Mardi Gras Parade!

If you've been in the gym lately you've probably seen the signs. Anytime Fitness will have an entry in the first ever Bishop Arts District Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 22nd! If you want to walk with us, just come in the gym and sign up or email us. The first 20 people to sign up will receive a free Anytime Fitness t-shirt and throw beads to toss to the crowd! The parade route is from Methodist Hospital to Hunky's, so you'll get at least a mile of walking in, too. What a great way to promote fitness to the community and do something fun with your friends!

Let's Celebrate!

I'd like to invite you to join us on Tuesday, Jan. 20th from 5:30 - 7:30 in the multipurpose room at Anytime Fitness. There we're having a "Member Appreciation Party" to celebrate YOU and one year in business! We'll have Eno's pizza, other snacks and drinks, free samples, and plenty of other giveaways. Come meet the staff, our trainers, and other members. I look forward to seeing you there!

High Intensity Interval Training

Yesterday I saw a member resting on the couch, so I asked her how she was doing. She had just finished a "HIIT" workout, so needless to say, she was fatigued. If you read magazines or fitness articles on the web, chances are you've heard about HIIT, or high intensity interval training. Maybe, just maybe, you've even given it a try. If so, you know how challenging and rewarding this type of training can be.

So what is HIIT? In general, interval training is the opposite of the steady state cardio so many people do on machines or out on a jog. It's pushing yourself INTENSELY for short bursts, following those with recovery periods in a ratio of 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, or if you're a super stud, 1:1. This type of training has several benefits: it increases your VO2Max (amount of oxygen you can utilize during exercise), it puts your metabolism into overdrive, thereby burning more calories after the workout, and it doesn't take long to get a productive workout.

I suggest integrating 2-3 interval workouts per week into your schedule. They don't have to be long. Try 15-30 seconds of an intense pace followed by a 2 minute recovery period at a slower pace. Repeat 6 - 10 times. Another day, try a 45-60 second surge followed by a 2 minute recovery. You can do this on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike.

There's lots of info about HIIT on the web, but I actually happened across a good article http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_100/135_fitness_tip.html. Check it out if you'd like more information.

Been Talking to Yourself?

Have you been talking to yourself lately? Chances are, you have, but you just don't realize it. Well, it's time to listen up because that subconscious voice is very powerful! If you're like most of us, you beat yourself up for your shortcomings and mistakes - often before you even make them. By telling yourself you're not good enough or your chances of success are slim, you're just setting yourself up for failure. Why not replace those "voices" with postive self-talk that positions you for success? First you have to become aware of what you say to yourself and then consciously replace those thoughts with something positive. Phrase these thoughts in the present or the future. ("I feel great and will finish this workout." "I am prepared and make wise decisions.") When I used to attend Monday staff meetings that would get me a little worked up, my mantra was "I am calm and confident." I'd say this over and over again in my head as I got ready for work that day, drove to the office, and walked confidently into the conference room. It really seemed to help. Anyway, the basic idea is that training your mind is as important as training your body. Fuel your mind with positive self-talk as you pursue your 2009 goals!

YOGA Anyone?

Have you ever tried yoga? If not, I recommend giving it a shot. You never know - you may end up loving it or it may be just what your body needs. Over the past few months, I've been doing a dvd occassionally at home just to get a feel for it. Eventually I decided to venture out and take a class. Needless to say, the class was much more challenging than the dvd I have, and I loved it! I felt like it was strengthening my muscles in an entirely different way than the traditional weight lifting workouts I do. It was also great for flexibility, which is something I often (okay, ALWAYS) neglect. Anyway, starting Mon., Jan. 5th, Jeff Chandler will lead a weekly yoga class at Anytime Fitness on Mondays at 6 p.m. Your first class is free, so why not give it a try?

What's on your mind?

Hey, is anyone out there? If so, I'd like to hear what's on your mind. Want to talk about staying sane during the holidays? Need a new workout idea? A low-fat recipe? I want to hear from you.

If you're still having trouble finding the right present for your friends, how about some personal training at Anytime Fitness? Or a gift certificate for tanning? Packages are available for $30 and $60.

Kettlebells!

Hey! How's it going? Have you noticed the new funny-looking weights under the dumbbells in the gym? If not, take a look at our new kettlebells. Used properly, this Russian hardware can produce gut-busting, total-body conditioning. By putting your body through more planes of movement, compound and explosive moves, you will strengthen your core and just about every muscle in the body. For a quick demo on how to use them, Google "Steve Cotter kettlebells" and check out his videos on YouTube. Holy cow! You'll be blown away by how effortless Steve makes this grueling workout appear. Jacqui Bliss, our co-owner and personal trainer, will be attending a kettlebell certification workshop in early January and will be incorporating these exercises into more and more client workout plans. For people looking to burst through a plateau and reach a whole new level of fitness, this might just be the key for you. If you see Jacqui in the gym, ask her about it or watch more demo videos on the web. Have fun!