Don't go back to basics! While we daydream of spring and the sunshine and warmer weather it will bring, our dedication to our bodies and ourselves never diminishes. We keep coming to THE GYM at all hours. March should be easier now that we made it together through that crazy February. Our bodies crave routine, so it's important to keep them guessing by trying new Group Exercise classes. Now's the time to try something new and different and shake up that routine. Check out our schedule now!

WINNERS: Group Fitness Challenge

Our January Group Fitness Challenge saw members mixing it up and trying classes in every studio. Many of you have really taken on yoga because of this challenge and have stayed committed. It's time for the rest of you to get out of your SPIN and strength class "comfort zone" and honor your body by introducing more Yoga and Pilates.

First place winner goes to Joanne Chang winning 2 personal training sessions

Second place winner goes to Cheryl Lasher winning a $25 juice bar credit.

And congratulations to all who participated in this challenge.

It is amazing how quickly we forget winter aches and pains as soon as it gets a little warmer.
Like any other matter, our body in reaction to the cold condenses and shrinks while so often aches and pain arises from the effect.

Similarly,  in our work out, we initially start with a warm up to get the heart rate elevated and break a sweat to shed the cold grip off before we are ready to "get down to business "when it comes to intensity and duration of exercise.Yet most of us as soon as the game is over, we are done with the class, we rush out way to soon not allowing enough time for our muscles to recover from the amount of energy it just consumed simply because now our mind is immediately set on a different track of previous responsibilities, time and stress.

Muscle recovery usually takes 10-20 min after the work out, while the body cools down and it is important at this time to stretch the muscle fibers and keep it in motion so it will have enough time to flush out all its waste products to the blood stream and have them recharged with energy (so it is ready to function again) before blood vessels shrink back and will limit its supply according to different physical priorities.

Massage routines follow similar concept, we will warm up the muscles first then get the circulation deep enough to flush out lactic acid and waste products that sometimes "stick "in the muscle fibers while we engage it in relaxing movement. Think about it as if this is the grip of your mind that holds this tension at that part of your body, demanding its function and strength and in many cases it simply refuse to "let go".

Since we are so used to these tensions most of us completely neglect the amount of energy it consume by both ends mind and matter only until pain or fatigue is present.

One of the major benefits of massage is that your mind is now relaxing and releasing its grip from the muscles so on both ends you can relax and recharge it will keep you away from potential injuries and unnecessary stress.

Don't wait for the pain to be present, schedule your massage in advance as part of your routine

It will reconnect your mind with the physical soreness that are building up while your work your way towards your goals.

Enjoy spring.