A little food for thought! I recently came across an interesting study, from the American Heart Journal, on the direct impact fitness level and body mass index (BMI) have on blood pressure.
Click here to read and feel free to post comments.
"Want to look better in a bathing suit? Use your (pool) noodle. Turns out, the ubiquitous foam toy (you've probably had backyard "sword" fights with one!) is also an ultra-effective tone-up tool," writes Holly St. Lifer in her most recent article in Self magazine. Titled "Slim in a Splash," the article features a workout I created exclusively for Self utilizing the pool and a noodle.
With the variety of noodle moves featured, you'll look like a synchronized swimmer but feel like a hardcore athlete. The exercises will work your abs, obliques, legs, hips, arms, chest and butt, giving you a full-body workout perfect for the sizzling days of summer.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of gliding over the ice on skates. While you may not be able to go head-to-head with 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, every Olympian starts somewhere.
While it may seem like a fun pastime, figure skating also burns calories. If you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll burn about 640 calories by doing an hour of vigorous ice skating. To calculate your hourly burn rate, multiply 4.25 by your weight in pounds.* The more you add to your continuous loops around the rink, the more calories you burn – throw in a few turns and feet changes, and you’re up to 800 or so calories an hour.
Whether you’re in it to compete or just take on a new challenge, figure skating is a phenomenal workout. “Skating movements come mainly from your legs, butt and back, which will all tone up through skating. You will certainly improve your flexibility through long strides and tighten your core through the balancing act that is figure skating,” Kenny Moir, Director of Figure Skating at Sky Rink, explained to me.
So, put a little chill in your fitness regime and keep yourself active during these exciting Vancouver games.
*Excerpted from The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution. To learn more or to purchase, click here.
Citysearch announced The Sports Center as its 2009 "Best of Citysearch” winner in the “Best Weight Loss Program" category. It’s always a special honor to be acknowledged by New Yorkers and we appreciate this award. Citysearch editors state, "Even if you're in top physical shape, you may find the myriad of exercise options at this mega-gym a little dizzying."
To learn more about the Sports Center and read Citysearch user reviews, please click here.
Everyone knows that consistent exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but many people begin a fitness routine without a proper evaluation. You wouldn’t drive a car that a mechanic hadn’t signed off on, so why would you start pushing your body to new limits without making sure everything under your hood is good to go? Wondering how far, fast and long can you go? Fitness evaluations look at physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, endurance and aerobic capacity. Want to get updates on your health specifics? You will find out your heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight and body composition.
Read more for some more great reasons to get a fitness evaluation before you embark on a workout routine!
The Sports Center is New York City's most inspiring gym. Blog postings by the clubs most accomplished instructors and trainers help members get the most out of their workout. The blog also includes contributors from other staff members at the Sports Center. Please write to us at sportscenter@chelseapiers.com.
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