Merritt Clubs Blog

When many people decide that it is time to get fit, hit the gym, or start to exercise regularly they simply join a gym and start doing what they think is the best exercises for them to reach their goals. While joining a gym and showing up on a regular basis is definitely the first step and very admirable, it is by no means the best way to achieve goals. People tend to believe that they know what to do because it is their body, they have lived in it for however many years and they may have read an exercise book or two or played lacrosse in high school. Maybe they even used to work out or have friends that either did or currently do work out.

The human body is the most intricate and complex machine ever created; so, why do we assume we can figure it out just because it’s time to get fit? I drive a car and I have almost every day of my life since I was 17 years old (I’m now 32). I’m very familiar with how to operate my car and I would venture to say that I’m a pretty good driver. That being said, when it comes time for a tune up or a repair, I don’t usually pop the hood myself. And if I do, I soon realize that I’m going to need the help of a professional - a mechanic or someone trained to know how a car works internally and knows how to make the proper repairs is way more suited to handle the job. The human body is far more complex than a vehicle; so when going to make repairs or even regularly scheduled maintenance, it is best to seek the advice of a fitness professional.

Variables such as which exercises, rep schemes, heart rate, VO2 max, BMR, proper form, time of sessions and periodization are just some of the many things that have to be considered to achieve maximum results while avoiding injury. If these things seem foreign to you, like a piston of a car engine is foreign to me, than it is time to consult a fitness professional to maximize your fitness goals!! Ask us, that’s why we’re here. It’s our job, it’s what we do!!

By: Eric “Scott” Landers, Personal Trainer at Towson

Have a Question? Ask a certified personal trainer or lifestyle and weight management consultant, Click here

Topics: weight loss exercise, body fitness, Personal Training, health fitness tips, fitness advice, health fitness centers, fitness training, Baltimore fitness, healthy weight loss

Topics: Personal Training, health fitness tips, help with weight loss, Fitness Tips, New Year's Resolution

Molasses is a sweetener that may actually be good for you. Molasses contains significant amounts of minerals that promote good health. Refined white sugar and corn syrup are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, and artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame also do not provide nutrients but have in fact been shown to cause health problems in certain individuals. Molasses is an All Natural and healthier alternative and offers these minerals:

• Iron – an integral part of hemoglobin which transports oxygen from the lungs to all cells of the body.

• Calcium – needed to form and maintain strong bones and teeth especially during early years, and helps prevent bone loss during menopause and as a result of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Copper – needed in a wide range of physiological processes including iron utilization, elimination of free radicals, development of bone and connective tissue.

• Manganese - involved in the synthesis of fatty acids crucial to a healthy nervous system.

• Potassium – plays an important role in muscle and heart contraction, as well as nerve transmission.

• Magnesium – calcium’s major balancing mineral, also necessary for healthy bones.

Topics: Personal Training, health fitness tips, nutrition tips, sweetener alternative, healthy sweetener, baltimore personal training, nutrition, healthy diets

There are plenty of fads, diets, and pre-packaged meal plan options available – yet, obesity is on the rise. Why? Simple. Diets don't work. Fads fade. Meal plan options are temporary and can become expensive over time. Because we make basic nutrition more complicated than it really is, I wanted to provide you with a simple plan.

Topics: health fitness tips, fitness baltimore, nutrition tips, exercise diet, Fitness Tips, healthy foods diet, healthy diets

Its that time of year, holiday season, when you need to check out and gain some much needed R&R because of all the chaos. It is also unfortunately the time most people mentally check out. So I ask you… Are you mentally connected to your workouts?

Topics: workout tips, Clubs in Baltimore, Holiday Season Weight Gain, health fitness tips, workout routine to lose weight, Fitness Tips, Fitness workout

Fitness Tip 19:

"The following is a list of known power foods: almonds + other nuts, beans + legumes, spinach and other greens, oatmeal (without added sugar), eggs, turkey + other lean meats, dairy (fat free or low fat), peanut butter, olive oil, whole-grains, raspberries and other berries. The nutrients you get form these will help power up your natural fat burners, protect you from illness and injury, and keep you lean and fit for life!" -Stephanie Carrigo, Merritt Personal Trainer

Topics: workout tips, body fitness, health fitness tips, exercise tips, nutrition tips, Reagan and the Mix Morning Show, workout routine to lose weight, Fitness Tips, toneitup, charmcityrun, training and weight loss, build muscle lose fat, Jojo, heath tips

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