It’s a beautiful day, do you choose to exercise outdoors or at the gym? Although the outdoor choice may be tempting, working out indoors can actually offer several benefits. Check out the top 8 benefits listed below.

1. Temperature control: Working out indoors allows you to control the temperature and create a comfortable environment. You can adjust the air conditioning or use fans to keep yourself cool, which can be particularly important during hot summer days.

2. Protection from extreme weather: Summer often brings high temperatures, humidity, and intense sunlight, which can make outdoor workouts uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Exercising indoors protects you from heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and dehydration.

3. Reduced sun exposure: While sunlight is essential for vitamin D synthesis, excessive exposure during intense summer hours can lead to sunburns, skin damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Exercising indoors allows you to avoid prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays.

4. Allergy management: For individuals prone to seasonal allergies, exercising indoors can be a relief. Indoor spaces typically have filtered air that reduces the presence of allergens like pollen, dust, and mold, making workouts more comfortable and less likely to trigger allergy symptoms.

5. Convenience and flexibility: Indoor exercise facilities, like Star Fitness, offers a wide range of equipment and amenities. You can easily access treadmills, stationary bikes, weights, and other equipment, enabling you to have a diverse and well-rounded workout routine.

6. Privacy and focus: Indoor workouts provide a level of privacy that outdoor exercises may not offer. This can be particularly beneficial if you prefer to exercise without distractions or feel more self-conscious in public settings. Indoor environments allow you to focus solely on your workout goals.

7. Access to structured classes and programs: Here at Star Fitness we offer structured classes and programs led by professional trainers. These can include activities like indoor cycling, yoga, dance, strength training, or HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). Participating in these classes can help you stay motivated, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

8. Safety and reduced injury risk: Exercising indoors minimizes the risk of accidents or injuries associated with outdoor activities, such as uneven terrain, traffic, or unpredictable weather conditions. Indoor environments often provide cushioned floors, proper lighting, and well-maintained equipment, ensuring a safer exercise experience.

While outdoor workouts have their own advantages, exercising indoors during the summer can be a practical and enjoyable alternative that allows you to maintain a consistent fitness routine while mitigating the challenges associated with extreme weather.

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Just as you wouldn’t put low-quality gasoline in a luxury car, you need to make sure the fuel (aka food) you’re putting in your body can help it perform at optimal levels. What you eat before and after your workouts can be the difference between reaching your goals and falling up short.

Pre-workout:

There are certain foods you should eat before working out that will assist in your body being more prepared for the task. These foods are known for being the perfect balance of fats, carbs, and protein.  They can fuel your body, stave off hunger, fight fatigue, and even aid recovery. 

Carbs and Protein: The ideal combo would be carbs that break down quickly and are used as fuel during your workout while eating protein which is stored a little longer and is used to prevent muscle damage, so it really is a perfect pairing.

If you are a bodybuilder, you’re trying to stay lean and build plenty of muscle. Eating a small meal about an hour before your workout is ideal. Your small meal should be made up of equal parts lean protein and carbs. But for overall energy make sure you’re providing your body with complex carbohydrates that will help fuel your workout.

Here are a few pre-workout suggestions

• Fruit smoothies.
• Yogurt parfaits with granola and fruit.
• Bananas.
• Oats.
• Whole grain bread with a couple of slices of lean meat.
• Chicken with rice and vegetables.
• Apples with peanut butter and raisins.
• Greek yogurt.

Pre-workout:

On the other hand,  a post-workout snack is just as important. Skipping a snack can increase your level of fatigue and inhibit your body’s repair and recovery processes. It can also decrease your performance the next time you exercise. Here is what you need and why.

High-quality protein should be consumed afterward to build and repair muscle tissue that was broken down while working out. You should shoot for 10 to 20 grams of protein. 

High-antioxidant food is needed to protect your cells from exercise-induced damage.

Here are a few pre-workout suggestions

• Oats, Greek yogurt, fruit.
• Eggs, spinach, and potatoes.
• Meat, rice, vegetables.
• Smoothie with berries, avocado or nut butter, and protein powder.
• Greek yogurt, fruit, and grain-free granola.
• A protein shake made with two bananas, whey protein powder, and whole milk.

However, not all workouts require the same post work out refuel:

Exercisers who train two to three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes can easily recover by having their usual balanced meal that contains carbs, and protein.  

Those who spend 60 to 70 minutes working out at a higher intensity might benefit from a 200-calorie snack consisting of carbs and protein before their main meal.

Regardless of your workout routines, a pre and post-workout meal will contribute you a healthier happy you.  Have questions about your routine or workout?  We have answers! Stop by our front desk and we will be glad to let you speak with a trainer who can help.

