New Space and a New Schedule
To welcome the Fall, Turning Point Fitness has a New space to go along with our New schedule. We are in the process of expanding our current space, which will include a new room for our Pilates Apparatus, TRX classes, and Pilates Tower classes. We are also adding some great new classes this Fall, so be sure to check out our schedule. Stay tuned for our Grand Re-opening!
TRX, a nice alternative to weights.
TRX, Chest Fly
One of the classes and pieces of equipment that I feel has yet to be recognized in the Columbus area is the TRX®. The TRX® suspension trainer is still a growing trend in the fitness industry. TRX® is not only a piece of equipment, but is a whole new system of strength training in itself. In addition to increasing one’s strength, you will also improve balance, flexibility, and mobility when using the TRX®.
The TRX® originated within the US Navy SEALS and was further developed by Fitness Anywhere. The equipment itself is lightweight, but very durable and supportive, therefore making it easy to travel with and use. It can be used in the home over a door, outside on a large well established tree, or inside a fitness facility for personal training or group classes. The TRX® just needs to be mounted to something that can support your body weight and the exercises you perform during your workout.
One of the things that I like about the TRX® is the ability to mix up your strength routine from weights and incorporate a cardio and core workout as well. Since all the exercises that are performed during a workout require you to hold good form and maintain a good core connection, you can’t really cheat. During a workout you will work all major 8 to 10 muscle groups and more, but instead of using weights for the resistance you are using your own body weight. You can increase or decrease the resistance by changing the angel of your body in relationship to the anchor of the straps.
The workouts can be varied each time which keeps things more interesting for the client. Fitness Anywhere has a wide range of videos and different workout routine available. However, I personally prefer to take class from an instructor, who can me challenge me and show different options for different levels. Which brings me to my next point, a TRX® workout can be good for people of all fitness levels and the workouts themselves can be 30 to 60 minutes and still provide a good sweat.
The TRX® is also used for a lot of sports conditioning for professional athletes. But it doesn’t have to be for just for the pro’s, it can do a lot for the teenage athlete. A lot of the exercises on the TRX® are targeting developing fast twitch muscle fibers which are needed for good sports performance.
Being a Pilates instructor I can appreciate the use of the “core” during a TRX® workout. I actually find that clients who have Pilates experience do better during their first few workouts because they do have a good connection. Having said that, just with any other exercise formatthe more you do it the better you become! If you are looking for something to mix up your strength routine you might want to give TRX® a try.
Back to school and back to fitness….
Pilates Mat Class
September marks the start of change, not only a change in season but a change in schedule and routine for most of us. Summer is over and we are back to school, back to work, back to a fitness routine. I find summer to be an interesting season for most people’s fitness routines. There are a lot of great options out there for people to take advantage of; biking, outdoor boot camp, swimming, boating, walking and running. And then there is the option of DO NOTHING, it is summer break after all!
Summer seems to be the ideal time for people to justify not keeping up with their workout routines. There are just too many viable excuses. The kids are out school, vacations, camps, and of course it is nice out and I will do something outside. This is a great option by the way, go outside do something different and take advantage of the weather. However, the weather then becomes our excuse, “It’s too hot to exercise outside.” My point is summer can be a lot like the holidays, easy to fall out of your fitness routine.
Well, it is fall and it is time to get back to it! As you are getting your kids back to their routine be sure to get yourself back to yours. Fitness needs to be part of your routine if you are going to keep with and commit to a healthy lifestyle. It is just too hard to stop and start again. It is like dieting. Don’t do it, just eat healthy and don’t deny yourself treats, just eat them in moderation.
I see a lot of people start a fitness program after the holidays and stick with it till summer and then they disappear. Sometimes I see them come back in the studio or gym in September, but sometimes not. School has started and there are sports and other activities that take our attention. Then the holidays are just around the corner. SO, we wait and start all over again in January. The people who have the most success with living a healthy and fit life are those who stick to it year round.
You may be reading this and saying to yourself, “well that is not fair, I need to take a break every not and then or, I need to work around my kid’s schedule.” Agreed I say! You should take a break from your fitness routine every now and then, just not three months. And yes, you need to work around your family’s schedule. I have two children, so I understand that need.
But be sure when you are putting together the new schedule for the season, make time for yourself. Schedules change, you adapt to your work schedule or your family’s schedule, be sure to adapt your fitness schedule as well. September is one of those months that we sit down and reevaluate so be sure to start now and get back into a routine that you can follow!
Pleased to be featured in IDEA Fitness Journal!
I was very honored to be featured in July’s IDEA Fitness Journal, Pilates Transformations. For the full article click below. The section titled, “Leaving Pain Behind” features Carolyn Burke and myself, read how Pilates can change your life!
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/pilates-transformations
Pilates and Perseverance Pays off!
Carolyn performing the Hundred
I want to share a success story with you. Too many times we don’t hear enough of these, we only hear about failures. I get a lot of people starting Pilates as they move on from physical therapy or they have read Pilates can help relieve pain associated with back problems. Pilates can help relieve back issues because it focuses on strengthen the abdominals and works on proper posture, among other things. Let me share a client success story!
My client, Carolyn, came to see me about a year and half ago with low back pain. Carolyn is in her early 30’s, young professional, and in good health, except for her back pain. The technical diagnosis from her Doctor was Spondylolisthesis, in which the vertebrae slips out of place and compresses the spinal nerves. Carolyn liked being active and being able to go for hikes and bike rides with her husband. She tried physical therapy, but nothing seemed to be working for her. She didn’t want to turn to prescription medication to help deal with the pain either. She had read a lot about Pilates and decided to give it a try.
