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!

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.

 
 
December Membership Deals
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.

November Promos

Everyone knows that hiring a personal trainer is a great way to get fit or to improve athletic performance. Trainers know a lot about fitness and athletic training and they enjoy helping their clients meet their goals. Personal trainers devote their careers and their lives to learning about ways to train the human body, mind, and spirit.

If you live in a city like Boston, you have access to personal trainers of all kinds. Some focus on weight loss and toning while others specialize in training their clients for certain sports or activities in particular. Furthermore, Boston is a great place to focus on one’s health; there are so many different healthy things to do and there are so many great places to do them.

Lots of people consider hiring a personal trainer but don’t follow through because the process of selecting the right one for them seems overwhelming or daunting. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If you are looking for the best Boston personal trainer for your needs, there are steps you can take to find one that suits you.

Read on to learn about how to find the best personal trainer for you.

Know What You Want

Before you even begin to contact personal trainers, think about what you want. Set some preliminary goals for yourself. Think about who you are and where you are on your exercise and training journey.

Are you an absolute beginner or are you an experienced athlete with some areas in need of improvement? Do you want to lose weight or gain muscle? Would you like to improve your cardio endurance? Do you want to train for a 5K, a marathon or even a triathlon?

The trainer you choose for one of the above goals may be different than the trainer you would choose for another intended end result. Many trainers have a great deal of experience in one area, but not much in one of the others. The best trainer for you and your situation may hinge on these differences.

Also, think about where you would like to work out. Some trainers are connected to one gym or fitness center, so you’ll be expected to work out there most or all of the time. If you are looking for someone to come to your home or office to train you, or if you’d like all your training to happen outdoors, keep that in mind when choosing a trainer.

Do Your Research

Once you’ve pinpointed some goals, the actual search is on. To find a trainer that is right for you, there are many resources available to you. In this technological age, there are reviews for everything online, and people love to review their personal trainers. You’ll find many reviews for personal trainers on social media and review websites that are both good and bad, and you can learn a lot about prospective trainers that way.

You can also talk to your friends, family members, and colleagues and ask them for recommendations. Chances are, someone you know has worked with a trainer before and maybe even with similar goals in mind. They may be able to point you to someone who will be absolutely perfect for your needs.

If you go to a gym, fitness center, or recreation center, you can approach the membership coordinator or other manager about your interest in a trainer. He or she knows the center’s trainers best, and after asking you a few questions, will be able to suggest one or two or more that matches your wants and needs.

Try Sample Sessions

Once you have narrowed the field to a few personal trainers, take the time to meet with them and sign up for a sample session or two with each. This is perhaps the best way to determine the best Boston personal trainer for you.

During these meetings and sessions, you will have the opportunity to get a feel for each trainer’s personality and style, and you can decide which of them meshes best with your own personality and style.

A trainer could have the best credentials of all time and decades of experience, but if you don’t get along with him or her, then you likely won’t meet your goals.

Communication is Key

Once you’ve chosen a personal trainer, communication is crucial. This is as true during the first session as it will be months down the road.

Your trainer should help you set more concrete goals than your initial, cursory ones, and should offer advice and encouragement every step of the way. Your job is to do what he or she says but to also speak up when something isn’t working for you.

Feedback will help your relationship with your trainer blossom and grow and become even greater with time.

Know When to Switch It Up

As with any relationship, it’s important to know when things are not working and to know when to move on. If your trainer-trainee relationship is no longer serving you or if you find that you are not achieving the results you desire, it may be time to move on to a new and different trainer. Your trainer will understand; don’t feel bad about ending your relationship at all.

If it doesn’t work out, you can always chalk it up as a learning experience. You will learn what you like and what you don’t like and you can use this knowledge to help you choose a more suitable personal trainer in the future who is a better match for you and your needs.

Your Boston Personal Trainer Awaits

If you are looking for a Boston personal trainer, we can help connect you with one that is perfect for you. At VIM Fitness, our staff is experienced, patient, motivational, and ready to help you reach your goals. We offer personal training packages at a number of different price points, so there’s a package for everyone.

