Monday, January 30, 2012

Benefits of a Fitness Center Chain for Your Gym Needs | Gyms Greenville

Finding the right gym or fitness center can be confusing to many people. A simple online search can bring up so many options that you won’t know where to start. More than likely, a search will list both small, local gyms and large chains. While there are some advantages to a smaller gym, there are many advantages to joining a large gym or health club.

Consider that large gyms often have lower costs. While their normal enrollment fees and monthly membership dues may be similar to smaller gyms, large chains offer regular deals and promos. Watch for commercials on TV or ads online, such as on Facebook. Also don’t forget to check the gym’s website for promos.
Larger gyms and fitness centers tend to have a wider variety of equipment. This is an advantage because you can count on fewer and shorter lines for the equipment. Plus you can choose from a wider variety of equipment. If a particular treadmill or bicep machine isn’t a good fit, try another machine that might work better for your needs.

Also, larger gyms also tend to have more updated, state-of-the-art equipment. For members interested in streaming TV shows or DVDs, new treadmills and other cardio equipment might come equipped with individual TV screens and log-in capability for aps such as Netflix. Only larger gyms and health clubs can afford these expensive upgrades for their customers.

Another benefit of larger gyms is that they typically have a larger staff of employees and trainers. For new members who might need help explain how equipment works or who need a spotter, larger fitness centers will likely have more staff on-hand to assist. Also, members who might be interested in enrolling in one-on-one sessions with personal trainers can choose from a larger number. Whether you need a trainer who specializes in weight-lifting, cardiovascular, or whatever your interest might be, a larger staff of trainers will give you more variety.

For shy or embarrassed members, a larger gym also offers more anonymity to workout in peace. Also, some feel a sense of safety knowing a small crowd will always be working out at the gym.
So now you have some tools for finding the best gym or fitness club that will meet your needs. Hopefully, finding the right gym will be a less daunting task. A large chain gym or fitness club offers members a huge variety of options for getting in better shape.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.

Picking a Gym for the New Year | Gyms in Raleigh

Now that the holiday dinner is over and you’ve attended the last party with double chocolate cake, many of you are ready to find a gym and start burning off all those extra calories. But finding the right fitness club can be daunting. How do you get started? With all the different gyms, fitness clubs, or health clubs, how do you decide which is the right one?

The best place to start is by finding a partner. Once of the most common mistakes new members make when enrolling in a gym membership is doing it alone. Two perspectives are better than one. Each can hold the other accountable. While most gyms offer training, many new members may feel self-conscious working out with a trainer, especially a professional. Someone familiar can be more capable of offering encouragement and advice. If you feel you embarrassed to ask a family member, coworker, or neighbor, consider that they might be looking to enroll in a fitness club membership and are also looking for a companion to accompany them.  You’d be helping them!

Look for fitness centers that offer deals on one-on-one sessions or classes with professional trainers. Sometimes the first few are free for new members. See whether there is a variety of male and female trainers and check out their specialties. Choose a trainer with whom you would feel the most comfortable.
Another key deciding factor in choosing the right gym is by looking for one that is convenient, typically close to home or work. Finding a gym in your area can make a huge difference, especially if you find a partner to go with you. Statistics show two of the most common hindrances to seeing results from a gym membership are location and accountability.

For those with small children, you should look for gyms and health clubs that offer child care – many times this service is free. For large fitness club chains, child care workers must undergo drug testing and background checks, and the centers must comply with state law regarding adult-child ratios.

A common complaint many members have with their gym is that the hours are not convenient. Pick a gym that is compatible with your schedule. The after-work/dinner time block (5-7 pm) can be the busiest time at most health clubs, which leaves you with the option of either going prior to work or during work. If a 24-hour fitness center isn’t convenient, most gyms open by 5 am. Another option might be working out during a lunch break. If you can find a fitness center close to work and eat a light lunch while working, you can free up time for a forty-five minute workout. Also, consult with your human resources representative, since many employers offers discounts. Some employers even have fitness club equipment and locker rooms on site.

