While the life-expectancy gap between men and women has decreased, it’s no secret that men still need to pay more attention to their bodies. Several things work against men. More than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a non-profit educational organization comprised of physicians, researchers, public health workers, individuals and other health professionals. Understanding the health risks for men is a crucial part in maintaining a healthy life. Mens are smoke and drink more than women, and generally lead less healthy lifestyles. What you eat and drink and what you don’t eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health.

Mens health is committed to improving the health and wellness of men through education campaigns, partnerships with retailers and other private entities, workplace health programs, data collection, and work with health care providers to provide better programs and funding for men’s health needs. Balancing obligations to your employer and your family can be challenging.

Health problems in men

Based on your age, health history, lifestyle, and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. Males are at increased risk for some injuries and conditions. Motor vehicle traffic, poisonings, and falls are the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths for males.

heart disease

cancer

obesity

diabetes

stroke

physically transmitted diseases

If you are like millions of others living and working throughout the world, you are probably concerned with how to make the most of your days on this earth. We have done an excellent job of improving our odds for a longer life, but keeping up with the changing trends in health news can be a daunting task. How do you find out about the latest reputable research and advice that could set you well on your way to 100? Many choose a health and fitness blog, because blogs are usually updated daily with useful content that one can dissect and incorporate in their day-to-day journey towards a healthier existence.

But you must be careful if you are going to follow the latest developments in health news through a health and fitness blog. There are many reasons to do it, and there are many reasons not to. It all depends on how analytical you are, and on each of the following pros and cons:

Pro – keeping your body apprised of new research and developments in the health news community: Face it. Advice and recommendations are constantly changing to conform to advanced research. While it may seem fishy how often the health news changes, keep in mind we are living longer today for a reason. In many cases, the things we used to think nothing of are now highly important. No one ever talked about the dangers of smoking when cigarettes first came along. Years down the road, it has been recognized as the true killer that it is. It’s important for you to stay vigilant and do your best to learn of the changing trends.

Con – keeping up with how quickly health news changes: While staying on top of things is often good, it can also be cause for concern. It can frustrate you to the point that you give up entirely, or it can lead you down

National Qualification in Aqua Fitness

In our constant endeavour to improve and expand on the opportunities available to our graduates, and other qualified fitness instructors, NCEHS have developed this two day certification programme to meet demand from the health fitness industry for qualified and competent aqua fitness instructors. Aqua Fitness classes are rapidly becoming a part of the standard class offering being made to clients of fitness facilities with pools.

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors to develop a critical understanding of Aqua Fitness Training and to enable them to obtain the high standards required to teach Aqua Fitness safely and effectively to the general public following the National Standards & Guidelines as set down by NCEHS.

National Qualification in Pre and Post Natal Exercises

The National Qualification in Pre & Post Natal Exercise has been offered since 1996 and has been established to offer Pre & Post Natal clients safe, appropriate and effective exercise, more energy during pregnancy, reduced stress and anxiety, quicker recovery from birth, fewer complications in pregnancy, shorter labour time and increased self esteem.

The National Qualification in Pre and Post Natal Exercise has been approved by the NCEHS Educational Committee and is designed to assist fitness professionals who would like to work with pre and post natal clients. Opportunities exist for professional practitioners to establish and develop pre and post natal programmes within existing health club timetables.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors & personal trainers to develop the advanced skills and knowledge specific to pre and post natal exercise prescription.

National Qualification in Exercise and the Older Adult

In our constant endeavour to improve and expand on the opportunities available to our graduates, and other qualified fitness instructors, NCEHS have developed this one day certification programme to meet demand from the health fitness industry for qualified and competent fitness instructors who can specialise in the specific exercise requirements of the older adult.

The aim of the module is to provide the health fitness instructor with skills that will assist them to help older adults maintain and/or develop functional fitness and age “successfully”. In order to achieve this goal current program design protocols must be altered to better address the needs of the older adult. Suggestions and recommendations for exercise programs that can improve the older adults’ ability to efficiently accomplish activities of daily living are explored.

