Merritt Clubs Blog

Whenever someone takes a class for the first time, it can be a little intimidating or overwhelming. When you arrive for your first group fitness class, you do not know how to start or what equipment you should use. A group fitness class should be fun and energizing. The class should also give you a relief from everyday stress, not give you a headache.

Here are some tips to help you handle the first class:

Meet Your Instructor

Introduce yourself to your group fitness instructor. Let your instructor know you are participating in your first class. Your instructor may recognize that you are new to the class, and he or she will be able to help you with the first steps. Your instructor can get you accustomed to the equipment, and give you helpful advice on what to expect.

Meet Other People

Introduce yourself to anyone standing near you. Most people who participate in group fitness classes are sociable people. When you are running on a treadmill surrounded by people who are pushing you and motivating you to succeed, it can be an amazing experience for you. The other participants can have great information and advice on how to feel comfortable in the class. The other group participants all had a first day of class too, and they stuck with it. So can you!

Try A Few Classes

Before you decide if you like the class, try attending three or four classes first. Not every group fitness class has the same skill level and learning curve. When you go into each class, go in prepared and willing to try new things. If you are participating in a cardio class that has music, you will probably need to learn the steps before you can get down! If you are participating in a strength class, you will have to know your weight limits. Give yourself time to learn everything you need to know before you make a decision.

These tips can help you gain the confidence to participate in a group fitness class. One day you may be able to help a new participant in his or her first group fitness class.

Contact us for more information about group fitness.

Taste The Six Pack

“Do you have abs”? This is a question that a friend of mine who is also trainer was asked by one of his clients. The quick answer, for anyone who is asked this is, YES! We all have “abs” which is the short name for the rectus abdominis, a large muscle in front of the abdomen that if weren’t there we couldn’t walk, lift things, stand upright, and our intestines and other organs would be falling out! So, yes, we all have abs. The specific question this client meant to ask is, “do you have visible abs, or the ever sought after six pack?” That is a very different story. So if we all have abs but most of us can’t see them the question is how do we get a six pack? Well the easy answer is exercise and a proper diet with a strong emphasis on proper diet. We all can’t see our abs but we can all taste them. Taste abs? What the heck do I mean right?! Well as you are reading this right now (as long as you aren’t eating anything) you are tasting what a six pack taste like. Six pack abs taste like seeing that bag of peanut M&Ms and walking past them. Six pack abs taste like not eating a piece of cake, not eating that bag of chips, not overeating, not overloading on carbs. This is a little trick that I taught myself to keep myself from eating junk food. I see something that would be delicious and I am tempted until I remember that NOT eating it is the way to the six pack.

Skeptical, anxious, excited, nervous, curious, hopeful. These were just some of the feelings I experienced while going through 12 weeks of training to become one of the few A.L.I.V.E. trainers at Merritt Athletic Clubs. Is there really a protocol that can reduce body fat, increase energy, cure dis-ease, reverse the physical signs of aging, and get people off of medications? How is this possible when this protocol is challenging some of the fundamental elements of health and fitness programs? How is this possible in just 8 weeks, starting out with only 6 minutes of cardio per day?? Phil Kaplan was making some bold statements about this program, and I was willing to keep an open mind and an open heart and jump in with both feet. If this program was even half as successful as Phil claimed, I could be saving lives!

As our pilot group of A.L.I.V.E. participants completes week 8 of the program I couldn't be more excited and proud! Here are just SOME of the results achieved from our group: dramatic weight loss WITHOUT restricting calories or cutting carbohydrates, increased strength and endurance, decreased blood pressure, relief from migraines, decreased blood sugar levels, increased energy, sleep better, cured of intestinal issues. Do you or anyone you know take medications daily? Have you been on every fad diet and extreme exercise program only to have all of the weight come back? What are you waiting for? Please don’t use time as an excuse… if you don’t make time for yourself, you won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

A.L.I.V.E. is an 8 week program designed to coach you through a lifestyle change… this is only the beginning!

To learn more about A.L.I.V.E. visit: http://merrittclubs.com/alive