Even with exercise, long periods spent sedentary are deemed a health risk.

You hit the gym three times a week, walk the dog regularly and park your car far away when you shop...is it enough?  The American College of Sports Medicine recently took a stand and in now saying that our sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to our health. 

What perfect timing, I recently had a conversation with one of my training clients about dealing with injuries.  She works hard in the gym 3-4 days a week and was frustrated with an injury she has been dealing with.  The injury is mostly  likely caused from sitting for long periods of time.  Her frustration stems from the fact that she moves a lot at the gym, more than most.  Then why should she be dealing with these issues?  The answer...she sits for long periods of time the rest of the day...

Below is a link to the article.  Any thoughts on how to incorporate more movement into our everyday lives?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/even-with-exercise-long-periods-spent-sedentary-are-deemed-a-health-risk/2011/07/07/gIQAicwRAI_story.html?wprss=rss_wellness

In their own words - member stories - thanks Ashley!

A culture doesn't just refer to something in a petri dish

Every group of people that comes together for a common cause develops a culture.  You might notice this with your church, school, or other social groups that you are involved in.  We noticed that our club has a culture, we have heard from many of our members that they notice it too. 

We got to thinking about why this is, how did this happen, and how do we define our culture.  We did some research, consulted with our members and decided that our culture has develop over time by a vision that we as owners have and by the personalities of our staff and members.  The culture of the club has evolved through the interactions of our staff with our members and the interactions of members with each other. 

Recently we sat down with our staff and developed Our Core Values that we believe define our club, our staff and our members.  We believe that the culture of our club comes from each of us exemplifying these core values.

Please share with us your experience with a member or staff person exemplifying our Core Values.

"You say potato, I say TABATA..."

I have a confession to make: I'm a cheater.  I've been skimming time from my work outs...I've been shaving minutes off the treadmill.... and those strength routines that used to take me almost an hour?  I don't think I've held a dumbbell for longer than four minutes since the week before last.  I've also been eating like a bear just out of hibernation. 

One last thing: I've lost about a pound, I'm cranking out push ups like I've been away at boot camp, and my jeans fit me right out of the dryer...phew, feels good to get that off my chest!

Ok, so what's going on?  I got bored! I needed something to challenge me, wake my muscles up, and reinvigorate me to stay on track to becoming my fittest self I can be.  I was running out of ideas when I started to hear a buzz from colleagues and fellow fitness buffs surrounding Tabata, a high-intensity interval training program that promises to get its followers shredded in only four minutes a pop. WHAT?!?  Sign  me up!

Named after researcher and creator Izumi Tabata, the traditional work out consists of a 5 minute warm up, 8 intervals of heart-pumping, all-out work (20 seconds on, 10 seconds off), and a 2-5 minute cool down.  During the original study, the participants were elite athletes challenged to significantly increase their VO2max (the maximum volume of oxygen consumed per minute) in as short an amount of time as possible.  Using what we now call Tabata, these already highly-trained athletes increased their VO2max an average of 14% in the 6-week study.  Clearly, there is something to this.

Impressive numbers, but since I'm sharing secrets (we're all friends here, right?) I'll admit that, since I won't be entering the Olympics any time soon, I want to ensure that the work I'm doing has more "noticeable" effects.  I want to burn fat! I want to build muscle! I want to LOOK like I work out.  I'd be willing to bet that the majority of you are with me there, too.  So, the last couple of weeks, I've been conducting my own research using my favorite guinea pig...me! 

I started out applying the rules of Tabata to a total body work out on a night after my last client was trained and my paperwork was done and the last thing I wanted to do was work out (yes, even personal trainers get tired!).  I did some basic body weight exercises and plyometrics and was drenched in sweat and done in less than 20 minutes...total! After that I was hooked, interspersing Tabata in my cardio work and using my own body for resistance. 

Aside from feeling and looking tighter, I've noticed that I'm eating more (but losing fat) most likely due to the proven metabolism revving interval training provides.  I also look forward to my work outs because the intervals keep me engaged.  I don't stress over having to plan everything around work outs since I can fit one in pretty much any time and anywhere. 

