Fitness Challenges and Results

Over the past several months,  I have refocused and rejuvenated my physical fitness goals. This began in September when I changed over to Anytime Fitness. Thus far, it appears to be working out.  I am highly motivated,  seeing results again, and am setting many long and short term goals. I am also involved in some challenges,  one of which just ended.

I was in a Biggest Loser Challenge at Anytime York. It was based on weight percentage lost. I ended up being the winner of this challenge, which ended last week.  Although my metabolism and motivation are both up, I still have weight loss goals. Therefore, I plan to continue this challenge on my own. I'm less than 20 pounds from my goal, a far cry from where I began.

Another challenge is wrapping up this week. Many of you have seen the "Get Moving" video that Anytime Spartanburg-Hillcrest made featuring me. I am participating in the Jacob's Ladder Mount  Everest challenge.  The goal of the challenge is to climb 29,035 total feet on the Jacob's Ladder,  the height of Mount Everest.  All who accomplish this feat receive a free T-shirt and recognition on the Jacob's Ladder web page, as well as social media. At press time, I am about 3,500 feet away, and I plan to finish this challenge this week. 

My other challenge at Spartanburg-Hillcrest will take more work, which is fine. It is running on the treadmill at a speed of 6 with an incline of 30. I have did similar workouts in the past through Jeanette Jenkins. However, this one will be a doozy. I am currently working on incline level 9, and I can run nearly 6 miles without an incline. I'm confident I can reach this challenge within the next couple of months. Those who accomplish this feat will be featured on the wall at the Spartanburg-Hillcrest facility.

Finally, there is one that caps off all of these challenges, and other ones. It's sharing my own Anytime story via www.myanytimestory.com. The grand winner will receive $10,000 for themselves , plus $10,000 for the charity of my choice.  I have my charity picked out, and I'm putting together my story.  The deadline is June 17, my deceased father's birthday.  I hope to have an even better chapter to add to my already amazing journey with Anytime Fitness.

Thanks and shoutouts will follow later. For now, I just want to thank you all that have followed my fitness journey since my days at YBB and previous to this.  It feels good to be back in the saddle and I don't plan to disappoint.  I am using old methods mixed with new ones from others to give myself the healthy physique I desire.

Continue to keep up with me in my physical adventure!

Seven Workouts To Try To Get You Going

My series on health, fitness, and healthier living continues. Often we find ourselves not sure what to do or what to work on in the gym. There's more than simply walking on the treadmill for an hour, doing 100 situps and pushups, and getting on the bench press.  You should try to work the entire body through the week if possible, and concentrate on certain areas that need the most attention. 

Now many of these workouts are most effective with proper diet and water. However, they will all give you a jumping point.

1. 2 on, 2 off.

I learned this years ago from my former trainer. Stay on the treadmill for about 10-15 minutes. Walk for two minutes, run for two minutes, and then repeat.  You can adjust according to your strength level. 

2. Eight sets of everything

You may be working chests and arms, or simply legs. Try working a favorable weight, but doing three sets of eight on every machine. I often do fifteen, but I have started at eight.

3. HIIT/circuit stuff

This high intensity interval training includes sets and intervals of squats, lunges, burpees, planks, and even sprints and suicides. These have been shown and proven to boost the heart rate and burn more calories and fat. 

4. Classes

Don't underestimate a good class. Many are already included in your gym membership so take advantage. ZUMBA, Insanity, Body Pump, spin, MMA, etc. My gym, Anytime Fitness, even has Fitness On Demand, where you can choose a specific class, and watch and workout with it on a large projection screen

5. 20/20/20

On an all-cardio day, this is very effective.  20 minutes on the treadmill, 20 minutes on the bike, and 20 minutes on the stairmaster. You can sub in any cardio exercise. But pick three and do each for 20 minutes/piece.

6. Sports

Engaging in a sport such as basketball or racquetball can get the heart pumping.  Full court basketball is particularly always good cardio, arm and leg workouts.

7. Abs

Working abs is the toughest and often the last body part to get fully sculpted. It relies heavily on your diet, rather than your workouts. However, there are many ways other than sit ups to work these. I mentioned planks earlier.  There are also several ab machines, bicycles, sprints, jumping up and down, and the ab roller for instance.

Hope these help in your fitness journey!

Pros and Cons Of Joining A 24/7 Chain Gym

Many out there want to get more fit and healthy.  One of the first ways is to choose which type of gym you want to attend.  I currently attend Anytime Fitness, a 24/7/365 gym that is part of a chain of over 2,200 worldwide. I was used to attending a local gym for years with limited hours. I have found Anytime to be more advantageous, and so have many other fitness buffs. 

It appears 24 hour fitness centers are opening everywhere, and increasing in popularity.  Here are some of the pros and cons of joining this type of facility. 

Pros:

1. You obviously get to workout anytime, anywhere your gym is located.  If you're on vacation, or a night out, you can squeeze in a late workout.  You control your hours and workout pace.  You also are not limited by holidays.

2. You open yourself to a wider network of people and equipment.  Before, you may have been limited to only one gym, with a certain variety of equipment and classes. Now you are exposed to an unlimited variety of the latest in equipment, classes, and overall fitness tools.

3. Security is usually tight at these sorts of facilities.  There are extra cameras and alarms.  Therefore, no one can just come in, not even during staffed hours. Police also have rapid response times when an alarm is enabled.

4. You are now low on excuses to workout, which goes back to #1. Many chains have something for everyone besides flexible hours and days. There are large gyms, small gyms, and those right in the middle.

5. The members are very friendly and helpful.  The rules are stricter, especially during non-staffed hours.  Therefore, more people, veterans and newbies, tend to take their fitness more seriously.  They are also very willing to help you out and let you work in sets with you.

Cons:

1. Personal touch can be lost. Many locally owned gyms depend solely on the membership base to survive and not stockholders. Therefore, they are often quicker to show their appreciation and grace.

2. It's easier to find a workout buddy or group at a traditional gym. Since hours are limited, more people come at the same time, to the same gym, and building bonds is easier. Members of 24/7 gyms tend to come at scattered hours and days and are harder to catch.

3. Cost. Monthly fees and contracts are easier with a local gym. 24/7 gyms have to abide by corporate regulations, which means higher start-up costs, and long term contracts.

4. It can be easier for a newbie to be distracted and lose focus. At a traditional gym, staff and trainers are always on hand to encourage and assist. There are times where one may feel isolated at a 24/7 gym.

5.  You may not have a 24/7 gym close to you. Let's face it, having access to many gyms is nice, if you're out a lot and/or are in close proximity. The closest and cheapest gym to you may be the local, mom and pop gym and that is fine.

I chose my gym because it fit my preferences and fitness lifestyle.  I am not trying to force anyone to join. The aim is to show what appears to be an evolution in fitness, and something that may be worth a try. 

The main thing is being somewhere where you're comfortable and motivated to go regularly and lead a healthier lifestyle.  The final decision will be up to you.