

3. Strengthens Immunity

Another benefit of yoga is that it can boost your immunity. It is essential to have the highest possible immunity so that you avoid getting ill from communicable diseases. Stress is a major cause of inflammation and lowered immunity and yoga is a proven stress-buster, so it improves your body’s ability to stave off diseases.

Are you classified as a high-risk person due to an underlying illness or do you always catch the flu during the cold season? Then starting a personal yoga practice could reduce your susceptibility to illnesses. 

4. Help Your Posture

Improper posture can have long-term consequences for your life. If bad posture is allowed to go unchecked for years, you may end up with arthritis, inflammation, and aches and pains in your back, neck and other body parts. The poses that you do in a yoga class strengthen and stretch your muscles which will lead to improved posture with consistent practice. 

5. Pain Relief

Another popular benefit of creating a healthy habit out of doing yoga consistently is that it is a great way to reduce muscle pain. Body aches and pains may come from athletic injuries, slips and falls, or chronic pain due to illnesses like arthritis. Yoga can help to reduce pain because of the stretching done at each session.

In fact, some yoga poses are specifically for reducing body aches and pains. Practicing regularly can lead to long-term and permanent improvements.

6. Sleep Better

The National Sleep Foundation recommends Yoga as a way to sleep better. Sleep deprivation can reduce our productivity and increase our chances of getting depressed. So, getting at least 7 hours of quality sleep is a must for optimal health.

Practicing yoga can help you fall asleep faster as well as sleep longer. Additionally, if you wake up at night, practicing Yoga will help you return to sleep faster. Great sleep quality had positive effects on your body such as improved strength, improved physical looks and better mental health. 

7. Reduce Stress And Anxiety

The mindfulness aspect of yoga can also help promote mental health by reducing your stress and anxiety. Numerous studies have shown that practicing Yoga could reduce the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body. 

Usually, we get anxiety attacks when we worry about situations that may happen in the future. Yoga helps prevent such thoughts by directing our focus to the present moment. Having to concentrate on our thoughts, breath, and physical movements and poses take our thoughts away from anything else and focus us on the present moment. 

8. Improve Your Flexibility and Balance

Yoga is a great way to improve your flexibility and balance. Many people see the complicated poses yogis do and get discouraged by the practice because they aren’t as flexible. Anyone can increase their flexibility with consistent yoga practice.

If you find yourself unable to bend down to pick something from the floor, then that is a sign that your flexibility could be improved by a yoga practice. When it comes to balance, yoga also helps improve it by strengthening your feet and ankles. Having great balance is important especially as you grow older due to the reduced possibility of slips and falls. 

9. Increase Bone Strength

Women can benefit from yoga because the practice can help them fight off osteoporosis. A 2015 study found that yoga practitioners had better bone density than non-practitioners. The increased bone strength may be as a result of all the poses that need the person exercising to hold their body against gravity. The resistance leads to increased muscle and bone strength. 

Try a Yoga Class to Personally Experience the Benefits

Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise and is proven to have numerous mental, physical and spiritual benefits as described above. But all this is theory until you put it to the test yourself.

Start a daily routine to reap the long-lasting benefits of yoga in your life. If you’re ready to get started on a yoga journey or looking to enhance your practice, check out our class schedule list today.

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7 Surprising Benefits of Group Exercise Classes

group exercise classes

Have you ever found yourself thinking “exercise is boring” or “I don’t like working out alone”? If so, you are not the only one. These are two of the most common excuses for not working out.

Fortunately, there are solutions. Whether you are looking for inspiration to work out or are not progressing in your current gym routines, group exercise classes may be the solution.

Although breaking a sweat with a room full of strangers may not sound appealing, it can be very beneficial. In this post, we will consider seven of the advantages of group exercise classes so you can determine if they are a good fit for you! 

1. Motivation and Accountability

One of the best things about exercising in a group is that individuals of different ages and abilities can support each other. You will undoubtedly be motivated to push yourself harder when you see those with limitations do their best in class. One study found that those who work out with others are more likely to exert themselves more, thus experiencing faster and better results.

Besides, signing up in advance for your classes will keep you accountable. If your workout is already part of your schedule, there is less chance that you will skip it. Even if you can not sign up in advance, attending the same classes each week will keep your schedule consistent. 

