Merritt Clubs Blog

Joining a fitness club is a big financial commitment and so finding the right facility that you will enjoy going to is critical to making the most out of your monthly dues. Take a tour, ask lots of questions and try out the fitness club first before signing any contract. Here are five things that you should keep in mind while you are searching for your fitness club.

Prenatal yoga is becoming more and more popular, and with good reason. Yoga is capable of improving physical and mental health. Using it as a way to improve your healthy life will become very beneficial to your physical and mental health.

Physical Health
In general yoga makes you stronger with each pose because it relies on your own body weight to perform and hold it. While holding it the move requires correct and controlled breathing techniques. When done correctly it helps us to breathe better where it benefits the whole body including the brain. With each pose your muscles become long and lean. Yoga calms our nerves, keeps our body aligned and eliminates back pain. It makes us flexible in the back, hips, hamstrings and shoulders.

Yoga also has a way of eliminating health dangers. De-stressing with yoga reduces blood pressure and improves blood circulation by slowing down heart rate. This is great for expecting mothers because stress is not good for the baby. It also reduces chances of heart disease, arthritis, asthma and stroke. It boosts immune system activity and lowers cholesterol.

Mental Health
Mentally we have a lot on our mind: work, family, financial issues, life changes. Yoga is the way to calm the mind so you think clearer. Yoga focuses so much on staying in one position and our breathing techniques that it clears our mind of everything else; nothing else matters.

Thinking clearly makes good decision making and great concentration skills. It brings a relaxed and positive mood. Yoga also brings something called body awareness—knowing where to move areas of your body for alignment improvement without hurling yourself. This makes you comfortable in your own skin, improves posture and boosts confidence in yourself.

Prenatal yoga is a great way to improve your body and to help you have a successful delivery. Merritt Athletic Clubs is your premiere place for it. Contact us for more information about it and to schedule a visit to our facility.

Prenatal yoga is becoming more and more popular, and with good reason. Yoga is capable of improving physical and mental health. Using it as a way to improve your healthy life will become very beneficial to your physical and mental health.

Physical Health
In general yoga makes you stronger with each pose because it relies on your own body weight to perform and hold it. While holding it the move requires correct and controlled breathing techniques. When done correctly it helps us to breathe better where it benefits the whole body including the brain. With each pose your muscles become long and lean. Yoga calms our nerves, keeps our body aligned and eliminates back pain. It makes us flexible in the back, hips, hamstrings and shoulders.

Yoga also has a way of eliminating health dangers. De-stressing with yoga reduces blood pressure and improves blood circulation by slowing down heart rate. This is great for expecting mothers because stress is not good for the baby. It also reduces chances of heart disease, arthritis, asthma and stroke. It boosts immune system activity and lowers cholesterol.

Mental Health
Mentally we have a lot on our mind: work, family, financial issues, life changes. Yoga is the way to calm the mind so you think clearer. Yoga focuses so much on staying in one position and our breathing techniques that it clears our mind of everything else; nothing else matters.

Thinking clearly makes good decision making and great concentration skills. It brings a relaxed and positive mood. Yoga also brings something called body awareness—knowing where to move areas of your body for alignment improvement without hurling yourself. This makes you comfortable in your own skin, improves posture and boosts confidence in yourself.

Prenatal yoga is a great way to improve your body and to help you have a successful delivery. Merritt Athletic Clubs is your premiere place for it. Contact us for more information about it and to schedule a visit to our facility.

Although heart monitors will keep you apprised of your level of fitness, they may not necessarily help with your performance. Training with a power meter, however, tells you exactly how much work you are putting into your cycling. It measures this work in terms of watts and spits out a number representing watts per hour. Competitive cyclists such as Miguel Indurain, winner of the Tour de France, average about 500 watts per hour in a controlled lab setting whereas the average gym rat clocks in at about 280 to 310 watts per hour. With these numbers in mind, it’s possible to use power meters to slowly increase the amount of power you’re using, even if you’re training indoors in a health club. Here are a few tips to incorporate power readings into your training:

1. Improve Your Performance by Comparing Your Readings with Others: If you have a friend who cycles faster than you, you can find out his/her power output to figure out exactly how much more power you’ll need to put into your workout to get the same results. Heart rate won’t give you the answers you’re looking for because two people can have the same heart rate and still average totally different speeds.

