Merritt Clubs Blog

If you keep meaning to work out but you're still sitting on the couch, you may want to get yourself an exercise journal to bring to the best health clubs in Baltimore. It’s a simple and surefire resource for staying on track.

Where to Get an Exercise Journal: There’s an exercise journal for every kind of gym member. Maybe you want to enter your data into the latest and most sophisticated mobile app. Maybe you’re happy writing on the back side of any scrap paper that’s lying around. Whatever works for you is the right system.

Many people prefer to work out at their home. They don't want to embarrass themselves because they are out of shape. They don't want to sweat (quickly) in front of others. They might be intimidated by the many machines and fancy classes that a gym offers.

However, there are many good reasons to get off of your butt and join a fitness gym today.

• Try something new. Sometimes you need to try something new to find out that you really love something. You may find a fun new way to fit exercise into your schedule. It might be so much fun that it won't feel like work (as much).
• Motivation. You will find motivation at a gym. Whether you find workout buddies to monitor and share your progress or bodies that you admire, you should find plenty of motivation at a gym. Maybe you might find a few classes that you hate to miss.
• Childcare. Many people use the excuse that they can't exercise because of their children. Many gyms offer childcare, whether or not it is included in the monthly fee or not. Then, you have no reason not to exercise.
• Personal Trainers. Whether you are just starting an exercise routine or you have been exercising a while, you might need a personal trainer to help you reach your goals. Maybe you need help setting realistic goals and meeting them. A personal trainer might just help you get on your way.

Though you might not want to join a gym, you might find yourself loving it once you do. You will find yourself with a whole lot of different opportunities to take classes and use different machines. This will change the way that you exercise. Then, if you use a personal trainer, you may reach your goals quickly and decide to push even harder. If you have children, you may also take advantage of a gym that offers childcare so you can’t use that excuse either.

Contact us or stop by today to see all that our club offers!

Many people prefer to work out at their home. They don't want to embarrass themselves because they are out of shape. They don't want to sweat (quickly) in front of others. They might be intimidated by the many machines and fancy classes that a gym offers.

However, there are many good reasons to get off of your butt and join a fitness gym today.

• Try something new. Sometimes you need to try something new to find out that you really love something. You may find a fun new way to fit exercise into your schedule. It might be so much fun that it won't feel like work (as much).
• Motivation. You will find motivation at a gym. Whether you find workout buddies to monitor and share your progress or bodies that you admire, you should find plenty of motivation at a gym. Maybe you might find a few classes that you hate to miss.
• Childcare. Many people use the excuse that they can't exercise because of their children. Many gyms offer childcare, whether or not it is included in the monthly fee or not. Then, you have no reason not to exercise.
• Personal Trainers. Whether you are just starting an exercise routine or you have been exercising a while, you might need a personal trainer to help you reach your goals. Maybe you need help setting realistic goals and meeting them. A personal trainer might just help you get on your way.

Though you might not want to join a gym, you might find yourself loving it once you do. You will find yourself with a whole lot of different opportunities to take classes and use different machines. This will change the way that you exercise. Then, if you use a personal trainer, you may reach your goals quickly and decide to push even harder. If you have children, you may also take advantage of a gym that offers childcare so you can’t use that excuse either.

Contact us or stop by today to see all that our club offers!

Photo Credit: Susanne Forno

In our world today there is one thing you can do, that doesn’t cost anything but your time, and that can save lives, is giving blood. It’s the ultimate give back! Check out this inspiring story below…

White Marsh Member and employee, Sam Miskiel coordinated a Red Cross Blood Drive at Merritt Athletic Clubs - White Marsh back in August, but it is not a surprise by any means. Sam’s mother, Dawn DiBattista, has been an American Red Cross supporter for many years and has received the “2013 Rising Star” award from the American Red Cross Upper Chesapeake and Potomac Region for her successful bi-monthly blood drives at the company she works for. Dawn’s father and Sam’s grandfather, Nicolas Camillo DiBattista, suffered from a rare blood disorder for more than 42 years and received many blood transfusions; on August 3, 2005 he passed away. The day after his 9 year “angel anniversary”, on August 4, 2014, Sam held his first blood drive at the White Marsh Merritt with his mom Dawn by his side as a helper. Also, Dawn’s sister and husband donated that day, including Sam who just recently started donating blood since turning 18. Sam quickly understood the importance of donating and the gratification that comes along with donating and the lives it can save (up to 3 lives per donation) and how blood transfusions prolonged his grandfather’s life. I visited the club that day with my kids and was privileged to see Sam’s efforts and the support of his family go to such a good cause. I also couldn’t help but notice at least 2 members were first time blood donors and I know there were more. Thank you Merritt and the members that donated that day. I hope you continue to donate every 56 days and encourage other members to donate at the next blood drive! I am so proud of Dawn and Sam for their commitment to the American Red Cross and giving back to the community in honor of their father/grandfather.
Member – Susanne Forno

Give the Gift of Life this holiday season. The demand for blood is great during the holidays and the donation rate decreases. Please consider donating blood at the Merritt Athletic Clubs -White Marsh. Please Pre-register at the club or contact me below.

