Exercise is Medicine

You lose out on fitness gains if you don’t prioritize recovery. Photo by Gabe Pierce on Unsplash  Foam roller, massage gun, compression boots, cryo membership — you have it all. You’re royalty when it comes to workout recovery. Have you ever wondered how well those things actually work, though? Even the fanciest tools may not have the profound effect you think they do. Here’s a look at what does and doesn’t help you recover from workouts.  What might work  Massage and percussive therapy  Massage therapy is backed by a rather impressive body of evidence, but studies on massage as it relates specifically to workout recovery is limited. Percussive therapy is a newcomer to the muscle recovery arena, but the available science shows promising results. Both massage and percussive therapy work by manipulating your fascia and, if deep enough, your muscle tissue, which can work out kinks that cause soreness.  Percussive therapy devices, such as the HyperVolt, may help with sore, knotty muscles.   Cryotherapy   Cryotherapy is nothing new (hello, ice baths after practice), but whole-body cryotherapy — the trendy kind where you sit in a below-freezing chamber of nitrogen — is relatively novel. The concept behind cryotherapy makes sense: Muscles become inflamed after exercise, and cold reduces inflammation. However, some research shows that the age-old ice bath is at least as effective as that cryotherapy chamber session…   Compression therapy   Health professionals have long used compression to treat pain and speed up healing of inflammatory injuries. When it comes to muscle recovery, compression therapy (a la NormaTec) might help because it can increase blood flow to specific parts of your body, thereby increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to taxed muscle fibers.   Compression boots like the popular NormaTec ones may facilitate better recovery.   Far-infrared therapy   Surprisingly, this one actually has some solid science to back it up. Far-infrared therapy, which works by transferring energy as heat into deep layers of body tissue, may stimulate your body’s healing processes and help speed up muscle recovery. Who’d’ve thought? (Besides scientists).  Stretching  Surprise! While most people are aware that stretching can have immediate effects on the way you feel, science doesn’t necessarily support stretching as a bona fide workout recovery tactic. Evidence is conflicting at best, but that doesn’t mean you should swear off stretching. Your own anecdotal evidence is worth following in this case — if stretching makes you feel better and improves your recovery, then stretch.   Stretching may not support muscle recovery specifically, but that doesn’t mean it won’t help in other ways, like mobility.   Foam rolling  Surprise again. Foam rolling may not be the fitness cure-all you thought it was. Like stretching studies, foam rolling studies present conflicting evidence: Some studies say rolling relieves soreness, while others say it doesn’t. Some research even suggests foam rolling is better for warming up than for cooling down. But, again, don’t discount your own experience. If you think foam rolling helps you recover, definitely keep it in your routine.   What we know works  Post-workout nutrition  Protein: Ya need it. Carbs will help, too. Your body is equipped with everything it needs to do its job -- repair your muscles. Studies show that post-workout nutrition is a significant controllable variable in the muscle recovery process, so don’t neglect your post-lift protein shake.   Balanced meals go a long way. Photo by Logan Jeffrey on Unsplash  Sleep  Those six hours you get each night won’t cut it if you want to maximize muscle recovery. Research points to a clear link between sleep and whole-body regeneration, from hormone and metabolism regulation to — yep, you guessed it — muscle recovery. So, don’t feel bad about hitting snooze tomorrow.  Water  As always, water comes in clutch. Your body must maintain fluid balance to function optimally, and dehydration can impair the recovery process.  The bottom line  Workout recovery is about the fundamentals: mobility, hydration, nutrition, and sleep!  If you’d like to learn more about post-workout recovery, talk to a personal trainer at your nearest World Gym.      

