Q: At around 2pm I can barely keep my head up. A nap is not an option! Any other healthy suggestions? A: Mid-afternoon malaise is healthy, but it should feel more like drowsiness than total exhaustion. Caffeine can help, but it causes unpleasant side-effects for some. Other options include eating a healthy breakfast and performing regular cardio. Breakfast sets the dietary tone … Read More
Cut The Suspense – TRX Is Here To Stay
Suspension Training involves performing whole-body strength and stability exercises while suspended from sturdy, anchored cables. It emerged in 2005 and became a true fitness trend by 2010, but some still believed it was a passing fad, like “toe shoes.” Now, after a decade of increased popularity, TRX cables, the product leader, are a fixture of gyms everywhere. How this happened has … Read More
Don’t Forget Your Feet
Feet withstand incredible natural forces every day, especially during runs and other vigorous exercise. But unless they’re currently in pain, our feet are often neglected. The problem is most fitness buffs’ main concerns are not protecting their feet, but boosting their endurance or bulking their biceps. However, proper shoes can prevent injuries and chronic pain that distract us from achieving … Read More
Don’t Worry, Dumbbells Are Still Smart
Any fitness newcomer might wonder if old-fashioned dumbbell routines, the type once marketed to scrawny beach goers, might no longer be so smart. This is especially true given the rise of cutting-edge exercise equipment, from TRX cables to digital fitness tools. The reality is, dumbbell routines remain among the very best full-body workouts available for all fitness levels. One great … Read More
Get Your Workouts Back On Track
Now that spring is upon us, it’s time to recommit to maintaining a regular, uninterrupted workout regimen. Consistency, after all, is the key to good health. Still, we all know life sometimes interferes. You might get sick, take a vacation, or just give up on your health kick for a while. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself right … Read More
Want to Stay Active this Winter? Try Skating!
If the idea of getting all your cardio from treadmills and stationary bikes throughout the long Canadian winter feels a bit like jail time, don’t worry. There are plenty of great seasonal cardio activities done outside a gym, and skating is one of the very best. There are other winter cardio options, of course, like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, public pools, … Read More
2014 Resolutions Check-Up
Every New Year, “Get Fit” and “Lose Weight” are among the most common resolutions. Unfortunately, resolutions themselves are often viewed as only delightful delusions. But, despite this pervasive defeatism, research data demonstrates clear value in resolution making. The Facts On Resolutions The first bit of encouraging news is that New Year’s resolutions remain relatively common, with %45 of North Americans … Read More
Digital Fitness Tools
Workout tapes and spring-loaded novelty gadgets are in the past, while digital fitness tools are taking over in their place. So far, three main product offerings are leading the charge. 1. Interactive Fitness Games The first true breakthrough in fitness gaming came in 2008 with the introduction of Wii Fit, which has since sold over 20 million copies and spawned … Read More
Are You as Fit as You Think?
So you think you’re pretty fit, huh? These suggestions should reveal if you’re right, or if you’ve neglected one of the three core areas of fitness: strength, flexibility, and cardio. Maybe you’ve trained independently for years without a basis for comparison, or you could be a hobbyist lifter, dancer, or runner wondering how your fitness compares outside your comfort zone. … Read More
Don’t Sweat Skipping Some Summer Workouts
Every summer, regimented exercise programs take a backseat to lawn maintenance, daylong barbecuing, and outdoor fun. But here’s the good news: the heat of summer naturally boots the metabolism and the longer days enable you to fit in more activity. So there’s a chance you’ll burn even more calories simply having fun than you would in the gym! Consider that … Read More
TRX: An Introduction and Exercise Guide
If you’ve seen a lot more people just “hanging around” at the gym lately, they might actually have been using one of the latest, greatest fitness tools: TRX cables! Original TRX was a military tool: Also called suspension training, TRX cables were first introduced to the general public in 2005 by ex-Navy Seal and Stanford MBA graduate, Randy Hetrick. As … Read More
Technique Essential For Great Results
Before heading to a gym, be sure you’re packing more than just a towel! You’ll need an understanding of proper exercise technique to optimize benefit and avoid injury. Here are some tips to get you started: Warming-up and Stretching: No matter your fitness level, warming-up and stretching are required prior to any workout. Your warm-up should consist of about 10 … Read More
Karp Personal Trainers Can Get You Fit!
Are you a gym beginner? Or a highly trained athlete? Maybe you’re nursing an injury? No matter your fitness goals, Karp Fitness can help you excel. Why Choose Karp? Established in 1992, Karp Fitness is one of Vancouver’s premier fitness specialists. With university degrees in kinesiology and other supporting certifications, all our personal trainers are a cut above. Karp trainers also care. They will … Read More