Ice or Heat?

It’s the classic question.  Something hurts, should I ice it or heat it? Here are some simple ideas to keep in mind to help you make the right choice. If it is a ‘new’ or sudden injury, you will want to ice. If you are treating a long standing injury and or trying to warm up your muscles before your workout/race/game you will want to heat. ICE Ice constricts the blood cells around the damaged area and reduces the flow/amount of blood to the injured muscle. HEAT Heat dilates the blood cells around the damaged area and increases the flow/amount of

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Exercising In The Summer Heat

Exercising in the summer heat

Working out is challenging enough, but working out in the summer heat can be hazardous unless you follow a couple of basic precautions. Workout Early: Working out early in the morning or before the afternoon sun can greatly reduce the risk of overheating as the sun has not yet peaked. Stay Hydrated: Staying properly hydrated throughout the day is always a challenge but it becomes a matter of life and death when we are being active in the hot sun for an extended period of time! Water is good but an electrolyte solution like Gatorade or Pedialyte is better as

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9 Foods To Help You Get Through Your Workout

9 foods to help you get through your workout

It’s quite simple, if you don’t have any fuel in the tank then your workout will suffer.  If you come to the gym at 6pm and the last thing you ate was a salad at 1pm your workout will suffer and you will be more susceptible to injury. Pre-exercise meals should be mainly composed of "slow-burning" complex carbs, such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, rice, pasta, and cereals. Given that they are your body's main source of energy, 65% to 70% of the total calories of your pre-workout meal should come from carbs. Complex carbs take longer to convert to

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Cold Shower Benefits for Your Health

Benefits of a Cold Shower

Cold showers are any showers with a water temperature below 70°F. They may have health benefits. Water therapy (also called hydrotherapy) has been used for centuries to take advantage of our body’s tendency to adapt to harsher conditions. As a result, our bodies become more resistant to stress. Increases endorphins Depression affects at least 10 percent of American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many drugs treat depression, depending on the severity or duration of symptoms. One holistic method of treatment that’s gaining popularity is hydrotherapy. Taking a cold shower for up to 5 minutes, 2

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What to pack in your gym bag

Finding the motivation and time to get to the gym can be challenging enough, but arriving only to discover that you forgot something is a total bummer! The best way to avoid this is to organize your gear and pack your gym bag the night before. Trying to pack everything you need while rushing out of the house in the morning is a total waste of time and a practice that is bound to result in a forgotten pair of socks, yoga mat, or protein bar. Organizing your gym bag before you head to the gym is a great practice

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Fitness Tip of the Week: Maximize Your Cardio Training

cardio training

Cardio is an important part of your overall fitness plan. It offers several important benefits—burning calories, decreasing body fat, strengthening your heart and building endurance. But despite all these benefits, far too many people waste their time and don’t maximize their cardio training in the gym. Try these tips to help you get the most out of your time when you use common cardio machines such as the elliptical machine, Stairmaster, treadmill and bike. (more…)

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Fitness Tip of the Week: When to Cut Some Slack In the Gym

cut some slack

We are inundated—especially in the fitness world and throughout social media—with images of near-perfect bodies, intense workout plans and the latest fitness trends. And while these messages and images can be motivating and positive, they also can make it difficult for us to take a break or a step back from our normal fitness routine. (more…)

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