Beechmont Racquet & Fitness FitFam Blog

According to Kelly McGonagal’s book, The Joy of Movement, trail runner and triathlete Scott Dunlap describes the feeling he gets when he runs this way: “I would equate it to two Red Bulls and vodka, 3 ibuprofen, plus a $50 winning Lotto ticket in your pocket.” The runner’s high is often thrown out as bait to reluctant exercisers. It’s this intoxicating side effect described by many as a spiritual experience--a moment in time where runners feel completely alive, connected to everyone and even, loving. A similar euphoria can be found in any sustained physical activity, according to McGonagal. That includes hiking, swimming, cycling, dancing, or yoga. However, the high appears only after sustained effort. In her book, McGonagal asks the question, why does such a reward exist? And, why would it make you feel loving? Here are a few of her fascinating findings:

Did you know that people lose 10% of their muscle mass by age 50? (American College of Sports Medicine). You have your metabolism to thank for this because your body’s muscle is more metabolically active than fat, which burns more energy from the start. And with less muscle, your metabolism will inevitably slow down, which is a contributing factor to unwanted weight gain. 

Are your visits to the gym a little like the movie Groundhog Day where every single visit feels like the same thing over and over with little variety? You get on the same machine for the same amount of time and lift the same weights for the same number of repetitions. How’s that working out for you? Studies show that your body adapts to the same workout routine over and over and, therefore, the time you’re investing in the gym has less and less impact. To build muscle, you need to manipulate your muscles in different ways.  If you’re going to invest your time at the gym, don’t you want to maximize your results? We can help.

At Beechmont Racquet and Fitness, we’ve always valued the four main elements of wellness and hustled to incorporate them into every bit of who we are. We care about your physical health, your sense of belonging, your level of curiosity, and, most of all, your enjoyment.

Ever considered Group Fitness classes? Here are four reasons why it could be one of the best decisions you make in your fitness journey.

One of the few positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increased collective awareness of mental health and wellness. According to a recent article from IHRSA, researchers have observed a steady decline of mental health and wellness in much of society. Isolation and fear has affected all of us mentally and we’ve all had our episodes of Door Dashed Dairy Queen. When we weren’t able to turn to friends and family for care and comfort we turned to characters on Netflix, but these were poor substitutes for real hugs and connection. A number of factors have contributed to this mental health dip over the past year but physical activity still remains a relatively accessible and important aspect of maintaining mental health. In an effort to boost us all back to the land of the living, let’s look at the importance of getting up, getting out, and getting on the move physically. Science says exercise will do wonders... 

Most of us understand that exercise is a necessary part of overall health, but it’s hard to find the time between all of our hustles. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained popularity as a quick and easy way to exercise, and it offers many of the same health benefits as other forms of exercise. The 15-60 minute workout consists of short bursts of intense exercise followed by short periods of rest or gentle exercise. 

IHRSA recently reported fascinating new information regarding the rising number of anxiety disorders amongst young adults. IHRSA reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends resistance training and muscle strengthening exercises on two or more days each week for individuals struggling with anxiety. This counsel is on the behalf of a randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports, where researchers looked at the effect of resistance training on anxiety symptoms in young adults without a general anxiety disorder. Compared to a wait-listed control group, the results indicate people who completed the resistance training program saw a statistically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms. This study also suggests a potential role for exercise training in reducing the disease burden through prevention. 

Quarantine left us all feeling a little isolated, overwhelmed and wondering what pieces of the news we can pick up and really trust. Some sources encourage us to find...

According to a recent article in Yahoo, a national study finds that fitness facilities are safe and are not contributing to the spread of COVID-19.