Merritt Clubs Blog

   

Premiere Fitness Health Club

Posted by Merritt Athletic Clubs

Aug 31, 2016

Choosing to join a gym is a big decision and can truly be an overwhelming process. Whether you're working out at home and feel the gym would offer more inspiration or are only just beginning to work out, it is imperative that you get the most out of the exercise gym. Regardless of where you are in life, there are some details that you certainly need to think about before deciding on a gym.

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Topics: Personal Training, MD health clubs, health clubs, best health clubs, Personal trainer, best health club, merritt clubs, premiere health club

A Quality Health Club Offers Programs for All-Around Wellness

Posted by RaySa

Jun 19, 2014

If you're looking for a place to work out, there are options on just about every corner. But if you're serious about getting healthy, you need to look a little deeper into what a health club offers.

Speak with a Dietician

Exercise is important to your health, but it's just as important to monitor how you are fueling your body. People trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle are often left to their own devices in the area of diet, because most gyms just deal with exercise. Merritt Athletic Clubs offers a dietician on staff (learn more here) who can help with issues such as weight loss, nutritional help for medical problems, diets to achieve peak athletic performance, and eating to prevent illness. When trying to achieve wellness, don't leave out this piece of the puzzle.

Massage Therapy

Many people view massage as an unnecessary, indulgent activity, but it has many health benefits, including stress relief, increasing blood flow, release of toxins, and overall wellness. We offer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Sports, and Pregnancy Massages. Call us to find out which one is right for you. Learn more and book appointment here!

Spa Services

Part of overall wellness is simply feeling good about yourself, so we also offer spa services at many of our locations. Whether you need a facial, hair services, a manicure or pedicure, we are hear to make sure you leave feeling your best.

For overall wellness, it's important to have all the pieces of the puzzle. Once you do, exercising becomes much more productive and you will see more impressive results. The Mayo Clinic suggests 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, as well as strength training twice a week. Whether you enjoy swimming laps in the pool, taking a group class, or working out on the machines by yourself, we provide many opportunities so that you can achieve optimal health.

To find a location that provides the services you are looking for, contact us.

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Topics: Baltimore health, massage, Merritt blog, best diets, health clubs, diet and exercise, wellness, gyms, massage therapy, nutrition, best gyms

Exercise your options for sore muscles - massage or light exercise?

Posted by RaySa

Jun 20, 2013

You worked out at the gym a few days ago and went all-out with extra reps or achieved a personal best in the amount of weight for that bench press. Felt great, didn’t it? But you woke up the next day very sore and those muscles are tender to the touch. How to speed up the recovery process and get back to normal again? Here at Merritt Athletic Clubs, you can exercise your options and find the solution to muscle soreness.

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Topics: Merritt Athletics, how to reduce muscle soreness, Personal Training, health, better health, Merritt blog, health clubs, Fitness Tips, fitness, Baltimore fitness, best fitness tips, group fitness, muscles, best gym, fit tips

Merritt Athletic Club Announces Pool Grand Opening at Towson Location

Posted by RaySa

Jun 10, 2013

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Topics: Merritt Athletics, water slides, Merritt blog, health clubs, Baltimore swimming pools, family fun pool, towson health, Aquatics, aquatic center, gyms, Awareness and Support, summer camps, Baltimore fitness, towson gym, best gyms

New Findings Support Exercise At Any Time of Day and 24 Hour Gyms

Posted by RaySa

Apr 22, 2013

A new poll provides evidence that exercise at any time of day is good for sleep, which makes 24 hour gyms sound better than ever. The 2013 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll may make you want to reconsider any curfew you set on working out.

Researchers found that exercise at any time of day improved sleep quality for most people compared to getting no exercise at all. The overall results about the connection between exercise and sleep quality were dramatic with 67 percent of exercisers reporting good quality sleep compared to 39 percent of non-exercisers. While conventional wisdom used to warn people that exercising too late at night might keep them up, the NSF has now changed its position to encourage exercise at any hour. The one exception is for people who already suffer from insomnia, who are advised to stick with their doctor’s treatment plan.

This is all good news if you enjoy normal sleep. The new recommendations provide you with more options for when to schedule your workouts. If you travel frequently or work rotating hours and evening shifts, the overnight hours may be the only time you can visit a fitness center. Even if you follow a typical work week, there may be times when a 24 hour gym is convenient like when your schedule is thrown off by holidays or house guests. Of course, you may just be a night owl and like the perks of less traffic and shorter lines for the abdominal machine.

No matter what time of day you work out, you’ll find the doors open at one of our 24 hour gyms. Merritt Athletic Clubs is the largest fitness center operation in the Baltimore area. Contact us to learn more about our 24 hour facilities including 24 HR Downtown Athletic Club, 24 HR Buckingham, 24 HR Canton, and 24 HR Cranbrook.

