Health Series 101: Heat It Up

Now that we’ve covered the basics on a healthier diet, it’s time to get fit and enjoy more time outdoors at the same time. To offer everyone some fun exercise solutions for the summer, we’ve highlighted several local fitness-friendly events and trends that may inspire you to get moving again.

Fitness Craze

From the hula hoop craze of the 1950s to the Tae Bo videos popular in the 1990s, many exercise trends have cropped up over the decades. While some trendy workouts become fads that fizzle, others have endured the test of time and may help you get in better shape this summer and beyond:

CrossFit is a Hit

Have you heard about CrossFit yet? Originally developed by Greg and Lauren Glassman in 1995, CrossFit training has made its way to over 6,000 gyms and workout centers over the past few years. An intense, highly varied workout routine that typically lasts about 20 minutes, this system uses compound exercises – multi-joint movements that use a variety of muscles at one time – to develop strength, speed, agility, balance, and coordination.

Pull yourself up with TRX training

A type of suspension training created for the Navy Seals, TRX utilizes suspension straps that allow you to exercise your muscles using your own body weight. The combination of anaerobic and aerobic training offers cardio benefits while it strengthen stabilizing muscles and works out the core.

Get musical with Zumba

Although it has been around for well over a decade, Zumba is a still generating quite a bit of buzz. Considered an effective way to whittle away calories while having fun with dancing, Zumba is a Latin-based workout that alternates fast and slow rhythms to create an uplifting aerobic workout set to a musical beat.

Alex Vasileski Says

Most people want to get healthier but just don’t know how to begin. So, we asked a fitness friend and expert. Alex Vasileski of, A Mind and Body Total Fitness, is a survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and dedicated to a healthy and fit life! He shares how to take simple movements to get your heart rate up and invigorate your muscles:

“Simply know what your goals are and where you are at physically. It’s important that you’re cleared by your physician before starting on your journey. Some great ways to incorporate a fitness routine in your life is by using your body as the mechanism. What does that mean? Well, one piece of equipment that we all have and can take anywhere is in fact our body. That said, we can do some great exercises that involve your core and are functional. Try the following and see a marked change in your overall health and wellness!”

1. Standing body squats (stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed forward, chest out and back straight) Do 4-6 sets of 20 repetitions with about 30 seconds rest in between sets.

2. Jumping Jacks (make certain your hands touch at the peek of the jumping jack and that you keep your legs nice and strong throughout the jumps) It’s important that you keep good posture throughout this exercise, back straight and chest out. Do 4-6 sets of 30 reps with 30 seconds of rest in between sets.

3. Mountain Climbers (in the push-up position, bring your right knee to your right elbow, then bring your left knee to your left elbow, do this swiftly interchanging your legs throughout the exercise) Do 4-6 sets of 50 repetitions with 30 seconds rest between sets.
This is a great way to get you started into a healthy new lifestyle that will get you sweating and get those muscles working!

Enjoy!

Remember Boston

And in light of the horrific incident that took place at the Boston marathon recently, we would like to offer hope and support to those whose lives may have been indelibly altered by the tragedy. Anyone interested in helping the victims and their families who have been hit the hardest can follow the links below to learn about the volunteering and donation opportunities available:

One Fund Boston: secure.onefundboston.org
Red Cross: redcross.org
The Boston Children’s Hospital: childrenshospital.org
The Richard Family Fund richardfamilyfund.org
The White Family Fund: www.youcaring.com
Boston’s Salvation Army: donate.salvationarmyusa.org