The National Qualification in Exercise and the Older Adult is a post-graduate Advanced Certification Programme (ACP) and has been established to meet the growing demand for this rapidly expanding area of our industry. The growth experienced in this area in recent years has been enormous and has led to a big demand for qualified instructors in fitness facilities around the country to meet the public appetite for such programmes.

National Qualification in Spin Cycling

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers. They offer Ireland’s National Qualification in Spin Cycling which can be obtained by completing our one day Advanced Certification Programme.

The National Qualification in Spin Cycling is the only professional qualification offered for Spin Cycling in Ireland. NCEHS started offering this qualification in 1997 and Spin Cycling has become one of the most popular and successful fitness class to hit the exercise industry in years with almost every health club and fitness centre in Ireland now offering Spin Cycling classes to their clients. These classes have proved extremely popular.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors and personal trainers to develop a critical understanding of Spin Cycling and to enable them to teach what has become one of the most popular forms of exercise in gymnasiums and health clubs around the world.

National Qualification in Stability Ball Training

The Stability Ball has emerged in recent years as one of the fitness industry’s most versatile and widely used pieces of equipment. Bridging the gap between health and fitness, the Stability Ball offers cardio respiratory, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and balance training for the entire body.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors & personal trainers to develop the skills to enable the safe and effective use of the stability ball in providing a work-out that is challenging and fun for clients in both group exercise and one-to-one environments.

The National Qualification in Stability Ball Training is a post-graduate Advanced Certification Programme (ACP) and has been established to meet the growing demand for ball based exercise. The growth experienced in this area in recent years has been enormous and has led to a big demand for qualified ball based instructors in fitness facilities around the country to meet the public appetite for such programmes.
National Qualification in Step Aerobics

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers. They offer Ireland’s National Qualification in Step Aerobics which can be obtained by completing our one day Advanced Certification Programme.

The National Qualification in Step Aerobics is presently the only professional qualification offered for Step Aerobics in Ireland. NCEHS has been offering this qualification since 1993 and the NCEHS National Qualification in Step Aerobics is the only such course in Ireland with both practical and written examinations. Step Aerobics has remained an exercise mainstay for many years and will be with us well into the future.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors and personal trainers to develop a critical understanding of Step Aerobics and to enable them to obtain the high standards required to teach Step Aerobics safely and effectively to the general public.

National Qualification in BOSU Balance Training

The BOSU (Both Sides Up) has emerged in recent years as one of the fitness industry’s most versatile and widely used pieces of equipment. Bridging the gap between health and fitness, the BOSU offers cardio respiratory, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and balance training for the entire body.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors &!personal trainers to develop the skills to enable the safe and effective use of the BOSU in providing a work-out that is challenging and fun for clients in both group exercise and one-to-one environments.

In order to understand exactly what fitness is, or what it means to be “fit”, we have to define it so that we can have a precise understanding of what, how and why. Right? It almost drove me mad trying to find a definition for fitness and being fit! I searched the internet and writings of leading industry organizations and found very odd, misleading and confusing definitions. It’s no wonder everyone struggles to achieve a state that has no clear definition!

If you took the time to search yourself, you might find definitions for fitness such as:

in good physical condition; in good health or sound physically and mentally; healthy; to conform correctly to the shape or size of <it doesn’t fit me anymore> (1): to insert or adjust until correctly in place <fit the mechanism into the box> (2): to make or adjust to the right shape and size; Capability of the body of distributing inhaled oxygen to muscle tissue during increased physical effort; the genetic contribution of an individual to the next generation’s gene pool relative to the average for the population, usually measured by the number of offspring or close kin that survive to reproductive age. (Huh!!)

Wow! Even the NSCA, the National Strength and Conditioning Association who is one of the most respected authorities on exercise physiology doesn’t even attempt to give a definition of fitness.