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Topics: Merritt Athletics, 24 hour fitness, Personal Training, 24 hr fitness centers, Merritt blog, how to get better sleep, health clubs, Fitness Tips, 24 hr gyms, best gyms in baltimore, gyms, Member Success Stories, group fitness, 24 hour gyms, best gyms

Exercise Your Options: Which Fitness Club is Best for You?

Posted by RaySa

Mar 29, 2013

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Topics: Merritt Athletics, sports clubs, Personal Training, Merritt blog, family fitness, health clubs, Fitness Tips, best health clubs, family clubs, merritt athletic clubs, fitness clubs, kids fitness, best workouts, lifestyle change, group fitness

Summer Camps 2013 At Merritt Athletic Clubs

Posted by RaySa

Mar 6, 2013

Merritt Athletic Clubs offers a wide variety of summer camps at several different locations. Check out our camps so you can plan a summer filled with loads of activity, learning, and fun for your children!

VIEW CAMPS:

24 HR Canton | Eldersburg | Towson

 

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Topics: karate camps, Merritt Athletics, Personal Training, Merritt blog, special day camps, baltimore gyms, pre-school camps, baltimore camps, health clubs, sports camps, ultimate fun camp, fitness centers, dance camps, kids fitness, Awareness and Support, aquatic camps, summer camps, group fitness, best gyms

Make Personal Training Work for You!

Posted by RaySa

Jan 25, 2013

There are plenty of personal trainers out there willing to take your money and give you a workout. The question is - how do you know which traineris right for you?

Ask some key questions of yourself before approaching a trainer:

1. What is my goal (Weight loss? Overall toning? Better cardio health?)

2. How much time can I commit? (Most trainers will want to meet at least twice a week when beginning with a new client.)

3. Am I willing to change my diet? (Many trainers will ask to see a food log.)

4. By what date do I hope to meet my goal? (Be realistic - trainers are not magicians. If you are not sure what a realistic target is, most trainers are equipped to help with that.)

Then, with those answers in hand, ask some key questions of potential trainers:

1. What certifications do you hold? (There are many certifying bodies. Your goal here is to ensure that your trainer has attained the education necessary to ensure your safety.)

2. What is your training style? (Functional or real life training? Agility for athletes? Helping clients lose weight? You might also ask if the trainer has any prior clients you can speak to. Some carry a portfolio of before and after pictures, which are helpful if your goal is to lose weight or change your appearance.)

3. Do you carry insurance? (Trainers usually carry liability insurance. Some may be covered by their workplace.) By matching your desires to a trainer's style and abilities, you have the best shot of finding a training professional who can help you achieve your goals. Don't forget that you're in charge of the trainer/client relationship. Ask questions that ensure you are getting what you need and want from personal training.

Contact us for more information!

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Topics: Personal Training, Merritt blog, best trainers, health clubs, workout routine to lose weight, Fitness Tips, how to get healthy, fitness goals, best workout plans, best workouts, pt in baltimore, healthy diets

Gary’s Secret To Losing 106 Pounds + How To Fight The Effects Of Aging

Posted by RaySa

Jul 17, 2012

Gary Desper adds back "The Healthy Years!"

“In my 20s, I was focused on starting a family, completing law school and beginning my career. I did not take anytime to care for myself. I ate what I wanted and exercise was something I dreaded. In August 2009, I weighed in at my heaviest ever at nearly 280 pounds and was very unhappy with how I felt and looked. Now in my mid 30s, I realized I was at risk of developing serious health problems that I might not be able to reverse and that could take years off my life. I became determined to take control of my health and change for the better. I knew I hadn’t put on the weight over night, so I wasn’t going to be able to take it off overnight either. I set realistic goals to improve my eating, exercise more and change my lifestyle. Early in 2010, I signed up for Merritt’s Biggest Loser and I have completed three rounds of the program so far. Through working with trainers Rob Stempel and Karen Martinez I have gained several new tools to help me with my personal fitness goals. Today I weigh 174 pounds. I’ve lost nearly 106 pounds so far. My young children have seen the changes in me and have become interested in making healthier choices. This is a life long journey and I will continue to work on being the healthiest I can be so I can fully enjoy my family and the many other good things in life.

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Topics: biggest loser club, merritt’s biggest loser, workout, exercise, weight control, weight plan, goals, health clubs, member success, fitness, Lose weight diet, healthy diet, Member Success Stories, living healthy, weight loss diet

Merritt Athletic Clubs Announces Their New Division: Merritt Club Management

Posted by RaySa

Jun 13, 2012

Merritt Club Management

BALTIMORE – April 25, 2012 – Merritt Athletic Clubs, an industry and community leader in health and fitness, today announced the formal inception of Merritt Club Management. The company plans to grow its design and management service to provide businesses with integrated managed solutions.

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Topics: club management, market analysis, program design, staffing, health clubs, Merritt Club Management, facility design, management, equipment procurement, individual wellness, facilities management, Baltimore fitness, design layout, corporate, marketing, sales