2. Proper Form

When you first start working out, having a personal trainer is ideal. If you exercise alone, you are more likely to have bad form. While your body’s position may not seem important when you are first starting, improper form can lead to pain and, over time, severe injury. 

Unfortunately, many individuals can not afford a personal trainer. Group exercise is the perfect middle ground between working out alone and hiring a trainer. The instructors in group classes demonstrate each move and later ensure that everyone is following along correctly. 

3. Variety

It can be tempting to mindlessly go through the motions at the gym, especially if you are comfortable with specific machines or exercises. However, doing so can slow down or even halt your progress. It is essential to challenge yourself to build strength and lose fat.

In this regard, group classes are undoubtedly useful. The instructors make sure that they introduce new moves into each session and that every class is different than the last. Besides, if you get tired of one program, you can always try another. 

4. Structure

If you are new to working out, you may not be sure where to begin or how to structure your routine. There are so many elements to think about if you want your workout to be well rounded and safe. 

Warm-ups help loosen your stiff muscles and gradually raise your heart rate before you jump into strenuous activity. Cool-downs are needed to lower your heart rate and stretch all the muscle groups used in class. Both of these are essential to avoid injury. 

The instructor also plans a balanced workout to use different muscle groups and assures that one is not overworked. You will not have to get lost in the number of reps or sets you are doing, but instead, follow along while the instructor does all the thinking. This can be especially helpful for beginners. 

5. Improve Confidence

Another psychological benefit of working out in a group is that it can boost your self-esteem and confidence. When you exercise, you give yourself more opportunities to feel proud of yourself. This is all the more so true when you start seeing significant progress. 

When you first start a class, you may lift the lightest weights, but as you participate in it more often, you will increase the weight you use. No matter how little, progress in the right direction will boost your confidence and help you feel more optimistic. 

Also, regular exercise can help you improve your posture. According to scientific research, this can further enhance your self-confidence.

6. Meet New Friends

When you were young, your parents likely advised you about how peer pressure can cause you to make bad decisions. Although you are now an adult, your choices are likely affected by those closest to you.

If your friends do not share your ambitions or even look down on your healthy lifestyle, you may have a more difficult time reaching your fitness goals. Likewise, friends who value their health will help you to make better choices. 

Group fitness classes are the ideal place to meet new, like-minded friends. They can help you to stick with your goals and make new ones. These positive influences are critical to long term success. 

7. Fun

You may have heard the saying “no pain, no gain,” but when it comes to exercise, that is not always the case. Of course, some exercises are challenging, but you should not dread your workouts. If you do, you are more likely to be injured or skip your workouts. 

When it comes down to it, exercise is supposed to be enjoyable and an outlet for reducing stress. Whether you are outgoing or an introvert, upbeat music, great workouts, and supportive people make for a good time. You will be more inclined to keep coming back and stick to your workout program if you genuinely enjoy every minute of it. 

Join Group Exercise Classes at VIM Fitness

As you can see, working out with friends or in a group is very beneficial. Not only will you be more likely to stick to your routine, but you will enjoy yourself too. 

If you still are not sure about group exercise classes, why not join one the next time you go to the gym? At VIM Fitness, we offer various programs for all fitness levels, such as HIIT, pilates, yoga, spin, strength, and more. You will indeed find classes that will help you reach your goals while having fun. 

Are you ready to give group exercise classes a try? If so, check out our class schedule now!

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How to Get Motivated to Start Running

running motivation
 
 

Running is a fantastic way to improve your health and fitness. Plus, you get the added benefit of breaking away from life’s stresses and into the freedom of the great outdoors.

The problem is that while many of us start a running habit with good intentions, it’s not always easy to stay motivated and consistent with it. But that’s the only way to obtain all the health benefits it brings.

So, if you’re struggling with your running motivation, don’t fret over it. This article will help to pick you up and get your feet back on the ground to enjoy one of the best exercises for your mind and body. Now lace up and let’s go!

Why Should You Start Running?

