Merritt Clubs Blog

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!

It’s that time of the year. The holidays are looming, college students are in the thick of finals, the short days pass very quickly, and everyone is rushing to finish shopping, studying, working, schlepping, and cooking. How, in this busy season, do you find the time or even the energy to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Where does fitness fit into your day? Your week? Would it surprise you to know that the limiting factor in our lives when it comes to healthy life choices is not motivation or knowledge, but time?

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.

It seems like Labor Day was only yesterday and now the sun sets way too early, sweats are our outfits of choice, and the stress of the holidays is already creeping in. With Thanksgiving several days away, there’s no better time to plan for a fun, festive, and feel-good day.

When I teach classes that have squats in them, and that’s pretty much most of the classes I teach, people will often come up to me afterwards (or before) and tell me they can’t squat. “I can’t do squats. It bothers my knees.” “I don’t like squats, so during the squat track I’m just going to work abs, ok?” “Why do we do so many squats?” In reality, squats, and their many variations, are probably the one exercise everyone should do every day. According to Dr. Christopher Stepien, sports therapist and chronic pain expert, performing 50 squats a day will help your health and well-being. “Daily squats will help you mentally and will even give you better yearly checkups with your primary physician.”

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.