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Showing posts from July, 2020

The Latest In Wearable Fitness Tech: Real-Time Tracking And AI Coaching

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Wearable fitness trackers continue to gain popularity, mostly thanks to their ability to read and store fitness-related data like heart rate, mileage, speed, and form. Analyzing this data helps people know where they’re at with their goals to get stronger and leaner, and what they need to focus on the next time they hit the fitness center. Fitness trackers can help you stay motivated, but for the most part, the wearer is still responsible for putting together the data they provide and drawing conclusions about their current fitness level (and how to improve it) both during and after workouts. Wouldn’t it be nice if your tracker also did this part for you? Many wearable technology companies are starting to design devices that can deliver this kind of feedback, with the help of artificial intelligence. For instance, in 2016, a company known as LifeBEAM introduced the Vi — the world’s first AI personal trainer. The Vi’s earbuds monitor your workout using bio-sensors, GPS tracking, and clo

Improve Your Mental Toughness For Better Workouts

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Don’t you admire athletes who push themselves to victory despite injuries, sickness, and unfavorable odds? Do you wonder how they do it? Although each situation is unique, there’s at least one common denominator in the most inspiring victories: mental toughness. If you can’t get your head in the game, it’s hard to accomplish anything – no matter how prepared you are. Your body may capable of pushing through a tough workout, but is your mindset helping or hurting you? Some people are born with more drive than others, but the good news is that, just like any muscle in your body, you can build mental strength and endurance to carry you through the toughest challenges. Here are some practical ways to improve your mental toughness for better results, both in and outside the fitness gym. 1. Continuously set daily and long-term goals and make plans to accomplish them. If you don’t know what you’re working toward, it’s hard to stay motivated. Our minds are geared to look forward to specific ac

Do You Know Your Gym Etiquette?

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If you’ve been a member at a fitness center for very long, you know the basic rules. But do you know the unwritten rules of gym etiquette for using the equipment? Even though they may not be posted on a wall, these rules are the code of the fitness community. To stay safe and be courteous to others, be sure you’re not breaking any of the following guidelines for good gym equipment etiquette. Weight lifting etiquette Don’t be a weight hog. Even if you need a full range of weights for your set, don’t grab them all at once. This is considered hogging, especially during peak gym hours when many other people will be using weights, as well. Even if you haven’t noticed anyone else in need of your weight set, they may just be too polite to speak up. “Put that thing back where it came from…so help me!” Some of the pet peeves of people who use weights at the gym are having to pick up after others who leave their equipment lying around, searching for a piece of equipment that was misplaced, or

Exercise And Sleep: What’s The Connection?

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July is Better Sleep Month, so it’s a good time to consider the relationship between the time you spend in your bed and the time you spend in the fitness center. Many of us have heard that exercise improves sleep, but is that all? Let’s look at three important keys to understanding and making the most of the exercise-sleep connection. 1.     Exercise helps you sleep. Numerous studies have shown that people who exercise regularly sleep both longer and better than people who are mostly sedentary. In fact, exercise is the most natural, doctor-prescribed way to improve insomnia without sleep medication. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Think of a day you were especially active and how you “slept like a baby” that night. That’s not to say you need to work out at the gym to the point of exhaustion every day just to have a good night’s sleep. Get in the recommended 30 minutes a day, 3 or 4 days a week, and you should see improvements in how long and how well you sleep. Keep in mind that, just as c

Not Just Weight Gain: Causes & Cures For Belly Bloat

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When you experience the feeling of a swollen waistline from time to time, it can’t help but put a damper on your day. Before jumping to the conclusion that you’ve gained weight (despite your commitment to regular workouts at the fitness center and a healthier diet), it’s important to realize that belly bloat can be caused by many things besides how many calories we consume. The most frequent reason for feeling bloated is that there’s too much air or gas trapped in the stomach or intestines due to swallowed air or digestive processes. It can also be a sign of fluid (water) retention related to hormonal activity or eating habits. Finally, it can also be a sign of more serious problems like celiac disease, a perforated digestive tract, or even cancer (if you have severe, chronic bloating beyond the occasional discomfort we’re referring to, you should definitely visit a doctor). Whatever its cause, belly bloat is an uncomfortable experience that can interfere with our ability to enjoy life

Can Food Sensitivities Cause Weight Gain?

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There’s been plenty of hype about food allergies over the last few years. People are going gluten-free, dairy-free, and looking for other things in their diet that might be hurting their health or even hindering their fitness goals. If you’ve wondered if the foods you eat could be affecting your health and fitness, here is some gathered insight from the medical community. Food Sensitivities Versus Food Allergies If someone claims to have a food allergy but can eat food that contains it without an immediate allergic reaction (known as an IgE response), it isn’t technically an allergy. It’s more like a food sensitivity. Food allergies are life-threatening realities for many people and shouldn’t be confused with the mild digestive problems or inflammation that’s more typical of a food sensitivity. In other words, if you have a food allergy, it will be obvious. Food sensitivities or intolerances, however, cause less immediate reactions in the body that are much less severe and may even be

