National Great Outdoors Month- June

June is all about taking the time to explore outdoor historic national treasures. Starting in June of 2019, the US Senate officially honored this summer month as Great Outdoors Month.  Our country is full of unique parks, trails, forests, mountains, and more. One of the best ways to discover nature is by visiting a National Park Service (NPS) Location. With so many options across the US, you’re sure to find something that sparks excitement for the Great Outdoors. Plan Your Visit Before embarking on your next adventure, take time to plan for your visit. You’ll want to consider things like climate, terrain, available facilities, necessary gear, and current weather. The NPS offers a great planning guide on their website. Having a plan before you hit the trail will ensure you are well prepared before, during, and after your trip. Cell [...]

Exercise in the Great Outdoors Safely

Summer is just around the corner! The warmer weather can boost motivation for a consistent exercise routine. It’s the perfect time of year for a variety of outdoor activities. There are still some safety precautions to keep in mind. Use the tips below to keep your outdoor exercise safe and enjoyable. Safety First Safety is key when exercising outside. Choosing to exercise in daylight hours and paying attention to traffic will keep you alert on the road. If you’re in a rural or park setting, consider exercising with a buddy or letting someone know where you are ahead of time and when you plan to return. It’s a good practice to bring both your ID, a little cash, and your charged phone with you for any of those “just in case” scenarios. Also, don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses. Even on [...]

Top Ways Exercise Helps Manage Arthritis

  Exercise routines can be hard to stick to, but when you have arthritis getting started can be even more difficult. However, regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to help manage arthritis pain and maintain a good range of motion. Why Exercise? Reduce Pain and Stiffness. It might seem backward to exercise when joints are stiff and sore from arthritis, but consistent exercise helps keep our bodies in motion. A well-rounded exercise routine that includes aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises will increase your range of motion. This increased range of motion will help to lower pain and stiffness caused by arthritis.  Joint Support. Muscle strengthening is a key part of a balanced exercise routine. Incorporating muscle strengthening exercises will help provide a better support system for your joints. The more support joints have, the less wear [...]

5 Components of Exercise Recovery

  You just finished up a great workout…Congrats! But now what? Practicing recovery techniques after exercise is essential for getting the most out of your workout and lowering the risk of injury. Incorporate the components below into your routine for maximum recovery. Cool-Down The cool-down is a component of exercise that is frequently overlooked. Too often, we finish our workout and go right on with our day. However, wrapping up our workout with a cool-down is going to help our body recover quicker. Finish up your workout with 5-10 minutes of very low-intense activity. This will gradually lower your heart rate and bring your body back into a resting state. Finish up your cool-down with several minutes of full-body stretching. Stretching will allow your muscles to relax, which can ease soreness and cramping. Recover Complete an extra intense workout or [...]

Spring into Cycling, May 2021

Read Time: 2 min 21 sec   Get out that bike and prepare to pedal! The season for outdoor activity is finally here, and what better time to tune-up your bike and get moving? Whether you’re looking for a family adventure or transportation to work, biking can be a great exercise option. Before you hit the trail, ensure the best ride by planning to prepare, pace and follow safety precautions. Prepare Before beginning your ride, you’ll want to make sure you have your bike in working order with pumped-up tires and your helmet on snug. You will also want to bring a few other essentials with you. In case of an emergency, or if you get stranded somewhere, it’s always a good idea to bring your cell phone, an ID, and some cash. If your plans include a longer ride [...]

Get Moving with the Whole Family this Spring

Get Moving with the Whole Family this Spring Read Time: 2 minutes 4 seconds Spring is great time to increase your activity and exercise and carry it through the rest of the year. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, only 1 in 3 children are physically active each day, and less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Getting the whole family involved in exercise helps create a support system, healthier habits, and lasting motivation.   Give These Family-Friendly Activities a Try Go Hiking or Biking. Hop on your bike or grab your gym shoes and hit the trails. It is a great time of year to walk or cycle on nearby sidewalks, bike trails, or even at a park. If it has been a while since you have had your [...]

Spring into Action

Spring into Action Read Time: 2 minutes 58 seconds Spring is in the air, and it is the perfect time to get moving. As you find more motivation to get outside, you might be wondering how to keep that motivation going as you build a lasting exercise routine. A few simple steps of preparation can help you get started and stay on track this season. Finding Motivation Finding motivation can be tricky. While we might have that initial spark to start moving, how do we stay motivated? Busy days, unexpected schedule changes, and fatigue can all steal our motivation. Use the tips below to help find long-lasting motivation: Choose Your “Why.” Think about why exercise is important to you. You might have goals that you want to reach or an example you would like to follow. No matter where your [...]

Exercise your HEART

Exercise Your HEART Read Time: 2 minutes 46 seconds You may be familiar with the benefits that consistent exercise has on managing weight, blood pressure, stress, strength, and endurance.  But did you know that consistent exercise can also help keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of heart disease? Just like the muscles of the body need regular exercise, so does our heart muscle. Exercise can keep our heart pumping efficiently, so it does not have to work too hard. Consistent physical activity can also help our arteries and blood vessels stay more flexible, which promotes proper circulation and more managed blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise along with 2 or more days of strength training per week. While aerobic exercise is great for cardiovascular health, it is also important [...]

Emotional Health: Bust Your Winter Blues

Bust Your Winter Blues Read Time: 2 min 00 sec Winter is well underway, which means warmer, sunny days of Spring can seem so far out of reach. Motivation and energy can feel just as elusive as the sunlight this season. If you are starting to feel the winter blues, try these tips below to put a little extra pep in your step.   Stay Active Feeling sluggish is common this time of year, but you can combat it by adding more movement into your day. Even a little exercise can produce those feel-good endorphins and help raise energy levels. Bundle up and take a walk outside or try a quick indoor workout. Avoid that afternoon slump by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or incorporating a quick stretch break into your day. Keeping active this time of year [...]

Exercise: Stay Motivated this Winter

Stay Motivated This Winter Read Time: 1 min 20 sec The temperatures are starting to plummet, which means motivation for exercise can go down as well. If you’re feeling bored or unmotivated, this can be the perfect time to change things up and find a spark. Keep in mind, the goal of being active is for at least 30 minutes nearly every day, but the 30 minutes should never feel boring. If it does, add some variety to keep things fresh.   Try Something New Schedules change as fast as the weather this time of year, but that can provide you the opportunity to change your workout routine. Variety is important when it comes to exercise. Diverse exercise routines target different muscle groups and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Altering your training can help you get over those pesky [...]