How’s that for maddening? Well let me share with you what my definition of fitness is. You see, creating a fitness program without clearly defining what it is that the program must deliver would be ambiguous and leave you unclear about what you had to do to achieve the outcome you want. I believe that defining fitness plays a crucial role in your success. The keys to understanding the methods and achievements of the perfect fitness program are embedded in our view of fitness and in some basic exercise science.

At Ultimate Potential we use five different principles or systems for evaluating and guiding you in achieving your Ultimate level of fitness. These five systems define our view of fitness perfectly. All of these systems combined creates a holistic body (or being) and lifestyle.

Each system is a vital component and each has a distinct importance in understanding your overall fitness level or that of a program’s effectiveness in serving you to achieve a higher level of fitness. Mastering each of these 5 systems combined create what we define as world-class or elite level fitness.

1st System – Train All 10 of Your Basic Physical Skills

The first system identifies and outlines the 10 generally recognized basic physical skills you must train your body for. They are defined as:

Cardiovascular

How do golf and fitness go together?  Why do I need golf fitness training?  What difference would a golf fitness program make to my golf game?

I can tell you all about that from what I have seen with my friend and golfing buddy, Dooley Duffer.

Dooley had been away from the game for some years.  His career and family took priority over his time and golf, although he loved it, it just would not fit into his schedule. As he advanced in his career he became less physically active. He even moved to a management position so time in the office was nothing like the work he had been doing.

His body began to show his change in lifestyle. Don’t tell him I told you this, but his middle seemed to grow faster than his salary. Bet you know how that story goes, huh?

He had only played very occasionally during that time. So I don’t think he realized how much being out of shape affected his golf swing performance.

Then Dooley changed companies and began to play golf regularly again thanks to his new boss who had recently taken up the game. With his kids grown Dooley now had more time to devote to golf and it only took one round back on the course to re-ignite the passion which had burned so brightly in days gone by.

As he began to play more often his physical limitations became a more and more of an issue. He struggled at times to finish a round; scores would escalate due to inconsistent swings, loss of concentration and general fatigue.  He would even huff and puff when walking up hills in spite of always riding a cart. I can remember having to wait for him to catch his breath before he could putt on elevated greens. No chance he could walk when he played.

Then over a few weeks I began to notice improvement in Dooley’s game. Less and less of the struggles I had noticed before and more successful golf shots, better concentration and less fatigue. He even began saying he wanted to play an extra 9 holes!

You see, conditioning is critical to your overall golf performance. And poor physical conditioning will certainly ruin your golf performance. Just ask Dooley about that.

What was Dooley’s secret?  Had he hired a golf fitness trainer? Did he use golf fitness videos? What had he done to improve his fitness for golf and his golf handicap?

Turns out he had not done any of those things exactly.  He said he found this golf fitness eBook called “Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide” by Mike Pedersen. Seems Mike’s eBook is about how to improve your golf fitness at home in less than 30 days. Mike says that the secret to lower scores and longer drives is all about getting your body to move just a little bit better.

Dooley said he that he took the advice seriously and began to feel results quickly. Then he began to notice he felt better on the course. That was very encouraging to him and he was able to keep at it. He had tried exercising before but soon lost interest but this was different.  He could see improvement and he knew why! The Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide had delivered on its promise. Dooley says this is the kind of thing anyone could and should do from home to improve their fitness for golf.

Having watched Dooley now for these past few months make such wonderful progress, I too can recommend “Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide”.  (Yes, I am on it now too.)

If you need help with your golf fitness program, if you run short of breath at times or struggle scoring over the last few holes of a round then please look into how Ultimate Golf Fitness could help you see the same kind of improvement Dooley is experiencing.

Golf fitness training found here.  Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide

Golf fitness exercises can be beneficial for the woman golfer in terms of improving the foundation of the swing, rotation in the backswing, speed development in the downswing, and a consistent finish position. Learn how golf fitness exercises can benefit the woman golfer. Lowering scores and making the game more enjoyable.