Simple Hacks For Healthy — Yet Satisfying — Summer Treats

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The last few months of the summer tend to bring the hottest temperatures – and the strongest cravings for summer’s best cold treats like popsicles, ice cream sundaes, bars and cakes, creamy shakes, and decadent frappes and iced coffee drinks. As we’re all too aware, these treats spell disaster for weight loss results and can sabotage the hard work of following a strict nutrition plan coupled with fitness center workout sessions. The good news is that you don’t have to deprive yourself completely of these sweet, cold summer treats: you just need to hack them. By making some simple changes to their ingredients, you can enjoy satisfying treats without the guilt or the calories. Ice Cream: Creamy, Lower-Calorie Substitutions The average ice cream is loaded with full-fat dairy. To boost the nutrition and reduce the calorie count while keeping that creamy texture, make your own ice cream in a blender using healthier substitutes. You can play it safe with Greek yogurt or almond milk, or get a

3 More Excuses For Not Workout Out – And How To Beat Them

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If we were to compile a list of the most common excuses for not working out, a lack of time, energy, or a workout buddy would probably be near the top. Here are three more excuses you might have used for not making it to the fitness center more frequently, and how to keep them from sabotaging your health and weight loss goals. #1: I’m too embarrassed to go to the fitness center. If you’re just starting your fitness journey, you might feel like you’d be a little out of place in a mix of people who are already in great shape. Despite the stereotypes, you’ll find a mix of shapes, sizes, and fitness levels at the gym. If you stick around, you’ll find it doesn’t matter how similar or different you are to those around you: fitness centers are places where everyone shares the common goal of pushing and improving themselves. If you’re still struggling with feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness, try to visit the gym during low-traffic hours until you get comfortable with the setting.

5 Surprising Foods And Beverages That Are Harming Your Health

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If you’re working towards a weight loss goal by counting your calories, meal prepping, and working out regularly at the fitness center, you probably spend a lot of time analyzing ingredient labels. But some things we eat and drink tend to pass by this radar, probably because we think of them as health foods, or, at the very least, not as harmful as foods that are higher in calories from fat or sugar. For this reason, you might be surprised at this list of 5 foods and beverages that could be harming your health. 1.      Diet Soda If you’re trying to kick the soda habit, you might think a diet version is a good alternative. It packs way fewer calories and some people even prefer the taste. The problem is that, to get great flavor without sugars and syrups, manufacturers add artificial ingredients and chemicals like aspartame and BVO, which is found in flame retardants. That’s not to say all diet sodas are horrible for you — food producers are responding to consumers’ demand for more natu

Tips For Becoming A Health “Foodie”

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“Foodie” is a term often used for people who are obsessed with their food, seeking out new food experiences almost as a hobby. Whether creating their own delectable culinary dishes or scouting out the best restaurants and chefs, modern foodies also like to take pictures of their meals and post them on social media —eliciting eye-rolling responses from many of their friends (and mouth-watering from others). Our understanding of the term “foodie” might not seem like something that would go hand-in-hand with a lifestyle of healthy eating, counting calories, and avoiding excess fats and carbohydrates. After all, taste is the focus of a good foodie experience, right? Believe it or not, being a foodie and being nutritionally conscious don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, a recent International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation survey shows that the emerging foodie is actually rather health conscious. If you consider yourself a foodie, here are a few tips for enjoying the se

Which Is The Better Way To Run: By Minutes, Or Miles?

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When it comes to running, there are different ways to train. For instance, if you’re mostly focused on getting in a cardio workout, you might set the treadmill at the fitness gym for 20 to 30 minutes and call it good. On the other hand, if you’re training for an event, it might be more important to reach a certain mileage by race day; or, if you’re working on speed, a certain number of intervals on the track. While each of these methods has its own uses and advantages, there’s no “better” way to train. It just depends on your personal goals and what motivates you. To help you decide which running method might be best for you, here are some of the differences between running by time and running by miles. Running by Minutes: No-Pressure, Safer Training Many people like to run a certain number of minutes because it’s more flexible for their daily routines. It doesn’t matter what your pace is —you’re focused on getting in that 30 minutes of cardio before you lift a few weights or head off

Great Stretches at Spunk Newark

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Spunk Fitness is dedicated to providing you with a welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere in which you can pursue your health and fitness goals. We believe that everyone should be able to access an affordable gym in Newark, and that’s why we’ve cut out the unnecessary features that make many fitness centers so pricey. Learn more about our gym by stopping by for a tour, and be sure to read our amazing client success stories and testimonials before you go! We look forward to helping you improve your health and well-being! See memberships at the club Get Your 1 Day Pass Today!

Get Fit Now At Spunk Fitness Newark

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If you’re looking for a fitness center that’s easy on your wallet and doesn’t require a long term commitment, then Spunk Fitness is the right gym for you.  We have redefined staying healthy with affordable, spacious gyms loaded with cardio and strength training equipment that’s ready to use at any time of the day. We know that long-term gym memberships can be intimidating, so Spunk Fitness has made it simple — pay monthly! Stay with us for as many months as you want. No long-term contracts! Call (315) 273-0168 Today!  See memberships at this club! Get your 1 day pass today!

5 Benefits of Tanning

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With summer in full swing, there’s no better time than now to work on your tan. Maybe you work long days in an office, or perhaps you just haven’t been able to spend as much time in the sun as you would like. Whatever the case may be, spending time in a tanning bed is the ideal way to maintain a beautiful bronze and look your best throughout the summer. It’s also a great way to provide your body with a host of other benefits, and in today’s post, we’re going to take an in-depth look at a few tanning benefits that you may not have heard. When you’ve finished reading today’s post, come by Spunk Fitness to learn more about our state-of-the-art fitness facility in Newark ! We’ve cut out the unnecessary features and amenities that make gyms so expensive, allowing you to get access to the equipment you need at a price you can afford. The Benefits of Using Tanning Beds Vitamin D Vitamin D is one of the