To register for our next blood drive, please contact Dianne Frager dfrager@merrittclubs.com 410-773-9007 ext. 5534

Photo Credit: Susanne Forno

In our world today there is one thing you can do, that doesn’t cost anything but your time, and that can save lives, is giving blood. It’s the ultimate give back! Check out this inspiring story below…

White Marsh Member and employee, Sam Miskiel coordinated a Red Cross Blood Drive at Merritt Athletic Clubs - White Marsh back in August, but it is not a surprise by any means. Sam’s mother, Dawn DiBattista, has been an American Red Cross supporter for many years and has received the “2013 Rising Star” award from the American Red Cross Upper Chesapeake and Potomac Region for her successful bi-monthly blood drives at the company she works for. Dawn’s father and Sam’s grandfather, Nicolas Camillo DiBattista, suffered from a rare blood disorder for more than 42 years and received many blood transfusions; on August 3, 2005 he passed away. The day after his 9 year “angel anniversary”, on August 4, 2014, Sam held his first blood drive at the White Marsh Merritt with his mom Dawn by his side as a helper. Also, Dawn’s sister and husband donated that day, including Sam who just recently started donating blood since turning 18. Sam quickly understood the importance of donating and the gratification that comes along with donating and the lives it can save (up to 3 lives per donation) and how blood transfusions prolonged his grandfather’s life. I visited the club that day with my kids and was privileged to see Sam’s efforts and the support of his family go to such a good cause. I also couldn’t help but notice at least 2 members were first time blood donors and I know there were more. Thank you Merritt and the members that donated that day. I hope you continue to donate every 56 days and encourage other members to donate at the next blood drive! I am so proud of Dawn and Sam for their commitment to the American Red Cross and giving back to the community in honor of their father/grandfather.
Member – Susanne Forno

Give the Gift of Life this holiday season. The demand for blood is great during the holidays and the donation rate decreases. Please consider donating blood at the Merritt Athletic Clubs -White Marsh. Please Pre-register at the club or contact me below.

To register for our next blood drive, please contact Dianne Frager dfrager@merrittclubs.com 410-773-9007 ext. 5534

Baltimore artist and Merritt Athletic Clubs swim coach Katie Pumphrey has begun training to swim the English Channel. She shares what she thinks it will take to swim the dangerous crossing and what is driving her to take the plunge. (Whitney Leaming / The Washington Post)

Baltimore artist and Merritt Athletic Clubs swim coach Katie Pumphrey has begun training to swim the English Channel. She shares what she thinks it will take to swim the dangerous crossing and what is driving her to take the plunge. (Whitney Leaming / The Washington Post)

Has all the recent talk surrounding Michael Phelps’ June 2013 photo shoot got your kiddos reaching for their swimsuits? If so, you may want to capitalize on their enthusiasm for the retired Olympian by signing them up for our Michael Phelps Swim School Program. It’s an excellent way to improve yourkids' fitness levels and fuel their chlorine soaked, athletic dreams.

For proof of the activity’s fitness value, just take a moment to consider all of the health benefits commonly associated with it. They include the ability to improve our musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems as well as burn calories. Some people say it can even improve one’s mood and minimize certain maladaptive behaviors. In addition, knowing such skills can help to reduce your child’s risk of being involved in an accidental drowning.

Our version of the kids’ fitness program is being offered at our Merritt Athletic Clubs in Towson, Canton and Eldersburg. It is designed for Maryland residents between 6 months and 12 years of age. Families may opt to sign their children up for once a week, individual or group lessons based on their age and skill level. In general, both types of lessons tend to last 30 minutes each and run over a course of 6 weeks.

The skill levels include get wet, pre-beginner, beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate. During the sessions, the kids will learn such valuable skills as rotary breathing, backstroke and freestyle techniques. They’ll also receive Michael Phelps related, motivational items including gold medal stickers. Session times and dates will vary based on the Michael Phelps Swim School Program level desired.

Would you like to learn more about the Michael Phelps Swim School and the other great kids’ fitness programs offered at our Towson, Canton and Eldersburg locations? Contact us by calling 1-410-563-0225 or stop by the Merritt Athletic Clubs’ website.

Has all the recent talk surrounding Michael Phelps’ June 2013 photo shoot got your kiddos reaching for their swimsuits? If so, you may want to capitalize on their enthusiasm for the retired Olympian by signing them up for our Michael Phelps Swim School Program. It’s an excellent way to improve yourkids' fitness levels and fuel their chlorine soaked, athletic dreams.

For proof of the activity’s fitness value, just take a moment to consider all of the health benefits commonly associated with it. They include the ability to improve our musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems as well as burn calories. Some people say it can even improve one’s mood and minimize certain maladaptive behaviors. In addition, knowing such skills can help to reduce your child’s risk of being involved in an accidental drowning.

Our version of the kids’ fitness program is being offered at our Merritt Athletic Clubs in Towson, Canton and Eldersburg. It is designed for Maryland residents between 6 months and 12 years of age. Families may opt to sign their children up for once a week, individual or group lessons based on their age and skill level. In general, both types of lessons tend to last 30 minutes each and run over a course of 6 weeks.

The skill levels include get wet, pre-beginner, beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate. During the sessions, the kids will learn such valuable skills as rotary breathing, backstroke and freestyle techniques. They’ll also receive Michael Phelps related, motivational items including gold medal stickers. Session times and dates will vary based on the Michael Phelps Swim School Program level desired.

Would you like to learn more about the Michael Phelps Swim School and the other great kids’ fitness programs offered at our Towson, Canton and Eldersburg locations? Contact us by calling 1-410-563-0225 or stop by the Merritt Athletic Clubs’ website.