Merritt Clubs Blog

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.

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. 

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.

Traveling for the holidays? Don’t miss a workout with the IHRSA Passport Program and TrainAway

Welcome to the holiday season! Cranberries are commonly found at the dinner table during this time of the year, but don't forget about all the other months and days! These gorgeous, ruby colored berries are packed full of nutrients which are ready to nourish your body and give you radiant skin and hair.

Pull-ups are a total body exercise that offer numerous health and physique benefits. Just about everybody knows what a pull-up is...grip the bar so your body is suspended by your hands and pull yourself up. Pull-ups are simple, though that does not mean they are easy. The challenge is well worth it: not many movements work so many muscles at once.

Happy Halloween! This is it! The kids have changed their minds about costumes no less than 5 times, the pumpkins are carved and lit, and all that’s left is the magical night of trick or treating. Halloween is beyond exciting for kids (and some adults!). They’re hyper, distracted, and determined to stay up and eat as much candy as possible.

It’s hard to believe, but Halloween is next week. And, it’s not a far leap to see Thanksgiving and the December holidays just around the corner. Depending on how you look at it, Halloween could very well be the start of a season-long fight against the lure of comfort foods, sweets, and festive meals, or, it could be a practice run for the big food holidays that are soon to follow. Here are some easy ways to stay on the wellness path through this frightful time of year.

Staying active and fit is not just for the top athletes in prime shape. Whether you have a physical limitation which reduces the amount of time you can walk or a recent or chronic injury preventing you from moving at your max, there are still ways for you to squeeze in those walks. The key to exercising when you have a limitation or injury is to not overdo anything. Stay within your limitations by taking short walks and listening to your body. By heeding to the following suggestions, you will be able to stay fit and active through your recovery by taking short walks throughout the day. 

Going to the gym on an empty stomach isn't for everyone. Though you burn more calories working out without eating first, it is likely that you will not have enough energy to do an intense workout. Eating a small pre-workout meal will give you adequate fuel and nourishment to build the muscle you want. Save the hearty meal for a post-workout because if you eat a full meal beforehand, you will be tired and it will lead to stomach cramps.