Do these three things to get fit fast.   We’re going to let you in on a little secret: You can’t cheat fitness. Fitness takes time. Building muscle, losing fat, and improving your health markers might be the toughest endeavors you ever commit to, but you can avoid unnecessary frustration by knowing exactly what workouts to do to get fit as fast as possible.  World Gym doesn’t encourage quick fixes, fad diets, or any workout plans that promise fast-tracked results. World Gym stands by science, and there’s just no changing the fact that fitness doesn’t happen overnight. That said, here are three tricks of the trade to help you maximize your results. High-Intensity Interval Training    HIIT burns more calories in less time than other types of workouts.   The science doesn’t lie: Study after study has shown that HIIT produces the same health benefits as other types of exercise, such as aerobic cardio and resistance training, in less time. AKA, HIIT gives you the most bang for your gym buck.   While World Gym doesn’t necessarily recommend you stack your workout routine with only HIIT workouts, if you are short on time and want to get fit fast, a few HIIT sessions each week will lead you to your goal most efficiently. High-Volume Resistance Training   Do more reps for improved fitness. Strength training is integral to overall health and fitness, and any range of sets and reps provides benefits. However, research suggests that volume impacts your returns more than any other factor, including weight.   Studies have shown that high-volume resistance training increases muscle hypertrophy more than low-volume strength training. So, if your goal is to get fit as fast as possible, tailor your routine to include higher rep ranges with moderate weights rather than trying to hit a one-rep max every time you enter the weight room. Consistency, Frequency, and Simplicity   Group fitness, like our World Gym Athletics classes, can help you stay consistent.  Like we said before, World Gym doesn’t support quick fixes. No matter what type of exercise you choose, consistency and frequency are key. Your ability to stick to a routine and show up, session after session, dictates how fast you get fit (and how long you stay fit).   Simplicity is key — because studies show that people are more likely to stick to a simple, achievable fitness program rather than a program that requires you to do too much, too fast.   Despite what you may see on your Instagram feed, you don’t need to incorporate the newest, craziest exercises into your routine. Whether you choose HIIT or resistance training to propel you to your goals, the basics — functional compound movements like squats — always win (especially for new exercisers).   A Workout Routine to Get Fit Fast  Taking what you just learned about HIIT and high-volume resistance training, plus the known health benefits of low-intensity exercise and mobility work, try one of these workout routines to get fit fast.   If you can work out every day:   Monday: HIIT  Tuesday: Resistance training  Wednesday: Mobility or yoga flow for recovery  Thursday: Low-intensity, steady-state cardio for recovery  Friday: Resistance training  Saturday: HIIT  Sunday: Low-intensity, steady-state cardio for recovery  If you can work out three times per week:  Monday: HIIT  Wednesday: Resistance training  Friday: HIIT  Go for a walk or do mobility work on non-gym days.  Not sure where to start? Visit a World Gym near you and see how a qualified personal trainer can help.   Want help building a workout routine outside the gym? World Gym Anywhere has hundreds of on-demand workouts including strength, cardio, HIIT, recovery, skills and express (20 minutes or less) workouts. Head to the website for pricing, support, and more details.  

Walking seems boring to many fitness enthusiasts, but we make a case for trying it. Walking is the most foundational, most functional form of human movement — even more than squatting. The primary mode of human transportation, walking requires little brainpower and, in general, minimal effort for most people. It’s just natural.  Because walking is so simple, so natural, so easy for most, you may wonder whether walking for exercise is worth your time. Most extreme fitness enthusiasts scoff at the thought, but walking is phenomenal exercise. In fact, most scientific studies on the benefits of exercise look at walking as a primary modality.  But just how beneficial is walking, really? Let’s take a look.  Benefits of Walking for Exercise Walking is great for days when you feel under the weather or too sore, but still want to move.  When you walk for exercise, your body undergoes a number of changes. To name a few:  Your cardiovascular health improves (your heart and lungs get stronger).  Your cardiovascular and muscular endurance improve.  You burn calories and might lose weight.  In addition to those direct fitness benefits, walking also has a huge impact on your overall health. Walking can:  Lower your blood sugar and blood pressure over time.  Boost your mood and energy levels.  Relieve stress, boost productivity, and spark creativity.  Help you get more vitamin D.  And if you think walking is too easy (as many fitness enthusiasts do), consider how low-intensity exercise can supplement your current routine. Walking is a great way to fill time on rest days. It’s also a great replacement for a workout when you feel extra tired or under the weather, but still want to get movement in.  Walking is an especially phenomenal exercise choice for beginners who may not have proper running or weightlifting technique yet. It’s great cardio exercise for those with limited endurance and for busy people who don’t have time for an hour-long workout session or a commute to the gym. For older adults, walking provides a way to enjoy physical activity without excess stress on the joints. Walking may, in fact, be the most underrated form of exercise. How to Make Walking More Fun Make walking more challenging and fun by walking on rugged terrain or wearing a weighted backpack. Most hardcore gym-goers don’t exactly see walking as the most invigorating workout. Even when listening to your favorite tunes or an engrossing podcast, walking may feel dull and monotonous compared to what you do in the weight room or during group fitness classes.  To make walking more fun and reap the benefits of low-intensity steady-state cardio, try these walking workout ideas:  If you crave intensity, sprinkle a 30-second all-out sprint into your walk every five minutes.  Set speed goals. Power walking is probably tougher than you think! For strength work, add 10 walking lunges every two to five minutes.  Walk in a hilly or mountainous area. Add exercises at milestones. For instance, every half-mile you walk, do 10 push-ups and 20 air squats.  Walk with a weighted vest or backpack.  For more ways to work out at home, try World Gym Anywhere, our digital training platform with complete workouts from trainers like Gunnar Peterson. 

