Happy First Day of Spring! As the weather starts to get nicer, thoughts of summer start to fill our minds. Everyone wants to look their best for the summer, and it is no mystery what is required to do so. A combination of good nutrition, aerobic activity (walking, biking, etc.), strength training, and flexibility exercises will enable you to not only look better, but to feel better as well. So use the start of Spring as a time to recommit to your health and fitness goals, and you will reap the rewards when Summer rolls around.

An Enduring Measure of Fitness: The Simple Push-Up
from the New York Times, March 11

As a symbol of health and wellness, nothing surpasses the simple push-up.

Practically everyone remembers the actor Jack Palance performing age-defying push-ups during his Oscar acceptance speech. More recently, Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor whose last lecture became an Internet sensation, did push-ups to prove his fitness despite having pancreatic cancer.

“It takes strength to do them, and it takes endurance to do a lot of them,” said Jack LaLanne, 93, the fitness pioneer who astounded television viewers in the 1950s with his fingertip push-ups. “It’s a good indication of what kind of physical condition you’re in.”

The push-up is the ultimate barometer of fitness. It tests the whole body, engaging muscle groups in the arms, chest, abdomen, hips and legs. It requires the body to be taut like a plank with toes and palms on the floor. The act of lifting and lowering one’s entire weight is taxing even for the very fit.

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Why Strength Training?
from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Research has shown that strengthening exercises are both safe and effective for women and men of all ages, including those who are not in perfect health. In fact, people with health concerns-including heart disease or arthritis-often benefit the most from an exercise program that includes lifting weights a few times each week.

Strength training, particularly in conjunction with regular aerobic exercise, can also have a profound impact on a person’s mental and emotional health.
Benefits of Strength Training

There are numerous benefits to strength training regularly, particularly as you grow older. It can be very powerful in reducing the signs and symptoms of numerous diseases and chronic conditions, among them:

* arthritis
* diabetes
* osteoporosis
* obesity
* back pain
* depression

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Legislation Would Require Health Department to Create Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans of Every Age
Washington, D.C. – Responding to recent reports that Americans are growing unhealthier and less active, U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), along with Representatives Mark Udall (D-CO) and Zach Wamp (R-TN) today introduced legislation aimed at improving the health and wellness of Americans. The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prepare and promote physical activity guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence, for Americans similar to dietary and nutritional guidelines, commonly known as the Food Pyramid, which are updated every five years.

“Many Americans are unaware of just how much exercise they should be getting,” said Senator Harkin. “These guidelines will promote a healthier lifestyle and improve fitness among all age groups. This is a step towards combating the obesity epidemic and the onslaught of chronic disease that is causing our health care costs to skyrocket.” click here to read more
Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Bill
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Bill allows for expenditures for physical fitness programs and exercise equipment to be payable out of pre-tax health investment accounts such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), medical savings accounts (MSAs) and/or medical reimbursement arrangements. click here to read more

Thank You!

We would like to thank those of you have continued to show your trust in us by renewing. Our renewal rate is close to 90%, a strong indication of your commitment to your health and the value you place in our personal training services. Our goal however is 100% !!!

To your health and happiness.