Merritt Clubs Blog

What is functional fitness?
Functional fitness is a style of exercise that focuses on everyday movements (OPEX Fitness, 2023). Instead of focusing on maximal strength with ideal form, functional fitness emphasizes holistic strength and stability paired with bodily control. (OPEX Fitness, 2023). The idea is to be able to do everyday tasks, like lifting, carrying, or throwing something without hurting yourself.

The holidays are great. You get time off, you get to spend it with your family, and you get lots of wonderful food. Unfortunately, if you aren't careful, the food comes with an unwanted side dish. Hitting the gym in January is not going to get it off quickly. 

Foam rolling, a simple yet effective self-myofascial release technique, has gained popularity in recent years among fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and individuals seeking to enhance their overall well-being. This humble tool, often found in gyms and home workout spaces, offers a wide array of benefits that can positively impact your physical and mental health. In this blog, we'll explore the key advantages of foam rolling, backed by supporting details that explain why it's a valuable addition to your fitness routine.

As women get older, maintaining their desired weight becomes harder. The workouts that worked in their 20s and 30s may no longer give the same results. It’s normal for weight gain to start a few years before menopause, during the time known as perimenopause.

Many people attest that the flu season (also known as "respiratory virus season" due to the addition of RSV and COVID-19) is directly correlated with the colder weather. While lower temperatures are a contributing factor to catching this highly contagious respiratory condition, other lifestyle changes occur during these months that increase our risk of catching respiratory diseases. For example, we tend to hunker down inside and avoid sunlight which provides our bodies with Vitamin D. We also remain less physically active.

It's officially cozy season. The crisp autumn weather, savory comfort food, and warm sweaters make us want to curl up on the couch and watch a classic fall movie. As tempting as remaining snuggled up indoors is, it's still important to get our bodies moving. Maintaining a consistent routine of exercising throughout all seasons is beneficial to our overall health in so many ways.

Aging is a natural part of life, but it doesn't mean we have to accept a decline in physical strength and vitality. In fact, maintaining and even building strength becomes increasingly important as we age. Strength training, also known as resistance or weight training, is a powerful tool for aging well. Let's explore the compelling reasons why strength training is essential for individuals as they journey through the aging process.

Being a parent of young children is a rewarding yet demanding job that can leave little time for personal wellness, including exercise. Between diaper changes, meal prep, playdates, and bedtime routines, finding time to stay active can feel like an insurmountable challenge. However, with a bit of creativity and determination, you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine. In this blog, we'll explore practical tips and strategies to help busy parents stay fit and healthy while caring for their young kids.

Did you know that pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport? Today, the sport boasts the support of more than 36 million Americans and is played in 63 countries worldwide. This rise in popularity is mainly because the game is easy to play, appeals to a wide range of people and offers numerous health benefits.

When you think of core training, you probably think of endless crunches and planks. You might think of six-pack ab muscles on beach-ready bodies. But you may not think about all the other things a strong core does for you.