Merritt Clubs Blog

Getting enough sleep is essential to maintaining your health. The Sleep Foundation informs readers that it's important for adults to get at least 7 hours of consistent sleep every night for proper brain and body functioning. When we neglect our sleep schedule and allow our bodies to become sleep deprived, we put ourselves at risk of serious diseases and medical conditions. These include things like "obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health, and early death" according to the Sleep Foundation.

Figuring out which fitness equipment to use at the gym can be confusing. There's so much to choose from that it's hard to know which machine would best suit your needs and goals. For instance, you could opt for a simple barbell and weights set or maybe look into a complicated machine with pulleys, cables, and weights. But if you're looking for something different, try TRX Suspension Training.

Having a pet is a rewarding experience. Not only do you have a best friend, but you also have a companion that can help you improve your health. Pets show unconditional love that can warm your heart, but also improve your heart's health. 

The heart is an incredible organ, with the ability to deliver essential nutrients via an average of 5 liters of blood per minute to cells all over the body, while removing waste.  It is now well-known that the food we eat has an impact on the heart's long term operating capacity.  According to the American Heart Association, the best foods for the heart include whole fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, and whole grains.  Here are two, easy and delicious recipes that are rich in healthy fats and nutrients that reduce inflammation, a known risk factor for heart disease.  Enjoy!

Going to the gym regularly is an important part of keeping your heart healthy. But you may be wondering, "What kind of exercises are best for heart health?" Aerobic exercise and resistance training are some of the best exercises you can do for a healthy heart. But what are they, and what are some examples of each?

We've all been there: The gym bag is packed, sneaks are right there waiting but the alarm goes off and we hit "snooze" and then snooze again because we could always just go after work instead of before work, right?  Then it's finally "after work" and we're hungry, tired, impatient, and ready to hit the couch instead of the weight rack.

As the number of people who spend the majority of the day seated increases, so do the health risks associated with these sedentary habits. A lack of physical activity has several negative impacts on different aspects of the human body and its performance, including the performance of a very important muscle: the human heart. A general lack of movement can be detrimental to a body's overall physical health.

Who doesn't absolutely love Taco Tuesday? Building and creating new ideas for tacos is a great way for the whole family to spend some time together! Here is a delicious and healthy recipe to sweeten up your Taco Tuesdays.

The season for making New Year's resolutions will be quickly upon us. What are you hoping to change or create in 2022? For many of us, some aspect of improving our fitness is the motivating force behind our resolutions for the new year. If this is true for you, read on for tips on how to get real results and stay committed to your goals in 2022.

During the holiday season, many of us tend to take a plane or have a road trip in order to see family members. Staying in a different environment may pose a challenge in keeping up with a workout program though. Here are some tips to balance fitness with travel.