It is well known in professional golf how integral golf fitness exercises are for success at the highest levels. Men on the PGA Tour and women on the LPGA Tour understand the benefits of golf fitness exercises in achieving success. Outside the circles of professional players many questions exist about golf fitness exercises. Questions such as; what are the best exercises to improve golf fitness levels, are flexibility exercises and stretches better than other forms of golf fitness exercises, and what are the benefits of golf fitness exercises for the woman golfer?

These and many questions surround the topic of golf fitness. This article is to provide some answers for you on the topic of golf fitness exercises for woman. It has been well documented in magazines and television how LPGA women such as Annika Sorenstam utilize fitness programs to benefit their play on the course. Is there a difference between the LPGA player and the amateur woman in relation to golf fitness training? The answer is no. Yes, the women on the LPGA Tour are the best women golfers in the world, but the physiology of the LPGA player and amateur are the same. The skeletal, muscular, and neural systems are the same. The professional player has the same number of muscles in their bodies as the amateur. The woman’s professional player has the same skeletal structure as the female amateur, and nervous system as well. Granted the LPGA player has more refined and efficient swing mechanics, but the body is the same.

As a result of the body being the same, the principles and structure of a golf fitness program for any woman is similar. Before discussing the specifics of a program for women it is necessary to understand a few important principles. The first principle to understand about a fitness program is sports specific. Sports specific is a term describing the type of training utilized in a golf fitness program. Sport specific training simply states the program utilized by the woman athlete is geared towards improving them in their chosen sport.

A second principle closely related to sports specific training is cross specificity training. Cross specificity training is the utilization of exercises to develop the woman golfer in the positions, movements, and actions incorporated in the golf swing. The goal of cross specificity training is a transfer of training effect to the field of competition. Simply stated, a transfer of training effect is the ability of exercises utilized to train the female golfer having a direct benefit on their performance on the course.

For example, golf flexibility exercises will attempt to improve the flexibility within the player. As the player improves their flexibility parameters in relation to the swing. She may be able to create a bigger shoulder turn, which may increase the distance of her drives. This benefit is an example of a transfer of training effect onto the golf course. In summary, the three principles that assist in the development of a golf fitness program for women are; sports specific, cross specificity training, and transfer of training effect. Many additional principles exist that are used as guidelines in the development of a fitness program, but these are three essential ones.

Outside of the guidelines governing the development of a golf fitness program for woman. Specific physical components within the body are needed within the body to execute the golf swing correctly. Remember, it is the body performing the biomechanics of the swing. In order for the swing to be executed correctly and efficiently certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required. These are the actual physical components within the golfer a fitness program looks to develop and enhance in relation to the golf swing.

The swing requires the body to move through a long range of motion for an efficient movement to occur. Much of this is contingent upon the ability of the core to coil and uncoil during the swing. In order for these two biomechanical actions to occur efficiently, the development of proper flexibility in the core is necessary.

We utilize flexibility exercises that are cross-specific to the movements in the swing to develop flexibility. The majority of these flexibility exercises are rotational and dynamic.

The swing is a dynamic movement, indicating that the body is in constant motion. It is crucial to develop a range of motion in a dynamic rather than a static (not moving) method. The goal of these exercises is to create a range of motion in the core for the golf swing. Flexibility is the first physical component requiring development within the woman golfer.

One needs to maintain, dynamically, a stable body throughout the entire swing. We have all hit balls at the range and know what happens when we do not stay balanced during the swing. Improving the balance and stabilization capabilities of the core translates into a better golf swing. Better Balance equals a Better Swing. Even subtle movements are consistency killers; thus we need to develop and maintain balance for a consistent swing.

Balance is connected to the efficiency of the nervous system and strength of the muscular system working together. The development of greater balance in the core and swing is the result of two types of specific exercise. The first challenges the nervous system creating greater efficiency. The second are exercises that create increased strength in the core. The combination of these two types of exercises permit for the body to maintain posture, promote efficient weight transfer, and create power in the swing. The result is a more consistent, accurate, and powerful swing. This is the second component included with a golf fitness program.