Carolyn started coming in for private sessions twice a week for about 3 months. She was starting to get the foundation of the method and was feeling better and decided to try one private and one Pilates tower class a week. Within about 6 months from her start date she added Zumba once, then twice a week. By the end of the year she added in TRX and Xtend Barre to her exercise routine and was pain free! Once her pain was under control she was able to add in different types of exercise classes that were great for cross training. Oh and did I mention she lost 25lbs in that year too. Talk about success story!
Pilates was designed to be used as a foundation for the body. It strengthens the body from the inside out. It strengthens the “Core” and supports the spine. Once the foundation is laid, just like a house being built, things can be added on top. In this case it was other exercise programs and Carolyn living her life pain free. That is the thing about Pilates; it can help you with your physical fitness routine or just help you live life better !
As always you should consult a doctor before starting any new exercise program. Lastly, Pilates is not physical therapy, it is an exercise method.
Short Short Series
Sign Up For Your Classes Online!
You can now sign up for your classes online! You can manage your schedule and check your class balance using this system. This is an option for all our existing clients and for everyone who purchased our GROUPON offer. Click above to learn more. Please follow these simple instructions.
To sign up please follow the steps below:
1.) Go to the schedule tab on the website
2.) Click on the GREEN text that says, “Click to sign up for classes.”
3.) You will then be taken to a screen to set up an acct to sign up – choose the option listed:
Is this your first time? Using the Online Store and Scheduler is easy. Just follow our step by step process.
4.) Follow the set up screens. If you are an existing client you will verify your information if you are a new client from GROUPON this will also allow us to get some information from you and prevent you from filling out more paperwork in the studio. NOTE All new clients will still need to sign a waiver when you come into the studio and before your first class.
5.) You will be asked to set up an user-name and password – make it something simple and easy to remember. Existing clients with class passes you are now ready to select the classes you wish to schedule, any class you have a class pass for is available for an online reservation.
6.) GROUPON clients, you may schedule your classes and start redeeming your offer starting, April 28th! - Once you have set up your user name and password, you will then select the TRX, Xtend Barre or Pilates Mat class you wish to sign up for, and click sign up. You will be reserving a spot for that class. Click to register as unpaid, for your first reservation. Once you come into the studio with your GROUPON Voucher we will enter it into the system as your method of payment.
You MUST sign up to hold your space for class. Our classes are limited in size so that we may provide attention to each client.
7.) Please note you must reverse a spot each time you wish to come to class. TRX classes have a 24 hour cancel policy and require a 3 person minimum.
We hope you find this process easy to follow! We will see you in class.
Do You Want to MELT?
I want to share a new self treatment method that I have recently experienced, the MELT Method. Say what? MELT, is a simple proactive self treatment method that works to eliminate pain and fight against the forces of aging on our body so that we can live a more healthy and active lifestyle. Sounds good doesn’t it?
I first read about the MELT Method in an issue of Pilates Style Magazine. After reading the article I wanted to find out more and see how I could bring this method to my clients. I contacted Sue Hitzmann, the creator of the MELT Method, to find out more. I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to become certified to become a Hand and Foot Instructor. This two day course spent time explaining the Science behind MELT, called New Science, and how to actually teach the technique of the Hand and Foot treatment. New Science addresses the neurofascial system, or nervous system and connective tissue in the body. The neurofascial system creates a communication network that supports, protects, and stabilizes the body. Or the “Autopilot” as it is called in MELT.
So who needs to MELT? Anyone who experiences inefficiency in their bodies should MELT. If you can answer yes to one of the following then you have inefficiency in your body.
- Inflammation?
- Chronic Pain?
- Joint Pain or swelling?
- Stress or depression?
- Digestive problems?
- Disruptive sleep?
Who doesn’t experience at least one of these symptoms? As we age our connective tissue becomes dehydrated and these symptoms can arise in our bodies. The MELT treatment helps rehydrate our connective tissue and in turn addresses the above issues.
During a Hand and Foot treatment you will use 3 different small balls that are made up of different consistencies. The treatment can take up to 40 minutes if you do the whole thing or just 3 to 5 minutes for a shorten version. Either way you will feel the difference right away. Before each MELT session you; assess, treat, and reassess. I have since taught many people this technique since my trip to Richmond and have seen some great results.
Let me leave you with a quick success story that Sue Hitzmann shared with us. She was asked by a client to help their Grandfather, who was 80 years old and used to be a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall. His hands were riddled with arthritis he could barely straighten his fingers. Sue asked him to do two MELT exercises a day and she worked with him 3 times. On her fourth visit the Grandfather was sitting at his piano playing it! I love that story! The MELT Method can help you achieve your goal to live a more healthy and pain free lifestyle. To learn more about The MELT Method you can go to www.meltmethod.com and find a class near you.
Spring into fitness with Turning Point Fitness!
Spring is approaching and there are so many reasons to stay fit and focused. Turning Point Fitness in Westerville has some great events planned this Spring. On Sunday, April 17th at 4pm will be hosting a GYROKINESIS class by Julie Toren. Be sure to catch one of our M.E.L.T Hand and Foot Intro classes. You don’t want to miss this simple proactive approach to reduce pain and stay healthy. We look forward to National Pilates Day, May 7th! If you haven’t tried Pilates this is the perfect day to do so. And you don’t want to miss our Mother / Daughter Xtend Barre workout over Mother’s Day weekend. And May 21st you and your family can join us, and the city of Columbus, for L.E.A.D Your Family Day, sponsored by Follow Me!
