Merritt Clubs Blog

   

Put the Beat in Your Feet

Posted by Lori O'Donnell

Apr 10, 2019

Whether we are conscious of it or not, our lives have rhythm. We hear the tick-tock of the clock on the wall. When we walk or run, our gait has a certain tempo. There’s rhythm in our daily patterns, the way we move, the changing colors of the traffic lights, the drip of a faucet. As many studies have shown, a certain rhythm can make people walk, run, swim, paddle, or pedal faster.

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Topics: exercise tips

3 Alternative Exercises to Help Cut Down Shoulder Joint Injuries

Posted by Joshua Harmon

Aug 15, 2018

No pain no gain, right???

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Topics: workout tips, exercise tips

Importance of Self-Care While Working Out

Posted by Merritt Clubs

Jul 10, 2018

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.

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Topics: workout tips, exercise tips

Trainer Q&A: Corrective Exercise and Movement Patterns

Posted by Katrina Viloria

Mar 7, 2018

You enter the gym, choose a machine, set the weight, and do your thing. Lather, rinse, repeat. 

And then you stop and wonder, "Have I been working out properly? Am I moving my body the right way? Am I optimizing it to its full potential?

Fitness experts and Merritt Clubs Fort Avenue trainers Tony Strittmatter and James Rehak sat down with us to talk about the importance of knowing the intricacies of your body, of moving correctly, and fixing bad patterns.

 

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Topics: workout tips, exercise tips

Exercise Your Options: 4 Strategies to Increase Body Tone

Posted by RaySa

Jul 11, 2014

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Topics: exercise tips, improving workout, Fitness Tips, optimize workout, workout strategy, most effective workout, best exercises, best workout plan

The Importance of Cross Training

Posted by Heather Blake

Aug 17, 2012

 

Why is Cross Training Important?

Cross training is when you use several different types of training methods to improve overall fitness or a specific component of fitness.

Many people make the mistake of doing the same workout for months, even years without making any changes or adjustments. The body is an amazing machine, able to adapt based on the demands placed upon it. Fitness is improved only when the body is pushed beyond its limits, where it is then forced to improve. After a certain time period the body adapts to a certain workout and is no longer challenged.

Thus, you need to change your workout and try different types of exercise every couple of days, weeks, and months to keep your body challenged. Challenge yourself to try a new workout. It will improve your fitness, help with weight loss, reduce your chance of injuries, and even work muscles you never knew you had. Break the monotony try something new.

Written by Paul Kirkpatrick

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Topics: workout tips, cross training, exercise tips, Fitness Tips, fitness workouts, fitness, fitness training, cross fitness, weight loss with exercise

A few Ways for Busy Parents to Find Time to Exercise

Posted by Andrew Barranco

Jan 17, 2012

If you are a parent I am sure you find it a challenge to find time for yourself. For many busy parents it is all they can do to keep up with their family’s schedule, between work, their children’s growing list of activities and family responsibilities, finding time to workout does not seem possible. As a parent its not news to you, that you often put the needs and wants of your children in front of your own. For the past 10 years I have coached a youth swim team and have seen dedicated parents bring their children to swim practice. Many of these swimmers have created great fitness habits swimming one to two hours 3-5 times a week. Their parents have done a great job of creating a positive fitness habit. However many parents feel they don’t have time for themselves. We encourage our parents to use the club and workout themselves the same time their children are swimming. You are already at Merritt Athletic clubs. You may as well take the 30 minutes your child is in a swim lesson or the swim team practice and get your workout in too! Taking time for yourself is not a selfish act; it’s an investment in yourself and your family. Recently we launched a program called Express Poolside Fitness for Swim Team Parents, an idea suggested by one of the assistant coaches. Regardless of your child’s activities, find time for you! If they are playing soccer or basketball, is their a place you can walk? Or run? A field or track near by? If you would like more information on the Express Poolside Fitness please click here.

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Topics: Merritt Athletics, playtime and exercise, working parents, exercise tips, fitness jumpstart, family fitness, time for exercise, Fitness Tips, busy parents, make a difference, exercise Baltimore

19 Fitness Tips for your Exercise and Fitness Goals

Posted by RaySa

Aug 9, 2011

Fitness Tip 19:

"The following is a list of known power foods: almonds + other nuts, beans + legumes, spinach and other greens, oatmeal (without added sugar), eggs, turkey + other lean meats, dairy (fat free or low fat), peanut butter, olive oil, whole-grains, raspberries and other berries. The nutrients you get form these will help power up your natural fat burners, protect you from illness and injury, and keep you lean and fit for life!" -Stephanie Carrigo, Merritt Personal Trainer
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Topics: workout tips, body fitness, health fitness tips, exercise tips, nutrition tips, Reagan and the Mix Morning Show, workout routine to lose weight, Fitness Tips, toneitup, charmcityrun, training and weight loss, build muscle lose fat, Jojo, heath tips