Merritt Clubs Blog

No pain no gain, right???

It seems like we wait all year for summer to arrive when we can finally relax, unwind, and have some fun. Once Memorial Day hits, vacations, BBQs, and other festivities fill our weeks and weekends and before we know it, it’s time to start thinking and planning for Back to School. We should begin to set our sights on the upcoming fall season and how to keep our bodies and minds healthy and happy as the weather starts to cool and the festivities slow.

Your butt might be dead. Yes…that’s correct. Gluteal amnesia or dead butt syndrome is a real condition in which the gluteal muscles stop firing correctly. Recent research suggests that the majority of Americans can spend up to 15 hours a day sitting. This is associated with some major health problems as well as an overall shorter life expectancy. But, your glutes are responsible for so much more than just sitting.

Everybody knows Bruce Lee. And if you work out at Merritt Clubs Cranbrook, chances are you've had at least one conversation with him.

That's because Bruce is the type of guy who cares about every person that comes into the gym. He loves engaging with anybody on the fitness floor. He values all members of Merritt and strives to have them feel that the club is an extension of family.

In this Q&A we talk about the importance of a gym community with Bruce Lee, Personal Training Director and Assistant General Manager at Merritt Clubs Cranbrook.

Make you and your mental health a priority this month. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary. Focus on cutting out clutter in your life and things that cause you anxiety. We all deal with problems every day that cause us to be anxious and worry or get upset. It’s time to learn about what causes that anxiety and how to get rid of the unnecessary anxiety-drivers. Learn to let go of some of that anxiety and how to deal with everyday stressors so you can keep your mind clear and happy.

July is our high-energy month, so I decided to take my daily routine to the next level and get more steps in! 10,000 steps per day is not necessarily the exact number of steps every person is recommended to take, but it’s an achievable goal that I can set for myself above the 7,000 step goal I usually set.

Have you ever found a workout that you wanted to try? Did you jump right in and almost over-do it because you were working so hard to get that end result? Often, workouts, diets, and fitness routines promise quick weight loss, bigger muscles, and tighter abs. You want these end prizes, so you quickly start exercising and pushing yourself without even thinking about preparation or self-care. However, self-care is key to health. Self-care requires that you take of your body on a daily basis. How would this affect your exercise routines? Self-care will produce more energy for your workouts, increase your abilities to exercise, prevent injuries, and provide a greater satisfaction with the end result, no matter what that may be.

The 4^th of July is one of our favorite holidays. Barbecue, beer, and beautiful weather make for the perfect day spent with friends and family, but also the perfect opportunity for a diet disaster. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our top five tips for staying healthy this 4^th of July, and for future barbecues this summer!

Take your fitness to the next level. July is your ultimate high-energy month and we are kicking it up! Set yourself up for a month of quick stepping by making a daily step commitment. Walking burns calories and can help combat the risks that come with a sedentary lifestyle. Walking can help you in so many ways, from you mental health to your physical. Can you make it to 10,000 steps per day?

Water! That’s what I thought about all month long. I kept thinking, why do we need to drink water? Then I realized… it’s because we can’t eat it. Knowledge is power.