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.
What is CrossFit (CF)? In a nut shell it’s performing movements and or exercises under time that are continuously varied from workout to workout. Started in the mid 1990’s, this training system does have value in improving ones fitness level, but the claims made on the CrossFit website are unsubstantiated and untenable.
CF’s upside according to its proponents is being a total-body conditioning workout that is purposefully varied, which inhibits boredom. I think it’s a home run for fitness enthusiasts because the workouts are challenging and competitive. CF’s inherent difficulty, notice I said difficulty not intensity, also benefits the average person because most people do not train hard enough to elicit any measurable result.
Read more: CrossFit
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.
A wellness center is a facility whose primary goals are to promote healthy living in order to prevent disease and illness. These centers are typically run and staffed by a group of physicians, but in some cases, they are staffed by specialists such as acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, and fitness experts.
Wellness centers can be found in a variety of settings from college campuses and hospitals to strip malls. Many corporations contract with wellness centers to provide programs for employees (called corporate wellness programs), and there are also specific programs for seniors, moms-to-be, and children. So the first step in choosing the best wellness center is to determine the type of program you’re looking for. Next, determine your goals, then choose which wellness services you think might help you reach your goals.
If you are not part of a corporate program or any of the groups listed above, you’ll still find plenty of individual programs at just about every wellness center. After you have determined your goals (stress relief, pain relief, fitness, prevention, etc.), seek out centers that address these issues. The types of wellness services offered is not the only factor you should consider. The best wellness centers have a number of things in common including:
-Focus is on patient health
-Active in contributing to the rebirth of health care
-Seek to successfully unite health maintenance, disease prevention and the treatment of acute and chronic conditions through both conventional and the alternative healing arts
-Offer patients a comprehensive treatment regimen
-Provide the best medical advice
-Have multidisciplinary centers offering medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic, physical/occupational therapists, massage therapists and other professionals who work together as a dedicated team to reach an accurate diagnosis
-Have doctors and specialists skilled at designing treatment plans tailored to each individual patient
-Offer cost effective and time saving integrated health care
-Offer a “whole body” healing approach
-Share the philosophy of caring and concern for their patients that provides for a mutual pleasant experience
-Offer convenient hours, ample parking, and little to no waiting
-Employ physicians and staff that make continuing education a priority in order to stay abreast of new developments in patient care
-Keep patients informed of their conditions as well as short and long-term goals
Finding the best wellness center in your city or town will take some work, but in the end you’ll find a center that you feel comfortable with and one that has your best interests and wellness in mind. The best place to begin your search is online. It’s possible to find a local wellness center directory, but directories such as these do not list all of the centers in your area. Many of the wellness centers in the directory pay a fee to have their names listed.
When searching for wellness centers in your area, all you have to do is enter “your city + wellness center” into any search engine. Next, choose 5-10 wellness centers and browse through their websites to find out about services, pricing, and credentials. You can also try typing the name of the center into a review site such as Yelp.com to see what real customers/patients have to say about it.
Many wellness centers offer a free consultation. During this meeting, you can ask any questions that concern you, take a tour of the center, gather additional literature about the staff and services, and examine any credentials that are on display. Keep in mind that professional wellness centers will have this information on display in examining rooms, offices, and studio areas.
If you want to dig a little deeper, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as many wellness centers operate as private practices.
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