Read more about Post work out meals and tips at Forbes Health

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Muscle soreness is extremely common for fitness enthusiasts. It can even prohibit fitness beginners from continuing with their goals. 

According to Lauren Murray, health fitness coordinator and personal trainer at Houston Methodist. “If your goal is to challenge your muscles — which it should be regardless of your age or gender — muscle soreness can’t be prevented. But the good news is that there are ways to lessen the severity of the soreness you experience.”

Let’s look at 5 of those ways to help lessen the soreness. 

Continue Moving:

This is probably not what you want to hear, but if it is just sore muscles and not an injury the best thing to do is continue to move and push through the pain. You may want to hold back and not push yourself to your full potential but get back to the gym and move.

Pain Relievers

Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications may help with the discomfort. It will not treat the sore muscles but may help you feel better as the muscles recover.  But take note these types of medications can cause stomach upset. So read the directions ad only take as directed.

Heat Therapy

Applying heat immediately after exercising can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. Studies have found that while both dry and moist heat helped with the pain, moist heat was shown to offer even more pain reduction. You may want to try warm damp towels, moist heating pads, or a warm bath.

Dynamic Stretching

Not all stretching is created equally.  Static stretching involves stretching a muscle to the point of minimal discomfort and holding it for a period of time. Which may actually inhibit muscular performance.  So instead studies have shown that dynamic stretching is much better for you. Such as repeatedly moving your muscles and joints like walking, lunges, and arm circles. Dynamic stretching prepares your body for a workout by increasing your heart rate, improving blood flow, and improving your flexibility.

Workout Recovery 

If you are experiencing muscle soreness you may want to spend time in your gym’s workout recovery room. Instead of giving in to the sore muscles and staying on your sofa, go in for a light workout and take advantage of the gym’s recovery room before and after the visit.  Then always make the gym’s recovery room a part of your workout routine to assist in future muscular soreness. 

If your gym does not have a workout recovery room then you need to consider joining a gym like www.starfitness.com that offers a recovery room along with many other amenities.  Call today to experience the STAR FITNESS DIFFERENCE!

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Most of us think that the holidays are the perfect time to break our routines and take time off from the gym.  Don’t get me wrong a little R&R is good for the soul, it can rejuvenate and help us become even more determined in our quest for a healthy lifestyle.  But we should not devote ourselves to a total derail like sleeping in, eating and drinking more, and basically becoming a holiday couch potato.  Here are a few reasons why we believe you should not fall into the holiday trap.  

Breaking Routine

We all have a tendency to never go back when we break our routines.  So instead of not going to the gym at all during the holidays try shortening your work out or instead of 3 classes a week opt for 2. 

Holiday Stress

We all know the holidays can be super stressful, so what better way of combating the extra stress than a good workout before the inlaws arrive? According to the American Psychological Association exercise is the perfect antidote for stress. 

More Energy

Keeping up with a busy holiday schedule can be exhausting.  The first thing we usually consider cutting out of the schedule is, our gym time. But according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing, that should be the last activity to remove from the holiday calendar. This blog describes how exercise actually increases our energy and what better time is there to get an energy boost.  

Mood Booster

Not everyone finds the holidays particularly joyful. In fact, for those who have recently lost family members, have split with a partner, or those already struggling with loneliness, the holidays can be extra painful. Therefore exercise during the holidays can become an instant mood booster.  Plus just being around other people who are also in the gym can put a smile on your face as well. 

Holiday Weight Gain

No one wants to turn down all those amazing holiday treats. But we also don’t want to step on the scales in January to realize we just gain 15 pounds. Exercise can combat this risk by burning calories, and by maintaining muscle mass which sustains metabolic rate. So if we continue to work out we can eat drink and be merry without all the extra stress of weight gain. 

If you feel you need help staying on track over the holidays stop by our desk and let us help by finding you a holiday accountability workout partner.  As we all know, we are in this together! 

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Last month we looked at 4 of the top 2022 Fitness trends: Personal Trainers, Wearable Technology, Group Workouts, and Yoga. To learn more about these visit https://www.starfitnesstn.com/2022-fitness-trends/

This month we are going to learn about 4 other trends that have taken gyms by storm in 2022. So let’s dive in. 

1. High-Intensity Workouts

You may be familiar with the term High-Intensity Interval Training. More and more people are jumping in on this regime, and it can be highly effective.  As a participant, you perform several high-intensity workouts with short intervals of low-intensity sessions. This is a great program choice for someone who wants to get in share quickly.

2. Senior Fitness

Senior citizens are becoming more health-conscious and in tune with their overall fitness needs.  This has led to people living longer healthier lives, and it has created the need for specific workout programs geared toward this age group. Here at star2.devarea.me we recommend the Silver Sneakers program and we offer additional support through other classes such as yoga.  Take a look at our up coming classes and join in. 

