Merritt Clubs Blog

   

Four Reasons To Work Out At A Gym

Posted by Juan De Cruz

Apr 6, 2015

Many people prefer to work out at their home. They don't want to embarrass themselves because they are out of shape. They don't want to sweat (quickly) in front of others. They might be intimidated by the many machines and fancy classes that a gym offers.

However, there are many good reasons to get off of your butt and join a fitness gym today.

  • Try something new. Sometimes you need to try something new to find out that you really love something. You may find a fun new way to fit exercise into your schedule. It might be so much fun that it won't feel like work (as much).
  • Motivation. You will find motivation at a gym. Whether you find workout buddies to monitor and share your progress or bodies that you admire, you should find plenty of motivation at a gym. Maybe you might find a few classes that you hate to miss.
  • Childcare. Many people use the excuse that they can't exercise because of their children. Many gyms offer childcare, whether or not it is included in the monthly fee or not. Then, you have no reason not to exercise.
  • Personal Trainers. Whether you are just starting an exercise routine or you have been exercising a while, you might need a personal trainer to help you reach your goals. Maybe you need help setting realistic goals and meeting them. A personal trainer might just help you get on your way.

Though you might not want to join a gym, you might find yourself loving it once you do. You will find yourself with a whole lot of different opportunities to take classes and use different machines. This will change the way that you exercise. Then, if you use a personal trainer, you may reach your goals quickly and decide to push even harder. If you have children, you may also take advantage of a gym that offers childcare so you can’t use that excuse either.

Contact us or stop by today to see all that our club offers!

Read More

Topics: Merritt Athletics, best gym in baltimore, biggest loser club, Personal Training, best gyms in maryland, best gym in owings mills, Fitness Tips, best gym in towson, Reasons To Work Out In Gyms, Merritt Club Management, Fitness for a Cause, benefit of gym membership, baltimore personal trainer, baltimore personal training, Awareness and Support, Member Success Stories, nutrition, group fitness, gym membership

Exercise Your Options: Stay Fit Over the Holidays with Plyometrics

Posted by RaySa

Dec 9, 2014

At Merritt Athletic Clubs, we know how challenging it can be to get through the holiday season with one’s waistline intact. That’s why we are encouraging you to exercise your options by exploring plyometrics.

Plyometrics is a series of fun yet challenging exercises. Collectively, they have the potential to build your muscle strength, burn loads of fat and increase your running speed. You may have heard about some of the exercises in conjunction with previous conversations about CrossFit classes.

Essentially, the exercises involve many of the physical activities that you may have engaged in as a child. Jumping, hoping, skipping, leaping and simulated skating are just some of them. The plyometrics’ routines also tend to include plank jacks, carioca, flutter kicks, clock walks and lateral lunges.

At this point, you may be thinking that plyometrics is something new. It really isn’t. Olympic athletes have been incorporating it into their routines since the 1970s. It’s just now catching on with those who are use to operating outside the world of competitive sports.

Because it does offer such an intense workout, we’d recommend speaking with our Merritt Athletic Clubs’ personal trainers and your personal physician before starting a plyometrics’ workout routine. You may also want to consult with our registered dietitians. That way, you can exercise your options safely and with professional guidance.

In addition, you should be prepared to feel sore after starting a plyometrics’ routine. It is normal to feel that way because of the workout’s intensity and the muscle groups involved. Thankfully, we do have massage therapy and spa services available at select locations. Partaking of those services should help ease the soreness. In the case of certain massages, they may help free your body of excess metabolic waste products and lactic acids too.

To learn more about plyometrics and exercise your options to the fullest, please contact us. Our Merritt Athletic Clubs’ experts would love to help you get and stay fit.

 

Read More

Topics: best gym in baltimore, Personal Training, Merritt blog, Fitness Tips, plometrics, fitness, how to free lactic acid, merritt trainers, how to lose weight fast, best exercises, holiday fitness, jenna scott

Why Not Exercise Your Options with Delicious, Healthy Pumpkins?

Posted by RaySa

Oct 29, 2014

Read More

Topics: Merritt Athletics, best gym in baltimore, Healthy Recipes, exercise, Merritt blog, fall healthy food, Fitness Tips, fitness, pumpkin recipes, healthly recipes, nutrition, merritt clubs, healthy eating

Eating Autumn Escarole May Help Marylanders Lead a Healthy Life

Posted by RaySa

Sep 29, 2014

As the season slowly turns to fall here in the Old Line State, autumn vegetables will be making their way into CSA boxes and produce markets. When they do, one item Marylanders should be on the lookout for is escarole. It could help those in search of a healthy life.

Vitamin, fiber and mineral rich, this leafy green member of the daisy family belongs with vegetables in the chicory genus. It characteristically has slightly bitter, broad, curly, light green leaves and is sometimes marketed under the name scarola or Bavarian endive. If picked fresh and stored properly in the fridge, it should remain edible for at least three days.

There are various ways to prepare escarole and lead a healthy life. Some nutrition aware chefs like to simply wash the leaves and serve them up raw in a tasty, fall salad. They say it pairs well with a slightly sweet vinaigrette dressing, soft cheeses and autumn nuts. It’s also not uncommon for raw vegetable fans to include pureed escarole in juices and smoothies.

Other Maryland chefs prefer to cook the escarole. Boiling and sautéing are the two most common methods of preparation. However, there are those that like to bake the escarole with additional ingredients as part of a vegetable casserole or toss the leaves into homemade or semi-homemade soups.

One of the easiest semi-homemade escarole soups to make and incorporate into a healthy life requires just two additional ingredients. They are a can of no or low sodium chicken stock and a package of fresh tortellini. Just cook the escarole and tortellini in the chicken broth and viola!, semi-homemade soup will be on the menu.

We know what you’re thinking right about now, “So how healthy is the soup?” On average, a serving of low sodium chicken broth is 10 calories and contains around 100 mg of potassium. A serving size of three cheese tortellini, on the other hand, has approximately 330 calories as well as healthy amounts of calcium and iron. As for the escarole, a ½ cup serving typically contains 4 calories and a whole head has roughly 87. It also contains vitamin A, folate and vitamin K.

To learn more about escarole, other foods and activities that may help you live a healthy life, please contact us at Merritt Athletic Clubs today.

Read More

Topics: best gym in baltimore, Baltimore health, Community supported agriculture, healthy lifestyle, healthy eating habits, Baltimore fitness, nutrition, farmers market, healthy eating

Virtual Tour: Merritt Athletic Clubs Towson

Posted by RaySa

Jan 23, 2014


View Larger Map

Read More

Topics: Merritt Athletics, best gym in baltimore, Personal Training, towson club, Merritt blog, gyms in towson, maryland premier gym, pools in towson, best gym in towson, fitness, Aquatics, gyms, gyms in 21286, aquatics in towson, health club, towson gym, group fitness