Making a New Year’s resolution and forgetting about it a short time later has become a tradition in and of itself, which can make committing to new goals in 2023 feel like an exercise in futility. Given that the idea of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for a few thousand years and we’re still not very good at sticking to our pledges, we’re taking a different approach at Fitness Premier.
We’re not discouraging you from making a list of fitness goals you want to reach in 2023 if that’s what motivates you, but we want to encourage you to commit to wellness, recovery and relaxation in the new year too. All three play an essential role in any fitness journey and take many forms at Fitness Premier:
THERAGUN PERCUSSIVE THERAPY
It’s no secret the use of Therabody Theraguns has exploded over the past couple of years, and not just because of those mesmerizing videos of the device in action. The award-winning, handheld massager works with various soft, blunt attachments to deliver percussive massage therapy to sore and tight body parts by sending 2,400 pulses a minute 16 millimeters deep into the muscle. Percussive therapy has been linked to stress relief, reduced delayed onset muscle soreness, increased circulation and flexibility, improved myofascial release and lymphatic flow, and better sleep.
INFRARED SAUNA
The infrared sauna is a modern twist on a practice that’s been around for thousands of years. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air around you using hot rocks or a closed stove, an infrared sauna relies on infrared lamps to warm your body directly so it can operate at less extreme temperatures. You can expect a traditional sauna to operate at temperatures between 150˚F and 180˚F, while an infrared sauna runs between 120˚F and 140˚F. Proponents say infrared heat penetrates more deeply than warmed air, so you get a more intense sweat despite the lower temperatures. Sweating it out in a sauna has been linked to relaxation, improved heart health, clearer skin, pain relief and increased immunity.
THERABODY COMPRESSION BOOTS
These boots were not made for walking. They were made for rest and recovery after walking. Or running. Or lifting. Or a stressful day. So sit back, relax and let the Therabody RecoveryAir compression boots do all the work. The compression boots run all the way from your toes to your hips as they methodically inflate and deflate with air to alternate between limiting and allowing blood flow down the length of your legs. They operate on the premise that your body constantly generates metabolic waste as it produces and uses energy, which then gets circulated in your blood. Since your legs are below the heart, it’s harder for the heart to pump the waste in your legs to the lymph system, which is responsible for getting rid of it. So that rush of blood back down to your toes after the compression boots deflate is designed to aid that process, leading to faster and better recovery.
MEDITATION WITH BRAINTAP
The body and mind are inextricably linked, so if your brain feels better, then the other parts of you do too. But without years of disciplined effort, calming the mind isn’t always easy after the myriad of sounds, sensations and experiences we encounter throughout any given day. A pair of headphones combined with BrainTap makes meditation easier. By listening to various sounds, music and spoken word, BrainTap guides the brain through a range of brainwave patterns that improve clarity, quality of sleep and energy levels, promoting a better mindset, which can lessen negative self-talk and poor habits.
HOLISTIC NUTRITION
For a long time, most conversations at the gym involving food focused on ways to lose weight. It’s time to embrace food as nourishment that can power and heal the body. This change in perspective doesn’t mean we should stop examining our existing eating habits, but it does aim to dispel the notion that food is the enemy of a good workout. Check out our free grocery list for guidance and tips on stocking your fridge, or discuss your nutritional goals with one of our personal trainers. Changing the way we think about food in relation to fitness can also change our reasons for exercising from something we do as a means of weight loss to an activity that’s important because it relieves stress, gives us energy and connects us with other people.
YOGA
Not every trip to the gym has to be an intense one. Mix in a yoga class to incorporate stretching and breathing that strengthens the body and mind and encourages harmony and balance. Yoga is known for activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is also called the “rest and digest” part of the nervous system. Unlike the “fight or flight” part of the nervous system, which floods our bodies with adrenalin and increases blood flow to our limbs, the “rest and digest” system prioritizes blood flow to our internal organs and reduces heart rate, helping us relax and heal. Research shows yoga can reduce stress and chronic pain and improve mood and overall quality of life.
You’ll find a variety of these services at our Fitness Premier locations. Stop by the front desk of your home club to find out more!