Remember that the golf swing is a repetitive movement. The mechanics of the swing repeat with each stroke. This process can be repeated hundreds of times in a round of golf. Ever go to the range and hit two buckets of balls? At some point the body starts to tire, and shots scatter.

Proper endurance training enables us to repeat a sound swing. We produce this through a series of exercises developing endurance in the entire body. This nets us a consistent swing through eighteen holes. Increasing endurance leads to lower scores. This is the third physical component of the golf fitness program for women.

Club head speed is a function of power. The more power generated by the body, the greater speed at which a club head impacts the ball. More power to the ball equals longer drives. Developing higher levels of power within the muscular system of the body is achieved through the implementation of power exercises. These types of exercise assist in creating higher power outputs of the muscles involved in the golf swing. Power training is the final component found in a golf fitness program for women.

In summary a golf fitness program for the LPGA or amateur woman golfer is relatively the same. Golf exercises for the woman golfer are sports specific. The exercises are cross-specific to the movements, positions, and requirements of the swing. The exercises within a woman’s golf fitness program induce a transfer of training effect onto the course. The swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. A golf fitness program for women will look to enhance these physical components of the body. The end result is an improved swing equating to lower scores and more enjoyment on the course.

In reality, you really do not have to spend a lot of money on expensive health club or fitness centre memberships, treadmills, or the latest fitness gadget to get moving.However, some people find that if they make a monetary investment, they are more likely to follow through on fitness.

Fitness centre are, basically, built to provide people the proper fitness equipments, trainings, and other devices needed to keep an individual physically fit.

However, not all fitness centre are created equal. In fact, there are fitness centre that require their members to sign some contracts, which in the end will not be easy to cancel. Hence, it is important to know the characteristics of the fitness centre that will work best for you.

Here is a list of some tips that you can use:

1. Make Up Your Mind On Things That You Need

Before you choose a fitness centre, you should first know what your needs are as far as physical fitness is concerned. This will determine the kind of fitness centre that you will find.

For example, if you are so much into sports fitness rather than the typical physical fitness activities like aerobics, then it would be better to choose a fitness centre that has sports facilities and not just treadmills.

2. Do Not Forget To Shop Around

It may sound so cliche but it really pays a lot to a person who shops around before deciding on something. Hence, when choosing fitness centre, it is best to do some shopping first and get to compare the prices, charges, and the facilities available in a health club.In this way, you get to choose the best and yet affordable fitness centre you could ever find.

3. Consider Your Budget

It does not necessarily meant that just because you have plenty of money, you will eventually give in to a fitness centre that you have first encountered.It is best that you have a budget to follow so that you will know where to focus your finances before you decide on signing-up for a fitness centre.

Just remember, you want to work out for your body and not working out something that you will soon be in debt just because you forgot to stick to your budget.

4. Know Where Your Money Goes

If it makes you sweat and lose those fats and cellulites, fine! Just be sure that whatever kind of fitness centre that you have chosen, it is important to know that you get what you have paid for.

5.Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Be wary of the physical attributes and characteristics of the centre that you wish to enrol in.Make sure that the fitness centre that you have chosen is clean, properly ventilated, and complete with all the amenities that you need.

Be sure also that the equipments that the fitness centre has are all in good working condition. Never use fitness equipments that appear to be worn out already. This will only cause more harm than good.

All of these things are boiled down to the fact that a fitness centre does not have to be a perfect fitness centre. What matters most is that the fitness centre that you have chosen is good enough to generate good results in your body.

Starting a fitness program without testing your fitness level is like beginning a journey without knowing exactly where you and having no map to guide you to your destination.  Fitness testing establishes your starting point. Plotting out check points along your fitness pathway can direct you toward achieving both short-term and long-term goals.

Seven reasons for fitness testing before and during your exercise program are to:

1. Establish your baseline. When you know initial fitness status, you know how far you have to go to reach your goals.  Testing helps you set specific, achievable yet challenging goals with realistic target dates.