You know you need to work out to stay healthy and fit. But do you know how hard you should work out? Many people think they need to work out at the highest intensity possible every day, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your weekly workout routine should contain a healthy mix of high-, moderate-, and low-intensity physical activity. Heart rate training is a valuable tool to help you hit all those different workout intensities. In our World Gym Athletics programming, we use heart rate training to ensure every athlete is getting the most out of their workout. Here is how you can start using rate training in your workouts. Why you should try heart rate training During World Gym Athletics workouts, your heart rate monitor allows you to stay within your optimal intensity range for the day.  Heart rate training provides real-time feedback about how hard you’re working during exercise. This means you can adjust your workout intensity based on your goals for the given workout. That, in turn, means you can set and achieve specific, data-driven goals for each session.  For example, if you want to go for a recovery run, wearing a heart rate monitor can prevent you from running too fast on your easy day. The same concept applies to high-intensity interval training, weightlifting, and other forms of exercise.  How to start heart rate training Heart rate training is simple with a monitor like MyZone.  Well, first you need a way to measure your heart rate. If you wear an Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, or other type of smartwatch, you already have a way to do so. Chest strap heart rate monitors, like MyZone, use electrocardiogram technology and tend to be more accurate than wrist-worn devices that use optical tracking, so if you want to get serious, go with one of those. Arm straps are another good choice, but they also use optical tracking.  Once you have your device of choice, it’s time to put it to use. Heart rate training is all about beats per minute (BPM) and how close your BPM is to your max heart rate during any given workout. Heart rate training utilizes five heart rate zones, all of which correspond to a certain percentage of your max heart rate (MHR). Each zone elicits a different response from your body.  The five heart rate zones Use these five zones to achieve a desired outcome from each workout:  Very light effort: 50 to 59% MHR  Light effort: 60 to 69% MHR Moderate effort: 70 to 79% MHR Hard effort: 80 to 89% MHR Very hard effort: 90 to 99% MHR Calculate your heart rate zones  A World Gym Athletics coach can help you calculate your max heart rate. To find your heart rate zones, calculate your max heart rate. For World Gym Athletics, we use the Hunt Method: 211 – (your age x 0.64). For instance, if you’re 25 years old, you would multiply 25 x 0.64 to get 16, then subtract 16 from 211 to get 195.  With 195 BPM as your max heart rate, your heart rate zones approximately come out to:  Very light effort: 97 to 116 Light effort: 117 to 135 BPM Moderate effort:  136 to 154 BPM Hard effort: 155 BPM to 174 BPM Very hard effort: 175+ BPM  As a caveat, the formula isn’t appropriate for everyone. Beginners may need to adjust their estimated MHR down. A World Gym Athletics coach can help you do this. Staying in an optimal heart rate zone during workouts ensures you don’t over-tax your body, but you push it when it’s time to get intense. To learn more, talk to a coach at your World Gym.

It’s 100% possible to build muscle without lifting weights.  When people decide they want to build muscle and get stronger, the first thing that comes to mind is usually weight training. They get started with dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells because they hear it’s the best way to gain muscle. And it is. Research proves weightlifting results in the most significant muscle growth compared to cardio, high-intensity interval training, and other forms of exercise. However, while lifting weights remains the most efficient way to build muscle, it’s far from the only way. Next time you find yourself without barbells and dumbbells handy, try one of these five types of exercise for building muscle.  Calisthenics Calisthenics exercises include all bodyweight strength training movements.  The simplest way to build muscle without weights is to do bodyweight resistance exercises. The fancy name for bodyweight resistance training is “calisthenics.” Many people think calisthenics training is reserved for elite gymnasts who can do flagpoles and muscle-ups, but, calisthenics training also includes basic bodyweight exercises. Squats, push-ups, lunges, pull-ups, and sit-ups all count as calisthenics.  Plyometrics  Plyometric exercises are powerful and explosive. You can think of plyometrics as bouncy calisthenics. Movements such as jump squats and jump lunges, clapping push-ups, burpees, tuck jumps, single-leg hops, and long jumps all fall into the plyometrics category — and they can all help you build strength and muscle.  Sprinting Sprinting builds muscle in your lower body, especially the glutes and hamstrings. Running long distance may not help you build muscle but sprinting definitely can! Fast sprints require immense power from the calves, hamstrings, glutes, and quads. Your core also activates to stabilize your torso and your arms provide torque, so sprinting is effectively a full-body muscle-building exercise.  