2. Use Power for Interval Training: Most coaches recommend interval training to improve overall performance. You can use your power meter to figure out what your usual power output is and then increase the power you use in intervals to improve overall performance. A few bursts of power in the course of a workout can lead to long-term results.

3. Use Power to Maintain Your Pace: If you’re participating in a race, you need to keep your power output as consistent as possible. Some people start out fresh and use up a lot of power in the beginning but don’t have enough left for the middle or the end. Others, who are trying to pace themselves, start out too slow. A power meter takes the guesswork out of things and makes sure you keep going at an even pace.

4. Keep Track: If you train regularly, your performance is going to improve. It can be a real boost to look back at your average power output six months or a year ago and compare it to your power output today. Plus, keeping track can help you figure out what your weak points are. When exactly do you stop working as hard, in a race or in a health club? Once you know this, you can tailor your training to address this issue.

Power meters may seem like yet another gadget that you don’t want to deal with, but training with power is simpler than you imagine and can help you to reach your cycling goals. Contact us for more information about training with power and watch your performance improve.

Although heart monitors will keep you apprised of your level of fitness, they may not necessarily help with your performance. Training with a power meter, however, tells you exactly how much work you are putting into your cycling. It measures this work in terms of watts and spits out a number representing watts per hour. Competitive cyclists such as Miguel Indurain, winner of the Tour de France, average about 500 watts per hour in a controlled lab setting whereas the average gym rat clocks in at about 280 to 310 watts per hour. With these numbers in mind, it’s possible to use power meters to slowly increase the amount of power you’re using, even if you’re training indoors in a health club. Here are a few tips to incorporate power readings into your training:

1. Improve Your Performance by Comparing Your Readings with Others: If you have a friend who cycles faster than you, you can find out his/her power output to figure out exactly how much more power you’ll need to put into your workout to get the same results. Heart rate won’t give you the answers you’re looking for because two people can have the same heart rate and still average totally different speeds.

2. Use Power for Interval Training: Most coaches recommend interval training to improve overall performance. You can use your power meter to figure out what your usual power output is and then increase the power you use in intervals to improve overall performance. A few bursts of power in the course of a workout can lead to long-term results.

3. Use Power to Maintain Your Pace: If you’re participating in a race, you need to keep your power output as consistent as possible. Some people start out fresh and use up a lot of power in the beginning but don’t have enough left for the middle or the end. Others, who are trying to pace themselves, start out too slow. A power meter takes the guesswork out of things and makes sure you keep going at an even pace.

4. Keep Track: If you train regularly, your performance is going to improve. It can be a real boost to look back at your average power output six months or a year ago and compare it to your power output today. Plus, keeping track can help you figure out what your weak points are. When exactly do you stop working as hard, in a race or in a health club? Once you know this, you can tailor your training to address this issue.

Power meters may seem like yet another gadget that you don’t want to deal with, but training with power is simpler than you imagine and can help you to reach your cycling goals. Contact us for more information about training with power and watch your performance improve.

It seems that most of the adults in this world have been trained to dread exercise. Somewhere along the way we developed the idea that it is a necessary evil, and we tolerate it at times, but it is not something to enjoy. Don't you want to change that mindset in your children? Get your children involved in some fun like summer camps or kids fitness classes that they will look forward to going to. Merritt Athletic Clubs offer many choices that kids will love.

XRKade Video Gaming Fitness

Have a gamer in the family? XRKade is a new video arcade focused on active games to get the user's heart pumping. Dancing, snowboarding, and bicycling are just a few of the games kids can participate in to get healthy while having fun.