I should mention that I am probably having these results because I have been training for a long time and know how to work my body hard and fast in proper form, which leads me to believe that this is a training tool for those who are not new to this.  I would not recommend Tabata as a good starting point unless you have talked to your doctor and will be under the supervision of a certified fitness professional.

If you are interested in Tabata, try it with your personal trainer or sign up for our Look Good Naked boot camp (begins October 11) to get all the fat burning, strength building benefits safely and effectively.  Start "cheating" with Tabata!  It'll be our little secret ...

Anytime Fitness Look Inside | Schleede Family Part 2

Watch as the Schleede family continues to work their way out of a life of bad habits, into a healthy family that thrives on good eating and being active.

Anytime Fitness Look Inside | Misty and Renee Part 2

Watch as Misty Aubin and Renee Semonick continue to work their way out of a life of bad habits, into a healthy family that thrives on good eating and being active.

Can the Schleede family change their lifestyle? See them take the 12 week challenge. | Schleede Family Part 1

Part one: watch as the Schleede family works their way out of a life of bad habits, into a healthy family that thrives on good eating and being active.

Two local families take the COAK pledge. Watch their progress. | Misty and Renee Part 1

Watch as Misty Aubin and Renee Semonick work their way out of a life of bad habits, into a healthy family that thrives on good eating and being active. More to come soon. In the mean time, take the COAK pledge.

Stability Ball Training - Tonight. There are still a couple of spots open.

Wondering how you can improve your results in the gym? Have you thought about using a stability ball? Let us show your how to use this simple tool to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Stability Ball Training
September 21, 5:45-6:45pm

Learn how to use stability balls to improve your balance and core strength.

Free one-hour seminar(s) will provide 8 basic exercises or skills, which will be given to participants on a sheet that they may keep and incorporate into their workout routines. Each seminar is limited to 12 participants. These seminar(s) are open to both Anytime Fitness members and non-members. Participants will also have the opportunity to register for a four-week Advanced Training course for an additional fee.

Please register on the form to the left called "Back To The Basics."

We need your blood!

 Why do we care and think it is so important to give blood?

Just about 8 years ago our first son was born. His due date was January but he was born in September, at only 24 weeks or 4 months premature. He weighed a little more than a can of Coke, could fit in the palm of my hand and was a very sick little boy. We all spent over 4 1/2 months in the hospital doing out best to get him to live and grow. In the course of that time in the hospital, Hayden required countless blood transfusions to keep him alive, as did so many of those babies in the NICU. Giving blood is SO important. It only takes a little of your time and can be so beneficial to so many people.

We need your help to make our blood drive successful. Please register now to give blood. It is so easy. Just click the link below to sign up. Then come with your ID and give blood. Be a hero and be proud of how many people's lives you just saved. Do something important this month. Give the gift of life. Give blood.

The American Red Cross has an URGENT need for blood. Anytime Fitness St. Paul is sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red Cross that is OPEN TO EVERYONE (members and non-members).

Where: 1682 Suburban Ave, St. Paul, MN
When: Friday, September 24th
Time: 2:00pm - 7:00pm

To schedule your blood donation please call Kelly @ 651-291-4685 or - click here - to register online.

Please bring your driver's license or donor ID.

Hayden is now a rambunctious, almost, eight year old. We can't imagine our lives without him. And we came so close, so many times, to not having him with us. We are so thankful to all those people that gave blood and saved our son's life. We will never forget it.

To all of those that have given blood in the past, thank you! To all of those that have registered already, thank you! To all of those that are going to register now, thank you! The results of a small action like giving blood can be so trememdous to so many individuals and families.

Update on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 1:46PM by Jason Wittwer

A big thank you to everyone that participated in our blood drive. It was a big success! We feel very fortunate to have such awesome members, staff and friends. If you wanted to donate blood to the Red Cross but didn't have a chance, don't worry we hope to do another blood drive again soon. Check back for more details.