3. Bodyweight Training

Bodyweight training is a regiment that assists you in getting into shape through the use of your own body. This is done by implementing exercises like the plank, push-ups, and other similar activities. Because these exercises are only based on your body weight, they generally don’t require any equipment. But it is safer if this form of exercise is done in a gym setting with a safe surface workout area.

4. Medical Exercise

Exercise is now becoming one of the more prescribed forms of treatment for patients who are experiencing a range of disorders. Physiotherapy is growing incredibly popular, and people are constantly being told to engage in some form of exercise to maintain good health. This is something that is essential, even for those who aren’t facing any immediate medical conditions.

As we begin to wrap up 2022 we are already looking ahead to 2023.  Whatever the trends, Star Fitness will keep you informed and be ready to provide you with all the latest classes and equipment. If you have any questions about these trends or any other fitness questions contact us https://www.starfitnesstn.com/contact/

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Fitness and its importance to our health have exploded in the past few years. People are realizing that if they want to live a healthy and strong life they need to exercise regularly. With the newfound awareness, we are seeing new or improved fitness trends. These trends have assisted people with everything from staying on track to developing a better workout.

Here are a few of the most notable 2022 trends.

1. Personal Trainers

The fitness industry is demanding more and more personal trainers and over the past few years, there has been a spike in certified professional trainer certifications. Most people are opting for individual training sessions because of the personalized fitness regime that they can implement. Which in turn allows for better results from their workout routine.

2. Wearable Technology

We see the wrist gadgets on our arms everywhere we go. Wearables, as they are referred to now, provide valuable data for those who are serious about their progress and workouts, and there is an option out there for everyone. According to Split Fit fitness technology is an excellent way to measure, track, record, analyze and keep us motivated. But these are only tools. The important ingredient will always be the wearer. Wearables do not determine our health and fitness level, they simply offer a way to help us see the tangible effects of our exercise.

3. Group Workouts

When we are at the gym we don’t see as many long rangers as we use to because 2022 has ushered in the trend of group workouts. Just like personal training, group training sessions hold you accountable for turning up and putting 100% effort into your workout. Combining group training sessions into your weekly workout routine can give you a structured foundation. A couple of other benefits are; people are keeping an eye on each other which offers a safer environment that can lead to fewer injuries and your group can evolve into a support group of friends.

4. Yoga

Yoga has become one of the fastest-growing wellness practices in the past decade and has even more popular in the last two years. According to Yoga Earth, worldwide approximately 300 million people regularly practice yoga. Approximately 36 million Americans practice yoga regularly. In the past 5 years alone, yoga practitioners in the U.S have increased by over 50%. You may have noticed the trend of yoga stations in mainstream fitness centers. This is because doing yoga after a strenuous workout has been found to be extremely beneficial. Yoga is a great recovery tool as it can stretch out your overworked muscles, while also aiding in bringing your heart rate down to a normal rhythm. So grab your mat and give it a try.

If you are looking for a personal trainer, group workouts, or yoga info, stop by our front desk or give us a call at 423.543.6730 and we will be glad to answer all your questions. Also, follow along with us next month as we will be exploring other 2022 Fitness Trends.

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One of the most important elements of performance and exercise is the recovery stage and it’s also one of the hardest things to do! According to ACE, recovery is the most important part of any person’s program. Taking time to recharge your body can be challenging mentally but has significant physical benefits.

Body stress

Then you are exercising you are exposing your body to stress. Different exercises induce different stress to different parts of the body. Once the body has been under these stressors it needs time to recover. Neglecting the recovery stage can lead to injuries. Therefore after every exercise, there should be a built-in time for recovery.

Recovery leads to better performance

The whole purpose of recovery in exercise is to allow your muscles to repair themselves and to engage muscles sore from your workout. There are also different things that you can do during the recovery stage to help move the process along and come out ready to perform better than in your pre-rest stage.

Keep in mind that just because you’re done building a sweat doesn’t mean that your workout is finished. What you do in the hour after you end the activity can be as important as what you do during it.

Here are a few recovery techniques that will ensure great results.

Stretching:

Take between 5-10 mins to transition to a resting state. This will assist with built-up muscle tension.

Hydrate:

During your workout, you have drained your body’s reserve of water. Hydration can lead to muscle cramps, headaches, and fatigue. Learn more about hydration by visiting https://www.starfitnesstn.com/blog/june.html

Massages:

Not everyone has the opportunity to get a massage after a workout. But using a handheld massage gun or setting in a therapeutic massage chair helps to loosen up muscles, increase oxygen and blood flow into muscles, remove lactic acid buildup (which is what makes you sore), and deliver nutrients from your body to your muscle.