Karate Classes

This non-traditional exercise class will train the mind and body as kids gain physical strength and mental focus. Both boys and girls enjoy learning karate, and classes are available for adults who want to try it too. Learn more here.

Dance and Gymnastics Classes

For kids who like to move, dance and gymnastics provides a great exercise routine, but the kids will only remember the fun. Gymnastics classes start for children as young as 18 months and dance for those 2.5 years and older. Zumba classes are also available for kids who like to dance but want to take a "grown up" class like Mom.

Wee Sports

Remember playing games on the playground like "Tag" and "Red Light, Green Light?" You probably didn't even realize you were exercising while having so much fun. Kids 3-5-years-old can play these classic games and start their fitness routine on a fun note.

Swimming

Swimming is a great workout and lessons are available for all ages, even adults. Do your kids resist traditional lessons? Simply hop in and play some fun water games to build endurance and burn calories.

Recently there has been a focus on encouraging children to live healthy, active lifestyles. Fitness Centers across the country are starting to provide opportunities for children to come in and take classes that are fun and interesting. If you live in Maryland and have a Merritt Athletic Club near you, check out some of these great opportunities for kids to get healthy. For more information on classes and schedules, contact us.

It seems that most of the adults in this world have been trained to dread exercise. Somewhere along the way we developed the idea that it is a necessary evil, and we tolerate it at times, but it is not something to enjoy. Don't you want to change that mindset in your children? Get your children involved in some fun like summer camps or kids fitness classes that they will look forward to going to. Merritt Athletic Clubs offer many choices that kids will love.

XRKade Video Gaming Fitness

Have a gamer in the family? XRKade is a new video arcade focused on active games to get the user's heart pumping. Dancing, snowboarding, and bicycling are just a few of the games kids can participate in to get healthy while having fun.

Karate Classes

This non-traditional exercise class will train the mind and body as kids gain physical strength and mental focus. Both boys and girls enjoy learning karate, and classes are available for adults who want to try it too. Learn more here.

Dance and Gymnastics Classes

For kids who like to move, dance and gymnastics provides a great exercise routine, but the kids will only remember the fun. Gymnastics classes start for children as young as 18 months and dance for those 2.5 years and older. Zumba classes are also available for kids who like to dance but want to take a "grown up" class like Mom.

Wee Sports

Remember playing games on the playground like "Tag" and "Red Light, Green Light?" You probably didn't even realize you were exercising while having so much fun. Kids 3-5-years-old can play these classic games and start their fitness routine on a fun note.

Swimming

Swimming is a great workout and lessons are available for all ages, even adults. Do your kids resist traditional lessons? Simply hop in and play some fun water games to build endurance and burn calories.

Recently there has been a focus on encouraging children to live healthy, active lifestyles. Fitness Centers across the country are starting to provide opportunities for children to come in and take classes that are fun and interesting. If you live in Maryland and have a Merritt Athletic Club near you, check out some of these great opportunities for kids to get healthy. For more information on classes and schedules, contact us.

You made a resolution at the beginning of the year to get healthy and lose some weight. You decided to do it on your own, and things were going great for awhile. But now, a couple of months into it, you're losing your spark and your weight loss has reached a plateau. Treating yourself to a fitness center membership might be just the thing to get you back on course.

Variety Prevents Boredom

Maybe you invested in a machine to help you get fit. A treadmill or a elliptical machine are common choices and work well, but after using them everyday they get boring. A gym has many more choices to prevent you from getting bored. You can try different machines, and switch throughout your workout to help you stay interested and make the time fly by. Merritt Athletic Clubs have so many choices you will find yourself exercising longer because you're enjoying your workout time.

Group Classes

Many people think they'd like to exercise by themselves without any onlookers, but there are great benefits to taking a class with other people. You will find comaraderie in meeting people with similar goals, and make friends that will cheer you on. Try a class in pilates, yoga, aerobics, cycling, or give it your all in more intense classes like BodyPump, BodyCombat, or BodyAttack. Whatever your level, we will help you find a class that meets your needs.