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your fitness, or de-stress, realizing the benefits of what running can do is the first step to getting motivated to do it. Here are just a few of those benefits:

Improves cardiovascular health – running gets your heart pumping and increases oxygen intake. It improves your heart and lung health as they become more efficient at taking in oxygen and transporting oxygen-rich blood around the body.

Improves muscular and bone strength – as running is a weight-bearing exercise, the impact on your bones causes them to develop stronger to deal with it. Then the muscles have to work harder too to carry your body weight with every step.

Maintain a healthy weight – running burns a lot of calories which helps you keep your weight under control. So if you’ve overindulged over the weekend, a nice long run can help burn off those excess calories.

Improves mood – running is like all exercise in that it improves blood flow to the brain, as well as the release of endorphins. Plus, if you do it in a natural environment it can help to calm the mind and lower stress levels too.

How to Get Motivated to Run

If those benefits haven’t quite got you fired up, then stay tuned as we get right into some effective techniques to build that motivation to start running. Each will work differently for everyone, so it makes sense to equip yourself with a few for when you really need it and nothing else works.

Get Dressed

The clothes maketh the man. Have you heard the phrase “Dress for success”? The clothes we wear are a choice we make and affect how we present ourselves to the world. Just as wearing a suit creates an air of professionalism, your running clothes can do the same. Even if you don’t feel motivated, put them on and you’re already halfway there.

What Are You Listening To?

The music you listen to can really affect your performance and motivation. Something upbeat and uplifting works great for this. But why not try something different like a podcast or audiobook? If you’re looking forward to progressing with that, it could be that kick to get you running again.

Track and Challenge

With all the fitness tech out there you can accurately measure your progress and set goals for yourself. Smart watches and apps can track your routes or you can try someone else’s. So you can time yourself each time and aim to do more or explore somewhere else. Make it a challenge and you’ll never get bored.

Buddy Up

When you really don’t feel like running, run with a friend. You can keep each other motivated when the other isn’t up to it, and you can encourage each other to push further. Or you can join a running club and run in a group. That way there’s always someone who can pick you up and give you that boost.

Change Your Location

Running outside is much better than spending hours in the gym on a treadmill. First off, you’re getting lots of nice fresh air into your lungs. But it also engages the mind as you view various landscapes and sights. So trying somewhere new can make running that much more interesting and exciting.

Track Your Goals

Whatever reason you decided to run, keep that goal in mind, and measure your progress each week. If you feel fitter, look slimmer, or are running further, check your progress on a chart or diary. Each week you see noticeable improvements, it’s plenty to give you that exercise motivation to keep going.

Connect With Nature

Sometimes we need to switch off and get back to what grounds us. Being amongst nature is a sure way to time out and rejuvenate the body and mind. So if you have the chance to run in fields, forests, beaches, and lakes, it can do wonders for your soul and make you want to run freely in it.

Schedule Your Runs

When you plan an event ahead of time, you prepare the mind to be ready for it. Plus, when it’s booked into your schedule, you’ll have no excuses but to do it. As it becomes more routine, you won’t even question it. You just get up and do it, because that’s what you’ve always done.

Reward Yourself

After completing a run, give yourself a reward. Not something like chocolate that’ll undo your work, but something more meaningful. Maybe you treat yourself to something new or relax with your favorite TV show. If you’ve got something to look forward to, complete your run and get it.

Master Your Running Motivation

We can’t always have that running motivation we want. After all, so many different factors come into it, and sometimes we just don’t feel up to it. But any workout motivation can be achieved with a change in mindset or method.

So if you need the motivation to start running, or just to get back on track with your running goals, these tips should help give you that boost you’re after. Remember, that any exercise motivation is fleeting, so putting every element in place will ensure you never lose it.

If you’re after more health and fitness tips or looking to train with us, come and see what else we have to offer today.

 
 
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The Different Types of Personal Trainers Explained

types of personal trainers

The fitness industry has, in the past few years, exploded to a nearly $100 billion industry, and the craze is not about to stop either. With this explosion came a horde of different fitness trainers that if you want to get into fitness, you have to choose the right one. Just like in any other professional, no two trainers are the same.

Different types of personal trainers have a different style and training personality to meet different needs. Different personalities need to experience different teaching and training methods in order for them to meet their goals. Some personal training styles can be too soft or too extreme and vigorous for different people.

