Get Ready for Spring with Cross-Training

Published on February 19, 2012 in Future Fitness Programs & Classes and Healthy Steps for Fitness. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

According to Punxsutawney Phil, Groundhog Day 2012 indicated six more weeks of winter – which is good news, if your fitness program has been hit-or-miss over the holiday season and first of the year. But all too soon, you’ll be shedding bulky winter clothes – and the spring fashions already in stores are sounding a wake-up call to get your program back on track. This could be the perfect time to consider the numerous benefits of cross-training.

Cross-training is the combining of different exercises for different parts of the body that will improve strength, agility, fitness, and power. It usually involves big compound movements where multiple joints are working at once, which elevates the heart rate, giving you a cardiovascular and strength workout at the same time.

Cross-training has long been used by professional athletes. Although the pros have to train specifically for their sports, practicing the same movements over and over again can lead to overuse injuries and even burnout. It can also result in muscular imbalances by overdeveloping the muscles used for their sport while neglecting others. For example, a basketball player may focus on shooting free throws and running drills on the court, but also cross-train with yoga and other strength exercises. This prevents injury and boredom, and develops an all-around fit body.

Exercise in general can strengthen the cardiovascular system, bones, muscles, joints, reduce body fat and improve flexibility, balance and coordination. But if you want to see all of these benefits, you’ll need to start cross-training. What better time to start than now? Check out our 10 excellent cross-training programs, tailored to all levels of fitness, from beginners to advanced. Sign up for the one that’s right for you, and be ready to enjoy the fashions and activities that spring will bring!

Get to the Core of a Good Workout

Published on February 7, 2012 in Future Fitness Programs & Classes and Healthy Steps for Fitness. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

No matter which exercise program you choose to reach and maintain your fitness goals, achieving core strength is essential. In fact, a well-developed core region can help prevent the health issues and mobility limitations typically associated with aging.

So what (or where) is your core? It’s the musculature surrounding the center of the body – just imagine drawing a line circumferentially around yourself, starting at your belly button. Most of the muscles bordering this line are your core muscles.

Building core strength is important because these muscles all work together to stabilize the human body in space and motion. A strong, stable core can help to prevent injuries because stronger muscles supporting the spine, pelvis and shoulder joints can better handle the forces of rotation and compression.

Other benefits of core training include:

  • Reduces risk for low-back pain and injury
  • Improves posture
  • Prevents protrusion of lower abdomen – the “tummy” that can develop in middle age, regardless of your weight
  • Helps improve bowel function and reduces the risk of incontinence, as the pelvic floor muscles are part of the core

Of course, you can get to the core of great core training at any of our Future Fitness locations. Check out our Pilates Reformer program, which provides workouts that can be personalized to meet the needs of all age groups and physical activity levels. Sign up at the front desk for a free demonstration, and start building your core strength today!

 

Weight Training Classes for Every Body at Future Fitness

Published on January 25, 2012 in Future Fitness Programs & Classes. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Not so long ago, weight training was associated only with hardcore body builders. But now, those who pursue a fitness lifestyle – especially Future Fitness members – realize that a wide variety of weight training programs are available to provide specific benefits.

If you want to lose weight or sculpt your body, weight training is essential. While diet and cardiovascular workouts are important, weight training can produce profound changes, including:

• Raise your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories than fat.
• Strengthen bones – which is particularly important for women.
• Make you stronger and increase muscular endurance.
• Help you avoid injuries.
• Improve coordination and balance.
• Increase confidence.

Future Fitness offers eight weight training classes designed to quickly, safely and effectively achieve the results you want. Whether you’re looking to combine a cardiovascular, strength and toning workout, sculpt your body and build core strength or target those glutes and abs, you’ll find it all – and more – with the best trainers, instructors and equipment in the fitness industry! Our classes make weight training fun, exciting and always interesting as you work to build, maintain or reach the next level.

Future Fitness eliminates the pitfalls that often keep people from following through on a weight training program – such as lack of proper instruction by trainers who apply their own regimen to others, regardless of your own goals or level of physical fitness (which can lead to injury) – or lack of access to the appropriate equipment.

So if you’ve been interested in weight training, you’re a member of the right fitness center! And if you’re just visiting this site to see what Future Fitness has to offer, you really owe it to yourself to come to one of our state-of-the-art centers and see it all firsthand. Talk to our trained, experienced instructors, attend a class, and decide which program is best for your personal fitness goal!

Reaching Your Fitness Goals with a Personal Trainer

Published on January 20, 2012 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Personal trainers aren’t just for the privileged few. Everyone can have access to a fitness professional ready to help you reach your fitness goal. Here are six ways in which a personal trainer can benefit you:

  1. Learning proper technique and form. If you’re not doing exercises the right way, it can lead to injury. By watching your form and providing feedback about your limits and strengths, a trainer can show you the right way to work out safely and achieve maximum results.
  2. Efficiency. A personal trainer helps you focus on results and stop wasting your time doing inefficient workouts. A trainer will help you get the results you want in minimum time.
  3. Motivation. If you’re stuck in a workout rut, a trainer can show you new exercises to incorporate into your routine. You’ll be more inspired and look forward to your workout.
  4. Improve skills. If you play a particular sport, a trainer can show you new training techniques that can lead to improving your performance.
  5. Break through plateaus. If you’ve been faithful to your workout routine but can’t seem to break through to the next level, a personal trainer can teach you new exercises designed to help you reach your new goal.
  6. Personalized help for beginners. If you’re just starting a fitness lifestyle, a personal trainer is a valuable resource for showing you the best exercises for an effective routine that will allow you to reach those initial goals and give you the confidence to develop further.

At Future Fitness, of course, we believe that personal training should be just that. Our experienced personal trainers work with people of all ages, at all levels of physical fitness. You’ll get the advice and practical workout routines essential to fitness success. Contact the Future Fitness Center in your area for specials on personal training or click here for more info: Personal Training in South New Jersey.

In Training: How to Create a Fitness Calendar

Published on December 30, 2011 in Healthy Steps for Fitness. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Resolving to shape up and build a better body in 2012? Create a fitness calendar and stick to it! A fitness calendar can help you define your fitness goals, plan your workouts according to your schedule, and help you to fit exercise into your daily routine.

  1. Take a look at how you currently plan your time. Whether you use a calendar on your computer or smart phone or purchase a calendar or planner that you use specifically for fitness, decide where and how you want to schedule your workouts. You may also want to create a separate chart to track things like nutrition, body weight, and inches lost so that you can regularly track your success. You may also want to take a look at some of the online fitness planners that are available to help you reach your fitness goals.
  2. Create a summarized exercise plan. Make sure that you include a variety of workout options including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and exercise programs such as yoga or stretching that can help you improve your flexibility.
  3. Identify the days and times you plan to exercise and block them out on your calendar. Consider your personal workout preferences. Do you like working out in the morning? Or does a time later in the day better fit your daily routine?  Commit yourself to doing your pre-planned workouts each day.
  4. Be sure to vary your workouts. Work on different body parts each day and schedule rest. A good fitness plan should include a balance of stretching, toning, and aerobic activities. Be sure to schedule at least two days of resistance training and three days of cardio exercise. If you need help creating a workout plan, consult with a Future Fitness personal trainer for advice.
  5. Track your success. Whether it’s losing weight, increasing reps, or extending the duration of each workout, create a monthly goal for yourself and note it at the end of each month.
  6. Pat yourself on the back! Rewarding yourself will help make your goals more attainable and ensure that you stick with your new fitness plan. Plan a special day out after meeting your goals, buy yourself a new pair of skinny jeans – choose something that will motivate you to push yourself to finish.