Whether at the start of the new year or any other time, now is the perfect time to set yourself up for success. With a little patience and research, you can find the fitness club that meets your needs.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Sparks Fitness Center: How to Find the Trainer


When the holidays are over, you might be thinking about joining a gym or health club. Perhaps your new year’s resolution is to get in better shape.  One sure way to stay on track, keep a consistent schedule, and drive yourself for higher results is to work with a trainer. Most doctors and nutritionists recommend finding a partner, like a family member, neighbor, or coworker. And while they might be able to keep you accountable to show up, they may not be as qualified to advise you on what you need to do or what might interest you to get the results you want. A trainer from your local gym, fitness center, or health club can help you meet your exercise goals.

So you might now be wondering how to choose a personal trainer that works for you. Below are some factors to consider:

Gender – Studies are contradictory regarding results of a trainer of the same or opposite gender. While the same gender may know from personal experience how your body works, trainers of either gender should have experience training both. Ultimately, the best place to start is with your gym or fitness club staff. Let them know your interest and concerns and see what advice they offer.

Qualifications – Most gyms have a rigorous interviewing and hiring process for training staff. Many health clubs require years of experience or a bachelor’s degree specializing in something like physical education or nutrition.
Interest – Ultimately, stick with what interests you. If you have never worked with a personal trainer before, choose a trainer who specializes in the areas that interest you. For example, if you’re more excited about working on your cardiovascular rather than weight-lifting, find a trainer who is willing to work with you on cardio. You will have plenty of time to branch out and try new things once you’ve gotten accustomed to regularly attending a gym and working with a trainer.

Now is the best possible time to join a fitness club, as the new year is the busiest time for new membership. While many folks are looking to burn off some Christmas calories, gyms are running ads and offering great deals to increase new membership. So in considering the cost of finding a personal trainer, look for deals and coupons. A savvy shopper should find gyms offering deep discounts on one-on-one sessions with personal trainers. You might even find the first few training sessions for free.

The important thing is don’t be nervous. Gyms and fitness centers have staffs of trainers who want to help you. They have the tools you need to get into shape. Hopefully, now you know the questions to ask and some factors to consider in searching for the right one. With a little patience and persistence, you’ll find the right trainer who can get you into looking and feeling great.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs can be found in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.


Reno Health Clubs: Benefits to a Local Gym


With so many options for gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs, you may be overwhelmed finding the right place to become a member. While many find the larger chain fitness centers to be convenient, others prefer the advantages of a smaller, local fitness clubs.

Simply, smaller gyms can have fewer members. What this means is that you have better availability for the fitness equipment. In addition, you can receive more specialized focus from the staff for assistance and advice on how to use the equipment and how to set goals.  For the personal touch, a smaller employee staff means the staff is better able to get to know you and vice versa. This gives the staff the chance to learn members’ names and ask about their fitness plans. For the members, you can develop a relationship based on trust, which gives you the comfort you need to ask questions about your fitness needs that might seem otherwise embarrassing.

One of the most common mistakes new members make when selecting a fitness center is by choosing too quickly. Many fitness centers offer deals on one-on-one sessions or classes with professional trainers. Sometimes these sessions are free for new members. Take advantage of all these opportunities to ensure you are selecting the right gym for you. Make sure to check for a variety of male and female trainers who specialize in the areas you might be interested in.

If you are uninterested or uncomfortable about sessions with professional fitness trainers, take a partner with you to the gym. A neighbor, a coworker, friend, or a family member may find the local gym convenient and beneficial. They can give you a different perspective. If you feel uneasy asking someone to accompany you to the fitness center, consider they might be looking for a partner as well.

Local fitness centers also can offer fewer and smaller fees. Many large chains can charge hefty enrollment fees and large cancellations fees, as well as higher monthly dues. However, smaller gyms offer smaller monthly fees, and might even negotiate fees. Also, if you enroll with a partner, many fitness centers and health clubs offer group discounts.