Sauna:

Spending a few minutes in a sauna after your workout relaxes the mind and muscles while releasing endorphins. The high heat of a sauna also increases blood circulation which also helps to remove lactic acid that causes soreness.

It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or advanced in your workout regime, you need to take time to recover. It will benefit your performance in significant ways down the road. Also neglecting the recovery stage can lead to injuries. Different recovery technics work for different people, so experiment and determine what’s best for your body. You can also consult one of our team members here at Star Fitness. Most importantly, take time to recover.

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So a gym membership is like a relationship. First, you begin by choosing the right person or in this case gym. But if you don’t give the relationship the attention it needs then both can be a lot of money and time wasted. Just like a relationship the gym is no different, as one usually only receives back in return the same quality of investment.

We can’t help you with your personal relationships but we can help direct you on how to choose a gym. Check out these 6 suggestions:

1. Environment: Look around! You hope to be spending a lot of time in this environment. Do you feel comfortable? Is the gym spacious or does it feel crowded? Is it clean? Are the bathrooms clean? Does it smell bad? It doesn’t matter if they are the least expensive gym closest to you. If it’s not a nice environment you won’t be happy.
2. Equipment: Are there ample machines for the number of members? Is the equipment old or broken? Take Star Fitness, for example, they have installed brand new top-of-the-line Arsenal Strength Equipment. So you want to make sure your gym is investing and making your experience the best it can be.
3. Features: Make sure your gym has everything you want to participate in— fitness classes, specific machines or equipment, personal training, tanning, yoga, etc.
4. Family Friendly: Will your family be joining you? If so, make sure you find the right gym for your family’s needs. Ask questions, and bring the spouse and kids along for a tour. Like you, if they don’t feel comfortable they will not use the facility.
5. Hours: This is an obvious one, but often overlooked by many of us, assuming that most gyms are open all hours of the day. Double-check to make sure the gym is available for the times and days you want to work out.
6. Fitness Goals: Communicate your goals to the gym, and let them know what you are hoping to get out of your time and commitment. They are there to help you succeed.

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So we hear it everywhere we turn… ” drink more water.” Every wonder why this seems to be so important? According to www.hsph.harvard.edu Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.

Experts recommend drinking roughly 11 cups of water per day for the average woman and 16 for men. And not all of those cups have to come from plain water; for example, some can come from water flavored with fruit or vegetables (lemons, berries, or orange or cucumber slices), or from coffee or tea.

Now let’s examine why we need to especially hydrate while exercising. Most doctors will tell you whether you’re a serious athlete or simply exercising for recreation, it’s important to stay hydrated. If you’re not hydrated, your body can’t perform at its highest level. You may feel tired, have muscle cramps, dizziness, or other serious symptoms.

The American Council on Exercise has suggested the following basic guidelines for drinking water before, during, and after exercise:

• Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water 2 to 3 hours before you start exercising.
• Drink 8 ounces of water 20 to 30 minutes before you start exercising or during your warm-up.
• Drink 7 to 10 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise.
• Drink 8 ounces of water no more than 30 minutes after you exercise.

Good hydration means getting the right amount of water before, during, and after exercise. So the next time you head to the Gym keeps this in mind and bring that water bottle along.

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Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? I have joined a gym but I’m not going regularly. I need to go work out but it’s boring. I’m just not motivated. If you feel any of these emotions when it comes to going to a gym then you are like most people. You may not need anything but a friend who is committed to joining you on your fitness journey.

According to Runtastic.com, more than 40% of participants drop a fitness course shortly after it begins if they attend on their own? But if they work out with a friend, the dropout rate decreases to 6%.

Besides the obvious health benefits of working out with a buddy, there are many other advantages as well. Here are just a few…

Social Connection
When two or more people work together for a common goal they create a unity, a bond of sorts. When you and your partner achieve goals you celebrate together. It’s also nice to have someone to give you a few words of encouragement when you are experiencing an off day.

More Adventurous
It’s easier to try new things if you have someone to do it with you. You may just find an activity you love, turning your workout into a fun activity and less like a workout.

Less Stress
We rely on our friends and family when we go through stressful times. But did you know that having a gym partner may also help alleviate stress in exercise environments? In a small study published in November 2017 in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, group exercise participants reported a 26.2 percent reduction in perceived stress levels, which was more than study participants who exercised on their own.

Safer
When you have a friend working out with you it’s like having a safety net. If you are lifting weights they can be your spotter. Or maybe they notice you are using the wrong technique and correct you before an injury to yourself. You may just need someone there who can hand your water bottle to you. But they are there for you and you are there for them.

Evaluate your gym routine. Do you think you could use a friend or partner to come along beside you in your quest for a healthier life? If so, consider your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Find someone who is as committed as you and begin a journey to a better life together.

As always we are here to help. https://www.starfitnesstn.com/

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