2. Compare yourself to others. Many tests are standardized.  They provide norms, so you know where you stand in relationship to the “average” person’s score.

3. Individualize your program. Knowing your fitness level springs you out of the one-size-fits-all exercise mold and jumpstarts your personalized, streamlined training path.

4. Know how hard to work. You can estimate your optimum training range using maximum or predicted maximum fitness scores.  For most phases of training, exercise intensity is typically performed within a target zone of 60-85% of your maximum cardio or strength level.  

5. Evaluate your progress. When you measure your progress regularly, you can see how far you have advanced from your baseline fitness level.  Each milestone that you achieve is a great confidence booster that propels you on toward your goals.

6. Revise your program. Regular fitness evaluations indicate areas where you are make great strides, and other areas that demand more emphasis. Intermittent testing drives data-driven decisions, eliminating much of the guesswork about how to adjust your program to keep you on target.

7. Achieve your goals. The concrete path set by the fitness score patterns leads you on a nonstop journey to your final fitness destination.  Once you achieve your goals, continued testing helps monitors your fitness level maintenance.

While some assessments are more complex, many fitness tests are simple to conduct.  For example, your resting heart rate (RHR) is an indicator of cardiovascular fitness.  As you exercise, your heart gains the capacity to pump more blood with each stroke, so it beats fewer times per minute. Take your pulse as soon as you wake up in the morning and note the weekly changes over time.

For weight loss, use an online calculator to estimate your body mass index, an indicator of body fat based on height and weight.  Online calculators (i.e., basal energy expenditure and physical activity calculators) can also estimate the number of calories you expend each day. This allows you to more accurately plan exercise activities and food intake over time. Remember, every 3500-calorie deficit equals one pound of body fat loss.

For strenuous performance tests, it is not advisable to attempt maximum efforts before you have completed a conditioning phase, unless you are supervised by a health professional.  For strength, use submaximal attempts (e.g., maximum weight lifted for 5 or 10 repetitions).  For cardio, use a calculator (or the Karvonen formula) to determine your maximum predicted heart rate based on age.

Treat test results as estimates–not absolutes.  All measurements are subject to error.  Look for consistencies and trends over time.  Do not be discouraged by minor deviations in your scores that may well be due to testing error.

Keep a journal to record your quantitative (numeric) test scores, as well as qualitative results—your perceptions and observations about exercising.  You can accelerate progress toward your goals when you (a) follow your fitness testing mile markers, (b) listen to your body, and (c) revise your training program accordingly.

Why is Health Related Fitness important? Knowing the importance of anything we do will help to keep us focused. Practically every news or story online or offline you see mentions fitness, but not all of them explain why health related fitness is important. Our body is an invaluable asset that stays with us day and night throughout and for as long as we live. It is very important that we treat it well and keep it physically fit.

The general attitude of people towards fitness has changed and over the past few years you and I are now much more concerned and aware of the need to live positively. We now recognize the importance of physical fitness than ever before. We are encouraged to adopt a ‘positive attitude’ to our health by many talk shows online forums and fitness websites through better care of our bodies and minds.

The Importance of Fitness

Fitness may just be the saving grace when you find yourself in a life threatening situation. Note that I expect you to be a martial artist, but you will need to really be fit to run for your dear life and not gas out after just 100 meters.

Self Esteem- A person who is fit tend to have confidence in public places and amongst peers. Not just because they look god to everyone around but because of the inner comfort and feel-good disposition.

The problem of coronary heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cancers are all conditions that can be avoided if you take out time to make sure that your body is fit. Exercises prevent a lot of problems.

Your body can better handle dangerous chemicals like free radicals if we exercise more often. Your heart muscles grow thicker and pump more blood per minute, nutrient absorption is at optimal levels, bones grow bigger and healing process occurs faster.

Positive health is all that it takes to maintain a minimum level of health and fitness to keep your body looking and feeling good and at optimum functional state, as well as maintaining a level of physical fitness.

