The economy has affected everyone’s life in every aspect including working out.
Trends depend on many factors, said the survey’s lead author, Walt Thompson. Take Pilates, which dropped off the survey’s list from No. 9 last year. Thompson believes the economy made Pilates equipment and specialized instructors too expensive for clubs to maintain. He’s not sure if Pilates will make a return to the top 20, but he doesn’t expect a few of this year’s trends to stick around long.
Pilates is an exercise system that stretches, strengthens, and tones the muscles. It can also help you lose weight. Created by German-born Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s, Pilates is performed on a mat or a specially designed piece of equipment called a “Pilates Reformer.” Using a Pilates reformer requires the assistance of a Pilates instructor, so some sessions are one on one, while others are made up of small groups.
Pilates mat exercises can also be performed one on one, but mat exercises are typically performed in a classroom setting, with many participants. While Pilates machines offer more back and neck support and they help maintain correct posture, some people may prefer Pilates mat because it’s more affordable.
If you’re interested in Pilates mat, there are several things to consider during your search for the best class. You should consider environment, certification, and years of experience.
Environment is important for several reasons. Pilates studios typically have more space, better equipment and more of it, more sessions and classes, and instructors with more experience than the Pilates classes offered at your local YMCA or Bally’s. A Pilates studio’s main focus is Pilates, so all time, funds, and effort go into recruiting the best talent, purchasing and maintaining the best equipment, and making improvements based on client feedback. The community is smaller in a studio setting, which also makes the experience more personal.
Certification is required to teach Pilates at a studio or in a health club setting. The instructors at any given facility must be certified by a program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Any health club or Pilates studio will be more than happy to provide credentials, but you can also check with the NCCA.
Experience typically means at least two years in the industry working for a health club or Pilates studio. Many studios prefer more experience, so you will likely find Pilates instructors with 5-7 years of experience, sometimes more. Some health clubs will accept a Pilates instructor with a year or two of experience, while upscale health clubs may require more.
You don’t have to settle on a Pilates class based on high pressure sales tactics, so don’t feel obligated to sign on the dotted line until you’ve visited at least three Pilates studios and/or classes. Most Pilates studios will give you a free tour, answer any questions you may have, and they may even let you audit a class. Health clubs might be willing to do the same. Many offer free passes, which will give you an opportunity to try a class without further obligation.
A cardiovascular specialist specializes in issues related to the cardiovascular system, which is made up of the heart and circulatory system. Some cardiovascular specialists (also “vascular” specialists) work with patients that have existing conditions, while others focus on diagnosis and treatment. Still, some work in adult or pediatric treatment and others work with specific issues such as transplants, defibrillators or artificial hearts. Some vascular specialists work in all areas of vascular health from prevention to treatment.
There are several ways to locate a vascular specialist that deals with your particular condition. You can talk to your family physician who will give you several referrals. Ask your doctor how long he’s worked with the specialists on his list and which ones he highly recommends. Other ways to locate a vascular specialist include contacting a few local hospitals for a referral list, checking with your health insurance provider and using resources provided by professional groups. These include:
·The Society of Interventional Radiology
·The Society for Vascular Surgery
·The Society for Vascular Medicine
The Society of Interventional Radiology allows users to search for doctors by specialty using the sites “Doctor Finder.” The Society for Vascular Surgery of the American Vascular Association has a “Find a Vascular Specialist” feature that allows users to search by state, country and/or name. The Society for Vascular Medicine “Physician Finder” allows users to search for vascular specialists by state.
For information about cardiovascular health, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
Most quick weight loss programs last a few days up to a maximum of two weeks. In either case, the duration of most quick weight loss diets is not long enough to do any permanent damage. If you remain on the diet longer than two weeks, however, you may develop nutritional deficiencies. Most quick weight loss programs are not balanced, so they can never satisfy all of your nutritional needs.
Quick weight loss programs focus on one or two types of foods and eliminate the rest. According to the American Heart Association, no one type of food has all the nutrients you need for good health. Take the cabbage soup diet for instance. Although the diet also includes fruit and other vegetables, it eliminates protein on most days. One day even calls for eating only bananas and skimmed milk.
Cabbage is packed with vitamin K and C, as well as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acids. You can get plenty of nutrients from cabbage but it lacks vitamin E, protein, carbs, and calories—all things the body needs for optimal functioning. You will lose large amounts of weight on the cabbage soup diet if you can last 2 weeks, but continue beyond the 2-week period and you will also lose energy and muscle, and your body will be missing out on the other vital vitamins and nutrients it needs to survive.
Quick weight loss diets like the cabbage soup diet are not designed to be a permanent weight loss solution. The cabbage soup diet is used to prepare overweight heart patients for surgery. During the seven days before surgery, patients typically lose 10-17 pounds. Keep in mind that most of the weight loss during the initial stages of any diet is usually only water weight.
Other quick weight loss diets or extreme low-calorie diets are used to help ease symptoms from certain conditions or jump start weight loss for overweight or obese patients. These programs are carefully monitored by physicians. This means patients are usually given prescription grade supplements to make up for vitamin and nutrient loss.
Scarsdale Diet fans might point to this diet and say that it’s balanced because it includes foods from all major food groups, but there’s only one problem–weight loss occurs at a average of 1-1.25 pounds per day, so this is also a quick weight loss diet. The rapid weight loss occurs as a result of severe calorie restriction. The diet averages around 800-1,000 calories per day. Because each individual’s calorie needs are different (even a 2-3 year old child requires 1,000+ calories per day for good health), 800-1,000 calories per day isn’t sufficient for the average adult. Remember, healthy weight loss occurs at a rate of 1-2 pounds per week, and calorie needs are based on age, height, weight, build, activity level, and any medical conditions.
The good news about quick weight loss programs is, they definitely work short-term. So if you plan to take a trip to a tropical island and you want to be bikini ready, or you want to slim down for a college reunion, or you’re getting married and want to look slim and trim in your wedding gown, a quick weight loss program might a temporary solution. If you need or want to lose weight, but you also want to keep it off permanently, a quick weight loss program just won’t work. Unfortunately, as soon as the diet ends, the weight will return.
Everyone picks the beginning of the year for their new year’s resolutions, and they usually involve working out and getting back in shape. Now that the weather is getting better and spring is about to start, you’re going to start seeing more people outside and coming out of hibernation. So, have you gotten off to a good start with your new workout and fitness plans? Take a look in the mirror and see if you’re anywhere close to achieving your goals. Are you putting in the time? Have you put together a plan? And have you been watching your diet and taking advantage of sports supplements to maximize results? Supplements like protein powder and whey protein can make a huge difference.
If you haven’t created a plan yet, search the workout tips on this site in order to help you craft a plan that will help you achieve your goals.
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