Please give us a call today. We can’t wait to meet you and we are excited to help you achieve your fitness dreams.

vim pilates

Bulking up is a process that requires a little dedication and a lot of preparation. Getting into shape isn’t just a matter of going to the gym on a regular basis, it’s also important to take note of the aspects of your lifestyle that are prohibiting your health.

When you find what you need to change, it takes a little research to know what to replace those bad habits with. One huge obstacle to a lot of people is establishing a healthy diet.

It’s important to know which foods promote your health goals and which foods are holding you back. We’re going to talk about vitamins for muscle growth in this article, exploring the foods and supplements that contain them and methods for sticking with your dietary changes.

Let’s get started:

Key Vitamins for Muscle Growth

As you start your workout routine, make a note of the fact that your initial burst of inspiration will only last so long on its own. We get excited when we make positive life changes, and that excitement can push us through the first few workouts.

After a while, though, the body starts to adjust to the changes you’re putting it through. You’re using a lot more energy than normal as you’re working out, and your body has to work overtime to repair the tissue you’re exercising.

That’s why so many people crash and give up. A successful routine requires that you make the necessary changes to your diet. That means learning more about nutrition and pinpointing the areas that you need to support your diet with supplements.

A basic crash course on dieting for muscle gain will tell you to eat a well-balanced diet that doesn’t skimp on carbs. Additionally, you should be working complete proteins into almost every meal.

Your busy routine might not allow you to carefully prep all of your meals, though. That means you could miss out on vitamins needed for muscles to grow and repair themselves.

Let’s explore some of the vitamin supplements you might need to achieve your goals for bulking up.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 serves a number of purposes in the body. As it relates to bodybuilding, this vitamin helps send oxygen to your muscles as they’re in use. It also contributes to the production of red blood cells.

So, a healthy amount of B12 ensures that your engine is oiled up and running smoothly. If you’re not able to send enough blood to the target muscles, they’ll be more prone to damages and less growth.

Calcium

People who don’t consume animal products might have a hard time getting enough calcium. It can be found in foods like almonds and a number of seeds, though.

Calcium helps the body strengthen bones, but it also helps with contracting muscles and processing energy. Balanced levels of calcium will help you as you’re working out, leading to bigger returns.

Additionally, your bones take on a lot of the stress of weightlifting, so it’s smart to do what you can to make sure that they’re just as strong as your muscles.

Protein

Most of the protein we need should come from our diets. You might have restrictions, however, that prevent you from getting enough complete proteins.

Our bodies absolutely need protein to develop and maintain muscle mass. Protein consists of 13 essential amino acids that work together for our bodies to function properly. Sources of protein that have all 13 acids are called “complete proteins.”

Many sources, however, only have a few of the essential amino acids. That’s why it’s important to take in a few different sources of protein if you’re not consuming meat. Meat almost always contains complete proteins.

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, or you just don’t consume a lot of meat, protein supplements might be a great option for you. You can also boost your protein intake instead of adding carbs to your diet.

More carbs typically lead to more muscle gain, but you can also bulk up by adding protein.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body break down and use carbs for energy as you work out. It’s also a great antioxidant that can support your muscles and cardiovascular system as you strain it with exercise.

It’s also a great immune system booster.

Creatine

Creatine is a great vitamin for muscles. It’s created in your body, so it isn’t found in a lot of foods. Its function is to help send energy to your muscles as you use them.

It helps you perform as you’re working out as well as prompt your body to promote muscle growth. You’ll see results with creatine, and it’s well-known as a very safe supplement.

If your goal is to put on a great deal of muscle and you’re considering chemical supplements that put your body into overdrive, give creatine a shot first. It’s a lot safer than some of the drugs on the market, and it functions naturally to produce excellent results.

Staying On Track With Your Diet

Try to flesh out a plan for your diet before you start your workouts. You’ll begin to feel the drain right when you start exercising, so be sure to prepare your body with all of the healthy fuel it needs to excel.

