Merritt Clubs Blog

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, decorative hearts remain visible all over. This can help serve as a reminder that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Statistics show that one person dies every 37 seconds in the US from cardiovascular disease, and unfortunately, the number of people impacted is only increasing. On the upside, many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.

I’m sure by now you’ve heard that February is Heart Month. Merritt Clubs is offering many programs and classes throughout the month that support heart health and the American Heart Association. No matter your level of activity, by exercising just a couple of days during the week, you are already taking important steps to fight heart disease.

Did you know February is American Heart Month? While maintaining a healthy heart should not be restricted to just this month, we do want to use this time to help you prevent heart disease. Here are some workout tips we gathered after we spoke with Merritt Clubs Fort Avenue Fitness Director Heidi Shaneybrook.

Most kids stay active throughout the summer, as the sun is out and the weather is warm. When the winter months come around, many kids tend to get lazy and are not as active. This can result in some serious health issues. With flu season among us, it is important to stay healthy and encourage fitness year round. Read on for some tips on how to keep your kids active in the winter.

Stress that is left unchecked can lead to a wide range of mental and physical health problems. We all know stress can contribute to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and headaches, but did you know that stress has also been linked to diabetes, and some studies even suggest a possible link to cancer? Let’s take a brief look at some of the science behind stress.

There is no master key to living a healthy life, and no one solution is going to be the answer to making life simple. Finding balance in your daily routine and making adjustments to the lifestyle choices you make can greatly improve your life and alleviate stress from day-to-day stressors. 

Do you have people? You know what I’m talking about…YOUR people. That friend you can count on or call on at any hour of the day or night. The person you see in the middle of Target and instantly connect with. The person you meet on the street and think “we should be friends.”

Another holiday season has come and gone and if you’re at home for the next few days enjoying your freedom until the reality of Monday rolls around, consider using this time to catch up on those Zzz’s. Getting proper sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health. When it comes to health, sleep is just as important, if not more, than exercise and a balanced diet. It turns out, sleep is the magical ingredient to keep your brain, your body, and your emotions functioning at an ideal level.

Some people will tell you they absolutely have to listen to music while working out. However, others might say they can't stand it or have never tried.

As 2019 winds down, our minds are filled with holiday plans, a long list of to-dos, and the beginning stages of setting resolutions for 2020. Goal setting is important because goals give us direction and help to build confidence. Goals are what take us forward in life and guide us on the path to achieving our true desires. It has been stated by the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar that “a goal properly set is halfway reached.” This statement cannot be more accurate!