“Re-Solve” To Try Something NEW!
March 30, 2009 by Deb · Leave a Comment
By Deb Finnestad, Owner, CrossTrain Fitness 107 E. First St. Ankeny, IA 50021 515-965-3809
We are three months into 2009…..How are you coming on your New Year’s Resolutions? What does Resolution mean anyway?
res·o·lu·tion \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\
1: the act or process of resolving.
As you can see the word resolution is derived from the word “Resolve” which literally means to solve again. And isn’t that exactly what happens? You solve the same problem again and again, year after year?
Are you one of the millions of Americans that has already “fallen off the wagon” by losing motivation, cheating on your diet, skipping workouts, and slipping back into old patterns?
It’s not too late…..you can Re-Commit and Re-focus on your goals!
One of the ways I would recommend that you try to achieve your goals is by getting out of your box and trying something NEW. Maybe you are a runner and you love to run for your workouts, but have you ever tried a weight lifting class? Or maybe you love to lift weights but you have never tried an aerobics’ class. Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing over and over again because it’s comfortable. What would happen if you tried something new? Shake it up a bit!!
Think about it….our bodies are very smart; if we do the same thing over and over again our bodies can adjust and actually stop giving you the results that you are looking for. By adding new things to shake things up we can trick our body into reacting and giving us those results that we want. I recommend doing something for 8-12 weeks and then sit back down and re-plan your goals and again change what you are doing so you continue to reach your goals.
One of the best ways to change things up would be to try Circuit Training. Circuit training has many benefits. One is that is can be done in less than 30 minutes! Time is the number one reason I hear that people don’t workout or stick with their programs. Another benefit is that you are doing several different types of exercises. This will keep you from getting bored with your routine as well as keeping your body changing to help you achieve your goals. Circuit training allows you to do both strength training as well as cardiovascular exercises in one workout, again saving you time and adding variety!
Don’t “Re-Solve” to another year of not reaching your goals. Stay focused,
eat right, train hard, CHANGE things up and Expect Success!
See article in Ankeny Living
http://www.iowalivingmagazines.com/ankeny/pages/pdf/CVA_03AKLVP30.pdf
Information provided by Deb Finnestad, owner, CrossTrain Fitness, 107 E. 1st Ankeny. 515-965-3809
What is the best free ab exercise?
March 27, 2009 by Luke Carlson · 1 Comment
What is the best abdominal exercise? The debate will always be there, but few can argue against the best abdominal exercise being a push-up. We may not feel our abdominals working that hard because we can only percieve so much at a given time. So we only notice our arms and chest having to work so hard. But, if you have ever done a plank you quickly notice how hard the abdominals work in order to stablilize the trunk. Again when we are using our arms and chest to dynamically move the rest of the body up and down our perception of our abdominals having to work is just not that noticeable.
Why the push-up is so far superior to other traditional abdominal exercises is not just because you get a greater ab workout, but because you get an excellent full body workout. Pushups work your chest, arms, upper back, shoulders, the entire core (including the hips and pelvic muscles), the hamstrings, quads and even the muscles of the lower leg. Push-ups require no equipmnent, can be done anywhere and best of all require no cost. Truely, some of the best things in life are free.
Ankeny Gym Class Schedule for March & April
March 26, 2009 by Doug Mitchell · Leave a Comment
We can’t wait to see you at the gym! But if you live outside of the Des Moines Metro area, please consider our online membership options.
Muscles in Motion
This class will focus on “muscle awareness” We will contract muscles while lifting HEAVY weights to achieve more overall benefits. Expect to take your muscles to “overload” in each class and enjoy learning how your can push yourself to your MAX!
This class is great for MEN & WOMEN that want a “traditional” weight lifting experience!
Soul Sweat
This is a dance workout program that enhances coordination, tones your body, increases stamina, and gives you a whole new repertoire of moves for the dance floor! Each movement starts from the CORE and then gradually adds “layers” to connect with your dynamic flow of energy. All that you need to participate is bare feet and the willingness to get down, have fun, and let your SOUL dance up a SWEAT!
Gliding Discs-Total Body Basic
This class offers a unique experience that allows for smooth, fluid, graceful movements using GLIDING DISCS. You will work multiple muscles while engaging CORE stabilization. Get a total body workout with this fun class!
Yogilates®
This amazing program will offer a combination of Pilates exercises that will strengthen abdominals and back muscles, as well as Yoga poses to improve range of motion. Yogilates ® offers the perfect combination of core strength, flexibility and peaceful focus. Class will include scripture and time for quiet reflection which will bring focus to our Heavenly Father.
“On Core-10” will be added to certain classes. This option provides 10 minutes of hard “core” work! Enjoy this option “after class” or to add some intensity to your circuit!