Examine your diet plan and take a realistic look at what you can expect yourself to do. It might be hard for you to get enough protein in your diet, for example, or you might have a sweet spot for fast food that you’re unsure about.

Order the appropriate supplements after you assess your new diet plan. Additionally, prepare to slip up once or twice. It’s natural to fall back into old habits, but it’s important to get back on your feet and avoid being too hard on yourself.

Once you’re set up on the dietary end, get out to the gym and start putting on muscle!

Need a Little Help with Your Diet?

If you’re new to the whole “healthy eating” thing, don’t worry too much. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help you get in touch with the information and supplements you need to succeed.

Explore our site for more vitamins for muscle growth and ideas on how to stay on track toward your health goals.

october

People choose to begin working with a personal trainer for a range of reasons; whether it is to train towards a specific goal or just for an added dose of motivation and accountability. Of course, you are going to need to put the hard work in to see results, but your personal trainer will equally need to be putting in the work to keep you motivated and keep pushing you to reach the goals you have set. Personal training can sometimes be too expensive for some people, so online personal training or small group training is another alternative. There are so many benefits of personal training, from perfecting your form to nailing your nutrition, but before you begin working with a personal trainer, there are a few things you should know.

Question Your Potential Personal Trainer

The consultation prior to deciding whether you proceed with a personal trainer is so important! This is your opportunity to truly grill them and ask questions to get a sense of who they are and to make sure they will be a right fit for you. Of course, it’s important they ask you questions too so that they understand you, your history and your goals to ensure they can create an effective regime that will bring about results. Here are some great questions you should be asking your trainer:

  • Do you have experience designing a plan for someone with my kind of goals?
  • What is it like to train with you?
  • How easy will you find it to make adjustments to my plan based on changes that may come up?
  • What do you expect of me as the trainee?

Define Your Boundaries 

Always let your personal trainer know what your boundaries are – without a doubt, your trainer is going to push you, but we all have our limits. For example, if you truly hate the feeling of being so out of breath that your chest hurts, let your trainer know this so they can plan movements that will not cause this. The same goes for how much physical contact you deem acceptable; some trainers will help reposition you if your form is not quite correct, but some people can find this invasive. If you would prefer your trainer to not touch you, always let them know this.

Don’t Feel Stuck

Many people begin using a personal trainer and over a few months, or sometimes even weeks, find that they are not clicking with their trainer in the way they would have hoped – or perhaps are finding there are no results being seen. Regardless of your reasons, just because you started with one personal trainer does not mean you are tied in for life. You can always shop around and with a bit more experience under your belt in terms of what you do like and what you don’t, you may be able to find someone better suited to you.

Buying Multiple Sessions is Not a Requirement

Of course, any personal trainer is going to want to sell you as many sessions as possible, but this is where many people find they feel trapped with a trainer; at first things may seem great and you may think you each are well suited to each other, to later find out their training style is not quite what you expected. When you are tied into multiple sessions, it isn’t so each to back out. Always start out with just a couple of sessions before buying any sessions in bulk.

Don’t Tell Your Personal Trainer What They Want to Hear

Honesty is key! It is so important that you prioritize what it is that you actually want, not what you think your personal trainer will expect of you. Many people train not to see any physical changes, but simply to feel stronger and more fit, and that is totally acceptable! Do not feel forced into claiming you have certain goals just because you believe that is what your trainer will want. Being open and communicative with your personal trainer is always best, that way, you will truly be able to work towards your goals or to simply maintain where you are at, if that’s what you wish. 

The same goes for certain movements – do not pretend to enjoy certain things if you really don’t! If you get bored of reps and sets, perhaps timed sets would be more enjoyable for you. Always discuss what you like with your trainer and which things make you feel your best; they can tweak and adapt your plan to best suit you. Think back to one of the first questions we suggested you ask:

  • How easy will you find it to make adjustments to my plan based on changes that may come up?

This question is so relevant as trainers need to be adaptable and flexible to ensure you feel motivated and pushed, while also enjoying what you do!