Looking for discounts? Many employers, universities, and apartment complexes have partnerships with local gyms for employee discounts on members and monthly dues. Healthier employees and students can decrease the cost of their employers’ health benefits, and involvement in the community is good publicity and recruitment for many apartment management companies. Consult with your human resources representative or call the employee benefits hotline to inquire what you could receive. Also, guidance counselors and apartment managers can be good resources as well.

So consider the many advantages of a local gym or health club rather than a larger chain. While both offer the chance to get in better shape, the local fitness center gives you more specialized attention and can offer discount benefits from employers and such. Ultimately, you’ve got the opportunity and support to look and feel better.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs can be found in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Durham gyms: Benefits of a Fitness Center Chain for Your Gym Needs

Finding the right gym or fitness center can be confusing to many people. A simple online search can bring up so many options that you won’t know where to start. More than likely, a search will list both small, local gyms and large chains. While there are some advantages to a smaller gym, there are many advantages to joining a large gym or health club.

Consider that large gyms often have lower costs. While their normal enrollment fees and monthly membership dues may be similar to smaller gyms, large chains offer regular deals and promos. Watch for commercials on TV or ads online, such as on Facebook. Also don’t forget to check the gym’s website for promos.

Larger gyms and fitness centers tend to have a wider variety of equipment. This is an advantage because you can count on fewer and shorter lines for the equipment. Plus you can choose from a wider variety of equipment. If a particular treadmill or bicep machine isn’t a good fit, try another machine that might work better for your needs.

Also, larger gyms also tend to have more updated, state-of-the-art equipment. For members interested in streaming TV shows or DVDs, new treadmills and other cardio equipment might come equipped with individual TV screens and log-in capability for aps such as Netflix. Only larger gyms and health clubs can afford these expensive upgrades for their customers.

Another benefit of larger gyms is that they typically have a larger staff of employees and trainers. For new members who might need help explain how equipment works or who need a spotter, larger fitness centers will likely have more staff on-hand to assist. Also, members who might be interested in enrolling in one-on-one sessions with personal trainers can choose from a larger number. Whether you need a trainer who specializes in weight-lifting, cardiovascular, or whatever your interest might be, a larger staff of trainers will give you more variety.

For shy or embarrassed members, a larger gym also offers more anonymity to workout in peace. Also, some feel a sense of safety knowing a small crowd will always be working out at the gym.
So now you have some tools for finding the best gym or fitness club that will meet your needs. Hopefully, finding the right gym will be a less daunting task. A large chain gym or fitness club offers members a huge variety of options for getting in better shape.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs can be found in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.

Pleasant Valley Gyms: Picking a Gym for the New Year

Now that the holiday dinner is over and you’ve attended the last party with double chocolate cake, many of you are ready to find a gym and start burning off all those extra calories. But finding the right fitness club can be daunting. How do you get started? With all the different gyms, fitness clubs, or health clubs, how do you decide which is the right one?

The best place to start is by finding a partner. Once of the most common mistakes new members make when enrolling in a gym membership is doing it alone. Two perspectives are better than one. Each can hold the other accountable. While most gyms offer training, many new members may feel self-conscious working out with a trainer, especially a professional. Someone familiar can be more capable of offering encouragement and advice. If you feel you embarrassed to ask a family member, coworker, or neighbor, consider that they might be looking to enroll in a fitness club membership and are also looking for a companion to accompany them.  You’d be helping them!

Look for fitness centers that offer deals on one-on-one sessions or classes with professional trainers. Sometimes the first few are free for new members. See whether there is a variety of male and female trainers and check out their specialties. Choose a trainer with whom you would feel the most comfortable.
Another key deciding factor in choosing the right gym is by looking for one that is convenient, typically close to home or work. Finding a gym in your area can make a huge difference, especially if you find a partner to go with you. Statistics show two of the most common hindrances to seeing results from a gym membership are location and accountability.