Personal Trainers

There's a mindset out there that personal trainers are just for the elite. They are hired by the wealthy or the hard core bodybuilders. Personal trainers at Merritt Clubs are available upon request, and they can help in a variety of ways. Whatever shape you are in, they can evaluate your situation and give you direction to help you achieve your goals. With a few simple tips and encouragement, our trainers can help you get back on the right path.

Maybe you thought you're not a gym person, but your current fitness plan is starting to fizzle out. Consider all the benefits Merritt Athletic Clubs has to offer, and contact us. We love to help people achieve their fitness goals and enjoy a healthier life.

You made a resolution at the beginning of the year to get healthy and lose some weight. You decided to do it on your own, and things were going great for awhile. But now, a couple of months into it, you're losing your spark and your weight loss has reached a plateau. Treating yourself to a fitness center membership might be just the thing to get you back on course.

Variety Prevents Boredom

Maybe you invested in a machine to help you get fit. A treadmill or a elliptical machine are common choices and work well, but after using them everyday they get boring. A gym has many more choices to prevent you from getting bored. You can try different machines, and switch throughout your workout to help you stay interested and make the time fly by. Merritt Athletic Clubs have so many choices you will find yourself exercising longer because you're enjoying your workout time.

Group Classes

Many people think they'd like to exercise by themselves without any onlookers, but there are great benefits to taking a class with other people. You will find comaraderie in meeting people with similar goals, and make friends that will cheer you on. Try a class in pilates, yoga, aerobics, cycling, or give it your all in more intense classes like BodyPump, BodyCombat, or BodyAttack. Whatever your level, we will help you find a class that meets your needs.

Personal Trainers

There's a mindset out there that personal trainers are just for the elite. They are hired by the wealthy or the hard core bodybuilders. Personal trainers at Merritt Clubs are available upon request, and they can help in a variety of ways. Whatever shape you are in, they can evaluate your situation and give you direction to help you achieve your goals. With a few simple tips and encouragement, our trainers can help you get back on the right path.

Maybe you thought you're not a gym person, but your current fitness plan is starting to fizzle out. Consider all the benefits Merritt Athletic Clubs has to offer, and contact us. We love to help people achieve their fitness goals and enjoy a healthier life.

Feeling bored in your usual workout routine? The cold winter months are a great time to investigate variety as the spice of a healthy life.

According to researchers at the University of Florida, “One of the main reasons people stop exercising is that they get bored.” Adding variety to your exercise routine is a way to avoid boredom and continue your commitment to healthy living.

Adding variety to your workout routine is most simply done through your choice of exercise mode. Some examples of exercise modes include cardiovascular exercise (such as walking, running, cycling, or swimming), interval training (such as circuit training), and strength training (such as kettle bell exercises or traditional weight lifting exercises). These options and many more are available to you at Merritt Clubs! Friendly and knowledgeable staff members are ready to assist you as you search for new workout options to add to your routine.

As you try new kinds of exercise, make sure to take note of the amount of fun you are having! With so many options available to you, there is no need to stick to a monotonous routine that leaves you dreading every trip to the gym. Find activities you enjoy and keep them part of your routine! For example, if strength training is your preferred mode of exercise, you can add variety through the equipment used in your workouts. A dumbbell workout can be alternated with a TRX workout; or a kettlebell workout can alternate with a workout of body weight exercises.

So remember, variety is the spice of a healthy life! There is no limit to the creativity and variety one can enjoy while pursuing a healthy, balanced life.

Merritt Athletic Clubs is the largest fitness center operation in the Baltimore area with several 24 hour gyms to fit your lifestyle. These include the 24 HR Downtown Athletic Club, 24 HR Buckingham, 24 HR Canton, and 24 HR Cranbrook facilities (Eldersburg, Fort Avenue, Owings Mills, Security, & Towson). Contact us to learn more.