Perhaps in part because of the pandemic last year, the number of people willing to go to the gym has skyrocketed. Of course, this is great news, as these same people have decided that it’s time to take care of their personal health and have actually put their words into action. If you’re reading this article, then it’s clear you must be one of the go-getters who are making a change, and that’s awesome! That being said, if you’re new to the ways of the gym, you’re probably going to want personal training to help you grow better and stronger.

What can a personal trainer do for your fitness goals? This article will tell you everything you need to know. Read on to find out more!

They’ll Keep You Accountable

Every day, many people start their fitness journey, but a lot of them happen to falter or outright quit along the way. You might be determined to put in the work in the beginning, but how long will that determination last? If you’re serious about wanting to set fitness goals and embracing a healthier lifestyle, then a personal trainer is going to be a key factor in helping you do that.

Personal trainers are there to make sure you stay accountable to yourself. They’ll make sure you continue to work and that you don’t give up on your vision. With their experience and your efforts, you’ll start achieving the body that you desire in no time.

You Have a Proper Training Regiment

Part of the reason why people get discouraged or even stop going to the gym is that they don’t know what they’re doing when they’re in there. You might want to go work out and get started on your fitness journey, but once you walk into the gym you’re bound to be confused as to what you need to do to get the body you want and you may even end up hurting yourself in the process.

What you need is a personal trainer who can help you learn your way around the gym and put together the proper fitness routine to get you started. Trainers have plenty of experience with all body types, and they can prepare a routine for you from day one on to help you build your physique safely and generate the fastest results.

You Can Avoid the Unhealthy Trends

It seems that these days, there’s a new diet trend being passed around each month. While watching what you eat is always a good thing, and there are some diets out there that are beneficial, the whopping majority of diets out there are just fads at best and dangerous at worst. If you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, you may make the mistake of joining in on a dangerous diet that could hurt your health.

Personal trainers know what’s best for the human body to have, and they know which foods you need to maximize your fitness goals. With their guidance, you can make sure you’re set on a proper diet that will give you actual nutrients and boosting your energy levels while cutting the fat. How’s that for diet goals?

Your Motivation Will Skyrocket

Most people think that a fitness coach is some retired Seargent who will yell at them to do 100 pushups and run a mile all while slandering them with derogatory words. If this is something that worries you, never fear. Personal trainers don’t actually work in that manner; in fact, they do the exact opposite and work to motivate you to succeed.

Personal trainers will hear out exactly what your goal is and plan a schedule around it. They’ll work with you and encourage you to stick to the program, keeping track of your work ethic and celebrating with you when you reach the milestones you’ve set out to accomplish. Having someone on your side rooting for you is one of the most important things you could ask for in your journey to success.

You’ll Get to See Your Results Faster

Remember what we said earlier about making mistakes in the gym because you don’t know what to do? Besides the obvious factor that you could hurt yourself, starting your journey alone could lead to slow and shaky beginnings. It could take quite a while for you to see any results if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Since a personal trainer knows the ins and outs of physical health and conditioning, they can help you put together the right program that you need to win. This means getting you right with your workout routine as well as with your diet and (perhaps most importantly) with your mental conditioning. All of this will get you the results you desire in a fraction of the time that it would take you if you were to go it alone.

Personal Training Tailored to Your Needs

Now that you know about the benefits of personal training, you’re going to want to hire a personal trainer to help you reach all of your fitness goals and get you in the best shape of your life. That said, you’re going to want to find a trainer that you can trust to deliver the results that you’re looking for. Luckily for you, you won’t have to look any further.

At VIM fitness, we offer state-of-the-art gym facilities to all of our members with only the best trainers and equipment to maximize your success. Our personal trainers are hand-picked to ensure they have plenty of experience in their field to help you with your goals. Looking to add more to your training? We’ve got plenty of fitness classes, yoga and pilates sessions, and the best traditional gym equipment that you can ask for.

Take a look around our site to learn more about what we can offer you, or just reach out to us to start your membership. Let’s get you in the best shape of your life!

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. 

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.