It’s no secret that aerobic activities like running have many benefits. These benefits can range from cardiovascular health to respiratory health, among others. However, by solely engaging in one form of physical activity, a person places a limit on the possible health benefits. Mixing strength training sessions into a runner’s routine is an excellent way…
A proper warm-up is crucial to getting the most out of your time in the gym. It has been shown that proper warm-ups help to prevent injury, as well as improve performance in various categories of exercise. But the question remains, what method of warm-up is best? An easy way to remember how to best…
We’ve all been there. You show up to the gym with no workout plan and stand around wondering what to do next. We end up in the gym way longer than we hoped, doing way less than we wanted. Sometimes, you just don’t know where to start. Luckily, we’ve got a recipe to help you…
What is Skipping Rope And What Are the Benefits? Skipping/jumping rope is a convenient and inexpensive way to increase heart rate, burn calories, and target major muscle groups, like your legs, arms, and core. As a full-body and high-impact exercise, skipping rope is beneficial for improving coordination, balance/stability, endurance, agility, speed, and overall strength. …
Why Start With Dumbbells? The majority of the people who are just starting their fitness journey often start with exercises such as pull ups, chinups, or deadlifts. These exercises can be great for building back muscles and training big muscle groups. However, for someone who is just starting their fitness journey, these exercises can be…
The hip flexor muscles are an important muscle group used in everyday activity and sport. However, it is very common for people to neglect hip flexor exercises in their strength training. What Are Hip Flexors? There are five key muscles contributing to hip flexion. The two main muscles and prime movers of the hip…
June 21 is a special day for many reasons – the first day of summer, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and International Yoga Day. PLUS, it falls within Pride Month and Indigenous History Month. The Summer Solstice Karma Class is a pay-what-you-can event from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., and we’ll split the proceeds between the…
The functional trainer or “cable machine” is a piece of equipment you can use for a variety of exercises to help you meet your fitness goals. The great thing is it allows you to train at a greater range of motion, but requires less technical demands to learn a movement. For example, the classic barbell…
The fitness studio was dimly lit with glowing, flameless candles and the emerging morning sun. It was my first time instructing a fusion class, which is a blend of pilates and yoga. It was a cozy and relaxing start to that January day in 2018, for both myself and the class. This is one of…
The squat is a fundamental, complex movement in weight training. The major muscles involved are glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. There are all kinds of different squats out there. Some with dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells; while others put weight at the front, or back, or even over the head. You may wonder, why mix up…