For those with small children, you should look for gyms and health clubs that offer child care – many times this service is free. For large fitness club chains, child care workers must undergo drug testing and background checks, and the centers must comply with state law regarding adult-child ratios.

A common complaint many members have with their gym is that the hours are not convenient. Pick a gym that is compatible with your schedule. The after-work/dinner time block (5-7 pm) can be the busiest time at most health clubs, which leaves you with the option of either going prior to work or during work. If a 24-hour fitness center isn’t convenient, most gyms open by 5 am. Another option might be working out during a lunch break. If you can find a fitness center close to work and eat a light lunch while working, you can free up time for a forty-five minute workout. Also, consult with your human resources representative, since many employers offers discounts. Some employers even have fitness club equipment and locker rooms on site.

Whether at the start of the new year or any other time, now is the perfect time to set yourself up for success. With a little patience and research, you can find the fitness club that meets your needs.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs can be found in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.

Fitness Cary: Nine Common Mistakes When Working Out

Want to get the best results from your health and fitness training? Whether you work out in a small gym or large fitness center, avoid these nine common mistakes.

1.        Going it alone – Most people join gyms or fitness clubs alone, without any help or anyone to hold them accountable. But you’ll have better results when you work with someone. If possible, find a friend to accompany you or hire a professional trainer, someone who can monitor your progress and give advice. If you are going to the gym alone, at least find a spotter.

2.        Not having a plan – Many people join a gym with no specific plan for how they want to get results. Most fitness centers will have a staff of employees or trainers to help develop a plan that is both safe and beneficial for you.

3.        Pushing yourself too hard – Trying too much too soon can cause you serious injury. Most doctors and personal trainers advise the best improvement should be done in small doses—usually no more than ten percent in a week. Don’t be in too much of a rush!

4.        Not pushing yourself hard enough – You want to feel a sense of accomplishment, especially in the beginning. After working out at the health club for a few weeks or a month, you should see some progress. If the workout becomes too easy, consider taking it up a notch. You’ll be surprised what you can do if you push yourself even if just a little.

5.        Not taking the right enough breaks – Muscles and tendons need time to breathe. Failure to take an appropriate break after a strenuous workout can cause you serious injury. If a break is too short, your muscles may not have had enough time to prepare for the next workout. On the other hand, if a break is too long, your muscles begin to relax and are unprepared for further work. Ask your fitness center staff for suggestions.

6.        Not drinking enough water – Water is as essential to the body during a workout as motor oil is to a car engine. It’s vital for regulating temperature and transporting nutrients and waste throughout the body. So make sure to bring a bottle of water to the gym or use the water fountain most fitness centers have available.
7.        Improper breathing – Many gyms trainers and nutritionists would never recommend holding your breath while exercising, as holding your breath without breathing can cause dizziness or even lead to unconsciousness. The typical rule of thumb is to breathe in when resistance is lowered or pulled toward the body and to breathe out when resistance is raised or moved away from the body.
8.        Not doing the exercise correctly – When you use exercise equipment at a gym or health club, be sure to read the instructions carefully. Make sure to adjust the machine according to your height, weight, arm, or leg length.

9.        Not having the right equipment – Working out in tight gym clothes can hinder flexibility, while loose clothes can get in the way. Make sure to find elastic pants or shorts, cotton shirts, and, perhaps most important, invest in good quality athletic shoes.

Please feel free to stop by a Fitness Connection gym near you and let our friendly health club staff help you get into great shape and the best health of your life or call   800 795 0348    to set up a free tour today! Other Fitness Connection gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs can be found in Arlington TX, Baytown TX, Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Sugarland TX, Woodlands TX, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Cary NC, Greenville NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, and in a city near you. Visit Fitness Connection at www.FitnessConnectionUSA.com to find a local gym in your area.