Is Group Exercise More Efficient Than Solo Exercise?

March 5, 2015 by

Exercise and the effort to get in better shape seems to be getting more and more complicated as the years go by. It seems as though there’s a new article coming out every week that contradicts previous articles and just sows more confusion about the most effective time to exercise, what we should eat while trying to get in shape, and which new diet fad really is the easiest way to lose that winter weight! One of the more recent developments in the world of fitness is group exercise classes and the “tribes” that are created from them. While the “tribe” aspect is really just a clever marketing scheme aimed at small groups of those who are passionate and think similarly when it comes to exercise, they’re becoming more and more of a reality in the exercise world thanks to companies like Soul Cycle and Crossfit.bryan_lockley_workingout

The traditional form of exercise is going to the gym alone and just working out and then leaving. People who work out like this are called lone wolves and they prefer the privacy that comes from working out alone and following your own routine with no regard for what others want to do. While some people say that joining a tribe that exercises in a way you love is the best way to go about losing weight and getting healthy, others think that the lone wolf approach is better because it forces you to rely on yourself and keep yourself motivated.

At the end of the day, people need to figure out the best way to exercise (it is, after all, the reason those articles keep getting written). So which is the most effective form of exercise? Well like so many other questions, it depends on the person and what they’re looking to accomplish. Those who need a group to keep them focused and motivated on exercising should probably find a tribe of like-minded individuals to exercise with. The only caveat is that these tribes are jokingly referred to as cults for a reason; they can be all consuming and take over your life. People who join tribes definitely shouldn’t close themselves off to making friends and taking full part in the activities, but they should also make sure that they don’t become absorbed and change as a person. People who have the motivation and know what to do should probably go the lone wolf route of exercise. There is no need to join a tribe (other than to make friends and have fun) if you have the motivation and know-how to exercise by yourself. The support system isn’t needed and you might not want to workout alongside everyone else if you don’t like the exercise they’re doing. Either way though, as long as you’re exercising and getting healthy then you’re on the right track!

If you’d like to read more, the link is here.

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How to Maximise your Fitness Band

January 28, 2015 by

Fitness bands are becoming a more and more common accessory amongst both people who are in control of their health and those who are looking to start getting healthy and need the extra support. While they all seem to promise results and an easier way to keep track of your fitness and health, people still seem surprised when the weight doesn’t just fall off and when they need to actually put effort into their weight loss efforts. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you maximise your fitness band experience.

  1. Monetary Motivation: One of the best motivators for anyone trying to accomplish anything is money. Everyone loves to make money but people seem to hate losing money even more and so it makes a great motivator for weight loss. People always seem to have issues doing what they know is good for them (like exercise) and so the threat of monetary punishment is frequently enough to help tip the scales in favor of being healthier. There are a number of websites and apps that will create commitment contracts that stipulate how much money you would lose if you don’t meet your daily or weekly goals. Use these to add extra incentive to your health kick!
  2. Don’t Over-Complicate and Accessorize: One of the greatest things about fitness trackers is that they’re so easy and convenient to add to your daily routine. With that in mind, if you over-complicate the addition of your fitness band in your daily routine then you run the risk of making it a much less effective weight loss tool. Keep it simple and make sure that the addition of your band is as natural and seamless as possible to make sure that there are no excuses for using it properly.
  3. Be Realistic: One of the most disheartening things when trying to lose weight is failure or not reaching your goals. Keep it simple and keep those goals reasonable and realistic so that you can reach them and use that pride to further motivate you. Weight loss takes time and so don’t sprint out the gate during what will become a marathon.
  4. Support, support, support: Don’t do this alone. So many fitness bands have websites or apps attached to them that have a large and incredibly supportive community. No one will make fun of you for trying and these groups can be the extra kick you need to help boost your weight loss efforts into overdrive. Use them!

Hopefully these tips will help you use your fitness band better and help your weight loss goals! If you’d like to read more, the link is here.

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2015’s Hottest Fitness Trends

January 2, 2015 by

2014 is dead and gone and with it are all of our failed New Years resolutions and the shame that came with them. 2015 is now here and with it come all of the same resolutions as 2014 but with a side of shame and a possibly some extra inspiration. To help all of those out there looking to lose weight, gain muscle, and get healthy, here are two hot new fitness trends that should help keep the pounds off and your goals in reach! These new trends are less about just gaining muscles and getting ripped and more about overall health and happiness.

BODY WEIGHT TRAINING:

This is the first trend that is picking up steam in the health world for a number of reasons including ease of access. Body weight training means exactly what it sounds like: using your own body as weights and for resistance when it comes to training. While this sort of training has been around for a while, it is getting more and more popular. The use of your own body means that this sort of training is perfect for people who don’t have time to go to the gym or who don’t have equipment. Your body follows you everywhere and so it can be used for training anywhere that’s appropriate. The lack of equipment also means that there is less of a chance for injury because the only weight you’re using is weight you can control. With the ability to workout anywhere and use any number of devices and immobile objects to help you, this training is rightfully getting more and more popular.

FUNCTIONAL TRAINING:

Function training can be seen as a natural and logical progression of body weight training. With less of a focus on muscle mass and more of a focus on posture, breathing, balance, and flexibility, functional training can be used for exercise as well as physical therapy having to do with muscles and joints. This has also become more popular because it is easier and more beneficial for the elderly and they’re taking a renewed interest in their health. People who work at desks are also adopting it to help with posture issues and back problems.

These are just two new exercise trends that are starting to gain steam and there will be so many more as the year progresses. If you’d like to read more, the link is here.

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