The question is, how do you choose the right personal trainer? In this post, we’ll guide you through the different types of personal trainers and help you make the right decision from there.

Physique Trainers

Physical trainers cover the largest part of the training industry, which is why they fall in the first category. The thing is, most people always look to change how they look and their physical fitness, so the physical personal training market is thriving.

These types of personal trainers strive to help people achieve their physical goals. They prescribe calorie-cutting diets, start on physical workouts, increase cardio, and bring out the best possible outcome for the clients.

If your goal is to strengthen your core or to gain more muscles, this is the kind of personal training you want to do. Physical trainers, however, do not focus on lifestyle changes. This means that if your goal is to lose weight, you will most certainly lose it.

However, there will be a higher chance of regaining it if you continue with unhealthy eating. This is what they call the yo-yo weight change, where the weight loss stops once you stop with the physical exercises.

Performance Personal Trainers

Performance personal trainers only specialize in performance. In the fitness industry, people who specifically train for performance are usually athletes or people who enjoy performance activities like running. Performance personal trainers focus on crafting workouts that increase power, speed, and strength.

Some sections of performance personal training include powerlifting, weight lifting, among others. If you’re looking to get into this kind of fitness, you can look for a certified strength and conditioning specialist. If they are certified, you can tell that they are good at what they do and you’ll getting training from a professional

Lifestyle Personal Trainers

Unlike physical trainers, lifestyle trainers offer so much more based on strategy. They form a goal for their trainees and help them with a healthy diet. They teach them how to eat right, show them how to train the right way, and how to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.

Sometimes changing your lifestyle can be quite a challenge on your own, so getting a personal trainer can be the push you need over the edge. These types of personal trainers understand the mental roadblocks that people go through when attempting to change their lifestyles. They know everything that keeps them from reaching their goals.

These types of trainers are very good for people who face serious life issues. If you have self-doubt, a disorder, or self-esteem issues, this can be good for you.

Once you hire a personal trainer, they will craft the right nutrition and training program that will reshape you, especially in your mindset so you can achieve the lifestyle goals you desire. One of the best things about these types of trainers is that they don’t limit what you eat. Instead of cutting carbs, for instance, they’ll show you how to monitor what to eat.

Even though you may not be able to lose weight in a few days, you are more likely to achieve long-term weight loss that you can maintain later on if you keep up with the lifestyle changes. You realize that you can lose weight without necessarily having to forgo some of the food you love. Without having to diet in a way that would otherwise make you sick, and your lifestyle absolutely changes.

Boot Camp Instructors

Boot camp personal trainers usually train in the outdoors. It could be in the park, arenas, sports fields, or privately-owned grounds depending on where the clients are.

These types of personal trainers can specialize in various fields, especially Pilates and yoga or meditation. If you want to relax and have the kind of training that takes you to the great outdoor scenery, then a boot camp trainer will be a good choice.

How to Find the Best Personal Trainer

Regardless of the type of personal trainer, you’re looking for, one of the best places to look for the right one is the gym. Most gyms offer personal trainers, and one of the best things about this is that the gym will have completed credentials and background checks on those trainers. You can also check for local personal trainers online, and specifically search for the type of personal trainers you need.

There are hundreds of personal trainers available online, so to find the best personal trainer, you need to do your due diligence. Make sure you get a professional that’ll help you achieve your goals. You may find some that are full of energy but lack focus, while others are just lazy and will not achieve anything.

Check their track record as well as their online reviews and talk to past clients. They will help you understand what kind of person you’ll be dealing with. Inquire whether they did achieve their personal goals with that trainer.

Which of the Types of Personal Trainers Do You Need?

Now that you know the different types of personal trainers available, what type of trainer do you think is right for you? To answer this question, you need to understand what your goals are. Do you want to lose weight?

Do you want to start competing, or do you want to change your lifestyle? These questions will help you decide what kind of personal trainer you should hire. Having a personal trainer will help you stay consistent, motivated, and accountable.

That said, our personal trainers at VIM are fitness professionals that have both practical and educational background, which qualifies them to train any kind of client. Please get in touch with us today, and we’ll set you up with the type of personal trainer you’re looking for.

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