Swimming  Swim a few laps and tell us your muscles don’t burn. We’re waiting…  Swimming builds muscle through resistance, just like every other strengthening exercise. Even though swimming is technically considered cardio, water provides resistance as your body moves through it, which challenges your muscles. This makes swimming much more effective at building muscle than other forms of cardio, such as jogging or cycling.  Swimming in open water makes for an even greater challenge. Different swim strokes provide additional muscle-building potential, too. For instance, butterfly is way tougher than freestyle and can build up strength in your shoulders, core, and hips.  Suspension Training Suspension training makes bodyweight exercises more challenging.  Suspension training requires minimal equipment (a TRX or similar setup) but is still a simple and portable way to build muscle compared to weightlifting. With a suspension trainer, you can perform hundreds of exercises for your lower and upper body, as well as your core. As an added bonus, suspension training is really great for improving stability and core control.  Mountain Biking If you’re up for some adventure, mountain biking poses a serious challenge to your leg muscles. Climbing hills on foot is tough but climbing hills on a bike will make your quads scream. Tackling obstacles such as rock beds and learning tricks such as bunny hops will improve your overall fitness, too. So, head out and hit the trails to get strong — just don’t forget your helmet! Resistance Bands  Resistance bands offer great versatility.  Similar to a suspension system, resistance bands add an extra layer of difficulty to basic bodyweight movements. You can resistance bands to up the ante on movements such as air squats, as well as mimic barbell and dumbbell movements.  For instance, looping a resistance band under your feet and around your shoulders creates ample tension in the posterior chain, so you can practice hinging movements such as good mornings and Romanian deadlifts (things that are super hard to accomplish with no tension). Finally, with resistance bands, you can perform isolated movements to strengthen individual muscles or muscle groups, such as front raises, lateral raises, or glute kick-backs.   

Many people struggle to keep up with an exercise routine because they find traditional exercise boring. Squats, push-ups, and deadlifts simply don’t bring them excitement or joy.  The truth is, fitness doesn’t have to be so structured. Fitness can be spontaneous and fun — it doesn’t have to look like three sets of 10 with timed rest intervals. Dancing is one great way to make fitness fun. Everyone likes to dance, even if they don’t want to admit it or feel they aren’t good at it.  Humans were meant to move, and dancing is a natural way to do it! Plus, you can dance anywhere. Ahead, learn about 10 benefits of dancing that’ll convince you to add dance fitness classes to your workout routine. Cardiovascular Health Busting a move is a great way to get your heart rate up. Dancing brings all the same cardiovascular benefits as walking, jogging, or interval training.  Endurance Dance fitness classes can be as short as 30 minutes or up to an hour. Whichever type of class you choose, moving and shaking for half an hour or more will undoubtedly improve your endurance over time. Coordination, Balance, and Stability Dancing involves moving in all planes of motion, sometimes in multiple planes simultaneously. You’ll rotate, flex, extend, move forward, and move back. This type of comprehensive movement improves balance and stability.  Mind-to-Muscle Connection When you first try dance fitness, you might feel like a baby giraffe, unsure how, exactly, to move your body. You’ll have to think hard about some movements and practice your rhythm. Over time, however, you’ll start to move naturally and fluidly thanks to your newfound mind-muscle connection.  Social Wellness You might meet your new best friend in a dance fitness class. Attending classes can double as your workout session and social time — and it’s way healthier than going to happy hour. Boosted Mood Dancing is extremely expressive, and it may help you release some stress or other uncomfortable emotions. In fact, research shows that dancing can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. This doesn’t come as a surprise considering the plethora of research proving exercise is good for emotional health. Flexibility From high kicks to hip circles, you’ll find yourself amazed at the flexibility and mobility you gain through dancing. Your joints will naturally find deeper ranges of motion as you progress.  Brain Health There’s no shortage of research showing that exercise is good for your brain. Studies show that certain areas of the brain, including those related to memory, planning, and critical thinking, can be strengthened through exercise like dance. Strength and Power Some types of dance, such as Latin dance, involve explosive movements that strengthen your muscles and teach you to use power from your hips, glutes, hamstrings, and core.  Energy Dancing is invigorating and the fast-paced music is energizing. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated every time you leave a dance fitness session.  Do You Have to Be Good at Dancing to Do Dance Classes?  There are no prerequisites to joining dance fitness classes at World Gym. All of our dance classes are led by experienced and qualified instructors who will show you the ropes. It may take some time to learn the moves or get accustomed to the flow of the class, but you’ll be a natural in no time.  