Health and fitness is determined by what we eat, how we live our lives. In order words, it is determined by our life style. The kind of daily activities we love to get involved in, the type of food we love to eat, the number of times we eat and the amount of food we eat and physical exercise.

Keeping fit is about how we as individuals choose to live our lives and the levels of fitness we aspire to. We all need a certain amount of the right type of exercise to keep us healthy, regardless of our lifestyle, age or physical ability.

Maintaining a good level of physical fitness will give you a feeling of better health through increased energy and vitality, it is a happy feeling that results in even greater happiness.

Fitness keeps you in the right frame of mind. There is increase metal sharpness and concentration all resulting from increase blood circulation in the brain achieved by proper dieting and physical exercises. Fitness is something we should all desire.

How to choose one that’s right for you

Although I’ve worked in fitness centers for over 30 years, in reality, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive health club or fitness center memberships, or the latest fitness center memberships, or the latest fitness equipment, to increase your level of physical fitness.

On the other hand, many people find it difficult to concentrate; say at home, when there are many other distractions.  Also, people sometimes find that making a financial commitment increases their chances of following thru long-term.

Fitness centers are designed, built, and equipped to appeal to a broad range of individuals.  After all, member ship sales pay the bills.

However, not all centers operate in the same manner.  Many require contracts that are legally binding, and require monthly payments, for the length of the contract.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with that scenario, in fact it’s very common.  The point is, if you’re going to sign on the dotted line, it’s important, that the health club you’ve chosen is right for you.

Location

People make all kinds of excuses not to work out, with proximity to home or work very high on the list.  Research has shown that most people won’t travel more than eight miles or eight minutes to work out.  Since an exercise an exercise program requires consistency, a convenient location is a must.

Hours of Operation

If you prefer to exercise at a particular time of day, remember to look closely at the day and hours of operation.   Also, visit the club prior to joining at the time of day you’re most likely to attend.  Is it crowded then?

Equipment and Amenities

With your personal fitness goals in mind, shop around and compare equipment, locker rooms, classes, etc.  How about a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam or sauna?  Are these in good working order?  Have you any interests there?

There should be a wide array of both cardiovascular and strength equipment, as you’ll want to have the opportunity to change your routine periodically, and use different pieces of equipment. That will help keep you interested and motivated.

Cost

Shopping around allows you to compare what you’re getting, to what you’re paying.  Newer clubs with newer equipment, a wide variety of amenities, will probably cost more per month, but you never know, so look around.  I like clubs that charge an all-inclusive monthly fee, that allows you use of the entire facility.  Usually the only additional charge would be for the personal training or massages, which is true everywhere.

Personnel

How were you treated as you looked around?  Did the employees seem attentive to members, helpful and friendly?  If you want to learn a new machine or piece of equipment, is someone available to demonstrate?  You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking for assistance in your own club.

While we’re on the topic of fitness center’s employees, pay special attention to the exercise specialists education, experience, and professional certification.  Knowing why to do a particular exercise is just as important as how to perform it.  Also, are they C.P.R. certified, and is an Automatic Defibrillator available, in case of emergency?

Membership

Certain fitness centers attract a specific kind of member.  Bodybuilders are attracted by lots of free weights, as their main purpose in building large muscles.  On the other hand, senior citizens are much more comfortable with selectorized machines, and a good choice of cardiovascular equipment.  These clubs will have a totally different feel, as the business adapts to the majority of its members, and the fitness center takes on a personality of its own.  Make sure which center you’re most comfortable in, before joining.

Cleanliness

There is a wide variation among fitness centers, as far as cleanliness is concerned.  My experience has shown that hospital-based fitness facilities are generally the cleanest, which makes sense.  Again, you want to be somewhere, that you’re comfortable and safe, and where the owners take pride in their fitness center.

Again, all health/fitness centers are not created equal.  Find the one that fits your wants and needs, attend consistently and look and feel better, as you build on your personal fitness program.