There’s only one skill you need to get the most out of dance fitness classes: Allow yourself to indulge in the act of dancing. Get out of your head and remember that it’s not about being the best. Everyone’s there for the same reason — to move in a way that feels good.  Learn about the dance fitness classes available at your World Gym location. References and Resources The effect of dance training on joint mobility, muscle flexibility, speed and agility in young cross-country skiers--a prospective controlled intervention study Cognitive and mobility profile of older social dancers  Dancing Participation and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: A Pooled Analysis of 11 Population-Based British Cohorts  Lights out, let's dance! An investigation into participation in No Lights, No Lycra and its association with health and wellbeing  Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly  Why Do You Dance? Development of the Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI)  Effects of dance therapy and ballroom dances on physical and mental illnesses: A systematic review 

Your heart rate is the best indicator of how hard your body is working during a training session. Whether you run, swim, cycle, lift weights, or do bodyweight HIIT workouts, training with heart rate zones can help you hit specific intensity targets.  In this article, learn the benefits of using heart rate training zones and how utilizing data can help you reach your fitness goals faster. Defining the Heart Rate Zones There are five heart rate zones, all of which correspond to different percentages of your max heart rate (MHR), which you’ll learn how to calculate later. In each zone, you’ll experience a different level of exertion and your body will use carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for fuel in specific ways.  Zone 1: 50 percent to 60 percent of MHR Zone 2: 60 percent to 70 percent of MHR Zone 3: 70 percent to 80 percent of MHR Zone 4: 80 percent to 90 percent of MHR Zone 5: 90 percent to 100 percent of MHR You can also think of these in terms of effort level: Zone 1: Very light Zone 2: Light Zone 3: Moderate Zone 4: Hard Zone 5: Very hard All of these zones have specific purposes and they’re all important. The goal is never to max out every workout or stay in zone 5 for an hour.  An effective workout plan will include different types of workouts with different intended stimuli. This is the only way to continue to progress and avoid facing fitness burnout or overtraining syndrome.  Why You Should Use the Heart Rate Zones Here are a couple of scenarios when heart rate zones really come in handy:  Many runners tend to run too fast on recovery days. Paying attention to heart rate zones ensure they avoid overtraining.  Beginners may overestimate their intensity level. Using heart rate zones, they can see how hard they’re really working and make adjustments to reach their fitness goals. Advanced exercisers may underestimate their intensity level. Heart rate zones provide data so they can remain in the intended intensity range of their programming and continue to see results.  Fitness enthusiasts sometimes overdo it. Having heart rate data handy, they can see if their body is overworking during a session that should be easy or moderate. This way, they can scale back to avoid overtaxing their bodies.  Which Zone Should You Work Out In?  Your weekly workout routine should include some variation of all of the zones. If you only work out in one heart rate zone, you risk hitting a plateau or sustaining overuse injuries, esepcially if your main mode of exercise is a high-impact activity. Here’s a sample weekly schedule of what heart rate training zones can look like:  Monday: Zones 2 and 3; moderate intensity activity such as jogging or lifting moderate weights Tuesday: Zones 3, 4, and 5: intervals of hard-hitting, intense activity paired with slower, more moderate active intervals Wednesday: Zones 1 and 2: very light and light activity to rest your central nervous system and prepare your muscles for another tough day tomorrow Thursday: Zones 2, 3, and 4: moderate to somewhat difficult activity paired with very light rest intervals Friday: Zones 1 and 5: bursts of extremely vigorous activity followed by intervals of complete rest Saturday: Zones 3, 4, and 5: intervals of hard-hitting, intense activity paired with slower, more moderate active intervals Sunday: Zone 1; rest, stretching, yoga, light walking How to Calculate Your Heart Rate for Training Step 1: Calculate your max heart rate.  For World Gym Athletics, we use the Hunt Method: 211 – (your age x 0.64). For instance, if you’re 25 years old, you would multiply 25 x 0.64 to get 16, then subtract 16 from 211 to get 195.   Step 2: Calculate your heart rate zones To find your heart rate targets for each zone, simply multiply the low and high percentage of each zone by your MHR. To calculate Zone 1 ranges for a MHR of 195, first multiply 195 by 0.50 to get 97. Then multiply 195 by o.60 to get 116.   You won’t always land on a whole number, but that’s okay. Here are the approximate heart rate zones for a MHR of 195:   Very light effort: 97 to 116  Light effort: 117 to 135 BPM  Moderate effort:  136 to 154 BPM  Hard effort: 155 BPM to 174 BPM  Very hard effort: 175+ BPM   For World Gym Athletics, we use MyZone, a heart rate training program that determines your max heart rate and tailors experiences specifically to your effort levels. To learn more about the benefits of training with heart rate zones, talk to a World Gym Athletics coach.